Important Word from Pastor David

Important Update from Pastor David…

First I want to correct a misunderstanding that occurred this past Sunday. During the time Jackie was sharing about the significant role the Holiness and Pentecostal movements played in bringing revival to North Carolina, she inadvertently mentioned the latter day saints along with these movements in reference to their all being in the great cloud of witnesses. After speaking with Jackie, it quickly became obvious she was not referring to the Mormons by her mentioning the latter day saints. Instead she was referencing all the last day saints who are currently in that cloud of witnesses. Jackie was unaware she even used that specific term in her comments and was very apologetic if she caused any offense through her misspeaking.

Actually knowing that a number of people were concerned with that statement is encouraging in that we all are to be as the Bereans, who according to Acts 17:11, were eager to receive the word spoken through Paul. However, every day they examined his words to see if what he was saying was true.

Jackie has a great passion for the assignment God has uniquely given her, along with others called to this type of intercession. Hearing her passion reminded me of Josiah in the Old Testament who, if he had not done what he did, the reform God had planned might not have occurred.

I am sure many wondered what Josiah was doing running around tearing down shrines (monuments/altars, etc.) that had been dedicated to false gods and idols and had provoked the Lord to anger (see II Kings23:19). All of us have a specific and different role in seeing God’s purposes accomplished on the earth.

Next, this experience, although innocent and unintentional, leads to the prophecy I promised I would send out this week. This word was first spoken in 1965 and addresses the subject of false apostles, prophets and deceiving spirits that, according to the Bible, will increase in these times.

The actual word was how these men would speak what is right and true to win the support of the people, however soon the people would be led away from the truth into deception. This is a warning any genuine seeker of the Lord needs to hear and heed. The bible addresses deception as a ‘roaming away from the truth’.

The prophetic word begins with the promise of a great revival sweeping this land that will be followed by a time of great darkness, temptation and persecution. The revival was to prepare this nation for what would immediately follow.

I first came across this word over 25 years ago but recently saw it again from what I believe was a publication of IHOP. It’s interesting that just this weekend FOX NEWS featured a program with the sub-title, ‘CHRISTIANITY UNDER ATTACK’. Of course the focus of the story was upon Mosul, Iraq where Christians were given limited time to either convert to Islam, pay a tax, leave the city or be killed. Reports are that the city and area are now absent of all but a few Christians. The report on FOX continued to ask the question if Christians worldwide would soon be targeted as is the case in the Middle East.

Christian persecution has suddenly become a front page headline and should encourage us to be praying for Christians all over the world, who as I write this, are suffering greatly for their faith.

We also must remember that Jesus had a lot to say about this subject to His disciples. Without apology, Jesus spoke of persecution so that when it occurred they would remember what He told them and therefore not be made to stumble. I hope you will take the time to read the entire prophecy that I believe is timely for today.

Thanks for all of you who are a part of the Gathering. A great number of people have and are continuing to gather for the great fulfillment of God’s purposes for these unprecedented times. If you were their Sundayyou were reminded how not only were we created for this time, but in addition, WE CAN DO THIS!!! His grace is more than sufficient and these are the days we were made for!

We Love each of you and are honored to be serving Jesus the King together. There will certainly continue to be great challenges, but endurance is something the Lord highly commends and is a prerequisite for walking in the inheritance and promises of God. Hope to see you at the School of the Supernatural this weekend. Remember that no registration is required for Friday night and Sunday morning. These two meetings are open.

David and Shirley

The Coming Glory and Deceiving Spirits

Prophecy given at Elim Summer Bible Camp – New York in the Summer 1965

By Stanley Frodshams (who had travelled with Smith Wigglesworth)

When I visit My people in mighty revival power it is to prepare them for the darkness that lies ahead. With the glory shall come great darkness. For the glory is to prepare My people for that darkness. I will enable My people to go through because of a mighty visitation of My Spirit. Take heed to yourselves lest you be puffed up and think that you have already arrived. Many shall be puffed up in that hour as in the days of old. For many then did receive My message, but they did not continue in it. Did I not anoint Jehu? And yet the things I desired were not accomplished in his life.

