Francis Frangipane, The Walk, Vision

Christ Living in Us

By Francis Frangipane

Having a true vision is not the same thing as having a godly motive. A person could have a vision directly from God, yet be driven by self-promotion and ambition in seeking to fulfil it.  Jesus preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. This is vision. But He also taught: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross” (Matt. 16:24).

If we will follow Jesus, notice we each have been given our own unique cross: “let him take up his cross.” God has a cross specifically designed to crucify our fleshly ambitions en route to reaching our vision.

Consider Joseph: God had given him a dream of his future, but rather than quietly ponder the divine experience, he exalted himself to his ten older brothers. He assured them that one day they would each bow, like stacks of wheat, in subservience before him. His fleshly immaturity awakened a fleshly, even diabolical plot among his brothers: they sought to kill him. Joseph’s vision was from God, but his motives lacked character, and his actions nearly cost him his life (see Gen. 37).

Yet, God was with Joseph, even in his lack of spiritual knowledge. And, we should rejoice for God is with us as well, even in our immaturity and ambition. Yet we should also understand: A true vision will kill you before it will fulfil you. Joseph had to learn to trust God in whatever circumstance or injustice he found himself; he had to become patient, serving others until the time arrived when his dream bloomed into reality.

“Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him” (Ps. 105:19).

Consider: the Almighty could have certainly brought Joseph to Egypt by a less threatening route. Joseph could have grown to maturity among his family without being sold into slavery. Since he was given the gift of dreams and interpretation, the Holy Spirit could have simply given him a dream and told him to move to Egypt (as He did another Joseph centuries later). Once safely there, Joseph’s fame at dream interpretation would have reached the ears of Pharaoh at precisely the right time, say the morning after the king’s night of ominous dreams. Joseph, the “dream merchant,” would have been positioned in the right place at exactly the right time.

Instead, God brought him to Egypt thirteen years earlier than needed. The young man had to face and overcome repeated experiences with an inward dying to self. He faced betrayal and abandonment; he was enslaved, tempted sexually, slandered and imprisoned. How hopeless could his situation be? Yet, he then faced the challenges of being forgotten. In spite of all these things, Joseph trusted God and grew in both wisdom and spiritual integrity.

God didn’t merely want a man to interpret dreams, but a man who could rule his heart when it suffered abandonment, injustice, slander and rejection and betrayal, and still remain the man of God regardless.

Joseph kept his heart free from the bitterness that overwhelms the soul. He was a man who wept when he finally saw his brothers. These were the men who laughed while he cried to them from the pit, then would have left him to die a long, agonizingly slow death had not a caravan passed by and Joseph been sold to traders. Joseph could have had his revenge – off with their heads! But the Scriptures record that five times Joseph turned away and wept in the discourses with his family; once he “wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard, and the household of Pharaoh heard” (Gen. 45:2).

Joseph was a man of character, a man whose ambitions died but whose vision lived. He drank the cup given him by God, and his dream became a reality. Jesus drank the cup given Him, and we experienced salvation. But each of us has a cup to drink en route to our destiny. There will be no shortcuts to power. We will swallow the full dregs and though it kills us, we shall live. Yet, it shall not be us, but Christ living in us.

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Jerry Olson, Repent, Repentance, The Walk

On Bended Knee

By Jerry Olson
jerrydeanolson@yahoo.com

America and this world’s nations at large, find themselves in a crisis of belief, a time of great economic trouble, a darkness has set on the face of the whole earth. The economy provides our food, clothing and housing for each family throughout the world.  For decades America and much of the world have been blessed with much abundance. However, because we have turned our collective backs on God, we now find ourselves at such a time as this. America is being brought to her knees.  “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Rev 3:17).  We find ourselves in a time of uncertainty; a time of wonder, fear has overshadowed our land.  We have read the Scriptures for many years now, we have been told, unless we repent of our ways, great trouble and fear will befall society.  America has gone from the richest nation to the nation with the greatest debt in a very few short years. We have held our collective heads high for we believed we were in need of nothing and our prosperity would carry us through any difficulty. Just as our forefathers did, we have turned our backs on God. We have gone after other gods and sought riches and pleasures; thinking that we can live abundant lives without God.


Mat 4:4 – “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

John 6:33 -“For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
The Lord knows us very well; until we are brought to our knees and humble ourselves before God, we will not hear Him. We are in bondage yet we do not know it, and those that do know, do not know how to get out.  Gal 5:1 – “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”  How can God get our attention any other way but to bring us low, to get us on our knees?  Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

We have all heard about the men who find God or pour out their hearts to God from the fox hole during battle. These men are already on their knees for you cannot stand in a fox hole.  They find themselves in an excellent position to cry out to God for protection and rescue.  We are told that if you want to be a good leader you must learn first to serve. A true servant will find many of the duties to be done will require working from their knees. Even Jesus spent a good deal of His time on earth on His knees talking to His Father.  Should it be any different for those of us who have wanted to serve?  Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  Have you heard the saying, the true measure of a man is one who will stoop or bend a knee to assist a small child?

What good is all the wealth of the world for a short season if we lose out on our opportunity to find Jesus our Lord and Savior? Phil 3:8 – “But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”  Darkness is all about our world today.  John 8:12- “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”

Time is drawing short now!  Spend your time wisely; spend time in the Word and with the brethren. When you pray, get on your knees. Bending the knee is like a pathway to God’s ear. We show respect and honor to God and we humble ourselves when we are on our knees. Human fear and pride are set aside, out of the way because we are placing our confidence in God and know He has the answer to our questions and needs. Bended knees are a conduit to the heart of God. Help your prayers to become more effective, start from a bended knee. God will see your earnestness to be heard. Your Father will be pleased with your humbleness. Mark 11:24 – “Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Luke 8:48 – “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.’”

Romans 14:17- “For the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Come let us serve on bended knee.

Jerry
jerrydeanolson@yahoo.com

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Darkness, Eric Wheeler, Prophesy

Darkness is Coming

Note from the moderator:  The Lord gave me this revelation in the summer of 2007 while the economy was still doing quite well.  I wrote it down and put it away in my private diary.  I did not publish it or share it with anyone.  I feel led to share it now.

By Eric Wheeler
eric@sharingtheway.com

I believe in my spirit that there will be darkness coming; such a darkness that has not been felt in a long, long time.  God said regarding Egypt: “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.  So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.  They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days.  But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.” (Exod. 10:21-23).
God is about to “set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell…in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land.  I will make a difference between My people and your [Pharaoh’s] people.” (Exod. 8:22-23).

