Wall Street had its worst day today since the 2008 financial crisis that put the United States into a financial calamity that we are still in today! We are in the days that the book of Revelation told us would come before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no way the Antichrist can take control without a time of crisis so bad that millions of people will sign up with him just to get food to eat. READ MORE
The Dream of a Young Evangelist
We recently celebrated my 50 year Anniversary in Ministry and what a celebration it was! There were many people from years gone by that surprised and delighted me on the show! It seems nearly impossible that it’s been that long, yet I can remember some things as if they were yesterday. As a young Evangelist, I would hold revivals from Tuesday through Sunday night and then travel on Monday to the next location.
Quite often, after preaching and being in the anointing at church, I would turn on late-night TV to unwind. There was very little to watch at that hour except Johnny Carson. I remember listening to everything they would talk about; most of it gossip, politics or entertainment news of some variety. It didn’t take long for me to be completely annoyed by all of the frivolous things that passed for late-night talk show content. I remember thinking “why doesn’t someone talk about Jesus?”
It was this small, yet profound inspiration that led me to break new ground in a revolutionary Christian talk show – so that Christians could have an alternative to the world’s ‘babble’ and more people could participate in talking about Jesus! I began on “The 700 Club” and eventually moved into pioneering “The PTL Television Network.” PTL inspired the birth of countless other Christian talk shows.
Before long, there was an abundance of Christian programming and those who knew Jesus could now rejoice because they had an alternative to the world’s ‘babble’. Now that’s what I had been inspired to do as a young Evangelist! To see and hear so many people talking about Jesus on television was the height of my life’s dream – not only for the Christians, but for those who were to become Christians by hearing the Gospel!
Today, the dream lives on. The times we are living in have brought many people to Christian television seeking answers for this prophetic age just before Jesus returns again. Even the unbelievers are looking for hope. While a large part of the world still fiddles away their time in the mindless, meaningless pursuit of trivial things, there is a beacon of light being broadcast through the darkness. The Gospel is still being preached, the lost are still finding their way to Jesus, and the dreams of a once-young Evangelist are still coming true.
Famine in the Revelation Days
Famine is spoken of in the Bible as an increasing and accelerating sign that Jesus is coming soon. We can certainly see it in our news headlines, particularly recent headlines, with the food crisis in North African countries that produced a very poignant plea from the President of Somalia for immediate help. But, there is another famine that is even more deadly coming soon. It’s the famine of the Word of God, which feeds the soul.
The third horseman is riding. “When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius . . . and do not harm the oil and the wine.” (6:5–6 NKJV) The rider of the black horse carries with him famine and economic collapse, signified by the weighing scales and the exorbitant prices for food.”
Imagine, if you can, how famine might affect our own nation. Your worst nightmare could soon be a reality. Intensifying the effects of famine brought on by the galloping of the black horse will also be economic chaos and inflationary prices, which is what is indicated by the phrase “a quart of wheat for a denarius” (Rev. 6:6 NASB). In biblical times, a denarius was equal to a day’s wages. The implication is that we could spend a day’s wages for a loaf of bread.
But there is another kind of famine spoken of in the Bible that will be prevalent in the Last Days that is even more destructive. How can it be more destructive than the famine that kills the body, you may ask. Because the famine I am speaking of can kill not only the body which is temporal but can also kill the soul, which is eternal. The other famine I’m speaking of is a famine of the Word of God.
In the Times we are living in, there is an acceleration of events in the world which are quickly taking away our right to our very expressions of our faith as Christians. These campaigns and events are quickly bringing about an atmosphere of antagonistic persecution of our very right to practice our Christianity. We are being told not to mention the name of Jesus in any speech or prayer or other public setting. Our lawmakers are quickly bowing to the powerful antichrist spirits that are busy influencing the masses to call evil good and good, evil.
“‘Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God , “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11)
God’s work of proclaiming His Words through His ministers, as well as through the mass media, may one day be prohibited, perhaps through persecution, governmental regulations or a combination of these and other factors.
There’s a reason why the scriptures exhort us to “hide the Word in your heart” and to “eat the Word”. One day there will be a famine of those Words that we take for granted now, and we may have only what we have hidden deep down inside to sustain us through tough times.
Let’s be sure we have the Word of God deep down inside us, where we can carry it with us always and where it can feed our souls in times of famine.
