​A man called UPS about an insurance claim he had filed on a package. He knew the automated voice response system wouldn't be able to handle this issue so he immediately said, "customer service."

It did a little beep-boop-bop computing noise, and then insisted that he first pick from its menu, none of which items bore any resemblance to insurance claims. He tried "track a package." It recited the status, followed by "Can I help you with anything else?" He said, more insistently, "customer service," at which it complained that that was the most recent shipping information.

Exasperated--but a bit curious--He said, "STUPID MACHINE," and after the little computing noise, it swiftly transferred him to customer service.

Greg's Caregiver drove to the hospital Thursday morning to bring him home from the hospital in Braselton, GA.

Greg was happy to be home. We were pleased and grateful to God for bringing him successfully through the prostate surgery. He was equally blessed to have been able to spend the night in the hospital under the care of doctors, nurses, and techs. Wayne Butler said that the Northeast Georgia Hospital in Braselton is the finest hospital he has ever seen. He has been in the building supply and construction work for some thirty-four years. He says it is first class in every way. They spared nothing.

Greg had a day of relaxing, reading the Bible, prayer, playing the piano, walking and exercising. He took a shower when our evening caregiver came. She prepared our supper and ate with us. She is marvelous and is like a grandmother or a close aunt.

Bonnie Bender will take Greg on Friday morning to the urologist's office to get the catheter out, and bring him home for about four hours where he is to drink lots of water. Then, June Butler will drive him back to the urologist's office to make the final test. It is our prayer that this surgery will correct Greg's problem and he will be free from having to wear a catheter and foley bag.

We want to thank you for many prayers for Greg. 

We want to give glory to God and thank Him for healing Greg and making him whole.

The Scripture I am praying is this:

Acts 4:30
Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the Name of Your Holy Servant Jesus." 
NIV

Then the Scripture tells us this powerful statement:

Acts 4:30
 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. 
NIV

May God grant Pentecostal fires to burn brightly all over the world as Christians turn toward God in believing prayer.

IPHC Women's Ministries and Mother's Day, May 9

Attention Leaders and Pastors! Mother's Day is just around the corner!

Mother's Day is May 9, 2021. This is a day we set aside to honor and celebrate mothers - and they are worthy of celebration!!

This year, we have created a resource to help us remember those in our church family who may find Mother's Day difficult. As you plan your celebrations, let's be mindful of the hurt and loss that's also in our midst.

You can find our resource for Mother's Day at the button below.

Click Here on this button.
​
Let's celebrate all of the mothers on this special day, but let's also remember those in our church family who may need a little more love, grace, and peace this Mother's Day!

"Mother's Day: Understanding Love and Loss" Resource  We are grateful for you!
​
IPHC Women's Ministries

The EC Diversified Agriculture graduating class of 2021 were celebrated, and local farm families were honored on Tuesday evening in the John W. Swails Center as more than 250 members of the local community attended Emmanuel’s 5th Annual Founding Farmer’s Gala.

The event served as a thank you to the members of the Northeast Georgia community who have been instrumental in the early success of the Diversified Agriculture program at Emmanuel College. 

Event Sponsors included Pinnacle Bank, Fieldale Farms, The Roystonian Restaurant, and Bar-H BBQ.

Emmanuel College President Dr. Ron White presented Kenneth Shealy and family with the Excellence in Agriculture Award for their continued dedication to the agriculture industry.
​
Diversified Agriculture Program Chair, Owen Thomason then recognized the 2021 graduates of the program. Graduates include – Grayson Bradley, Colton Evans, Lucas Sasaki, Kyle Decker and Emily Dixon.  Grayson Bradley was presented with the “Outstanding Student” award.

Mr. Thomason is excited about the continued growth of the Agriculture program and the bright future ahead.

“The Emmanuel College Agriculture Department is very excited to gradate another outstanding class of students that will certainly make an impact on the Agriculture industry, he said. “This group, much like the last three graduating classes, have the potential to be world changers, community leaders and stars in the business of feeding, clothing, and providing shelter for people. “

“The instructors of the Agriculture Department at Emmanuel College are ecstatic about the attendance and support shown to our students tonight at the Founding Farmers Gala,” Thomason continued. “In the midst of a pandemic and the slow return of social gatherings the dedicated supporters of our mission showed up excited about the agriculture program that was started five years ago.”

At the event, a silent auction and Live Auction took place, raising money for the Diversified Agriculture program and future projects.

Vice President of Development, Brian James closed the program by thanking those present for their continued support of the Diversified Agriculture program and spoke on the future of the program, which includes the construction of the Ray and Marlowe Collins Agriculture Center which will house labs, demonstration areas, and classrooms as well as another greenhouse. He also spoke on the plans for an outdoor teaching center to be constructed in the future. 

