Showing posts with label fasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fasting. Show all posts

Saturday, February 6, 2016

When You Can't Pray Anymore - LINDA WILSON CHARISMA NEWS

Before you give up thinking that this is not God's will, read this.
Before you give up thinking that this is not God's will, read this. (Charisma archives)


When You Can't Pray Anymore

What is your heart longing for? A godly mate? The return of a prodigal? A satisfying job? You are waiting. You are praying. You are fasting. You are forgiving. You are doing everything you know how to do, yet the longing remains unfulfilled. Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prov. 13:12, NKJV).
I love this compelling Scripture: "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing ... And, He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him (Ps. 145:16, 19, NKJV). You can trust the Lord God.
Launch Into the Deep  In Luke 5, we read the story of Simon Peter fishing. He had been up all night fishing and had caught nothing. NOTHING! He, a professional fisherman, had worked all night for nothing. His livelihood was fishing. His friends were into fishing. He lived in a fishing village. If anyone could make a catch, surely it was Peter. But he fished all night in vain.
You can easily relate to Peter. You have been up all night fishing unsuccessfully – the loneliness continues, the rebellious child has not returned home, the bills keep piling higher. ... and, you know how to fish! Your heart feels sick.
Jesus arrives on the scene. He is not known for being a bass pro. He was a carpenter's son from landlocked Nazareth. Jesus did not own a boat. Had He ever cast a net? In this fascinating story, He has the audacity to tell the fisherman two things to do – launch into the deep and let the nets down for a catch (Luke 5:4).
Might He be saying the same to you? Launch into the deep. Let your net down. What is this deep? What is the net you need to lay down? Can you trust Him with these most vulnerable heart longings? These questions demand an answer.
The Mighty Lion of Judah  Some years ago, I had a heavenly encounter in which I saw the Mighty Lion of Judah. He was a magnificent Lion, strong and all-powerful. He was slowly walking around His throne in heaven. In this encounter I knew deep in my being that He was fully aware of all things on earth, both good and bad. Yet, He was unshaken. The Lion of Judah was strong. He was in control. Following this experience I am much better at trusting Him regardless of what things look like in this physical realm. Dan (my husband) and I even had a serious car wreck in which we easily could have been killed. We were totally at peace as the car rolled again and again.
The Lion was there with us, fully in control. He was, He is, and He will be trustworthy.You can trust Him with the deep things – the wounds and disappointments in your past, the fears and uncertainties in your present, the heart desires and hopes for your future. Dare you launch into the deep?
Drop Your Nets – It's Fishing Season  And the nets? The secure nets – the default actions and reactions, the personal traditions and habits, the independent way of thinking – these nets need to be dropped. Letting down our nets releases another wave of insecurity or fear, doesn't it? Sometimes layer after layer of nets must be released until we get to the secure place of, yes, you guessed it – trust.
Peter reminded Jesus that they, the pros, had been fishing unsuccessfully all night long. Then he makes the all-important statement, "... at Your word I will let down the net" (Luke 5:5). And you know how this story ended, they caught a great number of fish, so many that their nets were breaking from the tremendous catch.
Simon Peter heard the clear directive given by Jesus. He immediately responded in spite of his own experience with fishing. He then pulled in a massive, astonishing load of fish. Peter's desire was abundantly fulfilled.
It is fishing season. The Holy Spirit is granting fishing licenses to all. Trust God in the deep. Release your net to Jesus. Listen. Hear. Obey. And, you will be astonished as you realize the desires of your heart. 

In Jesus' mighty name I decree:

• You will trust in the Lord, and He will give the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:3-4).
• As a righteous one, you will not lean on your own understanding, trusting God to direct your steps (Prov. 3:5-6).
• You will heed what you hear (Mark 4:24).
• You will hear swiftly (James 1:19).
• You will walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
Reprinted from The Elijah List. Linda Wilsonalong with her husband Dan are the co-founders of Supernatural Marriage & Missions. They have taken their message of Spirit-led intimacy to numerous countries throughout the world in an effort to encourage the kingdom and prepare the bride for the bridegroom's return. Together they have published five books, including 7 Secrets of a Supernatural Marriage andLovemaking. Dr. Dan & Linda were also executive producers of the popular worship album "CHOSEN." The Wilsons have been happily married 34 years. Email Linda atinfo@supernatural-marriage.com.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

