MostCHARISMAHOUSEBOOKGROUPproductsareavailableatspecialquantitydiscountsforbulkpurchaseforsalespromotions,premiums,fund-raising,andeducationalneeds.Fordetails,writeCharismaHouseBookGroup,600RinehartRoad,LakeMary,Florida32746,ortelephone(407)333-0600.

THEDEBORAHANOINTINGbyMichelleMcClain-WaltersPublishedbyCharismaHouseCharismaMedia/CharismaHouseBookGroup

600RinehartRoadLakeMary,Florida32746www.charismahouse.com

Thisbookorpartsthereofmaynotbereproducedinanyform,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformbyanymeans—electronic,mechanical,photocopy,recording,orotherwise—withoutpriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher,exceptasprovidedbyUnitedStatesofAmericacopyrightlaw.

Unlessotherwisenoted,allScripturequotationsarefromtheHolyBible,ModernEnglishVersion.Copyright©2014byMilitaryBibleAssociation.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.

ScripturequotationsmarkedAMParefromtheAmplifiedBible.Copyright©1954,1958,1962,1964,1965,1987byTheLockmanFoundation.Usedbypermission.

ScripturequotationsmarkedESVarefromtheHolyBible,EnglishStandardVersion.Copyright©2001byCrosswayBibles,adivisionofGoodNewsPublishers.Usedbypermission.

ScripturequotationsmarkedKJVarefromtheKingJamesVersionoftheBible.

ScripturequotationsmarkedNASarefromtheNewAmericanStandardBible,copyright©1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995byTheLockmanFoundation.Usedbypermission.(www.Lockman.org)ScripturequotationsmarkedNIVaretakenfromtheHolyBible,NewInternationalVersion®,NIV®.Copyright©1973,1978,1984,2011byBiblica,Inc.™UsedbypermissionofZondervan.Allrightsreservedworldwide.www.zondervan.comThe“NIV”and“NewInternationalVersion”aretrademarksregisteredintheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOfficebyBiblica,Inc.™

ScripturequotationsmarkedNKJVaretakenfromtheNewKingJamesVersion®.Copyright©1982byThomasNelson.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.

Copyright©2015byMichelleMcClain-WaltersAllrightsreservedCoverdesignbyLisaRaeMcClureDesignDirector:JustinEvansVisittheauthor’swebsiteatwww.michellemcclainministries.com.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData:McClain-Walters,Michelle.TheDeborahanointing/byMichelleMcClain-Walters.

pagescmIncludesbibliographicalreferences.

ISBN978-1-62998-606-7(tradepaper)—ISBN978-1-62998-607-4(e-book)1.Deborah(Biblicaljudge)I.Title.

BS580.D4M332015222’.32092—dc23

2015021977WhiletheauthorhasmadeeveryefforttoprovideaccurateInternetaddressesatthetimeofpublication,neitherthepublishernortheauthorassumesanyresponsibilityforerrorsorforchangesthatoccurafterpublication.

CONTENTS

Introduction:EmbracingtheCalltoBeaWomanofPowerandInfluence

Chapter1:TimesandSeasonsoftheCall

Chapter2:Deborah:TheJudgeandDeliverer

Chapter3:DeborahtheMother

Chapter4:DeborahtheWorshippingWarrior

Chapter5:DeborahtheHoneybee

Chapter6:DeborahtheProphetess

Chapter7:DeborahandBarak

Chapter8:Jael:AFierceWarrior

Chapter9:DeborahthePreserver

Chapter10:DeborahtheVisionary

Chapter11:AnointedWithPower,DesignedforInfluence

Chapter12:Lappidoth:TheManWhoTakesCareoftheWomanDeborah

Notes

Introduction

EMBRACINGTHECALLTOBEAWOMANOFPOWERANDINFLUENCE

Villagelifeceased.ItceaseduntilI,Deborah,arose;IaroselikeamotherinIsrael.—JUDGES5:7

VILLAGE LIFE HAD ceased. The conditions in Deborah’s society had becomedeplorableandtragic.Thewillofherpeoplehadbeenbrokenbythecrueltyandruthlessness of their Canaanite oppressors. They were suffering theconsequencesoftheirowndisobediencebeforeGod.TherewasagreatvacuumofthepresenceofGodintheland.Lifehadalmostcometoastandstill.Thievesinvadedandcausedroadstobeabandonedduetothedangerofassaults.Tradeandcommercehadobviouslycollapsed,forcaravanscouldnotevengetthroughthebandsofoutlawsscatteredupanddowntraderoutes.Therewerenochildrenplayingoutside,noneighborsstandingintheyardsengagedinconversations,nosocializinginanyfashionmuchlikethestreetsofmyownChicago,andmaybelikeyourtowntoo.Manyareconfinedtotheirhomesbecauseofviolence.Whatistheanswertothesedeplorableconditions?Iam.Youare.WomanofGod, theLord isextendingagreat invitation toyou tobecomea

partofHisstoryandtoeffecthistory.HeiscallingordinarywomenlikeyouintoHisextraordinarywork.Makenomistakeaboutit:embracingthemarvelouscallingofGodisnoteasy

orglamorous.Therewillalwaysbeobstaclestoovercomeandseeminglymoreattractivewaystolive.Yet,GodcallsustoliveasHisambassadorsamongthenations,spreadingHisloveandmakinganeternaldifferenceinthelivesofthoseinoursphereofinfluence.It’snotaboutGodbeingapartofyourstory; it’saboutyourbeingapartof

Hisstory.It’snotaboutwhoisforyouoragainstyou;it’saboutwhoyouarefor.Youarenotjustawomanwhohasauthority;youarealsoawomanlivingunderauthority.Will I live consumed with who is for me or against me, or will I live

consumed with whom I am for? Am I making my mark and fulfilling somehumanisticpurpose,orisGodmakingHismarkthroughme?As theLordbegins todirectyou toembraceyourcallingand thestirring in

yourheartforHisdestinyandpurposeforyou,Ibelievethatyouwillbegintotake on a similar divine urgency and sense of responsibility for things greaterthan yourself. I believe that you will begin to see yourself as a woman ofinfluence,conviction,andpower.Thereisadivinelyinspiredcrycomingoutofyour spirit, declaring, “Not on my watch!” The passion and righteousindignationoftheLordisarisingintheheartsofwomentotakeuptheswordofthe Spirit in prayer to touch heaven through prayer and intercession to bringreformationontheearth.JustasDeborahhadbeencalledtobecomethespokeswomanforGod,telling

ofdivinerevelationandstrategythatwouldleadthenationtovictory,Iseeyoutaking on this same mantle and walking in the anointing of wisdom andrevelation to bring solutions. You will take on these characteristics of theDeborahanointingandwillspeaktherightwordstoawakenmenandwomeninpowerfulplacestoadvocateandendorsekingdomruleandadvancement.

WhatIstheDeborahAnointing?“I,Deboraharose”(Judges5:7).TheHebrewwordtranslatedas“arose”1inthispassage of Scripture is a compound word that describes the position womenmusttakeinthistimeofcrisisintheearth.Itmeans

1.Toarise(hostilesense)—DeborahswillconfrontthepowersofdarknesswiththepowerofGod,liberatingthousandsofpeoplearoundtheworld.2. To arise, become powerful—Deborahs will be activated in the powergiftsoftheSpirit—thegiftsoffaith,healing,andmiracles3.Toarise,comeonthescene—Deborahswillbevoicesforthevoiceless.4. To stand, to maintain oneself—Deborahs will pioneer a movementamong women that will empower the next generation to fulfill theirdestiniesineveryareaoflife.5.Tobeestablished,beconfirmed,tostand,endure,tobefixed,tobevalid,to be proven, to be fulfilled, to persist, to be set, be fixed, to fulfill toconfirm,ratify,establish,impose,tostironeselfup—DeborahswillhavearesolvetostandboldlyinthecallofGod.Theywillnotapologizefor theanointing and grace they have to lead. These modern-day Deborahs willhaveresilienceandpersistence.

Many who carry a Deborah anointing will be blessed with the gift ofleadership.Theywillbewomenwhohavedevelopedthecharacterandabilitytoinspire and disciple the next generation to walk in the fullness of their call.Thesemodern-dayDeborahswillhavealifestyleofprayerandworshipthatwillcauseagenerationtoreturntotheirfirstlove,Jesus.AkeythemeoftheBookofJudgesisthatitexposesthedepravityandcorruptionofthehumanheart.Timeand timeagainwhenGod’speople criedout forHim to save them,Hewouldempoweradeliverertorescuethem.Butwhenthedeliverer(judge,prophet,orking) died, the people would slip back into their compromising permissivelifestyle.Theircorruptheartswereexposed;theylovedthisworldwithitsbrightlights,pleasures,possessions,wealth,honor,falseworship,andidolatry.Modern-day Deborahs will be women after God’s heart who will lead a

generationtostandforGod’swaysofrighteousnessinthemidstofawickedandperversegeneration.Deborah’sofficewasbetweenRamahandBethel.Ramahmeaning a place of idolatry andBethel being the house ofGod.TheDeborahanointing is a grace the breaks the idolatry in the human heart and causes it,throughmentoring,discipling,andtraining,tobematuredandpurified.The motivation of the modern-day Deborah is the mother’s heart. The

motheringanointingisreturningtothisland.ThisfacetoftheDeborahanointingistheabilitytonurtureageneration.Oneofthemajorcausesofrebellionintheyouth of our society is rejection and lack of guidance.Modern-dayDeborahswillspendtimeinthepresenceoftheLordtogainstrategiesandinsightonhowtoempowerthisgenerationwithwisdomandcounsel.Deborahwasawife,mother,intercessor,andprophetess.Shewasalsoajudge

and a national deliverer. This is not a bad résumé for a middle-aged womanliving in anoppressiveMiddleEasternculture.Weare introduced toher storywhilesheis infullmanifestationofhercalling.IwouldliketosharewithyouthekeyfactorsthatwillactivateaDeborahanointing.Youmaynotpossessallofthese characteristics, but it is important for you to cultivate each gift forwhatever level of manifestation is needed in developing your call andassignment.

KeystoactivatingtheDeborahanointing•Strategicintercessor—DevelopalisteningearinthepresenceoftheLord,andpraytowardthefulfillmentoftheplanstheLordshareswithyou.•Judge—Developa loveandcompassionfor thepeopletowhomyouaresent. Deborah had a deep love for the people of Israel, which shedemonstrated as she sat under the palm tree patientlymediating disputes

andbringingorderandjusticetothelivesofpeoplemiserablyoppressedbythecruelgovernment.•Prophetess—Operate inaheavenlydimensionofaspiritofwisdomandrevelation. Deborah did this well, and it was almost as if God hadsupernaturally implanted a divine compass in her, always guiding her toHim.•Mother—Deborah’s uniquematernal leadership style extended from thecommonmantothecommonwealth.Shehadagatheringgracethatcausedmen,women,commanders, and rulers tovoluntarilyenlist in thearmyofGod.Maternalinstinctmustreturntotheearth.Weneedtoprayanddecreethat youngwomenwill develop the heart of amother once again. Olderwomenmustteachtheyoungerwomen.Theremustbefocusedprayeranddeliveranceagainsthardnessofheartamongwomeninyoungergeneration.•Deliverer/militarystrategist—TheLordliterallydroppedaclearpropheticwordtosummonBarak,theIsraelicommander,torallythetroopsforbattleagainst insurmountable odds. Although we are not always facing naturalbattles, as modern-day Deborahs we must cultivate a spirit of propheticprayer thatwill enable us to pray accurate and strategic prayers thatwillcauseustoknowGod’sspiritualbattleplan.•Agitator—Tostiruporexcitepublicdiscussionwiththegoalofproducingchange, Deborah stirred up Israel’s concern about its low spiritualcondition.Shedidmore than justprophesy;shearousedanation fromitslethargy and despair. Modern-day Deborahs will do the same throughdigital media, books, television/radio broadcasts, and various forums toraisepublicawarenessfor the issues thatmatter toGodandbringhealingandempowermenttoHispeople.• Worshipping warrior—Remain in the presence of the Lord throughworship,Biblestudy,andprayer.ForDeborah,worshipwas thesourceofherstrength.ShefoundpeaceandpowerinthepresenceoftheLord.

HindrancestotheDeborahanointing• Fear—Women must be bold and courageous. We cannot operate asDeborahs when we fear men in authority or controversy. God isempowering women to break through many barriers and overcomeobstaclessetupbythedeviltoderailthemfromtheirGod-givendestinies.Fearlessandhumble,womenwillbeco-laborerswithHimandwithmeninredeemingandrestoringhumanityandtheearth.• Harsh speaking, aggressiveness, cold-heartedness, Jezebel-like nature

—Deborah means “honeybee.” God is raising up women who have thesting of the bee, deadly to the enemy, yet they will speak sweet andcompassionate words of wisdom to those who are in need. Modern-dayDeborahswillbeboldbutnotbrazenlikeJezebel.• Slumber and ministry burnout—Deborah declares in Judges 5:12:“Awake, awake,Deborah!Awake, awake, and sing a song!”Many timeswhen dealing with oppressed people, there can be a sense of feelingoverwhelmedandhopelessness.ThosewhohaveaDeborahanointingwillhaveananointingtoencouragethemselvesintheLordthroughworship.

Deborah demonstrates the possibility of what can happen with any womantodaywhowill allow the Spirit of God to fill and form her life for kingdompurposes.Deborahwas awomanusedbyGod tovoiceHis judgment andHisprophecyandtosparkoneofthegreatestrevivalsinhistory.Womenarearisingand influencing theworld in away theyhavenever donebefore.Wemust bepreparedandpositionedproperly.

Awake!Awake!Deborah!WillyouallowtheHolySpirit toshapeandmoldyouintoaleader—whateverthelevelofauthorityandcapacity—whofitsintoHisperfectwill?Willyoubetrainedintheartofintercessionandactivatedintheprophetictohearandreleasethewordof theLordtoyourgeneration?WillyoubeawillingleaderforGodtoday?Whatever your sphere of influence—at your job, in your home, or atchurch—willyouaccept the challenge to stand forGod’swaysandencourageothers to do the same? If your answer is yes,make the following declaration,thenjoinmeinthepagesthatfollowtolearnhowyoucanembracethecalltobeamodern-dayDeborahonthisearth.

Lord,IpraythatYouwillawakenmetothecallYouhaveformylife.Removeanybondageoffearfrommyheartandmind.LetYourwisdomandcouragerestuponme.Awakenme fromslumber.Letmewalkcircumspectlyinthishour.Iloosemyselffrompassivityandapathy.LetmebealerttoYourvoice.LetmebeawareofYourpurpose.I thank You, Lord, that You are an extraordinary God and You will accomplish

extraordinarythingsthroughme.Ireleasemyselffromself-imposedlimitations.Ibreakeverylimitation that the enemy has placed upon my life and has kept me from meeting my fullpotential.NolongerwillIbedeceivedandtrappedbythetraditionsandopinionsofmen.ForIwas

createdforgreatness!IwascreatedtobeGod’sglorycarrierthroughouttheearth.IwillariseandberadiantwiththegloryoftheLord.Iwillbeabeaminglighthouseofhopeformanywhositingrossdarkness.Lord,givemewordsofwisdomthatwillguideandinfluencemany.Iwillnotremainsilent!

I break every demonic conspiracy designed to keepme silent! I won’t let past failures and

disappointmentskeepmesilent.Iwillopenmymouthwide,and,God,Youwillfillit.God,givemeideas,insight,andconceptstobringdeliverancetomany.Youhaveanointed

metoimparttothoseinmysphereofinfluence.ThewordsthatIspeakwillreleaselifetoahurtinggeneration.Iamnotinthisworldbychance.I’mnotinthisdecadebychance.I’mnotreadingthisbookbychance.Iamamodern-dayDeborah!IstirupandactivatetheDeborahanointingthroughthisprayeranddeclaration.InthenameofJesus,amen.

Chapter1

TIMESANDSEASONSOFTHECALL

Toeverythingthereisaseason,atimeforeverypurposeunderheaven.—ECCLESIASTES3:1

OURFIRSTINTRODUCTIONtoDeborahandhervitaeisquiteimpressive.Judges4:4states that Deborah was a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, and she wasperformingdutiesasthejudgeofIsrael.Haveyouevermetsomeone,andafterhearingherconfidentlyandeffortlesslyrattleoffallofheraccomplishments,youfeelintimidated,inadequate,andinsignificant?Orhereisagoodone:haveyouever received a prophetic word about all of the wonderful things you’resupposedtoaccomplishfortheLord,thensaidwithinyourself,“Theymisseditbigtimewiththatprophecy.”Youmayfeelthatyourpastandpresentrealityaresofarfromthefuturethepropheticworddeclaresthatitishardtofindthefaithto receive as a real possibility. Or maybe you appreciated the prophecy butwonderhowyouwouldfindthetimetoaccomplishitall.IwantyoutotakeadeepbreathandrepeatEcclesiastes3:17withme,“There

isanappropriatetimeforeverymatteranddeed.”Oh,howIwishsomeonehadexposed me to this concept when I was in my twenties. Let me explain. Ireceived my first prophetic word when I was twenty-five about having ananointing like Deborah to take to the nations. When I researched throughscriptures and discovered who Deborah was and what she accomplished, Ialmostworriedmyselfintoanervousbreakdown.Ihadjustcomeoutofapainfuldivorce,hadatwo-year-olddaughterwhohad

beendiagnosed as legally blind, andworked a jobwith the state that keptmetravelingsometimesweekly.Itwaseasiertobelievethattheprophetshadmisseditthantoaddanotherthingtomyplate.WhatIdidn’trealizewasthatDeborahwasamiddle-agedwomanwhohadprobablygonethroughmanyseasonsinherlifebeforeshebecameallthatScripturedetails.ThecallofGodisprogressive.Hewillmatureyougraduallyintothefullness

ofHisplan. I trulybelieve theLordwillmoldandshapeyou for theDeborahanointing by using all of your life experiences. Every hat youmaywear and

every roleyoumayplaywillbesignificant inyourexpressionof theDeborahanointing.Oneofmyspiritualfathers,ApostleAlvinGreen,gavemeapieceofadvice

that I want to pass along to you. He said “Michelle, the best way to eat anelephant is one bite at a time!” If you’re like me and want to accomplisheverythingthatGodhasforyourlife,keepreadingthisbookandlet’s takethemetaphoricbiteonechapteratatime.Don’tgetoverwhelmed.KeepsayingyestoGodinyourheart.I’veactuallycometolearnthatGodwantstousethewholeofourlives.One

ofDeborah’s roleswas as awife. I believe the Spirit ofGod highlighted thisaspectofDeborah’smake-upbecauseHewantedtomakeDeborahrelatabletomanywomen.SometimeswecandeifyBiblecharacterswithout realizing theywerejusthumanswhosaidyestothecallofGod.Onceyousayyes,youwillbeempoweredbytheHolySpirittofulfillyourGod-givendestiny.ThecallofGodtakestimetodevelop.Godmovesincycles,patterns,times,

and seasons. The call of God on your life will have times and season ofdevelopment and patterns designed by God for implementation. When youunderstandtimecorrectly,youcangraspGodandHispurposeforyourlife.Acts17:26saysthatGodhasdeterminedourappointedtimesinadvance.Ifyouaregoing to embrace the call to successfullywalk in theDeborah anointing, youmust learn todiscern the timesandseasonsGodhasalreadyordainedforyourlifeandproperlyalignyouractionswithHistimetable.

WomenWhoUnderstandTimeOneofthekeystoDeborahsuccessfullyfulfillingthecallofGodonherlifewasthatshehadanabilitytodiscernthetimesandseasonsofGod.Shebalancedherresponsibilitiesofbeingawife,judge,andprophetess.Shewasn’tawomanwhowasted timewatchingsoapoperasor realityTV.Thereare somescholarswhobelieveDeborahwasfromthetribeofIssachar.It’simportanttounderstandwhothetribeofIssacharwasandtheimportantroletheyplayedinDeborah’slife.In1Chronicles 12:32we see that the sons of Issachar had understanding of thetimes,andtheyusedthatunderstandingtodiscernwhatIsraeloughttodo.ThosefromthetribeofIssacharunderstoodthetimesofGod;thisunderstandinggavetheminsightandwisdomineverysituation.If Deborah was from this tribe, she had this characteristic of Issachar, of

discerningtimesandseasons,inherDNA.Shesynchronizedherlifeandactionswith the time clock of heaven. The essence of the Deborah anointing is tounderstand that God has a calendar and that He has scheduled times for

blessings,deliverance,andevenwar.There isnothingmore important than time.Timeis themeasureof life.The

qualityofyourlifeisdeterminedbyhoweffectivelyyouusetime.Actuallyyoubecomewhat you dowith your time. Time is an interruption of eternity.Godcreatedtime,Heplacedmaninit,butGoddoesn’tliveintime.Timewascreatedto measure life and to take man out of eternity because eternity is timeless.Whatever happens in eternity lasts forever. Jesus reveals Himself as thebeginningandtheend.TotalityrestsinHim.OurtimeinlifebeginsinHimandendsinHim.Heis theAtoZ.Jesushasalreadywalkedthroughour lives.Hehas something forus todoeveryday.He fashionedourdaysbefore theyeverexisted.OurtimesareinHishands.“Toeverythingthereisaseason,atimeforeverypurpose”(Eccles.3:1).GodhasadestinyforeachoneofHischildren,butwemustlearntomoveourfeetaccordingtotherhythmofHisperfecttime.I believe Deborah had many private victories in discerning the times and

seasons of God before she was placed on her public platform. Your privatevictoriesarewhenyouareroutinelytakenthroughaprocessoftestingbyGodtoprepareyouforthecall.PrivatevictoriesaremadeupofsmallactsofobediencetothevoiceofGod.

DiscerningtheSpiritualSeasonsoftheCallAndletusnotbewearyinwelldoing:forindueseasonweshallreap,ifwefaintnot.

—GALATIANS6:9,KJV

We must understand that the God who ordered the seasons of the earth canrightly order the seasons of your life, bringing you tomaturity, ripeness, andproductivity inHis own due season.God has a timetable for you tomanifestyourcalling.Hehasadueseasonorappointedtime.Justastherearefournaturalseasonsofwinter,spring,summer,andfall,therearealsofourspiritualseasonsofwinter, spring,summer,andfall.Youmust learn theseasonssoyouwillbeready to respond and prepare to navigate and capitalize with God for eachtransition. Not knowing the proper seasons of your calling is like a seeing awomanwearingafurcoatwalkingonthebeachinsummer.It’sobvioussheisnotonewhoaccuratelydiscernstheseason.

Spiritualwinter:atimeofdeathtoselfWinter is the seasonwith the shortestdays, limited sunlight, and the lowest

averagetemperatures.Itcharacteristicallyhasthecoldestweatherwithsnowandice.Winterisatimeforinclementweatherwhenpeoplewanttostayinsideandhibernate(Matt.24:20;Mark13:18;Acts27:12;2Tim.4:21;Titus3:12).Winter

isatimewhenyoumightfeelcoldanduncomfortable.Anyfarmerwilltellyouthatwinterisnotatimetoplantbuttobeginplanningwhattoplantduringthenextseason.Our spiritual winter can seem like a time of darkness, as if your life is

unfruitful,andyoumayassumeyourdreamsaredying.Butduringwinterthereisnofruitbearing.It isa timewhenGodkillseverythinginyourlife thatwillaffect the harvest of the next season in your life. Spiritual winter is themostuncomfortable time formanyChristians.However, this is a season to redefineandfurtherdeveloparelationshipwiththeGodofyourcall.ThisiswhenGodcontinuestodevelopyourrootsysteminHim.ThereHewillgiveyoudirectionsforplantingnewcropsinspring,whichisthenextseason.Spiritualwinteristhetime for evaluation, planning, and preparation. It is a time for letting go ofanythingthatwilldestroyyourcall.Itisalsothetimetolearntheuniquenessofyourcall.In this season God will begin to enlighten the eyes of your understanding

(Eph.1:18).Hemaygiveyouacalling,assignment,dream,orpromise,andyoumayhavenounderstandingofwhatitisorhowitissupposedtofunctionorbeaccomplished.YoumaywonderwhyGodchoseyoufor thiscalling.Youmaylook around at the ability of others and wonder why God did not call theminstead of you.During spiritualwinter it is normal to feel as if everyone elseseemstobebetterqualifiedandbetterequipped.Atthesametimeyouarealsowonderingwhy you feel so compelled toward a particular area ofministry orservice.ThisdilemmastirsadesiretoseekGodaboutthecallonyourlife.Youmayfeelasifyouarehavinga“wilderness”experience—asifGodisnot

hearing your prayers or speaking to you. I have heard it taught that thewildernessisaplaceofGod’spunishment.IbelievethatthewildernessiswhereyoufinallymeetGod.Hosea2:14givesusadifferentpictureofthewilderness:

Therefore,Iwillallureher,andbringherintothewilderness,andspeaktenderlytoher.

ThewildernessistheplaceyoubegintoseeyourselfinthelightofHisglory.It’swhereyouencounterGodandkill thebeastofyoursoulthatwouldhinderthe call of God. The wilderness is the place where you die to self. Theinclinationistoprayharderormore,butyoumustremainintheseasonofrest.Spiritual winter is a time of reflection and meditation. It is a season of

questionsandanswersbetweenyouand theHolySpirit for thedetailsofyourlife. It’sa timeofmeasurement.Asquestionsbegin toarise inyourheart,youmayasktheLord:

•WhoareYou,Lord?Theanswertothatquestionalsorevealswhoyouare.

•WhatdoYouwantmetodo?TheanswertothatquestionistheopeningofclarificationanddirectionforHiscallonyourlife.

Spiritualspring:atimetoembracethecallSpringmarksthetransitionfromwinterintosummer.AccordingtotheBible

spring is the timewhenkingsgooff towar. (See2Samuel11:1;1Chronicles20:1.)MaybethisiswhyDeborahknewitwastimeforIsraeltogotowar.Springtimeisalsotherainyseason.GodaidedDeborahandBarakbycausing

torrential rains to fall from the sky, causing Sisera and his men with ninehundredchariotstobestuckinthemud,causingthemtobeinoperable.Springisthetimeforromancewithdescriptionsofbudsandblossoms(Songs

2:11–14;7:11–13).Springbringsnewleavesandblossomsonthetrees.Inthespiritualrealmspringisthetimetoplantandcarryouttheinstructions

gleaned from your winter experience. You will began to implement theinstructions you’ve gained from spending time with God in the wilderness.Because you’ve rested and encounteredGod in thewilderness, youwill havefreshnewrevelationofGod.Thisnewfoundrevelationwillempoweryouwithspiritualandphysicalenergytobreakupyourfallowground.

The expression, “Break upyour fallowground” (Hos. 10:12; Jer. 4:3)means, “Donot sowyour seed among thorns”, i.e., break off all your evil habits; clear your hearts ofweeds, inorderthattheymaybepreparedfortheseedofrighteousness.Landwasallowedtoliefallowthatitmightbecomemorefruitful;butwheninthiscondition,itsoonbecameovergrownwiththornsandweeds.Thecultivatorofthesoilwascarefulto“breakup”hisfallowground,i.e.,toclearthefieldofweeds,beforesowingseedinit.Sosaystheprophet,“Breakoffyourevilways,repentofyoursins,ceasetodoevil,andthenthegoodseedofthewordwillhaveroomtogrowandbearfruit.”1

Askyourself:InwhatwayshaveIbeenstagnantorneutralaboutpursuingthepurposeofGodformylife?What is requiredofmetochange thispositionofstagnationandneutrality?In the spring seasonbegin todevelop anewconfidence in theGodofyour

calling. There is newfound faith in God’s ability to accomplish His callingthroughyou.Thereisnewdesiretobeequippedandtrainedinthecalling.Thereisanewaligningofyourheartforyourassignment,anewdesirefordeliveranceto remove anything that would hinder the call. God will send you newconnections,mentors,andrelationshipstohelpfulfillthecall.Desiretodiscoverthefulldepthofyourcalling,assignment,ordream.

