Godsmacked by God

I have never been an early morning-type person. I wake up when dawn begins to lighten the sky. Today it was around 6:15. I try not to tackle major projects or repairs for a couple of hours after getting up. I can function at 6:30 but do much better around 9:00. I say all of that to say that an hour ago I read an email I received during the night from England. My head is still trying to wrap itself around it and as the British say, "I am godsmacked!" Godsmacked means to be utterly astounded, astonished. As many of you know I believe God has given me an assignment to return to the UK in March to speak prophetically to the Methodist Church of Great Britain. This will be a two-week trip crisscrossing the UK to revisit the major regions where John Wesley and George Whitefield were instrumental in initiating the Methodist movement in the 18th century. I will be making prophetic decrees and declarations in each location. God has called me to re-dig the wells of revival and call forth a spiritual awakening using these prophetic decrees into the spirit realm over the UK. This is where it gets interesting and why I am "godsmacked" this morning.

I received an email from the General Secretary, Administrator & MET Connexion Editor of Methodist Evangelicals Together. The General Secretary wrote in the email, "great interest and would be delighted to hear more about your call to prophetically decree renewal within the Methodist Church in Britain. Suggesting that we might meet with you as a staff team on Zoom next Tuesday 7 December, if that works for you at 4.00 pm GMT."

This is a major answer to prayer and a huge door opening to Stir the Fire Ministry just at the right time! Of course, I will have more to say soon about this opportunity. All I can think of this morning is "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Prophetic Words to Methodist Church in Britain

Prophetic evangelism confessed over the seeds of the Methodist movement in Britain. Making prophetic confessions and decrees in person over Britain. Speaking words of faith that will bring in a spiritual harvest throughout Britain. The Wesley brothers and George Whitfield spread the seeds of the Gospel throughout the British Isles and there is no shelf life for the vision and dreams of God. This video is a challenge for believers to partner with the ministry of Stir the Fire Ministry in prophesying over those seeds sown centuries ago to experience an End-time spiritual harvest. 

 

Angels Appearing

In a materialistic world like ours, we are tempted to conclude that the only real things are those we experience with our five senses. Yet "there are things we cannot see: things behind our backs or far away and all things in the dark," said C. S. Lewis.

Psalm 103:19-22 ¹⁹ The Eternal has established His throne up in the heavens.
    He rules over every seen and unseen realm and creature.
²⁰ Adore Him! Give Him praise, you heavenly messengers,
    you powerful creatures who listen to and act on His every word.
²¹ Give praise to the Eternal, all armies of heaven—
    you servants who stand ready to do His will.
²² Give praise to the Eternal, all that He has made in all corners of His creation. O my soul, come, praise the Eternal! (The Voice)

There is another realm of reality, just as actual, just as factual, just as substantial as anything we see, hear, touch, taste, or smell in this world. It exists all around us—not out there "somewhere," but "here." There are legions of angels helping us, for which the world has no counter-measures (Hebrews 1:14). The psalmist David referred to them as a force of thousands of thousands of chariots (Psalm 68:17). We cannot see God nor His angels with our natural eyes. But they are there, whether we see them or not.

Faith is the means by which we are able to "see" this invisible world. Faith is to the spiritual realm what the five senses are to the natural realm. The writer of Hebrews says that faith is "the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). By faith we recognize the existence of the spiritual world and learn to depend on the Lord for His help in our daily life. Our goal, then, as George MacDonald once said, is to "grow eyes" to see the unseen.

Faith sees things that are out of sight.

There is another unseen source of help from which God's children can take courage when facing a physical or spiritual crisis—angels! Those heavenly hosts are called "ministering spirits"

(Hebrews 1:14), and they are instantly responsive to God's command.

Joshua 5:(NASB) 13 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” 14 He said, “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” 15 The captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

2 Chron 20:12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 15 Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Daniel 10:2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult. 7 Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. 10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”  15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me.” 18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. 19 He said, “O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, “May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia;

Hebrews 13:2 (KJV) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Change of Seasons Change of Wardrobe

Can changing your wardrobe really change your life? Of course, it can! Imagine how light and powerful you would feel if 100% of the clothes in your closet were the right clothes for you right now. Imagine that your wardrobe reflected both your personality and your personal style while suiting your lifestyle.

