On December the 19th 2008 while praying early in the morning I found myself walking with the Lord through the streets of Jerusalem, modern day Jerusalem. I said to the Lord; “Lord why are we here?” The Lord turned to me and said, “Israel is preparing for war you need to pray for the safety of the city, pray for protection against missiles that carry explosives and chemical warheads, the enemy will try and pre-empt the prophesies and bring forward Armageddon thus seeking to wipe out Israel and stop the Gentile harvest”.
Suddenly I saw many Lions in the city: I said “Lord why are their Lions here?” He said “they are hidden Apostles who will help in protecting the city, they will go with the Israeli aircraft and help them achieve their goal, if you pray the enemies plans will be thwarted, pray against the activation of suicide cells within Jerusalem.” The Lord then looked at me and said, “The time is now short all things which the prophets spoke regarding Israel and the church will soon be fulfilled.” The Lord stopped and looked at me and said, “it is time for the Lions the Apostles to come forth” as the Lord said this I was aware of many Lions around the world being alerted to this crisis and beginning to stand against the enemy, many of these Apostles have been as yet hidden and generally unknown.” The Lord continued, “Just like you are being alerted to this crisis they are being alerted to the plans of the enemy. I said “Why the Apostles Lord I thought this was the Prophets Job” The Lord looked at me again and said, “I have alerted many prophets also but the Apostles have a different kind of Authority, Apostles not only can know the plans of the enemy but they will know what to do, Apostles can operate in a war mode to destroy the enemy, unlike the Eagles they can engage the enemy head on, their roar will bring great fear to the enemy they will not stop until they engage and destroy” The Lord seemed to be contemplating something finally saying, “ The Lions are very territorial and will reclaim the earth.”

Suddenly I found myself with the Lord in some kind of Hi-Tec military facility, missiles were being prepared for firing the Lord said to me breath on these missiles, as I did this I became aware that some of the internal computer systems in the missiles had been changed. The men working on these missiles turned and looked my way but obviously could not see me but they felt something. Next I saw the president of Iran he was pacing up and down in a very ornate room similar to what you would find in a palace, in this room were about a dozen other men, the Lord said to me Roar which I did, as I roared 5 times confusion came into that room and these men appeared to be very confused.

We need to pray earnestly for the protection of Israel as the enemy is seeking to annihilated her and take control of the Middle East. If Israel falls into the hands of Islamic forces the plans and purposes of God will be greatly hindered and the gentile harvest will be in jeopardy. If the enemy is able to pre-empt Armageddon the time allocated by God for the gentile harvest to be reaped will be changed and the harvest will be lost. Pray that Iran will not get involved, pray that if Israel bombs the nuclear facilities in Iran that the mission will be successful and the casualties few.

Neville Johnson

While working at Samaritan’s purse I had a long conversation with our supervisor who moved to America from Russia.  She is now an American citizen and has family still in Russia.  Her father was a pastor for many years and after his death her sister found out that several generations back their last name was changed.  The reason was because they were Jewish.

We also talked about the holocaust and how antisemitism was on the rise in the United States.  She asked me if I had seen the movie The Pianist, which I had not, and explained that it gave a clear picture of what the Jewish People went through in Germany.

I found the movie last night online and started watching it.  The reality of what happened is horrific.  It is so shocking and intense that I had to take a break and watch the rest later.

One revelation that seemed clear was the progression of hate and the ignoring of warnings to the point of missing their way of escape.  This pianist’s family had a chance to leave Warsaw and decided that it could not be as bad as they originally thought and chose to stay.  The German government started off just deciding that Jews could not own certain things and could not go certain places.  Then individuals would be picked out for no reason and made fun of or slapped around.

Suddenly the day came that it was decided all Jews would leave their homes and live in a Jewish quarter.  Once they all were moved to this area the area was bricked up.  They had little to eat and were constantly under the fear of being singled out to die.

Then the day came that they were told they were going to be relocated again and they were gathered up in a square to be herded onto a train.  Women, babies and men, young and old.

