"2016: The Year of the Slipstream" - Lana Vawser, Brisbane, Australia - THE ELIJAH LIST

"2016: The Year of the Slipstream"

Lana Vawser, Brisbane, Australia  THE ELIJAH LIST

As I have pressed into the heart of the Lord for the next year, 2016, I felt He showed me one of the themes He wanted to focus on this year.

I kept hearing the words over and over: "The year of the slipstream."

Slipstream: "the airstream generating reduced air pressure and forward suction directly behind a rapidly moving vehicle." (www.dictionary.com)

Invitation into the Slipstream

The year 2015 has been a year of intense pressure, intense stretching, intense opposition, and contending. I believe in 2016 there is an invitation into a divine "slipstream."

The wind of the Spirit is moving in great acceleration, but the Lord is calling us to a "positioning" of greater rest. It seems completely opposite and "illogical" in the natural, and many things the Lord is going to ask His people to do or not do in 2016 will be a great surprise, but more is going to come out of divine rest in whatever form that looks like for you (physical, emotional/mental healing, release of striving, settled heart in His nature and ways, etc) in 2016. (Photo via Flickr)

I felt the Lord say that 2016 would be a year of the greatest demonstration of divine rest of heart, mind, soul, and body for many, but also the greatest demonstration of acceleration that they have ever seen. It will be a place of shaking off the shackles of driving and seeing Him break off and bring deeper healing to any parts of the soul, which will cause a "pushing forward."

This invitation will require a greater trust in the Lord and His timing and ways. These "slipstreams" are going to go in different directions in some ways to how many have anticipated He is going to move and "when," but as the people of God allow the wind of the Spirit to carry them in this slipstream, there is going to be greater ground taken, greater manifestations of His power and Spirit, greater fruit for less effort.

This "divine slipstream" is going to see many get a "rest" from the hard "toiling" of 2015, where things will begin to flow in 2016, as the manifestedwinds of grace land in lives in greater ways.

Abundance, provision, and manifested blessing are going to break through in 2016 in exponential ways.

In this slipstream, great acceleration will come into the lives of God's people, but it's coming from a deeper rest in the Lord's timing and ways.

There are divine surprises that are going to come in the slipstream; there are dreams that will be awakened in the slipstream; there will be giftings that will be activated in the slipstream; there will be new horizons to see and mantles to receive.

Because of the acceleration and harvest season we have entered into and are entering deeper into, there will be a temptation in 2016 to move out of the slipstream and begin to run ahead. I felt the Lord specifically encouraging His people in 2016 to "stay in pace" with Him, and be intentional in seeking the Lord on doors and opportunities that are placed before you.

For not all doors and opportunities will be a "YES," but the doors that He is leading His people to and through (see Isaiah 22:22) are going to produce greater fruit, greater territory taken, greater favor displayed, and greater harvest received with less effort and huge demonstrations of His grace.

(Photo via Wikipedia)

In the acceleration of 2016, the enemy is going to attempt to get the people of God "busy" – "busy" doing things that the Lord isn't breathing on. They are "good things," but not necessarily the things God is breathing on. Whereas the people of God move through the divine doors HE is breathing on, they will get busy doing greater levels of the Father's work as Jesus did in Luke 2:49, and with great ease and joy.

Up and Out – Great Deliverance into the Rested Flow

I saw mighty rushing winds coming into the Body of Christ in 2016. They are His winds that are going to begin to bring the people of God "UP and OUT" of places where they have felt stuck, weighed down, and without forward motion. 

Areas where the enemy has hit the people of God so hard, and troubles and trials have surrounded, the Lord is going to bring greater deliverance and moving into the divine slipstream of rested flow.

...He was seen on the wings of the wind. He made darkness around Him His canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. Out of the brightness before Him coals of fire flamed forth. The Lord thundered from Heaven and the Most High uttered His voice. 

And He sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. He sent from on high, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. 

He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in Me. 2 Samuel 22:11-20

Where many have felt like they are facing onslaught after onslaught, hit after hit, trial after trial, and never seeming to get "their head above water," they are going to see radical demonstrations of deliverance, divine "payback," restoration, and retribution. 

