First of all, I’m thankful for the call God put on my life even before I was born. The Holy Spirit has been at work in my heart all my life and He called me to be a born again member of God’s own family. God continues to work in my life and will make sure I get to heaven safely because I trust in Him. It was God Who gave me the Dream, Vision and Purpose of my life’s work, and it is He Who enables me to keep doing it as long as He gives me strength!
Even though the going gets rough in life at times, we are tested and purified by fire:
1 Peter 1:7 ESV So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But after that, comes the greatest restoration of all:
1 Peter 5:10 ESV And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
I’m thankful that God hasn’t left us out in the cold about the End Times. We are now entering the days that God told John about in the Book of Revelation, and He has given us the ability to understand those days and prepare for them ahead of time so that we won’t suffer unnecessarily. This is a large part of my life’s work and purpose; a work that could not have been done without those who God called to go with me on this amazing journey.
More than ever I am so thankful for those who have faithfully walked by my side; men and women like Ben, Andrew, Mondo, and Maricela, who work every day to produce and edit our programs, doing whatever it takes to broadcast around the world. I wish I could tell you about every member of our ministry team and all the guests on our television show, and my wonderful board of directors, but it would fill a book. Without them and my faithful friends who pray for me, watch my program, and support my ministry, I would still be in a prison cell and not back in public ministry.
I’m thankful for my wonderful family. God has blessed me with children and grandchildren – Ricky, Marie, Claire, Lil’ Lori, Maricela, Jamie, Tammy Sue, James, and Olivia my kids – who are the joy of my life and make my journey so worth traveling, even though bumpy at times.
I’m thankful for my wife. I could not find a better wife or mother to care for this amazing family and to work by my side and minister with me every day than my beautiful wife, Lori. God does restore!
Lori’s Mom, Char, is the best mother-in-law any man could have and she has been by our side helping to guide and direct our ministry through calm and troubled waters. Having my sister Donna, who has been looking out for me for more than seventy-two years, living here in the Ozarks, and Lori’s brother Mark, my grandson James and just recently my cousin Pat, editor extraordinaire, also working with our ministry is, as Lori says, “more than I could ask.”
I’m thankful for all the interns in our broadcast ministry school who help me on a daily basis and are building the “Generation NOW” network to reach this generation.
I’m also very thankful for each and every one of you. Without your love and support, our ministry would not have grown as much as it has and our television show would not even exist!
Most of all I’m thankful for Jesus, the One who never, never, never left me; nor will He you!
Love,
I am very thankful that God restores ALL people that sin and ask for forgiveness. He forgives just like that if He knows your heart is right. I’m thankful for the people in my life, that when I sin, they forgive me just like Jesus does. I’m thankful when I hear other people forgiving one another. I just hope that other people that put people down when they sin know that THEY are sinning because Jesus said if you don’t forgive others, He can’t forgive you. We ALL make mistakes. Isn’t is great to know that all we have to do is ask for forgiveness, and mean it, and our Lord will forgive us? This Thanksgiving, I’m going to forgive anyone that I had sinned against, even if they did something wrong to me. I want to be an example of Jesus and make all relationships right, even if the other person doesn’t forgive me. It’s not easy, but think of our Lord and what He would want you to do.
Thank you Lori and Jim for being examples of Jesus and being “real” and repenting instead of trying to pretend all is perfect. Way to go!!!
I recently was privileged to see Jim & Lori at my church in NJ (Jonathan Cahn). What a powerful testimony they both had. I can only pray God’s increase and best for them. God’s love literally Emin ates from them. They gave me strength and encouragement for my present ordeal. May our God continue to guide,keep and bless all that pertains to them.
I would like to join you in THE PRAYER OF AGREEMENT that all of the activities of
THE JIM BAKKER SHOW etc. will ,IN JESUS NAME , continue to grow and prosper
more than you could hope for or imagine , AMEN AND AMEN