THE U.S.A. PROPHET ~ Transforming American Culture To Kingdom Culture

RELIGION AND POLITICS

2011-08-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

I am certain you have have heard the phrase, "Religion and Politics don't mix." What an absurd and ill-informed statement. ALL POLITICAL SYSTEMS HAVE AT THEIR BASE SOME FORM OF RELIGION. The only question to be resolved is "Which Religion?" In the United States of America that "Religion" is from The Holy Book of both the Jews and the Christians....THE HOLY BIBLE! President Obama frequently quotes from "The Holy Koran" and seldom quotes from THE HOLY BIBLE.

Our Founding Fathers would be appalled at such a speech!

In 1985 my wife and I took a tour of Washington D.C. We are absolutely amazed at how many Bible verses are engraved in nearly every Monument and every Building that houses our Federal Government! As you walk up the steps of the Supreme Court you can see a row of engraved figures near the top of the building. Right in the center of those figures is Moses with a copy of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Make no mistake about it, there is a deliberate and concerted effort going on in the United States to shift the Religious Base of our Country from the Holy Bible to the Holy Koran.

A CITY UPON A HILL

2011-08-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

In the year 1630, while still on board the Arbell, their ship to the new land, Governor John Winthrop penned and preached an awesome treatise entitled, "A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY." In essence it is the Charter of the New England Colony. John Winthrop was a wealthy English Puritan Lawyer, and one of the leading figures in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the first major settlement in New England after Plymouth Colony. Winthrop led the first large wave of migrants from England in 1630, and served as governor for 12 of the colony's first 20 years of existence. All the adult men on board signed the document. It is quite lengthy and can be found in it's entirety with an online search. I want to quote here the closing paragraphs. These two paragraphs clearly enunciate the passion and commitment these brave souls had toward their God Given Mission of founding a new Country for Him. Quotes from this treatise have been used in recent years by both President John F. Kennedy and also President Ronald Regan. Both of these Presidents were motivated with a sense of Destiny in fulfilling our God Given purpose as a Nation.

"Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work. We have taken out a commission.The Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles. We have professed to enterprise these and those accounts, upon these and those ends. We have hereupon besought Him favor and blessing. Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath He ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, and will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it; but if we shall neglect the observation of these articles which are the ends we have propounded, and, dissembling with our God, shall fall to embrace this present world and prosecute our carnal intentions, seeking great things for ourselves and our posterity, the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, and be revenged of such a people, and make us know the price of such a covenant.

Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck, and to provide for our posterity, is to follow the counsel of Micah, to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. For this end we must knit together, in this work, as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection. We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of other's necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience, and liberality. We must delight in each other; make other's conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as His own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of His wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist ten thousand of our enemies; when He shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations, "may the Lord make it like that of New England" For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God, and all professors for God's sake. We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us till we be consumed out of the good land wither we are going.

And to shut this discourse with that exhortation of Moses, that faithful servant of the Lord, in his last farewell to Israel, Deut 30, "Beloved, there is now set before us life and death, good and evil," in that this day we are commanded to love the Lord our God, and to love one another, to walk in His ways and to keep His Commandments and His ordinances and His laws, and the articles of our covenant with Him, that we may live and be multiplied, and that the Lord our God may bless us in the land whither we go to possess it. But if our hearts shall turn away, so that we will not obey, but shall be seduced, and worship other Gods, our pleasure and profits, and serve them; it is propounded unto us this day, we shall surely perish out of the good land wither we pass over this vast sea to possess it. Therefore let us choose life, that we and our seed may live, by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him, for He is our life and our prosperity." Governor John Winthrop, 1630

Currently our Nation is in a very desperate and critical situation. Could it be that God has honored this Oath of our Founding Forefathers? Governor John Winthrop made it abundantly clear that if we as a people strayed away from God, that He would withdraw His present help from us. Could it be that by signing their names to an oath before God that He has enacted His part of the covenant? Will we continue to sit by silently while we, as a Nation, become a story and a by-word through the world? Do you believe that God could simply forget or dismiss an oath or a covenant?

Who Are We Following?

2011-01-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

With this New Year we will begin a brand new Bible Study. We will be digging into the four Gospels for an in-depth Study of Jesus' Ministry. Since HE has called us to FOLLOW HIM, then we can assume that if we are indeed FOLLOWING JESUS, we will be doing the same kind of Ministry which HE did. We also could conclude that if we are not doing the same kind of ministry which HE did, then we are not truly FOLLOWING HIM. As we begin this study we see that immediately after the Baptism (Matthew 3) and the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4), Jesus began to call Disciples to FOLLOW HIM. First HE called Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, and also James and his brother John (Matthew 4:18-22). And then all of a sudden, without any prelude or introduction we read a grand summary of HIS initial campaign into ministry: "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him" Matthew 4:23-25 NIV It is so glaringly obvious that we must notice that Jesus did not do some of the things that we usually do to begin a new ministry. Notice that in HIS initial ministry campaign there were: No newspaper ads announcing HIS coming to a town or region, no slick marketing with three color brochures, no mass mailing or marketing strategy, no community surveys to determine the needs of the community, and no billboards. HE simply went into a city and began "proclaiming the good news of the kingdom." Before we can go any further in this study we must pause to distinguish between the "good news of the kingdom," and the "good news of the church." The "good news" or "Gospel of the Church" could be summarized as: Jesus Christ is God who came in the flesh, was crucified for our sins, died on a cross, was buried in a tomb, and rose again on the third day, and that HE is coming back again, some day. (see I Corinthians 15:3-4) That is indeed very Good News! That is the Good News or Gospel that is proclaimed by all Christians of all Bible Believing Churches of all Denominations all around the world.... and rightly so! However, that is not the "good news of the kingdom" which Jesus preached. First of all, as you can easily see for yourself: HE had not yet died on the cross, nor was HE yet buried, nor had HE yet rose from the grave. Soooo..... what did HE preach? His very first sermon is recorded for us in just a few words in an earlier verse. "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17 NKJV) We can see that it was a message of "repentace." Don't let that word scare you. It simply means to have a change of mind and to turn around. If you were going the wrong way on a freeway, and you suddenly realized that you were going east, when you wanted to be going west, you would "repent." You would change your mind about the direction you are going, put on your left turn signal, get over the middle lane, and as soon as possible, make a U-Turn. That is exactly the definition of "Repentance." It simple means to change your mind and turn around. Jesus' first sermon was not just the word "repent" but that the people were to "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Again we see it is all about "proclaiming the good news of the kingdom." Soooo.... what is the good news of the kingdom? Well, you will have to wait until the next installment of this Blog to find out. But for now let me just say that in the past 40 years of preaching and ministering in a professional and an ordained capacity in 7 different denominations, I have heard very, very, very little of "proclaiming the good news of the kingdom."

THE SECRET SOCIETY OF JESUS

2010-04-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

"All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“ I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Matthew 13:34-35 NKJV

It is well known that Jesus taught in parables. He himself explains in Matthew 13:10-11 why He did so. "And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." The Lord wants to disclose HIS secrets to HIS children. HE purposefully engages HIS Servants the Prophets in the process by revealing secrets to them that HE does not disclose to everyone. "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7 NKJV The above passage where Matthew says that Jesus teaching in Parables is a quote of Psalms 78:2, "I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old." We see that the word "Secret" is the same meaning as "Dark Sayings." These are the things the Lord wants to reveal to HIS Servants the Prophets. HE speaks Parables in the night, in dreams, and in whispers of voices. Many young Prophets, not understanding the Parabolic Nature of Dreams, have been mis-guided. They often take dreams literally at face value. Sometimes, even dismissing them altogether as being demonic not realizing that they are symbolic. In scripture, sometimes they are to be taken literally. However, most often HE is speaking in parables.
"Then He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?” Numbers 12:6-8 NKJV God spoke to Moses at a different level than HE spoke to HIS other Prophets. To them HE spoke in "Dreams," "Visions," and "Dark Sayings" which the NIV translates "Riddles." In understanding our dreams we would do well to begin with asking the Lord if it is a Parable or to be taken Literally. If it is a Parable, begin to pray for insight into the key to unlock the secret. Usually there will be one figure or one word in the dream which is the key to unlocking all the rest of the meaning of the dream. Often it is a picture of something that is described by a word that has a double meaning. If you pray in the Spirit and meditate on the Symbol or Riddle a word will pop into your mind. It will come like a light bulb flashing on. That is usually the key to unlocking the Secret. Understanding Riddles and Symbols is essential for the Ministry of the Prophet. "I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets." Hosea 12:10 NKJV

CLEARER VISION - 20/20

2010-04-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

"So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” II Chronicles 20:20

The adventures of Jehoshaphat are among some of the greatest exploits in the entire Bible. This passage is about one of his greatest! The people of Moab and the people of Ammon came to do battle against the people of God and Jehoshaphat. It was reported to the king, "A great multitude is coming against you..." (20:2) What is your normal response when you receive alarming and unsettling news? When tragedy strikes at your house, what is your first response? "Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." (20:3) How unlike some arrogant leaders today, who in the midst of a great national crisis cancels the National Day of Prayer Service. Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord for Mercy. (see his prayer in verses 6-12) He concluded his plea with these words, "...nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon YOU." This is the posture of a great Leader. Humility is not weakness! Humility is the place of strength! God answered this Leader's prayer. HE sent the Prophet Jahaziel, and he brought encouragement, strength, and a strategy to the King. "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's." (20:15) He brought the word of the Lord with a Divine Strategy, "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord..." (20:17) Notice the chain of events and their related sequence: First: A Crisis Strikes -> Second: The Leader Inquires of The Lord -> Third: God answers his prayers by sending a Prophet with a Strategy. When Jehoshaphat receives the Word of the Lord from the Prophet of God, he acts upon it. He immediately sets out to implement the strategy. He bowed his head to the ground in worship and then he and all the Levites "stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high." (20:18-19) Then we read our text for this week: "So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” (20:20) There is a role of great importance for the Prophets of God in our day! They hear from God and speak to the Leaders! This is God's plan! Any Nation or Church that ignores God's plan of action in critical times is in great peril. However, on the other hand, believing in and trusting in the Lord, and listening to HIS Prophets will bring victory in battle and prosperity to the people. Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go ahead of the Army. They sang praises to the Lord! The Lord set ambushes against their enemy. The people of God won the day! It took three days to strip the gold and silver off the dead bodies of their fallen enemy! We are currently living in a day when the voices of the Prophets of God are rising. This is in response to the the Global Prayer Movement. Peoples across the earth are crying out to God in day and night prayer. HE has heard their cry and has sent the Prophets with HIS answers of Encouragement and Strategy. Will the Prophets stand up and declare the Word of the Lord without fear of man? Will the Leaders receive their word and implement the Strategy from above, like Jehoshaphat did? Our Destiny as a Nation hangs in the balance, waiting for the answer to these two questions.

2012 THE MOVIE, THE YEAR, AND THE BOOK

2010-01-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

Q. "WHO KNOWS THE SECRETS OF THE END OF THE WORLD?"

In the Movie 2012 only a handful of scientists and politicians, and one lone wild-eyed prophet knew what was happening. What does Scripture say about who will know what is happening? "Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." I Thessalonians 5:1-3 NIV It is obvious that according to the Word of God the coming Day of the Lord will be a shocking surprise to many who are sleeping. Unfortunately, in America many Christians are sleeping. They are expecting to soon be caught up in the air. They are totally unprepared for the coming Day of the Lord. They have been so intently focused upon the Rapture that they have not prepared for the Revelation! Yet at the very same time it appears that according to the Word there are many who will be awake and who will know what God is doing in the world. "But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I Thessalonians 5:4-11 NIV This is consistent with the Prophet Daniel, who said that even during the setting up of the abomination that brings desolation to the land, "the people who know their God will display strength and take action." Daniel 11:32 NASV The people who know their God will know what their God is doing in the land! And, furthermore, they will also know what they are to do during that time. "Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless HE reveals His secrets to HIS servants the Prophets." Amos 3:7 NKJV The end time Prophets of God know what is currently happening and also what is about to happen. Listen to the Prophets!!!

