This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life 22

Trusting and Waiting – Waiting and Trusting

Shortly after returning from Escondido, California the Lord directed me to a Tucson advertising firm. This company in particular provided free bowling and golf scorecards to bowling alleys and golf courses in exchange for the right to send in sales-personnel to sale advertising along the scorecard’s perimeter.

Almost immediately after beginning work with the firm the Lord opened the door for me and my family to travel throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in order to freely offer the aforementioned scorecards. While in pursuit of this endeavor the Lord brought us to Brownfield, Texas.

As we pulled into Brownfield the Lord instructed me to set up our motorhome in the city’s central park. At that time Brownfield’s central park provided 12–14 motorhome parking spaces for recreational vehicles.

After only a few days I had effectively reconnoitered every local and surrounding bowling alley and golf course and was making ready to proceed on to the next scheduled stop when the Lord instructed me to stay put. I wasn’t sure of why or what to make of the instructions but I knew well enough to stay put.

In the days that followed the Lord opened doors for us to minister, preach and sing in Brownfield including one of Brownfield’s local Assembly of God churches. We were even fortunate enough to participate through a three-day revival in their beautiful and quaint church.  Oddly, the event was rough going for the first two days; leastwise, until the Lord began to open their hearts and bless the people of that Assembly church.  I remember thinking how conservative their church was for an Assembly of God congregation.  In fact, I found their ministry to be one of the most conservative congregations I had ever encountered.  Fortunately, on the last day of the revival the people really entered in to the wonderful Praise and Worship and Spirit of the Lord moving within their midst.  On the last day of the revival the Lord opened a small window from heaven and gave numerous Words of Knowledge to congregants in need.

I remember one woman in particular, the Lord revealed severe abuse through her husband which had been afflicting her and her children for some time. Through God’s grace and insight I was able to guide her via a Word of Knowledge and bring her and her family before their Pastor.  He had been unaware of their dire situation.  The Lord showed she and her children would receive the help they needed.  I was not privileged to see the actual release or healing firsthand, but from what the Lord revealed in the Word of Knowledge I am certain God did is wonderful healing even as He promised.

Another miracle and one of the more amazing fulfillments which occurred in Brownfield, Texas at that time took place in the park where the Lord required Pam, the kids and I to remain for several extra days. One or two days after our arrival in the park another trailer or 5^th wheel parked a couple spaces down from us.  The people staying in the 5^th wheel inflexibly resisted any social interaction with our family.  We said hello and waved several times, but they obviously wanted their space and we were going to give it to them.

After eight or ten more days the Lord released us to move on. As we were preparing to leave Brownfield the other family, a husband, wife and four small children, suddenly stopped us before we could pull away.  The husband said he wanted to talk to Pam and me for just a few minutes apologizing for their standoffishness and anti-social behavior. They wanted us to understand their situation and to know how the Lord had recently used us to aid in changes within their lives.

They explained they had been Pastors for the Church of God of Holiness in Massachusetts. They had been hired by the Church of God congregation in Brownfield thus requiring them to pull up stakes in Massachusetts and come to Brownfield as their Pastors.  Unfortunately, it required three-months of effort before they could untangle themselves, sale their home in Massachusetts and finally make the move to Brownfield.  During this extended period the church in Brownfield hired another Pastor and family explaining how their family had not shown up in a timely enough fashion.  The family was devastated, broken financially and spiritually.

They had sold everything just to make the move and were now penniless. Because funds were tight, they came to the city park to set up their 5^th wheel.  To make matters worse, they felt trapped after finding a family of Christians singing and playing and praising the Lord every night.  They were furious with God!  The husband said it was like rubbing salt into an open wound.

Then, praise the Lord, they said, “Your family’s singing and praising of the Lord every night over the past several days convicted us and infuriated us, but just since last night we have reconnected our hearts with the Lord and rededicated our lives to our God.”

Praise the Lord!  God knew, of course, and had them positioned in the city park for a grand reason. God knew what it would take to inspire them and care for their true needs, their walk with Him.

We did not know until then why the Lord had held us in the park or even what He was doing as we waited and sang and worshipped and prayed. God used us for His glory even while we had no idea He was ministering to our hurting neighbors.

Ask yourself, where God might be using you without your knowledge?

Who could you be impacting for better or worse in the name of the Lord?

How often in the past have you influenced others in the name of the Lord and did not know it?

God knows.  What a mighty God we serve!

