Dear beloved: I related to you in the last post about the dream of the orchard that was given to me for a church in southwest Kansas. Last week I made a trip down there and preached at the church to give them a vision for what the Lord had shown me in the dream, so they could relate to it better and receive understanding they would not have if I did not tell it to them in person. Then after the church service we went out into the center of the orchard and poured grape juice out on the land, praying the blood of Jesus all over the orchard, the perimeter of it, and to sanctify the land for the kingdom of God. So they are now in the planning stages of odering tress and planting the remaining two acres of the orchard with stone fruit; peaches, cherries, and plums, to complement the 100 apple trees they already have in place.
Several years ago when I was in Costa Rica ministering to the Cabecar indigenous people, the Lord downloaded prophetic dreams into me every night for a week. The dreams had to do with the coming breakdown of life as "business as usual" as we know it in America. The coming breakdown included famine, pestilence, terrorist attack, and collapse of the purchasing power of the dollar. All these different events will come in waves in combinations or separately, as the judgments of God upon this land for the wickedness in the land; the shedding of innocent blood through abortion, the push for homosexual marriage(now even sanctioned by some churches and denominations as well as many governmental bodies), and our turning our backs on Israel and calling for the division of their land. And so God is positioning His people and His churches, those who are truly His, to be prepared for the coming collapse and the need for His church to be able to minister to hungry and needy people, giving them food and shelter and compassion in the name of Jesus, hence the reason for the prophetic dream for the church in southwest Kansas.
Genesis 47:11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers, and gave them a posession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharoah had ordered. v12 and Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to their little ones. And so we see that God in His infinite wisdom sent Joseph on ahead, enduring much hardship, even sold into slavery and spending years in a lonely prison cell, so that the way would be prepared for his brothers and all their little ones to not only survive, but to thrive in the land of Egypt in the time of great famine. Genesis 50:19 But Joseph said to his brothers, "do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? v20 "And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." God knows the beginning from the end, and so He gives prophetic dreams to His people so they can be prepared and act accordingly. The ultimate result will be that many will be blessed by the orchard at the church in southwest Kansas, the only orchard of its size in that whole area, and many will come to know the Lord and be preserved because they have been blessed with a basket of fruit in the name of Jesus. God is good! God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The Prophetic Dream
Dear beloved: The Lord cares about every detail of our lives, even to the point of laying out the future for us and for the people we care about and minister to. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have the most precious gift any person here on the earth can have, that being the gift of the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in you and give you counsel and be your advocate, your intercessor. Joel 2:28 tells us, and it shall come to pass that in the last days I will pour out my spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. v29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. Also in Revelation 19:10 John writes, And I fell at his feet to worship him (the angel). And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow servant of yours, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And so if we know Jesus as our Lord, we have the spirit of prophecy, so start prophesying! Listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say in every situation, with every person you encounter listen to the still small voice. Pray also that God will give you dreams and visions to reveal to you your path and destiny.
Three years ago I preached a revival at a church in a town in southwest Kansas. Behind the church was a five acre level field that belonged to the church and was currently being used as a horse pasture. The pastor and elders of the church wanted to put the field to better use for the kingdom, so we prayed together about the situation and the Lord said, "plant an orchard." This was late in the spring, late May, and the optimum time for planting was past, yet the Lord said to plant it. So the pastor called a fruit tree nursery and amazingly they had trees they were going to throw out because that had become to big for their average customer. They sold the church 100 of the 1.5inch diameter apple trees for the incredibly low price of 4 dollars each, about 30 dollars off the normal price. Even more astounding, of the one hundred trees planted only about three died that first summer; God confirmed His plan and timing by supernaturally watching over and nurturing those trees through a late planting and very hot summer.