2012 THE MOVIE, THE YEAR, AND THE BOOK

2009-12-07T12:57:00.000-08:00

Q. "WHO KNOWS THE SECRETS OF THE END OF THE WORLD?"

In the Movie 2012 the first person to discover that something is amiss with the earth is a geophysicist who is working in a Copper Mine in India. He discovers that the Earth's Core temperature is rising dramatically. This is caused by the increased Micro-waves emitted by the increased Solar Flares. The Micro-Waves, like a micro-wave oven, are cooking the earth at it's core. He then tells his friend, played by John Cusack, who is working in the U.S. Government Department of Environmental Protection. It then becomes his job to convince the Secretary of State, the President, and other U.S. Officials to wake up to what is happening! There is one other man who knows what is happening. He is in the role of a wild-and-weird prophetic person, played by Woody Harrelson. He lives in a motor home and broadcasts live to the internet warning all who will listen that the end of the world is near.

In our culture there are at present time many who are seeking answers to the question: "How will it all end?" The History Channel continues to probe the issue with several Series on: 2012, The Apocalypse, and Prophecies of Nostradamus, etc. Scientists, Environmentalists, and Astronomers, all point to an alignment of the planets that will occur at the Winter Solstice, or December 21, in the year 2012.

What does THE BOOK have to say about who can know?

2012 THE MOVIE, THE YEAR, AND THE BOOK

2009-12-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I had the joy of attending a movie with my son. We went to see The Movie 2012. It was perhaps the most intense movie I have ever seen in my entire life. The acting, action scenes, sounds, and massive catastrophic events were "over-the-top!" I literally was on the edge of my seat for much of the show. I am sure the guy behind me was entertained by my moves in my seat in an effort to steer the plane to pull up over the top of the falling sky scrappers! This movie has indeed raised the awareness in the minds of many of our culture that something cataclysmic is about to happen to planet earth. Many are discussing the question, "Is the year 2012 really the end?" Reports of the Mayan Calendar, the Chinese Calendar, reputable Scientists & Astrologists, and even Prophecies of Nostradamus & Visions of George Washington have come to the front page of the discussions. Over the next few weeks I hope to discuss this excellent movie and the issues behind the discussion of the year 2012. We will examine what is being discussed in our culture under the Light of THE BOOK, God's Word. In order to begin our study and to jump start your thinking on the subject I want to pose some questions that we will answer together in the weeks ahead:
1. Who knows the secrets of the end of the world?
2. How does the end of the world actually come about?
3. Who, if anyone, will survive the end of the world?
4. Who are destroyed by the cataclysmic events of the end?
Stay tuned and check back each week!

THE DAY OF THE LORD

2009-11-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (II Thessalonians 2:3-4 NKJV) Several times throughout Scripture where the Second Coming of Christ is taught, we are warned against deception. There is already widespread deception in the Church in America in regard to the significant events that are yet to come. Many think that the next big event to take place is the Rapture of the Church. This is an American deception. Other Christian in non-western cultures are not under this deception. They are preparing for the time of lawelessness and are intensly studying the Scriptures concerning the anti-christ. This is "the man of sin." He will be a human being...a man. He is presented here in II Thessalonians as coming before the coming Day of the Lord. He will set himself up as the one to be worshipped. He will even set up some sort of idol of himself in the Temple in Jerusalem. This leads us to yet another event that must take place before the coming Day of the Lord: The Re-building of the Temple. Currently there is no Temple in Jerusalem. Yet, there are plans already made for it. There is a group of ultra-conservative Jews who have all the plans, all the funds, and even all the furnishings already in place. Currently, there is a Muslim Mosque on the very site where the Temple is to be built. You can see why there is such animosity between the Jews and the Muslims in our day. You can read about the re-building of the Temple here: http://www.templemount.org/

THE DAY OF THE LORD

2009-11-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

PROPHETIC INSIGHTS

2009-10-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

"A Day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you. I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime—a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. (Zechariah 14:1-9 NIV) Even as I write this weeks Blog, the Nations of the earth are finalizing their plans to take their place in this Prophecy. The Nations are forming their allegiance against Israel. They are formulating their strategies. They are manufacturing their arsenol of weapons. They will proceed. These references to that rapidly advancing Day of the Lord are the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th reference to "On that day" found in Chapters 12 through 14 of Zechariah. We read here Zechariah's rendition of what John calls the Battle of Armageddon. When the nations of the world will align themselves against Israel. They are set on one thing...the destruction of Jerusalem. At the end of the battle, the Lord HIMSELF returns with HIS Holy Angels to bring a swift and decisive end to the battle. HE sits HIS foot down on the Mount of Olives and it splits in two! HE is coming back, just as the Angel promised. After Jesus gave the Disciples their marching orders (we call it the Great Commission.) HE was taken up into the clouds from this very same Mount of Olives. Then two men dressed in white appeared to them and said, "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11 NIV) Yes, HE is coming back! He is not coming back to take sides. HE is coming back to take over! Then there will not be Republicans or Democrats. There will be One King and One Kingdom!

PROPHETIC INSIGHTS

2009-09-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

"On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
"On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more," declares the LORD Almighty. "I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother, to whom he was born, will say to him, 'You must die, because you have told lies in the LORD's name.' When he prophesies, his own parents will stab him.
"On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his prophetic vision. He will not put on a prophet's garment of hair in order to deceive. He will say, 'I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth. If someone asks him, 'What are these wounds on your body?' he will answer, 'The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.' (Zechariah 13:1-6 NIV)
In these first 6 verses of Chapter 13 we have the seventh, eight, and ninth occurrence of the phrase, "On that day." We see that there is coming a great cleansing from sin in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit will be poured out in great measure to bring conviction of sin and to bring repentance. Chapter 12 verse 11 says "On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great." (sixth occurrence of the phrase) We see that the greatest day for Messianic Ministry is yet ahead of us! In these last day there will be a spiritual awakening in Israel of unprecedented measure. False Prophets will be cleaned from the land. Their false prophecies will no longer be tolerated. There will be an exponential increase in the Spiritual Gifts of Discernment. We will know the false from the true. Several years ago I heard the Testimony of a woman who has ministry in Jerusalem. The Lord spoke to her in a dream and told her to go stand at a certain corner in front of a specific building at a set time. She had no clue as to what the directions were concerning, but she obeyed. On that day that the Lord set, she went to the corner of the street where she was told to go. She stood in front of the business where she was told to stand. She was there at the appointed time. She waited. Then, suddenly and softly a man's voice spoke from behind her, and called out her name. There was a man hiding behind a pillar where she stood. He told her not to turn around for both of their lives were in danger if either of them were recognized as speaking to one another. He told her that he had a dream and was told by the Lord to come meet her at this specific time and place. He told her that he was a Rabi in Jerusalem, and that he had become a believer in Jesus the Messiah. He went on to tell her that there were over 50 respected Rabbi's in Jerusalem who shared his same belief. He told her they were waiting for the timing of the Lord when "On that Day" they would begin to preach and make public their faith in Jesus the Messiah! Hallelujah! Isn't this awesome! The Holy Spirit has already prepared the messengers of Good News to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah to the descendants of David in Jerusalem!!! Paul says, "Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved." (Romans 11:26 NIV) We are close to seeing with our very eyes the things the Prophets spoke long ago! Stay faithful! Pray for Israel!

PROPHETIC INSIGHTS

2009-09-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

"On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume right and left all the surrounding peoples, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. The LORD will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem's inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:6-9 NIV) These three references to "on that day" are the third, forth, and fifth times this phrase has occurred in Chapter 12. Here we see that as The Day of the Lord rapidly speeds upon us the Nations of the World will align themselves against Israel. It is interesting that just this week it was reported on World News that Russia has supplied Iran with Long Range Missiles. It also has been reported that Iran is much further along on the development it's Nuclear Warhead then had previously been thought. We see Bible Prophecy unfolding right before our eyes. But be careful! This passage makes it clear that the Lord will fight with Israel against all her enemies! He will make the Leaders of Israel like flames tossed into dry kindling. They will consume all the nations surrounding them. The terminology sounds very much like a limited nuclear war. This is entirely possible, since Israel is armed with nuclear weapons! There will be a Supernatural Shield raised up over Israel! The Angel of the Lord will be a shield against all incoming nuclear missiles fired from Iran and other Nations against Israel. Jerusalem will remain intact. Every Nation that enters into this all out attack against Israel will be destroyed by the Lord! This is very crucial for us to pray into our own Country. We must stand with Israel in these final hours.... or we will not stand at all! Pray for our National Leaders to renew their commitment to stand with Israel and to re-new our stand against Hezbollah and other terrorist groups that seek to destroy Israel. This is our only Hope For Survival As A Nation!

PROPHETIC INSIGHTS

2009-09-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

"This is the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness," declares the LORD. "I will keep a watchful eye over the house of Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. Then the leaders of Judah will say in their hearts, 'The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.' " (Zechariah 12:1-5 NIV) Here in the first five verses of Zechariah 12 we find the phrase "On that day" two times. These are the first two of fifteen references to THE DAY OF THE LORD that occur in Chapters 12 though 14. They give us a good understanding of what to expect as THE DAY OF THE LORD unfolds in the days ahead. In the first reference we see that the nations of the Earth will line up in array against Israel. It will seem as though Israel is the enemy of the world. Israel will be hated even more. However, the Lord Almighty will intervene against the nations who come against Israel. Somehow, miraculously, by the Power of Almighty God, the nations that come against Israel will end up destroying themselves. In the second reference, the Lord says HE will send "Panic" and "Madness" to those attacking Israel. And Israel will become like a large rock too heavy to move. These are things that we will soon see take place as THE DAY OF THE LORD begins to unfold before our eyes. Jesus himself said in Luke 21:20 -25 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you know that it's desolation is near....on the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world." Watch the world news as we proceed toward the unfolding of THE DAY OF THE LORD and you will see nation after nation lining up against Israel. Where will we, as the United States of America, be standing? Will we be standing with Israel, or against Israel? Our own prophetic destiny, as a Nation, will be determined by our choice in this vitally important decision.

PROPHETIC INSIGHTS

2009-08-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

In the Book of the Prophet Zechariah chapters 12-14 the phrase, "...on that Day" occurs 15 times. The phrase is referring to THE DAY OF THE LORD. This is the Old Testament phraseology for what we commonly call THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. When Jesus walked the earth, the only Bible that HE an HIS Jewish Disciples had was what we call The Old Testament. They called it The Scriptures and The Prophets. It is extremely important for us to clearly understand the Old Testament teachings on THE DAY OF THE LORD. It is the FOUNDATION of Jesus' own teaching and also all the Apostle's Writings on this subject. Without the solid FOUNDATION of the Old Testament teaching on THE DAY OF THE LORD, any Theological Structure that we would build solely from the New Testament, concerning The SECOND COMING OF CHRIST would indeed be shaky at best, and errant at worst. So, let's jump into our study of THE DAY OF THE LORD. Get your Bibles out and begin reading Zechariah chapters 12 through 14. Underline or hightlight each time you find the prhase, "..on that day."

WHAT'S AHEAD?

2009-08-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

Several years ago immediately following a prolonged period of Fasting and Seeking the Lord, HE spoke these words to me,"MY PEOPLE ARE SO FOCUSED ON THE RAPTURE THAT THEY ARE MISSING THE REVELATION." I was impressed and motivated to begin Reading and Studying more about the things that are to come. My studies began with several readings of the Book of Revelation. (More about that later.) I then went on to study the foundational Scriptures of the Old Testament on the Subject of "THE DAY OF THE LORD." One of my conclusions is that the Church in America has had such a fixation on the Rapture that have missed much of what THE BOOK has to say about THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST! This soon coming major event is what is referred to in THE BOOK as, "THE DAY OF THE LORD." As a result of this misplaced fascination, WE ARE VERY MUCH UNPREPARED FOR WHAT IS BEING UNLEASHED UPON OUR WORLD! Over the next few weeks I will be writing about some of the discoveries I have made in THE BOOK. We will begin by discussing 15 Prophetic Insights of "What's Ahead" from Zechariah 12 - 14.