Spiritualsummer:atimeofrevelationSummeristhetimetowaterwhathasbeenplantedduringthespring.Summer

isthemostdangerousseasonbecauseoftheheat(naturalandspiritual).Summeris a time of both growth and of stillness; of hard work in the fields and ofrelaxinginthecooloftheday.Summerisatimeforbothworkandplay.Thisiswhereyoulearntobalanceyournaturallifeandspiritualcalling.Thisisatimeofwisdomand revelation.Therewill evenbeopportunity tominister in somelevel of the call and anointing on your life. Everything seems to come to lifeafteralongwinterandspring.Inthissummerseasonyoucometoknowandunderstandsomeofthedepths,

requirements,andspecificsof thecall.The initial fearandanxietyhascalmeddown,andyouwillbecomeconfidentinacceptingthecallofGod.Youwillsay,“ForIknowwhomIhavebelieved,andampersuaded...”(2Tim.1:12).Paulmoved from not knowingGod towanting to knowGod, and then his

desirewasfulfilledashebegantorelatetotheGodofthecall.YouwillknowGodinincreasinglevelsofrelationalintimacythroughworship,prayer,andtheWord. You will become confident of what God has called you to do—Hispurpose.YouwillbepersuadedthattheGodofthecallisabletomakesurethatHiscallingisfulfilledinyourlife.Askyourself:HowamIgrowinginmyrelationshipwithJesus?HowwouldI

describemylevelofconfidenceinmyassignment?

Spiritualfall:atimeofharvestandfulfillmentProvidedyouhavebeendiligentduringthepreviousseasons,fallisthetime

ofharvest.Fallisthetimewhenyouwillseeevidenceofyourhardwork.Itisatimeofharvestingand storingup for thewinter.This is the season filledwithanticipation.Andifwehavebeenobedientintheotherseasons,wewillreapaharvestindueseason(Gal.6:9).Autumnisaseasonoffruitionandreaping.Itisaseasonofthanksgivingand

celebrationofabundanceandgoodnessoftheearth.InthisseasonyouarelivingwiththeassurancethattheinstructionsassignedtoyouinthecallofGodhavebeenfulfilledorcarvedouttotheirfullestexpression.Thisassuranceproducesadesire for a reward.You realize that there is a reward for thosewhocompleteGod’sassignmentaccordingtoHisblueprintfortheirlives.Youwillrealizethatyou have fought a good or honorable fight. You will realize that you havefinishedyourcourseoryourassignment.Youwillalsorealizethatyouhavekeptthe faith, or remained in courage and trust in God and His ability to fulfilleverythingHehasdeclaredforyourlife.YouwillsubmityourselftothepriceorsacrificialdemandsofGod’scall,and

from that posture of humility youwill evoke a response fromGod, receiving

yourreward.Butwithout faith it is impossible to please andbe satisfactory toHim.Forwhoeverwouldcomenear toGodmust [necessarily]believe thatGodexists and thatHe is the rewarderofthosewhoearnestlyanddiligentlyseekHim[out].

—HEBREWS11:6,AMP

AtthisseasonitisimportantthatyoubelievethatGodisactivelyengagedinevery detail of your life and that He will reward you if you are continuallypursuingHim.God has a call for your life, but you must be ready and willing to act

according toHis times and seasons.As youmove forward in yourGod-givendestiny, persevering, capitalizing, and maximizing every season, you willdevelopthecapacitytowalkasamodern-dayDeborahintheearth.YouwillbelikeDeborah the Issacharite, discerning the time and seasons of your life andgainingwisdomonwhattodo.

PrayertoActivatetheTimingoftheLordLord,IpraythatYouwillmakemeawomanwhounderstandstimeandseasons.Enlightentheeyesofmyunderstanding.Helpmebalancetheseasonsofmylife.Thereisaseasonandtimetoeverypurpose.ThankYou,Lord,fortheIssacharanointing.Lord,IwanttodotoeverythingYou’veassigned tomy life.Let the spiritof revelationandunderstandingbe released inmylife.I decree that I am a woman who walks in total synchronization with the time clock of

heaven.Iloosemyselffromtime-delayspirits.Idecreedivineaccelerationinmylife.Iwillnolongerlagbehind,neitherwillIgetaheadofYou.Iwillbeintherightplaceattherighttime.Idecreedivinealignmentformyassignment.Idecreealignmentinmythoughtpatterns.I

decreealignmentinmytime.Iwillnotsquandertime.IwillmaximizeeverymomentforthepurposesoftheLord.Lord, IgiveYoupermission toremoveanything thatwilldelayYourpurposes inmy life.

RemoveanythingthatwillhinderYourcallonmylife,includingrelationshipsorpeople.LetmeattractthepeoplewhowillpropelmeintoYourpurposesformylife.Lord,sendinstructorsandmentorswhohavewordsofwisdomandinstructionsindueseasonformylife.ThankYou,Lord,forappointingmydaysandorderingmysteps.IsurrendertoYourtiming.

InJesus’sname,Ipray.Amen.

Chapter2

DEBORAH:THEJUDGEANDDELIVERER

NowDeborah,thewifeofLappidoth,wasaprophetess.ShejudgedIsraelatthattime.—JUDGES4:4

IHAVEAconfessiontomake:MynameisMichelleMcClain-Walters,andIhatedwomen’sministry.There,Igotitoffmychest.Iknowhateisastrongword,butmyfirstexperiencewithwomen’sministrywassomethingoutofahorrormovie.Iwasattendingawomen’sprayerconference,andthewomenwereyellingatthetopoftheirvoicesasifsomeonewasstabbingthemrepeatedly.Onepersontookthemicrophone andbegan to yell, “Run! I said,Run!Youbetter run for yourbreakthrough!”Youwould’vethoughtwewereatthestartinglineoftheBostonMarathon.Womentookoffrunningineverydirection!Istoodtherelikeadeerinheadlights,afraidImightgettrampled.Then the ladywith thebull horn, Imean,microphone, lookedatmewith a

sharpdisapprovingglareandsaid,“Somepeoplethinktheyaretoocutetorun.They’reafraidofmessinguptheirhairormakeup!”Isaidtomyself,“No,lady,I’mafraidofyou,andI’minshockbecauseIcan’t

findanywhereintheBiblethatrunningwillgiveyouabreakthrough!”Youknowwhathappenednext.Yep,shemarchedrightovertomelikeafire-

breathingdragonandsaid,“KneelbeforetheLordassignofhumility!”Ikept thinking tomyself, “Youshouldhave justgrabbedyour stuffand run

withtherestofthewomenbutdetouredstraightoutofthatdoor!”Whiledownthereonmyknees,Isaid,“Lord,IcameherebecauseIneeded

someanswersformylifeanddeliverancefromthispaininmysoul,notforthistomfoolery!”When I felt that the coastwas clear and her focuswas on someone else, I

slowlygotupoffthefloorandasIwasgatheringmythingstoleaveIheardtheLordsaytome,“Thethingsthatirritateyouarethethingsyouaredesignedtochange. There will come a day when you will bring wise counsel anddeliverance to womenworldwide. This is a part of the Deborah anointing onyourlife.”

I said, “Lord, I need so much deliverance and freedom. How can I helpsomeoneelse?”Many times the Lord will bring identification and definition to the call on

yourlifeinthemidstofyourhumiliationandpain.ThisencountersentmeonajourneytodiscoverwhoDeborahwasandhowtheanointingonherliferelatedtocounselanddeliverance.

OneMantle,TwoFunctionsJudgeand vindicateme,OGod; plead and defendmy cause against an ungodly nation.Odelivermefromthedeceitfulandunjustman!

—PSALM43:1,AMP,EMPHASISADDED

TheDays of the Judges lasted between three and four hundred years and theissues of that daywere chronicled in the Book of Judges. It was a season ofmoral outrage, a period of gross immorality, lawlessness, and violence.Muchlike our society today. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes, exactlywhat hewanted,when hewanted, and as hewanted.This resulted in a tragiccomprising,permissive lifestyleofdestructionandchaos.Therewasnopeace,security, or stability in the land. There was only anxiety, danger, corruption,injustice,anddeath.WithinIsraelthetaskofthejudgewasmorethanjustdetermininglegalcases.

Thejudgewastheleaderofthepeople.Thejudgewasthepresidentorkingofthenation.The judgewas themilitaryandcivil leader.WhenGodraisedupaperson to become the judge of His people, that person became the savior,deliverer,and liberatorof thepeople, rescuing themfromsomeoppressor.ThejudgehadtheresponsibilitytogivewisecounseltoGod’srebelliouspeopleandalso bring deliverance from the oppressor. This is the first dimension ofDeborah’smantleasjudgethatshefunctionedinfortwentyyears.Modern-day Deborahs will have an anointing to rise in the midst of great

adversityandleadotherstolibertyandfreedom.Manywomenareinbondagetofear, deception, insecurities, and pain that keep them from moving into thefullness of life the Lord has promised for them. Modern-day oppressors areungodly beliefs about how God can’t anoint and use women in high-levelministry or business. Even still, the enemies we face are more internal thanexternal. Our hearts andminds, unwilling to follow the precepts of the Lord,enslaveandstagnateusbecauseofhurtsandwoundinoursouls.Manywomenareunderdemonicoppressionandneeddeliverance.ThesearedayswhenJesusisrevealingHimselftowomanasthedeliverer.Thereisalsoagreatreformationcomingtowomen’sministry.Godiscalling

modern-day Deborahs to take their positions as visionaries and pioneer amovementofdeliveranceandempowermentamongwomen.Women’sministrywillno longerbeaplacewherewe learnaboutcupcakedecoratingor runningaround a building as maniacs looking for breakthrough. These meetings willresemblemilitary boot camps to trainGod’s special agents for the end times.GodiscallingwomenwhohavetheDeborahanointingtodisciplewomenintheart of discernment, developing skills tomake sound decisions, and, yes, eventrainingwomeninministryofdeliverance.Womenwillarisetogatherandpray,executing the vengeance of God upon the enemy and against injustice in theearth. He is removingmisconception and the insecurity-guided judgments weplace on one another. He is breaking down walls of fear and intimidationbetweenwomen.

JusticeUnderthePalmTreeofDeborahShewouldsitunderthepalmtreeofDeborahbetweenRamahandBethelinthehillcountryofEphraim.ThechildrenofIsraelwouldgouptoherforhertorenderjudgment.

—JUDGES4:5

TheseconddimensionofDeborah’smantlewastoadministersoundcounselandsettledisputesforthechildrenofIsrael.Thejudgehadtheresponsibilitytobearighteousleaderinsocietyandgovernment.DeborahwasarighteousleaderwholedandprovidedguidanceforGod’speople.Psalm 106:3 says, “How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice

righteousness at all times!” (NASB). Counsel and wisdom demonstrated thejusticeofGod.Justiceismakingwrongthingsright.TheHebrewwordforjusticeismishpatandspeaksofsocialorderaswellas

legal equity.1 The Great Commission is a call to disciple all nations (Matt.28:19). This transformational mandate involves establishing justice in all ofsociety.Modern-dayDeborahswillhaveskillsinthefollowingmajorareas:

1.Servant-leadershipstyle2.Discerningofspirits3.Supernaturalwisdom

Canyouimaginetheconversationsthattookplaceunderthatpalmtree?Wemust remember these peoplewere under oppression because they had left thewaysofGod.Theywerepracticingidolatryandperversion;thethingsdiscussedprobablywereasbadasamodern reality televisionshow! I amalso intriguedthatDeborahwasunderatree.Ibelievethathersittingunderthetreerepresents

servant leadership. Those who have the Deborah anointing will learn how tospend time with people and minister with compassion to their plights. Thesewomenwillhavestrongleadershipskillsmotivatedbytheheartoftheservant.Deborahwasn’tinafancytent;shewasrightintheelementswithpeople.TheDeborahanointingwillinvolvestronglisteningskillsandthegiftofdiscerningof spirits. Women who operate with the Deborah anointing will havesupernaturalwisdomtohearthetruthbehindthestorytoadministerthejusticeofGod.Let’stakeacloserlookateachofthesethreeelements.

Servant-leadershipstyleThedayoftheprimadonnaprophetessisover!Theservant-leaderwillseekto

serve God’s people, not for God’s people to serve them and their agenda.Traditionally leaders have been valued for their communication and decision-makingskills.Servant-leadersmustreinforcetheseimportantskillsoflisteningintentlytoothers.Servant-leadersareinterestedinthegrowthandwell-beingofpeople. They always serve first, leading from the conscious choice to give ofthemselves.Theyseektolistenreceptivelytowhatisbeingsaid(andnotsaid).Listeningtootherswillhelprestorevaluetopeopleinoursphereofinfluence.ListeningandadvisingwillbeauniquedistinctionoftheDeborahanointing.Romans12:8discussthetwomotivationalgiftsofleadershipandcompassion.

Like spiritual temperaments, the motivational gifts are the reason a certainChristianhaszealforoneassignment.Leadinginvolvesthrivingonorganizing,facilitating, and directing. Showingmercy involves compassion that desires tohealandadvocate forhurtinghearts.Theuniquenessof theDeborahanointingwillbeacombinationofthesetwomotivationalgifts.WhatistheNewTestamenttheologyofspiritualgiftsandwomen?Godgifts

men andwomenwith natural abilities;God helpsmen andwomen to acquireleadershipskills;andGodgiftsbothmenandwomenwithspiritualgifts.ThereisnogenderprerequisitewithGodasitrelatestoleadingandpower.Godgivesgracetowhomeverishumble.It isbyHisgracethateithermenorwomenaregifted for leadership and are able to operate in Holy Spirit power. The NewTestamentalsoteachesthatthosegiftedbyGodareresponsibletoemploytheirgiftsforoneanotherasgoodstewardsofGod’sgreatgrace(1Pet.4:10).

DiscerningofspiritsSpiritualdiscernmentgivesonetheabilitytoknowandbeinformedofwhatis

happeninginthespiritualrealm.Discerningofspiritsissupernaturalinsightintotherealmofthespirit.Discernmeanstoseparateoutmixture,torevealtruth.It

is not suspicious. It reveals the type of spirit behind a person, a situation, anaction, or a message. It is knowing in the spirit supernatural revelationconcerningthesource,nature,andactivityofanyspirit.Both Jesus and Paul used their prophetic giftings to discern spirits. (See

Matthew 16:16–23; Acts 16:16–18.) For modern-day Deborahs this spiritualskill is importantbecause the twodominantspirits releasedagainstwomenareseductionanddeception.Thedevilhasused these spirits againstwomensincetheGardenofEden.

SupernaturalwisdomThewisdomIamspeakingabouthereisaspiritualgiftoftheHolySpiritand

much more. The Lord is releasing a supernatural anointing of wisdom, anabiding anointing ofwisdom.Godwill give you supernatural wisdom for theperson on your job who loves to come tell you about her problems, or thatmillionaireinyourcirclewhodoesn’tknowwhattodoaboutherschizophrenicchild.Youmaynotbeonewhopreachesmessagespubliclyinthepulpit,butyoucan preach the best message to someone’s life, healing and delivering themthrough thewisdomofGod that flows through you.This is the samewisdomthatSolomonhad(1Kings4:29).SolomonaskedGodforsupernaturalwisdom,and He gave it to him. God will release to you this same anointing forsupernaturalwisdom.Youwillknowthingsyouaren’tsupposedtoknow,thingsyouhadn’tevenstudied.Hewillgiveyouthiswisdombyinspiration.

WordofwisdomItisGod’swisdomgiventoapersonsotheyknowtoproceedinacourseof

actionbasedonnaturalorsupernaturalknowledge.It’ssupernaturalabilityintheSpirit to impart special or specific information, guidance, or counsel, whichbringslife-changingillumination.

DirectionalThisisGodtellingyouwhattodo,howtodoit,andwhatisgoingtohappen

inthefuture.Thisisaflashofdivineinspirationthatisnearlyalwaysdirectedtothefuture.AgreatexampleofdirectionalwisdomisfoundinGenesis6:14–18,whentheLordgaveNoahdivineinspirationanddirectionforhowtobuildtheark.

BringItAllTogetherThis is the hour when God is raising up modern-day Deborahs who will

administratethejusticeoftheLord.TheywillbeempoweredbytheHolySpiritwiththegiftsofwisdomanddiscerningofspirits.Theywilladministratejusticewiththeheartofaservant-leaderwholistens toothers tohelprestorepersonalvalue. They will be women who represent a personal God to an impersonalworld. Theywill bewomenwho listen and advise according to the heart andmind ofGod. Theywill have spiritual insight from the heart ofGod to bringdeliveranceandfreedomfromdecadesofoppressionfromtheenemy.These modern-day Deborahs will have an anointing to settle disputes and

foster true kingdom relationships. They will have an understanding heart todiscern justice.Theywillbewomenwhodelight in thefearof theLord.Theywillnotjudgebynaturalsightoftheireyesnordecidebythehearingofnaturalears.Butwithtruespiritualskills,theywillrulewithequityandrighteousness.Theywillbewomenwhohaveears thatareopenandtonguesthatarebridled,walkinginthewisdomoftheSpirittobringchangetotheirspheresofinfluence.IfthissoundslikethespiritofawomanGodiscreatingandrefininginyou,

begin touse theseprayersasastartingpoint inyour timewithGodandallowHimtoreleasethesegiftsintoeveryareaofyourlife.

PrayertoReleasetheGiftofLeadershipLord,IaskthatYouwillawakenthegiftofleadershipinsideme.IdesiretoleadYourpeoplewith all diligence, righteousness, and integrity. Letmebe a leaderwho representsYouandYourcharacter.Letmebea leaderwhospeaks the truth in love,meeting theneedsofYourpeople.(SeeRomans12:8.)Letmylifereflecttheholystandardofthekingdom.Givemethegracetostandinfrontof

YourpeopleleadingthemwithYourheartandmind.Let Your anointing and grace rest onme to speak words of encouragement, correction,

direction, vision, and purpose.Giveme eyes to see the potential You’ve placed insideYourpeople.Givemewisdomtodirectthemtopathofrighteousness.Givemeinsight to instructandtrainthemtobemightywarriorswithheartstoserveYourpurposes.

PrayertoActivatetheGiftofDiscerningofSpiritsLord,YourWorddeclaresthatifIaskYouforagift,Youwillgiveittome.So,Lord,IaskYouforthegiftofdiscerningofspirits.LetthesupernaturalpoweroftheHolySpiritbeactivatedinme to detect the realmof the spirits and their activities. Letmehavea grace to discernbetweengoodandevil.LetmehavespiritualinsighttoYourplansandsupernaturalrevelationof plans of the enemy. Empowermewith Your supernatural ability to discern and stop theplansoftheenemyagainstmylifeandthelivesofothers.GivemeawiseandunderstandingheartthatImightdiscernjustice.(SeeMatthew7:7–11;James1:17;1Kings3:9–11.)

PrayertoActivetheGiftoftheWordofWisdomLord,Iaskforthegiftofthewordofwisdom.Iwanttobeawomanofwisdomwhoresponds

tosituationsunderYourdivinedirection.LetmehavesupernaturalperspectivestoaccomplishYourwillineverysituation.GivemewordsofwisdomtoapplytheknowledgegiventomebyYourSpirit.Lord, I pray that You will give me wisdom to rightly judge Your people. Let my heart

perceiveandunderstandingYourways.Letmenotbedeceivedbycraftyandwickedpeople.Holy Spirit, I ask that You will lead me into all truth. (See 1 Kings 4:29–30; John 14:26;16:13.)

Chapter3

DEBORAHTHEMOTHER

Butunderstandthis,thatinthelastdayswillcome(setin)periloustimesofgreatstressandtrouble[hardtodealwithandhardtobear].Forpeoplewillbeloversofselfand[utterly]self-centered,loversofmoneyandarousedbyaninordinate[greedy]desireforwealth,proudandarrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing),disobedienttoparents,ungrateful,unholyandprofane.

—2TIMOTHY3:1–2,AMP

ICOULDN’TBELIEVEwhatmyearswerehearingontheeveningnews.Amotherdeliversababyinatoilet,killsthebaby,andreturnstotheprom!Whatkindofinsanity is that? If you’re likeme, some things you have to read for yourself.Readthestoryhere:

TheNewJerseyteen-agerwhogavebirthinabathroomstallatherseniorpromwaschargedwithmurdertodayaftertheauthoritiesconcludedthatshehaddeliveredahealthyboy,cuttheumbilicalcord,chokedhimandputhiminaplasticbagthatsheknottedandthrewaway.

The woman, Melissa Drexler, 18, of Forked River, was charged after an autopsydetermined she had choked the baby and smothered him eitherwith her hands orwith theplasticbag,saidJohnKaye,theMonmouthCountyProsecutor.

In the midst of it, Mr. Kaye said today, a girlfriend who had heard sounds from thebathroomstallaskedMissDrexlerifshefeltill.TheProsecutorsaidshereplied:“‘I’llbedoneprettysoon.Gotelltheboyswe’llberightout.’”

Afewminuteslater,leavingbloodonthefloorofthebathroomstall,MissDrexlerwenttothe dance floorwith her boyfriend and promdate, JohnLewis, ate a salad and danced onedance.1

Therearemanymorestorieslikethisofmotherskillingtheirbabies,leavingtheminhotcarsforanentiredaythatcausethemtosuffocate,shakingthemtodeath,or,evenworst,abortingthem.Whendidmothersbecomesoself-centeredandloversofthemselvesandpleasure?Many times, as amodern-dayDeborah, I receiveburdens topray througha

newsstorythatawakensmyheartofcompassion.IsometimesasktheLordhowHefeelsaboutcertainevents,suchastheabove-mentionedincident.ThesewilloftentimesopenachannelofcommunicationbetweentheLordandme.One of the major responsibilities of a modern-day Deborah is to bring the

heartandmindofGodin theearth.WhenIquestionedtheLordaboutwhat is

happeningwiththeseyounggirls,IheardHimsay,“Thebattlefieldisnolongerathreattothenextgeneration.Therealthreatinthetwenty-firstcenturyarethewombs of young women.” Abortion is a serious issue in our society, but thebigger,underlyingproblemisthatthepowerofnurturerismissingintheheartsofwomen.Women are called to nurture life. God called Eve the mother of all living

things. Her role was to nourish and nurture all living things.Women are lifegiversnotlifetakers.Abortionisaresultofperversionintheheartsofwomen.Themotheringanointingincludestheabilitytoteachandtrain.Themothering

anointingmust be restored in the earth.Wemust becomenonconformists.Wemustbetransformedbytherenewingofourminds.Wemusttrainourdaughtersaccordingtobiblicalprinciplesevenwhenit’snotpopular.Deborah had the heart of amother. Thiswaswhat primarilymotivated her

leadership over the people of Israel—her rulings, strategies, and interactionswiththem.Herabilitytopersevereagainstalloddswasrootedinherdesiretonurture village life. Her prophetic insight and powerful intercession wasmotivatedbyamother’s love for legacy.ForDeborahdidnot seegreatness inemulatingthequalitiesofmanhood,butwithkindnessandfaithshesoughttobeamotherinIsrael,agiveroflife,andanurturerofherpeople.“Mother”wasthetitleshegaveherself.Sonotonlywassheajudge,warrior,

wife,prophetess,andworshipper,shewasalsoadispenserandwellspringoflife.Herlifestyleisalessonforourowngeneration,forallwomenlookingtodefinethemselvesandfullyusetheirpotential.BeingamotherinIsraelilluminatedthegraceandfoundationofDeborah’sstrengthandwisdom.Mothering is so needed in today’s Christian community. The spiritually

immatureneedthewisdomofthewiser,olderbelievers.Motheringislife-givingandlife-changing.Motheringismentoring.When youmeetwith someone on a regular basis, you are investing in that

person.Asyoudothis,youcontinuetoelevateandhelpthemgrowtoahigherplace.Somanypeoplegettoacertainpointandfeelthatwhattheyareisalltheycanbe.Amentorisplacedintheirlivestohelpthemclimbhigher.Wemustrecoverandrestoretheancientpaths.Theremustbearecapturingof

theessenceofmotherhood.Wemustbeintentionalabouttrainingourdaughterstobegodlymothersinthekingdom.Tonurtureinvolves“theactofnursing.”Itmeans “to suckle or nourish.” It alsomeans “to further the development of.”2God designed the human nature to be nurtured by amother and a father.Thedismantlingofthefamilyunitwasthebeginningofthedeclineofmoralityinournation.Nurturingisessentialforthehealthofhumanity.I believewe have to redeem and esteem the essence of the nurturer in our

culture.Manyinthisgenerationsufferfromanunnurturednature.Naturecanbedefinedastheinnateoressentialqualitiesorcharacterofaperson.Naturealsoincludesthegeneralpsychologicalcharacteristics,feelings,andbehavioraltraitsofhumankind,regardedassharedbyallhumans.Nurture can be defined as the care and attention given to someone or

somethingthatisgrowingordeveloping.Itmeansupbringingtrainingasinthescripturethatsays,“Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo,andwhenheisoldhewillnotdepartfromit”(Prov.22:6).It’sthesumoftheenvironmentalfactorsinfluencingthebehaviorandtraitsexpressedbyachild.Modern-dayDeborahswill be like teachers who nurture the next generation’s creativity. They willunderstand that in order to produce good fruit in our children, they mustcarefullynurturethevine.

ANewExpressionofGodinLeadershipTheBookof Judgeshighlightedmanyuniquecharacter traits about the judgesalongwiththeuncommonanointingandunconventionalweaponsGodequippedthemwithtodestroytheirenemies.Let’stakealookatsomeofthese:

•Ehudwasa left-handedman,who,with stealth andagility,put todeathKingEglon,anenemyofthepeopleofIsrael.(SeeJudges3:12–21.)•Gideonhadhisarmydecreased to threehundred.Lesswasmore in thisdivinely orchestrated war strategy. (See Judges 7.) This band of threehundred men was a unique strategy of war, when military strength wasusuallyseeninlargenumbersoftroopsandmanyweapons.•Othnielhaddivinelyinspiredmilitarystrategies.(SeeJudges3:7–11.)•Samsonhadsupernaturalstrengthandtheanointedjawboneofadonkey.(SeeJudges13–16.)

