This post is written based on the Sermon from Brian Gibbs titled: Prepare The Way of the Lord

In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, there's a stirring in the spiritual realm—a call to prepare the way for something extraordinary. Just as John the Baptist heralded the coming of Jesus Christ, there's a resounding message for our generation: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

This isn't just a historical echo; it's a present-day clarion call. The Spirit is moving, and it's time for the church to awaken from its slumber, to shake off the dust of complacency, and to embrace the fire of spiritual renewal.

The Danger of Becoming "Civilized"

There's a risk that lurks in the shadows of our comfortable faith—the danger of becoming too "civilized." Like Rocky Balboa, who lost his edge after achieving success, many believers have traded their spiritual fervor for a tame, predictable faith. But the Holy Spirit is romancing us out of this civilized tameness, calling us back to a raw, passionate, and untamed worship.

Remember, tameness begets lameness, and lameness begets sameness. God is looking for worshippers who aren't afraid to break free from the mold, who refuse to be constrained by the expectations of a sanitized religion.

The Fire of Purification

John the Baptist spoke of One who would "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11). This fire serves a dual purpose: it purifies or destroys. As believers, we must welcome the Lord's purifying fire in our lives, allowing it to consume everything that doesn't align with His will.

This fire is active today, cleansing the church, removing false shepherds, and preparing a bride for Christ "without spot or blemish" (Ephesians 5:27). It's a time of divine shift, where valleys of humility are exalted, and mountains of pride are brought low.

Preparing the Way

Isaiah 40 paints a vivid picture of what it means to prepare the way for the Lord:

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth;'" (Isaiah 40:3-4)

This prophecy speaks of a spiritual realignment—a time when the low places of honesty and humility are lifted up, and the high places of pride and self-righteousness are brought down. It's a call to straighten the crooked paths in our lives and smooth out the rough edges of our character.

The Highway of Holiness

Psalm 35:8 speaks of a "highway of holiness"—a path reserved for those who walk in God's ways. This isn't about perfection, but rather a heart wholly devoted to pursuing God's presence and purposes.

As we prepare the way, we're called to be like John the Baptist—radical lovers of God, risk-takers who aren't swayed by trends but are moved by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Our job isn't to gather a following for ourselves but to point people to Jesus, declaring, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

The Power of Sacrifice

Preparing the way and sacrifice are inseparable. As the saying goes, "Fire falls on sacrifice." While we may not be called to martyrdom like John the Baptist, we are all called to "die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31). This means continually laying down our own desires, ambitions, and fears at the feet of Jesus.

The early disciples, who witnessed the resurrected Christ, were delivered from the fear of death. They touched His wounds, ate with Him, and were forever changed. This encounter empowered them to live boldly for the gospel, unafraid of the consequences.

A Present-Day Awakening

We're not just reminiscing about past revivals or ancient anointings. There's a fresh move of the Spirit happening right now. From university campuses to city streets, people are encountering God in powerful ways. The Holy Spirit is summoning a great ingathering of souls, preparing the way for Christ's return.

This isn't just about individual transformation; it's about a corporate anointing to "prepare the way of the Lord" for our generation. We're on the cusp of witnessing perhaps the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit the earth has ever seen.

Our Mandate

In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus declared His mission:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

This same mandate is upon us today. We're anointed to bring good news to the poor, healing to the brokenhearted, freedom to the captives, and sight to the blind. It's time to rise up and fulfill this calling with passion and purpose.

A Call to Action

As we reflect on these truths, let's ask ourselves:

Have I become too "civilized" in my faith? How can I recapture the fire and passion of my first love for Christ?

Am I willing to welcome God's purifying fire in my life, even if it means discomfort and change?

What "valleys" need to be exalted and what "mountains" need to be brought low in my spiritual landscape?

How can I practically "prepare the way of the Lord" in my sphere of influence?

Am I ready to embrace sacrifice and "die daily" to my own desires for the sake of the gospel?

The kingdom of God is at hand. The King is coming. Let's shake off spiritual lethargy, embrace the fire of the Holy Spirit, and prepare the way for a mighty move of God in our generation. The time is now. Are you ready?

This post is written based on the Sermon from Brian Gibbs titled: Hosting The Lord

In a world often consumed by superficiality and performance, there's a profound call echoing through the hearts of believers - a call to host the very presence of God. This isn't about creating perfectly polished church services or following a prescribed formula for success. It's about cultivating a heart that longs for genuine, spirit-filled encounters with the Divine.

Imagine for a moment: What would our gatherings look like if our primary goal wasn't to attract people, but to attract God Himself? What if we prioritized ministering to the Lord above all else? This shift in perspective challenges us to examine our motives and methods in worship.

The story of the woman with the alabaster jar (Luke 7:36-50) serves as a powerful illustration of what it means to offer costly, fragrant worship. This woman, known as a sinner, entered a Pharisee's house where Jesus was dining. Overcome with love and gratitude, she poured out expensive perfume on Jesus' feet, washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair.

Her act of worship was:

Costly: The perfume was worth an entire year's wages. She held nothing back.
Vulnerable: She risked ridicule and judgment from others in the room.
Focused: Her attention was solely on Jesus, oblivious to the opinions of others.
Transformative: Jesus declared her sins forgiven and commended her faith.
This woman's worship stands in stark contrast to the host of the dinner, who failed to offer Jesus even the most basic courtesies. It prompts us to ask: When we come into God's presence, do we bring our very best, or do we offer Him our leftovers?

The Psalmist David understood this heart of worship. In Psalm 27:4, he declares, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." This singular focus - to behold God's beauty - is the essence of true worship.

Later in his life, when bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6). His wife Michal despised him for his undignified display. David's response? "I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes." (2 Samuel 6:22)

This challenges us: Are we willing to let go of our dignity, our reputation, our need to look "put together" in pursuit of God's presence? True worship often looks foolish to the world, but it's precious in God's sight.

Jesus himself spoke of the kind of worship the Father seeks: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." (John 4:23) This worship transcends location or outward forms. It's a heart-to-heart connection with God, unhindered by pretense or performance.

So how do we cultivate this kind of authentic, presence-hosting worship? Here are a few key principles:

Embrace Vulnerability: Be willing to express your love for God openly, even if it feels uncomfortable or others don't understand.

Focus on God Alone: In moments of worship, practice tuning out distractions and centering your attention solely on God's beauty and character.

Bring Your Best: Offer God your first and your finest, not just what's convenient or leftover.

Push Past Comfort Zones: Don't be afraid to express your worship in new ways - raise your hands, kneel, dance - allow your physical posture to reflect your heart's devotion.

Cultivate Daily Intimacy: Hosting God's presence isn't just for Sunday mornings. Seek to create space for His presence in your everyday life.

Let Go of Ego: True worship often requires us to lay down our pride, our need for control, and our desire to look good in front of others.

Expect God to Move: Come to times of worship with anticipation, believing that God desires to encounter you.

The beautiful truth is that when we learn to host God's presence, it transforms every aspect of our lives. Like fragrant oil, the aroma of His presence lingers on us, touching everyone we encounter. We become carriers of His glory, bringing hope and light into dark places.

Consider the humility of Christ's birth - born in a stable, laid in a manger. The King of Kings entered the world in the most lowly of circumstances. Yet that moment was infused with more holiness and glory than any ornate palace could contain. It reminds us that God's presence isn't dependent on perfect conditions or elaborate preparations. He simply seeks hearts that are open and willing to receive Him.

As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves to pursue a deeper level of worship. Let's create space in our lives - both individually and corporately - where God's presence can dwell richly. May we become a people so captivated by His beauty that nothing else compares.

In a world starved for authentic encounters with the Divine, let us be those who host His presence with abandon. May our worship be so genuine, so costly, so focused on Jesus alone, that it becomes a sweet aroma rising to heaven. And in that place of intimate communion, may we find ourselves transformed, renewed, and empowered to be carriers of His glory to a world in desperate need.

The invitation stands: Will you host His presence?

This post is written based on the Message from Russ Kline titled: From Awakening to Transformation 

In the journey of faith, we often experience moments of spiritual awakening - instances where we become acutely aware of God's presence and power. These encounters can be life-changing, filling us with awe and wonder. But what happens after the initial excitement fades? How do we move from a fleeting experience to lasting transformation?

The story of Jacob in the Bible provides a powerful illustration of this journey. As a young man, Jacob had a remarkable encounter with God at a place he named Bethel, which means "house of God." He saw a stairway reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, and heard God's voice promising him blessing and protection. It was an undeniably supernatural experience.

Yet, despite this divine encounter, Jacob continued to live as a deceiver for many years afterward. He recognized God's presence, but his heart and character remained largely unchanged. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today. We can have powerful spiritual experiences, witness miracles, and even proclaim God's goodness, but still fail to be truly transformed.

The danger lies in focusing on the place of encounter rather than the Person we encounter. Jacob set up a pillar to commemorate his experience at Bethel, but he didn't fully surrender his life to God. Similarly, we can become enamored with the emotions, the goosebumps, or the memory of a spiritual high without allowing God to change us from the inside out.

True transformation requires more than an awakening; it demands a wrestling. Years after his Bethel experience, Jacob found himself alone one night, wrestling with a mysterious figure who turned out to be God Himself. This encounter was different. It wasn't just about witnessing something amazing; it was about engaging in a personal, intimate struggle with the Divine.

