The City Gate

Planning for Your Future?

   What concerns me about time seeming to go so fast anymore is that many people don't realize how important it is to plan for their future. I don't mean day to day or year to year stuff that satisfies the carnal/physical nature, which leaves spiritual matters vulnerable and unattended. I mean they don't plan for eternity. "Now" isn't very long in the grand scheme of things. I suspect many people don't even know we have a spiritual entity. If they do and have heard what Christians believe is good news, they have excuses to reject it.
   For instance, too many are just interested in the now and getting ahead and being comfortable in life. I believe the most important decision anyone can make is to believe in and receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour. There are many reasons they don't. It would be strange to think that they have never heard of Him - in America. They probably have heard something - but have many objections. So they say, "Well, not now - some other time."
    We sing a song in our "One Accord" group...entitled, "Plenty of Time." (Plenty of time to decide where I'm bound, to eternal darkness or to a Heavenly Crown, I'm just a young man not yet in my prime, so I'll just wait, I've got plenty of time.)
   Or, people think I'm just too bad a sinner to change or I can't be saved, which is not true. We've all sinned and come short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23 Another excuse is I'm too busy, and I'm doing the best I can. Our best isn't really good enough. Only God's best - Jesus' birth, death, resurrection and shed blood is. The blood of a perfect person can cover our sins and satisfy God's standards. God can not look on sin or directly at the sinner, but He can through Christ.
   Another over-used excuse is, "Well, there are too many hypocrites in the church." My husband has said, "There is always room for one more." Or, someone may have thought, "I'm a good person and a church member, and attend regularly." Not everyone in the church is a child of God. That's where we must understand that it's not a building that meets God's requirements. Our spiritual man - our heart (our souls) - must be renewed to the Word of God, and become Born Again.
    Some have protested, "It is more than a one time prayer; it's a journey." However, it starts with the prayer of faith by choosing to ask Jesus into our hearts and thanking Him for forgiving us. We have to believe who He says He is and what He has accomplished for us. Romans 10:9,10
    It's God's will that we become more like Christ and that happens as we submit to Him. God wants to give us the power by giving us the Holy Spirit to do that.
    Here is a thought to ponder from Billy Graham:
 "When we come to Christ - God calls us out of this world's sin and confusion. But then He sends us back into the world - not to share any longer in its sin and spiritual darkness, but to bear witness to the light of Christ."
   We hope you will read God's Word and accept His Love into your life in a deeper measure.

"The year of the Gate was in '08"

   We asked you to expect something to happen in reference to the prophecy that '08 was the year of the "gate," perhaps nationwide and worldwide. In our lives several things opened up for us, but, we remembered our final remark very well in the article that: "most important of all - Jesus is our way through the 'gate' to Heaven"; and we'll add, He's the way through all the new gates along the way.
   Jim had open heart surgery in December '07; operations in early '08 for 3 aneurysms, and a hip replacement in August. The mass on his lung is shrinking and we claim that as a huge miracle. Repairs are being made on our home and our basement flooded. We are trying desperately to keep the "gates" for our lives open for Jesus to enter. He has sent angels several times to help Scott. (Thanks Mark, Max and family members for all the additional help.)
    We hope you were able to join us in The National Fast for America the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Next year, plan on it and please send emails and make calls to everyone you know, and pray about it with us. Thanks. Some great organizations are picking up on it, also.
   The new exciting opportunity that seems to have opened up to us for '08, '09 and'10 is the revelation about the prophecy of a revival more powerful than the one which started in Topeka, Kansas, in the early 1900s. It moved to California and back across the nation. It's described in a book I happened to hear about and ordered on the remarkable miracles which happened on Azusa Street in California from 1906-1910, where God's Shekinah Glory fell! Fire was seen shooting up from the building and fire falling from the sky. The Assembly of God (A/G) church denomination started from that era. We've attended one in Indianola since the early '80s.
   I accidently talked to Tommy Welchel, the storyteller who wrote the book called Azuza Street - well - Maybe the conversation wasn't an accident. He gave us permission to print the entire book in The City Gate, which we'll start soon!
    Other Pentecostal groups came from those meetings, also. We were originally Methodist and Baptist folks and learned from their roots. We didn't know a lot about the background of the A/G Church. It's so exciting because it was prophesied that the book I'm referring to would be published 100 years after the Azusa Revival and it is copyrighted 2006. What an open "Gate!"
    Then, it is prophesied that there will be another revival even greater than the one at Azusa where the former and latter rains will meet, 100 years from then; ushering Jesus in! Look at the calendar! That is now.
    Please join us in expecting and preparing to experience the move of the Holy Spirit in an even greater measure in our lives!
   If you don't know Jesus personally, now would be an excellent time to invite Him into your Heart, and ask Him to forgive that original sin and current ones.  
Joyfully His

