​A photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any good shots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor. As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air. 

"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures! I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation. After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?"                                                                                                                                                                     

On early Friday morning, at a.m. Melvine woke me up with screaming pain in her back. She asked for a pain pill. I did not want Melvine to suffer and I gave her a pill prescribed by Dr. Jane Huang, her oncologist.

The pill began to work and Melvine's pain went away and she fell asleep. Unfortunately, Melvine wanted to sleep all day on Friday. She ate a good breakfast, but did not want to drink or eat anything after that. It is a real challenge to get Melvine to cooperate with me by drinking water or Ensure, Atkins, or Boost. She did not want to eat lunch. I finally got her to eat a package of what I call NABS, crackers with cheese. Not only did she sleep in her recliner, she got up and went to bed for about 3 or 4 hours. 

We all tend to get mixed up on the time of day it is when we go to sleep during the day. Melvine stays confused about what day it is.

Greg suggested that he drive to Sonic's to get hot dogs with chili, and tater tots. Melvine ate part of a chili dog and some tater tots. 

Melvine has gone to bed and I hope to go in just a little bit.

I did walk down to my two above the ground gardens to check the plants. I had to prune the tomato plants of the suckers that form and have to be removed. I cut of some branches near the ground. My neighbor was cutting his lawn and he came over to talk with me. He and his wife have two small boys. They went camping this week in north Georgia for about three days. They are good neighbors and we love them. They are doing a terrific job raising their boys.

Thank you all who are sending cards to us. I open them for Melvine to read. I am reading her cards too.

Melvine talked with me about going to church this Sunday which is Father's Day. Greg plans to go with us to our church.

You may write us at this mailing address:

Hugh H and Melvine S Morgan
17 Sweet Apple Lane
Winder, GA 30680

You may send me an email at this address: hugh@hughsnews.com

Have a blessed day today!

Ken Phillips invites men who live in or near Athens, GA, to join him for a cook-out at 5 p. m. today.

Ken will be grilling the hamburgers and hot dogs.

We will watch the Christian movie "Run the Race." It is an amazing Christian drama directed by Chris Dowling. It is the story of two brothers who use football to cope with their mother's death and father's abandonment.

Tim Tebow, the former All-American quarterback for the Florida Gators, is the executive producer of the film. 

Ken hopes to get the movie going by 5:30 p. m. and we can eat during the movie. It should be over by 7 p. m.

To view a trailer of the movie please Click Here to get a preview of this outstanding Christian film.

Author: Joyce Meyer

I think it's healthy to stop periodically and take inventory of our lives. It's important to ask, "Am I really living the life Christ died for me to have? Or am I settling for something less?"

Regardless of what's happened in the past or what obstacles seem to be in our way, God has a big, full life in store for each one of us. But it's up to us whether we're going to get the best out of life and make the most of our time, talents, relationships and opportunities.

The book of Genesis contains a great lesson in this area. It shares the story of Abraham's father, Terah, who gathered his family, packed up everything, and set out for his ultimate destination—Canaan.

However, Genesis 11:31 (NIV) tells us, "together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there."

I wonder how many people start out to do one thing in life but settle somewhere along the way because they get tired or because it's convenient. It's not really what they want, but it's something they think they can "settle for."

Are there areas in your life where you have settled, or maybe just haven't made as much progress as you had hoped?

Are You Settling for Mediocre?

The Lord has called us to excellence, and we don't have to settle for mediocrity. The word "mediocre" literally means "to live halfway between success and failure." And that's where so many people live; they haven't completely failed, but they're also not where they really want to be.

This applies to every area of our lives. Maybe you've begun studying the Bible and you have a goal to really know God's Word and develop an intimate, close relationship with Him. If that's the case, don't settle for just reading a chapter a day to "put your time in"—stay determined to make it a priority and reap the benefits of truly knowing God.

Or maybe you have a goal to lose 20 pounds. If so, make a decision that you're not going to give up when it gets difficult. Even if you have a bad day and actually gain weight, be determined to bounce back the next day!