During this wrestling match, God asked Jacob a profound question: "What is your name?" This wasn't a request for information; it was an invitation for Jacob to confront his true identity. In biblical times, names often reflected character. By admitting he was "Jacob" (which means "deceiver"), he was acknowledging his flawed nature before God.

This moment of brutal honesty became the turning point. God didn't reject Jacob for his admission. Instead, He gave him a new name - Israel, meaning "he struggles with God." This name change signified a transformation of identity and purpose. Jacob was no longer defined by his past but by his relationship with God.

The wrestling left Jacob with a limp, a physical reminder of his encounter with God. This "blessed limp" became a symbol of his transformation. It showed that he had been touched by God in a way that forever changed how he walked through life.

What does this mean for us today? Like Jacob, we need to move beyond simply remembering our spiritual experiences to actively engaging with God in the nitty-gritty of our daily lives. We must be willing to wrestle - to bring our true selves before God, even the parts we'd rather hide.

This process of transformation isn't always comfortable. It might leave us with our own version of a "limp" - perhaps a newfound humility, a shift in priorities, or a change in how we relate to others. But these marks of transformation are far more valuable than any temporary spiritual high.

As we see signs of awakening in our world - people becoming more aware of spiritual realities, questioning long-held beliefs, and seeking truth - we must remember that awakening is just the beginning. Our goal should be nothing less than complete transformation, both individually and collectively.

This transformation starts with honesty before God. We need to ask ourselves: Who are we really when no one is watching? What parts of our old nature are we still carrying around? It's time to lay these things down at the feet of Jesus and embrace our new identity in Him.

The apostle Paul captures this beautifully in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We don't have to fear being honest with God. When we admit our weaknesses and failures, He doesn't condemn us. Instead, He offers us a new identity and a new way of living.

As we pursue transformation, we must also be careful not to create idols out of spiritual experiences or even spiritual leaders. Our ultimate allegiance must be to Jesus Christ alone. We can appreciate and learn from others, but our faith must be grounded in a personal relationship with God.

The journey from awakening to transformation isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process. Like Jacob, we may need to revisit the places of our first encounters with God, but with a deeper understanding and commitment. We move from merely setting up pillars of remembrance to building altars of sacrifice and worship.

In this process, God often accelerates His work in our lives. When we're willing to be honest and surrender ourselves fully to Him, He can do more in a short time than we might have imagined possible. This acceleration isn't just for our benefit - it's to position us to impact our world for His kingdom.

As we see the rumblings of awakening in our nation and beyond, let's not settle for surface-level change. Let's press in for true transformation. May we be a people who not only experience God's presence but are fundamentally changed by it. May we carry the marks of our encounters with Him, walking with a "blessed limp" that testifies to His transforming power.

Let's move beyond merely talking about God to truly knowing the God we talk about. May our lives reflect not just moments of awakening, but ongoing transformation that impacts every area of our existence. As we do, we'll find ourselves equipped to be heralds of God's message, roaring with the strength of lions, and standing firm against the challenges of our time.

The journey from awakening to transformation is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Are you ready to wrestle with God and emerge changed? The invitation is open. The time is now.

This post is written based on the Message from Shane Tenney titled: Fully Embrace The Gift of God 

In a world often clouded by darkness, there's a beacon of hope shining brightly for those willing to see it. This light isn't just a distant star, but a present reality that's transforming lives and nations. We're entering a season of divine grace, where God is pouring out His Spirit in unprecedented ways. But are we ready to fully embrace the gifts He's offering?

The journey of faith isn't always smooth sailing. As James reminds us, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life" (James 1:12). This spiritual principle echoes through time – there's a reward laid up for those who don't quit on the Lord, who walk in obedience on the narrow path of life. It's in these seasons of testing that our character is refined and our faith is strengthened.

But here's a crucial truth we must grasp: God is not the author of evil. In times of testing, it's vital to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and the goodness of God. Our own desires, when left unchecked, can lead us astray. That's why it's imperative to be full of the Word and the Spirit. When life squeezes us, what comes out should be Jesus.

We're witnessing a remarkable move of God in our generation. It's as if He's playing a divine chess game, sovereignly moving pieces into place. This isn't just about individual salvation; it's about the redemption of entire nations. America, in particular, is entering a season of grace and mercy. But this reprieve isn't a green light for complacency. Instead, it's a call to action, to press in deeper and to fully embrace the gifts God has given us.

The gifts of God come from the grace of God. Whether it's the gift of salvation, healing, prophecy, or any other spiritual gift, they all flow from His unmerited favor. But here's the key: we can receive God's gift and not fully embrace it. It's like someone handing you a precious jewel, and you simply set it aside, failing to recognize its true value.

Paul reminds us in Romans 12 that we all have different gifts according to the grace given to us. Whether it's prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, or showing mercy – each gift is an expression of God's grace. And in this coming revival and awakening, it's going to take more than just preachers behind pulpits. It's going to require the entire body of Christ, each member functioning in their unique gifting, to bring about the transformation God desires.

We're entering a time where the manifestations of the Holy Spirit – tongues, prophecy, healing, miracles – will become increasingly normal in the church. But with this increase comes a responsibility. We must honor the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to move freely among us. As we do, we'll see an outpouring that will rock not just our nation, but the entire world.

The message of reconciliation is at the heart of this move of God. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5, "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." This is the church's mandate for the coming days – to proclaim that God has spared us, and now is the time to be reconciled to Him.

But here's a sobering thought: the great gulf that separates a person from eternal life is often just 12 to 18 inches – the distance from their head to their heart. Many have an intellectual understanding of the gospel but fail to let it penetrate their hearts. The challenge for each of us is to allow the Holy Spirit to breathe on us, etching God's Word upon our hearts, transforming us from the inside out.

As we step into this new season, we must remember that we're no longer our own. We've been bought at a price, redeemed from the pit, and made new creations in Christ. Our old lives are dead; we're called to walk in newness of life. This means fully embracing our new identity and the gifts God has given us.

The time for playing "Tickle Me Elmo Christianity" is over. There's too much at stake. An entire generation is waiting for the church to rise up and demonstrate the power of God as described in His Word. We're called to be ambassadors for Christ, walking in the authority of His kingdom.

So, what's holding you back? What gifts has God given you that you've yet to fully embrace? Perhaps it's time to step out in faith, to allow God to activate those dormant gifts within you. Maybe you need healing in your body or deliverance from strongholds in your mind. The good news is that God's grace is available, and His power is present to meet you at your point of need.

As we close, let's remember the words of Ephesians 5:14-16: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

The call is clear: it's time to wake up, to rise up, and to shine. God is pouring out His Spirit, offering fresh grace and activating gifts. Will you fully embrace what He's offering? The choice is yours, but remember – the world is waiting for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed. Let's not disappoint them. Let's rise to the occasion and be the church God has called us to be in these exciting, pivotal times.

October 17th, 2024

We have been working around the clock helping those who have been affected by Hurricane Milton in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. All our church members are accounted for and no loss of life, glory to God.

As of now, we are creating some measures to make hurricane clean up and assistance more streamlined and easier, our media team already have it in the works and will be integrated into the VictoryFLA app and website in just a few short days as of the writing of this update.

In Sarasota and Manatee County, 95% of power and water has been restored and at VICTORY, we are up and operational in all our departments. The Lord has tremendously blessed us and we have so much to be grateful for in the midst of tragedy. As we continue forward, please be in prayer for this region as there is still so much to be rebuilt and strengthen what remains. God Bless.

October 9th, 2024

As the track of the storms is becoming more evident, we are preemptively postponing this weekends Saturday Service. Stay safe with your families, pray that the storm continues to weaken and believe that in the midst of this that God is our refuge. We love you Victory!

October 8th, 2024

VICTORY - A Church of His Presence offices and prayer room will be closed for the remainder of this week. There will be no biblical citizenship class on Thursday night.

There is a high probability that many will not have power or phone connection after the hurricane. If you have an emergency, please text our office line at 941.444.0045.

Depending on what the roads are like and availability for travel, also let us know if you are available to serve and help with our hurricane relief teams. Please leave that information on your message when you call or text the offices. Please be patient and we will get back to you.

Right now, it is our plan to have Saturday night service. There are many of the VICTORY family who have already evacuated and so we have people everywhere right now. Please continue to pray for everyone as they travel or if they have remained.

If we cancel Saturday night service, you will receive a fresh notification on our app.

We love you all very much and we are praying for you, your family, home and property. We are praying for the angels of Almighty God to surround each and every one of you and the Holy Spirit to keep you in perfect peace.

No matter what happens— God is good and forever faithful.

Stay in faith and of good courage.
We love you deeply!
Pastors Brian & Bren

Five years before the Apostle Paul made his epic journey to Rome, he wrote the believers there — “Making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you” (Romans 1:10). In other words, Paul was appealing to them to pray for him...he was coming their way and asked that they would pray that the Lord would give him a prosperous journey in the will of God.

Did God answer Paul’s prayer? Yes. He did make it to Rome and without question he had amazing ministry there —preaching, teaching, praying, discipleship and writing. However, what Paul hadn’t understood was that getting to Rome would include false accusations, arrest, incarceration and chains. He never could have foreseen the hurricane storm at sea, the unprecedented shipwreck on the island and even being bitten by a poisonous viper on the way to Rome.

