Jesus said, "Behold, I come quickly---; And, behold, I come quickly---; surely I come quickly---" (Rev. 22:7,12,20). I believe Jesus wanted His followers to understand that He is coming quickly. He even promised His followers in John 14:1-3, before His death and subsequent resurrection and ascension, that He would go away and prepare a place for them. And if He would go then He would return for them so that they could forever be with Him. Even the angels promised those who witnessed the ascension of Jesus that, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Throughout the New Testament and even in portions of the Old Testament we find scriptures dealing with the end times, the rapture or the gathering of the saints and the return of Jesus. Yet no one knows the day or the hour that He will return. But throughout scripture God has given us clues as to when the season of the return of Christ will be.
Many have given their predictions as to exactly when Jesus would return, and they have all been wrong. We must understand all the scriptures pertaining to Jesus' return, as well as all the predicted events of the end time occurring, before we can draw any concrete conclusions as to when the season of His return will be.
Although no man knows the day or hour of Jesus' return, the Bible makes it very clear that that day will not take the saints by surprise (I Thes. 5:1-11). God wants to equip the saints with the knowledge they need to be prepared for what is about to break loose in the earth and the heavenlies.
Some of the events that must take place during the generation that will witness the return of Jesus are Israel, the Jews, would gather to their homeland and would become a nation again. This occurred on May 15,1948. Also, the temple is to be rebuilt in Jerusalem where the sacrifices will be offered up again. It has been reported that the Sanhedrin have reformed in Israel and are currently looking for direct descendants from the tribe of Levi in order to train them as priests to do the daily sacrifices. There are also reports of them doing a worldwide search for a red heifer whose sacrifice is needed for the dedication and purification of a temple. These events are some of the events that must happen to Israel, in one generation, before Jesus' return. Another event leading up to the return of Jesus is found in II Peter 3:3, 4, that being, "in the last days there will be those, who walking in their own lust, will scoff and mockingly proclaim, 'where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'" I believe that even those within the confines of most churches are now, if not saying this are at least, believing it. This is easily substantiated by simply observing the lifestyles of the average church attendee today. Do their lifestyles reflect holiness and righteousness? Are they more earthly focused than eternally focused? Do they bear a burden for the lost? Do they make the effort to clothe the naked and feed the hungry? If the answer is no to these questions, then sadly we must say, we are not looking for or hastening the coming of the Lord.
Another sign or event to be fulfilled before Jesus returns is the characteristics and lifestyles of the people toward the end of the history of mankind. The Modern Language Bible states it this way, "But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, avaricious, boasters, haughty, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreverent, without natural affection, relentless, slanderers, uncontrolled, brutal, with no love for the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. While retaining a form of piety, they are strangers to its power." (II Tim.3:1-5). I believe we all would agree that these scriptures are definitely being fulfilled worldwide.
If there was ever evidence of end-time scriptures being fulfilled, it is the fulfillment of II Tim. 4:3, 4 that is taking place today. Paul warns us here, "For there is going to come a time when people won't listen to the truth, but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won't listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas." (TLB). Many of our mega churches today are evidence of people going where their ears are being tickled or hearing the things that make them feel good about themselves. People do not want to hear anyone pointing out sins that they may be comfortably living in. And God forbid if a minister would call them to repentance. Instead our churches must be people friendly and, by all means, nothing should ever be said that may cause embarrassment or discomfort to the attendees. Everyone, regardless of their lifestyles, are to be made to feel welcomed, received, blessed and saved because after all they are in "our" church. I stand amazed at the arrogance of people today. Even when I quote nothing but scriptures, they still disagree with what I say when pointing out their shortcomings. They are determined to follow their own misguided ideas. It's as though everyone has their own plan of salvation all worked out and no one can tell them that they are wrong.
Then there are the signs spoken by Jesus recorded in Matthew twenty-four. He says in the end times there shall be wars and rumors of wars(v.6); famine, pestilences and earthquakes(v.7); christians will be hated(v.9); we shall betray one another and hate one another(v.10); false teachers and preachers shall arise(v.11); and sin will abound, lawlessness will prevail and the love of many will wax cold(v.12). I would dare say that each of these signs are prevalent in our world today.
II Thes. 2:3 tells us that before Jesus comes back there must first be a great falling away from the faith and the anti-Christ must be revealed . The falling away has and is occurring and it will be magnified during the Great Tribulation. And the anti-Christ will not be revealed until the mid-point of the Tribulation.
All of these things must occur before Jesus returns. Are we close? I say definitely, factually and scripturally--YES! We shall look at these signs and events more in depth as we look at the end time scriptures further to prove that we are in the last of the last days. But for now I must reiterate that no man knows the day or the hour of our Lord's return, but the body of Christ shall know the season of His return. We are not the children of darkness, so the day of His return will not surprise us like a thief in the night. God is increasing revelation knowledge about the end times as never before in order to prepare His people to be able to persevere to the end. Even Jesus told us in Matthew twenty-four to observe the fig tree. He stated that just as we can tell by the tenderness of the branches and the budding of leaves that summer is near, so it will be before He returns. We will know the season by the signs and events foretold in scripture.
Daniel tells us that in the last days, during the Great Tribulation, "---that the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many." (Dan.11:32, 33). The true church, those who understand the seasons, signs, events and scriptures dealing with the end times, will be strong and will be able to instruct the masses as to what is occurring in the world around them. I believe this wisdom of the end-time events along with the exploits of the believers is what will cause many to believe upon Jesus Christ as the Messiah, a great harvest of souls as it were.
So we must be wise pertaining to the end times. This wisdom will be brought about by increased knowledge (Dan.12:4) from God. The world will be asking questions about the events occurring in the world and the church will have the answers. Nothing will take us by surprise. We must realize that the words of John in Rev. 1:3, "---for the time is near," is upon this generation and we must make ready for "the Bridegroom cometh."(Matt. 25:6)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Why doesn't God use me?
Have you ever asked yourself the question,"Why doesn't God use me?" Do you feel that you are destined to be used of God? If so, why aren't you being used? I admonish you to ask yourself another question, "Is there anything in my life that is defiling me?" I was asking God why He isn't using me on the level that He called me to and I heard that voice within tell me that I was defiled. It was as if God spoke into my heart,"I cannot use you until that which defiles you is removed." To say the least this surprised me. I thought everything between me and God was right on. His Holy Spirit then began to reveal to me the things that are defiling me. Needless to say I had some serious repenting to do which lead to a sense of freedom that I have not felt for a long time. In fact God has been using me since this prayer time to speak into other people's lives and to minister to people at a new level.
If you have been called to minister at any level, from cleaning the church, to counseling, to teaching, to preaching to thousands, and yet it seems that you simply can not obtain the call on your life, you may be defiled; if so rest assured,"...Your sin will find you out."(Num.32:23) Jesus put it this way,"For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."(Luke 8:17) Our secrets, our defilements, will be made known. Over the last few decades God has been using the media and other means to expose the defilement in the pulpits of America. Judgement has begun in the house of God.(I Peter 4:17)
I know that we are in the last of the last days. The true believers will be blamed for most of the world's problems and will be treated as criminals. As such we will be under constant surveillance. What we watch on T.V. is already being monitored to rate shows. Our computer use is monitored. This is how they catch child porn users. If we have any defilements it will be made known to discredit us. In this,the end times, God is looking for a people who are seeking Him, His kingdom, His righteousness; not defiling themselves; pure and holy; above reproach. God will no longer entrust His ministry to those who are defiled. He is ready for harvest! The defiled can not be used for harvest because the "whosoever will" that God wants to save are looking for the Truth--Jesus. The Jesus that changes lives. If we are defiled, they will not see the Jesus they need. Our defilements destroy our ministry, our testimony, and the witness we had to the "whosoever will" who has been listening to and watching us.
As God was revealing my defilements, He showed me just how we get defiled. He gave me Psalm 101:2-4. He had me focus on verse three, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes." David, a man after God's heart, set before his eyes a young woman bathing; he began to lust for her which led to adultry, murder and the death of a child. Samson set before his eyes Delilah and lost his ability to be used of God. Herod set before his eyes the daughter of Herodias and it caused him to behead John the Baptist. Just what do we set before our eyes that defiles us? God showed me four areas that Satan uses to defile us thus rendering us unsuitable for God's use.