Treasures in Heaven
Most of us want our lives to count for something. When you are a Child of God, your life on this earth takes on a greater cause than just accomplishing something in the natural. A Child of God is not satisfied with accomplishments – a Child of God wants to store up treasures in Heaven where moths and rust cannot corrupt them.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
We recently dedicated our Prayer Center here at Morningside to Evelyn Campbell, aka “God’s Girl” who passed from this life into the arms of Jesus in 2010. Evelyn was and is an inspiration to me and an example that all of us can follow. Evelyn’s legacy was that she loved Jesus and believed in people – and lavishly poured out encouragement on everyone with whom she came in contact. She was a pastor’s wife and she was my friend.
Evelyn was one of the first people to buy a condo here at Morningside. I remember how excited she was to pick out the exact location of her new home so that she could watch all the goings on here on Grace Street from her balcony over the Cinema. She wanted to be a vibrant part of the community. When Evelyn died, she left her entire estate to this ministry – at a time when we desperately needed it! She believed in us and she put the sum of her life’s work into keeping us alive.
As we embark on the vision of Lori’s House here at Morningside, we have a ‘knowing’ that we are on the threshold of something very sacred and near to the heart of God. There is a sense of purpose and unity in the grace it takes to give and sustain innocent life. This grace is uniting more and more of us in the business of keeping people alive in these last days. It’s bigger than buildings or ministries or television broadcasts. It’s about souls – the only eternally significant treasure we can invest our lives in and know that we are doing the Lord’s work.
In the dark night of my soul, when I was in prison, the enemy came after the last shred of my will to live when he said “it’s all gone – everything you’ve worked for – everything you’ve built – your life has counted for nothing – you’re no good.”
Then I began to get pictures of people, some teen-agers, some children, some adults. With the pictures came the encouragement that these were lives that were saved through the various ministries at Heritage USA – most importantly, the home for unwed mothers where babies were born and cared for and their mothers supported and trained in a vocation that could support them. It was a vibrant community that loved and supported each other and protected and loved innocent children. The devil is a liar!
We can see from the signs of the times that Jesus will come soon. He is coming for a Church that has his heart and is lead and motivated by love. They will be about their Father’s business – and no business is more perfect than caring for the orphans (James 1:27).
Cindy Jacobs recently prophesied these words from the Lord: “Where is my justice league? Where are my super heroes that will administer my justice? Morningside is meant to be a model. This is far greater than just Lori’s House. This is a prototype and a movement.”
Now do you see why we need more Evelyns in these last days? We need people who are willing to give all they are and all they have for the work of the Lord. These are the ones who go beyond their own search for significance and understand that the real treasure is in the life to come – eternal life with Jesus. These are the ones who resonate with the call of justice for the innocent. These are the ones who store up treasures that moth and rust cannot corrupt.
Will you be a part of this justice league? The call is going out – the gauntlet is being thrown down. It’s time to redeem the time. It’s time to be a part of something bigger than yourself. It’s time to get behind something that has eternal significance. We need you and God needs you.
Greatness Comes From the Valley
When you think of the greatest inspirations in music, or in a sermon, or in a book, or in a testimony, you rarely think of those inspirations coming from the mountaintop of life, though the mountaintop provides some encouragement. But greatness comes from the valley of a life lived in triumph through the face of trouble and adversity. Greatness comes from the dark night of the soul experiences in the valleys of life. The only thing that can speak to the sorrows of others is the fellowship of their suffering.
BeBe Winans was with me this week on the occasion of celebrating my 50th year in ministry. BeBe is a friend who loves at all times, and a brother born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) He is a man that is priceless in his loyalty and his integrity. Though he has spent a great deal of his life on the mountaintop, BeBe knows what it means to struggle in the valley. Through BeBe’s songs, you find his testimony.
On the show BeBe told of a time when he was with the renowned poet, Maya Angelou and she offered this advice: “BeBe, promise me that you will learn to enjoy the struggle.”
Simplistic? Yes, but be very sure that there is more wisdom in those few words than many long, flowing dissertations and even countless books written by those who have not been in the valley and know not its struggles and its triumphs. It’s in the valley that the Word of God becomes your rhema. It’s in the valley that you are given the understanding that in your weakness, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
During the show, BeBe sang a song by Donnie McClurkin, “Stand” which he and CeCe have performed many times. A key line in the chorus of this song says “after you’ve done all you can… Stand!” You can’t sing this song with the fervor and believability BeBe sings it with – without having been to the valley. If you didn’t catch this show on our ‘live-streaming’ internet, be sure you watch next week when it airs on regular television programming.
