How to Deal With Phantom Sin by John Thomas

     I thought this was an insightful and helpful article.  I have posted part of it, but you can continue reading it on the link.

How to Deal with Phantom Sin by John Thomas (February 23, 2017)

A few years ago, a friend of mine was in an accident in Africa and his leg was torn off above the knee. After multiple surgeries, he has a stump where his leg used to be and can get around pretty well with a prosthetic. As odd as it sounds, he sometimes feels sensations below the stump—in the leg that is missing.

Amputees often find themselves struggling with a phenomenon called phantom limb. It’s when someone like my friend starts to feel pain, itching or other sensations in the limb that is no longer there.

Phantom limb can be a serious problem because to the person’s brain, the feelings are real. The person “feels” real pain—but there is no body part and no nerves sending signals to the brain, so there is nothing the person can do about it. Painkillers do no good. You can’t scratch a leg that isn’t there. You are stuck with this sensation you can’t do anything about.

As believers we go through something similar. When we meet Jesus, our sinful nature is cut off. It is killed and we become new creations: It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
— Galatians 2:20

We have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.
— 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

But we have a problem. Even though the sinful nature is dead, we keep having an itch in the “limb” that is no longer there. We find ourselves struggling with temptation and responding to sin as if it were still alive in us. What can we do?

The Secret of Spiritual Mirror Therapy

Pondering the Effects of Negativism on Our Health

      Did you see the news article about witches uniting to put a spell on Donald Trump and his supporters?  Here it is, if you are interested.
      At first I thought it was ridiculous they would be given headline news, but then I realized that most of us Christians would be unaware of their schemes if it hadn't been publicized.  What is exciting is that "greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world"!  We can pray a hedge of protection around our President, his cabinet, and us--his supporters.
      My prayer is that the fiery darts the enemy is directing towards those who are standing for morality, righteousness and common sense will boomerang back onto the very ones who sent them.  I pray those who are against God will see that He is much more powerful than the devil they are following and will turn to Him in worship.  I also pray that those who have been so vehemently against President Trump will recognize whose side they are on when they see witches are working against him, too.
      As Country Guy and I were discussing this, the thought occured that maybe the hatred and destructive thoughts generated, being publicized and sent throughout our country, especially since the election, is the reason for so much sickness and discouragement.  Almost everyone I know has been sick this winter and most of those I know are Trump supporters.  It is an idea I had not entertained until reading the news article, but I believe there is truth to it.  The negative bombardment can't help but have an effect on us, especially those who are sensitive to spiritual things, when we were created to live in an atmosphere of love.  I'm also wondering if it doesn't have an additional adverse effect on those who are already deficient in love.  Just pondering...

A Walk In The Woods

      We have had unusually warm weather for February!  I went for a walk in the woods this morning in what felt like a spring day.   It is to be 70 degrees again today.  As you can see my daffodils are almost ready to open.

        I was surprised to see this site in the woods everywhere I looked!  
     Obviously there will be enough spiders this year!  I had never before noticed the webs being so visible so I took a closer look.   I hope you can you see in the photo--the reason they stand out so much is that the fibers are coated with droplets of water.

      As I continued walking I came across this dead tree which the woodpeckers had been working on.  They have certainly been busy!
     It was a perfectly still morning so a wonderful time to go walking.  I even startled a few deer from their resting places.  Unfortunately,  I didn't get a photo.  Their white tails were a beautiful site as they leapt over fallen trees!
     It is a great blessing to be able to enjoy God's creation in the stillness of the woods.  You are invited to come with me any time you are in the neighborhood.  I love sharing our Shalom.

Another TV Recommendation

       Country Guy has had a touch of pneumonia the past few days--hence all the TV watching.  Last night we watched Julian Fellows' (of Downton Abbey fame) "Doctor Thorne."  It is an Amazon exclusive video, I believe.  Anyway, if you have Amazon Prime you can watch it for free.  Otherwise it costs something.  We thought it was excellent, so I am recommending it to those of you who, like us, are always looking for something of good quality to watch.
       I would love to hear recommendations from you, too.