The first of these is television. What do we watch in the hidden place of our homes? If we watch programs that show violence, this defiles us. We may have outbursts of anger. We may develop a get-even mentality. If we set before us programs that use profanity, this defiles us. In the heat of the moment we too may use profanity because our minds have absorbed this and it will express itself through us. This destroys our witness to the "whosoever will." If we set before us programs containing sex and seduction, this defiles us. This produces lust, an improper attitude toward sex, a means to manipulate the opposite sex, an attitude that says our spouses do not measure up; and it encourages multiple partners. Remember our T.V. program selection is being monitored and can be used to expose our sins that will destroy our witness.
The second means that Satan uses to defile us is our misuse of our computers. What do we click on? Porn? This defiles us. Our computer activity is also monitored. If we are viewing anything that defiles it will be revealed.
The third thing used by Satan to defile us are movies. What movies do we set before us that defiles us? It ceases to amaze me how professing christians can come up with so many lame reasons that it is okay to go to movies that show nudity, sex, violence and use profanity, especially God's name in vain, while all along they are being desensitized to accept the world's ways. They pay big bucks to Hollywood so they can keep on producing more defilement. Most will say ,"I am free to do whatever as long as it does not convict me." For those of this ill-informed mindset may I suggest that you read I Cor.8:3-13. This pertains to more than our eating meats, it applies to every aspect of our lives. "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak."(vs.9) Remember we are being watched by non-believers, new converts (the weak), christians (who will lose confidence in our ability to lead), and Big Brother who will use everything they can to destroy our witness.
The fourth, but I'm sure not the last, thing that Satan sets before us that defiles us is our thoughts. What do we meditate on? If our thoughts are not pure, then they will defile us. If we are envious, jealous, covetous, lusting, etc. in our minds --we are defiled.
"To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure: But even their mind and conscience are DEFILED, they profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and DISQUALIFIED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK."(Titus 1:15,16)When we set wicked things before our eyes, we become defiled and disqualified to be used by God. The Message Bible states,"They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words." What are your actions (your language,what you watch on T.V., movies and on the computer) saying to those around you and more importantly to God?
We are the end-time church. We will suffer persecution. We will be followed and monitored. God is looking for laborers for the harvest. But He cannot and will not use the defiled. Are you still asking,"Why doesn't God use me?" Are you called out, gifted, talented, annointed, destined, yet there you sit? Be sure of this, "your sin will find you out," "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." The very reason that you may not be where God wants to use you may be because you are defiling yourself, rendering yourself unusable.You may think that it is all hidden thus not hurting anyone but God sees and He will expose the defilements for all to see. Nothing in secret will stay hidden.
What can you do to make yourself usable? Start by repenting for allowing the enemy of your soul to set before you that which is considered wicked in God's sight.Pray Psalm 139:23,24, and be sincere. Then follow Paul's advice in Romans 12:1,2, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Make up your mind that you "will set nothing wicked before my (your) eyes."
If you have been called to minister at any level, from cleaning the church, to counseling, to teaching, to preaching to thousands, and yet it seems that you simply can not obtain the call on your life, you may be defiled; if so rest assured,"...Your sin will find you out."(Num.32:23) Jesus put it this way,"For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."(Luke 8:17) Our secrets, our defilements, will be made known. Over the last few decades God has been using the media and other means to expose the defilement in the pulpits of America. Judgement has begun in the house of God.(I Peter 4:17)
I know that we are in the last of the last days. The true believers will be blamed for most of the world's problems and will be treated as criminals. As such we will be under constant surveillance. What we watch on T.V. is already being monitored to rate shows. Our computer use is monitored. This is how they catch child porn users. If we have any defilements it will be made known to discredit us. In this,the end times, God is looking for a people who are seeking Him, His kingdom, His righteousness; not defiling themselves; pure and holy; above reproach. God will no longer entrust His ministry to those who are defiled. He is ready for harvest! The defiled can not be used for harvest because the "whosoever will" that God wants to save are looking for the Truth--Jesus. The Jesus that changes lives. If we are defiled, they will not see the Jesus they need. Our defilements destroy our ministry, our testimony, and the witness we had to the "whosoever will" who has been listening to and watching us.
As God was revealing my defilements, He showed me just how we get defiled. He gave me Psalm 101:2-4. He had me focus on verse three, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes." David, a man after God's heart, set before his eyes a young woman bathing; he began to lust for her which led to adultry, murder and the death of a child. Samson set before his eyes Delilah and lost his ability to be used of God. Herod set before his eyes the daughter of Herodias and it caused him to behead John the Baptist. Just what do we set before our eyes that defiles us? God showed me four areas that Satan uses to defile us thus rendering us unsuitable for God's use.
The first of these is television. What do we watch in the hidden place of our homes? If we watch programs that show violence, this defiles us. We may have outbursts of anger. We may develop a get-even mentality. If we set before us programs that use profanity, this defiles us. In the heat of the moment we too may use profanity because our minds have absorbed this and it will express itself through us. This destroys our witness to the "whosoever will." If we set before us programs containing sex and seduction, this defiles us. This produces lust, an improper attitude toward sex, a means to manipulate the opposite sex, an attitude that says our spouses do not measure up; and it encourages multiple partners. Remember our T.V. program selection is being monitored and can be used to expose our sins that will destroy our witness.
The second means that Satan uses to defile us is our misuse of our computers. What do we click on? Porn? This defiles us. Our computer activity is also monitored. If we are viewing anything that defiles it will be revealed.
The third thing used by Satan to defile us are movies. What movies do we set before us that defiles us? It ceases to amaze me how professing christians can come up with so many lame reasons that it is okay to go to movies that show nudity, sex, violence and use profanity, especially God's name in vain, while all along they are being desensitized to accept the world's ways. They pay big bucks to Hollywood so they can keep on producing more defilement. Most will say ,"I am free to do whatever as long as it does not convict me." For those of this ill-informed mindset may I suggest that you read I Cor.8:3-13. This pertains to more than our eating meats, it applies to every aspect of our lives. "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak."(vs.9) Remember we are being watched by non-believers, new converts (the weak), christians (who will lose confidence in our ability to lead), and Big Brother who will use everything they can to destroy our witness.
The fourth, but I'm sure not the last, thing that Satan sets before us that defiles us is our thoughts. What do we meditate on? If our thoughts are not pure, then they will defile us. If we are envious, jealous, covetous, lusting, etc. in our minds --we are defiled.
"To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure: But even their mind and conscience are DEFILED, they profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and DISQUALIFIED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK."(Titus 1:15,16)When we set wicked things before our eyes, we become defiled and disqualified to be used by God. The Message Bible states,"They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words." What are your actions (your language,what you watch on T.V., movies and on the computer) saying to those around you and more importantly to God?
We are the end-time church. We will suffer persecution. We will be followed and monitored. God is looking for laborers for the harvest. But He cannot and will not use the defiled. Are you still asking,"Why doesn't God use me?" Are you called out, gifted, talented, annointed, destined, yet there you sit? Be sure of this, "your sin will find you out," "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." The very reason that you may not be where God wants to use you may be because you are defiling yourself, rendering yourself unusable.You may think that it is all hidden thus not hurting anyone but God sees and He will expose the defilements for all to see. Nothing in secret will stay hidden.
What can you do to make yourself usable? Start by repenting for allowing the enemy of your soul to set before you that which is considered wicked in God's sight.Pray Psalm 139:23,24, and be sincere. Then follow Paul's advice in Romans 12:1,2, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Make up your mind that you "will set nothing wicked before my (your) eyes."
Friday, May 7, 2010
Women Are Awesome
In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to deviate from our endtime focus and share with you an excerpt about women from my book,"Nothing But The Blood--How Christ's Passion Reversd the Curses of Sin."
