Jim Bakker Show

Right now, we are focusing on our Master’s Media kids and preparing them to “go ye” into all the world with the Gospel of Jesus.  This can’t happen unless you and I, the older generation, gets behind these kids with our prayers and our finances.

You know, the world doesn’t really look like the world we knew as teenagers.  Before, in the traditional church, we sent missionaries to occupy and evangelize other nations and other places that had not heard the Gospel.  Now, we find that our nation is one of the top mission fields of the world.  We need to embrace a new breed of missionary that knows how to “go” in a new way.  We are doing this with our Master’s Media kids.  We are embracing the technology and their way of evangelizing.

The way we evangelize, especially to the new generation, must be a way that can reach these kids that they understand.  Most kids are not coming to church – they can’t relate to church.  So we need to go get them.  We need to find a way to reach them with Jesus, and it’s not going to be by traditional means.  It’s going to be different – it’s going to be through social media and other web-related technologies.

You see, it has all changed from when you and I were young.  Back then, the social environment didn’t include a world-wide spectrum.  It only included those in your home town and maybe a few close neighboring towns.  Today, kids are influenced by many, many voices world-wide.  Most of those voices are not the ones they should be listening to – but they’re out there, influencing our kids.  Our voice needs to be out there too – dispelling the lies that they’re hearing from every imaginable source.

Here at Morningside, we are busy training young people, and getting them prepared to evangelize in their own way.  We have just remodeled the Tabernacle into a state-of-the-art studio for them to use to creatively produce Christian programs that other kids will see, world-wide.  We have ordered brand new cameras that are dedicated to the school and the student’s work.  We have just launched a new website built for them to express their faith and give their testimonies (see generationNOWiptv.com).   This week, we are taking them all to Dallas, Texas for a Master’s Commission conference.

For those of us who are older, our job is not done – we must support this new generation, not only with our prayers, but with our means. There are many ways to do this.  You can call our Customer Service department at 417-779-9000 or 1-888-988-1588 and:  (1) give a one-time donation for scholarship funding; (2) you can specify support funds for a particular student. We can leave no greater legacy than to support the next generation in their work for the Lord.  Let’s get behind them.

We can leave no greater legacy than to support the next generation in their work for the Lord.

Love,

                                                                                                            Jim

When you think of the greatest inspirations in music, or in a sermon, or in a book, or in a testimony, you rarely think of those inspirations coming from the mountaintop of life, though the mountaintop provides some encouragement. But greatness comes from the valley of a life lived in triumph through the face of trouble and adversity. Greatness comes from the dark night of the soul experiences in the valleys of life. The only thing that can speak to the sorrows of others is the fellowship of their suffering.

BeBe Winans was with me this week on the occasion of celebrating my 50th year in ministry. BeBe is a friend who loves at all times, and a brother born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) He is a man that is priceless in his loyalty and his integrity. Though he has spent a great deal of his life on the mountaintop, BeBe knows what it means to struggle in the valley. Through BeBe’s songs, you find his testimony.

On the show BeBe told of a time when he was with the renowned poet, Maya Angelou and she offered this advice: “BeBe, promise me that you will learn to enjoy the struggle.”

Simplistic? Yes, but be very sure that there is more wisdom in those few words than many long, flowing dissertations and even countless books written by those who have not been in the valley and know not its struggles and its triumphs. It’s in the valley that the Word of God becomes your rhema. It’s in the valley that you are given the understanding that in your weakness, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

During the show, BeBe sang a song by Donnie McClurkin, “Stand” which he and CeCe have performed many times. A key line in the chorus of this song says “after you’ve done all you can… Stand!” You can’t sing this song with the fervor and believability BeBe sings it with – without having been to the valley. If you didn’t catch this show on our ‘live-streaming’ internet, be sure you watch next week when it airs on regular television programming.

BeBe told me “You have been an example and a blessing to me and my entire family.” It doesn’t get any better than that, except to hear: “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.”