Listen to the messengers that I will send, but do not hold any man’s personality in admiration. For many whom I shall anoint mightily with signs and miracles and wonders shall become lifted up and put upon a pedestal, but they shall fall by the wayside. I do not do this willingly, for I have made provision that they might stand. I call many into this ministry and equip them, but remember many shall fall in that hour. For Babylon shall not stand. They shall be like bright lights, and the people shall delight in their ministries, but they shall be taken over by deceiving spirits and lead many of My people astray.

Hearken diligently concerning these things, for in the last days shall come seducing spirits. (1 Timothy 4: 1) They shall turn many of the anointed ones away. Many shall fall through diverse lusts, and because sin abounds in their lives. But, if you will seek Me diligently, I will put My Spirit within you. When one shall turn to the right hand or one shall turn to the left hand, you shall not turn with them.

My people must be diligently warned concerning the days that lie ahead. Many shall turn after seducing and deceiving spirits. Many already are in the midst of the body seducing My people. It is those that do righteous that are righteous. Many cover their sins by their great theology and their great theological ways. But I warn you of seducing spirits who instruct My people in an evil way.

Many of these I shall anoint, that they may purify and sift My people, for I would have a holy people. Many shall come with seducing spirits and hold out lustful enticements. You will find, that after I evicted My people again, the way shall become more and more narrow, and few there are that shall walk therein. Be not deceived, it is the way of the righteous that is My way. For though Satan will come as an angel of light, hearken not unto him.

For those that perform miracles and speak not righteousness are not of Me. Those that have large crowds that follow them, but speak not of purifying and holiness are not of Me. I warn you, with great intensity, that I am going to judge My house, and have a Church without spot or wrinkle when I come. I desire to open your eyes and give you spiritual understanding that you may not be deceived, but may walk in uprightness of heart before Me, loving righteousness and hating and despising every evil way. Look unto Me and I will make you to perceive with the eyes of the Spirit the things that lurk in darkness. They are not visible to the human eye. Let Me lead you in this way, that you may precede the powers of darkness and battle against them. It is not a battle against flesh and blood, for if you battle in that way you will accomplish nothing.

But if you let Me take over and battle against the powers of darkness, then they are defeated and liberation is brought unto My people. I warn you to search the Scriptures diligently concerning these last days, for the things that are written shall indeed be manifested.

There shall come deceivers among My people, in increasing numbers, who speak for the truth and shall gain the favor and the hearts of the people.

For the people shall examine the Scriptures and say, “Is not what these men say true?” Then, when they have gained the hearts of the people, then and only then shall they bring out their wrong doctrines. Therefore I say unto you and warn you, ‘Oh people, do not give your hearts to men, nor hold people in admiration, for by these very persons shall Satan enter into My people.’ Watch for the seducers. Do you think a seducer will brandish a new heresy and flaunt it before the people? No, he will speak the words of righteousness and truth, and will appear as a minister of light declaring the Word.

And the people’s hearts shall be won over by their words, then, when their hearts are won, they shall bring out their doctrines, and the people shall be deceived. The people shall say, ‘Did he not speak this and that? Did we not examine it from the Word? Therefore, he is a minister of righteousness. This that he now has spoken, though we do not see it in the Word, it truly must be right, for everything else he has said is true.’