When God decided to create a helpmate for man, Adam, He did not form her from the dust of the ground as He had done in creating man. He brought her forth from something already created and living, man. When God created Adam, man, He created him both male and female. “So God Created man (singular) in his own image, in the image of God created he him; (singular) male and female created he them. (plural)” (Gen. 1:27, emphasis added) “Male and female created he them; (plural) and blessed them, (plural) and called their (plural) name Adam, (singular, man) in the day when they (plural) were created.” (Gen. 5:2, emphasis added) Eve was already created in Adam; she just had not been “birthed” yet. God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and He then performed a cesarean section on him and woman, Eve, was “birthed.” (Gen. 2:21-25) From the side of the first Adam God “birthed” woman and brought into being that which would allow Him to have a people that He could have a Father-child relationship with.
When Adam “birthed” Eve she was to be a helpmate to him. Just what is a “helpmate” or “helpmeet?” Its definition is simply a helper or partner. But help to do what or partner to what? Man was destined by God to “…be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:…” (Gen. 1:28) In order for man to multiply he needed a partner, a helper. This was one task he could not do alone, thus came Eve “…the mother of all living…” (Gen. 3:20), to make him complete for the task of multiplying and filling the earth. But man was also to have dominion “…over every living thing that moveth upon the earth…” (Gen. 1:28, emphasis added). Man was to take the lead in all things, especially in maintaining the Father-child relationship with Jehovah.
Man was created to follow God. He was to be the spiritual leader of the family, the high priest of his home. He brings strength, security, supply and spiritual relationship to the family. His helpmate brings emotion, balance and guidance to the family. Women have the most important and privileged position on earth. They are “helpmates.” How many of you know that woman can make man do just about anything. Ask Sampson about his Delilah or King Ahab about his Jezebel or John the Baptist about the daughter of Herodias. Though man has dominion, woman can so easily conquer him. God has given woman this ability to guide man. She can either use it for good or for evil. She is the rudder on the ship called man. She can steer him toward a Father-child relationship with Jehovah or she can steer him away from God for her own selfish desires. The old quote “Behind every successful man is a good woman,” is oh so true. Who do most young boys turn to when they have a question about life – mom. Why? Because she guides, encourages and steers him toward high and lofty goals.
So a helpmate is one who steers her husband and family towards God. She encourages them to be in such a close relationship with God that He can use them for what He purposed for their lives before the foundation of the earth. A godly woman can be so mightily used of God to mold godly character, to instruct, to guide, to encourage her mate to reach all his potential for God. When a woman is in her rightful place of helpmate, she will receive a mate who will love her “as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Eph. 5:25) When a man is in a right relationship with God, his wife receives a husband who will lay down his life, his self will and desires in order to show her the Father’s unconditional love. She has a mate that she can trust and know that he will always be faithful to her because of his love for God. This meets the most common needs of a woman; i.e., security, a feeling of safety, confidence in who she is and in her relationship with her husband. When a wife is supporting and encouraging (not nagging) her husband in his walk with God, their life together will be long, loving, peaceful and will produce a family after God’s heart.
This was God’s intention for woman, not a subservient position, but a partnership to make one complete person following God’s plan for their lives. A husband and wife in love with and flowing in their godly roles will cause the devils to tremble. When mom and dad are in unity, there will be unity in the home. This is one of the worst enemies Satan has – a unified body of believers. This is why Satan has attacked women so violently. He wants them independent, have no need of man, use their God-given powers to manipulate man towards evil. If you don’t believe this, all you have to do is watch anything on television and you’ll see the appeal to one of man’s strongest appetites – sex. Satan is devouring our men, including our ministers and other Christian leaders, through the manipulating power of a sensual woman. It’s time for men to rise up and become the warriors God intended them to be. They should fight for their wives, not fight with them. Men should be so in love with God and His word that there is no weapon that the enemy can form against him that will prosper.
God had originally planned for man and woman to be one in every area of life, especially in their Father-child relationship with Jehovah. Eve was to help Adam be all that God wanted him to be. Together they were to be fruitful and multiply. They were to subdue the earth and have dominion over it. They were to fill the earth with their seed being in relationship with Jehovah. But the first Adam failed when his helpmate steered him in the wrong direction, that being disobedience to the Father.
But now we have the second Adam, Jesus, who has finished the blood sacrifice making a way for a new, pure, helpmate to be “birthed.” One made in the image of God Jehovah -- pure, holy, glorious without spot or wrinkle or blemish or any such thing. One who would be a helpmate to her mate the second Adam, Jesus. One who would be fruitful and multiply His seed and replenish the earth with His offspring. Jesus had a cesarean section and the womb of His heart opened up and spilled out the birth fluids of blood and water and He “birthed” a bride, a church. One that was just like Himself, bone of His bones, flesh of His flesh, spirit of His Spirit, one unified body born perfect. One can see this in Ephesians 5:25-27.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Emphasis added) Here Paul commands the husbands to love their wives, just as Jesus loves His wife, His bride, the church. He died to give birth to her. He sanctified her, set her apart to be His, to bring forth His seed, to fill the earth with His children. He keeps her holy, pure and clean, undefiled by this sinful world by His living word and Spirit so that when the Bridegroom comes to receive His bride, the church, she will be glorious, without spot, or wrinkle or any such thing, holy without blemish.
He did not birth a harlot. One who goes whoring after her lovers of worldliness. One who would be an adulteress and cheat on him. One who would only love Him when she can see Him. One who would only love Him for His wealth. One who would love Him only in the good times. One who would love Him only for the goose bumps He makes her feel at times. One who would love Him only for His gifts or abilities to do miracles. One Who Loves Him Period! No Questions Asked! Unconditionally! His Forever No Matter What!!!
His blood sacrifice made the way for her birth, and He sealed her with the water of the Holy Spirit. “…after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."” (Eph. 1:13) He put His engagement ring of the Holy Spirit on her, His mark of ownership. Is it any wonder that the church is admonished to “…be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18b) It’s His seal of ownership. We belong to a Holy King. He has gone to prepare a place for us; and He is coming back for His beautiful, holy, pure, undefiled, unblemished and spot-free bride to take her to the place He has prepared. There to ever be with her Holy Husband. (John 14:1-3) By Him giving the Holy Spirit is proof that the atonement for sin was complete, that a bride had been “birthed,” and that He is coming back for her soon.
I want to wish all of our mothers a very happy and blessed Mothers Day!! Remember, you have the great task of keeping us men on a highway called holy. WOMEN--YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!
When God decided to create a helpmate for man, Adam, He did not form her from the dust of the ground as He had done in creating man. He brought her forth from something already created and living, man. When God created Adam, man, He created him both male and female. “So God Created man (singular) in his own image, in the image of God created he him; (singular) male and female created he them. (plural)” (Gen. 1:27, emphasis added) “Male and female created he them; (plural) and blessed them, (plural) and called their (plural) name Adam, (singular, man) in the day when they (plural) were created.” (Gen. 5:2, emphasis added) Eve was already created in Adam; she just had not been “birthed” yet. God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and He then performed a cesarean section on him and woman, Eve, was “birthed.” (Gen. 2:21-25) From the side of the first Adam God “birthed” woman and brought into being that which would allow Him to have a people that He could have a Father-child relationship with.
When Adam “birthed” Eve she was to be a helpmate to him. Just what is a “helpmate” or “helpmeet?” Its definition is simply a helper or partner. But help to do what or partner to what? Man was destined by God to “…be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:…” (Gen. 1:28) In order for man to multiply he needed a partner, a helper. This was one task he could not do alone, thus came Eve “…the mother of all living…” (Gen. 3:20), to make him complete for the task of multiplying and filling the earth. But man was also to have dominion “…over every living thing that moveth upon the earth…” (Gen. 1:28, emphasis added). Man was to take the lead in all things, especially in maintaining the Father-child relationship with Jehovah.
Man was created to follow God. He was to be the spiritual leader of the family, the high priest of his home. He brings strength, security, supply and spiritual relationship to the family. His helpmate brings emotion, balance and guidance to the family. Women have the most important and privileged position on earth. They are “helpmates.” How many of you know that woman can make man do just about anything. Ask Sampson about his Delilah or King Ahab about his Jezebel or John the Baptist about the daughter of Herodias. Though man has dominion, woman can so easily conquer him. God has given woman this ability to guide man. She can either use it for good or for evil. She is the rudder on the ship called man. She can steer him toward a Father-child relationship with Jehovah or she can steer him away from God for her own selfish desires. The old quote “Behind every successful man is a good woman,” is oh so true. Who do most young boys turn to when they have a question about life – mom. Why? Because she guides, encourages and steers him toward high and lofty goals.