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 9

2009-04-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

"And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice,"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne." (Revelation 5:1-7 NKJV)

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 8

2009-04-16T03:10:00.000-07:00

"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Revelation 1:7 NKJV) The Word is clear and unmistakable: JESUS IS COMING BACK TO EARTH! He is coming back in a much more public and dramatic way than the way in which He left earth. When He ascended up into Heaven and disappeared into the clouds, there were only a few of His Disciples who who had assembled on a mountain top and who witnessed the event. (see Acts 1:9-11) When He returns to earth to establish His Global Kingdom, the Word says, "every eye will see Him." This Global News Event could not have been broadcast to the entire world just a few short years ago. The recent technological advances of Satellite T.V. connecting with live streaming video on the Internet, have now made possible this World Wide Broadcast of a Global News Event. Even more significant is the recent move of God T.V. from their headquarters based in London, England to a new Headquarters Base in Jerusalem. That is right...there is a major Christian T.V. Network with their Broadcast Headquarters in Jerusalem! They have set up their Headquarters there in obedience to Prophetic Direction from the soon coming King of Kings. He told them to move their Headquarters and Base of operation from London to Jerusalem in preparation for their live coverage of this soon coming Global News Event! As our King sets His foot down on the Mount of Olives, all cameras will be focused on this one event. All televisions will simultaneously be tuned to one event! All computers will be streaming live video just one news story! All the Jewish peoples scattered throughout the entire earth, "even they who pierced Him," will suddenly be gripped with a realization, "We crucified The Messiah!" All the unbelieving, atheistic, agnostic peoples of all the nations of the entire world will "mourn" as they are gripped with a sudden and irremovable regret: "HE'S BACK!"

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 7

2009-04-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

"...and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:6 NKJV) That we have been made "Kings" and "Priests" is a present reality...not some future, yet unrealized promise. We have been made Kings, with delegated authority from THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. He has given to us the authority of His Kingdom to extend the Borders of His Kingdom. As we engage in Evangelism and Discipleship we are pushing back the forces of the enemy and extending the Kingdom of Light. Jesus, or King, has given us authority and responsibility to do so. This ministry is carried out with a dual office of also being "Priests." The role of Priest is not reserved for only some elite class of minister who wear their collar backwards. The word declares WE ARE ALL PRIESTS! These new positions give us purpose for living and meaning to our otherwise mundane existence: WE ALL ARE NOW KINGS AND PRIESTS! We are not Priests because some denomination made us so. We are not Priests because some Bishop gave us an ordination certificate. We are not Priests because we went to seminary and passed some Theological examination! WE ARE PRIESTS BECAUSE THE HIGH PRIEST, JESUS CHRIST, HAS MADE US SO!

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 6

2009-04-12T04:06:00.000-07:00

"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5-6 NKJV) The fact that He loved us is beyond my comprehension. We who have betrayed Him. We who have walked away from Him. We who have gone our own way to do our own thing. Yet, still He loved us. He loved us before we loved Him. While we were still in rebellion and cursing His name...He Loved Us! The Book says, "But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NKJV) He did not wait until we got our act together. He did not wait until we got ourselves cleaned up. In fact, if that were possible, we would not have needed Him to do it for us. But He did for us what was impossible for us to do for ourselves. He Loved us and He washed us...set us free from our sins. We are Clean before Him! What a refreshing and energizing thought! Standing naked and unashamed, clean, before the Holy Creator of the universe! Not because of anything we have done...but because we have been covered over by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. By our faith...trust in...the work of Jesus upon the cross...the shedding of His Blood...we have become partakers of the benefit of that Blood. The innocent One died in the place of the guilty ones. The price was paid...and we go free! AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME, I ONCE WAS LOST BUT NOW I'M FOUND, WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE!

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 5

2009-04-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

"...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 1: 5 NKJV) This brief phrase is freighted with precious cargo. Let's see if we can unpack it. The phrase is a part of the Holy Trinity origin of the Letter. The Letter is from the FATHER, the HOLY SPIRIT, and from JESUS CHRIST. Then we are given these three most beautiful accolades of our King Jesus: First, HE is called, "the faithful witness." The word translated "witness" is the Greek word "martus." We get our English word "martyr" and also "martyrdom" from this Greek word. Originally the word meant, "One who testifies to the truth he has experienced, a witness, one who has knowledge of a fact and can give information concerning it." The word in itself does not imply death, but many of the first-century witnesses did give their lives for their testimony. The result is that the word which originally simply meant "witness" came to denote a Christian who witnessed for Christ and subsequently gave his life for that witness. Today the word "martyr" almost exclusively refers to one who has died for their faith in Christ. So, the first phrase used to describe Jesus is in reference to HIS Redemptive and Sacrificial Death. Secondly, HE is referred to as "the firstborn from the dead." This statement is writing HIS Resurrection from the dead onto HIS resume. Jesus is the first born of many brothers and sisters who will rise from the dead. Death was man's final enemy. Death was conquered by the single act of Jesus' Resurrection. He said, "Because I live, you will live also." (John 14:19 NKJV) And also, "Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven -- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." (John 6:53-58 NKJV) Since we are currently living in a world that hates true Believers, these verses are especially comforting. The third designation of Jesus is, "and the ruler over the kings of the earth." In a world filled with chaos and senseless violence, it is very important for us to understand that there is still ONE who is ultimately in control of all things. Even the evil dictators of this world are not beyond the reach of the Arm of our King. Consistently in The Book evil kings of this earth were raised up to punish and to discipline even our Lord's Chosen People. We are living in a day when history is once again being repeated. All the battles and all the wars will one day all be over. The rest of this Book of Revelation is all about that. Then it will be true, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15 NKJV)

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 4

2009-04-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

"John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 1:4-5a NKJV) The greeting of "Grace" and "Peace" are the common and customary opening statement for letters written in the era of The Book. You will find this introductory phrase in the opening lines of most of the letters written by the Apostle Paul. There is something unusual about the designation of the origin of the letter. John records that the origin of the letter is from The Holy Trinity. (We will get acquainted with the unholy trinity later.) This in itself is not unique. However, the order in which he lists the members of The Holy Trinity is unique, found only here, in the entire Bible. The phrase, "from Him who is and who was and who is to come" is descriptive of THE FATHER. The phrase, "and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne" is descriptive of the HOLY SPIRIT. The phrase "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead,and the ruler over the kings of the earth" is of course in reference to JESUS CHRIST. The uniqueness of this list is in the order in which they appear. Usually, in other lists of The Holy Trinity it is: FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT. In this list it is: FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, AND SON. Why? Some Bible Commentators state that it is because the need or necessity of the full manifestation (aka: 7 Spirits) of the Holy Spirit is needed to accomplish the completion of The Revelation. Thus, moving up in the priority list the designation of the "seven Spirits." I do not disagree with the Bible Scholars. However, I want to propose yet another reason for the shift in the order. THIS BOOK IS ABOUT THE FULL AND COMPLETE MANIFESTATION OF JESUS CHRIST! The list builds in force and dynamic. It starts with the All-Powerful One, moves secondly to the Complete and Perfect Dynamic, and then finally builds in heighten manifestation until it finally hits the full crescendo of Jesus! The point of The Revelation is Jesus! Like a beautiful piece of music, or like a master orator, the Revelation builds and builds until it hit the highest crescendo. A crescendo is defined as: A gradual increase, especially in the volume or intensity of sound in a passage. Do you remember what I said in a previous Post about BIRTH PAINS? Once they begin, they usually increase in frequency and in intensity. Although the order of the listing of the members of THE HOLY TRINITY, is uniquely given here, we will soon see, in future studies of The Apocalypse, this crescendo effect is THE NEW NORMAL. Get used to it.

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 3

2009-04-02T03:59:00.000-07:00

"John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:" (Revelation 1:4a NKJV) The number "7" is perhaps the most significant number in the entire Bible. It is the number of completeness or fullness. The basic meaning for the number "7" is established by God Himself in Genesis 1:1 through 2:3. God created the earth and everything in it in six days, and then rested on the seventh day. Have you ever wondered why HE did that? I mean, really, God could have created the earth and everything in it in one nano-second. Whey did HE spread out the creation process over six days? Why did HE rest on the seventh day? God did not get tired! HE did not rest because HE needed it. HE did not do the creation over a period of six days because HE needed that long to get all HIS stuff together. HE did it for us! HE did it to teach. HE did it to illustrate. He did it to communicate to us with "The Hidden Meaning Of The Number 7" The number "7" is very significant in the Book of Revelation. It appears no less than 54 times! The first appearance of "7" is concerning The Seven Churches which are in Asia. The Book of Revelation is an actual letter that was mailed out to certain recipients. The Seven Churches are the recipients. These Seven Church of Asia, are located in what is our Modern Day Turkey. The cities which are addressed in the letter are actually on a Postal Route. They are addressed in the order of the delivery on that route. It is significant that all Seven Churches received all Seven Letters. Thus indicating that these letters were not just for them individually. All Seven Letters were for all the Seven Churches. So, not only were the Seven Letters given for Seven specific Churches of John's day, but they also were given for the entire Church throughout history. It will be seen in the studies ahead of us that the Seven Letters prophetically speak to Seven Periods of time in the History of the Church from John's Day right up to our day. It will also be seen in the studies ahead of us that all seven types of Churches can be found today, right here in America! What an amazing God! What an amazing Book is this Apocalypse!

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 2

2009-03-30T03:41:00.000-07:00

'Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." (Revelation 1:3 NKJV) This is the first promised BLESSING of the Book of Revelation. It is a promise from the Father that whoever Reads Out Loud and whoever Hears the Book of Revelation being read, and then takes Heed to what is in the book...will be BLESSED! There is a lot of information packed into this one verse. First the issue of reading out loud. There is nothing in Scripture that would indicate that demons can read your thoughts. However, there is much in scripture that tells us that they do hear your voice and they respond. In fact Paul instructs us to declare the Mysteries of Christ right in the face of the enemy. "Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ephesians 3:8-11 New International Version) The words "rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" are words that Paul uses to describe the demonic spirits that rule over the earth and in the hearts of men. What Paul is saying is that we are to declare to them the victory of Christ over sin and death, and subsequently....their defeat. Thus serving to put them in their place. That is why we are told in Revelation 1:3 to read the scriptures out loud. There is no book in the entire Bible which more clearly reveals the true victory of Christ over all HIS enemies. There in no book in the entire Bible which more clearly declares the ultimate defeat of satan and all his demon-angels. Begin today to read it out loud in your home, or in your car. One of the ways that you can listen to it being read is to download it onto an MP3 player. I have done this. I listen to Revelation being read every day. The real kicker of this verse is not in the reading out loud, nor even in the listening to it being read out loud. The real punch line of the promise is found in the words, "and keep those things which are written in it." The promise is null and void, made useless and ineffective, unless you take heed, put into practice, and live out in your daily life the things written in this book. So, first read it, listen to it, then live it! Then you will be BLESSED. This is actually the first of SEVEN BLESSINGS that are hidden in the Book of Revelation. If we are going to OVERCOME the days that lie ahead, we are going to need to have ALL SEVEN BLESSINGS on board. Here is a challenge: FIND ALL SEVEN BLESSINGS!

THE APOCALYPSE - Part 1

2009-03-29T02:59:00.000-07:00

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants -- things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw." (Revelation 1:1-2 NKJV) As we open up the Book of Revelation it is important for us to lay in some foundational understanding. The word "Revelation" is the English translation of the Greek word "apocalypse." The definition of which is: "an unveiling or a disclosing of a reality that has not yet been fully perceived." It is like a drawing back of the curtains at a movie theater. As the house lights dim, the audience all take their seats, suddenly a hush falls over the previously noisy auditorium. The music starts, and then what we all have been waiting for...the curtains begins to be pulled back from in front of the screen. The movie begins! That is what the word Revelation (apocalypse) actually means. The title, theme, and the subject of this movie is: JESUS CHRIST- THE RETURN OF THE KING! The Book of Revelation is the full disclosure, the unveiling, the complete revealing of Jesus Christ to the entire world of humans! Yet, interestingly enough, the majority of books being written in recent days about the Book of Revelation have been on the subject of the Anti-Christ. Strange don't you think? It is almost like the loser villain still wants to steal the show. Notice the sequence of the delivery system of this prophecy: It originated with God...who gave it to Jesus Christ...who sent an Angel...who communicated it to John...who wrote it down for us. We will see in the days ahead that angels play a very significant role in the delivery of the prophecy of Revelation and also in our daily lives as we live out the events of the Book of Revelation. The things the angels communicate to John are "things which must shortly take place." As we will see the events of the Book of Revelation have already begun and are still in the process of unfolding. True authentic Christian Life is anything but boring! True Christian Life is the most adventuresome, exciting, compelling, and even dangerous experience on earth! Please take your seat...this movie is about to begin!

