A Word for Tucson, AZ and our nation!

A word for Tucson and our nation:

This morning I was in the book of Jeremiah and reading the first few chapters and I was overwhelmed in the Lord and what He said to Israel and Judah. How sad the Lord had to bring such judgement to His people. What were the two major reason that He had to judge them? Jeremiah 2:13 "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. "

What a word of the Lord to this nation, the USA. Though we go to church and do lots of things for the Lord, this nations heart has grown fat and our hearing has grown dull. Why? Because we to have "forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water."

Today we go listen to a 35 minute sermonette on Sunday on how we should feel good about ourselves, be blessed and prosper. We enjoy our 7 songs, 20 minutes of announcements, and we love to be entertained by every Christian entertainer there is. Yet the house of God is full of sin and idolatry in this nation.

We are not unlike Judah in Jeremiah's time giving God our "religious motions," but never giving him the fullness of what He desires, our entire life. He is the fountain of "living water." If we were truly drinking that "water" we would be such a light in the midst of darkness. The Glory of the Lord would fill our shadow as it did with the Apostle Peter.

Most unbelievers in our nation don't see much difference in our lives than theirs accept religious talking. They call us hypocrites because we say one thing and do another. For the most part that is the true assessment of the church in America accept God has left a remnant in this nation of those who are drink that living water.

The other thing the Lord says against Judah is that the "built their own cisterns." We are surely doing this today with the expansion of our mega churches, satellite churches, and all our religious works. Most of what we do in our nation is no different than what they did in Babel. Though we love God, our SUCCESS, the SUCCESS OF OUR MINISTRY is what is most important to us so we CAN PROVE OUR WORTH TO GOD. That is "false ministry idolatry."

That is why our works will be tested by fire as 2nd Corinthians chapter 3 says. That is why 1 Corinthians 13 says, we can give our bodies to be burned, all our money away to feed the poor, and have faith to move mountains, but with God's love doing these things in us we are a useless nobody and a clanging bell.

If the root of what we do for God is for "Our success" or "justifying ourselves" before God instead of the "true love of God," that is an abomination to God and we may hear, "Depart from me you worker of iniquity I never knew you. " But Lord have we not done this in your name, or that in your name, they cried out? Beloved the "quality must go in before the name goes on." The quality is the "heart we do the work for the Lord and the heart that truly loves the Lord first and drinks that living water."

Little churches or ministries are looked down upon as not being "anointed." God must be the "big churches." The size of the church big or small does not reflect the "anointing." What brings forth the true anointing of God is if they can say of us as they had said of Peter James and John, "that these men have "BEEN WITH JESUS."

In this nation, we have built our own cisterns in our own lives and in the church. We make our own water to fill ourselves with the best of this world and the best of God has to offer, not realizing that we are compromising and becoming luke warm and being ready to be spewed out of God's mouth. Mega church Pastors are saying, "we don't have to preach against sin, we just have to tell people that they can be successful with a positive message."

People ask me all the time is judgment coming to America? Beloved, It is coming to the whole world including America? Our nation who claims to be "one nation under God," is just a shell of that statement with no substance in it at all. Why? Because of the state of God's people, His church, in this nation. Our politicians are not the only ones to blame, they are a reflection of us.

The church in America are a majority of believers who have made our own cistern. We call it Christianity, or religion, or I go to church mentality, but in reality we are not reflecting the life of Jesus or showing forth His Glory. I am afraid much of the church in our nation has a "form of godliness" but denies the power thereof."

Much of what we have done in the Lord's name in this nation for the "Gospel" has been for our needs and not the Lords. How can you tell? Ask this question, "is our nation better or worse off now then 10 years ago? How can that be?

It is because we have "hewed out" for ourselves, cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. We go to church to build "God something instead of BECOMING SOMETHING! We go to church instead of being a church. Very few live a life a true life of a disciple any more. We play our Christian music, but we don't have true worshiping hearts that pant after God.

We may go to church activities and watch the super bowl in church on Super bowl Sunday, or do marches for Jesus, or evangelism in our towns, but we don't spend quality time with God to get His heart, know His ways or even His desires.

Why is the our nation in such a mess? Because we have forsaken the Lord. We have put the second commandment above the first one which is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and put no strange God's before Him. We have shifted the churches priority from being "God seeking" to "men seeking." We have even made "seeker friendly" churches where people feel welcomed but God does not.

How can say that? How many people in the churches in America have an intimate abiding relationship with the Lord? How many can hear His voice clearly every day? How many know His plans and desires for their lives and are living their entire live for His desires? How many have signs and wonders following them as signs of a true believer? Why are couples living together in sin not dealt with or gossip, backbiting, and no one correcting them.

