You are on page 1of 68

CHARISMA

WHEN ART PREACHES THE GOSPEL | SINGING SALVATION | DELIVERED ON DAMASCUS ROAD

FEBRUARY 2016 LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

Songs of Deliverance
When LaDonna Taylor plays her violin, miracles happen
Exclusive offer from

Receive FREE Downloads for Music & Discounts!

Heres Our Bright Idea


...in 2 simple steps...
1) Easily sign up on our website
www.FreshWaterWorship.com
(click Free Download link on side of the homepage)

2) Receive your FREE Download


& 30% Discount for future sales
after you use your Free Download
on all of our worship music
from names like:
Bethel Music, Jonathan & Melissa Helser,
Sallie Mosely, Laura Cooke
& Amber Brooks (Global Awards Winner)
just to name a few....

Its a win for everyone!!


Keep Watching Every Month For New Artist Releases!
CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2016/V OLUME 41, NUMBER 7

17

DEPARTMENTS
Your Feedback 6
Inspire 16
T.D. Jakes daughter offers stunning
insight for facing trials
Christian Samurai movie shows the
reality most faith-based films ignore
Las Vegas pastor shows power of
God in Sin City on reality TV show

20 Cover Story Empower 62


This months resources: War Room; Origins;
Sounds That Set the Captives Free The Great Deceiver; Out of the House
Spirit-lled musicians are ushering believers into realms of glory of Bread; Have It All; Steadfast Love;
that unlock physical and emotional healing. Supernatural Deliverance and more.
By Jennifer LeClaire
Reviews: Inheritance and Woodlawn

COLUMNS
FEATURES
8 Perspective
30 48 I believe God is answering prayers
Prophetic Art That Preaches the Gospel Delivered on the Road to Damascus By Steve Strang
This fine art book inspired by the Gospel In the fight to set homosexual captives
of Matthew is taking Yeshuas love to free, Greg Quinlan is like a modern-day 10 Greenelines
the multitudes. apostle Paul. Everybody needs a good preacher
By Dr. Steve Greene

CO V E R : PAU L D O V I E J R .
By Troy Anderson By Jenny Rose Curtis
12 Standing in the Gap
38 60 Do the arts hold the key to an awakening?
By Jennifer LeClaire
7Song Shifts Modern Evangelism Can America See a
With Music Spiritual Resurrection? 14 Straight Talk
Imagine the gospel communicated through Faith leaders call on Christians to pray, vote Heres the flip side of Gods justice
|

seven songs that tell the full story of creation, and run for office to return America to its
TOC: ISTOCKPHOTO/NIKOLAEV; WRAGG

By Joyce Meyer
the fall and redemption. biblically based roots.
By Taylor Berglund By Troy Anderson 66 Fire in My Bones
Is the news stealing your joy? Dont let it
By J. Lee Grady

Charisma (ISSN #0895-156X) is published monthly by Charisma Media, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746. Periodicals postage paid at Lake Mary, FL 32746 and at additional entry offices.
Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement Number 40037127. Subscription rate is $24.97 for 12 issues, $39.97 for 24 issues. Canadian subscribers
add $24 per year for postage, other countries add $36 per year, payable in advance in U.S. currency only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 6102, Harlan, IA 51593-1602. Send undeliv-
erable Canadian mail to: 1415 Janette Avenue, Windsor, ON N8X 1Z1. 2016 by Charisma Media. For advertising information call (407) 333-0600. Nothing that appears in Charisma may be reprinted
without permission. PRINTED IN THE USA
400 CINEMAS
SAT EMPTY THIS SUNDAY
Those theatres are available next
Sunday for your church services.

START YOUR CHURCH


services in one of our
theatres next Sunday.
To learn more,
read our
FREE E-BOOK

Visit www.REGmovies.com/charisma and download this


FREE e-book today. And best of all, your volunteers won't
have to stack our chairs.
Your Feedback CHARISMA

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

Founder/CEO STEVE STRANG


steve.strang@charismamedia.com
Chief Financial Officer JOY F. STRANG
Publisher & Executive VP DR. STEVE GREENE
After prayer, I drsteve.greene@charismamedia.com
Senior Editor JENNIFER LECLAIRE
jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com
felt I should send Senior Writer TROY ANDERSON
troy.anderson@charismamedia.com
a card to our Managing Editor, Print CHRISTINE D. JOHNSON
chris.johnson@charismamedia.com
Jewish friends. Managing Editor, Online SHAWN A. AKERS
shawn.akers@charismamedia.com

Joan Fortin Assistant News Editor JESSILYN JUSTICE


jessilyn.justice@charismamedia.com
Assistant Online Editor TAYLOR BERGLUND
taylor.berglund@charismamedia.com
Copy Editor JENNY ROSE CURTIS
jennyrose.curtis@charismamedia.com
Copy Editor REBECCA LEEDY
rebecca.leedy@charismamedia.com
Editorial Assistant SEAN ROBERTS
sean.roberts@charismamedia.com
Dir. of Production CARA S. SHOWERS
REBUILDING BROKEN BRIDGES the Old Testament was a source of
Art Director RALPH RAMIREZ JR.
After reading the article Completing inspiration to us. We were amazed that Graphic Designer LINDA GILLOTTI
the Reformation (Charisma, October nearly 2,000 years before Jesus was Production Coordinator NANCY MCCALLISTER
2015) by Diana Scimone, I really felt born, the prophets told of His coming. Production Assistant MARCSHIA SCIOVILLE
convicted to do something. After Joan Fortin, Whiting, New Jersey Advertising Manager NICK BEECHER
nick.beecher@charismamedia.com
prayer, I felt I should send a card to
Senior Advertising Consultant ANN MARIE KELLY
our Jewish friends. Im 82, and my ABORTION COVER STORY WAS TIMELY amkelly@charismamedia.com
husband of the same age came up (Concerning Charismas December Advertising Sales TRAVIS HAMZIK
travis.hamzik@charismamedia.com
with what we hope will open the eyes 2015 cover story, A Christmas Without
CLIFF MORALES
of our friends, plus their hearts. Jesus?): Jennifer LeClaire gives com- cliff.morales@charismamedia.com
prehensive coverage and exemplary Media Ad Traffic Supervisor ERICA HEITZ
erica.heitz@charismamedia.com
The contents of the letter are as perspective to this most timely topic of Dir. of Audience Dev. DAVID MANNING
follows: We want to express how the culture of abortion deaths prevalent david.manning@charismamedia.com
Customer Service NETTIE PARKS
sorry we are as Christians for the ter- in secularism. Mary was not in the pre- nettie.parks@charismamedia.com
rible way we have treated the Jewish carious position, however, of pregnancy EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICES:
people. Recently, we discovered that and unmarried at age 14-plus. It was 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: 407-333-0600 Fax: 407-333-7100
some of our church fathers lied to us. far worse. She and Joseph were already Email: charisma@charismamedia.com
Im talking about men such as Martin married in the betrothal phasethe Website: charismamag.com
Luther and John Calvin, whom we reason Joseph was considering POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
P.O. Box 6102, Harlan, IA 51593-1602.
respected and admired because of having the marriage quietly annulled
their contribution to the Reforma- (Matt. 1:18-20). Both of them would SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: 12 issues $24.97; 24 issues
$39.97. Canadian subscribers add $24 per year, other countries
tion. However, we never knew of their have been subjected to severe cultural add $36 per year, payable in advance in U.S. currency only.
hatred toward the Jewish people, consequences of divorce, adversely If you have moved, received damaged or duplicate copies/
missed issues, experienced billing problems, want to renew or
which caused anti-Semitism to raise impacting the rest of their lives as well need additional subscription information, call 1-800-829-3346.
its ugly head and started what is as the loss of the family patriarch, who To subscribe, go online to charismamag.com. Contact
customer service by email at cracustserv@cdsfulfillment.com
called replacement theology. These provided legal standing for their off- or write to Charisma, P.O. Box 6102, Harlan, IA 51593-1602.
leaders preached that God was mad spring, Jesus. The church bride is also European subscribers can call England at 0870 745 5793.
All foreign subscribers can call 515-237-3640.
at the Jews for rejecting Jesus and now in the betrothal stage since the
ADVERTISING POLICY: Charisma Media fully supports
withdrew His promised covenant and Bridegroom paid the bride price for her journalistic integrity with the editorial provided in our
gave it to the church. Terrible! When future security (the cross). print and online products. Charisma strives to maintain the
highest journalistic principles. Advertising in Charisma does
Bill and I became born-again believers, R. Neil Russel, Annapolis, Maryland not imply or suggest support of editorial endorsement.

Phone 407-333-0600 MAILING LIST: We make a portion of our mailing list available
HOW TO CONNECT WITH US: to reputable firms. If you would prefer that we not include your
Web charismamag.com name, call 1-800-829-3346, write to us at 600 Rinehart Road, Lake
Mary, FL 32746, or email us at magcustsvc@charismamedia.com.
Mail Charisma Email charisma@charismamedia.com
600 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, FL 32746 Subscribe 800-829-3346 or
cracustserv@cdsfulfillment.com

6 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com


A RESET BUTTON FOR YOUR
BODY, MIND
AND SPIRIT!

In this new, groundbreaking total-being cleanse, you


will confront 30 universal faith toxins, like doubt,
discouragement and anger, and lush them out
physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Using ingredients from your own kitchen, youll
get delicious recipes for smoothies, juices, soups and
entrees. Theres even a section for veggie-haters!
Day by day, prayer by prayer, make the connection
between physical health and spiritual health, and
start feeling better in body, mind and spirit.

Laura has provided the tools for us to apply


disciplines in our everyday lives that will
help us to be able to live freely and promote
health in our body, soul and spirit.
PASTOR BENI JOHNSON, Bethel Church, Redding,
California; author, Healthy and Free

Excellent readwell written, relevant,


compassionate, empowering for anyone
looking for physical, mental, emotional and/
or spiritual renewal.
DR. JIM SHARPS, N.D., H.D., Dr.N.Sc., Ph.D., president
and CEO, International Institute of Original Medicine

Take the 30-Day


Detox Challenge!
Get free access to
daily videos, recipes
and more at A Division of Baker Publishing Group chosenbooks.com
LauraHarrisSmith. Available at your bookstore or by calling 1-866-241-6733
com!
Perspective
BY STEVE STRANG

We Have the Numbers and Power to Shift This Election


Lets come together to elect candidates who make their decisions based on biblical values

O
ur nation is in a mess. Immorality abounds. votes could have altered the election result.
What the Bible calls good, society calls evil. This is my point: Christians can make
What the Bible calls evil, society calls good. a difference. In fact, there are enough
Meanwhile, Islamic terrorists threaten our Pentecostals to make a difference. So
safety at home and abroad. Government spending is out heres what Im proposing to the readers
of control, and few Americans consider their children will of Charisma and those who come to
be better off than they are, which, for several centuries, our websites:
has been the essence of the American Dream. Lets wake up and see we must get to
It seems the nations leaders are hellbent on a direc- the polls!
tion that opposes Gods Word. A constant drumbeat in Pastors and leaders, speak to your
the media has it that Judeo-Christian values are on the sphere of influence.
wrong side of history. Many believers are discouraged Turn out for the primaries and
and seem to be simply holding on until Jesus returns. Lets coalesce around caucuses and encourage others to do the
Yet, I sense something is happening. People are same. The first is Feb. 1 in Iowa. By mid-
beginning to wake up. There is more concern and
one candidate ... March, one of the candidates will have the
more prayer than Ive seen in years. Its almost like the Sen. Ted Cruz. momentum to go all the way.
grass-roots Reagan revolution when Jimmy Carter Lets coalesce around one candidate
was president. who shares our values and worldview and
I believe God is answering prayer. One sign is the group of strong believers who have who can winSen. Ted Cruz.
emerged as presidential candidates. These are candidates who have a strong moral compass After examining all the candidates, Ive
and who are committed to turning this nation around. One person cannot turn America around. come to the conclusion that Sen. Ted Cruz
But didnt God raise up a leader when Israel needed to come back to Him? Dont we now need a is the one who has the best organization,
leader who will defend our religious rights and stop the trend led by President Obama, where the the best fundraising success and the best
rate of decline has accelerated? chance to win. Online, Ive made the case
Traditionally, its the noncharismatic evangelicals who have been most involved in the political for how he can win.
process. Yet they tend to split their votes among several conservative candidates in the primaries, The Spirit-empowered community has
which means a moderate (liberal) Republican might earn the nomination and often loses the the numbers and the power to shift this
White House. History shows when a genuine conservative such as Reagan or George W. Bush is election. I respect those who support other
nominated, they win. Those in the mushy middle like Bob Dole, John McCain or Mitt Romney lose. candidates. But I see the broader evangel-
Apparently, many are as frustrated with the Republican Party as I am. ical community coalescing behind Cruz.
At the same time, the only liberals who win are those who obfuscate what they really believe Charisma is a spiritual magazine, not
and run toward the center yet govern on the left. To me, this is not about Democrat or Repub- political. We are concerned that the leaders
lican. Ive been registered in both parties. Its about conservative and liberal policies that either of our nation are people who hear from
line up with our understanding of Gods Word or oppose it with public policy. God and who make their decisions based
Many Pentecostals/charismatics are praying for revival but sitting out the political process. on biblical values. Keep in touch with us
Why bother when nothing seems to change and, furthermore, the Second Coming is soon? online, especially on our charismacaucus
Christians must rise up and vote to place leaders in office who will make the needed changes .com website as this very important election
or America will cease to be a shining light on a hill that has protected liberty and given us the progresses in the next few months. In our
freedom to propagate the gospel around the world. In the last presidential election, it is said that effort to put our spiritual lives ahead of dirty
half of all evangelicals did not vote. Obama defeated Mitt Romney by only 3.5 million popular politics, lets not be so heavenly minded
votes. In three swing statesFlorida, Ohio and Pennsylvaniaa combined less than 500,000 were of no earthly good.
T I M K E L LY

STEVE STRANG is the founder of Charisma and CEO of Charisma Media. Follow him on both Periscope and Twitter (@sstrang) or
Facebook (stephenestrang).
8 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
INTERNATIONALLY Heath Adamson
John Andrews
Claudio Freidzon
Daniela Freidzon
Steven Khoury
Daniel Lucero
Samuel Rodriguez
Jef Staudte
RECOGNIZED Jrgen Bhler Nicky Gumbel Henry Madava Matthew Thomas
SPEAKERS Morris Cerullo Nick Hall Michael McNamee Billy Wilson
Anne Christiansen Marilyn Hickey Nick Park George Wood
Shaneen Clarke Rob Hoskins Mark Pugh David Zonga
John Francis Lawrence Khong Kathaleen Reid-Martinez And more to be announced!
Greenelines
BY DR. STEVE GREENE

How Will They Hear Without a Preacher?


