Today is #GivingTuesday! As I prepared a newsletter I was prompted to encourage and even inspire our ministerial family and fellow workers, our partners, rather than look to our needs to look to the vision and the fruit which the vision has  produced thus far.  As I contemplated this I thought I would use this as an example and encourage you to consider doing what I did. I looked back in order to see ahead.

It's Wise to Make a Regular Spiritual Assessment
 It's always near the back of my mind that I will one day give an account (Rom. 14:12) for how I stewarded my life and that there are eternal rewards (Rev. 11:18 & 22:12 and 2 John 1:8).  My friends, our time here is so short when compared to the riches of eternity.  

Jesus admonishes us in John 15:16 that He wants fruit and fruit that will remain.  In other words long term results.  Lives that are impacted in such a way so that they to impact eternity as well.  In fact, God just doesn't want us to impact lives, Psalm 137:14-17 and Jeremiah 1:5 reveal that God has planned a divine destiny for each person.  You and I each have an assignment.  Vision helps us articulate that assignment.

Use Your Vision and Missions to Look Back
Your vision is your overall target, your overall assignment.  Your missions describe how you will accomplish that vision.  Therefore, I use our visions and missions to judge what is produced.  Are the results contributing to the overall assignment. 

As I look back, I want to consider two scriptures.

1. Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2. Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

There are somethings that I need to repent of and put under the blood of Christ.  I need to forget those things and think upon the results that produce those things which are praiseworthy.  So I don't dwell on mistakes which I've repented of. I want to learn from the experience without dwelling on it and remember the practices which produce long term fruit.  

So looking back requires discernment.  Don't dwell on things you ought to be forgetting and remember, even meditate upon those things that are praiseworthy.  Think about the results and what was produced that brags on Jesus!  What glorifies His name?  What did you do that perhaps was an answer to a prayer He prayed or exhorted us to do?

Wisdom Gazes into the Future but only Glances at the Past!

We love the scripture in Psalm 2:6-9 that prophesies of Jesus who will sit on Zion and rule over the nations with a rod of iron.  If I've heard prophetic intercessors, prophets or ministers proclaim it once, I've heard it thousands of times. 

But what is it?  I mean, the revelation is powerful! But is there a practical way for us to put our faith in action today and bring this into reality?  If you understand what the word translated "rod" in the Hebrew is and you let the Bible interpret the Bible you can.  

What is it
So what's the rod of God?  It's God's people proclaiming a timely word from our Lord.  

So what is the Hebrew word translated rod and what does it mean?  It's the Hebrew word sebet (Strongs h7626) and it means to branch off; a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or a clan:  a rod, sceptre, staff, or tribe.

In fact, this Hebrew word (h7626) is only translated 'rod' 34 times in the Bible where as it is translated 'tribe' more than 140 times.  It is 7x more frequently translated people and I could easily swap 'rod' for 'tribe."  Then Psalm 2:-9 would read;

“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a TRIBE of iron..."

The scripture also says; 

It's been two days since the mid-term elections in America and I just saw this newsletter from Mario Murillo "It Happened Again."  Millions of born again Spirit-filled Christians voted for the Democrat Party.  Many Christian's treat discussions about political party like they treat discussions about sex, money and racism because the PC  culture led by the Left leaning socialistic Democratic party has said Christianity and Orthodox Judaism is not welcome there.  

While they may not use those terms exactly, their policies, positions, rhetoric and people they promote scream that.  Yet, many people who claim to be Christians vote for them.  Some are in blind ignorance while for others its an unholy alliance initiated by those whose greed or lust for power blind them to God's word. 

Ministers & the Fear of Man
I've had the opportunity over the last 27 years of ministry to interact with some prominent national and international ministers. I've been shocked at times at what I've seen or heard behind the scenes.  I'm shocked because my moral compass is set by God's word and I marvel sometimes at how far their words and actions veer from God's word.  

I can extend mercy and grace towards the every day Christian who may act in ignorance, but I have no patience for ones who consider themselves ministers of the gospel.  They know better.  As minsters, James 3 makes it clear, we are held to a higher standard.

I can't tell you how many times over the years I've heard a pastor make a statement like this; "Well, we have both Democrats and Republicans in our congregation so we don't talk about politics."  Do you know what the real motive is behind that feigned since of wisdom?  It is fear.  It is the fear of conflict.  It is the fear they might not be liked if the present the truth. It is the fear that people will leave and that means they'll take their money to.    

  So let me ask you a question?  

For years we've sought to mobilize prayer around the world in the spirit of the restoration of David's tabernacle.  Acts 15:16-17 tells us that is what will precede and end time harvest.  Last year the Lord really began to challenge me to prepare for a third Great Awakening!  

What does that mean?  I believe it flows with a prophetic word Bob Jones gave just prior to his death.  He spoke of a "billion soul harvest" of young people starting around the year 2020. 