Sometimes we get used to the place where we are and forget there's something better. Life gets busy, complicated, or even comfortable, and we lose sight of the dreams and goals we used to have. That's when we need to stir ourselves up and become determined to attain every single part of God's plan for our lives.

What If ...

Let's take a few moments to play the "What If?" game:

What if you decided to give God your all and seek Him with your whole heart?

What if you demanded the best from yourself instead of settling for "just average"?

What if you stopped making excuses why you can't accomplish your dreams and goals?

What if you changed the way you speak and refused to say anything negative?

What if you started confronting problems instead of running away from them?

What if you decided to stop procrastinating?

Can you imagine where you would be this time next year if you followed through with just one or two of these things?

Give It Your All

The Bible is full of Scriptures that encourage us to do our best. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed."

I love that phrase, "Do your best." It may be easier to go halfway, but what could happen if you decided to give your best in your marriage, at your job or any other area of your life?

Some of the greatest blessings in my life now are things that have required the most effort. Today, my husband, Dave, and I have the awesome privilege of sharing God's Word with millions of people through Joyce Meyer Ministries. Many times over the years, it required tremendous sacrifice and the decision to keep moving forward when we felt like giving up.

Yes, it required time and effort to do everything God placed in our hearts to do, but I am so glad we didn't stop halfway when things got tough. I thank God that I didn't get discouraged and quit during the days when only 50 people were attending my conferences.

The truth is, if you will give your best and do what you can do, God will do His part and do what you can't do!

So, don't settle for mediocre or halfway. God has an incredible, fulfilling and exciting life just waiting for you. Yes, it's going to require effort and determination; it may also require you to push past fear so you can enjoy greater freedom and success. But I promise you this: Whatever it takes, it's always worth it.

Author: Greg Laurie 

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)

We are living in a time described as the postmodern generation. And in church circles today, there is a lot of talk about how to reach postmodern people. But here’s what I think: The gospel doesn’t change. Whether it’s for the ancient culture, the modern culture, or the premodern, postmodern, or post-postmodern culture, the gospel never will change. The same message that Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost to people in the first century is relevant for us today in the twenty-first century.

I hear people saying today, “I want to reach my nonbelieving friends, so I just need to hang with them. I need to kind of be like them and not be too holier-than-thou.”

I am with you on that. I don’t think we should ever come off pious or as though we don’t care about people, because we should care about them. But sometimes in our attempt to build a bridge, in our attempts to relate, we end up becoming more like them than they end up becoming like us. They are bringing us their way more than we are bringing them our way. So we need to be very careful in this area.

The rationalization is, “Well, Jesus hung around sinners, so I will hang around sinners.” Jesus didn’t really hang around sinners, however. I’m not saying that Jesus had no contact with sinners. He had plenty of contact with them. But he didn’t hang around them. He hung around His disciples for the most part. When Jesus was around sinners, they were changed.

We must always want to bring unbelievers to faith, not end up being like them. Be careful that you don’t overcompromise. Because sometimes we lower our standards in order to extend our reach—and we end up reaching no one.

Copyright © 2017 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

For more relevant and Biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.

Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.

Author: Tony Evans

In His Presence: “Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God” (Acts 12:5).

There was a lady who lived out in the country and never had electricity. Finally, her family made arrangements so a line could be run out to her house. However, after six months, she had only used one unit. Company officials decided to drive out to her house to make sure nothing was wrong. When everything checked out fine, they asked her if she was enjoying having electricity. “Oh my, yes,” she replied.

Then one of the representatives said, “Well, tell us how you are using it.” The old woman paused for a moment, and then, with a gleam in her eyes, she explained. Each evening, as the sun was setting, she turned the lights on long enough to light her kerosene lamps—and then turned them off! She was still living a kerosene existence when she could have been enjoying the comforts of having electricity. 

God has given us tremendous power through the presence of His Spirit. Yet many times, we fail to use it. Instead, we settle for much less by relying solely on our human ability. There are certain things God never meant for us to handle on our own. We may be fine when it comes to choosing which shirt to wear in the morning, but when life becomes stormy and the winds begin to blow hard against us, we need an omnipotent Savior.