It is written in the Prophets: “Arise, shine; for your light has come!  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people.  But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.  The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.  Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they gather together, they come to you.  Your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.  Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy.  Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you; the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.” (Isa. 60:1-5).

What does this mean?  What darkness?  I believe that a great “famine” is coming over the land.  A time of trouble.  A time of crying out.  A time of economic upheaval.  The world, especially America, will be ground down – brought to her knees.  Her people will hunger.  They will search for comfort; they will search for food.  At the same time, there will be a time of great rejoicing among the believers.  The ‘land of Goshen’ will flourish.  The people of God will rejoice in a way that has never been heard before – on a grand scale which will resound around the whole world in a great shout.  The world will see a difference.  Pharaoh’s false glory will be revealed for what it is.  All of Egypt’s gods will be confronted and disgraced.  Money, celebrity, immorality, infidelity, hypocrisy and religious pretentiousness will all be exposed.  Every golden image that Hollywood has created and idolized will fall.  Every goddess and young god will be humbled.  Las Vegas’ money will become worthless, and her coveted casino chips will flow vainly in the streets.  The strongman’s strength will be exposed, and the bank’s lands will be forfeited.  Some thriving businesses will fail, and the people will be astonished; while other businesses will flourish, and the people will be amazed.  God will set a difference between those who fear Him, and those who despise His commandments and His ways.

Let the wise among you understand.  For God has said that in the last days “the wise shall understand; but none of the wicked shall understand” (Dan. 12:10).  He who has an ear let him understand!  He that reads, let him understand (Matt. 24:15).  Let him who has understanding know this – that Egypt is the world and Goshen is where all the people of God dwell in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Behold, it is written: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh.  Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.  And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.  I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath – blood and fire and vapor of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord.  And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:17-21).

A while back, the Lord showed me in a dream that while the people of God are going to be enjoying a great revival and out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in their midst (pictured in my dream by a great awakening and quickening and rising of the glorious Light of God from within them and upon them), the world on the other-hand is going to be experiencing “darkness” and calamity.  Diverse signs and wonders are going to be keeping them busy and “spiritually mesmerized” so that they will be completely unaware of the Light of God that is rising in their midst among the people of God.  God told me that He was going to “turn law and order upside down” in order to keep the non-believers mesmerized and distracted while the Glory of God is beginning to rise within His House (among His people).  His people will each be “lit-up” and will leave the church buildings and organizations that have been holding them captive and initiating and enabling their spiritual complacency.  Many within the church system will immediately leave and go out and follow the Lamb wherever He goes and wherever His Spirit now leads them.  Their spirits will be quickened, and they will now hear His Voice leading and guiding them.  At the same time, many within the church system will never light-up and will sadly walk away empty.

Eric
eric@sharingtheway.com

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Francis Frangipane, Repent, The Walk, Wait on God

The Death of Ambition

By Francis Frangipane

When I first came to Christ, the Lord gave me a dream about my future. I thought that everything the Lord said was supposed to occur immediately; I didn’t know of the work of preparation and dying to self, of learning patience and maintaining vision through testing, that would occur before God’s promise would find fulfillment. Consequently, I was filled with ambition. Ambition is the first motive that arises in the spiritually immature. I was like the disciples who, a few days after Jesus’ resurrection, were already asking, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom?” (Acts 1:6).

Ambition is very deceptive. It can seem just like obedience, yet because we don’t truly know the Lord, the voice we find ourselves obeying is not God’s, but our own. Our vision can actually be from God, but our motive be self. Consequently, where there is ambition, James tells us there will soon emerge “disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). Why? Because we begin thinking we can accomplish the will of God through the strength of man. We are seeking a breakthrough; God wants to give us brokenness.

The spiritually immature do not recognize their immaturity because they are immature. Thus, they become impatient, fearful and demanding. Because pride blinds the ambitious, we presume we are ready for greater assignments in God. In fact, we become a harder assignment for those who work with us, for our actions continually generate strife.

Ambition seeks to put to death what stands between it and spiritual fulfillment. Yet, it is ambition itself that must die to reach fulfillment. Webster’s tells us that ambition is “an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as wealth or fame, and the willingness to strive for it.” The word translated “ambition” in the NAS is rendered “strife” in the King James. Truly, ambition is a major cause for strife, church splits and conflicts within the church.

I thought having a promise from God was the same thing as receiving a commandment from God. I did not understand what I personally lacked in character or what I needed to attain concerning faithfulness, becoming a bond-servant, and possessing a grateful heart. These things needed to be worked in me before God would truly begin to fulfill His larger promises and opportunities. What I became for God was more important than what I did for Him.

Today, I am living in the spiritual substance of what was just a dream thirty-eight years ago. My ambitions have suffered greatly, yet my dreams are being fulfilled. While I have not yet arrived at the greatest aspects of my calling, I understand the difference between ambition and true leadership and it is this: Ministry is not a call to lead, but to die.

Every advance that I have made spiritually was preceded by an opportunity to die to self. The power in my life comes from where I have died to self and now live unto Christ.  Do you want to advance spiritually?  The gateway to resurrection power is crucifixion. God will arrange opportunities for you to die to self. You must discern them. Dying to self and its ambition is the means of reaching true spiritual fulfillment. If you react to the opportunity to die with fleshly anger or resentment, you will fail to reach fulfillment. However, if you can maintain your vision even while your ambition dies, you will succeed.  

------------------------------
Forwarded with permission from Storm-Harvest Ministries 
http://www.stormharvest.com.au/
 

Please feel free to reproduce, reprint and/or forward as desired. Altering or editing is strictly prohibited. To contact us, send a request to info@sharingtheway.com or visit our website at https://sharingtheway.com/.

Bill Britton, Inspiration

Jonathon and the Sons of Zadok

By Bill Britton

Herein lies one of the strangest, and saddest, stories of the Bible. The story of a fine young man who saw the coming of a new order, actually prophesied of the coming Kingdom, who knew and loved the coming King dearly, yet missed being in that glorious Kingdom simply because he never got around to coming out of the old order!

And with this story comes a solemn warning to those who are seeing the coming of a new order to the Church, who know what it is to feel the anointing of that new Move of the Spirit, who have every reason to be included in that glorious new Kingdom, yet who are in great danger of *missing the ascent to the Throne* simply because, like Jonathan, they will not separate themselves from the old order and “come out of her, my people”. They continue to hang around the edges of what God is doing in these last days, content to keep in touch with the anointed people in the wilderness, but not willing to bear the reproach of being one of that “motley crew” in Adullam.

