Asbury and Lee Revivals!

For years now, I have prophetically declared that the next great revival would be led by Young People. That is not to say that those of us who are older would be on the sidelines, absolutely not! We are the Spiritual Mothers and Fathers; the mentors to this Revivalistic generation seeking Jesus. But the zeal these Young People have will pierce through the heavens through prayer and worship of Christ, and we who are older will be able to “ride along with” them as they seek Jesus. Interestingly enough, just like in the 1970 Asbury Revival, these Young People are crying out to God for more of Him! No high-paid Evangelist; no well-known Pastor; and no Dove award-winning Singer, just a hall filled with hungry and thirsty Young People who are seeking “More of YOU, Lord!” The Young People that God is using to usher in this Revival, which will ignite the Last Reformation before the return of Jesus, may not look like you and me. They may have green hair, they may be “tatted-up” and they may have piercings, but God is seeing the hunger in their hearts! And isn’t that what we have preached all along? I am 60, and I cannot recall the number of times I have quoted 1 Samuel 16:7---“…The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” My Brothers and Sisters, do not be guilty of the sin that was perpetrated against us in the Church of God, in the early days of the Pentecostal outpouring; where people identifying as “Christian” maligned us; persecuted us; and spoke evil over us! Now is not the time for analysis…...that will come later. Now is the time to join these Young People in prayer and worship in repentance and seeking MORE of Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit! Revival rivers are flowing………..LET’S JUMP IN WITH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE,…….THE WATER IS FINE!

What is Truth?

In the Gospel of John chapter 18 verses 37-39, we see this dialog between Jesus and Pilate… ”Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked?” Pilate’s response to Jesus is not the response of someone who is in search of truth, but rather that of agnosticism. Pilate’s agnostic response is that of one who was seeking to excuse himself from moral responsibility to God and also to humanity, or even to truth by implying that truth cannot be known. This is the exact same agnostic error that those who are embracing and/or advancing Gender change are engaged in. Similar to Pilate, they choose not to recognize the truth of their own gender. So, following in the same path as Pilate, they say: “What is Male?” “What is Female?” And in doing so, are repeating the same agnostic error that Pilate did…….”WHAT IS TRUTH?” They are following the same old humanistic attempt to alleviate themselves of morality and responsibility towards God. God, and His absolute TRUTH, are hindrances to their agnostic agenda. They need healing, deliverance, and salvation; and they need to embrace the Truth of God!

Are We Guilty of the Sin of Complicity?

Recently we concluded the Midterm elections in the United States. Our next major Federal election will be in 2024 for the President of the United States. The question then is…”Have we as Followers of Jesus, been complicit in the sins perpetuated by politicians we have voted for?” By that, I mean, have we, because of Family or Personal traditions, voted for candidates that have promoted the murdering of babies through abortion or the promotion of the LGBTQ+ agenda? And while I have, like you, heard some Christians on Facebook complain about the demeanor and language of some politicians. We must understand that that is not on the same level as murdering children and promoting policies that destroy the very fabric of the family. The days of following a Political Party simply because our parents or Grandparents did are not viable anymore. And while we cannot expect Politicians to have a lifestyle similar to that of our Church Leaders, we must never be complicit in the murder of children nor the promotion of Homosexuality by casting our votes for candidates that promote the same. If Complicity is enough to get a person convicted of a crime, it is also enough to cause us to sin before our Holy God!

IT CAN NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN…….