The nature of almighty God is referenced in each of these accounts ofdeliverance.GodexpressesHimselfasthealmightydelivererofHispeople.Inthe storiesof all of the judgesbefore andafterDeborah, theBible talks abouttheirmightymilitarycapabilitiesagainstIsrael’senemiesundertheanointingofalmightyGod.Acommonexpressionprecededmanyoftheiractions:“Spiritofthe Lord came upon him.” Yet when it speaks about Deborah, propheticinfluence andmotherly advice seems to be the focus. (See Judges 4:5–6, 14;5:7–9.)Deborahwasagodlyleaderwholedbyinspiration.Ibelieveherservant-leadershipstyleconvincedherfollowerstoextendthemselvesbeyondtheirownvision. By appointing a woman to lead Israel at this point in the history of

judges, God wanted His people to be exposed to a motherly and feminineinfluence.Thisdidn’tmeanthatshewasweakerorlessauthoritative;itsimplymeansthatherleadershipwasdeliveredinadifferentway.Iliketocallherthevelvetglove.Modern-dayDeborahswillbelikeavelvet

glove. This idiom is used to describe a person who appears gentle but isdetermined and inflexible underneath.Modern-dayDeborahswill be gentle indispositionwhendealingwithbroken,bruised,andbattered,buttheywillhavefistsofsteelwhendealingwithenemiesofGod.WhenGodroseupDeborahtobeajudge,Hewasintroducingustoanother

expression of leadership. A unique dimension of His attribute as El Shaddai,mightyandpowerfulbutlovingandnourishing.Thisanointingissolelyreservedforwomen.ItismostprofitabletotakethetermShaddaibyitself,seeingit issorichin

spiritual significance. It occurs thirty-one times in the Old Testament and istranslated “Almighty.” It comes from the root shad, whichmeans “breast” or“the blessing of the breast.” This why I believe this expression of God isreservedsolelyforwomen.SeeingShaddai in these termspresentsGodas theOnewhonourishes,supplies,andsatisfies.3

TheetymologicalsignificationofAlmightyGod(ElShaddai)isbothinterestingandtouching.God (El) signifies the “Strong One” (See Scofield “Genesis 1:1”). The qualifying wordShaddaiisformedfromtheHebrewword“shad,”thebreast,invariablyusedinScriptureforawoman’s breast. . . . Shaddai therefore means primarily “the breasted.” God is “Shaddai,”becauseHe is theNourisher, theStrength-giver, and so, in a secondary sense, theSatisfier,whopourshimselfintobelievinglives.Asafretful,unsatisfiedbabeisnotonlystrengthenedandnourishedfromthemother’sbreast,butalsoisquieted,rested,satisfied,soElShaddaiisthatnameofGodwhichsetsHimforthastheStrength-giverandSatisfierofHispeople.4

WomenofGod,wemustallowtheLordtouseourmotherlyqualitiesinthishour.Deborahgivesusanexampleofconsistencyofcharacter,loveforpeople,and sound judgment in her roles as prophetess and judge. Through thesenurturingattributes,sheearnedherinfluence.Wheneverythingwasontheline,shehadthetrustofthepeoplethatsheneededtoleadwell.Thereisn’tasingleinstanceinthestoryofDeborahwhereamanchallengedherauthority,refusedtotakehercounsel,orrejectedtheedictsshehandeddown.Itwashermotherlyloveandability toempathizewithothers thatgaveherauthorityand influencewiththerulersandotherleadersinhersphere.In Judges 5:9 Deborah states, “My heart is with the rulers of Israel who

offered themselveswillingly among the people.”Herewe read thewords thatrevealhowthiswasawomenwholovedfromtheheartandwasaccepted;sherecognizedherco-laborersfortheirspecialanduniquespirits.

This is thehourwhere theLordwilluseyou likeDeborah tobeamodelofintegrityandcourage.TheBiblesaysthatafterDeborahledthepeopleofIsraeltovictoryoverSisera,thelandrestedforfortyyears.ThiswastwiceaslongasanyotherjudgeduringtheDaysoftheJudges.Women are essential to theLord’s church.Congregationswithwomenwho

areactive,willing,andharmoniousaregrowingandaccomplishinggreatthingsforGod!

PrayerforYourGiftstoAriseintheChurchLord,IpraythatYouwillshowmemyplaceinthechurch.Letmediscovermyuniquetalentsand gifts that I may arise and become active in building Your church and advancing Yourpurposesintheearth.Letmebeawomanofcourageandboldness,whospeaksYourtruthinlove. Let me disciple and train the next generation of godly women. Let me be intentionalaboutreproducingagenerationofwomenwhoarefeminineandpowerful.Letme be a woman of grace and dignity. Letmemodel a womanwho is constant and

steadfastintheworkofthekingdom.Father, help me develop sound wisdom and judgment in everything I do. Increase my

influence;letmyvoicebeheardinthishour.

AMother’sPrayerfortheNextGenerationLord,IpraythatYourpurposeforthenextgenerationwillbefulfilled.Idecreethatthenextgenerationwillariseinpower,authority,andinfluencetopossessthegatesoftheirenemies.(SeeGenesis22:17–18.)I bind all spirit of premature death and destruction. I decree long life over the next

generation.Iprayforacademicexcellenceandsocialimpacttorestuponthenextgeneration.Idecree

that next generation of Christian leaders will resist all false doctrines such as humanism,secularism,andhedonism.Theywillknowthetruth,preachthetruth,andliveoutthetruthoftheLordJesus.(SeeDaniel1:4–5.)I decree that the seed of the righteous shall be delivered from all wicked and ungodly

attractionsatworktoseduceintoanalternativelifestyle.(SeeProverbs11:21.)Lord, I ask thatYouwill encounter the next generationwith dreamsand visions andan

overwhelmingawarenessofYourloveandpresence.Letpeaceblankettheirheartsandminds.LettheGodofpeacecrushfearundertheirfeet.

(SeeIsaiah54:13–14.)Idecree thatnextgenerationwillgrow in thewaysofGod.Let thembe strengthened in

spiritualthings.Idecreethatthenextgenerationwillincreaseinwisdom,stature,andfavorofGod.(SeeLuke2:40,52.)I decree that the next generation will be like arrows of the Lord. They will bring forth

deliverancetothenationsoftheearth.(SeePsalm127:3–5.)Lord,IaskthatYouwillpreservetheheritageofthegospelthroughthenextgeneration!In

Jesus’sname,Ipray.Amen.

Chapter4

DEBORAHTHEWORSHIPPINGWARRIOR

Onthatday,DeborahandBaraksonofAbinoamsang:“WhentheleadersinIsraellead,whenthepeoplefreelyvolunteer,blesstheLORD!Hear,Okings!Listen,Orulers!IwillsingtotheLORD;IwillsingpraisetotheLORDGodofIsrael.

—JUDGES5:1–3

WEMUSTRESTOREthefirstcommandmenttothefirstplace,whichistolovetheLord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. (See Exodus20:3–7;Matthew 22:37.) The presence of the Lordmust become the primarydesire of our hearts. Deborah was a passionate worshipper of the Lord. Theentire fifthchapterof Judges is a songofpraiseandadoration to theLord fordeliveranceandvictory.Modern-dayDeborahsmustcultivatealifestyleofpraiseandworshipbefore

operating in the Deborah anointing. Worship is the key that will unlock thewarriorinyou.TheLordisamanofwar(Exod.15:1–3).WorshipistheplacetheLordpreparesyou forwar.This is theplaceyouwill receive strength andhelp.Wemust develop a devotional life filled with worship. The task ahead for

women is great. We must be equipped with spiritual weapons to defeat theenemiesofourdestiny.In thischapter Iwillgivesomepracticalstepsonpracticing thepresenceof

theLord. I alsobelieve that songwriting andcreativity isbeingbirthed in thishourandisapartoftheDeborahanointing.DeborahdrewherconfidencefromherrelationshipwithGod.GodgaveherthestrategiesforthebattlewithSisera,andshedidn’tlosesightofthisevenintheheatofthebattle.Judges 4:14 says, “AndDeborah said toBarak, ‘Up! For this is the day in

whichtheLORDhasdeliveredSiseraintoyourhand.DoesnottheLORDgooutbeforeyou?’”(ESV).Afterthebattlewasfinished,sheandBarakwroteandsangavictorysonginwhichtheyrepeatedlythankedGod.WomenwiththeDeborahanointingwillacknowledgeGodforHissavingpresenceandprotectionfortheirlives.

The song of Deborah stands out as unique in that it celebrates a militaryvictoryachievedbytwowomen:DeborahandJael.ItprovidesaglimpseofhowGoddefeatedCanaan:Godbroughtaflashfloodthatmadeslidingmudinwhichchariots were useless. On Mount Tabor Deborah the prophet announces thevictory. Deborah didn’t just write songs of worship; she also lived a life ofworship! It’s as though every event in her life was used as an offering andsacrificetoGod!DeborahusedherlifeasaninstrumentofworshiptoGod.Deborah andBarak alsoworshippedGod publicly, using their song to give

gloryandcredittothealmightyGodforalltheirsuccesses.Throughsongtheydirected the nation to turn its heart to the true and livingGod.Deborah usedpraisetoinspire,predict,andcelebrate.Herweaponofwarwashervoice.Sheusedherwordsasaninstrumentofwar.Sheacknowledgedthesourceofvictory.PraiseandworshipwillrecalibrateourmindsandheartstofocusonthetrueandlivingGod.Deborah’s actions are a reminder towomen thatwe should not fight in our

ownstrength.Sheprovidesapropheticpicture,openstheveil,andrevealsatruedescriptionofthebattle.ItisimportantonlytorememberthatGodfought:Goddistressed Sisera. Deborah announced God’s victory, Barak facilitated it, andGodsavedIsrael.Unlike the battles in the Old Testament, New Testament warfare is solely

spiritual.DeborahandBarak’snaturalbattleisashadowandtypeofthespiritualbattletoday.WomenofGod,wewillfaceopposition,butwemustlearnthatthebattleistheLord’s.ApostlePaulremindsusofthetrueenemyofourcallingandcompletingourassignment in theearth.Paulsaid,“Forourfight isnotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,against therulersofthe darkness of thisworld, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlyplaces” (Eph. 6:12).Wemust always keep inmind that our real enemy is thedevil.ThisgreatbattlebetweenthedevilandwomenbeganintheGardenofEden.

TheLorddeclared thatHewouldputenmitybetweenwomenandSatan(Gen.3:15).Enmity can be defined as extreme hatred. There is grace being releaseuponwomentodiscernanddestroytheworksofthetrueenemyofourdestiny—thedevil.Ourproblemhasneverbeenmenortraditionoraglassceiling,butthespiritualforces thatmotivate them.ThisrevelationwillkeepusfocusedonthemissionGodhasgivenustodestroytheworksofthedevil.Further,Paulsaidthat“theweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnal,butmighty

throughGodtothepullingdownofstrongholds”(2Cor.10:4).Youcannotfightaspiritualenemywithnaturalweapons.Wemustusespiritualweaponsofwartoovercomeourspiritualenemy.Praiseandworshiparethoseweapons.Theyare

spiritualweaponsofwarthatbindandbreakthepowersofdarkness.OurpraiseswillexecuteGod’svengeance.

LetthehighpraisesofGod,beintheirmouth,andatwo-edgedswordintheirhand;toexecutevengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings withchains,andtheirnobleswithfettersofiron;toexecuteuponthemthejudgmentwritten;thishonourhaveallhissaints.PraiseyetheLORD.

—PSALM149:6–9,KJV

TheLordadmonishesusnottotakevengeanceorwrathuponourselves.Godtakesvengeanceonourbehalf,forHesaid,“VengeanceisMine”(Rom.12:19).Praiseandworshipusher in thepresenceofGod,and theyplayavital role indestroyingthewickedworksofdarknessthatattempttocomeagainstourlives.Psalm68:2statesthatthewickedperishinthepresenceoftheLord.Godwantstobringjusticeforwomeninallmattersandgivejustrecompensetowhomitisdue.With highpraises and theWordofGod,which is referred to as the two-edged sword,wehave the ability to executeGod’s vengeance, bindkings andnobles,andexecutejudgments.Theprimarytargetofthatvengeanceisthedevil.The entire account of Judges 5 is deliberately written to emphasize the

deliveranceprovidedbyGod.DeborahproclaimsthatHeistheOnepullingthestrings, raising generals, deploying armies (even the enemy is indirectlycontrolledbyHim),dictatingstrategy,andaffecting thevictory. In theend thesongcelebratesthesavingworkofGod.ThroughsongDeborahstressedGod’ssovereigntyoverhumanevents.IbelievetheLordwillraiseupwomenwhowillwritesongsthatglorifythe

mightyactsofGod.LikeDeborah,thesewomenwillwriteandcomposesongsthatwilladmonisharebelliouspeopletoturntheirheartstoGod.ThispassagealsoencourageswomentoperceiveGod’ssovereigntyoverhistoryandourownlives. Whether it is in His compassionate deliverance, financial provision, orleading and guiding decisions, God is sovereign over life, and He is at workbringing His plan to fruition in our lives. By spending time in praise andworship, women will destroy the enemy and gain the courage to lead in thekingdomofGod.

CultivatingtheHeartofaWorshipperBelieveme,woman,thetimeiscomingwhenyouSamaritanswillworshiptheFatherneitherhere at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jewsworshipintheclearlightofday.God’swayofsalvationismadeavailablethroughtheJews.Butthetimeiscoming—ithas, infact,come—whenwhatyou’recalledwillnotmatterandwhereyougotoworshipwillnotmatter.

It’swhoyouareandthewayyoulivethatcountbeforeGod.Yourworshipmustengage

yourspiritinthepursuitoftruth.That’sthekindofpeopletheFatherisoutlookingfor:thosewhoaresimplyandhonestlythemselvesbeforehimintheirworship.Godissheerbeingitself—Spirit.Thosewhoworshiphimmust do it out of their verybeing, their spirits, their trueselves,inadoration.

—JOHN4:21–24,THEMESSAGE

Worship is a verb. Worship is about encountering God in a personal andtransformingway.WearetoldinJohn4:23–24thatGodisspiritandthatthetrueworship the Father is seeking is done in both spirit and truth. The correctelements ofworshipmust be a combination of reverence towardGod and thetruthofGod’swill.WorshippingGodinspiritinvolvesseeingGodwiththeeyesofourheart.Itis

adorationandexaltationofsomeonegreater thanyou. InadorationweexpressourdelightandtotalconfidenceinGod.WorshipcomesfromtheLatinwordthattranslatesas“worth-ship.”Itliterallymeanstoascribeworthtosomething.True worship begins with a deep respect or reverence for God, a frame of

heart, an attitude. Thismust be fixed in one’smind beforewe go further.An“act”ofworshipisanactproceedingfromortheresultofthatattitude.Worshipdemandsnothinglessthanthecomplete,conscious,andintentionalparticipationof the believer. We need to understand that the blessings we receive fromworshipareaby-productofourworshipandnotthefocus.Inworshipwecometodoandgive,notreceive.WorshipisfirstandforemostaboutGod.WorshipisaboutthecreationencounteringtheCreator.TheHebrewwordforworshipisshachah,anditmeans“tobow,tostoop;to

bowdownbeforesomeoneasanactofsubmissionorreverence;toworship;tofall or bow down when paying homage to God. The primary meaning is ‘tomakeoneself low.’. . .worship (bowyourselvesdown lowbeforeHim)at theplaceofHisfeet.”1In theNewTestament theGreekwordproskyneōespeciallydenoteshomage

renderedtoGodandtheascendedChrist.Proskyneōcomesfrompros,meaning“toward,”andkyneo,meaning“tokiss.”WecandeducethefullmeaningoftheGreekexpressionforworshipas toprostrateoneself,bowdown,doobeisance,show reverence, do homage, worship, adore.2 All believers have a one-dimensionalworship,whichistotheonlyLordandSavior.Wedonotworshipangels, saints, shrines, relics, or religious personages. When we prostrateourselvesinworship,weplaceourlivesbeforeGod.

Sohere’swhatIwantyoutodo,Godhelpingyou:Takeyoureveryday,ordinarylife—yoursleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as anoffering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’tbecomesowell-adjustedtoyourculturethatyoufitintoitwithouteventhinking.Instead,fixyour attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he

wants fromyou, andquickly respond to it.Unlike the culture aroundyou, alwaysdraggingyou down to its level of immaturity,God brings the best out of you, developswell-formedmaturityinyou.

—ROMANS12:1–2,THEMESSAGE

WorshipDestroysFearandProducesConfidenceinGodOneof thebiggestenemies to thecallofGod is fearofman.TheBiblestatesthat the fear of man brings a snare in our lives (Prov. 29:25). The psalmistproclaims,“IsoughttheLORD,andHeansweredme,anddeliveredmefromallmyfears”(Ps.34:4).Therewillbetimesduringtheprocessofwalkinginyourcalling that the enemy will try to fill your heart with fear.Many women areplaguedwiththefearofnotbeinggoodenoughtofulfillallthedemandsoflife.ThepresenceoftheLord—worship—iswherefearsaredestroyed.One of the greatest monsters that I wrestle with in my leadership is being

confidentinthecallingandgiftingGodhasforme.Ibattledinsecurity,fear,andtheobsessiveneedtocomparemyselftoothers.TheseenemiestomyconfidencecangetthebestofmeifIletthem.ComparisonsandcompetitionareenemiestothecallofGod.Weusuallytake

ourweaknessandcompareittosomeoneelse’sstrength,andthiscausesustobeinsecureandfearful.TheonlythingthatcancastoutthespiritoffearistheloveofGod,fortheperfectloveofGodcastsouteveryspiritoffear.Worshipistheplacewhereloveisperfectedandpeaceofmindisrestored.Perfectedlovecastsoutfear,forthereisnofearinlove(1John4:18).WomanofGod,wemust learn to fearGodoverman.The fearof theLord

mustbeourpursuit in thishour.WeputGod inHis rightfulplace inour liveswhenweworshipHim.Thisiswhyworshipmustbealifestyleforthemodern-dayDeborah.Worshipcannotbelimitedtoachurchservice.Itshouldbepartofeverythingwedoeveryhourofeveryday.ThisiswhenGodishighandliftedup forus to seeHimand seeHisperspectiveonwhatHehascalledus todo.WorshipallowsustoknowHisthoughtsanddesiretopleaseHiminreverenceandinholyfear.

Who is the [woman]who fears theLORD?Hewill teach [her] in thewayHeshouldchoose.[She]willdwellatease,and[her]descendantswillinherittheland.ThecounseloftheLORDiswith thosewhofearhim,andHewillmakeHiscovenantknownto them.MyeyesareevertowardtheLORD,forHewillleadmyfeetfromthenet.

—PSALM25:12–15

WorshipGivesYouConfidencetoGotoWarLORD,whenYouwentout fromSeir,whenYoumarchedfromthe landofEdom, thegroundshookandtheskiespoured,indeed,thedensecloudspouredwater.

—JUDGES5:4

Deborah receiveda revelationofGod in theplaceofworship.Sheunderstoodthat shewasnot in thebattlealone. In fact, shehada revelationofGodasElShaddai,theGodwhocompelsnaturetodowhatiscontrarytoitself.Judges5givesusanaccountofwhatactuallyhappenedonthebattlefield.ItwastheLordwhowentouttofight,andheavenrespondedwhenDeboraharose.ThealmightyGod caused it to rain rendering Seir and his nine hundred chariots powerless.Worshipcausedtherainheaventofall.(SeeZechariah14:17.)WomenwiththeDeborah anointing will learn the art of worship that causes rain to fall fromheaven.WorshipisalsotheplacewhereyoubecomeabondslavetotheLordandthe

cryofyourheart is“Sendme; Iwillgo.”This iswhereDeborah receivedhercourage to say to Barak, “I will go with you to war.” She received herconfidencetogoandwarnthroughworship.WorshipbroughtherintothesecretplaceoftheMostHigh.DeborahabidedundertheshadowoftheAlmighty(ElShaddai).Ibelieveshe

hadarevelationofGod’seternal,miraculouspowercombinedwithHissupremesufficiency. The revelation of the “almightiness” ofGod gave her the faith tofaceanythingandtheabilityinspireothers.Worship takes you to the mountain of the Lord to see life from His

perspective.BeforetheFall,communionwasanaturalpartofhumanexistence,partoftherhythmoflife.Godhasalwaysdesiredthatthisrapport,thisrhythm,berestored.WorshipiscommuningwithGod.IntheplaceofworshipiswherewelearnGod’sthoughtsandreceiveHisembrace.

KeystoDwellingintheSecretPlaceHewhodwells in thesecretplaceof theMostHighshall remainstableandfixedunder theshadowoftheAlmighty[Whosepowernofoecanwithstand].

—PSALM91:1,AMP

Ihaveoftenwonderedwhere the secretplaceofGodwas.Through revelationandstudy,I’vecometobelievethatthesecretplaceisthesanctuary,ortemple,ofGod.

What?DoyounotknowthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolySpirit,whoisinyou,whomyouhavereceivedfromGod,andthatyouarenotyourown?

—1CORINTHIANS6:19

We learn from these scriptures that when we receive Christ’s free gift ofsalvation, theLordmakesHissanctuarywithinus.HisHolySpirit thendwells

withinthatinnersanctuaryandteachesus,directsus,tellsus,andrevealstousthegreaterthingsofGod.TheworddwellsinPsalm91:1isyashabwhichmeans“todwell,remain,sit,

abide.”3 The key to receiving protection and guidance is to stay in the secretplace,undertheshadowoftheMostHigh.Dwellinginthesecretplaceinvolvestheconceptslistedbelow:

•Listening:Wemustlearntoquietournoisymindsandopenourspiritualears to hear God’s voice. Learning to discern God’s voice takes time inworshipprayerandbecomingastudentoftheWord.• Watching: Behold the beautiful God and develop a sharp vision andunderstandingofGod’sheartandHispurposeforthisgeneration.IbelieveDeborahspenthoursinthepresenceoftheLord.SomescholarsbelieveshespenthoursinthetemplelightinglampsfortheLord,symbolicofwaitingontheLord.Therabbissayshehademployedherselfinmakingwicksforthe lamps of the tabernacle before becoming judge in Israel.4 She spentmanyhoursinthepresenceoftheLordbeforethetimeofherpromotiontoleadershipposition.•Waiting:Thisisararevirtuethatwilldeterminehowwellwelistenandwatch.WaitingontheLordkills theflesh.WaitingalsomeanstoserveorministertotheLord.• Finding: This occurs when you begin to experience and encounter thelivingGod,feelingHisaffectionsandemotionsanddiscoveringHispassionforyou.Aswomen,wemustallfindtimetodwellinthesecretplacewiththeLord.WhenwebeholdHim,webegintofindourselves.InthepresenceoftheLordyouwillfeelthefireofHisloveforyou,makingiteasytosharewithothers.Psalm16:11statesthatGodwillshowusthepathoflifeandinHispresence is the fullnessof joy.WhenfindingGod in thesecretplace,wefindourpathinlife.

RevelationinWorshipTodayanewsoundiscomingforth.GodisraisingupwomenwiththeanointingofDeborahwhowillwritesongstobringthechurchrevelationoftheheartandmindofGod.Thesesongswillteachandadmonishuswiththetruthsconcerningprinciples of the kingdom ofGod.God is raising up prophetic songwriters tobring forth songs of the Spirit thatwill turn the heart of a generation back toHim.Whenever theLordwants to implementanewseason,Hecommandsanew

songtobesung.HeraisesuppsalmiststowritesongsthatembodythetruthsofHisheart.Heenhanceseveryrevelationthroughtheuseofmusicandworship.InSongofSongs2:11–12itsays,“Fornowthewinterhaspast;therainisoverandgone.Theflowersappearontheearth;thetimeofsinginghascome.”Thisscripturespeaksofthewindofchangeblowingthroughouttheearthtousherinfresh insight, revelation, and experiences, accompanied by new songs andexpressionsofworship.Through worship, we enter into the presence of the Lord, and we are

welcomedtoanewplacewherewecanseelifefromHisperspective.InworshipGod revealsnewaspectsofHimself tous.Knowing thatGod is enthronedonourpraises (Ps.22:3),we thenproceed to findout thecharacter andnatureofHim for whom we are preparing a habitation. The word enthroned means toinstallakingonathrone,especiallyduringaceremonytomarkthebeginningoftheir rule. It alsomeans to seat someone in a position of authority, sovereignpower,andrule.WhereverGod’speopleexaltHisname,HeisreadytomanifestHiskingdom

power.OurpraiseandworshippreparesaspecificplaceandpositionforGodtoreigninourlives.Trueworshipwill alwaysbringbalanceand resolve.Womencansometimes

beunbalanced in thisarea.Wecanspendsomuch time inworship soaking inHispresence thatwebecomewaterlogged.Wejust fixateon theexperienceofbeinginHispresenceandendupworshippingtheexperienceandnotGod.Thenthereareotherswhoaresofocusedondestroyingtheenemythat theybecomefanaticalandevendelusional.God desires for women to be balanced and whole. God desires to reveal

HimselftousasRedeemer.GodhasapurposeforHismanifestpresence,whichistheretoministertousandthroughus.ItisthatwemayknowHimintimately,findHispathforourlives,findjoyandpleasureinHispresence,andministertomankindfromHisperspective.

PrayertoDwellinthePresenceoftheLordLord,inYourpresenceisthefullnessofjoy!IaskthatYouwilldrawmebyYourSpiritintothesecretchambersofYourlove.IdesiretoknowYou.IdesiretoknowYourwaysandplansformylife.Lord,Youaremyrefugeandmyfortress.MyGod,inYoudoItrust.IsetmyaffectionsandloveuponYou.IdrawnightoYou,andYoudrawnightome.Show me Your path for my life. I trust You with my whole heart, leaning not to my

understanding.IsearchforYourwisdom.IchoosetodelightmyselfinYou,andYouwillgivemethedesiresofmyheart.IcastallofmycaresuponYouforYoucareforme.Lord,YouaremystrongfortressthatIrunto,andIamsafe.Amen.

Chapter5

DEBORAHTHEHONEYBEE

ThefactthatIamawomandoesnotmakemeadifferentkindofChristian,butthefactthatIamaChristiandoesmakemeadifferentkindofwoman.1

—ELISABETHELLIOT

BEAUTIFULWOMENAREadimeadozen,butgodlywomenareextremelyrare.Theworldsuffersthelossofgodlyfemininequalitiessuchastrust,modesty,grace,ladylikeinnocence,tenderness,patience,andlove.I rememberwhen Iwasgrowinguppeoplewouldsay tome inacorrective

tone of voice, “Stop crying like a girl. You’re such a girly girl. You need totoughenup.”Myresponsewas,“Newsflash,genius,Iamagirl!AndIwon’tapologizefor

it!”I love being a female. I love wearing my high heels and putting on my

makeup and perfume. You could smell me a block away. Oh, and I love toaccessorize!Themoreglitterandrhinestones thebetter! I thinkIwas theonlyone in the fifth grade who carried a purse and wore high heels. I love beingfeminineandall thequalities it includes. I love toencourage,nurture,andaddvaluetothosearoundme.EveninhighschoolIwasadefenderoftheyoungandavoicefor thevoiceless. I remembermyfriendssaying tome,“Michelle,youthinkyou’reeverybody’smama!”Noonetaughtmehowtobefeminine;itwasaninnateability.Atayoungage

Iidentifiedwiththeessenceofmyfemininity.ItwaswhoGodcreatedmetobe!Awomaninhergloryisawomanwhoisnotstrivingtobecomefeminineor

ladylike.SheknowsthecoreofherbeingwhereGoddwellsandthatHecreatedherasawoman.I’m not here to tell you that there are one hundred one rules for being

feminine. You don’t have to polish your nails and get a facial in order to befeminine.Although, ifyou’venever tried it,youshould.However,youcanbefemininewithoutdoingthesethings.Youarealsonotimmediatelyfemininejustbecauseyouweardressesandhighheels.

OurheroineDeborah’srichlegacyechoesthroughtheannalsoftimetoeverywoman you can lead in the midst of a male-dominated society and still befeminine.Therewasatimeinthenot-too-distantpastwhenwomenhadtotakeonmoremasculine character traits andmannerisms in order to be consideredequal to amen.Therewerebooks, seminars, andmagazine articles tohelpusachievethis.Butnomore.Goddidnotdesignusthisway.Justbecausewearedifferentdoesn’tmakeusanylessvaluable.Femininity is power and authority under control. Deborah’s lifestyle is a

lesson forallwomenwhoare looking todefine themselvesand fullyuse theirpotential.Youcanbegentleandassertive.Youcaninspireandnotintimidate.Deborahcallsherselfa“motherofIsrael.”Shetookherroleofmotherover

herpeopleveryseriouslyandfaithfully.ShefollowedGodandledherchildren,theIsraelites, toput their faith in theLord todeliver themfromtheirenemies.Deborah held the highest spiritual, political, andmilitary positions during thattimeofIsrael’shistory,andyetIlovethefactthatinJudges5:7Deborahdoesn’trefertoherselfasjudge,prophetess,orleader.Shedescribesherselfas“amotherin Israel.” She didn’t need to prove herself or remind others of her positionalpower.If you are a women’s leader or an aspiringwomen’s leader in the body of

Christ, I want to encourage you to celebrate those feminine qualities becauseGodisgoingtousethemtoleadHispeoplejustasHedidwithDeborah.