For more information on the Diversified Agriculture program or on how you can partner with us by making a contribution to this worthy program, visit ec.edu/ag or  contact Owen Thomason at othomason@ec.edu. 

 What an Angel Told Pastor Chris Reed About the Forthcoming End-Times Revival  

Author: Stephen Strang

​As the social and spiritual climate in our nation gets worse and worse, talk of an end-times revival, even a third Great Awakening, is on the rise. Many young leaders are now declaring the approach of a coming revival, among them a 36-year-old Indiana pastor named Chris Reed, who had a supernatural encounter with an angel whose words agree with this prophetic perspective.

Reed's encounter took place in what he calls "the libraries of heaven" with an angel he says was named "The Fear of the Lord." In this encounter, Reed felt a holy reverence and awe as he was drawn to a bookcase labeled "The Supernatural" and to a specific book there titled "The Seven Spirits of God."

On the front cover were the words "The Spirit of the Lord." Each page, he told me, was thick and white, like a book within itself. The first page was titled "The Spirit of Wisdom"; the next "The Spirit of Living Understanding or Revelation"; the third, "The Spirit of Counsel"; the fourth, "The Spirit of Might" and the sixth, "The Spirit of Knowledge." These correspond to the description of the seven Spirits of God listed in Isaiah 11:2.

Reed turned the book over, and the back cover read, "The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord." He glanced up and then down to see that the back cover had been torn off, and all the pages in the book fell out. He was left holding the front cover, which also read, "The Spirit of the Lord."

The angel with him in this library said, "Do you understand what you're seeing? What you are seeing is the result of when the fear of the Lord is missing in the church. You lose the spirit of counsel and might. You lose the spirit of wisdom in everyday situations, knowing how to apply knowledge and wisdom. You lose the spirit of revelation, so people operate out of intellect and head knowledge."

Finally, he said, "When you lose the fear of the Lord, all you're left with is an atmosphere." Reed instantly thought of the many church services he had been in where he didn't see the spirit of might in the form of miracles or the spirit of knowledge in words of knowledge or revelation, but people still said, "We feel the Spirit of the Lord. We feel the presence of the Lord."

"There's got to be more than just an atmosphere and a feeling that the Spirit brings," Reed says. "We've got to have the full, complete Spirit of God at work, or all we're left with is an atmosphere."

The full work of the Spirit comes when the fear of the Lord is present, he says. That means a reverential awe and a hatred of all kinds of sin, according to Proverbs 8:13, which says, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate."
"Holiness, godliness, returns to the church when there is a sovereign outpouring of the spirit of the fear of the Lord," Reed says. But it doesn't end there. Reed drew my attention to Acts 5:11, where Ananias and Sapphira lied about their giving and died. The result was that "great fear came on the entire church and all who heard these things." This immediately led to the return of signs and wonders at an unprecedented level, a supernatural unity, a heightened respect of the church by the world, exponential growth and harvest of souls, angelic activity and the healing of the sick in unprecedented ways. All these results are found in Acts 5, after the fear of the Lord returned to the early church.

"So much is tied to a restoration of the fear of the Lord," Reed told me. "There is a complete, sevenfold, perfected element of the Spirit of God at work in the church again. That's what we want."

For much more from Pastor Chris Reed on the coming end-times revival, listen to the entire episode of the Strang Report podcast here. I interviewed Reed for my book, God and Cancel Culture, which will release on Sept. 7, 2021, but is available for preorder now. Subscribe to the Strang Report on Apple podcastsor your favorite podcast platform.

Follow breaking news like this and more in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

[Permission is granted by Charisma Media to forward, reprint, or duplicate, with acknowledgment this article by Stephen Strang.]

Dr. Thomas Abraham and Dr. Sarah Abraham Founded Destiny Television in 1983, Houston’s newest home for 24 hour Christian programming. “Channel 15.1 KVVV is based in Stafford, TX, and is available in over 5 million homes reaching millions of viewers in and around the United States via Live Streaming. At Channel 15 their mission statement is "we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to strengthen community and spirituality."

As editor of Hugh's News, I called and interviewed Kerney Thomas, the station manager of Channel 15, about the station and the weekly frequent guest of Lonnie Rex with Dr. Thomas Abraham.

For several months now, Dr. Lonnie Rex has been a frequent guest of Dr. Thomas Abraham who hosts the show on Channel 15. Lonnie is telling stories of his many experiences God gave him as he worked with Oral Roberts and T. L. Osborn, as well as the founder and CEO of the David Livingstone Foundation.