How Fasting Can Improve Your Spiritual and Physical Health - STEVE STRANG CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Taking good care of your physical body is a great way to glorify God.
Taking good care of your physical body is a great way to glorify God. (iStock photo )
The Bible says the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We wrote about this in the January issue of Charisma in which we covered both fasting and health.
To me, they are somewhat related, as I explained in my Perspectives column. I believe we must be responsible for and take care of the physical body God has given us. I hope for many reasons that our issue on health and fasting is a turning point. 
I know some Christians who wouldn't drink or smoke (because it's unhealthy) but were so obese they had very poor health. They wouldn't need God to heal them of their maladies if they had lived healthy lifestyles!
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that brings us closer to God and helps us believe Him at times of great need. And the articles on health in the January issue of Charisma can help us improve incrementally and enjoy life to the fullest. No matter how poor or good your health is, you can improve. 
A decade ago, I felt led to fast for 40 days. It was a time of great spiritual breakthrough for me. I got a physical exam before I started my 40-day fast, which I recommend before doing something so radical. 
The fast had a side benefit—I proved to myself that I was not a slave to my appetite. Turning away dessert or avoiding a bag of chips is not hard compared to the discipline of a long fast! It broke whatever compulsive eating habits I may have had, my body was able to detoxify, and I proved to myself I could do a long fast.
In my mid-20s, I was so out of shape I couldn't run a lap around a football field without being winded. I had grown up in a family where healthy eating habits and exercise were not emphasized. Several relatives tipped the scales at over 300 pounds. I didn't want to be that out of shape.
Then I read an article about someone who started jogging by running to the next mailbox and then walking to the next mailbox. Soon he could run to two mailboxes before walking and gradually built up to a mile. I decided I could do that, and I did!  When I travel internationally, I have enjoyed some pleasant jogs through places like Venice, downtown London and Russia.
Because that article helped me, I read other articles and books and began to educate myself on the value of health and fitness. It may be why we now publish a line of health books, many of which have been very popular, under the brand Siloam.  I've also turned to professionals for advice. I go to doctors who can help me with my health! (I personally avoid overweight doctors.) I've found health professionals who can help me work out. 
Two years ago this month, I was treated for prostate cancer. Thankfully, I found a procedure called High Intense Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) that is noninvasive and left me cancer free with no side effects. I did a lot of research to determine what was right for me because I found the health professionals recommended whatever they made money doing!
I decided to try to be in as good health as possible before the procedure, so I started going to a trainer.  I actually lowered my percentage of fat and added muscle, and I've continued the routine. I also began to set some goals. I ran in some races and decided to increase the pushups, pull-ups and sit-ups I could do. Recently, a military friend told me about the Army Physical Fitness Test all military personnel must pass twice a year. For fun, I pulled the test off the Internet that the Rangers must pass and I passed it!
I participated for six weeks with a group of men who did the program, and each week, we had to do something extreme and post the results on a special Facebook page. For example, one day we had to do as many pushups as possible. I picked a Saturday when I had the flexibility and did a set of 25 and then 20 minutes later, another set of 25. In a 12-hour span, I was able to do more than 700. I would have never guessed this possible.
Then, for my 64th birthday, I did 64 pull-ups. I admit it was fun to prove to myself and others that I could do more than I thought possible. If I can do it, you can do more than you thought possible!
January-CM-coverI'm well aware that the apostle Paul said, "Bodily exercise profits a little" (1 Tim. 4:8). There are those who spend so much time working out others call them gym rats! They are almost cult-like in how they focus on physical fitness beyond all else and seemingly worship the human body.
I'm not talking about that extreme. I'm taking about the parable of the talents, which can be summed up as: "If you use it, it will grow, and if you don't use it, you will lose it." Jesus said that about investing talents, but that also applies in exercise.
God created wonderful bodies and gave us health. In 3 John 2, it says, "Beloved, I pray ... you may be in good health." I believe He's glorified when we are responsible to use what He's given for His glory. Everything we do in word and deed—even caring for our health—must be done for His glory. 
Steve Strang is the founder of Charisma and CEO of Charisma Media. Follow him onTwitter or Facebook.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here
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Monday, December 14, 2015

7 Lessons From the World’s Fastest-Growing Congregation - Dr. Michael Brown

Dr. Michael Brown

7 Lessons From the World’s Fastest-Growing Congregation


In 1995, God began to speak to a young leader in Hyderabad, India, named Satish Kumar, telling him that he would have a very large church, but nothing materialized for the next 10 years.