The truth is—you can live a prosperous life in the will of God and still face fierce personal conflicts and adversity. Paul went through a shipwreck on his way to Rome, but he had a prosperous journey by the will of God because of what was ultimately accomplished.

In reality, facing storms and shipwrecks is not a matter of “if” but it is a matter of “when”.  Some people try and play it safe in life by avoiding storms at all cost, unfortunately, no one is exempt.  As a friend of mine once said — “it’s time for us to develop our sea legs”.  Rather than trying to avoid the storms of life, we need to advance forward with courage and we need to learn how to overcome and be steadfast getting through the storms victoriously as we learn the lessons that we can only learn at such times and such circumstances that demand overcoming faith.

It has been said that you cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails. In other words, I can’t control the elements of my world but my faith can be properly anchored and with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and council, I can adjust my sails and then adapt.

Hey friends—the will of God doesn’t mean that you are exempt from trials, problems, persecutions, financial stress, strains in your relationships or even demonic storms. However, Christ, the victory and cornerstone lives within!

Wherever you are in your faith adventure, be encouraged and be strong—the LORD our GOD is with YOU!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).  2 Corinthians 3:17 AMP

The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America declares that: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness;…”

The framers of our Constitution recognized that God alone was the Author of life, of freedom, and of man’s free will.  Liberty is the very essence of the Gospel.

Since God is the one who gives men freedom, there is no government that can legally give it to you - it is not theirs to give. Governments may claim to control your freedom, and therefore give or take it away, but they do not have that right. What kings and governments do is to put people into bondage and when they loosen up the restrictions, they call it freedom. Alternatively, they give you “freedom” inside their own controlled, narrow boundaries. None of this is true freedom.

In God’s eyes, the role of government is only to protect the freedoms of the people and restrict the freedoms of (imprison) those who seek to rob others of their freedoms by killing, stealing, or otherwise destroying. All the laws that they pass should be to allow people to freely conduct business and live their lives as they choose. In a world where every person was a true follower of Christ, there would be no need for laws, because everyone would govern themselves and their behavior by the laws of God. Everyone would love their neighbor and seek their best interests. No one would enslave or oppress another, and no one would be enslaved or oppressed.

Laws are made for lawless men. If you transgress the law, you become subject to it. If you are entirely submitted to the commandment of God, then the law is not applied to you. No one has the right to oppress another or to enslave another. God gave us no commandment to have slaves; however, when men, in their ignorance to the Gospel and the truth, took slaves, He gave commands for proper treatment of slaves. He even provided a Year of Jubilee – for the release of slaves. The fact is that slavery is a curse brought on by rebellion and disobedience to God’s laws.  As long as men curse God, slavery will continue. The only hope is another Year of Jubilee and Jesus is that Jubilee! You do not have to wait fifty years – you can have it now!

Here are some examples of the way that some people impose slavery upon others: to physically enslave men; to oppress and keep them in ignorance; to force them against their free will; to deprive them of compensation, or appropriate compensation, for work done; to prevent proper home life and training of their children; to fetter (restrict or restrain) the intellect; to make some dependent on others; to promote any inequality in rights contrary to the laws of God.

We see this slavery at work in our nations today. Banks and corporations keep people in slavery through debt. Their goal is not to help people find financial independence, but rather to keep them in debt and dependent on the system. When governments support people by helping them to own and run their own businesses, and by helping and encouraging them to earn their own living, then they are doing something good. However, when governments give people handouts on a continual basis, people become dependent on the government, and therefore are owned and controlled by them. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7 AMP).

People are enslaved through lack of education. In school, they are not taught what they need to know but only what the government wants them to know. This is happening in so-called “free” countries, and not just in ones ruled by dictators. If people do not know their history, they are doomed to repeat it. People know everything about the pop culture or their favorite athletic team, but nothing about what they really ought to know in order to stand up against tyranny. Governments enslave people when they hide things from the people; when they are not transparent and open; when they receive bribes to decide things in the interest of a few at the expense of the many.

When you cannot choose your own vocation, and someone tells you what job you will do, then you are enslaved. Around the world, there are many people who are overworked and underpaid and whose lives are controlled by the companies for whom they work. This is a form of slavery. Many people are so completely enslaved, even today, that they have no control even over their own bodies, and they are bought and sold as slaves.

Governments impose slavery upon the people, when they insist that they are the only ones who have the intelligence to govern and that everyone else is too ignorant to govern or even to question their decisions. It is a form of slavery to undermine the family. When the government has more control over a child’s life than the parents do, then that nation is enslaved. Governments impose slavery upon the people when they take control of the Health Care programs and decisions, and they begin to decide who may live or die. When governments can abort babies and prematurely kill old people, and handicapped or infirm people, then that nation is enslaved.

The main reason people are enslaved, is because they are ignorant of the word and the will of Almighty God. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6a NKJV). The reason that the Constitution of the United States of America, and the Bill of Rights, are such powerful documents is because they are based on the principles of the Word of God. As long as men acknowledge God in this nation, our country will stand strong. However, when men dishonor God, the guiding principles of our founding documents will no longer be able to stand, and the nation will fall to tyranny and darkness. It is left up to those of us, who walk in the light, to stand up for the truth and to bring others into the light, so that our people and our nation might remain truly free.

Dear Friends & Partners,
 
Greetings from Sarasota, Florida. God is immeasurably good. We worship and give Him glory every day for His loving faithfulness. I wanted to take some time to update you on the progress and the expansion of VICTORY: A Church Of His Presence and the ministry. In June, we completed all of the construction and retrofit of our offices, training center and prayer room. Specifically, our prayer room was built to create a sacred space for hosting the Lord’s presence and drawing near to His heart. It’s an awesome place of encounter!
 
This was a massive task for us, and we are so grateful for its completion and grand opening. Now, as the prayer room is open, believers are gathering daily here to seek the Lord, worship and encounter the Holy Spirit. As you come into the prayer room, you’ll find them lying on the floor, kneeling in prayer, worshipping with hands lifted high with tears streaming down their faces and walking with their Bibles in hand praying the Word and promises of God. It’s beautiful and it’s sweet communion that pleases the Lord. I really feel we have chosen what is best, just as Mary did, to sit at his feet and receive his words of life.
 
Now we are entering the next phase and expansion of the building for greater things. We will be breaking through the walls next door very soon from our prayer and training center for creation of our miracle Sanctuary.
 
This sanctuary will accommodate 530 chairs. (We presently have seating for just over 200 so this will give great room for growth. In addition to the Sanctuary, this new space will have our Audio, Video and Livestream Room and our Green Room as well. This retrofit and build out is going to be big work, and it has to be done in a timely way.
 
We just completed our demolition phase in the sanctuary space clearing out wall after wall. That was interesting. Ha! We are now at the closing of our architectural phase with all of our drawings, civil engineering and plans that will lead us to obtaining our permits here in our County. Much work has already been accomplished, but now we press forward for the next phase.
 
Next comes the construction. We will be installing a sprinkler system for fire code, new air conditioners and ductwork, creating more bathrooms, installing electrical, audio, video and lighting, laying carpet, painting walls and putting finishing touches to make a space for worship unto The Lord. All of the parts, equipment and resources need to come in on time. This is one of the prayer-points we ask you to engage in, that everything we are ordering comes timely with no delays and for our construction crew to have productivity and fruitfulness each day. As you can see, all of this is so much work, but it is a work of love. It’s a good work unto The Lord.
 
We are in a miracle building campaign right now which just began two months ago. Our goal has been set at $750,000 for the build out and retrofit of the sanctuary. Amazingly we have had $130,000 come in as you receive this letter. God’s people are generous, and they believe in the vision and mandate.  We have just been notified that we must build and create additional bathrooms for the capacity of our sanctuary to meet code—so that is going to take us beyond the budget, but it is necessary to meet code requirements. Our architect has just finished those drawings as well and is ready for permit. As we all know, everyone has to use those bathrooms. And the church said—Amen. Ha!
 
We understand the urgent and crisis hour that our Nation is facing right now. Bren and I would have never chosen this season to be building and expanding, but this is all part of the call and obedience to The Lord.  In 29 years of fulltime ministry, my wife and I have seen the faithfulness of God time and again. Jesus has amazed us, and His people have generously given to see the Kingdom of God advance.  He is El Shaddai—more than enough. His provision for our ministry has been a wonder, and daily we praise Him for all the miracles that have been accomplished and the thousands of lives that have been impacted and ignited into personal revival.
 
As Bren and I stand in faith, we are asking and calling on all our friends and ministry partners to join us to give your best miracle gift towards the creation of the Sanctuary. Every dollar you sow and invest will be pointed with purpose to build the house for His Presence, and it will be celebrated to the glory of God!
 
We are believing to hit and exceed our financial goals and the completion of all construction for our ribbon-cutting ceremony to open VICTORY’S new Sanctuary just before Christmas. That means we have so much to accomplish in these 5 months. And by God’s grace and prayers and partnership of His people, we will meet this goal. Hallelujah!
 
