What Does Jesus Really Say About Money

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags: ,

How could I have taught and even written books on the subject of how to get rich, when Jesus spoke so clearly about the dangers of earthly riches? One of the statements of Jesus that kept echoing in my head and heart was in The Parable of the Sower, where Jesus said that “the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in chock the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19NKJV).

The deceitfulness of riches! The more I thought about it, the more I had to admit that I had fallen into that snare.  I had allowed the quest for material possessions, the deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things to choke the Word of God in my own life, and in the lives of my family members and coworkers.  As PTL grew larger, and our ministry more widespread, I had a financial tiger by the tail; just coming up with enough money to meet the daily budgets dominated my thoughts and my time. READ MORE →

Offenses Shall Come (Pt. 3)

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , ,

The ultimate test is one of pride and humility. Pride led to satan being cast out of heaven. Pride leads to unforgiveness and ultimately, alienation from Him. And pride always leads to a fall and destruction (Proverbs 16:18). We are more than conquerors because He, in His grace will enable us.

While our offenses may be great and indeed sometimes horrific, and while those who have caused them are worthy of judgment, we are not charged with administering that judgment. We are charged with obedience to the teachings of Christ Who taught us to forgive, leave the judgment to Him, and walk in humility and submission.

The Lord said in that day (of judgment), many will say unto Him:
Matthew 7:21-25 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.”

‘Knew’ in the scripture above means to have an intimate relationship with.

That’s why we are warned by the Lord himself that wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through that gate. But small is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Enduring until the end….

In the same passage in Matthew 24 which warns us of offense and the other things which will occur right before his coming, we also see a verse that describes the overcomer:

Matthew 24:13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Endure is defined in the Greek below:

G5278 hoop-om-en’-o – To stay under (behind), that is, remain; figuratively to undergo, that is, bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere: – abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.

Jesus humbled himself even unto death on the Cross. He endured the ultimate humiliation and injustice of man. He is our supreme example and our light by which we are able to find our way.

In the days we live in which are the last of the last, we must understand that He is coming for a bride without spot or wrinkle whose lamps are full of oil (Matthew 25); one who has prepared herself for His return. His bride will shine brightly and the oil in her lamps will illuminate the way to Him. He will know (have an intimate relationship with) her, and she will know Him. Just as oil is extracted from the olive by crushing, I believe that precious oil which lights our lamps and lead us to Him comes from the crushing processes of life which, when we submit to them in obedience to God, show us the way to life everlasting.

Those things which He taught us by His supreme example are the things He will recognize within us at His coming. He will know us (have an intimate relationship with us) and we will know Him.

God loves you, He really does!

Offenses Shall Come (Pt. 2)

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags: , , ,

In our own humanity, we struggle when we are hurt (offended). Our first reaction is to defend ourselves. Many times the path we take because of the offense is one of ultimate destruction and condemnation for us. It is said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die. If we are honest about it, when we defend ourselves against false accusation, we often turn that accusation against the offender and develop a hatred that wants to murder the other person with our tongues (words). READ MORE →

Offenses Shall Come (Pt. 1)

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , ,

Matthew 24:10 (NKJ)
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Many things have been written about bitterness and unforgiveness which are good and true. But this writing focuses on the times we live in and the need for complete humility of heart, unconditional surrender to the purifying fires of God, and uncompromised obedience to the Lord who taught forgiveness in the most profound way possible – as He was dying upon the Cross. READ MORE →

The Passover Celebration with Rabbi Cahn

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags: ,

This week, we are airing the Passover Celebration that Rabbi Cahn conducted here at Morningside.  This is a deeply spiritual event that is very timely with where we are in these Revelation Days in which we live.  There are so many things that are coming together right now – believers are coming back together, and Jew and Gentile are uniting in their recognition of Jesus’ soon return and the eternal drama that is reaching a crescendo in the earth.

We are seeing all of the signs of Jesus’ return in our world right now and they are increasing!  Just this week, we have seen even more meteors in the sky!  These are signs in the heavens and we must not miss them!

In all of the excitement, we are reminded of an ancient ordinance that God instructed over 3,000 years ago.  This is a permanent ordinance to remember Christ, our Passover Lamb and to prepare our hearts to receive Him when He comes again. READ MORE →

A Critical Time

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in "Now" Words, Last Days | Tags: , ,

This is a critical time.  Any time after this, we will have done all we could do and our time is over.  Then the seals will open and the trumpets will blow and nothing we do or say will affect anything when that begins.