In one church, a wife was encouraged to divorce her husband and marry someone else when the husband wanted to be reconciled to the wife. In another church the Pastor felt to take the cross out of the church remove everything in the church that looked like church to bring in the young people. So he pierced his whole body and got his body covered in tattoo's just to reach the youth. I am not making this up.

In another church they boast about being not confrontational, we will get you out in an hour. We are the fastest growing church in America. We have jumping jacks for the kids, horseback riding and we guarantee to get you out in an hour. Another church hired a marketing specialist to find out what the "people wanted for a church. " So they found out.

They wanted service under an hour. An upbeat friendly service no hard words given. A bowling alley, a recreation center was desired, and to do nice charitable works in the community and have fun events each week. That church did it and they have 10,000 members. So tell me if what God said to Jeremiah about Judah could not be said of our nation at this time.

In our city Tucson, it is surely of a truth. Today we have a "man made" unity outreach that is trying to bring the church together, prayer leaders together. Pastor's have left their positions in their own churches to take new positions in this organization. People have to pay a fee to join and be a leader so "they can help others do the work of God." Yet the real crying out prayer of repentance for city is not happening.The real returning to the Lord is not being preached. The sin in the camp is not being dealt with.

Yet they are planning events, outreaches and doing all they can to bring the "body of Christ together! To do what? More stuff? You can't even do what God wants you to do unless you "bring it under this new organization." The plan for this city wide unity in the church is to come up with "new ideas" new ways of changing our city and meet the needs of our community. It sounds great doesn't it, but it is rooted in the works of men and not the power of God."

Once again we are forsaking the Lord, yet doing these things in "his name" to gain His approval, bu not in the power "of His name," of coming forth from the deep abiding presence of the Lord that must worked in the lives of God's people before they do these things.

Men and women are being given positions of power and influence in our city and now everything being done in this city has to go through them? Who appointed these people? Are they truly five fold ministers? Does this look like the books of Acts where the Holy Spirit said, "separate unto me Paul and Barnabas" for My purpose? Is this birthed in real fire filled prayer where the Holy Spirit speaks or flair prayers or petitions rooted in our flesh? Was their fasting, praying, weeping and true crying out to the Lord for our city and even appointing these people?

I have not seen or heard any of that happening I am afraid. What I see in hear is "man" once again trying to build a babel instead of "waiting upon the Lord" and bringing true repentance to God's people and only doing what He desires.

This new city wide unity is built on the premise, I'm OK and your OK, there is nothing wrong with us." Yet, we have not did what David did and cried out "search me Oh God and see if there is any wicked way in me, try me and know my thoughts." We have not realized that we have "forsaken the Lord of the works." We have not realized we have are not "drinking the living water or even that we have built our won cisterns. This is true in Tucson and in our nation.

I am not trying to be critical or judgmental but speaking the truth in love. Judah was doing all the "religious things" as well at the time of Jeremiah and they thought they were right with God also, and the false prophets were saying peace, all is well, nothing will happen to our city of Jerusalem. Yet the true prophet of God brought a "word" they didn't want to hear. He told them of their spiritual condition and to repent. He told them the had forsaken the Lord. He told them they worship idols and God was going to judge them if they didn't repent. The religious leaders hardened their hearts and didn't obey. They did much evil the Man of God and rejected the Word of God through him accept a Holy remnant of God's people.

I pray in our city there is a true remnant in this land. I pray there is a true remnant in our nation that is hearing the "true cry of the Lord" and will return to Him the "fountain of life and will allow the Lord to dig and make the wells instead of what "our hands can build."

Lord, hear our cry today for our city, our nation and we your people. Lord we have forsaken you. You are not first in our lives. Your kingdom and your righteousness is not the first thing we seek. Lord we are guilty of deserting our intimate relationship with you. We are guilty of turning away from you and going after other lovers. We are guilty of idols in our hearts. We are guilty of building our own wells, broken wells that can't hold water. Please forgive us. Please forgive the religious leadership in our city and in this nation. Please forgive us of our "man made" efforts to do your work. Forgive us Holy Spirit for not seeking your wisdom and guidance though we say we do.

Forgive us for putting men and women in places of power that you never chose. God remove this from our midst. Tear down everything that is not of you. Let everything that can be shaken, shake, so that which can't be shaken can remain. Lord do it in our own lives, do it in your people, do it it your church in this city and have mercy on this nation for abandoning your our First love. Grant us grace and mercy to truly repent and change and give us the spirit of tears once again to cry out for your church, us your people in this nation and turn to you with our own hearts.

I ask this in Jesus name!

REVIVE YOUR CHURCH, O GOD, IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE . . Part Three of Three.

Hello Beloved Reader, Here is Part three of Pastor Carl Jackson's teaching on Revive your church int the midst of trouble: Happy Reading and let the Spirit of God burn this in your spirit.

