Opportunity Delayed, Not Opportunity Denied

Dear beloved: Many times when we see a door of opportunity close we think we may have failed, or that maybe God doesn't know how much we want to do something, or we may think that in some way we know better than God about the timing or advancing of an event. Proverbs 16:9 says, In his heart a man plans(devises) his ways, but the Lord directs his steps. Ultimately, God sees the whole picture and therefore His timing is always perfect, and His plan is always the perfect plan.

Recently I was at a fellowship meeting and a prophet/evangelist stood up to preach, but before he began to preach he spoke this word: for someone in this room, the Lord is saying to you tonight, Opportunity delayed is not opportunity denied. Instantly I knew that the word was for me, as just that very day I was intending to be on a plane headed for Kenya to do the first of a series of crusades, but I had instead decided to postpone the crusades until this summer to give more time gain provision and a stronger team. It was a very painful and agonizing decision to have to postpone, and yet I knew ultimately that it was the right thing to do as I just didn't feel ready in the appointed time frame I had given for myself.

Acts 16:7And when they (Paul and his companions) came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bythnia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. v8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. v9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." v10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. And so as God closed one door for Paul, He opened another, and for reasons known only to Him, sent Paul and His companions to Macedonia where someone was begging for them to come. Beloved, do not be discouraged if the door that seemed to be open is suddenly closed, for God can open doors that no man can shut, and shut doors that no man can open. He is the sovereign God over all things; just keep watching, keep praying, and be ready to move when the next door of opportunity opens. God bless you this day, in Christ, Jim

Dream of Kenya Crusades

Dear beloved: Recently while leading worship at a service in the prison, the Lord flashed across my mind a dream that I had back in 2005 that I had completely forgotten about. It flashed in my mind with a bright light, like a spotlight, and blazed up out of my memory, as if the Lord was saying to me,"Do not forget this dream!"

In the dream I am standing on a stage in front of a crowd of thousands of people, preaching the word to them. In my right hand is a bible that I am holding up in the air, and in my left hand is a gunny sack full of ear corn, with the words "Revelation 22" written on the front of the bag.
Behind me is a large, round corn crib, stocked full of ear corn the way it used to be stored years ago on farms all across the midwest. In front of me, between the stage and the crowd, were a couple rows of prison inmates, all dressed in the clean, blue shirts they wear for the callouts in the prison. The Lord was showing me I was going to be delivering the meat of the word to thousands of people and that the inmates in the prison would be the intercessors for me as the word went forth.

Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered the tempter and said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord 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 discovery of sight for the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, v19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. v21 And He began to say to them, "Today the scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Praise the Lord, for he has also anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, to share with them the vision of Revelation chapter 22, a new heaven and new earth. Rev 22:3 And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bondservants shall serve Him, v4 and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads v5 And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever. Beloved, pray about your part in the Kenya crusades, if the Lord would have you to go, or maybe to help send the team that is going by sharing your earthly treasure, the Lord will show you what is required of you. If you think you are called to do any of the above, please contact me though information given on the website. You can also go the the website, www.gathertheoutcasts.com and click on events, and watch the video of Kibera, the slum of Nairobi where the first crusade will be held. God bless you this day, in Christ, Jim

Fulfillment in Service

Dear beloved: As the return of Jesus Christ draws near, it is more important than ever before that we understand the importance of service to others as the way to people's hearts. In Matthew 25:34, then the King will say to those on his right hand, come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; v35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty, and you gave me drink; and a stranger, and you took me in; v36 Naked, and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came unto me. v37 Then shall the righteous answer unto him, saying, Lord when did we see you hungry, and feed thee, or thirsty, and gave you drink, v38 When did we see you a stranger, and take you in, or naked and clothed thee? v39 or when did we see you sick or in prison and come to thee? v40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.