I have written a book called This Side of the Whirlwind.  In this book God has provided similar and great spiritual insights for the Latter Days and End Times.  Get your copy of “This Side of the Whirlwind:”

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This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life 21

 Homeward Bound

There we were – Escondido California – ejected from Shiloh Ministries with barely a penny to our names. Doctor Earl, having planned to return to Tucson himself, offered to help us with expenses should we also choose to return to Tucson.  Unfortunately, I was not sure the Lord wanted Pam and I back in Tucson.  I did not know where to go or what to do.

So, to prayer – young believer – to prayer…

Within the hour Doctor Earl and I met up in his motorhome. He excitedly waved me over saying he had just received a Word from the Lord for Pam, the kids and I.  After sitting down, Doc in his humorously emphatic way grasped my hands and said, “The Lord told me to tell you that you, Pam and the kids are to return to Tucson and remain in Tucson until the Lord tells you otherwise.  Once in Tucson return to the church you call the Church of Love {I knew exactly what church the Lord meant} there you will find a Deliverance Minister.  When you have returned to this place God will guide you from there.”  By the way, this is not a perfect quote from Doctor Earl.  It was a period of time between receiving this Word through Doc and writing it down; therefore, it is likely I have misquoted him a little here or there.  The crux of the message – as you will learn – is still accurate.  {Interestingly, no one except Pam knew I called The Emmaus Christian Center the Church of Love.}

After returning to Tucson it took us a short while to find and visit The Emmaus Christian Center, the church I had privately called the Church of Love.  Over the course of my life I had affixed titles to the churches I’d attended based on the primary message or lesson I’d gained through the ministry.  Shiloh Ministries, for example, had become the “Condo-Bondo” church based on the condemnation-bondage I had witnessed over the previous two years.  This is not to say God did not work amazing miracles during our tenure at Shiloh.  Pam and I have yet to experience the hand of God on such an amazing level at any other ministry in over 35 years.  Wow!

On the other hand, I had often thought of The Emmaus Christian Center as the Church of Love because it’s Pastor, Richard Tanguay, only seemed to see God’s love and grace in every situation.  Such was the foundation of Richard’s heart and sermons.  As every long-time Christian should know, love and discipline both have their places in a walk with God.

So we show up at The Emmaus Christian Center that morning and wouldn’t you know, Reverend Frank Kelly, a noted Deliverance minister was in attendance at The Emmaus Christian Center and providing the message for that Sunday’s service.

At the Church of Love with a Deliverance Minister.  Isn’t God good!

During the service I was invited by Pastor Tanguay to provide some Praise and Worship as well as ministry through my own musical compositions. As usual, thank you Lord, the Holy Spirit moved touching hearts and lives.  Following the service Reverend Kelly approached me with a Word from the Lord: Frank said, “While you were playing and singing, the Lord showed me that you have the spirit of David.  Your music ministry is a ministry of deliverance.” I didn’t know what to do with this message so I placed it on the proverbial back burner and waited for God to provide a witness or two.

I began doing Praise and Worship alongside Chaplin Tanguay; Richard was the senior Chaplin for the Wilmot State Prison, Santa Rita Yard and continued to minister at the prison for the next three and a half years.

Two weeks after the Sunday service with Reverend Frank Kelly I was scheduled to provide music for The Promise Land revival in Odessa, Texas. The leadership for the revival wanted everyone involved to spend some time in prayer, praise and worship before everything kicked-off for the weekend. As I flowed through several praise songs I watched a 65 year-old woman – one who was sitting directly in front of me – become exceedingly excited.  She was much more excited than I had normally experienced during Praise and Worship; especially for a senior citizen.  For the first time in my life I was also witnessing some form of spiritual cloud or darkness lifting off of the woman and then seeing it dissipate.  At that moment, I was not sure what I was seeing, but it looked to be spiritually very negative and dark.  Her excitement drew Praise and Worship to a close just as Rita Glasscock, founder of The Promise Land ministries, senior administrator and organizer for the revival, went to the platform to give a personal testimonial.  Ms. Glasscock said:

• “Since I was a little girl, I have always prayed that the Lord would one day show me what it was like to be in the presence of Saul, during his sufferings, when David sang and played before the Lord to drive the evil spirits away.” She then said, “The Lord spoke to me during worship and said, ‘Steve has the spirit of David, and this is what it was like to sit at the feet of Saul while David played and worshipped.’  Rita then declared, “The Lord told me Steven has the spirit of King David.”