Rev. Henry Falcone

‘Being the church’ is far different than ‘doing church’. ‘Which should it be?’ That is the question for those who are only ‘doing church’ today. Sadly, the latter is too often a religious commitment rather than a relational commitment of knowing God and His people in a deep, loving, and life-changing way through the Holy Spirit’s power working in us!

Paul wrote in Philippians 3:10 the cry of his heart: “That I may know Him in the power of His resurrection, and in the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable to His death.” He continued, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (3:12, NKJV).

The pursuit Paul described is ‘being the church’ by virtue of ‘becoming a part of the body of Christ” as in ‘being a member in particular’ of His body. This is not an organization, it’s an organism. This is not a church building, program, ritual, form, or a tax exempt organization. ‘Being the church’ is ‘knowing intimately’ the One Who is “the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Jesus” (John 14:6, transliteration). Six verses later, Jesus said to His followers, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12, NKJV).

As we move from the four gospels and into the Acts of the Apostles, we read that Jesus instructed His disciples in this manner: “John baptized with water . . . you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5, NKJV). In verse 8, Jesus instructed them further: “. . . you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . . you shall be witnesses of Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (1:8, NKJV). Jesus ascended into heaven as the disciples and others watched and then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet and entered the upper room per the instructions of Jesus. They instantly started to learn what it was to ‘be the church’.

“They continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (v. 14). Two verses later, Luke, generally considered to be the writer of this great book, the Book of Acts, stated there were about 120 brethren and sisters gathered in the Upper Room. The only disciple of the 12 that was not present was Judas, the betrayer of our Lord. Peter was called upon by the Holy Spirit to lead in the selection of a replacement as we read in Acts 1:16-26.

Matthias, the one chosen, was a witness to the resurrection of Jesus following His crucifixion on the cross for the sins of the world. Three days later, of course, Jesus arose from the dead and later Matthias and the other eleven witnessed the evidence of His resurrection. Ten days later, Jesus ascended.

The day of Pentecost came forty days after the ascension and fifty days after His resurrection, and “suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting . . . there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (other references indicating this phenomena was not a single experience, are found in Acts 8:14-25; 9:17-20; 10:44-48; 11:15; 19:1-7; I Cor. 14:1, 2, 4, 15, 39, 40).

In simple terms, the body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head (Ephesians 1:20-23, the NKJV), came into ‘being’ with its’ many body parts working together, ‘being the church’ on earth. We are part of that same body of believers and the same promises given to the first-century church have been passed on to the church in all dispensations of time, including our own! God has given us everything we need. There is no lack. Buildings were not needed for purchase or construction. Organization was of a spiritual nature.

No workers in the family of God got rich by receiving offerings from members of the body. One person did not become the overseer of all, but lines of accountability were established and unity was stressed by Godly instruction and enforcement. The government endorsed by God was in place and working. The church grew exponentially without surveys, programs, extravagant events, or other worldly means or methods used by successful business entrepreneurs.

The church in China today is the most complete evidence that this plan still works. When the communist revolution took place in the late seventies, there were approximately 10 million believers in China. In 1987, there were 50 million believers growing to 100 million a few years later, and, now, there are 130 million believers in China --- all without the lights, sounds, surveys, crusades, technology, printed materials, books, special events, structures, strategies and church planting skills and energies promoted by the affluent American culture. The Christians in China are truly examples of the NT concept of ‘being the church’ rather than ‘doing church’, which, in most cases, has degenerated into a “form of godliness while denying the power of God. And from such people turn away” (II Timothy 3:5).

What does the church need to do today to be revived, set on fire, and thrust out into our pagan world? Sum it up in the words of King Solomon who spoke by revelation of the Holy Spirit after rebuilding the Tabernacle of the Lord in Israel: “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves (admit and annulated pride), pray (earnestly and fervently; not in a hurry to go somewhere or do something else), and seek the face of God (having the purpose of intentional intimacy with and receiving revelation from God), turn from their wicked (self-centered, carnal ways and means), then, I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (while making them into a people who ‘say my words’ and ‘do my works’) (II Chron. 7:14, own transliteration based on Biblical admonitions). ‘Doing church’ is dead and boring. ‘Being the church’ is alive and exhilarating!

I am not saying that we should sell our churches, auction off the contents, give away our hymnals, or fire our contemporary worship teams, shorten or lengthen the services, or not continue to take advantage of tax-exemptions, but I am saying, we need to come to terms with what God is saying and what God wants to do through His church! Unfortunately, we are not ‘sold out’ to Jesus! We are, according to our own opinions, “rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing!” (Rev. 3:17a, NKJV).

