A YEAR OF HELL NOW TURNING TO GOLD

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ… “. (1 Peter 1:6-7)”

Carolyn and I have had a year of hell. Most of our close friends know that by now. But God!

HERE COMES MORE VULNERABILITY

Let me be very vulnerable for a moment and share things that most preachers will not share with you. You see, many ministers hesitate to share their deepest struggles and challenges, because they think it will be a stumbling block to their people, infuse doubt, and won’t help them. I beg to differ. I think the opposite is true. They need to know that we are not Supermen, but in our humanity are subject to the same weaknesses and infirmities they are. This actually encourages people.

The genuineness of our faith is tested in our trials. And nothing else. You can hear the Word, quote the Word, boast in your faith, act like you are a mighty man or woman of God etc., but when the fat meets the fire, you will learn that only in great trials can great faith be birthed and great victories obtained.

It touches God’s heart very deeply when we rejoice in times of grievous trials, especially when you don’t fully understand. Get that. If you can overcome the devil’s accusations of God to us during such hardship you are the big winner and your faith will soar.

PRAISE

Sometimes you have to be like a chicken on a june bug with your praise. Like Paul and Silas in the prison (Acts 16). They prayed but the great miracle didn’t come until they began to praise. Oh! I sense His Spirit on that word, because so many are in this place right now. Praising God in your hardship, trials, and disappointments is not easy but takes great faith. Most of our trials are primarily in two areas: attacks on our physical bodies and finances. And faith for both is a little different.

I’ve shared bits and pieces of our physical health challenges with FB friends, but very little concerning our financial challenges. In short, we have lived from miracle to miracle through the sustaining power of God’s great provision. We’ve been quiet about that part because we had a witness in our spirits not to share it, but to throw ourselves over on the Father’s love and care when the devil was accusing God to us day and night. But we will save that part of our testimony for another time, because it is so awesome and will encourage many to trust the Lord more for His great provision and favor in financial matters.

Some days all I could say to combat what the enemy of our souls was tempting me with in his constant non-stop accusations against God was to lift my hands and say, “Thank you, Father for your goodness and your mercy.” The devil’s greatest temptation during a year of pure hell for my wife and I was to have us blame God, to let our disappointment lead to bitterness, and to doubt His love and faithfulness to us.

LET ME BE BRUTALLY HONEST

I must admit there were times when my insomnia was so bad from the stroke, that it drove me to think that it was better to die than live. The same was true with Carolyn.

She’s had not one or two or three, but 6 surgeries, and may need one more skin graft to cover her large open wound. But it was her radiation treatments that did the big damage and fried her lower leg so severely, that it not only killed the cancer cells but also muscles, tendons, tissue and blood vessels. Her pain levels were so unbearable at times that she would tell me she didn’t want to live any more. Even recently I’ve been up several nights with her and once had to rush her to the emergency room in the wee hours of the morning. She still can’t walk but the pain is beginning to ease through better pain management and the hyperbaric oxygen therapy she is now receiving daily. As soon as I’m able to leave her side, I’ll be doing that, too in order to reclaim what was lost through the stroke.

To be honest with you, at times my emotions would fluctuate between utter helplessness and brokenness and then anger and yelling at God. “God, don’t you care?! Where are you?! I can’t take this any more?! This is so cruel?!” It was so hard to see my bride in excruciating pain. And the Father would comfort us and reassure us that the glory was coming. I’ve shared the scripture that I kept close to my heart all this time but it bears sharing it again, because some may need it right now. Here it is:

“You have been carried by Me from your birth and been carried in My arms from the womb, even to your advanced age I will carry you! I have made you, and I will carry you; be assured I will carry you and I will save you.” (Is. 46:3-4)

Oh how I’ve grown to love this word! I still weep when I read it and ponder the depths of it. Oh, how He loves us and cares for us even when we don’t understand what we’re going through. We trust Him because we know Him as Father. I get choked up every time I call Him Father now, and that age old Christian hymn comes rising up in my spirit, “Great is Thy faithfulness”… and I weep some more and then laugh with joy unspeakable and full of glory. This has been my sustaining power all through this trial.

NOW HERE’S THE GOLD
I know this is another lengthy post, and it still amazes that people are reading these, liking and loving them, and commenting. I’m truly humbled and honored that you would. My motive is to simply bless you with His great love that continues to touch and melt my heart. Now bear me with me just a little longer while I conclude with this incomprehensible love.

“That He would give you, according to the riches of His glory, power to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in LOVE may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the LOVE of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the FULNESS of God” (Eph. 3:16-19).

Notice the connection between knowing the love of Christ and being filled with all the fulness of God.

Knowing the width, length, depth, and height of His love that passes your intellectual knowledge is how you will come to be filled with all the fullness of God. This is the greatest transformation anyone can receive in this life.

HIS LOVE IS HIS FULNESS IN YOU

To be filled with the revelation of God’s love is to be filled with all His fullness. There is nothing greater. As disciples of Jesus, we’ve got to move past identifying ourselves with anyone or anything outside of Christ — whether it be our failures, weaknesses, infirmities, our greatest achievements/accomplishments, man’s acceptance and approval, performance and what we do or don’t do, our jobs/careers and status in life, our churches, ministries, finances and so on — and move into a full-fledged identity with His love.

The heart that knows he is loved by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ceases to look elsewhere for love, peace, satisfaction, and fulfillment. His delight is in the Lord. He has found his dwelling place and his rest in Him. When you receive a revelation of His deep love for you, it will put a pure delight and contentment in your soul. It is then that you will truly live free and full.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Don’t forget to mark your calendars for October 22-23, and to register for our upcoming Fall Holy Ghost Forum. Here is the link to register along with a 10 minute video of sharing my heart for it. 

https://fb.watch/6OWmydMTur/

https://fb.me/e/VpO0eiFB

Our books are forerunners to personal holiness, the move of God, and the return of the Lord. They also combat the departure from the faith and the turning away from the truth we are seeing in our day.  If any of our books or articles on this blog are a blessing and encouragement to you please use the social media buttons below to share them.

Also, this ministry is sustained by the freewill offerings of those who believe in the mandate and message of revival that this ministry carries. Again, if this article has been a blessing to you, would you prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible contribution through our Paypal button to help? 

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FRIEND OF MINE

Toward the end of his life Lester Sumrall was a lonesome man. What? How could a man of his spiritual stature, who had traveled and ministered all over the world, and supposedly had many sons in the faith be lonesome? The answer is friendship.

So called sons aren’t always friends. Disciples aren’t always friends. Ministry colleagues and peers aren’t always friends. Bro. Sumrall said he could count on one hand the number of friends he had. Though I’m sure they loved him, his own biological sons weren’t necessarily his friends either.

MY OWN DADDY

I watched my own daddy grow old and tired. He had no need for material things, gifts of any kind, or more money. In fact, he would often say, “There is nothing good in this world.” What he longed for was love from his family and friends. Some of his most fulfilling times were holiday times when genuine love was expressed. He hated superficiality and gift giving without warm love and honest interaction. But he also had a mouth that brought him much unnecessary trouble. As the minister in the family, I overlooked that shortcoming and many others he had, and tried to see those things as a heart cry for genuine love and attention.

TIMES OF NEED

In his old age when my daddy had open heart surgery I stopped by the hospital on the way to a preaching engagement. I wanted to be there when he first woke up from surgery. When he saw my face in front of his, I could see the immediate joy on his countenance. He was so happy to see me! In his greatest hour of need he just wanted to know someone who loved him was there. He was a tough man, a man’s man really, but due to old age hardship and the physical body’s woes he became more tender in his later years.

Near the end of his life he was worn and broken. And what he wanted more than anything else was companionship. Even my Mom and him had a lot of strife and misunderstandings and became irritable with one another due to their sufferings. When a person is suffering physically they are not always pleasant, especially if they are in pain. My parents were born again believers but didn’t learn to walk in the Spirit very consistently due to carnal strongholds in their lives.

BACK TO SUMRALL

Lester Sumrall knew many people and ministers, but again, he said he had only a few true friends. Four or five he said. I was very surprised to hear that, so I listened very carefully. Apparently he was working on a final book at the end of his life on true friendship, but I’m not sure he completed it before his departure. If he did, I’ve not seen it. His words on friendship broke my heart. I sensed his lonesomeness. A man that came out of his death bed as a teenager and changed the world had few true friends. Imagine! His precious wife Ms. Louise had gone to be with the Lord two years before he did. I remember him describing the strange sensation he had when they pulled the sheets over his wife’s body and wheeled her away. Death has lost its sting for believers but it still hurts.

LONGING TO SEE THE FACE OF FRIENDS

After our recent trials, I long to see the face of friends. I’m a pretty sentimental person as it is, I know, but even more so since the illness. I long for intimacy and transparency and a genuine expression of the love and honor of heaven. Don’t let my sometimes rough exterior fool you. I laugh and cry a lot more easily now. To be vulnerable and authentic is to expose yourself and risk being misunderstood and hurt. That’s okay. Jesus lived that way. Think about it. He was the most vulnerable, truthful, loving, and yet most misunderstood person who ever lived. I’ve been misunderstood for most of my life, because I’m direct and a bit of a straightshooter. I don’t fear man. It has been said that the man who is intimate with God cannot be intimidated by man. I love that quote.

HERE’S THE BALANCE

But I’ve also learned you can’t always be so direct with everyone. Not everyone can hear it that way. Jesus treated the rich young ruler differently than he did Zaccheus. It’s a hard lesson I’ve had to learn over the years. That’s why I will go out of my way to reason with, reconcile, and comfort one I may have hurt through some misunderstanding, but yet I cannot compromise spirit and truth.Carolyn and I are very different that way. She doesn’t like conflict and clams up and goes into a shell and retreats at any sign of confrontation. I’m the opposite. Plus, I’m Portuguese. She’s German. I’m passionate. She’s reserved.

Additionally, we were raised very differently. She came from a very dysfunctional family and had an unloving father who was mean-spirited and abused her mentally, and left his family when Carolyn was only five. I came from a functional and fairly stable family with loving hard-working immigrant parents. Instead of clamming up and doing the silent treatment, my temperament is more like this: Let’s be brutally honest and completely transparent with each other, put it all on the table, fight it out emotionally if need be, come to an understanding, and then keep loving each other. That’s me. But not everyone is like that.

In 30+ years of marriage I’ve never let the sun set on any wrath with my wife. I won’t go to sleep until we work it out. She’ll be the first to tell you that. But she’s different. Let’s sleep on it and talk it over in the morning is her style. My directness can be offensive at times if not tempered with love and tenderness. Speaking the truth in love is not always that easy for some Christians.

Here’s another great quote: “You be careful when someone comes to you with a sugar-coated pill or with a slimy tongue. They are always of the devil.” — Smith Wigglesworth

I’m understanding more and more why Jesus, the apostle Paul, and men like Bro. Sumrall had few true friends. Sumrall frequently visited Wigglesworth’s home, and said that nobody was ever there. Me? I’d be knocking on his door every day. Not many visited him. I wonder why. Well, just look at the above quote. He walked in truth and spoke very directly, but he was also a very broken and compassionate man. But often, due to offense, and a veiled face, people didn’t see that side of him.

JESUS AND PAUL

Why do you think the Son of man had nowhere to lay his head? Multitudes were taught by Him and many followed Him, and yet no one invited Him to spend the night. I believe it’s because He saw too much in people’s lives, and that made them uncomfortable .

The apostle Paul also taught many and established disciples and young ministers in the faith, but said he only had one who was trustworthy, and that was Timothy (Phil. 2:19-22). Everyone else was seeking their own things, and not the kingdom. They were selfish. Selfish people don’t make good friends.Let’s all work on being a better friend.

I think the little poem below is the intoxicating drink we all long for in life. Drink deeply of the wine of its words. May you find true friendship in life and remember Jesus is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother, and no better friend we’ll ever have.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Don’t forget to mark your calendars for October 22-23, and to register for our upcoming Fall Holy Ghost Forum. Here is the link to register along with a 10 minute video of sharing my heart for it.

https://fb.watch/6OWmydMTur/

https://fb.me/e/VpO0eiFB

Our books are forerunners to personal holiness, the move of God, and the return of the Lord. They also combat the departure from the faith and the turning away from the truth we are seeing in our day.  If any of our books or articles on this blog are a blessing and encouragement to you please use the social media buttons below to share them.

Also, this ministry is sustained by the freewill offerings of those who believe in the mandate and message of revival that this ministry carries. Again, if this article has been a blessing to you, would you prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible contribution through our Paypal button to help? 

DONATE 

THE SUPERNATURAL CHURCH AND MINISTRY

 From late 1992 to1996 Carolyn and I were missionaries in The Gambia, a tiny Muslim nation in West Africa. We were there by divine commission. In other words, we were sent. Some just go because they say that Jesus told us to go into all the world. 

That is true in a general sense, but not specifically. In Acts 16 Paul and  his team were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go to Asia and then not permitted to go to Bithynia. Then a vision was given to Paul to go to Macedonia. They were sent. 

You see, when you’re sent, you have authority from the Lord to be there. It doesn’t mean it’s going to be smooth sailing as Paul and his team experienced great persecution in that region. The devil knew Paul and his team were sent by the Lord, and he was there to oppose them. 

In spite of the opposition and persecution they received there, great things happened. It all began when a certain slave girl was delivered from a spirit of divination. But even that deliverance was Spirit-led as Paul waited many days to cast that spirit out (Acts 16:18). Well, why didn’t he cast it out the first day? Apparently, there wasn’t an anointing to do so.

THE GREAT DOWNFALL OF THE MODERN CHURCH AND MINISTRY 

One of the great downfalls of the modern church today is they do not know the Holy Spirit and are not that familiar with His leadings and various anointings. This is a big reason why we don’t get many results — book of Acts results…supernatural results. 

Because of the godly training we received in a Word and Spirit school, and the example of a young apostolic leader who was Spirit-led and accurate in following the Lord, we learned the same. Example is the most potent element of discipleship. If you don’t have a godly example before you, much will be done in vain. Please get that! 

We had been under the ministry of a God sent apostle for several years before being sent by the Lord to The Gambia. God prepared us and then sent us. That’s huge, too. Many do not receive the right kind of preparation. 

Carolyn and I consider everything not done through the direction of the Holy Spirit as a failure. In West Africa under divinely commissioned apostolic leadership we witnessed miracles of provision, open doors, great favor, and the multiplication of disciples through the Spirit led instruction our leader received from the Lord. It was astounding! We gleaned so much and took it with us to The Gambia.

RECEIVING DIRECTION

Upon entering the country we received several words of knowledge and wisdom as to what to do and how to start the work. The results were nothing short of amazing in that tiny Muslim nation all because we were sent, walked in our God-given authority, and learned to follow the leading of the Lord. 

For example, one Gambian pastor told us that if we started a Bible training center, which was our commission, we’d probably only have about 10 students. That really discouraged me at first, but because we followed a divine strategy given to us by the Lord we ended up with over 200 students. It pays to learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

This is what we’ve got to improve on today. Having a godly example to teach and equip you, being established in the Word, and learning to live a Spirit-filled life are keys to learning to be led by the Holy Spirit and moving in the supernatural. 

It’s time for the supernatural church and ministry to arise and do exploits in this day and hour! 

“And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s speech, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God so that your faith would not stand in the mere wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:4-5)

Our Holy Ghost Forums exist for such a purpose. Don’t miss our next one on Oct. 22-23 here in Windham, NH. Details forthcoming…

Furthermore, at the Lord’s direction we will continue to minister more on the supernatural church and ministry via the written word (articles, blogs, books, and posts), and via video on Holy Fire Ministries YouTube channel. 

Our books are forerunners to personal holiness, the move of God, and the return of the Lord. They also combat the departure from the faith and the turning away from the truth we are seeing in our day.  If any of our books or articles on this blog are a blessing and encouragement to you please use the social media buttons below to share them.

Also, this ministry is sustained by the freewill offerings of those who believe in the mandate and message of revival that this ministry carries. Again, if this article has been a blessing to you, would you prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible contribution through our Paypal button to help? 

DONATE 

GOD IS BUILDING STRONG LOCAL CHURCHES:

IT’S TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO ASSEMBLE IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

After a word of knowledge concerning a woman who was heavily oppressed mentally and physically, the Holy Spirit said, “It takes the faith of a corporate body to lift up such ones who are heavily oppressed. Even the angels participate in aiding such a one for it is the source of great power.”

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk. 15:10).

I know this verse applies to a sinner who comes to repentance, but the principle speaks volumes to us concerning the importance of the one, and the faith and agreement of the local body to aid the suffering one, or even unbelievers who may be in our midst.

“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification” (1 Cor. 14:24-26).

The local body needs to have a revelation of how heaven moves for the one.

When a church comes into agreement for any member of the body who is sick, oppressed, or going through a severe trial it becomes a great source of power for them.

OTHER EXAMPLES OF CORPORATE FAITH AND POWER

My wife was remembering when a man with a mask appeared through a window outside of the place where she strong worked at as a single woman many years ago. This frightened her and fear gripped her. She went to the local assembly and asked for prayer and one of the pastors led the congregation in proclaiming the protection of Psalm 91 over her. It created such a force in the realm of the Spirit for Carolyn that she was able to go back to work without any fear.

We had returned from some meetings in one city where corporate prayer was made on behalf of the pastor’s wife. Her life appeared to be in disarray. Her business and health seemed to be failing. Fear and discouragement were setting in. Corporate prayer and power were released for her in the assembly. Love and encouragement were given. Soon God began to move on her behalf and manifested answers to her needs.

RESULTS OF UNITED PRAYING

When Peter was thrust into prison by Herod the church gathered to pray constantly.

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5).

What were the results of this united praying? The power of God was released and an angel was sent to deliver Peter from prison (vs. 6-11). When he realized he had gained his freedom he went to the house of Mary.

“So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12).

The Church has got to learn to assemble in the power of the Spirit.

UNITED FASTING AND PRAYER

I heard one old timer tell the story of an epileptic boy for whom the church fasted and prayed for two days. When they came together in the corporate assembly the power of God was manifest and the boy was completely delivered.

God often spotlights an individual so the church can come into faith and agreement for their needs. So much more power is released where there is a spirit of unity and agreement. Most believers in the church today are not familiar with this kind of united power. It is the day where we must discern and judge these things spiritually. There are many examples of this in the Scriptures. Even when there is practice of sin in a known member of the local body the church has tremendous power and authority to deal with that one as a final measure to root out the leaven in their midst (1 Cor. 5).

“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (vs. 4-5).

PETER AND JOHN THREATENED

Here is another marvelous scripture containing prayer on behalf of Peter and John who were severely threatened for preaching and healing in the Name of Jesus:

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:29-31).

Corporate prayer released the power of God and filled them all with the Holy Spirit and shook the place where they assembled. This prayer had to do with preaching the gospel in boldness and power. Unless the spreading of the gospel and the advancement of the kingdom of God becomes the church’s primary motive, we’ll be limited in our prayers. Often we ask amiss to consume it on our own lusts (James 4:3). Power is granted to those who are seeking  first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33).

UNITED PRAYER GIVES BIRTH TO CORPORATE POWER AND REVELATION

United prayer not only gives birth to corporate power, but also to revelation and instruction/direction from the Lord. For example, in Acts 13:1-3, five ministers were ministering to the Lord and fasting when the Holy Ghost spoke direction that changed the landscape of the early Church.

“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”

We’ve got to get into the classroom of the Holy Ghost and learn these things. Too many leaders and churches are following the production of the purveyors of the self-help, motivational, you-can-have-it-all, success in life, grow-your-church seminar founded on the mere wisdom of man which God has not chosen, instead of the power of God. This has caused a great glorying in the flesh that God resists (1 Cor. 1:26-29). Let us remember that the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (v. 25).

Many of the things released in corporate meetings will be instructions and directions of the will of God for the local assembly. Often they will come from guest ministers who move in the Spirit and will speak the wisdom of God into that body. This operation has manifested in our own lives and ministry of late in nearly every place and church we’ve gone to. We will pray forth mysteries and ask God to reveal His will to a people.

For instance, recently in the state of Oregon at least one church came into the dealings of God and the stirrings of the Spirit that were birthed through prayer and the word of the Lord that came through our vessels. The pastors were so moved that they transcribed the utterances that came by the Spirit in the meetings we held there. This has happened a number of times where churches rehearse what the Lord said. That kind of honor and reverence and subsequent obedience to the word of the Lord will produce results in any assembly.

Any church with spiritual leadership can move in these profound and prolific things because of a lifestyle of prayer. In these dark times in our nation heaven on earth will manifest for those who are seeking the Lord right now. The Lord lifts up His voice to His army (Joel 2). Instructions, assignments, and deployments are coming for those who learn to pray and interpret mysteries. The power of God will be released in corporate prayer. All you need is two or three in faith and agreement for Jesus to be in our midst in power.

Let us call to attention and order our solemn assemblies and move into God’s mysteries and miracles for this day and hour.

“Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together…” (Heb. 10:25) 

DID YOU KNOW THE WORD REVIVAL IS NOT REALLY A NEW COVENANT WORD?

Please understand that this statement is coming from one who is a revivalist (me)and has studied the history of revivals. It’s coming from an author who has written extensively on revival themes, and who was a part of the great Pensacola revival over 20 years ago. Its coming from one who believes that it’s the greatest need in the American church and in many parts of the world.

But when the Spirit of God poses a question like this in your spirit you pay attention. Although the word revival or some form of it is found in several Old Testament scriptures, it is found only once in the New Covenant, and in a different light. Here it is:

“I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin REVIVED and I died.” ( Rom. 7:9)

The entire chapter of Romans 7 is about sin, and how the law exposes sin. Paul is speaking of the revival of sin in his life through the law. Wow! That’s a jaw dropper isn’t it? The law revealed and REVIVED sin in Paul’s life. This is of course all before Paul’s salvation.

So what’s my point? The New Covenant life is to be a Spirit-filled life where you don’t need to be revived. You are living in personal revival because you have learned the secret of being continually filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-19). Most Christians don’t live there. Many are backslidden. This applies to even ministers. This is the reason that there is a prevailing deadness in many churches today. I’m sorry to say, but most pastors wouldn’t recognize the Holy Ghost if He walked in with a red suit on with red shoes and a red hat 😂😂😂. You Spirit-filled people know that’s true!

This is where the Holy Spirit has been drawing my attention to recently again. The key to a victorious Christian walk is living a Spirit filled life and never having to be revived! Revival is really for the backslider, the prodigal, and the untegenerate. God’s original design and purpose is for believers to live a Spirit-filled life.

Smith Wigglesworth said this:

“I have revival everywhere I go because I live FULL OF THE SPIRIT.”

That’s it right there! The ministry of Jesus flows out of a Spirit-filled life. Evangelism and discipleship flow out of a Spirit-filled life. All acceptable service to God flows out of a Spirit-filled life. Healing the sick and casting out devils flows out of a Spirit-filled life! Waiting on tables and ministering to the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the downtrodden comes out of a Spirit-filled life. Fruitful prayer flows out of a Spirit-filled life! A godly marriage and raising godly children flows out of a Spirit filled life! Loving people flows out of a Spirit-filled life!

This is the emphasis of the Spirit in my heart now. Again, my wife and I have done 32 videos called Face-to-Face on the Spirit filled life (they’re on our YouTube channel, Holy Fire Ministries under our Playlist). Carolyn and I were doing one per week until we were hit hard with these recent health challenges. You can subscribe if you’re hungry for more of this theme.

Stay tuned…

Note: Our books and articles are forerunners to the move of God, personal holiness and the return of the Lord. The fire of God and the fear of God are attached to them. If you feel like this article is valuable, please use the social media buttons below to share it.

MUCH OF THE “PROPHETIC” HAS BECOME PATHETIC

This past week I was watching and listening carefully to judge a supposed “heavy” prophetic word a friend sent me to share my perspective on. More on that later. I normally don’t have the time, patience, or even interest to listen to the 999 supposed “prophetic” words that are out there on internet la la land, with most not worth a nickel to me, but because I have high regard for my friend I went ahead and made time to watch and listen to the prophecy. 

We have so much of the “prophetic” in America, and one of the reasons for the rampant deception that presently exists in many churches and Christians. Frankly, I’m weary of the excesses, extremes, and abuses of it.  Most Christians are not familiar with the real prophetic, so they are swallowed up by the false. People aren’t grounded in the full counsel of the Word, or how to follow Jesus, and be led by the Holy Spirit, but instead they follow their favorite elevated preacher(s) and make idols out of their false prophets. “Ooo! Aaah! Wow! Amen!” they say as their mouths drool with false wonder and emotionalism when it’s not even God that is speaking through them.

Just to be clear, I do not despise the authentic prophetic for I have been a beneficiary of it throughout the many years of my life and ministry. I believe strongly in the  Ephesians 4:11 ministry gift of the authentic Prophet.  But most of what I’m seeing and hearing today is not that. Instead, it’s a cheap imitation at best. It’s false. It’s highly manipulative. Worst of all, it is deceptive and misleads multitudes of Christians who have itching ears for sweet tooth messages and who possess no discernment. Many of these poor souls lack the fear of God and a genuine love for the truth, so they are easy targets for the enemy and those self-promoting foxes (cunning and crafty; Luke 13:32, Ez. 13:4) who peddle the false prophetic. The landscape of Christianity today is filled with such. Tares they are, that must be separated from the wheat.

There are two main sides of the false prophetic. One is the sugary, dainty prophecies that only prophesy “peace, peace” (Ez. 13:10, 16) and the other is the gloom and doom kind that usually only speak of judgment and wrath, and falsely imply that God is angry with everyone. What the Lord is really saying in this hour is what we need to hear. And yes, I realize He can be saying many different things through many different vessels, but there is a true and a false. There is a soulish and then there is the spiritual. The Lord rebuked the false prophets throughout Israel’s history as He did through the prophet Ezekiel:

“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’ “Thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!” (vs. 1-3) 

(Read the entire chapter of Ezekiel 13 to see a sobering example of this)

Back to the supposed prophecy from a supposed prophet from the link  that my friend sent me. Initially I sensed no anointing on it, but as time went on I was fooled by it, because the individual seemed sincere and at one point even shed tears, so I wavered. Why did I doubt my first impression when I did not sense the true anointing, and the ‘check’ I had in my spirit that something was not quite right? I wasn’t sure any more because I moved into the soulish realm. This is what Christians do all the time because they’re not familiar with the real anointing of the Spirit. 

KNOW THE TRUE ANOINTING

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” (1John 2:20)

“These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. BUT the ANOINTING which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you…” (1 John 2:27)

You can only know all things “in the anointing”. I cannot always explain to you what the anointing is, but I can sure tell you what it ain’t. That anointing is simply the Holy Spirit who abides in every true believer. It’s also important that we are established in the Word and know the whole counsel of God, but have you ever thought of the fact that the early Christians didn’t have a full Bible yet like we do? The Comforter, whom Jesus left us, is all they knew. In fact, the apostle John was so bold to tell these early believers that “those who went out from us were not of us because if they had been of us they would have continued with us (1 John 2:19)”. Sounds pretty denominational and self-centered, doesn’t it? But back then they knew one another by the Spirit. They discerned the true from the false by the anointing.

Notice in v. 27 that John said that we need not that anyone teach us. Now that sounds pretty arrogant, too, doesn’t it?  But he’s not saying that we don’t need to be taught, for God had placed teachers in the body of Christ. What he’s saying is to let  the anointing teach you while men speak. 

Before I minister the Word of God I will sometimes say: “It’s not important what I say. What’s important is what the Holy Spirit says while I’m speaking.” See the difference?

When I was listening to the aforementioned video of this supposed prophet I disconnected from the Anointing within me and began to yield more to my soul and emotions and was fooled. 

Believers today need to familiarize themselves with the true anointing of the Holy Spirit and be around it. Quit putting your faith in the wisdom of men and more in the power of God. 

Note: Our books and articles are forerunners to the move of God, personal holiness and the return of the Lord. The fire of God and the fear of God are attached to them. If you feel like this article is valuable, please use the social media buttons below to share it.

FEAR NOT, AMERICA IS NOT DOOMED

Lately I’ve been going back and referring to the late Kenneth E. Hagin’s many visions and prophecies that he was given throughout much of his life and ministry. They have provided great encouragement and confirmation about some things I have known in my spirit about these end times, but became muddied through the many false prophetic voices heard today. I know that there are godly prophets in the earth today, but Bro. Hagin was proven and accurate, and lived an impeccable life of faithfulness and character, unlike so many today. In my humble opinion, he is the foremost prophet of my lifetime, and the closest man to Jesus that I have personally known.

Columnist’s Note: This is a prophecy by the late Kenneth E. Hagin on Oct. 01, 1974, Longmont, Texas: Amid the present plague/virus and fear and uncertainty in the world and even among some Christians, the church needs to be reminded of this

“No, the time of the end is not yet. No, America is not doomed,” I heard Him say. “No, judgment will not fall as yet.

“Some have seen some things in the spirit and didn’t know how to interpret it. They interpreted it as happening now. I didn’t say it was going to happen now. In the spirit you see things in the distance—and even in another age.

“When the church age is over, judgment will fall. But judgment will not fall upon the church. For the only judgment that the church will face is the judgment seat of Christ. They’ll not face the judgment of tribulation.”

My comments: Pre-trib and post-trip arguments avail; I’m a proponent of both of them with a split church at the pre-trib rapture where some go and some stay; for more clarification on this go here and scroll back, then go forward to read the 12-part series I did in 2013. I received this understanding from my personal studies on a number of eschatology books of the late Rev. Gordon Lindsay, who was a good friend of brother Hagin. My understanding of eschatology may change as I continue to grow, but right now, that is what I believe is closest to the fullness of truth concerning the rapture of the church.

“They’ll not face the judgment of the enemy or the judgment of God, for they’re protected by God.

“And there is more to happen yet. There’s missionary work to be done. And even the renewal that you call the ‘charismatic renewal,’ and the move of the Spirit in these last days—you have only seen a little. And there shall be those that stand before the leaders of this nation and work miracles. And it shall be even so as it was with Phillip, after he had baptized the eunuch that he was caught away and found in another city. And so one shall be in this city and television cameras shall be trained upon him. The reporters will say, ‘He’s here in Dallas, Texas.’ And as fast as you can snap your finger, a television camera in Los Angeles…and there he is. Some will say, ‘How did he do that?’ It shall be the Spirit of God that shall catch him away. [My personal comments: I’ve always had that same conviction. How glorious! We need to think bigger than the present dark situation in our nation.]

“And these signs and wonders shall become more prevalent. Signs and wonders have come here and come there. But they shall become more prevalent and more prevalent in these last days. ‘And let not your heart be fearful, nor let it be afraid.’

“For there shall, and on the scene he has already arisen [I believe he’s speaking of President Trump, who was about 28 years old at this time. I can’t prove that, so I’ll just submit it to you for consideration. Keep reading.], one who shall respond unto the things of God and whose heart will be open toward God.

“And your nation that seemed to be cut down to the roots, and the wild birds of the air and the fowls of the air came and roosted in her branches and did much disrepute unto the nation. Yet that shall all be repaired because this man shall say,

‘I will walk in the way of God. I will trust also in Him.’ And he shall be at the head, and many shall follow him. And the work of God shall be consummated that must be consummated in other nations before I come. [Oh, glory to God! Hallelujah!]

“I heard Him say, ‘Because, you see, The enemy shall not gainsay the work of the Lord.’ And like a trumpet sounding across the valley, I heard His voice so strong and clear, and He said,

‘I am not coming for a church, the body of Christ, that’s weak, emaciated, sickly and underground, meaning hiding in fear [My comments: He is not speaking of the mighty underground church, because of persecution as in nations like Iran, but he’s speaking of the mighty holy remnant of God who will rise up in this hour]. I’m coming for the spiritual giant that’s alive and living, and working the works of God!’

“So be not fearful, nor cast thy glance around about, and become askant. But look ye up unto Him, for He is the head of the church. And through the church, the head will manifest Himself. And men are the hands of the Lord, and the hands are in the body. And He shall stretch forth His hands to heal the sick, that signs and wonders shall be wrought in the name of the Holy Child Jesus. [GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!]

“And two things shall shortly be made manifest unto the real people of God: ‘One is further light and teaching and revelation in the area and realm of healing—physical healing, divine healing—that will be the key that will unlock the chain that has bound so many and they’ll never more be the same.’ [Comments: There was much teaching in the ’70s and ’80s on this that many of us need to revisit. I was a part of an apostolic team that received a mandate from God to carry the word of faith into West Africa in the mid-80s into the mid-90s. And I will be writing and ministering more on this in the near future]. We need this ‘word of faith’ (Rom. 10:8) especially in this time where great fear is abounding all over the world.

“And then there shall come revelation…further light according to the Word concerning the miraculous, and the part that faith doth play. For faith is like the fuse that ignites the dynamite.

“And when the explosion goes off, all can hear and see. But there was a fuse that had to be lit, and faith is the fuse. [Yes! Yes! Yes!]

“And thou shalt be able to stand and to take a blackboard, like a teacher teaching mathematics and write out the equation and come up with the right answer. And any man or woman, boy or girl, standing or seated in that congregation will be able to take that equation, translate it into the spiritual realm and their faith will ignite the power of God. And they’ll have an explosion in their home and in their community and in their church.

“And it will be popping here and popping there; and it will be popping here and popping there; and it will be popping here and popping there.

“So get ready for it.

“And the curtain was closed. And into the realm of eternity I could no longer see.

“And into the realm of eternity I could no longer hear. But I looked again into the realm of time, where you sit and live, and say with words from heaven above, ‘These things shall shortly be, and shall shortly come.'” 

This song will fire you up! Listen to “Blood Bought Church”

Note: Our books and articles are forerunners to the move of God, personal holiness and the return of the Lord. The fire of God and the fear of God are attached to them. If you feel like this article is valuable, please use the social media buttons below to share it.

THE REASON FOR THE LACK OF THE POWER OF GOD: TOO MUCH MENTAL PRAYING AND NOT ENOUGH SPIRITUAL PRAYING

There is a book in my library I often refer to. It is called, Tongues: Beyond The Upper Room, by the late Kenneth E. Hagin. Every believer should have that book. Every church should teach thoroughly from it. Every minister should read it regularly. There are certain men of old like Hagin and many others who were sent by God with light from heaven for their generation. The challenge with each new generation is to keep the light burning that these men brought to us from the Holy Ghost. There is a new church methodology that is making it easier to lose this light. There is a new ministry philosophy that is content to let it slip away because according to their wisdom, it doesn’t bring in the numbers or the dollars.

In the aforementioned book, there are some amazing testimonies of the miracle working power of God that was manifested through those who strongly believed and practiced praying in tongues. One testimony is told of one Brother Boley, a missionary to West Africa. He would travel by sailboat to some primitive islands to preach the gospel to unreached tribes. One night on his return to the mainland a storm arose at sea. This was at the turn of the 20th century when they did not have light or navigation equipment.

The storm was so bad that they reached a point of two choices. They could stay out at sea and be swallowed up by the turbulent waves, or direct the boat toward shore through the coral reef, where in all likelihood; it would be smashed to pieces. Either way, barring a miracle, there would be loss of life to all on the boat.

Unbeknownst to Brother Boley, one of his helpers back at the mission station on the mainland, had a burden to pray that night. Not knowing the situation or even quite what she was sensing, she prayed in tongues for about two hours. Then the burden lifted and she had a note of victory that the answer had come. The Old Pentecostals called this “praying through” – something so few Christians know anything about today. This is one of the elements of prayer modern Pentecostals and Charismatics are losing.

Kenneth E. Hagin heard Brother Boley in person share this testimony, or else I would’ve had a hard time believing it myself. Around the same time that the burden of prayer lifted off this woman the boat took off in the air like an airplane and sailed over the dangerous reef and landed in the harbor where the waters were calm and peaceful. There was much rejoicing and not a life was lost.

Why are we not seeing and hearing more testimonies like this today? It’s simple – because we are not praying very much in other tongues. The next wave of God’s Spirit is dependent on the prayers of God’s people. Ministers who know and have experience in these areas need to teach more on the Holy Ghost and prayer, and then demonstrate some of it to the people. The Lord told Kenneth E. Hagin that the greatest move of God would come through the combination of the solid foundation of the Word that’s been built over the last few decades and the power of the Holy Ghost that will be manifested as we learn to enter into this deeper realm of prayer.

Here is a powerful quote from Hagin in the book I referred to here:

“Oh yes, we’ve seen the power of the Holy Ghost in a limited fashion, but a wave is coming that will bring His power on a higher level and in a far greater measure than we have ever seen before. I can see that wave out yonder in the deep waters. It’s coming!

“Don’t stay on the old wave of yesterday’s move of the Spirit. Swim out to the deep waters of the Spirit realm by praying in the Holy Ghost, and get on the next wave of God’s purposes for this hour. Then keep on praying so you can ride that new wave as it builds in divine power and glory.

“I’m convinced the wave that is coming will be twice as high as the healing wave, the Charismatic wave, or the faith wave. In fact, it will be twice as high as all of them put together! I believe it is going to be the wave that sweeps us right on into the shores of the glory world!”

It is surely not a time to back off from the Holy Ghost and praying in tongues. Instead, it is time to double up and triple up in praying in other tongues so that we can see our mighty God display His great power in this time of gross darkness on the earth.

NOTE: Our books and articles are forerunners to the move of God, personal holiness, and the return of the Lord. The fire of God and the fear of God is attached to them. If you feel like this article is valuable, please use the social media buttons below to share it. 

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“BERT’S BOOKS ARE WRITTEN IN THE SPIRIT OF THE ‘OLD TIMERS’ AND THEY HAVE A SANCTIFYING EFFECT ON THE INNER MAN. I HEAR THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TROUGH HIS WRITINGS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN THE REAL ANOINTING. MOST OF HIS BOOKS ARE HARD TO PUT DOWN ONCE YOU START READING THEM.” Amazon Reader 

FLESH CHURCHES VS. SPIRIT CHURCHES

As guardians of local churches, shepherds have been entrusted with such a great responsibility. They can either be a lock or a key to opening the door to the move of the Spirit of God in their midst. The Word of God is our foundation, but the Holy Spirit supplies the life. The more we follow the leading of the Spirit the greater will be the life flow in our meetings and times of assembling, and of course in our personal lives as well.

The only way to see a turnaround in many local churches today is to focus first on personal and leadership renewal, and then congregational renewal. Let everything else be subservient to that order, including our mission and structure. What happens, though, is we usually work this in reverse. We establish our mission and structure and then attempt to breathe life into it, instead of following the life and direction of the Spirit of God and then facilitating that life with the necessary structure. There is a world of difference between these two approaches. Unless renewal happens first, all is in vain.

These two approaches are like the difference between a powerboat and a sailboat philosophy. A powerboat runs on the human fuel of education, leadership books, programs, going to seminars and conferences, and fine-tuning systems of the church, but a sailboat is dead in the water if the wind doesn’t blow. Being a sailboat is difficult for the program-oriented, “bigger is better” – American culture activist, but it is the only way to glory.

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a Church of holiness, love, and power. It is the workings of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His ministers and saints that makes it that way. 

FLEE CHURCHES THAT RESEMBLE NIGHTCLUBS

There are basically two types of churches today: Flesh churches and Spirit churches. A flesh church reaps death and corruption but a Spirit church reaps life and peace (Rom. 8:6). Churches that revolve around the wisdom of men, social activities only, entertainment and carnal fellowship are flesh churches. They have the glitter but it’s not gold. They have fake glory and smoke, but there’s no real fire. They may look good outwardly but there’s no internal depth and substance. Churches that are birthed and built through Holy Ghost prayer and the wisdom of God are Spirit churches.

Holy Ghost praying is the doorway to the supernatural. A few years ago an interesting survey was taken to determine how often Spirit-baptized Pentecostal/Charismatics utilized their prayer language and spoke in tongues. Results showed that only 15% used their prayer language daily and only another 7% weekly. Nearly 50% never use it.  

No wonder we have so many flesh churches. 

Why do I mean by Holy Ghost prayer? Praying with your own understanding is mental praying, which is limited to the realm of your own mind and reasoning. Praying in tongues is praying with God’s understanding, which is unlimited and often comes with interpretation and revelation (1 Cor. 14:14-15). 

Another survey was taken among 50 Spirit-baptized Pentecostal/Charismatic ministers. Only 10% of them prayed at least 15 minutes a day in the Holy Ghost. No wonder so many are being diverted by the wisdom of men. No wonder there’s so much showboating and fleshly preaching among ministers. Eloquent speech and persuasive words of man’s wisdom have trumped the demonstration of the Spirit and power of God.

There is an entire breed of churches that are ignorant of how the Holy Ghost works and moves. Many teachers are teaching the way of the flesh instead of the way of the Spirit. 

There simply will not be much profit without Holy Ghost praying. Who would’ve believed that one prayer group of 120 people in an upper room could’ve changed the world? God’s plan for revival has not changed. The pattern was set long ago. God changes the world through abiding, persistent, and consistent Holy Ghost praying. 

“The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (Jam. 5:16b – Amp.).

NOTE: Our books and articles are forerunners to the move of God, personal holiness, and the return of the Lord. The fire of God and the fear of God is attached to them. If you feel like this article is valuable, please use the social media buttons below to share it. 

Also, this ministry is sustained by the freewill offerings of those who believe in the mandate and message of revival that this ministry carries. If this article has been a blessing to you, would you prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible contribution through our Paypal button to help? 

DONATE 

Thank you, and may God’s richest and best be yours.

“BERT’S BOOKS ARE WRITTEN IN THE SPIRIT OF THE ‘OLD TIMERS’ AND THEY HAVE A SANCTIFYING EFFECT ON THE INNER MAN. I HEAR THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TROUGH HIS WRITINGS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN THE REAL ANOINTING. MOST OF HIS BOOKS ARE HARD TO PUT DOWN ONCE YOU START READING THEM.” Amazon Reader

THE THING I MISS THE MOST ABOUT THE TRAVELING MINISTRY

There was a season in the late John G. Lake’s life and ministry when all he did was travel throughout North America and fellowship with ministers and good friends. He said it fulfilled such a need and ministered a satisfaction to his spirit. He had been ministering and pioneering a work in Africa for years and pouring into others before coming off the field to just travel around the nation and fellowship with those of like-precious faith.

Carolyn and I haven’t traveled in over a year. We’ve been in and out of hospitals a good portion of that time. Thank the Lord our health is improving. She’s no longer in excruciating pain and my sleep patterns are nearing normal, plus my memory is getting better. Praise God! But we miss the face to face fellowship with some of our dearest friends and fellow ministers. This connecting and joining of kindred spirits is something that the Holy Spirit is highlighting in this hour.

In prayer Carolyn and I have received much revelation and understanding concerning this very important aspect of our Christian walk. The people of God are connecting more deeply with one another in the spirit of truth and genuine brotherly love as a divine dissatisfaction with the spirit of the world and of its religious and political systems fills us. This is the attitude that will bind kindred spirits and those of like precious faith in this hour and mushroom into a mighty move of God.

The real unity of the Spirit is not ecumenicalism, where people with various religious beliefs are brought together through man’s efforts. It’s relationship-based Christianity and activity in the Holy Spirit that connects spirits to spirits. This is real unity in the Spirit.

Here’s an excerpt from a recent word from God that we jotted in our prayer journal:

“You see, I’ve brought you into relationships that are after Me, and you stir one another, for this is what I’ve ordained for My body to have—spirit to spirit communications and activations. For it is only then that there is a move of My Spirit and revelation knowledge of the things I am doing. That is why when you hear of someone who is moving with Me your spirit is stirred, and it causes you to move with Me, too. This is why you can only go to places now where I’ve made that spirit to spirit connection even through your writings and teachings. For the things that others also hear from you causes an activation of My Spirit in their spirits, and this is what causes the communications and them to reach out and connect. For if you can see what it looks like in the Spirit realm—it is the moving of My Spirit and the activation and the life that comes forth…and it even goes through the phone lines, I see, for there is no distance in the Spirit.”

Services, meetings, and conferences where we receive teaching and spiritual impartation is great, but we also need to realize that much ministry and life is imparted and activated through our fellowship in the Spirit with those of like-precious faith. It enriches us and deposits things into our spirits that are eternal and profits us much in this life. I could tell you so many unforgettable accounts and examples of this in our own lives through the many years of serving the Lord. I know even since being home from the hospital I’ve connected with minister friends in America and in other nations through social media or via phone who were quickened by something I wrote or said or vice versa, and we were both enriched and even received direction from the Lord.

Please don’t neglect your God ordained relationships, because they multiply who you are and add an important element of life and wisdom to your spirit. I’ll say more in another blog.

Love and blessings!

NOTE: Our books and articles are forerunners to the move of God, personal holiness, and the return of the Lord. The fire of God and the fear of God is attached to them. If you feel like this article is valuable, please use the social media buttons below to share it. 

Also, this ministry is sustained by the freewill offerings of those who believe in the mandate and message of revival that this ministry carries. If this article has been a blessing to you, would you prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible contribution through our Paypal button to help? 

DONATE 

Thank you, and may God’s richest and best be yours.