Now read on, if you dare.

“Swifter than the Eagle”
Jonathan was one of the finest and most admirable young men in the Bible. Many wonderful attributes are recorded of him, and not one sin laid to his charge. He was a man of faith, courage, vision, unselfishness, and deep spirituality. He was a King’s son, next in line for the throne of his father. But he laid all this aside for the love of David, God’s anointed, for he saw that it was the will of God for David to be the next King.
The first we see of Jonathan is in the 13th chapter of 1 Samuel.  He is in Gibeah at the head of a thousand men in the army of his father, Saul. Here he refused to compromise or coexist with the devilish Philistines, but smote a garrison of them, and thus precipitated a crisis in Israel. His courage knew no limit. The Bible says that he was “swifter than the eagle, stronger than the lion”.  His army was not so. They had few weapons, were used to being trampled under the feet of the Philistines, and upon occasion they would flee to the rocks and the caves. He dwelled in the midst of a fearful and trembling people, but he was as bold as a lion, for he trusted in the living God.

“By Many or by Few”
As we go to the 14th chapter of 1 Samuel, we find Jonathan initiating a great victory over the Philistines, with the help of the God of heaven. He started out alone, with only the young man that bears his armor, and after putting out a fleece to God, he single-handedly attacked an entire garrison of the Philistines. He had to crawl up a mountain on his hands and feet in order to get to them, but when he got there he caused such a slaughter that the entire Philistine army went into utter confusion and began to attack each other. God stepped in with an earthquake and a great trembling, and there was a great victory that day. Jonathan was one who knew what it was to eat of the fresh honey and have his eyes enlightened and his soul strengthened. As a result, he also knew what it was to face the wrath of Saul, who is a type of the man-made king over God’s people. But though he sees the wrongness in this system, he continues to stay in it.

“And He Stripped Himself”
After young David came along on that memorable day and slew Goliath, we find David and Jonathan becoming very close friends. In fact, it says: “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.”

The love between these two brave young men, the shepherd boy and the prince, was the brightest thing in Israel at this dark hour of history. Jonathan had at last found someone who did not run from the Philistines, someone whose courage matched his own.

And he felt the divine anointing that rested upon David. For Samuel had anointed David with the horn of oil, to be king over Israel in Saul’s place. And Jonathan came to the knowledge that David was the one to sit on the throne, not himself. For if he ascended to the throne of his father Saul, he could only continue the order his father was in, and he knew that this was not of God. But here was a new order, a new anointing, a new Kingdom that Israel had never experienced before. And God had ordained it. So Jonathan stripped himself of his princely garments and gave them to David. This was all while David was in Saul’s house, under Saul’s rule.

“David in the Wilderness”
Suddenly a great reproach falls upon David. It comes from nothing evil that he has done. No sin can be laid to his charge. But Saul is suddenly jealous over the anointing that is on David, and he tries to destroy that anointing. So David flees for his life into a wilderness place. Jonathan does not go along. He stays in Saul’s house. He still loves David, he knows David has the anointing and the true message from God, but he is not quite ready to leave father’s house and break all the family ties and bear the reproach that David is bearing.
How many there are that are pictured here! They love the anointing and the true message of the Kingdom. They are willing to make any sacrifice, pray, fast, go, and give… just to have that anointing.  Except leave the old order. When it comes to that, they cannot see the need for it. Now it is not courage that is lacking. They have courage, and a great love for God. Like Jonathan, they are full of many fine qualities. But they cannot hear the trumpet saying “Come out of her, my people.” They can hardly understand why the “Davids” have to waste their time in the “wilderness”, with that little motley band of discontents, when they could be doing so much more, preaching to bigger crowds, winning more souls, and sitting at Saul’s table. They just can’t see the reason for the separation. If David had gone forth with the approval of the organization, making some desperate charge against a powerful enemy, then Jonathan wouldn’t have hesitated a minute. But what is David doing? *Nothing.* Just sitting out there in a cave somewhere, or hiding in the woods with his little band of four hundred men. Now four hundred may seem like a great congregation to some of these Move of God preachers who can hardly remember when they had more than fifty to preach to. But compared to the hundreds of thousands that Saul could assemble by blowing a trumpet, it was a tiny crowd.

“David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam; and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And everyone that was in distress, and everyone that was in debt, and everyone that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men” (1 Sam 22:1-2)

Where is Jonathan? Back in Saul’s house, probably sitting around wondering what is happening with God’s anointed tonight, maybe wishing he could just be there and hear David sing some of the psalms that God is giving him by the Spirit. He attends Saul’s banquets, but they are dead, dry affairs, full of business meetings, committee meetings, programs, promotional humbug, political maneuvering, arguing and bad spirits floating around. Yet he can’t seem to pull away. Maybe you think he can do more good for David there in Saul’s palace.

Friends, believe me, God will take care of David. But he needs Jonathan out there in the wilderness with him. He is training an army, making leaders and future heroes. And Jonathan desperately needs to be in that Army. And there is a place for him. But he can’t leave the old order, break the family ties and bear the reproach from his brethren.

Now Jonathan knows David is right, and that the new order will eventually come in. And on occasion he says so. Saul wants Jonathan to kill David, but in 1 Samuel chapters 19 and 20 we find Jonathan opposing his father and refusing to put his hand against this new move of the Spirit. This infuriates Saul so that he rails out at Jonathan and threatens him: “Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse and rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion?” (1 Sam 20:30)

Saul goes on to tell Jonathan that as long as this new order is alive, that Jonathan will never be able to take over the old order and get it established. But Jonathan refuses to oppose David, and Saul throws a javelin at him. But he still will not leave Saul.

He knows that there is an evil spirit troubling his father’s house, and that there is no victory in the camp. But there are strong natural ties that hold him.

“I Shall be Next to Thee”
Perhaps you think that Jonathan is not aware of what is going to happen to Saul’s kingdom? Listen to him as he slips off secretly and visits David out in the woods:… “And he said unto him, “Fear
not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and THOU SHALT BE KING OVER ISRAEL, AND I SHALL BE NEXT UNTO THEE; and that also Saul my father knoweth.” And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.”