As a world traveler and God's ambassador to the world in need of humanitarian assistance in crises, Lonnie Rex served as the founder, CEO, and ambassador of good will of the David Livingstone Foundation for some 20 years to a hurting world. Wherever he went, he brought Jesus Christ into whatever situation he found himself.  You will thrill to the amazing stories he tells. I like to hear them over and over again. His memory is incredible.

Please Click Here on this hyperlink to connect with Channel 15. To view the interview of Dr. Thomas Abraham with Dr. Lonnie Rex on Tuesdays at 12 noon Central Time. When you get the television station Click on Watch Live.  The website for Channel 15 is: ​http://www.tv15houston.com/

Fulfilling Your True Purpose in Life

Author: Joyce Meyer

God loves you and He has a good plan for your life. You are a wonderful creation made by Him and you have a unique purpose to fulfill in this world. 

Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) says that as Christians, “we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus…for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”

It’s so exciting to know we are each created with a purpose and God has a good life that He has prepared in advance for us to live. But it’s important to understand that we have an enemy, Satan, who wants to keep us from having the life Jesus died to give us. 

Yes, Satan has a plan for us, too, and his plan is destruction and death. John 10:10 (NIV) says the enemy “comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
The good news is we have everything we need through Christ to overcome the enemy. We just have to know who we are in Christ, believe that we have His authority, and know how to release the power God has given us.

The Measure of Your Faith

Faith in God is required for us to release the power and authority we have in Christ. Romans 12:3 (AMP) says that “God has apportioned to each a degree of faith.” This means God has given you enough faith to do His will, whatever it may be and no matter what the enemy throws at you to stop you. 

There are many challenges and difficult situations we have to face in life. You may have a child with special needs to care for, or maybe you’re in a difficult marriage. You could be facing a devastating illness or have serious financial problems. Whatever your situation is, God has given you everything you need, through Christ, to keep you moving forward in His plan for your life.

We need always to remember that God is greater than our problems—nothing is too hard for Him and nothing catches Him by surprise. When we’re going through hard times and the enemy is attacking us, we don’t need to ask, “What can I do?” The question is, “What can God do?” The Word says all things are possible with God, and greater is He who lives in me than he who is in the world. (See Matthew 19:26 and 1 John 4:4.)

I want you to really get this in your heart today: In Christ, you have enough faith and the strength you need to do whatever you need to do in life! Get rid of “I can’t” thinking and focus on the truth of God’s Word, which says, “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose...]” (AMP).

The Simple Solution to Overcome Enemy Attack
Prayer is a simple, powerful way to interrupt Satan’s plan because we release our faith through prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (AMP) says, “Be unceasing and persistent in prayer.” This basically means prayer can be as natural as breathing, and our first response in every situation. It’s so amazing that we can talk to God all the time. 

Now the enemy doesn’t want us to pray, so he will do everything he can to discourage us. He wants us to think prayer is hard, that we need to use eloquent speech and sound poetic, that we need to be careful what we ask God for so we don’t overload Him with too many requests, or that we have to be in a certain place with a certain posture (on our knees, head bowed, eyes closed) for God to hear us. But it’s actually simple to pray effectively.

James 5:16 (NIV) says, “…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” God wants you to come to Him honestly, with a sincere heart, and just talk to Him as a friend. Be yourself and don’t approach conversation with God as a religious activity. Humble yourself before Him and open your heart to Him. He loves you and wants you to walk in His will for your life victoriously.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are God’s child and He is always with you. He is Almighty God, and if God is on your side, who can be against you? 

In Christ, you have what you need today to live in victory. Put your faith in God constantly. Pray, take God-inspired action, and fulfill your true purpose in life!
***********
For more on this topic, order Joyce’s three-teaching CD series Unleashing the Power of Faith. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org. 

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored 130 books, including BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND and her newest devotional QUIET TIMES WITH GOD (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.

Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.

Copyright © 2021 Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.joycemeyer.org. 

​My Mother’s Abiding Joy

Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11, NKJV).

As a teenager growing up, my room in our house was directly over Mother’s. At night I could see the lights from her room reflected on the trees outside my window. When I slipped downstairs hoping to talk to her a few minutes, I would find her shapely form bent beside her bed in prayer. It was useless to wait for her to rise because she would be there for hours on end, so I would trudge back up to my room. And no matter how early I awoke in the morning, I would see those lights from her window once again reflected on the trees outside. When I tumbled down the stairs, I would find her seated at her big, flat-top desk, earnestly studying one of the fourteen different translations of the Bible spread out around her. My mother chose to make abiding in Christ one of the priorities of her life.