Fast forward to a couple of months ago when the Lord gave me a dream of an orchard with freshly planted trees in tidy rows, the loose, black dirt giving testimony to the recent planting. I also knew from the dream that the trees were stone fruit; peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots. I was puzzled by the dream, I knew it wasn't my own orchard, so I prayed about it and asked the Lord to reveal the meaning of the dream to me. A couple weeks after the dream, the pastor of the church with the apple trees called and asked me to come to their church again and conduct a revival, and he also asked what I thought the church should do with the remaining two acres of the field where the apple trees were planted. It was then I realized the Lord had already spoken to me through the dream of the stone fruit trees; He was giving me instruction for that church on how to use the remaining acres! The Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth in all things (John 16:13) yes, for when he comes he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. The Holy Spirit knew the needs of that church and how they could best use that remaining two acres, and he also knew that I would be going down there to speak, and so he gave me the prophetic dream of the freshly planted stone fruit trees. God is so good, He cares about every detail! Give Him your praise and adoration today, He is worthy of your praise! God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Three years ago I preached a revival at a church in a town in southwest Kansas. Behind the church was a five acre level field that belonged to the church and was currently being used as a horse pasture. The pastor and elders of the church wanted to put the field to better use for the kingdom, so we prayed together about the situation and the Lord said, "plant an orchard." This was late in the spring, late May, and the optimum time for planting was past, yet the Lord said to plant it. So the pastor called a fruit tree nursery and amazingly they had trees they were going to throw out because that had become to big for their average customer. They sold the church 100 of the 1.5inch diameter apple trees for the incredibly low price of 4 dollars each, about 30 dollars off the normal price. Even more astounding, of the one hundred trees planted only about three died that first summer; God confirmed His plan and timing by supernaturally watching over and nurturing those trees through a late planting and very hot summer.
Fast forward to a couple of months ago when the Lord gave me a dream of an orchard with freshly planted trees in tidy rows, the loose, black dirt giving testimony to the recent planting. I also knew from the dream that the trees were stone fruit; peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots. I was puzzled by the dream, I knew it wasn't my own orchard, so I prayed about it and asked the Lord to reveal the meaning of the dream to me. A couple weeks after the dream, the pastor of the church with the apple trees called and asked me to come to their church again and conduct a revival, and he also asked what I thought the church should do with the remaining two acres of the field where the apple trees were planted. It was then I realized the Lord had already spoken to me through the dream of the stone fruit trees; He was giving me instruction for that church on how to use the remaining acres! The Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth in all things (John 16:13) yes, for when he comes he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. The Holy Spirit knew the needs of that church and how they could best use that remaining two acres, and he also knew that I would be going down there to speak, and so he gave me the prophetic dream of the freshly planted stone fruit trees. God is so good, He cares about every detail! Give Him your praise and adoration today, He is worthy of your praise! God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Feast of Purim
Dear beloved: It is interesting to note that when Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, visited President Obama at the White House this week (March 5), he gave Obama a gift for him to read. The gift was a copy of the old testament book of Esther. If you have not read Esther I recommend that you do so this week, as it is a story of how the Jews were saved from extermination while in captivity for 70 years in Persia. The eve of March 7 was the beginning of the Feast of Purim, which is a feast commemorating the salvation of the Jews after a decree had gone out from wicked Haman to have every Jew in the land killed. Esther 3:11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given unto thee, the people also, to do with them (the Jews) as it seemeth good to thee. v13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
As the story unfolds in Esther we find her uncle Mordecai asks Queen Esther to go in to plead for her people before the king Ahasuerus, who does not know that she is a Jew, nor does he allow anyone to come before him uninvited. Mordecai tells Esther in 4:13, Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. v14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? v15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer. v16 Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and If I perish, I perish.
Esther does go in and plead with the king, and God steps in and turns the tables on wicked Haman and delivers the Jews from destruction; the very gallows Haman had prepared to hang Mordecai and the Jews on, become the death gallows for Haman. This story bears striking resemblance to a modern day Haman, the demonically inspired Ahmadinejah, president of Iran, who has repeatedley threatened to "wipe Israel off the face of the earth", and exterminate all of the Jews. And so as the modern Haman plots and connives to build nuclear weapons against the will of most all of the nations of the world, let us pray that God will once again step in and turn the tables on Haman, that Israel will be supernatually protected and preserved against all who treacherously plan for her destruction. And let us also pray that America as a nation will be unwavering in standing with Israel. President Obama, may you have some good reading material this week and in the days ahead, the Old Testament of God, and may your understanding be directed by Him. May God bless you as you pray today, in Christ, Jim
As the story unfolds in Esther we find her uncle Mordecai asks Queen Esther to go in to plead for her people before the king Ahasuerus, who does not know that she is a Jew, nor does he allow anyone to come before him uninvited. Mordecai tells Esther in 4:13, Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. v14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? v15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer. v16 Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and If I perish, I perish.
