Be Ready to Live and Be Ready to Die

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Last Days

This title may sound like an apocalyptic message and it may well be – in more ways than one. For today, we will focus on the message dying to self. It’s time for the Church to understand that being the Church is not always about prosperity, your gifts and callings, or even your church and its ‘vision’ except that they edify or build up the entire Body of Christ. It’s time for the Church to understand what being the Church means.

Years ago, when I came out of prison, I began to warn people of the dangers of falling in love with money. And today I’m finding there is even more that needs to die within religion and the religious hearts of those within the church. I’m not calling for anybody to do anything that I’m not willing to do myself, so this message has come to me first and now I use whatever means I have been given to share it with you.

It’s time for the foolishness of building kingdoms unto men or climbing the church’s social ladder to cease. It’s time for lifting up Jesus and Him alone. It’s time to put away the minor things, and take up the major things. It’s time to eat the meat and be weaned of milk. It’s time to understand the seriousness of the hour. It’s time to grow up in Jesus.

A full-grown, mature Church is one that unites herself in one accord in the ministry of the saints and in the ministry unto the Lord. Self is not just laid aside, it is put away, it doesn’t exist and can’t. Self melts away into the greater good of the Body. It is without individual identity except that we know one another by our love. The spiritual recognize each other by their love for the greater good of the Body, not the manifestation of the personhood of an individual.

Have you ever experienced the kind of love that is irresistible? Irresistible love is a term many have thrown around without a lot of depth. But the kind of love the Lord has for His Bride, manifests itself differently than anything we can produce in our ‘self’. The Lord’s love is irresistible. The Lord’s love covers, heals and restores and melts away our ‘self’. When you encounter the Lord’s love, you will die to ‘self’ quickly and without resistance because it is absolutely irresistible. You are a part of His Body and you will recognize others by their love!

John 13: 34-35″A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

More to come…….

The Cutting Edge Church

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Last Days

I believe the Church should be on the cutting edge. When you think about what that statement really means, it means to be razor-sharp and out front. The sharp edge is what goes first and cuts through obstructions so you can get to the vital target.

Sometimes the cutting edge is in revelatory teaching and preaching which we believe in doing here at Morningside. But more often the cutting edge is in action – you have to DO SOMETHING to complete the process! Faith without works is dead!

I have often said that we (the Church) should not be the victim in the end times. We know from the scriptures and from the signs we see in the earth and in the heavens that catastrophic things will occur and are occurring every day. We have the Word of God that illuminates (shines the light on) these things.

So, because we know what is coming, we should be proactive! The government should not be taking care of us – we should take care of each other! Pastors of local churches cannot take care of all the people. It will be too much for one man. You ALL will need to help one another! That is the definition of the Church being the Church.

Jesus said “you will know them by their love” for one another. Loving one another means doing the best we can to not only profess our faith, but to take action to first prepare, and then to protect and provide for the family of God. And not only should we take care of one another, but we should be able to give to others. I learned many years ago that you will never be able to minister to a person’s spirit until their hungry bodies are fed.

Jesus said the end of the age is the Harvest Time. When you think about the awesome plan of God to bring many people into the Kingdom at the end of the age, you have to marvel that we, as the Church, are entrusted to execute much of that plan. I don’t know about you, but that’s an awesome privilege and an even greater responsibility. One that requires a very sharp edge – a cutting edge.

Morningside Vision

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Ministry Updates

Within the vision for beautiful homes and lovely surroundings at Morningside, I see a community that is knit tightly together in all things. Most of you know that I teach and proclaim to the Body of Christ that there are perilous times to come. When perilous times come, a Christian community is a place not only of refuge, but also of strength, fellowship, and spiritual power. It offers hope for difficult days and practical help for making it through tough times – together in Christ.

As I have stated in my book “The Refuge”, “in the days ahead, the only place you will find the help you need will be the community of believers, the church, the refuge.” Morningside is being developed with a vision for the New Testament pattern for the body of believers and for discipleship. Morningside represents an exciting portrait of the Body of Christ as it was meant to be – and an inspiring invitation to all believers to experience the fullness of God working in their midst.