Mother’s abiding was rooted in a love relationship with Jesus that was the secret of her life. As a result of her abiding, and the obedience that was integrated into it, the hallmark of Mother’s life was joy. Her face radiated it! Her eyes sparkled with it! And I’m left to wonder . . . what outward evidence of my inner relationship with Jesus do my children see?

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

Copyright © 2021 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.                                                             

​President's Prayer Group

Author: Ron White

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14, NLT).

Pray for our nation today on this National Day of Prayer. Pray for repentance among the people, for revival throughout the land, for sincere desire to seek and please the Lord in all we do.

Pray every Thursday for clear vision and abundant resources to fulfill God's mission for Emmanuel College for 2021 and beyond.

Thank God today that there are no students or employees with active cases of the corona virus. Pray for two students in quarantine. Pray for the eradication of this disease in our nation and around the world.

Thank you for praying. 

Ron White, Ed.D.
President
Emmanuel College
181 Spring Street
Franklin Springs, GA 30639
706-245-2803

Ephesians 3:16-19  A powerful benediction that surpasses knowledge
16 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 
NIV

Greg got up at the crack of dawn somewhere around 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning. He was anxious about his surgery and wanted to take a small suitcase at the last minute. He was talkative and I used my listening skills to listen and not speak. I tried to take a nap but could not do so.

Greg's caregiver arrived around 4 o'clock. She drove him to the Northeast Georgia Hospital in Braselton. He had to be there at 5:45 a.m. The surgery went well according to his surgeon and reported that to our caregiver. There was some confusion. Greg's surgeon told her that Greg could come home. However, we were told in the pre-op that he had to stay overnight and would be given a room following recovery. Thank God for our dear friend, June Butler. She was able to effectively communicate with the charge nurse and they are keeping Greg overnight. He is on IV's, and needs care overnight.

Greg had placed his clothes, shoes and socks, tooth brush and toothpaste in his small suitcase, and the caregiver brought it home. She did so because we have contracted to have her pick Greg up today, Thursday, from the hospital.

So, Wayne Butler is taking a bag of just what he needs to the hospital on Wednesday night at 6 o'clock with the clothes he needs to wear to come home in on Thursday.  Greg is go back to see his urologist on Friday, hopefully to remove the catheter permanently.

Mary Anne Shropshire Weeks, our first cousin on Melvine's side of our family, called and talked with Greg. What a blessing that was.

In talking with Greg in his private room, he informed me that Glenda Boone visited him on Wednesday afternoon. She is the wife of Coach Jerry Boone. They has met at a continuing education class some years ago when Greg was teaching school.

Later on, Pastor Terry and Pam Kesling called and talked with Greg and prayed with him. Greg was blessed by their call and received their prayer with gratitude.

Some ladies from our church met for lunch at the Peking Chines Restaurant in Athens for lunch. Bonnie Bender and her husband, Sam (who was not present for the luncheon of ladies), bought my lunch, and Joyce Hawkins brought it to me with a milk shake she had purchased from Arby's. It was delicious. I enjoyed having Joyce stay to talk with me while I ate my lunch. It was a time of rich conversation and fellowship. She told me about the Bible study the ladies are having on Tuesday mornings with a time of prayer. They keep a record of their prayer requests and answers God grants. Some 4 or 5 churches are representative each Tuesday when the ladies meet. I rejoice in what God is doing through this Ladies Prayer and Bible Study each Tuesday morning at our church.  Pam Kesling and Bonnie Bender are the leaders for this weekly meeting.

We are grateful for all of our friends.

We thank you for your prayers and concern for us.

May this National Day of Prayer be a fruitful day for you as you offer your prayers for our nation.

Your friend in all seasons,

​Hugh H. Morgan, Editor

​New Prophetic Standards Statement Addresses Recent Controversies Within the Body of Christ

Note from Stephen Strang: The following article by Charisma's director of content development, Jeff Struss, released last week on Charisma News. As one of the initial signers of the Prophetic Standards Statement, I am republishing the article here because of its importance in this season and ask you to prayerfully consider its content.

The often-misunderstood gift of prophecy is currently under great scrutiny. For that reason, Dr. Michael Brown and Bishop Dr. Joseph Mattera have united with other key faith leaders to address recent controversies via a Prophetic Standards Statementdesigned to increase accountability while continuing to encourage and support this gift.

In particular, Brown and Mattera sought to respond to the current discussion regarding the prophetic proclamations given concerning Donald Trump being reelected to a second term. They consulted with national and international leaders within the body of Christ to craft the statement on the biblical application of the gift of prophecy for the New Testament church.