"Intro to Tommy Welchel book about Azusa Street"

    I recently learned about a book that gives details on the Azusa Street Revival held in California, in 1906-1910, where there were many miracles and the Shekinah Glory appeared. I will explain what they believed the Shekinah Glory was later. I'm so awed by the revelations in this book. I love it. Billye Brim did the forward on Tommy Welchel's commentary on the activities and interviews of the participants. The Youth and Children of Azusa Street tell their stories to him, who is the story teller. He was given a prophecy in the 1960s that his book would be published on the 100th anniversary of Azusa. And, apparently there was to be another revival, one with the same magnitude or greater in 100 years. That time is now!
    I will also mention a few of the highlights for me as I've read through the book. First, I believe, that the Azusa Revival has touched my family, many in our community and me, since the 1970s, when Brown's Chapel started, and there was a Lay-witness Ministry in the Methodist Church. We sat under the ministry of an evangelist from California in 1969, who changed my family's lives. We received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at that time. I would never want to go back to being simply a born again Christian, even though we experienced some difficult times. It has definitely been a growing experience. We still have much to learn. I've said if we quit learning our bodies are dead.
    In 1903, three years before the Azusa Revival, Topeka had a great awakening when Dr. Charles Parham started a Bible College and many who were hungry for more of God received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Most of the students participating were young people. A young man, Mr. Lankford, from California, somehow heard about the experiences in Topeka and journeyed there to receive knowledge of this movement, and he received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In turn, he took the experience back to California to a group of people who were praying for an outpouring of God in their lives.
    I am trying to go through this book and write important details, since we may be the people the prophecy will affect in days to come. We definitely need to hear this message in order to determine if we are to be included and find out what our place is in the history of this new movement. I think it's interesting that I discovered this book at this time.
    The Shekinah Glory is something I have wondered about and studied for some time. They described it as the physical manifestation of the elements that form the sanctuary that houses the very presence of God. That was the uniqueness of Azusa, and makes it different from other great revivals and movements.
    The prophecies said that around 2009 or 2010 the manifestation would occur again and perhaps usher in the intimate return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The revival lasted about three and a half years; and Jesus ministered on earth about three and a half years. The Shekinah Glory was like a mist or a cloud. You could see it and be in it, but could not contain it. I will say more about it next month.
    In the meantime, be praying to be ready to be a part of the next revival. May God give us all a hunger to know Him and be that close to Him in these coming days. I'm hoping we can print this book a chapter at a time soon, or that you may find your own copy. We do have an address if you are interested. These are certainly exciting times. Read II Chronicles 7:14 and it will explain that God evidently has a formula for this outpouring. I have read that verse many times..."If my people..." God has promises, that depend upon our conditions most times.
    We read according to the above Azusa prophecies that 2008 was the Year of Preparation!  

Time

   Can't you just feel time rushing by? It's as if we need to reach out and try to stop it or put up a barrier to protect ourselves. It's January 1st and then it's February 15th. You say, "where did January go, and here it is the middle of February!" Seems the same with every successive month.

   We must not let time stop us from living life to the fullest, under God's Graces. As life speeds along we must be conscious that He always takes the lead and is "ahead of the game." Yet, He is always close to us. He knows exactly where we are at all times.

   Probably people with chronic pain and heavy burdens and unforgiven sins, find time goes slow for them. We don't understand why some people receive healing when prayed for and some do not immediately. I've read reasons why this is possibly true. We will consider some. It is not to condemn ourselves or others in examining our situations; it's just trying to compare and understand facts; and to try to learn why God permits satan and his demons to harass us. I believe we will find it is always for our good and defeats satan in the long run. As we wrote last month, there are two forces in existence. Good and evil.

   Satan doesn't need an open door/gate to come into our life for he knows what buttons to push to get us upset. We have authority to resist him. Luke 10:19 Our walk with God is progressive; it is a full-time job. God doesn't want to take anything away from us but He does want us to be in a position to receive His blessings and sometimes He has to step aside and allow our enemy to tempt us to resist God. Many of God's promises have conditions.  