Be not deceived. For the deceiver will first work to gain the hearts of many, and then bring forth his false doctrines. You cannot discern those who are of Me and those who are not of Me when they start to preach, says the Lord. But seek Me continuously, and when these doctrines are brought out, you shall have a witness within your heart that they are not of Me. Fear not, for I have warned you. Many will be deceived. But if you walk in holiness and uprightness before the Lord your God, your eyes shall be opened, and the Lord God shall protect you all the days of your life. If you will constantly look unto the Lord, you will know when the doctrine changes. And you will not be brought into this thing, if your heart is right, says the Lord. I will keep you. And if you look constantly unto Me, I will uphold you. The minister of righteousness shall be on this wise, says the Lord: his life shall agree with the Word, his lips shall give forth that which is holy truth, and it will be no mixture in his ministry. When the mixture appears, you will know that he is not a minister of righteousness. The deceivers speak first the truth and then error, to cover their own sins which they love.

Therefore, I exhort and command you, says the Lord, to study the Scriptures relating to seducing spirits, for this is one of the greatest dangers for the Church in these last days. I desire you to be firmly established in My Word, not in the personalities or the ministries of men. You shall not be moved as many shall be moved. I would keep you in the paths of righteousness. Seek Me, diligently inquire of Me, that you may hear something, that you might know. I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly, and that you might triumph, even as I have triumphed. On the cross I triumphed over all the power of Satan, and I have called you to walk in the same path. For those who will not minister the crucified life and cross of Jesus Christ, do not understand righteousness. It is when your life is on the cross that you shall have victory which I have experienced. As you are on the cross and seated in Me, you shall know the power of My resurrection. When I came in My glory, the principalities and powers in heavenly places were broken.

Fear not, for I have given you power whereby you may tread upon the powers of darkness and come forth victorious. It was on the cross that I triumphed over all things. My life shall flow through you as you enter into these precious truths. Look unto Me and appropriate My life. As your eyes and desires are towards Me, and you know what it is to be crucified with Me, then you shall also know what it is to be resurrected by Me. It was not in My life that I walked upon the earth, but it was in My life when I was upon the cross that I openly spoiled the principalities and powers of darkness.

I am showing you truths, that you shall come to know, that you too can be an overcomer to have power over the wicked one. This truth shall liberate you, and it will liberate those around you. You shall know also the fellowship of My suffering, says the Lord. There is no way by which you can be partakers of the heavenly glory and reign with Me without drinking of the Cup of My suffering. If we suffer with Him, the Word says, then we shall also reign with Him. I desire to make these truths real within you. Have revelation given to you, that you may have power to overcome the wicked one and bondages that are in you life. If you will indeed judge yourself, you shall not be judged. As you shall seek My Face and desire to be cleansed by Me, in all truth and sincerity of heart, I will judge you in the secret place. And the things that are in the secret place of your heart shall not be made manifest to others round about you. I shall do it in the secret place and no mind shall know it. And the shame that shall be seen on many faces in this last hour shall not be seen on your face.

Therefore, in love and mercy I am instructing you. And therefore, I have said that if a man judges himself, he will not be judged. It is not My good pleasure, that the shame of My people be seen by all.

How can I judge the world if I judge not first My own house? Hearken unto these things which I tell you. If you will not hearken unto Me, then the shame shall be evident unto all. I would have you consider My life on earth: the anointing upon Me was great and yet, the temptation was great on every side. In one form and then in another, offering Me first the glory of the kingdoms of the earth, and then reviling and courting and intensifying on every point and persecuting Me. There will be great glory given to My people, and yet, I would have you to know that in this last hour, the temptations shall intensify on every side. The glory to My Church shall be great, and so shall be the temptation from the enemy to turn My people from the directed paths which I have ordained.

I warn you, that when the glory shall be manifested, the temptations shall be great, until very few that start shall finish the race. First, they shall be offered the great worldly possessions, prosperity and then reviling and unbelief shall overtake them. Consider your purpose in this last hour. At times everyone shall rise up against and try with everything to turn you from that course of holiness. It is written of Me, that I set My face as a flint to go the direction My Father had prescribed for Me.

So, hear the Word of the Lord, if you are to finish the race with great victory and glory, you must determine to set your face as a flint with great determination. You must walk in the course laid before you.

