I have hundreds, if not thousands, of sermons in my files that I have accumulated over the course of my life. Just last July, we celebrated my 50th year in ministry. Over the course of 50 years, those sermons in my files represent countless hours of study and prayer and what is called “labor” in the Word.
I can say without hesitation, that I did get some of my sermons from others or copy them. We all did back then. That’s how the prosperity message grew and spread. In these last years I have gotten them by getting alone with God, study and prayer.
Before things came apart at Heritage USA and I subsequently spent 5 years in prison, my sermons comprised an array of topics as they should have. However, some of those sermons needed adjustment and correction after I studied what Jesus really had to say about money, and I’ve talked about that extensively in my book “Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse.”
First, God made a major adjustment in the way I viewed prosperity. Then, He taught me that His priority for my preaching was really the Revelation, because these are the Times of Revelation. He infused me with compassion for lost and hurting people as well.
These Revelation lessons didn’t come from my pre-prison days or when I was on top of the mountain. They came from those long days alone in a prison cell, the valley days when I studied the Words of Jesus from a different viewpoint. When you’re up on the mountain, things will look much different than when you’re in the valley.
I can imagine the course of the Apostle John’s life and I’m sure that he dealt with many spiritual subjects, until God arranged the circumstances of his life so that He could get John alone and reveal the Revelation to him.
That’s what God did for me. He arranged the circumstances of my life so that I would focus on those things He wanted preached. An old high school friend wrote to me when I was in prison and she said, “Reading from the depths of your heart, I believe God is preparing you so when you are released, you will have a new ministry for which you will be especially prepared. And upon your release, you will have a certainty of how God wants you to use your talents for Him.” She was so very prophetic in her words.
Today, when I preach the Revelation, many people say “Oh Jim, why do you try to scare people? Why don’t you lighten up? Sure, things are bad and we can see the escalation of many things talked about in the Bible, but why do you have to remind us ALL THE TIME?
Here is the short answer to all my naysayers:
1 Corinthians 9:16-17 NIV
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
That means also Revelation… the Now book! Some do not like tribulation talk, but it’s not the bad news! Jesus is coming soon, to take us to our heavenly home. It’s the most exciting time in the history of the world! We should be watching, waiting and preparing for His return!
Revelation 1:1-3 KJV
The Revelation (Take the cover off, uncovering, unveiling, disclosure!) of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; (Shortly – Greek – Fixed, brief place in time – When happens will happen quickly or one right after another!) and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is(is not in Original text) at hand.
God arrested my life and put me in a place where He could show me His priorities for the Last Days. That includes the preaching of the Revelation, which is Good News to those who are looking for His return.
Woe to me, if I did not heed His leading.
Bless
Blessing is Lifting People Up in Prayer
to the Perfect Plan of God their Creator
and Seeing it Come to Past
The LORD Bless you, and keep you
The LORD shine upon you, and give you grace
The LORD lift you up and give you peace
Bless Do Not Curse
Matthew 5:44
Bless them that curse you
Luke 6:28
Bless them that curse you
Romans 12:14
Bless and do not curse
Blessing is a God’s Work
A humble man or woman blesses
They Live in the Light
They Lift People Up to God
They Live in the Fear of the Lord
They Speak Eternal Truth
Definition of Bless
To hallow or consecrate by prayer, religious rite or word
To invoke divine care for
To give a blessing: the intent and will of GOD
To Praise, Glorify
To speak well of: Approve
To confer prosperity, peace, health, safety, security or happiness upon
To Protect, Preserve
To Endow, Favor
Cursing is Satan’s Work
A proud man or woman curses
they live in darkness
they tear people down under idols
they live in the fear of men and women
they speak lies, facts and history
Definition of Curse
To harm or injure someone by prayer or word
To invoke divine judgment as to punish someone
To blaspheme the Lord’s name
To speak evil of: disapprove, cut people down
To confer poverty, misfortune, sadness and death upon
To injure, destroy or get retribution
To have God’s disfavor
Bless Do Not Curse
The LORD will Bless you, and keep you
The LORD will shine Light Truth upon you, and give you grace
The LORD will lift you up and give you eternal peace
Hi Jim, I have been supporting your ministry and getting prepared for over a year now. Few people around me seem to think the preparation is necessary but I am confident for my family it is. I am happy to see the ministry at Morningside growing, and I am supporting Lori’s house too. I would just like to encourage you to keep moving forward and your eyes on the prize. The Lord is with you and Lori, and the team. I think you are in danger of looking back too much as you mention being persecuted for the past so often, and am persuaded of the scripture in Luke, 9: “He that puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.” I know the context is different, but it is the scripture that comes to my mind when I hear you struggling with the great losses you experienced in the past and the criticisms you are no doubt experiencing even today because of them. Lately you have been referring to them a lot, and when you do I feel a sinking in my insides and a temptation not to continue to listen. Please don’t give the evil one that much credit. It’s not your trials that matter, and they should not be defended. It is His victory in you, over them that matters. We bless you and and pray for you in your new work, as do all who are supporting you. We know your past and many of us have walked somewhat a similar path as you have. Remember, “in many things we all fall”. You do not have to defend yourself now, the Lord will do that as he proves his warnings to be true in the future. Look forward to a good “finish”. You are running a great race and we are cheering you on, and looking forward with you too.