My wife, Bren, and I want to THANK YOU for your love, prayers and partnership. We are grateful for all of you.  Some of you have supported our ministry for decades and others are newer partners.
 
Thank you for standing with us for another miracle!
Together for revival, awakening and reformation.
With Love & Honor,
 
Brian & Bren Gibbs
 
In order to give safely and securely, you can always give at our ministry website:VictoryFLA.com/give
 
On the giving page, please select “miracle building fund.”
 
For mailing an offering:
VICTORY: A Church Of His Presence
P.O. Box 51586
Sarasota, Florida 34232

Dear VICTORY Partners and Friends,

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: 
In the timing and providence of God, Victory was gathered together Saturday night (July 13th) in worship and prayer, as the horrible assassination attempt on President Trump’s life unfolded in Butler, Pennsylvania. I had just begun my message in the pulpit—“A Historic Crossover Moment for America.”  As the news broke, our leadership alerted me to the crisis that President Trump had indeed been shot but was mercifully and miraculously alive. Suddenly, we changed direction. The atmosphere shifted immediately with the breaking news. I stopped my message, and we went into corporate prayer and intercession over his life, his family, those attending the rally in PA and for our beloved America.

Today as you receive this newsletter, we too have been in unending praise and thanksgiving unto The Lord for this profound miracle of saving President Trump's life. It’s hard to even imagine where our country would be today if he had been struck down. Our many prayers in these years have been answered as a shield around him, and we all acknowledge it was truly The Lord’s divine intervention that rescued him from such an evil and deadly plot. The glory belongs to God alone.

We continue to lift up all the families that were attending the Pennsylvania event that were directly and tragically effected, and for the trauma and fear they experienced to be broken off of them by the anointing and healing of the Holy Spirit. We continue to be steadfast in prayer for the destiny of America. We are living in amazingly dangerous and sobering times. However, because of the great mercies of our God, there is divine redemption coming to America. We must absolutely refuse all hopelessness. This is the time for faith and for overcoming. The Ekklesia will not retreat nor cower down. The Church that Jesus is building will not have the gates of hell prevail against it. We must move forward by faith. Let the redeemed of The Lord cry out—America Shall Be Saved! Redemption will come!

MIRACLE BUILDING UPDATE:
We have now crossed over $125,000 given for the retrofit and build out of our new Sanctuary. Praise God! We celebrate every gift that is coming into Victory and from wonderful friends and partners throughout the country who stand with us and the vision the Lord has mandated us for. To all of you—we are deeply grateful—we say THANK YOU and WE LOVE YOU! Continue to pray with us to make it to our goal of $750,000 by Dec 1st. God is able and God’s people are generous! You can always give safely and securely at: victoryfla.com/give

Together Triumphant & Blessings,
Brian & Bren Gibbs

A week ago today, on June 24 th , the massive and historic victory in The Supreme Court was released officially overturning Roe V. Wade! This is the greatest victory of our generation for righteousness and justice over the unborn and for the conscience of a nation. For nearly 50 years this evil and unconstitutional decree has plagued America with a curse of the shedding of innocent blood. It is hard to fathom and get our minds around the magnitude of more the 63 million souls and destinies that were unjustly and barbarically stopped short.

Praise be to our God for His loving-kindness, patience, long suffering and MERCY! His immeasurable mercy has longed to avert judgment. We stand together amongst a multitude of faithful intercessors for decades (more than 49 years) who prayed, fasted, mourned and took righteous action in faith to see the curse removed from our beloved America—and in our lifetime THAT MIRACLE HAS COME! Glory to GOD!

This is a time of celebration! Heaven is celebrating! God has used His Ekklesia to release His will in the earth, and the plumb line of heaven has come to release righteousness and praise to America. Let me say again—this is a time of celebration, triumph and victory. Let no one shame you into silence. We are not those who are remaining silent that are grieving the Spirit of God. The unlimited demonic sacrifice of children has ended in America, so let your praise roll on and on to the Glory of God! HEAVEN IS REJOICING! Let the people of God shout unending praise for
His mercy!

We believe with all our hearts this MIRACLE MOMENT is the tipping point that will usher in the national awakening, unstoppable revival and the greatest harvest of souls leading to our King’s ultimate return! This Link below is the message that I released at VICTORY: A Church Of His Presence last weekend in honor of Roe v Wade being overturned. We felt it would be a great blessing to release this message for “The Torch podcast” this week. Please share this message with others to encourage and strengthened the Body of Christ in this hour. Hallelujah!

America Shall Be Saved!
Together Triumphant,
Brian & Bren Gibbs

THIS IS WAR!

AMERICA’S INNOCENT CHILDREN ARE THE VICTIMS OF THE MOST VILE ABUSE & DEMONIC CRIMES!
We better understand right now that Satan is a merciless killer and destroyer!
He’s playing for keeps—an eternity of burning doom and unimaginable hell. Make no mistake about it, he’s a master deceiver—he transforms himself into an angel of light. Better wake up America!

THIS IS WAR! His death factories are thriving from coast to coast in our land, slaughtering countless unborn children on the blood altars of a rebellious and prideful generation that is drunk on their self indulgences and sexual immorality. And our government gladly forces us to pay for these murders of abomination and blood baths—Absolutely Sickening!

THIS IS WAR! Our kids are (still masked) and being indoctrinated and violated with queer and perverted filth in our schools at the youngest age. The things that so-called “teachers” are introducing and “educating” our precious kids to right now in America’s schools is straight out of the depths of hell itself. Who will stand up for innocent ones? Where is the moral outcry in every city? Why do we tolerate the victimization of our children? Why do we tolerate this sickening LGBTQ filth agenda warring against the souls of our children? This has got to STOP! You don’t compromise and make concession with demons...Call it what it is — SIN! DEMONIC! PERVERSION! ABOMINATION!

THIS IS WAR! The sex trafficking and porn industry is torturing and violating children with unimaginable horrors everywhere all in the name of entertainment to feed the monsters of debauchery that is plaguing America! This has to STOP!!!

For the sake of our precious children — FOR GOD’S SAKE —STAND UP, PRAY UP, SPEAK UP, FIGHT AGAINST THIS EVIL ANY WAY YOU CAN RIGHT NOW IN THE SPIRIT AND THE NATURAL AND DO NOT DELAY! Take a place of authority and fight this evil! Fight for the souls and innocence of our beautiful children! This is not America’s “new normal”...I refuse!  

ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN —raise up deliverers! Raise up protectors! Raise up reformers! Raise up fathers and mothers! Raise up healers! Raise up defenders! Raise up avengers as unstoppable weapons in Your hand to destroy this vile evil!

GOD IS STILL ASKING: “Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?"  
— Psalms 94:16

Is it you? I pray it is!

— Brian Gibbs

7 Day Fast | UNTO THE LORD | DAY 7
From Brian Gibbs
January 15, 2022
 
Good morning, dear friends. Today is day seven as we have entered a very special time of consecration, humility and opening the door to a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with JESUS! Our desire is to possess hearts that are fully set apart Unto The Lord. We hunger and thirst for deeper intimacy, heart to heart union and a more powerful relationship with JESUS.
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in “UNTO THE LORD” by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and draw nearer to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset and recalibrate our spiritual compass, as well as bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives, than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of Jesus in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 7 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first.
 
Happy New Year 2022!
 
DAY 7
 
FASTING: FINISHING STRONG

Practical & Spiritual Advice

Day seven is here. We’re on the very last day of our fast. Did you ever think it would go by so quickly? Ha! I’m just kidding. This week has been so rich as we have gathered every night in corporate prayer with His Presence, anointing, worship, declarations, joy, tears, refreshing and above all—seeking JESUS first. I don’t think I can overstate the blessing of this week together, Unto The Lord. Bren and I have loved our quality time invested each night with all of you together in intercession.  

How to End Your Fast Physically:

Please be careful how you reintroduce food to your system, especially if you went all seven days with just water. There is a period of adjustment when transitioning back to eating. This is because two things have happened to the digestive system during a prolonged fast.

1. The stomach has been slowly shrinking. By the end of the fast, the stomach’s capacity for food is nothing like it was at the beginning. Even the smallest amount of food can make you feel full.

2. The organs in the body that are usually involved with assimilating food have taken a rest. You could think of it as if the organs have gone into a kind of sleep which became deeper as the fast was extended.

Therefore, when you break your fast, be careful:

1. How much you eat
2. What you eat
3. How you eat it

Give your stomach time to return to its normal size and the digestive organs time to “wake up” fully.

When breaking a fast, some foods are more suitable than others. A fast of great length is best broken with fruit or vegetable juices, if possible, freshly squeezed or juiced. Some consider citrus fruits to be the best. However, if you live where citrus fruits are imported, this is not the best option, as they are often picked unripe, and the juice can be too acidic. Watermelon juice is excellent, as is tomato, grape or apple juice. Start with a small quantity, diluted if necessary. Drink it every two to three hours the first day. Increase the quantity gradually, and you will soon be able to eat the fruit itself. At this point, milk can be taken. Milk in the form of yogurt, taken with fruit, would be beneficial.

Each fast I have done, I normally break the fast with juices, broth and hard-boiled eggs. This is gentle on your stomach and begins the processing well.

Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, or a raw salad and baked potatoes. Fresh salad (no dressing), vegetable soups (no fat) and cooked vegetables may be included at this point, always starting with a small amount of anything new and gradually increasing.