The Lord began to release this in the latter half of 2015, but they are about to go to an accelerated level in 2016.

"Get your baskets ready, it's harvest time. Not only will I restore to you tenfold what the enemy has stolen, broken, and destroyed, I will add to you with greater increase, acceleration, and abundant restitution (the act of restoring to the rightful owner something that has been taken away, lost; thefreedictionary.com)."(Photo via Freeimages)

"Year of the Pioneer"

I also heard the words: "2016, the year of the pioneer." The pioneers this year have been through intense trials, opposition, weariness, hardship, and fire. There has been so much "sowing," yet "little" breakthrough for many.

In the year of 2016, a great vindication is coming over the pioneers. It will be like Joseph, when there was great favor over his life and it was evident that the Lord was with him as all he touched prospered.

The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 

So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. Genesis 39:2-4

Favor is going to be poured over the pioneers in 2016 in greater ways, especially as they have sown, stewarded, and forged forward when no one was looking, no one was cheering, no fruit was manifesting, but they continued obedience to Him and to the vision the Lord had given them; they will be rewarded, many openly and publicly in 2016, and put in charge to oversee much more.

Much more will be added to them and placed into their hands as they have stewarded well and served the Lord faithfully.

Shipstream

I saw the Lord moving the pioneers into the divine slipstream as they stepped in through their "yes"; I then saw the word "slipstream" change to "shipstream," and I saw a huge ocean liner gliding peacefully on both peaceful seas and rough seas.

A new level of peace that surpasses all understanding is coming to the pioneers (see Philippians 4:7). The year 2015 has been a year where the pioneers have had to learn that peace is found in Jesus alone.

They have weathered many storms, and as they held onto Him, they now have a greater anchoring and strength in Him, moving forward in 2016 with a greater authority and peace to speak to storms and see them silenced. (Photo via Pixabay)

"It's time for UPGRADE"

There will be a divine upgrade in the lives of the pioneers in 2016. Greater empowerment, greater impartations, greater encounters with His heart, moving into deeper levels of authority, they will see the very things that threatened them in 2015 and almost caused them to give up, be steamrolled in 2016.

The pioneers are going to move forward with greater ease, greater flow, and take more ground than they have before.

I saw the Lord "changing the time" on a clock over the pioneers in 2016. He was accelerating time, and a season of double divine suddenlies is being ushered in over the pioneers.

In the testing of the heart, testing of obedience, and the strengthening of character and intimacy with Him, the Lord is "adding to" the pioneers in time, resource, breakthrough, and refreshed vision.

Pioneers, don't give up! The year 2016 will see everything fall into place and an extension of time and space for increase, divine suddenlies, and turnarounds. 

The Lord is going to do things in a 24-hour period in and through the lives of the pioneers in 2016, which is not humanly possible, that will restore, refresh and fill the pioneers with renewed hope, expectation, and new levels of faith, and they will bring the Body of Christ to a whole new level of faith and hopeful, joyful, confident expectation in the timing, ways, vision, goodness, and provision of the Lord.

Lana Vawser

Email: lanavawser@gmail.com
Website: lanavawser.com
facebook.com/pages/Lana-Vawser/212479638795197

Lana Vawser is an active member of the Australian Prophetic Council and releases prophetic words for the Body of Christ and nations, and is featured regularly on The Elijah List and in Charisma Magazine. She is also an itinerant preacher and revivalist who is travelling regularly with her family seeing powerful moves of God.

Lana has a strong, prophetic voice and has a heart to see the Body of Christ develop deep intimacy with Jesus and actively hear His voice each day. She also has a heart to see people set free and walk in all that Jesus has purchased for them as they carry Christ into their world each day, awakened to His nature and who they are in Him. Lana is married to Kevin, and they are living in Brisbane, Australia with their two sons.

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What Sets Apart the Kids Who Stay in the Church? - JON NIELSON CHARISMA MAGAZINE

What Sets Apart the Kids Who Stay in the Church?

 1/1/2016 JON NIELSON  charisma magazine

Children, whose parents set a firm foundation, will most likely stay in the church. (Lightstock )

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing his reflections and practical insights as a ministry leader on Greenelines, a new podcast from Charisma. Listen atcharismapodcastnetwork.com.