Now David only had a few with him, and they were in the wilderness.  But the blessings of God were “flowing” there in Ziph. But what a tragedy in those last few words. Jonathan has all good intentions. He has a true vision. He has a tremendous revelation of the coming Kingdom, probably more than most of the men who follow David. A lot of the men were in the wilderness with David because they had no place else to go, or they were discontent with the old system. Some were there because they didn’t want to go to a debtor’s prison, and some because they admired his ministry and the way he had killed Goliath. Some perhaps even had caught a vision of the message of the new order of the Kingdom. But none had the picture so clearly as Jonathan. *He had the revelation.* He loved the anointing. But all during the wilderness processing, he was missing!!

Why?  He couldn’t get around to coming out of the old order.

And when the new Kingdom came in and David sat on the throne, Jonathan was not standing there by him as he had prophesied. Why?  Because the day that Saul fell in the battle, Jonathan was still with him, and fell also under the sword of the Philistines.

There was a time when Jonathan could put a whole army of Philistines to flight single-handedly. But that was because God was with him. Listen friends, what worked yesterday won’t work today, because the order is changing, and God is moving on.  Either move on with Him, or you’ll find yourself missing out on the greatest thing man has ever seen. Babylon is going to fall, and if you don’t come out of her, you’ll find yourself falling with her, “being a partaker of her sins, and receiving of her plagues.”

There is a little Army in the wilderness today, small, insignificant, reproached, lied-about, but anointed of God. They don’t seem to be doing much, but they are not idle. They are in training. Mighty men of war are being raised up, men who will soon go forth and in the power of the new Kingdom order do that which Saul and all his armies have not been able to do. Saul started his reign with a battle against the Philistines, and for a while it looked like he would do alright and was making good gains against the enemy.  But after 40 years on the throne, the Philistines were still around, and in fact, they overcame Saul in the end and hung his body in the halls of their false god. Jonathan’s body hung there also, a reproach to the man who saw the glory from afar, but never received the inheritance…   [abridged]

Forwarded with permission from revivalschool.com
See their website and discussion board-
http://www.revivalschool.com/

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Eric Wheeler, The Walk

The Time Is Now!

Note from the moderator: This is a letter that the Lord had me write almost a year ago (4/8/08). After He gave it to me, He then told me to hold on to it and to not send it out then. I remember thinking at the time – “Lord, I can’t say this – people won’t understand it. They will think that I am crazy!” But the Lord doesn’t care what we think – and as His servants and children we must do what He gives us to do. For we are to please Him, and not men – as Paul wrote: “For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10). God just told me to send it out to you now – so here it is.  “Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others judge.” (I Cor. 14:29).

My dear readers, and brothers and sisters in the Lord,
I haven’t posted anything in quite a while (since September, I believe), and there has been a significant reason for this:  The Lord hasn’t wanted me to!  It is not because I haven’t wanted to, or haven’t tried to.  Every time that I have sat down these past few months at my computer intending to either write something or to publish an article by someone else that I felt would be timely and spiritually beneficial, the Holy Spirit has not allowed me to.  Those who know the Scriptures well and who have learned to recognize the urgings and promptings (and restraining) of the Holy Spirit will realize that this is not unusual or unbiblical.  The Bible says that Paul and Silas were “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel in Asia and Mysia”, and were consequently re-directed by divine revelation to preach in Macedonia instead (Acts 16:6-10).  No one fully understands why.  But as servants of God and sons of the Most High, we must follow, and learn to completely rely upon, the leading of the Holy Spirit at all times.  “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14).

I now feel that it is time, by the will of God, to clearly state a few things to you all:  We must get ourselves ready – spiritually ready, that is.  The time is very short!  “Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.” (Matt. 24:17-18).  Brothers and sisters, I realize that this Scripture is seemingly being taken out of context, but it is the Spirit that “rightly divides the word of truth” and imparts understanding and meaning to the Scriptures (II Tim. 2:15; I Cor. 2:13; Rom. 7:6; II Pet. 1:20).  Not only did this Scripture apply in history to what happened in the first century during the Roman siege of Jerusalem, but it carries with it a modern warning to us, to be vigilant because judgment is coming quickly upon the House of God – that is, upon Christendom!  Brothers and sisters, God is going to visit His House in ways that this world has not seen.  Do not be concerned with material things!  Do not try to go back into the House of God (the Temple system) if God has called you out!  If you “are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matt. 24:16).  God Hoshanna is coming!  He is even at the doors.  Wake up the babies, and proclaim liberty to the captives!  Woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies (Matt. 24:19).  For God will judge her who has children and will slay her children with death (Rev. 2:20-23).  Repent all you who love her and who have grown fat in her ways.  For she is vile and the Lord abhors her.

God has taken over my mouth and commanded me to speak.  I will say all that the Lord has commanded me.  I will write His words and will not apologize.  Every knee will bow unto Him and every tongue will confess.  He is coming!  The Lord Sabaoth is His name and He will not repent.  All His purposes will stand, and everything that is written will surely come to pass.

Watch what will come unto the churches!  “Not one stone will be left upon another.”  When Jesus first said these words the people had rejected Him.  He was rejected and laughed at by the religious leaders and all those who were bound to them.  But forty years later, judgment came upon them.  The Romans completely wiped out all of those who still clung to the Temple and its system.  All of the synagogues were destroyed and plundered.  The Jewish leadership was killed.  And all of the people who didn’t know or recognize the Messiah were slaughtered.  I tell you the truth – it is coming quickly!  Jerusalem will be judged.  Judea will be plundered.  And the people of God will be scattered.  All who have not known Him or recognized Him will perish.  All who have not “gone out to meet the Bridegroom” will be shut out!  Let him who lacks understanding ask for it.  Let he who has known God draw close.  Let every man, woman, and child call upon the name of God and he or she will be saved.  Leave all distractions.  Leave all hindrances.  Empty all of your bank accounts and everything that restrains you.  Cut ties with foolish things.  Seek the Lord and cleave to Him.  For now is the day of reckoning.  And now is the day that the Spirit cries out – “Today if you will hear My voice, harden not your hearts as in the day of provocation when you rebelled against Me.  Come unto Me and I will save you,” says the Lord.  The time is at hand!

