Dear beloved: I have recently been reading in the book of Jeremiah as part of my read through the Bible in a year program, and at the very time I was in Jeremiah the President of the United States came out with a declaration of support for homosexual marriage in the United States of America. And just as Jeremiah was grieved in his spirit and became known as the "weeping prophet", so too, was I grieved in my spirit and began to weep over this land. Jeremiah 2:7 and I (God) brought you into a beautiful country, to eat the fruit therof and the goodness thereof; but when you entered, you defiled my land, and made My heritage an abomination. v8 The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. v11 Has a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. v12 Be astonished, o heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, says the Lord. v13. For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
As I was sitting on the porch of my house reading and praying for our country and for our President, a truck went by on the dirt road in front of the house, raising a huge cloud of dust into the air(it is quite dry here). The dust slowly drifted down and settled on every foot of land, on the trees, and even on the roof of the house. And the Lord said to me "this dust is like the declaration that has come forth from the President over this land, it is as filth that settles on every foot of land, every house, and every person in this land". I felt in my spirit there is no escaping it, as if to say we can all run to take a shower and wash it off, but it can't be washed off, as soon as we step out of the shower we will be covered with filth again.
Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous reign the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Beloved, those who know the truth of God's word are mourning now, as the leader of this great nation speaks for this nation to the world and over this land with his decrees. His words have cast a pall over this land. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Beloved, pray that the Lord will turn the heart of this man in the Oval Office to Him, that the Lord will open his eyes and circumcise his heart to see the truth before it is too late to turn back. Jeremiah 7:15 I (God) will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. v16 Therefore, pray not for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to Me: for I will not hear thee. Beloved, intercede for this land while there is still time. May God bless you this day as you pray. in Christ, Jim
Gather the Outcasts
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Update on Prophetic Orchard Dream
Dear beloved: I have recently been in touch with the pastor whose church I prophesied over concerning planting an orchard. (See earlier posts in April 2012). He has reported to me the following: the 100 apple trees that were planted 2 years ago bloomed this year and set on fruit prolifically, even to the extent that there will have to be thinning of fruit or the branches will break! This is absolutely a sign from the Lord of the abundance of blessing that this orchard is going to be in the days ahead. In addition to that, 120 more trees were planted this year, including peach, pear, and plum. So now the orchard totals some 250 trees, covering about 4 acres. The remaining acre of the field has been tilled up to plant tomatoes, summer and winter squash, and pumpkins.
The Lord asked the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:11, "What do you see Jeremiah?" And I said,"I see a rod of an almond tree." v12 Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it." The almond tree represents speedy fulfillment, as it is one of the earliest trees to show life in the spring. And so when God declares His prophetic word over a person, a church, a nation, or whatever He chooses, He also will watch over that word to perform it. And just as He appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nation of Judah, and the words that Jeremiah spoke came to pass upon that nation, so, too, will His words come to pass that have been spoken over us. Everything the Lord does in some way fulfills His sovereign purposes here in our life on this earth. I believe the Lord is directing this church to plant fruit because He wants that church to be prepared for the disruption and breakdown of the food supply that is coming in the days ahead. Fresh fruit, as well as other food staples, are shipped in anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 miles and even more to this part of the country. Any disruption to the food chain could easily lead to a situation where there is no fresh fruit, and so God has positioned this church to be a supply of fresh fruit in southwest Kansas.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. v8 A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord has spoken! Who can but prophesy? I would encourage all of you reading this to get started preparing for breakdown in the food supply; plant a garden, or some fruit trees or berry bushes. You may be able to bless someone in the name of Jesus, with a basket of summer fruit. If nothing else you will be able to feed yourself and family and thus remove yourself as a burden on someone else. May God bless your planting! in Christ, Jim
The Lord asked the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:11, "What do you see Jeremiah?" And I said,"I see a rod of an almond tree." v12 Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it." The almond tree represents speedy fulfillment, as it is one of the earliest trees to show life in the spring. And so when God declares His prophetic word over a person, a church, a nation, or whatever He chooses, He also will watch over that word to perform it. And just as He appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nation of Judah, and the words that Jeremiah spoke came to pass upon that nation, so, too, will His words come to pass that have been spoken over us. Everything the Lord does in some way fulfills His sovereign purposes here in our life on this earth. I believe the Lord is directing this church to plant fruit because He wants that church to be prepared for the disruption and breakdown of the food supply that is coming in the days ahead. Fresh fruit, as well as other food staples, are shipped in anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 miles and even more to this part of the country. Any disruption to the food chain could easily lead to a situation where there is no fresh fruit, and so God has positioned this church to be a supply of fresh fruit in southwest Kansas.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. v8 A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord has spoken! Who can but prophesy? I would encourage all of you reading this to get started preparing for breakdown in the food supply; plant a garden, or some fruit trees or berry bushes. You may be able to bless someone in the name of Jesus, with a basket of summer fruit. If nothing else you will be able to feed yourself and family and thus remove yourself as a burden on someone else. May God bless your planting! in Christ, Jim
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Discerning of Spirits
Dear beloved: One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of distinguishing or discerning of spirits, spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:10. This is a supernatural gift given so that we will not be tricked and fooled into thinking we are following someone who is of the kingdom of God, but in reality is an agent for satan. Paul tells the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians about false apostles and teachers who are preaching a gospel other than the one that he taught them. v13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. v14 And no marvel: for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. v15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be to their works.