Reverend Frank Kelly’s prophecy was witnessed from two states over and two weeks apart.

On the heels of Rita’s testimony, the 65-year-old woman still sitting directly in front of me stood up and began shouting her testimony. The woman said:

• “I have been raised in and around charismatic or Pentecostal churches my entire life. I have watched as others entered into Praise and Worship or seemed to experience the move or feelings of the Holy Spirit, but I have never before felt anything of the Holy Spirit.  I could see their joy or exultation but I was never able to personally partake or feel the move of God’s Spirit; that is until this morning.”

She was so excited and happily rejoicing in the Lord! She thanked God because she could now feel, hear and see the move of God’s Holy Spirit.  She continued to worship God, her Lord, her Savior.  She repeatedly shouted, “Thank You, Lord!  Thank You.”  “Thank You, Lord!  Thank You.”

 

I remember seeing the woman so excited I became concerned for her health. During the Praise and Worship I had seen what amounted to a dark mist or presence lifting off of her, but it was so subtle at the time I was not sure of what I was seeing.  Then as the darkness seemed to disperse I considered it might have been a play on shadow or light from a passing car.  I was just not sure it was anything until she became electrified.  At about that same moment the Lord touched my spirit with understanding, thus confirming the Lord had lifted an oppressive spirit from her which had been afflicting the woman and stealing her joy for nearly her entire life.  Then I too praised the Lord knowing she was finally free!  Thank you Lord.

I shared some of my testimony with the group telling how Reverend Frank Kelly had recently shared a similar Word of Knowledge while I was in Tucson. I have no real idea what it means, but as long as the Lord continues to be happy with me and use me in His service, I’m good.

The Spirit of David prophecy:

What do you do with such a Word? I have not known what to think about this Word?  The spirit of David, what exactly does that mean?  All I can really do is ponder this question, leaving it to the Lord to decide if and when He will share its meaning.  These were the events.  I do not always know what a Word of Knowledge means or where the Lord will lead, but we just have to follow.  When trusting the Lord, He leads and we follow.

It is wonderful being a child of the Living God!

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This Side of the Whirlwind: Real Inner Peace

Inner Peace

Where does true inner peace come from?

It certainly does not come from discipline or lack of anxiety.

No, true peace can only be obtained by those who have surrendered their heart and will to God’s will.

Many Christians go through the motions of being a good Christian without ever really surrendering their heart, mind and will to God. Surrendering requires the ultimate level of trust. Defcon 1, we’re at war – to be guaranteed.  It’s not human nature, it is Christ nature.

Ask yourself, if God asked you to give up everything you really loved and follow a course only He has set and knows what would you do?

If God wanted you to live a mediocre life, in a mediocre town, doing a mediocre career so you would more effectively save souls, would you? Would it be okay if God placed you as a slave in a tyrant’s home so He could save their family? What would you say?

God wants our surrender. Only in our surrender do we yield our full trust/faith in Him.

Only when we fully trust our God can we be utterly at peace. This is where we learn He IS God.

This does not mean you must live some crazy lifestyle or live in poverty to serve God; rather, God can teach you to release your will and surrender to Him – right where you are.

Often this requires a breaking of our will and stretching of our trust/faith.

Ask yourself, can you trust God completely…, with anything?

Let the stretching begin!

Faith: stepping out on nothing – until it becomes something – because God told you to.

Ouch, that’s trust!

Can you trust God?

At first, it can often be elusive, temporary, hard to find, uncomfortable and down-right scary.

Faith/trust equals peace.

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This Side of the Whirlwind: True vs. Pseudo Christians

This Side of the Whirlwind was written for Christians living in the last of the Latter Days.  That is you and me. The following definitions apply to all Christians living at this time of prophetic Biblical fulfillment. The rules have changed ever so slightly; in that, “The Mark” (Revelation 13:11-18) did not exist until now.

The following excerpt was taken from “This Side of the Whirlwind” by Steven R. Harrel, page xii.

True Christians Versus Pseudo-Christians

For the purposes of this book [This Side of the Whirlwind], a true Christian is any person who is, above all else, completely committed to his or her relationship with Jesus Christ. A true Christian, whether someone who has just accepted Jesus as his or her ultimate Master and Savior or a believer committed to Christ for a lifetime, utterly recognizes Jesus as both God and the Son of the Living God and the Savior who died for the believer’s sin. A true Christian places his or her relationship with Jesus above everyone and everything, including his or her own life and well-being. According to God’s Word in Romans 10:9–10, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Salvation is a condition of both the heart and faith! Jesus said in John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.”