We need men and women who are called by God to step into the pulpit

A
s young parents, we made a decision very somewhere near used car salesman. At
early in the lives of our children that we would least most preachers dont wear plaid
not ask them if they would like to learn to jackets. I suppose the ranking depends on
read. We were intentional about what we who is doing the ranking.
wanted our children to learn. In my experience, being known as a
We also decided they would learn music. We didnt preacher is good for not getting invited
ask them if they wanted to take piano lessons just as to parties. The label is useful in golf out-
we didnt ask them if they wanted to learn to read, write ings when paired with a couple of guys
or do math. who dont know they are with a preacher.
Theres the piano bench. Have a seat and play for me. I vividly recall a time when a couple of
We also made a decision that our children would be guys were paired with me and a friend,
taught to follow Jesus. They would study the life of Christ and as usual, the jokes and bad language
in formal classes. We were intentional about what our Ive long been started early.
children were taught. I didnt preach.
As God formed the Earth, He was equally intentional
intrigued by the On the fourth hole, the inevitable
about declaring His glory. He intentionally delivered notion that everyone question was asked. What do you do for
a message of hope with many unique methods. The a living?
19th Psalm opens with the trumpet call: The heavens will be without I replied with a large grin, Im
declare the glory of God and the firmament shows a preacher.
His handiwork (v. 1).
excuse. God sheds The following 14 holes were very quiet.
Many claim that God has declared His gospel in the light upon Himself They reached into their golf bag for a
stars. Some have seen the gospel in art, and some hear mask to wear.
the gospel in music. Its difficult to experience the arts in many different We need preachers and good
and not sense the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. preaching. I respect and admire those men
Paul borrowed from Isaiah when he declared in
ways and has done so and women who are called and step into a
Romans 10:20, I was found by those who did not seek from the foundation pulpit and the fishbowl that comes with it.
me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. An artist can paint the gospel without the
Ive long been intrigued by the notion that everyone of the world. scrutiny of a preacher.
will be without excuse. God sheds light upon Himself in When a preacher makes a mistake,
many different ways and has done so from the foundation of the world. But while the inspiration dominoes fall. People quit church, some-
and grandeur of a sunset or work of nature stirs us in our spirit, a feeling that God exists is enough times forever. Often, the mistake was a
only to draw us unto Him. The feeling may be necessary, but it is surely not sufficient. simple stumbling stone. Other times, the
Only the Word of God can instruct us in righteousness. The Word brings us to our knees to cry stone is very large. The accountability for a
out to Jesus for salvation. Nature and the arts can help us simply to believe in God. preacher is a heavy responsibility and one
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? (Rom. 10:14). that the Lord takes very seriously. Some
Paul reminds us of the necessity of a preacher. Most of us are where we are in Christ because preachers enter into the profession without
someone submitted their life to preach the Word. understanding the impact of the fish bowl.
And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom. 10:14). But our heavenly Father decided before
The Word of God must be opened. God can certainly reveal truths to us in our private study, our birth that a preacher would be called to
but anointed preaching opens the Word with divine revelation. learn the Word and make disciples.
Preachers arent the most sought-after chaps. The career prestige of preaching is ranked Theres the pulpit. Preach for me.
SEAN ROBERTS

DR. STEVE GREENE is Charisma Media Groups publisher and executive vice president. He has served as dean of the College of Business at
Oral Roberts University and as founding pastor of Bixby Community Church in Bixby, Oklahoma.
10 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
Standing in the Gap
BY JENNIFER LeCLAIRE

Are Art and Music Keys to the Third Great Awakening?


The prince of the power of air is perverting the media, but artistic evangelism
tools are breaking down barriers words alone cant penetrate

A
s a teenager, I was more than a little experimented with Sunday service only to
melancholy. I listened to morose music, be met by religious-spirited people who
unknowingly declaring the depressive sent them running for the door with a
lyrics over my life against the backdrop of wrong perception of who Jesus really is. We
synthesizers and bass guitars. Like most teenagers, I dont need to abandon the old methods,
filled my impressionable mind with TV shows, movies but we need to embrace new ways to reach
and magazine images the prince of the power of the air a new generation, including the millennials
clearly inspired. who are straying and the so-called nones
It doesnt take a prophet to see that the enemy has (those who identify as atheists or agnostics
erected a stronghold in arts, entertainment and culture. or dont claim any particular religion).
Hes a strategic foe with a revelation about the influ- We also need to take a second look at
encing power sight and sound carry. He knows that our music. Decades ago, worship teams sang
eyes, ears and mouths are gates through which he can If a picture speaks songs until the truth of those verses were
enter our souls and wreak havoc on our mind, will and down deep in our hearts, renewing our
emotions. He knows that the power of death and life are
a thousand words minds and breaking bondage. Maybe now
in the tongue and uses music and media to shape our and music calms the and then worship needs to replace the
thoughts, words and, ultimately, our actions. morning sermon to set the captives free.
But God is inspiring believers in this hour with divine savage beast, what Ive seen with my own eyes how LaDonna
ideas, witty inventions and skillful hands to bring His Taylors violin causes people to release deep
gospel to life through music and media. Weve seen the
would happen if we emotional pain, and Ive read the testimo-
rise of blockbuster, Bible-inspired movies and Christian- prophetically preached nies of many others who have seen deaf
themed films driving believers and lost souls alike to ears open, cancer be healed and migraines
theaters to gain a thought-provoking perspective of God. the Gospel of Matthew go as music ushered them into a place in
But were also seeing new approaches to presenting the the glory of God where miracles happen.
gospel through art and music.
with oil paints? Nature reveals the artistry of God, but
Im reminded of the words of Francis of Assisi: Preach so do our own bodies. I like one translation
the gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words. If a picture speaks a thousand words and of Ephesians 2:10: For we are Gods mas-
music calms the savage beast, what would happen if we prophetically preached the Gospel of terpiece. He has created us anew in Christ
Matthew with oil paints? What would happen if we told the story of Creation through redemption Jesus, so we can do the good things he
in a series of songs? What if there were sounds that actually set the captives free? planned for us long ago (NLT).
Those what-ifs? are becoming realities through projects such as Multitudes and 7Song, God not only speaks to us through
which youll read more about in this issue. Youll also read about powerful songs of deliverance music, art and mediaHe also considers us
bringing miraculous healing to the brokenhearted and physically sick. And youll read about how a work of art. We were created in His image,
Gods great love can break into the hearts of gays and lesbians and deliver them. and He continues to form us into the image
Although Satan, who once led worship in heaven, has strategically infiltrated the sounds of of Christ. He uses not only the Word of God
this generation and polluted much of the media, I am encouraged to see God raising up believers but expressions of art that move our heart
determined to tap into the arts to turn the hearts of lost souls to the Father. I am inspired by the to seek His face and incline our ear to His
creativity of projects such as Multitudes and 7Song, both artistic evangelism tools that can cross voice. Now more than ever, one of the keys
cultural and generational barriers to make the gospel crystal clear. to another great awakening is artistic evan-
In this hour, we need to preach the gospel alwaysbut we need to break out of the box gelism tools that break down barriers words
S A M U E L G UA LT I E R I

and realize that God has new strategies to reach the unchurched, the prodigals and those who alone cant penetrate.

JENNIFER LECLAIRE is senior editor of Charisma, director of the Awakening House of Prayer, a senior leader of the New Breed Revival Network
and author of many books, including Jezebels Puppets: Exposing the Agenda of False Prophets. Visit her online at jenniferleclaire.org.
12 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
A Custom Bible Can Help Grow
Your Ministry
Outreach Bibles for your community
Custom
Giveaway Bibles for missions teams Bibles
$3.50-5.50
Bibles for gifts, awards, and special events each!

THREE WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE


BASIC SOFTCOVER
For as little as $3.50 per Bible, a softcover Bible is an inexpensive, yet engaging, way to
reach people with the Gospel, as well as information about how to contact you.
The front and back covers can be customized with your ministrys name and address,
phone number even a photograph!

Minimum order: 100 Bibles


Available translations: New International Version (NIV), Nueva Versin
Internacional (NVI-Spanish), King James Version (KJV), and New King
James Version (NKJV)

EXTRA CUSTOMIZATION
For about $1 or less, you can customize a Softcover Bible even more by
adding custom pages with information about your church or ministry,
devotional helps, Bible reading plans you name it.

DELUXE LEATHERSOFT
For more special occasions, a Deluxe Leathersoft Bible is the way to go.
Pick your colors, design, logoeven gold or silver foil. And yet, the cost is still reasonable.

Minimum order: 250 Bibles


Available translations: NIV

A FREE GIFT FOR YOU!


Go to churchsource.com/biblesample to get a free sample and a personalized
consultation on how you can customize a Bible for your ministry.

Mention promo code FREESAMPLECM


Straight Talk
BY JOYCE MEYER

The Flip Side of Gods Justice


We like to talk about vindication, but we also need to embrace the other side

I
f you have heard me share my testimony before, one day, we will all stand before Him and
then you probably know that in the early years give an account of our lives (Rom. 14:12).
of my life, I had a lot of things happen to me God knows your heart. Hes merciful.
that were totally unjust and unfair. I was sexually God knows we will never stop making
abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and mistakes; He still blesses us and is good
repeatedly rejected by my first husband, who ended up to us, forgiving us time after time. We
leaving me for another woman. also need to be good and gracious and
My life was a complete mess then, and it stayed a loving to other people.
mess until I turned my life over to God. Then, little by I like the fact that God is fair. Not
little, He began to bring justice into my life. only will He give me double for my
God wants justice for all of us. He wants to be that trouble, He wont let me live a junky life
hero in our lives who makes wrong things right. And He and get by with it. That lets me know
does even better than that. His Word actually says that I like the fact that God He loves me.
He gives us double for our trouble. I encourage you to let God shape
Isaiah 61:7-8 says: Instead of your shame you shall
is fair. Not only will you into someone who loves and actu-
have double honor, and instead of humiliation they shall He give me double for ally longs for His correction. By bending
rejoice over their portion. Therefore, in their land they to His will, we can become healed and
shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be my trouble, He wont whole, satisfied and happy.
theirs. For I, the Lord, love justice ... and I will faithfully Being in relationship with God has
give them their recompense and make an everlasting
let me live a junky life helped me learn and grow as a person
covenant with them. and get by with it. because Im just not satisfied to stay the
When we are wronged, God asks us to forgive way I am. The fact is, Im in love with God
quickly and completely. We need to allow Him to be and I want to be like Him. I still have a
our vindicator. When we do, we can be assured that God will bring justice in our lives. long way to go, but Ive come a long way.
I encourage you to seek Gods Word for wisdom and comfort. Bring your wounds before And Ive learned not to be discouraged
God in prayer and ask Him to fill you up with an overflow of His love so you can forgive those about how far I have to go. Instead, Im
who have mistreated you. Through that experience, you will come to know God more than ever excited about how far Ive come.
before. And He will make you more loving and forgiving, like Him. Arent you glad God calls people who
Theres another side to the justice of God that we need to know about: We cant mistreat arent perfect and then changes us while
anybody else and get by with it. Of all the people, Jesus talked in a firm way to the religious were making the journey?
peoplethose who said one thing and did something else. He spoke to the churchgoers God is full of mercy, especially when
who led sloppy lives behind closed doors. He called them whitewashed tombs because they were ignorant of our mistakes. But we
looked good on the outside but on the inside were filled with dead mens bones (Matt. 23:27). can open up a whole world of bless-
There was a time in my life when I was a hypocrite. Id shout in church praising God, acting as ings in Christ if we just decide to live a
though I had it all together, but at home, behind closed doors, I was terrible to live with. little bit higher. If youre going to walk
We need God to change us. We need to want Him to change us instead of making excuses with God for the rest of your journey,
for bad behavior. get all you can out of your relationship
Thankfully, when we do wrong things, God doesnt just let us get by with it. Its not because with Jesus Christ. Fall in love with Jesus,
He wants to punish usits because He loves us too much to let us live that way. and as you get closer to Him, you will
The Bible says God chastens us and tells us our faults because He loves us (Heb. 12:6). We need find you can live a life that brings glory
to change and do whatever it takes to straighten things out in our relationship with God because to His name.

JOYCE MEYER is a New York Times best-selling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc. She has written more than 100 books,
including Battlefield of the Mind. She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs. For more information, visit joycemeyer.org.
14 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Discover how YOUR CHURCH is
UNIQUELY POSITIONED
to end it

Calling the Church to ACTION


This Teaching Series will mobilize YOUR church to be
part of the solution today. Human trafficking is a
complex issue, but you and your church can make a
difference. This series gives you the tools you need to
get started today.
Order your Leaders Kit NOW.

Each Leaders Kit Includes: Watch a preview of the


DVD content HERE:
Facilitator Guide
DVDs to accompany all 8 sessions
Engage Together Church Toolkit
Access to exclusive online resources
And more!

ENGAGETOGETHER.COM/PRODUCTS
Inspire
AMAZING STORIES. REAL PEOPLE.

