http://www.identitynetwork.net So that your FAITH might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the POWER of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5b ESV We know the Church is being corrected in some of our doctrines and beliefs regarding the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Whether it's the use of spiritual gifts, the accuracy of prophecy, or the veracity of our leaders, we are being disciplined. But this process is not meant to reduce us – it is meant to purify and empower us. It is not only our doctrines that are being tested, but our faith in a supernatural God. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299693&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 It's a question I frequently hear. It's one I've asked. And maybe it's one you've asked, too. It's, "God, why did You give this to me?" This can be any number of issues from emotional or psychological struggles, to symptoms or sicknesses, disabilities or disasters. When we struggle for so long, the tendency is to eventually blame God, which is exactly what the enemy wants. The devil's goal with a question like this is to take himself out of the limelight in order to make God seem to be the author of all evil. He does this to erode your confidence in God's goodness, and ultimately, your relationship and intimacy with Him. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299706&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 If you've ever had a difficult boss, coach, parent, or other superior figure, you likely know what it means to desire their favor. In some cases, it seems futile to even try, especially if they tend to find fault with anything and everything you do. In the best cases they can be pleased, if you work hard. Regardless, it's challenging to live under such circumstances because you rarely feel they are pleased and therefore, you seldom feel satisfied. It's comforting, then, to read Psalm 90 and realize that the Superior of superiors, the everlasting God, is able and willing to shine His favor upon His people.     http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299707&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 "I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak" (Matt.12:36 – CSB). "For nothing is concealed that won't be revealed. And nothing hidden that won't be made known and brought to light" (Luke 8:17 – CSB). These are my least favorite verses in the New Testament. They are the words of Jesus. Am I to believe them? Are they true? Will all I have said and all I have done be revealed openly on the day of judgment? I hope not. According to Jesus, it is only a matter of time when all that is knowable about you and me will be out in the open. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299626&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 "If you think Jesus would flip that table, why would you want to pull up a chair to sit at it?" That question has been sitting with me lately, especially while watching so much of modern culture reward behavior that feels completely disconnected from compassion, humility, or basic human decency. We live in a moment where outrage is entertainment, cruelty is often mistaken for strength, and power seems to matter more than integrity. Too many people no longer ask whether something is right or wrong. Instead, they ask whether it benefits their side, protects their tribe, or helps them win. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299640&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Many years ago, as I was ministering in Westville, Oklahoma, I began to prophesy and heard myself say, "There's more to prophecy and prophesying than you thought." I didn't know what that might be, so I had to keep talking to find out what God was saying. The Spirit of God continued, "Don't say, 'I can't prophesy,' for you can. You can prophesy in your prayer closet. You can prophesy in your car. And you can prophesy when you're alone. Did I not say that in the last days, I would pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy?" http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299494&view=post&blogid=2093 Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 If you were to hold an ancient shepherd's staff in your hands, you would feel more than just the smoothed grain of almond or oak. You would feel the ridges of a life story. In the quiet hours of the night watch, a shepherd would take a small knife to the wood, carving the milestones of his journey into the very tool he leaned upon. There might be a notch for a narrow escape from a predator, a symbol for a year of plenty, or the initials of a father and grandfather who carried a staff just like it. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299275&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Jesus valued friendship. In John 15:15, Jesus told His disciples, "I have called you friends." Such a profound statement coming from the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! That Jesus invited you and me into deep friendship is nothing short of miraculous! But let's go a bit deeper and consider three lessons we can learn from His friendships. Psychologists teach us how important secure attachment is in forming deep relationships later in life. As our Creator, Jesus knew how important that place of secure attachment is. So He encouraged His friends to abide in Him (John 15:4). http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299195&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Most people approach their roles, responsibilities, and daily work as obligations - things to manage, survive, or simply get through. But that perspective misses one of the most powerful Kingdom realities: Your assignment is not a task - it is a territory. And you were never sent into that territory just to function. You were sent there to govern it. There is a defining difference between working in an assignment and ruling within it. Most people show up to complete tasks. But from a Kingdom perspective, you were designed to establish Heaven's order in a defined space. You are not just present- you are positioned. Not just active—you are authorized. Not just responsible—you are representative of God's rule. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=299225&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Around 3 a.m., the Words "A Cataclysmic Collapse" came to me. Later that morning, I came across 1 Thessalonians 5:3, which speaks of peace and sudden destruction. "While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape." 1 Thessalonians 5:3. I had never heard of "A Cataclysmic Collapse" and didn't even know its spelling. I looked it up on my dictionary app. I never dwell on The LORD's Judgments or anything negative about the future, even though The LORD warns about these end times. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=298991&view=post&blogid=2093 Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 What does it mean to be spiritually disciplined? In short, spiritual disciplines are the habits and patterns you walk in that produce spiritual maturity and growth. Yet not all spiritual disciplines are created equal. Many spiritual disciplines have been misused, hindering the growth and life they were intended to bring. As Jesus taught, we must discern people and practices by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). The fruit of true spiritual discipline is holy transformation–becoming more alive, more whole, more purposeful, and more like Jesus. They are habits and patterns that produce spiritual maturity and growth. They feed your faith and starve your fears. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=298759&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 The true active Church (global) that we know today is going to face some changes. The ones who are working to maintain it and increase it for His Glory are doing well. But not all churches are doing that!  