It was during the taking of a shower earlier today, that yet another shower began to wash over me—a familiar shower that I had not experienced in some time.
It has been many years since I’ve felt prompted to pen a “word” for the New Year; however during my initial shower of earlier today, I paused to receive what felt like a gracelet being placed upon me, to share something of the Father’s heart with respect to what will begin to unfold in less than 24 hours. I had not wept in a long time, I am grateful the shower hid my tears from public view.
At the epicenter of what I have penned below, since my shower of earlier today, is the admonition to pray for “the eyes to see what the Father is doing (John 5:19)” in 2020, that we may hereafter experience perfect spiritual vision, and will subsequently avoid missing the recognition of the fullness of what He is imparting to us this year.
As you read what follows, I encourage you to consider playing this beautiful worship backdrop within the video-link below (a product of Bethel Music). Such worship tends to magnify the beauty of what the Lord is saying to us in this vital hour.
Worship video-link, below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx1MjhzKcYw
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Persecution
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:11-12, NASB).
The Body abroad will encounter accelerated persecution. It will be allowed to happen as a further measure of refining fire—forcing those in its wake into the same extreme pressures which create diamonds. Recall that it was persecution which produced the beauty of the Early Church depicted in Acts 2:42-47. Though Bible scholars or ”buffs” would argue that the Church at Ephesus was perhaps more so qualified as representing the “beauty” of the Early Church, I rather see the Acts 2 Church, in Her infancy, messy as She was, as the most beautiful depiction of authentic Church life. Daily threats, stoning’s, imprisonments, thefts, etc., comprised the pressure which produced those “nameless and faceless” servants who daily broke bread from house-to-house, selling what they did not need, to in turn give to the poor; forfeiting the latest UFC match on Pay Per View, to rather break bread from house to house; and as the result, seeing salvations and “numbers added daily” to their midst.
The coming pressure, as the result of heightened persecution, will further separate the sheep from the goats. Our resident “goat” tendencies will be sharply exposed by the Holy Spirit, forcing us to come into agreement with the accelerated forging of who we are in Christ, that we can therefore walk out of our houses each morning with unflinching resolve to expand the Kingdom—come what may.
Dreams and Visions
“And I will pour out my spirit in that day…” (Acts 2:17)
It was roughly two decades ago that I began praying, as a session-closing prayer over those I’ve ministered prophetic counseling, inner healing and deliverance to, the gist of Job 33:14-16 – that the Lord would visit these “deep in the night, in a dream, a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, and seal their instruction…”
There is, pointedly so as of 2020, a divine and ancient urn, filled with oil, hovering over our homes. It is just waiting to be tilted and poured-out upon us, as we sleep, deep in the night. Those who literally pray Job 33:14-16 for their families will experience dreams (and visions) more vividly and more powerfully than they have to date. To counter the sensory sting of increased persecution and violence, the Lord is calling us into such a heightened awareness of His supernatural realm, that we increasingly become “dead to the world” – unaffected by all that rages about us.
“Especially That You May Prophesy”
“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:1, NASB).
It is no mistake that the supreme call to Love is immediately followed by (and in the very same sentence no less) the admonition to passionately pursue growth in the spiritual gifts, especially that we prophesy. Those who grasp this call and respond to it will find themselves quickly moving about as a living, breathing, walking and talking word of prophecy, whereby their lives are a continually unfolding “word” to all who encounter them. The same ancient urn filled with oil that is hovering over our homes, is also hovering over our heads, simply waiting for the passionate plea to prophesy.
The Spirit of Prophesy will, in accelerated fashion in 2020, overtake worship services – commensurate to the degree that our collective hunger welcomes it. Wholly spontaneous worship which touches heaven, and releases glimpses of “heaven on earth,” will quickly define the course of our gatherings. This will, with a rapid increase in frequency, begin to occur in congregations which have never before experienced such. And which leads to…
Worship and Healing – A Divine Marriage
(The Priestly Garments)
“Then he made the robe of ephod of woven work, all of blue; and the opening of the robe was at the top in the center, as the opening of a coat of mail, with binding all around its opening, so that it would not be torn. They made pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material and twisted linen on the hem of the robe. They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe, alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service, just as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Ex. 39:22-26, NASB).