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"What do we do about our kids?" The group of parents sat together in my office, wiping their eyes.

I was a high school pastor, but for once, they weren't talking about 16-year-olds drinking and partying. Each had a story to tell about a "good Christian" child, raised in their home and in our church, who had walked away from the faith during the college years. These children had come through our church's youth program, gone on short-term mission trips and served in several different ministries during their teenage years.

Now, they didn't want anything to do with it anymore. Somehow, these mothers' ideas for our church to send college students "care packages" during their freshman year to help them feel connected to the church didn't strike me as a solution with quite enough depth.

The daunting statistics about churchgoing youth keep rolling in. Panic ensues. What are we doing wrong in our churches? In our youth ministries?

It's hard to sort through the various reports and find the real story. And there is no one easy solution for bringing all of those "lost" kids back into the church, other than continuing to pray for them and speaking the gospel into their lives. However, we can all look at the 20-somethings in our churches who are engaged and involved in ministry.

What is it that sets apart the kids who stay in the church? Here are just a few observations I have made about such kids, with a few applications for those of us serving in youth ministry.

1. They are converted. The apostle Paul, interestingly enough, doesn't use phrases like "nominal Christian" or "pretty good kid." The Bible doesn't seem to mess around with platitudes like: "Yeah, it's a shame he did that, but he's got a good heart." When we listen to the witness of Scripture, particularly on the topic of conversion, we find that there is very little wiggle room. Listen to these words: "Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

We youth pastors need to get back to understanding salvation as what it really is: a miracle that comes from the glorious power of God through the working of the Holy Spirit.

We need to stop talking about "good kids." We need to stop being pleased with attendance at youth group and fun retreats. We need to start getting on our knees and praying that the Holy Spirit will do miraculous saving work in the hearts of our students as the Word of God speaks to them. In short, we need to get back to a focus on conversion.

How many of us are preaching to "unconverted evangelicals"? Youth pastors, we need to preach, teach and talk—all the while praying fervently for the miraculous work of regeneration to occur in the hearts and souls of our students by the power of the Holy Spirit! When that happens—when the "old goes" and the "new comes"—it will not be iffy. We will not be dealing with a group of "nominal Christians." We will be ready to teach, disciple and equip a generation of future church leaders—"new creations"!—who are hungry to know and speak God's Word. It is converted students who go on to love Jesus and serve the church.

2. They have been equipped, not entertained. Recently, we had "man day" with some of the guys in our youth group. We began with an hour of basketball at the local park, moved to an intense game of 16-inch ("Chicago Style") softball, and finished the afternoon by gorging ourselves on meaty pizzas and 2-liters of soda. I am not against fun (or gross, depending on your opinion of the afternoon I just described) things in youth ministry. But youth pastors especially need to keep repeating the words of Ephesians 4:11-12 to themselves: "[Christ] gave ... the teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

Christ gives us—teachers—to the church, not for entertainment, encouragement, examples or even friendship primarily. He gives us to the church to "equip" the saints to do gospel ministry in order that the church of Christ may be built up.

If I have not equipped the students in my ministry to share the gospel, disciple a younger believer and lead a Bible study, then I have not fulfilled my calling to them, no matter how good my sermons have been. We pray for conversion; that is all we can do, for it is entirely a gracious gift of God.

But after conversion, it is our Christ-given duty to help fan into flame a faith that serves, leads, teaches and grows. If our students leave high school without Bible-reading habits, Bible-study skills, and strong examples of discipleship and prayer, we have lost them. We have entertained, not equipped, them ... and it may indeed be time to panic!

Forget your youth programs for a second. Are we sending out from our ministries the kind of students who will show up to college in a different state, join a church and begin doing the work of gospel ministry there without ever being asked? Are we equipping them to that end, or are we merely giving them a good time while they're with us?

We don't need youth group junkies; we need to be growing churchmen and churchwomen who are equipped to teach, lead and serve. Put your youth ministry strategies aside as you look at that 16-year-old young man and ask: "How can I spend four years with this kid, helping him become the best church deacon and sixth-grade Sunday school class teacher he can be, 10 years down the road?"