Words,SweetLikeHoneyDeborah’suniquequalitiesweredisplayedthroughherwords.TheBibletellsusinJob6:25,“Howforcefularerightwords!”andinProverbs18:21,“Deathandlifeareinthepowerofthetongue.”Deborahwordscalmedtheweary,advisedthelost,inspiredageneral,andmovedanationtowar.God’sanointedweaponsofchoiceforwomenarewords.Psalm119:103says,

“HowsweetareYourwordstothetasteofmymouth!Sweeterthanhoneytomymouth!”ThenameDeborahmeans“beebecauseitsignifiesthelawlikehoneyin the wax; that is, it contains in the letter the sweetness of the Spirit.”2Deborah’sverynameisthekeytounderstandingher.Theessenceofhername“honeybee” is the essence of the anointing thewill rest uponwomen. Just asbeesswarmbehindaleader,womenwillhavenewleadershipresponsibilitiesinthechurchandwillberecognizedasprophetswhoteachandguidethebodyofChrist. The sting of the bee is bitterly painful, yet its honey is sweet, sowillwomenwhohavegodlydispositiondemonstratethroughsweetwordsofwisdomtothosetheyinfluenceandadeadlystingfortheenemiesofGod.

Jewishparentsbelievedthenameofachildwasinstrumentalinformingtheiridentity.Theybelievedthatthenature,character,anddestinyofchildrenshouldbeproclaimedintheirname.

DeborahcomesfromtheHebrewroot,meaningtospeakorpromise.It’salsowherethephrase“WordofGod”comesfromandisidenticaltotheword,meaning“bee.”3

Somecommentatorsbelievethatthebeewascalled“aspeaker”becauseofitsbuzzing. Scholars also suggest that the beewas named for thedbr, aHebrewroot, because it produces honey. The nameDeborah is identical to the wordmeaning “bee,” and both come from the root dabar, meaning to speak orpronounce. The root dabar generally pertains to speech and specificallyintelligentdiscourse.4Metaphorically thebeebrings forth thehoney,which in turnhasa lot todo

withtheWordofGod.Beeslikeflowers,makehoney,speakalanguage,careforoffspring,andarearmed.The“speech”ofDeborahwasholyprophecy,andwhatcouldbesweeterthanthewordsofprophecy?Sweetnesssuggestedtheimageofhoney,andbees,afterall,makehoney.5

TheDifferenceBetweenHoneybeesandWaspsIwouldliketoliketoidentifythedifferencebetweenhoneybeesandwaspsasitrelatestodevelopingtheDeborahanointing.Here’swhatIdiscoveredfromtheexperts:

Whilehoneybeescanattackwhenprovoked,waspsarenaturallymoreaggressivepredators....

Waspsandhoneybeesarebothmembersof theHymenoptera order of insects.However,their physical bodies are different. Honeybees measure around 2.54 cm long. Some haveentirely black bodies, while others are black or brown with orange or yellow striations.Honeybees are hairy,whilewasps usually have smooth and shiny skin.Wasps are narrow-waisted,havefourwings,andmaybebrightlycolored,withblackandyellowpatterns.

Waspsandbeesalsodifferinlifestyleandhabits.Honeybeecoloniescanhavepopulationsover75,000,whilewasps’coloniestendtohavefewerthan10,000individuals.Queenwaspsbuildanestfortheircolony,whileworkerhoneybeescreateandmaintainhives.Unlikemostwasps that hibernate during thewinter season and build a new nest the following autumn,honeybeesdonothibernate,astheyliveonfoodreservesandheataccumulatedbythousandsofworkers.Waspspeciescannotproducehoney,butallspeciesofhoneybeesarecapableofproducing and storing sizeable amounts of honey within their hives.While honeybees canstingonlyonceanddieafterattacking,asinglewaspiscapableofstingingmultipletimes....

Honeybeesaresocialcreaturesandlivewithincolonieswithaqueen,thousandsofworkersand a fewmaledrones.Workersmake thesenests fromwax,which they secrete from theirabdominal glands. Within each cell, young workers place pollen and nectar as food fordevelopinglarvae.Maledronesareejectedfromthenesttodieduringautumn,aftertheyhavecompleted their only task in life: tomatewithqueens.The ageof honeybees alsoplays animportantroleindeterminingwhichindividualsperformvariousdailyactivities.6

ThosewhohavetheDeborahanointingwillhaveanabilitylikethehoneybeetoproducehoney.

•“Honeywasthechiefsweetenerintheoldendays,and.. .God’swordsare sweeter than honey” (Ps. 119:103).7 Women will have words ofencouragementfromtheheartofGodthatwillbringhealingrestorationtomanyintheirsphereofinfluence.• “Ezekiel reports that the scroll full of lamentations that God gave himtastedafterlikehoney.”8WomenwillhavetoeattheentirerollofScripture,whichwillbringtransformationtotheirhearts.Committingthesetruthsandpromisestotheirheartswillinfluencetheirspeech.TheWordinourheartsistoteachorcontrolourspeechandconduct.The“sweetness”and“health”such speech promotes empowers others to overcome and live victoriouslives.Thoseofuswiththehoneybeeanointingwillreleasedivinegraceinour daily living. The words of revelation will lead the believer to “anovercoming, victorious life, through a consistent acknowledgment of thepowerandmightofGodwithbothmouthandmanner.”9•Honey is known for its sweetness andmedicinal qualities.Womenwillhavepleasantwordsandhealinganointingtobringwholenesstomanywhoare broken and wounded. The wise words of those with the Deborahanointingwillbringhealth.Thereisahealinganointingbeingreleasedonwomen. The healing anointing with the gift of words of knowledge.“Pleasantwords are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to thebones”(Prov.16:24).•Honey also symbolizes abundance and prosperity. The Promised Landflowedwithmilk and honey.Womenwill have an abundance ofwisdomthatwillleadthemandothersaroundthemtoprosperity.•Honeyisassociatedwithwisdom:“Myson,eathoneybecauseitisgood,and thehoneycomb that is sweet toyour taste; so shall theknowledgeofwisdom be to your soul; when you have found it, then there will be areward,andyourexpectationwillnotbecutoff”(Prov.24:13–14).

BusyAsaBee“Busyasabee”isanidiomaticexpressionthatreferstosomeonewhoisdeeplyengagedinthecompletionofataskorsetoftasks,makinguseofallhisorherresourcestobringaboutthedesired end.Typically, a personwho is engaged to this degree has neither the timenor theabilitytostepawayandtakeonsomeothertaskuntilatleastsomeofthecurrenteffortsarecompleted.10

Womenwiththehoneybeeanointingwillbefinishers.Theywillhaveagraceto

start and finish projects. This anointing will empower women in business—women who are industrious or have many things to do; women who areproductive,persistent,andfocused;andwomenwhoarequicktoactandliketoget things done. I believe this also represents an entrepreneur anointing. Thisaspect of the Deborah anointingwill empower women to develop businesses,givingthempowertocreatewealth.Thosemostaffectedbypovertyarewomen.IdeclarethattheLordisreleasing

power to getwealth uponwomen that theymay establishHis covenant in theearth.Deuteronomy8:18says,“ButyoumustremembertheLORDyourGod,forit isHewhogivesyou the ability togetwealth, so thatHemayestablishHiscovenantwhichHesworetoyourfathers,asitistoday.”TheHebrewwordfor“ability” is koach it means “vigor, strength, force, capacity, power, wealth,means,orsubstance.”11

Koach. . . means vigor, strength, force, capacity or ability, whether physical, mental, orspiritual. Here Moses informs Israel that it is God who gives to them the ability (power,means, endurance, capacity) to obtain wealth, for material blessings are included in thepromisestothepatriarchsandtheirdescendants.MosesstrictlywarnsIsraelin[Deuteronomy18:17]nottofalselyconcludethatthiscapacityforsuccessisaninnatetalent,buttohumblyacknowledgethatitisaGod-givenability.12

Women with the Deborah anointing will be effective agitators for change.Haveyoueverseenabeecomeintoaroomfilledwithpeople?Thatlittlesmallinsectcancleararoominfiveseconds.Theirbuzzingaroundbringsagitationtoeveryone in their vicinity.Modern-dayDeborahswill stir uppublicdiscussionwiththeirfocussetonchange.DeborahwasaneffectiveagitatorforIsrael.ShestirredupdiscussionaboutthelowspiritualconditionofIsrael.Womenwith the honeybee anointing will cultivate the following skills and

attributes:

•Self-starter•Motivation•Resourcefulness•Organization•Productiveness•Teachability•Adaptability•Creativity•Decisiveness•Persistence•Results-oriented

•Problem-solving•Responsibility

AreYouaHoneybeeoraWasp?13

Thesemenaregrumblers, complainers,whowalkafter theirown lusts.Theirmouths speakarrogantwords,andtheyflatterotherstogainprofit.

—JUDE16

Womenwho carry a wasp spirit will not be able to produce honey. They areaggressive and seductive. Their wasplike words carry the sting of bitterness.Theirtonguesareusedforevilspeakingandgossip.Evilspeakingisalsoknownby ancient rabbis as the “third tongue” because it destroys the speaker.14 Itdestroystheonespokento,anditdestroystheonespokenabout.Itbringsgreatdefilement.TheBibletellsusit’snotwhatgoesintoamanthatdefileshimbutwhat comesout.Thosewhohaveawasp-spirit tongueare like a raging forestfire.Thisflameisactuallyfueledbyhell.Thesewomenwiththeirinappropriateuseofthetonguehavethepotentialtomorallytainttheentirebody.Womenshouldbeespeciallycarefulaboutwhat theyspeakonand towhom

theyspeak.TheyrepresentGodineverythingtheydo.TheBiblesaysthatoutoftheabundanceof theheart themouthspeaks.This iswhy thedevilwill try tonullify thepowerourgreatestwarfareweaponagainsthim,which isourGod-anointedwords,bypollutingourhearts.Thedevil’sstrategyistotemptyouwithsinsofthemouth.Heattackswomeninthespeech.Howmanywordshaveyouspoken you wish you could take back? When we initiate or participate inconversation,wordscanbringdefilementonthelistenerandthepersonwearespeaking about. Sins of the mouth can hinder your expression of femininity.ThereisthedangerofGod’srighteouswrathforthosewhocontinueslanderous,meddlingacts.Thosewithawaspspiritmanifestthefollowing:

•Defilement—topollute,tomakeunclean,totarnishthepurityofcharacterbylewdness(Matt.15:1–19;John14:30)•Lewdness—sinninginbroaddaylightwitharroganceandcontempt•Idlewords(Matt.12:33–37)• Backbiting—one who speaks against an absent individual (Ps. 15:1–3;Rom.1:28–30)•Busybody—onewhoseeksoutonafalsereportandspreadsitbymeansofgossip,slander,andbackbiting;ameddlerinotherpeople’saffairs(1Pet.4:15)•Complaining—grumbling,notloudlybutsoonlythoseincloseproximity

canhear•Slandering—tryingtoinjuresomeone’sreputationorcharacterbysharingdamagingstoriesaboutthepast(Prov.10:18)•Talebearing(Lev.19:16;Prov.11:13;17:9;18:8;26:20–22)•Elaboratingandexaggerating—makingastorymoredramatic•Whispering—privatelyandsecretlytalkingaboutotherpeople;mumblingaspell(Prov.16:28)• Gossip—casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about otherpeople,typicallyinvolvingdetailsthatarenotconfirmedasbeingtrue.

StepsofDeliveranceFromtheWaspSpiritThe above-mentioned characteristics have the potential to detour us from theGod-ordained path for our lives. Sometimes they can be hidden issues of theheartthatonlytheHolySpiritcanreveal.Womenhavesufferedsuchcrueltyintheworld.Manymay feel theymustusecarnalmethods toprotect themselvesandadvanceinlife.Manyofthesebehaviorshavebecomeblindspotsandcanbe revealed only by the Holy Spirit.We must develop the discipline of self-examination.Psalm51isoneofmyfavoritepsalms.Prayingitovermylifehasbeenamajor tool todevelopingself-examination.Davidprayed inPsalm51:6thatGoddesirestruthintheinwardpartsandinthehiddenpartHeshallmakeustoknowwisdom.

Step1:Desiretruthinyourinwardparts.Thefirststeptoovercomingthewaspspiritishavingadesirefortruthinthe

inwardparts.Weshoulddesiretruththatisnotsuperficial,buttruththatreachesfardeeperthanamereintellectualcomprehensionoftruth;itistruththatreachesdownintothedepthsourbeing.Theoppositeofthetruthisdeception.Theworstkindofdeceptionisself-deception.ThepowerofdeceptionisthepersonbeingdeceivedbelievesthatsheisbeingledoftheLord.IttakesthemercyandpoweroftheHolySpirittobreakthroughdeception.

Step2:AllowtheHolySpirittosearchyourheart.Thesecondsteptoovercomingthewaspspirit is toallowtheHolySpirit to

search your heart, shining a light on anywicked area. TheHoly Spirit is theSpiritoftruth.Hewillgiveyouwisdominthehiddenareasofyourheart.Psalm139:23–24says,“Searchme[thoroughly],OGod,andknowmyheart!Trymeandknowmythoughts!Andseeifthereisanywickedorhurtfulwayinme,andleadmeinthewayeverlasting”(AMP).OncetheHolySpiritsearchesyourheart

and revealsblocksand flaws,youmustbehonestwithyourselfandnot try tojustifyyour actions.David states inPsalm51:3 thatheacknowledgedhis sinsandtransgressions.Recognizingsinanderrorrequireshumilityandbrokenness.It’salsothefirststeptohealinganddeliverance.

Step3:Repentimmediately.The thirdstep toovercoming thewaspspirit is to immediately repent.Once

theHolySpiritconvictsyouofhavingawaspspirit,thereisananointinginthatmomenttobehealed,delivered,andtransformed.Delayedresponsecanleadtohardness of heart and greater deception. Repent comes from the Greek wordmetanoia.Inthiscompoundwordtheprepositioncombinesthetwomeaningsof“time”and“change,”whichmaybedenotedby“after”and“different”;sothatthe whole compound means: “to think differently after,” “a change of mindaccompaniedbyregretandchangeofconduct,”“achangeofmindandheart,”or“achangeofconsciousness.”15Basedonthisdefinition,repentancemeans,aftertheHolySpirithasrevealedinformation,youchangeyourwayofthinking.Thewrongroadwillneverbecometherightroad.Theonlywaytogetontherightroadistodiscoverwhereyoumadeadetourandturnaroundimmediately.

Step4:Rendyourheart.Thefourthsteptothewaspspiritistorendtheheart.InJoel’sdaypeopletore

theirgarmentstoshowtheirgriefanddesperation.However,whatGoddesiresisthe tearingofourhearts,whichspeaksofdealingradicallywith themattersofour heart. To rendmeans to tear something violently or forcibly.We tear ourheartsawayfromeverythinginourlivesthatquenchesorblocksthepureflowoftheSpirit!Tearingourheartsisintenselypersonalandpainful.SomewanttheSpirit to free them from their sinful patternswithout it requiring any personalchoicesthatteartheirhearts.Thatisnotthewayithappens.

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he isgraciousandmerciful,slowtoanger,andofgreatkindness,andrepentedhimoftheevil.

—JOEL2:13,KJV

WomenwiththeDeborahanointingwillproperlyusetheirtongues.DeborahusedherstospeakGod’scommandstothosewhoneededencouragementtofreethemselvesfromoppression.Sheusedcheerful,positivewordsofvictorywhenGod’s people faced enemies. Her words were wisely selected, and peopletraveledfartohearherspeak.WomentodaycanimitateDeborah’sspeech!Howoften have you seen a woman totally destroy her effectiveness as a leaderbecauseshe failed touseher tongueproperly? (See1Timothy3:11;5:11–13.)

BecauseofthewayDeborahusedhertongue,sheliftedthespiritsofthosewhoneededtobefaithfultoGod.

PrayersforForcibleWordsLord,YourWordstatesthatrightwordsareforcible.Letmespeakwordsthatareappropriateforeveryoccasion.Teachme,Lord,toholdmytongue.CausemetoknowwhereIhaveerred.Irepentforinjusticeinmytongue.(SeeJob6:24–25,30.)Lord,showmetheplaceswheremywordshavecausedconfusion,strife,anddivision.IaskthatYouwillputYoursweetwordsinmymouththatImaybringpeaceandencouragementtothoseinmysphereofinfluence.LetthewordsofmymouthandmeditationsofmyheartbepureandacceptablebeforeYou(Ps.19:14).IpraythatYouwillcreateinmeacleanheartandrenewarighteousspiritwithinme(Ps.51:10).Irepentforgossiping,backbiting,talebearing,andspeakingwordsthatdefile.Iask,dearLord,thatasYoudidwithIsaiah,YouwouldtakethecoalsfromYouraltarandtouchmylips.LetthefireoftheHolySpiritburnawayiniquityinmyheartandpurgethesinofmymouth (Isa.6:6–7).Letmyspeechbewithgrace,seasonedwithsalt thatIwillknowhowtoanswerwithwisdom (Col.4:6).Letmebeawomanwho isswift tohear,slow tospeakandslowtowrath(James1:19).Idecreethatmymouthisawelloflife!(SeeProverbs10:11.)IdecreethatwisdomisfoundonmylipsandIamawomanofunderstanding(Prov.10:13).Iwillspeakwordsthatedify,exhort,andcomfortthoseinmysphereofinfluence (1Cor.

14:3).I will speak words of wisdom; my mouth will bring forth wisdom but the mouth of the

perversewillbecutoff(Prov.10:31).Mytonguewillbelikethepenofthereadywriter,writingtheplansandpurposeofGodon

theheartsofthoseIinfluence(Ps.45:1).Iwillbeawomanwhorestrainsmylipsanddemonstrateswisdom(Prov.10:19).Mylipswillfeedmanywithtruthandinsight(Prov.10:21).

Chapter6

DEBORAHTHEPROPHETESS

SurelytheLordGODdoesnothingwithoutrevealingHispurposetoHisservantstheprophets.—AMOS3:7

DEBORAHWASONEofthejudgesofIsraelduringatimeofoppression.Asbothajudgeandaprophetess,shewascarefultovoiceGod’swillandnotherown.Shewasknownforhersound-mindednessanddivinejustice.GodusedhertodeliverHismessagestothepeople.TheLordspokethroughherassheheldcourtundera treecalled“thePalmofDeborah”inEphraim.TheLordalsousedher tosetherpeoplefreeanddefeatthekingofCanaan.1Deborahas theprophetesshelped to leadGod’speopleoutofbondagewith

precision and accuracy. She stood in the council of the Lord and heard andperceivedHisword for a generation. She heard and releasedGod’s heart andmindtothechildrenofIsraelinatimewhennooneelsecouldhearHisvoice.

SetTimesforaPropheticVoiceWheneverGodhasasettimetoreleaseHispurposeontheearth,Hewillraiseup a prophetic voice. God has an audience towhomHewishes to direct Histhoughts.Thismaybeanindividual,thechurch,orthenations.AsituationhadarisenwiththechildrenofIsraelthatrequireddivineaction.Hispeoplewereintrouble.Therewasamilitarythreatagainstthelegacy.Thepeoplewerelivinginreligiouscompromiseandsocialupheaval.

RatherthanfiguringoutabattleplanagainsttheKingofJabinorputtingtogetheradelegationtogonegotiateapeacetreaty,theIsraelitessoughttheprophetessDeborahtoheartheWordofGod.ThiswasyetanothersignthattheyweregettingbackontrackspirituallywiththeLord.TheIsraeliteswereinaseriouscrisis.Deathwasliterallyknockingontheirdoorintheformofamassivearmy.Andratherthanrelyontheirown“knowledge”andstrength,theyturnedtoGodforasolution.ThisissoimportantforChristianstodaytotakeheedof.Whenyoufaceacrisis,tragedyorareterriblyafraid,looktoGod.TurntotheWordoragodlyleadershipforbiblicaladvice.2

WhenGodwantstoreleaseHishandofpower

Deborah’sannouncementthatSiserawouldbedestroyedandthatdeliverancewouldbegiventoawomanwasapropheticproclamationofGodexertingHispowerovertheenemynationsthatoppressedHispeople.HerwordsshookthedestinyofnationsandtransformedthestrategiesofmenintothestrategiesthatadvancedthekingdomofGod.Goddoesn’treleasethiskindofpowerwithoutfirstdecreeingitthroughHisservantstheprophets(Amos3:7).

WhenGodwantstobringhopeintimesofcrisisIn the troubled timesmany people lose their hope, an expectation of good.

The plans and the dreams to which they have given their lives can collapse.OftentheywillfeelasifGodhasabandonedthem.Nationswillneedprophetswhocangivenewvisioninthesetimesoftransition.Deborahtheprophetesshadtremendous vision and resolve that came from the heart of the Lord. SheexplainedtoBarakhowandwhenitwastimetogotobattletobreaktheyokeoftheoppressorfromtheneckofthechildrenofIsrael.ProphetswillexplainhowGod is at work in what appears to be a disaster. Prophets can see what ishappeninginthefutureplanofGod.

PropheticDimensionsoftheDeborahAnointingThetwomaindimensionsoftheDeborahanointingarethespiritofcounselandthespiritofmight.IbelievetheLordisreleasingthisgracetowomentodevelopsolutionstomanyproblemswe’refacingallovertheworld.IbelievetheHolySpiritisanointingwomenwithasupernaturalanointingofwisdomandmight.

ThespiritofcounselThespiritofcounselgivesstrategyandtheabilitytodevisetherightcourseof

action. The prophet Deborah had the counsel of the Lord for the commanderBarak. This ministry of the Spirit of God gives His people direction andguidanceconcerningGod’smindandwill.Prophetsarerequiredtostandinthecounselof theLord tohear thevoiceofGodaccuratelyandcausemankind toturnfromevil.Thepremieranointingintheprophet’slifeshouldbeconvictionandthefearoftheLord.

ForwhohasstoodinthecounseloftheLORDandhasperceivedandheardHisword?WhohasgivenheedtoHiswordandlistenedtoit? . . .Butif theyhadstoodinMycounselandhadcausedMypeopletohearMywords,thentheywouldhaveturnedthemfromtheirevilwayandfromtheeviloftheirdoings.

—JEREMIAH23:18,22

ThewordcounselistheHebrewwordcowd.Counselorcowdreferstosecret

orprivatecounsel,afamilycircleinwhichsecretsareshared.Italsoreferstoasessionoracompanyofpersonsin(closedeliberation)intimacy—closecircleoffriends, intimacy with God, to sit down together. Those with a Deborahanointing will cultivate the art of standing in the counsel of the revealer ofsecrets and mysteries. The term “standing before the Lord” means to waitattentivelytohear themessagethatGodwants todeliver.ProphetsmustspendtimemarkingandperceivingthewordoftheLordformanyofthecriseswefacetoday.TheLordhascounselforthemotherwhohasahomosexualson.TheLordhascounselforAmerica’seconomy.This is theanointingtocounselkingsandheadsofstateandpresidents.

ThespiritofmightThenDeborahsaid toBarak,“Getup, for this is theday that theLORDhasgivenSisera intoyourhands.HasnottheLORDgoneoutbeforeyou?”SoBarakwentdownfromMountTaborwithtenthousandmenbehindhim.TheLORDroutedSiseraandallofhischariotsandallofhisarmywiththeedgeoftheswordinfrontofBarak.Siseradismountedhischariotandfledonfoot.BarakchasedafterthechariotsandthearmyasfarasHaroshethHaggoyim.ThewholearmyofSiserafellbytheedgeofthesword.Notasinglemansurvived.

—JUDGES4:14–16

Deborah’s bold proclamation to Barak not only caused an entire system ofidolatry and oppression to be destroyed, but it also caused the hearts of thepeople to turn back to God. The spirit of might refers to power andmilitarystrength, force, or the impetus to carry out the strategy of the Lord. God issovereignoverthekingdomsofmen,andHeisleadinghistory.ItistheeternalSpiritwhorevealstoHisprophetseternalsecretstoroutanddestroytheworksof darkness. God will watch over His words declared by the prophetess andwomenwhohaveapropheticspirit.DeborahwastheprophetessoftheLord.It isanhonorandaprivilegetobe

called as a prophet of the Lord. Deborah’s primary assignment was to seebeyond the present situation and bring the purposes of God into sharp focus.Sisera and his nine hundred chariots appeared to be undefeatable, but theprophetessDeborahcouldseeinthespiritthatthereweremoreforthearmyofIsraelthanagainstthem.Thespiritofmightcausedmiraclestohappenupontheearth.

ReleasingtheWordoftheLordMoses said tohim, “Areyou jealous formy sake?Oh, that all thepeopleof theLORDwereprophets,andthattheLORDwouldputHisSpirituponthem!”

—NUMBERS11:29

I believewe are living in a timewhen theLord is answering the heart cry ofMoses by anointing women with His Spirit to prophesy. All women are notprophetsbutallcanmoveunderunctionoftheHolySpirittooperateinthegiftofprophecyorthespiritofprophecy.The rightword spokenat the right timecarries tremendouspower. (See Job

6:25.)Godhasawordattherighttimeforeverysituation.Icallthisawordinseason.

TheLordGODhasgivenme the tongueof the learned, that Imayknowhow tosustainhimwhoiswearywithaword;heawakensmemorningbymorning;heawakensmyeartolistenasthelearned.

—ISAIAH50:4

Thereisarightwordinseasonfortheweary.Thisisthetongueofthelearned.Womenwhoarelearnedinthepropheticcanspeakthisword.Womenwhoarelearned in thewaysof theHolySpirit can speak thisword.WomenwhohavebeeninstructedbyGodcanspeakthisword.Ourearscanbeawakenedtohearthisword,andourtonguescanbeinstructedtospeakit.Some people, based on their backgrounds, can get nervous when the

conversation shifts to the prophetic. Some people think prophecy isemotionalism and something done only in charismatic or Pentecostal circles.Prophecy can really be seen from the wrong perspective, man’s perspective.ProphecyissimplytherevealedtruthofwhoGodisandHiswillformankind.Prophecycanbefurtherdefinedasspeakingforthbydivineinspirationtheheartandmind ofGod to a particular people or certain situation. It is the droppingdownofinspiredspeechintotheheartsofmen.BeingGod’screation,weneedtoknowHisheartforus.Thisisavaluableandvitalelementtoourlivingwellontheearth.WeneedtoknowGod’sheartandmindtowardus.Thenatureofprophecyhastwodimensions:forth-tellingandforetelling.

1.Forth-tellingprophecy:Thisformofprophecyisintherealmofspeakingforth—the prophet or believers speaking for God to the people,communicatingthemindofGodforthepresent.2. Foretelling prophecy: This aspect of prophecy is in the form ofprediction.TheprophetspeaksforGod to thepeople,communicatingHismindforthefuture.ThislevelannouncesanewagendaonGod’stimetableforhumanhistory.

TheauthorityandpowerofGodare released throughprophecy. Individuals,churches,andnationsneedtohearthewordoftheLord.Thisisthekeytothepower and authority of women operating under the prophetic anointing as

Deborah did. Modern-day Deborahs are spokeswomen of God. We carry thevoiceoftheLordtokingsandnations.WewillspeakasoraclesofGod.God’svoicecommandsthearmiesinheavenandonearth.HeistheLordof

armies.ThearmyofGodhearsHisvoiceandcarriesoutHisword.ThewordoftheLordwillmobilizewomenfromallwalksoflifetospeakforthHiswordsindueseason.

ForheisourGod;andwearethepeopleofhispasture,andthesheepofhishand.Todayifyewillhearhisvoice.