In Acts 12, we learn that Peter was arrested and that no amount of human effort could free him. However, the supernatural power of God did. The Bible tells us that the church was praying fervently. This means they were praying without ceasing, knowing that God had the power they lacked to release the one they loved.

What are you wrestling with today? Have you rolled it over onto the Lord through prayer, or have you lit a room full of kerosene lamps? Stop struggling on your own and turn on God’s power through prayer and faith. Allow Him to be your strength and your everlasting peace.

One Minute Please
God wants to use the problems we face to demonstrate His awesome power and ability. Are you willing to allow Him to do this?

Watch Online Videos of Dr. Tony Evans and The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com
and
Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.

Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NKJV

After following Jesus’ instructions to throw their nets on the other side of the boat, the disciples hauled in a huge catch of fish. Back on the beach, He invited them to “come and have breakfast” (John 21:12, NIV). With furtive glances and downcast faces, “none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?'” (John 21:12, NIV). They knew. And on that early spring morning beside the sparkling sea, Jesus took the bread and fish from the fire and fed His disciples breakfast! They feasted and were satisfied, not only by the food He had provided, but also by the fish they had caught.

Jesus was teaching them an important life lesson. They had been out in the boat, apparently trying to meet their own needs, doing what they were naturally good at, but basically living their lives without Him. And they had come up empty. Unfulfilled. But when He was in their lives, and they obeyed His Word, and they served Him in His way, not only were they successful, but they were also satisfied!

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

Copyright © 2014 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.

Author: Tony Evans

In His Presence: “Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord” (Exodus 24:4).

One of the most exciting things you can do in your Christian walk with the Lord is to keep a journal of all that He is teaching you. Exodus 24:4 says, “Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord.” In other words, he did not want to miss or forget anything. He took notes! If he were attending church with you, you could expect him to pull out a notebook and start jotting things down. Why? God directed Moses to do this because he was the one who would communicate what God said to the nation of Israel.

Today, godly men and women teach God’s truth, and we would be wise to pick up the habit of taking notes, as God taught Moses to do. Actually, the human mind has to hear or record a fact at least three times before it is committed to memory. Sometimes, it can take hearing a fact up to fourteen times before it is actually stored in our knowledge base.

This is why when you walk up to your pastor at the end of the worship service and commend him on his sermon, you pray that he does not ask you to repeat his main points back to him. It also is the reason you can gather over lunch with family and friends and exclaim how much you learned at church, but when you are asked to tell what you thought was the highlight, your mind goes blank.

Learn to take notes. Record your thoughts, and then, when you are alone with the Lord, ask Him to affirm what you have heard in and through His Word. Godly messages never conflict with what God has written in the Bible—it is the infallible Word of God. This means that it is God’s Word to us, and nothing about it can be changed or taken away.

We live in a devious world because Satan is constantly enticing us away from God’s truth. As you worship the Lord, ask Him to make you aware of the Enemy’s subtle and dangerous scheme. There is only one way to worship God, and that is with the entirety of our hearts and minds.

One Minute Please

Worship is not a place or an event. It's a way of life.

Watch Online Videos of Dr. Tony Evans and The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com
and
Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.

Author: P. Doug Small

    Rehearse God’s goodness. Notice answers to prayer. Call attention to unexpected blessings.
    Have communion together.
    Worship together. Let each member of the family, especially the children, take different components of the worship experience. Sing together. If that is a struggle, put on Christian music, and sing along.
    Do Scripture reading and reflection.
    Use reflective praying.
    Include intercession, prayer for others - family/friends separated from God’s love; prayer for neighbors;
    Pray for a nation, a missionary, a ministry; Special Prayer needs for others – sick, in crisis, world tragedies, drought, famine, etc.
    Make petition a part of prayer – prayer for needs. That shows the families dependence on God. It invites God’s intervention. It seeks God’s guidance. It recognizes the need for protective care.
    Spend time in praise. Sing and celebrate. Family worship should not be dull. Other elements might include - drama, videos, memorization, special music, character study focus, Bible lesson.
    Do a family prayer walk, map praying, prayer letters (creative things the Holy Spirit inspires).

