An Emancipation Proclamation

**Experience from January 1, 2001**

This experience occurred on January 1, 2001. Since then, my friend mentioned in this story has been restored and is currently pursuing God. I wrote this account down shortly after it happened.

A few days before New Year's Day 2001, I was on the phone with a friend who mentioned that his wife had a prophetic word for me. She said, "Emancipation Proclamation and Abraham Lincoln." In the past, I have felt that God has given me spiritual insight through my studies of the Civil War. I believe God can speak to us through historical events that we can apply to our present circumstances.

At that time, I was studying deliverance from spiritual bondages, and I sensed that God was conveying a message to me through my friend's phone call. However, I had no idea how significant those words would become.

On January 1, 2001, I woke up to beautiful snow covering the ground, and it was destined to be an eventful day. I put on my coat, thinking a walk around the neighborhood would be nice. While walking through the snow, my thoughts turned to a friend of mine. I initially considered walking to his house, which wasn’t far away, but I decided against it. Instead, I thought it would be more enjoyable to walk the mountain trail near my home and appreciate the lovely day.

I returned to my house, grabbed my Bible, and began my walk. As I thought about my friend, I remembered that we had climbed that same mountain together a couple of years earlier, on January 1, 1998. While ascending the mountain, I searched for a stick, as I like to carry one while walking in the woods. I broke off a limb and humorously thought that it resembled the type of staff that Moses might have used. I also sensed that I might see my friend on the mountain that day.

To my surprise, there he was, walking toward me on the trail! My friend had been in a spiritual wilderness; he was a man of God who felt like a sheep without a shepherd. He remarked that the stick I was carrying looked like Moses' staff. 

Now, I’m not comparing myself to Moses! However, I believe that God has given ordinary believers the authority to pray for and proclaim freedom to those in captivity. 

We talked for a little while, and as my friend continued down the well-traveled path, I walked on alone to the top of the mountain. Once there, I began to pray and soon sensed that the Lord had led me there to speak to my heart. I felt His presence as I opened my Bible, without a particular scripture in mind. To my amazement, I read the following passage from the Old Testament:

"My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their verdant pasture, the Lord, the hope of their ancestors.' - (Jeremiah 50:6-7 NIV)"

Jeremiah Chapter 50 addresses judgment on Babylon. I believe much of the church in the West is currently in a state of Babylonian (spiritual) captivity. I read the entire chapter out loud and prayed the Beatitudes over the pastors in our county, as well as the Lord's Prayer. 

From the top of that mountain, I proclaimed the words "Emancipation Proclamation." I understand that sounds strange, but prophetic experiences often are! I believe God's heart is to set the "Bible Belt" free from a cultural Christianity that lacks a laser-like focus on genuine discipleship. I was astonished to discover later that the "Emancipation Proclamation" took effect on January 1, 1863! 

Three of my friends later reminded me that Abraham Lincoln only freed slaves in the slave-holding states. One of them, unaware of my mountain experience, randomly brought this up in a conversation shortly after.

Jesus desires to set His people free, and I believe He wants to start with the Church's leadership. 

**Update: 2026**

In recent years, we’ve witnessed the fall of high-profile leaders of large ministries and churches. Spiritual gifts and character are not always synonymous; many have ministered for years with unhealed wounds, while others are false prophets and teachers preying on the Lord’s flock. I am praying for reformation in the Church. I believe God will raise up shepherds after His own heart, and those who refuse to repent will be removed.