A Highly Addictive TV Series--Broadchurch

    The last few days we have practically been glued to the TV watching Season 1 of an English series entitled "Broadchurch".  Our daughter told us about it.  She watched it on Netflix but we purchased it through Amazon Prime since we haven't yet subscribed to Netflix.
    They have finished two seasons and I have been told a third and final one will be out in May.  We have only watched Season 1 but are planning to start Season 2 as soon as we possibly can!  It is that addictive!  So don't start unless you have lots of time to blow through all 8 episodes.  Just sayin'.

*Update:  We finished the 2nd Season and were not nearly as impressed--too many sex scenes and one scene of two women kissing.  I don't recommend it.  We felt the first season was even somewhat inspirational, so I am disappointed the second one wasn't.  It kept our interest, but could have been much more than it was.

More Affirmations

    I am continuing to read The Dynamic Laws of Healing by Catherine Ponder.  The chapter I've been meditating on today is called the Occult Law of Healing.  I was "turned off" by the title but when I began to read the chapter I discovered "occult" means "secret."  The author discusses how the people of the Old Testament considered "I AM" to be "the lost word of power".  Since God identified himself as "I AM" we have the "I AM" in us.  This is a dynamic source of power.   Unfortunately, many of us use it to produce bad results by declaring over and over, "I am sick", "I am weak", "I am tired", "I am a failure", "I am getting old," "I am unhappy", etc.  She suggests we begin to declare and affirm this for good by declaring "I am happy", "I am healthy", "I am prosperous", etc.

Here are a couple of affirmations she suggests:

On retiring at night, just before going to sleep, repeat either mentally or verbally:
I am health, strength, peace, happiness, and prosperity.
The Spirit of God, which is active in me, flows through my physical body, in a purifying, cleansing, healing stream that removes all obstructions and brings peace, health, and harmony to my body.
I am well, strong, vital.
I am beautiful, peaceful, poised.
I am eternally youthful.
I am buoyant, happy, free.
I shall arise in the morning filled with energy, radiance, and the power to accomplish whatever I find to do.


Affirm often:
I am one with God, I am one with God.
I am the radiant child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the healthy child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the prosperous child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the happy child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the illumined child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the overcoming child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the victorious child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the successful child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am the loved and beloved child of God, I am, I am, I am.
I am a part of the creative power of the universe, to which nothing is impossible. I am.  I am.  I am.
I am rich, well and happy, and all my affairs are now in divine order.

"I Am Releasing Reformation and Awakening in the USA! by Cindy Jacobs, Red Oak, TX

"I Am Releasing Reformation and Awakening in the USA! What You See on the News is Satan Very Discouraged"by Cindy Jacobs, Red Oak, TX

This is a prophetic word by Cindy Jacobs about the Lord's peace:

For the Lord would say, "We are entering into a new season and do not let the tumult of the season deter you from the path I have called you." The Lord says, "Don't let fear get in your heart, for I am truly releasing a reformation into the United States of America," says the Lord. The Lord says, "I truly am releasing an awakening." 

"What you see on the news is simply satan very discouraged and very angry because of the things that he knows he's going to have to let go of; but know this, check your heart for it is not a place to be triumphal and to get into triumphalism or say, 'We are this or we are that.'" 

The Lord says, "Do not add fuel to the pain of a people." The Lord says, "I would cause you to be a bridge builder not a bridge destroyer."

The Lord says, "It's a time to check our hearts as Americans. Do not let the political spirit come in and begin to cause you to be one that brings division rather than unity." The Lord says, "This is time to throw water rather than gasoline on fires. This is the time to come in the opposite spirit." 

God is Bringing Unity

The Lord will speak even to families and family members that: "It is a time for civil discourse not civil disobedience within families, for satan wants to tear apart families. Satan wants to tear apart churches." The Lord would say, "This is a John 17 moment."

In fact, I want to just speak into that a moment. The prophets last November and one of the major words we got was "John 17" – that God was going to bring unity. Can God bring unity to a whole nation? Of course He can. We're commanded to ask the nations for our inheritance. We are commanded to make disciples of nations. 