In the heart of 2020 during the pandemic, the Lord gave me a word that I shared with the church I pastor. The word the Lord gave me was: “Churches cannot return to business as usual! Those that try to, will soon die a death of irrelevancy, and soon after, will die out all together!” Brothers and Sisters, this is a very strong Prophetic word from the Lord! It has been said that we are “beings of habit.” This is true, and in addition, we are beings that like that which is familiar and comfortable, this is true even for Followers of Jesus. Even as Spirit-Empowered Believers, we seek the familiar and comfortable. I am not ashamed that I am a Pentecostal and I LOVE Pentecostal style preaching and worship! BUT, Worship services that are energized,…….Preaching that is exuberant and excitable, all of which are intrinsically good things, can become, if we are not careful, a “return” to that which is “familiar” and “comfortable;” and “NORMAL.” So many of our Pastors started broadcasting on Facebook and other media outlets, but were eager to get back to “normal.” Often times not realizing (unfortunately) that God had given to each Pastor broadcasting, a brand new “CAMPUS” and an opportunity to participate in the “Finish-Commitment” in a manner not previously engaged in. However, we LOVE “FAMILIAR;”…we love “COMFORTABLE;”…we love “NORMAL!” But our “normal” is never returning! Demonic spirits that have been kept in “reserve” for these Last of the Last-Days have now been released! And with them, manifestations of perversion and evil, the likes of which we have never seen before! Who, other than people deceived by demonic deception would look at a Young Elementary School child and think…”Hey, I wonder if they would like to be a different gender other than what they were biologically born as?” What society, other than a demonically deceived one finds an inability to describe what a woman is? Who would ever think that a person can “choose” to “identify” as whatever pops up in their mind each day? What type of society rescues dogs but cheers for, and passes legislation to kill human babies? I’ll tell you what kind society, a society experiencing the onslaught of demonic spirits now released that have been “on-deck” waiting for this Eschatological time we are now living in. Familiar?...Comfortable?...Normal?...NO my Brothers and Sisters, that is a fantasy stooped in a “Norman Rockwell” type of longing for a more simpler time; …….and it’s NOT coming back! So, what do we as Pastors do, and what are our Churches to do? We adjust! Not the Message, not the power of the Holy Spirit, not holiness; but rather, instead of longing for the “return to normal,” embrace the Eschatological time we have been blessed to live in! Go ahead and pastor your new online campus that God has given you, don’t complain about it,…embrace it! Don’t give into the temptation to “return-to-normal” but seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Pray that God pours out on YOUR congregation(s) the Gifts of the Spirit; Signs and Wonders; Miracles; and Healings! LET THE HOLY SPIRIT HAVE HIS WAY!!! REPENT AND PRAY FOR…….REVIVAL!!! God bless you ALL!

A Day that Will Live in Infamy.....

On a sunny and quiet Sunday morning at Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor which was of course the home of America’s Pacific Fleet. There were approximately 60,000 Sailors and other military personnel stationed there, and many were still asleep either in their ship’s bunks or in their quarters on land. Some were getting ready for church; some were up eating breakfast; some were still in their beds sleeping; and a few were serving on duty. This beautiful Hawaiian morning would soon turn into a horrible fiery nightmare! At 7:55a.m., 183 Japanese aircraft raced across the mountains north of Pearl Harbor with a mission to destroy the US Fleet. These Japanese planes dropped bombs on not only the ships, but also on the fuel dumps, ammunition dumps, and the various buildings as well. While the bombs were dropping on their targets, the pilots also strafed everything in their sight, even dropping torpedoes into the water blowing up the ships docked in Pearl Harbor. The attack was a complete surprise, some went down with their ships, some drowned in the fiery water. However, those attacking planes failed to get the Aircraft Carriers at sea as well as the Ship Building Yard. It was reported that the Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor wrote in his diary, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” And with this attack, and America’s subsequent entrance into World War 2, the “Greatest Generation” was born! With some sixteen million fighting Americans enlisting or being called into service, who would go on to participate in driving the Japanese and German armies to surrender, freeing the world from the tyranny that was descending upon them! My Wife Kelley and I have had the honor to visit Pearl Harbor and see the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, the U.S.S. Missouri, as well as all the other historical sites; which left an indelible mark upon both of us. Today, December 7, 2021, as I contemplate this day of remembrance for the United States, I can’t help but think about the recent attacks of the devil against the Church of Jesus Christ. And somewhere, I believe some “Head Demon” is thinking……….” I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve!” The Church of Jesus Christ IS that “Sleeping Giant” that is now awakening as we see the fulfillment of our Lord’s Prophetic pronouncements in Matthew 24 about the Last of the Last-Days! The “AWAKENING” is ………. REVIVAL! And “pockets” of Revival are being experienced and reported all over America, as well as other parts of the world! We are not the “WOKE” crowd, but we are the “AWAKENING” crowd; the Church of Jesus Christ; The Bride of Christ, and it’s time to drive Spiritual tyranny from the world! Habakkuk 3:2 “I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.”