Next, you could include a little toasted bread with a small slice of butter, but no cakes, pastries or cookies. Starchy foods are not good at this stage. Introduce protein first in the form of cheese or eggs (or Greek yogurt), with fish and meat last of all.

Rest as much as you can during the period of reintroducing food to your system. It will let your body concentrate on digestion and assimilation. Try not to become too active too soon.

How to End Your Fast Spiritually

Anticipate the voice of the Lord on the other side on this fast. Look and listen for His voice, promptings and prophetic unctions. You may see some rewards manifest soon—that’s exciting. And remember, our Father loves to reward us (Matthew 6).

Although you can relax physically, do not relax spiritually! That is an important point. You can’t afford to. Your enemy, the devil, prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8-9). You must remain alert and vigilant. The “thief” will be on the prowl to steal the increased intimacy with Christ that you have gained during your fast.

Give no place to the devil. Be careful. Be alert. Be intentional. Be disciplined, fellow soldier. Stay disciplined in your prayer time and pursuit of God. Stay disciplined in your submission and quick obedience to the Lord.

How Do You Plan to Keep Fasting a Part of Your Lifestyle?

I’m so glad that you joined our Victory Fast and engaged in opening the door to great intimacy with the Lord through this fast. Please note, though, that a single fast is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need fresh times of fasting. Consider a 24-hour fast each week or fasting several days each month. I encourage you to pray about it today and make a commitment as to how you plan to keep fasting a part of your lifestyle. It will be hard to make this decision once you get back into old routines of eating. Pray about it now, while the spiritual benefits of fasting are fresh on your mind and in your spirit.

When God leads you as to what your regular fasting commitment should be, put it on your calendar—just as you would schedule a meeting for work, a spouse’s anniversary, or, ladies, your hair appointment.  When it’s on your calendar, it’s a commitment to be kept, not a contingency that can be cancelled.

I praise God for each of you, and Bren and I bless your New Year of 2022!
 
You are marked, chosen, consecrated and set apart with God’s favor and joy—you are His treasure and delight. Enjoy each new day in faith. Worship Him who reigns above all things, in every situation, knowing we are overcomers in this world!

Make it a great YEAR and be blessed!
Love you all,
Brian

7 Day Fast | UNTO THE LORD | DAY 6
From Brian Gibbs
January 14, 2022
 
Good morning, dear friends. Today is day four as we have entered a very special time of consecration, humility and opening the door to a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with JESUS! Our desire is to possess hearts that are fully set apart Unto The Lord. We hunger and thirst for deeper intimacy, heart to heart union and a more powerful relationship with JESUS.
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in “UNTO THE LORD” by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and draw nearer to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset and recalibrate our spiritual compass, as well as bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives, than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of Jesus in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 7 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first.
 
Happy New Year 2022!
 
Day 6

 
FASTING: DEALING WITH WORRY

Philippians 4:6-7 | The Message Translation
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.”
 
Worry seems to be an inescapable fact of modern life in 2022. No doubt there is plenty to worry about: our Nation’s future, the election chaos, our kids’ future, the American cultural decline, the economy, the Middle East, wars, diseases… the list could go on forever. Unfortunately, for some it might seem that worry has even replaced Jesus as the focal point of their lives.  Truthfully, if you have a steady diet of the news, you can be sure this will happen. (As a watchman, I believe in being well informed and keeping the pulse of what’s happening in America and throughout the Nations.)

However, Jesus Himself admonished us several times not to worry. And the apostle, Paul, tells us in the passage above that there is an antidote to worry —prayer and setting our affections on the Lord.

When we worry about something, we are spending energy on it, wondering what might happen, rehearsing the “if only” and “what if” in our mind. Fear is expecting the enemy to move. Faith is expecting God to move. Why not take that same energy and refocus it on prayer instead? When we worry, we are simply talking to ourselves about our fears of what could go wrong, but when we pray, we are taking those fears to God and focusing on His glory and brilliance.

I’ve learned, and continue to learn, to repent of worry, which is packaged in fear, and then decree out loud to The Lord —"I renounce all fear and worry, and I will not worry, because You have given me a spirit of love, power and a sound mind. I am not a prisoner to worry or fear. I live in Your victory and triumph, and I am enveloped in Your presence and kept safe by angel armies. I set my heart and mind today in You.”

In many ways, I can’t control the future of the big picture of life, but the good news is that God is already there. He knows exactly what is going to happen, and he promises to be with us every step of the journey. As we are now over half way there in this extended season of prayer and fasting, let’s make a strong effort to convert our worry into prayer. As Paul says in the verse above, “let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,” and you will find that the peace of God will guard your heart.

It’s wonderful what happens when Jesus displaces worry as the center of your life. Are there things that you consistently worry about? As you go through your day, recapture each worried thought, and send it up to God as a prayer. See how dramatically your outlook improves when the peace of God is activated through prayer and fasting.

Be strengthened and nourished today by The Holy Spirit.

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian
 
1 Peter 5:7 | The Passion Translation
“Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you.”

7 Day Fast | UNTO THE LORD | DAY 5
From Brian Gibbs
January 13, 2022
 
Good morning, dear friends.  Today is day four as we have entered a very special time of consecration, humility and opening the door to a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with JESUS! Our desire is to possess hearts that are fully set apart Unto The Lord. We hunger and thirst for deeper intimacy, heart to heart union and a more powerful relationship with JESUS.
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in “UNTO THE LORD” by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and draw nearer to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset and recalibrate our spiritual compass, as well as bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives, than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of Jesus in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 7 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first.
 
Happy New Year 2022!
 
DAY 5

FASTING: A NEW WAY

Joshua 3:3-4  “...and they commanded the people, saying, ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Yet, there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.’”

I’ve always loved the prophetic wording in this passage, because it reveals the awe and wonder of what is sacred, and that His Presence will lead us in a new way—places we have never been before. For the pioneers and those with the blood of explores running through their veins —these are good words.
 
Without a doubt—with all the upheaval and chaos we have seen globally and throughout our beloved America, I believe the Holy Spirit will lead us, His Church, in new, glorious and profound ways in these last days before the return of our King.

God loves adventures, and He invites us all to follow Him on the epic journey into of His heart. Along the way we discover destiny and the privilege of serving others. Fasting not only sanctifies us unto the Lord, it prepares you for what’s ahead—the things God has prepared and appointed for you. He wants a prepared man and woman walking into prepared assignments and blessings. Let me say that again, just in case you read that too quickly. He wants a prepared man and woman walking into prepared assignments and blessings. Just as the children of Israel watched the ark, He desires us to watch Him with sacred honor and follow His leading and promptings.

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

There is no distance between us and His presence, because He now dwells and abides within. We have become the ark of His glory. We are conscious and aware of His holiness, and we are consecrated and sanctified just like the children of Israel… We are set apart unto the Lord, and we are to be directed and led by His voice.

I want to encourage all of you, God is preparing you for a new way and a new adventure, and He is getting you ready for what He has prepared just ahead. Believe it. Receive it. Declare it.

Feast on the Lord today—the Living Bread, the Bread that came down from Heaven! “...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4

Keep all your worship and affections set upon the Lord today. Focus on His heart and love. May the Holy Spirit strengthen you and nourish you. This fast is important—you my, dear friend, are important.
 
I call you, chosen. Set apart. Consecrated. He will lead us into a new way.

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

7 Day Fast | UNTO THE LORD | DAY 4
From Brian Gibbs
January 12, 2022
 
Good morning, dear friends. Today is day four as we have entered a very special time of consecration, humility and opening the door to a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with JESUS! Our desire is to possess hearts that are fully set apart Unto The Lord. We hunger and thirst for deeper intimacy, heart to heart union and a more powerful relationship with JESUS.
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in “UNTO THE LORD” by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and draw nearer to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset and recalibrate our spiritual compass, as well as bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives, than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of Jesus in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 7 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first.
 
Happy New Year 2022!
 
DAY 4

FASTING: THE SECRET SOURCE OF STRENGTH

Scripture Reading: John 4:1-42

I love the interaction of Jesus and his disciples in this chapter. Their appetite was on one frequency, and His was tuned into the Father’s intensions. Jesus told his disciples that “He had food to eat that they didn’t know about.” From what I can tell, after studying the Greek deeply in this passage, Jesus wasn’t hiding a Snickers candy bar in His sash for extended ministry times to hold Himself over.

As the disciples were trying to figure out who had brought Him food, He told them the secret — “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” Jesus was drawing strength and nourishment that sustained Him, because His mission was to fulfill the Father’s desires.  That is the secret source of power.

Nothing will nourish our lives like living in the will of God and accomplishing His purposes and desires. The will of God will feed you and sustain you —carrying you forward through any and all circumstances, challenges and adversity. Like Jesus, we too can tap into the secret resources and find the pleasure of doing the work of our Father.

“...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4

Intimacy with our Heavenly Father can build up a storehouse of strength and power that can sustain us and keep us moving forward through any difficult situation or circumstance. We can draw forth from the intimacy we share with Father that will feed us and others — carrying us onward. Praying and fasting creates new depth in us to be filled with His overflowing Presence. Fast will take us into new levels with Christ manifesting the true strength and power of our lives.
 