The vision for Morningside includes individual homes, apartments, condos and an RV park nestled within the natural beauty of the Missouri Ozarks. There is something for everyone here. We designed it that way for you and your loved ones.

Morningside represents New Testament Christianity applied to twenty-first century living.

Security cannot be found in money, materialism, or church infrastructure. Our true security rests in Christ and in His family, working to overcome the obstacles of life. Morningside represents the Body of Christ, gathered together in one accord, to bear one another’s burdens, to open our hearts to a fresh outpouring of God’s supernatural presence in our midst.

We must learn to love one another with a fervent faith that counts everything as joy and transforms every difficulty into an opportunity to live out the love of Christ.

We are busy here at Morningside with building and developing the infrastructure for a beautiful community of believers. If your spirit resonates with what is going on here, we would love to have you come and preview Morningside and all it has to offer. Just as the body needs every part, we will not be complete until every part is here, working together as a vibrant, living organism – The Body of Christ – in action!

Something Beautiful

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Last Days

Yesterday I stood and looked in wide-eyed amazement at the beauty of my oldest daughter, Maricela, who is getting married in August. She was standing in the bridal shop with her beautiful white wedding gown and veil, modeling for me and her sisters. She was astonishing – she truly took my breath away. Just for a moment, I remembered the day I saw her when she was 18 months old at the top of a stairway, filthy from head to toe. My first thought was to run and get her so that she didn’t fall head-first down those stairs! You see, nobody was caring for this child.

That’s the way it is in the ghetto. Almost from birth, you’re on your own except maybe for an older sibling’s attempt to do what they can to feed and clothe the younger ones. At four years old, my son, Ricky (now 13), cared for his little sister, Jenny who was 2 years old, the best he could. He stole food for her and hid it to have something to give her to eat later. He found a place underneath a porch to hide her from the rain and storms. You see, in the ghetto, all that matters is the drugs and the next high or fix. The children are a nuisance until they are old enough to contribute to the lifestyle – that is, in some useful way.

So, tiny Maricela had stood at the top of the stairs that day in complete abandonment. She was alone to fend for herself at 18 months old! Hungry, filthy and in danger!

What a total contrast she was today in her beautiful white wedding gown, glowing in the peace of her life in Christ, preparing for her Bridegroom!

My heart was so full of love and thanksgiving to the Lord for this beautiful child, now grown up into a lovely and happy woman, soon-to-be the wife of the absolute most wonderful man in the entire world for her! I was overcome with gratitude to the Lord for the opportunity to raise her, love her, and see her married to a Godly man.

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Only God can give beauty for ashes! Only God can take the circumstances of a little girl’s life and change them so dramatically for her good!

Jim and I are so very thankful that God trusted us with Maricela. We are humbled that He gave her to us for a reason (her well-being), a season (until she is given to her husband) and a lifetime (always to be our daughter!).

Morningside is Expanding

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Last Days

We are busy getting Morningside ready for more people! As most of you know, I’m all about preparation. Many years ago, God called me as a watchman through the prophetic word. Today, more than ever before, I am about my Father’s business preparing a people and a place… with a passion! Morningside represents a new day dawning for the Church and new hope.

A form of the Greek word for “quickly” (tachos) is used eight times in Revelation (1:1; 2:16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:6, 7, 12, 20). As I have been teaching in my Thursday night series “Revelation”, things are happening very quickly in the world we live in and things are happening quickly here at Morningside! In fact, Jesus says He will do a quick work in the last days. Whether it is helping to put a Master’s Commission student through a year of college, helping Bill Ballenger, our International Youth Director, reach teens in his crusades or distributing food to the local community here in the Blue Eye/Branson area, we are about our Father’s business.