Esther does go in and plead with the king, and God steps in and turns the tables on wicked Haman and delivers the Jews from destruction; the very gallows Haman had prepared to hang Mordecai and the Jews on, become the death gallows for Haman. This story bears striking resemblance to a modern day Haman, the demonically inspired Ahmadinejah, president of Iran, who has repeatedley threatened to "wipe Israel off the face of the earth", and exterminate all of the Jews. And so as the modern Haman plots and connives to build nuclear weapons against the will of most all of the nations of the world, let us pray that God will once again step in and turn the tables on Haman, that Israel will be supernatually protected and preserved against all who treacherously plan for her destruction. And let us also pray that America as a nation will be unwavering in standing with Israel. President Obama, may you have some good reading material this week and in the days ahead, the Old Testament of God, and may your understanding be directed by Him. May God bless you as you pray today, in Christ, Jim
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sexual Immorality: Intercede for Your Loved Ones
Dear beloved: Just about everyone in America has been touched with the consequences of the sexual immorality in America today; nearly all of us have friends or family that have been or are now living in immoral relationships, whether cohabitating, adulterous, or homosexual relationships. The Lord has been having me to preach on this at the prison also, as it is so prevalent among the men there and has played a major role in many of their life's stories. God has a better plan for us, and He calls us to be Holy as He is holy. If you are reading this today and you have loved ones living in immoral relationships, know that God wants you to cry out for their repentance and salvation, or their redemption and cleansing if they are already saved.
God gives us an example of intercessory prayer in Genesis 18 when the Lord was ready to deal with Sodom and Gomorrah. He says in verse 17 And the Lord said, shall I hide from Sodom that thing which I am about to do, v18, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth shall be blessed? v19 For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." Then in verse 20 the Lord makes His charge against Sodom, And the Lord said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave." And so the Lord knew that he must judge Sodom for the wickedness in their midst, but because Abraham was a righteous man, the Lord let Abraham know what His plan was, and then He went even further and let Abraham intercede and bargain with Him for the lost souls in Sodom. In verse 23, after the angels were sent on to Sodom, it was just the Lord and Abraham left to discuss the fate of Sodom. v23 And Abraham came near and said, "Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? And so Abraham bargains with the Lord and asks the Lord to spare Sodom if there were only fifty righteous found in the city, and the Lord said He would spare if fifty righteous could be found, He would spare the whole city on account of those fifty. As Abraham continues to bargain with the Lord, the Lord said, verse 32, He would spare Sodom if only ten righteous could be found among all those wicked. God is a God of mercy and lovingkindness, to set aside His judgment on the wicked on the account of only 10 righteous in their midst. Archeology and historical records indicate that the 5 cities in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah may have had a population of as much as 1.5 million people, so this was a magnificent act of mercy that God was showing to be willing to set aside His judgment for such a small minority.
Of coarse we know the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord could not find even ten righteous, even righteous Lot had been vexed by the corrupt spirit in Sodom; but the example for us is to pray without ceasing for our loved ones caught in lifestyles of sexual immorality. Your prayers may bring one of those ten to a place of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:9, the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you (and to your loved ones), not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. So be diligent in your prayers for your loved ones, do not give up. Just when you think nothing is happening, the Lord can break through and move the biggest mountains on your behalf. Be encouraged as you pray today. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
God gives us an example of intercessory prayer in Genesis 18 when the Lord was ready to deal with Sodom and Gomorrah. He says in verse 17 And the Lord said, shall I hide from Sodom that thing which I am about to do, v18, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth shall be blessed? v19 For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." Then in verse 20 the Lord makes His charge against Sodom, And the Lord said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave." And so the Lord knew that he must judge Sodom for the wickedness in their midst, but because Abraham was a righteous man, the Lord let Abraham know what His plan was, and then He went even further and let Abraham intercede and bargain with Him for the lost souls in Sodom. In verse 23, after the angels were sent on to Sodom, it was just the Lord and Abraham left to discuss the fate of Sodom. v23 And Abraham came near and said, "Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? And so Abraham bargains with the Lord and asks the Lord to spare Sodom if there were only fifty righteous found in the city, and the Lord said He would spare if fifty righteous could be found, He would spare the whole city on account of those fifty. As Abraham continues to bargain with the Lord, the Lord said, verse 32, He would spare Sodom if only ten righteous could be found among all those wicked. God is a God of mercy and lovingkindness, to set aside His judgment on the wicked on the account of only 10 righteous in their midst. Archeology and historical records indicate that the 5 cities in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah may have had a population of as much as 1.5 million people, so this was a magnificent act of mercy that God was showing to be willing to set aside His judgment for such a small minority.
