Imagine—a war against the people of the world that they are not allowed to see and often too mind-controlled to recognize, even if it’s right in front of them. This is the nature of the war we are in.

What kind of warfare is this exactly?

War correspondent Lara Logan addressed this question recently: “One of the most important things to understand is that we are in 5^th generation warfare. 5^th generation warfare is defined as a war of narratives. Information, disinformation, misinformation and propaganda are not just weapons of warfare—they are the war itself.”

5th generation warfare relies on non-kinetic (think silent but deadly, invisible but devastating) military action that uses misinformation, social engineering, cyberattacks, propaganda and manipulation. Operating in conjunction with predictive and potentially aggressive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and fully autonomous systems (think self-driving cars), 5th generation warfare is fundamentally about information and perception. 

The battle being waged is not against standing armies but ordinary citizens. While this war is global, it is not a war for land or riches but for control. There are no rules in 5th generation warfare. This is a war for your mind and for the minds of your children.

This high tech warfare propagates false narratives that reject God, truth and freedom to advance the playbook of psychopaths who endorse a doctrine of demons. The false narrative of tyrants has infiltrated every level of government, economy, education, medicine, media and more.

This war of narratives has been waged for ages.

In recent memory, we have this moment of gut-punching candor from the West Wing of the White House. “We’ll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false.” Think about that. Dark forces and institutions have advanced population control programs for decades and generations, and longer.

Consider the crafty serpent of Genesis 3:1 who baits the woman in the garden with this pick up line: Did God really say…?

And so, the battle of narratives begins.

Consider Jesus’ warring against the temptation narrative of the enemy in the wilderness passage of Matthew 4. If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus counters with a more powerful narrative—the Word of Truth. Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:3-4

Or the battle of the bloods, the blood of Abel crying out for retribution drowned out by the better Word spoken by the sprinkled blood of Christ—mercy! Hebrews 12:24

Jesus upon the cross laid down a redemption narrative that shattered the sin narrative for all time—Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

The battleground of words, narratives and information is all around and within us. It proceeds from every mouthpiece of two kingdoms, including yours. One seeks to take us captive to deep deception. The other sets us free. There are only two choices.

5th generation warfare is fundamentally spiritual warfare manifesting in the natural realm.

Truth will prevail, but we must war for it!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

Where else in the Bible do you see this war of narratives playing out?

Where do you feel under attack from this kind of warfare?

THE WAR ROOM #23—YOUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

He appointed the Twelve, whom he named apostles. He wanted them to be continually at his side as his friends, and so that he could send them out to preach and have authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons. Mark 3:15

One of the most difficult things for us to grasp in this Kingdom era is the concept of authority. Although we know Jesus has given us dominion and authority, we default to believing lies of the enemy about exercising it—That’s sacrilegious! It’s presumptuous and lacks humility! How selfish and arrogant!

This is a highly effective enemy strategy to prevent us from using our delegated authority in Christ to enforce and release His victory in our lives and the lives of others! The enemy simply tells us we are crossing lines and we readily acquiesce, agreeing to lay down our God-given rights. Why do we choose to believe him rather than Jesus who said—

Receive this truth: Whatever you forbid on earth will be considered to be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be considered to be released in heaven. Matthew 18:18

In truth, authority is God’s gift to His people and permission to exercise His holy, loving and righteous rulership in keeping with His name. The Greek word for authority is exousia. It means power, authority, right, liberty, jurisdiction and strength. Exousia is powerful! It emanates from Christ in you—so preparation is imperative to the right exercise of spiritual authority. Exousia is a privilege offered to those—

Who are continually at His side.
Who spread His truth wherever they go.
Who exercise jurisdiction in Him to set people free.
Mark 3:25

Right alignment with God is the essential component of righteous authority. It’s important to be sensitive to the boundaries of your authority because you only have authority where you have been given responsibility. Even in areas where you have responsibility, your authority is only effective if it is being exercised in Christ—resting and trusting in Him.

Righteous authority does not extend to ‘name it and claim it.’ You don’t have authority to decree that something will be yours just because you want it. Your decrees must be in alignment with God’s will, promises and purposes for your life. Any promise of God is yours to decree in your places of authority.