Many more Christian leaders, including Charisma founder and CEO Stephen Strang, Bishop Dr. Dale Bronner, John Burton, Stacy Campbell, Wesley Campbell, Dr. Mark Chironna, Dr. Randy Clark, Ron Cantor, Mark Driscoll, Dr. Jim Garlow, James W. Goll, Lee Grady, Jeremiah Johnson, Dr. R.T. Kendall, Patricia King, Daniel Kolenda, Tom Lane, Dr. Sam Storms, Mark Rutland, Loren Sandford, Larry Tomczak, Kris Vallotton and others have endorsed the statement as well.

""The purpose of the statement, first and foremost, is not to quench the spirit of prophecy," Mattera says, adding that "prophecy is perhaps the greatest gift to the whole church to build up the body, to encourage and to build faith. Our purpose is for the gift of prophecy to flourish. And we did our best to come up with that with the input from many national leaders, including some prophetic leaders, so that the general body of Christ could have a statement to give them discernment protocols and guidelines, so that they could operate in the gift without abuse."

"We didn't just get some prominent prophets to sign it, but people who represented all fivefold gifts," Mattera says. "The gift of prophecy is given to the whole church. And so it behooves apostles, pastors and teachers especially to understand this and sign off on protocols."

Read the entire statement below or at this link. To see the initial list of signers, which represent pastors, theologians, evangelists and other key leaders from different nations including the U.S., Australia, Canada, Israel and Nigeria, visit this link. Ministry leaders wishing to affirm the statement can add their names to the list of signatories at this link. For a full discussion of the heart and intent behind the Prophetic Standards Statement, listen to this episode of the Strang Report podcast at this link.

At a time when there are many questions in the Body concerning the gift of prophecy and the ministry of the prophet, and in light of the needs of local pastors as well as individual believers to have practical guidelines for processing prophetic words, as Pentecostal and Charismatic leaders, we felt that now was the opportune moment to produce this current document. It is not the purpose of this statement to condemn or accuse. Instead, our purpose is to help provide scriptural guidelines for the operation of the gift of prophecy and the functioning of the ministry of the prophet, while at the same time affirming the importance of these gifts and ministries.

WE BELIEVE that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the gift of prophecy and the ministry of the prophet, are essential for the edification of the Body of Christ and the work of the ministry, which is why Scripture exhorts us to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that we may prophesy (see 1 Cor. 14:1, 39). Prophetic ministry is of great importance to the Church and must be encouraged, welcomed, and nurtured. WE BELIEVE it is essential to create an environment in which prophecy can flourish, side by side with the other gifts of the Spirit and together with apostolic, evangelistic, pastoral, and teaching ministries. To create this environment, we need to encourage freedom in the Spirit in a faith-filled atmosphere, making room for spontaneous utterances as the Spirit wills. But all this must be done with proper accountability and oversight.

WE BELIEVE that the general function of the gift of prophecy, as it relates to the church, has to do with edification, exhortation, and comfort (see 1 Cor. 14:3). As this gift relates to unbelievers, it can reveal the secrets of their hearts and bring them to repentance, demonstrating God's reality to them (see 1 Cor. 14:24-25).

WE BELIEVE that the essence of the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus, hence the ultimate goal of prophetic ministry is to exalt the lordship of Jesus Christ, even though we recognize that not every prophetic word will specifically point to Him (see Rev. 19:10; 1 Cor. 12:3).

WE BELIEVE in the five-fold ministry of the prophet, recognizing that such prophets will also be used to bring correction, instruction, and directional clarity to the Body, but not independent of other leaders, and therefore different from the model of the independent Old Testament prophet.

WE RECOGNIZE that prophets do not serve as spiritual fortune tellers or prognosticators, nor is their role to satisfy our curiosity about the future or reveal abstract information. God's purpose in prophecy is redemptive, calling for repentance, giving supernatural guidance, bringing comfort, deliverance, restoration, and glorifying Jesus as Lord.

WE RECOGNIZE that, due to the nature of prophetic ministry, some prophetic words can be submitted for evaluation before they are delivered while other words will be evaluated after they are delivered. But in all situations, those claiming to speak for God should welcome the godly evaluation of their prophecies.

WE BELIEVE that prophecies should first be tested by the Word, then if the prophetic word is not contrary to the Scriptures, it should be evaluated by other mature leaders. If a prophecy is given in the context of a local church, then mature leaders in that setting should evaluate it. If a prophecy is given in the context of a region or nation, then mature regional or national leaders should be invited to evaluate the word (see 1 Cor. 14:29; 1 Thess. 5:19-21). Those who refuse to have their words tested should not be given a platform.