Of coarse we know the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord could not find even ten righteous, even righteous Lot had been vexed by the corrupt spirit in Sodom; but the example for us is to pray without ceasing for our loved ones caught in lifestyles of sexual immorality. Your prayers may bring one of those ten to a place of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:9, the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you (and to your loved ones), not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. So be diligent in your prayers for your loved ones, do not give up. Just when you think nothing is happening, the Lord can break through and move the biggest mountains on your behalf. Be encouraged as you pray today. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Plans for Kenya 2012
Dear beloved: I am currently in the initial planning stages for a return trip to Kenya in August 2012. I have been talking to various people and it looks like a worship team and possibly some other indiviuals will also be going with me. I have one committed crusade on the schedule, that will be in Mumias in western Kenya. We will be there for about a week, with a 5 or 6 day crusade and pastor training conference included in the schedule. We will also be looking to add another week of crusades and teaching in Nairobi area with another pastor association.
Please be in prayer for the planning of this mission trip, with the main focus of prayer to be in the following areas: 1. for the members of the team to be fully committed to their walk with the Lord and this evangelism outreach, 2. for provision to come in and we would not be lacking in anything that we need to successfully complete the mission, 3. for safe travel and good health for all, 4. that many would be saved and come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, 5. that signs, wonders, and miracles would follow each of us and many would receive a miraculous touch from the Lord, 6. that the Lord would give us all specific revelation so we can more effectively minister in every situation. For those of you who feel a special burden to pray for this mission, to be an intercessor, please let me know at www.pureprairie@hotmail.com and I will keep in touch with you and keep you abreast of developments before we leave and as we are in the country of Kenya.
I would like to come visit your church or men's group and share about this ministry and the exciting opportunities in Kenya as we go forward. If you would like to have me to come speak to your group, please contact me through the email address given above. The Lord wants me to expand the territory and build a bigger team of support for the end time harvest. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; v20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Please be in prayer for the planning of this mission trip, with the main focus of prayer to be in the following areas: 1. for the members of the team to be fully committed to their walk with the Lord and this evangelism outreach, 2. for provision to come in and we would not be lacking in anything that we need to successfully complete the mission, 3. for safe travel and good health for all, 4. that many would be saved and come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, 5. that signs, wonders, and miracles would follow each of us and many would receive a miraculous touch from the Lord, 6. that the Lord would give us all specific revelation so we can more effectively minister in every situation. For those of you who feel a special burden to pray for this mission, to be an intercessor, please let me know at www.pureprairie@hotmail.com and I will keep in touch with you and keep you abreast of developments before we leave and as we are in the country of Kenya.
I would like to come visit your church or men's group and share about this ministry and the exciting opportunities in Kenya as we go forward. If you would like to have me to come speak to your group, please contact me through the email address given above. The Lord wants me to expand the territory and build a bigger team of support for the end time harvest. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; v20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Sexual Immorality:A Choice
Dear beloved: Since marriage between one man and one woman is a pillar in God's kingdom, it is not surprising that sexual perversion is on the rise here in America and around the world. Paul says in Phillipians 2:15 that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, v16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. Nothing has really changed much in the world, we who are called Christians are still lights in this perverse world. I fully expect in the days ahead a decree will come from the courts or an administration that will declare the preaching and teaching of the gospel in regards to sexual perversion to be held illegal, and those who violate that decree will be subject to state persecution and prison sentences.
When the Pharisees asked Jesus in Matthew 19:3 if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause at all, v4 He answered and said, "Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female (from Genesis 2:24), and said v5, and For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? v6 Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." It is interesting to see that cultures that are not Christian hold to the model of man and woman coming together in marriage and see the perversion in homosexuality, that it goes against all that is natural. Recently a celebrity has come out as a lesbian and declared that her desire to be a lesbian is strictly a matter of her own choice, that she was not "born that way", nor is it a matter of DNA or other genetic determination. Predictably she is under fire from the homosexual establishment who have worked tirelessly to cultivate the idea that homosexuality is predetermined, and those that adopt it as a lifestyle have no choice in the matter. I grant that some are bent that way due to upbringing and generation curses, but by the grace of God many who are inclined in that direction and even those who have practiced it have come out of that lifestyle, and there are thousands in Christian ministries who have come out that are reaching out to minister to those still trapped.
I once led a prayer and fasting vigil in a church when a young lady came up and asked for prayer. I laid hands on her and prayed for the devil to go from her and that the Holy Spirit of God come into her life and lead her to victory. Little did I know what all was going on in her life! She told me months later that the prayer pierced her (the word of God is quick and powerful) and she went home and packed up her belongings, moved out from her 8 year long lesbian relationship, and moved in with an elder of the church for protection and nurturing. Just like that the Spirit of the living God set her free; obviously the time was right for her and she was hungry for the truth to set her free, a precondition for any of us to find and keep a walk of freedom with Jesus Christ.