The devil is setting up the whole world for the appearance of the antichist, the beast of Revelation 13. This beast will have authority and power over the economic system and all the religions of the world, save for those who are set aside to follow Jesus Christ. Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leapord, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and his authority. v4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast saying, "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" v6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And so as little antichrists appear on the world stage to deceive and trick the people into following them, it is very important to be able to tell if this person speaking is being led of God or the devil.
The apostle John gives us good instruction in 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are from God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world. v2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God v3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now is already in the world. In the next post I will talk about how we can test the spirit to see if it is the spirit of the antichrist. Keep praying, God bless you, Jim
The devil is setting up the whole world for the appearance of the antichist, the beast of Revelation 13. This beast will have authority and power over the economic system and all the religions of the world, save for those who are set aside to follow Jesus Christ. Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leapord, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and his authority. v4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast saying, "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" v6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And so as little antichrists appear on the world stage to deceive and trick the people into following them, it is very important to be able to tell if this person speaking is being led of God or the devil.
The apostle John gives us good instruction in 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are from God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world. v2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God v3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now is already in the world. In the next post I will talk about how we can test the spirit to see if it is the spirit of the antichrist. Keep praying, God bless you, Jim
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Kenya Update
Dear beloved: Plans are well under way for a return to Kenya this coming August. I will be going there at the end of August to conduct a crusade in Mumias in west Kenya, and then back to Nairobi for another crusade in the Nairobi area. Members of a worship team from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City will be accompanying me. We will be in Kenya two and a half weeks, with a short trip to the Masaii Mara wildlife area at the end before heading back to the states.
This trip will be all about fulfilling the great commission, Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching all that I have commanded you,and lo, I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20). This is raw evangelism at its very best; put up a platform, wire it up for sound, bring on some praise bands to get the warfare going and bring in the people, and then get up and preach the word. It is exciting and at the same time exhausting, but how fulfilling to see people respond to the gospel and surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus! The Lord promises that His words when spoken and planted will not come back to Him void; Isaiah 55:10, For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; v11 So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
If you are reading this blog God has led you here for a specific purpose. Would you consider being a prayer intercessor for this Kenya mission, or commit to helping to support it financially? If God has placed either of these callings in your heart please contact me at www.pureprairie@hotmail.com and let me know how you would like to participate. Or if you have a church fellowship that would like to have a guest speaker or revival meetings, let me know and I will see about coming to your city or church fellowship. Pray about your part in the Kenya meetings, we need to raise about $20,000 to do everything over there the Lord would have us to do. By His grace and provision it will come to pass, I believe He has some partners on this blog who would like to make it happen. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you soon. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
This trip will be all about fulfilling the great commission, Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching all that I have commanded you,and lo, I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20). This is raw evangelism at its very best; put up a platform, wire it up for sound, bring on some praise bands to get the warfare going and bring in the people, and then get up and preach the word. It is exciting and at the same time exhausting, but how fulfilling to see people respond to the gospel and surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus! The Lord promises that His words when spoken and planted will not come back to Him void; Isaiah 55:10, For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; v11 So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
If you are reading this blog God has led you here for a specific purpose. Would you consider being a prayer intercessor for this Kenya mission, or commit to helping to support it financially? If God has placed either of these callings in your heart please contact me at www.pureprairie@hotmail.com and let me know how you would like to participate. Or if you have a church fellowship that would like to have a guest speaker or revival meetings, let me know and I will see about coming to your city or church fellowship. Pray about your part in the Kenya meetings, we need to raise about $20,000 to do everything over there the Lord would have us to do. By His grace and provision it will come to pass, I believe He has some partners on this blog who would like to make it happen. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you soon. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Celebrate Stay At Home Mothers
Dear beloved: The outrage over comments made by democratic party strategist Hilary Rosen are well deserved and should tell us alot about the mindset and worldview of Rosen and those she represents. She made the comment about Ann Romney, "she has never worked a day in her life", after raising 5 sons and 16 granchildren, while supporting her husband as businessman, governor, and now presidential candidate. It is strange indeed, when the only view that is celebrated of a woman's place in the world is that she be out in the business or corporate world going tooth to tooth with the men in competing for the grand prize of CEO, or more money, or credentials to raise their standing in this life only. Women who place a high priority on being there for their children don't seen to rate too high in some people's rating system, but that isn't the way God sees it. Worse yet, certain individuals and political platforms go out of their way to celebrate abortion and promote groups that facilitate and make abortion readily available, as if that is a more worthy cause than staying home and taking care of the children.