Watching this has done something inside me.  I have pondered how do people get to the place that they look at a group of people and no longer think they are human and to kill them is not murder.  As a Christian I realize this hate for Jews is so very demonic.  They were chosen by God to be the line to the Messiah and our salvation. Satan hates the seed of God.  I also realize that in the last days this hate will not only increase it will also include the grafted in ones.  We see this raising it’s head even now with Muslims killing and torturing Christians.

How do we get to the place of deception that we think that we are so right that the people with opposing views become the enemy and deserve to die?  Hitler justified his actions through his belief in Darwinism a theory embraced as truth in American schools now.  America was founded on “all men were created equal” and yet the enemy has now sown the seed of deception that has started a progression of hate in our country.

Today when we walked into the Charlotte warehouse of Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child it was evident that the mission had almost been accomplished.  The conveyor belts were empty, the volunteers were gone, dividing curtains were removed and shoe boxes were packed.  There was a combination of excitement of job well done and sadness that its over for another year.

We have renewed friendships from last year and made new ones this year.  My work partner, Ms Cora, was a hoot.  She and I kidded each other and had fun. I got tickled at her because she would have periods of working intently and not talking. I would put my ipod in my ear and withing a few minutes she was ready to talk again.  She has a deteriorated vertebra and is to go to the doctor tomorrow to schedule surgery.  She is having nerve pain down her leg and has suffered with it for years.  Yet she bowls every week and goes to water aerobics three times a week. She is also very active in her church going at least 3 times a week.  She has faithfully come without missing a day or being late.  Please pray for her.

My supervisor moved to America with her Russian pastor husband and one son. They have a daughter who was born here.  She is a very smart lady and very interesting to talk to.  Her mom and sister are still in Russia.  Her mom will not leave even though she is in her early 80’s.  I feel it could be because her husband of many years is buried there. Having had a dream 8 years ago about the doors suddenly closing to the gospel in Russia it is especially interesting for me to get news of how things are going in the country.

Over 2 million boxes were processed through the Charlotte distribution center this year.  I have not heard the total for all centers yet.  We only have enough mail coming in from Boone for a few hours for the next three days.  Chuck and I are going in tomorrow and Saturday and the Sunday head out to Mississippi. I am still very thankful for the Lord allowing us to be a part of making many children receive gifts in a shoe box and the gift of knowing Jesus’s love for them.

I say to you, My people, watch! For, the fourth watch is coming in the very season ahead of you. I have spoken to you that I would come to you as the rain. I will come to you not only as the rain, the flowing down of My Spirit upon the land, but I will walk upon that rain, and I will walk to you and enter into union with you. When I come to you, I will translate you into the reality of My kingdom. When My kingdom comes upon you the power will come and be demonstrated in the land among My people because of your desires and the willingness of your hearts. I shall come to those of you who have remained faithful even as I came to Moses and to Abraham and to David and those who have gone before you. I will have fellowship with you and restore, renew and empower you to fulfill your destiny that you may walk forth in the grace and knowledge of My presence. Then, I say, your joy shall be restored, and peace shall be the path before you where I will walk with you. Behold, study and learn, for now My Church is entering into the fourth watch, and that revelation will be in My communion with you as My Spirit will teach you all things that pertain to that watch. The watchmen will say, “What of the night?” But, I say, the morning comes — the night is far spent and the day is at hand. These are days of My power and glory, so be aware spiritually of this new watch, and position yourselves by faith to see, says the Lord.

This article is authored by Michael Shadow, a friend of my oldest son, on his blog called Christian Politico.  I thought it was well worth sharing.

Now that Senator Obama is President-Elect Obama, what changes can we expect. Not many at least as far as his cabinet goes. Senator Joe Biden is Vice President-elect; former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta is co-chair of the Obama transition team; Tom Daschle will reportedly be nominated Secretary of Health and Human Services; Hillary Clinton is being considered for Secretary of State; and now it seems that an alliance is being formed with John McCain.

So what is this “change we need”? It’s not in Washington.

Occasionally I repeat myself. I do that first because of new readers and second because it is sometimes worth repeating over and over. The second is what applies here.

At this point, I’m sure most of us have heard the verse, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Not just anyone can pray that prayer and expect an answer. That is where we find ourselves today. I believe we are a nation calling out to a God that we don’t know because we have dressed Him in an image that suits us. In the end our voices are crying out to an idol and screaming, “why aren’t you listening to me?”

