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S P R I N G
2 0 1 5 FAITH FOR THE WHOLE WOMAN
Unleashing Your Creativity Praying With Power The Key to
Forgiveness Believe For
Your Mate
IGNITING THE Entrepreneur in You
A LOVE FEAST Love Your Body
ESCAPE FROM HELL
A special report on Terrorism & Sexual Slavery
LOVE FEAST ISSUE
SPRING 2015
C OV E R S T O RY
PATRICIA KING
A Love Feast 34
SPECIAL REPORT
ESCAPE FROM HELL
Terrorism and Sexual Slavery 10
MISSIONS & JUSTICE
Always Pray and Never Give Up 6 DANIELLE STRICKLAND Life: Our Greatest Asset 17 ANDREA AASEN Esther’s Story 32 AMY LANCASTER
PUBLISHER
PATRICIA KING A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R
SHIRLEY SEGER EDITOR IN CHIEF
PATRICIA KING EXECUTIVE EDITOR
SHIRLEY SEGER EDITOR
BILL SANGALLI
P E R S O N A L G R OW T H
Love Is a Word 2 SHIRLEY SEGER Love or Fame? 37 TERI SECREST Igniting the Entrepreneur in You 40 PATRICIA KING Love Your Body 44 SARAH ROWAN DAHL Unleashing Your Creativity 46 JOAN HUNTER The Key to Forgiveness 50 BARBIE BREATHITT Dreams: God’s Love Letters 53 KATIE SOUSA Resurrection Power Heals the Soul 54 PATRICIA KING Patricia’s Picks 56 IVERNA TOMPKINS
DESIGN
BILL SANGALLI C OV E R P H O T O G R A P H Y
YUGANOV KONSTANTIN / SHUTTERSTOCK COPY E DITOR
LILA NELSON MARKETING
SHIRLEY SEGER
D I G I TA L E D I T I O N
xpmedia.com PRINT EDITION
xpministries.com INQUIRIES
arise@patriciaking.com
G O D LY C O U N S E L
Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way 18 PATRICIA KING Ask Patricia 19 ROBERTS LIARDON Catherine Booth: The Army Mother 60 CLARICE FLUITT
PROFILE
RACHEL GOLL TUCKER
Quiet Places and Four Letter Words 22
FA M I LY
This Is Love 4 Believe for Your Mate 43 CARIN TAIT Reunited After 44 Years 49 FAYTENE GRASSESCHI SHIRLEY SEGER
P R AY E R & P R O P H E C Y
The Praying Prophetess 21 BONNIE CHAVDA A Mother’s Love 30 STACEY CAMPBELL Praying With Power 38 STEVE SHULTZ Women Emerging 58 JAMES GOLL
CHILDREN ARISING
© 2015, Patricia King Enterprises. All rights reserved.
From the Heart of a Teenager 28 HEATHER CLARK Girls of Courage 29
ELIZABETH SPRINGER
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EDITORIAL
Learning to Love
The late prophet and seer Bob Jones gave a testimony that has powerfully impacted me over the years. In his heavenly encounter, he died and consequently stood before the Lord in heaven. Upon Bob’s arrival, the Lord asked him one sobering question, “Did you learn to love?” God did not comment about Bob’s prophetic stewardship at all, although Bob was a fruitful prophetic gift to the body of Christ. Only one question had been asked: “Did you learn to love?” Bob Jones realized with great conviction and reality, that he had certainly not learned to love. He had fallen short of fulfilling the love commission. In that moment, he was extremely aware of his love failure. The Lord, in His mercy, sent him back to earth to learn to love. Bob Jones departed for his eternal home many years later— on Valentines’ Day. The nature of God, the character of God, and the motivation of God can all be summed up in one word: Love. The atmosphere of heaven can be described with one powerful and ultimate adjective: Love. Our primary calling in life boils down to a singular mandate: Love.
God is love and He has called us to feast on His love and to share His love feast with others. God is calling all His creation to come and feast on His love. Through Christ, He has demonstrated His love for us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Through His Son, God has set a banquet of promises and goodness for us all to enjoy in this glorious covenant of love. What a gift of grace! Let’s enter more deeply into the feast God has prepared for us to enjoy; and let’s share it with others— It’s a “Love Feast.”
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LIVING WELL
by Dr. Iverna Tompkins With a sigh of relief that my shopping was complete,
I pulled my car into the garage, gathered my packages and headed for the back door. He was in the kitchen when I entered and before I could even put the items on the counter he was kissing me and letting me know I’d been missed. His name is Simeon. We’ve only been together for five years, but he loves me unconditionally and I love him, too. I also love his companions (another schnauzer, and our beautiful black and white cat). I love my home, my yard and my car. When I buy a new outfit, I hear myself say, “I love it.” Of course, none of these loves even come close to the love I have for my children and grandchildren. When they express love to me, I am emotionally stirred to respond with hugs and words that communicate my feelings of deep and unconditional love for them. Years ago, I learned to sing, “I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over again. He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. Oh what a love between my Lord and I.” This is my testimony: I am in love with Jesus. How important is this word love? The Bible uses it 300-500 times, depending on the version you’re reading. Its most familiar passage about love is 1 Corinthians 13, which describes what love looks like: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Love never fails. But mine did. I have known the passionate love of satisfied sexual completion in marriage. But when that was violated, it left a damaged soul that only the Lord could heal, because the sexual fulfillment was not only an expression of eros, “erotic desire,” but of philea, “ardent affection, friendship and trust.” 2
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What went wrong that left me with two children and no husband to care for us? Missing was agapao, the special kind of Christian love that does not rely on feelings but on commitment to others. I was raised in a Christian home by parents who loved God, each other and their children. Daily, I learned how to live and how to love from the words of my father (who was also my pastor) and the directions of my mother. They lived what they taught. I just believed that I would marry and have that same kind of love and life when I grew up. What I didn’t realize was that I had not learned to love in an atmosphere in which I was rejected and disapproved of. I had not learned to love unconditionally. Consequently, when I was betrayed over and over, I felt justified in withdrawing my love and hardening my heart. God has interesting ways of revealing our hearts to us so that we can repent and be changed. His ways are as varied as the situations we face that demand our willingness to forgive. My awareness that change had taken place in me came when my ex-husband called to say he was bringing his new wife to meet my children. Now that’s a test for any woman to pass or fail. When the doorbell rang, my heart skipped a beat. I was unsure of myself. Had I really been changed? Had I truly forgiven? Would I be able to love him in spite of how he had treated me? As I saw him standing tall and handsome beside an attractive, younger than I, woman, I felt love surge through me for both of them. I opened my home and heart for their visit. Where did that come from? So unlike me! Oh, it wasn’t me. It was God in me. God is not concerned with just one act of forgiveness and love. He wants us to live our entire lives embracing His unconditional love: to receive it for ourselves from Him and then to extravagantly give it to others. Love taught me to move on. I have had a glorious and fulfilled life because of God’s great love. The pain of the past has not been a stumbling block. It has been my stepping stone to knowing God’s love more and more. Love is a word, and that Word is a He: “In the beginning was the Word … and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) And God is love. That’s why we can love one another unconditionally, and that’s indeed a love feast! IVERNA TOMPKINS has been preaching and teaching the body of Christ for over 45 years with prophetic insight and humor. Her ability to equip leaders, fueled by her passion for the Word of God and His Church, causes her hearers to be deeply challenged and miraculously changed. ivernainternational.com
“Love never fails. But mine did.�
by Faytene Grasseschi I remember wrestling through the “to marry and have children or not” question. For almost a decade and a half, I had been in full-time ministry as a single woman. I loved being on the frontlines with Jesus. The seasons were fruitful, exciting and full of life. At the same time, I could not deny that my heart longed for a human companion. When I turned 35, I came to a moment of decision. I knew that if the “marriage” part of my life was ever going to develop, I was going to need to open my heart to it. Still, my desire to live a life of maximum impact for Jesus was far deeper than my desire for human companionship. One life is all we have. For real! 4
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Our time on this planet is so short and there are no do-overs. I longed to spend my life in a way that would yield the greatest fruit for the kingdom of God—whatever that looked like. With all these thoughts swirling in my heart, I began to seek the Lord for His mind and wisdom. What I learned surprised me. It’s All About a Wedding I dove into the Scriptures to see what God said about it all. Honestly, this just left me more confused. On one hand, I found verses that say it isn’t good to be alone (Genesis 2:18), that two are better than one because they get a greater return for their labor (Ecclesiastes 4:9), and that one can
put a thousand to flight but two can send a legion fleeing (Deuteronomy 32:30). But then, there are passages in which the apostle Paul wrote that it is good not to marry, that those who marry face many troubles and have a divided focus (1 Corinthians 7), not to mention the seemingly obvious — Jesus was single. Feeling like I was getting nowhere fast, I quieted myself to inquire of the Lord. “Jesus,” I asked, “why did You choose singleness?” The answer shocked me. “I didn’t,” He replied, “actually, the whole reason I came was to win a Bride. This is all about a wedding.” In that one moment, my mind began to be radically shifted.
FAMILY
Do You Want to Look Like Jesus? Next, God asked me was a question, “Faytene, what is the goal of your life? Is it to have a large ministry or to look like me?” Discerning the wise answer, I replied, “The goal of my life is to look like You, Jesus. A big ministry means little if I don’t look like You in the end.” He then spoke to my heart, “If that is the goal of your life, then open your heart to marriage.” As He spoke these words I knew what He meant. There are certain things that would only be challenged, shaped, revealed and developed in the context of a covenant relationship with another human being. Edges of my character would be rubbed, sharpened and shaped in a way they simply could not be without someone at close range. If I embraced marriage, I would look more like Jesus on the Day of Judgment. This was not the romantic answer I was hoping for; it did not sound like fun, but in it I heard wisdom. I Am Jealous for Your Fruit The third thing I heard God say was, “I am jealous, not only for the fruit of your ministry, but also for your natural lineage.” In that moment He gave me a prophetic revelation of the daughter I would have if I chose marriage, as well as His burning love not only for me but for her. My heart responded with deep desire to give Him the gift of this little one’s life. Those three points were enough for me. I opened my heart, and within a couple of years I found myself saying “yes” to marrying Robert Grasseschi, and a couple of years later, holding our precious daughter in our arms. We had an outdoor wedding. Instead of getting married under a traditional chuppa, we decided to erect a large cross with a sign nailed to it that read, “This Is Love.”
We wanted a visual reminder that the ultimate expression of love is not in an earthly wedding, but in the love of Jesus for His Bride when He died on the cross for us. Since saying yes to marriage and family, I have experienced a deepening revelation of God’s massive interest in what is often referred to as “the family mountain.” I believe one of the chief ways that God will manifest His glory to our generation is through the family unit. Those who will contend for this mountain are giving themselves to a mission that is core to the heart of God and central to the release of His government in the earth. God Is a Family Man The reality that God is a family man is all over the Bible. The first manifestation of the government of God in the earth was given in the context of marriage, when Adam and Eve, together, were commissioned to rule and take dominion of the earth. There was no mistake in this design. There is little more powerful in the earth than a husband and wife walking in kingdom purpose-filled unity. When they pray, hell shakes. When they decree, God’s government is loosed in the earth with unstoppable force. When they agree, it is established. (Matthew 18:19) The only thing that preceded the command for husband and wife to walk in God’s authority in the earth was His command to multiply and have a family! Right from the start God purposed to fill the earth with His government and likeness through a family. Throughout the Word, we see the Lord relating not only to individuals, but to their families. When God saved Noah, He saved his family too. When destroying Sodom, God did not just give Lot a way of escape, but
his whole family. When God called Abram out of Haran, it was not only him who went, but his whole family. The examples go on and on. The cross was also about family. Jesus came for a Bride, but He also came to reunite us, as children, to our heavenly Father. Jesus’ heart burned to give the Father back what had been lost in the garden of Eden, when sin had separated the Father from his earthly sons and daughters. One Son, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed so that many sons would be re-united back to the Father. It’s all about family. God thinks family, He loves family, and purposes to advance His kingdom through family. When families on earth look like heaven, the world will see faithfulness, unity, covenant, love, joy and fruitfulness in such a way that they’ll want to know the God who produces these! In a generation where multitudes are feasting on the negative fruit of divorce, fatherlessness and dysfunction, this type of witness is atomic. Get excited. If you are contending for your marriage or your family, you are contending on the frontlines of God’s heart for this generation in a big way! With all my heart I believe that, in this hour of human history, God is thrusting forth men and women who will contend for the family mountain. He is looking for those who will fearlessly, faithfully and ferociously give themselves to seeing families strengthened to come forth as the greatest beacon of God’s glory that the earth has ever seen! FAYTENE GRASSESCHI is an activist and revivalist with a huge passion to see justice brought to the poor and oppressed. She is a wife and mother, a dynamic speaker, equipper and media producer. She leads The Cry, My Canada and V-Kol Media Ministries. faytene.ca S P R I N G 2 01 5
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MISSIONS
by Amy Lancaster
Gloria would often come to our house before going off to drug rehab.