Your wardrobe needs to contain a selection of clothes suitable for all the possible situations that you may need to dress for. These situations are entirely unique for all of us and are ever-changing. Your wardrobe should be dynamic – it should adjust and change with your life. It is not a storage box to archive clothes!

By overhauling our wardrobe we give ourselves a chance to reimagine who we are, and more importantly, who we are going to be.

I had a favorite T-shirt that I liked to wear. It was well worn and soft, and it was my “go-to” shirt for wearing on a lazy day.

As followers of Christ, the changes in our behavior following conversion should be like a complete change of wardrobe. We should throw out the old clothes, and fill our closets with brand new ones. We should, “set [our] minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Vs. 2) The problem is that for a lot of us, we tend to not throw away all of the old clothes. Sure, we throw out most of them. We get rid of most of our bad habits and most of our sinful desires, but sometimes we find ourselves tempted to hang on to that one comfortable old shirt. We keep it hanging in our closets, and we keep wearing it from time to time. God, however, is not looking for a partial change in wardrobe. He is looking for us to wear only the new clothes He has provided us through His Son Jesus Christ. If you have a favorite old t-shirt lying around in your life – one or two things from your past sinful life that you are not willing to give up – save yourself a lot of time and trouble and just throw it away. The new clothes are in much better shape, and they will last for eternity.

Change of Seasons. Change of Wardrobe.  Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Hawk Sighting & Envisioning Your Path Ahead

Wow! Holy Spirit is moving today. Four hawks are circling over the area behind my house I recently cleared. I have been watching them as I am in the process of sending emails to pastors in the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church. I have just finished writing to the Alaska Conference pastors. One hawk landed in a pine tree very close by and then rejoined the others in flight. They fly off but keep returning. I honestly believe this is a spiritual sign from the Lord!

When you have a hawk sighting, it’s a sign that you are ready to take on a larger, more powerful expansion and vision of your world. The hawk symbolizes a need to start looking forward, envisioning your path ahead, and perhaps even preparing for a greater role in life. You could end up finding a wider audience for your talents, gifts, and ideas. A hawk sighting is a direct message from the angels that the time has come to spread your wings, to fly higher, and to expand your vision.

In the physical world, hawks have incredible eyesight, and because of that they have an association, in a spiritual sense, with the meaning “to see.” When a hawk comes into your life, it’s telling you to trust your instincts and your intuition, and let them lead you to the next step in line with your path. Note, the hawk will not lead you on a path that is not yours to follow. They are simply here to show you that it’s time to expand your own road and make greater that which already exists within you. (LJ Innes)

Seeing a hawk means you are protected. Seeing hawks all the time means you are getting a flow of ideas like a hawk does while it is flying on the wind. I have been seeing at least one hawk flying and perching behind my house each day for the last week. I realize now that this is exactly the time I have been writing emails each day to pastors about my evangelism call to the United Methodist Church!

Metron, Stay in Your Lane

 

Partners With Stir the Fire Ministry

Prophets Call Things That be Not as Though They Were

CALLING THINGS THAT BE NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE! (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17) God called Abraham the father of many nations even though Abraham and Sarah were too old to have children.

God also told Ezekiel to prophesy to bones...The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, thou knowest." Again he said unto me, "Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live." (Ezekiel 37:1-5)

Rev. Colin Smith writes, "To prophesy is to be prompted by God to speak the right word at the right time in the right way." I truly believe that I am being prompted by God to prophesy words of life to the United Methodist Church at this time. It may seem to be too late but remember Ezekiel spoke to dead bones and they came back to life! With God, it is never too late to call things that be not as though they were. Instead, we have been calling things the way they are. Where are the prophets of our day? Can these bones live again? With God all things are possible! United Methodist Church come to life! John Wesley summarized his understanding of Methodism's purpose: What may we reasonably believe to be God's design in raising up the Preachers called Methodists? To reform the nation and, in particular, the Church; to spread scriptural holiness over the land. This purpose for the UMC is still valid. Let us spread scriptural holiness and our UMC and nation will experience reformation. I am calling things that be not as though they were! Who will join me?