BeBe told me “You have been an example and a blessing to me and my entire family.” It doesn’t get any better than that, except to hear: “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.”
The Comeback Center
My friend and colleague, Dan Betzer, lovingly calls me the “Comeback Kid.” He does this because virtually everyone in the Christian community, save a precious few, had counted me out when I went to prison back in 1989. But God didn’t count me out – He counted me in! And Dan was one of the few friends who didn’t count me out either – he stood closer than a brother.
So, the comeback that I have had in ministry for the Lord is so that others can be encouraged when they have had a setback. I tell people every day “if I can make it, anybody can make it.” And, as another close friend, Bishop Ronnie Webb says, “if you’ve had a setback, get ready for a comeback!” Jesus will use the weak and the downtrodden! (Hebrews 12:1) Bishop Webb also likes to say “don’t quit right before your breakthrough. Right before your breakthrough, there’s a breakdown.” No truer words were ever said!
We need encouragers in the Body of Christ. The power of life and death are in the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21) People have the power to speak life to you, or death… but God is all about life. The prophetic word of encouragement is always about life; life to your vision, life to your spiritual gifts, and life to your ministry and mission.
We are just getting started here at Morningside as a “Comeback Center” for people who have been beaten and bruised. You don’t get disqualified in God’s race! You can come back! That’s why Jesus died for us!
I remember calling out to God in prison and saying “never in my life have I ever had a desire to hurt anybody! How could I be here (in prison) for building something to bless people?” The answer was quick: Jesus said, “they killed me!”
Until we are willing to know Jesus, not just in His resurrection, but in the fellowship of His suffering, we can never minister the resurrection! (Philippians 3:10)
Lori tells of a time when she felt forgotten by God. God sent a prophet to prophesy to her that “God has not forgotten you!” Do you think He cares about us? Do you think He knows what we’re feeling? Many of you know my signoff phrase “God loves you, He really does!” But not many know that this phrase came from a time of ministry to a woman who was told she had sinned so bad that she couldn’t be saved. The prophetic word that God loved her broke the back of that lie and she was delivered!
YOU have not sinned so badly that God can’t forgive you! I didn’t – Lori didn’t – this precious lady didn’t – and YOU didn’t either!
God is close to the brokenhearted. You can come back! Come back today – He is calling you and He will not turn you away. He is waiting with open arms for you to come back to Him – and you will not be disqualified by anything in your past.
And when you come back, remember that there’s a “Comeback Center” in Blue Eye, Missouri called Morningside that will welcome you home!
Love,
Jim
Where Have You Gone America?
Last year, the Lord suddenly said “in ONE year, all the glory of America will be gone.” It’s beginning to sink in with newscasters, politicians, and even clergy who have been trying to ‘spin’ America’s clear evidence of decline, that we are going the way of every other nation or society in all of the history of the world that has turned its back on God.
Has America, the country conceived with the principles of Christianity governing its every decision and its direction, gone to the pigpen? You can be the judge of that. In a recent show taping, the prophetic unction of the Lord spoke:
Where have you gone, America?
Have you gone to the pigpen?
Are you eating the world’s slop?
Be not deceived – God is not mocked!
Have you listened to the piper?
Have you followed the wrong tune?
Though we would all like to, can any of us sincerely believe that America is going to turn around now and honor God? I’m convinced that America has passed the point of no return in its lusts for the things of the world, but the one thing that will seal America’s fate is how they are now treating Israel.
I will address very soon “10 reasons America is in trouble because of what they did to Israel.” Watch the show and I will tell you why America is about to collapse.
We still hear so many people saying “God Bless America” but America has turned their back on God – how could He bless it now? Is America experiencing God’s judgment because of its treatment of Israel?
“… there will I deal with and execute judgment upon them for their treatment of My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and because they have divided My land.”
[Joel 3:2]
Watch for my next blog: Does God send storms?
There’s a Rustling in the Mulberry Trees
When I came out of prison in 1994, E.V. Hill gave me a prophetic word from the Lord that I would raise up a “David’s Army”. From the scriptures, we know that this is a fairly ragtag bunch, yet God used them in mighty ways to restore His beloved Israel.