Gloria knocked on our door one day. She was hungry and asked if she could have something to eat. Gloria was no stranger, she had been on our porch and in our home many times. My husband, David, made her a turkey sandwich and sat down with her to listen to her heart, share some nuggets of wisdom and pray for her needs. Over the years, David and I have had many such conversations with Gloria. She would often come to our house before going off to drug rehab, and back again after dropping out of rehab, or getting out of prison, or after a savage beating by her pimp. Gloria is no stranger to our porch. On a recent night, she came by for help again. We prayed with her and gave her something to eat. The next morning, we found her sleeping on our porch. Gloria had found a safe place. Isn’t that what we all want deep down inside? A safe place. It’s tempting to give up on someone you constantly reach out to help, when they continue to go back into their bondage and darkness. It’s easy to think that person is too far gone. But love never gives up. Jesus never gives up! Jesus has used precious Gloria to teach us many rich lessons, especially about always praying and never giving up. In the years we have known each other, David and I have been through some rough days and dark nights. We have suffered great loss and a multitude of disappointments. I have experienced many sleepless nights in prayer with seemingly no breakthrough. But every time I was tempted to give up on Gloria, Jesus would revive my faith and remind me of this scripture: “Jesus told His disciples a story to teach them to always pray and never give up.” (Luke 18:1) Jesus always takes me back to my knees. He reminds me to always pray and never, ever give up. This is how love behaves. Gloria has now given her heart to the Lord. I have the honor of walking with her as my sister in Christ. Jesus saw it all, from the very beginning, through the hard times and difficult days. He has kept Gloria and our family close to His purposes through all those years. His love and grace faithfully empower us every step along the journey of Gloria’s growth. Do you have a “Gloria” in your life? I encourage you to always pray and never, ever give up! Jesus is faithful. He is worth it all. AMY LANCASTER loves the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart. She has a burning desire to see all people come to know Him as their Savior, Healer and Deliverer. Amy and her husband, David, and their three children live and minister in the inner city of Jackson, Mississippi. They are caretakers of We Will Go, a ministry that trains and takes teams around the world to share the gospel. wewillgo.org
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David and Amy Lancaster
There is Treasure to be Desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise...
Prov 21:20
On the third day of creation, our Heavenly Father gave us plants, trees and flowers, that we would have food for nourishment and healing. Queen Esther, Moses and King David knew the secret of health, longevity and beauty was in certain leaves, flowers, and rinds. Over time, we’ve learned to distill and concentrate the powerful constituents of these plants to make essential oils. Today, this same ‘liquid gold’ is your most powerful solution for today’s 21st century health needs. I believe that good nutrition and therapeutic-grade essential oils will prove to be the most powerful natural health therapies of this century! Teri Secrest
Health Author & Certified Wellness Coach
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In the days of Queen Esther, it was common practice for Persian women to prepare for their wedding by learning to apply essential oils. This course of study often lasted for up to one year. Minerva Teichert
Scriptural Essence–Secrets of the Cohanim by Janet McBride
ESCAPE FROM HELL
A special report on the fight against terrorism and sexual slavery
MISSIONS
iana & eugen are a new breed of missionary,
abandoning prestigious professions mid-career to tackle what is at once an ancient and uniquely 21st century horror—the sexual torture of women by Islamist extremists. Diana, a lively marketing and public relations manager of DanishIndian descent, started her humanitarian work at very a young age. She was exposed to many of the world’s harsh realities while traveling with her diplomatic parents on development projects throughout Europe and Asia. It was in those early days, playing with the children in the slums of India that her compassion for the needy was birthed. With the help of her family, she started an orphanage at the age of 17. Today, Diana and her husband, Eugen, are dedicated to transforming the lives of the oppressed and defenseless through Dreams Without Borders, the humanitarian organization they founded. Eugen, a towering half-German, half-Russian pilot, left his posi tion as general manager and captain of a major airline to follow God’s call into full-time ministry. He has been personally trained by evangelist Daniel Kolenda and mentored by Reinhard Bonnke. “Our current mission,” explains Eugen, “together with our partners, is to provide medical, emotional care, shelter and other support to women who have managed to escape their ISIS captors.” The road to recovery for these severely traumatized women is extremely difficult. More than often, they face a second wave of violence, rejection and discrimination at the hands of their own communities, as they return to a culture that blames them for “brining shame” upon their families by having been defiled at the hands of their rapist captors. Every form of sexual exploitation is inherently and equally despicable, yet modern-day Islamist extremists, emboldened by their ideology of domination, are abusing women and girls on a mind-boggling scale. Most of it is hidden from view, played out daily in countless remote desert villages, while the world’s attention is focused on their more infamous terrorist activities. As ISIS’s brutal killing machine sweeps through large parts of northern Iraq, systematically targeting members of non-Arab and non-Sunni communities, they have singled out one particular ethnic group, the Yazidi—especially their women and children.
S P R I N G 2 01 5 Zurijeta / Shutterstock
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Our current mission
is to provide
for
care
women
who have managed to escape
their ISIS captors.
Eugen and Diana
In August 2014, ISIS began their ruthless hunt for the Yazidis in and around the Sinjar mountains. During what has been called “forced conversion campaigns” this genocidal persecution lead to brutal massacres of Yazidi men and the abduction of their women and children. “Some of the women and girls as young as 9 years old who managed to escape, gave us horrific accounts and showed us gruesome pictures of the cruelty they have endured,” reports Diana. “The men were beheaded, shot or buried alive, while the women were raped and sold into slavery. Even infant girls are being snatched out of their mothers’ hands to be given as spoil to high ranking ISIS fighters.” In December, Dreams Without Borders interviewed a large number of women and girls who had escaped. The organization was given the rare privilege to study their files. Many of these women have sisters and daughters
still in captivity. “Ismael Khalid, advisor to the Iraqi government and member of the Yazidi genocide committee told us that ISIS continues to hold about 5,000 women, including children,” says Eugen. This type of hostage taking and sexual violence constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, including torture, rape and sexual slavery. Dreams Without Borders has entered into partnership with the Yazidi Genocide Committee to bring humanitarian relief and to set up safe houses, after care and education for medium and long term support of these devastated women and girls, many of whom suffer with sexually transmitted diseases, infections and other serious conditions. “Providing shelter, medical and psychological care are our top priorities,” report Diana and Eugen. The need is urgent, the situation vast and critical. They cannot do it alone.
To learn more about Dreams Without Borders and how you can help, visit www.dreamswithoutborders.vision
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“There is
no hope for us to ever live
a normal life,
let alone find a husband.”
Mr Khan / iStock
The Stigma Remains The women and girls Dreams Without Borders helps, suffer great physical and emotional hardship. They simply cannot cope with the acute emotional distress caused by the horrors of their captivity, their grief for relatives killed by ISIS and their desperate concern for those who are still being held captive. Yazidi customs strictly forbid marriage with members of other faiths, and sexual relations outside marriage are considered extremely shameful for the entire family. Not only do these women experience sustained and ruthless abuse, they also get shunned by their own family and community. Some even become victims of so-called “honor killings.” The chief gynecologist of Dohuk province, Mrs. Noran, told Dreams Without Borders, “The simple but sad truth is that if these girls speak about what has been done to them, they are not welcome anymore. They find themselves in a catch-22 situation. If they lie, they do not receive the medical and emotional support they so desperately need. If they speak the truth, they face accusations and rejection by their own families. Even if they find someone within the refugee camps to care for and support them, the stigma remains.” The medical and psychosocial support services provided by the Kurdish Ministry of Health and nongovernmental organizations are very limited and mostly located far away from where these women and girls are sheltered. Most of them have no one to turn to for support and advice. Fifteen-year-old Sanorja said, “I initially denied having been sexually abused by these men, but my brother who is the only surviving member of our family forced me to do a virginity test. After learning I wasn’t a virgin anymore, he beat me to the point of bleeding.”
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A Handbook for Sex Slavery
Rania’s Story Rania is 12 years old. Most girls her age want to look pretty. But today, Rania wants to look ugly and sick. Instead of brushing her teeth and doing hair, she smears dirt on her face, cuts her forehead with a sharp object and puts on baggy clothes that are dirty and smelly. She’s trying to make herself as repelling as possible because word has it that ISIS soldiers are approaching her village on their methodical “sex jihad.” On August 6, 2014, they arrived. First they massacred Rania’s father and brothers. Then they rounded up the women of the house and shipped them to a hospital for “cleaning” and a medical checkup. “They cannot touch sick girls, so my 14-year-old sister told them she has cancer,” says Rania. “They threatened to severely punish her if she was lying.” Rania’s sister was spared by the pity of the examining doctor who falsely testified that she indeed had cancer. Rania wasn’t so fortunate. Her captors did with her as they pleased. “I can’t even remember how many men raped me the first day — more than ten.” Some of them would recite passages from the Koran during the abuse to justify their actions. After raping her repeatedly, the terrorists took Rania to Mosul. She was held in a school building with more than 100 other women waiting to be “allocated” to their future masters. “We spoke about committing suicide all the time but no one actually did it, until a 10 year old girl managed to cut her wrists and hang herself in the bathroom,” she recalls. Rania was able to escape and has now found shelter, together with three other ladies, in a leaking tent at the side of a dirt road near the Syrian/Turkish border. Medical care is scarce and emotional support non-existent. Rania managed to escape the militants only to get rejected, accused and subjected to further violence at home for bringing “shame” into the family. She refers to her three tent mates as her aunts, but they aren’t related. Initially, her surviving extended family accepted her as long as she denied having been sexually violated by her captors. When she was no longer able to do so, she was ostracized as punishment for bringing disgrace upon the family, loosing her only remaining source of social and financial support. Like many other women and girls who managed to escape the horrors of captivity, Rania needs to be closely monitored as the trauma she suffered could still drive her to suicide. “She suffers terrible nightmares and can hardly sleep, says one of Rania’s tent mates. “She is depressed and barely says a word. I am afraid for her safety, I can’t leave her alone, not even for a short while. I fear she may harm herself.” 14
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One of diana and eugen’s road trips brought them within 15 miles of Mosul, which is the headquarters for ISIS troops in the region. It was there that a Peshmerga fighter showed them an abhorrent pamphlet published by the ISIS “Research and Fatwa Department.” The document contains 27 tips for militants on how to capture, rape, punish and sell female captives—including prepubescent girls. It confirmed, once again, that the terrible tales Diana and Eugen have heard are not only true, but also how premeditated and systematic the capturing, selection and rape of these women is. The pamphlet, entitled “Questions and Answers on Taking Captives and Slaves” explains in a Q&A format the official position of the Islamic State concerning female slavery. “Can all unbelieving women be taken captive?” reads one question. The Answer: “There is no dispute among the scholars that it is permissible to capture any non-Muslim woman.” The next question: “Can one have intercourse with a female captive?” Answer: “It is permissible to have sexual intercourse with the female captive. Allah the almighty said…” Then come the rules for how militants should handle their slaves. Among the most shocking, assurance that it is “permissible” to rape a female slave “immediately after taking possession of her. If she is a virgin, the master can have intercourse with her immediately, however, if she is not a virgin, her uterus must be purified first.” How a uterus is “purified” is not explained in the pamphlet. What about child sex slavery? Islamic State has an answer for that as well. Question: “is it permissible to have intercourse with a female slave who has not reached puberty?” Answer: “It is permissible to have intercourse with the female slave who has not reached puberty if she is fit for intercourse; however, if she is not fit for intercourse, then it is enough to enjoy her without intercourse.” The pamphlet goes on to cover a variety of other atrocities, including whether one can sleep with two sisters, procedures for buying and selling slaves and how to cover up a slave during prayer.
Diana and eugen were handed a
phone. On the line was an Egyptian pastor’s daughter who was trapped in a village surrounded by ISIS. Her request left them speechless, “Pray that I will stand strong and confess the name of Jesus until they cut my throat.” “We have heard so many accounts of unspeakable suffering at the hands of ISIS,” says Diana. “In addition to women being raped and sold into slavery, Christians are being beheaded, crucified and buried alive.” As they looked at a photo of a mass crucifixion, the Holy Spirit reminded Eugen of the words of the Church father Tertullian: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church,” meaning that the sacrifice of these people will lead to the salvation of others. Amid countless stories of tragedy, Diana and Eugen also report stories of triumph that demonstrate how the power of the martyr’s witness has already started to bear fruit in the area. “Our friend, Father Douglas, head of the Syrian/Chaldean Church in
Kurdistan had his church blown up and was kidnapped by ISIS soldiers.” reports Diana. “As they began to knock his teeth out one by one, Father Douglas would respond by teaching them about Jesus. Every blow to his face he returned with a blessing.” “They didn’t capture me, I captured them” he says. “They threatened to cut off my head and replace it with that of a dog. I laughed at them and said, ‘you can kill my body but you cannot kill my soul. I don’t care what you do with my head. I am more concerned about you, for my death is just the start of my life with Jesus, but your life ends with your death.’” That display of faith and strength confused the captors to such an extend that they let him go. “God alone knows what seed has been planted inside the hearts of these terrorists.” “Then there’s Youssef from Mosul,” continues Diana, “who was a staunch Muslim and ISIS sympathizer. After witnessing the public execution of Christians standing strong in their
faith, Youssef gave his life to Jesus. For 10 days he hid before being captured. He knew all too well what was going to happen next. However, those few days in the presence of a loving God had changed everything for him. As they beat him, demanding he ‘say the prayer,’ a one liner to convert back to Islam, an eyewitness told us how he endured hours of pounding while crying out, ‘I now belong to Jesus!’ Those were his last words before he went to be with his Savior.” Youssef has probably never read the Bible. He didn’t need to be discipled, the blood of Christian martyrs had planted a seed in his heart that bore its glorious, heavenly fruit. Many of the 1.8 million refugees in primitive camps in Northern Iraq are hungry for the love of Jesus. In addition to their humanitarian work with former ISIS sex slaves, Diana and Eugen are also spreading the gospel and equipping the church in the region with their ministry arm Transforming Nations.