Ask God—What is my calling? What is my passion? What mantle do I carry? Where have I been given responsibility?

These are places in which you have authority.

Your confidence does not lie in your authority. Your confidence is in the hand of the Lord and what He is able to do through you as you exercise God-given authority in your spheres of responsibility. When we occupy the places of authority given us by His Son, we advance God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven!

I have received authority from my Father. I will give authority over the nations to everyone who wins the victory and continues to do what I want until the end. Those people will rule the nations with iron scepters and shatter them like pottery. I will also give them the morning star. Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:26-29

War Room #22—
Birthing in the Waiting Room

Imagine yourself in place of the disciples at Jesus’ crucifixion. As He hung on the cross, they fled to an upstairs room where they locked themselves behind closed doors, wrestling with fear and hopelessness. They thought this Jesus would be the Jewish deliverer but instead He was dead. They just couldn’t understand—

What happened? What’s going on? Where is God?

They could see nothing more than a bleak future ahead. Their teacher and friend—the one on whom all their hope rested—was gone. Forever. Dead! What more could be done?

From their perspective, the story was over. They wallowed in grief and fear. Weeping and mourning. Feeling foolish. Confused. Riddled with doubt. Ashamed and embarrassed. Disappointed in themselves. Disappointed in Him!

Yet despite defeat’s relentless pounding at the door, the disciples couldn’t help but wonder—Did we really misread Jesus and all He promised? We have so many unmet expectations—but what is this tiny kindling of hope flickering in our hearts? Why do we feel like it’s not really over, like there’s more?

While the disciples grieved and mourned in the upstairs room—waiting in the tension between what they had hoped for and the hope of what might still come—a glorious birthing was taking place. The resurrected Christ was about to be revealed! At the same time, the Father was working through His Spirit to birth apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who would make the Truth of His Son known in all the world.

What if the disciples had given into defeat? What if they persisted in looking at ‘facts’ rather than looking to God? What if they chose to believe the persistent evil lies of the enemy? What if they agreed—It’s over. God isn’t doing anything here.

Do you feel like God’s people are in a similar place today? Everywhere we look we see people in confusion, frustration, hopelessness, doubt, disappointment and intense pain asking What’s happening in this insane world? Where is God? Look at what’s going on—Why isn’t He doing something?

Many of us are hiding out in fear as spiritual attacks have progressed and escalated to outright assaults. We feel frustrated, neutered and unable to see hope on the horizon. But just like the disciples in Jesus’ day, we find ourselves hanging on with a glimmer of hope in the tension between what seems to be and what we know in our hearts God has promised. We live on this side of the cross and we know new life is coming!

The Father is working behind the scenes to birth something new in His people, even if we’re hiding out in an upstairs room. So do not lose heart. Although we may be fearful and confused, we are His hope-carriers in a fractured world—and the revelation of His Kingdom Era on earth as it is in heaven is even now being birthed in us!


What do you sense God birthing in you?

“Our country is in the best shape ever.” 

The messaging we so often hear from government leaders runs contrary to what we see destroying our nation—abortion, addiction, identity confusion, violence, inflation, homelessness, the rise of wicked social platforms, corruption in government and business, incessant lies and indoctrination in our schools… the list is endless.

Which leaves us wondering—Do we actually live in the same country?
 
Though tempting to refute such glib declarations, the Spirit of God seems to be saying otherwise—Do not rely on what you see in the natural realm. Come into agreement with me for this declaration to come to fruition. For out of your mouth come life and death!

In other words, turn the enemy’s lies against them to prosper the Truth of what God is doing to redeem our nation to Himself.
 
Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21
 
Make this your declaration of faith in agreement with the Father’s view that our country is in its best shape ever! We carry authority to decree something before we actually see it manifest. This is the very definition of faith—Faith is the substance of things hoped for…
 
Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1
 
In this way we hear the Spirit say, Look again! See what I see. The nation actually is in the best shape ever because My church is awakening. My people are praying. My Remnant is arising! Revival is here! 
 