The question is by what authority can I pray that prayer. The individual we need to focus on before we can focus on our country is ourselves. That verse says, “if my people”. That means we have to belong to Him. You can only do that by letting God be the God of your life without your input as to where He will fit in. We do not change God. He changes us. That is the change this country needs.

To say simply “I believe in God” or “All I know is that God loves me” is irrelevant. While they may be true, they aren’t evidence that you belong to Him. If you want to know Him and belong to Him, you must surrender your will to His. My pastor says that whenever he wants to go out drinking and carousing, he does. It’s just that he never wants to. God changed him. You cannot say you are His unless He has changed you.

In the context of the presidential election, you cannot become president and do nothing. People expect you to exercise the powers of that office for the benefit of the country. The same is true when you become a Christian. You cannot live the way you lived before. You must exercise the authority given to you in Christ for the benefit of His kingdom. You must tell others about Him, you must not compromise ideals, and you must pray.

How can you become His? Humble yourself, pray and seek His face, repent and turn from your wicked ways. It’s that simple and only then will you have the authority to pray that same prayer for our country.

That is the the “change we need”.

Last year the summer of love journey ended in San Francisco and we spent many nights meeting at a Church that has been trying to push back darkness for a number of years.  The name of this church is called Promised Land.  The ministry called IHOP or International House Of Prayer is close by also and they are closely connected with this church.

Several of us cooked the one good meal a day that the group got while in SF where some of the team of IHOP called home. As you can see it is not the Hilton.  These young people come from all over the country and give a large portion of thier lives to pray day and night for the Kingdom of God to come to SF.

The one day that I got to go out with the team we were assigned streets to go to and worship the Lord.  Our assignment was the corner of 5th and Market. Very few people who passed by even took notice that day.

I said all this to give you an idea of what kind of young people that went down several nights ago to the streets of San Francisco and were viciously attacked by homosexuals in the area.  And they think we are guilty of hate crimes when we just speak our views.

When the people of CA made a stand for righteousness by voting that marriage was only between a man and woman it really stirred up the forces of darkness and hate and violence is showing it’s head.  Please pray for these young people and for Promised Land Fellowship.  Below is a video of a first hand account of what happened to a group a few nights ago on the streets of SF.

November 6, 2008

I feel certain that many in my stream of the Church want a statement from me concerning Tuesday’s presidential election. I will be frank in my remarks but I do not, however, intend to vent anger or attack anyone. I have read several statements from friends and colleagues I respect very much.
Their thoughts are well stated and, for the most part, insightful.  None of them, however, seem to want to say some things that I believe need to be said. I do not claim infallibility or to have the final word, but my convictions run deep and I believe I bear a God-given responsibility to share them.

Was This God’s Will?

Was what happened Tuesday God’s will?  I am quite confident it was not.  America was offered a very clear choice between moving further toward protecting the unborn or further away; between a Supreme Court that would move toward honoring God, life and morality or away from it.  The stakes couldn’t have been higher nor the cost greater. As a nation we put on blinders concerning Barak Obama’s background, associations, beliefs and practices, and set these causes back years, possibly decades.
And in doing so we took another step away from God and His plans for America, and another step toward judgment.

Judgment Will Increase

This is not a fire and brimstone warning from an angry, legalistic preacher.  In fact, I feel more sadness and grief than anything else. Perhaps I feel what Jesus felt as He wept for Jerusalem while announcing its judgment. I am not hoping for judgment; I am saying it is inevitable. I don’t know where the unbiblical belief comes from that says a nation can live any way it pleases, can reject God and His ways-even mock Him-and not receive His judgments.  Nor do I know when the belief came that it is always mean-spirited or judgmental to warn of these things.  To the contrary, I believe it is our responsibility.
In warning of judgment, I am not suggesting that God is going to intentionally and directly hurt people.  Much judgment is simply the absence of God’s protection and provision, caused by a rejection of His laws and ways.  We have been experiencing some forms of judgment in America for years, but God in His incredible patience and mercy has kept us from the level we’ve deserved.  I believe this will change to a degree and judgment will now increase:

• For those in the Church who aligned themselves with pro-abortion forces, I believe judgment will result.