WE RECOGNIZE that prophets receive supernatural revelation from God, but they are also dependent on other five-fold ministry leaders for the interpretation and application of the revelations they receive. It is the Lord's will that all these various ministry gifts, including the ministry of the prophet, work in harmony rather than independently. Only then will the Body come into full health and maturity.

WE RECOGNIZE the unique challenges posed by the internet and social media, as anyone claiming to be a prophet can release a word to the general public without any accountability or even responsibility. While it is not possible to stop the flood of such words online, we urge all believers to check the lives and fruit of those they follow online and also see if they are part of a local church body and have true accountability for their public ministries and personal lives. We also urge prophetic ministers posting unfiltered and untested words purportedly from the Lord to first submit those words to peer leaders for evaluation.

WE AGREE that Scripture instructs us not to despise prophecies but to examine prophetic utterances carefully and to hold fast to that which is good (1 Thess. 5:19-21). This also means that we should cultivate honor and respect for true prophetic ministries rather than an attitude of skepticism or scorn.

WE BELIEVE that all spiritual leaders, including those serving as prophetic ministers, should be vetted and qualified by their respective churches, networks, or movements based on the standards of leadership set forth by Paul the apostle as found in 1 Timothy 3:1-8; Titus 1:5-9.

WE BELIEVE that all spiritual leaders, including five-fold ministry prophets, should be above reproach and should live a life worthy of their calling (see Eph. 4:1-3). Consequently, we believe that prophetic leaders whose lives violate the moral and ethical standards of the Word disqualify themselves from the ministry irrespective of how much influence or anointing they have.

WE ALSO AGREE that the greatest requirement for all leaders in the church, including prophetic leaders, is to endeavor to reflect the character of Christ and to utilize their gifts out of love for God, His people, and the lost (1 Cor. 13:2; Rom. 8:29).

WE VALUE humility, integrity, and accuracy in prophetic ministry in order to protect the faith and trust of those who hear a word that is stated to be from God. It is a sacred thing to claim to speak for the Lord and, in keeping with the words of Jesus, to whom much is given, much is required (see Luke 12:48). And just as those who teach are held to a higher standard of accountability (see Jam. 3:1), so also those who prophesy should be held to a higher standard. They can have a powerful influence over people's lives for better or worse, because of which we urge sobriety and circumspection together with faith and boldness.

WE UNDERSTAND that prophecies can be conditional and that many prophecies will take time to come to pass. We also recognize that prophetic language is often mysterious and symbolic, requiring interpretation and insight. This means that prophecies that do not contradict the Bible or that are not contrary to fact should be evaluated over time and not immediately rejected.

On the other hand, if a prophetic word is delivered containing specific details and dates in which the stated prophetic word will come to pass and that prophecy contains no conditions to be met in order to be fulfilled, and that word does not come to pass as prophesied, then the one who delivered the word must be willing to take full responsibility, demonstrating genuine contrition before God and people.

Any statement of apology and/or explanation/clarification should be delivered to the audience to whom the erroneous word was given. For example, if it was given to an individual, the apology (and/or explanation/clarification) should be delivered to the individual. If the word was delivered publicly, then a public apology (and/or explanation/clarification) should be presented. This is not meant to be a punishment but rather a mature act of love to protect the honor of the Lord, the integrity of prophetic ministry, and the faith of those to whom the word was given.

WE BELIEVE it is essential that all spiritual leaders, including prophetic leaders, have a presbytery of peers and seasoned spiritual leaders who can hold them accountable regarding their life and ministry. In keeping with this, we reject the notion that to judge a prophet's words is a violation of Psalm 105:15 (where God exhorted the ancient nations not to touch the patriarchs or harm His prophets). Prophets who err must be willing to receive correction from peer leaders with whom they are in accountable relationship. Those refusing such accountability should not be welcomed for ministry.

WE RECOGNIZE that true prophetic words can be faith-building and can sometimes call for a faith-filled response, but we reject the idea that prophets can use Old Testament texts about believing the prophets in order to gain blanket support for their words, as if everything a prophet utters today must be believed. To the contrary, we can only believe the prophetic word if it is not contrary to Scripture, it is not factually in error, and our own spirits bear witness with it. Only then can we add our faith to that word coming to pass (see 1 Tim. 1:18).

Those wanting to use Old Testament prophetic texts to exercise influence or authority over their followers should remember that inaccurate prophecy under that same Old Testament standard was punishable by death. New Testament prophets, along with other New Testament ministry leaders, do not lord it over their people or demand submission and faith. Instead, in humility, they serve the flock (see 1 Pet. 5:1-4).

WE REJECT any threatening words from prophets today, warning their followers that judgment will fall on them if they fail to obey the prophet's words. We see this as a dangerous form of spiritual manipulation.