In 2005, he planted Calvary Temple, starting with 25 members. Now, in 2015, he has more than 130,000 members, adding 60,000 in the last three years alone.

Perhaps even more remarkably, the massive building that houses this congregation—seating 18,000, with additional overflow facilities—was built in just 52 days, despite significant government opposition along the way. (The building is also centrally air-conditioned, which is a tremendous plus in India, and everything surrounding the building, including the beautiful gardens, was completed in the 52-day period.)

On my recent trip to India, my 23rd in 23 years, I had the pleasure of spending several hours with Pastor Satish, whom I had met before only in 1995. I also had the privilege of bringing a short address to his congregation during two of their five Sunday services.

What are some of the keys to this church’s supernatural growth?

Prayer and Fasting

The congregation always put a strong emphasis on prayer and fasting, but when they were about to embark on their building project, Pastor Satish called for 40 days of prayer and fasting, with believers fasting and joining together in corporate prayer as much as they were able to.

The problem was that he called for this during the rainy season, a time when it is unbearably hot and unbearably wet. Yet night after night crowds of thousands gathered on the empty property to join together for hours, sitting with their umbrellas up as Satish preached in the pouring rain (without an umbrella). It made for quite a sight.

When they came to the end of the 40-day period, he called for another 40 days of prayer and fasting, and when that ended, he called for 40 days more—so, 120 consecutive days of corporate prayer and fasting. It was then that he received the word to build the entire facility in 52 days.

The building miracle and the church growth miracle are directly related to prayer and fasting.

Preaching the Word
Despite conducting five services every Sunday (each service runs close to two hours in length), Satish preaches a full message in each service, averaging 60-70 minutes per sermon. (The first service starts at 6:00 AM; the last service ends at 8:00 PM.)

And he does not mince words, calling out sin, calling for repentance and pointing to the cross.

His goal in all his messages is that Jesus be exalted.

He also gives a 30-minute teaching to 1,200 key church workers before one of the late afternoon services.

Caring for the Flock

Every member of Calvary Temple gets a swipe card, and they register their attendance by swiping the card on a kiosk at one of the doors. (You can become a member on your first visit there, simply by declaring your attention to join, and the vast majority of first-time visitors are already familiar with Satish’s ministry through his TV broadcasts.)

If they miss a service, they receive a phone call the next day from a staff member, asking them if they’re OK and if they need prayer for anything. While this may seem overbearing for many Christians in the West, it is very meaningful to the Indian believers.

But there’s more: Every member of the church has a birthday cake delivered to their door on their birthday, meaning that the church is hand-delivering as many as 4,000 birthday cakes a day.

As Satish told me, many of his people are so poor that not even their own families celebrate their birthdays, and so when the cake arrives, they are in tears.

Calvary Temple also cooks about 10,000 meals every Sunday for poor members (you should see the size of the kettles) as well as providing medical prescriptions at 50 percent off to their congregants.

These are just some of the things that mark their care for their flock.

Supernatural Faith

Without being on the actual grounds to see for yourself, it’s very difficult to understand how impossible it was to build their facility in 52 days. The air conditioning alone was supposed to take 90 days to install, and because of problems with building permits, most of the work had to be done at night, under lights.

But Pastor Satish had been reading Nehemiah during the 120 days of prayer and fasting, and when he read that the walls of Jerusalem were built in 52 days, he took this as a word from the Lord and announced to his congregation that they would do the same. And they did!

When you see what God has done so far—and the real hunger of the people to receive from the Lord—it’s easy to believe for much, much more.

The Israel Connection

When I sat in Satish’s office, I noticed that he had two small flags on his desk, the flag of India and the flag of Israel. And the operative word at Calvary Temple is “shalom.” That’s how everyone is greeted when they swipe their membership card upon entering the building.