The divine symbols of bells (worship) and pomegranates (healing) have been “married” and woven into the fabric of worship which will take center stage in congregations who have discovered the supreme priority of worship as a prelude to all which unfolds thereafter in public meetings. To those ministries and congregations which have contended to hear what the Spirit says to the churches as 2020 unfolds, healing-as the result of corporate worship with complete abandonment and yielding to the Holy Spirit-will become increasingly common during worship services.
As Healing/Prayer Teams take their place during worship, at the rear or back of meeting places, and pray for “the eyes to see what the Father is doing” (John 5:19) – “2020 vision” – during worship, and boldly approach and lay-hands upon those worshipping, and upon those whom the Holy Spirit has highlighted; we will see miraculous healings breakout with increased frequency – mental and emotional strongholds, demonic strongholds, will be broken during worship. Miraculous physical healings will occur during worship, and with a frequency never before experienced, as congregations prepare healing/prayer teams to function in this capacity during worship.
Another ancient urn, filled with warm healing oil, a healing balm, will linger over congregations, awaiting the passionate pursuit and passionate cries for healing during worship. As Healing/Prayer Teams boldly step-out during worship, the ancient urn of healing oil will be tipped and poured-out upon congregations. Following such outbreaks of healing, teaching from the pulpit will more deeply penetrate the soil of all hearts present, and will go forth with more anointing and authority – as it shares the same healing balm which has already saturated a given service.
Creative Miracles and Dead Raising’s
“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mk. 16:17-18, NASB).
“…the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:7-8, NASB).
The Holy Spirit, in increased measure as 2020 unfolds, will beckon to the Body of Christ, to step-out in faith, to be bold, courageous, and to believe by faith for immediate healing, deliverance from demons, and the raising of the dead.
David Hogan’s life is a walking-talking word to the Body of Christ in this hour, and has been gifted to the Body of Christ, he is “on loan” to the collective Body of Christ. In the same way that the Apostle Paul stated in Romans 1:11, “I long to see you that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;” so David Hogan longs to impart the apostolic faith which has empowered him to see the miraculous in his midst. Through his hands, 37 people have been raised from the dead to date, and through the massive church family throughout Mexico and beyond, which has been birthed through his faith, and his faith in action, an estimated 400 people have been raised from the dead. David has paid a very steep price for the grace and anointing which flows in his midst. And, he will be the first to tell-all that it is not him, but rather the angelic presence accompanying him, as the result of his faith, boldness and courage to believe, which spawns the miraculous. And, it is his belief, his supernatural faith, which he imparts wherever he goes. Faith is a gift, a gift we can petition heaven for. And, it is a gift which can be imparted.
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6, NASB).
The “steep price” which David Hogan has paid to walk in a life filled with faith, leads us to…
The Secret Place
“When you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:6).
“When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret [the Secret Place] will reward you” (Matt. 6:17, NASB).
As 2020 unfolds, those who have contended for such, will be beckoned by the Holy Spirit with increased frequency, to spend extended time in the Secret Place of intimation with the Lord—and Him alone, and that in a posture of prayer and fasting.
The “steep price” which David Hogan has paid, to see and experience the Heavenly Host in his midst, and to see so many raised from the dead, is the price of extended periods of prayer and fasting, to even include many 40-day fasts. As the Body of Christ more deeply moves into extreme times, facing violent clashes between the forces of heaven and hell, we will not move in the fullness of that to which we are called without resolving to embrace the very serious discipline of prayer and fasting in the Secret Place of intimacy with Jesus. This lifestyle is no longer an option.
Faith for the miraculous, the very raising of the dead in our midst, and divine interaction with the heavenly host about us, is within our grasp, if we will take the courage to linger in that Secret Place, and forfeit natural food in exchange for heavenly food, in so much as we are able in our present condition, we will see, in 2020, levels of God’s power and presence we have yet to see. Believe for it, act on this belief, and enter that Secret Place.
As you with renewed determination enter or return to this place, consider for a moment the possibility that the promise of 1 Corinthians 2:9 might just include a portion of such to be revealed in this lifetime:
“Things which eye has not seen nor ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (NASB).
The School of Ministry
“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it. It shall not go out…” (Lev. 6:12, NASB).