So a helpmate is one who steers her husband and family towards God. She encourages them to be in such a close relationship with God that He can use them for what He purposed for their lives before the foundation of the earth. A godly woman can be so mightily used of God to mold godly character, to instruct, to guide, to encourage her mate to reach all his potential for God. When a woman is in her rightful place of helpmate, she will receive a mate who will love her “as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Eph. 5:25) When a man is in a right relationship with God, his wife receives a husband who will lay down his life, his self will and desires in order to show her the Father’s unconditional love. She has a mate that she can trust and know that he will always be faithful to her because of his love for God. This meets the most common needs of a woman; i.e., security, a feeling of safety, confidence in who she is and in her relationship with her husband. When a wife is supporting and encouraging (not nagging) her husband in his walk with God, their life together will be long, loving, peaceful and will produce a family after God’s heart.
This was God’s intention for woman, not a subservient position, but a partnership to make one complete person following God’s plan for their lives. A husband and wife in love with and flowing in their godly roles will cause the devils to tremble. When mom and dad are in unity, there will be unity in the home. This is one of the worst enemies Satan has – a unified body of believers. This is why Satan has attacked women so violently. He wants them independent, have no need of man, use their God-given powers to manipulate man towards evil. If you don’t believe this, all you have to do is watch anything on television and you’ll see the appeal to one of man’s strongest appetites – sex. Satan is devouring our men, including our ministers and other Christian leaders, through the manipulating power of a sensual woman. It’s time for men to rise up and become the warriors God intended them to be. They should fight for their wives, not fight with them. Men should be so in love with God and His word that there is no weapon that the enemy can form against him that will prosper.
God had originally planned for man and woman to be one in every area of life, especially in their Father-child relationship with Jehovah. Eve was to help Adam be all that God wanted him to be. Together they were to be fruitful and multiply. They were to subdue the earth and have dominion over it. They were to fill the earth with their seed being in relationship with Jehovah. But the first Adam failed when his helpmate steered him in the wrong direction, that being disobedience to the Father.
But now we have the second Adam, Jesus, who has finished the blood sacrifice making a way for a new, pure, helpmate to be “birthed.” One made in the image of God Jehovah -- pure, holy, glorious without spot or wrinkle or blemish or any such thing. One who would be a helpmate to her mate the second Adam, Jesus. One who would be fruitful and multiply His seed and replenish the earth with His offspring. Jesus had a cesarean section and the womb of His heart opened up and spilled out the birth fluids of blood and water and He “birthed” a bride, a church. One that was just like Himself, bone of His bones, flesh of His flesh, spirit of His Spirit, one unified body born perfect. One can see this in Ephesians 5:25-27.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Emphasis added) Here Paul commands the husbands to love their wives, just as Jesus loves His wife, His bride, the church. He died to give birth to her. He sanctified her, set her apart to be His, to bring forth His seed, to fill the earth with His children. He keeps her holy, pure and clean, undefiled by this sinful world by His living word and Spirit so that when the Bridegroom comes to receive His bride, the church, she will be glorious, without spot, or wrinkle or any such thing, holy without blemish.
He did not birth a harlot. One who goes whoring after her lovers of worldliness. One who would be an adulteress and cheat on him. One who would only love Him when she can see Him. One who would only love Him for His wealth. One who would love Him only in the good times. One who would love Him only for the goose bumps He makes her feel at times. One who would love Him only for His gifts or abilities to do miracles. One Who Loves Him Period! No Questions Asked! Unconditionally! His Forever No Matter What!!!
His blood sacrifice made the way for her birth, and He sealed her with the water of the Holy Spirit. “…after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."” (Eph. 1:13) He put His engagement ring of the Holy Spirit on her, His mark of ownership. Is it any wonder that the church is admonished to “…be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18b) It’s His seal of ownership. We belong to a Holy King. He has gone to prepare a place for us; and He is coming back for His beautiful, holy, pure, undefiled, unblemished and spot-free bride to take her to the place He has prepared. There to ever be with her Holy Husband. (John 14:1-3) By Him giving the Holy Spirit is proof that the atonement for sin was complete, that a bride had been “birthed,” and that He is coming back for her soon.
I want to wish all of our mothers a very happy and blessed Mothers Day!! Remember, you have the great task of keeping us men on a highway called holy. WOMEN--YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Are we in the last days?
Are we in the last days? As Jesus hung on the cross and cried out, "It is finished," the prophetic clock to the return of Christ began to tick. All things needed for the salvation, peace and hope of man was fulfilled. With nothing else needed, the last days could begin. We have been in he last days ever since Jesus said, "It is finished," and the prophecies dealing with the end times have been fulfilling themselves as though on a time table. God is counting down to the end and only He knows the day and hour of that return. He is escalating the fulfillment of these end-time events and prophetic utterances; thus, we are now in what I call the last of the last days.
Even the secular world believes that the world is coming to an end. It's no secret that the world seems to be running out of natural resources. The weather patterns have gone so awry that the meteorologists have no explanation of the erratic weather events. Of course some are crying that man made global warming is to blame, although this can not be scientifically substantiated. We are seeing the increase of floods, drought, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, wild fires, as well as other natural disasters. Thousands are starving to death daily. There are wars and rumors of war. Terrorism and violence are increasing. Lawlessness abounds. Economies are in jeopardy of total collapse. The political arena has gone morally and ethically bankrupt. All the evidence seems to point to the fact that something catastrophic is about to happen.
With all the signs of the times pointing to the end of the history of mankind, what should the church be doing? The church should be studying to show itself approved, able to give an account of what it believes. We should be able to point at the news events and say, "This is that which the prophets foretold." The church has been lulled to sleep concerning the end times with the arousing words of some preachers insuring the believers that they do not have to be concerned about the last days because the church will be raptured before the going really gets rough or, to say, before the Great Tribulation begins. As a result of this traditional, yet erroneous teaching, the church will be ill-equipped to face the end times with faith, power and confidence. The church needs to respond to the end-time events occurring around the world by equipping the saints to not only be ready for the tribulation, but also be ready to stand as pillars of strength proclaiming the Word of God. The saints need to be equipped for the great harvest that will come at the end of the age. As long as believers have an escapist mindset they will not be about the Father's business, winning the lost.
In the weeks ahead we shall not only prove that pre-trib and mid-trib theologies are not scriptural, but we shall also endeavor to equip the saints with the tools needed to be ready for the Great Tribulation and for the great harvest of souls. The world is going to be looking for solutions to all of the chaos that engulfs them and the church will have the answers. This can only be done when we become equipped with biblical truth and the unction of the Holy Ghost.
This is the purpose of this blog, equipping the saints. This will be done by bringing clarity and understanding to the scriptures pertaining to the end times. I hope to bring you, the reader, to the fresh revelation of the times in which we live that we may better comprehend the events that surround us. As you follow this blog pray for an open mind and for understanding. If you disagree make sure it is done with scripture and not by personal biases developed through the religions and traditions of man. The material that I will be sharing in this blog on the end times has come from years of study and prayer, and its time is now.
May God enhance your understanding and add wisdom to you as you received this revelation knowledge.
Even the secular world believes that the world is coming to an end. It's no secret that the world seems to be running out of natural resources. The weather patterns have gone so awry that the meteorologists have no explanation of the erratic weather events. Of course some are crying that man made global warming is to blame, although this can not be scientifically substantiated. We are seeing the increase of floods, drought, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, wild fires, as well as other natural disasters. Thousands are starving to death daily. There are wars and rumors of war. Terrorism and violence are increasing. Lawlessness abounds. Economies are in jeopardy of total collapse. The political arena has gone morally and ethically bankrupt. All the evidence seems to point to the fact that something catastrophic is about to happen.