When I spoke briefly to the congregation, I told them that I saw a highway from Hyderabad to Israel. (I had felt this earlier in the day when praying over church property for Pastor Stephen Paul in that same city. His father has interceded for Israel for decades and considers it a sacred duty.)

Is it any coincidence that Pastor Sandor Nemeth of Faith Church in Budapest, Hungary, the largest megachurch in Europe, told me that he attributes much of the church’s supernatural growth and influence to its deep connection to Israel? Or that Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in Grapevine, Texas, one of America’s fastest growing churches and the most giving church in the nation (donating more than $1 million a month to missions) has stated that the key to their supernatural success is that they give the firstfruits of their income to Israel-related ministry?

A Strong Work Ethic

Indian pastors are hard workers (as are many Indians in general), and Pastor Satish regularly puts in 16-hour days—with joy—while many of his staff members gladly work 12 hours a day. Some of his staff has been with him for 20 years now.

Yet what struck me while we were together was that he did not seemed burned out in the least, even seeming relaxed as we talked. And his family members I met seemed excited and blessed as well.

I’m quite aware that we can easily become ministry workaholics and that there is a lot of pastoral burnout in America. I’m simply observing what I saw, and as I noted, it is not uncommon for Indian leaders to serve sacrificially.

Wise Use of Media

Through no effort or planning of his own, Pastor Satish’s messages began to be broadcast on TV, and as he found more and more sponsors to support his show, the broadcasts began to increase.

Today, his messages air on 300 different programs each month, in several Indian languages. This results in more than 5,000 new visitors each week, many of whom become committed church members.

What can we take away from all this?

First, it really is time for God’s favor on India, and despite the strongly pro-Hindu government, the church is growing all over the nation. What has been happening behind the scenes for years is becoming more and more public.

Second, hearing these testimonies encourages our faith. Jesus is building His church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.

Third, in these days of church growth fads, when leaders are looking for the latest gimmick or technique to bring in the crowds, it’s refreshing to see that prayer, fasting, solid preaching, caring for the flock, exercising faith, standing with Israel, working hard and using media wisely can produce such extraordinary results.

May the harvest in India continue to increase and abound until the church of India becomes a blessing to the nations of the world—and to the lost sheep of the house of Israel as well.

Website: Dr.Michael Brown



Saturday, September 19, 2015

Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur - Sept. 23, 2015







Day of Atonement
Learn About Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement





Mary Fairchild
Christianity Expert

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement:

Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is the most solemn and important holy day of the Jewish calendar. In the Old Testament, the Day of Atonement was the day the High Priest made an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people. This act of atonement brought reconciliation between the people and God. After the blood sacrifice was offered to the Lord, a goat was released into the wilderness to symbolically carry away the sins of the people.

This "scapegoat" was never to return.

Time of Observance:

Yom Kippur is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri (September or October).

• See Bible Feasts Calendar for the actual dates of Yom Kippur.

Scripture Reference:

The observance of the Day of Atonement is recorded in the Old Testament book of Leviticus 16:8-34; 23:27-32.

About Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement:

Yom Kippur was the only time during the year when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the innermost chamber of the Temple (or Tabernacle) to make atonement for the sins of all Israel. Atonement literally means "covering." The purpose of the sacrifice was to bring reconciliation between man and God (or "at-onement" with God) by covering the sins of the people.

Today, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah andYom Kippur are days of repentance, when Jews express remorse for their sins through prayer and fasting. Yom Kippur is the final day of judgment, when each person's fate is sealed by God for the upcoming year.


Jewish tradition tells how God opens the Book of Life and studies the words, actions, and thoughts of every person whose name he has written there. If a person's good deeds outweigh or outnumber their sinful acts, his or her name will remain inscribed in the book for another year. On Yom Kippur, the ram's horn (shofar) is blown at the end of evening prayer services for the first time since Rosh Hashanah.

Jesus and Yom Kippur:

The Tabernacle and the Temple gave a clear picture of how sin separates us from the holiness of God. In Bible times, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies by passing through the heavy veil that hung from ceiling to floor, creating a barrier between the people and the presence of God.

Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would enter and offer a blood sacrifice to cover the sins of the people. However, at the very moment when Jesus died on the cross, Matthew 27:51 says, "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split."(NKJV)

Hebrews chapters 8 and 9 beautifully explain how Jesus Christ became our High Priest and entered heaven (the Holy of Holies), once and for all, not by the blood of sacrificial animals, but by his own precious blood on the cross. Christ himself was the atoning sacrifice for our sins; thus, he obtained for us eternal redemption! As believers we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Yom Kippur, the final atonement for sin.

More Facts About Yom Kippur:

When the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., the Jewish people could no longer present the required sacrifices on the Day of Atonement, so it came to be observed as a day of repentance, self-denial, charitable works, prayer and fasting.

Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath. No work is done on this day.

Today, Orthodox Jews observe many restrictions and customs on Yom Kippur.

Source: About Religion

Friday, September 11, 2015

A Startling Prophetic Vision About American Ministers

Mowing grass
(Flilckr )


If you take a complete overview of the leadership of the United States, you can see that there is a huge decline in moral standards across our land. So many key leaders seem to be pushing their agenda with personal gain in the forefront of their mind. I'm talking about the White House to the church house. 
Recently I have been praying for a renewal in the minds of Americans, a mindset that we just don't need God, but want God and His presence to guide us in life. As I watch different news clips on various social media outlets, I'm shocked to see what's going on in America and the mindset of the American people. Where is the ringing of the words by JFK: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
Recently the Lord gave me a prophetic dream about his ministers in America. In this dream I had walked outside in the Texas heat to mow the grass. After I filled up the mower with gas I proceeded to mow in my systematic routine. When I started, a gentleman came up and politely took the mower from me and began to start mowing for me. 
Suddenly, I was very small and became like a blade of grass. The neat, or weird, thing was the blades of grass were all ministers of today. I knew some of them personally. I've seen some on social media and had no clue who the others were, but I knew they were all ministers in the fivefold ministry. 
Suddenly, the mower came our way and I began to lay down. I noticed some of my dear friends began to lay down as well, but others didn't. As the mower proceedes to mow over us in the dream, the people lying down were OK but the ones who didn't where cut by the blade. I instantly woke up and said, "Lord, what does this mean?" The Lord spoke to me and said, "Some of my ministers will lay down their life for me, lay down their agendas, lay down their personal goals but some will not. In these last days I will have a group of ministers who will walk in a higher anointing but it will not rest upon fleshly motives."
I felt the Lord said this is a prophetic picture of what is coming to the ministers of America. Repent for any fleshly motives because God is about to raise the standard. He is looking for a remnant that will lay down its life for the sake of the cross! Personal agendas are done with in these last days. God wants His churches and ministers back and to get back to these foundation of Christianity. 
It reminds me of what Jesus said in Luke 9:23: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." James 4:8 reminds us, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (emphasis added).
Jesus Christ came to earth and modeled Christianity for us, the very word Christian means Christ-like. When Jesus was to be baptized it was done in the Jordan River, did you know that the mouth of the Jordan River going into the Dead Sea is the lowest geographical point on planet earth? You see, Jesus came from the highest point in all creation and dwells there today, the right hand of the Father. Jesus went to the lowest spot on earth He could find to be baptized knowing he would be raised to the highest point. We as believers must go to the lowest point, dying to the flesh knowing that God will increase the anointing upon our life. 
When in seasons of fasting it seems that we get to the end of ourselves and allow God to show us more of Himself. When Jesus was baptized He went straight into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting and prayer. Can you believe the first thing the enemy tried to do was to get Jesus to turn the stones into bread? Right off the bat the enemy wanted Jesus to break His fast. The enemy doesn't want you go into the deep places of God. I personally want to come to the complete end of myself and walk in the fullness of God!
James 1:17 says that every good and perfect comes from above. When we operate in the gifts that God has given us in the anointing remember where all this came from. If you deliver a powerful sermon, give a life altering prophetic word or sing an amazing worship song, remember who gave you the gift and anointing. Sometimes we get use to these huge blessings and forget to always honor God with them. 
In this dream I remember so vividly some ministers standing and refusing to lower themselves from the coming blade; it didn't end well for them because everyone saw what happened. Some laid down and closed their eyes and had perfect peace when the mower passed them by. God is looking for a generation of ministers who will like Jesus find the lowest place they can go to so they can arise to the fullness of God. These last days' ministers will allow Christ to use them to reshape America and give complete glory to God.
Joe Joe Dawson is the president of Burn Texarkana Revival center and House of Prayer. Pastor Dawson also serves as staff evangelist for First Assembly of God in Texarkana, Texas, where he also is now the Tribe College/young adult pastor. Burn Texarkana has one revival/awakening service a month at First Assembly and also has Burn on the Road meetings in neighboring cites monthly. There are four Burn Texarkana prayer meetings each week! Joe is married to the love of his life, Autumn, and together they have three kids: Malachi, Judah and Ezra. He also serves on the leadership team of New Bread Revivalists Network.
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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