Spiritual Blacksmith in the United Methodist Church

 

My family name is saturated with images of fire. My Grandfather Thomas Harrison Phares was a blacksmith. He stirred the coals into flame in order to work with the metals he shaped. A blacksmith balances the fuel and air in the fire to suit particular kinds of work. Often this involves adjusting and maintaining the shape of the fire. Stir the Fire Ministry continues this tradition balancing the fire and wind of God to reshape the United Methodist Church in the forge of revival! I am committed to being a spiritual blacksmith in this time in our history.

Don't Let the Fire Go Out in the Methodist Church

 In 1979 God called me to be an evangelist. I was on a Holy Land tour with Pastor Robert A. Shelley and we were in Bethlehem. On a rooftop overlooking Shepherd's Field, I heard the voice of God in my spirit say, "I am calling you to be an evangelist. Do not let the fire go out in the Methodist Church!" Pastor Shelley knew that something significant was happening to me and asked me what did I hear? When I told him what the Lord had said to me Pastor Shelley said, "Yes, that is your gift and I witness in my spirit that you should do it!"

During my years as a Methodist minister, I had the privilege of serving as a Conference Evangelist for four years, two years as a Missionary Evangelist in Living Sound International, and four years as a Missionary Evangelist to Zambia. Even when I served as a pastor of local United Methodist churches I was known as a pastor/evangelist preaching in campmeetings, revivals, retreats, and seminars. For a total of forty years, I remained true to my evangelist call received in Bethlehem, Israel.

For the last two years, I thought those days were in the past but on Sunday I sensed God's Spirit blowing on the embers. The name of my evangelism ministry in the United Methodist Church was called STIR THE FIRE MINISTRY. I have been saddened by the direction and decline of the United Methodist Church. The denomination has drifted farther and farther away from its spiritual heritage. Our evangelical zeal has waned. The denomination is not going to survive the inevitable division. Even in the midst of moving in that direction, meaningful ministry is happening in congregations and communities.

Revival can break forth! New life can emerge. Coals that once burned brightly can be stirred to renewed flame! Now is the time to "Stir the Fire!" I believe God is renewing the STIR THE FIRE MINISTRY for such a time as this! I sense the Holy Spirit blowing on the embers. I am committed to stirring the fire. I don't know how God will cause this to happen but I cannot escape the call, "Don't let the fire go out in the Methodist Church!" The call is stronger today than it was in Israel in 1979. I am asking for partners to join me as I restore Stir the Fire Ministry.

When Will We Ever Learn?

Sigh! My heart aches and my spirit grieves for the families of our soldiers, air, and naval personnel who died in Afghanistan during the past twenty years. I am also broken-hearted for those injured physically, emotionally, and spiritually while doing their duty. Tonight I am angry because we are also reliving our departure from Vietnam. On April 30, 1975, the last few Americans still in South Vietnam were airlifted out of the country as Saigon fell to communist forces.

Where have all the soldiers gone, long time passing? Where have all the soldiers gone, long time ago? Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards, everyone. Oh, when will they ever learn? Oh, when will WE ever learn?

Could a Third Political Party Arise?

You may say I'm a dreamer...I've heard these words before. Today I have been dreaming of a nation, not led by one political party or the other but under the banner of the Kingdom of God. There are good parts in both of our political parties and well-intentioned leaders in each. Yet the differences have become so entrenched that it seems impossible to find common ground. What if there arose a new party whose platform is built on biblical Kingdom of God principles? The Bible speaks to social reform, economics, ethics, governing, justice, race relations, and much more. Imagine a leader whose every decision was made with prayer and Godly wisdom. Imagine a nation that lived under the blessing of God. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Time to Speak Truth in Love

As of this 4th of July weekend, I feel strongly that the time has come to speak truth in love and not hold back. I don't feel that I am supposed to push my beliefs on others but I know I can't worry about whether my convictions are received or rejected. If I believe God is leading me to speak on something concerning our nation, the church, or governments I am going to share it.

I am putting "The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley" on pause for now. I will be posting other videos from time to time.

I believe we need a sure word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:19). God's Spirit is speaking to the present time and to things to come. I will be sharing insights from prophetic voices God has raised up in our generation. America has strayed from our Judeo-Christian foundation established by our Founding Fathers. It is not a political issue we face but a clash of two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." Ps 33:12 "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14:34 America must return to what is right in God's sight.