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TOUR
JUSTICE
Life : Our Greatest Asset by Danielle Strickland To demonstrate that creating life is the highest form of art, artist Marni Kotak once “performed” the live birth of her son in a New York art gallery. According to her, there is no topping the birth of a human being. I think God agrees with her, perhaps not about art, but about the glory of human life. Deep within our JudeoChristian faith is rooted the idea that all life is precious. In the beginning of the creation story, God imprinted His value on every human being. In Latin this is called Imago Dei. The early church fathers used the phrase to explain the value of life to many societies that didn’t seem to cherish the beauty of it at all. Every social evil can be traced back to a devaluing of human life. This is a simple, but profound truth. If we valued people over power, we wouldn’t have exploitation. If we valued people over profit, we wouldn’t have corporate greed. If we valued people over production, we wouldn’t have slavery. A conversation I once had with a “john” (a person who pays women for sex) underscores this reality. I asked him if he could see his own daughter as a prostitute. He was enraged and stated emphatically that his daughter (same age and race as the woman he was caught with) was different than “those girls.” It’s this dualistic thinking that catches us in a bind. The Salvation Army in Canada launched a campaign called the Dignity Project, which has helped to uncover some Canadian prejudices toward the “poor,” in which only some people have value in our society. Essentially, we value the people we know or love. For example, homeless men aren’t the same as our brothers or fathers, prostituted women aren’t the same as our sisters or daughters, hungry children aren’t the same as our precious little ones, and we allow the abortion of unborn children whose smiles we’ve yet to witness. This is where the unfolding of our current societal prejudice against life comes to the fore. I recently watched a documentary called 180. It follows the story of Adolf Hitler’s theories about life. In order to reach his economic and political aspirations, Hitler began to use science (particularly, eugenics) as a tool to redefine life.
Under his premise that Germans had superior genes, Hitler sought to purify the gene pool. He set up mandatory sterilization for anyone not of the superior Aryan race and passed a law that declared Jews and other races not fully human. He rounded up the mentally ill, homosexuals, the developmentally disabled and those from multiracial backgrounds and had them “terminated,” which was viewed as different from murder because they weren’t fully human. Today, this sounds unrealistic and crazy. It’s difficult to believe that one of the most ethically, theologically and academically advanced societies went along with this thinking, but it’s important to realize that, within its context, nothing Hitler did was illegal. He made it legal, even popular, to devalue human life. As he approached his own death, Pope John Paul II was asked what the greatest issues were for the next generation. He answered prophetically, “The greatest threat to the next generation is excessive capitalism and the death of children not yet born.” He understood that if life is devalued, then production, power, and profits become dominant values in any society. And when that happens, darkness sets in. Jesus said that there is no deeper darkness than when the light we think we have is actually dark. Mother Teresa remarked that she knew of no deeper darkness than parents killing their unborn children for the sake of convenience. For her, abortion was a deeper poverty than the starving and discarded in India. In a deeply Christian way, we must cry out for our most valuable asset: life. Every unborn child, every discarded human being, every poor, lost soul is stamped with God’s great value. Imago Dei. Is it any wonder that the psalmist tells us that the voice of an infant puts the enemy to flight (see Psalm 8:2)? Let’s live for life—our greatest asset. DANIELLE STRICKLAND is an internationally recognized justice advocate, speaker, mission developer, church planter and author of several books. She currently serves as an officer in The Salvation Army and leads Stop The Traffik in Canada, an antihuman trafficking campaign. stopthetraffik.org/canada
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GODLY COUNSEL
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way by Dr. Clarice Fluitt
I vividly remember the day I met
the amazing Dr. Daisy Osborn. Dr. Daisy ministered in power in nations around the world, witnessing thousands upon thousands of documented, certified miracles of healing and deliverance. Millions have come to know God through her life-changing explosions of almightiness. She was a great pioneer for women in ministry. Dr. Daisy spoke a language that defined and marked me for life. One of the most poignant experiences of my life came through her language of love, provoking me to a higher level of understanding what love can be. Her words could not be ignored, stopped or wished away. I have read all of Dr. Daisy’s books. They helped to prepare me for a life of miracles. The first time I met Dr. Daisy, she was exquisitely dressed and had the appearance of royalty, but what captured my full attention was the tangible presence of the Lord that surrounded her. She was stunning both in the natural and in the spirit. I cannot tell you how excited I was to meet her in person. When introduced to her, I quickly blurted out, “Oh, Dr. Daisy, I am so blessed to meet you and I look forward to learning great wisdom from you.” She smiled politely and released her wisdom on me immediately! Her piercing blue eyes fixed on me as she held my hand and said, “Know this, my dear young woman, you must learn to either lead in life, follow in life, or get out of the way of life… and for goodness sake, get a new hairdo!”
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Dr. Daisy Washburn-Osborn 1924–1995
Rather than being offended, I recognized her authority and the empowering principle of her words. Correction is not rejection. As God’s agents in the earth, we need to lead the world into His righteous ways of authentic, true love. I knew I was called by God to lead in that way and that I needed to steward the privilege. That defining day, Dr. Daisy’s words provoked me to make a clear, quality decision to lead for God’s purposes and glory in the earth, and I have never looked back Oh, I also took her advice and immediately got a spunky new haircut. To my amazement, that same evening Dr. Daisy graciously turned the leadership of the service over to me with a glowing endorsement. Following that initial encounter, I was honored to minister with her in great crusades in Malaysia and Singapore. The teaching moments that came through her demeanor, character and timeless expressions of truth, authenticity, and veracity catapulted me into a journey packed with opportunities. And I have learned those three basic lessons of life: lead, follow, or get out of the way! CLARICE FLUITT is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, personal advisor, author and Transformational Life Coach, who brings inspiration and insight to each person she engages and every event she attends. claricefluitt.com
Q Does Jesus still love people no matter how many wrong things they have done? If they are backslidden, do they have to be better before His unconditional love will restore them? — Brenda from California Jesus’ love never fails, and it is never withdrawn for any reason. However, some folks think that if you love someone, you accept their behavior whether it is good, bad or ugly. That is not love. Love always wants the highest good for the sake of another. For example, let’s say that a person is injecting themselves with heroin each day (or with bitterness, pride, gossip or anything other harmful thing). Jesus would never withdraw His love, but neither would He endorse the injections. Love won’t stand back or encourage someone to inject themselves with a harmful substance, but will do anything to keep them safe. Jesus will address and even judge the behavior because He wants it removed so that the one He loves can be free. As a result, sometimes His love can be tough—and it needs to be—but He will never withdraw His love from us.
Q I have heard you share your experience of being “wrecked by God’s love.” How would you encourage those who have followed God for years, but have never “felt” His love? — Kristi from Canada I am going to pray for you to feel God’s love as I know He wants you to. I do not feel His love all the time either. I receive it mostly by faith. I believe it because it is true. When I become desperate for His tangible presence, I get into a restful posture before Him and meditate on His love. I have a CD called Ultimate Passion that helps me do that. It is a soaking CD revealing the love of God. I will often put it on to remind myself again of the truth regarding God’s love for me and others. Our feelings can come sovereignly from God or from what we believe and meditate on. If I am anxious about feeling His love, I usually don’t. But, if I am restful and at peace with the truth of His love for me—whether I feel Him or not—I will often experience Him emotionally.
Q My child struggles at times and asks me, “If God loves me, why doesn’t He help me?” — Adele from Scotland When I read this, my heart broke for your precious little one. I know that parenting a child’s faith can be delicate and challenging. The best thing you can offer her is your time. Take time to sit with her and comfort her. Listen intently to her as she shares her heart, and discover the bottom line of what she is crying out for. What is making her believe that God isn’t there to help? If you pray for specific wisdom to minister to her, you will be amazed at the keys and insights God will give you. He is there for both you and your child.
Q My daughter accepted Christ as a child, but became a drug addict later in life. I prayed for many years. She has since settled down, but has carried a lot of guilt and shame over the years. She still wonders if she will go to Heaven. How can she come to know God’s unconditional love? — Kimberly from Washington Sin is a heavy taskmaster, but Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) I highly recommend my CD, Ultimate Passion, for her. She will need to fight the lies of the enemy and believe the truth about Christ’s love for her. It might be a battle for her at first, but if she locks into the truth, the lie will eventually submit and lose its power. She also may need inner healing. Katie Souza, who was also a drug addict at one time, has great teachings on that. Another great resource is Finding Father by A.J. Jones. You can order these and many more resources from xpministries.com
Q Is the Holy Spirit leading you to minister to someone when you feel a special God-kind of love for them?” — Mark from California
Yes. The Lord will often fill me with His love for a specific individual I’ve never met before so I can minister to that individual in a specific way, but I try to connect to the love of God for every individual I meet, even if He doesn’t initiate a “feeling.”
To submit a question for Patricia, email arise@patriciaking.com S P R I N G 2 01 5
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knowing the heart of god In Passionate Pursuit, James W. Goll guides you past the clichĂŠs and shows you how to open your heart to encounter the living Lord. As your discovery of God unfolds, and your relationship with Him deepens, you will be surprised and delighted to: n hear His voice n learn from Him n touch His heart You will be filled with the life of God, and you will always desire to come back for more. In the process, you will gradually be transformed to become like Him and to reflect His image to others.
Whether you are a new believer struggling to learn where to start in knowing God and His Word or a seasoned saint who has read the Bible many times over, this book offers you the most beautiful gift: an introduction and reintroduction to your First Love. You will be filled with hope and encouragement as you approach the simplicity of knowing God and knowing Him through His Word, the Bible. —Bill Johnson
The Getting to Know God & His Word Study Guide is part of the Chamber of Revelation Series: Equipping a Prophetic Army and a complement to Passionate Pursuit. This study guide is great for individual study, for small groups, or for classroom settings. It also serves as part of the core curriculum for a course by the same title in the God Encounters Training - e-School of the Heart. [Visit www.GETeSchool. com for more info.] ISBN: 978-1-50758-296-1 Trade $20.00 February 2015 Release Date
ISBN: 978-1-62911-277-0 Trade $15.99 February 2015 Release Date
ENCOUNTERS NETWORK the Voice of James W. Goll
www.whitakerhouse.com www.encountersnetwork.com
PROPHECY
by Dr. James W. Goll One of the most significant, yet overlooked, characters
in the New Testament is the prophetess Anna—a forerunner woman. We find her ministering patiently in the temple, along with Simeon, after 300 years of the near absence of prophetic gifting. “There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.” (Luke 2:36-37) Anna had been widowed after only seven years of married life. We do not know how she lost her husband, nor do we know whether she had children. She could have suffered from the trauma, lost hope and given up. Fast forward to age 84, Anna is a devout and persevering prophetess in the temple, praying and fasting for the coming of the Messiah. According to the customs of the time, Anna could have been 17 or even younger when she married. If so, she was widowed by the age of 24, consecrating the next sixty years of her life to the ministry of hidden prayer. Maybe she had married a little later in life. Even is she had married at 37, she would have been widowed at 44 and still spent forty years waiting on God. Mercy! Anna is definitely one of my heroes. She spent a very long time in that temple, crying out for the heavens to open. She must have long been consumed with revelation and a burning passion. When I get to heaven, I want to have a chat with this unsung woman of the Bible. What Was Anna’s Key? I have seen numerous prayer ministries begin, but few continue long term. It takes a progressive vision to keep such a ministry going, as well as a clear revelation of the target, purpose and goal. Prayer ministries that endure, I have found, are those fueled by inspiration. But what inspires them? Burdens and crises come and go. What motivates intercessors or prayer groups over the long haul? What keeps them fueled to never quit? Only one thing. Like the praying prophetess, Anna, we must have a consuming vision of our Lord God Himself. After all, He is the goal and prize of life. Right?