The Lord would say, "I'm going to give an escalation of My reformational principles," says the Lord. God says, "I'm doing this new thing. You've never been this way before." The Lord says, "I can bring peace. I will be the bridge over troubled waters for your family, for those you work with, your coworkers, and those who believe we are one nation, indivisible – one nation under God, indivisible." 

God bless you.

Cindy Jacobs
Generals International
Email: generals@generals.org
Website: www.generals.org

The Dynamic Laws of Healing

      Have you read The Dynamic Laws of Healing, by Catherine Ponder?  As I have mentioned before, our small group is studying healing--especially integrated healing which includes healing of the body, mind, spirit, and emotions.  I have been thinking about laws of healing.  God has created laws that work whether you know Him or not.  Somewhere in my reading, this book was recommended so I ordered it on ABEbooks.com (my favorite go-to spot to find books cheaply because they are used) and began reading this week.  I am really liking it.  The book lists several of the laws of healing, but the difference in it and other books I've read on healing is that Catherine Ponder uses affirmations to help get those laws working in our subconscious. She suggests repeating the affirmations as often as possible.
      In the chapter entitled "The Surprise Law of Healing" which is actually on the law of forgiveness, one of the affirmations is:
     "All that has offended me, I forgive.  Whatever has made me bitter, resentful, unhappy, I forgive.  Within and without, I forgive.  Things past, things present, things future, I forgive."
     Another is:  "I forgive everything,  everyone, every experience, every memory of the past or present that needs forgiveness.  I forgive positively everyone.  God is love, and I am forgiven and governed by God's love alone.  God's love is now adjusting my life and its problems.  Realizing this, I abide in peace. 
      In the chapter on "The Healing Law of Love" one of the affirmations is:  "I rest and relax in the love of God, and I am healed."
     Another is: "My heart is filled with Divine Love, and Divine Love will work any miracle that needs working."
     This morning I was thinking about how the Bible encourages us to use affirmations.  It says "to think on these things, whatever is lovely and of a good report..."  We are told to "put on the whole armor of God" in Ephesians.  It occurred to me that each piece of the armor is put on as an affirmation.  There are so many verses that come to mind:  "Christ in you, the hope of glory."  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  "All things work together for good..."  "I am the God that healeth thee."  "By His stripes, I am healed."
     Yet, how often do we read these without actually claiming and/or applying them?  I believe this is an important piece to the puzzle I am working on to help me understand how healing can be more effectively implemented in our lives.
      Our group has been praying for healing for others through forgiveness, breaking generational curses, breaking soul ties, renouncing inner vows, overcoming rejection, deliverance, inner healing, and prayer for physical healing.  I think affirmations could be a great tool to help all of us remain free of these things and to change our way of thinking.  I am excited to put this idea into practice and see how it works!
     If you have experience in doing this I would love to hear about it.

"The Enemy's Attempts to Take You Out is Propelling Your Advancement" by Nate Johnston,

Such an encouraging word posted on the Elijah List yesterday!

"The Enemy's Attempts to Take You Out is Propelling Your Advancement"

by Nate Johnston, Gold Coast, Australia

Coming into 2017 I knew we would see a clashing of kingdoms, both macro and micro. On the world stage we are seeing the effects of two polar opposite kingdoms and values colliding, yet in our own personal lives something very similar is taking place. God has been doing a deep pruning and purging in us to prepare us for what is coming, and the Kingdom within us is at war with the kingdom we have previously had unhealthy alliances to.

The line is being drawn in the sand and God is calling us up to a higher place, freeing us from the many debilitating mindsets and soul issues that hold us back from being highly effective. But with all that said, there has been another war we have stepped into as the year began – it's the war against you, the new breed rising, and for what you have in your possession. 

Why have you been under assault? Let me share what I believe are key reasons you are a threat and what God is calling you to.