Our carnal minds seek after the best and the biggest, the finest and the most impressive artifacts, architecture, professionalism, technology and anything else that contemporarily defines success --- but, Jesus, the Head of the Church, has news for us: “You are dead and your body is already cold. You are wretched, poor, blind, and naked. You have need of everything God gave to the church on the day of Pentecost following My death and burial for the sins of the world, and My subsequent resurrection from the dead”

(Rev. 3:17b, own transliteration)! Jesus is saying to us today, ‘I poured out the Holy Spirit’ upon the ‘true believers and gave them the ‘fire power’, the wisdom and spiritual knowledge and understanding to do My Father’s will right where they lived’, and, then, take that ‘fire power’ to all the world for My Name’s sake and the sake of all who will believe and receive!’

Church, we must come together, first of all, to pray and seek the face of God, whether we are Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, Mainliners, Independents, in the House Church movement, or whatever. If we love Jesus and are following hard after Him, we must not allow these differences to keep us from united prayer – there is so much power in united prayer! It is a good starting point, but we must worship and praise together, too, reach out from time to time to our communities – together -- without worrying about who gets credit for anything, or who might get the greatest benefits!

If we love Jesus, we are one and all of us should be one with the Father even as Jesus and the Father are One. This is the key: don’t lose it – use it – and, fuse it to start a mighty work of God in our communities around the world! Most of us have no idea as to how powerfully God would use our praying, praising, worshipping, interceding, sharing, witnessing, and serving to bring powerful results for the Kingdom of God on earth. If we truly did it in the love of the Lord, no one would worry about who is going to benefit most --- the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the salvation of souls would be our reason for rejoicing!.

Church – it is spiritual, not material, forms, methods, buildings, programs, and all the rest we have added to the quotient. The only thing that matters is what ‘God is saying and doing’ through His people. Are you seeing signs, wonders, miracles, and the ‘greater things’ Jesus promised where you live and where you, or others, are ‘doing church’? Not that ‘signs, wonders, and miracles are the only evidences of ‘being the church’, but they surely should be a vital part of daily life manifestations in the church.

Read Mark’s Gospel for a fast read of what happened wherever Jesus went. My God, I must see and experience more than I have! Come on, now, be honest. We’re not seeing it as the norm in our cities, states, regions, and nations – but, Praise God, much is happening in various places in the world, such as, China, Israel, elsewhere in the middle east, and beyond! We need to get on our knees, our faces, even, and cry out to God for His forgiveness and for a fresh anointing of ‘the fire of the Holy Spirit’ in our lives!

As I close this message today, let me emphasize again what Solomon taught Israel by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is found in II Chronicles 7:14: ”and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (NASB). Understand this verse in context with the previous verses. God was saying what was going to happen if they didn’t follow the instructions in verse 14. He said, in brief, that He would shut up the heavens so there would be no rain, command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people --- unless My people does what I tell them in verse 14.

As you read this verse of instruction to Israel, take each phrase in that verse and read it from the Amplified and other versions, too. Pray over it as the Holy Spirit leads without making any alterations on your own to soften what is being said, and see if there be any hidden or known sin in your life. Should the Holy Spirit convict you of anything, first of all, refuse condemnation, but quickly confess your guilt and the need for forgiveness, and ask for it in ‘Godly sorrow’.

Agree with God about your sin, then He will hear from heaven and ‘forgive your sin and heal your land’! (v. 14). God does not enjoy punishing His people, but He loves us so much that when we sin and set ourselves against His Word, Will and Ways, then He will bring redemptive judgment to us if we do not heed His instructions early on! Isn’t God good? He gives us opportunity to repent before He brings judgment to us for not repenting!

Yes, God is good, all the time, even should He have to bring judgment upon us to convince us of our unrighteousness! Thanks be to God Who constantly causes us, if we yield to Him, to conquer through our Lord Jesus Christ – amen and amen!

Pastor Carl Jackson,

Arizona Prayer Network Coordinator for Flame of Fire Ministries.

Revive Your Church, O God, in the Midst of Trouble . . .Part 2 (Three part series)

Pastor Carl Jackson, Flame of Fire Ambassador & the

Arizona Prayer Network Coordinator

The title for this series is taken from a prayer of intercession by Habakkuk, a prophet of God to Israel. Israel was surrounded by problems and had a multitude of internal ones they were ignoring. The people of God were surrounded by nations who wanted to destroy them (v. 4). Habakkuk had to be careful, sensitive, and alert to the true situation. There were nations with wicked designs for the destruction of Israel. This is not uncommon, but, as I mentioned, Israel was not dealing with internal problems they had, such as, mistreating the weak and helpless among them, and evil men were controlling the justice system and overturning righteous decisions. Sounds like us in the USA! The prophet had been praying about these issues and addressing them for some time, but saw no results. So, in desperation of mind, heart and spirit, and entertaining serious questions about God’s apparent failure in dealing with these matters, he cried out to God: “Why do you (God) show me (Habakkuk) plundering and violence – strife, contention, the powerlessness of the law, and justice never going forth? For the wicked (in Israel and among the neighboring nations) surround the righteous (your people Israel) but our hands are tied. We’re doing nothing, and, You, O God, are doing nothing!” (transliteration, Hab. 1:2-4).