High unemployment rates, breakdown in the food supplies, natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, all these things will be part of the storm that is coming to America in the days ahead. We will see natural disasters, coupled with manmade disasters such as terrorist attacks and breakdown in law and order, to bring a perfect storm, a confluence of many forces that will shake even the strongest of us. Many will need food, and drink, and clothing, and shelter, in addition to visitation for those who are sick and hurting or locked up in prison. Beloved, this is a grim picture of what is coming upon America, yet the Lord has showed me over and over in prophetic dreams that this is the reality we will be dealing with.

Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. v36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. v37 Then He said unto His disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; v38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest. As we minister to the sick and hurting, to the sheep who do not have a shepherd, we are doing then what Jesus himself would be doing if he was here on this earth, reaching out with care and compassion to a lost and dying world. As we share Christ's love in this way, many will see that love for what it is, the presence of Jesus Christ on this earth. Beloved, pray about your place to serve, for when you do you will be blessed as much or more as those that you serve. In service you will find true fulfillment and joy. Please feel free to post some testimonies of the way God has blessed you in serice to others. God bless you this day, in Christ, Jim

Kenya Crusades Postponed

Dear beloved: As of this writing the Kenya crusades have been postponed until late June or July. The Lord has opened doors for me to preach crusades in three locations in Kenya: Kibera in Nairobi, Mumias in western Kenya, and in the south near Mt. Kilimanjaro. All will be three to four night crusades with pastor training and visits to orphans and widows during the days. Pray with me that the Lord will provide the necessary provision to see these crusades come to pass. If you would be interested in going to Kenya on this trip, please contact me through my contact information given on the website. The time in Kenya will be about two plus weeks, and cost per each person will be roughly $2500. Please go to my website, www.gathertheoutcasts.com, there is a link to it on this page, and clik on events, then watch the video of Kibera, Africa's largest slum, to see images of the place where one of the crusades will be held, then pray about your part in bringing it to pass.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts will be established. The Lord knows my heart and my thoughts, and the Lord knows his children in Kibera and in all of Africa and all the world. The Lord Himself has opened the doors for these crusades and He alone will bring forth the provision for them. Beloved, if the Lord is putting it on your heart to help with these crusades in any way, please pray about your part in it and then contact me. Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break in and steal; v20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break in nor steal. v21 For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.

Matthew 10:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. v37 Then Jesus said to His disciples," The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few; v38 Prey ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest. God bless you this day as you pray for the Lord to send forth laborers. In Christ, Jim

More Dream of Inflation

Dear beloved: The Lord gave me another dream of inflation a couple months ago, it confirms the other dreams I have had of the coming economic tornado that is very close to the land. In this dream I am coming onto a railroad trestle and we come upon four cattle (a couple of them big cows or bulls). They were chained to the tracks with big log chains and boomers, it looked like it was going to be instant death for them when the train came by. Then one bull broke his chains and came at me, and locked his teeth on me, it really hurt, but I got his teeth pried off of me and it didn't seem to draw any blood.

This is the interpretation as I believe the Lord has given it: The inflationary cycles, the cattle on the tracks (bull markets), will come in waves and are destined to happen. The economy, the train coming down the tracks, is on a coarse that has been going on for a long time and it is not going to change at this point, it is on the track and will stay on the track. When it reaches the first calf, it breaks the calf loose and it will spring forth onto every person with a serious bite, it will "take a big bite" out of your paycheck and your purchasing power. The other bulls on the tracks are chained in position and they will be the next waves of the inflationary cycle.

Genesis 41:53-54 When the seven years of plenty which had been in the land of Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said, then there was famine in all the lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. v56 When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth, then Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. v57 and the people of the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth.
Genesis 47:15 And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, "Give us food, for why should we die in your presence? For our money is gone." v16 Then Joseph said, "Give up your livestock, and I will give you food for your livestock, since your money is gone." v18 And when the year was ended, they came to Joseph the next year and said to him, "We will not hide from my lord that all our money is gone, and all the cattle are my lord's. There is nothing left for my lord except our bodies and our lands." v20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharoah, for every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. Thus the land became Pharoah's.