As believers we are called to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20).  As a minister of the gospel, I'm called to equip disciples to make disciples (Eph. 4:12).  

So I've been challenged to compile our 26 years worth of ministry experience in a Kingdom Academy. It will consist of a:

• Bronze - Boot Camp
• Silver - Intro to Ministerial Training
• Gold - Advanced Leadership Training

Our philosophy of ministry is teach and do.  Therefore this will not be like a typical Bible school or college in that we'll major on applying what you learn as soon as possible.  We educate and activate!  We train so you can reign!  In other words, we want to see you progressing producing results.  Here's some of the lessons we'll cover.

Matthew 25:34-36 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...."  

Wisdom Ministries is part of the KLI family of ministries. Apostle Charlene and her team have been ministering at the Washington Corrections Center for Women for years.  It's marvelous to see Christ working in and through these ladies. The last time we were there we saw a transformed woman with a life sentence leading worship.   Truly, those who are forgiven much love much.  

This Christmas eve we'll join her team in a special service and we are giving these ladies and guards 80 copies of our Hebrews 6 Foundations course. Our goal is to equip disciples to make disciples who make disciples and that is how this workbook is designed. It is an equipping tool.  

The Course was Translated into Telegu

​It's Halloween, Reformation Day and a week before the elections.  The occult's role in this election and society has become more and more public.  The war between light and dark, right and wrong, good and evil, God and Satan has never been more pronounced in my life time in American society. What can a real Bible believing Christian do? 

Put on the Armor of Light
Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

How
Romans 13:13-14
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Reformation Day vs Halloween 
Halloween is an occult celebration commercialized in the West.  Many covens and practitioners celebrate the dark arts this day.  Simultaneously it is also Reformation Day.  What is Reformation Day?  It's the day that the monk, Marin Luther nailed the Ninety Five Thesis to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenburg Germany.  

Week Before the Mid Terms
The antichrist spirit is moving more violently, with more hatred and antisemitic behavior than ever.  The antichrist agenda stands in stark contrast to God's agenda which He chose Trump to steward in this day.  Pray, God have mercy upon this nation and we'd see a Red Wave sweep this nation and protect the moral righteous gains we've seen thus far and that it would continue to appoint righteous judges and overturn the murderous funding of Planned Parenthood.  

Pray for the veil to be lifted & Gods light to shine in their hearts. 

• 2 Corinthians 4:4
• whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
• 2 Peter 2:19
• And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

Jesus is the true light and John 1:12 says "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:"  

Pray for a harvest of disciples for our Lord

The other day we were driving to the store listening to Christian radio.  It was one me, me, me song followed by another me, me, me song, followed by another..... until finally I heard one song that glorified our Lord and worshiped Him. The focus was all on Him. 

Then I noticed I had an "aition" stirring in me.    I'm not quite sure if it was frustr-aition, irrit-aition, or inspir-aition or a combination of all three. But it is my hope to plant an aspir-aition in your heart by the end of this.  

There is a trend among Christian artists whose songs are played on Christian radio and also in many churches. Its seems like the lyrics and focus of the song is me, me, me, me.... Help me, bless me, heal me, save me, prosper me..... me, me, me, me!  You know, almost everything we do today in a modern worship service is focused on blessing the people. Helps, healing, teaching are all good and necessary. God loves and cares about ME and every other "me" that is out there.

I hope you don’t misunderstand, but the worship service, where we sing, lift our hands, praise Him and worship by bowing down, kneeling or giving tithes and offerings is the only part of the service focused on Him. We give Him so little when He is worthy of so much.  He is worthy of all praise, all thanks, all glory and all honor. 

Personally, I love the songs that focus on Him. I want to hear Him, Him, Him, Him, in modern day hymns!  Did you catch the word play?  Or I want to hear the song focus on His word so that as we sing we are proclaiming His truth; His word! 

Scripture says:

OneHope is led by Steve Buss and his team in Eugene/Springfield Oregon. They've been using the 1Church1Day strategy in their network since 2015.  They've got 40+ churches working together to lift up a canopy of prayer over their community.  Following our strategy they have 10 councils of leaders representing the 7 spheres of society who help inform them as to what to pray. 

Kaylee, who is part of the OneHope team just sent an email saying:

We had a really significant answer to prayer last week.  Please read, rejoice, and be encouraged. It's the first testimony on the "Answer to Prayer" document. 
 
The fire chief (on our first responder strategic team) called Steve three hours after the near-tragedy to give glory to God. And the city manager (on our government team) texted us that morning saying, "please don't let One Church - One Day stop praying..." 
 
We're humbled by the way God is using our prayers.    
 
Kaylee

What follows is their "Answers to Prayer Report" which describes the miracle that occurred when firefighters were ambushed by a shooter in Springfield Oregon.