Anointed and Appointed

You are dangerous to the kingdom of darkness, and it's your natural instinct to snuff it out; but when you step into your shoes and understand what you were born for, you become potent like a lion with its prey in its sight, ready to pounce. 

When David was anointed as the future king in 1 Samuel 16:13, it says that the prophet Samuel anointed his head with oil and the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. The word "anoint" used in the Hebrew text is mashach which means literally "consecration", and "set apart for a specific purpose or service". Consecration speaks of both identity – whose we belong, and purpose – our assignment. We are anointed as God's chosen ones to walk out our assignment and there is no greater threat to the enemy than sons and daughters knowing who and whose they are and walking out their divine assignment on this earth. (Photo via Flickr)

Just like David, when we begin to walk in the full favor and blessing of those two places, identity and purpose, people begin to notice and so does the enemy. It becomes obvious what God is doing in you, the power of God rests mightily on your life, and the enemy is afraid of it! In 1 Samuel 16:23 it says that when Saul was tormented by the evil spirit, David played his harp and the evil spirit left! The mark of an anointed, consecrated life is one of POWER.

Attempts to Take You Out

I believe there has been an attack to take people out – an attack that has been sent to take down God's anointed. These are the David's, the warriors, the giant killers, and laid-down lovers that press into the wind and are used to facing push-back as they extend the Kingdom. But this assignment has been sent to take them out of the game entirely through sickness, burnout, family issues, defeat, financial problems, and any other avenue He can find. Can you relate to this?

One late night in December, I was up at 1am putting the finishing touches on our latest online course "Bondage Breaker" when suddenly I heard a demonic voice shriek at me saying, "You'll die with a heart attack!" Instantly I felt fear grip me and then the worst kind of pain, like an Australian 20 cent coin (an American Quarter), was being pushed through my heart. I felt the room begin to fade, like I was fainting, when I came to my senses and took authority over it. As we released the course we understood why this spirit was sent to attack me, the breakthrough that has come to so many lives was what the enemy was afraid of. 

If the enemy can't stop conception he will try to kill the baby. Just like when Jesus was born, King Herod ordered the slaughter of all male babies to prevent the arrival of the prophesied new King of the Jews. The enemy wants to kill your dreams in their infancy because he can tell that what is in your hands is about to double, then triple, and impact the world! 

This was also illustrated in the life of David. As he grew in his anointing and began to have success, the Word says that Saul became jealous and tried to kill David many times, and for the rest of Saul's life David had to run and hide from Saul. What was on David's life was a threat to the enemy and was a target to be killed before it matured.

The Transference of Power

The Lord spoke to me about the transference of power that is taking place in the Body of Christ right now. This is simply the result of Believers beginning to understand what they have and beginning to use it. Every day the Kingdom is advancing as Believers that used to just take up the back pews suddenly get a revelation of the power made available to them.

This is creating a surge of remarkable miracles, signs, and wonders in unusual places. When I was watching the American Presidential Inauguration, I heard the phrase "transference of power" which is uncommon to me as an Australian, but I quickly realized the synergy of the Kingdom and what God is doing in the earth. We are in a time that we are needed, more than ever, to step out of dormancy and into strength and influence, purity, and power. You are a threat because you now know what the enemy has wanted to conceal from you...YOU! 

You Carry Revival Fire

I've recently been having dreams of revival like the days of Acts. In these dreams, it wasn't neat and tidy revival in buildings; it was messy, raw, real, and beautiful. In one of the dreams I was in Jerusalem and knew there was some kind of war going on around me, but it was overshadowed by the revival also taking place. I could hear the eerie sound of deep bellowing warning sirens going off in the city while I am seeing the power of God impact thousands in a city square crying out to God.

This dream revealed to me the tension and contrast of the time we live in. The darkness may appear to be getting darker but in reality the light is getting brighter. You and I have never been better positioned and poised for victory than right now. You are a carrier of revival and inside you is the fire just longing to be let out to sweep your city. That makes you dangerous.

Advancement and Acceleration

I believe this a season of unprecedented advancement for the Body of Christ and the war of kingdoms is simply territorial. Many strongholds have existed over places and regions and on a larger scale, over mountains of influence in our nations. 