Many of your loved ones and those who follow with you shall persecute you and even try to turn you from your course. With many words that seem right in the natural mind, they shall try to turn you. Did not Christ rebuke Peter who tried to turn Him off the course that God had prescribed for Him?

Understand these two things and meditate upon them solemnly in this last hour. The persecution and the darkness shall be as great as the glory, in order to try to turn the elect and the anointed ones from the path which the Lord God has laid down for them. Many shall start, but few shall be able to finish the course, because of the greatness of grace that shall be needed in that hour to endure to the end. The temptations and the persecution of your Lord were continuous. He was tempted by Satan in many forms through him, and He listened not, but He laid down His life upon the cross.

Think not that there shall be a time of no persecution. Think not that there will be a time of no temptation. For it shall be from the time of your anointing until the end of the course. Difficulties and great persecutions unto the end. The Lord must prepare you to be an overcomer in all things that you may be able to finish the course. The persecution shall increase, even as the anointing shall increase. Hear these words, ‘My grace is sufficient for you’ in that hour. In paths of justice and of righteousness shall the Lord God lead His people and bring them into a place which He has chosen for this time. For the Lord has chosen a place of righteousness. It is a place of holiness where He shall encamp round about them, and all who will be led of the Lord shall be brought into this holy place. For the Lord delights to dwell in His people. The Lord delights to manifest Himself through His people. The holiness of the Lord shall be manifested through His people. Let the Lord lead you into difficult places.

He led His people of old through a place where no man dwelt, where no man had passed through. It was a place of great danger and in the shadow of death. The Lord will indeed lead His people through such places, and yet, He will bring them into a place of great glory and victory. Understand that the way towards glory is great danger, but the Lord shall grace thee in that hour. Put your trust in Him and He will bring you into this place of holiness. For He desires to bring His people into this great joy and life. Put your trust in Him. Trust no man. It is a place where God will protect those from the voices that would try to turn them from the given path. He will bring them into a place where He will speak and lead His people. It is a place of great grace and glory. He will indeed camp round about them. Put your trust in Him and He will surely bring you into this new place. Fear not the days to come. But fear only this: that you shall walk in a manner pleasing unto the Lord. It is a time I am ordering and setting up My Church. It shall indeed be without spot or wrinkle. I will do a work in My beloved that has not been seen since the foundations of the world.

I will show you these things that you might seek the Lord diligently, with all your heart, and that you may be preserving of His marvelous grace. Run not to this or to that one, for the Lord has so ordained thy salvation, it is in Him and in Him alone. You shall not turn to this shepherd or to that one, for there shall be a great scattering upon the earth.

Therefore look unto Him, for He will indeed make these things clear unto you. You shall not look here or there for wells that once held water, they shall be no more.

But, as you diligently seek Me, He shall increase your strength and your faith, and His grace and enable you to prepare you for the time that is to come. The truth that I have revealed unto you must become a part of you, not just an experience, but a part of your very nature. Is it not written that I demand truth in the innermost parts? It is a truth of the Lord expressed in your very being that shall hold you and sustain you. Many shall experience the truth, but the truth must become a part of you and your very life. As men and women look upon you, they will hear not only the voice, but see an expression of that truth in our innermost being. Many shall be overcome because they are not permitting the truth to become a part of them at all times. But I am showing you in these truths that they are to be a part of you, that you might be prepared and having done all, to stand, stand in this last hour. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit now speaks to His Church.

The Kingdom Series – ‘Praying with Holy Fire While the World is On Fire’

     The world is on fire! This is how many have described what is happening in nations all around the world, including along the southern border of the United States. I honestly do not think it would be possible for me to list all the examples occurring at this very moment of just how true that statement is.

     As believer’s, we know that a nation’s greatest problems are not primarily economically or politically, but spiritually. The Psalms make it clear how eventually the wicked, and any nation that forgets God shall be turned into hell (see Ps 9:17). A nation or people will be blessed or cursed based on their response to the claims of God’s Word.  