First of all, understand that the situation was a heavy burden to the prophet and comes out clearly in his desperate question to God: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You not hear?” (Hab. 1:2a). All of us have questioned God. That, in itself, is not a problem, if our desire is to find the answers which will bring us to God’s solutions! One thing for sure, we cannot afford to ignore these issues and not deal with them in a Godly manner.

Secondly, so many times God’s people have been corrected through the reading and study of His Word or by brothers and sisters in the Lord, or by pastors and prophetic ministries who have spoken about specific needs, and, yet, we have refused to repent, to turn from our sinful ways. In time, God allows certain circumstances to develop as a means of applying outside pressure, even pain, hurtful situations, and deprivations that eventually bring us to a new point of consideration, even correction, leading, hopefully, to complete surrender to the whole will of God. That is a good thing whether we like it or not doesn’t change the truth! What is God saying and what are we doing about it, is what really matters. God is always ready when we are ready!

In this nation today, external changes are taking place that are opposed to the will and purposes of God. Yet, in the church, we have our own problems, which, if we were truly honest, are the real reasons our own nation and world are in such a serious decline. We are not what we once were in God. The sad part of this entire scenario is that we are not truly convinced of our own need to return to His Word and to repent and be united in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ Who said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life . . . no one comes to God but through Me!” (John 14:6).

Third, when the above happens, God has people who are available to help us, to love us, encourage us, and instruct us through the ‘reviving process’. God has a solution. He wants to put into motion for the purpose of reviving us, waking us up, but He wants to be more to us than One Who revives – He wants to be our ‘consuming fire’! In Habakkuk’s case, God spoke to Him again: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he (those struggling and resisting) will be able to see it and humble themselves in the truth of His revealed word, and return to God’. “The vision”, God shared, “is yet for an appointed time . . . though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come.” (Hab. 2:3). This is where the test really lies. The proud heart is hard against the truth, but, God told the prophet, “the just shall live by faith” (2:4b). ‘To live’ means, ‘to stay alive, be preserved, flourish, to enjoy life, to live in happiness, breathe, be alive, animated, recover health, live continuously, yes, eternally’ in God’s love’. God’s glory will “cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.” He is faithful. We must remain faithful and totally follow our Lord (2:4a). Church, allow God room to revive us by God’s ‘flaming fire’ of correction, conviction, and compliance to His will, resulting in Him ‘consuming us with His fire’ so that each of us may become ‘a flame of fire’, igniting in other’s the ‘fire of God’! Stop resisting repentance. It’s not a bad thing. It is not negative, but rather it is positive! It ‘sets us free’ from our carnal ways and means and makes it possible for us to come into an intimate relationship with God, and with our brothers and sisters in the Lord! Stop worrying about our image. That’s the sad part!

We have chosen, for selfish reasons, not to get along that well with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are divided over the smallest matters. God wants His people to come together (I Cor. 11). Examine ourselves. Ask the hard questions. Do I really love those who disagree with me? Am I guilty of ‘drawing lines in the sand’ and telling other Christians not to cross it? Work out our differences. Get a life. Admit it, we’ve been very childish to the point of being stupid!. Don’t continue being childish --- or, stupid. Give it up. Grow up. Come together in God and with one another. Stop competing and start complimenting each other in the body of Christ, not just with words, but actions, i. e. praying together, worshiping together, working together, reaching out together, giving together, and not caring who gets the benefit of the fruits of our joint efforts in Jesus! Meet the needs of the weak and the needy. Stop the strife and contention. Be just and merciful. God wants to do a work “which you would not believe, though it were told to you --- I will work a work in your days; trust Me, says the Lord, our God” (transliteration of Hab.1:5).

Repentance is our part. Reviving is His part. Revive us again, O Lord, our God and our Salvation! Set us on fire! Stop blaming the government, education, Hollywood, sexual perversions, the justice system, republicans, democrats, independents, progressives, drugs, alcohol, for all our woes! It’s time for us, the church, the body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head, to take responsibility for our failure to be the people of God He intends us to be. Start emphasizing ‘being the church’ and not glorifying ‘going to church’! ‘Doing church’ and ‘going to church’ can be quite carnal! Rather, we must live the Christ-Life out every day in every way! We can start by praying together, okay?

“O Lord, my God, bring together Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Methodists, Nazarenes, Lutherans, Catholics, Episcopalians, Independents, and all the rest, in the same city, and room, praying together!” Then, we can start fellowshipping while working and sharing in the blessed benefits of God’s grace and pleasure more meaningfully! I’m not talking about ‘dissolving organizations’, but rather ‘resolving our differences’ and start ‘saying what God is saying’ and ‘doing what God is doing’ in His Word! If we love Jesus and pray/praise, care/share, give/live together in spiritual truth, not allowing our differences to divide us--- then, we can move higher, dig deeper, spread wider, go further, and be happier than we ever have been before! (Our final message in this series will include six steps to ‘being revived’ and ‘filled with His fire’!)