THE REVELATION BEGINS - Part1

2009-03-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

"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." (John 16:33 NKJV) Jesus told his disciples that they would live through tribulation in this world. Then he told them to BE HAPPY! HE knew something that they did not yet know. HE knew HE would OVERCOME all the challenges, obstacles, and evil oppositions. In doing so, HE cleared a way for us to follow. HE OVERCAME! The word "overcome" in the original Greek language is actually a military word. It means much more than merely surviving! It pictures a decisive victory over the forces of evil. It's military terminology suggests combat against the Evil One! We will discover that the word "OVERCOME" is a major theme of the Book of Revelation. In fact, I would say it is one of the major goals of the writing of the book. The Revelation is a road map, a military strategy book, and a survival guide all wrapped up into one book. Let me suggest to you that you begin reading through the Book of Revelation on a regular basis. Perhaps begin by reading it once a week. We will begin discussing it here in this Blog.

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 10

2009-03-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV) This gathering together of HIS elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other, is what we call The Rapture. The word "Rapture" does not even appear in our English Bibles. It actually is a Latin word for the English words "caught up." The phrase "caught up" occurs in I Thessalonians 4:15-18 "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." ( NKJV) In the Matthew 24 passage it is clear that this event will take place immediately after The Tribulation. In both passages we are told the event will take place with the sound of a Trumpet blast of an Angel of God. We are given even more information on the timing of this event in I Corinthians 15: 52 " in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." ( NKJV) We are told quite clearly from all three passages of scripture that The Rapture will occur after The Tribulation and at the sound of the Last Trumpet from the Angel of God. When does the Last Trumpet sound? Many Believers in America have been getting ready and looking for the Rapture, very few have even considered getting ready for the Revelation! "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying,"The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15 NKJV) Before the Seventh Angel blows his Trumpet, thus The Last Trumpet, there are Seven Seals that first must open, and Six other Trumpets that first must sound! When I say we need to GET READY - BE PREPARED! I mean that we need to GET READY FOR THE REVELATION!!!

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 9

2009-03-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV) This story was told by Jesus to HIS Disciples as part of what is called the Olivette Discourse. It is HIS final teaching before HIS last supper with them. Here are some observations I have made:
1. All 10 of the Virgins had oil lamps.
2. All 10 of the Virgins were waiting for the Bride Groom.
3. All 10 of the Virgins slumbered and slept while waiting.
4. All 10 of the Virgins awoke at the midnight cry.
5. All 10 of the Virgins trimmed (arranged & put in order) their lamps.
At this point, the similarities end. Five of the Virgins had PREPARED for this event. They had extra oil for their lamps. Five had not PREPARED, and their lamps soon ran out of oil. They asked to borrow some oil from those who had PREPARED. Those who had PREPARED said "NO," or else they would not have enough oil for themselves. They were instructed to go buy oil from the market. While they were gone to buy the oil, the Bride Groom came. Verse 10 says, "...and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut." The other five came back later and wanted into the wedding. But the Bride Groom said, "I do not know you." I appears to me that the distinguishing word between these two sets of Virgins is "those who were ready" and those who were not ready. The Greek word that is translated "ready" is "hetoimos." According to Strong's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament it means: to be prepared or made ready. Those who got ready and were prepared were allowed entrance into the wedding. The Bride Groom said HE did not know those who did not get ready, were not prepared, and thus they were not allowed entrance into the wedding. My Conclusion: THERE IS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GETTING READY AND GETTING IN!

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 8

2009-03-22T02:08:00.000-07:00

"Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:10-11, 25-28 New International Version) What can we expect to be taking place in the world around us as the Birth Pains of the Coming Kingdom progress? We know that Birth Pains increase in intensity and in frequency. That is, they come at us closer together and they grow stronger. We can expect that Famines and Plagues will continue to increase. We can expect the deadly H5N1 Bird Flu or Avian Flu to soon be released worldwide. This is clearly prophesied in Scripture. Read verse 11 from the Amplified Bible: "There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:11 Amplified Bible) We have been clearly warned and even instructed in how to prepare for this soon coming pandemic. (See MorningStar Ministries Prophetic Bulletin 2005, "The Dark Cloud, The Silver Lining") We also can expect that Hurricanes and Tsunamis will increase. I believe the "Roaring" of the sea clearly warns us of the increase of Hurricanes, and the "Tossing" of the sea clearly warns us of the increase of Tsunamis. We also can expect Terrorism to continue to increase. The Scripture says, "Men will faint from terror." Several years ago, while meditating on the verse, the Lord spoke to me and said, "There cannot be Terror without Terrorists." All of these issues are way beyond the hope of any human remedy. Not even the best of the best Federal Administrations will be able to solve what is coming. The situation is getting set-up for a super-human deliverer and saviour. The Amplified Bible states it clearly for us: "And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea, Men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter." (Luke 21:25-26 Amplified Bible) The conditions on earth will become so severe that the mass majority of naive and deceived humans will readily accept all the solutions proposed by the coming Anti-christ. The majority of the population will overwhelming vote for him, just as soon as he announces his candidacy. If I were not a Believer in Christ, I would be depressed at all of this! However, because I am a Believer in Christ, I am just the opposite of depressed! We can truely "Stand up and lift up your heads" REJOICE! YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR!

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 7

2009-03-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the Day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that Day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." (II Thessalonians 2:1-4 New International Version) This passage of Scripture clearly links the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture of the Saints together in one event called THE DAY OF THE LORD. It also clearly states that before either of these two events take place two other major events must occur. The first is, "that day will not come until the rebellion occurs." This is a major period of lawlessness and rebellion. It is a period of anarchy and chaos. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." This is a season of great unrest. People will be so angry at all the Federal Government's promises that they have failed to keep, that they will break out in rioting and looting. People will be unemployed, deep in debt, broke, hungry, and homeless because they have already lost their homes to Repo and Bankruptcy. Busted and disgusted, they will become desperate. There will be wide spread rioting, looting, breaking and entering. It will look like what took place right after Hurricane Katrina. The folks in N.O.L.A. had become so dependent upon the Federal Government's entitlements, that they did not know what else to do but to look to the Government for help. When the Government failed to deliver the goods they were expecting, they became angry. They started shooting at the ones who were bringing the help. Even Policemen were caught on video carrying TVs and Stereos out of closed Department Stores. This took place because people were looking to a Government who had made many promises, but had failed to deliver on those promises. We are currently being "Set-Up" for the biggest Federal Government let down in the History of the United States. Our Federal Government is spending more money than any previous administration. They are creating more entitlements than any previous administration. They are promising things that they will never ever be able to pay for, even is the economy does turn around. Many who are looking to the Federal Government for "HOPE" are soon going to be let down into hopelessness as the Federal Government fails. I believe we will see fires burning in most major cities. There will be Martial Law established. The National Guard will be called in to try to quell the rebellion and lawlessness. Our current Federal Government is working hard toward setting the stage for all of this to take place very soon. Our President is establishing a second Military Organization. This new one will be as large as our current Military. They will be responsible for military actions inside the United States. Secondly he is removing guns from the citizens. He is passing laws to ban the sale of certain weapons. He has already made it no longer possible for Airline Pilots to carry guns to defend themselves and their passengers from terrorists. He is stopping workplace INS raids. He is lowering the Immigration Laws and opening the Borders for more illegals to cross into the U.S. freely. According to a New York Senator, over 90% of the Mosques in America have already been radicalized. And we currently already have 35 Militant Islamic Terrorist Training Camps within the United States! They are secretly training underground sleeper cells. They are waiting for their appointed time to strike. Listen to II Thessalonians 2:8 from The Message, "You'll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn't mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose." WAKE UP AMERICA! WE ARE CLOSER TO ALL OF THIS THAN YOU THINK!!!

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 6

2009-03-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

"Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying,"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:3-14 NKJV) In the text verse 8 says, "All these are beginning of sorrows." The New International Version uses the words "Birth Pains." The events and circumstances listed in Matthew 24, Jesus identifies here as beginning of birth pains. Have you ever noticed how closely the circumstances and events of Matthew 24 parallel the Opening Of The Seals in the Book of Revelation 6? Look at this comparison:

Matthew 24:5 "many shall come in my name"
The First Seal a white horse and the rider represents false religious leaders

Matthew 24:6-7a "wars and rumors of war, nation rise against nation"
The Second Seal is a red horse and the rider is given a sword and power to conquer through war

Matthew 24:7b "there shall be famines"
The Third Seal a black horse and a scale to measure the shortage of food supply & economic collapse

Matthew 24:7c-8 "pestilence and earthquakes"
The Fourth Seal a pale horse and rider that represents pestilence, plague, and pandemic flu

Matthew 24:9 "deliver you up to tribulation and kill you"
The Fifth Seal a remnant who is martyred

Matthew 24:29 "sun darkened, moon not give light, stars fall from heaven"
The Sixth Seal reveals a cosmic disturbance sun becomes black, moon like blood, stars fall from heaven.

It is my observation that the Birth Pains and the Opening Of The Seals have already begun. Yet, most Christians in America are not even aware of it. They are looking for the Rapture, an early exit, from the Revelation. Most Christians in America believe they get Raptured in Revelation 4:1. Thus making the rest of the Book of Revelation a mute issue. Since they will not be here, but will be floating up on a cloud somewhere watching from above, why bother? Yet, the Opening of the Seals occur in Revelation 6. The Book of Revelation has already started and most Christians in America have never studied it because they think it is too difficult to understand. They also think that they will not be here to see it unfold, so they have no motivation or reason to study it and understand it. Let me ask you to make a commitment to begin reading and meditating through the Book of Revelation. It is our "Survival Handbook" for the days ahead. WAKE UP AMERICA! THIS SHOW HAS ALREADY BEGUN!

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 5

2009-03-18T04:30:00.000-07:00

"Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand." (Joel 2:1 NKJV) I very clearly remember a few years ago while seeking the Lord. He was drawing me away from my work to spend time alone with HIM. I was at the Real Estate Sales office. I had this overwhelming urge to get alone with God. I felt drawn to go to one of our local parks. It is the park where I used to play when I was just a little boy. I sat down on a park bench and began to cry out to the Lord, "Lord! I need to hear from YOU! Speak to me Lord, Your servant is waiting to hear from YOU." All of a sudden, I was scared nearly out of my mind! THE LOCAL CIVIL DEFENSE TORNADO ALARM WAS GOING OFF AND I WAS SITTING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THAT ALARM!!! It was deafening! It was Wednesday noon, the time of their regularly scheduled alarm test! I had no clue! At first I was upset. I was thinking, "Lord, I came here to spend some quite time and to hear from you and all I get is this deafening alarm going off!" Then all of a sudden it hit me: THIS IS THE VOICE OF THE LORD! THIS IS WHY HE BROUGHT ME HERE! THIS IS WHAT HE WANTED ME TO HEAR! HIS ALARM IS GOING OFF! HE IS CALLING US TO WAKE-UP! THE DAY OF THE LORD IS COMING! IT IS AT HAND! The overwhelming terminology used in the Bible to describe the Second Coming of Christ is "THE DAY OF THE LORD." The Prophet Zephaniah speaks much of The Day Of The Lord. I encourage you to read through the book of Zephaniah. Here are a few notes:
Read Zephaniah
1:2-3 - Destruction of all peoples
1:18 - Destroyed by Fire
1:14 - It is near and coming quickly
1:18 - Material wealth will not protect you
2:1-3 - Those who are seeking Him will be sheltered
2:10 - There will be a remnant of survivors
3:8 - Destroyed by Fire
Zephaniah’s name means “The Lord Protects” or “The Lord Hides” I believe the Lord is completely capable of HIDING us and PROTECTING us through the coming DAY OF THE LORD. Listen to HIS Word, "Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,O undesirable nation, Before the decree is issued,Or the day passes like chaff,Before the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you,Before the day of the LORD's anger comes upon you! Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth,Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger." (Zephaniah 2:1-3 NKJV)

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 4

2009-03-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (I Peter 4:7-11 NKJV) Not only have we been told what time and what season it is, we also have been told how to live in these times. Here is just a summary of the above directives:
1) BE WATCHFUL AND SERIOUS IN YOUR PRAYER
2) PRACTICE FERVENT LOVE TOWARDS BROTHERS & SISTERS IN THE LORD
3) PRACTICE SHARING YOUR HOME WITH OTHERS IN NEED (HOSPITALITY)
4) MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER OUT OF YOUR SPIRITUAL ABILITY (GIFT)
5) LISTEN AND SPEAK PROPHETICALLY (ORACLES)
If we engages in these directives during these Last Days, not only will we be in good standing ourselves, we will give Glory to God by our lives, while others are cursing HIM.