For every area the enemy throws his weight, reveals areas of truth where God is increasing you.

I want to prophesy over you that where you have felt discouraged and lost, foggy and fearful, God wants to affirm you and remind you of the promises He has spoken over you. Where the enemy has attempted to slow you down, stall you, divert and distract you, God is saying that His will for you is to PROPEL you! He is removing the unnecessary burdens and pulling you back in the bow to release you into a greater measure of what you are walking in now. (Photo via Pexels)

It's your season of advancement and acceleration and you'll begin to see the temporary roadblocks sent to confuse you removed, and instead of constantly being a mark for the enemy, you'll be marked by God's goodness and favor and begin to see every arrow sent your way reversed. You carry the sound of thunder in your DNA and this is what you were born for.

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). (To Subscribe to the Elijah List go here.)

Nate and Christy Johnston
Everyday Revivalists
Email: everydayrevivalists@gmail.com
Website: www.everydayrevivalists.com

Weapons of Mass Distraction by Francis Frangipane

I thought this was an excellent article by Francis Frangipane.  Maybe it doesn't apply to you but it certainly convicted me!  It seems we are so busy and distracted by much.  Some of it is good and necessary, but much of it is self-imposed.  How much time do we spend with our toys--iphones, ipads, Facebook, etc. that could be used for the main thing--seeking first His kingdom?

Weapons of Mass Distraction (En Español) The glory of God is coming but we must live in His presence now if we expect to walk in His glory later. And it is this very thing -- this entering God's presence now -- that Satan fights the most.  Yet the nature of our battle is not easily discerned. The enemy does not typically appear with fierce countenance, threatening us with retaliation if we begin to seek God. No, Satan's attack is more subtle. He whispers his crafty manipulations, stealing our time and draining us of spiritual passions. He even manipulates the good things of God's blessings to keep us from the best gift of all: God's presence. The devil has a willing accomplice in our fleshly nature. Recall Solomon's astute observation: "Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices" (Eccl. 7:29). Our "many devices," gadgets, and technologies, for all the convenience they supposedly provide, are not much more than "mind candy." They fritter away our time and energy.  As our world experiences increased trauma and shaking, it will be evident: there is no substitute for the presence of God. Yet instead of having hearts full of God, or at least hearts that are seeking God, our hearts are weighed down, bloated with worldliness and addicted to pleasure. We are saddened if we have nothing to entertain us.  God is judging this excessive focus on materialism. When God is done, we will be much leaner, spiritually speaking. We will be ready for the days ahead.  The Unappreciated Gift "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth" (Luke 21:34-35). What is the most valuable yet most unappreciated gift men receive from God? It is not money. It is not even food and housing. The gift we most fail to appreciate is time. Beloved, it is wisdom to number our days (Ps. 90), for we only have a certain allotment of time to fulfill our calling. Yet too many of us are squandering our days with meaningless distractions. Yes, all things are lawful, but not all things are profitable (1 Cor. 6:12).  Let me assure you, most of the things of our world are not evil in themselves, especially when dedicated to God and used in moderation. We need points of relief and times of recreation. My concern is that we not become out of balance. For what we call moderation, to the rest of the world is excess. My concern is that the things of this age not crowd out our time with God. A Land of Idols The issue for us is not about things, but discerning those things that keep us from God. The pleasures of this world can become intoxicating, numbing our discernment and our capacity to see clearly. Yet if we are truly seeking the Lord, setting apart time each day for Him, then our hold on life will be clear-minded.  Let us beware. Like the ancient Babylonians, ours is a "land of images, and [we] are mad over idols" (Jer. 50:38 Amplified). We worry about weapons of mass destruction in our world, but Satan also has weapons of mass distraction. Idolatry is so familiar to us, we think it not strange that our sports, music and movie stars are called "idols."  In the midst of a world of distractions, the Lord wants us to walk with a single mind toward His glory.  Can we do it? Yes, but we may need to rid ourselves of the control our modern media and devices have over our will. Let us fast from entertainment for a month and use that time to seek God. If that is too long, deny it entrance to your mind for a week. The degree of difficulty in turning them off is the measure of our bondage to them. If we cannot let them go, it because such things hold us captive. Let us make our portion in life the presence of God. Let us not be mastered by the issues, fears or distractions of our times. Rather, let us break the power of Satan's weapons of mass distraction. Let us return full-hearted to God.