REVIVE YOUR TROUBLED CHURCH, O GOD! PART !

By Pastor Carl Jackson
Arizona Prayer Network Coordinator
Flame of Fire Arizona Ambassador

I visited with Dr. J. Oswald Sanders in Phoenix during the late 80’s. He has since gone to be with the Lord. He was the author of 36 books at the time, and an educator and missionary. He served in China for many years and maintained contacts with believers in that nation for a long time. He told me that before the Chinese communist revolution in the mid-70’s there were one million Christians in China. They, of course, had to go underground at that time and suffered many trials, including executions for their faith!

Approximately 10 years after the communist revolution, when I spoke to Dr. Sanders, the number of Christians in China had grown to 52 million believers! All of this with only a minimal number of Bibles, no public meetings, and churches were banned. They had no Sunday Schools or other Christian education programs, only secret meetings held in homes or wherever else they might gather. If two or more people talked about God on a street corner or anywhere else, they were arrested by authorities and persecuted by the larger populace. There were no radio or television programs, no internet services available to share prayer requests or personal experiences. Magazines and all other Christian publications were unlawful. There was not much going for them that you and I take for granted in this country. In the midst of all their deprivation, their numbers continued to swell. Today, in China, we are told there are over 100 million believers, even though they live under the threat of being arrested, suffering public persecution, and in many cases, execution, for violating laws written to destroy their faith in God.

In the USA, a nation formed ‘under God’, one-third of the population claim to be Christians. Look at all the denominations, associations and movements that have founded churches, but along the way ‘lost their way’ and have not returned! They are now ‘false prophets’ teaching ‘false doctrines’ by diminishing the work and ministry of Jesus, while still ‘calling themselves’ Christians! This is clearly a miscarriage of truth! Only 56% of evangelicals, a movement that came out of dead legalism and was ‘alive unto God’, actually believe now that Jesus is the only way to God! Forty-four percent of evangelicals admit they do not put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord! Mix that in with the doubt, unbelief, and errant doctrines of many of the mainline denominations in America, and our cry must be: ‘Revive Your People, Your Church, O God, in the midst of great trouble’ (Hab. 3:2). The misguided church needs a ‘Holy Spirit, fire driven, ‘revelation revolution’ of Who Jesus is. We must know ‘what He came to do’! Saints, pray for a ‘fresh ignition of Holy Spirit fire’ to return to the professing, but non-confessing church. Thankfully, ‘God, you are that consuming fire’ (Deut. 4:24)! Come Holy Spirit, do it once again. Bring to us a fresh revelation of your Divine plan for man!

In America, we must take a chapter out of the ‘church book in China’ where believers do not capitulate with detractors and tormentors! They are clearly focused, living in danger every day, but continue to maintain established priorities of faith, believing fully in the authority of Scripture that clearly teaches: ‘Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life’, and that ‘no one -- comes to the Father, but through Jesus’ (Jn. 14:6). Revive us, O God, in the midst of our self-centeredness, which is clearly rebellion against Your holy and righteous demands. Have mercy, for our sake, and bring us back to You! -- CJ!

Judgement is comint to the pulpits of America

Hello Dear Readers,

As you know I have blowing the trumpet about the condition of the church in America and our leaders. It has not been easy to do because it goes against the "main stream" of the prophetic and church words that are coming forth.

This word of the Lord was sent to me by our Virginia Ambassador for Flame of Fire Diane Lawrence. It was sent to her and she forwarded it to me. I read it and witness that this word of warning is one we as God's leaders need to heed. I will leave it up to each of you to discern it for yourselves. But if you discern it is from God, we need to truly do what God has been telling me. Repent and turn to God with our whole hearts.

The Word is below:

JUDGMENT IS COMING to THE PULPITS of AMERICA
-Cindy deVille. (June 8, 2008).

Judgment Is Coming to the Pulpits of America

"The zeal for My house has consumed Me says the Spirit of God! The love for My people has overtaken Me! Therefore I will begin, I will begin, I will begin says the Spirit of God. I will begin now to cleanse My house, I will call out and I will bring judgment, I will enter in and begin in the pulpits of America! The fear of Me shall hit the five-fold ministry, it will cause many to shudder as I utter My judgments.

The five-fold ministry shall see My judgments. Those who presume to speak for Me with hidden sin, they will see judgment come to them, swiftly and suddenly! Those who think they can live in sin, be My mouthpiece and stand in My Holy place with the mask of deception on their face, they shall see My swift judgments! It shall be like an earthquake, and everything shall shake! Everything shall shake. For I will have My way!