—PSALM95:7,KJV

WomanofGod,wearetheLord’ssheep,andwehearHisvoice.HeleadsusandguidesusbyHisvoice.This couldbe a still small voice, or it canbe thewordofprophecy.WeneedtohearHisvoicetoday,andwedothisthroughtheprophetic gifting ministered to us by prophets or prophetic believers or animpartationfromtheLordHimself.WeneedtobetunedintowhattheLordisspeakingtoday.Weneedtoknow

whatHeissayingtousinthepresentseason.WhileGodhasnotcalledallofustotheofficeoftheprophetlikeDeborah,wecanhaveadimensionofDeborah’sanointingandgracetohaveourearstunedtohearwhattheLordissayingtoHischurchtoday.ProphecywillencourageyoutomoveintothewillofGod.Itreleasesfaithto

operate beyondwhat you are accustomed to.Deborah encouraged the leaders,rulers,andpeopleofGodtoenter thebattleandfightwiththeLord.Prophecybreaks through demonic strongholds that are set up in themind to hinder theplans and purposes for your life. The propheticministry,when deliveredwithaccuracyandintegrity,canrestorethedignityandhonormanlostinthegarden.Formore detailed teaching and activation into the gift, spirit, or office of a

prophet,pleaserefertomybookThePropheticAdvantage.

PrayertoActivatetheGiftofProphecyLord,IbelievethatYouarethegoodshepherd,andIamYoursheep.IbelieveYourWordthatsaysIcanhearandknowYourvoice.YoursheepknowYourvoiceandfollowYou.Iwillnotfollowastranger’svoice.(SeeJohn10:4–5.)FatherIhumblemyselfasoneofYoursheepandaskthatYouactivateYourvoiceinmyheart.IdesiretohearYourvoiceonagreaterlevel.Letthe gift of prophecy be activated inmy life. I desire to hear and release Your voice tomygeneration.ByfaithIstirupthegiftofprophecy(2Tim.1:6).Irebukeallspiritsoffearthatwillhindertheflowofthespiritinmylife.OpenmyearsheartohearYourvoice.AwakenmyearmorningbymorningtoYourgentlepromptings.GivemethetongueofthelearnedthatImight speak aword in season to thosewho areweary. (See Isaiah 50:4.)Lord, I open thedoorsofmyheartthatYoumaycomeinandteachme.IdesiretodinewithYou.IdesirethatYouwillteachmeYourways.IdesirethatYouwillgivemeinsighttothingsthataregoingonaroundme.IdesirethatYouwillgivemethethingsIneedtosayforthetaskaheadofme.

IdeclarethatasIopenmymouth,YouwillfillitwithYourwords!(SeePsalm81:10.)Iwillprophesytothedrybonesinmygeneration.Iwillprophesylifeandhopetothehopeless.(SeeEzekiel37.)LetmyeyesbeopentoseefromYourperspective.(See1Corinthians2:9.)LetmyearsbeopentohearYourtruth.LetmyheartbepuretoperceiveYourwill.Lord,putYoureternaltruthinmyheart.(SeeEcclesiastes3:11.)

Chapter7

DEBORAHANDBARAK

Baraksaidtoher,“Ifyouwillgowithme,thenIwillgo,butifyouwillnotgowithme,thenIwillnotgo.”Shesaid,“Iwillindeedgowithyou.However,thewayyouaregoingwillgainyounoglory,fortheLordwilldeliverSiseraintothehandofawoman.”ThenDeborahgotupandwentwithBaraktoKedesh.

—JUDGES4:8–9

BARAK,AGREATmanoffaithmodeledandpioneeredanexampleformodern-dayministry leaders to follow.His actions are a classic study in thewisdom of aman’s acknowledgment of the potential power of awoman’s contribution to aleadership team. Because of Deborah’s undeniable connection to God andskillfulleadershiptraits,Barak(ascommanderofIsrael’sarmies)wouldnotgointothisbattlewithouther,evenwhentoldthathewouldnotgetfullhonorforthevictory(Judg.4:9).Hisprioritywasthewelfareofthenation.Heknewthattheir combined effortswould ensure success as each brought their distinctive,God-givenstrengthstothechallenge.Deborah’s quick and humble response is evidence that she also knew her

presencewasessentialtothevictoryofthearmyofIsrael.Contrarytopopularteaching that Barak was a coward, I believe Barak was a man of faith whoacknowledgedtheimportanceofthepresenceofGodleadinganddirectinghimin battle. Deborah was a woman with a high degree of spiritual insight andcharacterandwasoneofthefewjudgeswhowasnotcorruptedbyinfluenceandsuccess.Herpresenceonthebattlefieldinspiredandincitedthesoldiersforwar.HerpresencegavethemconfidencethatGodwaswiththeminvictory.Deborah replied to Barak that she would indeed go into battle with him.

“However,”sheadded,“thewayyouaregoingwillgainyounoglory, for theLORDwilldeliverSiseraintothehandofawoman”(Judg.4:9).Thiswasnotarebuke. Deborah wasn’t even referring to herself but to the intent of God.Deborahwasprophesyingabouttheuniqueoutcomeofthisbattle.Shewasalsoreferencing the fact that God has reserved certain victories for His womenwarriors.

Barakdemonstratedhonor forwomen inauthority, andhewasnotafraid tosharehis successwithher.Healsowas strategic anddisplayed thewisdomofGodbyhavingawomananointedbyGodonhisteam.Hedidn’tagreewiththepopularopinionoftheday.Heunderstoodthepoweroftheteam.IlikehowMatthewHenry’scommentarydescribestheirteamwork:

Seehow theworkandhonourof thisgreatactionaredividedbetweenDeborahandBarak;she,asthehead,givestheword,he,asthehand,doesthework.ThusdoesGoddispensehisgiftsvariously.1

The team subdues their enemy underGod’s hand. Deborah and Barack aregreatexamplesofthepowerofcollaboration.Collaborationmeanstoworkwithanotherpersonorgroupinordertoachieve

or do something.Collaboration is also the actionofworkingwith someone toproduce or create something. If the body of Christ is going to meet its fullpotential,theremustbenewrevelationandteachingregardingmenandwomenworkingtogetherinthekingdom.Someofusareafraidoftheideaofworkingincollaborationwithothersbecausewefeelthreatenedbyit.“WillIgetcreditformy contribution?”wemaywonder.Andwhowants to be one ofmany, just aspokeinthewheel?2Wemustlooseourselvesfromthatsuperstarmentalityandembracehumility.

“This narcissisticmind-set is endemic in our culture thesedays, fedbymedia(and realityTV).”3 Sadly it’s crept into the church. “Collaboration isn’t aboutgiving up your individuality. Quite the opposite: it’s about realizing yourpotential.”4BarakrealizedDeborah’spotentialtoleadinthemidstofcrisis,andheknew

thatwasvaluabletotheteam’ssuccess.Herpropheticgifttoinspireandactivatebroughtcohesivenesstotheteam.BeforeGodinformedDeborahofherroleinHisplantoroutout theCanaanites,shewasalreadyholdingcourtandmakingcivil judgments for thepeople in thehill country.Theyknewher tobeawisewomanwhohadaconnectiontoGod.ShewasaprophetessandabletodiscernthemindandpurposeofGod.In the time of the judges leadership may have been mostly bankrupt, but

DeborahservedbecauseofherloyaltytoGod.[Collaborationis]aboutbringingyourmanygiftstothetableandsharingtheminpursuitofacommongoal.It’saboutbringingyourideas,yourpassion,yourmind,heart,andsoultoyourleadershipandculture.5

Askingdombelieverswemust realize thatweareallon the samekingdomteamandareonlyas successful aswhat every joint supplies.God is requiringthatmenandwomenare“puttingallandanybaggageaside,bringingyourbest

self to the table, and focusing on the common goal” of reaching the lost forJesus.6

EffectiveElementsofTeamMinistryAt the beginningof the universeGod—the triune team—was functioning as acooperative force.Amale-female leadership team “shouldmodel the humilityfoundwithintheTrinity,wherewefindbothequalityandsubmissionamongtheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.Forchurchleadership,thatmeanseveryonemust submit to Jesus and some form of human leadership as well. Nobodyshouldwieldabsolute,unquestionableauthority.”7TheTrinityisateamandourexampleofteamministry.MenandwomenaretosubmittooneanotherastotheLord.Womenandmenarecalledtoleadtogether,bothexercisingauthorityanddominion.Ateamcanbedefinedasagroupofpeoplewhoarelaboringtogetherinunity inanorganizedway toaccomplishacommonobjective towardGod’spurpose. Below you will find a list of effective elements to male-femaleleadershipteams:

1.Honor

Honor canbedefined as “respect that is given to someonewho is admired,goodreputation:goodqualityorcharacterasjudgedbyotherpeople,highmoralstandardsofbehavior.”8BarakhonoredDeborah’sposition insociety.DeborahhonoredBarak‘sauthorityascommanderof thearmy,and sheallowedhim towalkinhisauthoritytogatherthemenforbattle.Eventhoughshereceivedthecommand from God, she delegated the responsibility to Barak to gather thetroops.DeborahhumblysubmittedtoGod’splanandwisdomoverherown.Thiswasnotanexampleofawoman“doingthe jobbecauseamanwouldnotstepup.”Rather,itwasagodlywomancalledbytheLord,sharingGod’sWordinthemannerandorderGodhadclearlyoutlined.Barak honored Deborah’s abilities and capabilities. Men must respect

“women’s education, experience and career obligations, instead of expectingthemtofilltraditionallyfemaleroles.IftheCEOofalocalbanklovesmakingcupcakesfortheWomen’sBanquet,fine,butitsurewouldn’thurttoaskhertochair the financeboard. . . .Male leaders should intentionallyseekout femaleinput. Women have an incredible wealth of wisdom, insight and parallelperspectives....Beintentionalaboutincludingwomenamongyouradvisors.”9

2.Purpose

Purposecanbedefinedas“thereasonforwhichsomethingexistsorisdone,made, used, etc.; an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal; determination;resoluteness;thesubjectinhand;thepointatissue.”10Ilikethelastdefinition:“thepointatissue.”TherearesomanyissuesaroundwomenbeingusedbyGodin ministry that we lose the point at issue, which is to destroy the works ofdarkness.Ithasbeenmyexperiencethatwhenpeoplearehurtingtheydon’tcareifyou’reamanorwoman.Deliverancefromtheoppressoristhemainissue.DeborahandBarakunderstoodthepurposewastosetanationfree.Wemust

cultivatethesamedeterminationtoday,theremustbearecalibrationofpurposeandtrueassessmentoftheheartandmindoftheLordasitrelatestowomeninministry.

3.MeasureofruleButwewillnotboastbeyondmeasure,butwithintheboundarieswhichGodhasappointedus,which reach evenyou.Forwe are not overextending ourselves as thoughwedid not reachyou,sincewehavecometoyou,preachingthegospelofChrist.Wearenotboastingofthingsbeyondourmeasureinothermen’slabors.Butwehavehopethatwhenyourfaithisincreased,ourregionshallbegreatlyenlargedbyyou.

—2CORINTHIANS10:13–15

Ameasure is the amount, length, breadth, height, or overall dimension of athing.InthispassageofscriptureapostlePaulisreferringtoyourreachofauthority.

Ifwe’regoing towork inaneffectivemale-female teamministry,wemustbecarefulnottogobeyondthemeasureofruleandauthoritythatGodhasgiventoeachoneofus.Thereshouldalwaysbeasetteamleader.Whenyougobeyondyoursetmeasure,youlackgraceandauthority,whichcouldcauseconfusionandrebellion.Noonehasunlimitedauthority.Deborah had prophetic insight andwisdom.Her revelation did not give her

universal authority, and she respected Barak’s military authority. She didn’tusurp his authority to lead the charge into battle; she submitted and followedhim.Wemustrememberthatallmembersoftheteamarenotgiftedthesameand

donotoperationwiththesamemeasureoffaith.DeborahhadincrediblefaithinGod.

She intends this as an appeal to Barak’s own heart: “Has not God, by a secret whisper to

thyself, given thee some insight of his purpose tomake use of you as an instrument in hishandstosaveIsrael?Hastnotthoufeltsomeimpulseofthiskinduponthyownspirit?”Ifso,the spirit of prophesy in Deborah confirms the spirit of a soldier in Barak: Go and drawtowardsMountTabor.Shedirectshimwhatnumberofmentoraise—10,000;andlethimnotfearthatthesewillbetoofew,whenGodhathsaidhewillbythemsaveIsrael.11

4.Diversityofgiftsandadministrations

Diversityofgiftsandadministrationsmakeupthecomplexityofeveryteam,butthekeytounityisforeverymembertosubmitandalignwiththeestablishedorder.Psalm133:1–2 tellsus“howgoodandhowpleasant it is forbrothers todwelltogetherinunity!Itislikepreciousoiluponthehead,thatrunsdownonthe beard—even Aaron’s beard.” Aaron was priest, which representsservanthood.We must learn to minister and service the Lord by serving Hispeople.ThebodyofChristrequiresabalanceofmaleandfemaleleadershiptoremainwholeandhealthy.Toallowonehalfofthebodytowasteawaywhiletheother carries theweight (whether it’smen orwomen doing the heavy lifting),resultsinalopsidedimageofthechurchthatisfrightfultobehold.

PrayertoActivateUnityandCollaborationLord,IthankYouforthenewthingYou’redoinginthebodyofChrist.IthankYoufortheunityand collaboration betweenmenandwomen inministry. Lord, I ask thatYouwill cause thebody of Christ to think outside the box of religion and tradition. I declare that walls ofseparation and division will crumble and fall. I bind every evil work of division andcompetitionbetweenmenandwomen. Iask thatYouwillpourout thebondingoilofunity.(SeePsalm133.)Letanewlevelofrespectandhonorarisebetweenmenandwomen.Letourconductbeworthyofthegospel.Letmenandwomenstandtogetherinonespiritandwithonemindstrivingtogetherforthesakeofthegospel.(SeePhilippians1:27.)LetusputasideourpettydifferencesandhumbleourselvesunderYourmightyhand.Lord,IpraythatthebodyofChrist will move together in one accord. Let us be like-minded and walking in love. (SeePhilippians2:2.)Irepentforourself-ambitionsandconceit.Lord,IpraythatYouwillmakeusone as You and the Father are one. (See John 17.)Let us esteem one another better thanourselves.Letusidentifyeachgiftandnotoverstepourmeasureofrule.Leteachpersonalignin their proper rank and columnas the army of theLord. Let us collaborate and create toadvancethekingdomofGodinourspheresofinfluence.

Chapter8

JAEL:AFIERCEWARRIOR

Mostblessedofwomen isJael, thewifeofHeber theKenite,mostblessedof tent-dwellingwomen.Heaskedforwater,shegavehimmilk.Inamagnificentbowlshebroughtcream.Herhandonatentpeg,herrighthandonaworkman’shammer;shestruckSisera,shecrushedhisskull,sheshatteredandpiercedhistemple.Betweenherfeethesank,hefell,helay;betweenherfeethesank,hefell;wherehesank,therehefell,overpowered.

—JUDGES5:24–27

“ARISE,SHINE,FORyourlighthascome,andthegloryoftheLORDhasrisenuponyou” (Isa. 60:1).Yes, you!Arise from a place of inaction! Shine and becomeradiant with the purpose of the Lord.What are you going to do when God’sspotlight of glory shines uponyou?What are yougoing to dowhen theLordbringsrighttoyourfrontdooranopportunitytobeusedforHisglory?Willyoubepreparedtostepuptothechallenge?Willyoucowerinfear?Willyoufalterbetween two opinions?Orwill you step outside of everyman-made religiousboxandseizethemomentofopportunitytobringtheLordglory?That’sexactlywhatourheroineJaeldid.Whenthenationalbattlewasbroughttoherfrontdoor,rightintoherdomestic

space, thisKenitewomansteppedrightupto theplateandstakedherclaiminhistory.Jaelwasahomemaker,awomanwhomDeborahcalledblessedamongwomenwhodwellintents.Sheissymbolicofastay-at-homemomwhoprovedtobevaluabletowinningthewarinIsrael.JaelwasprotectingIsrael’sheritageas the people ofGod. She knew the deeds of Sisera—his arrogance, brutality,andwhathewoulddo if shewereawomanofa tribehedefeated.ShewouldfinishthebattleDeborahhadstartedandhelptoensurefortyyearsofpeaceinIsrael.WithDeborahshewouldbringshalomtoGod’speoplebyobeyingwhatsheknewtobethewillofGod.JaelissymbolicofanintercessorstandingbetweenGodandthepeople.Her

deedwasanactof intercession.This is thehourthatwomenmuststandinthegapwithprayer tosave thenextgeneration.There isabattlebeingbrought toourfrontdoors.Wecannolongerhideoutinsuburbiainourcomfortablehomesandpretendorbeindifferenttotheplightofmanyinoursociety.Wemusttake

action. Jael took action in order to save her family and possibly her people.SiserahadtobeturnedovertotheIsraelites.Hebecamehersacrifice.Jael reminds us that standing between God and the people can be a very

dangerousplace.Harddecisionsmustbemade,and in theend thereare timeswhenwewonder ifwhatwedidwaswhatGodwanted.There is value to thewomenwhostayhometoraisethechildandthewomenonthefrontlines;theybothgetthesamereward.

JaelislinkedwithShamgar,sonofAnath,anotherfighterheroofearlyIsrael(4:7;compare3:31). And in the account of her slaying of Sisera, the poet calls for her to be blessed bywomen in tents (NRSV, “most blessed ofwomen”; 5:24).Her deed is clearly heroic: she is aferociouswomanwarrior,offeringmilk inaprincelybowl, takinga tentpinandhammerinherhands,andcrushingSisera’shead(5:25–27).1

The anointing on Jael dealt with the strongman and strongholds. She waspositionedcorrectlytodeliveradeadlyblowtotheenemy.Shewasintherightplaceattherighttimeusingtherightweapon.Jaelwasastealthyheroineandafiercewarrior.Shedefiedcustomarypracticesofhospitalityinordertodestroythe enemies of God. It was the call of God inside her that arose and brokethrough every limitation andman-made expectation to do something that hadneverbeendone.

In thosedayseverythingconnectedwitha tentwasawoman’s job,and thewomenbecameexpert inall thephasesofmaking,pitching,andstrikingtents.This iswhyJaelwasable toturnherskilltogoodaccount,aswithatentpininonehandandwithamaulintheother,shedrove the pin home through the skull of Sisera as he slept—a deed not allotted to divineleadingalthoughthevictoryoverSiserawas.2

Jaelrepresentedawomanofboldnessandaccuracy.Shehittheproverbialnailon the head.Many timeswhenwe obey theLord,He is setting us up for thegreatest breakthroughs of our lives. God is in the habit of anointing ordinarythings and making them extraordinary. He took Moses’s ordinary stick andcausedittobeaconduitofpowerformiracles.HetookJael’sskillwithatentpinandwoundedthestrongman.NotonlydidGodproclaimthattheseedofthewomanwoulddestroySatan,Healsosaidthewayitwouldhappen:theMessiahwould“bruise”orcrushtheheadoftheserpenttodestroyhim(Gen.3:15).Thisis exactly how Jael killed Sisera, by driving the tent nail through both of histemples,crushinghishead.WhetheryouareawomenonthefrontlineasDeborahwasorastay-at-home

woman as Jaelwas, this is the hourwemust letGod takewhatever is in ourhands, i.e., skills, gifts, and talents, and let them be used for the glory of thekingdom.

LooseYourself,DaughterofZionGodisnotonlybreakingwomenfreefromyearsofbondageandtorment;Heisalso empowering them to set the captives free. Jael was one of God’s secretweapons.Womenareconsideredtheweakervessel,andtheLordusedJaelasaprophetictypeofhowHehaschosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise(1Cor.1:27).SiserawassymbolicofademonicstrongmanwhosetupstrongholdsthatoppressedIsraelformanyyears.Jaelisapropheticpictureofawomen being empowered by the Spirit of God to take matters into her ownhands!TheBibleadmonishesdaughtersofZion to loose themselves.Zion isapropheticwordandsymbolofthechurch.

Shakeyourself from thedust; arise,Ocaptive Jerusalem.Looseyourself from thebondsofyourneck,OcaptivedaughterofZion.

—ISAIAH52:2

The passage is a prophetic call for women to use our authority to shakeourselves free from bondage. God is causingwomen to be empowered to setthemselvesfreesotheycanhelpotherwomenbesetfree.ThisisthehourwheretheLordisrevealingHimselftowomenasthedeliverer.OneofthemajorthemesintheBibleisdeliverance.Womenhavebeencrying

outtoGodjustasindaysofjudgesforfreedom.TheBookofJudgesshowsusGod’smercy indelivering Israel from itsenemies.God raisedupdeliverers toset His people free. The Lord in His mercy is sending deliverers to women.Deliveranceministryissimplyanointingtobringvictoryandfreedomtothoseinbondage.GodisshowingHimselfstrongonbehalfofwomen.WhenJesusdiedonthecross,Hebecamesinforusanddestroyedthecurseof

the law, including thecurse thatcausedmen to rulewomen. It isonlyreligionanddeceptionthathascausedwomentobeinbondagetwothousandyearslater.MuchofthechurchstillhasonlyappliedHisbloodtomenandhaslegalisticallyheldwomen to the bondage ofEve’s deception.TheBiblemakes it clear thatJesuscametodestroytheworksofthedevil(1John3:8).The Book of Judges points to the deliveranceministry of Jesus Christ. He

came topreachdeliverance to thecaptives.Womenhavebeenheldcaptivebythedeceptionofthedevilforfartoolong.ThehostilewarproclaimedinGenesis3:15 between Satan and women has been won through Jesus Christ ourconqueringKing.ThisisthehourwomenwillexperiencethefullmanifestationofLuke4:18–19:

TheSpiritof theLord isuponMe,becauseHehasanointedMetopreach thegospel to thepoor;Hehas sentMe to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives andrecovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to preach the

acceptableyearoftheLord.

Jesuscametopreachgoodnewstothepoor.Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor. The poor represent the

downtrodden, disadvantaged, and those held back from progress by people orcircumstances.TheBiblesaysinHosea4:6,“Mypeoplearedestroyedforlackof knowledge.”Manywomen have been held back simply because of lack ofproper teaching andmost of the time erroneous teachings.Onemajor area ofignoranceinthechurchisaboutgenderequality.Women are coheirs ofGod’s grace.We are not second-class citizens in the

kingdomofGod.Jesusredeemedourpositionofauthorityanddominion.Whenmenandwomenoperateinunity,wecreateatruepictureofGod’sgloryintheearth.Godhasaredemptiveplanforwomen.Redemptionmeanstopaythefinefor someonewhohasbeen inprison.TheLord JesusChrist redeemedwomenfromthecurseandrestoredtousauthoritytorulewithmen.Jesuschangedthestatusofwomen.Wearenolongertobeplacedatman’sfeetbutathisside.

Jesuscametohealthebrokenhearted.Jesuscametogivepersonalattentiontothebrokenheartedbyrestoringthem

toemotionalwholeness.Thiscoversanyandeveryhumanbreakdown.TheLordis healing women from decades of bondage and oppression. These bondageshavecausedwomentofeelrejectedbyFatherGod.TheultimateassignmentagainstwomenistogetthemtofeelrejectedbyGod

theFather.Thedevilhateswomen.Satanhassetupsystematicmethodswherewomen have been rejected and treated as second-class citizens for centuries.Incorrect interpretation of Scripture has caused women to be rejected by thechurchandfeelrejectedbyGod.Womenhavebeentaughtthattheywerecreatedas subordinates to servemen. There is a growing number ofwomenwho areturningawayfromthechurchbecauseithasmarginalizedthem.WomenwanttobefreetobethepeopleGodcreatedthemtobe.SomehaverejectedChristianityaltogethertofollowNewAgepracticesorotherfalsereligions.I’vebeenaskedbymanywomeninmyministrytravels:“Whywon’tGoddo

somethingaboutthis?WhydoesGodallowwomentobesorejectedbymeninthechurch?IfHeisalmighty,whywon’tHehelpus?”ThebottomlinealwayspointstoGod.ThroughtheactionsofmenSatancauseswomentofeelrejectedorspurnedbyGod.Thegoodnews isGodisdoingsomething!HehascausedyoutoreadthetruthinthisbookandbecomeapropheticvoicewithaDeborahanointingtobringhealingandtruthtowomen.

Rejectioncanbedefinedas“theactofthrowingaway,theactofcastingofforforsaking,refusaltoacceptorgrant.”3Somesynonymsaredecline,refuse,repel,spurn, anddisallowance.Many times throughmale chauvinismGod has beenpresented as one who rejects women. But Jesus came to release the spirit ofadoptionwherewecancryouttoGodourFather.JesuscametorevealtheloveoftheFathertowomen.Theoppositeofrejectionislove.Lovewasthemotivatingfactorthatcaused

GodtosendHisonlybegottenSontotheearthtoredeemmankindandrestoretherelationshipthatwaslostintheGardenofEden.Rejectioncausesawoundtoself.Whenselfiswounded,manyabnormalities

can,andusuallydo,developwithinone’spersonality.Thewoundedpersonalityisprone tobecomepeculiar andunstable inbehavior, attitudes, andopinions.4Also, physical infirmities often emerge out of the emotional stress of one’srejection.Rejection, in the physical sense, is “an immune response in which foreign

tissue (as of a skingraft or transplantedorgan) is attackedby immune systemcomponents of the recipient organism.”5 Many times rejection can causeautoimmune diseases such as arthritis, thyroid disorders, fibromyalgia, lupus,allergies, asthma, type 1 diabetes, andmore. These diseases are identified byhowthebody,duetosomeunknowntrigger,beginstoattackitself.Thissoundsalotlikeself-rejection.Godishealingwomenfromself-rejectionandlowself-worth.

Jesuscametoproclaimlibertytothecaptives.Captives are prisoners. Jesus came to bring people out of the darkness of

prisons and fortresses set up by people. This could be a natural and spiritualprison.Therearemanyteachingsthathavecausedwomentodevelopdemonicstrongholdsinthemindasitrelatestotheirbeingabletoministerinthechurch.Decadesofungodlybeliefsmustbebrokenbeforewomencantaketheirplacesofauthorityinthekingdom.ThisisthehourthatJesusisreleasingwomenfromrestrictionsimposedbypeople.

Our belief system includes our beliefs, decisions, attitudes, agreements, judgments,expectations, vows and oaths.Any beliefs that agreewithGod (HisWord,His nature,Hischaracter,etc.)areourgodlybeliefs.AnybeliefsthatdonotagreewithGod(HisWord,Hisnature,Hischaracter,etc.)contributetoourungodlybeliefs.6

Beliefsaffectallofourperceptions,allofourdecisions,andallofouractions.Ungodly beliefs set up strongholds in our minds that must be broken by thepoweroftheLordJesusChrist.Theseareformedoutofourexperiences—hurts,

traumas,andwordspeoplesay.Many times our ungodly beliefs combine with the demonic to produce a

stronghold.Thisstrongholdreinforcesallofourungodlybeliefs.“Astrongholdisanareaofthemindwheredarknessreigns.Itisasystemoflogic,rootedinalie,thatanindividualhascometoaccept.”7“Strongholdsareincorrectthinkingpatterns that people develop over time, and are often set up and nurtured bydemons through lies and deception.”8 Strongholds are fortresses set up in ourminds.Jesuscametosetthecaptivesfree.PaultellsusthattheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnalbuttheyaremightythroughGodtothepullingdownofstrongholds (2 Cor. 10:4). The Lord is releasing an anointing to cause allungodlybeliefsandstrongholdsthathaveheldwomencaptivetobedestroyed.The word stronghold comes from the Greek word ochuroma. It is used to

describe a fortress, a castle, or a citadel. It also describes a prisonwith thickwalls.9Thedevilhassetupsomany lies tostopwomenfrommoving in theirGod-givencallsanddestinies.Hehastriedtosetupafortressofliesdesignedtohold women as prisoners in captivity to his deception. The devil has tried toingrainsodeeplyinourmindsandbeliefsystemsthatwomenarenotcalledtoplacesofauthority.Ithascauseddoubt,fear,andinaction.GodinHismercyiseradicatingbythepoweroftheHolySpiriteverylieandillusion.Nolongerwillwomen sit behind mental and emotional bars. God is unlocking every innerprisoninoursoulsandmakinguswhole.Themajorwaytobesetfreefromungodlybeliefsanddemonicstrongholdsis

to be renewed in the spirit of your mind. “Behind every stronghold is a lie.Behind every lie is a fear. Behind every fear is an idol. Idols are establishedwheneverwefailtotrustintheprovisionsofGodthroughJesusChrist.”10ThisincludesHisprovisionforlibertyandfreedom.WeneedtobelievethetruthofGod’sWordandmakeitthefinalauthorityinourlives.Weareheldaccountabletothetruththatweknow.Itisourresponsibilitytoapplythattruthtoourlives.ThisisdonebymeditatingontheWordofGoddailytoreceivethetruthoftheWord. We must cast down every argument that exalts itself against theknowledgeofChrist(2Cor.10:5).WemustreceivethemindofChrist(1Cor.2:16).