Continue to pray diligently for those family members and others who are trapped in immoral sexual behavior. Jesus said in Luke 4:18 "The spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden." May God bless you this day as you pray. In Christ, Jim www.gathertheoutcasts.com
When the Pharisees asked Jesus in Matthew 19:3 if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause at all, v4 He answered and said, "Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female (from Genesis 2:24), and said v5, and For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? v6 Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." It is interesting to see that cultures that are not Christian hold to the model of man and woman coming together in marriage and see the perversion in homosexuality, that it goes against all that is natural. Recently a celebrity has come out as a lesbian and declared that her desire to be a lesbian is strictly a matter of her own choice, that she was not "born that way", nor is it a matter of DNA or other genetic determination. Predictably she is under fire from the homosexual establishment who have worked tirelessly to cultivate the idea that homosexuality is predetermined, and those that adopt it as a lifestyle have no choice in the matter. I grant that some are bent that way due to upbringing and generation curses, but by the grace of God many who are inclined in that direction and even those who have practiced it have come out of that lifestyle, and there are thousands in Christian ministries who have come out that are reaching out to minister to those still trapped.
I once led a prayer and fasting vigil in a church when a young lady came up and asked for prayer. I laid hands on her and prayed for the devil to go from her and that the Holy Spirit of God come into her life and lead her to victory. Little did I know what all was going on in her life! She told me months later that the prayer pierced her (the word of God is quick and powerful) and she went home and packed up her belongings, moved out from her 8 year long lesbian relationship, and moved in with an elder of the church for protection and nurturing. Just like that the Spirit of the living God set her free; obviously the time was right for her and she was hungry for the truth to set her free, a precondition for any of us to find and keep a walk of freedom with Jesus Christ.
Continue to pray diligently for those family members and others who are trapped in immoral sexual behavior. Jesus said in Luke 4:18 "The spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden." May God bless you this day as you pray. In Christ, Jim www.gathertheoutcasts.com
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sanctity of Marriage
Dear beloved: The second kingdom pillar that is being shaken to its foundation (Psalm 11:3, if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?) is the pillar of marriage between one man and one woman. Since this is a kingdom pillar, it is not surprising that the enemy would try his best to destroy it. Genesis 1:27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. v28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Notice two things of importance from this scripture, one is that God blessed the union of male and female, and second that He told them to be fruitful and multiply. So the coming together of male and female in a blessed union by God's design, was God's way of populating the earth with the next generation of Godloving children; it's no wonder all the forces of hell are lined up against one man-one woman marriage.
The attacks from the enemy come in many forms and seem to be relentless in their persistence to destroy God's defintion of marriage: adultery, fornication, and cohabitation among many people shying away from marriage, pornography, and perversions such as homosexuality and bisexuality. The homosexual agenda in particular has found an easy target in the young people of this country, many of whom do not know the word of God nor have the foresight to see the ramifications of wholesale adoption of this lifestyle choice for themselves or for others. When God created Eve as a wife for Adam, He blessed their union in Gen 2:24 For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. v25 And the man and the wife were both naked and were not ashamed. It is interesting to note the man and his wife were not ashamed; just a generation ago few homosexuals in America were openly touting their sexuality, and now we have homosexual gay pride parades in many cities as well as the seventh state of Washington prepared to adopt passage of a bill to legalize homosexual "marriage". God declared in His word in Leviticus 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Many other passages in both the old and new testaments, including the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, warn against this sin and God repeatedly states that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate(male prostitutes),nor homosexuals, v10 nor theives, nor the covetous, nor drundards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
So what can the righteous do? If you are living in sin (you are not righteous), in some kind of lifestyle that is sexually immoral, get out of it immediately. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside his body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. If you have family members trapped in homosexuality or other immoral behavior, know that God has not given up on them, that He loves them and does not wish for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance and the knowledge of salvation. Pray for them unceasingly, bind and loose in the name of Jesus, and then watch and wait for the Lord to move. Some may choose to stay in that lifestyle and therefore suffer eternal condemnation, but let it be said that you or I never gave up praying for them. I have seen the Lord move in mighty ways in men in the prison to set them free from all types of immorality, with God anything is possible. So keep praying and believe! God bless you, in Christ, Jim