 The Pseudo-Christian for the purposes of this book was likely once a true Christian who has sadly been deceived through either a lack of knowledge or false doctrines and mistakenly received the Mark of the Beast or who, through a lack of faith or weakness of character, has given up the good fight and either bowed down and worshipped the Beast or received the Mark of the Beast out of fear, hunger, some type of personal need for him- or herself or others, or intimidation. Regardless of the circumstances, only those who endure to the end will be saved.[1]

End of excerpt.

We must endure to the end for these are the days of vengeance; the second half of Christ’s covenant with humanity.

There is no question the world is currently enduring the Latter Days. As the world smolders through the Beginning of Sorrows, that period just before the Great Consummation begins, many short-sighted and foolish believers are already surrendering to the new technology. Bio-implants are on the horizon and the number of individuals receiving the chip is rising.  As mentioned in previous blogs and on the pages of This Side of the Whirlwind, the Mark is here.  A world-wide financial network currently exists and is in full swing.  October 1^st 2015 marked one of the last upgrades as the EMV payment system closed the global net.  We are living under a one-world financial network at this moment.  We don’t need a one world government as corporations seal the deal.

Be careful Saints. Remember:

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”  (Revelation 14:9-11 NKJV)

Be vigilant for the days of separations are nearly upon us. The Rapture separates the wheat from the tares.

“Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”  (Matthew 13:30 NKJV)

Be excited; be amazed for we are that final generation, the final harvest awaiting the harvesters. Which group will you be gathered into: True-Christians or Pseudo-Christian?

[1] Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:7 and 2:17; Revelation 3:5, 3:12, and 3:21; Revelation 21:7 and many more verses.

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This Side of the Whirlwind: The Human Heart

God’s perception of the human condition

(Romans 7:15-25)

Paul wrote: (paraphrased & summarized)

Every Christian has experienced the following contradiction:

The very things I don’t want to do – appear to be the exact things I keep finding myself doing, and that against my will. How can this be when I don’t really want to do those things?

The answer is of course – we are sinful, created to need God’s love, mercy and forgiveness.

Paul continues, if I find myself doing what is against my heart’s desire, I then accept that it is the evil/sinfulness within my flesh and not my spirit or soul which commits such sin.

For I desire to follow God’s laws; leastwise, my inner-man does.

Therefore Paul concludes, there is one law for my body warring against the law for my spirit. The body confines me to the laws of sin within the flesh, so it is not me who sins but my body.

Thank God He has saved me from this body of death!

For the price of sin is spiritual death and separation from God and His love. (Romans 6:23)

Paul then declares in Romans 8:1-3:

There is now, no more condemnation, no more judgment as long as I am saved and genuinely pursuing my life in Christ. For being saved and following Jesus has set me free from the laws which cause sin to bring death! (Separation from God)

Jesus died on the cross for me so He could present me perfectly holy, unblameable and unpunishable when I stand before THE Father, God. (Colossians 1:19-24)

Jesus has made us free from sin and shame! God sees me equally holy with Jesus my Savior because Jesus paid my debt to sin. Thank you, Jesus, the Savior of my soul!

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This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life 20

Go Home!

Pam and I had been involved with Shiloh Ministries for nearly two years. God had instructed us to remain with Shiloh Ministries until otherwise told by Him.  Our son was born just eight months earlier and now, God was seemingly calling us back to the Old Pueblo, Tucson.

For much of the past two years Pam was convinced we would remain a part of Shiloh Ministries until the Lord returned. Pastor Larry’s teachings supported this idea on a regular basis.  I on the other hand had been hearing little blurbs from the Lord, suggesting we would be moving on, in approximately six months.

The Lord would say to me, “Prepare yourself; you and your family will be leaving Shiloh Ministries before much longer.” I would gently share these comments with Pam but no matter how I tried she was resistant and insistent we would remain.

I would say, “Hey honey, would you be okay if the Lord moved us into some other ministry, say in the next six months to a year?”

She would generally say she didn’t want to think about it because she knew the Lord was going to keep us in Shiloh Ministries through the End Times.

I would then respond by saying something like, “Well that’s possible but what if the Lord had other plans for us?”

Pam would just refuse to consider the possibility the Lord might have something elsewhere for us. This would not have been a bad thing, except the Lord wanted us to move on soon.  After all, it is really good for Christians to have sticking power, you know, endurance.