I’m struck with a sense of profoundness for this very small window of time.  God uses vessels like us to discern and alert and inform.  We cannot err in discerning the Times – and after we discern, we must alert and inform others.  These are truly the days we were born for… for this, the grand finale.

One of the dangers of the End Times is hearing so much and understanding so little.  Even the church fails to discern the meaning of End Time events because they have heard it so much and so often, it has lost its impact.  We can’t become desensitized to End Times events!

We are bombarded every day with information from every direction.  So much information, so many words coming at us from everywhere; our televisions, smart phones, ipads, and even our proximity to others is constantly feeding us information.  I know that the plan of the enemy includes distractions and confusion caused by so much ‘noise’ that it makes it hard to hear the important things!

In all this information (knowledge), the greatest thing we must be listening for is the voice of our Lord.

Many times, in the Bible, when men of God received a special message from God, it was after withdrawing themselves to a time of solitude to be able to hear from Him alone.  If ever we needed to hear from God, it’s now.

We have a supreme challenge in the days we live in to not only discern the Times, but to find the time to be still before the Lord in order to hear His voice.

A few Sundays ago, my son Ricky ministered a profound word that we all need to hear.  He said, “There’s a time to stop speaking and listen.  Sometimes we just need to be quiet before the Lord, and now is God’s time to speak to us.”

Sometimes, a constant flow of information is just a distraction from the greater thing.

I learned about distractions years ago when I was trying to spend quality time with the Lord and a honey bee began buzzing around me.  I heard the Lord say, “even the buzzing bee distracts you!”

Even when life demands our time and attention, we must find the time to spend alone so that God can speak to us.  That’s why I often get up in the middle of the night and sit quietly before the Lord.  That’s the only time I can be without distractions!

Wouldn’t it be a tragedy if, after we have studied, talked about, and generally saturated ourselves with information about the End Times, that we become so busy, busy, busy in our thoughts and activities that we miss the voice of the Lord instructing us in every move we make in our own strategic mission?

Only after we have “been with Jesus” can we hear Him and His instructions for these amazing final days.

Proud of My Kids

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Ministry Updates | Tags:

Can I just brag a little? I am so excited about what has been happening with the Generation NOW network and our kids in the Master’s Media. Not only are the kids in the school excelling and finding favor with God and man, but our own kids are moving in the gifts of the Spirit with power and anointing!

It’s time to be filled with the Holy Spirit! We need some Holy Ghost ministers! We have to have the Holy Spirit Who gives you power to make it in these Last Days! Ricky and Marie are prophesying and laying hands on people and praying powerful Holy Ghost prayers! God is anointing our children! READ MORE →

Time Has Come (Pt. 8)

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags:

Get ready! I am coming soon.

One of the most frightening passages in the Bible is, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13–14, nkjv). I fear there are many on the broad way, even in our churches, and they do not know it. They are not focused on the Bridegroom; they are not pre­pared for the wedding.

In prison, whenever we went to the prison yard, there were grave restric­tions on what we could do, including how long we could be out there. I still tremble in fear knowing that if I was in the yard a minute too long or dis­obeyed a rule, I could have been shot. When I was in the yard, I looked up above the spirals of razor wire on the compound walls, and I could see an image of heaven. I kept my eyes fixed on that heavenly city that God said He had prepared for everyone who loves Him, and peace came to my soul.

As soon as my feet touched the yard, I often thought of a song my dear pastor’s wife, an amazing evangelist and singer, Fern Olson, used to sing: “I’ve Had a Vision of Jesus.” I found that if I lived in that vision, and kept my eyes on Jesus, the reality of my present existence seemed tolerable.

 

I’ve had a vision of Jesus,

I’ve caught a glimpse of my Lord,

Down through the clouds He is coming,

Just as He said in His word;

See the bright light in the heavens,

Shining from east to the west,

I’ve had a vision of Jesus,

Bringing that glad day of rest.

As on the wings of an eagle,

We shall go soaring away,

Over the mountains and valleys,

Past all the cares of the day;

If we but live in the vision,

Just a short time it will be,

Soon the vision will have vanished,

Swallowed in reality.32

 

No matter what circumstances you find yourself in today, look above the situation and keep your eyes on Jesus. Now is the time to get ready. Keep your lamp trimmed and burning. Stay ready and keep watching. The Bridegroom is about to appear. The wedding will take place soon. I want to be there, and I know you do too!