Over the past 25 years many Schools of Ministry and corresponding Schools of the Spirit have been birthed throughout the nation. This trend is that of a beautiful metamorphosis from the decidedly Western approach to raising-up and training Church leaders. This departure from the earlier model of overwhelming didactic academia has led to the equipping of the Saints in such a way as to teach, groom, coach, model and shepherd Believers into the beautiful melding of both the unveiling of the riches within the Word of God and the riches found within a life of secret devotion in the form of time at Jesus’ feet. The Body of Christ in the West has discovered more recently that what is downloaded into the heart of the young adult is far more consequential than what is branded upon the mind through orthodox methodology within academia.
The tools and systems of theology, in its many forms, to include hermeneutics, homiletics, exegesis, exposition, etc., are helpful. However there is a fire which will be released as 2020 unfolds, within the bellies of those seeking training and equipping, and which will defy soulish motivation, laying bear the purity with which the young will hunger to be trained and equipped. They will no longer be satisfied with “business as usual,” for what they will hunger for, with increasing passion, is that to witness fire on the altar of sacrifice and obedience made evident within and emanating from the hearts of those in leadership—as well as fire on the altar of pure devotion to cultivating a resting place for God within the walls of the ministry campus to which they belong.
Teaching, instructing, modeling, coaching and leading through soulish effort will become a thing of the past, as 2020 unfolds. As refined as it may appear, traditional modalities will no longer satisfy the young souls who will hunger to see Holy Spirit fire adorning those to whom they submit, and to whom they entrust their vulnerable hearts and minds. For what they will chiefly long for, is that to know and understand and experience what it means to build a fire for themselves—an altar of sacrifice and obedience within their hearts, that they may themselves begin clearly seeing what the Father is doing (John 5:19) as they in turn learn to recognize the availability of a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night, which will lead them not only through the desert, but through and desert at night—where nothing else can be seen.
The Poor
“He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him” (Prov. 14:31, NASB).
As we collectively pray for the eyes to see what the Father is doing as 2020 unfolds, many within the Body abroad, thousands, and within countless ministry campuses and congregations, will feel duly prodded to make provision for the poor among us. Visions of Food Pantries will be implanted upon the minds of those who can build them, as well as the willingness and desire on the part of many to give of their of their time and resources to staff the perpetual operation of such.
A subsequent revelation will rest upon the campuses which avail such to those in need, this revelation being the direct correlation between feeding the poor (thus honoring the God who made them) and His response—that of His outpouring upon the congregation as we meet.
Healing Rooms
“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him” (Matt. 20:34, NASB).
In 2020, those devoted to facilitating healing within Healing Rooms abroad will be visited with the power of compassion—the nucleic key to witnessing healing and deliverance therein. Those who ask for such in greater measure will find themselves overwhelmed as they are approached by the hurting and the bound. Facilitators will quickly discover in swift and great measure that fewer words are necessary in prayer, and that the simplest touch, coupled with the power of Jesus’ compassion, will open blind eyes, heal traumatized hearts, grow limbs, and set demons to flight.
Power Evangelism
“My message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power…” (1 Cor. 2:4, NASB).
Multitudes of those who pray for the eyes to see what the Father is doing in 2020, will be visited swiftly, through impregnation of the call and corresponding courage, boldness and authority to go into the darkest places in their locales and regions, and with power in the Holy Ghost, prophesy over the lost, revealing the secrets of their hearts, identifying sickness and bondage with words of knowledge, and speak instantaneous healing to these—who will in turn give their lives to Jesus, being radically saved through the demonstration of power.
“Behold, I have given you the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:19, NASB).
Those who have been called to engage this ministry, and as they pray for the eyes to see what the Father is doing in 2020, will not only experience the swift impregnation and implantation of the fiery drive to go into these places, but will regularly see the numbers “10:19” pop-into their view, often, and that as a reminder of the power and authority they have been given to pierce the most vile works of darkness—with the Light of Life.
The Apostolic
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength” (Is. 30:15, NASB).
There are multitudes of those presently serving apostolic roles through the Body abroad, who, as the result of managing and leading a growing ministry campus or congregation, or network of congregations, have succumbed to overwhelming stress, fatigue, anxiety and confusion—as a way of life.