Some have slacked off, some have gotten into wrong doctrine, and some are just dying off. Some have gone on to Glory, which is to their benefit, but some have just gotten lazy and complacent and let "others" just do it for them. They will toss in some money gifts, but pretty much let all the others do the work! http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=298760&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 I once read an intriguing excerpt from a book; paraphrasing, it says: "A very prosperous and divided nation is about to implode. Many hold to a form of godliness but deny the true God. As drunkenness and addiction spiral out of control, sexual sin and perversion have captivated the minds of millions." It continued: "Marriages are crumbling, families deteriorating, and children are suffering. There is little hope for justice when oppression and abuse run rampant. The cry goes out, 'Is there any hope'? http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=298768&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 John 10:10 has been a favorite scripture of mine for many years now. It says, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]" (AMP). This verse opened my eyes to the truth that Jesus gave His life so I could have a good life now, here in this world, and not just when I go to heaven someday. But the question was: How can I actually have an abundant life in Christ. There were many years when I was a Christian, yet I struggled and strived much of the time to live the way Jesus teaches us to live in God's Word. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=298209&view=post&blogid=2093 Wed, 6 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 The Lord is looking for people who are desperate for Him. Some of you are like Elisha, who slaughtered his yoke of oxen, burned his plowing equipment, and cooked the meat to feed the people, then set out to follow Elijah. The Lord says, "I will honor your sacrifice." Others are like Jacob, who wrestled with the angel saying, "I won't let you go until you bless me." The Lord says: Your perseverance will be rewarded. And some are like Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore tree just to see Jesus walk by. The Lord says, "I will come to your house today to visit you." http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=298233&view=post&blogid=2093 Wed, 6 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Here is the great reversal, the truth that changes everything. Your mind tells you that life is about figuring it out, getting as much information and knowledge as possible so you can finally understand and control your experience. Your heart whispers you something entirely different which is that you need to discover what is already within you. The mind shouts stay in control. The heart invites you to trust and release. The mind drives you to build your own salvation plan by trying to get it right every time. The heart shows you that wholeness is already present and you just need to wake up to see it. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297783&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Across history, societies drift when truth is compromised and leaders pursue power over righteousness. The biblical warnings found in Micah, Nahum, and the legacy of Omri reveal a pattern of generational compromise that can shape cultures and nations. Yet Scripture also points to another path of spiritual and moral awakening. In a time when America stands at a crossroads, the call remains the same: return to God, renew the heart of the Church, and awaken compassion in our communities. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297410&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Throughout Scripture, God is revealed as one who is forever on the move. From Genesis to Revelation, the Lord is consistently portrayed as advancing toward a divine and Glorious destination—the conclusion of His transcendent Plan. His triumph, already secured at the Cross, is approaching its fullness. Psalm 68 makes a notable and remarkable statement: "They have seen Your procession, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary." http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297426&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 There's a phrase that echoes through both American history and the human soul: "the better angels of our nature." Jon Meacham revisits it in The Soul of America, drawing from Abraham Lincoln's appeal during one of the nation's most divided moments. Meacham's point is not naive optimism. It's a sober recognition that we are always capable of our worst instincts: fear, division, self-preservation, but we are also capable of something higher. The "better angels" are not automatic. They must be chosen, summoned, embodied. History does not drift toward justice on its own; it moves when people decide to live from their highest values instead of their lowest fears. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297427&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 One of the most frequent questions I hear from believers is, "How do I know if I'm really hearing from God?" It's a question that reflects both hunger and hesitation, the desire to hear Father's voice coupled with uncertainty about discerning it clearly. The good news is that clarity about what Father is saying comes through a practical discernment process that transforms how we hear and how we walk out Kingdom purpose on earth. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297252&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Ever walked into a room and felt the atmosphere change or feel a charged atmosphere? This sensation often stems from subtle cues like body language, tone of voice, or even unspoken emotions in the room. Such moments highlight how humans are attuned to nonverbal signals, shaping our perception of social dynamics and interpersonal interactions. In the Bible, this is also referred to as discernment. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297261&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 In a dream the other night, I was watching a gathering where a woman was beginning to lead worship. She was describing her situation which was bleak and dry. I saw a rock sticking out of the ground as she described a hardness of soil and things not going well. And yet in spite of this, she began to speak of her faith in God and her unwavering hope in His promise to come through. She was standing alone, and yet her faith was resolute in a God that would not let her down. She began to weep and I woke up feeling the depth of her cry in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297262&view=post&blogid=2093 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 There is a dimension of Malachi 3 that is consistently overlooked. While we focus on the tithe and the promise of overflow, there is a broader context—one that reaches beyond personal blessing to the world's experience. God's people were never meant to survive like other nations. They were intended to be a model nation. A demonstration of life under God's rule, echoing God's declaration to Abraham that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him. And their life would reveal God Himself. In Malachi, God wasn't only correcting giving habits. He was intent on restoring their global witness, making them a clear testament to His faithfulness once more. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=297192&view=post&blogid=2093 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:15 NLT) If we consider what were some of the practical factors in Christ's crucifixion, we realize that His sufferings were caused by men's fickleness, bigotry, fearfulness, jealousy and treachery. In love He bore all these for us. And these may well be the factors which challenge the reality of our love to God. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=296872&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 With so much exposure going on, when should we answer or critics (especially in response to the gifts of the Spirit)? While I understand that preachers and pastors cannot always give people an answer—I myself don't have time to read nor answer all the comments on my media feeds—there are times when we should explain our actions. It may not change the minds of those who are hell-bent on critiquing us, but it may clear up confusion for those in the middle. http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?articleid=296874&view=post&blogid=2093 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400