T.D. Jakes Daughter Offers Stunning


Insight for Facing Trials
HER FATHERS name may be more recognizable than hers, but
Cora Jakes Colemandaughter of famed preacher T.D. Jakesis
developing her own spiritual legacy. In her new book, Faithing It,
Coleman details how she has clung to faith in Gods promises,
despite the odds stacked against her.
When she was 10, Coleman says God gave her a dream
of the son she would have, a little boy named Nehemiah.
But 12 years later, after a devastating car crash, Coleman
discovered her reproductive system was on the verge of
shutting down.
Coleman was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syn-
drome. The diagnosis put Coleman in the ranks of nearly
5 million women in the United States alone. But rather than
doubting the promises of God, she continues to believe that God
will fulfill the dream He gave her.
I know what God promised me, Coleman says.
I stand on promises of God and will not waver
based on what the world was saying.
Now the executive director of the childrens
ministry at Potters House, Coleman is using
her testimony to show others how to connect
with God, even if they cant see His hand at
work. Through her battle, Coleman says she
realized how God made her the face for people
who have been shaken in their faith.
She says she believes God will use her book to
remind others of His promises to them.
I literally talked to God and asked Him
to show me what to say to the people, Coleman
says. (I want it to) be a revolution for whoever is
reading it. As I was writing it, I could literally see
people crying, rejoicing over it, seeing their faith
being strengthened by it.
For believers enduring trials, Coleman offers
three steps. First, believers must honestly face
the emotional discouragement and anger.
Second, believers need to forgive, lest they drown
themselves in unforgiveness. Finally, believers need to get moving
and put their faith into action.
We have to not allow our situations to make us stagnant in life, Coleman
says. If we dont have enemies, we dont have stepping stools. If we dont have
situations, we dont have stories to tell.Jessilyn Justice
Cora Jakes Coleman

16 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com


(Above) Adam
Christian Samurai Film Depicts the LaVorgna and Okiko
Saito in Masterless

Reality Most Faith-Based Films Ignore (Below) Kaho Minami


and Adam LaVorgna in
Masterless
SOME MIGHT recognize him from his says, to present a faith-based project to
role as Robbie Palmer on 7th Heaven, but Hollywood that could see success beyond
Adam LaVorgnas latest role parallels his the Christian market.
own life and return to Christ. The religious elements of Masterless
Masterless is a battle between good appealed to LaVorgna because Kanes
and evil presented in the modern day story mirrors his own testimony. The
and on the spiritual plane. LaVorgna plays actors grandmother raised him in the
both Kane and Ronin, Kanes counterpart Catholic Church until he fell away during
in the spiritual realm. his time in boarding school. LaVorgna says he needed a dose of maturity: Once
Its hard to put into words, LaVorgna dipped his toes in the acting pool when I matured enough to face God, to look at
says of the film. (Kanes) life is mirrored he was 9 and quickly began landing roles. Him, for Him to be proud, once I started
in an alternate world where he has a But Hollywood eventually took its toll. doing that, my life turned around. It was
doppelganger. Its kind of like this spiri- I was surrounded by pedophiles, sur- slow but on a steady incline.
tual world where the Ronin (a samurai rounded by alcohol and drugs, LaVorgna LaVorgna wants his faith to be the
without a master) represents good, and says. Those I looked up to were all doing drive behind his success now.
evil is represented by the master. it. I had this delusional idea of what its Fame and money comes with being
The film, now available on DVD, differs like to be happy and successful. I got successful, but if Im successful, I will have
from many faith-based movies because away from church at 15-16, and by my a voice and impact people ... , LaVorgna
it takes viewers on a philosophical mid-20s, I was lost. says. Everythings about what you do
journey rather than preaching a sermon, Though LaVorgna let go of God, God while youre here (on Earth), and if I can
LaVorgna says. God brought him together never let go of him. actually help here, theres nothing cooler
with writer/director Craig Shimahara, he To return to God and church, LaVorgna than that.Jessilyn Justice

Las Vegas Pastors Powerful


Ministry Becomes TV Series
VERVE IS a church for before it ever began. He was Film shoot at Verve for
people who dont like church. shocked to find the members God for the Rest of Us
Were focused on that welcoming, warm and even
niche of peoplewhich is funny and got so engaged always turned them down. two months of filming, six
unfortunately getting bigger that he forgot to pull off his We didnt want half-hour episodes were cre-
all the timewho have no stunt. Eventually he became someone exploiting our ated of 11 members stories.
interest in the church at all, a Christian, was baptized and people and their stories, It was weird because Im
Pastor and Founder Vince joined a discipleship program. Antonucci explains. not an actor or a reality TV
Antonucci says. Five years later, hes led several Eventually, Verve was show guy; Im just a pastor,
The ministry is best illus- of his friends to the Lord. approached by City on a Hill, Antonucci says. It was
trated by the story of Warren, With such stories, Verves a Kentucky-based Christian rewarding knowing that these
REMINGTON MARKHAM

who works on the Vegas Strip ministry seems perfect production house that made stories were going to be put
at a horror show. He came for reality TV. Verve was the 2014 film The Song. Anto- on Trinity Broadcasting Net-
to Verve as a fervent atheist approached multiple times nucci knew City on a Hill well work and hopefully will inspire
with a plan to ruin the nascent by Hollywood producers and knew they would do his and even challenge Christians
churchs first service, ending it looking to create a series. He members stories justice. After who watch.Taylor Berglund
char ismamag.com February 2016 | CHARISMA 17
Inspire
AMAZING STORIES. REAL PEOPLE.

Author Encourages Women to Embrace Uncertainty of Singleness


MANDY HALE, 36, says she is determined to live her best life now, even
Mandy Hale without the man many in the church think she needs.
Despite the influx of sermons, devotionals, small groups and teachings on
marriage, the fact is, more than 50 percent of adults are single. Many of those
singles are in the church.
I feel like singles ... fall through the cracks, Hale says. Once you get past a
certain point, you have (ministries to) college age, singles, you know, young
careers. But Im 36 now. Its kind of like, at a certain age, (singles) stick out like a
sore thumb.
To combat the attitude that a woman is incomplete without a man,
Hale speaks boldly about living her life in the beautiful uncertainty that is
her singleness.
Its amazing to see what happens when you show up for your life, live right
now, enjoying it, celebrating this moment of your life, Hale says. Singleness is
always waiting around for the next big thing to occur, and you can spend your
entire life waiting and not doing anything. ... Theres a beautiful uncertainty to
singleness. Its unknown. Its not mapped out for us like it is for our married coun-
terparts. Taking a look at it through a different lens means we can embrace the
uncertainty and fill the empty time with adventure, friends and traveling.
Much of the beauty of singleness, she says, has to do with daily surrender
to Christ.
Because I am in a constant state of surrender, Im constantly depending
on Him, Hale says.
And ultimately, Hale believes that each individual is made complete in Christ
alone. For more of Hales insights, check out her new book, Beautiful Uncertainty
(Thomas Nelson), in stores now.Jessilyn Justice

83%

of adults read five or fewer books


77%
67% every year; 25 percent read no books
at all.Barna Group

The percentage of adults who


describe themselves as religiously affiliated
has shrunk from 83 percent (2007) to
CINDY BLANCHARD

77 percent (2014).Pew Research


Fifty percent of Assemblies of God (AG) attendees have
high levels of engagement in their church (as defined by membership,
attendance and small-group involvement), making the AG one of the
most engaged church bodies in America.Pew Research
18 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
BREAK
the Stigma
of Divorce &
Infidelity
Divorce can make someone feel that their life
can never be right again. Where is God? Could
he possibly understand? Would he even want
to lead me through this? And why has this
happened to me?

Gods Been Divorced Too provides a Christian


answer to those questions. The fact that God
himself has been divorced is utilized to break
the usually powerful stigma associated with
divorce. God's personal divorce is also used to
delve into the dynamics of infidelity, for the
specific purpose of removing the disorientation
that always seems to follow a betrayal.

A framework of Seven Spiritual Secrets


Featuring is used to display timeless truths, to both
understand the past and to build a new future.
7 Spiritual Secrets to Peace, The seven secrets of freedom, peace, reciprocity,
fallenness, integrity, trust, and fulfillment will
Restoration and Fulfillment take the reader on a specifically scriptural
after Divorce journey into restoration after divorce.

Presented from a theologically


conservative/charismatic viewpoint,
and not replacement theology.

Available Now At
GODSBEENDIVORCEDTOO.com
MAY BE ORDERED WHEREVER FINE BOOKS ARE SOLD!
| COVER STORY

S o u n d s
That Set the Captives Free
When LaDonna Taylor plays her violin, miracles happen

BY JENNIFER LECLAIRE

W
hen I first heard LaDonna Taylor serenading the Lord with her violin,
I discerned a strong anointing on every note as sweet melodies washed
over the congregation like rivers of living water. But when I watched
Taylor play her violin over people at the altar, I witnessed the anointing
that breaks the yoke in action as people were healed and delivered in
puddles of tears.
Its been said that music soothes the savage beastand we know Davids harp
caused evil spirits to flee from Saul (1 Sam. 16:23). We also know there are sounds
that set the captives free. David wrote a Psalm that holds the key to this mystery of
heaven: Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt
compass me about with songs of deliverance (Ps. 32:7, KJV).
Can songs actually come to our rescue? Can music really be an agent of healing?
Are there sounds from heaven that usher us into the glory realm of God where all
LIGHTSTOCK

things are possible? Do certain songs compel God to move? What role does faith play
in this artistic equation? Can we soak our way to freedom? How does this work?
Psalm 32:7 offers big clues about songs of deliverance: He is your hiding place,
says Taylor, a violinist who has played with the San Jose and Knoxville Symphonies
and travels around the nation watching God open blind eyes and deaf earsand
perform other miracles against the backdrop of her instrument. When you are
hidden in Him, everything else is insignificant, like the old hymn It Is Well With My
Soul. When you get to that place in Him, you get to the glory. (Pentecostal revivalist)
Ruth Ward Heflin taught me the map to the glory: You praise until the spirit of wor-
ship comes, worship until the glory comes, and you stand in the glory. continued

20 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com


If we go back to Psalm 32:7, its simple.
He is our hiding place.LaDonna Taylor
Can Music Really Set the
Stage for Miracles?
Beyond Davids harp pushing back
darkness around Saul, we see plenty
of evidence in Scripture for music set-
ting the stage for miracles. he Holy
Spirit came upon Elisha after a musi-
cian started playing, and he prophesied
provision (2 Kin. 3). God brought
miraculous deliverance and victory in
war to the children of Israel through
singers, musicians and worshippers
(2 Chr. 20:22-23). Paul and Silas
prayed and sang praises in prison, and
God sent an earthquake to free them,
bringing deliverance to the jailer and
his family (Acts 16:25-34).
On a spiritual level, music bypasses
our mind and goes straight to our
heart, soul and spirit, says Julie True, a
musician whose ministry is marked by
soaking music. It touches places that
nothing else can reach. When we sing
songs of praise and worship, we have the
power to defeat the enemy as well. Wor-
ship opens up the heavens and moves
Gods heart.
Sid Roth, host of the television pro-
gram Its Supernatural, has interviewed
many musicians and singers through the
years about songs that set the captives
free. He has discovered that a combina-
tion of the Word of God and music
that gloriies Him sets the stage for the Certain keys seem to take us to different
supernatural. he spoken word is pow-
erful, says Roth. But that same word
places in the Spirit, and to open up different
when sung, is more powerful. When
I lay hands on the sick in the name of
places inside my heart.Julie True
Jesus, people are healed. But when I sing
Be healed in Jesus name over them, Music might provide an alternative language of heaven and plays a role in
more are healed! entry point to the brain because it can everything God does. Consider the few
Even science agrees that music has unlock so many diferent doors into glimpses of the throne room we see in
healing power, and there are at least an injured or ill brain, Dr. Gottfried Scripture. he four living creatures are
5,000 registered music therapists in Schlaug, a Harvard University neurolo- shouting Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
the U.S. who play sounds that set the gist, told the Los Angeles Times. Schlaugs Almighty, accompanied by the music
captives free in hospitals, special needs research shows that pitch, harmony, of heaven as they fall down before
classrooms, nursing homes and other melody, rhythm and emotion, which Gods throne (Rev 4:8, MEV).
environments. Harvard University are all components of music, engage dif- Music is the primary, concentrated
researchers, among others, are reporting ferent parts of the brainparts of the and connecting vehicle that joins us
that music is a healing balm for stroke, brain that are also important for speech, between heaven and Earth or hell and
Alzheimers disease and the physical movement and social interaction. Earth, says Maurice Sklar, a musical
stress of premature birth. Harvard sci- prodigy who was accepted into world-
entists have also learned that music can Powerful Sounds That class arts schools as a youth before
Bring Heaven Down
SANDY SHAFFER

improve surgical outcomes, restore lost launching into full-time ministry.


speech, reduce side efects of cancer Music is a powerful force that It is a concentrated expression of
therapy, relieve pain, improve mood and originated in the heart of Godit expressive power through sound that
battle depression. has always existed in heaven; it is the directly brings us into union from our
22 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
THE PROMISES OF GOD
DOWNLOAD A FREE SAMPLE AT AVAILABLE NOW PATCHWORK OF THE HEART
DOWNLOAD A FREE SAMPLE AT
BIT.LY/PROMISESOFGODCOLORING WHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD BIT.LY/PATCHWORKOFTHEHEART

14051
the miraculous healing presence of God.
But are these personal preferences of
healing ministers, or do particular songs
attract the tangible manifestation of the
Holy Spirit?
Certain keys seem to take us to dif-
ferent places in the Spirit, and to open
up diferent places inside my heart,
True says. Also, major keys and minor
keys each have their own sound and
applications. Diferent instruments also
open up diferent places in the spirit.
For instance, cello always afects me
like a wooing of the Lord. It draws my
heart into the love of God and is able
to so beautifully express human emo-
tion through the sound when played
with excellence.
Taylor believes songs set an atmo-
sphere for healing but encourages
believers not to overanalyze the concept.
Ultimately, healing comes from God
not music that hits certain frequencies
or 650 beats a minute. She knows this
all too well because she was on her
deathbed after a physician error during
a simple surgery. Her colon was dete-
riorating, and she dwindled down to 89
pounds, having nine surgeries in 90 days
before she emerged from the trial.
I believe healing comes from the
Psalm 32:7 offers big clues about songs stripes on Jesus backthats it, Taylor
says. If we go back to Psalm 32:7, its
of deliverance.LaDonna Taylor simple. He is our hiding place. Just keep
worshipping Him, and youll ind the
hiding place. here are not 50 steps to
healing. heres one mysterious secret
hearts to God or to Satan. Whenever Janie Duvall, the program producer for to getting set free from disease or any-
I play the violin, it speaks perfectly to the Its Supernatural television program thing else in your life. You need one
every heart, no matter what language for 23 years who has launched her own good encounter with God. hats all.
they speak. hat is the greatest blessing music ministry to teach the power of Music can set the stage for an encounter
of instrumental musicit does not soaking in Gods presence. Worship with God.
require words. changes the atmosphere, invites His
When God created the world, He did manifest presence and sets the stage for Soaking in the Presence of
it with wordssound. Sklar, who says encounters with the Father that can God to Rest and Receive
he visited heaven and heard its sounds, change our livesand heal our bodies. You dont need to go to a confer-
explains that all matter started in the ence and have Taylor play her violin
form of light, and light and sound travel Do Certain Sounds over you to get healed, either. Soaking
in spectrums of wave frequencies that are Move Gods Heart? musiclonger, slower versions of
part of the building blocks of our natural Weve established that Gods power worship songs that low like a river of
world. Light, he says, is the boundary can travel on sound, but do certain lifeemerged about a decade ago and
between the Spirit realm and the natural sounds move His heartor move us can be a tool for entering the healing
PAU L D O V I E J R 2013

realm. Since soundand with it, into His presencemore than other presence of God in your own home.
musicis part of light, it connects us to sounds? Kathryn Kuhlman had her Scriptures such as Psalm 4:4
the spirit realm. favorite songs, such as How Great hou (Meditate in your heart on your bed
When we worship, we create Art, Alleluia and Spirit of the Living and be still.), Psalm 37:7 (Rest in
an open heaven over our lives, says God that helped the masses enter into the Lord and wait patiently.) and
24 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
Psalm 91:1 (He who dwells in the with music helps people put their faith
shelter of the Most High will rest in the on the Word, she says. When we wor-
shadow of the Almighty.) support the ship the Lord, we may not feel anything,
concept of soaking. Soaking is a time to but we can believe that when we draw
quiet your soul and awaken to His pres- near to Him, He draws near to us and
ence, to hear from the Lord and receive He inhabits the praises of His people
what you need. and miracles can happen.
Soaking is an interactive experi-
ence with God that has no agenda, When God Shows Up to
no limitations on His goodness and is Minister Healing Miracles
often accompanied by healing, True Healing music is not merely a
says. Soaking is a time to ix our eyes scientiic theoryits a kingdom reality.
on Jesus, cease all striving and lay our Worship unites our spirit, soulour
burdens at His feet. Its a time to receive mind, will and emotionsand body
fresh healing in our body and soul. Janie Duvall has launched a music with the Lord, and we create a stairway
Soaking is a time to rest in the shadow ministry to teach the power of to heaven, piercing a veil between
of His wings and to know His peace that soaking in Gods presence. heaven and Earth and inviting the King
passes all understanding. of glory to have His way. His wayHis
his next question is vital: Does of a hearing disorderand, at the time, willis always to heal the sick, cleanse
faith have anything to do with the he was still in unbelief. the lepers and cast out devils.