I recently returned from a mission trip with my crew to several states where flooding and storms have caused death and destruction in the lives of many people.  We are emotionally spent.  You can’t look on that much human suffering without it taking its toll.  Everything else that may be going on, pales in light of it.  I have seen other newscasters unable to speak or describe the scenes they were looking upon – it was all so overwhelming.  We are doing what we can to alleviate some of the suffering.  It will take the efforts of millions of people, organizations and especially churches to reach out with whatever they have to give – and everyone has something to give!

In the meantime, the Middle East is still in turmoil, Israel is surrounded by its enemies, and earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters are increasing dramatically.  Yet, people everywhere refuse to repent (but that’s another blog).

The news headlines have described the events of May as “epic” and “biblical” and “apocalyptic”.  These are the words of the secular media, not religious men.  Even the world knows that what we are witnessing is a global turmoil unlike anything ever before it.  They may not know what to call it, but we do.  It’s called the Times of Trouble, the Last Days, the Revelation Days, and the Tribulation.

We know what these Times are because God gave us the Scriptures so that we would know!  He did not give us these warnings in Scripture so that we would be fearful – NO!  …just the opposite!  In Matthew 24:6 Jesus says “See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”  And in Matthew 24:32-33 Jesus says “  “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”  Now that is Good News to those who know Him!

Then, in Matthew 24:42-46, Jesus tells us what we should do,  “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

“Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”

Jesus gives us this spiritual instruction using a natural principle.  The principle is that when you see the warning signs of an impending disaster, you should prepare.  This is a natural, practical preparation – as well as a spiritual preparation.  He tells us that we should be alert to the times in which we live and to pattern our lives accordingly, making every effort to be found faithful.

As these Revelation events increase, we need to increase in faith and preparedness for what is coming upon the world – it is not something that anyone should ignore.   We can increase and grow in our spiritual knowledge and our peace when we have heeded the instructions given so lovingly so many years ago.  Don’t just be a hearer, be a doer!

God loves you!  He really does!

Jim

Most of you know about the times of my life, nearly 25 years ago now, when there was great destruction and ruin that surrounded the ministry of PTL.  Anyone with access to a newspaper or television back then, saw the devastation of Heritage USA and witnessed the carnage of all that was built there… or so it seemed.

Though the world saw only devastation and ruin, there is much more to the ‘end of the story’.

At Heritage USA, the partners who gave faithfully made it possible to build a home for unwed mothers. There were many young women and girls who came there to live while their babies were growing and developing safely in their wombs. The girls were cared for with all their needs met in that safe place until the time they delivered their babies.

Through the home for unwed mothers at Heritage USA, these babies were given the gift of life instead of issued the sentence of death in an abortion clinic. I still hear quite often about someone who was born there at the home and what they are doing today. These now adult young people and sometimes their birth mothers, often express their gratitude for the provision they received which allowed them to make the right decisions. There are people who live today because we did what we could back then, and those who made that possible will receive a reward in heaven – the Bible tells us so!

Today, in this day of  unrestrained abortion of epidemic proportion, we have an even more pronounced opportunity to help young mothers make the right decisions about giving the gift of life to their unborn babies. So many babies have been murdered in the womb by this lawless generation, and it’s time now for the Church to stand up and do all that we can to help give life.

We have received the commission in a prophetic word by Cindy Jacobs to build “Lori’s House” and we are going to do it with your help! “Lori’s House” will be a safe place for girls and young women to come and have all their needs met while the little child within them grows strong enough to one day take its first breath. That life may go on to use that breath to glorify God and declare His love to a lost and dying world!

Today, we are filming several shows and partnering with Philip Cameron in the ministry of saving young girls and boys from a life of certain death in the sex trafficking trade. We are helping them to build “Stella’s House” in Moldova. Do you think Jesus is interested in this? Do you think Jesus cares if we give shelter, clothing, food and most of all love to these young girls and boys? Do you think Jesus cares?  You know He does and I care too!