Jesuscametobringrecoveryofsighttotheblind.Jesus came to bring recovery of sight to the blind both naturally and

spiritually.WomenwillhaveatremendousamountofrevelationandinsightintotheplansandpurposesoftheLordfortheirlives.Thisisaseasonofrecoveryofsight.GodwillcausewomentoseethemselvesfromHisperspective.

Jesusisliberatingwomenwhoareoppressed.God is removing every cause of sorrow, and thenHe is doing the positive

work of transformation. Jesus came to set at liberty thosewho are oppressed.Onemajorspirittheenemyoppresseswomenwithisthespiritofinfirmity.Thisis the hour where the Lord is delivering women in the area of sickness anddisease.ThetermforlibertyusedinLuke4:19means“releasefrombondageorimprisonment.”11 It is also the Hebrew word derowr which means swallow,referenceabirdswiftinflight.12It’sthetimeforwomentosoarswiftlyintothecall anddestiny theLordhas purposed for them.Derowr is also the technicalterm for the release of slaves and property every fifty years. God is bringinglibertyand freedomtowomenworldwide.Wherewomenhavebeen treatedasslavesandproperty,Jesus isdeclaringyourfreedom.Jesus isyour jubilee!It’stimetofly!IttimetosoaronthewingsoftheSpiritintoyourdestiny.Jesusspecificallyaddressedthedemonicspiritofinfirmity:

HewasteachinginoneofthesynagoguesontheSabbath.Andtherewasawomanwhohadaspirit of infirmity for eighteenyears andwasbentover and couldnot straightenherself up.When Jesus saw her, He called her and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from yourinfirmity.” Then He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight andglorifiedGod.

—LUKE13:10–13

Infirmity can be defined as “the state of being infirm . . . especially anunsound and unhealthy state of body.”13 This spirit is an end-of-the-agestrongmanassignedtousesicknesstokeepwomenineffectiveinministry.Manytimes demons are behind sickness and diseases. This daughter of Abrahammentioned in Luke 13whomSatan had bound clearly suffered from a rigidlyfusedspine.Herillnesswasattributedtoademoncalledaspiritofinfirmity.Godisreleasingahealinganddeliverancemantleonwomentobehealedand

releasedfromyearsofsicknessandbondage.ApartofJesus’scommissionwastobringhealingoutofHiscompassionforthesuffering.Matthew4:23–24isthefirst New Testament record of Jesus healing physical afflictions and bringingdeliverancetothedemonicallytormented:

Jesuswent throughout allGalilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of thekingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all sorts of diseases among the people.HisfamewentthroughoutallSyria.AndtheybroughttoHimallsickpeoplewhoweretakenwithvariousdiseasesandtormentedwithpain,thosewhowerepossessedwithdemons,thosewhohadseizures,andthosewhohadparalysis,andHehealedthem.

JesuscametoproclaimtheacceptableyearoftheLord.This is the time of favor and freedom for women. The essence of Jesus’s

ministry is listed in Luke 4:18–19, and it applies to women and men. TheacceptableyearoftheLordistheyearofJubilee.

PrayerstoSeeYourselfAsGodSeesYouOneof themostdevastatingstrongholds tohave isan incorrect image inyourmindofwhoGodisandhowHefeelsaboutyou.Godislove,andHelovesusso much. We must learn to think on things that are true as Philippians 4:8admonishesus.Let’spraythatthiswilltakerootinourspirits.

Lord,Ichoosetomeditateonthingsthataretrue.Iloosemyselffromallfalsehood.IbelievethetruthofYourWord.BythepowerofGodIuprooteverylieanddeceptionplantedinmymind.HolySpirit,letthetruthofYourWordariseinmyheart.“HowpreciousalsoareYourthoughtstome,OGod!Howgreatisthesumofthem!”(Ps.

139:17).Lord,IbelieveYourthoughtstowardmearegreat.I’malwaysonYourmind.IbelievethatYourthoughtstowardmearegoodandnotevil.As Isaiah62:5 says, I believeYou rejoiceovermeasYour creation. I ammade inYour

image.IbringYouglorywhenIdoYourwillintheearth.Lord,Ihavefelt likeYou’veforgottenorrejectedmeasawoman.IbelieveYouloveme,

andIreceiveYourlove.Iloosemyselffromfatherrejection.Iamnotforgotten,castaside,orthrownaway.Ireceivethespiritofadoption,andIcryAbbaFather.Irepentofthesethoughts.IbelievemynameiswrittenonthepalmofYourhand.Lord, openmy spiritual ears to hear the songs You are singing overme (Zeph. 3:17). I

choosetorest inYourlove.Iwillnolongerstrivetobeaccepted.Don’tstopfillingmewithYourlove.

PrayerstoPullDownStrongholdsLord,Iknowthatmywarfareisnotagainstfleshandblood,soIamnotangryorupsetwithmen.Iknowmyenemyhasbeenthedevil.Iwillnotresorttocarnalweakweaponsofhatredand retaliation. I choose weapons that are mighty and empowered by You to pull downstrongholds.IchoosetoapplytheWordofGod.IpleadthebloodofJesustomymind.IusethenameofJesus todemolishstrongholds setup inmymindbyerroneous teaching. Ibindeveryarrogantandrebelliousideainmymind.Icastdownloftyimaginationsandprideinmymind.IsubmitmythoughtlifetothewordsofChrist,“Blessedarethepureinheartfortheyshall see God” (Matt. 5:8). By the power of almighty God, I demolish every strongholdopposingthewillofGodformylife!InJesus’sname,amen.

Chapter9

DEBORAHTHEPRESERVER

ByaprophettheLORDbroughtIsraelupfromEgypt,andbyaprophethewaspreserved.—HOSEA12:13

JUSTASGODstirredupDeborahandBaraktopreservethelegacyofthechildrenof Israel,He ischallengingus toawakenoutofourslumberandcomplacencyandarisetopreservethelegacyofthechurch.ThebodyofChristisinaradicaltransition time due to the shaking that is happening all over the world. Theacceleration and advancement of radical Islam throughout the earth, the newsurgeofpowerwithISIS,andthecriticaldangersmanyfaceonourcitystreetseverysingledaywillonlybeovercomeonourknees.Thefreedomwehavetoworship theLord JesusChrist and teach thewords ofHolyScripture is beingchallenged every day. Pastors are leaving the ministry due to burnout, moralfailings,andsuicide.Manybelieversare leaving thechurchbecause theyhavenopassion,nopurpose,andnopower.Thechurchhasbeen lulled to sleep, and inmanycases areoblivious to the

ragingbattle against itsveryexistence.Butwemust awakenand return to thecoreidentityasstatedbyJesusinMark11:17,“Myhouseshallbecalledahouseof prayer for all nations.” It is time to put on the whole armor of God andembrace the mantle of intercession to stand in the gap for the souls of ournations.Deborahsetsanadmirableexampleforusinthatshesawtheneedsofherpeopleandenvisionedherselfintheirsolution.WomanofGod,itistimetointervene, intercede, and speak out! Your voice is needed; we are in a war.People are perishing. You are an important element in initiating themanifestationoftherevivaloftheHolySpiritontheearth!TheentirefifthchapteroftheBookofJudgeswasablow-by-blowaccountof

the natural war Deborah and Barak had to fight. She led the battle from thepositionofawatchman.HergoalwasthepreservationofIsrael.Thismotherly,protective nature was revealed through her counsel and prophetic insight andwas the place she led from as she facilitated the restoration of village life inIsrael. Hosea 12:13 reveals preservation as one of the major functions of a

prophet.ThewordpreserveistheHebrewwordshamarwhichmeans“tohedgeabout(aswiththorns);guard;generallytoprotect,attendto...beware.”1Thiswordemphasizestheprotectiveelementoftheprophet’smantle.Deborahwasaprophetwhoguardedandwatchedovertheheartsandmindsofanation.Modern-dayDeborahswillhave to fighta spiritualwar inorder topreserve

kingdom life.We will demonstrate our role as watchmen through prayer andintercession.Womenpreserve, carry, andbirth life.Thepreservation aspect ofwomen’snatureisneededinourchurchestoday.Onemajorplaceofexpressionwillbeinthehouseofprayer.Godwillraiseupacompanyofwomenwhowillbuildadivinewallofprotectionthroughprayers,intercession,andpetitionsonbehalfofthenextgeneration.Godwilldevelopinthesewomenabreakthroughspirit,aswe’veseeninDeborah,thatwillteardowneveryobstacleanddestroyeveryenemyofthesoulofthechurch.

DevelopingaBreakthroughSpiritHewhobreaks throughhasgoneupbefore them; theywillbreak throughandpass thegateandgooutbyit.Thentheirkingwillpassonbeforethem,theLORDattheirhead.

—MICAH2:13

Deborah and Barak led the Israelites in what appeared to be an impossiblevictory over the mighty army of the Canaanites. For eighteen long yearsCanaanitesheldIsraelites in thebondageofslaveryandbrutaloppression.ButGod raisedupDeborahandBarak tobreak thebackof the enemyand set theIsraelites free from oppression. Though the enemymobilized amassive nine-hundred-chariot army against Israel, the courageouswomanDeborah issued astrongcalltoactionandassuredthetroopsoftheLord’svictory.Theenemywasroutedby thepowerofGod, andagreatvictoryhadbeenachievedoverwhatappearedtobeasuperiorforce.(SeeJudges4:14–16.)Iwant togiveaclarioncall to everywoman reading this book:Don’t let the present condition of ournationdiscourageyou. Ifyouwillarise likeDeborahand takeactionandprayfor this generation, the Lord will answer your prayers with great miracles.Heaven responds when people pray. Your prayers will release the power andblessing of God. Be assured that the presence and power of the Lord is witheveryonewhoarisesonHisbehalf.Yourprayerswillreleaseabreakingthroughof thepowerofGod into theearth realm. Ifwomenwill liftup theirvoices inprayer,theywilldeliverthisgenerationfromthedeceptionandoppressionoftheenemy. Prayer causes the hand of God to break through into the affairs ofmankind.Breakthroughcanbedefinedas“amilitarymovementoradvancealltheway

through and beyond an enemy’s front-line defense; an act or instance ofremoving or surpassing an obstruction or restriction; the overcoming of astalemate; any significant or sudden advance, development, achievement, orincreaseasaresultofscientificknowledgeordiplomacythatremovesabarriertoprogress.”2TheLordwillburst all theconfinementsandgobeforeyouwhenyoupray,

justasHedidforDeborahandBarak.Whenwepray,God’spowerisreleasedand made available to bring victory and breakthrough into even impossiblesituations. Breakthrough prayer invades the impossible, making all thingspossiblethroughChristJesus.

Keystocultivatingbreakthrough1.KeepGodfirst(2Sam.5:17–25).2.Perseverewithaspecificpurpose(Gen.11:1–6)3.Keepthedevilunderyourfeet(Ps.91:13;Luke10:19).4.Keepthefallowgroundofyourheartbroken(Hosea10:12).5.Bedriventowardpersonalchange(Gen.32:24–30).6.Consistentlyspeakwhatyoubelieve(2Cor.4:13).7. Become disciplined in prayer, especially praying in tongues (1 Thess.5:17;Jude1:20–23).

Everyassignmentwearecalledtofulfillandeveryplacethat’sbeenordainedbyGodforus toaccess requiresabreakthroughspirit.Therewillalwaysbeameasure of opposition because of the ruler of thisworld.Wemust develop amaturityandstrongabilitytolivewithresistanceandknowthatourcapacityforbreakthroughisinJesus.Hehasalreadybrokenthroughandgonebeforeus.Wemustbeobedienttopraytoreleasebreakthroughinthelivesofothers.

ReleasingGod’sJusticeThroughPrayerLearntodogood;seekjustice,relievetheoppressed;judgethefatherless,pleadforthewidow.

—ISAIAH1:17

God is raisingupDeborahswhowill administrate the judgment and justiceofGod through our prayers and intercession. Jesus taught that justice would beestablished through intercessoryprayer. Justicemust be sought from theLord.ThistypeofprayerisusedbyspeakingGod’sWord.JusticeisaboutGodmakingwrongthingsright.Justiceisnotrevenge.It’sthe

Lordbalancingthescaleofjusticeandrighteousness,whicharethefoundationsof His throne. We are living in an hour where our world is sliding down a

slipperyslopeofimmorality.AsChristiansouronlyhopefortruejusticecomesfromtheLord.

Manyseektheruler’sfavor,butjusticeformancomesfromtheLORD.—PROVERBS29:26,NKJV

Jesusistheultimatesocialreformer.Hewasthefirsttoconnectjustice(socialreformandmakingwrongthingsright)tonightanddayprayer.

ShallnotGodavenge[“bringaboutjusticefor,”NAS]Hisownelectandbepatientwiththem,whocrydayandnighttoHim?Itellyou,Hewillavenge[“bringaboutjusticeto,”NAS]themspeedily.

—LUKE18:7–8,EMPHASISADDED

TherearetwosidestoGod’sjustice:

1. Judgment (punishment, vengeance) to the rebellious who resist God’sjustice2.Salvation(deliverance,vindication)totheredeemedasHemakeswrongthingsrightforthem3

Here are some examples of God’s justice (judgment/salvation) that makeswrongthingsright:

1. Healing: God’s judgment on sickness is seen in the manifestation ofhealingpower2.Revival:God’s judgmentoncompromiseisseeninrevivingthechurchbytheSpirit3.Soulwinning:God’sjudgmentonthekingdomofdarknessisseenwhenpeoplegetsaved4.End-timejudgments:God’sjudgmentsagainsttheevilgovernmentsandtheiractions5. Righteous legislation: God’s judgment on unrighteous legislation(abortionlaws,etc.)6.Unity(reconciliation):God’sjudgmentondivisioninthefamily,society,andthechurch7. Holiness: God’s judgment on sin, anger, pornography, drugs, andrebellion,etc.4

This is the type of justice for which the intercessor stands in the gap andprays,petitions,orpleadsonbehalfofothers.Theintercessorsmustcryoutforthe justice of the Lord to be released in the land. Isaiah 58:2 gives us clear

instructiononhowtoreleasethejusticeoftheLordintheland:

1.SeekGoddaily.2.DelighttoknowHisways.3.DonotforsaketheordinanceofGod.4.AskofHimtheordinancesofjustice.5.TakedelightinapproachingGod.

Effective,FerventPrayerConfesstooneanotherthereforeyourfaults(yourslips,yourfalsesteps,youroffenses,yoursins)andpray[also]foroneanother,thatyoumaybehealedandrestored[toaspiritualtoneof mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makestremendouspoweravailable[dynamicinitsworking].

—JAMES5:16,AMP

I like how the Ultimate Bible Dictionary interprets and defines “effectualprayer.”Itstatesthat“‘thesupplicationofarighteousmanavailethmuchinitsworking,’i.e.,‘itmovesthehandofHimwhomovestheworld.’”5Thereisaneffectiveway to pray and there is an ineffectiveway to prayer.Whenwe aretalkingabouteffectiveness,wearetalkingaboutrules,patterns,andprinciplestoprayer.TheWordofGodisclearaboutdifferentkindsofprayers,andhowweare supposed to pray them. I am going to focus on petitions or supplications,prayerofagreement,andintercession.

Firstofall,then,Iadmonishandurgethatpetitions,prayers,intercessions,andthanksgivingsbeofferedonbehalf of allmen, for kings and allwho are inpositionsof authorityor highresponsibility, that [outwardly] wemay pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] apeaceableoneinallgodlinessandreverenceandseriousnessineveryway.Forsuch[praying]isgoodandright,and[itis]pleasingandacceptabletoGodourSavior,Whowishesallmentobe saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely andcorrectlythe[divine]Truth.

—1TIMOTHY2:1–4,AMP

InthispassageofscripturePaulisprovidingyoungTimothywithinstructionsforthechurch.Paulpointsouttheprimarypurposeandfocusofthechurch.Hestatesfirstandforemostthathispriorityandtheessentialkeytoasuccessfullifeisprayer.Thenhegivesthetypeofprayer—petitionandintercession—andthetarget of prayer—kings and those in position of authority.He goes on to givehimtheresultoftheprayer,whichispeaceandpreservationoflife.Thereisnooneornothingvoidofthereachofprayer.Godcanchangeanysituation,touchtheheartofanygovernmentauthority.Prayerisuniversal.Let’stakealooknowattheprayerofpetition,orsupplication.

PrayerofsupplicationThis type of prayer is a strong, intense, spiritual kind of prayer that brings

specific results because of its specific nature. Supplication is the Greek worddeesis, which is a request or a petition that involves begging; it’s intenselyseeking of God. This word describes the prayer of a need and the prayer ofrequest.InhisbookSeasonsofIntercessionFrankDamaziostatesthattherearethreeelementstosupplication:

1.Apleadforthereturnofthecreatedorderoflife,whichhasapparentlybeenhindereduntilnow2.Asteadfast,continuous,andunceasingprayerindicatingatirelesspursuitofagivengoal3. An intense spiritual struggle, which will result in far-reachingramificationsforthewholeworkofthekingdomofGod.6

PrayerofagreementAgainIsaytoyou,thatiftwoofyouagreeonearthaboutanythingtheyask,itwillbedoneforthembyMyFatherwhoisinheaven.

—MATTHEW18:19

In the verse above thewordagree is theGreekword sumphoneo. It comesfrom the word sum, meaning “‘together,’ and phoneo, meaning ‘to sound.’Sumphoneo is to sound together, be in accord, be in harmony. The word‘symphony’ comes from sumphoneo.” Essentially, the word means “to agreetogetherinprayerthatisconcordant.”7Thisispowerfulpraying.Themainingredientisagreement.Jesusistellingus

thatifwejoinwithanother,inagreement,Hewillbewithus.IfJesusiswithus,thenthatmeansHeisagreeingalso.TheprayermustbeinagreementwiththeWordofGod,whichisthewillof

God.SoineffectHeisalsoprayingwithyou.Thisisaverystrongprayer.Noticethatitsaysyou.Itmust be something that you all are in agreement on. If you are praying for a third party(interceding for them) they must be in agreement with you. A prayer can never overrideanother’swill.GodgaveusfreewillandHewillneverviolateit.8

I believe one of the major assignments against women is division. SatanknowsthatifwomencometogetherinunityandbegintoseekGodforrevivalandjustice,Godwillbreakthroughwithwhatwilldestroytheworksofdarknessintheearth.

PrayerofintercessionIntercession isprayer thatpleadswithGodforyourneedsand theneedsofothers.But it isalsomuchmorethanthat.IntercessioninvolvestakingholdofGod’swillandrefusingtoletgo untilHiswill comes to pass. Intercession involves goingbetween and stepping betweensomeoneandhisenemyinbattle.9

TheHebrewwordforintercessionispâga’,whichmeans“tomeet,lightupon,join...fallupon,tostrike,touch.”10SowecansayintercessionisthereadinessofasolidertofalluponorattacktheenemyatthecommandofhisLord,strikingandcuttinghimdown.Intercessionisalsotostrikethemarkwithlightning.

Intercessioniswarfare—thekeytoGod’sbattleplanforourlives.Butthebattlegroundisnotof this earth.TheBible says, “Wearenot fighting against humans.Weare fighting againstforces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and spiritual powers in the heavensabove”(Eph.6:12).

Intercessoryprayertakesplaceinthisspiritualworldwherethebattlesforourownlives,ourfamilies,ourfriendsandournationarewonorlost....Throughintercession,youcantaketheoffensiveinthespiritualbattle,buildingupyourcommunity,yournationandyourworld.AsyoufollowGod’scalltoriseupandtakeyourplaceinthespiritualbattle,Godpromisesto“healtheirland”(2Chron.7:14,NASB).11

Interceding for our nations, cities, people groups, families, or generationsalwaysinvolvesadeliberatechoice.OneofthegreatestexpressionsoftheloveofGodistolaydownyourlifeandpray.ItistimefortheDeborahswhohaveaheart to preserve a generation to rise up, stand in the gap, and bring downheaven’smercyontheundeserving.Wemustneverunderestimatethepowerofunitedbelieverstobringhealingtothenations.Weliveinawoundedoppressedworld.Weneedmodern-dayDeborahstointercedewithabreakthroughspirittobreaktheyokeoftheoppressor.

PrayerforRevivalandSpiritualAwakeningtoPreserveLegacyForthissectionIwantyoutodosomethingalittledifferent.BelowIhaveprovidedyouwithprayerpoints thatalignwith themessageof thischapter.Sinceyouarebeingactivatedasamodern-dayDeborah—apreserver,awatchman—IwantyoutotaketheseprayerpointsanddevelopyourownheartfeltprayertotheLordtoreleaseHisjusticeupontheearth.Ifyouhavea prayer journal, a study Bible, and a pen, or if you use an app of some kind on yoursmartphoneortablet,gogetwhatyouneednowanddevelopyourownprayerstrategyforthisneed.

1.AskGod topouroutdeepconvictionof sin, spiritualbrokenness,holyfear, andgenuine repentance amongHis people and leaders (2Cor. 7:10;Eph.6:14–20).2.PrayforGodtopouroutspiritualhungerandagenuinespiritofprayer(Phil.2:13).

3. Pray forGod to bring unity and deep love among the churches.Manychurchesneedhealingamongthemembersandfromcompetingwithotherchurches(John13:35).Thechurchmustbecomeonevoice.4.PrayforGodtofillHispeoplewithapassiontoseepeoplesaved(Rom.9:1–3).UntilGod’speopleintenselyprayforthelostandaggressivelywinsouls,revivalwilltarry.Prayalsoforthelostbyname.5. Pray to theLord of the harvest thatHewill giveHis people a greaterrevelationoftheGreatCommissionandapassionformissionsandplantingchurches.WeneedGod’sparatrooperstobereleased(Matt.9:37;28:18–20;2Tim.4:5;Acts8:4–8).6.PrayforGodtopurifymotivesforrevival.AsktheHolySpirit topouroutHismightypurifyingflood(James4:2–3).7.Prayforamightymoveofsalvationandconvictiontotouchourculture:entertainment, government, education, and media (1 Tim. 2:1–2; Rev.11:15).8. Pray for a modern-day Pentecost, that the church will move into thegreaterworksorfullnessofJesusChrist’sministry(Joel2;John14:12–14;Acts2:1–4;4:29–30).

Chapter10

DEBORAHTHEVISIONARY

Wherethereisnovision[noredemptiverevelationofGod],thepeopleperish.—PROVERBS29:18,AMP

THISWASTHEfirstpropheticwordspokenovermylife:YouareMyhandiworkcreateduntoChristJesusforgoodworks.Yes,saystheSpiritofGod,youareMyworkmanship.You’renot in thisworldbychance.You’renot in thisdecadebychance.Youarenotanaccident.Youarenotasecond-classcitizeninmykingdom.

Thisonewordchangedtheentireparadigmofmylife.IamalivingtestimonytothefactthatwithoutredemptiverevelationofGodmankindperishes.Perishmeans“toslowlybreakapartbyanaturalprocess;todisappearorbe

destroyed;toceasetoexist.”1 Inotherwordsa lifewithoutvisionisa life thatslowly breaks apart,marking time in thisworld, never reaching full potential,andfadingintoeternity.Beforethesepropheticwordswerespokenoverme,Ilivedunderacloudof

confusion and father rejection. I lived in fear, alwayswondering if deathwaswaitingaroundthecornerforme.Myveryfirstmemoriesoflifewerecenteredon watching mymother die from a rare blood disease. I know now that thistragedycausedmetodevelopafearofdeath.Mymotherwastwenty-twowhenshe died, and I was only three. I never envisioned myself living past mytwenties.Manypeoplewhoknewmymotherwouldalwayssay,“You’rejustlikeyour mother!” I know that they were trying to bring me some comfort andconsolation, but in the mind of a young child I processed those words as,“You’regoingtodieyoungtoo!”Myfatherandmothernevermarried,andactuallyheneverclaimedmeashis

own.Therewerealwaysconversationsandcontroversyabout“Michelleandherfather,”whichopenedmeup toaspiritofabandonmentandfather rejection. IfeltasifIwereamistake.Thewordsspokenbythoseprophetsweresimple,“You’renotinthisworldby

chance,”buttheycarriedspiritandlife.Therewasaforceandanointingbehind

thosewordsthatbroketheyokeofrejectionandfearofdyingfromaroundmyneck.ItistheSpiritwhogiveslife;thefleshprofitsnothing.ThewordsthatJesus

speaks to you are spirit and they are life.OneGod-empoweredword broughthope,light,deliverance,andfreedom.ThispropheticvisionfromGodbegantoplug the hole inmy soul.The prophetic vision orword is simply the heart ofGodrevealedforthebenefitofsomeoneelse.Itisnotourdestiny;itismorelikea street sign intended to help us reach and discovery our destinies. ThewordspokentomebegantoplantaseeddeepwithinmetodiscoverthepurposeforwhichIwasbornandwhatitmeanttobetheworkmanshipoftheLord.

AVisionPreparedBeforeTimeEphesians2:10states,“ForweareHisworkmanship,createdinChristJesusforgoodworks,whichGodpreparedbeforehand,sothatweshouldwalkinthem.”

Workmanship, poiema (poy-ay-mah); Strong’s #4161: From the verb poieo, “to make.”(Compare“poem”and“poetry.”)Thewordsignifiesthatwhichismanufactured,aproduct,adesignproducedbyanartisan.PoiemaemphasizesGodastheMasterDesigner,theuniverseas His creation (Rom. 1:20), and the redeemed believer as His new creation (Eph. 2:10).Before conversion our lives have no rhyme or reason. Conversion brings us balance,symmetry,andorder.WeareGod’spoem,Hisworkofart.2

TherearethingsGodordainedbeforewewereeverontheearth.Regardlessofthecircumstancessurroundingyourentryintotheworld,Godhadavisionforyourlife.YouareaworkofartdesignedbyGodtoaccomplishgoodworksintheearth.Doyouknowwhatthatmeans?ItmeansyouaretheproductofGod’svision—andGod’svisionofyouisbeautiful.Godhasalreadydecidedwhoyoucouldbeandshouldbe.Notmankind.He

ordained you to be a woman and filled you with His purpose. You are theoutcome of something God envisioned, and through Christ He has broughtabout,andcontinuestobringabout,changesinyouaccordingtoHispictureofwhoHedesignedyoutobe.Living forGod involvesdiscoveringHispictureorvisionofwhatour lives

couldandshouldbe.Withthisperspectiveinmind,wewomenmustlivefromthisgrid:therewillbepeoplewhowilltrytodiscreditourvoicesordevalueourright toministerasfemaleministersof thegospel,butwemustdrawour livesfromtheLordandseekonlytoobeyHiscommands.WewerecreatedwithHispurposesinmind.UntilwediscoverHispurposesandlivethemout,therewillalwaysbeholesinoursouls.Vision brings clarity and definition to life.Vision brings structure to chaos.