May The Lord strengthen you and nourish you.  May you continue to focus all your affection and worship on Him. He loves His time with you. You are His chosen ones.

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian
 
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
—JESUS

7 Day Fast | UNTO THE LORD | DAY 3
From Brian Gibbs
January 11, 2022
 
Good morning, dear friends. Today is day three as we have entered a very special time of consecration, humility and opening the door to a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with JESUS! Our desire is to possess hearts that are fully set apart Unto The Lord. We hunger and thirst for deeper intimacy, heart to heart union and a more powerful relationship with JESUS.
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in “UNTO THE LORD” by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and draw nearer to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset and recalibrate our spiritual compass, as well as bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives, than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of Jesus in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 7 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first.
 
Happy New Year 2022!
 
DAY 3

FASTING: CONSECRATION
 
Scripture Reading for today:
Romans 8:5 & Romans 12:1-2

Romans 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”

Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:1-2 (The Passion Translation) “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”

Our consciousness to the abiding presence of God within us is what really determines our level of consecration. As I said on our first day, fasting is not a religious duty but it is our spiritual worship and our love language. I believe that in fasting, we experience our heart being anchored to the reality that we are truly loved, chosen, called out and appointed first and foremost unto the Lord. We are set apart and consecrated unto Him.

Fasting has the extraordinary ability to fortify truth and causes our hearts to be yielded and surrendered to the Lord. Our love for Jesus is manifested by how we obey His truth/voice and place His word in full supremacy above all. Our consecration is proven by our desire to honor His Word and be a man or woman of God who trembles at His word. Isaiah 66:2 says, “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word.”

God says—this is the person I’m going to look to: the one who’s humble, the one who’s contrite or broken over sin. Who is the person He’s looking for? Is it you? Stop reading for a moment and ask yourself, “Do I match the description of the person to whom God is looking to?”

 

Father God is looking on this earth, looking for someone who still trembles, someone who hears His Word and cries out, ‘Wow! That came from God! I just read words sent to me from God almighty, from the great I AM!’” When you view the Word of God like that, you realize how much you need to listen, believe it, heed it, and how much you need to act in obedience.

I pray you are strengthened today as you fast and pray. I pray that the Holy Spirit reminds you continually that you are consecrated unto The Father.
Remember that fasting is not a seasonal event — it is a lifestyle.

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

7 Day Fast | UNTO THE LORD | DAY 2
From Brian Gibbs
January 10, 2022
 
Good morning, dear friends. Today is day two as we have entered a very special time of consecration, humility and opening the door to a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with JESUS! Our desire is to possess hearts that are fully set apart Unto The Lord. We hunger and thirst for deeper intimacy, heart to heart union and a more powerful relationship with JESUS.
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in “UNTO THE LORD” by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and draw nearer to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset and recalibrate our spiritual compass, as well as bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives, than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of Jesus in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 7 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first.
 
Happy New Year 2022!
 
DAY 2
 
Scripture Reading for today: Matthew 17:1-21
 
FASTING:  REMOVES UNBELIEF

Key verse: Matthew 17:18-21 "And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, that if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’”

The goal in praying and fasting has never been to change God or His will. Through prayer and fasting, we are the ones that experience change and transformation — spiritually, emotionally, physical, etc. Coming into alignment with God through fasting helps us deal with our doubts, fears and unbelief.
 
When we pray and fast, the thing that leaves — the thing that “goes out” - is our unbelief. That's why the disciples weren't able to have victory in this urgent situation of Matthew 17.  The emphasis Jesus gave on fasting to his disciples was to remove this kind of unbelief, not a "this kind" of demon spirit. Let's be clear, you and I have authority over demons through the name and blood of Jesus at all times — whether fasting or not.  You must know this as a believer, so you can exercise your authority that Jesus has given you over all the works of the devil. It is when we have faith to believe, that we can pray with confidence and know that “nothing will be impossible” as we live to bring glory to God.

In this time of fasting and prayer, let’s ask God to strengthen our hearts to fully believe Him and believe His word. Holy Spirit, reveal and identify to us if we are struggling in any area of our lives with unbelief. It’s the first step in allowing God to strengthen your faith and bring you into alignment with His plan for your life. I believe it brings great joy to our Heavenly Father’s heart when we believe Him. May we repent and renounce any form of unbelief and come into alignment with faith and trust.

What is it that you need faith to believe for? Align yourself with God’s Word and promises during this fast.  Release, renounce and repent of your unbelief. Write down the things you are believing for and pray with confidence, knowing “nothing will be impossible for you.”
 
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” — 1 John 5:14
 


Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

7 Day Fast | UNTO THE LORD | DAY 1
From Brian Gibbs
January 9, 2022
 
Good morning, dear friends. Together, we begin a very special week of consecration, humility and prayerfully opening the door to our lives. Our desire is to possess hearts that are fully set apart Unto The Lord. We hunger and thirst for deeper intimacy, heart to heart union and a more powerful relationship with JESUS.
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in “UNTO THE LORD” by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and draw nearer to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer's personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset and recalibrate our spiritual compass, as well as bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives, than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of Jesus in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 7 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first.
 
Happy New Year 2022!

DAY 1
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1-34
 
Fasting and prayer is a sacred trust and personal devotion of love unto the Lord. Remember how Jesus taught us in Matthew chapter 6 about giving, praying and fasting — these are not religious duties my friends — they are love languages!
 
Jesus emphasized this "secret place" of intimacy with our Father God — this is a place we have grown to treasure and a place where we hear the whispers and sometimes the thundering of His voice. This is where we learn to receive his love, mercy, grace, wisdom, council, revelation, power and so much more.  
 
There are oceans of God’s heart to discover in that place of love with Holy Spirit, our Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father!
 
Start your fast with joy and expectation of new and fresh revelations in the secret place of worship and in the Word of God every day.  May the Scriptures come alive and sweep you off your feet again. Put your spiritual scuba gear on and go deep sea diving into His book of Love. Lift your hands today in worship and honor and tell Father God how much you love and value Him...let the tears flow down your face...regardless of circumstances and challenges…let your mouth be filled with joy and laughter...let your heart be filled with wonder and awe of JESUS!
 
FASTING: TUNING INTO HIS VOICE and HEART
DAY 1
Have you ever been searching for a radio station only to be frustrated by finding static rather than music? You then focus to fine tune the dial again, and suddenly you hear a clear signal. The fact is; the signal always existed on the airwaves; the only difference is that now you have adjusted your tuner to the right frequency.  

In our hectic lives, there are so many “signals” bombarding our senses that it can become difficult to distinguish God’s voice from the deafening “static noise” and busyness of life. Fasting is a discipline that enables us to tune out the world’s distractions and tune our hearts into God.  
 
As we fast and lay down our forks, we deny our flesh. When we deny our flesh, we become more in tune to the Holy Spirit as we turn our cravings to hear God’s voice more clearly. If you truly listen for God’s voice, you will hear it. When you hear it, it will build faith within you. If you desire to tune out the static of life and really tune into the voice of God, come to Him first and foremost with ears that are willing to listen and a heart that is ready to obey what he says. The more that we set our priority of being in His presence, the clearer and more recognizable His voice becomes.  

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27

In this time of fasting, what is your heart and mind tuned to?  What distractions do you need to remove so that you can focus more deeply on God?  Prepare your heart to hear His voice, and ask God to help you remove distractions that keep you from focusing on Him and hearing Him clearly.  

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

A Holy Habitation
The Priority of Worship at Victory. 

—from Brian Gibbs

I have people come to me so often to visit Victory and thank me for hosting the Presence of the Lord and letting real worship be released and unhindered. I have never been one who bought into the 18 to 21 minute structure and benchmark of worship so that we can facilitate a quick gathering to get the Saints in and out. Quite the opposite—we come bearing gifts of love, honor and thanksgiving to our King—presenting our hearts and to give Jesus all that He is worthy of. Our worship is quality time well spent before The Throne.

The Lord is now ready to build his people into a dwelling place for his presence. Jesus has prepared the church to be a temple built of “living stones”—that’s you and me! When we gather together, we become a place for God to dwell and for the dominion of His Kingdom to be established; the King is literally “enthroned” in our praises (Psalm 22:3). When we worship, God will come and dwell with us, with all the weight of His glory, His rulership and his dominion.

In this atmosphere—where worship ushers in the presence of God—there are four important qualities that are released that builds His habitation. First, the Word becomes “incarnated” (the Word becomes flesh or a present tense reality) in people, it becomes life, not just an intellectual exercise. Second, the people are healed in an ongoing pattern of God‘s presence. Third they come to truly know the Lord experientially as His kingdom is establish within and upon them. And finally, as God empowers His people, their worship drives out the borders of hell‘s domain.

When we come together in a worship service, God‘s people are built up as a habitation for His presence, as the “living stones” of His temple. Through our worship, an intimate and vibrant relationship with the living God is made possible: His assignment for us as His “royal priesthood” is restored; we become ministering agents of His resurrection life to the world; and we are enabled to move in the expanding dominion and rulership He intended for humankind from the beginning.

The priority of worship will always remain within the centerpiece of Victory. God has filled us with a growing and progressive vision for His habitation (a resting place) burning on the altar here in Sarasota. Part of this great assignment is our daily responsibility to build a pure and holy habitation of His glory through a lifestyle worship and praise.