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part - 3

2009-03-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 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. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." (I Thessalonians 5:1-10 NKJV) The Apostle Paul says that we know more than we may think we do. He says that we know both the "TIMES" and the "SEASONS" of the DAY OF THE LORD. These are two key words for us to understand. The fist word "TIMES" comes from the Greek word “chronos." According to Strong’s Concordance (#5550) It means the duration of time, which may be a point, a lapse, or a span, a period, a quantity, a measure, duration, or a length. Therefore, “chronos” tells what day it is…quantity. The other word, "SEASON" comes from the Greek word “kairos." According to Strong’s Concordance (#2540) it means an opportune time, set time, appointed time, due time, definitive time, seasonable time, proper time for action. Therefore, “kairos” tell what kind of day it is…quality. Paul is saying that because we we are children of light, and not of darkness like the rest of the world, we do know both what Day it is (Chronos = time) and what kind of Day it is (Kairos = quality). While the rest of the world may be caught off guard by THE DAY OF THE LORD, we will not be. Though HE will come "like a thief in the night" suddenly, unexpectedly, to those unprepared, HE will not so catch us. Because we are children of the light, we are not caught sleeping. We are awake! We know the TIMES and the SEASON of HIS Coming, we will be READY and we will be PREPARED !

GET READY - BE PREPARED! Part 2

2009-03-15T03:10:00.000-07:00

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 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. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." (I Thessalonians 5:1-10 NKJV) The most commonly expressed Biblical terminology used to describe the Second Coming of Christ is: THE DAY OF THE LORD. Yet the most commonly expressed terminology used to discuss the Second Coming of Christ by the traditional Church in America is: THE RAPTURE. Why is this? I believe it is because we Americans are always looking for an easy way out of any difficult situation. The false hope of an early exit has left behind many who are unprepared for what is being unleashed upon the earth. I well remember the word of the Lord to me that came as part of my commission from HIM to lead in establishing this NEW PARADIGM for Church in America. HE said, "MY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO FOCUSED ON THE RAPTURE THAT THEY ARE MISSING THE REVELATION." Part of my Commission from The Lord is to help HIS Body to "GET READY -BE PREPARED!" In the text above it clearly states that The Day Of The Lord will come upon us like "LABOR PAINS" upon a pregnant woman. No woman has ever had a baby un-noticed! There is a long period of preparation time to get ready for the trip to the hospital! Usually nine months. However, it has been my observation, through the birth of my own two children and through being present at all seven of our grand children's births, that there are some observable patterns. One, is that when the BIRTH PAINS start in all seriousness, they usually do not stop until there is a baby born. Secondly, once the birth pains begin, the usually increase in INTENSITY. That is, they occur in the same place with the same pain, only the pain increases in intensity. Thirdly, once the birth pains begin, they increase in FREQUENCY. That is, the resting time between the pains is less, and the occurrence times of the contractions comes more frequently. I believe with all my heart that what we are experiencing all over the face of the earth is the beginning of THE BIRTH PAINS! I believe that what we are currently experiencing will increase in both INTENSITY and FREQUENCY. I believe the Birth Pains began on 9/11/01. God intended this pagan attack upon our Babylonian System to be our wake-up call. "Therefore let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober." To "Watch" means that we are to stay focused and diligent in Prayer. We are to be watching the Lord and watching the events of our day. To be "Sober" means that we are to be disciplined in our mind and physically ready. Just like a pregnant woman gets her suitcase packed and setting by the front door waiting for her sudden trip to the hospital. GET READY - BE PREPARED!

GET READY - BE PREPARED! - Part 1

2009-03-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come." (I Timothy 3:1 NKJV) I well remember the first time I was struck with this verse back in the early '70s while a college student. I knew back then that we were not really listening to The Warnings of The Word. Back then I even thought we should have a Newspaper, whose title or name would be THE PERILOUS TIMES. Much like the newspapers The York Times or The L.A.Times. I also intuitively knew back in the '70s that I would still be here alive and ministering during the period of time that Scripture calls "THE LAST DAYS." Now we are here! Oh, I know that some have taught that the "Last Days" started when Jesus ascended up into heaven. I am not going to argue when they started. However, if that is indeed when they started, then surely today we are in THE LAST OF THE LAST DAYS. I often refer to this period of time as the Last Hours. I have been a serious student of Scriptures for over 39 years. I do not consider myself a Bible Scholar but do consider myself a sincere and a serious student. Of particular interest to my heart and a more focused study for my mind has been the subject of THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. (LOL The first sermon I preached from a pulpit, at the ripe age of 21 was, "A Message to The Laodician Church" back in 1972!) In fact, by some folks estimation of it, they would say I have been obsessed with the subject. It is then with great excitement that I move into this teaching and sharing on this Blog. It is with great JOY that we move into the DAYS AHEAD. It is almost like these are the days for which I have been created! My life time destiny is finally coming into focus! I do not fear "PERILOUS TIMES" I embrace them! These times are what I have been created, trained, equipped, anointed, mobilized, and commissioned for! I have been pretty much bored with the mundane routines of life up till now. If you are alive and reading this, unless you plan pass within the next few weeks, you too are headed into PERILOUS TIMES! Do not fear! Follow me as I follow Christ! We will get through this as OVERCOMERS! However, it is important that we all "GET READY - BE PREPARED."

Obama-Nation - Part 30

2009-03-12T06:23:00.000-07:00

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17 New International Version) Our Primary Offensive Weapon is THE WORD OF GOD. We wield our weapon in several ways. One is in the Presentation of the Gospel. The Gospel of the Kingdom is a MIGHTY WEAPON! Darkness flees, demons tremble, lies are shattered, and the evil empire crumbles all at the sound of the gospel! When we Present the Gospel of the Kingdom by words and by our actions, we release the POWER OF GOD into any situation. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17 NKJV) Secondly, we wield the Sword of the Spirit by speaking Truth into conversations and lives. The enemy is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44) His turf is lies, which is where he stands. As we speak Truth into conversations and lives, the enemy's ground is taken from him. He falls. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21 NKJV) We overcome! WE win the skirmish. We speak the opposite and we live the opposite of the spirit of this age. We speak of the Kingdom. "For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17 NKJV) We speak the Truth. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32 NKJV) When we confront the lies of this age with the Truth of the Kingdom, the evil empire is pushed back. The Kingdom Advances....

The Obama-Nation - Part 29

2009-03-10T03:03:00.000-07:00

"We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you became loyal and obedient. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NLT) Not only have we been given HEAVEN-SENT SUPERNATURAL SPIRIT BEINGS to assist us in our Mission, but we also have been given MIGHTY WEAPONS! I clearly remember reading this passage a few years ago. It was a particularly difficult time for us. We had planted a new Church in a nearby city. We utilized all the latest Church Planting techniques and marketing strategies. I had gone to "Church Planter's Bootcamp" and was fully equipped to succeed. But something was wrong. The church had launched according to the plan, but was not growing. People were loosing their Joy. Many were beginning to complain, criticize, gossip, and in general church was not fun anymore for anyone, especially for me, their leader. I knew we had a spiritual problem. I felt powerless. When I read these verses I cried out to God, "Where are those weapon? I want those weapons! Give me those weapons!" HE spoke softly but firmly and said, "I can't." I asked, "Why not?" HE replied, "Your hands are already full." My heart was struck with sudden conviction. I was silent for a period of time. After regaining some of my confidence before HIM, I asked, "Full of what?" HE matter-of-fact said, "Sociology and Psychology." My heart was pierced. I knew instantly what HE was referring to. My College education was a Major in Sociology & Bible. My Seminary education was in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. My hands were full of the education of men. I wept. I repented. I confessed my sin of trusting in and relying on the wisdom and methods of men and at the same time ignoring the Power of God. The next Sunday, at the close of the Sunday Morning Worship Service, I publicly repented. I held my diplomas from College, Seminary up into the air. I ripped them all into pieces and threw them onto the ground and stepped on them. Then, with tears streaming down my face I stuck my hands up into the air and said, "NOW! NOW THEY ARE EMPTY! GIVE ME THOSE WEAPONS!" I felt a hot, tingling, vibration begin at my finger tips and slowly move though my hands and down my arms. It moved down my body until it hit my feet. My entire body was vibrating as I stood there, hands and arms extended into the heavens, weeping. I cannot explain in human words all that took place that day. However, I do know the results are awesome! I believe God answers prayers! I believe HE has given us all MIGHTY WEAPONS that HE has intended us to use in the tearing down of demonic strongholds, overthrowing thrones of wickedness, and destroying evil empires! What's in your hands? If the Kingdom of our Lord is going to advance, it will only do so by implementing the weapons and the strategies HE has given us. The enemy will not give up the territory of the souls of men with out a fierce conflict. WE ARE AT WAR! PRECIOUS LIVES ARE BEING HELD CAPTIVE AND ARE BEING TORTURED BY AN EVIL DICTATOR. YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT, IS TO GO AND RELEASE THE CAPTIVES, BRING THEM HOME TO LIFE AND FREEDOM! NOW ARM YOURSELVES AND GET READY FOR WAR!

The Obama-Nation - Part 28

2009-03-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

"But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand,Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 13:13-14 NKJV) A careful study of The Book will reveal that the activity of Angels usually centers around the Ministry of our King in the establishment of HIS Kingdom here on earth. The word "ministering" spirits is Greek word: diakonia. This word is transliterated into our English language as the word "deacon." It's translated meaning is: "serviceable labor, or assistance." Angels then, are Supernatural Spirit Beings, who are heaven sent assistants, who are continually active today assisting the human SENT ONES in their MISSION ASSIGNMENT of building up the Body of Christ - advancing the Ministry of Jesus - expanding HIS Kingdom - one soul at a time. "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11 New International Version) Billy Graham says that we all have at least two such angels because in this verse the word "angels" is plural! We see a heightened amount of Angelic activity as Christ enters the world of men, and as HIS Kingdom expands initially in the Book of Acts. In Acts 5:19 an angel is sent to preform a jail break! And again in Acts 12:7 yet another time an angel was sent to break Peter out of Prison! In fact, Angelic Appearances were so common place in the New Testament Church that the prayer group praying for Peter's release from jail thought it was Peter's Angel standing at the door, rather than Peter himself! (see Acts 12:15) Believing they were seeing an Angel appear and knock at their door was easier for them to believe than the fact that their prayer had actually been answered! LOL As we enter these last days, the last hours of this age, we can anticipate that both the world system and the enemy's hostility toward THE SENT ONES will increase. However, we also can anticipate that the activity of Angels will increase at an even greater proportion!