Anna’s Astounding Prophetic Ministry In what way can Anna be considered a prophetess? The Scripture does not indicate that she wore a thick coat of camel’s hair or ate locusts and wild honey. I doubt that she pointed a long snarly finger at people and shouted, “Thus saith the Lord!” We have no knowledge that she entered into confrontation with the prophets of Baal like Elijah of old, nor called down fire from heaven. What was her prophetic ministry? Why is she the only woman mentioned by name in the New Testament as a prophetess? She was a woman of the secret place, with a persistent ministry of calling forth the purposes of God for her generation and generations to come. The expression of her prophetic ministry was her enduring intercession. She was a prophetic, intercessory Jesus fanatic! “At that very moment [Anna] came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38) Undoubtedly, Anna’s intercessory burden included searching through the prophetic promises. Anna was looking for the Messiah, Deliverer and hope of Israel. She was one of a special task force of prophetic intercessors whom God had ordained for that generation. Prophetic intercessors were listening and watching for the Lord’s appearing. Like Joshua, they were waiting at the doorway of the tent of meeting in hopes of being the first to see the Lord’s great presence. Anna was doubtless praying through those beloved prophetic promises of a coming Messiah. Arise! Now It Is Your Turn As it was before the first coming of the Messiah, so will it be before the second descent of the Son of God. There will arise in the earth a generation of praying prophetesses like Anna and seers like Simeon. They will pave the way; yes, together we will pave the way. Now it’s your turn, women (and men) on the frontlines, to be in the secret place, making history before the throne of God. JAMES GOLL is the president of Encounters Network, the international director of Prayer Storm, and the founder of God Encounters Training, an e-school of the heart. James is a prolific author of numerous books including The Seer, The Lost Art of Intercession, Deliverance from Darkness, A Radical Faith and many others. encountersnetwork.com S P R I N G 2 01 5
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PROFILE
I grew up in the rolling hills of Tennessee, on a farm that we often called “Field of Dreams.” We could watch the sun set over the acres of green, uninhabited land and gaze at an ocean of stars in the black night sky. In the morning, my mom, my sister and I threw out hay for the horses; and in the evening we groomed our horses and fed them again. My mom taught me by example
QUIET PLACES & FOUR LETTER WORDS
about finding God in the quiet places. That’s how I got a heart for the entertainment industry. One afternoon, after hearing some sad tabloid gossip about pop singer Britney Spears, I walked into my bedroom and felt the presence of the Lord so strong that I immediately fell to the floor and began to weep. The Lord began to stir my heart with compassion for those who are constantly in the limelight. I wept for over an hour for Britney that first time, feeling God’s heart welling with love for her. That was the start of a series of recurring experiences during which God would implant his heart into mine. A year later, at the age of 16, doors began to open for me to walk into the modeling industry. I found myself in runway shows, competing at national modeling and acting events and shooting print for magazines. My early closet days of weeping before God were seed sown into the entertainment industry. God had a plan in mind for me, but I didn’t know what it was yet. CONTINUED…
by Rachel Goll Tucker Photos by Trenton Swartzentruber S P R I N G 2 01 5
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Cursing and Favor What does it look like to be, as Jesus said, “in the world but not of the world”? After competing in a national modeling and acting event, I was scouted by one of the top New York acting schools and given a scholarship to attend, so I did. I found myself living in Brooklyn, taking the train to Manhattan every day, along with other young aspiring actors from France, England, Australia and across the United States. I was in the middle of the entertainment industry, the very industry that I had begun to weep for over three years earlier. My time in New York was exciting, awkward, uncomfortable and challenging, but most of all God was there—moving in the midst of it all. One day in my acting class, the teacher assigned us scenes that we would be working on for the next several weeks. I was so relieved when I didn’t get the make out scene! Some of my peers struggled with having to make out with partners they did not want to. I was content with the scene I’d been assigned and with the other girls I would be acting alongside with— until I read the script. It was riddled with belligerent cursing. My mind tussled back and forth. I didn’t want to be “that girl” who said she didn’t curse. That would only lead to being probed on other moral questions about drinking, sex and drugs. I reconciled within myself that I would just deliver the script the way it had been written. That same day, my brother called. “Rachel, I had a dream that when you came home from New York, you were cursing all the time. Don’t do it,” he implored. “Don’t do what?” I replied. “Don’t start cursing,” he said. I was stunned. He had no idea of the struggle that was going on within me, but God did. The Father knew that I would be compromising a core value of mine if I went along with my plan. So, with the prayers of my dad and brother covering me, I went to my professor to ask if I could change my script. CONTINUED…
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August York with
McKendree & Rachel Goll Tucker On Tap Magazine says,
“Indie folk-pop duo, August York, seems to be just what music needs; stripped-down-to-the-bare-essentials instrumentals and candid, emotionally-driven voices.”
Get their new album, “Swimming Upstream” on iTunes today!
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“We sing songs about love and life.” …FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
When some of the other students had approached the professor about making edits to their scenes, his reply had been, “Aren’t you here for acting? No, you can’t change it.” I was expecting the same response. Instead, what I experienced was simply the favor of the Lord. My professor looked at me and said very calmly, “I understand. Of course you can change it.” Not only did he allow me to change my script, he announced to the entire class that anyone who wanted to take out the curse words from their scripts could do so as well. Love and Music Today, I am blessed to have McKendree, my incredibly talented husband, partnering alongside me as we continue to love on those in the entertainment field. He supports me in the fashion world, as I am still modeling in runway shows and in photo shoots. One of the first questions he asked me when we were first getting to know each other was, “What are you passionate about?” I immediately replied, “the entertainment industry!” He was shocked, because he had the same heart. McKendree and I also have the great privilege of writing and performing music together under the name August York. We sing songs about love and life that both believers and non-believers can relate to. We take our music into bars, coffee shops and other secular venues. Through our music, we have seen the love of God break through the darkness of people’s hearts and bring hope, joy and peace to people all across the world.
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God Loves the Entertainment Industry Whether they are models, actors, musicians, producers, hair and makeup artists or writers, God loves the people in the entertainment industry. He doesn’t want us to be alone, but so many of us feel as though we are. Even as I struggled, years ago, to stand up for purity within the acting industry, the Lord provided family to help hold my arms up in battle. God is calling out, looking for those in our generation who will speak up for righteousness and purity; who will stand in the dark and speak the name of Jesus. Not only do we need boldness to stand, we need community who can help raise our hands up when we get too tired to continue. We need each other. Oftentimes, opportunities of the Lord can be in the small decisions we make, like tuning our ear to hear God in the quiet places and searching Him out in the loud ones. But He has the master plan and is weaving together a great tapestry. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ ” (Mark 16:15) RACHEL GOLL TUCKER is a passionate lover of Jesus, devoted wife to McKendree and youngest daughter of Dr. James Goll. She is called to spread the light of God into the world as a model, actress, singer-song writer, and entrepreneur. Find out about Rachel and McKendree’s music at augustyork.com
Building Powerful Pra yer Strategies for the Younger Gene ration
Teaching Children to P r a y CAROL KOCH
Children are hungry to know God and His ways. The same Holy Spirit that indwells adult believers is being poured out in great measure on children too. This manual is a powerful, practical tool that will help you train up your own children, a Sunday school class or a children’s group in effective, strategic, powerful intercession.
JOIN CAROL KOCH LIVE! with Becky Fischer & Rachel Faagutu Teaching Children to Pray Conference July 23–25, 2015 Order or register online Lee's Summit, Missouri childrenonthefrontlines.com
CHILDREN ARISING
Hello, i am elizabeth. I am 14 years old. I have a very
From the Heart of a Teenager by Elizabeth Springer
unique and fun life. Ever since I can remember, I’ve had a special, close relationship with God. I travel with my parents in the United States and to the nations of the world, releasing the Father’s love, Jesus’ hope and Holy Spirit’s freedom. I have been raised in an environment of intercession and adoration of God. One of the many ways I feel God’s love is in worship. I’ve served on prayer and worship teams. Whether I’m singing, dancing, flagging, creating art, playing piano or just soaking in His presence, I can feel His love. As a result, I live to share His love. I have been able to show God’s love to many different people, cultures and spheres of society. Whether I am leading my friends to the Lord during a sleepover, or speaking in front of hundreds of people about Jesus in foreign countries, God’s love is encountering people. It’s amazing how even a smile can bring hope to someone so they can see a glimpse of God’s love. I really enjoy praying for people. I usually begin by asking God if He has something on His heart that He wants me to share. When I pray over them regarding the things He reveals to me, it shows them the reality that God cares and knows their desires and dreams. When I travel to other countries where language can be a barrier, it’s amazing how God’s presence is released in power because of Christ in us. You don’t need a profound prayer when the person you’re praying for can’t understand you. I just call upon Holy Spirit to do His work, and then God changes their lives. When I pray for people, I do not see them as saved or not saved. I see them as people God loves. The whole point of evangelism is to show God’s love, and the best way to show God’s love is to love! So many people are looking for hope; when they encounter God’s love it starts to tug on their hearts. They may not get saved right away, but the love they experience will be like a breath of fresh air to them. The whole reason Jesus came to die for us and be our Savior was because God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. That is good news! The best way to prepare your own heart to show God’s love is to continually encounter God’s love.
ELIZABETH SPRINGER has a heart is to show God’s love for people through the creative arts and prophecy. Her parents, Steven and Rene, are senior leaders of Global Presence Ministry. Elizabeth is homeschooled so she can travel with her parents to share the love of God throughout the United States and around the world. So far, she has ministered in India, Israel, Ghana and South Korea. globalpresence.com
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Girls of Courage I saw her out of the corner of my eye. Two-year-old
Aliya was teetering at the top of the stairs. She had put both legs in one pant leg. By the time I could reach her, she had fallen down the stairs and broken her leg. Aliya was traumatized by the event and petrified of doctors. That’s when I created an imaginary club called the Girls of Courage to try and help Aliya through her trauma. In this club, we pretended we had super powers and would use them to help kids who were in need. “Be strong! Be brave!” we would tell them. Eventually Aliya’s fears lessened, but her desire to help kids did not. She wanted to help the poor. As a mother, I knew that if I was to mentor her in this new passion, I would have to find a way to help the poor myself. It was then that the words of Acts 3:6 set a stage for me. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you” (Acts 3:6). These words have echoed in my spirit for years and laid the foundation for the Girls of Courage ministry we have today. Wanting to find an authentic way to help others, I concluded that what I had to give was creativity. In response, I put together a dance company called Oneword Tours. We began doing shows on poverty, child soldiers of war, abortion, human trafficking and the sex trade. We took the message of children at risk and, through art, became a voice for those with no voices. The church is still in the beginning stages of seeing the arts released within its walls, but we were compelled to pioneer in order to see the love of God touch lives through creative expression. The day I told Aliya what we were going to do, she looked at me with her big blue eyes and said, “Well, I won’t forget my wallet!” Aliya’s passion to help others continued. One day she decided she wanted to make the Girls of Courage a real club, calling others to join her in creative efforts to help the poor. The idea caught on. Others from around the world began joining in. Aliya and other young girls began making bracelets to raise money to sponsor kids from the slums of Cambodia. Aliya had learned about these slums and how many children in Cambodia live in poverty. It became Aliya’s goal to give an education to the children of an entire slum. As much as we have been able to turn our creativity into “silver and gold,” it has been in the “such as I have, I give” that we have truly found the value in what we do. Being a voice for those who are silent has become immeasurably valuable and rewarding.
by Heather Clark
HEATHER CLARK is an international worship leader and recording artist. She also has her own dance company with which she tours doing shows on topics of mercy and justice. She is passionate about seeing people walk in the fullness of who they are, fulfilling all their dreams. She uses the creative arts as a means of worship, mentorship and mercy.
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MIR ACLES
by Bonnie Chavda The complications started in the early stages of my
fourth pregnancy. The absence of a baby’s heartbeat, combined with incessant hemorrhaging and cramping, indicated a “non-viable” pregnancy. My doctor suggested a D&C—a medical procedure to remove the tissue remaining inside the uterus after a pregnancy has self-terminated. But my husband, Mahesh, and I felt the Lord say, “Don’t rush ahead.” With our doctor’s agreement, we decided to wait. Over the next few weeks everything in my body and soul deteriorated. The physical and chemical upheaval played havoc with my mind and emotions. Those were long, painful, fearful days. One particularly difficult afternoon, I heard the still small voice of God, “Bonnie, you will have a son. Name him Aaron. I will make the rod of his life bud as I did Aaron’s rod of old.” (See Numbers 17.) Despite this welcome promise, my body continued to fail. There was no detectable heartbeat or other sign of baby life in me. In the 24th week of my pregnancy, my water broke and pieces of disintegrating placenta fell out. I was scheduled for immediate surgery. That night I dreamed that a giant sparrow was carrying me in flight. I knew it was the Lord. I was being held under His wing next to His giant beating heart, His eyes intently fixed in deep love on the supposed tiny life in my womb. A voice, not in words, but in waves of love, light and power came from Him and into me. A phrase from Psalm 29 appeared in a rainbow arc before me, “The voice of the Lord causes the deer to give birth.” The next day, as I lay on the operating table I “saw” another “Surgeon” enter the operating room. This Physician didn’t open the door, He simply walked through it. He put His belly against the top of my head as His “voice” flowed into my body in warm, vibrating waves of love, like those that had entered me in the dream. I heard myself blurt out, “I can have this baby naturally!” I was shocked to hear those words come out of my mouth, and even more shocked when the medical staff complied! Within moments, our son Aaron came into this world.