3. Their parents preached the gospel to them. As a youth pastor, I can't do all this. All this equipping that I'm talking about is utterly beyond my limited capabilities. It is impossible for me to bring conversion, of course, but it is also impossible for me to have an equipping ministry that sends out vibrant churchmen and churchwomen if my ministry is not being reinforced tenfold in the students' homes. The common thread that binds together almost every ministry-minded 20-something that I know is abundantly clear: a home where the gospel was not peripheral but absolutely central.

The 20-somethings who are serving, leading and driving the ministries at our church were kids whose parents made them go to church. They are kids whose parents punished them and held them accountable when they were rebellious. They are kids whose parents read the Bible around the dinner table every night. And they are kids whose parents were tough but who ultimately operated from a framework of grace that held up the cross of Jesus as the basis for peace with God and forgiveness toward one another.

This is not a formula! Kids from wonderful gospel-centered homes leave the church; people from messed-up family backgrounds find eternal life in Jesus and have beautiful marriages and families. But it's also not a crapshoot. In general, children who are led in their faith during their growing-up years by parents who love Jesus vibrantly, serve their church actively and saturate their home with the gospel completely, grow up to love Jesus and the church.

The words of Proverbs 22:6 do not constitute a formula that is true 100 percent of the time, but they do provide us with a principle that comes from the gracious plan of God, the God who delights to see His gracious Word passed from generation to generation: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Youth pastors, pray with all your might for true conversion; that is God's work. Equip the saints for the work of the ministry; that is your work. Parents, preach the gospel and live the gospel for your children; our work depends on you.

Jon Nielson is the college pastor at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois. Jon is currently working toward his Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has authored two books: Bible Study: A Student's Guide (P&R, 2013) andThe Story: The Bible's Grand Narrative of Redemption (P&R, 2014).

For the original article, visit churchleaders.com.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

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Sea of Galilee Blessed with Precious Rain as Water Reservoir Rises Over Weekend By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

The Sea of Galilee, December 2015. (Photo: Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz/ Breaking Israel News)

Sea of Galilee Blessed with Precious Rain as Water Reservoir Rises Over Weekend

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz January 4, 2016  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall yield her produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit..” (Leviticus 3-6)

Over the weekend, Israel was soaked with precipitation across the country, with heavy snow in the north and non-stop rain in many central and southern areas.

While the winter weather conditions did inconvenience many in Israel, the precipitation is being hailed as a divine blessing on the land. The Sea of Galilee, Israel’s main water reservoir, rose four precious centimeters over the weekend, though Israel’s Water Authority reported it still remains 4.2 meters below full capacity.

Heavy snow on Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights blanketed the mountainous region in 60 centimeters of snow. The Hermon ski resort was forced to close due to the extreme weather but is expected to open later this week.

The snow in Israel’s north is a storehouse of water that, in the spring, will work its way down to the Sea of Galilee, helping to fill the national water reservoir.

Rain, seen by some as a meteorological phenomenon with no spiritual significance, is an essential part of Jewish prayer throughout the year. Weather is often seen as the natural aspect of God (Elohim) displaying displeasure or approval of man’s actions.

The weather in Israel has certainly been exceptional this year, leading many to speculate on the divine message hidden in meteorological reports. Since the High Holidays, Jews have been praying for rain in Israel and despite unusually cold winter weather, it has not been accompanied by the usual precipitation the arid region so desperately needs.

Snow plows clear the roads in Northern Israel after a heavy winter storm, on January 2, 2016. (Photo: Basel Awidat/Flash90)

The capital city, Jerusalem, was drenched with 85 millimeters of precipitation, but the cold weather was not quite enough to turn that into snow. Coastal Tel Aviv received a meager 37 millimeters of rain, and Kiryat Gat, 50 kilometers south, was soaked with 85 millimeters. Be’er Sheva, the metropolitan center of the Negev desert, received just 27 millimeters of rain.

Temperatures are expected to rise over the next few days, accompanied by strong winds, but the blessed rains are expected to continue in northern and central Israel.