TA K E N B AC K P H OTO G R A P HY
power of music to heal? Yes and no. Music can play a role in healing Sklar says hes seen thousands of
Kuhlman once told the story of an and so can faith, but God is sovereign healing miracles while playing his violin
unbeliever who walked into one of her and can heal whom He wants when and many more salvations in the past
meetings thinking it was some sort He wants, and we dont have to feel 25 years. He tells of a 12-year-old girl in
of convention. With music thundering anything in the process. Duvall echoes Fort Wayne, Indiana, who was born with
in the background, the Lord healed him Roths comments: Pairing Scriptures a deformed right footand the Lord
gave her a creative miracle in the form minister to others, she says. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Watch LaDonna
of a new foot. In Canada, Sklar says he Taylor can share story after story Taylor play her violin on Its Supernatural
and talk about how God heals through
watched God heal over 40 people with from over 20 years of playing sounds her music at ladonna.charismamag.com.
knee problemsincluding one man that set the captives free. She beams
who had been born without kneecaps. when she speaks of Sylvester, a man something is worth, you call an
I was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the whose wife made him ill out a card appraiser, and you dont want an
Prayer Center pastored by Dave Rob- declaring he received his healing appraiser unless hes certiiedand the
erson when I saw God create a shoulder even though he felt nothing. After he certiication comes from the book,
joint that was not there before, Sklar signed the card, all the pain left his Taylor says. he bookthe Bibletells
says. his man had never been able to body. hen theres Margie, a middle- you what God is really worth. So you
move his arm from birth. As I played the aged woman who had lumps in her call God what the Word says He is, and
violin over him, he said that he felt his breast. After Taylor played her violin He becomes that to you. Somewhere in
shoulder begin to heat up as God healed over Margie, a miracle happenedthe your praise, youll lock eyes with Him
him. He was doing windmills with his lumps disappeared. When she went to and step into worshipand somewhere
arm, jumping and shouting: Look, Im the bathroom to check herself, everyone in that worship, youll touch Him,
healed! Im healed! heard her scream: hank You, Jesus. and Hell touch you. Youll enter the
True has seen similar miracles hank You, Jesus. hank You, Jesus. glory, and thats when deliverance and
through her soaking music. When So how do you get to this place where healing come.
people play her CDs, God shows up. the sounds can set you free? How do you
She reports improvements in Alzheimers embrace songs of deliverance? Some- JENNIFER LECLAIRE is senior editor of
patients, reduced pain among women times it can be quite by accident. But we Charisma, director of the Awakening House
laboring to give birth, better sleep and shouldnt forget Ruth Ward Helins map of Prayer, a senior leader of the New Breed
inner healing. Inner healing, peace and to the glory: Praise until the spirit of Revival Network and author of many books,
comfort is the type of healing Ive seen worship comes, worship until the glory including Jezebels Puppets: Exposing the
most with my music, and the way God comes, and stand in the glory. Agenda of False Prophets. Visit her online
has uniquely wired me to worship and When you want to know what at jenniferleclaire.org.

ART WITH A DIVINE PURPOSE


Where beauty and divine We are the largest Christian and prophetic
art gallery in the world. We represent the
inspiration collide finest artisans and craftsmen who help
inspire others through their anointed art
to bring hope, healing and freedom. This
inspired art contributes to communities
and cultures
throughout the
world. It helps to
expand our thinking
and inspire change.
It is art with a
divine purpose.

Visit our website and receive a 15%


DISCOUNT on your first order. Promo code:
CHARISMA. Receive a FREE ART MAGNET by
clicking on Contact Us and filling in your
Toll Free 1-844-559-9500
email information. www.propheticsgallery.com
Best-selling author and trusted
teacher on deliverance John Eckhardt
reveals strongholds that can be

broken only through consistent


fasting so you can live in freedom.

READ A FREE SAMPLE AT


BIT.LY/FASTING4BREAKTHROUGH

AVAILABLE NOW
13990

WHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD /CHARISMAHOUSE


@CHARISMAHOUSE
| JEWS FOR JESUS

Prophetic Art That Points to

SALVATION
The ne art book inspired by the Gospel of Matthew is taking Yeshuas love
for the multitudes to the world

BY TROY ANDERSON

I
magine Christs view from atop the mountain where He preached
to the multitudes about the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the
meek, the merciful and the pure of heart. As He preached the
Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), Jesus looked down on a sea
of faces that hung on His every word because He didnt teach
as the scribes did but as one with authorityand He was
moved with compassion for their souls.
A new book, Multitudes, helps readers imagine what Christ saw
as He taught about anger, adultery, oaths, revenge, loving your
enemies and charitable giving, fasting and heaven. Steffi Geiser
Rubin, an artist commissioned by Jews for Jesus to create orig-
inal art for the Messianic Jewish evangelistic organizations
new book, says its cover gives Jesus eye view perspective
from that mount in Galilee.
The cover, which is made up of faces from the
illustration of Matthew 5-7, is to show what Jesus saw
when He looked out, Rubin says. He was able to
see beyond the exterior into the hearts and souls
and needs of the people. This is an image of Jesus
that Jewish people can understand because there
has been a lot of suffering among Jewish people,
and, therefore, a lot of compassion toward those
who suffer.

Reaching Jewish Multitudes


The coffee table bookcombining the
Messianic Jewish Tree of Life version of
the book of Matthew with 20 original,
full-scale paintingsis part of an artistic
outreach to share Yeshuas love for the
multitudes with the Jewish people
30 CHARISMA | February 2016
STEF
FI GE
ISE R RU
BIN | I
STO CKPH
OTO/
JJRD
and, ultimately, the entire world.
I love that verse and the way
Matthew paints such a graphic picture
to help us understand what Jesus was
feeling, David Brickner, executive
director of the San Francisco-based
ministry, wrote in Multitudes. If we
are to care with the compassion of
Messiah Yeshua, we need to see past
the veneers to understand people
and circumstances as He sees them.
We need to see that the multitudes
who are without Yeshua are lost
and without hope because they are
without God in this world.
Multitudes is not just a cofee table
book; its also a traveling exhibi-
tion. he paintings were displayed
at recent art shows in San Francisco;
Washington, D.C.; and New York
City, an exhibit that drew 500 people
its irst night. More shows are planned
this year in Paris, Tel Aviv and
across Israel.
Susan Perlman, associate director at
Jews for Jesus, says the shows attract
the curiousjust like Jesus did when
He walked the earth. hat curiosity
opens the door for Jews for Jesus staf
to introduce the curious to Yeshua.
People are really taken by these art
shows, Perlman says. It does cause
dissonance: Wait a minute, theyre
Jewish, but they believe in Jesus. But
what were experiencing is especially
very Jewish and Christian at the same
time. he combinationit makes Artist Stei Geiser Rubin created 20 paintings for Jews for Jesus, including
people do a double take. continued Multitudes, above, and below (from left to right), Voice in the Wilderness,
Generations and Feeding the Multitudes.

STEFFI GEISER RUBIN

32 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com


READ A FREE SAMPLE AT
BIT.LY/HAPPILYEVERAFTERBOOK

AVAILABLE NOW
14050

WHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD /CHARISMAHOUSE


@CHARISMAHOUSE
Multitudes Prophetic Inspiration
Inspiration for the project began
when Marc Sternberg was teaching on
Matthew and realized the apostle was
a Jew writing to Jews who didnt yet
believe in Yeshua as the Messiah. He
thought: Wouldnt Matthew be a great
vehicle to reach Jewish people today.
Later, while driving home, Stern-
berg says the Lord inspired him in a
waking vision-dream to begin work
on the illustrated Gospel of Matthew
book that is now Multitudes.
I believe that the art of Multitudes
is a non-threatening platform for
sharing the gospel, says Sternberg,
director of the Jews for Jesus Store.
Almost each of the paintings has a
Messianic prophecy that Jesus is actu- The Jews for Jesus book Multitudes features 20 original paintings, including (from top
ally fulilling in that passage of the left going clockwise) Blessed Is He Who Comes,Sign of Jonah and One Will Be Left.
Bible, or that He is quoting directly
from the Old Testament Scripture.
Following the vision-dream, Jews
for Jesus commissioned Rubin, its irst
art director and a founding member, to
create original artwork as a vehicle for
communicating the Jewishness of the
Gospel of Matthew. Rubin joined Jews
for Jesus after encountering ministry
Founder Moishe Rosen at a Bible study
at University of California, Berkeley

I love that verse and


the way Matthew
paints such a graphic
picture to help us
understand what
Jesus was feeling.
David Brickner

in 1971. He asked her, What do you


think God wants from you? After
reading the Gospels, she put her faith
STEFFI GEISER RUBIN

in Yeshua.
Rubins paintings represent the
major themes, events and messages
within the book. he key verses, Old
Testament references and image ideas
34 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Watch how
Jews for Jesus can reach people for
Christ through the Multitudes Art Project
at multitudes.charismamag.com.

were a collaborative efort between


Rubin and Jews for Jesus.

Disrupting Jewish Thinking


Multitudes is Jesus perspective of
the gospel, Rubin says. (Its) what
inspired Him when He delivered the
Sermon on the Mount. he whole back-
ground, the whole history of Jews for
Jesus, is one of disruptionchanging
what people think when they hear
Jesus, changing what people think

Multitudes is Jesus
perspective of the
The paintings in Multitudes were inspired by the book of Matthew, including
gospel. Steffi Geiser Rubin
(clockwise from top to bottom), Bethlehem, This Is My Son and Mercy
Not Sacrifice.
when they hear Jews. hese paintings
are all so disruptive.
Perlman hopes the project will not
only touch hearts, but will expand the
understanding Jews have of Yeshua.
Most importantly, it will transform
them in terms of their understanding
of the Creator Himself, and how both
visually and in the written word, we can
ind that He is the way, the truth and
the life, Perlman says. Its a gospel tool
and also a validation of our faith.
STEFFI GEISER RUBIN

TROY ANDERSON is a senior writer at


Charisma magazine and a best-selling author.
Follow him on Twitter (@TroyMAnderson),
Facebook (troyandersonwriter) or online
at troyanderson.us.
36 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
that believeth on the Son of God hath THE WITNESS (evidence)
in himself. I John 5:10 The evidence that Jesus is the Son of God is
in the believer. It is the life that God has given us in Christ
www.cochurch.org Jesus. And this is the record (evidence), that God hath given to
us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. I John 5:11 So, what is the
Gods Witnesses evidence that we believe? Is it that we say we believe? John
tells us For whatsoever (whosoever) is born of God
What is the proof of God's existence? Is it found in overcometh the world Who is he that overcometh the world,
philosophy or science? Actually, God Himself said that the but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? I John 5:4-5
proof of His existence is in the existence of the little nation of According to the apostle John, everyone who believes that Jesus
Israel. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, is the Son of God also overcomes the world, and
when there was no strange god among you: THEREFORE YE overcoming the world is the proof that they believe that Jesus
ARE MY WITNESSES, SAITH THE LORD, THAT I AM GOD. is the Son of God. The children of God are not sinners and they
Isaiah 43:12 Israel was in a backslidden state, yet God reached out to do not continue in sin, not because they try harder, but because
them. Remember where I brought you from. I destroyed Egypt Jesus is the Christ who came into the world to make an end
to deliver you. I opened the Red Sea to bring you out. I stopped of sins. Daniel 9:24-25 It is Christ who lives... it is Christ in you,
the Jordan River at flood stage to bring you in. You, as long as the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
you exist, are my witnesses, my 'proof' to the world, that I am If Jesus is in truth the Son of God, then any God who is
God. The existence of Israel is guaranteed by God Himself: not identified as the Father of Jesus Christ II Corinthians 1:3 is
all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, proven to be a false god. It is also evident that if Jesus is the Son
though all the people of the earth be gathered together against of God, He must have destroyed the works of the devil I John 3:8
it. Zechariah 12:3 For most of its history, the great nations of the when He died on the cross. If He is the Savior, there must be
earth have sought to destroy Israel and its people, yet Israel still those who are saved from their sins through simple faith in
exists. Even in a backslidden state, the nation of Israel is the Christ. If he is the Lamb of God which was prophesied by
proof of who the true God is. Abraham, Genesis 22:8, 14 He must have taken away the sin of the
Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? he was world John 1:29, I John 3:5 when He offered His body and blood as a
asked as he stood on trial for his life. Jesus answered, I am. sinless sacrifice. If he is The seed of the woman, Genesis 3:15 He
Mark 14:61-62 On the strength of that confession he was condemned must have bruised the head of the serpent Hebrews 2:14 through
to death even though the court received no witnesses in His His death on the cross, exactly as God promised He would. If
defense. They crucified Jesus as a blasphemer and a deceiver, Jesus fulfilled in His death and resurrection everything that God
but God became His witness when He raised Christ from the promised that the Messiah and redeemer would come to do, it
dead and declared Him to be the Son of God with powerby must be that the believers are also possessors of all that
the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:4 Just before He was promised. Paul said to those who believe the gospel of
ascended to the right hand of God, Jesus told his disciples, Ye Christ which he preached, But now being made free from sin,
shall be witnesses unto me. Acts 1:8 The case against Jesus was and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness,
reopened in the minds of the people when they heard rumors that and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:22 Such are the witnesses
He had risen from the dead. It was time for His faithful witnesses that Jesus has sent into the world. What they are is the proof
to take the stand to offer proof that He lives, and is in fact The of who Jesus is. A weak and sinful church cannot prove the
Christ, the Son of the living God. The evidence they gave was existence of God, much less are they the proof that Jesus is
of a sort that no sincere observer could deny, and the world of the savior, the Christ, the Son of the living God.
that generation was turned upside down by the things they
saw and heard in those who believed. The proof, however, is
not in an argument: it is in the life that only Christ can give. FREE BOOK OFFER
Jesus confessed before the high priest that He is the Christ.
The angel Gabriel told us that Christ would come into the world In this verse by verse commentary on
to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make Paul's epistle to the Ephesians by Leroy
reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting Surface, you will be taken from pinnacle
righteousness. Daniel 9:24-25 Jesus can only be The Christ, if he to pinnacle with the apostle Paul as he
in fact finished the transgression, made an end of sin, made reveals all that God did through Christ in
reconciliation for iniquity, and brought in everlasting order to have a people whose very
righteousness when he gave his life on the cross. Yet he is only existence would be to the praise of his
proven to be The Christ if these things are accomplished in glory. This apostle was part of such a
those who trust in him. church, and his words remind us that what
Jesus also claimed to be the Son of God, but what real God has purposed for his people is far
proof is there that this is true? Paul tells us it is the resurrection of beyond what most have ever seen.
Jesus that declares Him to be the Son of God with power.
Certainly if we can prove the resurrection, we can prove that To order your FREE COPY today visit cochurch.org, or write to:
Jesus is The Son of God. Christian apologetics say that it is a
matter of faith to believe in the resurrection, but in fact, it can Behold the Lamb Publications
be proven by His witnesses. The apostle John said, He PO Box 750 Porter TX 77365