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He was a very sick baby, weighing little more than one pound. In the womb, Aaron’s intestines had died. Subsequent calcification, rupture and gangrene, together with a cerebral hemorrhage, undeveloped lungs and a severe staph infection were among the long list of impossibilities that our newborn son faced. It would be a long, dangerous, uphill battle. As weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit turned into months, God’s promise to make the rod of Aaron’s life bud, upheld us with hope and possibility. A few weeks after Aaron’s birth, Mahesh was scheduled to lead a gospel campaign in West Africa. The previous year, in Zambia, we had seen many souls saved, along with astounding, wonderful miracles. Now Congo and beyond beckoned. As Mahesh began canceling his preparations to go, I was compelled to tell him, “Your presence here will not make our son live or die. But the One you carry and His miracles may be the only hope for some other mother and son out there.” Mahesh kissed Aaron for what we understood could be the last time on this side of glory, and left for Africa. Who can describe how a father’s heart suffers when his son does? Or a mother’s love for her newborn? It is the strongest human affection. Days later Mahesh was sharing the gospel with 50,000 people gathered at Kasavubu Square in Kinshasa, Zaire. As Mahesh ended his message, the Lord spoke to him, “There is a man here whose son died this morning. Call him up because today I’m going to do a great thing.” As Mahesh spoke the word, a man came running toward the platform waving his hand in the air. Mulamba’s six-year-old son, Katshinyi, had died of cerebral malaria in the night. The two fathers gripped hands and appealed to their Father in heaven. Mahesh prayed, “Lord, may the same Spirit that raised Your Son from the dead quicken this man’s son!” It was noon on June 12, 1985. Katshinyi’s dead body lay in the lap of his uncle at Mama Yemo Hospital morgue awaiting burial. At the moment Mahesh and Mulamba prayed, family members and hospital workers
Praisaeng / Shutterstock
“I ‘saw’ another ‘Surgeon’ enter the operating room.” saw the dead boy sneeze twice and sit up in his uncle’s arms. Katshinyi looked around and asked, “Where is my father?” Then he turned to his mother and said, “I’m hungry.” The great love of our Father in heaven had done a great miracle! On the other side of the world, where I was keeping vigil over our own son in the hospital, the love story continued to enfold and unfold. Aaron’s life began to bud, to heal and to grow just as God had spoken. Today Aaron is a strong, healthy man of God! The glory-dance God drew our family into the day He said, “You will have a son, I will make his life bud,” tested our love and put God’s love for us, for a suffering world and for another family on display. I am reminded every day of the extraordinary wonder of knowing our Father’s love through His Son. In our personal experience through the valley of the shadow of death, we have seen God’s presence come down to turn the impossible around!
We can all take His hand and follow His lead in the glory dance. Let us continue to lay down our lives, like Aaron of old laid down his staff, in the presence of the Lord. Let us “place them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony” where Jesus makes us bud, blossom and bear fruit. Our loving, all-powerful Father will make the rod of your life bud as He did Aaron’s rod of old. BONNIE CHAVDA is a seasoned prophetic voice with over three decades of Spirit-filled leadership experience. A dynamic conference speaker, she is co-author of numerous books, including The Hidden Power of a Woman, The Power of the Cross: Epicenter of Glory and Getting to Know the Holy Spirit. Bonnie and her husband, Mahesh, are founders of Chavda Ministries International, the Watch of the Lord prayer network, and senior pastors of All Nations Church in Charlotte, NC. chavdaministries.org
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MISSIONS
How Can You Love Someone Who Sells Their Own Daughter for Sex? by Andrea Aasen
It was easy to love esther, to see her beauty and hear God’s heartbeat for her safety and restoration. Esther is a precious Cambodian girl with Down syndrome, who was only eight years old when we rescued her. Our love for Esther had compelled our team to press in for her rescue month after month. It was not as easy, however, for us to love Esther’s manipulative and abusive mother, who had abused, malnourished and repeatedly sold Esther for sex. Esther is now safe and in our care, but her case has been one of the most challenging situations we have come against so far. Most of the parents we work with have been misled to offer up their daughters by devious sex traffickers,
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but Esther’s mom was intentionally pimping her daughter for her own gain, with full understanding, and even sometimes for her own twisted sexual pleasure. As part of the legal process, we were granted custody of Esther under the condition that we would facilitate mandatory, supervised visits between her and her mother, three times per year. Needless to say, we were extremely disappointed that Esther had to remain in contact with a mother who repetitively sought to use and abuse her. During the visits things got worse. Esther’s mother would often drink, become enraged, and even attempt to inappropriately touch Esther in a sexual manner. It was incredibly hard for our team, and we grew to hate our times with her. We wanted to see Esther safe and protected from this unhealthy attachment. One day, while in prayer, the Lord told me to pray differently. He told me that if I would celebrate His victory and learn to love, I would always see His redemptive glory. He showed me His plan. It was different than I had perceived through my own understanding. It was much bigger than I thought. God’s plan of restoration included not only Esther but also her mother and her entire household. From that moment on, there was a shift. On the very next visit, Esther’s mom stopped drinking alcohol.
I began to share God’s love with her. Every visit after that became exciting for our team, as we watched God’s amazing love begin to transform this hard-hearted woman. Today, she is a different person. Esther’s mom has made her decision to believe in Jesus! Two others in Esther’s family have also come to know the Lord, and many more in her village too. Esther’s mom is still being transformed, but we are thankful to have the chance to love her in the process. Some experiences help you to love deeper; and some people teach you to love stronger. It is easy to love the victims, but God is calling us to love the perpetrators, too. Esther is being restored day-by-day, but we would never have dreamed the fullness of God’s plan to bring salvation and healing to her whole family. Embrace every opportunity to love—especially the unlovely. God’s plan is great enough to redeem the sins of the whole world.
ANDREA AASEN lives in Cambodia as a missionary and oversees XP Missions. She is an apostolic leader who is passionate about Jesus and has a heart to see God’s justice and love released to the nations. Andrea has a special heart for women and children who have been abused and exploited, specifically through human trafficking, and serves as an advocate for their rights and freedom. xpmissions.com
Your voice can set captives free. HOST A GALA OR SPECIAL-PURPOSE EVENT to raise funds and awareness for XP Missions. By simply gathering those in your community, you can change nations.
Together, we will see an end to human trafficking.
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To host an event or more information contact beavoice@xpmissions.com
COVER STORY
by Patricia King
To call the “summer of love” a historical event would be too weak. This generation-shaking social phenomenon that took place in 1967, saw over 100,000 young people converge on the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, making it the global epicenter for a moral and spiritual revolution. The region was also saturated with drug users and dealers, draft dodgers and many who determined, without apology or shame, to express their love and sexuality without restraint. Revolutionary mindsets emerged that summer, opposing traditional values of marriage and family, replacing them with a “free love” mentality that embraced non-committed sexual relationships. Traditional Christian foundations of faith were also challenged with the introduction of Eastern meditative practices and New Age beliefs. The counter-culture group, the “hippies,” also came into global definition during the Summer of Love. They were known to be free-spirited, often artistic, lovers of nature. For the most part, they rejected the cultural norms and values of the day in areas of consumerism, materialism, issues regarding war and traditional religious beliefs. Some of the challenges and appeals they brought to light in that season were very much needed and healthy, but you cannot mix a righteous cause with wicked means and expect holy results. They promoted love, liberty and license, oftentimes with rebellion and determination to remove all restraints. This historical revolution shifted the mindsets of the cultural norms of the day. Over the next few decades, we saw an infiltration of moral and spiritual confusion and compromise. CONTINUED…
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He was the only One who knew absolutely everything about me, yet He loved me without condition. Many of the songs written that summer shared the heartbeat of their generation. One of the most popular was “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles. You can hear the longing of the generation in its refrain: “Love, love, love… love is all you need.” John, Paul, George and Ringo had an innate knowing that love could provide all they needed. The problem was that they needed to know love Himself, not their perception of love. Instead, they fell for demonic lies that promised them freedom through the removal of all moral restraints, and a generation was indoctrinated to believe that they could define love for themselves apart from God. The change in values reverberated into the 1970s and on to this very day. The love they were looking for and expecting turned into chaos and pain as a result of “sowing to the flesh.” Today, we continue to reap the devastations of broken marriages and families, abortion, unprecedented drug and alcohol addiction and bondage, lawlessness, gross and harmful sexual confusion and perversion, and the abandonment of biblical values and scriptural foundations. We have, unfortunately, experienced the fruit of choices made in the 1960s. The world is hungry for a true love feast that will set them free and fulfill the deep longings and desires of their hearts. Jesus provided that feast 2,000 years ago, through His gift of eternal life and His finished work on the cross. God is love. In order to experience true love and feast on it, we must come to know Him. In December of 1976, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ following an Anglican prayer meeting. Those who attended shared how Jesus forgave them of their sins and filled them with a brand new life. I had been confused, broken and oppressed. I felt helplessly trapped and bound—crushed under a massive weight of guilt and shame. Hearing their testimonies gave me a glimpse of hope for a better life. I wanted what the Anglican believers testified of, but wondered if God would want the likes of me? What if I asked God to help me and He answered “No”? I was desperate to have this new life and yet afraid of God’s rejection. I didn’t know how to pray and I felt awkward as I attempted to share my heart with this invisible God called Jesus.
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The darkness of my sin weighed heavy on me, but I knew I had to take the risk, so I prayed the best I knew how. The entire time I was blurting out my awkward, heartfelt prayer, I struggled terribly with tormenting thoughts. “What if He says ‘no’? What if He doesn’t want me… then what?” I said a final “amen” at the end of my prayer, still wondering if He would respond. Suddenly, I felt what I describe as liquid love filling me. My entire being was flooded with love and I physically felt years of guilt and shame leaving me. The power of my sinful, helpless condition was conquered by love Himself, in a moment of time. Jesus did not hesitate, even for a moment to demonstrate His life-transforming love to me. I knew He was aware of everything I had ever done—all the darkness in the shadows. He was the only One who knew absolutely everything about me, yet He loved me without condition. I knew He loved me perfectly, with complete acceptance and forgiveness. Love set me free! He served me a true love feast that night and I have continued to feast on that love to this very day. It is a feast that will never end. I felt so new inside. I was completely aware that God had given me a brand new life. Oh, what mercy! I did not deserve this, yet He lavished me with mercy, love and forgiveness. I was forgiven of so much! All that night, I cried with tears of gratitude as wave after wave of love continued to flood over me. I was completely wrecked by His love. There would be no turning back. God’s pure and perfect love is indeed what the world is seeking. The Beatles’ song, “All You Need Is Love,” still represents the desires and convictions of the masses today. But how will they come to know the amazing authentic God-love that will truly liberate? Jesus prepared the feast, so let’s go and serve it to the multitudes hungry for love. Let’s serve the world a true love feast that upholds godly values and morals, a love that represents His forgiveness and acceptance, bearing the lasting fruit of peace, righteousness and great joy— true freedom. Go forth and proclaim His love feast with boldness, for “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
GODLY LIVING
Love or Fame? by Shirley Seger
One of my first jobs in Hollywood
was assistant to the head of Movies of the Week at Lorimar Television. During my time there, I learned about the Hollywood system’s A, B and C lists. These lists are compiled by studio executives to determine their budgets for each production. A-List actors are Hollywood royalty and treated by the entire world as such. Or, so I thought. As I was in the habit of doing, I asked God to show me what it took to get on this most coveted A-list. He answered me in a most vivid dream that night. In the dream, I was standing in a long line of premium young talent awaiting their turn at the top. The steep and narrow road led to the ominous Griffin Observatory overlooking Hollywood. As we waited our turn, I noticed the faces of those coming down the hill. Some had clearly been rejected and others looked terrified. What was missing, was anyone who looked happy. When we reached the top of the hill, I saw very tall man, impeccably dressed and radiating more charisma than the entire line combined. The charismatic leader locked eyes with the young actor in front of me and proceeded to read the desires of his heart. Pleased with what he saw, the man grasped the young hopeful’s head with his long, bony fingers and whispered, “You see this city, with all the people’s awe and admiration, the wealth and power? I’ll give them all to you if you bow down and worship me now and for all eternity.” The young man’s wonderment turned to pride as he fell to his knees before him. “I’ll do anything for it, anything!” Immediately, a huge black shroud fell over this new possession and swept him away.