With all the signs of the times pointing to the end of the history of mankind, what should the church be doing? The church should be studying to show itself approved, able to give an account of what it believes. We should be able to point at the news events and say, "This is that which the prophets foretold." The church has been lulled to sleep concerning the end times with the arousing words of some preachers insuring the believers that they do not have to be concerned about the last days because the church will be raptured before the going really gets rough or, to say, before the Great Tribulation begins. As a result of this traditional, yet erroneous teaching, the church will be ill-equipped to face the end times with faith, power and confidence. The church needs to respond to the end-time events occurring around the world by equipping the saints to not only be ready for the tribulation, but also be ready to stand as pillars of strength proclaiming the Word of God. The saints need to be equipped for the great harvest that will come at the end of the age. As long as believers have an escapist mindset they will not be about the Father's business, winning the lost.
In the weeks ahead we shall not only prove that pre-trib and mid-trib theologies are not scriptural, but we shall also endeavor to equip the saints with the tools needed to be ready for the Great Tribulation and for the great harvest of souls. The world is going to be looking for solutions to all of the chaos that engulfs them and the church will have the answers. This can only be done when we become equipped with biblical truth and the unction of the Holy Ghost.
This is the purpose of this blog, equipping the saints. This will be done by bringing clarity and understanding to the scriptures pertaining to the end times. I hope to bring you, the reader, to the fresh revelation of the times in which we live that we may better comprehend the events that surround us. As you follow this blog pray for an open mind and for understanding. If you disagree make sure it is done with scripture and not by personal biases developed through the religions and traditions of man. The material that I will be sharing in this blog on the end times has come from years of study and prayer, and its time is now.
May God enhance your understanding and add wisdom to you as you received this revelation knowledge.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Want to see a miracle
What will the end time church look like? I believe it will mirror the first century church. It will be "strong and doing great exploits" (Dan.11:32). Signs, miracles and wonders will be the norm. Which begs the question, where are the signs, miracles and wonders at in today's church? God gave me a dream on March 13,2002, that brought to me great insight as to why we rarely see signs, miracles and wonders in the modern-day church. The dream has been shared with many people in church settings and has been received with a very positive response.
In the dream I was coming out of a church with my family. As we were coming out we saw the pastor (who looked like Oral Roberts, although it wasn't him), on his knees in some mud beside a church bus; even his suit was soiled with the mud, and he was crying very loudly. I went to him and asked what was burdening him so badly. All he could say was "where are the signs, miracles and wonders?" I replied to him, we no longer see them because of: 1)a lack of faith; 2)a lack of a spirit of anticipation; and 3)sin in the camp. Then God gave me Duet.23:14. The pastor looked like Oral Roberts although it was not him. Then I awoke and received the interpretation.
Why is it in the New Testament we read about the lame walking; the dumb speaking; the deaf hearing; the dead rising up to life; and many other miracles, yet today we see very little of this in the church? Where is it to be found in scripture that God was going to remove signs, miracles and wonders from His people? Nowhere!!
The first reason for our not seeing signs, miracles and wonders is our lack of faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God." For example, when we get sick, what do we generally do? We take medicine. If it is bad enough we go to the doctor. If it is a sickness unto death, we pray. We then will go to the elders of the church and ask to be anointed and prayed for that we may receive a miracle healing. What's wrong with this picture? Its all done backwards. If we are a people of faith why did we not go to God first? This should be the normal response of a person of faith, we trust God first. If we desire to see signs, miracles and wonders we must increase our faith.
The second reason that we no longer see signs, miracles and wonders is our lack of a spirit of anticipation. Do we come to church expecting to see God show up? Judging by the fact that so many come to church late and desire to be seated in the rear of the sanctuary and dressed like they are going to a picnic instead of anticipating a King to show up,I would say we aren't expecting to see anything out of the ordinary. If we were anticipating God showing up to do great things among us, we would be sure to arrive plenty early to secure a front row seat so we would not miss seeing a sign, miracle or wonder or whatever God would choose to do. I remember attending World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio, with my family back in the late 1980's. We arrived about an hour early for the morning service and we still had to sit in the very back of the church. After the service we asked an usher how early we should arrive for the evening service in order to secure a good seat. He told us to be sure to be in line by 3PM. The doors did not open until 5PM with the service starting at 6PM. We arrived at 3PM and there were already a few hundred people in line . These people were anticipating a holy visitation and they did not want to miss it.I wonder how we would worship and praise God in our church services if we were expecting a holy visitation? If you want to see signs, miracles and wonders in your church, as well as in your life, start having a spirit of anticipation.
The third reason that we do not see signs, miracles and wonders is there is sin in the camp. Duet.23:14 states, "For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your CAMP, to DELIVER (signs,miracles,wonders) you and give your enemies over to you; therefore, your CAMP shall be HOLY, that He may see no unclean thing among you,and turn away from you." Nowhere in scripture do we read that we are to bring sinners into the church. In fact the bible tells us just the opposite. But the bible does say that we are to GO into the highways and byways, into every nation, to the sinners and present them with the gospel. The church should be the last place that we should find the unsaved. The very presence of God would cause them to come under conviction to the point that they would either have to repent and get saved or run out of His presences. Maybe sinners are comfortable in our churches because there is no Holy Spirit present. It seems that the church today goes out of its way to make sinners comfortable in our services. We use the world's music so they will feel comfortable with a music they are used to. We avoided using words like sin, hell, judgement,etc. We will avoid naming sins. We would not even thing of calling people to an open altar (we don't want to embarrass anyone). We pray their pray for salvation for them, then tell them that they are saved and loved. They leave without repentance and confession with no change in their life, deceived with a false hope of salvation.
The Holy Spirit will not co-habitate with sin. If we want to see signs, miracles and wonders we will have to have faith, have a spirit of anticipation and get rid of the sin in our lives.
The bus in the dream represents our programs used to attract people to our churches. Just as the buses are used to bring people to our churches, so our programs are designed to do the same. Many times we use our programs in place of the presence of God because He departed or isn't made to feel welcome.
The pastor looked like Oral Roberts meant that this was a pastor who had known what it was like to experience signs, miracles and wonders. The mud represents the sin that the church was sitting in. The fact that his suit was soiled with mud indicated that he himself had sin in his life, thus quenching the move the Holy Spirit in his life and the church.
The end time church will be flowing in signs, miracles and wonders, doing great exploits. But first God will have to clean His house, and He has started!
Do you need a miracle? Do you want to witness them in your church? You must have faith! You must develop a spirit of anticipation! And most importantly, you must get the sin out of your life and your churches.
In the dream I was coming out of a church with my family. As we were coming out we saw the pastor (who looked like Oral Roberts, although it wasn't him), on his knees in some mud beside a church bus; even his suit was soiled with the mud, and he was crying very loudly. I went to him and asked what was burdening him so badly. All he could say was "where are the signs, miracles and wonders?" I replied to him, we no longer see them because of: 1)a lack of faith; 2)a lack of a spirit of anticipation; and 3)sin in the camp. Then God gave me Duet.23:14. The pastor looked like Oral Roberts although it was not him. Then I awoke and received the interpretation.
Why is it in the New Testament we read about the lame walking; the dumb speaking; the deaf hearing; the dead rising up to life; and many other miracles, yet today we see very little of this in the church? Where is it to be found in scripture that God was going to remove signs, miracles and wonders from His people? Nowhere!!
The first reason for our not seeing signs, miracles and wonders is our lack of faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God." For example, when we get sick, what do we generally do? We take medicine. If it is bad enough we go to the doctor. If it is a sickness unto death, we pray. We then will go to the elders of the church and ask to be anointed and prayed for that we may receive a miracle healing. What's wrong with this picture? Its all done backwards. If we are a people of faith why did we not go to God first? This should be the normal response of a person of faith, we trust God first. If we desire to see signs, miracles and wonders we must increase our faith.