How about the news?  It moves from crisis to crisis as major media competes for ratings, politicians compete for power, businesses compete for customers.... the list goes on.  Bottom line, they are all competing for your time and money as that translates to power, wealth, control and pleasure for those who capture it. 

The question is, what's your motive?  What is their motive?  How does a Christian determine what to pray and how to act?  How do you navigate this life so that you reach the destiny God planned for you so that you may hear these glorious words, "Well done you good and faithful servant.... enter in to the joy of the Lord. (Matt. 25:23)"

Moral Compass
The key is to filter every situation through the lens of scripture recognizing that our moral compass struggles with the the same thing a real compass struggles with.  It's called deviation. Deviation is introduced through the magnetic attraction from this world and it introduces error. We can correct for that error once the true is known.  

Each person't moral compass is impacted by the attraction of this world as well.  Deviation is determined by comparing a situation in this world with the truth and determining how far off it is.  Then we know how much correction must be introduced to ensure our moral compass is calibrated and points to the truth.  We do this by holding up a situation, an action or a motive and looking at it through the corrective lens of scripture.  

If we fail to correct deviation our moral compass will point us the wrong way. We will think we are doing the right thing, and going the right way but we'll be disappointed and frustrated.  We won't reach our goals.  We will end up in places we did not plan to go because our compass is in error. It's off. Not only will it impact this life but we may miss out on reaching our eternal home in heaven if we do not re-calibrate our moral compass with the Truth.  

It is important to remember that:

• In every sphere of society such as media/entertainment, government, business ect. that there is a war that is being waged.  It's heavenly battle that spilled from heaven to earth as Michael and his angels cast Satan and his demons out of heaven.  (Rev. 12:7-12)
• Revelation 12:17 reveals.... "he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
• The issue at hand are the souls of men and women and their eternal destiny in heaven or in hell. 
• The nature of God.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life!  It is impossible for God to lie and God is love and demonstrated that through Jesus sacrifice on the cross.  (John 14:6, Heb 6:18, 1 John 4:8, Rom 5:8)
• Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy.  He is the father of liars, murderers and deceivers.  (John 10:10 & John 8:40-45)
• A spiritual man or woman is called by God to judge all things (1 Cor. 2:15)
• We will recognize a false minister by their fruit/character (Matt 7:15-20, Gal. 5:19-23

With these things in mind we are prepared to look at the current situation in this world concerning the mid-term elections and the migrants from Central America and other countries heading towards US southern border?   Remember that:

• Media competes for ratings
• Politicians compete for power
• Businesses compete for customers
• etc.... and they are competing for your time, attention and money!

Does the Bible shed any light on how to respond to these situations? 

CNSNews reported how witches are gathering together to corporately put a hex on Justice Kavanaugh on October 20th. I'd like to submit to you two observations along with a Biblical way to address this threat.

First, could the battle lines be any clearer?  It began with the BBC News reporting in 2017 in "Witches cast mass spell on Trump." Now, they are turning their attention to Justice Kavanaugh.  The Democratic Left sought to use lies, false witnesses, deceit and slander to stop this justice from being confirmed.  If we consult Matthew 7:15-20, John 8:31-45 and John 10:10 it's easy to recognize these are characteristic of Satan's handiwork. 

Second, who are the witches siding with?  Clearly they stand with the Democratic socialist loving left.  I'm highlighting this in memory of a pastor friend of mine from Florida who recently went home to be with the Lord.  He described to me his conversation with a relative of his who insisted he could be a Christian and be a Democrat.  My friend highlighted how that the Democrat Party platform implemented and defended policies and laws on some moral positions that were in direct conflict with God's word (ie. abortion, marriage and sex verses gender identity).  

At the core Christian means Christlike.  Christ cannot go against the Word of God!  PERIOD!  Candidly, I was born into a family who were Democrats.  As I reached voting age I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Little by little I began to learn about the ugly history of the Democrat Party (ie. slavery, Jim Crow, opposed women voting, proponents of abortion, & opposed traditional marriage) as well as the history of the Republican Party (ie. it was formed to free the slaves, gave blacks the right to vote, gave women the right to vote, opposed abortion, stood for traditional family...) I switched parties during the Reagan presidency primarily because the platform aligned with God's word on major moral issues which the Democrat Platform opposed.  Why?  

It was because of 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 which says, "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."

In the last decade I feel like the Republican Party leadership left me.  The platform on major moral issues reflects by values but the leadership in general had begun to say one thing but do another.  For example, many Republicans were voted in based upon their promise to overturn Obamacare and defund Planned Parenthood.  They had another chance in August of 2018 but, The Hill Reports, "GOP too busy to be bothered with defunding Planned Parenthood."  That is an example of what I mean. Therefore, I've become an independent.

Why?  Because the question is not is God standing with the Democrats or with the Republicans.  The question should be, who is standing with God regarding each issue;  you, the Democrats or the Republicans?  Personally I want to stand with our Lord no matter what. 

Jesus said in Mark 3:23