A Surprising Prophetic Word About the Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

God is compelling his bride, the church, to rise up in intercession, and now.
God is compelling his bride, the church, to rise up in intercession, and now. (Lightstock )
As news began to spread regarding the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to legalize homosexual marriage in America this past week, my heart was filled with an unusual mixture of hope and crisis as I got on my knees before the Lord.
I immediately began to seek the Father regarding His perspective on the ruling and I believe He said to me, "In the natural, the Supreme Court justices have just legalized homosexual marriage in America, but little do they know that they also just authorized an awakening of the Spirit in My bride. For know that now is the time to turn inward, it is a time of repentance and fasting for My people. Has their laziness and blindness on the issue of sexual immorality in their midst not given the homosexual agenda its true power? America has now legalized homosexual immorality because the American church legalized heterosexual immorality first."
I immediately received a powerful vision of intercessors gathering from all over America in response to the ruling. They gathered and began to pray, but what they were interceding about was very displeasing to the Father. I listened very carefully to the cries and prayers of the intercessors in the vision and this is what they were crying out: "Father, we repent for the sins of America! Father, we ask that you would turn the hearts of homosexuals back to you. Father, bring justice to these people!"
As I listened in to these continual prayers, the Father said to me, "Do you know what's wrong with these prayers Jeremiah? They are all focused on the call for America to repent when I have called My bride to repent! You must tell the intercessors to shift their focus from America to My bride. Their self-righteous hearts and blindness to their own sin is a stench in my nostrils. The issues coming forth in the United States is not an American problem, it's an American Church problem."
America is in a crisis, but the American church is in a greater crisis. We are and will continue to reap what we have sown and that is seeds of silence and tolerance on the key issues of our day that have come before the Father as sin.
As Abraham Kuyper once said, "When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith."
I believe that God the Father is releasing burning and shining lamps in America to sound the alarm and wake up the bride of Christ from her slumber (see John 5:35). He is bringing forth a worthy bride in the earth right now who will make herself ready by voluntarily choosing to love His Son Jesus.
In Revelation 3, Jesus told the church at Sardis, "You have the appearance of being alive, but you are dead." It is this same message, that the American church has every sign of thriving, every program known to man, every self-help workshop, yet they are spiritually dead that will awaken the bride and call her back to her first love.
I want to encourage intercessors and leaders across America to take the plank out of our own eyes before we begin judging homosexuals and the lifestyle that they have chosen (see Matthew 7:5). While I do believe that these individuals are choosing to blatantly sin and will be judged by God Himself for their behavior (see Romans 14:12), we have an obligation as believers in Jesus Christ to look within our own lives and in our own spiritual communities and ask the Spirit of truth to search us inwardly before we begin calling others to accountability (see Psalm 51:6).
My hope today is in Jesus Christ and in His desire to call His bride to the place of repentance and fasting in this hour. There is no other hope for the American church. We must remember that the heart of a religious Pharisee continues to cry out, "Thank God I'm not like them" (see Luke 18:11). May we repent to the Father for our failure as the bride of Christ to preach holiness and purity to those that call themselves believers in Jesus and for our self-righteous attitudes toward those who are in need of His grace and mercy.
I fully recognize the crisis that is here and will only increase in the days ahead if we as the bride of Christ do not turn to the Lord Jesus and repent of our sins. Let us choose wisely which path we walk. Shall we put our hope in Him and the invitation to look inward in this hour and examine our own hearts as the bride or shall we welcome continual crisis by becoming more consumed with the American problem than the American church problem?
Remember, reformation never comes to a society before it first comes to the church!
Jeremiah Johnson planted Heart of the Father Ministry in Lakeland, Florida and is on the Eldership Team. A gifted teacher, book author, and prophetic minister, Jeremiah travels extensively throughout the United States and abroad as a conference and guest speaker. Jeremiah and his wife, Morgan, reside in Florida with their two children: Bella Grace and Israel David. Check out Jeremiah's new book release, I See A New Prophetic Generation and visit him online at Behold the Man Ministries or connect with him on Facebook."
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Monday, September 8, 2014