For His Glory!

21 Day VICTORY Fast | Day 21
From Pastor Brian Gibbs
January 24th, 2021

Good morning, dear friends! Today is day twenty-one as we have entered a very special time of
consecration and humility and we open the door to a deeper, more intimate and more powerful relationship with our Father!
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in the VICTORY FAST by setting aside 21 days to pray, fast and draw near to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer’s personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you
commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first!

For these 21 days together, I will provide a daily biblical focus and some thoughts to encourage and strengthen you throughout the fast.

FASTING: FINISHING STRONG

Practical & Spiritual Advice

DAY 21

Day 21 is here. You’re on the very last day of your fast! Did you ever think it would go by so quickly? Ha! I’m just kidding. For me, this fast felt extremely long and challenging on many levels, especially with the intensity of this unprecedented and historic time in our Nation. We are engaged in a mega battle.

I’m proud of you for persevering to the end. I’ve received several messages from some fasting who
struggled and contemplated throwing in the towel. But God reminded them this is a marathon, not a sprint; if you fall, you can get back up and run to the finish line. And now…here you are! A few hours away from the finish line!  Let’s finish strong and well for The Lord.

How to End Your Fast Physically

If you’ve been on a full fast for twenty-one days, please be careful how you reintroduce food to your system. Most people who are otherwise healthy should be able to return to normal eating within one week of a twenty-one day fast.

There is a period of adjustment though. This is because two things have happened to the digestive system during a prolonged fast.

1. The stomach has been slowly shrinking. By the end of the fast, the stomach’s capacity for food is nothing like it was at the beginning. Even the smallest amount of food can make you feel full.

2. The organs in the body that are usually involved with assimilating food have taken a
rest. You could think of it as if the organs have gone into a kind of sleep which became
deeper as the fast was extended.

Therefore, when you break your fast, be careful:

1. How much you eat
2. What you eat
3. How you eat it

Give your stomach time to return to normal size and the digestive organs time to “wake up” fully.

When breaking a fast, some foods are more suitable than others. A fast of great length is best broken with fruit or vegetable juices, if possible freshly squeezed or juiced. Some consider citrus
Page 5 fruits to be the best. However, if you live where citrus fruits are imported, this is not the best option, as they’re often picked unripe and the juice can be too acidic. Watermelon juice is excellent, as is tomato, grape or apple juice. Start with a small quantity, diluted if necessary. Drink it every two to three hours the first day. Increase the quantity gradually, and you’ll soon be able to take the fruit itself. At this point, milk can be taken. Milk in the form of yogurt taken with fruit would be beneficial.

Each 21 day fast I have done, I normally break the fast with juices, broth and hard boiled eggs. This is gentle on your stomach and begins the processing well.

Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, or a raw salad and baked potato. Fresh salad (no dressing), vegetable soups (no fat) and cooked vegetables may be included at this point, always starting with a small amount of anything new and gradually increasing.

Next, you could include a little toasted bread with a small slice of butter, but no cakes, pastries or cookies. Starchy foods are not good at this stage. Introduce protein first in the form of cheese or eggs (or Greek yogurt), with fish and meat last of all.

Rest as much as you can during the period of reintroducing food to your system. It will let your body concentrate on digestion and assimilation. Try not to become too active too soon.

How to End Your Fast Spiritually

Anticipate the voice of the Lord on the other side on this fast. Look and listen for His voice, promptings and prophetic unctions. You may see some rewards manifest soon — that’s exciting. And remember, our Father loves to reward us. (Matthew 6).

Although you can relax physically, do not relax spiritually! You can’t afford to. Your enemy, the devil, prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8-9). You must remain alert and vigilant. The “thief” will be on the prowl to steal the increased intimacy with Christ you’ve gained during your fast.

Give no place to the devil. Be careful. Be alert. Be intentional. Be disciplined, fellow soldier. Stay
disciplined in your prayer time and pursuit of God. Stay disciplined in your submission and quick
obedience to the Lord.

How Do You Plan to Keep Fasting a Part of Your Lifestyle?

I’m so glad that you joined our Victory Fast and engaged in opening the door to great intimacy with the Lord through this fast! Please note, though, that a single fast is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infilling’s of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need fresh times of fasting. Consider a 24-hour fast each week or fasting several days each month. I encourage you to pray about it today and make a commitment as to how you plan to  keep fasting a part of your lifestyle. It will be hard to make this decision once you get back into old routines of eating. Pray about it now, while the
spiritual benefits of fasting are fresh on your mind and in your spirit.

When God leads you as to what your regular fasting commitment should be, put it on your calendar — just as you would schedule a meeting for work, a spouse’s anniversary, or ladies, your hair appointment.  When it’s on your calendar, it’s a commitment to be kept, not a contingency that can be cancelled.

I praise God for each of you, and I bless your New Year of 2021! You are marked and set apart with
God’s favor and joy — you are His treasure and delight. Enjoy each new day in faith to worship Him who reigns above all things, in every situation, knowing we are overcomer’s in this world!

Make it a great YEAR and be blessed!
Brian

21 Day VICTORY Fast | Day 20
From Pastor Brian Gibbs
January 23rd, 2021

Good morning, dear friends! Today is day twenty as we have entered a very special time of consecration and humility and we open the door to a deeper, more intimate and more powerful relationship with our Father!
 
Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in the VICTORY FAST by setting aside 21 days to pray, fast and draw near to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer’s personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives than through fasting.
 
We pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first!

For these 21 days together, I will provide a daily biblical focus and some thoughts to encourage and strengthen you throughout the fast.
 
FASTING: Brings Deliverance

Day 20

“Is this not the fast I have chosen? To loose the
bands of wickedness….” — Isaiah 58:6 (KJV)
 
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the
Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”  — Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)
 
We have been delivered from the power of darkness through the sacrifice of Jesus. Praise our God! The price has been fully paid. If there is any harassing, oppressive yoke against you, be encouraged—your inheritance is victory and freedom in Christ. Yet, anyone in Christ failing to receive deliverance from bondage is being held back by this one thing—unbelief.
 
This is what happened to Jesus’ apostles. Jesus had given them power to cast out the devil (Luke 10:19), and they even experienced some of that power (verse 17). But in Mark 9:28, we find them staggering in a challenging and tough situation when they were unable to drive a demon out of a young boy. When they later asked Jesus why they had failed, He said, “Because of your unbelief.”  But He also went on to say — “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (verse 29, NKJV).
 
Now fasting, in this instance, would not have changed God, or His will, concerning the boy. But it would have changed the disciples. Jesus had already directed the disciples to cast the demon out. That demon was undoubtedly stubborn, and when he resisted, the disciples slipped into unbelief. Had they been fasting and praying, they would have been strong in the spirit, and they would have been able to do exactly what Jesus did— cast the demon out!
(See John 14:12.)
 
As a believer, when you begin to face a temptation to submit to darkness, start fasting and praying. Get into the presence of God through quiet quality time with the Lord in worship and His Word, until you get enough of the Word of God in you to separate you from the things that are trying to pull you back. This is a major key to victory!
 
Keep this in mind too—it’s not the fasting itself that brings the deliverance, but spiritual fasting leads to deliverance. Jesus has already obtained deliverance through the completed work of Redemption. The Holy Spirit who lives within you knows how to pray in order to bring the deliverance. Fasting simply brings the spirit man, which is in union with the Holy Spirit, into ascendance over the flesh. It also limits the influence of the physical appetites, so you can more effectively hear from and respond to the Holy Spirit.
 
Perhaps you have been praying for unsaved family members. You may feel that there should be
more you can do to see them come into salvation. Your fast may be undertaken as a time of special intercession and breakthrough. In this case, you are not trying to motivate God to save them. He has been trying to do that for years. You are simply making a faith connection with our Heavenly Father, giving Him the opportunity and the faith to get that job accomplished. Establish that as your reward.
 
This is also true of a proclaimed fast. Declare the purpose of the fast and that will be the reward.
 
An Important Word of Caution:
As you embark on the quest for the rewards of fasting, be sure you have met the conditions required to see results. Be sure you get rid of all strife, gossip or anything else that is out of the love walk. You must be operating in the love of God to see results from a fast. These conditions prevent Satan from coming in and destroying the effectiveness of the fast. If you are not operating in love, your fasting will not profit you.

Are you ready to receive the rewards of fasting? Fasting subdues the flesh, fasting brings revelation, and fasting leads to deliverance. Fasting unto God is worth the sacrifice!
 
Feast on The Lord today! Separate yourself from the things of the world — your rewards will be priceless!

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

21 Day VICTORY Fast | Day 19
From Pastor Brian Gibbs
January 22nd, 2021

Good morning, dear friends! Today is day nineteen as we have entered a very special time of consecration and humility and we open the door to a deeper, more intimate and more powerful relationship with our Father!

Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in the VICTORY FAST by setting aside 21 days to pray, fast and draw near to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer’s personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives than through fasting.

We pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first!

For these 21 days together, I will provide a daily biblical focus and some thoughts to encourage and strengthen you throughout the fast.

