James Robison A Weekly Commentary
The theme of our 50th Anniversary Conference this July 18-20 at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, is “Awaken Now!” We are celebrating 50 years of ministry and marriage and hope you will join us for the conference. More than ever before we are determined to encourage and help equip the body of Christ to make a difference in our world today.
The only hope we have for peace, security and the divine enabling necessary to share Christ with a world in darkness is to experience another great spiritual awakening. Christ will come for a bride filled with His love, compassion, righteousness and holy boldness. Paul said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself… which is the fulfillment of the law… and knowing the time that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”[1] This is not only a challenge, it is a command and it is to be obeyed right now!
Several years ago I shared a message God burned into my heart. I titled it, “We Have a Choice: Humility or Humiliation.” What I shared is truth. We will either bow before God, or be broken before God. We will come to Him in humility as individuals, the church and the nation, or we will witness humiliation.
In the word that I shared calling for repentance and a return to God, I pointed out the fact that terrorists under demonic control targeted something representing our economic system and prosperity and it was not incidental. In light of the economic challenges we face today, two paragraphs in my message jump out from pages 6-7:
Many have made such an idol of economic gain and material possessions, I am not certain brokenness will come apart from the collapse of our economy and loss of treasured possessions. Selfish indulgences, revealed through sexual excesses and perversion, are promoted and defended as perfectly acceptable and normal. This attitude must be changed from within, and its effect will be visibly manifested in the lives and practices of our general population…
We must have God’s power and protection in order to miss our enemies’ plans for us. Without this divine miracle, unparalleled, indescribable devastation is coming to our shores – truly “the sum of all fears.”
This remains a word for this present moment. We have reached a point in America where the collapse of our economic systems may not come from the actions of an outside enemy. There is a very real enemy within our midst. It is an insidious worldview that blames the possibility of productivity and prosperity as the problem, rather than recognizing the idolatrous heart of many who have been given responsibility for the stewardship and oversight of the free market and the fertile field of opportunity.
Jesus taught all who follow Him to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth [in us and through us] as it is in heaven.” This means there is the very real possibility of being the light that dispels the darkness and reveals the correct approach to best solve every problem and challenge we face including the realm of economics.
Many of our nation’s leaders are groping in darkness. Jesus proclaims clearly that He is the light of the world and that we have been left here as light and salt, and are to join together in heart harmony with God and holy unity with one another to become a light revealed as distinctly as a city set on a hill. If He told us to pray that His will would be done now, that means it’s possible. We can storm the gates of hell and overcome!
He sends us as sheep in the midst of wolves, but not to be slaughtered. We are to be sheep walking and living in the shadow of the Almighty, the shelter of His wings and with the Great Shepherd guiding and illuminating our path. He says He will prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. He will calm the troubled water and lead us in green pastures. As children of light we must diligently seek to lead our confused nation and the world out of darkness.
God is not opposed to the possibilities and opportunities set before us, or the prosperity that enables us to freely bless those in need. Every Christian should be concerned about social ills and personal need. The compassion connection, however, must be established. Social concerns should be the legitimate concern of every Christian and every caring person on this planet. We are, too often, targeting the wrong enemy! Selfishness, greed, fear and indifference (to name only a few) are the real enemies of the life and godliness available to those who will humble themselves before the Almighty.
The way to discover the necessary course correction for our Titanic ship of state is to fall before God in brokenness and humility. Let me share other points from the message, “We Have a Choice: Humility or Humiliation”:
I don’t want us to get what we deserve. I cry out for mercy for me, my family members, friends and everyone – even those who chose to be our enemies. I don’t want anyone to perish but all to repent, just as the Bible emphasizes. This is the very desire of God’s heart.
A change of heart and direction must take place in this nation. Brokenness will lead to true character, determination, self-sacrifice and a sincere desire to know and do what is right, regardless of the cost or sacrifice. The line distinguishing good from evil must become as distinct as the difference in light and darkness…
I pray for a change of heart and direction, for true repentance to occur until our nation receives the truth of God, begins to live with the character, strength and faith that made America great in the first place, and allows selfless love to prevail rather than selfish indulgence.