Midnight Watch Word

Midnight Watch Word

1972401_10152673406659936_4377055364674753343_nMidnight Watch Word

Prayer is often stored up in the heavens, awaiting the appropriate time of release. The Bible describes a “fullness of time” that signals a release of pent-up prayer reaching a tipping point and being poured out upon the earth.
During the 1980s, through to the last decade, there have been many desperate calls to fasting and prayer. Many 40-day and 21-day fasts have been called for. What happened to all those prayers for revival in America? What ever became of all those dedicated hours of intercession? I will tell you what happened…they have been stored up for the right time.
Like money in the bank, the currency of intercession can follow one generation and fall on another. Many kings in David’s lineage were blessed “for the sake of David” long after David was gone. Likewise the prayers of many saints are stored up for the Last Days’ outpouring on many Nations.
The time is nearing when God shall pour out His visitation upon Nations. America is sensing a crisis…it is near. But so is the outpouring of Amazing Grace. What does Heaven wait for?
When the dove left Noah’s Ark it went looking for a place for the sole of its foot. The Spirit of God is looking over the people of God and preparing a company for the dove to land. God will have a fresh company to carry a mighty Apostolic Evangelism mantle. It will arise in the midst of trouble. “When the enemy comes in…like a flood…the Spirit of The Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Some see the enemy coming as a flood. Others teach that the Lord’s standard arises like a flood. Either way, the heavens are about to unleash the pent-up prayers of the ages. The latter rain is upon us.
Get ready!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Ahava Love ViFo - PRAYER (Love For His People videos)



Our newest creation - ViFos (Video Photo Albums) - watch the whole set!


Published on Dec 5, 2013

This Ahava Love ViFo (Video Photo Album) is on prayer. Read the artwork designs, listen to the music, and pray!

I created this video with the YouTube Slideshow Creator (http://www.youtube.com/upload)

Steve Martin, Love For His People videos
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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement - Friday sundown, Sept. 13 through Saturday sundown, Sept. 14




  1. Friday, September 13
    and ends in the evening of
    Saturday, September 14

    Day of Atonement


    By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide


    Orthodox Jews Prepare for Yom Kippur
    Photo: David Silverman / Getty Images

    Bible Feasts:

    Paul said in Colossians 2:16-17 that the Jewish feasts and celebrations were a shadow of the things to come through Jesus Christ. And though as Christians we may not commemorate these holidays in the traditional biblical sense, as we discover the significance of each, we will certainly gain a greater knowledge of God's Word, an improved understanding of the Bible, and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

    Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement:

    Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is the most solemn and important holy day of the Jewish calendar. In the Old Testament, the Day of Atonement was the day the High Priest made an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people. This act of atonement brought reconciliation between the people and God. After the blood sacrifice was offered to the Lord, a goat was released into the wilderness to symbolically carry away the sins of the people. This "scapegoat" was never to return.
    Time of Observance:

    Yom Kippur is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri (September or October).

    • See Bible Feasts Calendar for the actual dates of Yom Kippur.
    Scripture Reference:
    The observance of the Day of Atonement is recorded in the Old Testament book of Leviticus16:8-34; 23:27-32.

    About Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement:

    Yom Kippur was the only time during the year when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the innermost chamber of the Temple (or Tabernacle) to make atonement for the sins of all Israel. Atonement literally means "covering." The purpose of the sacrifice was to bring reconciliation between man and God (or "at-onement" with God) by covering the sins of the people.

    Today, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are days of repentance, when Jews express remorse for their sins through prayer and fasting. Yom Kippur is the final day of judgment, when each person's fate is sealed by God for the upcoming year.

