I wrote my book “Carriers of the Ark” with millennials in mind (even though it applies to all ages). I am one! Yet, millennials have been labeled as entitled and lazy. I’m not saying that’s 100% correct, but we do have a chance to prove those stereotypes wrong. This generation is obviously looking for purpose and is passionate about living for a cause. With all the shaking in the world today, we need an entire generation to rise up and carry the life-giving Presence of God!

While I’m sure everyone is sick of (no pun intended) the effects of the coronavirus on society and are ready for it to end, the quarantine has actually allowed for some unintended innovation and upgrades to happen for the church. To be clear, I don’t believe that God caused the coronavirus, but I do believe that He works all things together for our good. As Americans, should we fight for our rights? Sure. But we also need to capitalize on this unique time in history. God is doing a new thing!

As you’re well aware, fear and anxiety have tried to grip the world in these last couple of months. Some have lost loved ones, some have lost jobs, and others have just dealt with adjusting to a new way of living. Regardless of where we find ourselves, we’ve all had reasons to battle fear - but fear does not have to grip your life! There is a way to live above fear, and even though you may feel it, you don’t have to give into it.

Watching the news, hearing reports of deaths, and being in a quarantine situation has affected all of us. It’s at these times where we have to pull on the greater reality of heaven - the place where our eternal citizenship lies. As the old saying goes, “We are in the world but not of the world.” The kingdom of heaven never wavers, is always stable and is rooting for us. How, then, do we stay connected to that greater reality in a world that is shaking all around us?

Blessing in Ancient Hebrew meant: anointed to win, empowered to overcome and impossible to curse! Especially in this time when people are freaking out over sickness, the news is perpetuating fear, public gatherings are being asked to shut down, and more...we need to walk in the blessing of the Lord!

As a worship leader who loves the breakthrough aspect of God’s nature, I love to lead people beyond their comfort zone into new places. Whenever I travel, I usually take the first few minutes to assess where the room is at, find their “borders”, and then see what I can do to push them over the line! I know what it’s like to be led across my limitations and experience new things in God, so I want to help people get there as well! The Hebrew language has some compelling things to say to us about praise that will launch us into new encounters with God.

Have you ever felt the joy that comes when God is moving in your life, only to be met by wave after wave of opposition? It feels like the old adage - two steps forward and three steps back. It’s tempting to “throw in the towel” in those moments, especially when they’ve lasted for quite some time. As simple as it sounds, the answer every time is: DON’T QUIT. DON’T GIVE UP. Keep moving forward. You have more in you than what you think. Take hold of relentless faith in an unshakeable God.

If you’re like me, you probably have a handful of books partially read sitting on your night stand collecting dust. Or maybe you’ve had some house projects halfway done that are nagging you to get them done before another year passes. Whatever it is, we all know the feeling of things needing to be finished. I believe there are some God given dreams that got put on the shelf in times past that God is asking us to pick up again in 2020. This is a year of fulfilled dreams.

Did you know passivity was the original sin of Adam? The account in Genesis said that as Eve took of the forbidden fruit she gave it to her husband who was standing NEARBY! That means he saw the whole thing go down and did nothing. Wow. Zeal, on the other hand, pushes forward into God and accomplishes things in the kingdom. It’s time to shake off the shackles of passivity and dance our way into zeal for the Lord and for our lives!

In our day, there’s all kinds of fuss about gluten, GMO’s, and all things bread related. Bread has been one of the most commonly consumed foods in the world for a long time. We obviously need food to live and bread has become a word that represents our sustenance. We get our nourishment from what we eat. You may be familiar with the old saying: “You are what you eat.” Well, in scripture, bread takes on a metaphor for what people feed on in their souls. 

Ever feel like the person sitting next to you at church has been baptized in lemon juice and vinegar? Lol. Maybe they have a legitimate reason for being down... Or have you been around super serious Christians? You know, the kind that treat everything spiritual as an intense act of warfare and to crack a smile would be irreverent and inappropriate? It’s time we loosen up, stop trying so hard, and get a glimpse of our God who sits in heaven and laughs!

Hope in the Bible is defined as an eager expectation that good is coming your way. However, many suffer from “hope deferred”...basically, your hope has been dashed. You may have stopped hoping in the promise of God, or the dream in your heart, or that things will work out in your favor. The answer isn’t in giving up and living a “que sera, sera” (whatever will be will be) lifestyle. It’s time to get your hopes up that God is about to breakthrough in your life!

God is a Healer! It’s His very nature (Ex. 15:26). If you are in need of healing or want to step into healing ministry, you’ve got to know that healing is what God wants to do! Regardless of bad experiences, seemingly unanswered prayers or just wrong theology, Jesus is still the same yesterday, today and forever. I want to stir your faith through scripture and testimonies to believe God for the miraculous!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you were able to talk to your past version of yourself? Or even just thought, “If I knew then what I know now…”? I’ve been leading worship for around 17 years now and I am happy with how I’ve turned out so far (I know there’s more!). But just for the sake of clarity and assurance in my earlier days, I’d want to say a few things. I think these things will help anyone in ministry...wherever they are in the journey.

God is the giver of good gifts! That can be easy to forget when the gift that comes is unusual or far different than we’re used to. It’s usually forgotten when people respond wildly, or manifest, as the power of the Holy Spirit shows up. The atmosphere becomes electric, power is being released, and people’s lives are being changed. But what also happens is - misunderstanding, fear, and even accusations. What we need to remember is: God gives good gifts and He moves in manifestations.

Names are powerful. Culture has shifted over time and Westerners don’t seem to have as much depth and value for the potential in a name...besides the hipsters and Hollywood stars who seem to always name their kids the weirdest names in history (lol jk). Biblical Israel had a rich value for names...and ultimately it was reflective of God, who hides prophetic potential, identity, and function in a name. Good news is it’s not just for Bible times. Your name carries prophetic potential for your life!

Depression, anxiety, stress and fear have taken far too many victims. Crusty religion has brought dullness to the “good news of great joy” proclaimed at the coming of Christ. Joy, on the other hand, is one of the most freeing things in the world! It’s a characteristic of God Himself, it’s ⅓ of the kingdom and it’s meant for the people God to live in! You need it, I need it...the world needs it!

God speaks! And He uses many different ways to do it. The challenge is - are we open to hearing God in new ways? If we have seeking hearts, we’ll be able to receive His messages in more ways than one, and even more ways than we’re used to or comfortable with. Life is always in His voice and we live by the words that come out of His mouth...they just don’t always look like words.

Have you ever felt like your past was chasing you down? It can feel like in the background of your mind there’s this voice reminding you of what you’ve done, who you once were or the things you’re ashamed of. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus makes all things new and God can take the sting out of your past memories! Although you may remember them, the power they had to shame you gets removed.

The power of God is not an option if we want to make an impact in our world. We need the anointing and we need revival. My only challenge is - do we know what we are asking for when we ask for revival and a “double portion”? In other words, many people want the “double portion” anointing, but are they willing to do what Elisha did to get it?