     I recently ran across an article describing the events surrounding the life of former Wheaton College President, Raymond Edman. Being a student at Wheaton College one summer a number of years ago, a chord was struck in my spirit when I heard what had happened to Edman.

     While serving as a missionary to the natives in the Andes Mountains in Equador, Raymond Edman, who was only 23 years old and newly married, contracted the deadly typhus fever.

     The story relates how his illness was extremely severe. Physicians told his young wife he would not survive. To prepare for the inevitable she dyed her wedding dress black and a casket was purchased for the funeral.

     Raymond Edman, delirious with fever, saw his life pass before his eyes. He knew in his heart he was dying. But as he lay in his bed waiting for the end to come, he became aware of a divine Presence in his room. Here is how He recounts his story: “In those moments I experienced a sweet sense of the love of God in Christ such as I had never known before in all the years of my life. So overwhelming and stupendous was this love that the life beyond became ineffably beautiful and infinitely better than any possible condition in this present existence.

     The testimony continues how moments followed of such sacred intimate fellowship with the Lord that it was impossible to attempt to retell it except to say Edman no longer feared dying.

     Unbeknownst to Raymond and his grieving wife at the time, a small group of Christians in Massachusetts were on their knees crying out to God on his behalf. Their agony of spirit was so intense that they missed the lunch hour as they interceded for the ailing missionary.

     By mid-afternoon, they sensed in their spirits that their prayers for Raymond, 3500 miles away, were answered. And indeed they were! He was miraculously loosed from the clutches of death and gradually regained his health. He ultimately fathered four sons, wrote 19 books, mentored multitudes of students and left a great legacy of faith for others to follow.

     What comes through in this story is the amazing power of prayer to move the heart and hand of God! While He is truly all-powerful and doesn’t need us, our God chooses to partner with us and respond to us through our prayers. As John Wesley once stated, ‘God does nothing but in answer to prayer’.

     God is looking for those who will give Him no rest. Those who burn with holy fire praying fervently for God to bring a backslidden church and a dying nation back to Him and back to life.

     This morning I read from Acts 24:25 and what I believe is a stunning yet timely word. In the text Paul is speaking to Felix the governor of Palestine. “Now as he (Paul) reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

     Included in Paul’s words, was the message of judgment to come, and Felix did not want to hear anything about it. He was afraid and knew what Paul was discussing was serious. But Felix did not want to hear what Paul had to say. Yet his not wanting to hear about it would not rescue him from eventually facing it.  

     How many really understand how desperate these times are and that the world really is on fire? How many will not quit crying out until the prophesied Great Awakening arrives? More than the survival of a nation, the souls of multitudes are hanging in the balance.

     Oh God as this present world burns, keep the fires of intercession ever burning in our hearts until Your Kingdom comes and Your Will is done in every corner of the earth, just as it is in Heaven!

(Portions taken from an article from One Cry Ministries)

The Kingdom Series – ‘Sennacherib’s Threat’

FRESH BREAD

The Kingdom Series – ‘Sennacherib’s Threat’

By David White  

“And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that his purpose was to make war against Jerusalem…” (II Chronicles 32:2)

     The challenges before us today, regardless of how numerous and frightening they appear, can only prevent us from accomplishing the will of God if we place more faith in their ability to stop us than in God who has called and positioned us for this hour. 

     Bursting with arrogance and pride, Sennacherib, the cruel and wicked King of Assyria, defiantly boasted in his ability to gain control and bring down Jerusalem as well as the entire nation of Judah. The king declared, “Who is there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed that could deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand?” (II Chronicles 32:14)      

    It was becoming more and more apparent to Hezekiah, his leaders and the people, as to Sennacherib’s true intentions. Sennacherib, whose name means bramble of destruction, had come to make war against the cities of Judah. 

   Anyone who would not submit or stood in his way would have to be removed or destroyed, which included Hezekiah the king of Judah. The future of an entire nation as well as that of future generations was hanging in the balance. 