Eyes Wide Open!

THIS IS NOT POLITICAL….. But as Followers of Jesus living in the Last of the Last-Days, the world desperately needs to hear our guidance as we navigate the slow spread of socialism and the marginalization of the Church of Jesus Christ. Now I sadly realize how many of our Brothers and Sisters; our peers; have gone on to be with the Lord from this dreaded Man-Made disease called Covid-19. My heart grieves for their Families, as I rejoice for them being at home with their Lord! Notwithstanding, we are on a “slippery-slope” to a loss of freedoms within the Body of Christ. With shut-downs, control, and mandates being the mantra of those seeking to “reset” our world, we need to be fully aware that the “reset” many godless people have in mind, will only seek to silence the Church of Jesus Christ. What the enemy has not truly anticipated is the great “Ecclesia-Reset” that is taking place! A Remnant from most denominations are being awakened by the Holy Spirit, to RISE-UP and lead the advancement of the Kingdom of God, in this last great “AWAKENING” that is being facilitated by many within the Body of Christ as they cry out to God in REPENTANCE! Revival is breaking in upon us! The Charismata is being manifested in the most unlikely places and through the most unlikely groups! Recently, a Baptist Church close to us, changed its name to reflect its newly found purpose and power. The Pastor was Baptized in the Holy Spirit and began to speak in Tongues! Truly, the Lord meant what He said through the Prophet Joel when He said: “In the Last Days, I will pour our my Spirit upon ALL People!” How thrilling it is to be living in this time! Pastors, Ministers, and Lay People; are you ready to lead? Are you ready to influence our Culture? Keep your eyes open and be aware of all of the Socialistic attempts to silence the True Body of Christ. But most importantly, keep your eyes and ears open to the Holy Spirit! Pray,…..Repent,……And seek God for the ……. “FINAL REFORMATION” before Christ’s Return! God Bless You ALL!

Grace to the Prophets!

I FULLY UNDERSTAND…..

I know that some on here are upset at the prophecies that were given by people who claimed that President Trump would be elected for a second term. I get it! We need to hold each other accountable to the Word of God, in fact, for the 39 years I have been a credentialed minister with the COG, the majority of that as a Senior Pastor, I have always encouraged our people to hold what I preach accountable to the Word of God. But with that accountability, we also need to extend grace as we hold them accountable. You know, the same grace that has been extended to us as Pastors, when we preached vehemently things that were not exactly biblically accurate. Accountability with Grace! I believe in the 5-Fold (some say 4 because of the conjunction “and” between Pastor and Teacher) Leadership Ministry Gifting from the Holy Spirit. I believe what Dr. French Arrington, in his book “Encountering the Holy Spirit” writes concerning the gifts of the Modern-Day Apostle and Prophet as much as I believe in Modern-Day Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers! Some have brought up the truth that if we were still living in the Old Testament days, these Prophets would be stoned. The good news is, according to Hebrews, we are living under a “better covenant” (Hebrews 8:6)! That covenant is in Christ, and while we hold to a bibliocentric theology, we do so within the context of this “better Covenant” extending the same grace that has been extended to us. With this said, here is a link to a really good exhortation about this issue from Dutch Sheets. DUTCH SHEETS