The attacks from the enemy come in many forms and seem to be relentless in their persistence to destroy God's defintion of marriage: adultery, fornication, and cohabitation among many people shying away from marriage, pornography, and perversions such as homosexuality and bisexuality. The homosexual agenda in particular has found an easy target in the young people of this country, many of whom do not know the word of God nor have the foresight to see the ramifications of wholesale adoption of this lifestyle choice for themselves or for others. When God created Eve as a wife for Adam, He blessed their union in Gen 2:24 For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. v25 And the man and the wife were both naked and were not ashamed. It is interesting to note the man and his wife were not ashamed; just a generation ago few homosexuals in America were openly touting their sexuality, and now we have homosexual gay pride parades in many cities as well as the seventh state of Washington prepared to adopt passage of a bill to legalize homosexual "marriage". God declared in His word in Leviticus 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Many other passages in both the old and new testaments, including the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, warn against this sin and God repeatedly states that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate(male prostitutes),nor homosexuals, v10 nor theives, nor the covetous, nor drundards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
So what can the righteous do? If you are living in sin (you are not righteous), in some kind of lifestyle that is sexually immoral, get out of it immediately. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside his body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. If you have family members trapped in homosexuality or other immoral behavior, know that God has not given up on them, that He loves them and does not wish for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance and the knowledge of salvation. Pray for them unceasingly, bind and loose in the name of Jesus, and then watch and wait for the Lord to move. Some may choose to stay in that lifestyle and therefore suffer eternal condemnation, but let it be said that you or I never gave up praying for them. I have seen the Lord move in mighty ways in men in the prison to set them free from all types of immorality, with God anything is possible. So keep praying and believe! God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Blood Payment
Dear beloved: As the blood of the innocents cries out from the land, we know it reaches the ears of Almighty God, and that God who measures and weighs all things will eventually call for a payment to be made for all that innocent shed blood. When God established a covenant with Noah after the flood, God said to him in Genesis 9:5 "And surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man from every man's brother I will require the life of man. v6 Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. v7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it." And God repeats this in Numbers 35:33 when He establishes cities of refuge for people to run to when they have accidentally taken the life of someone. He says, "so you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation(payment) can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it." And so we see that when 50 million babies' blood is shed on the land, a payment is due that staggers the imagination, and only by the mercy of God do we stand today to continue this ruthless destruction of God's most treasured creation.
Psalm 106 is a story, a recap of the journey of the children of Israel in the wilderness and in the promised land. In verse 37 the Lord tells us They even sacrificed theirs sons and daughters to the demons, v38 and shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan And the land was polluted with the blood. V39 Thus they became unclean in their practices, and played the harlot in their deeds. V40 Therefore, the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people, And He abhorred His inheritance. V41 Then He gave them into the hand of the nations; And those who hated them ruled over them. v42 Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under their power. v43 Many times He would deliver them; They, however, were rebellious in their counsel, and so sank down in their iniquity. And so we see that as the children of Israel played the harlot with the demons, so too are we playing the harlot with the demons established to destroy this country. The blood of the innocents is fueling the demonization of this nation, and is in large part responsible for the murder, rape, child molestation, and cold hearted disregard that many people have for each other; the spirit of lawlessness starts at the top and goes into every aspect of our society.
We need to get on our knees and pray for this nation, for its leaders, for our court judges and for those doctors and nurses in the abortion industry. Pray that the Lord would touch their hearts and lead them back to a place of righteousness and holiness, that they would not agree with any legislation or direction that would take this nation further down the path of destruction and a certain impending judgment. For the sake of our children and grandchildren it is imperative that we vote into office those who would work to turn back Roe vs. Wade and any other legislation that contiunes to fuel the demonization of America. May God bless you this day as you pray. in Christ, Jim
Psalm 106 is a story, a recap of the journey of the children of Israel in the wilderness and in the promised land. In verse 37 the Lord tells us They even sacrificed theirs sons and daughters to the demons, v38 and shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan And the land was polluted with the blood. V39 Thus they became unclean in their practices, and played the harlot in their deeds. V40 Therefore, the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people, And He abhorred His inheritance. V41 Then He gave them into the hand of the nations; And those who hated them ruled over them. v42 Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under their power. v43 Many times He would deliver them; They, however, were rebellious in their counsel, and so sank down in their iniquity. And so we see that as the children of Israel played the harlot with the demons, so too are we playing the harlot with the demons established to destroy this country. The blood of the innocents is fueling the demonization of this nation, and is in large part responsible for the murder, rape, child molestation, and cold hearted disregard that many people have for each other; the spirit of lawlessness starts at the top and goes into every aspect of our society.
