Prophetic Ministries International

As I sit here in a hotel room, pondering God, and reviewing a bunch of You Tube videos regarding the Lakeland "revival", Tod Bentley, and others - I am faced with some questions.

My first question comes from an email I received telling m that Tod Bentley tells people to follow an angel. As I watched the video, I realized that what the minister sent me (a person I highly respect) is actually not what is being said - and that their take on the video is being squed by their mind sets.

This does not mean I agree with the Lakeland events - that's still undecided (as you'll read in a minute). But why I ask - do we condemn others that speak things that seem to be legit, yet don't find our viewpoints? As I listen to the video I hear Todd say that the church (not the world) already believes in Jesus. Now they need the supernatural. I have no problem with this at all - and agree to some extent. We should be living supernatural lives. Why are we so quick to condemn those that are not exactly like us?

My pondering continues..

I find myself clicking thru a few other videos - Kim Clement, more on Tod and Kathryn Kuhlman... and as I watch, I ask myself - do we need all this hype, and yelling and screaming and calling on God to do something? If He did something, would we simply miss it?

I feel like we are like the Jews - wanting a great king to ride in with his army, to subdue our enemies. But my heart says this is not how it is. And my spirit says - God told me: "I have heard the cries of my people, and I have sent a deliverer - the message I have given you."

Perhaps I am guilty of pride? Perhaps I have back slidden? Who am I to think that I actually have a message for God's people - a message that will set them completely free from the Pharaoh spirit - and allow them to live fulfilled, supernatural lives?

Why is a "revivial" - where people are shaken, emotionally hyped, and encouraged to cry out to God (not that this is bad mind you) more important to the Body of Christ than a simple message of "Freedom to the bound?"

Dear God... help me. I do not understand. Here I sit, my bills paid, my children fed. My car in good condition - and I am frowned upon for seeking money. Money that will build your church and cause us to be a great witness. Money that is used for your kingdom...

But  yet, I could go to Lakeland, get caught up in crying out to you - and that would be better...

I know Lord - I can preach, I can touch - and things happen. You have poured out - in our meetings - silver, gold and powerful music. Those that were there can verify this. People slain in the spirit - put to the ground in worship. Prophecies that seemed to come directly from your throne - and now....

I live a quiet life. Wondering how I will ever get this new message out. Wondering why those that were closest to me would rather follow the old path - than build a new one.

I don't understand God. I have a message that actually works. A true message that will set people free - free to get healthy, get prosperous, get fed - all those things you promise - and there is nothing I can do but write my journal. no hype, no emotions - just simple scripture.

Lord - direct me.

Prophet Bill

I received an email recently in response to my post about Craving. the person asks:

" In reference to the other ministry asking for financial support, could you break this down a little more for me and possibly others. How are you expecting us to relate to your own ministry financially?"

This is a great question, and one I have spent a good time in prayer over.

This is what we have come to believe:

1 - Tithing is good and biblical. It keeps the devourer away.
The tithe is NOT 10%. It is a portion of your income, with 10% as the goal (not the law). It can not be law, as then giving more would be violating the law, as would less. And since we are no longer under the law, if it was, it would not matter anyway.

The tithe should go to wherever you are being fed. Ministries and churches need income to feed and house the ministers. This comes from the tithe.

You are entitled to keep a tithe of the tithe. (For more info - order the CD on this issue).

2 - "Give and it will be given unto you". "God loves a cheerful giver".
As you sow seed into your own life, you will begin to prosper. As you prosper, GIVE. Give to us, give to others. Give, expecting only one thing - that thanksgiving will be given to God.

Do NOT give expecting ANY financial return. Not 30, not 60, not 100 fold. Give only knowing that God gets thanks - and because of this, He blesses his children. Your harvest will grow, your life will change.

That's it.

When I speak of that never ending craving - I mean ministries and churches that tap into your emotions, trying to get your money under the misguided (and sometimes deceptive) belief that by giving to them, you are sowing into "good soil" and that means you will get a financial harvest.