IPG Gutenberg UK Ltd / iStock
Astonished, I asked the Lord, where they took him? He said, “Come and see.” He showed me the next ten years of this young man’s life. It was dripping with wealth, glamour and fame; and littered with broken relationships, moral compromises, abuse, addictions, disappointment, emptiness and rage. As his fans screamed for the young star’s attention he bitterly asked “ Where’s the love?” The charismatic man’s laugh chilled me to the bones. “Love? I never promised you love!” I watched this young man sidestep all of the Lord’s attempts to open his eyes to the truth. He chose instead to place his faith in his fame and fortune, convinced that real love and peace were only a myth. Our faith is a most precious commodity in the spiritual realm. The love of the world is elusive and full of empty promises. God’s love brings peace in every challenge, no matter how dire, and will endure forever. The choice is ours. The allure of fame and fortune lost its glitter for me that night. Once you have tasted the real love of Jesus Christ, you can never again live a moment without it. The compromises required to try to earn the world’s love will make your heart sick. Beloved, it is better to love than to be loved, to serve than to be served, to sacrifice than to gain. That is real love. Sow this love and you will reap a harvest of love the world can never give. SHIRLEY SEGER is a media apostle whom God has raised up to forge trails as a pioneer in the realm of media. She is co-founder, president and CEO of XP Media and Doxa 512 Media Productions. She also gave birth to, and oversees, the media department of XP Ministries, and is producer and director of Everlasting Love with Patricia King and Patricia King Live. xpmedia.com
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MIR ACLES
“Mom, I can’t feel anything below my neck!” Those chilling words were spoken to me over the phone by my 24-year-old son, Judah, from the emergency room at our local hospital. My husband, Wesley, who was holding the phone for Judah, had just told me, “Judah has broken his neck playing rugby. The doctor’s report is bad. Based on the medical evidence, the neurosurgeons are saying there is a 95% probability that our son will be a quadriplegic for the rest of his life.” Wesley’s voice was shaky as he told me what happened. As Wesley continued to hold the phone to Judah’s ear, I said in a firm and unwavering tone: “Judah, things that are impossible with man are possible with God. I am going to go pray.” Every so often, we are faced with impossible situations that we are powerless to change with our human abilities. In those times, especially, we need powerful prayers filled with faith in a God who can do what we cannot. Jesus modeled prayers of power when He faced Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4). Jesus was tested by the devil and even in a weakened physical condition His prayers were able to cause Satan to flee. What kind of prayer shifted the demonic attacks? The “It is written” prayer of faith. Jesus prayed the Bible. He took the words of Scripture and quoted them to Satan’s face. Three separate attacks came, and three times Jesus responded to them with the words: “It is written…” This is the prayer of power. For 37 years prior to Judah’s terrible accident, I had followed Jesus’ example and prayed the Bible. I had often enjoyed the fellowship of talking to God in His language, using spiritual words to express spiritual truths (1 Corinthians. 2:13). I had grown to love God deeply through the revelation of Himself in the Bible. I enjoyed feeding my spirit on the Word of God, strengthening my inner man with the living
words that contained power (Hebrews 4:12). When I was happy, I would pray. When I was in trouble, I would pray (James 5:13-15). And now my son was horribly injured and he needed the prayer of faith for healing. No one but God could heal his body. Boldly, I came before the Ancient of Days: “God, You are my friend and the only friend who can help me now. I am Your friend, so I am asking You to move on behalf of my son. I am asking that You Yourself would get up off Your throne and pronounce judgment in favor of my son!” (Dan. 7:22) Prior to Judah’s accident, I had been praying through the gospel of John. I had landed on John 5 for several weeks, which is the story of the man who had been lame for 38 years and was waiting for an angel to come and stir the waters. For some reason, because it was my son, I didn’t want God to send an angel. I wanted God Himself to touch him directly. So I prayed, “God! Do not send an angel. You are my friend. Get up from the throne Yourself and pronounce judgment in favor of Judah.” I continued warring in prayer. “God, get up and come down! Do not send an angel. You promised that You would be with my children. You cannot lie. You are Truth itself. So please, get up off Your throne and heal my son. Pronounce judgment in favor of Judah now!” I prayed until I felt a breakthrough. The next few days were a blur. So much was happening so fast. First, one of Judah’s toes began to move. Then another toe. The neurosurgeons did a massive operation, opening Judah up from both the front and back of his neck. The operation lasted several hours. The doctors replaced Judah’s broken disc with a titanium plate. The medical community was incredible. They did all they could. But still they told us, “Your son has a severe spinal cord injury. We can fix broken bones, but there is absolutely nothing we can do for spinal cords.”
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“ Every so often, we are faced with impossible situations that we are powerless to change with our human abilities.” The day after the operation, I received an email from an intercessor in Brazil who had just heard about Judah’s accident. I love this quiet woman. Though she is virtually unknown to most people, she is one of the closest friends of God I have ever met. The email stated that she had heard about Judah’s accident and sent prayer requests for his healing throughout Brazil. I immediately emailed her back and asked her if the Lord had spoken anything to her as she had prayed. She wrote back: “Yes, I had a vision on Saturday [the day of the accident]. I did not know about Judah´s accident yet, but the Holy Spirit was burning in my heart to pray for you and your family. In the vision I saw God, the Father. He was seated on His throne with those amazing and passionate eyes of love. He was looking at you, Stacey. Suddenly, He got up from His throne. He approached you and He washed your feet. Yes, God Almighty was washing your feet. With a very, very, very sweet voice He said, ‘I’m with you, my dear. Do not worry. I am here. I am here.’ Always repeating, ‘I am here.’ Your head was down, looking for the ground, but He lifted up your head, saying: ‘Look to Me. See what I see. Look only to Me, just see what I see.’ And your eyes became connected with the eyes of God.” I knew when I read the words that my prayer had been heard. God had gotten up from His throne! Nobody in the world knew that I had asked God to get up from His throne and pronounce judgment in favor of Judah. God was showing me that He had heard me. Five weeks later, Judah walked out of the hospital unassisted—without a wheelchair or walker. Today, he is 100% healed, doing everything he did before. I am not special. All of us can pray with power. God is great. He always acts in accordance with His Word. Pray it, and you, too, will see answers to your prayers of power. STACEY CAMPBELL is founder and facilitator of the Canadian Prophetic Council, and an honorary member of the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders. Stacey and her husband, Wesley, are co-founders of RevivalNOW! Ministries, Praying the Bible International, and Be A Hero, a mercy organization dedicated to helping children at risk. revivalnow.com
Judah with his father, after the accident.
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“When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices.” PROVERBS 11:10
PASSION
Igniting the Entrepreneur in You by Teri Secrest Have you ever pondered what made America great in
its early years? First and foremost, it was the unmerited favor of God. Next, we discover that men and women passionately embraced free enterprise. They started with a dream, rolled up their sleeves and didn’t give up until their dream was achieved. American entrepreneurs developed more successful inventions and businesses in the last hundred years than in all the previous centuries put together. Deep inside, each of us has a creative spark of genius that makes us completely unique. These creative ideas come straight from the heart of the Father. If we take the time to listen and act upon these ideas, we just may be on the verge of another entrepreneurial revolution. Welcome to the heart of an entrepreneur. What about you? Have you ever had the burning desire to own your own business? As a highly successful entrepreneur for over 35 years, I have had the privilege of mentoring hundreds of men and women in business. It gives me so much joy to see others excel. I would like to share five attributes that you can develop that are essential for maximum success in your business life: Passion What makes you want to jump out of bed with enormous anticipation? If money were no object and you could do anything in the world, what would it be? What gives you more satisfaction and peace than anything else in the world? That is your passion. Don’t ignore it. That is what you were born to do. God put those desires in your heart. If you are fully surrendered to Christ, those passions are connected to your calling. Write them down, discuss them with a trusted friend and ask God for clarity. Knowledge Decide to become more knowledgeable about your subject. Through reading and listening to experts in your area, you gain increasing confidence in your area of study. You’ll also develop decision-making ability about your dream and learn how to connect with people about your vision. Readers are leaders and leaders are readers. By investing just one hour a day in personal development, you gain seven hours a week in valuable skills and tools for developing your dream.
Courage Becoming fearless is the simple action of stepping out into new territory day after day after day. My secret to being fearless is that I have learned the value in laughing about my mistakes. Rather than allowing my mistakes to paralyze me, I use them to propel me forward. You can too! Rapport All the knowledge in the world will not land you a million dollar business if you do not learn to connect with people in an authentic and sincere way. The first step to connecting with people is to become an impeccable listener. Listen with your whole heart every time someone speaks. Persistence Persistence is closely tied to your passion. Once you have passion, then persistence can take you where you desire to go, even on the hard days. Identify the areas where you are facing obstacles. Perhaps it is a technical skill or a people skill. Then ask a trusted friend to be your accountability partner as you work through this obstacle. Every single obstacle has workable solutions. Purpose to get the word “can’t” out of your vocabulary. As you develop these five attributes, also remember the power of writing down your vision, your plan and the steps for reaching your goal. My personal passion is helping people enjoy optimal health, so my business activities are focused in this area. When people try to get me off my life focus, I say “no.” So, what is your dream? If life has been hard and you have quit dreaming, think back to when you were very young and remember what you were naturally interested in and good at. It is never too late to start a business. In fact, this is probably the perfect season for you to begin. All you need is one good idea, tenacity and faith—always remember to keep your faith! TERI SECREST has been a highly successful entrepreneur for 35 years. She owns four businesses: three traditional and one network marketing business. As one of the top 1% of women earners in America, Teri’s heart is to see more believers embrace the biblical principles of business that made America great. Teri has authored numerous books and created DVDs and CDs on business and health. She has taught extensively on entrepreneurship in the US, Europe and Asia. terisecrest.com
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Are you called to the
Mountain of Business? As one of the top 1% of women earners in America, I have discovered that abundance allows me to be a woman of influence for good. My work and my ministry go hand in hand with the purposes of God to heal the sick and comfort the broken-hearted. For 20 years, my business partners and I have been teaching people around the globe how to live in optimal health naturally and how to generate additional income from home with our step-by-step system. If you would like to help many people live a better life while you build a solid income for your future, I invite you to contact my business partner, Tracy Ulrich, at Great Oils.
Teaching Filipino orphans how to take better care of their health.
Tracy Ulrich www.GreatOils.com phone (877) 695-2483
REL ATIONSHIPS
Believe For Your Mate by Shirley Seger It’s never too late for love. If you are single with a heart that longs for a mate, I’d like to give you some encouragement and tips. I spent my twenties and thirties in pursuit of a career in media and followed the trend of a personal life of uncommitted freedom and lack of moral boundaries. It wasn’t until I entered my forties that I realized the path I was on offered no peace. I ran back to the Lord I’d forsaken with a deeply repented heart and discovered He had never left me. His forgiveness ignited in my heart a desire to showcase the Father’s love through media. Shortly after, I met Patricia King and embarked on the journey of my life. Life was wonderfully fulfilling yet my heart felt restless. Something, or someone, was missing in my life. Perhaps you too are single and restless? Bobby Conner said it well, “You know your days of being single are over when you begin to feel restless.” That restlessness was in full bloom the day I turned 50. Oh no, had I waited too long? Was I too old to find love again? Patricia King and her husband, Ron, helped mentor me past my fear of commitment and before I knew it I was walking down the aisle. God has given me the most wonderful man. We are happy living our lives together, covered by the beautiful banner of God’s love. Here are a few things that may help you, If you desire to find your mate: Do not be anxious. Stress and anxiety are manifestations of fear. They work against your desire. Receive healing in areas of your life that might be holding you back. Invite close friends to pray with you and support your desire. Get Patricia King’s course Finding Your Mate. This was what she took me through. This course has helped so many people. It is truly a help and a blessing. Whatever stage of life you’re in, as you wait upon the Lord to bring you your mate, I am cheering you on. May this year be a year of peace and fulfilled desire.
This fun, faith-filled,
by Patricia King
empowering teaching will help you prepare to find that special someone the Lord has for you.
