I want to say loud and proud that I am an advocate for girl power. I am for the church empowering women, because I know the Holy Spirit has been doing so for thousands of years.

This past weekend, I had the delightful privilege of going with my wife, kids and grandkids to see Frozen 2. Like so many movies and books today, it's about girl power.

When my granddaughter was 6, she made sure to remind me that "Girls rule, and boys drool." I'm not sure I'd put it in those exact terms, but the point that women have a right to stand in places of leadership and authority is an important one.

This coming year, we will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the ratification of the amendment giving women the right to vote. And yet, since women were granted a voice in the political arena, in many places within the church, women have nonetheless still been silenced, challenged and told repeatedly that they were not called of God.

Thankfully, many of them refused to listen, pursuing obedience to the Holy Spirit's unction to lead, even when facing oppression and persecution. Their courage and faithfulness to speak—rather than contain the fire in their bones (Jer. 20:9)—is an example for us all.

I believe this year, the Holy Spirit is going to show us what extraordinary things He can do, despite all boundaries, through yielded vessels who belong to Him. Regardless of public or popular opinion, He is going to use people of all races, male and female, young and old. Our job as the church in this season is to make ourselves ready to receive His word and show others how to listen well for His voice.

All of this comes down to the big biblical truth held in this five-word phrase: "You shall be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8b). In a court as well as the world, there is a difference between expert witnesses and eyewitnesses. There are many expert witnesses telling us what cannot be done and why, but the Holy Spirit is giving birth to eyewitnesses of God's grace. They will testify from personal experience about His desire to use every believer to be His ambassador of the kingdom of God, and when they do, mountains will move.

The Bible makes it clear that God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34–35 (NKJV) states, "Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.'"

There are so many things -isms have developed in the world, and so many of these things in their worst and darkest forms are founded because believers have failed in their duty to stand up and proclaim the power of the Holy Spirit that is promised to every human being.

It is high time we make it known that it is not by our gender or race that we are accepted by God but by our reverence to Him. When we are focused on glorifying and obeying our Lord, it won't matter who is bringing the message of the gospel, only that it is being preached.

You're beautiful. I see Jesus in you.

Have a great week!

Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the book of hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor's conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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