Obama-Nation - Part 27

2009-03-08T01:07:00.000-08:00

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:15-18 NKJV) The original SENT ONES were commissioned and assigned to operate as SPECIAL AGENTS OF THE KING in a SUPERNATURAL WORLD. It is a world in which there is a fierce daily spiritual conflict between the forces of darkness and the angels of light. IT IS A WORLD OF ANGELS AND DEMONS - THIS IS THE REAL WORLD! There certainly is nothing boring about this mission. Yet many Pastors in the traditional evangelical Churches in America still do not believe in such. In a recent conversation between some of our dear friends, who are local Home Group leaders, and the Senior Pastor of a prominent Evangelical Church in our city, the Pastor said, "We do not have any problems with demons here in America. They may have trouble with them over in Africa or some of the other undeveloped countries, but not here in America." This position is so naive and ill-informed. It is also absolutely Un-Biblical. Anyone who believes this position has lost their right to call themselves a Bible Believing Christian. Any Pastor who believes and preaches that demons and angels are not real has left the Biblical Faith and is preaching a "different Gospel." (see Galatians 1:6-10) Are we to believe that even though we are unable to keep illegal aliens from crossing our Borders into America, that somehow we have been able to keep demons, who do not even appear on the radar screen of most Pastors, at bay outside our American Borders? What a joke. If this situation were not so deadly serious, it would be laughable. THE SENT ONES are thrust into the daily fracas of the battle of the ages for the domination of the world and for the souls of men. THE SENT ONES are warriors and have been given the weapons and the equipment to win every battle.

Obama-Nation - Part 26

2009-03-06T04:08:00.000-08:00

"Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve-designating them apostles-that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. (Mark 3:13-15 NIV) These are the original SENT ONES. Jesus designated them "Apostles." The word "Apostle" is actually an untranslated Greek word. When this happens, a Greek word goes untranslated and is placed into the English language, it is called transliteration. The actual Greek word is: apostolos. It's translated meaning is: "A special messenger, a delegate, one commissioned for a particular task or role, one who is sent forth with a message." (Strong) You can see why I love calling these folks "The Sent Ones." In fact in the text above, the phrase "that He might send them out" uses the very same Greek word: apostolos. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL SENT ONES. Their first assignment is, "that they might be with HIM." SENT ONES enjoy intimacy with the King. They are His Special Agents. They are given a Special Mission Assignment. They get their orders directly from the King. After their Mission is accomplished they report back only to the King. The SENT ONES go in first. They are the Pioneers. They blaze a trail through the jungle so that others coming later may follow. They are starters or initiators. Nancy Honeytree captured the apostolic spirit in an original song, written in the early days of the Jesus Movement.

Pioneer
(By Nancy Honeytree ©1993 OakTable Publishing, Inc./ASCAP)

Pioneer, pioneer
Keep pressing onward, beyond your fear
Only the Father goes before you
To your own frontier
You're a pioneer

Uncharted wilderness stretches before you
And you thrive on going where no one has gone
Still it gets lonely when darkness deepens
So sing by the fire until the dawn

You travel light, you travel alone
And when your arrive, nobody knows
But the Father in heaven, He's glad you can go
For those who come after you will need the road

What you have done others will do
Bigger and better, and faster than you
But you can't look back, you gotta keep pressing through
There's a wilderness pathway, calling you

Calling you, calling you clear
Keep pressing onward, you can't stay here
Only the Father goes before you
To your own frontier
You're a pioneer

In these Last Days, in this hour, the King is calling many to Himself to be His Special Agents. He has unique Mission Assignments. If you are one of THE SENT ONES, this is your Destiny. You will not be happy or fulfilled in life if you miss your Destiny. Your fulfillment in life verses boredom in life is in direct relationship to fulfilling your destiny and calling.

Obama-Nation - Part 25

2009-03-05T03:46:00.000-08:00

"Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve-designating them apostles-that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons." (Mark 3:13-15 New International Version) Have you ever noticed that when Jesus wanted to have some quality time with folks HE got away from all the cities and man made buildings? He went to what was made by Creator. "Jesus went up on a Mountainside and called to him those he wanted." There are a lot of teachings we must get to in these three verses. But in order to keep these Blog Posts short, I want to just park on this phrase for today. If you were to do a serious study of where Jesus chose to meet with people, you would discover that it was outside of man made buildings and always close to and surrounded by Creation. His two best sermons: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (Matthew 5:1-8:1) gives us The Beatitudes and The Essentials of Kingdom Culture & Lifestyle, THE OLIVET DISCOURSE (Matthew 24:3-25:46) gives us The End Of The Age & The Second Coming. In fact, His greatest miracles were on mountain tops, on lakes, and on hillsides. Do you think this was merely accidental circumstances? Was it just coincidental? There were plenty of buildings available. Could HE not afford to rent a conference room at the local Taj Mahal? Usually, when Jesus was in the religious building it was a time of conflict and confrontation with the man made system. Check it our for yourself. I am not making this stuff up. It's all in The Book! I am making an observation: WHEN JESUS WANTED TO HAVE QUALITY TIME WITH FOLKS, HE GOT THEM OUT OF THE CITY, OUT OF THE BUILDINGS MADE BY MAN, AND GOT THEM SURROUNDED BY THE BEAUTY AND THE MAJESTY OF HIS CREATION. This is a foundational teaching for "The Sent Ones." God's chosen meeting place cannot be improved upon. It cannot be replaced with some idea of man. Man always wants to build a house for God to live in. If not that, then it's "We need a house for us to meet in when we meet with God." This is the rationale for the plethora of church buildings dotting every corner of every city in America. I think it is a strong desire of natural man to think that we can somehow control God, or contain Him in our box. WHY...OH WHY... didn't we read The Book before we got so deep into this church building program? I love The Message translation of Acts 7:49-50 "Yet that doesn't mean that Most High God lives in a building made by carpenters and masons. The prophet Isaiah put it well when he wrote, "Heaven is my throne room; I rest my feet on earth. So what kind of house will you build me?" says God. "Where I can get away and relax? It's already built, and I built it." Jesus went out to a mountainside...HE called...they came. This is the original birth place of "The Sent Ones." MARK IT WELL!

Obama-Nation - Part 24

2009-03-04T03:55:00.000-08:00

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV) WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING? Or what are we supposed to be doing? We have been SENT on a MISSION. We have an ASSIGNMENT! HIS words were clear and simple, "Go make disciples." We have been SENT. (I will come back to that word on another day.) We are set into motion. We are supposed to be a MOVEMENT. The Church in America has become stagnant. Like water that has pooled up and has no motion, we have stagnated. We lost our movement. We stopped our motion. We have dropped our MISSION. We have failed our ASSIGNMENT. As one who has been there, done that, I know that the average Pastor in America is far too busy with all the corporate CEO responsibilities of running the business of church to have much time to get involved in making disciple. If he does get involved, it is almost as a bi-product of forming committees, fund raising, chairing board meetings, leading task forces, administering the budget, maintaining the current building or developing the new building program. The MOVEMENT is created by the MISSION. If we do not do the MISSION we stop the MOVEMENT. Jesus set the example and model for making disciples. Go hang out with people: go fishing with them, pick corn with them, go camping on a mountain with them, take a hike with them, eat a meal at their home, stay overnight in their home, go to work with them for a day, attend their family wedding, attend their family funeral, visit them when they are sick and when they are grieving the loss of a loved one, attend a special occasion party that they have set up for all their friends. After you get connected with them in a relationship, talk about and demonstrate the Supernatural Spiritual realities of life. This is how Jesus made disciples. (read The Book...it's all in The Book) Then HE told us to go teach the next guy how to do it just like HE did it: "Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." THIS IS THE JESUS PLAN OF MAKING DISCIPLES. HE kept it simple so that we could re-produce it. If the method was very complex and difficult to carry out many could not do it. The more complex we make this, the fewer people will be qualified to engage in it. Jesus intentionally made it simple so that everyone of us could engage in HIS MISSION ASSIGNMENT. It does not require a building (HE never owned one), a Government approved Non-Profit Corporation (HE didn't just forget to take care of the paperwork) a program (HE never had one), or a budget (as far as we know HE never had one of these either). It does not require many of the things we consider essential to running a Church. Now, on the other hand, if you want to start a Church in America that looks like all the other stagnant Churches in America, then you will need to do all of these. There are plenty of Seminars out there that will help you develop THE MAN PLAN OF CHURCH PLANTING. BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR! THAT IS NOT HIS MISSION ASSIGNMENT FOR US! Somehow we have replaced HIS MISSION of MAKING DISCIPLES with our mission of Planting and running Churches. I guess we thought we were improving upon the plan. (Don't you think that was rather arrogant of us to think that we could improve upon the plan that was originally set in place by Jesus?) Lets re-start a MOVEMENT! Let's get back to the MISSION You may have to stop doing some of the things that you have been doing that are taking your time and energy. You can do it. Get focused on the MISSION. For me it meant radical changes. I had to quit Church so that I could start Making Disciples.

Obama-Nation - Part 23

2009-03-03T02:55:00.000-08:00

"Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-20 NKJV) The Mission Assignment which you have been given embraces a SUPERNATURAL WORLDVIEW. Every time the Gospels record Jesus words of sending out HIS disciples it included: DRIVING OUT DEMONS, HEALING THE SICK, RAISING THE DEAD, ANNOUNCING THE KINGDOM. Somehow we have gotten off Mission in the Church in America. Somehow the Mission has been replaced with: BUILDING ELABORATE BUILDINGS, ATTRACTING AND GATHERING LARGE CROWDS, HELPING PEOPLE BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THIS WORLD. The Church in America is void of signs, wonders, and miracles. The Church in America embraces a very NATURALISTIC WORLDVIEW. Is it any wonder that the people are leaving Church in droves? Many are leaving Church in order to find God. I remember witnessing to a friend of my son. He had come over to our house to help work on my car. I discovered that he and his wife were Christian Believers. I asked him, "Where do you guys attend Church?" he replied, "Oh, we love God, but we don't go to Church much anymore." I went inside my house to reflect upon the conversation. I prayed, "Lord, What's wrong with this picture? People say they love you but don't want to go to church." HE answered, "I understand, I don't go there much anymore MYSELF." My heart broke. I wept for a long period of time. My heart was broken over the fact that what was supposed to be THE HOUSE OF GOD, had become THE HOUSE OF MAN. Your MISSION, should you decide to accept it, is to live and move in the SUPERNATURAL.

Obama-Nation - Part 22

2009-03-02T04:05:00.000-08:00

"But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.' (Luke 10:5-6 NKJV) Jesus sent the first Apostolic Mission Teams out to an APPOINTMENT. Their assignment was to go to every city and place where HE was about to go. Once there, they were to seek out "A SON OF PEACE." They were to stay with that "Son Of Peace" making him a Disciple of Christ. They were to drive out demons, heal the sick, and announce the arrival of The Kingdom of God. (see Luke 10: 1-20) This is "THE JESUS PLAN" of Church Planting. It is a far cry different from the Mass Media Marketing techniques that are taught in Church Planting Seminars for Church Planters in America today. Prospective Church Planters are taught how to Identify a Target Audience and Develop a Plan including: Core Values, Mission Statement, Strategy Statement, and a Ministry Program Implementation Flow Chart. They are taught how to develop a mass media blitz that hits a specific target within a community, how to draw a crowd, how to turn a crowd into an audience, how to discover a core group within an audience, then hopefully to develop a community of Believers from members of the core group. This is "THE MAN PLAN." I can honestly say that I have literally, "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT SEVERAL TEE SHIRTS." After having implemented this method a few times myself, and after having coached several other young church planters in this methodology I have come to the strong conclusion that I much prefer "THE JESUS PLAN" over "THE MAN PLAN."

Obama-Nation - Part 21

2009-03-01T02:34:00.000-08:00

"Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road." (Luke 10:4 NKJV) When Jesus sent out the original Apostolic Mission Teams with these words HE was telling them to, "Travel Lite and Stay Focused On The Mission." Material possessions are seen differently by those who are fulfilling an Apostolic Assignment. By the average man or woman of this world, material possessions are seen as an asset. The accumulation of many things are believed to add something to ones life: significance, security, recognition of accomplishment, success, prestige, etc. But to the man or woman who is on an Apostolic Mission, material possessions are a liability. They become a hindrance to The Mission. They will drag you down, wear you out, and consume vital energy and time. Their daily maintenance will distract you from your Mission. The Apostolic Mission Team members come to an understanding that you do not own things, they own you. Apostolic Mission Team members are charter members of The Spartan Project. They thrive on and are energized into super soldiers by living a spartan lifestyle. This view of material possessions is aptly expressed in the words of an old Gospel Song, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through, my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue, the Angels beckon me from Heaven's open door, and I can't feel at home in this world anymore." When Jesus told the Team not to greet anyone along the way, HE was not instructing them to be rude or impolite. HE was telling them to stay focused on The Assignment. There are many distractions along the road to an appointment. This past year I personally had the opportunity to become the Pastor of a local church once again. I had a lot of unrest and confusion over the decision. I had no peace about it, even though it would have provided a stable salary, health insurance, and much needed security for my family. After much prayer and seeking the Lord HE spoke to me and said, "Not every opportunity is an appointment. I have set an appointment for you." "TRAVEL LITE & STAY FOCUSED" these are your directives, should you decide to accept this Mission.