In His name, and as He wills,
Eric Wheeler
eric@sharingtheway.com

I realize that these are hard words.  The Lord gave them to me last night on the eve of my fortieth birthday – the last day of my fortieth year – as I now begin to enter my forty-first year.  In the Bible, forty years is significant.  It symbolizes a completion of a time of testing.  I have learned that I must rely on God for everything; that I do not live by “bread alone” (material things), but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth; and that I must be willing to do (and say) all that He gives me.  It is a hard life, and yet truly exciting and rewarding.  Although I am personally shocked by what the Lord reveals to me and has me say (and write), I am nonetheless not without understanding.  I know what it spiritually means.  As Jesus said, “Suffer the little ones to come unto Me.  For of such is the Kingdom of heaven”.  And again, He said, “Let all who hunger and thirst come unto Me and I will give you meat and I will give you drink.  For My body is meat, and My blood is drink indeed”.  I realize that people are offended at me, and they roll their eyes at me, but as the prophets of old lamented, I too say, “Lord, who will believe our report?”  And who will hear Your words?  For they are higher than eagles fly and the highest mountains hide them.  Surely, all the day long You have stretched forth Your hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people.  How often You have desired to gather Your people together in Your arms as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but they would not.  Behold their house is left to them desolate.

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Jerry Olson, Prophesy

Watch (Part II)

By Jerry Olson
jerrydeanolson@yahoo.com

I wrote an article many weeks ago with the title, “Watch”.  This is a follow-up to that writing.  If you have been watching as was suggested in the article and in the Bible for believers, you would clearly see the trouble man has brought on himself for not believing and\or remembering what God told our ancestors, the Israelites, back many centuries ago.  He made it very clear what was going to happen in the final age of mankind here on earth.

If you have been watching as was recommended, you can see from many points, just how the underpinnings of our way of life are now, at a faster pace than ever before this time, are now coming apart.  Our God told us to be watchful.  He told us what was going to happen, but man seeks his own way apart from God the Creator of the universe.  The absolute arrogance of man is seen everywhere we look.  Families and society in general are paying a heavy price.  But, unfortunately, we are only beginning to see the sorrow which is just shortly going to come to pass, major trouble is just over the horizon.  God told us not to set dates – Jesus our Lord does not even know the date of His ultimate return. However, His return is absolute, and it follows a time of great trouble here on planet earth.  Let us read about the day of the Lord in Revelations 3:10-13 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.  And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My New name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Act 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

A few days ago I stopped to talk with a neighbor with whom I have had numerous discussions over the years about many topics.  We began our conversation about politics and ended talking about the state of affairs for man.  He is thinking that if Mr. Obama becomes President, things will begin to get better.  I told him that God will determine who He wants in office at this time, and that regardless who is victorious, Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama, the only remedy for our troubles and failures is Jesus.  His reply to me was almost verbatim what is written in the Scriptures, as he stated that he is an atheist.  He unknowingly prophetically said, “The powers that be would never allow Him [Jesus] to take charge of things; they would fight against His taking over.”  I agreed with him, but also reiterated that Jesus is the only answer to the problems facing mankind.  My neighbor, Joe, does not see it that way.

I Thess 5:3 “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

Both men running for the American Presidency basically state that they will bring peace and safety for American citizens.

Prov 21:31 “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.”

America is part of the seed of Abraham.  We have enjoyed God’s many, many blessing on our nation for many, many decades.  However, God has removed His blessing hand on America because we have strayed from His teachings and requirements.  Just as was the case for our forefathers, we too are a stiff neck people, just as they were.  We think that we know best and that we can go it alone, without God’s guidance.
Our energies and our treasury have been spent in the pursuit of hopeless and faithless endeavors such as the billions spent on NASA trying to figure out what is in outer space or the Big Bang Machine, halted for at least two months because of problems.  This machine was built 330 feet below the surface of the Swiss-French border 17 miles long, so that protons could be made to collide, hoping to reveal how the tiniest particles were first created after the “big bang” which many theorize was the massive explosion that formed the universe.  After two decades and ten billion dollars, now they have been delayed for at least two months.  The CERN Experiment with its particle collider hope to reveal more about the “dark matter,” antimatter and the possible hidden dimensions of space and time.  They hope to find evidence of the hypothetical particle – “Higgs boson”- which is sometimes called the “God particle,” because it is believed to give mass to all other particles, and thus to matter which makes up the universe.

II Peter 1:3-4 “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Every area of society is in trouble.  Our schools of higher education are run by leaders with very liberal views; views that are contrary to what God teaches in the Scriptures.  Many follow homosexual lifestyles, believe abortion is ok, and doing whatever feels right is fine.  Same sex marriage is now an acceptable lifestyle and raising children in that lifestyle is tolerated, where common sense would show most people that this thinking will harm children in the long run as well as society.

Today’s news reports of a $700 billion bailout as requested by President Bush of Congress for our nation’s financial institutions comes on the heels of last week’s billions pledged by the government for the banks and AIG, the worlds largest insurance company.  We had an eight trillion dollar national debt before the Iraq war which is now spending at a rate of approximately ten billion per month.  It is estimated that the national debt before these bailouts is somewhere around nine and one-half trillion dollars.  The monthly trade deficit is now approximately 52 billion per month, treasury leaving America.  The American dollar has been losing value against other major currencies for several years now.  The auto industry is in trouble; this industry (one of America’s largest) has supported much of the tax dollars available to America.  Both Ford and GM have asked for government loans because of losses; approximately 25 billion was requested by both parties.  The airline industry has asked the government for loans as well; this industry has had a very hard time of it since 9\11 when America was attacked.  America went nearly a week with all airline activities suspended.  Also the price they are paying now for fuel has made their situation even that more desperate, several have filed for bankruptcy.  The housing industry is another one that is struggling to keep its head above the water line.  Home values across America are down.  America has been spending money it does not have, to help out the destruction left in the gulf by Katrina, Hugo and Ike, and other hurricanes, these past few years. Jefferson, Arapahoe and Denver counties have all had to spend many millions to add jail space to handle the additional criminals they are obligated to house.  Many of these inmates are fed, clothed and provided for by society for years, awaiting court appearances not to mention subsequent jail and prison time.  Individuals that commit murder and rape are supported with tax dollars for years often times.  However, God in His word told society how to deal with this scourge on society.  Even a young person that does not show honor and respect to his father and mother are to be stoned.  The hundreds of millions we spend on these criminals is also having a negative effect on America.

Phil 3:18-19 “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.”

Have you noticed the ads in the paper trying to get you to purchase things?  You can buy furniture with no money down, no interest and up to five years to pay.  Cars with life time warranties.  You can purchase a home with nothing down, with no proof of income.  These are major changes that have come about in less than a decade.