I am convinced brokenness will come. Count on it. The Bible says God’s Word is a hammer; its power can break our stubborn will. His Word is a fire; it can purify us. His Word is water; it can cleanse. The choice is ours: Choose life or choose the way that seems right to men and women – the fruit of which is death…
At the present time, there is no doubt we have many enemies plotting our demise, but as Abraham Lincoln pointed out, the fall does not have to come at the hand of any enemy across the ocean. He stated, “If destruction be our lot, we our self will be its author and finisher.”
Many are in the process of making very foolish decisions that will affect those yet to be born. God, bring us to our knees and lead us back to sanity and truth. Prosperity must be defined as life itself, rather than life’s possessions. People must choose whom they will serve. We can eat the fruit of our own rebellious ways, or receive the liberating truth and life-changing love that God offers.
Only right relationships with God will produce the necessary resolve to fight the right fight the right way in the right place at the right time. It is only through commitment to godly principles that we will have the character to make the sacrifices necessary to protect and preserve the truly priceless aspects of life. No political leader or party can be seen as our hope and security apart from the guidance of Divine Providence. As I heard Dr. Tony Evans say, “Hope does not arrive in any city on Air Force One.” Our hope must be in the Lord!
If we repent, we will be guided by God to return to time-tested, proven principles in complete harmony with the Word of God and the Judeo-Christian ethic. Families will be once again defined properly: husband, wife, and children.
Our freedom will not only be diligently protected, but its benefits and blessings freely shared. While enjoying the privileges true prosperity affords us, we will cherish the responsibility and joy of sharing what we have with others. We will not be manipulated or motivated by greed, but moved by compassion and unselfish love. I am praying for this day. I repeat what Beth Moore said after she read my message, “…We still have time to humble ourselves and pray. To turn from our sinful ways and seek God’s face. I wonder if perhaps these are days for the people of God, as a whole, to go facedown. For any who will, I’ll meet you on the floor.” Betty and I are joining Beth on our faces before God in earnest prayer for an awakening.
If we fall before Him in brokenness and humility, He is anxious to lift us up and establish our lives and future on the unshakable rock of His truth – truly His Kingdom revealed on earth through the family of faith.
Join us July 18-20 for “Awaken now!” Speakers include Gov. Mike Huckabee, Dr. Tony Evans, Beth Moore, Robert Morris, Lisa Bevere, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Christine Caine, Andy Andrews and more! Please mark your calendar and plan to join us. Pre-registration begins next week at www.lifetoday.org.
JAMES AND BETTY . I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOUR SHOW AND THE LOVE I SEE POUR OUT. YOU HAVE HELPED ME SO MUCH WITH MY WALK WITH GOD. SO I CAN ONLY SAY THANK YOU I HAVE GIVEN TO YOUR HEARTS DRIVE OF LOVE TO THE WATER FOR LIFE . I GIVE EVERY TIME I HAVE EXTRA MONEY . I DON’T HAVE A LOT BUT WHAT I DO HAVE IS GODS . I ONLY WATCH OVER IT FOR HIM I M PRATING FOR YOUR FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF SORROW FOR YOUR DAUGHTER
DEAR JAMES,
THANK YOU . THE NEED FOR ‘OUR BROKENNESS’ TO COME, AS WE SUBMIT IN PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD, IS SO NECESSARY. . IT IS MY DESIRE TO DO THIS AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS AS WELL. I AM DISABLED AND THEREFORE I WILL PRAY FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE JULY CONFERENCE AT YOUR HOME CHURCH, GATEWAY.
I APPLAUD YOU AND YOUR WIFE BETTY FOR ALL THAT YOU DO ! I WATCH YOUR PROGRAMME DAILY AND ” WEDNESDAYS WITH BETH ” MOORE . MAY THE LORD JESUS CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU ALL AS WE ” FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH “.
Please forgive me as I begin to write. My purest intentions are to write just a comment and maybe a brief paragraph and then suddenly the inspiration of the word of God by the hand of James quickens me and the words begin to flow. Please, as your brother in Christ, bear with me momentarily.