    Jewish tradition tells how God opens the Book of Life and studies the words, actions, and thoughts of every person whose name he has written there. If a person's good deeds outweigh or outnumber their sinful acts, his or her name will remain inscribed in the book for another year. On Yom Kippur, the ram's horn (shofar) is blown at the end of evening prayer services for the first time since Rosh Hashanah.
    Jesus and Yom Kippur:

    The Tabernacle and the Temple gave a clear picture of how sin separates us from the holiness of God. In Bible times, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies by passing through the heavy veil that hung from ceiling to floor, creating a barrier between the people and the presence of God. Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would enter and offer a blood sacrifice to cover the sins of the people. However, at the very moment when Jesus died on the cross, Matthew 27:51 says, "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split." (NKJV)

    Hebrews chapters 8 and 9 beautifully explain how Jesus Christ became our High Priest and entered heaven (the Holy of Holies), once and for all, not by the blood of sacrificial animals, but by his own precious blood on the cross. Christ himself was the atoning sacrifice for our sins; thus, he obtained for us eternal redemption! As believers we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Yom Kippur, the final atonement for sin.

    More Facts About Yom Kippur:

    When the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., the Jewish people could no longer present the required sacrifices on the Day of Atonement, so it came to be observed as a day of repentance, self-denial, charitable works, prayer and fasting.
    Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath. No work is done on this day.
    Today, Orthodox Jews observe many restrictions and customs on Yom Kippur.
    The book of Jonah is read on Yom Kippur in remembrance of God's forgiveness and mercy.

Friday, August 9, 2013

God’s Wakeup Call (Rosh Hashana preparation)

God’s Wakeup Call

shofar banner
On the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul (this past Wednesday),  Jews around the world began blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) in anticipation of Rosh Hashanah which will be celebrated in one month. What is the source of this custom?
Jewish tradition tells us that when Moses climbed Mt. Sinai for a second time after the sin of the Golden Calf, he was accompanied by the sounding of the shofar. Moses ascended to beg for forgiveness for the Jewish people and to receive the second set of tablets. All of this happened on the first day of Elul hence we mark the beginning of God’s forgiveness of the Jewish people by blowing the shofar. We will do so every day until Rosh Hashana.
For the Jewish people this forty day period beginning today and extending to Yom Kippur is a time that has been designated for forgiveness. We do our best to repair our relationship with God and with people. We cannot ask God to forgive us for offenses committed against other people—we must reconcile directly with them.
How did the shofar come to be such a powerful symbol?
Abraham is instructed by God to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. In perhaps the most dramatic moment in human history God tells Abraham to stop just as he is about to plunge the knife in to the neck of Isaac. God teaches us that we are to live for Him and not give up our lives to honor Him. Abraham looks up and caught in the thicket is a ram. Abraham takes the ram and offers him to God as a replacement for Isaac. Abraham has passed the test and demonstrated the depth of his commitment and loyalty to God and at the same time is taught a powerful lesson about life.
The ram’s horn recalls this incredible act of Abraham reminding us of his faith in order to inspire us to higher levels of faith and commitment. We sound the shofar and we are brought back to the great moment where Abraham, the great knight of faith, instructs us.
Another imagery that we find in Jewish literature is the shofar as a kind of spiritual alarm clock. When a person is physically asleep and needs to be up to go to school or work, they set an alarm clock. When a person is spiritually asleep he listens to the sound of the shofar. It is a wakeup call that reminds us not to sleep away our lives in a spiritual slumber. We must arouse ourselves and awaken our souls to God.
Others suggest that the sounds that emanate from the shofar represent the deepest cry of the human being. Crying transcends words. Words can only reach so far but a cry from the soul can open all doors of heaven. Sometimes we simply do not have the words to express ourselves so we cry to God to express the inner emotions and thoughts of our hearts in a way that can never be achieved through the spoken word. This is what the shofar is. Its sounds reach down in to the soul of man and reach up to the highest places in heaven.
The shofar reminds us of Abraham, it is a wakeup call and it is a cry from the depths of our soul.
Finally, the shofar is mentioned everyday three times a day in Jewish prayer. “Sound the great shofar for our freedom…and gather us in from the four corners of the world.” The shofar is the instrument that will announce the redemption.  It will begin an era where the whole world will recognize God and live in peace. Let us pray that we are blessed to hear the sounding of the great shofar!

Editor's note: I added the following photos (just because I love photos!)  Steve Martin