Order your copy today from
xpmedia.com
LIVING WELL
LOVE YOUR BODY
by Patricia King
The lord spoke a clear revelation to me while I was on a ministry trip in 2011: “The devil has an intentional strategy to destroy My people through food poisoning.” I was shocked. The message came so clear and strong. As I meditated on this statement, Holy Spirit further revealed that many of the foods we eat today are loaded with chemicals, antibiotics and hormones that adversely affect our health. Many of the “mystery” diseases are caused by these poisons in our food. He also pointed my attention to the fact that obesity is a severe problem in our day— especially in the United States. Most obesity is caused by overeating and by unhealthy fast, processed or genetically modified foods. When we are unhealthy, we compromise our well-being, our production and fruitfulness in life, and the fulfillment of our destiny purpose. For example, I have an extremely busy schedule that includes travel, meetings, preaching the gospel, producing media, caring for our businesses and stewarding relationships with family and friends. If I were not healthy, it would hinder my productivity and quality of life in each of these areas. I need a sharp mind, a strong and energized body and healthy emotions, along with my Jesus-filled spirit. The Lord taught me five elements that I need to maintain a healthy body, in terms of weight and the rejuvenation of cells, tissues, and organs. They are: HYDRATION Make sure to drink quality water to keep your body and organs hydrated. NUTRITION Eat healthy foods that nurture your body, and eliminate foods that poison it. Quality supplements can also be taken to support your body’s health. EXERCISE A little exercise (even a short walk for 20 minutes each day) will keep your blood circulating and strengthen your body. FRESH AIR & SUNSHINE Getting outdoors for 10-15 minutes per day will benefit you more than you realize. BODY CLEANSING Detoxing is an aid in the elimination of dangerous poisons from your system and helps to rejuvenate your organs. For three months, I spent hours each day with the Lord, as He revealed invaluable insights regarding the health of our bodies. I also enjoyed intensive studies on the subject that were written by health professionals. Everything that I gleaned during that season, I put into practice. I also prepared a popular coaching program called Power Weight Loss and Rejuvenation. The course is a 40-day “feasting” program (you fast from all the poisonous foods and feast on healthy foods), designed to minister to your spirit, soul and body. This 40-day program, when followed, has brought fantastic results to those who have completed it. Its purpose is to reset your thinking, your metabolism, your eating habits and other aspects of your life that relate to vibrant health. I highly recommend this program to those who seriously desire to excel in health, strength, weight loss and rejuvenation. Summer is at hand. It is a great time to eat fresh foods and get some sunshine and fresh air. Take time to sow into a healthy body. As you do, you will destroy the enemy’s strategy. He will be sorry he ever tried! “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I came that you would have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
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Patricia King’s
A life-coaching program for breakthrough in weight loss and vibrant health Begin your body-soul-mind transformation today! Order yours from
xpmedia.com
Available in CD, USB, or instant Digital Download Includes 286 page full color manual
“ People are receptive to art when it is inspiring, regardless of their faith.�
PASSION
Unleashing Your Creativity by Sarah Rowan Dahl
My childhood aspirations were big. They included
becoming the next apostle Paul so I could tell people about Jesus, and becoming a professional athlete! Early on, I decided that I would stay single and driven, so that I could use these future platforms for God's fame. Well, my life didn’t quite turn out like that. Here I am, going on 10 years of marriage with 2 beautiful girls, I've yet to write an Epistle, and I cannot remember the last time I played my favorite sport, basketball. Things shifted during a layover in Brazil when I was 19 years old. With pencil and paper in hand, I mustered up a nervous smile and sat down amongst a group of young teen girls. During my two-week missions trip there, I had discovered that many in this culture stereotypically believed that communication with God was only for priests. Within a couple of minutes I had drawn stick figures, and through ridiculous charades, explained that they could speak directly with God. His presence invaded that little circle of girls and tears began to roll down their beautiful cheeks. A local missionary just happened to walk by and prayed with the girls. That seemingly insignificant layover altered my life. It was my Oprah aha moment. I had seen how culture and language barriers could be overcome through art, so I went on to pursue a fine arts degree. I graduated in 2003 and immediately did what most aspiring artists do after university—panic! Living with my parents and working as a waitress seemed like my only option. It only took six months for me to realize that I would rather starve to death painting than make a living serving tables, so I handed over my apron and embarked into the unknown. It didn’t happen overnight, but today, at the age of 33, I have the honor of painting live in front of thousands of people. From Australia’s Parliament House to dozens of companies, fundraisers, schools, pubs, and churches, I bring a creative element to events that inspires people from every culture and faith. My goal is to communicate the heart and love of God, whether I am in front of thousands of people or alone in
my studio. I use art because art continues to speak long after the paint is dry. When was the last time you did something creative? Theresa Dedmon, head of the prophetic arts department at Bethel Church, writes in her book Born to Create, “Creativity is tied to all believers’ identities.” I believe our imagination is our creative organ, given to us so that Holy Spirit can have fun in us and accomplish things through us. Do you over-analyze and suffocate your own innovations due to past failures or ill-spoken words by misguided role-models? Here is a simple exercise to help remove that barrier from your life: Take a minimum of 5 minutes (even if you have to hide in a bathroom), close your eyes, take a deep breath and simply ask God to reveal His heart towards you and to remove the lies and fears that have hindered you from activating your creativity. Have a writing utensil and paper ready. It may come as a poem or a liberating scribble with your eyes closed. You may hear music and need to hum His song over you into a smart-phone voice recorder. You may get one word or a simple smiley face. If you hear something negative and condemning, tell that voice to shut up and listen again as it is obviously not from heaven. Place this paper on your fridge or somewhere you will see it. Write the date on it and autograph it like it’s worth millions. Feel free to bravely write “I was born to create!” across it too! This may not shift your career, but it will open a window into the creative, that, if cultivated, will enhance your mood and your life. Christians often create a division between mainstream and sacred art, music—everything. I find it unnecessary to separate the art I create during worship or with a rock band in a bar. Most of my works seem to have no spiritual significance until I explain the meanings behind the designs. People are receptive to art when it is inspiring, regardless of their faith. I watch as small seeds of truth are planted in their hearts. My art is inspired by music, poetry, the Word, movies, kids books and nature. There is a never-ending flow of inspiration for creativity!
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“The Love Feast” Commissioned for this issue of Arise, this painting by Sarah Rowan Dahl shows two chairs at the feast, explains Sarah. "One is symbolic of us as individuals, the other for Jesus. As we partake of Him and are fed on His truth and love, we are able to impart that love to others." The skyline is created from iconic buildings from around the world. "I painted this during the January, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris," recalls Sarah. "The importance of peace and love became more apparent with every stroke." The original 12" x 20" canvas, as well as prints are available for purchase directly from Sarah. sarahrowandahl.com
SARAH ROWAN DAHL is an American-born contemporary artist currently living in Sydney, Australia. She is an experiential artist, which means she creates works of art in public spaces, allowing the audience to engage in the artistic experience. After graduating from Converse College in 2003 with Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art, Sarah soon began her art business. In 2005, Sarah moved to Australia as a newlywed to attend Hillsong International Leadership College, where she earned a diploma in ministry. Sarah’s palette reflects the vibrant colors surrounding her life as a stay-at-home mom living by the beach. Sarah mainly focuses on acrylic paintings because they dry quickly during her live events. Combining art with music has also opened doors for Sarah to paint with many bands across many musical genres in the United States and Australia. Sarah paints live at corporate functions, churches, pubs, birthday parties and fundraisers, using her artistic skill to raise awareness and funds for charities, such as The A21 Campaign, Compassion Australia, the Colour Sisterhood, and many others. Her goal as an artist is to raise millions through art for charities, and justice. In particular, Sarah wants to help end human-trafficking. If you feel passionately about this as well, “like” Sarah’s Facebook fan page. For every “like” she receives, Sarah gives $1 to The A21 Campaign. sarahrowandahl.com
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FAMILY
Reunited After 44 Years Except for a split second at birth, I had never met
my father. As a child, growing up in the country, I would often isolate myself on the farm and think about my biological parents. I always wanted to know why I was not with them. I did not blame them for whatever had happened at the time of my birth. I loved them even though I had never met them. I wanted to be with them. I longed for them. After hearing that my biological mother had passed away, I started searching for my father, but to no avail. One day, I asked an acquaintance in our town if he knew of anything else I could do to find my biological father. “Stop searching,” he replied. “God is going to send him to you at the appointed time.” At the time, I knew nothing about prophecy, but those words had a big impact on me. Somehow I just knew it was a message from God. I went home and I prayed. “Lord, I am so tired from all the searching. I am handing it over to You because I don’t know what more to do. Can You send my father to me?” Three weeks later, I saw an older man approaching me. I didn’t know who he was or why he was walking towards me. I had forgotten about my short prayer. When the man came near, I noticed the grief on his face and the tears streaming down his cheeks. Immediately I knew deep inside, “My father is here!” I sat dead still, petrified, not knowing what to do. The man asked, “Is your name Carin?” I couldn’t talk, I just nodded. Then he spoke the most beautiful words I have heard in all my life: “I am your father.”
Carin and her dad.
by Carin Tait
In a moment, I was in his arms. I had always wondered if my father would accept and comfort me should we ever meet. Through the tears I said, “Father, I have never blamed you or mother for whatever caused you to give me away at birth.” My father cried like a child. I was overjoyed to learn that my father, a retired pastor, had been searching for me for years. He had even asked Patricia King to pray for him. Shortly before he found me, he had received an e-mail from Patricia. “Last night, the Lord gave me a prophetic vision,” she wrote. “I saw butterflies being released out of heaven, thousands of them. They were so beautiful—so free. The Lord says that it is a time of new beginnings. Even as a butterfly comes into a new state of beauty and freedom, so also will you.” One morning, shortly after being reunited with my father, I was surrounded by a huge cloud of butterflies. It was amazing. Amidst the flutter and the tears, I thanked God. Indeed, I had experienced the Lord’s great goodness and love. Soon after, my father baptized me. It took 44 years, but at last we are father and daughter. We are inseparable!
Karandaev / Fotolia
WHOLENESS
The Key to Forgiveness by Joan Hunter
Have you ever been betrayed? I have. The father
of my four beautiful girls had also been my friend and pastor. After 25 years of marriage, co-pastoring a church, and traveling the world with my evangelist parents, God exposed his secret alternative lifestyle. I felt devastated, heartbroken, betrayed and angry. Used and rejected, I hit the bottom of a deep dark downward spiral of gloom. God was with me during every tumble. He gently encouraged my baby steps back to mental, spiritual and physical health, restoring me to who I am today. Not only has God totally healed my heart, He uses me to minister to others around the world with the same compassion He showed me that I am healed and so are my memories. Today, I help others take steps toward healing. For me, the result has been total freedom, and it can be for you, too—no matter what you’ve been through. Forgiveness was my key. Some wear unforgiveness like a shield. Others see it as a way of life. They see forgiveness as a negative and painful word to be avoided. But everyone has a choice: to forgive, or not to forgive. Unforgiveness, and the bitterness and anger it fosters, is often the root of diseases such as heart attacks, migraine headaches, hypertension, arthritis and strokes. People who are eaten up with unforgiveness are in bondage and often die before their time. Unforgiveness is like a virus, its symptoms and its fruit affect many. Hurting people hurt others by hanging onto this destructive emotion and manifesting their pain through verbal, physical or emotional abuse, or possibly even murder. Unforgiveness is a deadly poison. Recently, a woman came to one of our miracle services requesting prayer for health issues. She had back problems, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and associated conditions. She was in a great deal of pain and could barely walk, even with the help of a cane. I asked her if there was anyone she needed to forgive, since arthritis is often tied to bitterness and unforgiveness. She thought she had forgiven everyone, but when she started sharing how her sister had hurt her, she cried. I knew she had not let go of her pain. I led her in a prayer of forgiveness and then prayed for her back and knees.
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Within minutes she walked without pain and without the cane! Most of her physical issues were tied to bitterness. She got rid of it, forgave, and let God take away her pain. Thank You, Jesus! On another occasion, I was teaching on forgiveness. I asked for a volunteer from the audience who needed to forgive. A lady near the back immediately yelled out, “I will never forgive him!” I asked her to come forward. She did and was amazingly set free. The next morning at church, she was smiling and so happy she glowed. People were asking her about her makeup, and things like, “Who did your hair?” The power of God set her free of the pain in her heart, and it showed on her face—a Holy Ghost facelift! Forgiveness brings life, wholeness and freedom. Unforgiveness holds its victim in a prison of bitterness, oppression, bondage and infirmity. Make a quality decision to forgive those who have hurt you. Choose to let go of the feelings of anger and bitterness. Let go of your desire for payback. You have been forgiven much by God Himself, now give that same gift to others and reap the rewards. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus taught: “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” If you are struggling with unforgiveness, here is a simple prayer that you can proclaim in faith with a sincere heart: “Father, I admit I haven’t always made good choices when it comes to forgiveness. Forgive me. I will walk in love, joy, peace, forgiveness and freedom from this day forward with the help of Your Spirit. I rebuke the spirit of unforgiveness and all the effects it has had on my life. Thank You, Father, for totally healing me in this area, in Jesus’ name.” JOAN HUNTER travels the world laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover. She also encourages people not to give up on their dreams and visions, but to fulfill the destiny God has for them. Joan is the author of several books, including Power to Heal, Healing The Whole Man Handbook, and Healing the Heart and Miracle Maintenance. joanhunter.org
I can forgive… I can love… I can dream again.
“I will make all things new for you.” Love, Jesus.
Dr. Barbie L. Breathitt’s
Dream Interpretation Resources MyOnar.com
Dreaming? Not sure what they mean? Dr. Barbie L. Breathitt’s Dream Interpretation Resources give you all the tools you need to discern God’s dream voice and decode the messages He sends you in your dreams.. Visit MyOnar.com to order.these and more!
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Dream Encounters Symbols Vol 1 $23, Dream Encounters Symbols Vol 2 $18, Dream Encounters Symbols Vol 3 $29, Action Symbols Vol 4 $13, When Will My Dreams Come True? $10, Dream Sexology $4, Sports & Recreation Dream Symbols $13, individual cards $1
REVEL ATION
Dreams: Jesus revealed his love to me in a dream-like encounter when
I was a young woman. He came walking up to me with His arms open wide drawing me to His heart. In the dream, He appeared so real that I reached out and touched Him. He was radiant, playful and charming. Pure joy, love and light flowed from His being. His olive skin was beautiful despite the scars and marks He still bore from the cruel disfiguring He endured at the crucifixion. His wavy hair was a thick, golden brown that reflected the sun’s blonde highlights. The smile on His lips was full, gentle, warm and inviting. His teeth were white against the frame of His beard. He was altogether lovely. But what stood out to me the most were His amazingly transparent blue eyes that twinkled with tranquil love. Their color reminded me of the smooth Crystal Sea that is before His throne in heaven. Never had I felt such love and acceptance in an embrace. He so overwhelmed me with love that nothing else mattered. He was my focus and, to my delight, I was His. I fell totally in love with Jesus that day. His loving gaze brought healing to my soul. He is the only One my heart still longs for. Whenever I desire to see Him, I simply step back into that visionary experience to feel His loving presence. I have discovered that the most vital need and longing of an individual is to know that they are loved. God is Love and therefore, many who are searching for love are actually searching for God. In my many years of interpreting dreams I have discovered that God frequently visits believers and unbelievers alike in their dreams, revealing His love and purposes for them. One dream from God can change a life forever. Dreams are one way that God writes His love letters to us. Recently, I was teaching a dream interpretation seminar. One of my students, a businessman, had a dream one night in which Jesus appeared to him, revealing His love. The next day in class, he wept as he shared the encounter. “I felt so much love!” he cried. That one dream revealing God’s love changed his life. In these last days, God promises to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Part of that outpouring includes visitations from God through dreams and visions (see Acts 2:17). Get ready to receive dreams from God. He desires to speak to you heart to heart, confirming His love for you. His love will fill you, empower you and heal you.