Day Eight-The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

We continue to look and listen to the Charles Wesley hymn And Can It Be That I Should Gain. Wesley wrote this as one of the two hymns which followed his conversion in a home next to Aldersgate Street in London. This was three days prior to his brother John's conversion at a Society meeting on Aldersgate Street. The focus of this hymn is the free grace from God who emptied Himself of all but love and became a human and died for Adam's loss race. The original title of the hymn was Free Grace. 

The music ministry of Stuart Townend is featured in the Worship Video at the end of this Wednesday video.

Experiencing Revival Through a Hymn

 

Day Seven-The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

As we continue looking at the hymn And Can It Be by Charles Wesley we focus today on the freedom found in Christ. In stanza four Charles utilizes several images to describe how freedom comes, one from Scripture and another from a popular romance novel. He uses the prison event with Peter's deliverance and a popular saying from Eloisa to Abelard by Alexander Pope.

      Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

      Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

      Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;

      I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.

      My chains fell off, my heart was free;

      I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

God's eye diffused a life quickening ray and brought new life to an imprisoned spirit bound by sin. The prison dungeon was bright with the flame. The chains were gone and the heart was now free. This is a powerful stanza of freedom!

Day Six-The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

Today we look at one of Charles Wesley's first hymns written following his conversion at the home of John Bray, a poor mechanic. The hymn was originally named Free Grace but became known as And Can It Be That I Should Gain. The experience which occurred at the Bray home is a direct act of God. As Charles was suffering from pleurisy he heard a voice which said, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise, and believe, and thou shalt be healed of all thy infirmities." Bray's sister was commanded in a dream to speak these words. Charles heard them and got out of bed. Opening his Bible he turned to and read Psalm 40:3 and Isaiah 40:1. Both Scriptures spoke about a new song of praise to God and comforting the people of God. In his journal he wrote, "I have found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in the hope of love in Christ." He continued to be convicted that it was by faith we are saved (Ephesians 2:8). Out of this experience of the voice, reading the Scripture, and his conviction Charles wrote these first words of the hymn.

      And can it be that I should gain

      An interest in the Savior's blood!

      Died he for me? who caused his pain!

      For me? who him to death pursued?

      Amazing love! How can it be

      That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 

Day Five-The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley was the youngest of eighteen children born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley in 1707. I find it interesting that the original hymn written by him, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing had eighteen stanzas. Most churches only sing six or seven of these stanzas. The entire eighteen stanzas tell the story of Charles' conversion. I tell this story in the attached video of Day 5 of The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley. Next week beginning April 26th we will visit the hymn And Can It Be That I Should Gain.

Day Four-The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley was a poet and wrote more than 6,500 poems that became hymns beginning in the Eighteenth Century. Wesley was a master at using words to describe his own spiritual experiences. His use of oxymorons is very effective in this stanza of O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.

     Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ; 

     Ye blind, behold your Savior come; And leap, ye lame, for joy.

A deaf person cannot hear him. A mute person cannot praise. A blind person cannot see the Savior. Someone that is lame cannot leap for joy. Wesley is saying when Jesus speaks new life breaks forth to those who believe. In Christ, the deaf hear, the mute praises, the blind see, and the lame leap! Jesus makes all things new.

Day Three-The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley was the eighteenth child born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley in England in 1707. Samuel was a rector in the Church of England and each day Susanna spent personal time with each child. Charles, like his brother John, went to Oxford. It was there that they formed a discipleship group for accountability and nurture. It was nicknamed, The Holy Club. All of the hymns penned by Charles reflected the love of God he learned through his mother.

Today we look at the fifth stanza of O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing which was written in May 1739 to commemorate his conversion. The original hymn had eighteen stanzas. The fifth stanza emphasizes how new life is found in listening to the voice of the Redeemer. The broken-hearted rejoice and the poor believe.