No other country can still match American military power and sophistication.  However, the engine that has made America the envy of the world and where our true human power is derived is our economic strength.  Our current federal tax intake is just over 3 trillion annually, however the interest on the national debt has now become one of our three largest expenditures along with social security and defense.  Major inflation is at our door.  Just before World War II was over, it required a full wheelbarrow of previously valuable German marks to purchase a loaf of bread.  The economic engine that brought America blessing and prosperity is beginning to slow and over-heat.  A significant sign showing the limitations of an economy attempting to keep the American dream alive.  How much more can the grand old lady – America, take?
I found it quite interesting to read an article published today in the Rocky Mountain News entitled, “Dems Try to Lure Mesa County Over to Obama’s Side” (Grand Junction) – Apparently, three men stood near the door-way recalling how Barack Obama showed up in their town just the day before in front of 5,800 supporters and what his visit meant for Democrats here.  They were excited.  They were pumped.  They were enthusiastic – reciting lines from the speech and talking political strategy.  Then the phone rang.  Rick Baer ambled over to the green phone at the front desk of the Mesa County Democrats office and answered it.  He didn’t say much and the call lasted less than a minute.  Baer, a 63-year old retired electrician and campaign volunteer, hung up, walked back to his spot and leaned back against the wall without saying a word.  After a few seconds of blank stares, the two men finally asked him who it was. “It was a woman telling me that God told her John McCain and Sarah Palin were going to win the election,” Baer said. “Seriously!”  The three men looked at each other after a brief pause, and then chuckled.  ‘Well, I guess there’s no point in voting”, Alex Sidanycz said.  “If that’s what God said.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

We can read in Daniel 5:18-21 where it tells what happened to the king when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened in pride.  He was removed from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.  He became as a beast; was made to dwell with wild donkeys; was fed with grass like oxen; and his body was wet with dew; all of this until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

Greed and the desire for power drive many of our public leaders to seek office today.  Jesus said that if you want to lead, you must realize that leadership is serving the people.  In order to be elected into office most will say whatever it is that will get them elected.  Elected individuals become very wealthy often times from their positions of trust.  In Hebrews 13:17 God’s word states that those that rule over you must give account.
Jesus gave His full measure of self for us.  He went to the tree so that we could have life.  His body was brutalized.  His blood was spilled.  He did it with us in mind.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that Christ did not send him “to baptize but to preach the gospel, [the Good News], not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than man.” (I Cor. 1:17-25)

I Cor 3: 18-20 “Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’”

James 3:14-18 “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there. But the wisdom that is from above is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Jesus said in Matthew 11:27-30, “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.  Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

James 2:5 “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

II Tim 2:1-3 “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Jerry Olson
jerrydeanolson@yahoo.com

 

Please feel free to reproduce, reprint and/or forward as desired. Altering or editing is strictly prohibited. To contact us, send a request to info@sharingtheway.com or visit our website at https://sharingtheway.com/.

Darkness, Jerry Olson, Prophesy, Second Coming

Watch

Note from moderator: This is an article that Jerry Olson submitted to me back in June 2007 that unfortunately, got lost, and was never published on Sharing the Way.  I just received Part 2 from him, so I asked Jerry to please re-submit Part 1 so that I could send both parts out to Sharing the Way subscribers.  This is Part 1.

Watch (June 2007) – by Jerry Olson

On Thursday 6-14-07 in an issue of the Rocky Mountain News, I read an article entitled: “Vatican Sized-Up Denver Girl’s Cure”.  The article explains how Father Jumpero Serra (1713-1784) was said to be the one the family prayed to and a little girl, Kayla Rebecca Kellog, was delivered from a severe birth defect before she was born.  Now the Vatican is looking into the possibility that this Father Serra may become a Saint because of this miracle.

On June 8, 2007, I received a letter from Rod Parsley Ministry.  It starts off with the following quote: “This is your moment to Win Your War!!!  You and I, as believers in Jesus Christ, are in the midst of the most important war in our history – a war of the worlds – a war of worldviews.  Our families along with our beloved America are rapidly becoming casualties of war.  God has given me a prophetic battle plan, a banner under which all true Christians can rally, and learn to effectively oppose the godless worldviews vying for the souls of this generation and the future America.  The battle plan is contained in the pages of my new book, Culturally Incorrect.  It is a Christian manifesto – your marching orders to win your war against the demonic worldviews that are bent on destroying you and your family.  I have enclosed more information about the book, and the special DVDs, I also want to send you, when you sow a seed of faith $50 or more into Breakthrough today.”

I was given a book, entitled, Draw Close to Jehovah, written by the Jehovah Witnesses.  In reading this book, I found on page 43, these words: “Although now is not the time for performing miracles, Jehovah has not changed since Elijah’s day.”

In a recent Wall Street Journal article entitled “Hitchen’s Book Debunking the Deity a Surprise Hit”, dated Friday, June 22, 2007, it mentions that even though the book, God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, is a blazing attack on God and religion, it nonetheless, is still flying off the bookshelves, even in the Bible Belt!  The initial printing of the book was 40,000 copies.  But today, only seven weeks after the book first went on sale, there are now over 296,000 copies in print.  The article mentions that consumer demand has been so strong that booksellers and wholesalers were even unable to get copies a short time after it hit stores.

The Bible tells us that we should be watchful and looking for the signs of the times in which we are living. Mat 25:13, Jesus speaking, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man is coming” – speaking of Himself.

Like 21:25-28 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

I Cor 16:13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”

I Thess 5:6 “Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”

Rev. 3:3 “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”

These blasphemous articles and teachings cited above are clear signs of the times.  I believe these and other things going on around the world should cause us to stop and consider the times in which we live.  The continuing decline of teaching truth, individual morals and family values in our society are signs of the continuing decline of this world.

I think it is even more important now than at any time in human history to study the Word of God.  Our very lives are in the balance.  We need to drink in daily the wisdom that comes from the Scriptures.  Our faith must be strong if we are to stand strong against the enemy.  Mat 4:4, Jesus speaking, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

I Peter 5:6-10 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

What is a true Christian?  What is the real Gospel?  Was it ok even in Jesus time for ministers to sell things under cover of the Church for money?  Can any of us truly save America?  Could Lot save Sodom and Gomorrah?  Doesn’t the Bible speak of teaching God’s Word?  Doesn’t the Word say, “Freely you have been given, freely give”?  Doesn’t the Bible state that God does the calling?  The “called” are chosen by God, and yes will be saints in the family of God.  Man is not able to call, only God can determine the invitation and acceptance for each individual at the Wedding Supper.  The Father chooses the bride.