God’s Love Letters by Dr. Barbie L. Breathitt
BARBIE BREATHITT is a prophetic dream life coach, ordained minister, author, and a recognized leader in the field of dream interpretation. As a respected teacher of the divine supernatural manifestations of God, she has equipped people in more than 40 nations to understand the diverse ways God speaks to us today. myonar.com
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SOUL FOOD
Resurrection
Power Heals the Soul by Katie Souza
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It is not god’s will that we should die of illness or disease, but rather that we pass away at our appointed time, filled with vitality, strength and peace. In the book of Job, we read, “One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.” (Job 21:23-25) We are to be strong and at ease, not diseased, when we pass on to glory. However, according to Job, many are dying out of bitterness of soul. Through sin and trauma, our souls can become wounded causing physical affliction and even death. And yet John prayed that we will be in health, even as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2). There is a direct connection between the health of our soul and our physical body. Hebrews 9:27 declares that all men have an appointed time to die. Some are not dying at God’s appointed time, but are passing on prematurely as a result of sickness and disease. If everyone were going to glory at their appointed time, then Jesus would have never raised anyone from the dead. If He resurrected someone that died in God’s perfect timing, then He would have been going against His Father’s will. Jesus resurrected the son of the widow of Nain and Jarius’ daughter, so it must not have been their time. What would cause some people to die before God’s time? Again Job 21:25 explains, “And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul.” When people are wounded in their soul, it can give disease the legal right to kill them before their appointed time. It was not Lazarus’ appointed time to die. Jesus said about Lazarus, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory
of God.” (John 11:4) The word sickness here means “weakness and infirmity of the body and of the soul.” Lazarus died before his appointed time, possibly because he had a wound in his soul that caused him to become physically sick and then die. How did Jesus heal him of death, sickness and his wounded soul? Resurrection power has the ability to bring your departed spirit back into your body and to heal your body and your wounded soul. Resurrection power is referring to a power called dunamis, which means the “power to perform miracles and excellence of soul.” Wow! The resurrection (dunamis) power that Jesus released at Lazarus’ tomb called his spirit back, performed a physical healing miracle and caused him to become excellent in his soul. Lazarus got healed of the wounds that possibly caused him to get sick and die in the first place. Decree over yourself that you are excellent of soul. Let Job 21 be your confession of faith. “I will die at God’s appointed time in full strength. I am wholly at ease and quiet. My breasts are full of milk (my bucket is full in abundance) and my bones are moist with marrow. I will not die in bitterness of soul. I am filled with dunamis resurrection power. I am excellent of soul and no disease can touch me!” This decree will establish and perfect you in health until it is your time to pass on to glory. KATIE SOUZA is founder of Expected End Ministries and host of the television program, Healing Your Soul: Real Keys to the Miraculous. She has been featured on TBN, 700 Club, God TV, Extreme Prophetic and numerous radio shows. She is also author of The Captivity Series: The Key to Your Expected End, which is being read in over more than 2,500 prisons worldwide. expectedendministries.com
TwoNew From Releases
Companion “Soaking� This is specifically specifica designed to bring healing to every place in your life where your adversary, Satan, “that old serpent�, is hiding. Katie uses the story of Paul, shipwrecked on the island of Malta, who survived a bite by a venomous viper that was driven out of hiding by fire. Play this while you sleep and you will receive a miracle while you res rest!
Live Free; Escaping the Trap of Bitterness Hol Holding a grudge against someone is like taking poison and waiting for them to die. Holding on to a bitter offense, according to the bible, is actually worse. Katie shows you, using scripture, that bitterness in your soul can cause you to die before God’s appointed time. This teaching is filled with soul-healing activations, so you will find yourself listening to it again and again.
Companion “Soaking� This will wi simply change every area of your life. With music by Janie DuVall playing softly in the background, Katie carefully guides you through multiple healing prayers. Prepare to be delivered from bitterness connected to the desire for revenge, from resentment built up from lack of recognition, from lack of finances, from the loss of a loved one or a valued relationship or even from being mentally and physically abused. Praying through these powerful activations will help you break free and live free!
"UY "OTH 3ETS !ND 3AVE§ %NJ’ 4ODAY§ !LL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN D�NLOADABLE FILES
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Patricia King & Steve Swanson
PATRICIA’S PICKS
Patricia King was sharing a powerful message when the Spirit of prophecy came upon her. She proceeded to both teach and prophesy from God’s perspective, His great love for each of us. At the same time, Steve Swanson was flowing in a powerful worship anointing, adding sounds from heaven to the unfolding of this amazing revelation. Part teaching, part soaking, this powerful CD simply cannot be categorized—it has to be heard!
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BAPTIZED WITH FIRE
Patricia King, Roberts Liardon, Lou Engle, Bill Johnson & others A riveting documentary in which many of today’s leading prophetic voices share insights about the burgeoning move of God that will explode into the earth in a way that is beyond revival, beyond reformation, beyond anything the church even has a word for yet. Learn from world-renowned teachers, historians and ministers what is happening in the Spirit right now, and hear amazing testimonies of encounters with the blazing reality of the baptism of fire. COMPELLED BY LOVE
Heidi & Rolland Baker Follow Rolland and Heidi Baker’s journey into the world’s darkest and most desperate places, as their pursuit of the presence of God transforms a nation through love in action. Shot over 20 years in 10 countries on four continents in war zones, brothels, bushes and Ivy League campuses, from Hollywood to Mozambique, this film transcends all political, religious and social barriers. COVERED IN HIS GLORY
Robert Hotchkin God is inviting you into His presence to reveal greater degrees of His glory to you. Learn how you can move from glory to glory and see your life transformed, so that through you, God can transform the entire world around you.
DIVINE UNION: DECREES FOR A HEAVENLY MARRIAGE
Robert Hotchkin Whether you are still believing to meet your special someone, on your way to the altar, or currently married, you can put the decrees in this book to work on your behalf. Watch, as all of heaven moves to bring forth the divine union the Lord has for you—a supernatural marriage framed by His word and filled with His blessings. TEACHING CHILDREN TO PRAY
Carol Koch Children are hungry to know God and His ways. The same Holy Spirit that indwells adult believers is being poured out in great measure on children too. This manual is a powerful, practical tool that will help you train up your own children, a Sunday school class or a children’s group in effective, strategic, powerful intercession. DREAM ENCOUNTERS: SEEING YOUR DESTINY FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE
Barbie Breathitt This book is a unique journey into the subconscious night parables of the soul, to learn how dream truths impact your life and give you direction, purpose and destiny. Written to convince the greatest skeptics and educate the most ardent believer, you’ll gain valuable keys to success by unlocking the mysteries of your dreams.
SOUL FOOD
Katie Souza Food can be a major struggle for many. Today, obesity-related diseases cause more deaths than cancer. Diets and diet aids are one of the biggest money-making industries in America, yet most of these products do not produce lasting success. In this practical, yet very supernatural teaching, Katie shares her victory over lifelong battles with food disorders and the keys she discovered in the Bible that ushered her into instant supernatural weight loss and control over food. FREQUENCIES OF OXYGEN AND NATURE
John Tussey The music and sounds on this CD were birthed from the eternal realm. These beautiful, majestic, stirring and inspiring piano and synthesizer soundscapes, tuned to the frequency of oxygen, will reach deep inside your spirit and soul, bringing refreshment, solace and hope, along with a tangible sense of the embrace of the Father. FREQUENCIES OF THE HEART
John Tussey Soothing soundscapes that will transport you to heavenly places. Great for soaking, prayer times, as a sleeping aid and to help calm children, the sounds on this CD, recorded with 20 frequencies of the periodic table of elements, have been verified by physicists for accuracy. Your cells will love this music!
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PROPHECY
WOMEN EMERGING by Steve Shultz
My father was one of those “I won’t allow a woman
to teach” kind of men. As a teenager, I used to hear him rail (in the presence of my mother) that women didn’t have the abilities that men have—in any area! And then, he would recite his list of all the things men were better at than women. I suppose you’d call it a miracle, then, that when God transitioned me into all things prophetic, it became quite obvious to me that God’s Spirit and gifting is all over women of God. So, when it came time to put on the very first Elijah List Conference, I chose Patricia King as our speaker. What a brilliant night that was. We men stood around talking about it afterwards, each of us thrilled at the anointing on that meeting. During the 15 years since then, God has continued releasing both men and women into the ministry, including the prophetic ministry as found in Acts 2, where, Peter stood up and declared: Mixform Design / Shutterstock
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“But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall [all] prophesy.’” (Acts 2:16-18) Since that first conference, when God highlighted women in ministry to me, I often think of my dad who is with the Lord (he passed away when he was 59 years old). My mother, even now at 80 years of age, regularly teaches the Bible to men in home groups and in men’s prisons. I laugh when I whimsically picture my dad looking down from heaven and realizing, “Oh, so that’s what God meant in Acts 2!” My mom, her suitcases full of Bibles and books, got stuck at the Chicago airport a few years ago while on a ministry trip. She had no help to get those heavy books transported to the car. Who should show up but her dear friends from her Ohio hometown.
She was amazed as they happily greeted each other and helped her out to the car with her voluminous teaching materials. Back in Ohio, she reached out to her friends once again, thanking them for helping her get her items to the car in Chicago. “We were never in Chicago,” they both insisted. “We can’t leave Ohio because of an illness in the family.” When man can’t or won’t help, God will send angelic help, if that’s what it takes, because He’s got a lot of ministry ahead for many emerging women in ministry. If you’re a woman reading this, you’re one of them! I’ve taken personal delight in publicly promoting many “unknown” women over the past 15 years. And God just keeps pointing to more women, young and old, “Now, promote her!” So I happily do. STEVE SHULTZ is founder of the Elijah List, which has over 150,000 subscribers. He is a prophet who publishes prophetic words that are distributed worldwide. elijahlist.com
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TIMELESS WISDOM
by Roberts Liardon
With her bright mind and her powerful speaking abilities, Catherine Booth, the wife of Salvation Army founder, William Booth, emerged as one of the most influential women in modern religious history. The Salvation Army undertook to seek out each nation’s distressed, indebted and discontented, and bring them the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. It became a movement—an army of “Salvationists”— determined to set captives free through the blood of the Lamb and the fire of the Holy Spirit. To the Salvation Army, Catherine was the theologian, editor and writer, as well as the advocate of women’s ministry. As a serious student of the Bible,
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she became convinced that women should be free to preach and minister the gospel alongside men, a conviction that had a tremendous impact on the Salvation Army. At a time when women had no civil rights or place in the professional world, the Salvation Army recruited women as ministers of the gospel. Catherine Booth was a woman with a deep passion to love people with the love of God. She truly believed that the gospel was the power of God and she was not ashamed of it. She wrote: “There are teeming thousands who never cross the threshold of church, chapel, or mission-hall, to whom all connected with religion is as an old song, a byword, and a reproach. They need to be brought into contact with a living Christ in the characters and persons of His people. They want to see and handle the Word of Life in a living form. Christianity must come to them embodied in men and women, who are not ashamed to “eat with publicans and sinners;” they must see it looking through their eyes, and speaking in loving accents through their tongues, sympathizing with their sorrows, bearing their burdens, reproving their sins, instructing their ignorance, inspiring their hope, and wooing them to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. Dear reader, here is a sphere for you! You have long wished to do something for your “blessed, blessed Master.” Here is work, boundless in extent, and momentous beyond an angel’s power to conceive. For it, you need no human ordination, no long and tedious preparation, no high-flown language, no towering eloquence; all you want is the full baptism of the Spirit on your heart, the Bible in your hand, and humility and simplicity in your manner. Thus equipped, you will be mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Today we are in need of men and women who share Catherine’s passion to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. To Catherine, Christianity was action! It was not weak or passive. To her, the gospel was the power of God to bring lasting reform and transformation to society. Like Catherine, let us be people on fire, who are not afraid to invade the darkness of this present world for the kingdom and glory of God. ROBERTS LIARDON is a recognized church historian who specializes in revival history. A best-selling author, he has written over 60 books, including his multimillion-selling series God’s Generals. robertsliardon.org
More resources to take you higher from Patricia King & Robert Hotchkin Everlasting Love
Patricia King & Robert Hotchkin This 31-day devotional journal will revive, refresh and restore you, as you grow in the revelation of God’s glorious and eternal love for you.
Ultimate Passion
Patricia King & Steve Swanson Patricia King explains God’s great love for us from His perspective, accompanied by heavenly sounds of anointed worship by Steve Swanson. Part teaching, part soaking, this CD cannot be categorized — it has to be heard!
Divine Union Robert Hotchkin
Whether you are still believing to meet your special someone, on your way to the altar, or currently married, you can put the decrees in this book to work on your behalf, as the Lord brings forth the supernatural marriage He has for you.
Arise Magazine (Print Edition)
Patricia King & Others
The print edition of Arise magazine is a perfect keepsake and makes a great gift for family, friends and neighbors.
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