The second reason that we no longer see signs, miracles and wonders is our lack of a spirit of anticipation. Do we come to church expecting to see God show up? Judging by the fact that so many come to church late and desire to be seated in the rear of the sanctuary and dressed like they are going to a picnic instead of anticipating a King to show up,I would say we aren't expecting to see anything out of the ordinary. If we were anticipating God showing up to do great things among us, we would be sure to arrive plenty early to secure a front row seat so we would not miss seeing a sign, miracle or wonder or whatever God would choose to do. I remember attending World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio, with my family back in the late 1980's. We arrived about an hour early for the morning service and we still had to sit in the very back of the church. After the service we asked an usher how early we should arrive for the evening service in order to secure a good seat. He told us to be sure to be in line by 3PM. The doors did not open until 5PM with the service starting at 6PM. We arrived at 3PM and there were already a few hundred people in line . These people were anticipating a holy visitation and they did not want to miss it.I wonder how we would worship and praise God in our church services if we were expecting a holy visitation? If you want to see signs, miracles and wonders in your church, as well as in your life, start having a spirit of anticipation.
The third reason that we do not see signs, miracles and wonders is there is sin in the camp. Duet.23:14 states, "For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your CAMP, to DELIVER (signs,miracles,wonders) you and give your enemies over to you; therefore, your CAMP shall be HOLY, that He may see no unclean thing among you,and turn away from you." Nowhere in scripture do we read that we are to bring sinners into the church. In fact the bible tells us just the opposite. But the bible does say that we are to GO into the highways and byways, into every nation, to the sinners and present them with the gospel. The church should be the last place that we should find the unsaved. The very presence of God would cause them to come under conviction to the point that they would either have to repent and get saved or run out of His presences. Maybe sinners are comfortable in our churches because there is no Holy Spirit present. It seems that the church today goes out of its way to make sinners comfortable in our services. We use the world's music so they will feel comfortable with a music they are used to. We avoided using words like sin, hell, judgement,etc. We will avoid naming sins. We would not even thing of calling people to an open altar (we don't want to embarrass anyone). We pray their pray for salvation for them, then tell them that they are saved and loved. They leave without repentance and confession with no change in their life, deceived with a false hope of salvation.
The Holy Spirit will not co-habitate with sin. If we want to see signs, miracles and wonders we will have to have faith, have a spirit of anticipation and get rid of the sin in our lives.
The bus in the dream represents our programs used to attract people to our churches. Just as the buses are used to bring people to our churches, so our programs are designed to do the same. Many times we use our programs in place of the presence of God because He departed or isn't made to feel welcome.
The pastor looked like Oral Roberts meant that this was a pastor who had known what it was like to experience signs, miracles and wonders. The mud represents the sin that the church was sitting in. The fact that his suit was soiled with mud indicated that he himself had sin in his life, thus quenching the move the Holy Spirit in his life and the church.
The end time church will be flowing in signs, miracles and wonders, doing great exploits. But first God will have to clean His house, and He has started!
Do you need a miracle? Do you want to witness them in your church? You must have faith! You must develop a spirit of anticipation! And most importantly, you must get the sin out of your life and your churches.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Has Judgement Started?
"For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: And if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God."(I Peter 4:17)
During the mid 1980's, as world renowned televangelist were confessing sins, losing their ministries and even being arrested for criminal behavior, I felt that God's judgment of His house had begun. I recall attending a pastor's breakfast with James Robison about this same time and he said that God was going to use the secular media to expose the sin in our pulpits. Has this statement ever been any more true than it is today?
Are we, as a church, and especially ministers, in need of accountability? Sin is running rampant in pew and pulpit alike. God is using the media to expose the sins of many in the hierarchy of the christian church. Yet the church seems unrepentant. Oh, we may go on national television with tears flowing and ask for forgiveness of our "failures" while all along about the only thing that we are sorry for is that we got caught.
We have internationally known ministers confessing to going to Paris to frequent strip clubs and to even committing adultery as they carry on long distance affairs. They may lose their families but they keep their pulpits, their television programs, their "fan" base, their support and their speaking engagements outside their own church. There are pastors divorcing over "irreconcilable differences"(not biblical grounds), yet they keep right on going as if nothing has happened. Divorce and remarriage in the pulpit and pew alike, have reached epidemic proportions.
Church leaders having moral failures with no consequences is a sad indictment against the moral climate of the church. When those in the pew no longer demand integrity, accountability, purity, holiness, righteousness of those in leadership then that church is ready for God's judgment. He allows those in leadership to get caught in their sins in order to not only cause the sinner to examine himself and hopefully repent, but to also test those in the pew. Do those in the pew have the relationship with God; the knowledge of His Word; and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to demand sin be dealt with or do they overlook the sins of the leaders hoping they will overlook their sins and not "preach" against their sins. By overlooking one anothers sins we can be "happy." We may have a false sense of security, but we can all sing our songs of victory as the Titanic of our souls is sinking in the sea of darkness.
Churches have now gone so far into imitating the world's way of doing things that they now will pay people to attend their churches or offer gifts for to those who will attend. According to Ministry Today online from fall of '09, there are churches throughout the nation that use such marketing gimmicks. One church in Alsip, IL, advertised that "We will pay you to come." They pay out cash and gifts to first time visitors. They even use the theme song from The Price Is Right during the praise and worship when preparing to announce the week's winners. Other churches offer big screen televisions, vacations, cars, etc., to one lucky visitor. One ministry in Beloit, WI, brags of meeting with a group of non-church goers at a local bar every Sunday to talk about Jesus over cocktails, cigarettes and chicken wings.
Now I can understand why Jesus wept over Jerusalem--He was grieved over their rejection of and rebellion to the Truth. The church no longer holds to the Truths of God's Word. Instead we think our programs and "modern" way of doing things is far better than the "old-fashioned" way. Several months ago God revealed to me that the church needs to come back to the simplicity of the cross, the blood and a resurrected Savior. I recall back in 1987, as I was complaining to God about the dry wilderness place that I found myself in, I was "telling" God what I needed when it was like God spoke very clearly to me. "I have given you Jesus and I owe you nothing else." I realized then that in Jesus I have everything I'll ever need. Knowing Him is all that matters!! Yet instead of preaching Jesus crucified, resurrected and coming again, we resort to clever marketing devices, programs, entertainment and people-pleasing sermons. We preach ear-tickling sermonetts and produce little christianettes, not disciples of Jesus.
Many of our proven prophetic voices in the church today are not only prophesying pending judgment, but they are praying for it. As God brings judgment to the church, as it was when His judgments came to Isreal in the O.T., repentance will come and a genuine sorrow over sin will permeate the people. We will experience a revival in the church and an awakening in the nation. The result will be a great harvest of souls as the people gaze upon the true church, seeing Jesus alive and changing lives.
Do we need judgment as a nation, a church, a people? YES!! I believe it has begun. Let's repent and cease our rebellion against God. Let's present to the world a life- changing Jesus not a socializing "good ole boy" who promotes a "let's eat, drink and be merry" mentality as so many of our churches do today. Let His righteousness be seen in us and through us as we face first judgment, then tribulation and finally His return.
During the mid 1980's, as world renowned televangelist were confessing sins, losing their ministries and even being arrested for criminal behavior, I felt that God's judgment of His house had begun. I recall attending a pastor's breakfast with James Robison about this same time and he said that God was going to use the secular media to expose the sin in our pulpits. Has this statement ever been any more true than it is today?
Are we, as a church, and especially ministers, in need of accountability? Sin is running rampant in pew and pulpit alike. God is using the media to expose the sins of many in the hierarchy of the christian church. Yet the church seems unrepentant. Oh, we may go on national television with tears flowing and ask for forgiveness of our "failures" while all along about the only thing that we are sorry for is that we got caught.
We have internationally known ministers confessing to going to Paris to frequent strip clubs and to even committing adultery as they carry on long distance affairs. They may lose their families but they keep their pulpits, their television programs, their "fan" base, their support and their speaking engagements outside their own church. There are pastors divorcing over "irreconcilable differences"(not biblical grounds), yet they keep right on going as if nothing has happened. Divorce and remarriage in the pulpit and pew alike, have reached epidemic proportions.
Church leaders having moral failures with no consequences is a sad indictment against the moral climate of the church. When those in the pew no longer demand integrity, accountability, purity, holiness, righteousness of those in leadership then that church is ready for God's judgment. He allows those in leadership to get caught in their sins in order to not only cause the sinner to examine himself and hopefully repent, but to also test those in the pew. Do those in the pew have the relationship with God; the knowledge of His Word; and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to demand sin be dealt with or do they overlook the sins of the leaders hoping they will overlook their sins and not "preach" against their sins. By overlooking one anothers sins we can be "happy." We may have a false sense of security, but we can all sing our songs of victory as the Titanic of our souls is sinking in the sea of darkness.