Behold the Lamb Publications


For over years seeking to say what God says through literature books and Bible commentaries
| MISSIONS

When Music Preaches


the Gospel

An ambitious new project, 7Song, hopes to revolutionize modern evangelism


BY TAYLOR BERGLUND

I
magine the powerful message of the gospel effective communication is based on two parties that
communicated through seven songs that tell the speak the same language, then the church needs to find
full story of creation, the fall and redemption. a way to speak the language of oral cultures to fulfill
Imagine a musical narrative that crosses cultural the Great Commission. As Romans 10:17 says, Faith
boundaries without losing the heart of the mes- comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
sage. Imagine a symphonic presentation that could 7Song presents the gospel, the greatest story ever
allow millions of lost souls around the world to experi- told, in an engaging way to oral learners and illiterate
ence the love of Christ. people worldwide. In the process, the team at Let There
ISTOCKPHOTO/PROKSIMA; VLADYSTOCK

Laura Cooke and her team at Let There Be Hope Be Hope has harnessed the artistic power of music as
have imagined all of these thingsand with their new an evangelistic instrument. As Laura says, A lot of the
project, 7Song, theyre turning those imaginations into closed countries we go to will let us sing anything we
gospel realities. Tapping into the universal language of want, but wont let us preach. ... Its easier to get
music, 7Song could mark a revolutionary shift in the people to come to a concert than it is to get them
way the 21st-century church approaches evangelism and to come to a service.
missions, which has long been marked by tracts and
Bible translations that fall on illiterate eyes. Discovering a Gospel Disconnect
Indeed, nearly 17 percent of the world population The 7Song concept has been swirling in
cant read, according to a 2010 UNESCO study. If Lauras spirit for yearsand it all started
38 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
Laura Cooke and her team at
Let There Be Hope put their
God-given imaginations
to work to birth a musical
evangelistic tool that crosses
cultural barriers.
HANS KLEINSCHMIDT

February 2016 | CHARISMA 39


during her missionary travels. oral communicators remembered
Six years ago, I was in Paraguay only 29 percent of a message when
leading a worship concert, and the knowledge was communicated
a bunch of people who spoke through logic, outlined arguments
Spanishbut not Englishshowed or printed materials. But when the
up, says Laura, who started leading message was told as an oral story, sub-
worship internationally 11 years ago. jects remembered over 75 percent of
I thought, Theres got to be more that the information.
we can do than just show up and sing Phil Cooke, a Hollywood producer
songs. Music has such a big pull and and founder of Cooke Pictures (no
draws a crowd. What if theres a way relation to Laura), says Jesus tailored
we could share the gospel without His messages to an oral culture. He
necessarily needing to speak it? points to Mark 4:33-34: With many
The vast majority of the 775 mil- such parables, He spoke the word
lion adults UNESCO identified as to them as they were able to hear
functionally illiterateagain, nearly it. Without a parable, He did not
17 percent of the worlds popula- speak to them.
tionlive in key areas for interna- In a 2004 article in the Interna-
tional missions work: South and West tional Journal of Frontier Missions,
Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab Rick Brown explained what this
states. Africa, in particular, has illit- means for evangelists: Messages
eracy rates between 27 percent and are more likely to be enjoyed and
40 percent, depending on the study remembered if they are presented in
consulted. Cultures in these areas are narrative forms, such as stories. ...
A CATALYST largely oral, with narratives told ver-
bally to one another.
Since oral communicators depend on
memory rather than reference books,
Thomas Bracciale, music director important texts such as translations
TO LOVE for Let There Be Hope and co-writer
of 7Song, says this reality creates a
of Scripture or stories from the Bible
should be phrased in a way that
vast disconnect between Western cul- makes the text easy to say, listen to,
JESUS ture and the cultures missionaries are
trying to reach.
recite and memorize.
Laura came across these and sim-
Most of the world are oral ilar proof points and felt compelled
MORE learners, Bracciale says. Thats the
way religion, history, art and tradition
to give oral learners the gospel in a
way that matches how they learn. She
have always been passed down. Genera- evaluated her own strengths as a wor-
DEEPLY tion to generation, its through hearing
and speaking. We in the Western world
ship leader and reached a simple, life-
changing conclusion: I do music.
teach in the way we learn, and it comes Let me see if we can put the Bible
naturally to usbut Laura realized into music.
theres a disconnect there.
Essential strategies for Missionary and author Stephen Embracing the Challenge
Kuert, who also serves on 7Songs Of course, it all starts with Cre-
effective ministry board of directors, has witnessed this ation. Bracciale remembers his first
disconnect firsthand: When I lived meeting with Laura to create 7Song.
in Burundi, we always tried to get The two had met at Oral Roberts
evangelistic literature to distribute, University (ORU) while Bracciale
but when 60 percent of the country was a student and Laura was worship
hasnt been taught how to read or director at the school, and she asked
go to school, its worthless, he says. him point blank: Has someone
Even when you have the Scriptures already done this? No one had, and
or simplify it just to the Gospel they soon discovered why: Its not
of John or a tract, it doesnt mean easy. In fact, they wondered at one
AVAILABLE much to them. point if they could pull it off.
Where Fine Christian Researchers have also called out The first challengetransforming
Books Are Sold. this historic disconnect. In a 1991 the gospel into a series of songsis
www.creationhouse.com article, Dr. James Slack observed that ambitious. When compounded
14063A 40 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
1 in 10 adults currently have diabetes
(Are you one of them?)

The trend is getting worse.


By 2050 one-third of adults
will have developed diabetes.
Best-selling author Cherie
Calbom reveals the truth
about sweeteners and helps
you transition into a low-
sugar impact diet.

Lose excess weight


Feel energized
Improve your overall health

Includes delicious recipes with


healthy sweetener alternatives

READ A FREE SAMPLE AT


bit.ly/sugarknockout

/CHARISMAHOUSE
AVAILABLE NOW WHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD.
@CHARISMAHOUSE
13983
with the second challengemaking Weve created a base orchestration,

BE WHO GOD songs that could be easily trans-


lated and arranged for a variety of
instrumentsthe task was daunting
and then each region that records over
it adds their own culturally appropriate
instruments, Laura says. When we

DESIGNED enough to make the composers feel


like pulling out their hair. Bracciale,
who makes his living as a professional
Nashville songwriter, still calls 7Song
work with African countries, they use
a lot of drums. When we work in the
Middle East, theres a lot of string
instruments. They use well-known

YOU TO BE undoubtedly the biggest work Ive


ever been a part of.
To overcome the first challenge,
Laura and Bracciale spent a lot of
instruments. Weve done seven so
far and we havent had to change the
music yet.
Though Laura sings the English
time seeking Gods will. version, she says she has no plans
Its certainly a challenge, but we to sing on the international ver-
realized we have to come into this sionsNo one wants to hear that.
with prayer and humility every day, Instead, the international transla-
Bracciale says. We cant think about tions use native singers already on
this lightheartedly; we need to do this the ground as the vocalists. Many of
intentionally. We need to be some- them are worship leaders working
what heavy-hearted. The gospel is with other ministries, but some are
going to go out into the world, and simply singers who are fascinated by
we have to represent the gospel. the project.
After much prayer, the pair felt led
to pull lyrics directly from the Bible. Bearing Eternal Fruit
Every line of all seven songs has a 7Song has been provoking pow-
matching chapter and verse. This erful reactions among listeners,
system ensured no personal biases even in the United States. Bracciale
could enter the finished product. recounted a story from a concert
Its funny, we co-wrote 7Song, they held in the Chicago area. After
but we really didnt write 7Song, the service, the Let There Be Hope
Bracciale says. We wrote the music team set up a small booth where they
and melody, but the words come from greeted people, prayed for them and
Scripture itself. We wanted to ensure answered questions about 7Song. One
that our personal beliefs, background woman stopped by the booth and
or denominational beliefs were, not told them an inspiring salvation story.
even in a subconscious way, present. The woman had come to Christ
We wanted to make sure its Scripture years agothrough the influence of
from the first line to the last line. a doctor from ORUbut fell away
This approach killed two birds from the faith and called herself
An invitation to with one stone. With Scripture an atheist. When she woke up that
offering the lyrics, translators morning, she felt compelled to
live out the purpose could simply replace English verses come to church for the first time in
with the matching verses in the years. When she walked in the doors,
for which you target language. the band was performing 7Song. She
were created. Our goal is to have 7Song trans-
lated in every language there is,
was reminded of her long-dormant
love for Christ and described
Laura explains. We wanted to make how the music set the stage for a
it easier for people to translate. They coming home.
can pull in verses and avoid transla- As the band replied with awe, the
tion issues and cultural nuances. woman concluded, What are the
The pair wrote full orchestration to odds that I was saved by ORU people
accompany the songs, taking inspira- and now, after Ive fallen away from
tion from film scores. This allows the the Lord, ORU alumni brought me
AVAILABLE music to be used in anything from back to Him?
Where Fine Christian acoustic setssuch as the digital EP Thomas says those kinds of sto-
Books Are Sold. they recorded last yearto elaborate, ries are common. In Phnom Penh,
www.creationhouse.com culturally specific concerts. Cambodia, for example, a Buddhist
14063C 42 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
3 Powerful Topics
HOLY SPIRIT . WORSHIP . PRAYER
In One Issue
A must-have collectors item.
This special edition by CHARISMA
includes our three best-selling issues on the
Holy Spirit, Worship and Prayer all in one.
S P E C I A L H O LY S P I R I T I S S U E MISTY EDWARDS | KARI JOBE | DARLENE ZSCHECH | ISRAEL HOUGHTON | MARTIN SMITH SPECIAL ISSUE: PRAYING FOR AMERICA

CHARISMA

MAY 2013 LIFE IN THE SPIRIT JULY 2013


OCTOBER 2012
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

T.D. JAKES:
WHAT THE SPIRIT
IS SAYING P.50
JONATHAN CAHN:
THE HARBINGERS
CONTINUE P.14
Prayers
UNDERSTANDING
THE
40 PRAYERS That Shake
HOLY
IN 40 DAYS P.38

13 WORSHIP
LEADERS,
WHEN AMERICA
STANDS FOR
JESUS P.22
America
How to pray our

SPIRIT
WHAT MOST CHRISTIANS
DONT KNOW ABOUT HIS
13 KEYS TO
TRUE WORSHIP JENTEZEN
FRANKLIN:
THE FAST
GOD WANTS P.58
nation back
to God

CHARACTER, FRUIT, GIFTS,


POWER AND MORE

DISMANTLING
AMERICAS TOP
STRONGHOLDS P.30

Order your copies today while supplies last.

RECEIVE 50% OFF


the $12.00 retail price.
Only $6.00 per copy!

ORDER ONLINE
shop.charismamag.com
ORDER BY PHONE
800-749-6500
*US Prices Only. Canadian and International customers please call for pricing.
monk requested a copy of the CD in Redeeming Heavens Sound
order to help him better learn Eng- The success of 7Song demonstrates
lish. Since then, hes been playing the oft-untapped potential of art to
the CD for the monastery, minis- change hearts and win souls. I think
tering to the entire community of art as ministry is wholly underutilized
monks. In Southeast Asia, a pastor in a lot of our Western churches,
emailed a digital copy of 7Song to Laura says. I think it is easy for min-
25 underground house churches. istries to downplay the use of art.
Members of those churches share it She suspects the church may have
with their friends and family. One diminished its role in the arts because
year later, and those music files have of a misguided ambition to separate
reached around 1 million people the secular from the sacred. A false
in the area. dichotomy was created, and the cre-
Laura cites several reasons the ative arts were unfairly lumped in
7Song project has been successful. with the secular, unless the Christian
Technology, for example, has been message was explicit.
one of the key factors in their mar- Kuert rejects that notion. He
keting strategy: Technology is says worship, missions and art are
amazing at getting the music out inextricably linked together in Gods
there. One upload and suddenly our ultimate plan: Missions have to be
songs are available in hundreds of directly connected with worship,
countries. ... We ask people to burn it and worship is one of the arts. How
and give it away. Our copyright is the are we going to be effective in the
right to copy. 21st century as a church to engage
7Song is effectively tapping into in Christ? Missional purpose must
the power of music to reach an oral incorporate the arts because mis-
culture. When you make it music sions and arts are married together
or song, you speak in the language so beautifully.
of the peoples hearts, especially if its Beyond a missional context,
translated in your local dialect, Kuert Bracciale believes music has intrinsic
says. You put all that together, and spiritual power. All throughout
the potential for 7Song to be one of Scripture, we see countless references
the most effective tools to reach our to music, he says. We know theres
generation cant be overstated. music in heaven. ... I think the Lord
Or as Laura more succinctly put is really smart. I think music is not
it, People are really drawn to music. just a mental thing or an emotional
When we say we have music for thing; music is one of the things that
them, no ones turned us down yet. can impact someone spiritually, emo-
Yet the team acknowledges tionally and mentally. You can hear
that the most important factor a song and you bop your head to it,
Embrace lifes underlying 7Songs success has been or it reminds you of something. It
the anointing of the Holy Spirit. can connect you to the Father. Music
challenges and impact Bracciale says he has seen the Spirit is, undoubtedly, the most powerful
the next generation. ministering powerfully to people medium in the world.
through 7Song. That power did not go unnoticed
Its an inspiring thing to be a part by the early church. In fact, centuries
of, he says. I am extremely humbled ago, the church used to be one of
to have any connection to this at all. the biggest patrons of art. Stained-
I know without a shadow of a doubt, glass windows were constructed and
7Song is the most important project entire orchestras conducted to convey
I have been or ever will be involved the majesty of Christ. Phil believes
with in my life. Its so inspiring to the same artistic fervor needs to be
hear stories of 7Song being spread embraced by this generation.
AVAILABLE throughout the Middle East and For creative artists who are Chris-
Where Fine Christian Southeast Asia and Africa. And to tians, I think its absolutely important,
Books Are Sold. think we wrote that on a very old necessary and critical that we explore
www.creationhouse.com piano in Lauras loft. our art platform to share the gospel,
14063B 44 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
ON PLATFORM is a seminar series
that helps you reach more people
with your message

What is a platform Every message needs a powerful platform. A platform


is any place you show up every day and deliver your
and why do you message.
need one? Followers look forward to receiving content from a
leader. Deliver impactful messages and your platform
will increase in influence. As your platform grows,
youll help more people.
ON PLATFORM is the seminar that teaches you how to
expand your influence and reach larger audiences by
using many platforms.