In the Last Days, God is using whoever has a heart after Him. You may think “well yes, He always did” and that’s a true statement. But David’s Army came together in a time when the illegitimate authorities of the day were failing. Saul had tried to win Israel’s battles but he did it in his own strength and with his own wisdom and he failed – but there was a time that all of Israel was enamored with him.
If you will remember, Saul’s kingship was the result of the proud and rebellious demands of a disobedient Israel that was much more concerned with how the king looked than with whom God had chosen. The Bible says Saul stood a head taller than most men and was very handsome. David, on the other hand, was a ruddy kid that God chose when He sent Samuel the Prophet to anoint him as King. David was God’s choice – and Saul was the people’s choice.
Well, God gave Israel just what they asked for, but told them they would regret that choice in the years to come and they did. But only after many of their sons had lost their lives because Saul was proud and disobedient, and he went out to battle and made other decisions without consulting the God of Israel. Eventually this disobedience caused him to be so hardened that he even consulted a witch. Saul, in the end, committed suicide in a battle he could not win because God was not with him.
David, on the other hand, always consulted God before he went out to battle the enemies of Israel. One such incident is recorded in 2 Samuel 5:24 when God spoke to David and said, “And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” The principle is this: Always seek God’s wisdom before you do anything and wait for His answer. Ask God “what should I do?” When you do that, He will go before you and move in your behalf!
In the Last Days, the true leaders of the Lord’s Army will arise, and they will inquire of the Lord what they should do. Many of them will have been stripped of any self-importance in the valleys of life as David was, yet they go forward to do battle with the enemies of God because their heart belongs to Him alone – and God Himself has ordained them! Man did not do it, and man cannot undo it.
As the leaders of the Lord’s Army arise, there is a “rustling in the mulberry trees” and the Lord is going out before them to move in their behalf!
Who is on the Lord’s Side?
This was the question that Moses asked the people of Israel. In those days, Moses stood as a type of Christ. Exodus 32:26 says, “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD’s side?” Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.”
Moses issued that confrontation to the people of Israel, God’s people, who had turned to worshipping idols as they waited for Moses’ return. Only the sons of Levi came forward to separate themselves from the idol worship. Only a select few answered that call to repentance.
Today, the Lord is drawing the same line in the sand. He is calling out to His People “Who is on My side?” The seriousness of the days we live in demand a sobriety and attention to the things of God. They demand a concentration and a fixed gaze. These are Revelation Days that we’re living in. It’s no ordinary time in history – it’s an appointed time for which we have been chosen.
If there ever was a time to consider the things of God and understand that the enemy (the devil) is engaging us in a spiritual battle, it is NOW. Yet, people go on about their business as if this time is common. It’s not! The Word of God speaks of these Revelation Days in order to alert us to be ready and to be on guard, because your adversary (the devil) still roams about, seeking whom he may devour.
The fact that there is another side is something that most people miss in today’s church environment. Spiritual warfare is greatly ignored by those who teach and those who call themselves shepherds. These are the Revelation Days and that means these are days of intensified spiritual warfare against principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness – yet most Christians deny the battle and continue as if that reality wasn’t genuine. Spiritual warfare is a serious reality in the Revelation Days and the Lord is again issuing the call.
When we answer that call and step over the line in the sand to the Lord’s side, we identify ourselves as those who belong to the family of the living God, we arm ourselves with the armor of God, and we stand ready to do battle with the enemy. We are shaken out of our lethargy and we are able to focus on His priorities. We are no longer distracted or nonchalant. We are no longer concerned with silly things that try to capture our spiritual attention and strength. We never, never, never give up! We keep on going even when we’re tired.
We are on the Lord’s side!
Monster May – Recap
I recently returned from a mission trip with my crew to several states where flooding and storms have caused death and destruction in the lives of many people. We are emotionally spent. You can’t look on that much human suffering without it taking its toll. Everything else that may be going on, pales in light of it.
I have seen other newscasters unable to speak or describe the scenes they were looking upon – it was all so overwhelming. We are doing what we can to alleviate some of the suffering. It will take the efforts of millions of people, organizations and especially churches to reach out with whatever they have to give – and everyone has something to give! READ MORE