Day Two-The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

This week is the 48th anniversary of my call into the ministry. I was twenty-three years of age and had returned home from serving in Vietnam two years before. Our Methodist church was having its spring revival and on the last night, I heard the call of God in my spirit. I responded during the singing of the invitational hymn and knelt at the altar. The evangelist knelt across from me and prayed with me. He said that he could see me preaching the Gospel before a very large outdoor crowd. This was a word of prophecy that happened many times during these forty-eight years.

I can relate to the ministry of Charles and John Wesley, the founders of the Methodist movement of the 18th Century. Both were evangelists who preached and sang. Although I am not traveling at this present time I am still sharing the Gospel through social media. Today I share the second day in the video series, The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley. 

The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley

Today the new video series, The Gospel & Hymns of Charles Wesley, began on YouTube and my Facebook page. Go to Bill Phares on both YouTube and Facebook. Each weekday, Monday through Friday, I will take a fresh, as well as a historic look at the hymns written by Charles Wesley. The theology of Charles and his brother John were clearly a critical foundation for the Methodist movement of the 18th Century in Britain and later in America. This theology was the message both desired to impart in the more than 7,000 hymns written by the Wesley brothers. Both were ordained Anglican clergy and traveled across Britain sharing the Gospel through preaching and hymn-singing. The Methodist movement was instrumental in the spiritual Great Awakening in Britain. There is no doubt that the hymns of Charles Wesley were equally as vital as the preaching in this revival. 

Each day the video will feature a different style of singing and playing Charles Wesley's hymns. Some will be traditional and others contemporary. The use of piano, organ, guitar and other instrumental instruments will be featured.

I will also be posting the day's video here on my blog. I trust that this series will be a blessing in your spiritual journey and that these timeless and treasured hymns of the Church will enrich your faith. I believe the Body of Christ is about to experience renewal and a revival of the beloved hymns of the Church. Their message still rings true in this modern time. 

    

Harvesting Quickly and Over Time

Here are pictures of the same blueberry plant.  These pictures reveal the creative power of God that has occurred in the last 19 days. Last night I sowed $1,100 of the stimulus check I received. In the last 19 hours, I have already reaped $103 on that investment. The principle is the same. What we sow is what we will reap. The only difference is one investment is agricultural and the other is financial. "God gives the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:7. Sometimes our harvest comes quickly and others take longer but they both come.

Some Seeds Fell on Fertile Soil

 And as he sowed...

"Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!" (Matthew 13:8) One tomato seed can produce a plant that can yield 50 pounds of tomatoes. A tomato has 150-300 seeds. This is definitely a hundred times more than the planted seed! When we sow financially into good ministries the return will always be more than our seed sown.

And as He Sowed

 And as he sowed...

This is the first of my daily thoughts from my new hobby of gardening. The introductory phrase comes from Luke 8:5, “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up."

My ultimate purpose for sowing seeds is to reap a harvest of vegetables and fruit. What reason would anyone want to sow and never reap? Why spend the time preparing the soil and sowing seeds if no harvest was expected? I truly am expecting to gather fresh vegetables and fruit this summer! I have a vision of a bountiful harvest in my mind and therefore I am sowing my seed. Jesus said, "A sower went out to sow his seed..."

Confession of a Recovering Perfectionist

This post is being written and shared to hopefully help anyone who may have struggled with perfectionism, and or, being a Father-pleaser. I am a Hospice Chaplain and every day I listen to dying persons share their life stories. Some share the positive moments that have carried them throughout their life and others relate the hurtful and negative experiences that have wounded them. The majority of these wounds are still painful, even as these persons are facing their own death. As a result of being an active listener, I, in turn, do my own life review on a regular basis, almost daily! I rehearse my own positive and negative experiences that I know have helped to shape who I am today.

Until about twenty years ago I was a certified perfectionist. This definition was so true of me: a person's striving for flawlessness and setting high-performance standards, accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations. I expected things to be a certain standard and I was disappointed when it fell short. I began to change slowly as I started accepting the truth that everyone and every situation is different, with different expectations and outcomes. I learned that I was not always right or that my opinions were the only way. I admit that I still have a measure of it but I purposely fight the desire to view life from a perfectionist mindset.

Another personality trait I have struggled with throughout much of my life has been being a Father-pleaser. From my earliest memory, I wanted to please my natural father. I desperately desired to please him and for him to be proud of me. I desired to not make mistakes and to have Daddy's approval. The reality is that I made many mistakes and often disappointed him. My problem is that I tried to earn his approval.