An Exercise in Loving Yourself and Others

As I have mentioned before, our Tuesday group is studying healing from the perspective that body, soul, spirit and emotions are connected and therefore to get a person totally healed physically these areas need to be addressed, too.

One of the first things that must be addressed in our lives is our love of self.  Most of us, when we look deep inside ourselves, realize we spend much time criticizing and castigating ourselves for our shortcomings instead of seeing ourselves as God sees us--His unique child, created to perfection.

Didn't He say, ‘"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself."   Matthew 22:37-39?

How can we love our neighbors if we don't love ourselves?

In putting together resources for our healing group, I have been compiling a list of possible psychosomatic roots to diseases.  I discovered a book by Louise Hay, entitled You Can Heal Your Life, in which she lists many diseases and their possible roots.  Even though this book is not a Christian book, I believe much of what she discusses are laws God created to help us live healthy lives.  As I have explained to others--you don't have to be a Christian to use God's laws--example: gravity.  Because this is true I glean understanding from lots of different avenues knowing that sometimes the person does not know the Creator of the laws they are using.

In Louise Hay's book, I came across this wonderful exercise in learning to love yourself.

Begin to visualize yourself as a little child of 4 or 5 years old… Look deeply into this little child’s eyes.  See the longing that is there and realize there is only one thing this little child wants from you and that is love.  So reach out your arms and embrace this child. Hold it with love and tenderness.  Tell it how much you love it, how much you care.  Admire everything about this child and say that it’s OK to make mistakes while learning.  Promise that you will always be there no matter what.  Now let this little child get very small until it is just the size to fit into your heart.  Put it there so whenever you look down, you can see this little face looking up at you and you can give it lots of love. 

Because much of our problems in life come from not being loved in the way we wanted or needed by our parents, she also adds this to the visualization: 

Now visualize your mother as a little girl of four or five, frightened and looking for love and not knowing where to find it.  Reach out your arms and hold this little girl and let her know how much you love her, how much you care.  Let her know she can rely on you to always be there, no matter what.  When she quiets down and begins to feel safe, let her get very small, just the size to fit into your heart.  Put her there with your own little child.  Let them give each other lots of love.

Now imagine your father as a little boy of three or four—frightened, crying, and looking for love.  See the tears rolling down his little face when he doesn’t know where to turn.  You have become good at comforting frightened little children, so reach out your arms and hold his trembling little body.  Comfort him.  Croon to him.  Let him feel how much you love him.  Let him feel that you will always be there for him.

When his tears are dry, and you feel the love and peace in his little body, let him get very small, just the size to fit into your heart.  Put him there so those three little children can give each our lots of love and you can love them all.

James 1:7 says, "I have you in my heart. "  I believe this exercise is an excellent way of placing people in our hearts so that we can love them continuously.  Therefore I would recommend we do this for as many people as we want to hold in our hearts.

Holy Spirit once revealed to me that when we go into God's Presence to pray He looks at our hearts.  When He does He sees all those we carry in our hearts because we love them. As He sees them He also looks in their hearts (and sees those they are carrying).  What a wonderful way to pray for lots of people--even when you don't know their needs!  Carry them in your heart and go before the Father so He can meet the needs of the hearts He sees in yours.

"You Can Recover and Much More!" by Johnny Enlow, Santa Clarita, CA

I found this post on the Elijah List by Johnny Enlow to be a confirmation of much that I believe God is doing and saying to us right now.

