Greetings in the Name of Jesus,

We praise the Lord for His faithfulness over this past year.  It was a difficult year, but again, our God is faithful.  A little over a year ago, I came down with a low-grade fever which spanned a four month period of time.  My doctor had me on various antibiotics to knock out the infection I was dealing with.  This all ended up taking a toll on my body, which I’m paying for now.  Recent tests showed I had the Epstein-Barr virus with mono as a side effect.

Since the end of July, I have been traveling almost weekly to hold meetings in Sunbury and the Media, PA areas.  I truly believe we are on the brink of seeing a breakthrough.  Likewise, the enemy’s opposition is strong, but God is teaching us to stand on His Word and trust in His goodness.  Satan is going to have to move, but He isn’t easily dislodged.  He knows his time is short, and like a cornered rat he is striking back.  Martin Luther said, “I never undertook fresh work, but that I was either visited with a fit of sickness, or some strong temptation.”

In November the United States took a giant leap toward the abyss with the election of Bill Clinton.  I don’t need to take a lot of space to convince you that we have a godless man in the White House who is no friend of God’s Church nor acquainted with God’s ways.  Nonetheless, I believe Mr. Clinton is God’s choice for America.  For years the Church has been banqueting, partying, and playing games.  This weekend the Super Bowl is on; I wonder how many will amount to a small pile of ash with the rest of mankind’s fleshly achievements.  We keep hearing about writing our congressmen, senators, etc.  How much longer is this message of revival going to be ignored?  Listen!  Before the world will repent, the Church must repent!  We’re still playing instead of praying.  We’re still feasting instead of fasting.  The world doesn’t care one bit about these letter campaigns.  We can and have written, but the land is going into deeper darkness.  The only way to turn the situation around is for the Church to get on its face before God and plead for Him to graciously convict the Church.  You read correctly!  It’s a gracious act of God to convict of sin.

Today we’ve substituted activity for anointing.  I’m convinced that most preachers think they get their anointing when they get their degree.  Jer. 3:12-15 reads, “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say:  ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD;  ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you.  For I am merciful,’ says the LORD your God, and have scattered your charms to alien deities under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the LORD.  ‘Return, O backsliding children,’  says the LORD;  ‘for I am married to you.  I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.  And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.’”  This land is inundated with men full of pride in their abilities and accomplishments.  God help us!  I pray for men who would know what it means to wait upon God for His message, and that when they ascend their pulpits they will truly share the hot coals they received from the altar.  It isn’t our letter writing campaigns that are going to stem the tide of evil; it’s Holy Ghost anointed prayer from hearts that are washed clean, hearts that are laid on the altar of sacrifice.  A holy living sacrifice is what God desires.  Artaxerxes was an ungodly man and yet his heart was moved by Nehemiah’s holy praying.  President Clinton’s heart can be moved also, but the Church must get right with God first.  Real prayer comes from the Spirit-filled individual who will be able to pray according to the will of God.  This is the type of prayer needed, and this is the prayer that will move mountains.

God has written “Ichabod” on many of our fundamental churches today, and most people don’t even know it.  The fire is gone.  God gives the increase, and 80% of the churches in the land are in decline, (Fuller Seminary Poll).  That’s not a liberal politician’s fault — that’s our fault.  Someone will say, “Jim, you don’t understand.  We’re in the Laodicean age just as Jesus prophecied.”  Yes it is, and we are in the midst of the great falling away also.  But listen!  God in His foreknowledge knew Adam and Eve would sin, but He didn’t make them sin.  Likewise the Lord knew that lukewarmness would be the state of the Church, but you don’t have to be lukewarm if you don’t want to be.

The professing church is offering the sacrifice of Cain and wondering why it’s unacceptable to a Holy God.  God doesn’t want our works.  He wants our lives, totally, completely, consecrated, given up to Him, with absolutely nothing held back.  I believe that most churches have a faithful remnant, and it’s to you that I speak now.  Judgment has begun in America, and the blood of the millions of aborted babies cries from the ground to the one who sees all,  EL ROI.

The true Church must stand in the gap.  The true Church must rid herself of all worldliness and selfishness, and cry out to God for mercy.  I know my message is a difficult one to hear, but it’s the truth, and therefore I make no apology for it.  Those of you who are being drawn to the Lord, keep looking up.  He knows you and will care for you in every way as you seek Him in these dark times.  God bless you!  Hallelujah!  Jesus is Lord!

I am optimistic for the future.  That probably sounds contradictory to the message just preached, but the darkest hour comes before the dawn.  I am privileged to be a part of two groups of people that I hope and pray will grow to be a mighty army for the glory of God.  I don’t see us storming over the length and breadth of the land, but I do see a fire beginning in our area that could spread.  Remember the song, “Pass it On!”  “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.”  Our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).  May He consume all of us that Christ would be our all in all.

Your Brother in Christ,

Jim