This year at Morningside, cabins are being built, new apartments and condos are now available, Mr. Crawford is busy making plans for the RV park, the waterfall is being built near the entrance to Morningside, and many other exciting things are happening including a new hair salon on Grace Street and a soon-coming fitness center! We have recently fully equipped our game room, we are building a shuffleboard court, the kids are loving the volleyball court down by the tabernacle, and the picnic pavilion is ready to host the summer’s activities. The Grace Street theatre is also being readied to show Christian films every evening.

The Morningside community is expanding and Morningside Church is growing!

So Heavenly Minded

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Last Days

Has anyone ever heard this old saying? It’s fairly common among the ‘full-gospel’ or ‘spirit-filled’ denominations. It means, in essence, that some people are so consumed with high and lofty spiritual behaviors and ideals that they can’t come down to earth long enough to take care of necessary practical matters.

Do you remember in Acts 1 where in verse 11 the angel of the Lord asked, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? It is referring to one focusing just on going to heaven instead of doing the work of heaven. It is saying why are you looking for heaven to come when there is work to be done? It does not ridicule spiritualism, in fact, the opposite. We must work until Jesus comes, but too many have the cart before the horse. Too many sit on the pews of churches week after week and never do anything for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom. They are led to believe that because they have stated that they are believers, and maybe they do mentally accept that Jesus is the Son of God, and have done all that the Bible claims, but never live their faith, believing that they are saved.

Faith is the tool of God by which we carry out what we believe. Faith without works is dead! People are not being taught the right way to worship God, and prepare for the coming events. We need to stir people up with the love of Jesus that they will share His love with a lost world. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.”

I found out long ago that you will never be able to minister to anybody’s spirit until you have fed their hungry stomachs. If they need clothes, you need to clothe them. If they need a bed, you need to help them find one!

Most believe that work is something that can be overlooked. If Jesus said, “HE MUST WORK,” then I believe that we must as well. Is a servant greater than his master? Not many mind saying, “I must be born again,” thinking once born again, God cannot deny them. Born again means to become spiritually born making one spiritual. And if you are truly spiritual, you are not satisfied with only your own salvation. You take seriously the great commission to “go ye into all the world and make disciples”. That commission requires more than just spirituality, it requires work.

Masters Commission Graduation

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Ministry Updates

On Sunday, May 30th, we graduated the pioneering class of Morningside Media Master’s Commission (MMMC)! As part of their training here at Morningside, the MMMC Class of 2010 was responsible for ministering to over 20,000 high-school students inside their high schools and over 1,000 said the sinner’s prayer to be born again just in Michigan alone! This is what our MMMC school has done: they produced, directed and hosted over 90 hours of their own broadcasts in their very own program titled “Safelock” which is soon to be syndicated around the world! That’s quite an accomplishment for a first-year class!

I am as proud as if I gave birth to each one of those children! Parents, family and friends were glowing with pride and admiration! It has been an amazing year and God has given us amazing grace! Lloyd Ziegler, the founder of Master’s Commission and Lori’s mentor, delivered a stirring message via video to share his congratulations and to exhort the class. He told the students that this graduation will be a launch to go out and be world changers for the Kingdom of God.

We had a very special rose ceremony for Dee and Jerry Crawford, victorious warriors who have given all to the vision of Morningside and to Master’s Commission. Without a builder, you have no building, and without a vision, people perish. And Dee and Jerry Crawford have stood with me in this vision throughout this year, and that’s why we honor them!

Lori shared that this Media Master’s Commission is a brand new baby because the focus is almost entirely on media! Though Master’s Commission is not new, there has never been a Media Master’s Commission before – we pioneered the program here at Morningside with the help of our partners and friends. It was designed for young men and women who want a career in Christian broadcasting. Their training consists of every aspect of television from camera operation to performing arts to talk shows geared towards the youth of today. Within the very first week, they were running cameras, shading, directing and producing television shows.

When I helped pioneer Christian television 45 years ago, God gave me the vision to leave a legacy and train up the next generation, a generation that will not compromise the Truth and will be passionately preparing a people for the Prince of Peace to return! This will be the generation that will usher in the coming of the Lord! They will guard the Truth of His Coming and be messengers who herald it!