Amazing Super Bowl 51 Message: "You Can Recover and Much More!"by Johnny Enlow, Santa Clarita, CA

First of all, if it strikes you as weird that spiritual messages are being gleaned from a Super Bowl game, it shouldn't. Romans 1:20 tells us that invisible or unseen things of Him can be seen by what He has created. Luke 19:40, lets us know even "rocks will cry out" with revelation on God and what He is doing. At the subatomic particle level everything is connected, so heavenly messages are hidden in code and mystery in almost everything just waiting for an anointed observer. 

Let me also preface this by saying that I was cheering for the Falcons as they are my original home team, while all along being aware that the prophetic markers I could already see were against my beloved Falcons, though they played a great game and acquitted themselves well.

No Matter How Bad You are Losing, You Can Recover!

The essential message from this Super Bowl is that it is a "year of recovery" and that no matter how behind you are or how late in the game it seems, there is still hope. The game may technically be over for you, but there is overtime and you can even have your first lead of the game as your final score!

For the uninformed, the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 after being behind by a record 25 points. They scored the last 31 points in the game to win in overtime. This was the first Super Bowl ever to go into overtime. 

MVP Tom Brady: He is Mirroring What Trump Will Do for America

Tom Brady was the MVP (most valuable player) of the game and came back from being hit and sacked multiple times. His tenacity and resolve was just so key. Meaningful numbers are all over the place with Brady. He is 39 years old, making it the second consecutive year that a 39-year-old QB wins the Super Bowl. (Last year it was Peyton Manning and I noted that it tied in with the 39 stripes Jesus took and that a great healing is coming to our nation, as counterintuitive as that can seem for some. By His stripes we were and are healed.)

Brady is also a #12 and that is the number of government. Tom took a lot of heat for being a supporter of Trump believing he could help our country be better and stronger. Tom Brady was born in '77 which gives us that reoccurring number. We are in the Hebraic year 5777. Trump had 77 more electoral votes than Clinton. Trump was 70 years old, 7 months and 7 days old when he was inaugurated as President. Furthermore this was Brady's 7th Super Bowl total and was his 5th victory overall. 5 is the number of grace and 7 is the number of completion, but also the most symbolic number of God, Himself. The Bible tells us there are 7 spirits of God. We are in a year of very intentional and strategic grace from God Himself.

Tom's first name means "twin". Part of this means he is mirroring that which Donald Trump is doing in government. As you remember Trump looked way behind in the "score" on Election Day and it wasn't until "overtime" that they announced he had won. The other part of "twin" speaks of the double blessing or anointing. I and others have observed that President Trump has been given an Isaiah 45 Cyrus mandate to reform and to prosper. That chapter starts out with how God would open before him the "double gates" or "double doors". 

The name Brady means "spirited" and as a secondary definition "broad-eyed". This too describes our president but it is to describe those of us who will see our own personal recovery. We must be "spirited" and have our vision expanded to see what God is doing both in the micro and in the macro. There was also a recurring theme of family at the Super Bowl. I am reminded of the popular Brady Bunch television series of a large non-traditional family. This certainly describes America as well at this time, and it is time for the American family to win, win, win. I believe that unexpectedly, a great valuing of family is coming as a great angel assigned to this has been released over us.

Time and Permission to be Patriots

The Patriots won the Super Bowl and the theme of Patriotism was throughout the Super Bowl. The colors red, white and blue are the color of the Patriots and were also throughout. Now is a time for us to be Patriotic. Now I know it is popular to say we are not called to be for our own nation but instead for "the Kingdom" and that has some basic sounding truth. However, Jeremiah 29:7 also says to seek the well-being of where God places us because in ITS well-being WE will have well-being. 

We can sometimes be so spiritual that we miss the reality that He put us in specific physical bodies, families, cities and nations – and that our spiritual Kingdom call will always overlap caring for the physical. If your marriage is important, if your family is important, then your city or nation is important as well. Jesus wept over His Jerusalem, and He is still not done caring for that original physical Jerusalem.

It is also part of the prophetic message of this Super Bowl that the Patriots owner Bob Kraft is a Jew and also a friend of Donald Trump. The recurring theme of patriotism and care for Israel will be with us for the foreseeable future as something God desires us to pick up on.