Beloved, now is the time to trust in the Lord of heaven and earth. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. v2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea. v3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. V4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of our God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High. v5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. v6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. v7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. May God bless you this day, in Christ Jim Rowh, www.jimrowh.blogspot.com

Dream of Coming Inflation Along With Dead Birds and Fish

Dear beloved: The Lord gave me a dream a while back that I believe speaks of the coming inflation that will eat away at our economy and our purchasing power. In the dream I am going into a super market and I walk down the aisles in the produce section. Many of the bins are empty, no potatoes, no onions, no tomatoes. Then I go look for corned beef for reuben sandwiches and they were out of that also. They did have some meats on display, but may have been just for display and not really for purchase. Prices of the meats were very high, 10-13 dollars per pound depending on the cut. A carrot cassarole was on display and it was for sale at 13 dollars per pound, I thought, wow, that is really high. That is when the dream ended.

The time is approaching when the dollar will inflate dramatically and the prices and availability to purchase food as we are accustomed to doing will be over. Rampant inflation and breakdown in supplies will leave many without the ability to have adequate food. I urge you to store up some food and water and get ready for the breakdown that is coming, at the very least have some canned goods and canned meats on hand to get you through a transition period of a few weeks or months until prices and supply lines stabilize.

At the beginning of the new year the Lord sent a sign to the whole world that a new day was dawning. Birds fell from the sky and fish died in rivers in Arkansas as well as other places around the world; God heralded the coming of the new year with a sign from the earth and sky. Hosea 4:3 Therefore the land mourns, And everyone who lives in it languishes, Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky; And also the fish of the sea disappear (are taken away). Beloved, the whole earth is mourning, all of creation is crying out for redemption, groaning for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 2 of that same passage tells the reason why the land mourns, V2 There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Hosea goes on to say in verse 6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Beloved, pray for this land, for our children, that we would turn back to the Lord; cry out for revival and for the glory of God to be restored to our land. The land is mourning for restoration, and all creation with it. May God bless you this day, in Christ, Jim

God Hears Your Prayers

Dear beloved: At this time of distress and sorrows in our nation's history, know that the God who created you hears your prayers and is compassionate about every detail of your life. Many times in the confusion and busyness of life we forget to cry out to God, reserving that for the times that we are very broken and in desperate need. I want to encourage you, beloved, to humble yourself before the Lord, this day and every day, and know that God loves you and cares about you.

In Daniel chapter 10, we read about the classic battle between good and evil that is a picture of the battle going on in the life of every believer. Daniel is fasting amd praying, mourning and crying out to the Lord for understanding and deliverance of his people. Dan10:2 At that time, I, Daniel, mourned for 3 weeks. I ate no choice foods; no meat, or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. As a result of the fast and humbling himself before the Lord, God sent His heavenly messenger, the angel of the Lord to speak to Daniel. In verse 11, the angel speaks to Daniel, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling." v12 Then he continued,"Do not be afraid, Daniel. For since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."

Beloved, do not give up hope when you haven't heard from the Lord for your breakthrough. Keep praying, keep believing, keep lifting up your prayers to the God who can move heaven and earth; He hears your prayers and just as He sent an angel in response to Daniel's request and humbling himself before God, so will He for you. God knows your every need (Matthew 6:8) even before you speak them, and He knows your heart. He will send His angels to guard over you(Psalm 91:11), and He will send His angels to minister to you in your time of need.(Matthew 4:11) Ask in faith and watch the Lord do it, He is faithful to hear our every word! God bless you this day as you cry out to the Lord, in Christ, Jim

Second Dream of Tornado

Dream of Tornado

Dear beloved: Last night the Lord gave me a dream of a tornado coming, I believe it was for us as a fasting group as well as a warning for the general population. This is the second dream I have had about tornadoes coming in the last few months, so the Lord is emphasizing to me the urgency of the hour. In the first dream, given last fall, I was in the home of a banker here in town and a tornado approached Norton from the southwest, it was a big tornado that dropped down from a dark and foreboding cloud. I was desperate to get word out to the people in town that the tornado was approaching, so I ran to the radio station and gave the message out over the air. I believe the Lord was saying a great economic storm is coming (banker's home) and that it was rapidly approaching, and that I was to warn the people over the radio air waves ( my Sunday morning radio program).