John 15:16

16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you.
KJV

[Editor's Comment: I consider John 15:16 a key verse in God's call for me to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It confirmed the call to preach and make it clear that it was God Who called me. Life is exciting when we obey God's calling. May this Sunday be a wonderful Father's Day for all fathers who read this statement.]

​A middle aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God she asked "Is my time up?" God answered, "No, you have another 40 years, 2 months and 8 days to live."

Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color. Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it.

After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was hit by a car and died immediately.

Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 40 years, why didn't you pull me from out of the path of the car?"

God replied, "I didn't recognize you."​

- nThere ought to be a better way, a more efficient way, and a way that can get the job done with professional excellence.

Our sole purpose for going to St. Mary's Hospital Emergency Clinic in Athens was to get a catheter drawn urine specimen.

None of the doctor's offices today are set up to do that. Their pat answer is you will have to go to the emergency clinic to get that done. 

I noticed that the motto, goal, or theme at St. Mary's Hospital Emergency Clinic is this: "Our goal is to provide Exceptional Care without Exception." And, I can say they do. They are swamped with patients. You have to take your turn which is fair and understandable.

Bonnie Bender came to our home. Melvine had surprised us all. She had taken her bath, put on clean clothes and was waiting patiently for Bonnie to come. Bonnie was prepared to help Melvine get dressed, etc. 

I asked Bonnie to drive our car to the hospital, i. e., emergency clinic. She is an excellent driver and got us to the clinic safely. On the way, I had Bonnie to go through the drive through of our Bank, BB & T Bank. The bank in Athens is not my home bank. However, they have a fantastic staff that is so courteous and helpful. 

When we arrived at the clinic, a beautiful Black lady who is a volunteer met us at the entrance and quickly got a wheelchair for Melvine and pushed her inside the clinic to the reception area. I helped Melvine to register and gave them the necessary credentials to get admitted. That was done quickly and satisfactorily.

As we sat in the waiting room, I realized one major purpose for our being there was to observe suffering humanity and the care and compassion our medical people have in meeting the needs of the patients for personal healing. Then, I realized that Jesus had sent us there to be a witness. What a great opportunity to minister. I prayed for wisdom and guidance as I decided to wait for the right moment to engage people in conversation. As it turned out I was able to share with staff people, nurses, techs, the doctor, etc.

It was not too long before Melvine's name was called and we were ushered into the intake room where we had been several times before, where they ask all kinds of questions to determine what they could do for you. Bonnie Bender is the ideal person to make a claim for our purpose and she clearly made a claim for what we wanted--a urine specimen drawn through a catheter to the bladder. They took Melvine's vital signs, and her blood pressure was up. Understandable.

We were sent back into he waiting room, as we waited our turn to get an examining room. It wasn't too long before were taken by a nurse to a examining room. We had met Rebecca Greenwall, the nurse, before who knew Jeanette Phillips and her son, Tyler. She is outstanding. She did the catheter to get the urine from Melvine's bladder to be analyzed.

To make a long story come to end. Dr Neal Priest came back to the examining room with good news. The report was that there were no signs of UTI's. We rejoiced and praised God for His favor and success.

We decided to go out to eat. We were all in agreement to go to Bone Island Grill. Bonnie was with us and drove. We had a wonderful meal. The young people who work there are terrific and so kind and helpful.
 
Please keep praying for us.

If you would like to write us, here is our mailing address:

Hugh & Melvine Morgan
17 Sweet Apple Lane
Winder, GA 30680

You may send me an email: hugh@hughsnews.com

Your friend in all seasons,

Hugh H. Morgan

Believe it or not . . . In less than 5 minutes you can make a gift to Hugh's News, Inc.

Here's how you can contribute by clicking here.

Thank you for your generosity. Your gift helps fulfill that mission God has given to Hugh's News to be the flagship of communications serving IPHC ministries and the body of Christ worldwide. Thank you for sharing our passion for people who are spiritually lost and need Jesus Christ.

"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:16).