Mat 24:2 “And Jesus said to them ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’”

Mat 24:21-22 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s (chosen) sake those days will be shortened.”

First of all let me say that America and this earthly society are in big trouble.  Man can not live apart from God.  Peace, joy and happiness are a result of living with God, trusting in His wisdom and humbling ourselves, allowing God’s will for us to be manifested.  The trust in God we had at our outset as a people and nation has disappeared.  Today we trust in our military power, our influence in the world and the stock market.

Satan’s world has become a world without morals, values, and spiritual discernment.  Our national faith in our Creator Father God and Lord Jesus Christ is all but gone.  We only give lip service to being a Christian nation. Mark 7:6 “These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”

Believing in God only, is not sufficient – more is required!  Sadly, our confidence is in our beautiful homes, money in the bank, SUV’s, next vacation, and which private school to send our children too.  I’m reminded of how people lived just before the great calamity in Noah’s day.  Even with this testimony written in the Bible, we have allowed a repeat stage to be set.  Even though 9/11/01 was just seven years ago, we have forgot that all the church buildings in New York city were filled to capacity for many days after the attack, and the massive loss of life and disruption at that time.  Why, I ask, have the same buildings been emptied today?  We are much closer to even greater loss of life, disruption and sadness than at any time in America’s short history.  Howeve,r just as in Noah’s and Lot’s day, people are more interested in other pursuits, than making themselves ready.

John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life”.

I have yet to find a Christian organization, (denomination) that teaches the whole and true Word of God.  Most of these ministers and pastors are far more interested in lining their pockets than shepherding, as was taught and demonstrated by our Lord Jesus, our true and wonderful Shepherd.

I Peter 5:4 “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

It’s no wonder we are where we are and in this condition.  Our Father and Lord Jesus saw how it would be before the world as we know it began.  Jesus was sacrificed before the foundations of the world.  Let us read, I Peter 1:18-20: “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world.”

The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. I Cor 3:19

Gal 1:9-10 “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Most preachers and pastors today are simply men pleasers.

Mark 9:17 “Then one from the multitude answered and said, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son, who has a mute spirit,:18 And wherever he seizes him, he throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.  So I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out, but they could not. :19 He answered him and said “ O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I bear with you?  Bring him to Me”.”

Yet later, these same disciples, now with the Holy Spirit from God, were strengthened in their faith, and as we can read in Act 5:12-16, they were used mightily in God’s work, where it says that even the shadow of Peter passing by would heal the sick.  This is the same Peter that began to sink when he got out of the boat, and the same Peter that denied Jesus three times.

Jesus, the most powerful human to walk the earth, and the most humble as well, only taught from the Word of God.  He had no need, nor is there a need today, to publish all these so-called Christian teaching books. God’s Word does not need or require any modification or adjustment from man.  The Bible, without alterations, should be the focus of our learning.  Anything written by man will contain human error and/or have bias or be slanted by the writer because we all seem to have an agenda.  Jesus had no reason to convene members of dioceses’ teams to do interviewing in order to examine people under oath, for the process steps to determine sainthood.  Jesus could examine in the spirit, the condition of a man’s heart, even today.  Besides, our Father God only determines who will be called.  And as the Scripture says, “Many are called but even fewer are chosen.”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have “overcome” the world.”

The reason we see few miracles today is that many denominations teach miracles from God were done away with, and are not for our time.  I say, that is a very weak explanation.  Has God lost His power? Has sickness been abated?  Has God lost His love for His people?  Why would God have inspired these words to be given in the scriptural passage? James 5:14-15 “Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”  Let us read about a man that was but a deacon, his name was Stephen. Act6:8 “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”

James 5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. :18 And he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

So do not think for a second that you could not also do the same thing, faith is the key.

As we read earlier, there was a time when even the apostles lacked the faith necessary for healings and other needs where the power of God can be manifested through faith.  I can not find anything in the Scriptures that would have us believe God has shut off His power and desire to deliver His people at this time.  The healings that I have witnessed in my own life, surely, these were not from Satan.  Although, he could use his power as the present god of this earth, to deceive even the elect, if we stray from God.

Jesus speaking, John 14:12-14 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

James 2:5, “Listen, my beloved brethren, has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

Mark 10:27 “But, looking at them, Jesus said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’”

Jesus and His followers that received the Holy Spirit called for the power of God in faithful prayer for any worthwhile need.  Through faithful prayer God provided deliverance, healings, food, people raised from the dead and other miracles.  I ask you, brethren, why would the disciples be allowed to receive un-natural power from God?  Would God allow this for their fame and or gain or favor?  These were truly converted people by the Holy Spirit.  They believed; they had great faith, eventually. Conversion is a process, it doesn’t happen to most of us overnight, (seemingly like Paul), some amount of time is necessary and required.  We are talking about life altering events. 

We must first believe that there is a God.  God must call us into His service. When we receive the Holy Spirit from God the conversion process begins. We must believe the Word, (Bible), that these Words were inspired to be written.  We must have faith, in order to be used of God for His purposes.  Our requests must line up with the will of God. God may not give us that new sports car, even if we ask for it.

Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

We hear people erroneously say, “I am going to church” – when the Scriptures clearly teach that “the church” is the people called of God – that is, Christian individuals. The proper statement then would be something like, “I am going to fellowship, or worship, or to a Christian gathering.  The building, any structure, is not important to God, only individual Christians.  When we leave a building the Holy Spirit goes with us home.  Preaching, teaching, worshiping and praising God can be done anywhere, even the city dump.  In fact, some of these building are so beautiful, even gaudy, full of man’s traditions, that great distraction can occur, even limiting worship, as a result.  How effective is worship when we think we need large orchestras, beautiful robes, large phylacteries, and the like.  Must I be a great singer to worship God?  Singing to God with the right heart is more important to God than the quality of my singing voice.  Must I wait for the Sabbath to praise God?

When we step out in faith and exercise the power of God, we essentially do two things.
1) We give glory to God.
2) We advance the gospel, the good news.

We are the pinnacle of His creation!  We are more important to Him than the other parts.  We are the very offspring of His Son, we are the Bride of the Cornerstone of our faith, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  He is our Mediator and Advocate to the Father.

The chosen of God will be in the family of God, spirit beings that will even judge angels. I Cor.6:3 “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?”