In the dream last night, we (the fasting group) were all gathered in a house and the word went out that the tornado was very near, and that we needed to go to the basement immediately. Some were lagging behind and procrastinating, while others started to head for the basement. I grabbed a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter (food provision) to take with me to the basement. As I left the kitchen, I could actually hear the sound, the roar of the tornado, it was that close. I wqke up, startled by the sound of the tornado.

The Lord is saying get ready, the storm is very near. When economic collapse comes it will happen quickly and cause great chaos and calamity. Many will be unprepared, both physically and spiritually. Get some provision set aside, food and water supplies, as well as matches, candles, flashlight batteries, etc. the kind of things you will need in emergency situations. In addition get your feet on the Rock of Jesus. Matthew 7:24-27 "Therefore, anyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. v25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. v26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. v27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against the house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Beloved the storm is near, start heading for the storm shelter. God bless you, in Christ, Jim

Fasting and Prayer Pt 2

Dear beloved: In Matthew 9:14, John's disciples ask Jesus a question. v14 Then came to Him the disciples of John, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples do not fast?" v15 And Jesus said unto them," Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they shall fast."
Then Jesus goes on to say in v16," no man putteth a piece of new cloth onto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. v17 Nor do men put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."

And so Jesus is saying to us about fasting, that it is mourning for Him, it is self affliction to remind us that He is not with us but will be coming back again. And so as we mourn for Him we stay in expectation of His return, a reminder to us that this earth is not our home, that we are just passing through and that our real home is in heaven with the Bridegroom. Fasting also prepares us to receive new wine by renewing our wineskin, so that both the new wine and the wineskin will be preserved. The new wine is fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, new revelation, greater anointing, and physical rest and rejuvenation.

Isahiah 42:9" Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." Beloved, God wants to pour some new wine into you, get ready to receive! But before He does that, He has to prepare a new wineskin; shed that old one since it is spent and stretched and unable to receive the new declarations. As you allow the Lord to prepare you, let go of old mindsets and the former things, and be open to what the Holy Spirit has for you this day. Thank Him and praise Him, He is worthy of our praise! God bless you, in Christ, Jim

Fasting for Victory

Dear beloved: As we begin our fast today, it would be good to meditate on this point: What is the purpose of the fast? Isaiah tells us what God thinks about fasting in Isaiah 58:6-9. The whole chapter of Isaiah 58 is the most comprehensive chapter in the Bible regarding fasting, so spend some time studying it and meditating on the instruction given there. In verses 6-9, Isaiah lays out what God feels about fasting, v6 Is this not the fast that I (God) choose? to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? v7 Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? V8 Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. v9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; You will cry, and He will say, "Here I am."

So we can see that the purposes of fasting can be easily identified. 1. v6, to break the bonds of wickedness, or in other words, to get rid of demonic strongholds in our life. Any agreements we have made with the enemy will be brought before us and we will have to renounce and break those agreements, so that we can walk in freedom as God intended for us. 2. v7, to share your bread and provision with those who do not have food, water, or shelter. Fasting is an act of justice because it allows you to share your portion of provision with those who do not have any. 3. v8 There is physical healing also in fasting, your recovery will speed forth. Many illnesses, especially in America, are caused by excess of food, not a lack of it, and so as you fast, your light, your countenance will rise. Fasting is positioning yourself before a righteous and Holy God, and so as you present yourself before Him, you take on His nature and His glory. 4. v9, As you cry out to the Lord for your needs as well as the needs of others, God promises to hear your cry, and He will answer you, "Here I am." What more could we ask for than to hear the Father of all creation say to us, 'Here I am". What reassuring words!

Even a desire to fast and pray causes the demons to shudder, because they know what Isaiah 58 says also. They do not want to see you walk in freedom or get loose from any bond or yoke of wickedness. And so be strengthened in knowing that many faithful brothers and sisters in the Lord are fasting and praying with you at this time; it is a time of great victory for the kingdom. May God bless you, and give you the grace and strength to fast and see that good work finished in you. In Christ, Jim