I received this email and photo from Paulette Teasdale on Thursday, June 13:

To all of our Friends & Family,
Our son, Christopher Paul Teasdale, suddenly passed away on the 8th of April, 2019. There will be a Memorial Celebration of his life on June 22, 2019, Saturday, at 10:30 AM at Glad Tidings Church, 4621 Country Club Road, Morehead City, N.C., 28557. We wish all of our friends and his to join us commemorating his precious life. We request the honor of your company in this special service.

[Editor's Comment: Paulette and her husband served as IPHC missionaries and I have had them share and promote their missions work in my churches. They were a delightful couple and filled with enthusiasm and love for their missionary work and seeing souls come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Melvine and I are saddened to learn of the sudden death of their son, Christopher Paul. 

May the God all of comfort be your Comforter through the Holy Spirit.]

​Ruth Naomi Cato Turton, 87, widow of Rev. Ronald A. Turton, passed away peacefully in her home in Miramar Beach, FL on June 1st with family by her side. She is survived by her daughters, Sandi Turton, Destin, and Susan Turton, Destin; her sister-in-law, Jane Cato; nieces Wanda (David) Brett; Cindy (Robert) Golden; and Robin Cato; and her husband’s sister-in-law, Davida Turton and nieces and nephews, Beth, John, Louise, Nancy, Angela, John.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, John Joseph Cato.

Ruth, known affectionately as "Ruthie,” "Heavenly Patch's Wife," “The First Lady of Tea,” "Rev. Ruth," "Chaplain Ruth," and "The Tea Lady," was a pastor’s wife, pastor, organist, pianist, vocalist, motivational speaker, and teacher. She was known for her quick wit, and her grace, charm, and elegance. Most importantly, she was known to be a true servant of God who was always a fierce prayer warrior with an encouraging word.
 
She was born on September 25, 1931, in McKenzie, Alabama, the first child of Rev. James William Cato and Minnie Lee Piggott Cato Pope.  

She is a graduate of Emmanuel College with a degree in liberal arts and music. Ron and Ruth married in 1954. She served alongside her husband pastoring churches in Florida, Virginia, Arkansas, and Iowa. During their pastorate in the Washington, D.C. area, Ruth was a guest at social functions in the White House hosted by First Ladies Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, and Rosalyn Carter. She was a certified etiquette consultant through the Washington School of Protocol, and a widely recognized expert on tea and the protocol of teas. She traveled frequently and loved traveling abroad.

She succeeded her husband as pastor of Emerald Coast Cathedral in Destin.  She had the privilege of being the first female president of the Destin Ministerial Association and the first female pastor to participate in Destin’s Blessing of the Fleet.

Through Ron's ministry to the International Showmen's Association, Ruth was honored to succeed him as the International Protestant Chaplain to the outdoor amusement and entertainment business, forming lifelong friendships with many circus owners and performers.

The family wishes to thank the Hospice staff for their kind, loving care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Village Baptist Church in Destin, FL on Thursday, June 27th, at 3:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following.    https://www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com/tributes.

[Editor's Comment: I have known Ruth Cato Turton all of my life. Her father, the Rev. Mr. William Cato, served as the superintendent of the Alabama Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church when I was a little boy. My parents and Ruth's parents were good friends. My older sister, Mary Evelyn, and I, played with Ruth and John Joe, her brother. We have remained friends for life. I met her husband many years ago when I was a youth leader at the River Springs Camp Ground near McKenzie, Alabama. Joel McGraw and I stayed up one night and listened to Ron Turton and Thurnace York tell their fascinating stories. After Ron heard me play my trombone he would call me, "Gabriel." 

It was my honor and privilege to be Ruth's mother's pastor at my first church after graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary. It was the Brownville P. H. Church in Owassa, Alabama about 6 miles from Evergreen. Her mother, Minnie Cato Pope and her husband were members of the church. They were faithful and loyal. Minnie and her husband Lonnie Pope were encouragers and big supporters of this young pastor. Minnie was an outstanding Bible teacher, and leader of women in the church. They help mentor me as I was learning what it means to be a pastor.

Melvine and I have stayed in touch with Ruth over the years and always enjoyed it when we would visit with each other at Emmanuel College for homecomings and other events.