Visionprovidesinspiration.Visionislikeoxygentothelungs.Visioncanbethe

reasonyougetoutofbedeverymorning.Visiondrivesyouandcompelsyoutoreach just a little bit further and press a little bit harder.Vision can keep youalive and breathing when life and all of its disappointments knock youunconscious.Visionislikeadefibrillatorthatdeliversanelectronicshocktotheheartofhopethatkeepsyouwalkingbyfaithandnotbysight.Vision begins with a burden from God. Then it becomes something you

imagine, a picture you see in your soul. Vision is also a thought, concept, orobjectformedbytheimagination.Deborahhadavisionforlegacy.Deborahsetsanadmirableexampleforusin

thatshesawneedsandenvisionedherselfintheirsolution.SheencounteredGodandchangedhistory.Ibelieveshelivedfromthevisionplacedinherwhileshewas in her mother’s womb. Deborah gathered leaders around this vision andgavethemamissionandpurposetoaccomplish.Ican’timaginelivinginthetimesshelivedin.Israelwasweak,defenseless,

andfarfromGod.Icanimagine thatmoralewaslowandhopewasgone.ButDeborah had hope and a vision fromGod, and out of this she summoned thestrengthtoquietthevoicesofdoubtandtimidity.Shecalledthepeopletobattle,leading themoutof idolatry,andrestoring theirdignity.Deborahdidn’texpectBaraktotakegreaterrisksthanshewouldfor thevisionGodhadgivenherormakeagreatersacrificethanshewaswillingtomake.Shewentintobattlewithhim.Deborah communicated her vision for war as a solution to the problem of

oppressionthathadtobeaddressedimmediately.

1.AvisionbeginsasaburdenfromtheLord.Deborahhadaburdentoseevillage life return to Israel. Deborah’s passionwas to see peace in Israelonceagain.2.God usedDeborah’s position as judge to prepare her heart to lead thepeopleintobattle.ManytimesourcircumstancespositionandprepareustoaccomplishGod’s vision for our lives. I can imagine hearing the turmoilanddesperationofmenandwomeninbondageawakencompassioninherheart.Compassionwillcauseyoutomovetoactiontosetthecaptivesfree.Jesuswasmovedwithcompassiontohealthesick(Matt.14:14).OneofthemajoradvantagesthattheLordhasgivenwomeniscompassion.

Strong’s#4697:Tobemovedwithdeepcompassionorpity.TheGreeksregardedthebowels(splanchna) as the place where strong and powerful emotions originated. The Hebrewsregardedsplanchnaastheplacewheretendermerciesandfeelingsofaffection,compassion,sympathy,andpityoriginated.ItisthedirectmotiveforatleastfiveofJesus’miracles.3

Deborah’s vision began in the heart of God. She was a prophet whounderstoodGod’scounselclearlybecauseHerevealedmatterstoherbyvisiblemeans.Proverbs29:18showsthatwhenasocietylacksanyrevelationfromGod(divineinsight),suchasocietyheadsinthedirectionofanarchy:“Wherethereisnovision,thepeopleperish;buthappyishewhokeepstheteaching.”DeborahheldtothevisionGodgaveher,anditkeptherthrougheverything

sheexperienced.SheviewedGod’svisionforherandherpeoplethrougheyesoffaith.Thisfaithkeptherfromsin,shieldedherfromthesorrowallaroundher,andempoweredhertoseethingsthroughtotheend.HerearefiveguidelineswelearnfromDeborahonhowtoseeGod’svisionmanifestindifficulttimes:

1.ReceiveGod’spromisewithchildlikefaith.2.Makethebestofbadsituations.3.Standwithintegrityintrialsandtemptations.4.WalkinhumilitybeforeGodandman.5.SeeeverythinginlifefromGod’sperspective.

You must be a woman of prophetic vision who has a heart to receive andbelievethatGod-givendreamsarepossibilities.TheBibleshowsthepresenceortheabsenceofvisionwilldeterminewhetherornotpeoplebecomelethargic,orworse—“castoffrestraint,”oblivioustothelaw(1Sam.3:1;Prov.29:18).Thepresence of vision creates hope and brings change when articulated withenthusiasm.(SeeLuke24:23.)TheprophetHabakkukdirectsthat“vision”istobehandledaccordingtocertainprinciplesifpeoplearetoembraceit(Hab.2:2).Thevisionmust:

1.Bewritten:“Writethevision...”2.Beclear:“Makeitplain...”3.Bemotivatingtothosewhoreadit:“...thathemayrunwhoreadsit”

Further,knowthatvision

1.Mustbereceivedwithpatience:“waitforit”2.Hasan“appointedtime”3.Isoftendelayed:“ittarries”4.Butitsfulfillmentwillbecertain

WhatIsaVision?Avisionis“aclearandprecisementalportraitofapreferablefuture, imparted

byGod”toHispeople.4

Avision is adream,anambition.To“envision”means to seeaheador conceive somethingyour heart desires.A vision is amental view or image of something good andworthwhilewhichisnotyetactuallypresent.Toenvisionmeanstoimagine,planbeforehand,orconsiderthepossibilities.Visionisforyou,notjustleaders.Visionisallaboutthefuture,notthepastandpresent!5

There are three elements we must consider if you are going to see visionfulfilled:

1.Wemustunderstand thatourvisioncomes fromGod; itnot somethingwe imagineor thinkofovernight.Visionbegins in theheartofGod.Godplaces ineveryoneasenseofpurpose thatonlyHecansatisfyandfulfill.(SeeEcclesiastes3:11.)2.Yourprioritiesandspiritualgiftswillhelpyoufocusonyourvision;yourvision begins where you are now, so you must face and solve yourproblems,andthenovercomeallbarrierstofulfillyourdream.3.Truerealizationofavisionbeginswithgoalsetting.Goalsettingismuchmorethansimplysayingyouwantsomethingtohappen.

Unlessyouclearlydefineexactlywhatyouwantandunderstandwhyyouwantitinthefirstplace,youroddsofsuccessareconsiderablyreduced.Byfollowingthe[conceptofsmartgoalsetting]you can set goalswith confidence and enjoy the satisfaction that comes alongwithknowingyouachievedwhatyousetouttodo.6

1.Setgoalsthatmotivateyou.Whenyou set goals foryourself, it is important that theymotivateyou: thismeansmakingsurethattheyareimportanttoyou,andthatthereisvalueinachievingthem....Setgoalsthatrelate to the high priorities in your life. . . .Goal achievement requires commitment, so tomaximizethelikelihoodofsuccess.7

Tomakesureyourgoalismotivating,asHabakkukadvises,writedownwhyit’svaluableandimportanttoyou.

Askyourself,“IfIweretosharemygoalwithothers,whatwouldItellthemtoconvincethemitwasaworthwhilegoal?”Youcanusethismotivatingvaluestatementtohelpyouifyoustarttodoubtyourselforloseconfidenceinyourabilitytoactuallymakethegoalhappen.8

Habakkuk instructs us towait for the vision, itmay tarry or youmay havesomesetbacksbutkeepmovingtowardthevisionbecauseitwillcometopass.

2.SetSMARTGoals

When thinking of how to set goals, I often reference Dr. Edwin Locke’spioneering research on goal setting. Dr. Locke, an American psychologist,developed theGoal Setting Theory,which says that for goals to be powerful,theyshouldbedesignedtobeSMART.9

Setspecificgoals.Yourgoalmustbedetailedandexplicitlystated.Theyshouldgiveinstruction

and blueprints pointing you in theway of yourGod-given destiny.Deborah’sgoalwastoreturnvillagelifetoIsrael.Herinstructionwastorallyageneraltowar.

Setmeasurablegoals.Time frames shouldbeplacedonyourgoals.This isdone so thatyouhave

tangibleevidenceofthegoalbeingaccomplished.DeborahsetspringtimeasthetimeframeforwhenIsraelwastoengageinwarfareandovertaketheirenemies.

Setattainablegoals.Your goals should be achievable. They should not be out of your reach or

abilitytoachieve,thoughtheyshouldchallengeyoutobringyourobjectivestoasuccessfulend.DeborahchallengedBaraktofollowtheinstructionsoftheLordtoexercisehisabilitiesasgeneraltoleadthepeopleinwar.

Setrelevantgoals.Goals should be relevant to the directionGod has ordained your life. Your

goalsshouldbemeaningfulandpurposeful to thepassions inyourheart.Theyshouldconnecttotheintendedobjectiveathandandmotivateyoutobefocusedandconsistent.

Settime-specificgoals.Your goals must have a set time of completion. This breaks apathy and

procrastination. Setting a time frame for achievement creates urgency. Whensomethinghasurgency,itrequiresspeedandaction.Theoppressingbondagethechildrenof Israel facedunderJabinrequiredDeborahandBarak tomovewithspeedandperformdecisiveactiontobringaboutvictoryandsetthechildrenofIsraelfree.

3.Setgoalsinwriting.ThentheLORDansweredme:Writethevision,andmakeitplainontablets,thathewhoreadsit

mayrun.—HABAKKUK2:2

Writingdownyourgoaltakesitfromthedreamandgoodintentionrealmtotherealmof thepossible.Whenyouwritedownyourgoals, theybecomemilemarkersonthepathtofulfillment.Theygiveyouasenseofwhereyouareandhow far you have to go to obtain completion.Many times Jesus declared andovercame the temptations of the devil by a simple decree of “It is written.”Meditating and praying over your goals will motivate you to prioritize yourefforts.Writing down your goals will help alleviate distractions that pull youawayfromyoursetpath.

4.Makeanactionplan.A list of clearly defined steps when implemented can create momentum.

Momentumcanbedefinedastheimpetusgainedbyamovingobject.Onceyoumake the first step toward your goal, there is a sense of accomplishment thatcompels you to keep moving forward. That momentum will give you thestrengthorforcethatwillallowyoutocontinuetogrowstrongerandfasterandmoreaccomplishedastimepasses.

PrayertoActivateVisionI thank You,my Lord, that I am Yourworkmanship. You are the Potter, and I am the clayuniquelydesignedtobringYouglory.Iask,dearGod,thatYouwillawakenvisioninsideme.Idon’twanttowastemylifedoingthingsYoudidn’tdesignmetodo.IhavearesponsibilitytoYou,myCreator,tousemylifeforYourplansandpurpose.SoIask,dearGod,thatYouwouldcausemetoperceiveYourheartandmindforme.LeadmeandguidemethatImightbeallYoudesignedmetobe.Ordermysteps;showmethewayIshouldgo.HelpmetosetgoalsthatarerealisticandalignedwithYourpurposes.InJesus’snameIpray,amen.

PrayertoBreaktheSpiritofProcrastinationLord,YourWordsaysthatfaithwithoutworksisdead.Ibreakallspiritsofprocrastinationinmylife.Iwillwritethevisionformylife.Iwillnothesitateandprocrastinateanylonger.YourWordsaysthatwithoutavisionYourpeopleperish.IdeclarethatIamawomanofvision.Ihaveauniquepurposetofulfillintheearth.Iwillnotletthedevilstealmytimeanddays.IbreakallspiritsofslothfulnessandapathyinthenameofJesus.Amen.

Chapter11

ANOINTEDWITHPOWER,DESIGNEDFORINFLUENCE

Godhasspokenonce,twicehaveIheardthis:thatpowerbelongstoGod.—PSALM62:11

MEN HAVE FOUGHT wars for power. Governments have been overthrown forpower.Brothershavekilledbrothersforpower.Mothershavesoldtheirbabiesandbodiesforpower.Real,life-changingpower,mind-sustainingpower,eternal-life-promisingpower—thatpowerbelongsonlytoGod.Godwantstobecomeapowerfulrealitytotheheartsandmindsofmankind.Hedoesn’twanttobejustaniceideaorafaiththathelpsusholdon.HewantstobethepowerinourlivesthathealsthesickandshowstheworldthatHeisrealandHeishere.Heavenisreadytoinvadetheearthwithundeniablepowerasinthedaysof

theBookofActs.Thereisasoundasamightyrushingwindbeingheardinthespirit realm. It’s the sound of the Holy Spirit empowering women with theDeborahanointingtobeagentsofHisgloryandpowerthroughouttheearth.MostChristianshavenoclueaboutthepowerofGodandliveinanearthly,

carnal, intellectual Christianity,where all they have is nicewords aboutGod.GodisblowingaprophetictrumpetthatiswakinganarmyofGod-fearing,love-motivated, and demon-chasing women. The word has gone out, and greatcompanies of women are being equipped and activated to proclaim anddemonstratethepowerofGod.ThisisanhourtoknowGodandexperienceHisexploitsinyourlife.GodisfullofloveandcompassionandwantstoclotheyouwithHisdivinepower,toovercomethepowersofsin,sickness,anddarknessinyourlifeandinyoursphereofinfluence.ThepowerofGoddemonstratestousthatthewordsoftheBiblearenotjustsomefactiousfantasywrittenbyoverlyzealousmen.OurChristianfaithisnotsometheoryfullofintellectualreasoning.Godisreal.God’snotdead!Heisalive.We must return to the ancient path and esteem the power of God as the

foundationforourfaith.TheWordofGodstatesthatthefaithofallbelieversin

the Lord Jesus Christ should not be founded in human reasoning, but on thepowerofGod.

My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but indemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower,sothatyourfaithshouldnotstandinthewisdomofmen,butinthepowerofGod.

—1CORINTHIANS2:4–5

Wecanargueandspeculateallourlives,butwhenthepowerofGodtouchesandtransformsus,wordsarenolongerneeded.GodwantsallofHischildrentoknowwith every fiber of their beings thatHe is real,He cares, andHe has apurposetailor-madeforthem.Ifweobservemenandwomentoday,wewillnoticethatsomerelysolelyon

their natural abilities, trusting only in technology, philosophy, logic, and otherbranchesofhumanintellectandunderstanding.Othersoptforwitchcraftorotherungodlysupernaturalpowers.ManyarehungryforpoweroutsideofGod.Manyfail to realize that their choices lead to idolatry, bondage, and greatdissatisfaction. For this reason God is raising up a new generation with theaudacitytoleavetheboatofcompliancyandfear tobeagentsofGod’spoweranddomiraclesinHisname.ThisnewgenerationwantsmorebecauseGodhasplacedthatdesirewithinthem.Today’sgenerationofChristiansisboredwithapowerless gospel. Many are leaving the church and are opting for a godlessspirituality. Others are depending on humanism, because they are not seeingGod’spowerdemonstratedintheirchurchesorinthelivesofbelieverstheyareconnectedto.Thismustchange.

TheHolyGhostandPowerTheHolyGhostisavitalforce,withapowerfarbeyondanyimaginablehumanpower. TheHoly Spirit is filling and anointingwomen sowhywouldHe tellthemtobequiet?

Youranswerliesintheoneandonlysourceabletobreakthisyoke:theanointingofGod!TheoutpouredHolySpiritthroughthegoodnewsofthegospelisforyouinallitsfullness!GodcreatedyouinHisimageandordainedyoutoshowforththatimage.1

It is time forwomen to arise and shine.Thebottom line of this outpouringisn’t towin a theological argument over the role ofwomen but to further thegospelmissionofthelocalchurch.Wemustbefocusedonseeingpeoplecometo faith and grow into mature disciples, and as women, the Holy Spirit isanointingandequippingustodoourpart.WewillbeanointedtodojustasJesusdid:

GodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolySpiritandwithpower,whowentaboutdoinggoodandhealingallwhowereoppressedbythedevil,forGodwaswithHim.

—ACTS10:38

PowertoTransformLivesGodisreleasingHispowerthroughwomensothat theywillmakethelivesofthoseintheirspheresofinfluenceutterlydifferentthantheywerebefore.Therewillbemanywhowill challengeyourauthority topreachor teach thegospel.Theywilluseeveryscriptureoutofcontexttosilenceyourvoice,buttherewillbeoneundeniable,unstoppable,unkillable forcemoving throughyou thatwillsilence all of thegainsayers: thepowerofGod! Itwill be the calling card forwomen in this next move of the Spirit. The power of God will be like theAmericanExpressBlackCardintheearth:withoutlimit.ThelimitlessdisplaysofthepowerofGodwillgaintheattentionofkingsandpresidents.Miracleswillopendoorsofopportunitiestopreachthegospelinunusualplaces.TheHolySpiritwill giveyoupower to change, transform,or affect people,

places,andevents.Youwillseethispoweratworkinyousomightilythatjustyourpresencewillcausethingstochangewithoutyourneedingtodirectlyforcethemtohappen.ThisistheinfluencetheHolySpiritwillgrantyouasyouallowHimtofillyou.Deborahhadatremendousamountofinfluence.Influenceis“thecapacityto

have an effect on the character development, or behavior of someone orsomething,ortheeffectitself.”2Shedemonstrates“effectivewaywomen‘lead’in the body ofChrist.Deborah’s lifewas lived in such away that she earnedrespect from everyone.” (See Judges 4:4–5.) “Her influence led to a‘strengthening’ofothers(4:24a).Shewasasourceofstrengthtoallwhocametoher.Theinfluenceofthisgodlyladymadeasignificantdifference—allbecamebetterbecauseIsraelrestoredherfaithinGod’swill!”3TheLordwantstoreachpeopleofallnationsandbringthemtosalvation.He

is using women who will operate in resurrection power in places where thepeoplehavebeenoppressed.Wewill be a sign andwonder toouroppressors.(See Isaiah 8:18.) In many nations women are considered nonthreatening, sooftentimes the authorities are baffled by women preaching in power andauthority,sotheyjustleavethemalone.TheLord isempoweringwomenwithmiraculouspower to influencehuman

heartsforthegloryofGod.HereleasesmiraclestoshowthatHeisalovingGodwhoactsonourbehalf.SupernaturalhealingshowsGod’scompassioncausingmanytoturntoHim.InLuke7:16whenJesusraisedthewidow’ssonfromthedead,thepeoplesaid,“Godhascometohelphispeople”(NIV).

PowertoBreakThroughBarriersDeborahhadthecouragetobreakbarriers.ShedidnotallowanythingtostandinthewayofseeingGod’svisionforHispeopletocometofruition.Developinga break-through spirit is the key to overcoming barriers designed to stop youfromfulfillingyourGod-givenpurpose.AswomenwemustembracethepowerandsupernaturalabilitythroughJesustobreakthrougheveryobstacle.Wemustnot be afraid to unleash our ambition for the Lord. “We have to think biggerbeforewecanbebigger.”4Ratherthangoingforthebig,scarythingsthattrulyexciteus,toooftenwesetoursightstoolow,aimingforonlywhatweassesswehaveasolidchanceatachieving.Wemustbreakthroughallofthedecadesofnegativeopinions.Wemustnot

letthenegativesinvade,overwhelm,orhijackouremotionsandthoughts;theyforce theirway into ourminds.When our negative thoughts and opinions arerenewed by the Holy Spirit our mind-sets are transformed from “the fearfulnegativism of a carnal mind to vibrant, positive thinking of the quickenedspiritual mind.”5 Positive attitudes only come by intentional, deliberateinvitation.WemustaggressivelygrabeveryopportunitytofulfillourdestiniesinChrist.Barrier-breakingwillinvolverockingthereligiousboats.Womenaregreatat

nurturing relationships but are often fearful about saying anything that mightjeopardize them.However,whenyouwithholdyouropinionand tiptoearoundsensitive issues, you limit your value.Don’t let your fear of rocking the boatkeepyoufromchallengingyourreligiousmind-setandthereligioninothers.6

Taking actions that put you at risk of failure, criticism, rejection . . . can be scary andemotionally uncomfortable. Yet, you cannot take on bigger challenges, build your skillset(your confidencewith it), or expandyour leadership influenceunlessyou’rewilling to takesuchrisks....Whilethere’safinelinebetweenstupidityandbravery,youhavetobewillingtowalkthatlineattimesifyouwanttoseizenewopportunitiesandleadarewarding[lifeinthekingdomofGod].7

PowertoEnlargeYourBoundariesofInfluence“Sing,Obarren,youwhodidnotbearachild.Breakforthintosingingandcryaloud,youwhodidnot travailwithchild.Formoreare thechildrenof thedesolate than thechildrenof themarriedwife,” says the LORD. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out thecurtainsofyourhabitations;sparenot, lengthenyourcords,andstrengthen your stakes. Foryoushall spreadout to the righthandand to the left,andyourdescendantsshall inherit thenationsandmakethedesolatecitiesinhabited.”

—ISAIAH54:1–3,EMPHASISADDED

Iwouldliketolookattheaboveverseaspropheticinstructionstowomenwho

willembracetheDeborahanointingtobeawomenofpowerandinfluence.

1.Sing—Thesingingofanewsongrepresentsanewseason.NewsongsinScripturerepresentthebreakingofanoldcycle.DeborahandBarakmarkedanew seasonof peace by singing.Singing also represents changingyourattitude,mind-set,andenvironment.Singingalsorepresentsenteringintoablessingbyfaith.Formanyyearswomenhavebeen toldbysociety tobesilent, you shouldn’t speak, but theLordhas givenwomenpermission tosingor,inotherwords,topreach,minister,andbevocalforHim.2. Enlarge—Bigness; to grow wide and large; to give great scope to. Ibelieve the Lord is challenging women to think outside the walls of thechurch or denominational organizations as it relates to ministryopportunities.3. Stretch—Extend; spread out. The opportunity has been utilized to themax.Newopportunitiesarewaiting.Potentialforprosperityawaitsus.Wemuststretchbeyondtheobstaclesandbarriers.4. Lengthen—Look to the future. Let the eyes of faith look beyond thenatural.5.Strengthen—Firmupwhatyoualreadyhave;seizeeveryopportunity.6.ThinkBIG—Womenmustnotsee themselvesassmallor insignificant.ThisisthehourtodreambigwithGodandthinkoutsideoftheboxofourmindstoachievegreatthings.7.Letthem—Theunforcedrhythmsofgrace,notsoulforce.WemustallowGodtomove throughour liveswithout forcing things tocome intoplace.Godreleasesustofulfillourdreamsanduseourgifts.WemustnotusurpHisauthority.8.Don’tspare—Don’tholdback,darken,orhinder.Donotallowopinionsofmen,controversy,orfeartocauseyoutowithdraw.9. Expand—Break through resistance. There is a grace being released towomenthatwillallowustospreadbeyondthebordersoftraditionalroles.ThroughthecreativityoftheHolySpirit,wearebeingempoweredandourrolesarebeingredefined.

PowerandWisdomPowerandwisdomareexcellentqualitiestopossess.Whentheyacttogetherinperfectharmony,whatanirresistibleinfluencetheyexert.Ifawomanhaspowerbutnotthewisdomtodirectit,theoutcomecanbedisastrous.Ontheotherhand,if she has wisdom without power to enforce her concepts, stagnation and

complacencysettlesin.Deborahwasawomanofwisdom.

Peoplecametogetheradvicefromdistantplaces.Shewasrecognizedasonewhopossessedsoundjudgmentandlevelthinking.Shecouldoffercounselthatguidedtheerringnationbacktoward faithful obedience. How did she gain this “wisdom” (Pr. 1:7). Our modern societyneedswomenlikeDeborahwhowillariseandcallforpeopletorestoretheirloyaltiestoGod’sdirections!8

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, which was the key toDeborah’ssuccess—andtoyoursaswell.

PowerandPropheticPreachingTheLordgivestheword[ofpower];thewomenwhobearandpublish[thenews]areagreathost.

—PSALM68:11,AMP

ThewordhostinthispassagecomesfromtheHebrewwordtsaba’,meaning“anarmy, a company, host, battalion, throng; a division of soldiers.”9 There is aspecialdivisionofwomenwarriorsthatisbeingawakened,trained,andenduedwithpowerfromonhightopropheticallypreachtheWordofGod.Propheticpreachingisasupernaturallevelofpreachingthathasanumberof

qualities.Itmustbebiblicaltruth,judgedbythewordofGod.Itispreachingbydivine inspiration and revelation. Many times it’s considered as “chasing arabbit.”Godwillrevealanissue(orrabbit)thatthelistenersaredealingwithandthepropheticpreacherwillchaseitwithwords,concepts,andinsightonhowtosolveit.Revelation includes knowing things you otherwise would not know, seeing

thingsthathaveyettooccur,andperceivingthingswithoutpriorknowledge.Itis themindofGodrevealedsothatmankindcanexercisedominionovertime,space,andmatter.

PreachingcombinedwithNataphanointingNataphisaHebrewwordmeaning“todropdownaswater,tofallindrops;to

flow, drip, ooze, distill, trickle; to causewords to flow. This verbs occurs 18timesandrefers to thedrippingor flowingofwater, rain,honey,myrrh, sweetwine and words especially words in prophetic discourse. Nataph is heretranslated ‘preach,’ but actually means ‘drop your word.’ In Micah 2:6, 11,nataphistranslated‘prophesy,’or,‘letyourwordsflow.’”10PropheticpreachingisGod’swayofdroppingHiswordinyourspirit,righton

thespot.Thewordsand illustrationsareexactlywhat theHolySpiritwants to

saytothepeoplepresentatthetime.Thepropheticpreacherisdirectedtosharecertaintruthsandexpressionsinacertainwayusingdivinelydirectedscriptureandillustrations.

PowerandAuthorityTheywere astonished atHis teaching, forHiswordwaswith authority. . . . Theywere allamazedandsaidamongthemselves,“Whatawordthisis!ForwithauthorityandpowerHecommandstheuncleanspirits,andtheycomeout.”

—LUKE4:32,36

ThereweretwothingsaboutJesusthatcaughttheattentionofpeople:powerandauthority.Jesusisreleasingwomenwhowalkinthesedimensions.Justasinthedays when Jesus walked the earth, the religious systems challenged Jesus tospeak in the name ofGod.God is usingwomen as a sign andwonder to thisgeneration.Hewillanointtheirteachingandpreachingwithpowerandauthoritythatwillcausementobeastonished.GodisassigningwomenasHisauthorizedrepresentatives in the earth to do the business of the kingdom. Women whobelieveontheLordJesusChristshalldotheworksthatHedidandgreater.It’s going to be important to understand the difference between power and

authority.Satanhaspower,buthedoesnothaveauthority.PowerdoesnotscareSatan,butauthoritydoesbecauseitiswhatJesususedtostophisworksintheearth.Authoritywilldefeatpower.TheGreekwordforpowerisexousia:

Oneoffourpowerwords(dunamis,exousia,ischus,andkratos),exousiameanstheauthorityorrighttoact,ability,privilege,capacity,delegatedauthority.Jesushadtheexousiatoforgivesin,healsicknesses,andcastoutdevils.Exousia is theright tousedunamis,“might.”JesusgaveHisfollowersexousia topreach, teach,heal,anddeliver (v.15),and thatauthorityhasneverbeenrescinded(John14:12).11

Kingsruletheirkingdomsthroughauthority;theyconquerbypower.Oneofthe signsof authority is determinedbywhatyouexerciseyour authorityover.Jesus’s rebuking thewindsandwaveswasexercisingHisauthorityasCreator.Jesusthroughthecrossgavewomentheauthorityorrightorprivilegetogointotheworldandmakedisciplesofallnations.Power,ordunamis,means:

...energy,power,might,greatforce,greatability,strength.Itissometimesusedtodescribethe powers of theworld to come atwork upon theEarth and divine power overcoming allresistance. (Compare “dynamic,” “dynamite,” and “dynamometer.”) The dunamis in Jesusresulted in dramatic transformations. This is the norm for the Spirit filled and Spirit-ledchurch.12

Powerisagiftyoureceive.Itisgiventoyou.Powerisnotsomethingthatis

earned. Authority comes through your relationship with God. It is a result ofyour time spent in thepresenceofGod.Authority is theproduct ofyour timespentstudyingtheWordandworshippingthetrueandlivingGod.TrueauthoritycomeswhenJesusbecomestheLordofourlivesnotjusttheSavior.