So as the world becomes more confused, darker, more perverse and lacking in natural affection, God has sprinkled light and power throughout the earth.  They (the “called-out ones”), are not yet recognized by this world’s society and governing entities.  However, as the world continues down the present alley way, their light will become the only real light of truth on earth.  For a very short season, even greater power from God will come forth onto the world scene, springing forth suddenly, almost overnight; much calamity will occur.  Conversions will occur.  It will be a time of great harvest; many will be put to death because of their faith.  The world will be even more confused; wonderment and unrest everywhere, throughout the earth.  Good and evil converging at the same time. It will be like no other time.

Rev 19:11 “Then I saw heaven open up, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns.”

Then Jesus and His new government will descend with great power and authority.  Love, peace and true happiness shall be ushered in.  Jesus will finally be in His rightful place on this earth, as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Mark 13:32-37 “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed watch and pray; for you do not know when this time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, in the evening, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping.”

And what I say to you, I say to all; WATCH!!!
Jerry Olson

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David Wilkerson, Financial Failure, The Walk

God Is Still King Of The Floods

By David Wilkerson (Sep 15).

The Psalmist writes, “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have
lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves” (Psalm 93:3).
The floods represent the rising waters of afflictions, the overwhelming
crises that are coming on the earth affecting multitudes. This is
the flood of unemployment, housing nightmares, ever-growing
financial difficulties. We now face a great flood of fear and confusion
about what to do to survive the storm.

It tears my heart to have a single mother stop me on the street
weeping, “Pastor, what am I going to do? I lost my job, and I may
lose my apartment. I have nothing to live on. Where will I go?”
Top-level executives are being laid off with no warning. Workers
tell me they see bosses crying at their desks, asking, “What will
I do? I’m broke. What about my mortgage? I have no benefits.”

Some terrible things are happening, even to some of the godliest
believers. I ask God, “Lord, what do I tell them? They are in the
flood.” I know these saintly people pray and read God’s Word.
Indeed, they have learned to trust the Lord. But now their faith is
being tested to the limit. I get calls from some who are soon to
lose everything. I can’t just give these people a pep talk and a
few Scriptures and ask them to cheer up. I am not suffering the
way they are. I still get paid, and I am not in danger of losing my
home.

I ask you, please, hear my heart as I say this: The time is not far
away before we all will be deeply affected by the economic flood
coming to the whole world. Great trials are ahead for all of us who
deeply love the Lord. Here is what I am led to do by the Holy Spirit.
I ask it of my family, all of whom work with the church body. I urge
you to pray to see if the Lord is leading you to do the same: No
more buying of luxuries. Cut all spending except absolute
necessities. Sell every unneeded item. Turn it to cash and give it
to ministries to the poor and needy. Downsize as much as possible.
Be willing to let it all come to this: “Having food and raiment
[covering], let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8).

Build up your faith by reminding the Lord daily of his promises:
“The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for
ever” (Psalm 29:10). “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me
never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness” (Psalm 31:1).

In Christ,
David Wilkerson
http://www.tscpulpitseries.org/

Forwarded with permission from http://www.revivalschool.com/
See their website and discussion board-
http://www.revivalschool.com/

Please feel free to reproduce, reprint and/or forward as desired. Altering or editing is strictly prohibited. To contact us, send a request to info@sharingtheway.com or visit our website at https://sharingtheway.com/.

Andrew Strom, Prophesy, Prophet

Keen Insights On True Prophets

Compiled by Andrew Strom

“Great industrial concerns have in their employ men who are
needed only when there is a breakdown somewhere. When
something goes wrong with the machinery, these men spring into
action to locate and remove the trouble and get the machinery
rolling again.

For these men a smoothly operating system has no interest. They
are specialists concerned with trouble and how to find and correct it.

In the kingdom of God things are not too different. God has always
had His specialists whose chief concern has been the moral
breakdown, the decline in the spiritual health of the nation or the
church. Such men were Elijah, Jeremiah, Malachi and others of
their kind who appeared at critical moments in history to reprove,
rebuke and exhort in the name of God and righteousness.

A thousand or ten thousand ordinary priests or pastors or teachers
could labor quietly on almost unnoticed while the spiritual life of
Israel or the church was normal. But let the people of God go
astray from the paths of truth and immediately the specialist
appeared almost out of nowhere. His instinct for trouble brought
him to the help of the Lord and of Israel.

Such a man was likely to be drastic, radical, possibly at times
violent, and the curious crowd that gathered to watch him work
soon branded him as extreme, fanatical, negative. And in a sense
they were right. He was single-minded, severe, fearless, and these
were the qualities the circumstances demanded. He shocked
some, frightened others and alienated not a few, but he knew who
had called him and what he was sent to do. His ministry was
geared to the emergency, and that fact marked him out as different,
a man apart.

To such men as this the church owes a debt too heavy to pay.
The curious thing is that she seldom tries to pay him while he lives,
but the next generation builds his sepulcher and writes his
biography, as if instinctively and awkwardly to discharge an
obligation the previous generation to a large extent ignored…”  [A.W. Tozer]
[-From the Foreword to Leonard Ravenhill’s “Why Revival Tarries“]

The historian D’Aubigne writes: “A great work of God is never
accomplished by the natural strength of man. It is from the dry
bones, the darkness and the dust of death, that God is pleased to
select the  instruments by means of which He designs to scatter
over the earth His light, regeneration and life.” [- D’Aubigne’s
“History of the Reformation“].

Another writer has observed: “In the various crises that have
occurred in the history of the church, men have come to the front
who have manifested a holy recklessness that astonished their
fellows. When Luther nailed his theses to the door of the cathedral
at Wittenberg, cautious men were astonished at his audacity.
When John Wesley ignored all church restrictions and religious
propriety and preached in the fields and by-ways, men declared
his reputation was ruined. So it has been in all ages. When the
religious condition of the times called for men who were willing to
sacrifice all for Christ, the demand created the supply, and there
have always been found a few who have been willing to be
regarded reckless for the Lord. An utter recklessness concerning
men’s opinions and other consequences is the only attitude that
can meet the exigencies of the present times.” [Quoted by Frank
Bartleman in “Azusa Street“, pg 46.] (Also published as “Another
Wave Rolls in“)

God bless you all.
-Andrew Strom, revival school.com moderator.
—
Re-printed with permission from http://www.revivalschool.com/
See his website and discussion board-
http://www.revivalschool.com/

MODERATOR:
Andrew Strom,
PO Box 21-904,
Henderson,
West Auckland 0650,
New Zealand

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