Dr. Michael Brown’s Partners Get a FREE Bible - AskDrBrown Communications

Dr. Brown’s Partners Get a FREE Bible Dear Friends of Dr. Brown, This week only, we are offering a FREE Bible to everyone who partners with as a monthly Torchbearer! Coming along side Dr. Brown as a Torchbearer will help amplify his voice regarding his national radio platform, and as our way of saying THANK YOU, we will not only send you a FREE Bible (details below), you will also receive 1) a monthly newsletter and audio message via email 2) a 15% discount on all regularly priced online purchases of any size 3) FREE and unlimited access to Dr. Brown’s video-on-demand classes online (value at $50 per class). To repeat, when you sign up as a Torchbearer (minimum $30 monthly), this week only, we will send you a FREE Thinline Reference Bible. This is the Modern English Version (MEV) which is the most modern translation produced in the King James tradition within the last thirty years. This formal equivalence translation maintains the beauty of the past yet provides fresh clarity for a new generation of Bible readers. This bible (which comes in a blue leather like binding) consists of the following: ·          Two-column layout with center-column cross references ·          Parallel references ·          Concordance ·          Words of Jesus in red ·          Eight pages of full-color maps ·          Ribbon Marker As an additional note, for those who sign up as a Torchbearer and pay 3 months up front ($90), rather than sending you the MEV Bible, we will send you the very popular Messianic Jewish Family Bible (MJFB). Click HERE to become a monthly Torchbearer and receive a FREE MEV Bible (postage paid!) plus additional benefits. Click HERE to become a monthly Torchbearer, pay 3 months up front ($90) and receive a FREE MJFB Bible (postage paid!) plus additional benefits. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers and financial support. As you cheerfully sow into our ministry, it is our great joy to give back to you personally by blessing you with these invaluable resources. Thank you once again! Blessings, The AskDrBrown Team ​    Click the "Like" Button to Share this Message with Your friends on Facebook or click the "Tweet" Button to share on Twitter! LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE EDITOR'S NOTE: We support the ministry of dr. Michael Brown with our monthly contribution,. We encourage you to do the same. It was a joy seeing and hearing Michael speak at the recent MorningStar New Year conference in Fort Mill, SC Dec. 30, 2015. Steve Martin Founder Love For His People

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4 Things You Need to Know About the Middle East - Chris Mitchell CBN News

4 Things You Need to Know About the Middle East

01-03-2016

Chris Mitchell

CBN News

Chris Mitchell

JERUSALEM, Israel -- The Middle East has been collapsing in turmoil and violence in recent years -- from the 'Arab Spring' disasters in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and elsewhere to the rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

What do Americans really need to know about what's going on in the Middle East?

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., retired Gen. Jay Garner, and former Israeli U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren are leading experts on the Middle East who explain four things you need to know.

1. Unprecedented Turmoil

"More generally in the Middle East, what the American people need to know is that this a time of unprecedented turmoil," Cotton said. 

"Again, you have Iranian-backed proxies -- whether they are militias, or state actors or terrorists groups -- that are largely in control of large swaths of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, (and) Yemen and that are going to continue to aggressively destabilize the region because Iran is going to get tens of billions of dollars to support them," he said.

2. Iran Will Get Nukes

Cotton explained that Iran is going to get more conventional weapons and eventually they will also get nuclear weapons.

"That is all going to happen in almost the first day of this (U.S.-led Iranian nuclear) deal," Cotton continued. "They're going to get the money immediately."

Cotton believes the nuclear umbrella they'll be developing will be a key factor in the pushback against Iranian actions in the region.

"That's why it's so important to stand up to them now before they get stronger, before they realize that they can confront the U.S. and our allies throughout the region," he said.

3. A Middle East Torn Apart

Gen. Garner said the Middle East is beginning to break apart.

"It's beginning to be subverted by terrorist elements like al Qaeda or like al Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula," he said.

Garner said the United States does not have a coherent Middle East policy, and Americans don't generally recognize the realities in the region.

"In Syria and Iraq...we're running the gamut of nuclear proliferation...we need to have a policy and have to put the resources behind the policy to correct that," he said.

Oren said that isn't necessarily the full picture with regard to the West.

"The state system, as devised by the Europeans, they're arbitrary borders that didn't take into consideration ethnic and religious differences," he explained.