This way of thinking is simply not scriptural. Before giving to any ministry - first, sow seed into your own soil - get trained, build a business, launch out -and prosper. Then simply be a giver...

To many of us Christians are broke, and trying to get out of that stronghold by giving away the little we do have. The Pharaoh spirit loves that. He doesn't care how much you give, so long as you always stay a slave to whatever he's building.

We all need to stop giving to get, and start getting to give. And that's why may saying is now:

"God wants you to have more than enough. Isn't it time you tried something different?"

Bill

In the mail yesterday I received another letter from some minister telling me that there was an urgent need. He said  he sent me this letter marked "Internal Audit" because of this great need.

My first question was - what's an "Internal Audit"? Are they being audited?

As I read thru this letter, I realized that we (this ministry) are caught right smack in the middle of two extremes. You see, we are preaching that your needs are met, and as you earn more, you can meet the needs of others. Nearly everyone else is preaching either - you don't need more, or, you have to give us more (or both).

Why do all these ministries out there have this never ending craving to get your money?

Prophet Bill

Recently I have been hearing reports of an apparent revival in Lakeland Florida. Although I have not yet visited there - planning to in the coming months - I have found myself seeking the Lord as to its true nature.

I am a supporter of revivals - especially if they are of God. I never attended the Toronto Revival, but believe it was of God, as it changed many people lives, and I personally know some of those involved.

I did attend the Brownsville revival, and although it effected many people, I have concluded that it was not likely a true spiritual revival.

When I heard about this new revival, I visited the official Web Site for the ministry, and found something disheartening - at least from my standpoint. On their website is a link to make a donation entitled "Sow seed..."

Although I can not find any specific information in regards to what they actually mean by "Sow Seed", I am concerned that this "revival" may not be real.

Why? Because I wonder - can a true revival today point you back to Egyptian thinking? That type of revival is operated by the Pharaoh spirit, and is designed to keep you happy and content in Egypt, rather than on focusing on your journey to The Promised Land.

"We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic."
Num 11:5 (NIV)

The Israelites wanted to go back to slavery - where some things appeared to be free, and more fun, and less work - but still as slaves to Pharaoh. And today I wonder - are we flocking to this revival because we want to feel good, while remaining under that Pharaoh spirit, or is it truly God at work in our midst?

Are we willing to press forward to win the high calling - The Promised Land - regardless of the temporary struggle, or do we need to feel good while we determine to remain tied to financial slavery?

Do we want true freedom in Christ, or the care and concern of a dictator?

Prophet Bill

I have felt impressed lately to fully share some of what I am now involved in. I say "some" because I do believe their are parts of our individual lives that are not meant for public review. There are some things that are meant to be "private".

That said, I feel the need to share about the business dealings I am involved in. I have formed a company with a close friend - Mike Ferneman - and we call this company "Gilligan & Ferneman, LLC". we specialize in "Web Design, Fine Apparel, and Online Advertising". we are living proof of the message God has given us. And our goal is to get to the point where our finances enable us to do anything we want - and what we want (what God wants) is to promote "Promised Land Living"

so far - so good....

But now, let me share that we own and operate a minimum of 3 web sites, and that one of these is a sex related store.

Now that I have your attention - and hopefully you'll continue reading - let me explain. We operate www.SolomonsDance.com. This is a site that sells adult related "toys" and other items designed to be used in a marriage situation. We do NOT sell pornography, movies, etc. This is strictly a Christian site.

Why would I get involved in this?
You can read about here: http://www.solomonsdance.com/purpose.html I consider it a true aspect of my ministry.

Why would I come forward and publicly acknowledge this?
If I don't the enemy will eventually try to use it against this ministry. By revealing it now, his power has been taken away. And since I believe that God is "up to something" in relation to this ministry, I need to be as real as I can be.

Prophet Bill