• For leaders in the Body of Christ who refused to take a stand for fear of losing people, money, and tax-exempt status-I believe there will be a degree of judgment.

• For those, both within the Church and without, who voted money over morality-a potential raise or better health insurance over the life of a baby-there will be judgment. (The irony is that this decision to base one’s vote on the hopes of a better economy won’t produce the hoped for result anyway. The scriptures teach that it is righteousness which exalts a nation and that the nation is blessed whose God is the Lord.)

I have heard the argument that God cares as much about social justice issues (such as poverty and racism) as He does abortion, making a vote for Obama OK.  I certainly believe God puts a very high priority on caring for the poor and I, too, have wanted to see equality demonstrated through a “minority” president. But to equate having a better income or the desire for a first black president, regardless of his positions on abortion and morality, to the issue of killing 50 million babies is not justice-it is a gross distortion of justice and great deception. I fear that we have been desensitized to this issue of abortion.  I believe it kills babies and takes innocent life.  I also believe it is blood sacrifice that empowers demons. Let’s not forget this in our noble attempts to be kind and conciliatory.

For African Americans I can easily see how it could bring healing to have a first black president, just as it would be for Native Americans to achieve this or for women if a woman were elected president.  Again, I have wanted to see justice in this way.  I am only saddened that the price for this healing ended up being Barak Obama, a man that will set the cause of life and, most-likely, our God-given destiny as a nation back so drastically. (I also realize there are some who interpret any criticism of Obama as racism. Racism is so NOT what I am about nor what I live, that I will not even dignify any such accusations with a response.)

What Can We Expect?

What are some of the judgments we can expect on our nation from this election?

• More economic woes

• More violence in an already violent nation

• Disease and death (satan, who is responsible for these things will have greater inroads to our nation.)

• Natural disasters (weather-tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, drought; fires; earthquakes; etc.)

• Terrorism (they will fear us much less now)

• War, perhaps on our own soil

• Judgments relating to the Court. The stacking of the Supreme Court against the sanctity of life and God’s influence on America will occur, which will in turn cause the shedding of more innocent blood, more rejection of God’s laws and the stealing from us of our godly heritage-all of which will perpetuate a cycle of even more judgment.

How Did This Happen?

I’ve been asked if this could have been averted had there been more prayer.  I’m not sure. I believe there was a remnant of Christians fervently praying over these elections-I don’t think there was anything more they could have done. Others, obviously, should have done more.  The complacency and lack of discernment concerning our real condition in America-especially by the Church-is both appalling and horrifying.  America is in serious trouble and it seems no one wants to say it.  Fewer still are willing to do anything to change it.

Though I understand our reasons, we must be careful in our attempts to placate our feelings and calm our fears through religious phrases like “God is still on the throne” or “God has a plan”.  He was on His throne 35 years and 50 million babies ago.  And He had a plan back then.  The problem is, it was us.  I understand our reasons for waving high the banner of God’s sovereignty at times like these-it gives us hope.  I will wave it, as well. But please be careful with this. Too much emphasis on God’s sovereignty and we’re worthless; too little and we’re hopeless.  Maybe we should say, “we lost a critical battle but God will give us strategy to win the war.” Then find the strategy.

But still yet, since God is usually willing to work through a remnant, I thought we had enough prayer. Obviously, God decided otherwise.  There comes a time when He will not forgive or bless the majority based on the prayers or actions of only a few.  America rejected God and asked for a king; I believe we now have our Saul (see 1 Samuel 8:5-7)-a man who does not have God’s heart for America but his own. Like Israel in scripture, our nation believes it can turn from God and still be blessed.  In His mercy and justice He will show us otherwise.

Like many, believing I had many promises and confirmations that God would “grace” us with a pro-life president in this election, I failed to consider strongly enough that all promises-even scripture-are conditional 99.9% of the time. Though I never prophesied or made guarantees that McCain-Palin would win, failing to factor this principle in strongly enough no doubt caused me to share my optimism with others inappropriately. If this caused any harm or confusion, I apologize.