Obama-Nation - Part 20

2009-02-27T02:58:00.000-08:00

"After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." (Luke 10:1-4 NKJV) Where has the "LAMBS AMONG WOLVES" mentality gone? The Church in America has settled into a safe and comfortable relationship with the culture around us. But has anyone asked, "Is this RIGHT?" As an organization The Church in America has adopted the Corporate Model of Management from the Business World. But has anyone asked, "Is this RIGHT?" We have grown large Bureaucratic Systems with CEOs, Presidents, National Directors, Regional Superintendents, and multiple layers of Department Heads and Administrative Offices. But has anyone asked, "Is this Right?" We have sought out and gained permission for our existence from the Federal Government through "Non-Profit Tax-Exempt Status" and our "501C3 Corporations." But has anyone asked, "Is this RIGHT?" We need to ask the our Brothers and Sisters in China and India, "Is this the right road for us to travel?" We need to ask the Church in the Muslim Middle East: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan, "Is this how we should live?" THEY ALL KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE AS LAMBS AMONG WOLVES. I believe with all my heart that the Church in America is about to loose it's favored status with the Federal Government. Very soon the Church will no longer be allowed to Preach the Truth about Abortion and Homosexuality and still maintain Government Favor. The Exclusive Nature of Christianity (HE did say, "I AM THE WAY" didn't HE?) will be replace with a Government Mandated accommodating tolerance of all religions. (especially the Muslim religion) Like it or not, very soon we will know what it means to live as "Lambs Among Wolves." THIS IS THE POSTURE UNDERGROUND CHURCH...GET USED TO IT!!!

Obama-Nation - Part 19

2009-02-26T05:17:00.000-08:00

"After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road." (Like 10:1-4 NKJV) When Jesus sent out the first Apostolic Ministry Teams, the first thing HE told them to do was to PRAY! Prayer is FIRST on the Mission Assignment Agenda of things to do. Why is this so difficult for us to get straight? Why is it that we try everything else first? Then, when things don't go well...when things get fouled up...when we get stuck...then we pray. It is almost like Prayer is our last resort. We often say to folks, "Well, I really can't do much to help you, all I can do is pray for your situation." Why don't we understand that PRAYER is the FIRST and the BEST thing we can do in any situation? This passage of Scripture reminds me of a couple years ago when the Lord spoke to me and said, "I AM GIVING YOU A TWELVE STEP NO FAIL PLAN." I was excited as my ten year old grandson who found out he was getting a PSP for Christmas! I leaned over and excitedly told my wife the awesome news. Then in realized that in my excitement over this news I failed to ask the Lord what HIS plan was. I asked. He said, "THE FIRST THING I WANT YOU TO DO IS TO GET THE FOLKS TOGETHER TO PRAY. HAVE THEM ASK ME WHAT I WANT MY CHURCH TO LOOK LIKE, AND HAVE THEM ASK ME WHAT I WANT EACH ONE OF THEM TO DO IN IT." I thought to myself, "I can do that!" Then I quickly asked HIM, "What is Step Two?" He said, "AS SOON AS YOU DO STEP ONE I WILL TELL YOU STEP TWO." This was the Lord's gentle but firm way of saying to me, "Until you pray - - you are not going to proceed." When Jesus sent those first Apostolic Ministry Teams out to every city and place where HE was about to go, the first mission assignment that they were to do was to PRAY! Did you get it?

PRAYER PRECEDES PRESENCE!

Obama-Nation - Part 18

2009-02-25T03:43:00.000-08:00

Obama-Nation - Part 17

2009-02-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

"After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go." (Luke 10:1 NKJV) When the first Apostolic Mission began, our King sent out HIS Servants in Teams of Two. There is a reason for this. It is called "Synergy." The Princeton definition of Synergy is: the working together of two things (muscles or drugs for example) to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. The common definition of Synergy is: The end product is greater than the sum of the two individual parts. Normally you would think that 1 + 1 = 2. However, where Spiritual matters are concerned 1 + 1 = 3 or more! We can see this demonstrated in the natural world of horses. One single Draft Horse can pull a dead weight sled of up to Four Tons of weight. A Team of Two Draft Horses pulling together as a Team can pull a dead weight sled of up to Twenty-Two Tons! How can this be? SYNERGY! Even the arch-enemy of Christ knows and understands this dynamic. He works 24/7 at trying to bring division in the Kingdom. This dynamic of synergy is the missing ingredient of many Apostolic & Prophetic ministries today. They do not understand the Spiritual Dynamic of Team Ministry. They prefer to operate as Lone Rangers. What is the secret of Synergy? THE KING HIMSELF ENTERS THE PICTURE! Remember HIS promise: "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20 NKJV) The Mission of Christ today is the same as it was yesterday: Connect Apostles & Prophets together in Teams of Two and send them every city and place where HE HIMSELF is about to go.

Obama-Nation - Part 16

2009-02-23T05:10:00.000-08:00

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2;19-22 NKJV) Apostles are not the only ones that are below ground in the Foundation. Prophets are also there! At least that is what The Book says. Have you ever compared what The Book says to what we have in the Church in America today? Today in America we have Popular Prophets. They enjoy large crowds of followers. People travel for miles to their Seminars just to hear the latest Word from the Lord. These Popular Prophets live off large salaries that come from Seminar Registrations, Offerings, and selling their Prophetic Words in books & C.D.s. Is this the way they did it in The Book? Were the Biblical Prophets Popular? Did their Words draw huge crowds and fill offering plates? Is there something wrong with this picture? An Underground Prophet in America raises the question for us: "Do you think a lot of these guys that gain their lively hood from ministry, restrain from saying or doing anything controversial?" EXACTLY! The crowds would dwindle, the books sales would falter, the offerings would drop, and the Prophets would be looking to the Federal Government for a Bail-Out! The Prophets in The Book had a different agenda and a different reputation. "Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" (I Kings 18:17 NKJV) A visit from a Prophet of God in The Book usually was met with dread and much fear. The Prophets of God in The Book lived in caves and deserts. They kept their heads well below ground...and if they didn't...it usually was removed from their shoulders.

Obama-Nation - Part 15

2009-02-22T02:02:00.000-08:00

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV) There are a lot of Ministers out there claiming to be Apostles these day. They are amassing large mailing lists and building large organizations. They are becoming quite popular and sought after. They are on center stage, and the spotlight is on them. They are building quite a name for themselves. Some prophetic folks have begun to ask, "What's wrong with this picture?" The last time I looked at a Building, I did not even see the Foundation. I could not see it because it was Below Ground! Foundations of Buildings are not intended to be put on display. They are absolutely essential. No Building could stand without a Foundation. However, the Foundation of every Building is out of sight, completely below ground, quietly & consistently fulfilling it's function. Foundations of Buildings would look strange if they were placed up on top of the roof. They would be useless and in-effective if they were placed where the doors are supposed to be. In fact, if the Foundation is not Below Ground, you would have to conclude: THIS IS NOT THE FOUNDATION! That's exactly the same conclusion that the Church of Ephesus came to regarding some who claimed that they were Apostles: "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars." (Revelation 2:1-2 NKJV) There must to be a "Test Of An Apostle." The first question of that Test is this, "Is He Underground?" If he is not...he's not!

Obama-Nation - Part 14

2009-02-20T03:58:00.000-08:00

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV) For the past 5 years I have been selling Real Estate, mostly in the field of New Construction of Residential Homes. There is a very important sequence of events in the construction of a new home. The Ground Work is done first. This includes digging out the foundation, setting the forms, and laying in the sewer, water, gas, phone, and electric lines. They are all buried underground. Then the concrete for the Foundation is poured. All of this is completed and inspected before the construction of the house even begins. Can you imagine how long a Contractor would stay in business if he decided he no longer needed to do the Ground Work? What would the house look like if the Supply Lines & Foundation were not laid? The House would have no electricity, no gas, no water, no sewer, no phones. Without Power & Communications, and sinking into the earth, it would be Condemned by the Building Inspector and considered Un-inhabitable by the Health Inspector. This is not a Blog about Real Estate. I am talking here about the Church in America, without Apostles and Prophets in the Foundation.

Obama-Nation - Part 13

2009-02-19T03:23:00.000-08:00

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers." (Ephesians 4:11 NKJV) Scripture makes it very clear that the Leadership Team of the Community of Believers was originally designed to be led by five major leadership roles. There were five major functions within which Leaders were to serve. There were originally designed into the blueprints: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors & Teachers. Some more recent scholars contend that there are only four roles because of the Greek sentence structure of the original words. They say the role of Pastor-Teacher is one role, and that it is hyphenated rather than two separate roles. However, it appears to me that not all Pastors are Teachers and that not all Teachers are Pastors. So for our discussion here, we will omit the hyphen and go with the original view of Five Leadership Roles. Having said this, one has to ask,"WHERE ARE THEY?" The Church in America has traditionally been led primarily by Pastors. They stack up the Pastors in various roles: Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, Education Pastor, Children's Pastor, Senior-Adult Pastor, Administration Pastor, Family Pastor, Counseling Pastor, Small Group Pastor, Singles Pastor, etc. ad-nausium. Then to oversee all the other Pastors we get THE SENIOR PASTOR! Thus either completely eliminating the other four roles or at minimum, relegating then to some subservient role such as "para-church" ministry. Have you ever taken a serious look at the Leadership of the Church in America and then compared that picture to what we see portrayed in The Book? I have been doing that very thing for about 50 years. I look at the Church - then I look at The Book. I look at The Book - then I look at the Church. I have discovered many things that are in The Book that I cannot find in the Church. On the other hand, I find many things in the Church that I cannot find in The Book. Since one of the major roles of Senior Pastors is to be "The Guardian of the Traditions of the Church" I have been led to the conclusion that we need more than just a few minor adjustments to the current structure. WE NEED AN EXTREME MAKE OVER! We need a whole New Paradigm for Church.

Obama-Nation - Part 12

2009-02-18T01:50:00.000-08:00

"Now the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth." (I Samuel 22:5a NKJV) The first Kingdom Connection that is made with the Underground Leader is with a Prophet. We know very little about the origin or resume of The Prophet Gad. It is possible that he came to David from Samuel's School of the Prophets. However, what we do know is that he formed a relationship with David that endured the test of time. In various other Scripture passages we see Gad speaking into David's life throughout his reign as King. Here is the Principle: There is a mutual relationship of trust, respect, and commitment between THE POINT MAN AND THE PROPHET. We will examine in detail the New Testament examples and principles of the Apostle - Prophet Team in days ahead. For now notice that it is the Unknown Prophet & Underground Leader who connect. This is foundational. They mutually need each other for optimum advantage. The Prophet "Hears from God." He then "Speaks to the Point Man." The Point Man then "Processes the Word." The Point Man then "Formulates a Strategy." "So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth." (I Samuel 22:5b NKJV) Isn't this beautiful? Like clockwork, like a well oiled machine, like disciplined warriors on a mission the team forms and begins to move out of the cave. Many exploits await.