4. Middle East Not like Vietnam

"The Middle East is not like Vietnam where you can pull your troops out and go home and be pretty confident that the Viet Cong are not going to follow you to wherever you're going to -- Chicago or Florida. The Middle East is going to come after you," Oren said.

"The Middle East is coming to a neighborhood near you, and the United States will remain deeply connected both strategically and financially to the Middle East," he said.

"So there's no detaching," he said. "If the United States wants to be a player in this region, a player diplomatically, it has to be a player militarily as well."

Watch full report here: CBN News - Middle East

Guess Where 'Getting Right With God' Ranks in Americans' New Year's Resolutions? - LISA CANNON GREEN CHARISMA NEWS

People say they're ready to get their heart in gear. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Guess Where 'Getting Right With God' Ranks in Americans' New Year's Resolutions?

01/4/2016 LISA CANNON GREEN  CHARISMA NEWS

People say they're ready to get their heart in gear. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Join us on the new C-Pop podcast where Taylor and Jessilyn discuss, debate and sometimes deride pop culture with a strong sense of humor and a focus on Christ. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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In January, Americans resolve to cut the carbs, hit the gym — and get right with God.

When Americans make New Year's resolutions, a better relationship with God ranks almost as high as better health, Nashville-based LifeWay Research finds.

And for many groups, faith actually outranks health. Older Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Christians are all more likely to say they've made resolutions about God than about health.

Overall, 57 percent of Americans report making health-related New Year's resolutions in the past, while 52 percent say they've addressed their relationship with God. Those are the top two responses in a LifeWay Research survey of 1,000 Americans.

"We don't hear a lot of talk about it, but a relationship with God is still something people want," said Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research.

"They have time at the holidays to think, and they realize what they didn't do last year — things they value but are not living out. So they start the year with an aspiration to change."

Topics of resolve
While health and faith are the leading topics for New Year's resolutions, Americans also report addressing their use of time (43 percent), relationships with a family member (42 percent), finances (37 percent), work (33 percent), and relationships with a friend (31 percent).

Many of the issues overlap as people aspire to improve themselves, McConnell said.

"Use of time is probably the best measure of priorities," he said. "And investing in a relationship with God may encourage people to address other priorities as well, such as spending time with family or fixing their finances."

However, more than 1 in 5 Americans (21 percent) say they haven't made New Year's resolutions on any of the topics.

Men appear less resolution-minded than women, according to the survey. Fully a quarter of men report no resolutions, compared to 17 percent of women. Meanwhile, women are more likely than men to say they've made resolutions about their health (62 percent vs. 52 percent), relationship with God (58 percent vs. 47 percent), and use of time (47 percent vs. 39 percent).

Resolutions of faith
Americans with evangelical beliefs are among the most likely to make New Year's resolutions about their relationship with God, the survey shows. Faith trumps health by a wide margin for them: 72 percent say they have made resolutions regarding God, while 56 percent have addressed their health.

Most evangelical believers (51 percent) also report New Year's resolutions about their use of time.

"For an evangelical, faith should be integrated into every area of life," McConnell said. "Not every resolution will be about having a relationship with God, but their relationship with God should be affecting what they do in other areas."

In contrast, only 43 percent of those who do not hold evangelical beliefs have made New Year's resolutions about their relationship with God, and 39 percent have addressed their use of time.

Resolutions about a relationship with God are widespread among African-Americans (73 percent) and Hispanics (63 percent). In addition, 61 percent of Christians, 59 percent of Southerners, and 56 percent of Americans 55 and older say they have made resolutions regarding God.

"In January we always hear about health-related resolutions. We don't hear as much about people's concern for their relationship with God," McConnell said.

"But this research shows faith has a prominent place in New Year's resolutions. Many people want to take steps to make God a greater part of their lives."