With the advent and growing influx of electronic devices and the corresponding audio-visual assault upon the mind, which in turn exacerbates the growing stress of leading a multitude of people, such the role often entails seasons of drudgery wrought of the resulting terminal fatigue. To those however, who pray not only for the eyes to see what the Father is doing (John 5:19) in 2020, but who also pray for the ears to hear what the Father is saying (John 5:30); these serving in the apostolic capacities will swiftly begin to hear the still, small voice of God—whispering to them to enter into a lifestyle of rest, wherein their rest in Him, will equate to more authority, anointing, effectiveness and resulting fruitfulness than ever before.
With obedience to the still, small voice, beckoning them to make a daily place of rest in their routine; completely free of distraction, and that in solitude, will come a new measure of wisdom—wisdom to delegate authority to those who will be divinely positioned to absorb corresponding roles in leadership.
Graham Cooke is a gift to the Body of Christ abroad, he too is “on loan” to us while he walks the planet. He is a walking-talking word to those moving in apostolic roles presently. Graham’s life-message, and that which oozes from his spiritual pores, is that of the authority we can walk-in by simply learning to rest, and pointedly resting in the revelation that God is fully capable of taking care of all that assails us, if we will but trust Him in our stillness, quietness, and obedience in cultivating a place of daily retreat. Leaning to be obedient to such the retreat, equates conversely to the actual advance of the Kingdom of God in our midst.
Mephibosheth
“The last shall be first, and the first shall be last” (Matt. 20:16).
“Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth…the king [David] said, ‘Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?’ And Ziba said to the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.’ So the king said to him, ‘Where is he?’ The king sent and brought him…Mephibosheth…came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself…David said, ‘Do not fear, I will surly show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore you to the land of your grandfather Saul, and you shall eat at my table regularly’” (2 Sam. 4:4, 9:1-13, NASB).
There is presently throughout the Body of Christ, and largely sitting quietly in the shadows, a sea of Believers who were crippled while very young (not unlike Mephibosheth), whether that psychologically, emotionally and perhaps even physically. These were so traumatized while young, that they have spent the bulk of their lives recovering from such trauma—versus that of walking in the fullness of their callings. And, with unhealed trauma, these have wounded others, and have subsequently succumbed to self-condemnation, feelings of complete disqualification, deeply permeating guilt, and equally permeating and abiding sadness, concluding that their lives of service in the presence of the King, and their access to dine at the King’s table, has been forever forfeited.
Many of these, many thousands of these, presently sitting quietly in the shadows of ministry campuses and congregations, have cultivated secret lives of contrition, humility, brokenness, gentleness and kindness as the result of their lowly place. Their self-condemnation prevents them from seeing themselves as Jesus sees them. They have therefore resolved to feeling like the “dog” that Mephibosheth concluded himself to be. That is, until the King decided that he was going to demonstrate “the kindness of God.”
If this is you, dear reader, and you have happened upon this word, it is because the kindness of God has sought you out. For hear this: healing from your trauma is yours this year, and, as leaders throughout the Body of Christ, in 2020, pray for the eyes to see what the Father is doing, they will be given the eyes to see the precious among the ashes of what you deem your life to have become, and, pulled from the shadows of resignation, you will be given place for the fulfillment of your calling; you will be invited to your rightful place in honored service before the King.
“Behold…the kindness and the severity of God…” (Rom. 11:22, NASB).
What the Mephibosheth’s among us will witness in 2020, is that God’s kindness can actually be quite severe – so much so that the only natural response to such, and through immeasurable tears of gratitude for His mercy and compassion, is that which leaves us prostrate before Him, not unlike Mephibosheth’s response to King David. Whereby in exchange for your prostrate position before Him, He will raise you up and seat you at his banqueting table.
“The Lord raises up those who are bowed down” (Ps. 146:8(b), NASB).
Your trench-mate,
David
PressOnward(at)yandex.com
*End-Note: in the event elements of what I’ve penned above have resonated in you, I encourage you to allow these things to take further seat in your heart, as you would opt to close your eyes for a few moments, and allow the “Breathe You In” portion of this video-set below, to marinate your heart. This particular song is at the 39:00 mark as you would forward the video to that place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTpaVXvSbZE