Monthly Archives: May 2018

May 31, 2018 · 12:01 pm

Prayers for America (5/31/2018)

Two days ago, I had a vivid dream.

In it, my wife Carol and I were attending a church meeting. I sat in the front row of the sanctuary, next to the church’s pastor on my left and Carol to my right. The whole church was waiting on the Holy Spirit, hoping to hear Him speak to the assembly through prophecy.

All of a sudden, my wife spoke in tongues. I waited a moment to see if one of the pastors or another believer would interpret the tongues. Then, I started to interpret her tongues by saying, “The day of the Lord is coming quickly. Are you prepared…”

I continued speaking the interpretation until I felt my wife’s elbow hitting my ribs. My eyes must have been closed because I opened them to look at her, wondering why she had elbowed me. She rolled her eyes and nodded her head toward the sanctuary. Everyone had stood up and left. A few remained at the back of the sanctuary talking with each other.

End of dream.

Many of my dreams are weird, but this one felt so realistic.

When I awakened, I felt hurt because the pastor was one I knew from my past, a person who had respect for my prophetic words. Yet, the pastor and the congregation had paid no attention to my words because the prophecy was about the end-times and challenged them to prepare themselves. They already had everything figured out. They were leaving on the first bus out, as in Pre-Trib rapture.

Then, I knew the Holy Spirit was showing me through this dream that changing the church’s thinking from a Pre-Tribulation rapture belief into one that prepares itself for going through the great tribulation would be an uphill struggle. I had better prepare myself now!

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray the American believers will hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches and will be fair-minded like the Bereans so they search the scriptures to find out whether a Post-Tribulation rapture could possibly be true. (Based on Revelation 2:7 and Acts 17:11)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Filed under America, Christianity, Church, End-Times, Fasting, Gifts of the Spirit, Prayer, Prophecy, Spiritual gifts, spiritual warfare

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May 29, 2018 · 11:25 am

Prayers for LGBT Believers (5/29/2018)

The above almost six-minute video is from Church United and was produced as a tool to stop AB 2943 from becoming law in California. This proposed law would ban helping anyone with unwanted same-sex desires or gender confusion. So far, AB 2943 has passed the California Assembly by a lop-sided vote and will soon be voted upon in the California Senate.

The video shows five men and two women relating their journeys out of their LGBT lifestyles. All of their remarks touched my heart with the challenges they faced. Here are a few words gleaned from their testimonies:

Woman #1: “I heard the Lord say to me in His still small voice, “Choose,” and it wasn’t an easy choice. It was the hardest choice I have ever made…”

Woman #2: “I lived and loved being a lesbian. I felt like I was born that way. It seemed to explain why I was the way I was…A seventeen year-old boy approached me with what he called a word from the Lord. What he said to me was a direct answer to something I had been praying about for years.  Getting this answer to my prayer caused me to question whether I knew God. So, I picked up a Bible and began highlighting every passage that described the character of God. I discovered this amazing God that was so beautiful and so excellent. I couldn’t think of withholding myself from Him.

Man #1: “My parents and I cried for two hours. They told me how much they loved me no matter what. They asked me how they could help. I wanted help wherever I could get it. They found a Christian counselor. I had no promise that I would ever change but I had support from the counselor and my parents that I was loved and I was safe.”

Man #2: “God can restore the years the locusts have eaten. It is absolutely amazing.”

If you have the time, the six-minute video is well-worth watching.

My prayer today:

Lord, help us to be Your hands outreached to the LGBT community and help us to yield to Your loving Spirit to be Your servants to them.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for LGBT believers.

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May 27, 2018 · 9:15 am

China and Israel: My End-Times Teachers

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My new weekly column entitled, “China and Israel: My End-Times Teachers,” can be read by clicking here.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can perhaps read it better by using the Chrome browser rather than Safari. Also, you can go to the app store and download a free app called: WND.

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May 24, 2018 · 8:16 am

Prayers for America (5/24/2018)

 

In the early 1990’s, Larry Burkett told a story on his radio program, “Money Matters,” that still sends shivers down my spine. Burkett had attended a local church and heard a Chinese man tell his testimony.

It seems the man was a lieutenant of Mao Zedong when Mao’s communist army defeated Chiang Kai-Shek and took control of China. Mao then set out to cleanse China of all imperialist influences, especially American connections. Missionaries were sent home or killed. Chinese pastors were imprisoned or killed. Christians were killed. Political leaders, people who had visited America or attended schools there were killed.  Historians estimate 40,000,000 Chinese were executed by Mao during his various purges.

The man, who told this testimony, was chosen by Mao as one of the leaders in the rural purges. He dispatched his tasks with cruel efficiency. But some Christians focused their prayers on him and he was miraculously saved. So convinced was the man that Christ was the answer for China he decided to return to Peking (Beijing) and tell Mao the good news of Jesus.

Mao was not impressed with his lieutenant’s message and commanded him to renounce his new found faith. The man refused and said, “I cannot deny the experience I’ve had with Jesus.”

Mao brought his wife and children before the man. Soldiers stood behind his family with guns aimed at their heads. Once again, Mao asked the man to renounce his faith. The man fell to his knees and said, “Please do not kill my family, but I cannot deny Jesus.”

His family was executed before his eyes.

Next, his parents, brothers, sisters and their families were brought before the man with soldiers standing behind them with guns at their heads. Mao insisted the man renounce Jesus. The man refused. His entire family was executed before his eyes.

All of his friends and their families were placed in front of him, but still he would not renounce Christ. They were executed.

Then, Mao decided death was too good for the man. He was stripped naked and placed in a cold cell. Once a day, guards were ordered to beat him.

His imprisonment and beatings continued for fifteen years. During that time, the man led 90% of the guards to Christ and the guards even risked their own freedoms by bringing Bibles to him.

When he finally emerged from prison, he walked down a road, heading toward his hometown. As he walked, people in the fields next to the road, fell to their knees and cried out to be saved by Jesus. Yet, the man said nothing because the presence of God was so heavy upon him that he just continued to walk.

Larry Burkett said that when the Chinese man finished his testimony he was asked, “What do you think of our American churches?”

The man gazed at the audience with tears in his eyes. “You American Christians do not know the Jesus I know,” he said.

My prayer today:

Lord, help us Americans to know the Jesus of the Book of Revelation and to not be offended by what He does in the end-times and by what He doesn’t do.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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May 20, 2018 · 4:57 am

33 Years Ago Today, I Met the Man

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In 1985, my life smashed into a brick wall. I needed thousands of dollars to start a publishing company and bail my family out of debt. My sources were all maxed out and the hope level in my reservoir was hovering at empty. I was finished.

The only untouched asset I had was a $125,000 life insurance policy. So, my solution seemed obvious: suicide.

As for taking my life, I had no problems with it because I was an agnostic. No God equals no problems with eternal judgment, right? It wasn’t personal, just a business solution for my family and me.

My plan was uncomplicated. I figured on enjoying one last weekend with my family and then committing suicide on that Monday evening.

Thus, on May 20, 1985, I spent the day finishing up loose ends. Then, for some reason, I stopped at an insurance agent’s office. Although we knew each other, Bill and I were not intimate friends and had never really talked to each other before that day.

Bill invited me into his office. We discussed baseball. Then in the middle of our conversation, he stared at me and said, “You’re thinking about committing suicide, aren’t you?”

His words hit me like a sledgehammer. How did he know? I told no one. It was my secret $125,000 payday. I was speechless. As I sat there, a vision played across my mind about my car ramming into a viaduct and killing me.

I wept and although I tried to regain my composure, I could not. “How did you know?” I asked.

“Oh,” said Bill, “the Lord told me while we were talking to each other.”

His words shattered my unbelief. God was alive and He cared about me. We continued talking and he finally gave me a book to read: Power in Praise by Merlin Carothers.

When I arrived home, I began reading the book. After a few pages, I walked into the bathroom, closed the door and knelt in front of the sink. Looking into the mirror, I prayed, “Jesus, I’ve tried everything else and nothing has worked. I guess I’ll give You a try.”

Instantly, I was changed. Fear and shame were no longer a part of me, but instead, joy and hope filled my heart. Bowing and worshipping my new King, I promised to never let go of His hand.

If my story were a fictional Hollywood movie, perhaps it would resemble It’s A Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart would play me and Donna Reed my wife. The angel would get his wings and everyone would live happily ever after. The end.

But sadly, my life has not been a work of fiction. It has been a day to day journey, filled with a few good experiences, but also many mistakes, false starts and failures. Divorce. Loss of friends. Numerous firings from sales positions. Low-paying jobs. Poverty. Rejection. Loneliness. Not exactly, a picture perfect Christian life.

And yet, it has been in the deepest valleys where the Lord has truly revealed Himself to me. It was there He became my loving Father and I learned His grace was sufficient for me.

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May 19, 2018 · 3:25 am

Harry Truman and the Jewish Haberdasher

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My new weekly column entitled, “Harry Truman and the Jewish Haberdasher,”can be read by clicking here.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can perhaps read it better by using the Chrome browser rather than Safari. Also, you can go to the app store and download a free app called: WND.

 

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May 13, 2018 · 8:29 am

Inside Israel

SHUK

The Shuk in Jerusalem

Once again, it’s time to hear from our sister in Jerusalem about what she is witnessing there as a believer in Yeshua. Put your prayer shawls on and pray for Israel and Sister J. Now here she is —

May the Lord be glorified.

It is 2:30 am and I should be asleep.  I need to work tomorrow, Sunday, Jerusalem Day, and I love to write about Jerusalem and Jerusalem Day in particular. But this prayer request is pressing me to write.  Perhaps prayer request is the wrong word – it is more of a call to pray!

 I told you that this week would possibly be pivotal here and for all of the Middle East and the world.  You probably know by now that Israel struck some 70 mostly Iranian bases in Syria this week after 20 missiles from Syria were fired at us.  It was a major confrontation.  That was Thursday.

  On Friday was the continuation of the Hamas Gaza “days of rage” dubbed “the march of return.” It has gained momentum because of much false news reporting. 

TUESDAY 15TH OF MAY (please note that we are some 8-12 hours ahead of North America according to the clock) the call has gone out to Palestinians and their supporters worldwide to come to the borders of Israel and storm them…tear them down.  This Friday saw some 15,000 rioters at the borders causing fires, even setting their own gas pipe line on fire, along the fence and setting wheat fields in Israel aflame using kites with incendiaries attached into Israel. 

 I understand that there are gatherings at the borders of Lebanon and possibly Jordan as well.  Also within the Hamas-run Palestinian cities in Judea and Samaria there is definitely the strong possibility of participation.  

 The 15th of May is called by the Palestinians –Nakba Day (catastrophe day). They call it a day of rage that commemorates the birth of the modern State of Israel according to the Gregorian Calendar.  Hamas has fanned it into a major day over the past 10 years. 

 So today, Sunday 13th of May is Jerusalem Day.

Tomorrow, Monday the 14th of May, is the day that the US Embassy is formally opening in Jerusalem.

Tuesday the 15th of May is the day set to be “the mother of all days of rage” with the storming of the borders of Israel from all sides and within led by the Gaza Hamas leadership.

Wednesday the 16th of May begins the month of the Ramadan fast.

 “The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him:  “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.   And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.  In that day,” says the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness;…” ZECHARIAH 12:1-3 (of course, great promises follow this section)

There is NO FEAR, and surely without a doubt, we have many promises that HE WILL BE GLORIFIED and that ALL OF ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED.  But we also see that many, many things will first happen and many waters will be passed through. 

 BUT HE HAS TOLD US TO PRAY. AND TO WATCH AND PRAY.  Habakkuk prayed without apology “Oh Lord, in wrath remember mercy.”  It is time to pray the scriptures on our faces.

 PLEASE enter your closets and pray before Him Who hears, those of you who are called as watchmen for the Lord on the walls of Jerusalem.  I believe that we are entering that time.  

In my take of things, we are a body, but individually all rather little and simple.  We are not called to leave the battle to the spiritual giants whoever they are, but to each do our part.  It is not up to us to decide how small and insignificant it is.  I think of the disciples told to feed the multitude and they said, “Lord! I have NOTHING! Only this small insignificant amount!,” but HE took it…HE blessed it …HE broke it…and it was MORE THAN ENOUGH.  

Each of us has our portion. Be it big guns or a piece of bread and a small fish.  We can pray…even a little. 

 As I said, I felt that this call to prayer had to go out now.  I hope that we see no need ultimately. I will now try to sleep.  May The Lord be glorified on the borders of Israel and in Jerusalem…and in each of us!

 Lovingly, a sister in Jerusalem.

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May 13, 2018 · 8:01 am

The Day My Mom Told Off the Police Chief

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My new weekly column entitled, “The Day My Mom Told Off the Police Chief,”can be read by clicking here.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can perhaps read it better by using the Chrome browser rather than Safari. Also, you can go to the app store and download a free app called: WND.

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May 10, 2018 · 9:14 am

Prayers for America (5/10/2018)

The United States moves its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem next week in defiance of the Palestinians and most of the world, likely further heightening tensions at a time of tumult in the region.

US President Donald Trump is set to make good on his pledge in December when he broke with decades of precedent and recognised the disputed city as Israel’s capital to global outcry.

The embassy inauguration due to take place Monday caps his decision but comes at a particularly fevered time, after weeks of deadly protests and clashes along the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel. (Rest of article can be seen here.)

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray for Your peace to rest upon Jerusalem and for Your blessings to fall upon President Trump for his boldness in moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. May Your Spirit continue to strengthen President Trump’s resolve to defy world opinion by his backing of Israel. (Based on Psalm 122:6)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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May 8, 2018 · 8:31 am

Prayer for LGBT Believers (5/8/2018)

How would you answer this question? Which group is the smallest, most rejected minority in our country?

African-Americans have certainly suffered terribly through our history…Perhaps it is Native Americans?…What about the LGBT community?…

Ironically, the group that can lay claim to being the smallest and most rejected minority in America today once was part of the LGBT community. They once identified as gay or lesbian or bisexual or transgender, but they no longer do. Today, they are “ex-gay” or “ex-trans.”

Their numbers are very small, since they came out of a small community to start with. And it is only a small percentage of that small group who make a break with the rest of the LGBT community.

Most of them make that break because of their religious faith, often newly found.

(Smallest and Most Rejected Minority in America by Dr. Michael Brown, columnist at WND.com. The entire column can be seen here.)

My prayer today:

Lord, help us not despise the day of small beginnings in seeing people delivered from LGBT lifestyles, but help us to increase our faith and efforts, knowing that You came to set the captives free and destroy the works of the Devil. (Based on   Zechariah 4:10, Luke 4:10 and 1 John 3:8)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for LGBT believers.

 

 

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