I enjoyed learning from Ruth about her ministry with the entertainment people and in speaking and teaching about the finer things of drinking tea. She knew protocol and etiquette and shared that information freely and naturally. It was a joy to talk with Ruth. I always learned something new when I would talk with her. I shall miss calling and talking with her.

Melvine and I send our love and prayers to Ruth's family in this time of grief and sorry.]

Author: Max Lucado

I was mulling over a recent conversation I had with a disenchanted Christian brother. He was upset with me. So upset that he was considering rescinding his invitation for me to speak to his group. Seems he’d heard I was pretty open about who I have fellowship with. He’d read the words I wrote: “If God calls a person his child, shouldn’t I call him my brother?” And, “If God accepts others with their errors and misinterpretations, shouldn’t we?"

He didn’t like that. “Carrying it a bit too far,” he told me. “Fences are necessary,” he explained. “Scriptures are clear on such matters.” He read me a few and then urged me to be careful to whom I give grace.

“I don’t give it,” I assured. “I only spotlight where God already has.”

Later I had a great thought. A why-didn’t-I-think-to-say-that? insight.

If the subject resurfaces, I’ll say it. But in case it doesn’t, I’ll say it to you. (It’s too good to waste.) Just one sentence:

I’ve never been surprised by God’s judgment, but I’m still stunned by his grace.

Story after story. Prayer after prayer. Surprise after surprise.

Seems that God is looking more for ways to get us home than we are.

Author: Pat Schatzline

Editor's Note: This is part 2 of a two-part series. Click here to read part 1.

Do you not discern the times? If not now, then when? The slumber of the bride has caused a release of the unprecedented plunder of God's storehouse and harvest by the enemy. He (the enemy) is now unabated by a church that once stood its ground but has now gone underground for fear of being exposed by our lack of purpose. Many times, what is taking place in the natural realm is in direct correlation to the spirit realm. Not everyone can perceive this.

It will require a spiritual depth that comes from the depth of God's Word and quiet of the secret place. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (TPT) says, "Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God's Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can't understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit."

We live in a day where the rights of the unborn end not only at conception, but when they arrive on a cold table of delivery. The attack doesn't stop there. The very sexual identity assigned to each of us by a God who purposes our DNA is now up for grabs by a culture that declares gender as bigotry unless it fits the narrative of progressive thought. Congress is removing "so help me God" from all swearing ceremonies. Congress passed the new Equality Act, which is really an act against Judeo-Christian values. The passage of this bill means that churches and Christian schools no longer have their values protected.

Anarchy and unrest fill the streets! The marching in the streets is no longer that of the "onward Christian Soldiers" bringing a message of hope and redemption, but rather an anarchy in the hearts of wounded sons and daughters screaming for an inheritance. We must have spiritual insight that goes past today's shallow messages of self-help and hyped one-Scripture sermons. We need righteous warriors that will arise with humility and holiness that discern the times. "These things also we proclaim, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:13-14, MEV).

Where are the God-fearing midwives? Every time God wants to change a generation someone gives birth! Exodus 1:8-13 says,

Now there rose up a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, "Surely, the people of the sons of Israel are more numerous and powerful than we. Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass that when any war breaks out, they also join our enemies, and fight against us, and escape from the land."

Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their labor. They built for Pharaoh storage cities: Pithom and Rameses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew so that as a result they abhorred the sons of Israel. The Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor.

It is time to multiply amidst persecution. Exodus 1:15-22 says,

The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah, and he said, "When you perform the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the stools, if it is a son, then you must kill him, but if it is a daughter, then she may live." However, the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but kept the male children alive. The king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing and preserved the male children's lives?"

The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives come to them."

Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. So it happened that because the midwives feared God, He gave them families.

Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, "You must cast every son that is born into the river, and you must preserve every daughter's life" (Ex. 1:15-22).