In addition to helping Philip save lives in Moldova, we are going to build “Lori’s House” right here in Peaceful Valley at Morningside. We need your help. Just as those who helped Heritage USA’s home for unwed mothers are seeing the fruits of their labors in living beings who are precious to God, you can now sow into the lives of those yet to be born, those whom God has designed to be here on this earth in the Last Days.

When you help to give the gift of life, you will receive rewards in heaven. I didn’t say that, Jesus did! In Matthew 24, Jesus is talking to his disciples and giving them detailed information about the physical signs of the Last Days. The disciples continued to question him about the end of the age, and Jesus then expanded their understanding by telling them who will be chosen to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Here is what he said in Matthew 25:31-46

“The Son of Man will come again in his great glory, with all his angels. He will be King and sit on his great throne. All the nations of the world will be gathered before him, and he will separate them into two groups as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The Son of Man will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to the people on his right, ‘Come, my Father has given you his blessing. Receive the kingdom God has prepared for you since the world was made. I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then the good people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our house? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

“Then those people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or alone and away from home or without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see these things and not help you?’

The Christmas season represents the time for celebrating the ultimate Gift to mankind – the birth of Jesus, the Savior!  Jesus was given to us as a gift.

“…but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). 

As Christians who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, we have set aside the Christmas season to remember that Gift – and we do so by giving gifts to others!

While some Christians may get hung up on the exact day Jesus was born or refuse to celebrate the Christmas season because they believe it has become too commercialized, I think it’s important to remember just what Christmas means to God!  You can trust that the birthday of God’s only begotten Son is important to Him and He is not offended that we celebrate it! 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

 But while we are giving gifts in celebration of the Christmas season, remember also that Jesus is coming again and He’s coming very soon!  The events of the Revelation Days are not slowing down because our calendar says it’s the Christmas season! 

The events of Revelation propel us towards the Second Coming of Jesus and the end of the age.  We have a tremendous responsibility in the midst of all the shaking and turmoil around us.  Our temptation is to focus on the events, but our responsibility is to stay focused on the God of the events, and understand His heart and priorities.  Very little of what we do in this life will matter unless it echoes the heart of God.  Here is what God has said about his heart:

 …not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14)

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven, over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)

My passion and the reason for my life, is and always has been, to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  God called me and gave me the vision for Christian broadcasting as a young man.  I’m not young anymore, but I’m still the same man who received that call over 50 years ago, and the passion is even more urgent as we see the time of His return growing closer.

 When you think about what the word “broadcasting” means, it means a wide distribution.  Television, with its 21st century capabilities, has the ability to reach into virtually every home all over the world. 

 When the disciples were commissioned to “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel”, they never imagined that they could do so via the miracle of television and multiply the effects of their message many times over what they were able to do as individuals.  Yet, you and I are fulfilling that great commission today via Christian broadcasting.

 Jesus said:

 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)

And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)

Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35)

“…The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

 The work is still being done every day in Christian broadcasting, yet there is coming a time when the work will be over and we will give an account for what we did or didn’t do.  I need help to continue doing the work of the Lord in Christian broadcasting.  This Christmas season, Lori and I pray that we can stay on the air with your help for as long as He tarries.  Together, we will give a lasting gift of the message of Jesus to a lost and hurting world.

  “…then He shall reward every man according to his works.”  (Matthew 16:27)

 We long to hear “well done, good and faithful servant”!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Jesus!

God loves you, He really does!

Jim

Within the vision for beautiful homes and lovely surroundings at Morningside, I see a community that is knit tightly together in all things. Most of you know that I teach and proclaim to the Body of Christ that there are perilous times to come. When perilous times come, a Christian community is a place not only of refuge, but also of strength, fellowship, and spiritual power. It offers hope for difficult days and practical help for making it through tough times – together in Christ.