Has the fact that my prayers weren’t answered shaken my faith? No. I’m a little confused and discouraged. I’m also somewhat angry at the nation in general and much of the Church. Mostly I’m grieving over the nation and what this will cost us. I am not, however, angry with God and do not question His justice. And it is not true that we wasted our time, energy and money in our efforts anymore than it is a waste when we share the gospel with people who don’t get saved.  We must keep in the forefront of our thinking the fact that ultimately we are doing this for Him and that He will reward us for our faithfulness.  And who knows, perhaps He will store up all those prayers for the next battle (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5).

A friend and fellow warrior said it well,

“We did ‘give it our all.’ I know the Lord was pleased with that. A coach wants to know one thing at the end of a heartbreaking sports loss: ‘Did you leave it all on the field?’ (your passion, your commitment, your strength, your courage, etc.) I know that we ‘left it all on the field.’ We didn’t hold anything back until the game ended. Tragically, it ended in defeat. We will rise for another day because Jesus is worthy.”

Where Do We Go from Here?

Does this election outcome shake my faith that we can see a great awakening and ultimately reformation in America? Absolutely not (and it strengthens my resolve).  We will simply get there through greater pain and loss.  Even my passion to see the Supreme Court shift is not from a presupposition that there can be no spiritual awakening without it.  It is simply due to my deep conviction that their decisions bring so much death, destruction, curses and judgment to America; and because our full destiny as a nation is unquestionably linked to their decisions. So, yes, we will get an awakening and reformation; but the reality is that this reformation of the nation will reform the Supreme Court (and government, in general), not vice-versa.  My faith has never been in people or a political party; my faith is in the God who works through them.

I’ve been asked if my feelings about Sarah Palin have changed.  They have not. I believe she is an Esther, a Deborah, with a huge mantle from God for reformation. God has a great destiny for her related to this nation if she chooses to continue down this path.

So, in conclusion, we must re-group as an apostolic, praying church and advance.  We must maintain an immovable faith in God, His plans for America and His mercy.  And we must move beyond simply asking God for a spiritual awakening and ask Him for strategy to produce reformation, as well.  I, for one, am just getting started!

For God and this great nation,
Dutch Sheets

1 Samuel 8:4-22

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.” 10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the Lord will not answer you in that day.” 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.

Chuck and I stayed up until Fox News declared Obama the winner of the 2008 election for president of the USA.  I went to sleep listening to my ipod as I often do and woke up again about 3:20 AM and had a horrible headache and my bones were hurting.  I got up and took some medication and came into the living room  to hear the latest news.  As I walked from our bedroom I heard the word of the elders to Samuel “give us a king”.  Then I heard what the Lord told Samuel, “listen to what all the people are saying to you, it is not you they are rejecting, they are rejecting me as their King”. Mid morning today a friend from St Louis sent me a word from Jan Markell entitled “Give Me A King”.  I knew then I had heard for the Lord.

For the last few days I have thought that I sure would be glad when this election was over.  To be honest I have entered into some spiritual warfare like I have not been in before and it has taken a toll on my body.  I thought it will be great to get some relief.  But I kept hearing that the battle was not ending on Nov 4th.  I tried to ignore it, but that did not make it go away.

For months now I have had it in me that I needed to watch Amazing Grace.  I even went to rent it at Block Buster and came up against so much stuff from a clerk that I just said forget it and walked out.  Then I was going to rent it in Indy and that did not work.  Last night out of the blue I came across a website that had free movies and there was Amazing Grace.  It was God’s timing for me and I watched as they counted the votes.

Amazing Grace is based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce who was a member of parliament and a friend of the Prime Minister of England.  God chose Wilberforce for this one battle and he  committed his life to fighting for this injustice in an environment full men who had financial interest in the slave market.  It cost him his reputation, his friends, his health, his life.  He almost gave up a few times but in the end God handed him his enemies and he was eventually given honor.

Well, here we are.  The lines have been drawn and we will have to decide if we are willing to pay the cost to stand on the side of justice for the unborn and all that is good and righteous.  We are admonished to pray for those in authority over us. We must pray for Obama’s protection and pray for him to have wisdom from the Lord and be surrounded by Godly counsel.  We must pray with great fervor.  But on the other side of the coin we can not compromise or we will loose all.