I am moved by the following statement:
“Only right relationships with God will produce the necessary resolve to fight the right fight the right way in the right place at the right time. It is only through commitment to godly principles that we will have the character to make the sacrifices necessary to protect and preserve the truly priceless aspects of life. No political leader or party can be seen as our hope and security apart from the guidance of Divine Providence. As I heard Dr. Tony Evans say, “Hope does not arrive in any city on Air Force One.” Our hope must be in the Lord!”
Jesus Christ stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” No other person throughout history has made that claim and then provides infallible evidence of the validity of the claim. Each individual will make a choice, to either embrace his words of life or follow a way that “seems right to man, but the end is death.” I am among those in this nation who completely embrace those words and believe that our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Upon that basis, the question remains, who is this seemingly historical figure we adhere to so unreservedly and accept his word above all others? First, let us determine who is not. Jesus Christ is not a politician. He is not a republican, democrat, libertarian, independent, patriot, or socialist. Jesus Christ is not an American and he is neither Jew, Samaritan, nor Gentile. He does not hold membership with a religious sect or denomination. He is not on our side or any opposing side. Jesus Christ is not an antiquated religious figure held onto by heretics. He does not show bias to any religious organization. Jesus Christ was not conceived from sexual desire. The seed of Joseph did not unite with the ovum of Mary to form the Christ child in her womb. So who was he?
In Revelation 3:14, Jesus Christ himself unveils the answer. “And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea’s write these things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God…” Therefore, by his own revelation he tells us he is the Amen, the last and the final word, which is life, the faithful and true witness, which testifies of the truth and only faith, and he says he is the beginning of the creation of Elohim, (God) which is the way. “He is the way, the truth, and the life.” Peter said Jesus Christ is born of the incorruptible seed, not the seed that perishes, which comes by sexual desire.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When Mary was espoused (engaged) to Joseph, before they came together, (in marriage) she was found with child of the Holy Ghost (the beginning of the creation of Elohim). Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary for your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Elohim, Spirit). And she will birth a son, and you will call his name JESUS: for he will save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin will be with child, and will birth a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, (Elohim) God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had told him, and took Mary as his wife: But, knew her not (sexually) till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
Jesus Christ is our hope because frailty of hope in this world conceived by corruptible seed will always fail. “Many are in the process of making very foolish decisions that will affect those yet to be born. God, bring us to our knees and lead us back to sanity and truth. Prosperity must be defined as life itself, rather than life’s possessions. People must choose whom they will serve. We can eat the fruit of our own rebellious ways, or receive the liberating truth and life-changing love that God offers.” AMEN.
Ezekiel 9:
Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, “Bring the guards of the city here, each with a weapon in his hand.” And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the altar of judgment.
Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”
As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple.
Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city. While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell face down, crying out, “Ah, Sovereign LORD! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
He answered me, “The sin of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land; the LORD does not see.’ So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.”
Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”
We understand that history is filled with accounts of physical death that strikes nations and kingdoms because of sin and transgression. However, throughout scripture the spiritual death of a people and a nation stands as the most destructive separation between God and man. Jesus said in Matthew 10: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Paul, when speaking to the Romans of how God did not spare Israel because of their transgressions, warned the Gentiles of the same recompense.
“I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.”
Those who have the mark of God in their forehead, which is the mind of Christ, they are the only ones who can see the oncoming storms of judgment and the Spirit of God in them cries and laments over the abominations committed in the land. As James states so emphatically, “I am convinced brokenness will come. Count on it. The Bible says God’s Word is a hammer; its power can break our stubborn will. His Word is a fire; it can purify us. His Word is water; it can cleanse. The choice is ours: Choose life or choose the way that seems right to men and women – the fruit of which is death…” May our Father God have mercy upon us…
So excited this sounds awesome! Speaking the truth!! Preach it!!!!
Hitting the nail on the head !
I, too, join you on my face in earnest and unceasing prayer before our Heavenly Father, begging for forgiveness and an awakening like no other in our lives and country. I want to personally thank you and Betty for ALL you do and ALL you are. You are a continual blessing and inspiration in my life, as you are to millions of others!