   Here is a short list of ways God uses to get our attention: sometimes it's that we need to remain humble and to develop our faith. II Corinthians 12:7-9 Other times we need to be over comers with His help. The trials when overcome will bring rewards and strengthen our faith. I John 2:13.14 Also, there are times when we need to be taught how to standup for our beliefs and when we have done all, we will stand. We can grow closer to God through conflicts or turn away from Him. There are times we need to repent of our wrongdoings. Otherwise, in our stubbornness we would continue on the wrong road. Hebrews 2:13 Many times we simply need to repent, and accept our forgiveness. Luke 13:3 We need God to open "the gate of righteousness." (Our theme this year is the gate.)

   The most important reason of all God permits satanic attacks is to demonstrate the power He really has over the enemy to our souls. Ephesians 3:10 God will never leave us or forsake us, but we might leave Him, if we get discouraged and decide not to trust God anymore - in every situation.

   There is a contest between God's Kingdom and satan's for our souls. Isaiah 40:3l; Matthew 40:31; Acts 13:6-10 [And it's a bigger deal than any Olympic games.]

Is it truly a game of life?

   Do we believe there are things happening that will or won't have some impact on our lives now and in the future? We don't live very long before we realize we have to stand up for our own rights. Babies, even, who can't talk, let their care takers know they want something they can't get by themselves. As grownups, we face many challenges. In order to satisfy our wants and desires, which we don't have, we use many methods to obtain them. Some things come easy and some we struggle to get.
   There are two forces in this world. Each force makes demands which forces us to choose between them. We must experience their consequences most times in order to find truth until we mature in our faith. One force brings with it joy and love and peace. The other we feel stress through floods, fire and earthquakes sadness, hunger and despair. Not that we can prevent them, but we can find strength in the midst of trouble. The Bible is the only book which gives insight to show us which is of God and which is of the enemy - the devil. It gives us wisdom and the opportunity to understand truth from God's perspective. There is The Force of God and Faith, and there is the force of wrong and doubt.
   We humans inherit an enemy to our souls, just as God had an enemy in the beginning of His Plan for creation. His enemy wanted to take over His Throne, and God had to eject him from His presence. His name, as we know him is satan. I, personnally, hate having him around in any shape or form. And we know he has many disguises. We must understand that God gave us free wills and the ability to choose whether or not to follow the enemy, or God, with His help. We discover there are ways in the Word to deal with our enemy...yes, James tells us we can draw close to God, first of all - then resist the devil and he has to flee. Without going into detail, I know that works. 
    In Luke 10, we read that God also gives us authority to tread on the enemy...that I may have to try. In these last days, before Jesus comes, we will have to use every tool God has available to us.
   The instructor, Himself, is always available to us, with spiritual weapons and armor ready. Jesus gives good instructions and they are always timely...cause our enemy "ain't goin' away" 'til God casts him into the pit prepared for him and his workers. 
    Read the instructions carefully. We have to do things God's way for The Force of good to work. We are not playing games...of make believe. The game of life is real; believe that!

"Words"

    Michelle called today for an article. I told her for the first time since I started writing for The City Gate that I didn't have one. I sat down Sunday afternoon to do one and fell asleep. I tried last night and fell asleep.
    It's not that I don't have ideas, but I need God to put them together.
    I know we humans are surrounded by words. Words are where ideas come from, so I'm not lacking that.
    We have to put phrases together that make sense. Most of the words we hear will be forgotten, but good suggestions and ideas won't. Our purpose on earth is to prepare for eternity so I don't want to waste time and energy on vague and weak ideas.
    I truly want to please God and give Him glory. The best words and the most powerful ones come from His word.
    Abraham Lincoln said, "If I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend 6 sharpening my axe." Spend time reading about truth and you'll find one you can safely use in everyday life.
    God will reward those who use their energy and talents to give Him glory. Utilize every means to fill your thoughts with truth. And be a person of your word.

"Which is it; you or Jesus?"