 When the six months were nearly up, we were serving in Escondido, California for a Shiloh Ministries California Revival. At about that time the Lord shared with me Pam and I would be leaving Shiloh Ministries within the next couple weeks; unfortunately, Pam still could not receive the idea we would be leaving Shiloh Ministries and its pastors.

Pastor Larry at Crystal’s Baptism

Sadly, Pastor Larry and I had always struggled to get along. We saw God’s Word differently and these differences created difficulties being the two of us at times.  As our pastor, Larry would regularly convey to the congregation the following idea {a time is coming when he, Pastor Deason, would share things with us the Lord had shared with him; things the congregation would not necessarily understand or be able to find in God’s Word.  We, the Leman, would need to trust his interpretation.  Pastor Deason went so far as to say we, the congregation, might not be able to find his teachings and understandings in God’s Word; however, because of his track record and his walk with God we should just take his word for the message and submit our lives to whatever he said God was sharing with him.

I said, “not on your best day, mister!” Well, that’s why Larry and I didn’t always get along.

Because of Larry’s persistence along this line of thinking and my refusal to support what I considered heresy, Pastor Larry would regularly use me as an example before the congregation as someone out of alignment with God’s will and understanding. I was labeled the rebellious one in the congregation.

Then, “According to God,” Pastor Larry said, “it is time for Pam, the kids and Steve to leave Shiloh Ministries.” Fortunately for Pam and I, the Lord had actually told me the same thing just the day before.  Thank you Lord!  What a coincidence?

By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every Word be established.

The day after the Lord instructed me to return to Tucson, Arizona Pastor Larry pops by our “motorhome, if you could call it a motorhome” to tell us the Lord had shown him we were to return to Tucson. Larry said it was because I was too rebellious.

Later the same day Doctor Earl came to Pam and I telling us he had been praying when the Lord spoke to him and told him we were supposed to return to Tucson, Arizona and that the Lord had instructed him to return with us and help us to make it home safely. He also chose to help us financially at that time.  Thanks Doc and of course, Lord!

The day I was to be confronted by Larry the Lord told me Pastor Larry would give me an excuse for his actions. He was justifying his cruelty and the selfishness of his behavior.  When Larry shared his ultimatum with us the Pastors were not aware Doctor Earl was leaving too.

When Larry did come over he said he was sending us back to Tucson, but the Lord told him Shiloh Ministries was not “allowed” to help Pam and I financially in any way to get home. According to Pastor Larry we were supposed to just leave Shiloh Ministries penniless.

We were to also take our 65-foot homemade motorhome containing all of our worldly possessions and our two small children and simply drive back to Tucson hundreds of miles away.

Well, good I told him. Thank You, God!  For God is our provider and our comfort.  I must admit I was a little peeved at first.  Especially when Pastor Larry told me he was forced by God to dump us out in the cold because I was constantly rebellious to him and to the Lord.  According to Pastor Larry there was not any more room for my rebellious nature within the camp.

I am grateful I was not hurt emotionally by these acts. The Lord may have told Pastor Deason those very things; however, I doubt it.  What was the rebellion he was referring to I wondered.  Could it have been my unwavering stance in rejecting anything contrary to the Word of God? Maybe it was because it conflicted with his positions?

Or could it have been because he insisted we needed to pursue unfounded teachings? Don’t know.

For the two years Pam and I served at Shiloh Ministries I had maintained and advocated this Bible first philosophy.

One of the last things I said to Pastor Larry before he left our home was this, “Larry, if what you are saying isn’t in the Word of God then it isn’t the Word of God! Even Moses was subject to the Word of God after God sealed it in stone!”

As hard as it may be to believe, this powerful man of God, Pastor Larry turned to me with a smile on his face and said, “One greater than Moses sits before you now.”

I could not help myself: I had to laugh. I knew I was upsetting Larry by laughing but it was not my intentions.  I did not want to leave in anger or contention; however, I felt so vindicated by his statement I just could not stop from laughing.  Larry left a little upset, but Pam and I were free to leave according to God’s instructions.  Thanks Lord.

Just twenty or so minutes later, Larry after talking with Doctor Earl, discovered Dr. Earl was returning to Arizona with us. Larry then left extremely upset.  Doctor Earl had been one of the primary sources of financial support for Shiloh Ministries.  Our group from Shiloh Ministry believed God had sent us to California for the purpose of putting on a revival and subsequently moving to the Escondido area.  This was not panning out as Larry and the group hoped it might.  Too bad, we had great hopes.