NRG Stadium: Accessing Dunamis Power

Last year's Super Bowl was played in Levi Stadium and there was a message I shared on that. This year it was played in Houston's NRG (pronounced and intended as Energy). There is a spiritual message here as well. As we fall in line with God's heart and agenda at this time, He will connect us to new levels of His Energy or Dunamis power. Power to recover and power to win. 

It is of interest that the Patriots had 93 plays and the Falcons only 46, and that the time of possession in favor of the Patriots was 40 minutes to 23 minutes. In essence they just kept coming and coming. The Falcons were more efficient on their plays and had more yards per play, but the Patriots just insisted on staying in possession and attacking. They, in effect, wore down the opposition. This is a word for you, for me, for us: Keep getting the ball back, keep playing, keep the enemy on the defensive because even if it takes all the game and more, you are going to come out ahead. Greater is He that is in us than he that is on the other side, even if it doesn't look like it for a long time.

Final Score 34-28: Psalm 34:2-8

And finally all the above recovery takes place as we operate out of the truth of Psalm 34:2-8. I will highlight some aspects of this passage, but it is oh so worth it to dive into it in a deeper way. It is just loaded with relevant truth for those ready to win in 2017.

Verse 2: My soul will boast in the Lord, let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Verse 3-4: Magnify the Lord with me (as opposed to your challenges) and He delivers from ALL my fears. Verse 5: Those who look at Him are radiant. Verse 7: The angel of the Lord delivers those who trust Him. Verse 8: Taste and see that the Lord is good.

So in a nutshell, here is your Super Bowl message: 2017 is a year orchestrated by God for you to have amazing recoveries from amazing contradictions. It is a year where He will also greatly use the man He put in as President. You don't have to love him or everything he does, but there is wisdom in respecting and honoring who God puts in. God wants His people thinking patriotically towards America because there is a specific "lead nation" call that is on us. The other nations are held back in some capacity until we step into ours.

It is why you will hear the prophetic people from other nations keep telling us of the great things God has for America. They know by the Spirit that as we prosper, overcome darkness etc., that it has a ripple effect into their nations. It is because of the call on our nation, and it is because He loves ALL nations. And finally, read my last book Seven Mountain Renaissance: Vision and Strategy through 2050 for more on how this all fleshes out. 

We have just begun our age of recovery. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List go here.)

Johnny Enlow
Johnny and Elizabeth
Email: Contact@JohnnyandElizabeth.com
Website: www.JohnnyandElizabeth.com

Super Bowl - A Prophetic Win!

       I wish I had written this before I watched the Super Bowl.  You might have been very impressed!  A few days ago I was telling Country Guy that the Patriots were going to win the Super Bowl because I had read lots of prophetic words over the years giving significance to the winners, or the scores, or the number of plays, or something in each Super Bowl. It seemed to me that with a name like the Patriots they had to be the winners!
      I said I thought they would win because Patriots are prophetic right now.  That is what Donald Trump is--a patriot--and what he is emphasizing we all need to be.  I read a prophetic word the other day that said this is the year of Ezekiel 34.  The person giving the word was talking about all the scores of recent ball games in which the winning team had scored 34 points and that the Lord had showed him the number was indicating Ezekiel 34.   As we were watching the game with friends and the score was Patriots 3, Atlanta 28, I said this has got to be one of those prophetic games.  The Patriots are going to win just as Donald Trump did, when everyone was saying it was impossible.  That is just what happened, and not only that but the last play is going to be debated for years to come because the player's knee touched down before the ball was over the line, just as many have questioned the outcome of the election because President Trump didn't win the popular vote.
      As you can see, it turned out to be a very prophetic night!  Too bad I am not a betting person.  I probably could have won a lot of money with my prediction.  Especially if I had added that the Patriots would score 34 points to win!

Hearing God Through the Old Testament

       Mark Virkler's ministry, Communion With God, is offering another free video event,  Hearing God Through the Old Testament, beginning today for the next 12 days--one free video/day.  The title is a link to the video.