Who was Shiphrah and Puah? Believed to be mother and daughter, their act may be the first known incident of civil disobedience in history. Many Hebrew scholars believe that they were Jochebed and Miriam (the mother and sister of Moses). The names "Shiphrah" and "Puah," translated in the Hebrew, mean "one who cuts" and "one who whispers." God is asking those to arise who will cut away at the ties to culture and the world and rise up to hear His whisper. He is drawing those into the secret place. We were born not of this world nor called to conform to the pattern of the world but to be separate and apart like Shiphrah and Puah. When you are willing to protect the next generation, God will allow you to be a part of raising up a deliverer.

God is looking for midwives!

    These are those that will arise and protect the innocent.
    They guard the room from intruders.
    They will not rest until deliverance comes.
    They are happy watching birth and find satisfaction in seeing others give birth.
    They understand that the next move of God will be enjoyed by those who are willing to simply help push through the labor pains.
    They honor the process and await the arrival with anticipation.
    The midwife understands that their role is to simply be available when the timing is right.
    Without the midwives, the children of God will be stillborn.

The next move of God will be led not only by the sons and daughters of revival, but by those who helped them come into the world. God is bringing a midwife spirit upon the land. A spirit that fights for the birthing of the righteous. Midwives ignore the law of man when the law of God is at work.

If you will become a midwife to the next move of God, you will experience what it is like to give birth yourself. Exodus 1:20 says, "Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. So it happened that because the midwives feared God, He gave them families."

These two women who helped bring forth the babies have their names written in the Hebrew book of names. This is a high honor. They were known as those who delivered Israel. Without the midwives, there would be no deliverer.

There is something about the power of a new birth. John 3:3 (TPT) says, "For the Spirit-wind blows as it chooses. You can hear its sound, but you don't know where it came from or where it's going. So it is within the hearts of those who are Spirit-born!"

Are you ready? Birthing time is near! Something new is coming! Can you hear the cry? God is calling midwives to rise up:

"They will be the protectors of the innocent, the propagators of new life and guardians of the sacred trust called delivery. With or without the midwives, we will not see the revelation of all that is to come. Open the door, for the midwives have arrived!"

The time of the ministry of the midwife is here!

Then the Lord said, "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, calling to each other, saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; mourned to you, and you did not weep'" (Luke 7:31-32).

We must hear the cries of a generation again!

Watch evangelist Pat Schatzline preach this powerful new prophetic Word on "The Ministry of the Midwife" by clicking here.

[Pat Schatzline is a leading international evangelist and author. He and his wife, Karen, co-founded Remnant Ministries International. Their latest book is Rebuilding the Altar.

Author: Tony Evans

In the book of Mark, chapter six, we read that the disciples got into a boat, at night, and took out across the sea. In their obedience to Jesus, the disciples ran directly into a storm. Their obedience literally took them into the nucleus of a disaster.

I wish I could tell you that following Jesus means you will never have to face any storms. I wish I could tell you that following Jesus means that the waters of life will always be calm. I wish I could tell you that following Jesus means life will be rosy and all of your days sweet. But I can’t.

These disciples were following Jesus, and they ran right into rough seas. The disciples discovered, as many of us have also discovered, that you can be both in the center of God’s will, and still in a storm.

There is a lot of preaching today as well as many Christian books that tell you that if you follow Jesus, then you will never have to face any challenges in life. That wasn’t true for Jesus or for anyone else I know who has followed Him. Following Jesus doesn’t offer immunity from troubles. What it does give is the opportunity to experience Him in the midst of the trouble.

Life comes with troubles, regardless of whether or not you follow Jesus. You get to choose if you want Him to join you in your troubles, or if you’d rather go through them alone. Experiencing Jesus in the storm allows you the chance to see His power over whatever it is you are facing in your life. Keep your eyes focused on Him, and experience the calm that focus brings your way.

Be encouraged,


Tony Evans

Phil 1:20-26   For to me, to live is Christ and die is gain.
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20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. 
NIV

A man was at a grave yard kneeing down in front of a tombstone.

He began to moan "Why did you die oh why did you have to die?"

A passer by knelt down next to the man and said "Was this person very close to you?"

"No, actually I never met him!" replied the man.

"Why are you moaning then?" asked the passer-by curiously.

"He was my wife's first husband!"