We choose to agree with what we see in the world or what we see in the Spirit! We choose to make death declarations or to make faith declarations that overturn the wicked plans of the enemy. It’s our choice to stand in faith for the manifestation of things we do not yet see!
 
We declare—
 
The remnant is arising.
The Ekklesia is moving into its rightful position and authority.
The King and His kingdom are advancing.
Our country is in the best shape ever!
 
 What faith declaration is the Spirit prompting you to make for your country?

 How does your obedience enable you to move into your rightful position and authority?

 How do you see your part in advancing the kingdom of God?

If God is for you, who can be against you?

What you will see in the Spirit as you push past the shadows is that your heavenly Father has you in the palm of His hand. You do not fight alone. So don’t give up your faith or trust in the Sovereign Lord under any circumstance! Why?

Because Jesus is resurrecting His body—the Ekklesia. This is the victory of the cross playing out in the lives of the sons and daughters of the living God. We are being sifted, refined and raised up to rule and reign in the earth with Jesus, as agents of His kingdom, not of this world.

The whole creation groans and travails as in the pains of childbirth. And not only so, but we ourselves who “echo” the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan and sigh inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption and liberation of our bodies. Romans 8:22-23

The Greek word used for those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit is echo – so the idea is that we echo the Holy Spirit within us wherever we go. There is a sound and energy resident in the Spirit-filled body of Christ that changes the atmosphere and reverberates throughout the universe.

Jesus is resurrecting His own body! Father God is translating us through death into the fullness of life in Christ. We are His kingdom come and His will be done change agents.

So stop hiding out in tribulation and trauma. Shake off the sleep, sluggishness and dis-ease of the past season. Stand up, speak out and trust God to protect you and use you to build up and into the kingdom of God. We have work to do!

How are you echoing the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit?


Where do you see signs of awakening and resurrection?

Failure to engage, occupy, or boldly proclaim the sovereign power of God and the coming of His Kingdom may seem like a valid way to duck and cover or stay above the fray when opposition comes your way. But refusal to resist or engage an evil enemy virtually guarantees that you will be overcome.

Captivity to passivity! There’s a chasm of difference between peace and passivity. Christians are prone to overlook this distinction and default to passivity which is false peace. The sleeping church has largely succumbed to passivity as a way of peace, or at least avoidance of conflict.

But passivity is the enemy’s secret weapon to neutralize God’s people.

They claim, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace!  Jeremiah 6:14

Passivity is the state or condition of being passive, inactive, quiescent or submissive. It is characterized by inertia—the tendency of a body to remain in a given state of motion or rest until disrupted by some outside force. Lack of initiative, submission to external powers, and acceptance of opposition without resistance are hallmarks of passivity. 

Passivity has nothing to do with the peace that Jesus gives. His peace is shalom—the peace that passes all understanding and circumstance includes total safety, wellbeing, prosperity and right relationships that come only from right alignment with God. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

The nation of Israel experienced no peace apart from full engagement with the person and purposes of God. When Israel moved in obedience to God for victory over the enemy, then His people experienced true shalom.

You keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you, because he fully trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Jesus came to war against evil, to fight for justice, to contend for His Ekklesia, and to put to death the sinful nature, once and for all. Our weapons are not carnal, but spiritual for the tearing down of strongholds.

The Living Word mobilizes, activates and energizes.
Passivity holds back and lets others act instead.

The Living Word calls to action and engagement.
Passivity refuses to act, resist or engage.

The Living Word moves forward and inspires feats of boldness.

Passivity retreats from conflict and yields to the will of others. 

The Living Word calls us more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

Passivity lulls us into a false sense of security–Chill out.

The bold figures of the Old and New Testaments bear witness to men and women of action, who feared God more than man and were willing to lay down their lives for others.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:24


Those stuck in passivity are sitting ducks.
Those who overcome enter the shalom of God.
True faith is not passive but active.


Where are you experiencing captivity to passivity?

Where is Holy Spirit nudging you to action?

What is your next step of obedience?

 
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
 
This scripture gives us a simple yet profound truth about the character and nature of God. Even when we are acutely aware of our sin and failure, God assures us that He will stay with us and complete the sanctifying, relationship-building work He has begun in us.
 