We need to get on our knees and pray for this nation, for its leaders, for our court judges and for those doctors and nurses in the abortion industry. Pray that the Lord would touch their hearts and lead them back to a place of righteousness and holiness, that they would not agree with any legislation or direction that would take this nation further down the path of destruction and a certain impending judgment. For the sake of our children and grandchildren it is imperative that we vote into office those who would work to turn back Roe vs. Wade and any other legislation that contiunes to fuel the demonization of America. May God bless you this day as you pray. in Christ, Jim
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Blood Cries Out From the Ground
Dear beloved: The scripture we have been looking at is Psalm 11:3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? This piercing question the Lord asks of the faithful, for it is up to us to do something to turn America around and get it headed in the right direction. The foundations are cracked and shaking, and unless the righteous get on their knees and cry out to the Lord, to humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, the pillars of God's kingdom in America will crumble completely to the ground. Beloved, I am really feeling a sense of urgency and a call to prayer as we look at this year unfolding before us. So what are the pillars of God's kingdom here on this earth?
The first is declared in Genesis 1:26, that human life is precious, a priceless gift from God, and that we are all created in His image. Gen. 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." And so each of us is made in the image of God and given dominion and authority over the other creatures on the earth. In addition, God declares over us a prohetic destiny, a calling, that is ours to pursue and seek, by His grace and His strength and leading in our lives. Jeremiah 1:4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, v5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." v6 Then I said, "Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth." v7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, I am a youth, Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. v8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the Lord. And again in Psalm 139:16, Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them, v17 How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! and so God knows us and loves us and has declared His destiny over us, even the number of our days. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. v12 Then you will call on Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
As we reflect on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade that gave license to unrestricted abortion in this country in 1973, we can see how the outcome of that decision has changed the prohetic destiny not only of the 50 million babies that have been aborted, but also the millions of the women and men who would have been their earthly parents. And so the prophetic destiny of this whole nation has been altered. When I came back to America a few years ago after preaching in Costa Rica, where abortion is illegal and the national motto is Pura Vida!, pure life!, I came into the Atlanta airport and immediately felt a feeling of darkness and oppression hanging over this nation. the Lord spoke to me and said, "this is the spirit of death from abortion that is oppressing this nation", a huge demonic principality that torments every man, woman, and child. The cry of the innocents blood goes up from the land, just as God spoke to Cain in Genesis 4:10 "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. v11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brothers blood from your hand." And so the cries of the innocents go up, and we reap the curse. Beloved, this is a call to pray, to reverse Roe vs. Wade and remove this curse from our land. May God bless you this day as you pray. In Christ, Jim www.gathertheoutcasts.com
The first is declared in Genesis 1:26, that human life is precious, a priceless gift from God, and that we are all created in His image. Gen. 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." And so each of us is made in the image of God and given dominion and authority over the other creatures on the earth. In addition, God declares over us a prohetic destiny, a calling, that is ours to pursue and seek, by His grace and His strength and leading in our lives. Jeremiah 1:4 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, v5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." v6 Then I said, "Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth." v7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, I am a youth, Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. v8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the Lord. And again in Psalm 139:16, Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them, v17 How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! and so God knows us and loves us and has declared His destiny over us, even the number of our days. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. v12 Then you will call on Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
As we reflect on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade that gave license to unrestricted abortion in this country in 1973, we can see how the outcome of that decision has changed the prohetic destiny not only of the 50 million babies that have been aborted, but also the millions of the women and men who would have been their earthly parents. And so the prophetic destiny of this whole nation has been altered. When I came back to America a few years ago after preaching in Costa Rica, where abortion is illegal and the national motto is Pura Vida!, pure life!, I came into the Atlanta airport and immediately felt a feeling of darkness and oppression hanging over this nation. the Lord spoke to me and said, "this is the spirit of death from abortion that is oppressing this nation", a huge demonic principality that torments every man, woman, and child. The cry of the innocents blood goes up from the land, just as God spoke to Cain in Genesis 4:10 "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. v11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brothers blood from your hand." And so the cries of the innocents go up, and we reap the curse. Beloved, this is a call to pray, to reverse Roe vs. Wade and remove this curse from our land. May God bless you this day as you pray. In Christ, Jim www.gathertheoutcasts.com
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Tenfold Increase in Wisdom and Understanding
Dear beloved: I have been in a Daniel fast the past two weeks, praying for my family, country, and direction and provision for the ministry and open doors the Lord has given. The Lord has really impressed upon me a few verses from His word, the primary one being Psalm 11:3 "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" I have been preaching on this as well at the prison as I believe it is important for all of to take stock of where we are as Christians in relation to our walk with the Lord, as well as where we stand with other believers and nonbelievers. Suffice it to say this country is in grave danger in every way: economic collapse, moral decay, enemies within and without ready to take us out, and I could go on and on. It is easy to focus on our failures as individuals and as a nation and then fear begins to overwhelm and consume us, and as a result we do nothing. But the Lord asks a piercing question, " what can the righteous do?"