     Yet Hezekiah did what anyone facing the prospect of captivity, tyranny and destruction should do. He called upon his God who alone could deliver them from any conspiracy, plot or evil strategy of a wicked and ambitious king whose hunger for power and hatred for God dictated his every move. 

     After making preparations strategically and militarily, (see II Chronicles 32:5-6), Hezekiah gathered the people and encouraged them with this advice, "be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles" (II Chronicles 32:7-8). 

     Those who followed Sennacherib rose up in defense of their king and angrily spoke out against the Lord God and His servant Hezekiah. They called out with a loud voice in the language of the people of Jerusalem, “to frighten them and trouble them, that they might take the city.” 

     Later we get a clearer picture of the situation facing Hezekiah and how he responded when we read, “therefore wrath was looming over him, (Hezekiah) and over Judah and Jerusalem” (II Chronicles 32:25). Sennacherib had already gained much territory and was pushing hard towards Jerusalem. The situation looked hopeless.

 

     Yet the Scriptures declare, “Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah” (II Chronicles 32:26).

     King Hezekiah stood face to face with the evil king of Assyria who was doubling down in his effort to destroy Judah. But Sennacherib’s threat was not overcome with Judah’s military might nor by their negotiations or compromises. Hezekiah along with the people humbled themselves before the Lord their God. Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet prayed and cried out to heaven.  

     Hezekiah’s leadership in this looming crisis opened the door for the following to occur: “Now because of this King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven. Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land. And when he had gone into the temple of his god, some of his own offspring struck him down with the sword there. Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side” (II Chronicles 32:20-23).

     Darkness arises in every generation as a bramble of destruction. Yet history confirms that salvation and deliverance comes from where it always has, above. 

     The great need of this hour is for leaders to emerge who, with humility and wisdom, will above all else, lead others to call upon the only One who is both able and mighty to save.

.

   

A Word from David... Believe in Him

A Word from David...

Believe in Him

When Jesus walked upon the earth He told His disciples then and yet today, "Let not your heart be troubled;" (John 14:1) The Amplified Bible further defines the word troubled as referring to our being: distressed or agitated. Being stressed out and agitated certainly speaks to what many people battle with every day. However in the original Greek, to be troubled speaks of an uncertain affinity, or not feeling as if we are really connected to or in agreement with the Lord. This in itself opens the door to stress an agitation.

The latter definition is what we can't afford to miss. Especially in this day where your almost afraid to read the latest headlines in the news of the day. First of all you don't know if you can even believe what is being reported. Second, if it is happening as they are reporting, then we wonder how things could have gotten to where they are now and how much longer can we even survive.

The answer to our living stress free in a stressful world can be found in our simply staying connected with and in agreement with the Lord regardless of what is happening in the world or around us in our own world. That may sound trite, but it's not!

Everyday we have a choice. Either we will seek first to be connected to Lord treasuring our relationship with Him above every other thing that is going on, or we will first be caught up in all the stuff that we can't do much about anyway. This is a daily challenge but if we make the right choice we will discover a truth that changes the way we look at everything.

I think Jesus further explains this in the following verses where, after He exhorts us to let not our heart be troubled says, "You believe in God, believe in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 1b-2).

Jesus continues to tell us the secret to stress free living when He says, believe in Me!  In other words when your belief in others and especially in yourself is not what it used to be, you can still believe in Him!  Choosing to believe Him and remaining in agreement with Him sets our sights on a far higher level.

Along with Jesus preparing a place for us in the future, He has prepared a place in Him right now! This is a place that is so close and so connected to Him that distress, agitation, worry, fear, etc. has no place!

Its a challenge to get there because voices from the world are shouting for our attention like never before. These voices are loud and in our face telling us the way things are going to be. But if we make the choice to draw near to Him, He has promised to draw near to us as the Way, the Truth and Life. Being connected to the One who is this and yet so much more leaves no room for trouble to enter our heart.

Believe in Him! It works! 

David White