WE REJECT the spiritual manipulation of the prophetic gift for the personal benefit of the prophet or of his or her ministry, whether to garner favor, power, or financial gain. And under no circumstances can a prophet charge money to deliver a prophetic word. This is spiritual abuse of the worst kind and is detestable in God's sight.

WE REJECT the notion that a contemporary prophetic word is on the same level of inspiration or authority as Scripture or that God always speaks inerrantly through prophets today, since the Bible says we only know in part and prophesy in part (1 Cor. 13:9). It is the written Word alone that can lay claim to being "the Word of God" (2 Tim. 3:16); prophecies, at best, are "a word from the Lord," to be tested by the Word of God.

Finally, while we believe in holding prophets accountable for their words, in accordance with the Scriptures, we do not believe that a sincere prophet who delivers an inaccurate message is therefore a false prophet. Instead, as Jesus explained, and as the Old Testament emphasized, false prophets are wolves in sheep's clothing, in contrast to true believers who might speak inaccurately (see Matt. 7:15-20; Jer. 23:9-40; Ezek. 13:23). Thus a false prophet is someone who operates under a false spirit masquerading as the Holy Spirit.

WE THEREFORE RECOGNIZE distinctions between a believer who gives an inaccurate prophecy (in which case they should acknowledge their error), a believer who consistently prophesies inaccurately (in which case we recognize that this person is not a prophet and we urge them to stop prophesying), and a false prophet (whom we recognize as a false believer, a lost soul, calling them to repent and be saved).

Because God's gifts and calling are irrevocable (see Rom. 11:29), we understand that a person who has been prophetically gifted might be able to function in that gifting even though they are no longer in right relationship with God. That is why it is imperative that we judge a prophet by the fruit of their life and ministry rather than by their gift, also recognizing that there are some who started right but will be rejected in the end (see Matt. 7:21-23).

Follow breaking news like this and more in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS

[Permission is granted by Charisma Media to Hugh's News to forward, reprint, or duplicate, with acknowledgment.]

​Why You Should Not Bury Your Pain

Author: J. Lee Grady

Recently the Lord gave me a specific word of knowledge as I was finishing a sermon in a church. The Holy Spirit showed me, through a strong impression, that there was a woman in the crowd who struggled with serious, ongoing depression.

I knew this woman felt as if she were trapped in a dark box of emotional pain. I also sensed that the heaviness was causing sleep problems. So I shared all of this from the podium.

I don't expect people to raise their hands and admit their struggles publicly in situations like this. Sometimes God just wants the person to know He is there, and He understands. But in this case, a woman who fit this exact description came to me after the service ended. She was shy and tearful.

She told me that she immediately froze when I shared the word of knowledge. Shame and fear paralyzed her. Yet she knew God was calling her out of that box.

I made her feel safe and gently asked her to share her experience. Her life was marked by painful abuse—including physical violence from a former husband. And, sadly, she had never asked a trusted Christian friend to pray for her. Intimidation and guilt kept her in a prison of pain.

I was not only able to pray for her, but I connected her with a woman from the church who is trained in Biblical counseling and healing prayer. They exchanged numbers and scheduled a time to meet. I'm thrilled that a victim of abuse found freedom that day. But I'm also sad because I know that so many people in this woman's situation have still never told one human soul about their inner turmoil.

I can't count how many times people have opened their hearts and told me horrible things they endured in life—sexual abuse, abandonment by a parent, bullying or physical violence—and then they admit, "I've never told anyone about this until today."

If you have endured some form of trauma or abuse, or if you are holding on to a painful secret that you've never shared, please take this as the strongest hint possible that you need to open your heart and ask for help.

Ever since Adam and Eve hid their nakedness from God, human beings have been looking for creative and deceptive ways to hide their sin and shame. The Bible describes our hearts as both "hard" (Zech. 7:12) and "deceitful" (Jer. 17:9). We would rather pretend that we have it all together than to admit we have a weakness. And if we experienced something shameful or traumatic, our tendency is to bury the memory—either because we think it was our fault, or because we fear people will reject us if they know what happened.

But closing your heart is never healthy. Even secular counselors will tell you that living in denial of a painful experience will create further emotional problems. Toxic emotions, if locked inside you, will build up like a pressure cooker. The dark goo of anxiety, fear, anger or unforgiveness will become like a fermented poison in your soul—and it can cause mental anguish, headaches, chronic pain, stress, lack of energy, nightmares and even disease.

James 5:16a (NASB) says: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." The "sins" here can be either sins we committed or sins that were committed against us. (Of course abuse is not the victim's fault, but in either case, transparency is crucial.) God didn't create us for isolation, and our hearts shouldn't require a padlock to open. To be emotionally healthy you must learn to process your pain with someone who cares.