FASTING: REVELATION

DAY 19

Fasting Brings Revelation
“Then [when you have fasted] your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly.”
Isaiah 58:8 (CEB)

When you fast, “your light” (your revelation) will break through. What is the light of God? “The teaching of your word gives light…” (Psalm 119:130). In other words, when you fast, you will begin to receive illumination by the Holy Spirit from the light of His Word, because fasting brings revelation.

God will give you revelation, new insight and understanding—all of which will strengthen your faith, endurance and vision to receive from Him. Fasting helps us to tune in to the spirit realm where healing and all of our inheritance already belong to us. Spiritual fasting will shut down the influences of the five physical senses, so you can walk in the spirit. Your healing, your victory, your strength, your faith and the power of God are all in the spirit.
 
So, when you fast, you prepare your spirit to receive revelation. It may be to understand something from the Word, which you know God has been trying to reveal to you, but you haven’t been able to grasp.

Fasting brings revelation for our lives, direction, family and dreams — and these should be some of the rewards of fasting you seek.

Be sure when you are seeking the Lord for revelation about a particular situation, you aren’t seeking to influence Him to do something for you. You do not fast to impress God. Fasting doesn’t change God—it changes you!
 
When you fast, anticipate to hear from God—expect revelation from Him—a great reward. As you do this, remember that fasting is laying things aside just to be with God. You don’t always have to fast food, either. You can fast from your smartphone, media and entertainment. Some people set aside coffee, desserts, television or social media—these are wonderful things to set aside.  It is amazing how much peace comes into your life when you quit watching secular television!

If you lay these things aside every day for a week and spend that time in the Word of God instead, you will see a transformation in your life. You may even find that you create a new habit—a lifestyle of fasting—that leads to victories you never imagined possible.

As I said early in our fast together, God is not just calling us to a season of fasting — but a lifestyle of fasting and prayer. Eventually, you’ll find your desire for what you’ve fasted will subside. God really desires for us to seek Him first above all and long for Him above all else.

He wants us to enjoy life—but He wants to be first place.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33

Feast on the Lord today!

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

21 Day VICTORY Fast | Day 18
From Pastor Brian Gibbs
January 21st, 2021

Good morning, dear friends! Today is day eighteen as we have entered a very special time of consecration and humility and we open the door to a deeper, more intimate and more powerful relationship with our Father!

Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in the VICTORY FAST by setting aside 21 days to pray, fast and draw near to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer’s personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives than through fasting.

We pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you
commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first!

For these 21 days together, I will provide a daily biblical focus and some thoughts to encourage and strengthen you throughout the fast.

FASTING: MASTERY

DAY 18

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

Fasting Crushes Our Flesh
Sometimes our natural circumstances can dominate our thoughts. Everyone deals with those up-in-your-face details that you can’t seem to get past. You want to flow with the Holy Spirit, operate in faith, stand on the Word — but the facts are so blaring. The truth in God’s Word has inadvertently taken the back seat.

So, how do you get God back in the driver’s seat? You have to clear away your flesh. And frankly, that’s the real work! If we let it, our flesh will hijack our spiritual life, dominate our thinking and ultimately determine our outcome… unless we stop it.

Sometimes, increasing our prayer time and doubling up on the Word of God will take care of it. But, if you need to hear divine direction from the Lord, fasting crushes our flesh and opens our spiritual ears and perception to really receive it.

Maybe you’ve been stuck in the same place, feeling like you haven’t received a manifestation of God’s promises, or perhaps you are seeking instruction from the Lord regarding a particular situation. I believe that Biblical fasting can pave the way to hear what our Heavenly Father has been saying to you all along.

Whatever the purpose, fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food—it is the act of separating
yourself exclusively unto God. It is the deliberate pushing of everything aside—subduing the flesh—and giving Him your full attention. This allows your spirit man to dominate and your spiritual ears to be wide open.

The great South African Pastor/Teacher, Andrew Murray, explains it this way, “Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.”

We see throughout the Bible places where people needed to fast to gain spiritual insight. It wasn’t that God wasn’t talking—it’s that the circumstances had become louder than His still, small voice. When Daniel fasted from luxurious foods offered to him by the king, he had heightened spiritual insight. Before Jesus embarked on His earthly ministry, He went on a 40-day fast to subdue His flesh and strengthen the power of the Holy Spirit within Him.

Today, may your mastery over the flesh become a stronghold for His Kingdom within you. May you hear the Lord’s voice clearly, and may your union with Him grow stronger and stronger.

Feast on the Lord today!

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

21 Day VICTORY Fast | Day 17
From Pastor Brian Gibbs
January 20th, 2021

Good morning, dear friends! Today is day seventeen as we have entered a very special time of consecration and humility and we open the door to a deeper, more intimate and more powerful relationship with our Father!

Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in the VICTORY FAST by setting aside 21 days to pray, fast and draw near to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer’s personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives than through fasting.

We pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first!

For these 21 days together, I will provide a daily biblical focus and some thoughts to encourage and strengthen you throughout the fast.

FASTING: UNLEASHING POWER

DAY 17

Acts 13:2
“As they ministered unto the Lord and fasted…”

There’s a special key right here in this short portion of this scripture verse above. Part of the early church’s love language was fasting and it was combined with their worship unto the Lord. As you read the book of Acts you begin see clearly that early church recognized fasting as a secret source of obtaining spiritual power.

The activity of the Church was to be in union and submission to the Holy Spirit—an interdependent activity. Their freedom and their authority as they went forth was gained through their absolute surrender to, and obedience to the Holy Spirit.

You do not have to be a prophet to see that in our times, many are spirituality drifting and the carnal spirit of this age flourishes in so many churches—even the power and gifts of the Spirit are sadly withdrawn because of lack of honor for the Holy Spirit.

This spiritual erosion has no doubt affected the lives of the believers today. But the good news is that God’s Word declares fasting and prayer are a secret powerful force that causes the fire of God to fall freshly again in a person’s life.

This fire produces the real fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22), but especially the fruit of righteousness and spiritual power over fruitless things of life, lusts of the flesh and the lies of the enemy of our souls.
Page 4 Fasting transforms us to be mastered by Spirit of God and crush the flesh and its desires.

Years ago, I watched a video from a ministry friend of ours where he described fasting as “a tremendous lesson in establishing who is the master and who is the servant. Remember, your body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.” Isn’t that the truth! If my body was master, I’d be eating stacks of pancakes and Dairy Queen blizzards daily—not real smart. Back to real meat now—according to Galatians 5:17, the flesh, or carnal nature, always strives to be in control. But it must not be our master. Fasting is the vehicle that brings transformation over fleshly desire and make us more spiritually aware and alert to the wooing of the Holy Spirit where we can be directed and redirected to triumph.

As fasting and prayer bring surrender of body, soul, and spirit to our Lord, as I said above, it also
generates a heightened sense of awareness to the presence of the Holy Spirit, which creates a fresh, clean joy and a restored determination to serve God in purity. Simply said—fasting and prayer brings personal revival. And that’s what we all are pushing together!

Real power and revival for spiritual conquest and victory comes from the Holy Spirit as people seeking God’s face in consecrated diligent prayer with fasting.

I pray today is a mighty day of refreshing and renewal in your fast. Feast on the Lord Jesus!

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian

21 Day VICTORY Fast | Day 16
From Pastor Brian Gibbs
January 19th, 2021

Good morning, dear friends! Today is day sixteen as we have entered a very special time of consecration and humility and we open the door to a deeper, more intimate and more powerful relationship with our Father!

Bren and I are blessed that you have chosen to participate in the VICTORY FAST by setting aside 21 days to pray, fast and draw near to God. Fasting is not just an exercise for super-spiritual people. It is actually supposed to a part of every believer’s personal and private spiritual life. Personally, we have found there is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about change and discipline in every area of our lives than through fasting.

We pray that you will experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you
commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May God continue to bless you and ignite your passion for Him as you seek Him first!

For these 21 days together, I will provide a daily biblical focus and some thoughts to encourage and strengthen you throughout the fast.

FASTING: A NEW WAY

Day 16

Joshua 3:3-4
“...and they commanded the people, saying, ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Yet, there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.’”

I’ve always loved the prophetic wording in this passage, because it reveals the awe and wonder of
what is sacred and that His Presence will lead us in a new way—places we have never been before.

For the pioneers and those with the blood of exploring running through their veins —these are good words.

God loves adventures, and He invites us all to follow Him on the epic journey into Him—His heart. Along the way we discover destiny and the privilege of serving others. Fasting not only sanctifies us unto the Lord, it prepares you for what’s ahead—the things God has prepared and appointed for you. He wants a prepared man and woman walking into prepared assignments and blessings. Let me say that again, just in case you read that too quickly. He wants a prepared man and woman walking into prepared assignments and blessings. Just as the children of Israel watched the ark, He desires us to watch Him with sacred honor and follow His leading and promptings.

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

There is no distance between us and His presence, because He now dwells and abides within. We have become the ark of His glory. We are conscious and aware of His holiness, and we are consecrated and sanctified just like the children of Israel… We are set apart unto the Lord, and we are to be directed and led by His voice.

I want to encourage all of you, God is preparing you for a new way and a new adventure, and He is getting you ready for what He has prepared just ahead. Believe it. Receive it. Declare it.

Feast on the Lord today!

Make it a great day and be blessed!
Brian