When I think about Daniel and his situation, it is obvious that he was in a very precarious situation himself, much more so in a way than we are. He was in captivity, not in a cell as such, but he and his people were captive to the Babylonians who had besieged Jerusalem and taken them all off as captives to a foreign land. Some of God's people didn't survive the siege and the trip and the subsequent captivity, so in a sense Daniel had much to be thankful for. But he knew the only hope for himself and his people was to continue to cry out to his God in any and all circumstances, which is what he did. That is the lesson for us also, that in any and every circumstance we must continue to cry out to God, He alone is the one ray of hope for us as individuals and as a nation. After Daniel and his friends fasted they proved to the king through their appearance to be fairer and fatter in flesh than all the other children which ate the king's meat. In addition to their countenance rising, Daniel 1:17 tells us, as for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. And again in verse 20, And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Isn't it great to know that there is a path to wisdom and understanding that is ten times better than the path the wicked of the world has chosen to lead them down the path of life? The world's way practiced in the time of Daniel is still the way today: astrology, psychic hot lines, secular counseling, many other occult practices, and education relying on intellect and man's wisdom. God's way is illustrated by Daniel and his friends in their obedience to the Lord in prayer and fasting, devotion to the Lord even in the face of extreme persecution, even to the extent of going into the fire and the lion's den in defense of their faith and obedience to the Lord.
If you are lacking direction, wisdom, and understanding for your life, I would highly suggest you enter into a Daniel fast, or any kind of a fast, such as water only, or whatever the Lord calls you to do. The new year of 2012 is just beginning, this is the time to prioritize, renew, and rededicate your life to following Jesus with passion and wisdom. If you have a ministry or a calling, its a great time to reevaluate and ask the Lord for increased wisdom and understanding, to go after that ten fold increase that Daniel received. If you have not moved into your calling, now is the time to get started, as the days are growing short and there is great urgency about sharing the gospel. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Paul says, Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. I will be posting more in the days ahead on the foundations of the Lord's kingdom, and where we can work to fortify them. May God bless you this day, in Christ, Jim
When I think about Daniel and his situation, it is obvious that he was in a very precarious situation himself, much more so in a way than we are. He was in captivity, not in a cell as such, but he and his people were captive to the Babylonians who had besieged Jerusalem and taken them all off as captives to a foreign land. Some of God's people didn't survive the siege and the trip and the subsequent captivity, so in a sense Daniel had much to be thankful for. But he knew the only hope for himself and his people was to continue to cry out to his God in any and all circumstances, which is what he did. That is the lesson for us also, that in any and every circumstance we must continue to cry out to God, He alone is the one ray of hope for us as individuals and as a nation. After Daniel and his friends fasted they proved to the king through their appearance to be fairer and fatter in flesh than all the other children which ate the king's meat. In addition to their countenance rising, Daniel 1:17 tells us, as for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. And again in verse 20, And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Isn't it great to know that there is a path to wisdom and understanding that is ten times better than the path the wicked of the world has chosen to lead them down the path of life? The world's way practiced in the time of Daniel is still the way today: astrology, psychic hot lines, secular counseling, many other occult practices, and education relying on intellect and man's wisdom. God's way is illustrated by Daniel and his friends in their obedience to the Lord in prayer and fasting, devotion to the Lord even in the face of extreme persecution, even to the extent of going into the fire and the lion's den in defense of their faith and obedience to the Lord.
If you are lacking direction, wisdom, and understanding for your life, I would highly suggest you enter into a Daniel fast, or any kind of a fast, such as water only, or whatever the Lord calls you to do. The new year of 2012 is just beginning, this is the time to prioritize, renew, and rededicate your life to following Jesus with passion and wisdom. If you have a ministry or a calling, its a great time to reevaluate and ask the Lord for increased wisdom and understanding, to go after that ten fold increase that Daniel received. If you have not moved into your calling, now is the time to get started, as the days are growing short and there is great urgency about sharing the gospel. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Paul says, Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. I will be posting more in the days ahead on the foundations of the Lord's kingdom, and where we can work to fortify them. May God bless you this day, in Christ, Jim
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