My message to the students was from Esther 4:14. You have come to the kingdom for such a time as this! NOW is your time! Where you’ve been wounded I’m giving you authority to bring healing to other people. He will take your mess and turn it into a message. He will take your pain and turn it into gain. You made it, others have given up. The reward goes to those who finish the race!

We are doing all that we can to declare the soon coming King! We are teaching and training, equipping and exhorting! We are sharing everything the Lord gives us with you to help you be ready for times ahead. Our faith is not in words only, but in action to research and offer you the best of what we find to help you and your loved ones through every circumstance.

Hear the Word of the Lord with us! Get ready NOW with us! Test all that is said and done, and hold tight to the Truth!

God loves you, He really does! And we love you too.

Understanding our Times (Pt. 2)

By Jim Bakker | | Filed in Teaching

Understanding Our Times – Part 2

The Bible in 1 Chronicles 12:32 says the sons of Issachar had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” READ MORE →

“Frightening for Some”

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Last Days

On a recent show, my brother, Mark Graham, was reading the news headlines of tumultuous world events to our listening audience when he made a very profound ad-lib statement. He said “it’s frightening for some – encouraging for others.”

Isn’t it true? The times we are living in are frightening for those that don’t know Jesus. But for those who know Him, they are anticipating His return with great joy! Mark spoke from his heart, a heart that knows Him and delights in his soon-coming King!

Be comforted in the knowledge that the Lord reigns even in the midst of all the turmoil in this world. Be joyful that we know, by all these things which are happening around us, that He is soon to return and we will be with Him forever!

For the Christian, this is the good news! As Jim likes to say “the good news is the bad news is the good news”. In light of the events in the world recently, that statement is so true!

Luke 21:25 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

“My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

“I trust in You, O Lord…. My times are in Your hand.” Psalm 31:14-15

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7

“And I heard … the voice of a great multitude… saying “Alleluia! For the Lord god Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’” Revelation 19:6-7

Are You Available?

By Lori Bakker | | Filed in Teaching

A profound statement I have often used is “it’s not your ability God is looking for, it’s your availability”.
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

In my testimony, I tell people about how I was delivered from a wasted life of sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. In the beginning of my Christian walk, I often wondered about my life’s purpose and just how I could be used by God. I knew He had saved me and healed me for a reason. I knew in my heart that my testimony was important to encourage others who were still caught in that kind of life.

But the enemy of my soul (satan) would accuse me and tell me that nobody wanted to hear what I had to say. I used every excuse I could think of to shrink away from the call of God on my life, but it was no use. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God didn’t call Moses because he was a great orator – for Moses stuttered. God didn’t call Esther because she was a heroine – she feared for her life at first. God didn’t call Jonah because he was obedient – he ran the other way! And God didn’t call Lori Graham Bakker because she was a stereotypical preacher!
I learned that my availability is all that He needed. He didn’t ask me to be a great orator. He didn’t ask me to be a heroine. He didn’t ask me to get a degree in theology to add to my credibility with the religious. He was not satisfied with just a little piece of Lori – He asked me for my all.

When I gave Him my all, I didn’t know how He would use it and it wasn’t for me to know. Sometimes God will ask us for our availability and wait to see if we respond. If we give Him our all, He will take it and make something wonderful of it. He made my willingness to tell my story into a great healing ministry. He took my shame of a sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll life and brought glory to His own name through my brokenness.

You see, He saved me with His love. It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance, and now I can’t stop telling others of His great love. Love conquers ALL. And now I can only say ‘yes’ when He asks me to be available to tell of His love, His healing, and His restoration.

Remember, God is not looking for your abilities, He is looking for your availability.
Lord, I thank you for your great love towards me. I know in my heart that your love conquered every fear I ever had, healed every wound and empowered me by your Holy Spirit to be bold to tell others of You. I pray now for every person who reads this, that they would be completely overtaken by Your great love; and that they give themselves without reserve to Your purposes for them, that You will be glorified!