How often this is true of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our efforts to please God and to earn His approval describe a frustrating and defeating lifestyle. Nothing that we can do will ever prove adequate to obtain God's acceptance and pleasure with us. These efforts will always fall short of perfection. I am so glad I am learning each day that I can never please God by what I do or don't do but that He loves and accepts me just because God loves me. God's love is unconditional!

When we can learn to accept ourselves as recipients of this amazing grace of our Heavenly Father then we can begin to live in new freedom. We recognize that even with our imperfections God continues to love us. We are free to please Him from grateful hearts. Our response to His graciousness is life-changing. Even when we make mistakes God continues to love us. I attempt to convey this truth with dying patients, in hopes that this revelation will free them from feelings of guilt and self-condemnation. How much more can each of us walk each day in this blessing!

Endure Hardship

Hardship can mean a lack of comfort and deprivation. Some of you are often deprived of sleep. In turn, this becomes a hardship. Paul said, You, therefore, therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3.

When I was a soldier in combat I averaged only 2 hours of sleep a night. I was deprived of sleep and when I went on R&R I slept the first two days and nights without waking up. My body had been deprived and had suffered. Hardship comes in different forms but a mature Christian, like a good soldier, develops endurance during hard times. According to the Bible, hard times may come to our country in the future. Now is the time to develop endurance before it arrives!

Suffering Has Come to America

God speaks to us in many different ways. One of the ways I have learned to hear the Lord is through my Christian friends that I trust. Dreams and visions are also biblical. During the 70s I was privileged to receive solid teaching from anointed Bible teachers such as Derek Prince, Kenneth E. Hagin, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Copeland, Bob Mumford, Lester Sumrall, Bob Jones, and Ken Sumrall. I learned about the principles of faith, who we are "in Christ," spiritual warfare, healing, and the power of the blood of Jesus. Two of the biblical doctrines not taught or understood during that time were suffering and persecution. We knew that Christians were suffering and being persecuted for their faith in Communist countries but here in America, we emphasized God's blessings. There is nothing unbiblical about being blessed by God but suffering and persecution are also biblical. Both are important Bible doctrines. A study of the Apostle Paul clearly reveals the power of sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Hello America and hello American believers! Suffering is staring us in the face. I heard from God this morning through a dear friend in Christ, Joy Samford. Joy sent me a video of Devin Wallace referring to her dream from the Lord. In the dream, the Lord was revealing to her how suffering is now ahead for the people of God in America. Actually, suffering has already begun.

I immediately made a short video about suffering and quoted 2 Corinthians 1:5. For the more we suffer for Christ the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. I felt a stirring in my spirit that one of my assignments now is to bring short teachings about suffering and the role it plays in a Christian's life. I have been teaching for the past year about our need to prepare for difficult days ahead but God wants me to also teach about preparing for suffering and hardship in America. I keep hearing this verse in my spirit, Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

I believe the Lord would have me post a short video about suffering and hardship each day for the rest of January. I don't have a congregation in a building but I feel God has given me a small congregation through social media. Pray for me as I prepare these teachings and I will be praying for those who will hear.

2021 Prophetic Word

 

There will be people used by God in 2021 that thought that their days of influence were over. Some will be used in the new government of our nation and a prophetic wisdom mantle will be placed on their shoulders. Government leaders will seek your counsel and you will see new paths of direction even before they materialize. The new government will be built upon the integrity of God's Word. Words of God will flow profusely from Washington, DC to state capitals, and then will trickle down to towns in every state. No longer will the Bible be muzzled in this land. The coming great awakening of the eyes of Americans in January will make way for the Great Awakening of the Holy Spirit.

Do not be surprised if your debt is eliminated during this year. Watch as our present currency is overhauled and becomes valuable again. It will become more than a promissory note on printed paper. The Bible described the cancellation of all debt as the Jubilee Year. Not only was it a year when debts were forgiven, but the mercies of God were also particularly manifested. In 2021 the currency of Heaven will be mercy on our nation! Imagine a nation where we owed no man anything but to love one another. Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13:8