This is a day when I will not tolerate their sin anymore! NO MORE, NO MORE says the Spirit of the Lord! For I am coming to My temple and with a great roar! I will bring fear back to My house again and I will confront and remove the sin that many in the pulpit are living in! And some shall be examples as Ananais and Saphira. All that can be shaken will be shaken.

For I will have a Holy people, a Holy nation. I will have a Glorious Church and I will remove everything and everyone standing in My way. For this is a new day! You say mercy, mercy, grace, grace and you think that will erase the hidden sin you continue to live and revel in!

I will have it no more! Your words are nothing to Me, it is your actions that I see! You have trampled on My grace and made a mockery of My mercy and you have taught My people the same and now My name is shamed! Now My people think that I am OK with sin, You have opened the door and let it into My sanctuary, into My Holy place, You have made My house one of disgrace.

You have defiled My house and defiled My people! The sin is destroying My people, destroying My Church and destroying your nation! I am done with you, and I will have it no more! No more mercy and no more grace, for you come near to Me with your words but your heart is far, far from Me.

Do you not know that I see everything? You cannot fool or deceive Me as you do My people,For I AM the God of all truth and I will deal with you! For I AM a Holy God and My sanctuary shall be holy, and I WILL HAVE A HOLY PEOPLE that they might bear My Glory! They shall be holy unto Me, therefore I must remove the unclean things!

I will raise up and I will bring down! I will remove apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, evangelist from the pulpit, those in the five-fold ministry who are defiling My house and defiling My people. I will have it NO MORE, NO MORE, says the Spirit of the Lord.

My judgment is coming to the pulpits of America. I will judge, I will cleanse, I will purify! I have seen in secret and I will reward you openly! I will expose your sin. You have fooled My people but you have not fooled Me says the Spirit of God, for I see all things! I see what you have done behind closed doors and I say to you, I WILL HAVE IT NO MORE! For judgment has opened the door and is coming in.

These are not mere words that I speak to you, but watch Me, says the Spirit of God, I will perform My word, and you will know the fear of Me again. For I am the Lord of Glory and this is not as before, this is not as before, this is not as before!!! I am coming to deal with the sin in the pulpits of America, I am coming in to deal with you! I will have it no more, no more says the Spirit of the Lord!

For I am warning you says the Spirit of God, do not step up to the pulpit with hidden sin in your life, for you may not live to see another day for I will have My Church, My way, says the Spirit of Grace. This is not a game, this is not a game! All the earth shall know My name! I am not playing games!"

SOURCE: shekinahtoday.org/sktPW_Judgment-Puplits.htm

Mighty Man of Valor- Malaba, Kenya

Dear Beloved Readers,

Here is a "present" Word of the Lord from Bishop Abraham Omanyo of Harvest Miracle Center in Kenya. Bishop Omanyo is our Flame of Fire Network of Minister's Ambassador to Kenya and is an end-time prophetic voice to the army of the Lord. May the words God has given him for us, encourage, strengthen and bring you closer to your destiny in the Lord.

Mighty Man of Valor!

Please read Judges 6 from verse 11,

When I talk about having the kingdom mentality, I mean having and walking in the mind of God about you. Being what God say you are not what people, situations or status says you are. You are what God says you are.

Look at Gideon; he was a young man who lived at a time when the Israelites were under the oppression of the Medianites for seven years. He was a young man who came from the poorest family, yet there was one thing God liked about him. He had the heart to serve and save his family. That is why we see him under the tree preparing wheat for his family. We are called to serve despite the situations that are surrounding us.

Verse 12 says that the Angel of the Lord came and called him a mighty warrior. Amen! I want you to know that it does not matter what you are going through now, the Lord is with you. He loves you and cares for you! He has a great purpose in your life! Do not give up! The Lord is with you! Amen!

I want you also to know that, though you seem to be weak in the eyes of the world, you are strong and mighty in the Lord! Amen! Though you are sick, the Bible says by His stripes we were healed! See yourself healed in Jesus Name!

The problem comes do arise in our life, but you must allow the situation you are in to make you have the mind like that of Gideon. The Angel calls him a mighty warrior, yet he sees himself as the world describe him. God says, "I AM with you", Gideon says "why has all this happened to us if you are with us as you say?"

The Lord sends him to deliver Israel. Gideon said, "How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest. I am the least in my family. How can this happen? Listen when God calls you! He has all it takes to accomplish to call. When God talks about changing or transforming your life, He has all it takes to do it. The bible says the battle is not ours, but it is the Lords. Just have faith and go in your might.

Let us think and act the Bible way, not the way situations are dictating us to. During these end-times, the Lord is calling on us to 'come out of our situations' and 'begin thinking and acting according to what the Bible says', because He is calling us into greater mission for Him.