Obama-Nation - Part 11

2009-02-17T02:58:00.000-08:00

"And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. (I Samuel 22:2 NKJV) There is a stream in the House Church Movement which promotes "No Human Leaders." This is not only error, it is impossible. It is error because The Book clearly places Leaders into positions in every Community of Faith. There are Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. The Word clearly sets down character standards for those aspiring to Leadership in the New Covenant Communities of Faith. Those who are being led into this stream of "No Human Leaders" are mostly wounded and damaged souls. I have met them in Seminars across the United States. They are hurt. They have been damaged by the abusive, harsh, program-driven Leadership of the current Church structure. In a response to their negative experiences with Church Leadership, they have gone too far in the opposite direction, not realizing that there is a ditch on both sides of the road. In Indiana we still have many old Macadam Roads. These are country roads that are crowned in the center with large drainage ditches on both sides. Often, in the winter icy conditions, one slides off the crown of the road headed towards the ditch. The steering wheel is then turned towards the center of the road. If the driver is not careful, he will "over-correct" the steering. The end result is crossing over the center line or crown of the road, and sliding headlong into the ditch on the opposite side of the road. This is where we find those who have gone too far in their escape from the the Program-driven, Corporate, CEO Leadership of the current Church Structure in America. Not only is this position un-Biblical, it is impossible. A Leadership Vacuum never exists for very long. Someone will eventually emerge as a Leader. Even people who are stuck in a ditch, eventually want to get out of their ditch. When that movement begins to take place, in fact when any movement of any kind takes place, leadership will rise to the surface pointing the direction. Often, if this decision is not intentional and decisive, the wrong leadership will emerge to fill the leadership vacuum. A large part of my Mission here is to Empower, Equip, Train, and Release Leaders of The New Paradigm for Church in America. The over 20 Million "Crowd of Hungry Seekers" is waiting for Leadership to take them out of Egypt, through the Wilderness, across the Jordon, and into the Promised Land. Our King is asking once again, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for US?" (Isaiah 6:8 NKJV)

Obama-Nation - Part 10

2009-02-16T03:23:00.000-08:00

"David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him." (I Samuel 22:1-2 NKJV) Did you notice the condition of the folks who came to the Underground Leader while in his cave? The Word says, "everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, everyone who was discontented gathered to him." These are not exactly the ones the average Senior Pastor in America today would choose to become his Leadership Team! Yet they are the ones who were drawn to the Underground Leader. They were Burnt Out on the current Leadership. They were overlooked, cast aside, and sometimes even run-over by the system. They were busted and disgusted. They were just like the over 20 Million American Christians who in the past few years have left the membership of their Institutionalized Traditional Church in earnest pursuit of God. These are the ones that God is calling to HIMSELF in these days. HE is calling them to a New Paradigm for Church. Instead of "going to church" they are passionate about "being the church." Instead of being drawn to a Building or a Program, they are being drawn to HIS Presence. Instead of attending a Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, they are becoming Worshippers 24/7/365!!! They are looking for validation. They are needing training, empowering, and equipping. They are receiving judgment and condemnation from the Institutionalized Traditional Church Leadership. They are looking for a New Leadership for their New Paradigm. On three separate occasions, in Vision and Dreams, I have seen this large Crowd of Seekers. They were all tattooed, with metal piercing in their ears, lips, and eyebrows. Some even had tattoos on their faces. They were all walking forward en masse. Their arms were outstretched, with hands turned upwards and extended, as though begging for something. They were all singing, "We are hungry, we are thirsty, for more of YOU." They were serious! They were radical! They were very UN-sightly. It startled me. I felt like they were walking toward me. I became very uneasy. Then I turned to my side and saw Jesus standing beside me. HE spoke softly and confidently and said, "They are not coming to you, they are coming to ME. What will you do to feed them?" Then HE told me many things about these HE is calling to HIMSELF. What they are looking for. What they need. What HE wants their Leaders to look like and to do. THEY ARE COMING! HE is calling "the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are." (I Cor 1:28)

Obama Nation - Part 9

2009-02-15T02:04:00.000-08:00

"David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me." So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold." (I Samuel 22:1-4 NKJV) The first people to connect with the Underground Leader were his immediate family. David's Brothers came to meet him in the cave. His Mom and Dad also came to meet him in the cave. David's first concern was the safety and the welfare of his own parents. His Mom and Dad's hearts had turned toward David. David's own heart turned toward them. This very thing has been happening right here in America every since 9/11/01. On that day everything changed. I was leading a Seminar on Church Planting at a large hotel in Colorado Springs. Just before that days first session began we saw the horror of the Terrorists on the big screens in the lobby of the hotel. Within minutes I called my wife. In just another moment my son, who was living in Portland, called me. A few months later my son & his wife moved to Colorado. He stated as his reason for moving, "I want to get closer to God and closer to you." A year later we all moved back to Indiana to be near our daughter and her family. Since then God has done an amazing miracle to heal a 50 year old offense between my oldest brother and myself. And HE has built a new relationship of love between my 83 year old Mom and myself. These have been two unbelievable and incredible experiences! Just a few short years ago I would never have believed either were possible. However, I should not be surprised at all of this. God told us in HIS Word that this is what HE would be doing in this season. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:5-6 NKJV) We just did not know that it would all take place in a cave...underground.

Obama-Nation - Part 8

2009-02-13T02:05:00.000-08:00

Obama-Nation - Part 7

2009-02-12T03:32:00.000-08:00

"David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. (I Samuel 22:1-2 NKJV) When Prophets began to show up on the Christian scene a few years ago, they were told that they needed to go to their Local Church and submit themselves to the authority of the Senior Pastor, who was in charge of the program. THIS WAS A COLOSSAL MISTAKE! It was ill-informed advise. It was based on the narrow-sighted presupposition that the institutionalized, hierarchically organized, denominational, state incorporated Church is all that God is doing in the world today. A mature friend of mine did as he was told. He is a few years older than I. He holds a Masters Degree from a reputable State University. He was, in fact, at the time, a college Professor teaching in the field of Communications. He showed up at his Local Church for the Sunday Evening Worship Service. During a sharing time, he gave a word of Prophecy. Right after the Service, the Senior Pastor and the Elders wanted to meet with my friend in the Pastor's Office. They told him, "We are going to have to Pull Your Ticket." My friend was naive. He did not know what they were talking about. He came back to Church the following Sunday, and was barred from entering! What they meant when they said they were "Pulling His Ticket" is: "We are removing you from the membership of our Church, you are no longer welcomed here." Prophets need to connect with the rest of the Body of Christ. Prophets need to be under authority and in submission. Prophets need empowering relationships. But telling Prophets to go to the Local Church and submit to the authority of the Senior Pastor was a strategical error! Senior Pastor's main function is to "Comfort The Disturbed." Prophet's main function is to "Disturb The Comfortable." Senior Pastor's are appointed as guardians of the traditions of the Church, while Prophets are sent to destroy traditions of men. Senior Pastor's like to maintain the Status Que, while Prophets like to shred the Status Que.

Prophets should, instead of going to the Senior Pastor of the Local Church to find support and connection, go to the "Cave of Adullam." ...more to follow...stay tuned...

Obama-Nation - Part 6

2009-02-11T02:09:00.000-08:00

"Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:17 NKJV) Not everyone readily accepts their Purpose. Some attempt to run away from their Purpose. Some run harder and farther than others. But it seems to be my observation over the past 30 years of professional ministry that nearly everyone chooses some, "Fish Time." This is our independent nature. We are, after all, the captain of our own ship, the master of our own fate. We don't need God. We want to run the show ourselves. This is because at our very core we are selfish people. We are "self-centered." Choosing our own destiny, without God, is very self-focused. It is living for the shallow trinity of me, myself, and I. Not only that, when you think about the prospect of it all, it is rather short-sighted and ill-informed. How dare we think we could possibly choose a better path for our lives than our Creator? After all, He made us. He made us for A Purpose. Wouldn't it be wiser, and perhaps less painful, if we checked in with the One who made us for a Purpose, to at least consider His Purpose for our lives? "Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish's belly...So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." (Jonah 2: 1 & 10 NKJV) The Prophet of God is now awakened to his Destiny. What a sight he must have been! Skin all red and rashed looking. Seaweed dangling from his limbs. Eyes swollen, lips white or blue...and the smell!!! WOW! Not exactly the way most of us would choose to begin our first day of work on a new job. And yet that is exactly what Jonah chose, and believe it or not, so have we...

Obama-Nation - Part 5

2009-02-10T01:55:00.000-08:00

"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said,"Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-16 NKJV) Jesus was not struggling from an "Identity Crisis." He knew who HE was. He was probing the hearts of His disciples in order to help them decide who He was. When we enter the quest of self-discovery, we need to turn, not to the crowds for their fickle opinions, but to the One who know us most. Our Creator. "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:30) Let me encourage you to step into the room of The Oracle. Get alone with God. Clear your mind of all distractions. Lay aside all the worries and cares that are pressing in on you. In that quite room, ask The Lord, "Who do You say I am?" Then listen attentively and take notes. He has a specific Destiny for you. A Purpose. A Plan. A Mission. An Assignment. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV) Be persistent. Do not leave His Presence until you hear from Him the answer to your question. Your fulfillment in life is in direct proportion to your accomplishment of your Destiny. Don't miss your Destiny. Don't try to run away from your Purpose. If you do, you will discover that God has some unusual methods of correcting your course....

Obama-Nation - Part 4

2009-02-09T02:34:00.000-08:00

Someone once said, "If you do not know where you are, it is difficult to get to where you are going." That is why information maps at Malls always have a large red arrow pointing to your current location that says, "YOU ARE HERE." It is also true that, "If you do not know who you are, it will be difficult to fulfill your Purpose." The pagans had this in mind when they awakened Jonah with the in-your-face-questions. Once we are "awakened" out of our slumber we also need to diligently seek answers to these questions:
1. For whose cause has this trouble come upon us?
2. What is your occupation?
3. Where do you come from?
4. What is your country?
5. Of what people are you?
These are critical questions of identity. If we are going to find and fulfill our Purpose, these questions must first be answered. If we are going to accomplish our Mission, we must first know the answer to the question, "Who am I?" In the movie, the Matrix, Neo had to first come to terms with the idea that he was The One before he could step into his Purpose. Neo was taken to visit The Oracle. Above the door of The Oracle was a plaque that read, "TEMET NOSCE" translated in the Matrix as "know thyself." There is only ONE who can answer this question for you...

Obama-Nation - Part 3

2009-02-08T03:07:00.000-08:00

"And they said to one another, "Come let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, "Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?" (Jonah 1:7-8 NKJV) Some people wake up faster than others. Some people wake up all bright-eyed and chipper. Some wake up slow and kinda groggy-headed. Jonah was rudely awakened by a life-threatening storm and was immediately asked five in-your-face-questions. These were not ordinary questions. They were not in ordinary circumstances. They were in a life-threatening situation. They needed answers! NOW! They had already exhausted their resources. They had already inquired of their gods. All to no avail. In desperation, as a last chance effort to save their lives, they turned to the sleeping prophet of God to awaken him. We are, right now, right here in America (Obama-Nation), on the precipice of such a critical moment. Prophets of God, Servants of the King, WAKE UP! There are some questions begging for answers...you hold the answers. It's you they're looking for.

Obama-Nation - Part 2

2009-02-06T03:44:00.000-08:00

"But while the bridegroom was delayed they all slumbered and slept." (Matthew 25:5 NKJV) The Church in America has been lulled to sleep by prosperity, cultural acceptability, and governmental favor. We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we have lost sight of our Mission. We have forgotten that we are Ambassadors of a King and that we represent another Kingdom. We have fallen asleep during a war! The current economic shaking and cultural turbulence that we are experiencing in America are the King's efforts at awakening the Apostles and Prophets to their high and holy calling. "But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep." (Jonah 1:5 NKJV) A Spiritual Mentor of mine once quipped, "In Jonah chapter 1, the only ones who are doing the will of God are the pagans and the fish!" In Scripture, God has consistently used the pagan nations and also the natural elements to awaken His people to their Destiny. "So the captain came to him, and said to him, "What do you mean sleeper? Arise; call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us; so that we may not perish." (Jonah 1:6 NKJV) Apostles! Prophets! Servants of the King! Awake! Arise! It is your time! This is your hour!

Obama-Nation - Part 1

2009-02-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

"Therefore let us not sleep, as others do but let us watch and be sober." (I Thessalonians 5:6 NKJV) We are well past the time for the alarm clock to go off! My dad used to wake me up in the morning and say, "Roll Out! Not Over!" He meant that it was time for me to roll out of bed, and not roll over and go back to sleep. It is time to waken from our sleep and slumber. It is time to "watch" and to be "sober" Like Jonah, asleep in the back of the boat, when the storm came it was the pagans who awoke him to consult of his god. The storm has begun.