Time Has Come (Pt. 7)

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags: , , ,

John reported that the stars fell (Revelation 6:13). The word for “stars” that John used is the word aster, from which we get the word asteroid. I believe what John saw was most likely a massive asteroid shower. The phrase implies that the stars not only fall but are strewn all over the sky. To the Jews, this was especially bad news, because the order in the heavens was a clear sign of God’s unchanging attitude. Take away the heavens and there’s nothing left! To the Jews, the ultimate chaos would be for the stars to fall from their place in the heavens—but John said that’s exactly what is going to happen. Before he described the fall of the stars, it was prophesied centuries before by Isaiah (“All the host of heaven will wear away, and the sky will be rolled up like a scroll,” Isaiah 34:4). Jesus concurred, quoting Isaiah: “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).

I sincerely believe that the stars in the heavens will not fall from the sky, because one star alone would literally decimate the entire planet. I always go to the Greek for complete clarity of New Testament scripture. In my studies, I have come to believe these stars John saw were in fact an asteroid shower.

Something like John described has happened many times before. One of the greatest of these occurred on October 8, 1871, when legend tells us that Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern. Within minutes, the O’Leary farm was fully engulfed in a raging fire, with the entire city of Chicago, Illinois, soon to follow.

What many don’t know is that, on the same night as the Chicago fire, there was another deadly fire about 250 miles north of the city in a Wisconsin town named Peshtigo. In Peshtigo, fire literally fell from the sky and quickly consumed the entire city, burning it to the ground. Over 1,000 people per­ished in the fire. To this day, Peshtigo holds the title of the deadliest fire in American history.

Several cities in Michigan burned that same night, including Holland, Muskegan, Manistee, and Port Huron. Scientists believe that great fire was started by an asteroid shower, as indicated by the fragments found near Port Huron, Michigan, not long after the fires had gone out.

John saw the sky split and fold up like a scroll that has been stretched open and then suddenly sliced down the middle. After the opening of the sixth seal, John saw the repositioning of mountains and islands (Revelation 6:14). The most unshakable things on earth will be shattered when Jesus opens the sixth seal.

Excerpt from Time Has Come

Time Has Come (Pt. 6)

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Uncategorized | Tags: , ,

 

I am a builder.  I have always enjoyed planning and working on new building projects and seeing them come together step by step.  I learned early on that in reading blueprints, if I wanted to get the entire picture, I had to view each individual overlay of the master plan – an overlay for the foundation, one for the infrastructure, another for the plumbing and wiring, another for the interior walls, roofing, exterior surfaces, even an overlay for the landscaping and parking lots – and then lay them on top of each other.  Only after studying the individual overlays together could I get an accurate picture of what ws going to come into existence.

To truly understand the book of Revelation, you must review the prophecies of Daniel, ponder the words of Jesus from the Gospels, and then consider Paul’s writings to the Thessalonians.  As you add each of these layers to the book of Revelation, you can begin to see the entire picture as the Lord intended it to be seen.

One of the most important overlays to understanding Revelation is the Second Coming discourse given by Jesus to His disciples and recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.  Many of the “signs of the times” mentioned by Jesus are similar to those in the vision John received and recorded in Revelation 6.

John Kilpatrick is the former pastor of Brownsville Assembly of God Church in Pensacola, Florida, a place where a genuine revival broke out on Father’s Day 1995 and continued unabated with spontaneous services every night for five years, with more than four and a half million people going through the doors during that time.  For years John studied the passages relating to the Second Coming.  In regard to the words of the prophets and the predictions of Jesus, he said, “These days are not coming they are here.”  John added, “Every major sign of the Second Coming is in motion right now.”

You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to know that the planet is groaning.  Populations are increasing while the resources needed to sustain them are decreasing.  The oceans are dying, clean air and water are becoming scarce, natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, floods, crop failures, bacterial mutations, and shifting weather patterns), conflicts (terrorism and wars), false religions (cults and pseudo religions), and a worldwide economic meltdown are reported daily in the news.

Something big is about to happen.  We need to prepare to see Jesus!  Knowledge that we are living in what the Bible refers to as the “last days” should motivate Christians to live closer to Jesus than ever before and to more actively seek out opportunities to share the gospel with people who don’t yet know the Lord.  The clock is ticking and time is running out.  Yes, difficult days are upon us, but do not lose hope.  Jesus Christ will return, and He will take you to live with Him eternally.  Right now, however, we need to brace ourselves for some shocks.

How do I know this?  Because Jesus Himself said so in Matthew 24.

(Excerpt from “Time Has Come”)