Are you intentionally Join Dr. Steve Greene, Charisma Media Groups
publisher and executive vice president as he leads
expanding your you through a three-day session on how to develop
platform? your personal platform.

Next Session Date:


Learn More About ON PLATFORM
Platform.MinistryTodayMag.com
April 18-20, 2016 Call: 800-749-6500
The time Phil says. In the very first verse of the
Bible, God chose to introduce Himself
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Laura Cooke shares
the story behind Let There Be Hope, a
ministry ready to share the gospel through
as a creator. I have a Ph.D. in theology,
for and I understand there are many attri-
seven songs at 7song.charismamag.com.

butes of God, but I find it very fasci- mostly because its completely free and
religious nating that His first introduction in can be distributed to anyone, Kuert
the Bible is as a creator. If we are made says. We would have no way of fol-
vagaries in the image of God, it is imperative
that we express ourselves in forms of
lowing up on what the results would
have been from people who listen to
in politics
creating art. I think what were seeing it, so thats something were talking
now is a new generation that embraces about: figuring out how to get more
the importance of sharing His story, feedback, from both evangelistic and
is over the eternal story, through art.
Laura hopes 7Song can be a posi-
discipleship contexts.
But early victories and the Holy
tive step forward for the church: The Spirits favor have the team excited about
church needs to get back to utilizing the projects potential. As we are coming
creativity. Thats what I think the pur- into contact with different churches and
pose of art is for: to tell stories. ministries overseas, everyone we come
into contact with has been very receptive
Expanding Its Reach and excited, Laura says.
Though the groundbreaking is She hopes 7Song can follow in the
complete, the story of 7Song has only footsteps of the Jesus Film Project,
just begun. Lauras mind is already which has been seen in every country
brimming with ideas and initiatives and translated into hundreds of lan-
for the near future. She hopes to guages since the films 1979 release.
partner with MegaVoice, a manufac- The project that put the gospel story
turer of solar-powered audio Bibles, to in film is considered by many to be the
minister more effectively to unreached greatest evangelistic success story of
people groups. all time. Can putting the gospel into
The ministry is also raising funds music produce similar fruit?
for additional translations. Within Phil says he has no idea whether
two years, Let There Be Hope plans to the project will be successful long-
record in Mandarin, Spanish, French, term. Its a huge, daunting challenge,
Arabic, Hindi and Russianwhich, he says. I welcome everyones effort to
when combined with English, rep- try and express the gospel in an artistic
resent 30 percent of first-language medium. Sometimes it works; some-
The time is now for American voters
speakers in the world. But thats times it doesnt. But theres no question
to know what their candidates
not 7Songs final goal; its just the that one of the most important ways to
believe since those beliefs shape starting point. engage todays culture is through art.
policy and thus action. The goal has always been Bracciale compares the project to
spreading the gospel and reaching a mustard seed, planted humbly in
Its time to believers, Bracciale says. Its a lot faith and growing beyond their wildest
Ask the Question. easier to not get in the way when you dreams. Wherever God takes the
know what your vision is. I think project next, Bracciale says hes in it for
thats where a lot of ministries and the long haul.
CONNECT WITH people can struggle. But since the My biggest hope is that God keeps
STEPHEN MANSFIELD beginning, weve known its not about doing what Hes doing now and gets
Website: StephenMansfield.TV
us. Anything we receive immediately 7Song into the hands of people who
goes back into 7Song. I dont get paid need to know Him and to understand
#AsktheQuestionBook
for this. We do this because we believe His message of hope ... , he says.
in the power of the gospel. Thats the beauty of the gospel. It

B
The team admits there is definite never stops being relevant. It never
room for growth and improvement. stops changing lives.
For instance, Kuert believes 7Song
needs a consistent follow-up mecha- TAYLOR BERGLUND is the assistant online
Available wherever books and ebooks are sold.
nism for discipleship. We dont really editor at Charisma Media and a co-host of the
have a good grasp on follow-up, Charisma News and C-POP podcasts.
46 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
IN YOUR
LIFE

Begin each day inspired by


a fresh encounter with the
Holy Spirit.
Mornings With the Holy
Spirit is a daily devotional
written as if the Holy Spirit is
speaking directly to you.

Retail Value
$64.87

Subscribe to Charisma and receive


Mornings With the Holy Spirit as your free gift!
Save more than 70%.
shop.charismamag.com
1-800-749-6500
| DELIVERANCE

GAY ACTIVIST HAS


ROAD-TO-DAMASCUS
EXPERIENCE
In the ight to set homosexual captives free, Greg Quinlan is like a modern-day apostle Paul
BY JENNY ROSE CURTIS

W
hat the devil has lifestyle and started passionately
trained you to lobbying for the gay agenda. But Prov-
do, God will use erbs 19:21 rang true in his life: Many
for His glory. are the plans in a mans heart, but the
That prophetic Lords purpose will stand.
word redeemed Call him a modern-day apostle
over a decade of Paul. Twenty-five years after finding
lasciviousness a Playboy issue that led him into a
in Greg Quinlans life and set him lifestyle of lust, Christ knocked him
on a journey to see LGBT (Lesbian, off his high horse of homosexuality,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) captives spoke to his heart, opened his blind
everywhere set free. eyes and sent him on a mission to
Quinlan found Jesus when he turn the hearts of hurting people back
was 9 years old, but turned away to the Father.
from Him after he inclined his heart With faith in one powerful pro-
toward pornographic images that phetic word that answered the cry
opened the door to sexual perversion. of his heart, Quinlan walked away
He still remembers the day he and his from a decade of gay activism and
friends found a Playboy magazine. A started lobbying for biblical marriage.
year later, he and one of those friends But he didnt stop there. In 2008, he
started a homosexual relationship. co-founded Living Free Ministries,
I knew it was wrong, but I kept which helps people who want to exit
going back for more because I got the homosexual lifestyle by dealing
affection, approval and affirmation, with issues that led to gender-identity
Quinlan says. Someone touched confusion. Quinlan is also the presi-
me without hitting me and talked dent and executive director of The
to me without cussing at me. That Center for Garden State Families,
sent me on the journey of double- a newly organized family advocacy
mindedness. I never denied the exis- group; a Chairman for New Jersey
tence of God or His love for me but I for a Conservative Majority Political
could not reconcile this woundedness Action Committee; and founder and
from my father who beat me. I had a president of the Pro-Family Network,
desire to be with the Lord and same- a Christian family advocacy organiza-
sex attraction at the same time. tion defending the natural family and
ISTOCKPHOTO-PESHKOVA

As he grew up, the internal struggle confronting the homosexual agenda.


became so intense that, at 24, he faced Quinlan came out of the kingdom
a demonic ultimatum: come out of of darkness with a vengeance against
the closet or commit suicide. Quinlan the spirits that took him captive.
chose lifebut the wrong kind of What the enemy meant for harm,
life. He fully embraced a homosexual God is using for good. Today, he can
char ismamag.com February 2016 | CHARISMA 49
ADVERTISEMENT
LIFE IS JUST comfort struggling LGBT people with of sins wages was ever before him, and
HARDER the love of Christand he can boldly his soul was sore-vexed.
FOR SOME . . . and convincingly speak the truth A nurse by trade, Quinlan cared for
THAN FOR about the deceptive wiles of the wicked many men who were dying of AIDS.
OTHERS. onebecause he understands how the Knowing he once walked with Christ,
Can you find enemy snared him. Hes living proof they would ask him heart-breaking
time to help? that anyone can break free from the questions such as: Am I going to hell?;
homosexual ties that bind. Would you read my favorite Bible verse
Some day all of us will at my funeral?; and Would you tell
face the reality of being in As Radical as They Come my little girl what happened to Daddy?
a wheelchair providing care- But for the grace of God, though, Despite Quinlans backslidden condi-
giving, or being the recipient Quinlan could have had a much dif- tion, his witness for Christ led some of
of care-giving. Statistics ferent story. When it comes to gay them to repentance before they died.
show that millions of people
activists, he was about as radical as they Soon, Quinlans disgust for his
provide assistance to disabled
come. In 1988, he formed a branch lascivious lifestyle grew greater than
or elderly parents, relatives or
friends. Many people do not of the Human Rights Campaign, the his uncontrollable same-sex lust, and
have living relatives to take largest gay and lesbian political organi- he started wrestling with the Lord. A
care of them and have to rely zation in the U.S., in his hometown of stream of light broke in when an ex-gay
on friends or volunteers. Dayton, Ohio. He actually thought he man with AIDS shared his testimony
Just an hour of your time found his lifes calling, but the evidence on a TBN broadcast. Quinlan was so
means so much to a person
who is unable to get out
without assistance. Please
help disabled or elderly Salvation Doesnt Always
Mean Instant Deliverance
family members and friends
in your area. You can provide
transportation to the doctors
office or grocery store; do yard When Greg Quinlan renounced homosexuality and returned to the Lord, he wasnt
work, prepare meals or just instantly delivered from same-sex attractions. Before he was completely free in his soul, he
provide a listening ear. You had to go back and close some of the doors he opened to the enemy.
will receive such a blessing as The first step was dealing with a pornography addiction,
you watch their faces light up which he says proved to be more difficult than he expected.
because they know someone Pornography involves a biochemical and physical interac-
really does care! tionand the same emotional bonding hormones released
If youd like information on after sex are released after viewing porn. That, Quinlan says,
how you can help disabled
creates a false sense of intimacy with sexual images.
or home bound family and
It was a matter of renewing my mind with the Word,
friends in your area, please
as well as having real discipline and finding accountability,
call toll-free: 1-888-503-7955
he says. I had to find people I could trustpeople who
or visit our web site at:
www.maysmission.org. wouldnt humiliate me or gossip about me, people who
Greg Quinlan
would offer firm and loving friendship.
Dedicated to serving people The lynchpin to freedom from same-sex attraction, though, was dealing with a root of bit-
with disabilities and enhancing terness toward a father who had abused him physically and emotionally. Quinlan remembers
their quality of life. Educating
the sting of three devastating words from his father: I hate you.
the public that, given the
In His mercy, God led Quinlans father to repentance. He received Christ as his Savior
opportunity,
people with right before he died and reversed the curse of hatred, expressing his love toward Quinlan.
disabilities But Quinlan wasnt ready to forgive until the Holy Spirit started bombarding his spirit with
can succeed inconvenient verses. One of these verses was Mark 11:26, in which Jesus says, But if you do
and become not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.
productive Quinlan got the point. Listing his dads transgressions one by one, he forgave, forgave
citizens. and forgave some more. Although he didnt feel anything at that moment, within weeks his
MAYS MISSION same-sex attractions naturally faded away. In Quinlans experience, the road to deliverance
For The Handicapped, Inc. from same-sex attractions began with understanding the Fathers heart.
Member of Faith in Action I think we would have a lot more people looking to be obedient to the Lord, looking to
Toll Free: 1-888-503-7955
www.maysmission.org shun sin more if they understood the why behind the dont, Quinlan says. And the why
This Institution is an Equal behind the dont is the mercy.
Opportunity Provider.

50 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com


STORIES TO
Hear & Share

TUNE IN TO:
Hot topics about your Christian faith
Christian newsmakers impacting the world
Powerful and practical leadership insights
Two news stories a day, well told
Ignite your walk with the Holy Spirit
Stories of faith from athletes
Life applications for todays women and young ladies

DOWNLOAD FREE Today


CPNShows.com /CharismaPodcastNetwork @CPNShows
touched he called the station and on the Word of God, listening to
confessed: Im gay. I dont want to be Bible cassettes in his car and con-
like this anymore. suming as much preaching and
Quinlan recited the sinners teaching as he could get in his spirit.
prayer, and then it happened. Prov- Quinlan also plugged into Solid
erbs 19:21 started taking over his life. Rock Church, where the pastors not
That night in 1992, 10 years after fully only embraced him but saw the call of
embracing a gay identity, Quinlan God on his life and suggested he help
rededicated his life to Jesus. He still start a church ministry to serve people
questioned, though, if God would ever who struggled with overcoming addic-
fully embrace him again. tions, including sex, alcohol and drugs.
On Easter Sunday 1993, that nag- From that point on, there was no
ging question was settled in his heart stopping him. Quinlan started working
forever when evangelist Peggy Richards Greg Quinlan with Janet Boynes speaks
with the Christian Coalition in Ohio,
preached a sermon on the Fathers love at the Awakening 2014. lobbying for legislation such as the
at Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio. Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The message exposed the broken, spiri- He labored to get porn out of school
tually hungry places in Quinlans heart. life. What the devil has trained you to libraries, fought against partial-birth
I was boo-hoo snotting and slob- do, God will use for His glory. abortions and lobbied for the Defense
bering at the altar, he recalls. I said of Marriage Act in Ohio, which passed
in my heart, Lord, if You have taken Finding His True Calling in 2004 and mandated that the state
me back and You want to use me, then With that life-giving prophecy, only recognize marriages between one
tell me now. Quinlans heart was filled with a joy man and one woman.
God immediately answered his hearts and zeal he had never experienced What was interesting about that was
cry when Richards turned to him and before. After starving himself spiritu- I was doing exactly what I was doing
prophesied, Son, theres a call on your ally for a decade, he began meditating with HRC (Human Rights Campaign),

YOUR KEY TO UNLOCK


THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN GOD'S WORD
Don't be deceived in a world that increasingly sees
evil as good and good as evil.
HIDDEN TREASURE WILL HELP YOU:
Walk in the peace that surpasses all understanding
Receive deliverance from compulsive addictive
behaviors
Receive guidance from the Holy Spirit
Control emotional ups and downs
I pray this book blesses you and helps you and your
family grow in your relationship with Christ.