   Perhaps we would all like to just snap our fingers and have all the problems in the world, just go away. And there are many. In fact, sometimes it seems they're getting more pronounced and more frequent. There are storms, fires, earthquakes, diseases, etc., for example. One well-known personality is attempting to do just that. The new plan, formulated, which probably isn't so new, has a course in miracles...including 365 lessons. The lessons instruct the reader to affirm that they, rather than Jesus are the light of the world; that god is everywhere and in everything, including in themselves, which actually He can be if we invite Him to live is us, and accept His forgiveness of our sins. I think they really believe, though, that the person can be god. Think about it. The plan is dedicated to total thought reversal toward our faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the World.
   Another, well-known personality from the Southern Baptist faith, who is not living anymore, made an important statement. There are only two types of people-categories to follow: you or Jesus. We must decide how we wish to line up...to follow our self alone, or choose to follow Christ alone. Every religion, aside from Christianity, actually does that for us, under the disguise of a god we can control and make or force to be like us. Christ is always then placed in a limited position...not being the Son of God or the soon coming King.
   We are to submit to the one true living God who demands that we become like Him. He is a God of Love.
    We humans like to be in charge, so when someone comes along and tells us we can be our own saviour, we're tempted to jump for it.
   Ideally, our Creator God has a design much better than we could ever design for ourselves, or dream of, or be capable of instigating. We are not everywhere, all-knowing or all powerful. One would not be wise to fall for the line that there is no evil power in this world. There is good and there is evil and we would need to be blind, deaf and dumb not to believe that. Do not be foolish. Look at the facts. With Jesus, we find we can have Peace in the middle of the storms. With His guidance, we are able to stand and not faint. Until Jesus returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, there will always be war between good and evil.
   The Bible is the greatest book to live by. It holds the solutions for life. Why would we want to find other ways? If we want God's true thoughts for ourselves (to think about), we must read, study and absorb His Word. If we just listen to other people and do not think for ourselves (on a matter), our information is second-hand; and our thoughts are second-hand. Our thoughts are what make us who and what we are, and we should protect and guard them.
   The Bible is an accurate account of God; His Plan; His Wisdom; His Dreams. Nothing can substitute for personal Bible study and prayer. To have the mind of Christ is a powerful spiritual weapon. Our attitudes are shaped by biblical truth as we understand it. It will stand the test of time and eternity.
   Don't be ashamed of putting your trust in God's Word. It never requires an apology...it is current with the times - past, present and future. "It's as fresh as your morning newspaper and more trust worthy," Jim says. That makes it unlimited first-hand power. God's Word retains energy, waiting to happen.

Miracles Continue

   We never get tired of sharing Jim's miracle with his lung this year. The mass is shrinking and will be checked again in three months. It is a wonderful miracle.
   Do we all understand that John tells us God wants us to be above all things prosperous and in health? III John 3:2-4 Man is spirit - he has a soul consisting of mind, will and emotions; and he lives in a body of dirt. One can have prosperity of all three: spiritual, mental and physical in this life.
    Our Spirits must be quickened when we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Our minds are renewed by the Word of God. Our bodies will go back to dust when our spirits leave our bodies at death. Our bodies will be recreated and glorified when Jesus comes back for His Church. Some of our understanding is veiled while we live on earth, but we will see clearly in eternity. The main thing we need to understand and do now is to accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord; invite Him into our hearts; and live for Him. John 3:3 We will be brought into fellowship with the Father, Almighty God. Then our Spirit Man can be in control and not our old nature. Then our imaginations can be cast down and God will bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. II Corinthians 10:4-5  It will be the same with our will and emotions. God wants us to have healthy attitudes, be subject to Him and be submitted fully to Him. We can freely make up our own minds and be pleasing to Him when we are His.
   It is very important, though, that we do not allow our minds to become empty and allow just any idea or thought to enter. We need to be in control. Who knows what could enter in and taunt us and trick us into believing false doctrine. Our thoughts and actions must line up with God's Word. Philippians 4:8 There are laws governing everything in existence in the natural and the spiritual. We don't believe things happen by accident. Although, to us there seems to be accidents. There are mistakes governed sometimes by our choices, but that is why we need God to be our guide. Proverbs 30:5
   It is important to have faith which is a spiritual force. We discover it is energy and power and can be trusted. Without faith we can not please God. Gravity is a natural force and without it we would all float off into space, and that would not please man. Gravity cannot be done away with but it can be manipulated, for instance to allow a plane to fly, the law of lift can be applied. Don't believe that there are no absolutes in this world.
   I am not sure we understand the total consequences of salvation when we receive Christ for our lives to be transformed to His likeness, but it is so exciting and like our first love. It is pure love to fall in love with Jesus and let Him be our Lord. I pray God will help us grow in our faith. There will be testings in order to grow in our faith. Some things to remember are: He will never leave us or forsake us and He will not allow anything uncommon to man to come into our lives that we can't handle with His help.
   One major thing we will need to understand - is that through this life, faith is needed to believe God's promises to us as believers are true.
    Dig into His Word of Life and find your own promises from Him.