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

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2016 - Plan On God Using You Like Never Before - BILL YOUNT

2016 - Plan On God Using You Like Never Before Posted: 03 Jan 2016   BILL YOUNT God is going to use you this coming year like never before. Make plans for it. If the Lord has called you to write, write. If it's painting, paint. If speaking, speak. If doors don't open for you to speak anywhere, go out in the woods and speak to the trees.  You will soon see trees as men walking. Speak to the mountains and you will start seeing them move, even in your own life. Billy Graham started by preaching to cows. God plans on using you this coming year like no other generation. The first reason is: The Lord needs you more than ever in a world that is falling apart. The second reason: The lost will be calling on you, asking you to give the reason for the hope that is in you. The Lord is sending His angels to loose you into the harvest fields with your gifts and talents. Don't worry about having enough training. Your trusting in the Lord will be your training this coming year. Make your plans now. It's time. Dear friends,  I am in the process of publishing a new book. If you have been encouraged by my writings and would like to contribute to this project, your gift will be tax deductible along with a personal thank you note. You may write your check out to Blowing The Shofar Ministry and mail to the following address below. Blowing The Shofar Ministry 132 East North Ave. Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

How the Holy Spirit Is Encountering Syrian Refugees 2016  Israel, Islam & End Times

“It’s amazing what God has done in the last years,” Sharon said. “Before, we were not hearing much of people coming to faith. Now Syrian [Muslims] are getting baptised!”

Sharon* moved to the Near East nine years ago and now leads an outreach team that helps meet the spiritual and physical needs of Syrian refugees. Her team members provide aid and relief, share the gospel, lead Discovery Bible Groups, mentor individuals and start local fellowships of new believers. Amid the poverty and brokenness around her, Sharon also sees God’s grace at work.

“God is pursuing people,” Sharon said. “He is calling people to be disciples: to ‘come follow me’ and ‘make disciples’, [especially] among the Syrians.”

Each week Sharon teaches English. She is often invited to visit her students’ families, which enables relationships to deepen and opens up conversations about faith.

Sharon met Tara*, the aunt of one of her students, when she visited their home two years ago. A total of 28 relatives lived on a rooftop, including Tara, her husband, Ahmed*, and their four children. Sharon shared the gospel with them and, soon after, two other believers also came to share their faith with the same family.

Tara decided to follow Jesus and attended a Discovery Bible Group. Additionally, she started studying God’s Word with Sharon, while Ahmed studied the Bible with another member of the team. The couple joined a local church and, in July this year, they were baptised.

“It’s amazing what God has done in the last years,” Sharon said. “Before, we were not hearing much of people coming to faith. Now Syrian [Muslims] are getting baptised!”

In the past two years Tara, Ahmed and their children moved nine times, including temporarily living in a one-room apartment with no windows. Despite struggles of currently living with no regular income, as Ahmed cannot find work, Tara is keen to share the hope she has found in Christ Jesus.

Tara, a Syrian Kurd, wants to lead a Discovery Bible Group in the Kurdish language for her friends and neighbours.

Each week Sharon goes to Tara’s apartment to mentor and equip her to lead a group on her own. Together, they discuss Bible stories in Arabic until Tara knows them well and can retell the stories in Kurdish. They are praying for neighbours with whom she would like to start a Bible study.

“When I came, I expected two or three people to come to faith,” Sharon said. “It has changed my expectations to see so many people come to faith and tell their neighbours. God has done it, and He can do it again.”

Increased numbers of individuals coming to faith is evidence of the Lord’s grace at work.

“People are praying for Syria,” Sharon emphasised. “God’s Spirit is moving. God is doing something among the Syrians.”

While acknowledging challenges ahead, Sharon exudes excitement at an opportunity to be part of a movement of God in the Near East.

“The harvest is white. We need labourers. If it’s not you, ask someone else to come,” Sharon shared. “We are only going to reach unreached areas through the people we disciple.”

God is transforming lives and communities, as believers respond to God’s call to share their story of His grace in their lives and make disciples.

Please pray for God to raise up more Syrian believers to serve their communities and make disciples. Pray for OM Near East Field workers to live out the gospel in neighbourhoods in the Near East.

*Name changed.

Movie Trailer: Astounding Reenactment of Biblical Scenes By Video Manager - BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

Movie Trailer: Astounding Reenactment of Biblical Scenes

By Video Manager January 3, 2016  BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

Hold onto your seats as you go back in time to the biblical Jacob adjuring his twelve sons to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah, as the Bible comes to life!

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