As I have stated in my book “The Refuge”, “in the days ahead, the only place you will find the help you need will be the community of believers, the church, the refuge.” Morningside is being developed with a vision for the New Testament pattern for the body of believers and for discipleship. Morningside represents an exciting portrait of the Body of Christ as it was meant to be – and an inspiring invitation to all believers to experience the fullness of God working in their midst.

The vision for Morningside includes individual homes, apartments, condos and an RV park nestled within the natural beauty of the Missouri Ozarks. There is something for everyone here. We designed it that way for you and your loved ones.

Morningside represents New Testament Christianity applied to twenty-first century living.

Security cannot be found in money, materialism, or church infrastructure. Our true security rests in Christ and in His family, working to overcome the obstacles of life. Morningside represents the Body of Christ, gathered together in one accord, to bear one another’s burdens, to open our hearts to a fresh outpouring of God’s supernatural presence in our midst.

We must learn to love one another with a fervent faith that counts everything as joy and transforms every difficulty into an opportunity to live out the love of Christ.

We are busy here at Morningside with building and developing the infrastructure for a beautiful community of believers. If your spirit resonates with what is going on here, we would love to have you come and preview Morningside and all it has to offer. Just as the body needs every part, we will not be complete until every part is here, working together as a vibrant, living organism – The Body of Christ – in action!

On Sunday, May 30th, we graduated the pioneering class of Morningside Media Master’s Commission (MMMC)! As part of their training here at Morningside, the MMMC Class of 2010 was responsible for ministering to over 20,000 high-school students inside their high schools and over 1,000 said the sinner’s prayer to be born again just in Michigan alone! This is what our MMMC school has done: they produced, directed and hosted over 90 hours of their own broadcasts in their very own program titled “Safelock” which is soon to be syndicated around the world! That’s quite an accomplishment for a first-year class!

I am as proud as if I gave birth to each one of those children! Parents, family and friends were glowing with pride and admiration! It has been an amazing year and God has given us amazing grace! Lloyd Ziegler, the founder of Master’s Commission and Lori’s mentor, delivered a stirring message via video to share his congratulations and to exhort the class. He told the students that this graduation will be a launch to go out and be world changers for the Kingdom of God.

We had a very special rose ceremony for Dee and Jerry Crawford, victorious warriors who have given all to the vision of Morningside and to Master’s Commission. Without a builder, you have no building, and without a vision, people perish. And Dee and Jerry Crawford have stood with me in this vision throughout this year, and that’s why we honor them!

Lori shared that this Media Master’s Commission is a brand new baby because the focus is almost entirely on media! Though Master’s Commission is not new, there has never been a Media Master’s Commission before – we pioneered the program here at Morningside with the help of our partners and friends. It was designed for young men and women who want a career in Christian broadcasting. Their training consists of every aspect of television from camera operation to performing arts to talk shows geared towards the youth of today. Within the very first week, they were running cameras, shading, directing and producing television shows.

When I helped pioneer Christian television 45 years ago, God gave me the vision to leave a legacy and train up the next generation, a generation that will not compromise the Truth and will be passionately preparing a people for the Prince of Peace to return! This will be the generation that will usher in the coming of the Lord! They will guard the Truth of His Coming and be messengers who herald it!

My message to the students was from Esther 4:14. You have come to the kingdom for such a time as this! NOW is your time! Where you’ve been wounded I’m giving you authority to bring healing to other people. He will take your mess and turn it into a message. He will take your pain and turn it into gain. You made it, others have given up. The reward goes to those who finish the race!

We are doing all that we can to declare the soon coming King! We are teaching and training, equipping and exhorting! We are sharing everything the Lord gives us with you to help you be ready for times ahead. Our faith is not in words only, but in action to research and offer you the best of what we find to help you and your loved ones through every circumstance.

Hear the Word of the Lord with us! Get ready NOW with us! Test all that is said and done, and hold tight to the Truth!

God loves you, He really does! And we love you too.