Be God's Valentine

   Someone recently wrote that too many Christians are afraid to speak out and defend themselves and their faith. Sometimes I think they don't need to, because those who speak out against them prove there is a God, or why bother. Christians know God is listening and often ask God to forgive their enemies and save their souls for His Glory. Christians shouldn't react like the enemy. We are told to love our enemies; not hate them. It's not easy to love and forgive. Our enemies take the more traveled road to nowhere. Those who chose not to follow Christ and His teachings will someday listen to God and it won't be to hear, "Well, done My faithful servant."
   Soon we are going to study in our class about the Crowns Christians will receive at the judgment. Maybe when we do I'll list some of them in this column. We Born Again Christians believe Jesus is to come back in the clouds to receive His body (His Bride). He is coming back for the "overcomers"; to me, we each have to ask, and decide, if we've overcome what He's asking of us, individually? He is coming back for those of us who are watching for Him. We'll get a crown for doing so!
    At the end of the Bible it says, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus." We will get new bodies and will rule and reign with Him forever. These are exciting times, but not as exciting as it will be in eternity. It's worth waiting for. So—Stop! Ask yourself who you believe Jesus really is. I have been studying what many believe outside of the Christian faith. Everyone, bar none, has Jesus Christ in a different comprehensive explanation or category than what the Bible says. Most say He is a good man, a prophet, or just a spirit. To them, He doesn't have anything to do with getting us to Heaven or touching us with His grace to forgive our sins or to heal our bodies. Truly, He is the Son of the living God. If we believe that and invite Him into our hearts, our lives change. It's fantastic - the difference it makes for now and eternity.
   Any time the Lord leads, to fast and pray for America and our families, please do so. God will welcome it. The upcoming election certainly needs attention. God cares about us humans on this earth and He is preparing a very special place for us to live someday with Him. Why should anyone miss it? We don't have to, but we must live our lives according to His instructions. The Bible is His instruction book. If you can't understand it, it may be because you're not born of the Spirit, or are very young in the Faith. Sometimes we can only take milk. Don't worry. You'll grow and take meat soon. Just keep studying.
    Years ago, Jim got a new heart with salvation. In December, a new heart with surgery. Then too, doctors found a mass on one of his lungs, but the last CT scan showed it is shrinking. A real live miracle; and a wonderful Valentine present.
God wants every one of us to be His Valentine.

"The Journey"

  When we come into this world, we are governed by our natural and physical senses: seeing, smelling, tasting, feeling and hearing. If we experience any of those emotions or lack any, we believe it must be true.
    We are experiencing the birth of a new year. So, unless we are "born again" of the spirit, our senses limit us in our understanding in our finances, political, social and physical lives.
   Being a Christian is an adventure and a journey. Sometimes, actually most times, if we would admit it, we struggle with subjecting ourselves totally to the Biblical God of the universe. Sometimes we try to find a god who lets us do what we want. We bring that god down to our level rather than letting Him [the true God] draw us up to His.
    But when we do submit to the Father, we begin that journey that is so exciting and leads us to truth. If you want peace and hope, give your life to Jesus Christ by inviting Him into your heart and hang on. No adventure can compare. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. I'm interested in full truth, as all of us should be; although we might not always like it.
   I wish people could get along; I wish there didn't have to be sickness and sadness, but we live in a world where evil mingles where good is, and blends into shades of grey many times as the god of this world tries to deceive and bring harm to our physical bodies. We're made out of stuff that is easily tempted to satisfy our flesh.
    I am so thankful that our family has been born of the Spirit because we had a huge shock on the early morning of the 6th of December. Jim had a mild heart attack and had bypass surgery on the 10th. He is doing well, but our entire life style has had to change. For instance, he always did all the grocery shopping and now I must do it for a time, plus look for healthy food.
    We know that our bodies will return to dust, but our spirits and souls live on forever. Yes, our bodies are made of soil. So if we think of ourselves being good soil, we know that is where things grow if it is cultivated and nourished in God's Word. God plants the fruit of the spirit in our soil. First as a seed. As the fruit develops, people can see Christ in us and know that we are Christians.
   It is our desire that God receive the Glory for what we are facing and have gone through. We are trusting God for courage and guidance in our new journey....