As we prepare to meet 2012, all sorts of "prophetic" voices are beginning to fight for attention. An iPod generation has given rise to iPredict personalities who have gladly taken upon themselves the challenging task of mastering...predictive speculation! Moreover, now that the enigmatic 2012 has finally arrived (seems like it's for a second time really, since the movie came out already once before), the "end-timers" are getting, shall we call it - numerologically excited at the prospects of what...COULD HAPPEN!
What I'm about to say is based on principled thinking and it's not meant as a personal criticism of any kind - I simply have passion to see the power of God restored to the ekklesia.
I realize I'm sticking my neck out and am risking having people think I'm arrogant and judgmental. I'm not. I simply love Jesus enough not to be concerned what man thinks of me. On the other hand, perfect love casts all fear. My love for the ekklesia is giving me the boldness to speak out and disregard the fear of someone being turned off by assuming I'm arrogant and judgmental.
First of all, let me clarify where I come from. My perspective and framework is not confined or even based on a specific cultural experience or a narrow religious or theological framework. I have now been in ministry for 20 years and have ministered in churches, at conferences and in Bible Schools in over 30 nations on 4 continents. I consider this the favor of Jesus and a tremendous privilege. I have had the opportunity of ministering in some of the world's poorest and smallest congregations, as well as in some of the world's richest and largest ones.
The following word of the Lord was delivered by Bishop Bill Hamon at a meeting hosted by Generals International in Pensacola, FL, on July 26, 2010. The audio of the word as it was delivered and some follow-up admonitions can be downloaded here. (For more information about Bishop Hamon, see the Christian International site.)
The Lord says, “I raised up this nation to fulfill My purpose in this world.” He says, “The founders and forefathers prayed and made covenant with Me.”
God says, “As I remembered My covenant with Abraham, so I will remember My covenant with the founders and forefathers of America. But America has forsaken Me as Israel did. They’ve turned to other Gods. But when they cried out to Me, I raised up deliverers and delivered them from the oppression of their enemies.
“America is not paying heed to those things that I am speaking and doing to get their attention. Therefore, I am going to allow a thing to happen that will get America’s attention, greater even than 9/11. I am going to allow a thing to happen that will open the eyes of My people to see how close they are to destruction and their loss of liberty and freedom.
I was in a Sunday morning worship service this past Sunday (7/11/10), not particularly thinking about the current political situation when I heard the following phrase very clearly:
"I can unravel [Obama] in 2011 and take him out of office in 2012 – if My people pray."
As I quickly jotted down this statement, I began to hear the following word.
"My people have ceased to pray and intercede. They have given up in hopelessness. I am not the God of hopelessness. I am God Almighty.
"I can shift things in a moment. But I shift them as a result of the prayers of My people. I shift them when the bowl of incense of their prayers becomes full.
"My people are spending their time complaining and discussing the problems. They are not praying about them. They are not seeking My face for solutions. They are not calling out to Me for Me to move.
"Many who prayed fervently for the 2008 elections gave up praying afterward because they did not see the result they sought. I can turn the situation for good – if My people will pray.
"Get back on your post. Watchmen, look and see. Sound the alarm. Your nation stands now in the balance. Which way your nation goes is even now being decided. The measure is being weighed out.
"It is a serious time, a critical time. This is even more critical than 2008. The choices made by Americans this fall will set the course for the nation for the next 20 years and, potentially, beyond.
As the economy continues to stretch budgets, more churches are turning to bivocational pastors—those who hold a second job in addition to ministering—to meet their needs.
The linked articles about an interview with Mosab Hassan Yousef caught my attention, particularly the first one.
First, understand that these articles are written about a man who was Islamic and is the son of a Hamas founder. He knows what Islam is like and what it teaches. And he knows what Hamas is about - and much of what it does. He even spent time in a Hamas prison, so he has experienced their brutality first-hand. After that experience, he began working with Shin Bet (Israeli's security service) and gravitating toward Christianity. I guess there's nothing quite like experiencing the wrath of Allah through those who serve him and carry out his commands to make you appreciate the love of the One True God!
What really caught my attention in his interview were these statements:
According to last estimates the victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be more than 200,000 people. Over 1,5 million people are left without homes. This is a tragedy of epic proportions.
The Body of Christ from all over the world has responded by sending donations, relief teams and also by prayer.
If you still haven't decided how to give, I would like to encourage you to consider giving through Christian Outreach International. Christian Outreach International is a world-wide, faith-based, humanitarian, mission and outreach organization, specializing in short term mission projects. Over the years, COI has become a recognized, trusted mission sending agency, providing over 25,000 with a mission/outreach experience.
Please visit www.coiusa.com to give and find out more about the work that's being done through the teams who have gone or will be going to Haiti.
In this interview I talk to Mary-Alice Isleib, president of COI. Tune in and hear some of the moving testimonies and challenges the teams are experiencing on the ground and how you can be involved.
I have just received a word that Metro Tabernacle Church in Kuala
Lumpur has been attacked by Muslims. According to the British online edition of Times Online,
two motorcyclists set the church building on fire in an arson attack
over a court decision, which now allows Christians to use the word
“Allah” when referring to God.
Muslims are angry over this court decision. They fear losing control
over the term "Allah" (equivalent of the term "God" in the English
language).
60 years after the end of the World War II the Western civilization seems to have lost the will to fight. Regardless of the accusations of pacifists regarding wars such as in Afghanistan and in Iraq, the majority of Westerners have failed to understand the existential threat Islam represents.
Why the confusion?
First of all the number of people who are ignorant of the Bible and the biblical worldview is alarmingly great. Even Christians who have read the Bible are not necessarily the astute students one would expect a disciple of Christ to be. This is easy to understand. With prosperity and peace comes a certain lifestyle. People began to spend the majority of their time busy with their private lives. Family life, education, career and all other activities characteristic of a prosperous society, consume most of the time the average person has available to them.
As we prepare to meet 2012, all sorts of "prophetic" voices are beginning to fight for attention. An iPod generation has given rise to iPredict personalities who have gladly taken upon themselves the challenging task of mastering...predictive speculation! Moreover, now that the enigmatic 2012 has finally arrived (seems like it's for a second time really, since the movie came out already once before), the "end-timers" are getting, shall we call it - numerologically excited at the prospects of what...COULD HAPPEN!
As the economy continues to stretch budgets, more churches are turning to bivocational pastors—those who hold a second job in addition to ministering—to meet their needs. 
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