He is able to do this!
 
While praying for a young pregnant woman, a Nigerian pastor shared this truth in a different context. He declared, God is able to complete what He begins—He who created new life in the womb is able to complete any process He begins.
 
This raises some lingering faith questions for us to ponder—
 
Do you really believe God is able to bring about His will and plans that are not yet complete?
 
Will you stand with Him now on this earth, in faith for all He desires to complete?
 
All throughout scripture we see the truth that God is able to complete what He has begun. You may be overwhelmed or preoccupied when it comes to our world, our nation, your family or your own life, but God is not!
 
Whatever He has started, He is able to bring to perfect completion.
 
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28
 
 
What has God begun in your life? Your family?
 
What word has He given to you?
 
Where is there a blessing He has started?
 
What has He started in your church, in your city, state and nation?
 
 
Declare and stand in agreement with the Lord. He is able to complete what He has begun.

UNDER OR OVER?

You’ve heard the phrase “under the circumstances” to describe the heavy burden of an uncomfortable season in life.

Under the circumstances, I’m barely hanging on.

Under the circumstances, I’m not sure how I’m going to get through this.

Under the circumstances, I’ve pretty much given up.

A young seminary student who’d encountered a rough patch with multiple negative events happening at the same time, was greeted one day by one of his professors who asked how he was doing. The student responded, “Under the circumstances, not good.”

The professor replied, “What are you doing down there?”

This is certainly an interesting question to ponder. Positionally, as joint heirs with Christ, what are we doing down there under the circumstances?

This story reminds us how often during times of trial we defer to the thought, “Jesus, please come take us to Heaven.”

It’s actually a way of saying, God, I don’t see any way out of this situation. So please come get us out of here because we can’t bear to keep going on this path.

At some point we realize that it isn’t so much Jesus or Heaven we are longing for as it is a release from the circumstance.

Most of all, it shows us we carry unbelief. Although we purport to claim victory over circumstances, the reality is that we sometimes question whether God will come through in our situation. This is a wakeup call.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33: 20-22 

As sons and daughters of the Most High God, we are not bottom feeders! God makes a way for His children. We are not trapped under the dead weight of circumstances. He gives us authority over the things of the world.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8: 14-17 

What circumstance feels like it is crushing you?

Ask God to reveal the beautiful position He powerfully gives you over everything you are facing.

From your position in Christ, how might using declarations, commands and decrees enable you to take authority over that circumstance?

The ferocious storm that Jesus confronted crossing the Sea of Galilee foreshadowed the powers He was about to unleash on the other side. When He set foot on that far shore, the man with the unclean spirit—the one whom no man could bind or subdue—ran from the tombs, howling and cutting himself. Mark 5 KJV says, he fell at Jesus’ feet and worshipped him.

What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me.

What is your name? Jesus asks.

My name is Legion, for we are many.

This was the region of Legion. The man at His feet harbored a storm of demonic spirits, a virtual battalion of opposition to Jesus Christ. Just as the violent legion of Roman soldiers operated under the thumb of dark principalities, Legion held this region captive under its violent sway. Even the pigs were not safe.

This was also the territory of Decapolis—a place of spiritually unclean peoples, keepers of pigs, and abode of evil spirits and false gods, held in contempt by Jewish law. Jesus, Son of the Most High God, was the last person expected to show up on their dark shore—this place of tombs and demons and dead memories. 

This was an act of war.  What plays out in this account is far more than a miraculous deliverance. This is in fact a clash of crowns at the highest level—the toppling of tyrannical principalities in the pagan land of Og and warfare of another order.

Come out of this man, you unclean spirit, Jesus said.

Legion begged not to be sent to the abyss but into the herd of pigs grazing nearby. Upon entering the chosen host, 2000 swine suddenly turned helter-skelter, running headlong over the cliff to drown in the sea. 

When locals discovered the drowned pigs and the man possessed by Legion sitting calmly, clothed and in his right mind, they were very afraid. They pleaded with Jesus to leave the region, preferring the torment of Legion to the peace with a price that Jesus brought to their shore. 

Who was this interloper-disruptor of their ancient ways? The one whose very presence overturned the dominion of ruling principalities in a single hour?