Churches have now gone so far into imitating the world's way of doing things that they now will pay people to attend their churches or offer gifts for to those who will attend. According to Ministry Today online from fall of '09, there are churches throughout the nation that use such marketing gimmicks. One church in Alsip, IL, advertised that "We will pay you to come." They pay out cash and gifts to first time visitors. They even use the theme song from The Price Is Right during the praise and worship when preparing to announce the week's winners. Other churches offer big screen televisions, vacations, cars, etc., to one lucky visitor. One ministry in Beloit, WI, brags of meeting with a group of non-church goers at a local bar every Sunday to talk about Jesus over cocktails, cigarettes and chicken wings.
Now I can understand why Jesus wept over Jerusalem--He was grieved over their rejection of and rebellion to the Truth. The church no longer holds to the Truths of God's Word. Instead we think our programs and "modern" way of doing things is far better than the "old-fashioned" way. Several months ago God revealed to me that the church needs to come back to the simplicity of the cross, the blood and a resurrected Savior. I recall back in 1987, as I was complaining to God about the dry wilderness place that I found myself in, I was "telling" God what I needed when it was like God spoke very clearly to me. "I have given you Jesus and I owe you nothing else." I realized then that in Jesus I have everything I'll ever need. Knowing Him is all that matters!! Yet instead of preaching Jesus crucified, resurrected and coming again, we resort to clever marketing devices, programs, entertainment and people-pleasing sermons. We preach ear-tickling sermonetts and produce little christianettes, not disciples of Jesus.
Many of our proven prophetic voices in the church today are not only prophesying pending judgment, but they are praying for it. As God brings judgment to the church, as it was when His judgments came to Isreal in the O.T., repentance will come and a genuine sorrow over sin will permeate the people. We will experience a revival in the church and an awakening in the nation. The result will be a great harvest of souls as the people gaze upon the true church, seeing Jesus alive and changing lives.
Do we need judgment as a nation, a church, a people? YES!! I believe it has begun. Let's repent and cease our rebellion against God. Let's present to the world a life- changing Jesus not a socializing "good ole boy" who promotes a "let's eat, drink and be merry" mentality as so many of our churches do today. Let His righteousness be seen in us and through us as we face first judgment, then tribulation and finally His return.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Joseph's Seven Years
While I was preaching a message about Joseph and his dreams, God spoke revelation knowledge into my spirit and I shared it with our congregation. God showed me that as it was with Pharaoh’s dreams of the seven fat cows and seven skinny cows, the seven good heads of grain and seven lean heads of grain, so it would be in the very last days. We know that the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams by Joseph lead to the salvation of Egypt as well as Jacob (Israel) from drought and famine. God told Pharaoh, through Joseph’s interpretation, that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine or leanness. The first seven years were given that they should make ready for the seven lean years by storing up the grain that would sustain them through the lean years.
God showed me that this event from the life of Joseph was given as an example for the end-time church. Like Joseph, the church was destined for greatness. But just as Joseph was cast into a pit, sold into slavery and even imprisoned, so goes the church. When Jesus birthed the church on the cross, she was destined for greatness, but she too was cast into the pit, the slavery and the prison of religion. Instead of following the simplicity of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, man began to add to and take away from the original intent of the word. We divided and called ourselves denominations. We split over misunderstandings of scripture. The church was never called to divide and subtract, as is the case today, but to be fruitful and to multiply, as well as to be added to daily. But God is going to use the pitfalls of the church to position it for its finest hour just as Joseph was brought into his finest hour by his pitfalls.
The true church is going to grow weary and even nauseated by the condition in which she finds herself. She is going to begin to cry out for truth and will no longer be content with the ear-tickling messages of the people-friendly pulpits. Programs will no longer pacify the saint of God. There will be a longing in the heart of the saint to be in a deep, loving relationship with God the Father. There will be a willingness to do whatever is necessary to draw in close to God. Denominational brand names will be meaningless. Being the groupie of certain preachers will lose its luster. Names, reputation and the opinions of others will no longer concern the saint. There will be a great hunger and thirst for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. There will be a genuine revival start that will have no end until the end. The last and greatest awakening will take place. We shall see seven years of plenty.
As with Joseph’s story, the church shall experience seven years of revival, awakening, outpourin of the Holy Spirit, revelation knowledge, holy visitation, dreams, visions, signs, miracles and wonders following the proclamation of the Word. The church will grow spiritually fat. She shall be given equipping centers from which the well-equipped saints shall be sent out to accomplish the great commission. Missionary teams will be sent around the world. Evangelistic teams will go into the highways and byways to compel whosoever will to come to Christ. Pioneers will go forth to establish new equipping centers. The wealth of the wicked has been stored up for the righteous and we shall possess it. We shall cloth the naked, feed the hungry, care for the widow and orphaned. Revelation knowledge will be poured out through the five-fold ministers to equip the saints for the coming seven years of leanness, or to say, the seven years of the Tribulation. The church will be equipped to make disciples not just converts. We will see the harvest of souls during the seven years of fatness and especially during the seven years of leanness at a magnitude that has never been witnessed before in the history of mankind. The church will rise from the ash heap of cold, dead religion to do great exploits as Daniel chapter eleven verse thirty-two says about the tribulation church. The church will enter the Great Tribulation well equipped to endure to the end, doing great exploits.
May God richly bless you as you go forth in His name to equip the saints and gather the harvest.
God showed me that this event from the life of Joseph was given as an example for the end-time church. Like Joseph, the church was destined for greatness. But just as Joseph was cast into a pit, sold into slavery and even imprisoned, so goes the church. When Jesus birthed the church on the cross, she was destined for greatness, but she too was cast into the pit, the slavery and the prison of religion. Instead of following the simplicity of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, man began to add to and take away from the original intent of the word. We divided and called ourselves denominations. We split over misunderstandings of scripture. The church was never called to divide and subtract, as is the case today, but to be fruitful and to multiply, as well as to be added to daily. But God is going to use the pitfalls of the church to position it for its finest hour just as Joseph was brought into his finest hour by his pitfalls.
The true church is going to grow weary and even nauseated by the condition in which she finds herself. She is going to begin to cry out for truth and will no longer be content with the ear-tickling messages of the people-friendly pulpits. Programs will no longer pacify the saint of God. There will be a longing in the heart of the saint to be in a deep, loving relationship with God the Father. There will be a willingness to do whatever is necessary to draw in close to God. Denominational brand names will be meaningless. Being the groupie of certain preachers will lose its luster. Names, reputation and the opinions of others will no longer concern the saint. There will be a great hunger and thirst for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. There will be a genuine revival start that will have no end until the end. The last and greatest awakening will take place. We shall see seven years of plenty.
As with Joseph’s story, the church shall experience seven years of revival, awakening, outpourin of the Holy Spirit, revelation knowledge, holy visitation, dreams, visions, signs, miracles and wonders following the proclamation of the Word. The church will grow spiritually fat. She shall be given equipping centers from which the well-equipped saints shall be sent out to accomplish the great commission. Missionary teams will be sent around the world. Evangelistic teams will go into the highways and byways to compel whosoever will to come to Christ. Pioneers will go forth to establish new equipping centers. The wealth of the wicked has been stored up for the righteous and we shall possess it. We shall cloth the naked, feed the hungry, care for the widow and orphaned. Revelation knowledge will be poured out through the five-fold ministers to equip the saints for the coming seven years of leanness, or to say, the seven years of the Tribulation. The church will be equipped to make disciples not just converts. We will see the harvest of souls during the seven years of fatness and especially during the seven years of leanness at a magnitude that has never been witnessed before in the history of mankind. The church will rise from the ash heap of cold, dead religion to do great exploits as Daniel chapter eleven verse thirty-two says about the tribulation church. The church will enter the Great Tribulation well equipped to endure to the end, doing great exploits.