PrayersforPreparingforExpansionIbreakeverylimitationandbarriersetupinmylifebythedevil.Ibreakallstagnationanddeformityinmylife.Ibreakallsmallmindedness.Iloosemyselffromthegrasshoppermentality.Iwillthinkbig

anddreambig.Iwillbreakoutontheleftandtheright.Iwilladvanceinmycallandmoveforwardinmy

destiny.Idecreeenlargementinmylife.Idecreeenlargementtomyministry.Idecreeenlargementandnewterritorytopreachgospel.Thereisnospeechorlanguage

wheremyvoicewillnotbeheard.Mymouthwillbeenlargedovermyenemies(1Sam.2:1).EnlargemyheartsoIcanrunthewayofYourcommandments(Ps.119:32).Lord,delivermefromfearandalowopinionofmyself.EnlargemystepssoIcanreceiveYourwealthandprosperity.Ireceivedeliveranceandenlargementformylifeandmychildren.(SeeEsther4:14.)Lord,increasemeandmychildrenmoreandmore.

ThinkBIGInthenameofJesus,IwillthinkthethoughtsofGod.IwilldreamwithGod.NolongerwillIconsidermyselfleastandsmallestbecauseIamawoman.IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme.IloosemyselffromfearandsettlingforlessthanwhatIdeserve.InthenameofJesus,Ibreakthrougheveryglassceiling.Iprophesytothebordersofmy

life:increase!IcastdowneverydemonicimaginationandargumentagainsttheknowledgeofChrist.Iwillnotbedouble-mindedaboutmycall!IwillwalkintheDeborahanointing.IamaconquerorthroughJesusChrist.Lord,YourWordsaysthatasamanthinksinhisheartsoishe(Prov.23:7).Letmethink

onYourthoughtstowardme.ForYourthoughtsareasnumerousasthesandontheseashore.

Noshrinkingback;nodriftingIrebukeeveryspiritofwithdrawalinthenameofJesus.IwillnotretreatfromthepurposesoftheLord.IwillmoveforwardintheplansofGod.IdecreethatIwillnotaccomplishmycallin my own strength. It’s not by might nor power but by the Spirit of the Lord that everymountain shall be removed from my life. I shout, “Grace, grace,” to the mountain ofprejudice, intimidation,andfear.God,givemeYourheart formyassignment.GivemeYourperspectivethatImightbeYourmouthpieceintheearth.Iwillstandupagainstinjustice.IamtherighteousnessofGod,andIamboldasalion.Iamfearlessinthefaceofdanger.IwillpreachtheWord.IwillgowhereverYousendme.InJesus’snameIpray.Amen.

OccupythepositionofFAITH!Iamawomanoffaith.IstandonthepromisesofGod.IbelievetheWordofGod.Iwalkby

faithandnotbysight.IbelieveGodtofulfillmydestiny.IcommitmywaysuntoHim,andHewillperfecteverythingthatconcernsme.Ireceivethegiftoffaith.IbelievethatJesusisthesameyesterday,today,andforever.Heismovingonmybehalf.IamtherighteousnessofGodthroughChristJesus.I,thejust,livebyfaith.

RevelationknowledgeLet thespiritofwisdomandrevelationrestuponmylife.Lord,Youare theGodwhorevealsecrets; reveal Your secrets unto me (Amos 3:7). Let the eyes of my understanding beenlightened;letmyheartbefloodedwithlight.OpenmyeyessothatImightbeholdwondrousthings from Your law. I rebuke spiritual blindness. Let me understand the mystery of Yourkingdom.LetmereceiveandunderstandYourwisdom.IwanttoknowYourthoughtsandmindformylife.

Chapter12

LAPPIDOTH:THEMANWHOTAKESCAREOFTHEWOMANDEBORAH

NowDeborah,thewifeofLappidoth,wasaprophetess.ShejudgedIsraelatthattime.—JUDGES4:4

ASWEHAVEdiscovered,Deborahwasoneof themostmultitalentedwomenofthe Bible—a wife, mother, prophetess, judge, poetess, singer, and politicalleader. Her life is a powerful example of the power that womanhood has toinfluence society forgood.GodgiftedDeborahwith the ability to cast vision,buildteams,anddevelopstrategiesinordertodeliverGod’speople.Butat theendofthedaywhotookcareofthenaturalwoman?HowdidshefindpeaceandencouragementforhersoulasidefromherrelationshipwithGod?Canyouimaginelisteningandsettlingdisputesalldaylong?Howcouldshe

besosuccessfulinbalancingalltherolesandresponsibilitiesinsocietyandstillremain emotionally healthy? I believe the answer can be found in herrelationshipwithherhusband,Lappidoth.Now,Iamnotsayingthatinorderforwomen to be strong leaders they have to have a husband. I believe thatLappidoth’sloveasahusbandwasoneofthesourcesofDeborah’sstrength.Our first introduction to Lappidoth is through his connection to his wife,

Deborah. InmyresearchofLappidoth I found thatallofhistorypointed toorreferencedhisfunctionasDeborah’shusband.TothenaturaleyeitappearsthatLappidoth’s respect and honor came because of Deborah. Some may evenconcludethathisrolewasinsignificantinthehistoryofIsrael.CoulditbethatLordwasgivingustypeandshadowofthepowerofagodlyhusband?Theworldexpectsawomantosupportherhusbandinhisdreams.I’veeven

heard some say, “The woman is the background to the man’s foreground.”Whetheryouareamaleorfemaleinministry,Lappidoth’ssupportofhiswifeinministryspeaksvolumes.The nameLappidothmeans “lighter of torches or fanning flames.”He is a

propheticpictureofamanofGodmarriedtostrongwomanleaderwhohasthe

abilitytofantheflamesofherdestiny.Asherhusband,Lappidothempoweredhertousehergifts,tofullydevelopintothewomanGodcreatedhertobe,andtofulfillwhateverGodcalledhertodo.Ihaveheardofthehorrorstorieswherea woman strong in leadership married a man who through jealousy andinsecuritiesthenputtheflameofherministryout.Whethermaleorfemale,thepersonyoumarrycaneitheradvanceorhinderyourministrycalling.Deborah,thewifeofLappidoth,was thewifeof torchesor thewifeof flames.Youcaneven say because of Lappidoth’s encouragement, Deborah was a woman offlamesbecauseshewassoignitedbytheloveandencouragementshereceivedfromherhusband.His support andencouragementallowedher the libertyandfreedomtofulfillthecallofGodonherlife.Lappidoth was a picture of a godly husband. It does not appear that he

interferedwithDeborah’scallasprophetessandjudge.Ican’timaginethatwhileDeborahwasintheheatofthebattleherhusbandwasathomewaitingforhertocook dinner. I believe that Lappidothwas right therewith her supporting herefforts.God gives specific instructions to how husbands are to fulfill their roles.

Husbands should love theirwives, sacrifice for them, listen to their concerns,takecareofthem,andbeassensitivetotheirneedsandhurtsastheyaretotheneedsoftheirownbodies.Ahusbandiscalledtolaydownhislifeforhiswife.Thismaybewhywedon’thearanythingaboutLappidoth;helaiddownhislifefor Deborah. A husband is directed to sacrifice his own interests in order toenhancehiswife’s interests.He is tonourish and cherishhiswife’s growth tomaturity.1Whocouldn’tsubmittoamanlikethis?Oneofthemajorneedsthatisoftenmissedinstrongwomenistheirneedto

becherishedby theirhusbands.Ourgiftsand talentsaregracesgiven tousbyGod.TheanointingonourlivesarebestowedtousbyGod.Welongtobelovedand valued for our contributions to the family. The woman was designed toreceiveloveandaffectionfromherhusband.Theremaybeonethousandpeoplegivingheraccoladesandapplauses,butthereisonlyoneshereallyvalues,thatisherhusband’sopinion.

DancingWiththeStarsWhenyoudance,yourpurposeisnottogettoacertainplaceonthefloor.It’stoenjoyeachstepalongtheway.

—WAYNEDYER2

MarriageandministryarelikeoneofthechoreographeddancesfeaturedononeofAmerica’spopulartelevisionshowsDancingWiththeStars.Thelonghours,

hardwork,andpractice it takes toproduceadance issuchaworkofart—thestepping on toes, falling down, and getting up and not forgetting the costumemalfunctions.Afterthehardworktherewardsaregreat.Thedancepartnersaremoving together in perfect harmony. The dance steps are synchronized to abeautifulsong.Themaledancerleading,andthefemaledancerfollowing.Theleading and following this dominant model stresses the mutual necessity andresponsibilities as a complementary skill set. Both roles are indispensable tounityandharmonyofthedance.Ifbothdancepartnerswantedtolead,canyouimagine what a clumsymess that would be?Men and women have differentrolesinpartnerdancingaswellasinamarriage.Theremustbepracticeandhardworkinthecovenantofmarriage.EachpersonmustlearntheirGod-givenroleandbegantodancetotherhythmsetinheaven.Deborahwas awoman of balance. She had accomplished all of these great

featsforthekingdomofGod,butshedidn’tneglectherroleasLappidoth’swife.Theylearnedhowtodancethedanceofmarriageandministry.ShelearnedhowtobalanceherroleasleaderofthenationandstillbeLappidoth’swife.Thisdescriptionofwifeisjustasimportantandvaluableasprophetorjudge.

Lappidoth’s support of Deborah in ministry was not an abdication of hisauthority andheadship asherhusband.Deborahwas aportrait of thevirtuouswife.ThekeytohersuccesswasthatshewasawomanwhoreverentlyfearedtheLord.Therefore, shewiselybalancedher relationshipsand responsibilities.ShealsoexemplifiedthistruthspokenbyJesus,“SeekfirstthekingdomofGodandHisrighteousness,andall thesethingsshallbegiventoyou”(Matt.6:33).TakingacarefullookatDeborahandherlifewillenableeverywomentolearnhowtosetherownprioritiestomanagehertime,resources,rolesandgiftsthatGodhasgivenher.3Deborah was a woman of virtue: trustworthy, industrious, organized, and

loving.Yetamazinglyshewasabletoordertheprioritiesofherpersonalworld.Herhusbandtotallytrustedher;shesubmittedtoherhusband’sleadershipinthehomeandmarriage.Scripturereferredtoherasawife.Awifehastheabilitytofashionagoodhusband.Shemakeshim feel lovedandaccepted, treatinghimwith respect. She shows respect for his position of leadership. She does notundermine his authority. She offers encouragement, reflective interaction, andsupportiveinterest.Womenwith strong leadershipgiftsmustbe intentional about takingoff the

leadershiphat andputtingon thewifemantle. Just asDeborahunderstoodhersuccessindeliveringGod’speoplewasinherroleasmotherinIsrael,shealsounderstoodherroleasthewifeofLappidoth.Sheknewwhatvoicewasneededineachoccasion.

OurattitudestowardourmatearegovernedbyourattitudestowardGod.Ahusbandmayfallshortofawife’sexpectationsandofGod’sidealforahusband.Nevertheless,thewifeseeksineverypossiblewaytobeagoodwife,usingChristasanexample,whoobeyedHisFatherandtrustedinHim,evenwhenHisownpeoplerejectedHim(John1:11).4

Thiswillrequirevulnerabilityandsubmission.Yes,IsaidtheVandSwords:vulnerabilityandsubmission!I’llusemyselfasanexample.AtthetimeofthiswritingIhavebeenmarriedforlessthantwoyears.Ihave

been walking in the Deborah anointing for about fifteen years. I’ve traveledaround the world as the “prophetess,” giving wisdom and advice to leadersaroundtheworld.Theprophetessgetsinvitedtospeakatconferences,wheresheisgiven theprivilegeofstaying inbeautifulhotels,onoccasionorderingroomservice, mentoring sons and daughters, and in a nutshell giving orders anddirectionwithout rebuttal.God isnowwritinganewchapter inmy life called“Michelle,thewife.”Once I met and married my husband, the prophetess mantle had to take a

backseat to the new wife mantle. My lifestyle has changed as well as myresponsibilities. I had to change inmy attitude and actions. I couldn’t interactwithmyhusbandasIwouldwithoneofmyspiritualsons.Ihavetodietotherole of prophetess so that something new and wonderful can be birthed. TheBiblesaysinJohn12:24thatakernelofwheatmustfallintothegroundanddieinorderforittoproducemuchgrain.Iamnotsayingthatonceyouaremarriedyoucan’tminister.Iamsayingthat

ministryhastolookdifferentandconcessionshavetobemadeforthesuccessofthemarriage.IhadtoletGodgivemeHisdefinitionsofwhatitmeanstobeawife. The concepts of being submissive and vulnerable and trusting a humanbeingwith the leadershipofmylifeare thingsImust let theHolySpirit teachme.I have learned that God created both man and woman in His image (Gen.

1:26)withphysicalandemotionalneedsthatonlyanotherhumanbeingcanmeet(Gen.2:18).GodclearlyintendedtransparencyandopennessaspartofHisplanforthemarriagerelationship—vulnerabilitywithoutshame(v.25).Godrequiresthatthemarriagepartnersareto“leave”theirparentsand“bejoined”inordertobecomeone(v.24).Theyaretobewillingtolayasideallthatpertainstotheirold loyalties and lifestyles of separate goals and plans and be joined to oneanother. This “ joining” refers to a strong, enduring bond—one unit boundtogether by unconditional commitment, love, and acceptance—resulting in acombinedunitmuch stronger thaneither individualhadbeen separately (Eccl.4:9–12).Letmebeclearaboutthis:marriagewasperfectinitsestablishment—onemanandonewomaninalifetimecommitment.

PrayerforaGodlyMarriageOneofthemajorproblemsfacingoursocietyisbrokenfamilies.MarriageisaninstitutionGodholdsinhighesteem,andHewilljudgethemarriage-destroyingspiritandwillhelpyouwhenyoupray.

Icanceleveryassignmentofdarknessagainstmymarriage.

Ibindanyevil,seducingspirittryingtoattackmyhusband,inJesusname

Ipursue,overtake,andrecovermymarriagefromthegripsofmarriage-destroyingspirits.

Irebukeeverymarriage-destroyingspirit,inthenameofJesus.

IdecreethatwhatGodhadjoinedtogethernoonewillseparate.

Letmutualloveandrespectflowinmymarriage.

LetmyhusbandleadourfamilyaccordingtothepurposesoftheLord.

Ireleasethegiftofleadershipuponhislife.LetthewisdomofSolomonrestuponhim.

Idecreethatmyhusbandisamanofauthorityandhewalksintheauthorityofthekingdom.

Letgraceand love flow inourhome.Letourhomebeaplacewhere thegloryof theLorddwells.Letunityandonenessflowinourmarriagecovenant.IdecreethatmyhusbandandIareoneflesh.Thereforewearenolongertwobutoneflesh.(SeeMatthew19:6.)

Letusbetenderheartedtowardeachother.Irebukethespiritofhardnessofheart.Irebukethespiritofdivorce.

Irebukeeveryselfishspirit.

I rebuke the accuser of the brother and finger pointing. I decree that we will be quick toforgiveeachother.

NOTES

Introduction—EmbracingtheCalltoBeaWomanofPowerandInfluence1.Blueletterbible.org,s.v.“quwm,”https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?

strongs=H6965&t=KJV(accessedMay19,2015).

Chapter1—TimesandSeasonsoftheCall1.Dictionary.com,“fallow-ground,”Easton’s1897BibleDictionary,http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fallow-ground(accessedMay4,2015).

Chapter2—Deborah:TheJudgeandDeliverer1.Blueletterbible.org,s.v.“mishpat,”“http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H4941&t=NASB(accessedMay19,

2015).

Chapter3—DeborahtheMother1.RobertHanley,“NewJerseyChargesWoman,18,WithKillingBabyBornatProm,”NewYorkTimes,June25,1997,

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/25/nyregion/new-jersey-charges-woman-18-with-killing-baby-born-at-prom.html(accessedMay5,2015).

2.Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.,2003),s.v.“nurture.”

3.HerbertLockyer,AlltheDivineNamesandTitlesintheBible(GrandRapids,MI:Zondervan,1988),12–14.

4. Studylight.org, “Scofield’s Reference Notes: Genesis 17,”http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/srn/view.cgi?book=ge&chapter=017(accessedMay19,2015).

Chapter4—DeborahtheWorshippingWarrior1.JackHayford,executiveed.,NewSpirit-FilledLifeBible,NewInternationalVersion(Nashville:ThomasNelson,2014),s.v.“shachah,”723.2. Blueletterbible.org, s. v. “proskyneō,” http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?

Strongs=G4352&t=KJV(accessedMay19,2015).3. Blueletterbible.org, s. v. “yashab,” http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?

Strongs=H3427&t=KJV(accessedMay19,2015).4. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, s.v. “Judges 4,”

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/judges/4.html (accessed May 21,2015)Chapter5—DeborahtheHoneybee1.ElisabethElliot,LetMeBe aWoman (CarolStream,IL:TyndaleHousePublishers,1976).

2. Patrick Henry Reardon, “Judge Deborah,” Touchstone, April 2000,http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=13-03-018-f (accessed May 20, 2015); Rupert ofDeutz,InLibrumJudicum6(CCM22.1158).

3.TheWordDetective.WordPress.com(blog),“TheHoneyBeeProphetess(Part1),”September2,2013,https://theworddetective.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/the-honey-bee-prophetess-part-one/(accessedMay20,2015).

4. “The Name Dabar YHWH in the Bible,” Abarim-Publications.com, http://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Deborah.html#.VUqz645Viko(accessedMay20,2015).

5.Ibid.6. “Difference Between Honey Bees and Wasps,” Orkin.com, http://www.orkin.com/stinging-

pests/bees/honey-bee-behavior/(accessedMay20,2015).7.“TheNameDabarYHWHintheBible,”Abarim-Publications.com.8.Ibid.9.JonDyer,“Faith—SpeakingFaith,”JTDyer.com,http://jtdyer.com/dailydevo/?p=246(accessedMay

20,2015).10.“WhatDoes‘BusyasaBee’Mean?”WiseGeek.com,http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-busy-as-

a-bee-mean.htm(accessedMay20,2015).11.NewSpirit-FilledLifeBible,NewInternationalVersion,s.v.“koach,”226.12.HannahRose,StraightFromtheHeart(Bloomington,IN:AuthorHouse,2013),35.13.This section adapted fromMichelleMcClain-Walters,ThePropheticAdvantage (LakeMary, FL:

CharismaHouse,2012).14. Chabad.org, “Hayom Yom: Cheshvan 13,”

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/5973/jewish/Hayom-Yom-Cheshvan-13.htm (accessed May20,2015).

15.OrthodoxWiki,s.v.“repentance,”http://en.orthodoxwiki.org/Repentance(accessedMay21,2015).

Chapter6—DeborahtheProphetess1.PortionsofthischapterwereadaptedfromMcClain-Walters,ThePropheticAdvantage.

2. Beginningandend.com, “The Prophetess Deborah—A Strong Woman of God,”http://beginningandend.com/the-prophetess-deborah-a-strong-woman-of-god/(accessedMay21,2015).

Chapter7—DeborahandBarak1.Henry,MatthewHenry’sCommentaryontheWholeBible,s.v.“Judges4,”emphasisadded.

2. “Collaboration Is the Keystone to Leadership Success,” Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce,http://www.sarnialambtonchamber.com/Publications/First-Monday/Collaboration-is-the-keystone-of-leadership-success.html(accessedMay21,2015).

3.Ibid.4.Ibid.5.Ibid.6.Ibid.7. Jamie Munson, “10 Things to Remember When Building a Ministry Team,”

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-how-to/154149-10-things-to-remember-when-building-a-ministry-team.html(accessedMay21,2015).

8. Merriam-Webster.com, s.v. “honor,” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor (accessedMay21,2015).

9.JennyRaeArmstrong,“WhyWeNeedMoreWomeninMinistry,”RelevantMagazine.com,March8,2013, http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/why-we-need-more-women-ministry (accessed May21,2015).

10.Dictionary.com, s.v. “purpose,” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/purpose (accessed May 7,2015).

11.MatthewHenry,Commentary on theWhole Bible Volume II (Joshua to Esther), s.v. “Joshua 4,”http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc2.Jud.v.html(accessedMay21,2015).

Chapter8—Jael:AFierceWarrior1.TikvaFrymer-Kensky,“Jael:Bible,”JewishWomen’sArchive,http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jael-bible(accessedMay22,2015).

2.HerbertLockyer,“Jael:TheWomanWhoKilledaManWhileHeSlept,”AlltheWomenintheBible(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1988), https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Jael

(accessedMay22,2015).3.NoahWebster,AnAmericanDictionaryoftheEnglishLanguage(NewYork:S.Converse,1830),s.v.

“rejection.”4.TessieHerbst,TheDarkSideofLeadership(Bloomington,IN:AuthorHouse,2014),322–323.5. Merriam-Webster.com, s.v. “rejection,” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejection

(accessedMay26,2015).6. “What is a Belief System?”, Restoring Your Life, http://restoringyourlife.org/resources/ungodly-

beliefs-introduction.html(accessedMay26,2015).7.JohnPaulJackson,UnmaskingtheJezebelSpirit(N.p.:StreamsPublishing,2002),173.8. “The Ministry of Deliverance. . . . (We call it “Freedom Ministry”), Reclaimed Ministry,

http://reclaimedministry.org/Freedom.html(accessedMay26,2015).9. “Fortresses in Your Brain,” Last Harvest Fellowship,

http://lastharvestfellowship.com/bibleschool/fortresses-in-your-brain/(accessedMay26,2015).10.JackHayford,Acts:KingdomPower(Nashville,TN:ThomasNelson,2002),103.11. Strong’s G859, s.v. “Luke 4:19,” http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?

Strongs=G859&t=KJV(accessedMay26,2015).12. Strong’s H1865, s.v. “liberty,” http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?

Strongs=H1865&t=KJV(accessedMay26,2015).13.WilliamWhiteWhitneyandBenjaminE.Smithed.,TheCenturyDictionaryandCyclopedia(New

York:CenturyCo.,1911),s.v.“infirmity.”

Chapter9—DeborahthePreserver1.JamesStrong,Strong’sExhaustiveConcordanceoftheBible(Peabody,MA:HendricksonPublishersInc.,2007).

2.Dictionary.com, s.v. “breakthrough,” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/breakthrough (accessedMay26,2015).

3. Morgan Youngblood, “God’s Justice in Response to Intercession,”http://morganyoungblood.com/gods-justice-response-intercession/(accessedMay26,2015).

4.Ibid.5.MatthewGeorgeEaston,TheUltimateBibleDictionary(N.p.:JazzybeeVerlag,2012),s.v.“effectual

prayer.”6.FrankDamazio,SeasonsofIntercession(Portland,OR:CityChristianPublishing,1998).7.NewSpirit-FilledLifeBible,NewInternationalVersion,s.v.“sumphoneo,”1247.8. “How to Pray and Get Your Prayers Answered!”, Revival Time Ministries,

http://revivaltime.webs.com/apps/forums/topics/show/1600302(accessedMay26,2015).9. “What Is Intercession?”, CBN.com, http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/cbnteachingsheets/keys-

intercession.aspx(accessedMay26,2015).10. Studylight.org, s.v. “pâga’,” http://www.studylight.org/lexicons/hebrew/hwview.cgi?n=06293

(accessedMay26,2015).11.“WhatIsIntercession?”,CBN.com.

Chapter10—DeborahtheVisionary1.Merriam-Webster.com,s.v.“perish,”http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perish(accessedMay26,2015).

2. Jack Hayford, executive ed., New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, New King James Version (Nashville:ThomasNelson,2013),s.v.“poiema,”1647.

3.JackHayford,executiveed.,NewSpirit-FilledLifeBible,NewLivingTranslation(Nashville:ThomasNelson,2013),s.v.“splanchna,”1221.

4.GeorgeBarna,TurningVision IntoAction, (Ventura,CA:RegalBooks,1996),35–36,asquoted inLeroy Bartel, “The Church’s Vision for Building People,” EnrichmentJournal.ag.org,http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200001/091_building_people.cfm(accessedMay26,2015).

5. Rodelio Mallari, “The Power of Biblical Vision,” January 2012, SermonCentral.com,

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-power-of-biblical-vision-rodelio-mallari-sermon-on-miscellaneous-153052.asp?Page=1(accessedMay26,2015).

6. “The Golden Rule of Goal Setting,” MindTools.com,http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_90.htm(accessedMay11,2015).

7.Ibid.8.Ibid.9. SMART “Goals: What Are They? And Why Do We Set Them?” TalentQuest.com,

http://www.talentquest.com/corpsite/smart-goal-setting(accessedMay26,2015).

Chapter11—AnointedWithPower,DesignedforInfluence1.BonnieandMaheshChavda,TheHiddenPowerofaWoman(Shippensburg,PA:DestinyImagePublishers,2006),21.

2. Oxforddictionaries.com, s.v. “influence,”http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/influence(accessedMay26,2015).

3. John L. Kachelman Jr., “Deborah: Israel’s Holy Lady,” ChurchesofChrist.net,http://www.churchesofchrist.net/authors/John_L_Kachelman_Jr/people-ot/deborah.htm (accessed May 26,2015).

4. Margie Warrell, “Glass Ceiling or Glass Cage? Breaking Through the Biggest Barrier HoldingWomen Back,” Forbes.com, http://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2013/08/04/glass-ceiling-or-glass-cage-breaking-through-the-biggest-barrier-holding-women-back/accessedMay13,2015).

5.NewSpirit-FilledLifeBible,NewLivingTranslation,1275.6.Warrell,“GlassCeilingorGlassCage?BreakingThroughtheBiggestBarrierHoldingWomenBack.”7.Ibid.8.Kachelman,“Deborah:Israel’sHolyLady.”9.NewSpirit-FilledLifeBible,NewLivingTranslation,s.v.“tsaba’,”682.10.New-SpiritFilledLifeBible,NewInternationalVersion,s.v.“nataph,”1021.11.New-SpiritFilledLifeBible,NewLivingTranslation,s.v.“exousia,”1256.12.Ibid.,s.v.“dunamis,”1392.

Chapter12—Lappidoth:TheManWhoTakesCareoftheWomanDeborah1.NewSpirit-FilledLifeBible,NewLivingTranslation,1542.

2. Brainyquote.com, “Wayne Dyer Quotes,”http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waynedyer173500.html(accessedMay26,2015).

3.“WomanoftheDayWednesday:TheVirtuousWifeofProverbs,”July31,2013,SisterhoodSchoolofInspiration, http://sisterhoodschoolofinspiration.blogspot.com/2013/07/woman-of-day-wednesday-virtuous-wife-of.html(accessedMay26,2015).

4. Pentecost Church of God Facebook page, “FRIENDS:ADIVINEORDER IN FAMILY LIFE!!”,January 19, 2014, https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=111752726574&story_fbid=10152149714696575(accessedMay26,2015).

TableofContentsCOVERPAGETITLEPAGECOPYRIGHTPAGECONTENTSINTRODUCTION: EMBRACING THE CALL TO BE A WOMAN OFPOWERANDINFLUENCE

CHAPTER1:TIMESANDSEASONSOFTHECALLCHAPTER2:DEBORAH:THEJUDGEANDDELIVERERCHAPTER3:DEBORAHTHEMOTHERCHAPTER4:DEBORAHTHEWORSHIPPINGWARRIORCHAPTER5:DEBORAHTHEHONEYBEECHAPTER6:DEBORAHTHEPROPHETESSCHAPTER7:DEBORAHANDBARAKCHAPTER8:JAEL:AFIERCEWARRIORCHAPTER9:DEBORAHTHEPRESERVERCHAPTER10:DEBORAHTHEVISIONARYCHAPTER11:ANOINTEDWITHPOWER,DESIGNEDFORINFLUENCECHAPTER 12: LAPPIDOTH: THE MAN WHO TAKES CARE OF THEWOMANDEBORAH

NOTES