I experienced sexual abuse when I was just a boy of seven, and I never told anyone about it until I was 19. For all those years I stuffed my feelings and pretended to act normally, even though I was limping and bleeding inside. Thankfully a load of shame was lifted off of me when I shared my painful burden with a trusted friend and counselor. Waves of healing followed. The devil could no longer use that embarrassing incident to taunt me. I was free.

If you are haunted by any form of painful trauma, be assured that God wants to heal you. Don't limp through life, pretending that your pain isn't real. Be honest. Unlock your heart. Let your guard down. Let the tears flow. Be willing to trust a mature Christian to pray with you. Vulnerability is the key to your deliverance.

[J. Lee Grady was editor of Charisma for 11 years before he launched into full-time ministry in 2010. Today he directs The Mordecai Project, a Christian charitable organization that is taking the healing of Jesus to women and girls who suffer abuse and cultural oppression. Author of several books including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, he has just released his newest book, Set My Heart on Fire, from Charisma House. You can follow him on Twitter at @LeeGrady or go to his website, themordecaiproject.org.

J. Lee Grady is an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with credentials in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He is currently the editor of Encourage magazine, a monthly online digital publication for leaders and growing Christians. You may find it on the website of the IPHC. Go to www.iphc.org.

J. Lee Grady is a friend of mine and he has granted me permission to publish his articles in Hugh's News.] 

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, as Christians across America mobilize to pray, pour out Your Spirit upon our nation. Help us seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways so that You will hear from heaven and heal our land. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

[Quote from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association online newsletter on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.]

​Nothing’s Too Small for God

Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all his works" (Psalm 145:17, NKJV).

God created snowflakes, no two of which are alike. He created a sponge-like pad between the head of a woodpecker and its bill to absorb the shock when the bird strikes a tree. He created nerve cells that connect the human body to the brain like tiny telephone wires, with messages traveling along them up to three hundred miles per hour!

God is active in small ways in the universe, on our planet, in our bodies, and in our lives! What do you think is so small that it’s too small for God to notice?

A small tear?

A small hurt feeling?

A small insult?

A small sin?

A small worry?

Nothing is too small for the Creator’s attention and activity!

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

Copyright © 2021 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.                                                    

​President's Prayer Group

Author: Ron White

"Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life" (Psalm 119:104, NLT).

Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to be devoted to reading, understanding, and obeying the Word of God.

Pray every Wednesday to be led by the Holy Spirit into all wisdom and unity and in love for one another and for the lost.

Thank God today that there are no students or employees with active cases of the corona virus. Pray for two students in quarantine. Pray for the eradication of this disease in our nation and around the world.

Thank you for praying. 

Ron White, Ed.D.
President
Emmanuel College
181 Spring Street
Franklin Springs, GA 30639
706-245-2803

Numbers 6:22-27  This benediction comes right after the Nazarite Vow of Dedication

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 

24 "'"The Lord bless you
and keep you; 
25 the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you; 
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '  

27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them." 
NIV

​The little old lady seated herself right behind the bus driver. Every ten minutes or so she'd pipe up, "Have we reached Oriskany Falls yet, sonny?"

"No, lady, not yet. I'll let you know," he replied, time after time.

The hours passed, the old woman kept asking for Oriskany Falls, and finally the little town came into view. Sighing with relief, the driver slammed on the brakes, pulled over and called out, "This is where you get out, lady."

"Is this Oriskany Falls?"

"YES!" he bellowed. "Get out!"

"Oh, I'm going all the way to Albany, sonny," she explained sweetly. "It's just that my daughter told me that when we got this far, I should take my blood pressure pill."

Greg had his pre-op on Tuesday, May 4. A nurse did it over the phone with Greg, and with his care giver and me on the line taking notes.

Because Greg has had both Covid-19 Vaccinations he was not required to have the Covid Exam. However, they did extensive blood work.

As of this writing, Greg is to report to Northeast Medical Hospital in Braselton on Wednesday, May 5, at 5:45 a.m. for prostate surgery.  His surgery is scheduled at approximately 7:30 a.m. (and that, as you know, is subject to change.) The procedure is called "Turp" or in laymen's language a "Roto-rooter." He will be required to stay over night. Following surgery he is to be assigned to a room. He will be allowed two visitors from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

We are praying this will be the end of having a catheter and foley bag. 

Your prayers are valuable and important to us. Thank you for your prayers.

​ Of course when we pray, we are praying to God and not to man. 

God's Word says, "I am the Lord, Who heals you" (Exodus 15:26, NIV).