May God richly bless you as you go forth in His name to equip the saints and gather the harvest.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Received by B. L. James
This word was given to me on June 8, 1991, at 4:10 in the morning. I had been in a season of prayer and fasting for several days when it came. I was awakened by a voice saying awake, wake up, wake up, wake up! I tried to return to sleep but again the voice said wake up, wake up, wake up! I went to the table, got out my pad and pen and said, “Okay Lord, if this is you speak to me what you want me to hear and I will write it down.” I began to write and when I was finished I realized the God had given me a word for the church.
“Wake up Church”
Wake up church! Wake up! Wake up! Church of the Living God awaken! Wake up! Wake up!
You have been asleep in your traditions; in your comfortable doctrines; in your beds of self-righteousness while all the time the devil, as a roaring lion, has been roaming around devouring, killing, destroying, possessing and controlling whomever he desires – practically unopposed.
Church, where were you when the courts decided to legalize the murder of My infants? Where were you when I was removed from your schools and the education of My children? Where were you when the homosexuals came out of their closets and began to devour My young men? Where were you when the false religion of humanism began to seep into My people? Where were you when the New Age doctrine began to devour My world? Asleep – asleep – asleep!!!
You are asleep at my altars! You are asleep in my sanctuary! You are asleep in My Word! You’re asleep – you’re asleep! Awaken church of the Living God! Arise! “Trim your lamps.” Remove everything that is not holy from your lives (My temples), My sanctuary and My world.
Come unto me with a godly sorrow. Repent! Repent! Repent! I, your God, call My people to repentance. You call a world of sin to repentance without offering them a place to turn to that is different from where they are. “Remove the beam out of thine own eye.” Remove the sins of complacency, luke-warmness, self-righteousness, worldliness, humanism and spiritual laziness from your lives (My temples), My sanctuary, and My world. These things cannot enter My kingdom.
You pray “Thy kingdom come,” yet I cannot build My kingdom upon the foundation that you are laying. Repent! Repent! Repent! Lay a foundation not made by hand. One where Jesus is the chief cornerstone. One that My apostles and prophets have laid (and are laying). “Not by might, nor by power (human effort), but by My Spirit,” is how My kingdom shall be built.
Sound the alarm! “The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.” Make ready the Church of the Living God! Repent! Repent! Repent! Come unto Me with a godly sorrow.
The blood of many cry out to Me, “Where was Your church? Where was Your body? Where were Your people? Where was Your power? I needed to see the ‘Real Thing.’ Many professed to know You but none reflected Your holiness, Your power, Your love, Your presence.”
The world is dying and going to hell. “Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people.” Who will say as Isaiah, “Here am I; send me,” when I ask, “Whom shall I send?” “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” You must repent! The flesh (self will) must be crucified daily. Take up your cross (My purpose and plan) daily. Come after Me with the whole heart. Hold back nothing from Me and I’ll hold nothing back from you. “ You’ll lack no good thing.”
I soon will return, but first you must awaken and make yourself ready, Church of the Living God. I do not come for a half dressed, drowsy, lazy, indifferent, lukewarm bride robed in the rags of worldly pleasure, self-indulgence, self-pleasing and self-serving. But I’m, coming for a bride robed in My glory, My righteousness, My love, My faith, and My power. One yoked to Me, intimate with Me, in step with Me, at one with Me. Loving what I love and hating what I hate.
Who is on My side? Who will dare to lay down his life (self-will) for Me? “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” You call Me your friend – true I died for you – but you must die (death of self-will) for Me in order for Me to call you My friend. As with Abraham you must offer up your Isaacs (your goals, your ambitions, your plans, your ways of doing My “good works,” your traditions) then I will call you my friends.
Awaken Church of the Living God. Go forth and take that which is mine. Set captives free; destroy the works of the devil; take back that which you have surrendered (your intimacy with Me, your joy, your power, your first love, your holiness, your separateness, your faith, and your unity), then go forth as My army. Storm the gates of hell. Pull down strongholds that put people in bondage. Tell the enemy to “let my people go.” Then “go ye into all the world” with power, love and a sound mind and take what is Mine, saith the Lord.
“Arise shine for your light is come.” If you will receive it (the light of Christ and My word), then My glory shall be seen upon you. This will draw people – the lost, the hopeless, the down-trodden – unto Me.
Wake up Church of the Living God! Repent! For I come quickly – hasten My return, saith the Lord.
“Wake up Church”
Wake up church! Wake up! Wake up! Church of the Living God awaken! Wake up! Wake up!
You have been asleep in your traditions; in your comfortable doctrines; in your beds of self-righteousness while all the time the devil, as a roaring lion, has been roaming around devouring, killing, destroying, possessing and controlling whomever he desires – practically unopposed.
Church, where were you when the courts decided to legalize the murder of My infants? Where were you when I was removed from your schools and the education of My children? Where were you when the homosexuals came out of their closets and began to devour My young men? Where were you when the false religion of humanism began to seep into My people? Where were you when the New Age doctrine began to devour My world? Asleep – asleep – asleep!!!
You are asleep at my altars! You are asleep in my sanctuary! You are asleep in My Word! You’re asleep – you’re asleep! Awaken church of the Living God! Arise! “Trim your lamps.” Remove everything that is not holy from your lives (My temples), My sanctuary and My world.
Come unto me with a godly sorrow. Repent! Repent! Repent! I, your God, call My people to repentance. You call a world of sin to repentance without offering them a place to turn to that is different from where they are. “Remove the beam out of thine own eye.” Remove the sins of complacency, luke-warmness, self-righteousness, worldliness, humanism and spiritual laziness from your lives (My temples), My sanctuary, and My world. These things cannot enter My kingdom.
You pray “Thy kingdom come,” yet I cannot build My kingdom upon the foundation that you are laying. Repent! Repent! Repent! Lay a foundation not made by hand. One where Jesus is the chief cornerstone. One that My apostles and prophets have laid (and are laying). “Not by might, nor by power (human effort), but by My Spirit,” is how My kingdom shall be built.
Sound the alarm! “The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.” Make ready the Church of the Living God! Repent! Repent! Repent! Come unto Me with a godly sorrow.
The blood of many cry out to Me, “Where was Your church? Where was Your body? Where were Your people? Where was Your power? I needed to see the ‘Real Thing.’ Many professed to know You but none reflected Your holiness, Your power, Your love, Your presence.”
The world is dying and going to hell. “Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people.” Who will say as Isaiah, “Here am I; send me,” when I ask, “Whom shall I send?” “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” You must repent! The flesh (self will) must be crucified daily. Take up your cross (My purpose and plan) daily. Come after Me with the whole heart. Hold back nothing from Me and I’ll hold nothing back from you. “ You’ll lack no good thing.”
I soon will return, but first you must awaken and make yourself ready, Church of the Living God. I do not come for a half dressed, drowsy, lazy, indifferent, lukewarm bride robed in the rags of worldly pleasure, self-indulgence, self-pleasing and self-serving. But I’m, coming for a bride robed in My glory, My righteousness, My love, My faith, and My power. One yoked to Me, intimate with Me, in step with Me, at one with Me. Loving what I love and hating what I hate.
Who is on My side? Who will dare to lay down his life (self-will) for Me? “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” You call Me your friend – true I died for you – but you must die (death of self-will) for Me in order for Me to call you My friend. As with Abraham you must offer up your Isaacs (your goals, your ambitions, your plans, your ways of doing My “good works,” your traditions) then I will call you my friends.
Awaken Church of the Living God. Go forth and take that which is mine. Set captives free; destroy the works of the devil; take back that which you have surrendered (your intimacy with Me, your joy, your power, your first love, your holiness, your separateness, your faith, and your unity), then go forth as My army. Storm the gates of hell. Pull down strongholds that put people in bondage. Tell the enemy to “let my people go.” Then “go ye into all the world” with power, love and a sound mind and take what is Mine, saith the Lord.
“Arise shine for your light is come.” If you will receive it (the light of Christ and My word), then My glory shall be seen upon you. This will draw people – the lost, the hopeless, the down-trodden – unto Me.
Wake up Church of the Living God! Repent! For I come quickly – hasten My return, saith the Lord.
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