Oh well, we are all just human. I’m sure God did and will continue His work in everyone involved, Larry included.  Thank You, Lord for Your goodness!

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This Side of the Whirlwind: Prophetic Utterances

Prophecies, Words of Knowledge, Visions

How do we know with any level of certainty when a person prophesies that they are actually hearing and conveying God’s message? Well, that’s actually fairly simple; we turn to God’s Word for the answer.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22

“And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’—

The next verse gives us the answer.

₂₂ “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

In other words, reject any prophet whose Words either do not or cannot come to pass.  Also reject those prophecies which do not agree with God’s Word. Contrary to what some may say, the Word does not contradict itself.

According to 1 Corinthians 14:29-33; we are to evaluate prophets and their prophecies rather than simply trust the person is speaking for the Lord. Here is what scripture has to say.

1 Corinthians 14:29-33:

₂₉ Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

₃₀ But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

₃₁ For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

₃₂ And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

₃₃ For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Prophesies are to be judged, not merely accepted. Prophesies must be able to come to pass and everything a prophet says is subject to the scrutiny of the saints.  No one has jurisdiction or the last word over God’s spoken Word, except God.  Should someone declare otherwise then something improper is being done or taught.

Remember, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

It is implied within the text of 1 Corinthians chapter twelve that a congregation will have individuals who are called to discern genuine prophecies from false prophecies.  Yes, we all should be filled with the Holy Spirit; nevertheless, some are gifted with prophecy and other healing etc…

Just because a person has never prophesied openly does not mean they cannot distinguish the Spirit of God, either confirming or rejecting a prophetic utterance; a sense of acceptance or approval verses a check or disapproval voiced within their spirit.

Learning to consistently and accurately judge a prophetic word or vision often requires a period of learning and time to fully discriminate between God’s voice, the individual’s inner voice and the overt false prophet.

The Body of Christ needs to make a more productive effort towards educating the saints in discerning God’s voice. The saints need to learn from one another and judge prophecies as a group.  Prophets need to be teachable and humble in order to receive correction.  The congregation needs to have more than one or two judges discerning the believers and their prophecies; six or more judges preferably.  And when a brother or sister prophesies falsely — the congregation needs to gently correct the false prophecy in love and humility.  We are after all, human and need to carefully learn the differences in hearing God’s voice.  Such is the reason we must gently judge one another in love.  Those who refuse to learn need to be shut-down.

A false prophecy could alter the very course of a person’s life or a family’s lives; very dangerous business, false prophecy.

For the Latter Days are upon us and false prophets and prophecies are clearly one of the signs of the times we must watch for and avoid (Jeremiah 23:11-32). How are we to guard against something we don’t truly acknowledge or try to detect?

Many churches today permit individuals to prophesy in the name of the Lord and fail to seek a genuine witness. Favored and long-standing congregants are often allowed to prophesy falsely week after week because “the church” does not want to correct them and possibly lose their (still babe in Christ) adult along with their financial contributions.

Those who send their young and potential prophets (those new to hearing God’s voice) to share the Lord’s message/s with an overseer before prophesying generally do-not receive all of the prophecy or prophecies, stifling young/new believers. Many congregants are often fearful of making mistakes when submitting their “uncertain” prophetic message before the congregation.

• One element often misunderstood by those who have never prophesied: is that prophets don’t always know “at first” what they are prophesying about and often cannot explain what they don’t understand “yet”.

Such is the primary reason behind people needing to prophesy openly and be judged immediately by those congregants who are spiritually discerning. Growth and development: a simple: I get a witness “or” I do not get a witness from fellow believers.

I suppose church headship is often loathed to offend the people; yet, we are supposed to grow into adult Christians and not remain babes in Christ! If we are speaking falsely in God’s name we should be educated into learning when the voice we hear or impressions we receive or visions we think we have received are not God.  We should want to be corrected.  And if we do not want correction then we are not ready to be prophets or speak prophetically.  Babes in Christ need to keep their mouths shut until they are ready and willing to be corrected.

Many within the body need to grow up and refrain from prophesying until they have matured a bit more in the Lord. Speaking in God’s name should not be a game or about your stature within the church.

Remember what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” God backs up His messages and His messengers through confirmations and witnesses.

