“...let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…” - Proverbs 1:5 (NIV)

In our world of changing technology and increasing confusion, I have become more and more aware of some of the issues and shortcomings with our traditional methods of teaching and discipling in church—an area of consideration that is often overlooked because we are used to the way it has always been done.

We pray for Australia today.

For the Lord would say, “Satan is going to try to come in like a flood, even to the west of Australia, and begin to disrupt formally very peaceful areas. In fact, people will say, ‘Oh, that could never happen here.’”

In 2014, Cindy Jacobs released a word to my husband and me that the Lord was opening the gate of property to us—that we would own houses and lands to be used, of course, for kingdom purposes.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7; NKJV)

I am learning more and more to seek the Lord about the root of the problems we face in our world. As I prayed over the matter of education, I sensed the Lord saying that a spirit of foolishness pervades our culture when it comes to learning. We have come to despise wisdom and instruction.

For the Lord would say, “You're going to get the wind at your back. And right now, I see that there are some people that you're like a ship, and the ship has no wind in the sails. And you just feel like you're stuck, you're stopped, you can't go on your journey.” But the Lord says, “I am going to begin to blow upon your sails. There's going to be wind in your sails.”

Christians can frequently be heard lamenting the state of the Arts and Entertainment industry and all the “filth” Hollywood puts out. There are legitimate reasons for this—a lot of disturbing things really do come out of this cultural sphere of influence, and as we considered in a previous article, this is the primary area that “disciples” our nation. That is definitely cause for concern.

As reformers carrying a desire to see God move in a powerful way across our nation, we all sometimes need encouragement and fresh perspective.

For the Lord would say, “I am bringing you into new depths in Me”, says God. “For even as My word says ‘deep calls unto deep,’ there are depths, and there are places in Me that you do not know about. There are resources of grace deep within your soul that you are going to be able to tap a new level,” says the Lord.

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29; NKJV)

Each Sunday, our church makes declarations over the seven mountains of cultural influence.

Keeping in step with God requires a knowledge of times and seasons, and even now, God is releasing greater revelation as He mobilizes His army to take possession of the cultural mountains (or kingdoms) of this world. The battle is for cultural prominence, and you don’t ascend these mountains without a fight.

For the Lord says, I have heard the prayers of my people in France—both those from this generation and those of your forebears.

In spite of Paul’s teaching that we are all one in Christ, there were still a considerable number of misogynistic writings from the early church fathers that have continued to influence believers today. A few examples include:How do we account for these teachings and such harsh perspective?

“The Lord gives the command [word]; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host.” (Ps. 68:11, NASB)

God has no intention of excluding His daughters as He orchestrates His plans for the world.

God is always drawing us into a deeper passion, into seasons of re-connecting with Himself. We each have moments when we start feeling overwhelmed by condemnation. Thoughts run through our heads like “I wish I hadn’t done that” or “I could have done that better”.

In looking back over my life, I have been able to identify at least five major strongholds that I personally had to deal with in order to be released into my destiny. I think many women will relate to a number of these on differing levels.

There is a story in Scripture that moves me to tears no matter how many times I hear it or read it. In John 8:2-11, we read about a woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus’ feet for judgement. Her accusers wanted her stoned to death, as the justice of the law required. Instead, she was rescued and transformed by a display of grace that epitomizes what Jesus came to do through His kingdom.

“Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God’s justice. Seek God’s right ways...” (Zeph. 2:3, MSG)

Justice has always been on God’s mind. Recently, the prophets declared that 2016 releases a season when justice issues will be coming to the forefront, with a concern for the poor and human rights issues being emphasized.

God is just; therefore, He desires justice for and from His church. Influenced by the world’s system, we often equate justice with punishment alone, demanding to see the perpetrator suffer, and once that suffering is exacted, we walk away.

When revival happens, a huge number of people enter the kingdom of God. Everyone is suddenly excited about God and the possibilities of what life in Jesus can mean for their future.

I am encountering a growing number of believers who are examining the difference between the gospel of salvation and the gospel of the kingdom. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).