Gideon did not know that he was the vessel the Lord wanted to use to deliver Israel. In his weakness, and him being the youngest in his family, the Lord used him to deliver Israel.

The Lord is waiting upon you to use you in a greater way! You are a deliverer! You are a bridge builder! You are the vessel the Lord wants to use to heal, deliver, bless others, preach the gospel to the nations, to serve the poor, to be a divine vessel in His hand for His divine purposes! Amen!

You are the one, not you husband! Not your family! Not your pastor! Not your bishop! You are the one! Get connected and hooked to the 'will of God' about your life! The Lord wants to release His anointing for break-through upon your life! Come and receive the Anointing in Jesus name! AMEN! God bless you as you tap into 'His anointing', to be able to launch deep for His work.

Shalom.

Pastor Abraham Omanyo.

Harvest miracle Centre

Malaba, Kenya

His Brooding Presence- Washington DC

Dear Beloved Readers,

Rev. Wade Taylor has been a spiritual Father to many in the Body of Christ. His writings and teachings bring you into the depth of the heart of God. He has been a spiritual Father to me through His writings and through the Bible School that He started many years ago. Without the wisdom and understading of the "ways of the Lord," that Brother Taylor learned from the Lord, I would not have made it through the "circumstances" of life and their meaning.

Brother Taylor has authored many books including the "Secrets of the Stairs," and "Waterspouts of Glory." These books reveal the heart and the ways of the Lord in preparing us for being a Bride for Christ. Please go to His website if you are hungry for the deep things of God. His website is http://www.wadetaylor.org/ Please go on this site and be enriched in the Lord.

Shalom!

His Brooding Presence
Wade E Taylor

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to you; how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings, and you would not.” Luke 13:34

A mother hen instinctively sits upon an egg in order to bring forth a new generation. Likewise, the Holy Spirit broods upon those whom He would birth into a higher spiritual realm and purpose, especially during this present time of transition from the Church Age into the Kingdom Age.

While the world increasingly gives expression to its frustrations, the Lord is quietly preparing those who, in the fullness of His time, will be spiritually lifted into a governmental realm to rule with a “rod of iron” (authority with consequence). These are feeling an increases dissatisfaction with their present spiritual condition, and feel a desire to be birthed into something beyond their present spiritual experience.

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and to His throne.” Revelation 12:5

As the life within an egg is inwardly formed, there is forming within each of us – those who presently are being quickened and moved upon by the Holy Spirit, a capacity and ability to be birthed into this authoritive relationship with the Lord, at the appointed time. This had been offered to Israel by Jesus, but they missed their day of opportunity (being birthed).

“For, behold, the day comes, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But to you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 4:1-3

As we feel and respond to the processing’s of the Holy Spirit, even though we may not understand all that is taking place, nor that for which we are being prepared, it is important that we not hinder, but actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit, as He broods upon us to complete the time of preparation that is taking place within us. Only then will we be ready to be birthed into an active end-time cooperative relationship with the Lord.

“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron...” Revelation 2:26-27

These deep inner dealings of the Holy Spirit will act upon and alter the very fiber of our being, that we might be brought into alignment with the Lord's higher purpose. Only then can we be trusted to rightly use the power that will be placed in our hand.

All creation is beginning to groan for the manifestation of this end-time redemption. They search in vain as they are yet unwilling to come to Jesus. who came that we might have life, and have this life more abundantly (Millennial Kingdom). Therefore, the Holy Spirit continues to brood upon His own, that they might be prepared to be birthed into their place of ministry in the coming day of His power.

The Lord would say to those upon whom He broods during this time of preparation, that He has love and compassion for those who yet reject Him, and also, that He feels the frustration they experience.

Therefore, the Lord is hastening this work of preparation within each of us who are willingly responding to this brooding presence of the Holy Spirit. These are being required by the Lord to unconditionally submit the totality of their being - body, soul, and spirit, to this work of preparation.

We must allow the Lord to remove from us all that is contrary to His working within us. There is a present word that applies to this process that we should very carefully, but determinedly respond to:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

The Lord is calling His own, not only to stand faithful in this day, but to become the expression and demonstration of the life (corporate Jesus) that He longs to impart into a lost and hurting world.

For us to be birthed, and begin to function in this higher realm, we must both believe and contend for an “open heaven” under which we can “wait upon the Lord,” to receive His enabling and empowering grace that will birth us into this higher realm of relationship.

As the Lord actively “broods” upon us to birth this end-time ministry, we must constantly express our love for Him, and our willing acceptance of the moving and working of the Holy Spirit within us - for the preparation of our lives to rightly handle the Kingdom authority that He is getting ready to release in this last day.

Once we have done this, we can rest in hope, as He continues to brood upon us, knowing that He will complete the work of preparation within us, so that we, as a man-child (spiritually mature), will be “caught up” in that day.