HiddenTreasure.website
Visit
for a FREE download of Hidden Treasure
but now I was doing it for the right homosexuality sin, which causes many
side, says Quinlan, who soon became gay lobbyists to gnash their teeth at
Orlando the president of Parents and Friends him. he opposition doesnt faze him,
of Gays and Ex-Gays (PFOX). PFOX though. In fact, the opposition seems
promotes awareness of ex-gays and pro- to fuel his passion to push back the
vides community for people struggling darkness that keeps captives bound.
with same-sex attraction and for their Michael Brown, founder and
family members. president of FIRE School of Min-
At a time in U.S. history when the istry, host of the apologetics TV show
Supreme Court has sanctioned immo- Answering Your Toughest Questions
rality through the same-sex marriage and author of Can You Be Gay and
In Everything We ruling, Richards prophetic word con-
tinues to fuel the righteous ire within
Christian? Responding With Love &
Truth to Questions About Homosexu-
Do, Were Reaching Quinlan. Hes not about to give up the
ight for souls now and hes committed
ality, appreciates every voice ighting
the good ight of faith to see Gods
Out To You, to contending for Gods Word despite truth reign in America.
the persecution. Indeed, he feels he has Brown says various opposing
Super Power been called for such a time as this. groups, as disconnected as they may
be, are remarkably united when it
SuperChannel 55 Battling Great Opposition comes to the gay revolution. Chris-
Beyond the dangerous ramiications tians must also unite.
Top 20 National Market for families, children and culture, Without a doubt, we are in the
Coverage population - 3.6 million Quinlan is concerned about how the midst of a massive cultural revolu-
Coverage: Orlando, Central Supreme Courts same-sex marriage tion, a signiicant downturn in faith
Florida, the I-4 Corridor and ruling will restrict religious freedom. He and biblical morality, an attempt to
More points to Houston Mayor Annise Park- cast of God and His standards. Yet
Including Disney World, The
Villages, UF and UCF campuses ers subpoena of ive pastors sermons so much of the church seems soundly
and 70,000 Hotel Rooms
Independent / Commercial
Tower1740 ft. amsl
Viewable by: Im convinced that the active, prayerful, Spirit-
Home Antenna, Cable,
Direct TV*, Dish Network*, anointed compassion of Gods people is the key
U-verse, Roku, Smartphone
and Internet Streaming
Over 1.1 Million Cable
to bringing deliverance and hope to those caught
Households
Orlando... 15th ranked
in the homosexual lifestyle.Janet Boynes
Hispanic market in the US
as one example. Another is Kim Davis asleep, content with lovely services and
Contact landing in jail for refusing to issue same-
sex marriage licenses in Kentucky. here
entertaining sermons, Brown says.
Its high time we awake to righ-
407-263-4040 are many cases of bakers, pizza shop teousness; to desperate, fervent prayer;
owners, and bed and breakfast facili- and to preaching Jesus without shame
ext 204 ties that have come under ire for not or apology. Gods answer to a godless
*Orlando, FL DMA catering to gays. counterculture revolution is a fresh
he bottom line is, this is an Jesus Revolution. Why not now?
Visit us at attack on Christianity, Quinlan says. A question just as appropriate is: If
Its an attack on Him; therefore, its not now, when? he church has been
NRB 2016 an attack on us. He stresses that the quiet for too long on many social
Booth #627 right response is neither to fear or issues. If we remain silent now, we
hate. All I know is we have to become cant cry out later when our religious
more devoted and dedicated to our liberties are further eroded. Quinlan
walk with Jesus Christ. understands this reality all too well.
P.O. Box 608040 Quinlans passion for Christ and Greg is a courageous guy who goes
biblical marriage has caused some to into lions dens such as corporate stock-
Orlando, FL 32860 cheer him onand others to per- holders meetings and legislative hearings
secute him. Hes not afraid to call and tells them what they dont want to
superchannel.com 54 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
A TRUE HERO: FROM SHEPHERD BOY TO KING
An Immersive Biblical Experience for Your Youth and Kids
TEACHING THE BIBLE and the interaction or
tenets of Christianity has historically observation. But
been done through individual reading, with the Internet and
sermons and discussion. Although the social media at our
styles of each has changed over time, ngertips, we now
the methods havent since the time of prefer to read in short
Jesus. After all, there really wasnt a urries, have less
need to change the method because ability to focus and
the way people learned didnt change have more di culty
either. That is, until June 29, 2007. thinking through
Apple fanatics will recognize June complex subjects. In 2013, Kingdom Games began
29, 2007 as the release date of the rst The immersive nature of video working to develop gaming stories
iPhone, and it has changed the way games make them one of the best safe for all age groups. Our recently
people access information and learn. ways to teach. That is why so many released game, FIVE: Guardians
The Internet, smartphones, and social businesses are racing to gamify of David, is the first full-featured,
media have blurred the line between their products and processes. If you full-length video game for PC or
information and entertainment, and are skeptical about using video games, Mac based directly on the Bible. It is
have created the perfect storm to you might remember Pauls attitude, designed for players from 9-49 years
drastically impact how people read, I have become all things to all people of age. A typical player will play the
learn and interact today. so that by all possible means I might game multiple times while focusing
Learning happens best when save some. It is sharing our message intensely on the biblical account
we are able to focus on a topic for a that is important, not preserving the of David and the geographical,
signicant period of time through teaching methods we have historically economic and political aspects of
reading, storytelling, discussion, used. his life!

BUY NOW AT KingdomGames.com/Fun


$19.99 $24.99 with Promo Code: Charisma
PLAYABLE on PC and MAC
AVAILABLE on AMAZON, STEAM and GREENMAN GAMING
COPYRIGHT 2015 Kingdom Games. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
FIVE: Guardians of David is a trademark of Kingdom Games.
iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple in the United States and other countries.
hearthat being gay is not genetic nor
is it unchangeable, says Robert Knight,
a conservative commentator and senior
fellow at the American Civil Rights
Union. This really messes with the lib-
eral worldview, which is based on junk
science and media propaganda.
Quinlan says its important to be
vocal because the goal of the secular

Greg is a courageous
guy who goes into lions
dens ... and tells them
what they dont want to
hear.Robert Knight
Lana left is to silence ex-gays so no one
knows change is possible. Matt Barber,
Were going to give up on this concept of an attorney focused on constitutional
insurance and trust God and His people?! law and editor of barbwire.com, says
Quinlan is a powerful weapon against
Yeah, of course! Thats a no-brainer! the enemys deception because he
escaped the homosexual lifestyle and
proved that people are not born that
way. Being born that wayin other
words, being born homosexualis
For more than twenty years, Samaritan Ministries a subject of heated debate between
members have been sharing one anothers medical Christians and the gay activist camp.
needs, without using health insurance, through a Biblical Greg is an articulate voice on mat-
ters of human sexuality and redemp-
model of community among believers. Samaritan tion, Barber says. His own story of
members share directly with each other and do not share how Christ saved him has been an
in abortions and other unbiblical practices. inspiration to many. According to the
Left, Greg doesnt even exist. Hes like
the abominable snowman.
More than 53,000 families (over 183,000 individuals)* But he doesand Quinlan says there
Sharing over $15 million* in medical needs each month are countless thousands of ex-gays just
like him. The problem is, most dont
The monthly share has never exceeded $405 for a speak up. Its not safe to come out,
family of any size* Quinlan says, because being mocked and
physically assaulted isnt uncommon for
Come see what our members are saying and start your ex-gays. Ive been assaulted. Ive been
sued. When I tried to talk to a young
own Samaritan story today at: mysamaritanstory.org gay man in Chicago about PFOX, the
man punched me in the face.
Quinlan says there are two reasons ex-
samaritanministries.org 888.268.4377
Biblical community facebook.com/samaritanministries gays are silent: They want to forget their
applied to health care twitter.com/samaritanmin past, and they dont want to face the per-
secution or expose their families to back-
* As of December 2015
lash. But there are others, such as gospel
singer Donnie McClurkin and activist
56 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
In this eye-opening book, Ed Rocha, an international healing ministry leader, tackles these conflicting
realities head on. Youll explore the supernatural principles of Gods Kingdom while reading fascinating stories of
successand failure. Along with solid biblical instruction, Rocha offers inspiring testimonies and prayers that will
increase your anointing and faith for healing and equip you for an
effective healing ministry.

Read this book with expectation, as the


author activates your faith to see the
Kingdom come as promised.
BILL JOHNSON, senior pastor,
Bethel Church, Redding, CA

his is a book I am conident to


recommend. Everyone who reads
it will feel encouraged and
inspired to heal the sick.
DR. TOM JONES, executive director,
Global Awakening Ministries
YOU CAN LIVE AN ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Adam LiVecchi
interviews Greg Quinlan about how
pornography hurts people and creates
strongholds at quinlan.charismamag.com.

EXTRAORDINARY LIFE! Janet Boynes, who are willing to stand


up and speak the truth despite the cost.
Im convinced that the active,
prayerful, Spirit-anointed compassion
of Gods people is the key to bringing
deliverance and hope to those caught
in the homosexual lifestyle, says
Boynes, author of Called Out: A
Former Lesbians Discovery of Freedom
and founder of Janet Boynes Minis-
tries. If someone had confronted me
with a judgmental attitude or even
a hint of condemnation, I wouldve
turned away. You see, I already had
enough condemnation boiling deep
inside me. What I needed most was
an active demonstration of Gods love
and mercy breaking into my prison of
sin and guilt.

Driven by a Mission
As for Quinlan, he is driven by
the life-changing prophetic word he
received hanksgiving Day in 1992:
What the devil has trained you to
do, God will use for His glory. He
believes that prophetic word can apply
to many others like him who struggle
with same-sex attractionand hes
intentional about helping people and
their families through the struggle.
Now, Quinlan is writing a curriculum
to equip churches to help people who
struggle with same-sex attraction. But it
all boils down to one word: hope. heres
You have a cooperative, interdependent always hopehope for those struggling
with same-sex attraction; hope for those
relationship with your heavenly Father, and with a horrible past; and hope for those
you can expect extraordinary results when whose loved ones are stuck in sin.
Im telling my story of hope
you depend on Him. because people need to know, he says.
I would encourage anyone who left
In Royal Partners, youll discover how the homosexual lifestyle to do the same
and why He wants to be involved in every thing. he Bible says, Let the redeemed
of the Lord say so. We have to get the
aspect of your life and include you in word out. We cannot be silent. We have
everything He does. to speak the truth in love, but it isnt love
if you dont tell the truth. he truth will
set people free.

For more information and a FREE JENNY ROSE CURTIS is a copy editor for
chapter, go online to foxven.com/royal. Charisma Media and a co-host of the Spirit-
Led Woman and Charisma News podcasts.
char ismamag.com
EXPAND YOUR LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE
... with NICL

The National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL) is


What NICL graduates are saying: your answer to grow as a leader. Continue to improve your
leadership skills and learn how to impact your team.
Dr. Mark Rultand was able to masterfully put
language to instinct. This was not a marginal
experience, it was a profound leadership 7 Skills and Takeaways You Receive From NICL:
experience. Wisdom in balancing leadership with management to
Pastor Pierre Du Plessis maximize your teams potential
The Fathers House Strategic leadership principles to steer your organization
toward growth
The course was incredible! The principles I learnt Effective organizational strategies for startups and
from Dr Rutland have already had a huge impact relaunches
on our church. It was definitely worth flying to Principles for board management, budgeting and financing
the USA four times in 12 months to complete it. How to put the right staff in key positions to bring balance
In fact, it was so impacting that I have asked Dr
to your team
Rutland to come and teach the course to Pastors
and Leaders in Australia. Ideas for recruiting, managing and keeping volunteers to
help you grow
Paul Geerling, Senior Pastor
How to create an atmosphere where preaching and
iSEE Church, Brisbane
worship work together to effectively communicate the
Australia
message of Christ
LOCATIONS: Lake Mary, FL | Gainesville, GA | Southlake, TX

Dr. Mark Rutland Attend your first session FREE!


NICL Founder
& Director Reserve your seat today!
Call 407-333-7106
or visit theNICL.com/lead
Charisma Caucus: Where Faith & Politics Meet
BY TROY ANDERSON

The Key to Americas Spiritual Resurrection in 2016


Faith leaders call on Christians to do 3 things as the caucuses and primaries begin

I
n this years presidential election, Americas greatest hope is spiritual resurrection. to the public square, Lane says. His effort
What St. Augustine prayed in the fifth century should be on the lips of 21st-century to inspire 1,000 pastors to run for city
Christians: Revive Thy Church, O Lord, beginning with me, says David Lane, founder council, school board, county commis-
of the American Renewal Project, an organization helping energize pastors to mobilize sioner, mayor and Congress this year is
their congregations to register and vote their faith. taking off. So far, more than 2,000 pas-
We are asking 100,000 American Renewal Project senior pastors to hold weekly prayer ser- tors and their spouses have attended Issa-
vices asking God for mercy for what we have allowed to a once-Christian nation, Lane says. As we char Training seminars, and 350 have said
begin to re-establish prayer in America, Christs disciples can expect an increase in wickedness as they will run for office this year.
we prepare to return our nation to a biblically based culture. Men and women of faith must pick With all this momentum, Hyatt says
up the shield of faith, for nothing else can quench Satans fiery darts. believers must seriously and fervently
At a time when several caucuses and primariesincluding the all-important Iowa pray for a national spiritual awakening.
Caucusare beginning, faith leaders are calling on believers to pray and vote. Of the nations It is not enough to just elect a Christian
80 million self-identified evangelicals, only half are registered to vote, and only half of those president, Hyatt says. We have done
actually voted in the last presidential election. If 4 percent that in the past and continued to lose the
more had voted differently in 2012, the nation would culture to secular godlessness. A genuine
The future of have a different president today. spiritual awakening that restores morality
America is at stake. I truly believe that if evangelical Christians will begin and a virtuous mindset will provide the
now to seriously pray for a national spiritual awakening social and spiritual force for a Christian
Eddie Hyatt and turn out to vote en masse that America can be saved president to initiate positive change.
and taken in a new and godly direction, says Eddie Hyatt, a Five years ago, I had given up hope
historian and pastor. In his book, Americas Revival Heritage, that America would see another national
Hyatt has written about what it takes to ignite another Great Awakening. spiritual awakening, but God surprised me
Traditionally, the Iowa Caucus has garnered mass attention as an early indicator of with a visitation that lasted for several hours
which candidates may win the party nominations. The top three finishers will benefit from and made it very real to me that America
an increase in fundraising and millions of dollars worth of free media. For many years, Dr. can see another great spiritual awakening.
Michael Brown, host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire and presi- As the nation turns its attention to the
dent of the FIRE School of Ministry, says pundits have pointed to each election as being very, presidential election, many say prayer is
very important, and on some level, that was true. vital. Brown says Christians should pray for
Its all the more true this time, Brown says. Weve seen the radical policies that were Gods best choice for America.
encouraged and aided by President Obama. Weve seen the bad fruit of that. Weve seen the We should ask God to have mercy on
weakness of the Republican establishment to stand up for many of the values of its constitu- our country, Brown says. We should go
ency. So we have very serious challenges, and in my view, we need a strong, godly candidate into prayer, repenting of our corporate sins,
who will also face down the political establishment. which transcend political differences. We
Lane, Hyatt and Brown understand, though, that its going to take far more than a righ- have sins on all sides of the aisle.
teous president to change the nation. Hyatt encourages people to pray the
I want to emphasize that another election in and of itself will not change anything, prayer of Jesus: Thy kingdom come, Thy
Hyatt says. But if the people of God will begin now to seriously pray for spiritual awakening will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
throughout the land, such an awakening will provide the spiritual and moral strength and As the people of God, it is His kingdom
backing for a Christian president to make the difficult decisions that will take the nation in a (administration) that we desire to see
DOLLAR PHOTO CLUB

different and godly direction. expressed, and His will that we desire to see
If America is to survive, men and women of Issachar (1 Chr. 12:32) must bring their values done in this election.