I praise God for Ann Romney and women like her who have their priorities right and do make that committment to be a stay at home mom. Her children and husband are blessed for it. And I would venture to say America would be a much stronger nation that it is presently if more children had been raised at home by their own mothers; we wouldn't have so many children wandering the streets late at night or coming home to empty homes where there only companion is some mindless Disney program on the tv. Granted, I know that in some situations it is impossible for the mother to stay home, but for those who are able and choose to do so, I applaud you and encourage you. Psalm 127 says this: v1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. v2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. v3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward. v4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. v5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
The first two pillars of God's kingdom here on earth are first, the sanctity of human life, and therefore the end of abortion, and second, the sanctity of marriage and family as God has ordained it. One man, one woman,joined together as one flesh, raising their children in a Godly home and environment where the word of God is cherished and lifted up. May God bless the Romney's and all like them who have made raising their children a priority in their life. Pray for families in America. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
I praise God for Ann Romney and women like her who have their priorities right and do make that committment to be a stay at home mom. Her children and husband are blessed for it. And I would venture to say America would be a much stronger nation that it is presently if more children had been raised at home by their own mothers; we wouldn't have so many children wandering the streets late at night or coming home to empty homes where there only companion is some mindless Disney program on the tv. Granted, I know that in some situations it is impossible for the mother to stay home, but for those who are able and choose to do so, I applaud you and encourage you. Psalm 127 says this: v1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. v2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. v3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward. v4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. v5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
The first two pillars of God's kingdom here on earth are first, the sanctity of human life, and therefore the end of abortion, and second, the sanctity of marriage and family as God has ordained it. One man, one woman,joined together as one flesh, raising their children in a Godly home and environment where the word of God is cherished and lifted up. May God bless the Romney's and all like them who have made raising their children a priority in their life. Pray for families in America. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Prophetic Dream pt 3
Dear beloved: The last part of the orchard dream that I have been sharing with you has to do with blessing the kingdom of God with the money that the orchard will bring to the church. In the dream I saw rows of stone fruit trees with freshly tilled, black soil all around the base of each tree. Then the Lord showed me a lady who was coming down the rows, digging around each tree and pulling silver coins up out of the soil, and holding the coins up in the air. The Lord was saying to me, "these trees will produce money for the church and for the Kingdom of God, so beware and do not let anyone use the money for purposes other than to bless the Kingdom." Deuteronomy 8:16 "In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and test you, to do good for you in the end. v17 Otherwise, you might say in your heart, my power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth. v18 But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you the power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." And so God is confirming the covenant with us also, by showing through the dream that He will care for us no matter what the circumstances, even in times of famine or drouth, He will be our provision.
God's economy operates on a foundational principle that if we bless the Lord with the tithes and offerings from the fruits of our labors, then He will continue to pour out blessings upon us in greater measure. Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this" says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. v11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,"says the Lord of hosts. v12 "And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land," says the Lord of hosts. And so God will bless the orchard and cause it to grow and produce fruit so that many will be blessed in the name of Jesus, and in return He expects the money and wealth that the orchard produces to in turn be invested in Kingdom ventures. What a joy to know that God cares about every detail of our lives, and all the details of the churches He cares about also.
Jesus says in Luke 6:38 "Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." God is preparing His people for the end time harvest which is going to begin in earnest when the economy of America goes sour and food and other essentials will be very expensive and hard to find. Prepare while you still have time; put some food and water back for emergency use, and for immediate use get busy and plant a garden and some fruit trees and berry bushes. You will not only be able to take care of yourself and family, but you will also be able to bless those in need in the name of Jesus. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
God's economy operates on a foundational principle that if we bless the Lord with the tithes and offerings from the fruits of our labors, then He will continue to pour out blessings upon us in greater measure. Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this" says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. v11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,"says the Lord of hosts. v12 "And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land," says the Lord of hosts. And so God will bless the orchard and cause it to grow and produce fruit so that many will be blessed in the name of Jesus, and in return He expects the money and wealth that the orchard produces to in turn be invested in Kingdom ventures. What a joy to know that God cares about every detail of our lives, and all the details of the churches He cares about also.
Jesus says in Luke 6:38 "Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." God is preparing His people for the end time harvest which is going to begin in earnest when the economy of America goes sour and food and other essentials will be very expensive and hard to find. Prepare while you still have time; put some food and water back for emergency use, and for immediate use get busy and plant a garden and some fruit trees and berry bushes. You will not only be able to take care of yourself and family, but you will also be able to bless those in need in the name of Jesus. God bless you, in Christ, Jim
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The Prophetic Dream pt 2
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
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
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
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