To be clear, Jesus did not go to Genesares on a healing mission. He came as a conquering King to dethrone prevailing powers in the pagan territory of Decapolis and to announce the arrival of a new King and a new kingdom—the Kingdom of God! 

The kingdom of God is at hand!

Before leaving that day, He deputized a man set free from the power of Legion as agent and witness to the coming of the King and His Kingdom.

So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

What do you share with others about how much Jesus has done for you?

Are you one who testifies to the power of the King and Kingdom in your life?

Do you need to refresh your remembrance, your gratitude, or your testimony in order to advance the Kingdom of God?

When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday Night Football on January 2, 2023, the nation held its breath and sent up prayers for him. We watched in horror as he was given CPR on the field for nine minutes, was intubated and taken away in an ambulance. Sportscasters reported that Hamlin was in critical condition on life support following a cardiac arrest.

For the first time in NFL history, the game was cancelled due to medical emergency. Players, coaches, officials and viewers were traumatized and unable to focus on anything other than the outcome of the life and death drama that had just played out before our very eyes. 

As terrifying as that was, the updates from the hospital seemed extremely positive over the next few days. Three days later Hamlin began to awaken and communicate in writing. The following day his breathing tube was removed and he was able to speak. Doctors reported there were no neurological deficits despite being down for nine minutes! 

On January 8 in an interview following the Bills first game since Hamlin’s collapse, Josh Allen, the Bills’ quarterback said It’s going around my team that God is real. His eyes filled with tears, he choked up and had to pause before he was able to continue. We had two kickoff returns for touchdowns today—one for 96 yards and one for 101 yards. It’s been exactly 3 years and 3 months to the day since our team last returned a kickoff for a score!

Damar Hamlin wears #3. 

There was a palpable holy silence as viewers witnessed Josh Allen in the tearful throes of a spiritual awakening on national TV. Perhaps many realized the significance of 333—Father, Son and Spirit!

But then the network switched to the Sports Center broadcast booth. Recapping the game, one of the sportscasters said, The football gods intervened and the Bills had two kickoff returns for touchdowns in their first game since Hamlin’s collapse.

After just witnessing Josh Allen have a profound moment with God, this was a very disturbing remark. It felt as though something had been stolen.

The next day there was a news report about Hamlin’s recovery. A field reporter was asked if his recovery was actually miraculous. No, not really, she replied. We can’t characterize it as miraculous because we now have such advanced CPR. The trainers and medical personnel on the field are highly trained and their expert intervention kept him alive. He’s experiencing a remarkable recovery because of the quality medical care he received on the field and is presently receiving in the hospital.

Another theft! 

On the appointed day Herod, wearing royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:21-23

Damar Hamlin’s story is miraculous on so many levels. His tragedy became a miracle that united a divided country in prayer for his life. Despite the fact that we’re constantly being told we can’t get along, we’re so divided, we have nothing in common with people who are different from us, and we actually hate each other—our country came together to pray for this young man’s healing and recovery. Miraculously he was discharged from the hospital exactly 9 days later, which is 3 x 3!

A worldwide revival is underway and it will include an increase in miracles—miracles that come from the hand of God—miracles that belong to Him and Him alone. God wants us to be vigilant about our witness to His miracles in the face of those who would trample His glory. It’s our responsibility to stand up, call out lies that seek to steal His glory, and not allow godless media mind control to appropriate and distort His victories. Instead let us boldly praise Him and be fearless to declare the truth of Who He is and what He has done!

I am Yahweh; that is my name. I will not give my glory to another god nor my renown to idols. Isaiah 42:8

Let’s join together in speaking truth that counters lies:

• We declare in Jesus’ name that the ‘football gods’ had absolutely nothing to do with the kickoff returns and win for the Buffalo Bills.

• We declare in Jesus’ name that Damar Hamlin’s healing is truly a miracle from the hand of God and with thanksgiving we offer Him our praise.

• We decree in Jesus’ name that the self-professed spiritual awakening experienced by Josh Allen and other teammates is a fire of revival burning across our country.

Are there other declarations you feel prompted to make?

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be glory because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1