TROY ANDERSON is a senior writer at Charisma Media. Follow him on Twitter (@TroyMAnderson), Facebook (troyandersonwriter) or
online at troyanderson.us.
60 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
P owerful
TEACHINGS
to Empower You
HOLY SPIRIT 7 PRAYER 7 REFLECTION
Share with family & friends

Radically change your relationship with the


Holy Spirit by reading Life in the Spirit.
This 84-page booklet offers you the
best of Charisma's articles on the Holy
Spirit to help guide you toward a deeper
Spirit-lled walk. Keep this booklet
with your Bible for quick reference.

SAVE 50% SAVE 70% SAVE 80%


1-9 copies 10-99 copies 100+ copies
$5 Each $3 Each $2 Each

ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY


life.charismamag.com 7 800-749-6500
*US Prices Only. Canadian and International customers please call for pricing.
Empower For more reviews,
RESOURCES FOR SPIRIT-LED LIVING teachings and
Resources, go to
charismamag.com

1 War Room
Provident Films
In War Room, Alex and Stephen
Kendrick, the creators of Fireproof
and Courageous, present the story of
a crumbling marriageand how the
power of prayer can ultimately save the
day. As Miss Clara says, Victories dont
come by accident! Bring home the
Writer-director Alex Kendrick surprise box-office hit of the summer
discusses a scene with Karen and find out how you too can create
Abercrombie (Miss Clara). your own battle plan of prayer.

2 Origins: How the Choices of


3 Out of the
House of Bread
Your Ancestors Aect You Today Preston Yancey
Linda Godsey Zondervan
Charisma House Could spiritual disciplines be like
Are your natural weaknesses spiritually tied to your family of making a loaf of bread? Preston
origin or your environment? In Origins, Pastor Linda Godsey Yancey certainly thinks so. He guides
teaches readers to discover family baggage, break genera- readers through nine spiritual disci-
tional patterns and experience Gods intended blessing. plines, including intercession, fasting
and wonder. Along the way, he
relates the disciplines to a culinary
process, powerfully demonstrating
how these timeless Christian practices

4 Have It All
Bethel Music
can spiritually nourish the believer.
2015 CTMG, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The spirit of Bethel Music is summed


up in the lyrics to the title track: You
can have it all, Lord/Every part of my
world/Take this life and breathe on/
This heart that is now Yours. Bethel
Music returns with 14 all-new songs
and 13 prominent worship leaders,
including Jeremy Riddle and Brian
and Jenn Johnson. Believers who
Linda Godsey want to make a joyful noise unto the
Lord will find plenty to praise here.
62 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
5 Steadfast Love
Lauren Chandler
B&H Books
Sometimes disaster strikes, and
its hard to see Gods plan amid Stephen Prothero
the suffering. Lauren Chandler
certainly felt this way
when her husband, Matt,
was diagnosed with brain
cancer. Despite despera-
tion and heartache, Lauren
scoured Gods Word
8 Why Liberals
Win the Culture
and discovered how He
comforts His followers
Wars (Even
and shows love to the When They
Lauren Chandler
hurting. Her new book,
Steadfast Love, is a monu-
Lose Elections)
ment to Gods goodness
Stephen Prothero
within lifes tribulations. HarperOne
Best-selling author
Stephen Prothero digs
through centuries
of Americas political
history to find out
how the American
cultural wars were
foughtand why
liberals always seem
to win. His conclu-
sions are startling.
Is the resolution of
todays culture war a

7 The Great
Deceiver
foregone conclusion,
or is there hope for a
conservative victory?

6 Supernatural Deliverance: Freedom


for Your Soul, Mind and Emotions
Vision Video
Contrary to popular belief, the
devil isnt a little guy in a red
jumpsuit with a pitchfork and
Guillermo Maldonado horns. Hes the enemy of God,
Whitaker House and his goal is nothing short
As the founder of Ministerio Internacional El Rey Jess, of separating every individual
apostle Guillermo Maldonado has seen his share of from relationship with Christ.
STEPHANIE DIAMOND

demonic oppression. Many Christians love the Lord In this documentary, Pastor
but find themselves continually hounded by physical, Michael Newman explains
emotional and spiritual ailments. If you feel the same, let what the Bible says about
Maldonado show you how to break free of the enemys who the devil really isand
bondage and receive true deliverance through Christ. how believers can fight him.
char ismamag.com February 2016 | CHARISMA 63
MUSIC the hymns original Latin lyrics, and FILM
the result is a masterpiece. The next
Inheritance two tracks are equally great. Assad Woodlawn
Audrey Assad reinvigorates Holy Holy Holy with a Pure Flix Entertainment
Fortunate Fall Records new percussion-oriented arrangement Though the Kendrick Brothers
For her fourth studio album, while keeping the song familiar enough War Room got all the attention last
Inheritance, Audrey Assad took an that traditional worship lovers will year, another movie made by a pair
unorthodox approach. A talented immediately recognize it. Be Thou My of brothers may have quietly been
songwriter known for her original, Vision, by contrast, strips the original the best Christian film of 2015. Based
meditative work, Assad instead applies hymn down to its fundamentals and on a true story, Woodlawn is set in
her talents to a hymns cover album. highlights Assads beautiful voice and Birmingham, Alabama, in the imme-
Fans of the reverent attitude. diate wake of the governments man-
independent Though the album peaks early with dated desegregation. The film follows
Christian singer- the first three songs, the rest of Inheri- Tony Nathan, an African-American
songwriter may tance is still good, particularly for those student who joins the Woodlawn Colo-
be disappointed who appreciate introspective worship. nels football team, a team as racially
at the lack of New Every Morning and Even Unto divided as the city itself. But when Jesus
original content, Death are both rousing paeans, Jesus Movement evangelist Hank Erwin (Lord
but rest assured Blood Has Never Failed Me Yet is a dark of the Rings Sean Astin) ministers to
that Assads alternatingly traditional and broodingif somewhat under- the football team, the team is radically
and unique renditions of hymns creates developedrendition of the classic transformed by Christ and embarks
a refreshing atmosphere of worship. hymn, and It Is Well With My Soul on one of the most unlikely winning
Take, for instance, the album opener, uses minimalism to lovely effect. For streaks in football history.
Ubi Caritas. This early church hymn Christians looking to create an atmo- Astins performance as the outsider
is believed to be written between the sphere of humble worship, its hard to evangelist is magnetic. His characters
fourth and 10th centuries. Assad retains find a better album. Taylor Berglund ties to the Jesus Movement will delight

Ive had a great time working with the Creation House team.
They are enthusiastic, professional, and gospel centered.
This could be a God-connection for you.
Michael L. Brown, PhD,
author of Authentic Fire

Are YOU our next


BEST-SELLING AUTHOR?
CREATION HOUSE has been an industry
leader for 45 years with world-wide
distribution and a reputation for quality
and integrity. Show us your work and let
us explore publishing options with you.

SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT AT:


www.creationhouse.com

www.creationhouse.com 800.599.5750 13369


charismatic audiences, and his passion
for God is visceral in every scene.
Nic Bishop gives a similarly good per-
BIBLE READING GUIDE
formance as coach Tandy Geralds. The Follow our daily reading plan in each issue of
true star of the Charisma to read through the Modern English
show, however, Version Bible in one year. The plan is also
is newcomer available online at charismamag.com/brg.
Caleb Castille,
who plays THEN THE LORD WILL CREATE upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her
Tony Nathan. assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over
Jon and all the glory shall be a covering.Isaiah 4:5
Andy Erwin Feb. 1 Ex. 30-32; Acts 8 Feb. 15 Lev. 25; Ps. 25-26; Acts 22
are the writers, Feb. 2 Ex. 33-34; Ps. 16; Acts 9 Feb. 16 Lev. 26-27; Acts 23
directors and Feb. 3 Ex. 35-36; Acts 10 Feb. 17 Num. 1-2; Acts 24
producers of Feb. 4 Ex. 37-38; Ps. 19; Acts 11 Feb. 18 Num. 3-4; Acts 25
Woodlawn, and they imbue every Feb. 5 Ex. 39-40; Ps. 15; Acts 12 Feb. 19 Num. 5-6; Ps. 22; Acts 26
technical quality of the film with Feb. 6 Lev. 1-3; Acts 13 Feb. 20 Num. 7; Ps. 23; Acts 27
excellence. The cinematography Feb. 7 Lev. 4-6; Acts 14 Feb. 21 Num. 8-9; Acts 28
is great, and not just great for a Feb. 8 Lev. 7-9; Acts 15 Feb. 22 Num. 10-11; Ps. 27; Mark 1
Christian filmthe vivid camera Feb. 9 Lev. 10-12; Acts 16 Feb. 23 Num. 12-13; Ps. 90; Mark 2
work can hold its own against any Feb. 10 Lev. 13-14; Acts 17 Feb. 24 Num. 14-16; Mark 3
classic sports film. Whether you Feb. 11 Lev. 15-17; Acts 18 Feb. 25 Num. 17-18; Ps. 29; Mark 4
enjoy football or not, Woodlawns Feb. 12 Lev. 18-19; Ps. 13; Acts 19 Feb. 26 Num. 19-20; Ps. 28; Mark 5
story of breaking down racial Feb. 13 Lev. 20-22; Acts 20 Feb. 27 Num. 21-23; Mark 6
and spiritual boundaries will find Feb. 14 Lev. 23-24; Ps. 24; Acts 21 Feb. 28 Num. 24-27; 1 Cor. 13
you enraptured. Taylor Berglund

IS
TH ! .97
B AL 4 0.92
RADE $2UE $8
G HOLY SPIRIT
LYIL VA
L

NA LEADERSHIP
O RET BUNDLE
ORDER TODAY!
SAVE UP TO 70%
You get two great books on the Holy Spirit from
R.T. Kendall and TWO FULL YEARS of Ministry Today.
Take your personal life and your leadership to a whole new level
with the Holy Spirit.

CALL 800-749-6500
and mention code I5SHOPM8
For faster service go to: holyfire.ministrytodaymag.com

char ismamag.com February 2016 | CHARISMA 65


Fire in My Bones
BY J. LEE GRADY

Dont Let Negative News Steal Your Joy


Whats going on in the world shouldnt dictate your attitude. Here are some reasons you should be rejoicing

C
hristians should be the happiest people on 6) Global violence is decreasing.
earth. But everywhere I go, I find that many Because we have easy access to news, and
who claim to have faith have lost their joy. we hear about mass shootings as soon as
I know the headlines about mass shootings they occur, Americans think the world is
and terrorist attacks arent encouraging, to say the least. more dangerous than ever. Thats not true.
But who said the news should determine our attitude? If you compare violent deaths from wars,
The current presidential campaign has made people genocide and crime through the centuries,
angry too. If Facebook posts are any indication of the the numbers have never been lower than
national mood, folks today arent just mad, theyre out- todayeven with 21st-century terrorists
raged. Some people are so freaked out by Obama con- on the loose.
spiracy theories and the threat of another Clinton in the 7) There are fewer dictators in the
White House they need to take a break from the discus- world. The number of authoritarian coun-
sion before they hyperventilate. I still believe God tries has dropped from a high of almost
I believe we have much to rejoice about. I still believe 90 in 1976 to about 25 now. Democracy is
God calls us to walk in supernatural peace, love and joy
calls us to walk in growingand its likely that authoritarian
no matter what is happening in the world. There are actu- supernatural peace, nations in the Middle East (such as Iran) will
ally some really encouraging things happening behind see drastic political changes soon.
the headlines. Here are a few: love and joy. 8) The Bible is still the most popular
1) Muslims are coming to Christ faster than book ever. The Bible ranks at the top of
ever before. David Garrison, author of the book A Wind in the House of Islam, says something favorite book lists among Americans. It is
unprecedented is stirring in the Muslim world. We are living in the midst of the greatest turning also the best-selling and most widely dis-
of Muslims to Christ in history, he writesciting evidence that dozens of powerful Christian tributed book in the world. Nearly 4 billion
movements have started among Muslims since the year 2000. copies of the Bible were printed and sold
2) The gospel is transforming China. The Telegraph reported two years ago that Christianity globally in the last five decadesfar
is growing so fast in China that it will most likely be considered a Christian nation by 2030. Given exceeding any other book.
Chinas economic power in the world, this has huge implications for our future. 9) Jesus is still on the throne. The last
3) The United States is in a church-planting boom. There has been lots of handwringing book of the Bible reminds me that when its
about the decline of mainline churches in America. But church growth expert Ed Stetzer says new time for Jesus to come back, He will return
churches are actually being planted in the United States more quickly than old ones are dying victorious. All His enemies will bow down
and research shows that 60 to 80 percent of people who join new churches are from unchurched and acknowledge His lordship (Rom. 14:11).
backgrounds. That means more people are being reached with the gospel today than when dead Jesus is not fretting about ISIS, Hillary
religious churches talked and sang about evangelism but never did it. Clinton, gay marriage, illegal immigrants,
4) Latin America is experiencing a political and spiritual awakening. Recent elections in Obamacare or the next big economic crisis.
Venezuela were one more indication that leftist governments are losing power in Latin America. You shouldnt fret either.
Similar movements against socialism and corruption are occurring in Argentina, Brazil and other Dont let the evening news steal your
Latin countriesat a time when evangelical churches are growing at unprecedented rates. joy. If you have become sour, grumpy or
5) Spiritual hunger is rising in our nation. Im not denying that segments of our culture fearful because of whats going on in the
have grown hostile to Christian faith. But the popularity of faith-based films such as War Room world, push your rejoice button and reset
caught Hollywood by surprise this year. Meanwhile, popular Bible teachers get as much traction your spiritual life. God is moving behind
on Twitter and other social media as secular celebrities such as Katy Perry or Lady Gaga. And the the scenes, and all who trust in Him have
amount of Christian content on YouTube and other digital media today is staggering. something to celebrate.
SEAN ROBERTS

J. LEE GRADY was editor of Charisma for 11 years. He now serves as contributing editor while devoting more time to ministry. You can find him
on Twitter (@leegrady) or online (themordecaiproject.org.) He is the author of a new book, The Truth Sets Women Free (Charisma House).
66 CHARISMA | February 2016 char ismamag.com
The Presence
Visit www.liveinthepresence.com to watch
Episode 1 Breakthrough
and sign up to receive your FREE DVD
DVD Includes: Whole first episode of The Presence Breakthrough
Plus Additional Teachings On: Peace In The Storm Hearing the Holy Spirit
Becoming More Like Him True Worship Spiritual Journaling
(limited to the first 2,500 signups)

Find out what it truly means to walk in His Presence


IT WAS OUT OF LOVE
IS YOURS FREE
ItThis
Was trueOut Of
love story
Love Willyou
will inspire Teach
to fulll God's
and Coach
purposes by: You
By:
Giving you valuable
lessons about red flags in a
new relationship

Teaching you to experience


the joy of the Holy Spirit in
the midst of trials
Showing you the power of
forgiveness in healing and
restoration

Helping you see God's


grace at work in the midst
of a 30-year deception

Visit itwasoutoove.org to
Download your FREE E-Book

You might also like