Pastor Jim, this is not in response to ur teachings just information I do know of a Holy Ghost Ministry That has had a home for unwed mother’s and They take them in as an alternative to abortion, Our god is so faithful God provides 3 meals a day for the young ladies see’s them thru the delivery of there baby or babies and provides a safe place to raise there babies until they are able to provide for there baby on there own I have heard great testimonies I have witnesses the Home in action usually Deacons or elders, there wives are the overseeers of the Home as it is a full time ministry of its own Its located in Baltimore Md when I first learned of it was when I needed descipleship and my pastor refered me to the Men,s program, plus the Pastor was my youth pastor in Va beach here’s alink to the womens program http://hidingplacemd.com/hiding_place/Welcome.html the hiding place has sewould be more than willing to help save babies sincerly in him MRen more than 900 babies born into God’s beautiful world the link comes from Rockcitychurch.com Just thought if u have questions about what worked best for them I know the pastor personally and feel if u have a need with program infrastructure I belive they
While watching your show today, seeing you weep as they sang God of the mountain, God of the Valley my eyes filled with tears. David Wilkerson preached a sermon. A target of Satan’s envy. God has had his hand on you for many years. Satan knew it and was trying to stop what God called you to do. Your ministry now is greater than it has ever been. God allowed the valley, but he’s God of the Valley. What the Devil meant for harm, God is using to save many lives. You and Lori are real people. People can relate. There is in you at times a brokeness and humility that would cause the hardest heart to want the Jesus who has never, never, never left you. God Bless You, friend
Woe is Me – Part 8
Woe to me, if I did not heed His leading.
Dear Sir,
Again your ‘Woe is me’ series as covered some very important ground in ‘preaching the gospel’ to all people, everywhere.
I believe your life experience puts you in a very good position to excel your ministry to great heights. The revelations that our lord god almighty has given you sir, has instilled the truth of Revelation and heaven inside your heart, and the power of the Holy Spirit within you is awesome.
Preaching the gospel in a positive, ‘the wrath of god’ way is a good way I believe. When you find hidden treasure, and you need to reveal this truth to the flock or ‘children of god’, it’s a bit difficult to quietly communicate the gospel of Jesus. Naturally we would call out, and the majority who ignore them appeals would result in the preacher shouting louder; and still they don’t hear. Why? Like Isaiah said their hearts are hardened which has made them spiritually deaf.
Woe to me, if I did not heed His leading.
From my electric bible I chose Revelation chapter seven verse seventeen which shows the believer that Jesus leads us to heaven. If we don’t follow Jesus then ‘Woe to that person’ becomes a probability.
The above verse reads:-
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (KJV).
Thank you for your inspiring words,
God bless,
Stephen.
Staffordshire, UK.
Pastor Jim,
I thank God that through your valley experience of 5 years in prison you can now be a blessing to His Body, the Church. Stay the course. I pray that the Holy Spirit will give us all “ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
Dear Jim,
I love in Skiatook Oklahoma and last night we had a 5.6 earthquake. We were laying in bed and the earth started shaking. This was the largest quake in our states history. The last one was in 1952. The weather forecasters have said that this year we have had the most snowfall in one day along with a blizzard. The coldest temperrature in our states history. The fastest wind with F-5 tornadoes. The biggest hailstone. Severe flooding and then the worst drout. Now we have had the strongest earthquake. This is exactly what you have been preaching would happen. Thankyou for your obedience to sharing God’s word! We are storing up food and sharing the news with others so that they will be prepared for the days ahead!!!
We just had another earthquake in Oklahoma. This was a 4.7. We are also having severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding. I made a comment on facebook about Matthew 28 and how we will have earthquakes as a sign of Jesus return. I said that those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus don’t need to fear. I urged people to seek him if they don’t have a relatioship with Jesus. I got a private message from a lady who was afraid for her and her family. People are looking to us for answers when the world is falling apart. Thankyou Jim for imparting your knowledge into us so that we can share it with others.
Kari,
I felt the earthquake as well in OK. I did not know at first what was occuring. As it went rapidly through my mind, a storm, tornado, the army base firing artillary, a home invasion, to the final thought, oh it’s an earthquake.
I wanted to share the overwhelming sense of peace that came over me. It was a great time of revelation and soothing comfort as the spirit said;” Did I not tell you? This is me fulfilling my word. “Yes, even in your town. An Earthquake.
Continue to seek God and as he reveals himself to us; we can be secure that he has alerted us to prepare for this time of trouble(s). There is more coming, but it excites me so to see this unfold before my very eyes!
Pastor Jim, When we read the major and minor prophets in the Old Testament God gave them the message for the times there were in and what was coming in the future. Just today a fellow minister and I were discussing this subject matter. A couple of conclusions we came to are:
1) We preach and teach as God leads us and not according to what itchy ears desire to hear.
2) That our teaching be relevant to the times we are in and what is coming in the future.
3) That we draw out God’s message for application in the world we live in and not take the world we live in into God’s word to water it down or dilute it according to man’s traditions and customs.
4) We approach people in love and not be judgmental. Love the people, hate the sin. God’s attributes are love, restoration, reconciliation, renewal, and regeneration. He desires no one to perish, but one day his wrath will come.
These are just a few of what we discussed we discussed. It is so important to me have a mentor in my life. From watching your program I know you exceptional people you are able to talk with. What a true blessing it is.
I would much rather deal with God’s truth than some false teaching, blatant lie, or any other kind of erroneous teaching. I can cope because of my hope!
You do as you are led! You answer to God, not man! God Bless! Mike
We need more of this. Thank you!