It is, “The proof is in the pudding” sort of thing.   So that means, when someone prophesies or has a Word of Knowledge it had better be able to come to pass.  The Word must be something of substance which agrees with God’s Word; it must be capable of coming to pass or at the very least have potential elements which can come to pass someday.  I know this is generally not the prescribed Christian concept for those prophesying today; however, it is what God’s Word demands.  If a prophecy, Word of Knowledge or vision does not receive a witness or come to pass then the supposed prophet needs to know and be much more careful.  After all, we all can make mistakes or be misled.

Here is what the Word says about some of our different gifts in the Spirit:

1 Corinthians 12:4-7:

₄ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

₅ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

₆ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

₇ But the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.

A prophecy is not about the individual speaking in God’s name; leastwise, not often. Prophecy is for the Body of Christ, for its edification, growth and development.  A Word of Knowledge generally (not always) provides confirmation on something the Lord has previously provided or is soon to provide again.  Visions could represent nearly anything God is doing in a person/s; church or churches or the Body of Christ as a whole.

Prophetic utterances are powerful and a privileged blessing from God.

Prophetic utterances are never from the individual; such is the nature of a false prophecy.

We can check to see if the Word is from the Lord.  Trust the Lord!

To offer questions or comments or get a copy of “This Side of the Whirlwind” go to:

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This Side of the Whirlwind: Trust

Can You Be Trusted?

Years ago while sitting through a message on new wineskins, the Lord spoke to my spirit and asked me this question:

“How do you know when you can truly trust a person?” The Lord then directed me to John 5:44.

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (ESV)

Here is what the Lord was showing me:

How can you trust anyone who obtains their approval from the praise they get from those around them? Rather, trust those who get their approval from God and only God. (Paraphrased of course)

If our self-image is altered by what is acceptable in the eyes of others then right and wrong can change with the seasons. Should everyone around you be okay with adultery, lying, murder, stealing, homosexuality, low or base character and the list goes on, then our self-image is undaunted by gross and habitual sin.  We (Christians) need to seek the highroad in Christ Jesus!

We are called as branches of the True-Vine, Jesus. We are to produce the fruit of “The Vine” and not the fruit of human-frailty.

If you are a child of the Living God then you have the Spirit of God strengthening you, supporting you in times of trial, bolstering your courage and determination in righteousness whether you know it, feel it or believe it to be true. God is for you and therefore nothing and no-one can stand between you and your ability to succeed in Christ Jesus.  You have already won!

Because of Jesus, you are already holy as Christ is holy; unblameable for sin because Jesus paid the sin debt; and unpunishable because Jesus was punished for you. (Colossians 1:19-23)

Now, seek your approval through God and Him alone.

Ultimately, trusting the Lord leads to peace that surpasses all understanding. When you fully trust the Lord has your back then you can trust there is nothing to worry about.  We may not like some of the places the Lord strengthens or grows our lives, but we can certainly trust the Lord is seeking our betterment and the advancement of for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 KJV)

Have a great day!

Steve

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This Side of the Whirlwind: True Life 19

It is God Who Heals

 

Many years ago John P. and I had a little roofing company in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Early on, as the company struggled we hired a young man who also bore the name of John.  I don’t remember his last name at this time.

John P.

On one of John the employee’s first days, he was found to be in a bad way. He and his nice motorcycle had a run-in with an oncoming vehicle which was neither good for him nor his motorcycle.

Several days later, the day after his return from the hospital, John the employee needed to work; unfortunately, he had seriously abraded his left side and leg during the accident and he was damaged to the point of having great difficulty squatting down or laying any roof tiles. It was obvious he was suffering greatly whenever he squatted or bent over to place the tiles.  It was not uncommon that morning to hear John cry out in notable pain.

During one of our first breaks I asked John the employee the following question. “If I were to pray for you right now and the Lord was to heal you at that moment would you be able to tell the difference right away?”  He quickly admitted he would be able to tell immediately.

I then asked John the employee if he would trust me to require something of him first and he very reluctantly said yes.

I had been hearing the Lord speak to my spirit and saying He was going to press John (the employee).

So I asked John if he would squat down three times as far as he could and on each respective squat – say, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

The first two squats were obviously painful. John was suffering quite a bit during each squat.  Then, on the third squat he stood up healed.  His face transformed and he was smiling.

I remember thinking it amazing the outward appearance of the wounds had not changed; however, John did not experience any further pain or discomfort during the balance of the day.

Thank You, Lord!

I don’t know what happened to John after that day. He decided to return to his home state feeling good enough to ride out of town on his motorcycle the next morning.

Lord, bless John wherever he may be.

Just another True Life adventure in God’s greatness.

To get your copy of “This Side of the Whirlwind” contact:

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This Side of the Whirlwind: Clarion Call 2

Who’s Report Will You Believe?

We shall believe the report of the Lord!…

Several days ago I approached an old friend.  I mentioned my book “This Side of the Whirlwind” was finished and available to the general public. He and I had lightly discussed the End Times when I first began receiving revelation from the Lord on the subject.  He rejected the very idea the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine could be flawed without even considering the additional information.

I attempted to share with him the volumes of scriptural support and proofs which include a significant chart which positively confirms the revelations are sound doctrine. In fact, the chart presents concrete if not nearly unassailable evidence the revelations are from God.  He would not listen to a single word.  How foolish.

Does this not sound like the Sadducees and Pharisees of Jesus’ time? Did not the Lord Himself attempt to share new revelations released to the Israelites of that day with the Priesthood?

Why are Christians today so afraid to look at new revelation? Peter and Paul brought new revelation during their time in service to the Body of Christ.

Paul declared in Colossians 1:25-27 that he was bringing a new revelation, a mystery hidden for generations and ages and presented to the Believers of that day, “Christ in you the hope of glory.”  What a wonderful message.  It is also the first half of the covenant and revelation provided in This Side of the Whirlwind.

In Daniel 12:4-11 the Prophet indicated he was to seal up the book until the time of the end, or the Latter Days. Then and only then would the revelations concealed at that time be released.

In Revelation 10:1-11 John was told to seal up those things the Seven Thunders had uttered about the End Times and charged with the task of revealing those mysteries to peoples, and nations, and tongues and kings.

Jesus fulfilled more than 37 prophecies in order to confirm He was and is the Messiah/Christ to the world.

Why were they so afraid? Why should we be afraid?  Should we not instead dig into God’s Word and discover the truths for ourselves?  Grab a copy of “This Side of the Whirlwind” and tear it to shreds, scripturally speaking. Dig in and discover the truth God is so ready to reveal to His children.

I have searched for over ten years to find fault with the message the Lord has provided in “This Side of the Whirlwind.” I cannot find one.  Oh, I can find type-Os, but the core message is astounding and correct!

In fact, the core message provides answers to a variety of questions Christians have been asking for nearly two-thousand years.

Here are a few examples:

1. Why didn’t the Sadducees and Pharisees recognize Jesus as the Christ?
2. Why did Jesus bring the salvation message at that particular time in history?
3. Why was Jesus’ ministry only three and a half years when Moses and Paul and many other messengers of God’s Word presented their messages for decades?
4. What is the Great Tribulation (misnamed) all about?
5. Does the Great Tribulation actually represent seven years of God’s judgment, or is there something more?
6. Who is the Restrainer (He Who Lets 2 Thessalonians 2:7) and when will He be taken out of the way and why?
7. And many more previously unanswered questions revealed…

Ultimately, every scriptural proof needed to confirm we are living in the Latter Days could be paraded across this blog and it would still require faith on your part to accept the truth.

We are living in the last few years of the Latter Days! The Great Consummation, which includes Christ’s return, which must begin between now and the end of 2028.

Israel becoming a nation in 1948 began the Latter Days and the Latter Days cannot exceed 80 or less years according to Psalms 90:10 and the Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32-35). The average human lifespan according to God’s Word just happens to coincide with modern statistics.

To better understand “The Parable of the Fig Tree” see my blogs on – This Side of the Whirlwind: Prophecy Fulfilled 3 and This Side of the Whirlwind: Prophecy Fulfilled 4 or simply purchase a copy of my book, “This Side of the Whirlwind” and read for yourself.

This Side of the Whirlwind also provides a chart titled, The Day of the Lord chart; found on page 252 which conclusively shows the footprints within God’s Word establishing the fact we are living in the Latter Days and Christ’s return is coming soon.

After all, we are in the Beginning of Sorrows prophesied in the first three gospels.

What must we do to recognize we are in the last of the Latter Days?

Once we recognize this truth how are we to prepare for the coming storm of the Tribulation Period mentioned in God’s Word?

Seek answers in my book or ask all the questions you need to ask here on this blog.

Now is the time to ask the questions and make the preparations while we are still on this side of God’s whirlwind.

To get your copy of “This Side of the Whirlwind” contact:

http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-001016204/This-Side-of-the-Whirlwind.aspx,

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http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-side-of-the-whirlwind-steven-r-harrel/1123688752?ean=9781512734065,

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