Pray to know HIM MORE

A week ago during prayer, God spoke into my spirit. I believe HE was impressing me with an issue. Many of His people pray and ask God for many things. We pray and ask HIM to heal us. We pray and ask HIM to fix our finances, our families, our children, our jobs, our careers, and so forth. We pray and ask HIM to help us lose weight, find a spouse, deliver us from our bandages and addictions. We pray and ask HIM to help us get a bigger house or bigger car. We pray and ask HIM for things that satisfy our own kingdoms.

I have announced to our church that until the end of July 2013, during our weekend prayer meetings, we will have one specific request. We will be praying to KNOW HIM MORE. Many people know about HIM but not many people KNOW HIM. He is the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob. What does this mean? Why is God referring HIMSELF using these three people?

In the book of Haggai, God rebuked His people for only looking to build their own homes while leaving His temple in ruins.

Haggai 1:2-7  Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say, The time is not yet come that the [a]Lord’s house should be rebuilt [although Cyrus had ordered it done eighteen years before].3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,4 Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins?5 Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways and set your mind on what has come to you.6 You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it.7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) and how you have fared.

Why are people today praying like they had during Haggai's time? Why are they praying for physical needs? Yes, they are important to some degree but why have we come to that point overlooking what God's desires are. We should be the head but many are the tail. Many should be the lender but almost all are the borrowers. Why is it that we have sown much but reaped little? ?Why is it that we have drunk but we do not have our fill? Why is it that we have clothed ourselves but there is no warmth? Why is it that we earn but we are always behind still trying to catch up? So many Christians always in debt. Why are most American Christians in this situation? And because we are in this situation, we pray and ask God to help us reap. We pray and ask God to help us be filled and to have warmth. We pray and ask so we can be blessed and prosperous. But yet no answer. Why?

Just as in Haggai's time, God's people were busy bodies trying to build their own homes first. They had left God's temple in ruins when the decree had come to build back the temple. But they were working hard for their own things. They had the order backward. The proper order is to seek His Kingdom and Righteousness first and those things will be added on to you.

Today, although we have physical churches to attend and yes this place of worship is important and must be given priority as HIS House, however, there is something of more importance. The more importance is the place where HE dwells in. Now, the temple or the place HE dwells is in you. But for many of YOU, HIS Temple is in ruins. They are full of idols, unforgiveness, anger, rage, hate, envy, lust, addictions, bondages, hurt, jealousy, fear, and etc etc etc. And while they are in the hearts of many, the many Christians continue to spend much money and time for their own kingdoms and personal problems and desires. When our own kingdoms, personal problems, and desires are not satisfy, we go to our Father God and pray and ask. This is why HE is not answering you. Our requests are SELFISH and for ourselves. Today, many Christians are using God as a servant and we employ HIM for our needs. Just as throughout history, stubborn stiffed neck people we are as we have been serving God backwards. We are just as guilty as we have taken HIS grace for granted.

He desires us to KNOW HIM on an intimate level. He desires us to worship HIM in truth and spirit. He desires us to KNOW HIM as we are emptied of ourselves so HE can fill us with HIM. He is jealous for us and HE desires us. HE wants us to go after HIM because HE is God and not because HE can give us something. When we have this order proper, then all those things will be added on to us. When we get to know HIM more, then as we get closer to HIM, HIS Glory will drive out the addictions and bondage. His Glory will remove the depression and discouragement. His Glory will  reveal to us that all the things we thought were important outside of HIM is but trivial. We need to know HIM and we need to know HIM MORE.

Psalm 34:18 (AMP)  The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.

If you like to join Fire of God International Church and pray with us corporately to KNOW HIM MORE than please do so. We will be praying for this one specific request until the end of July. And as you get to know HIM MORE, HE will show you who you are and as a result will bring brokenness and a contrite spirit. May you continue to grow in His Grace moving from Glory to Glory as you become and take on His nature and likeness.

May your life be His Will. May your life be a song to HIM. May your life be a praise to HIS Name. May you live for His Glory.

God bless
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God International Church

Word from the Lord June 22, 2013 to Fire of God Church

"Love one another. You must to continue to love one another. I love you. I will protect you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. You must trust ME. You must cling on to ME. Do not be afraid. Do not worry. For I am with you. I will not let you go. I love you. I have washed you with MY Blood and I have saved you with MY Blood. Therefore you are MINE.You must be freed. You must abide in ME. I will pour down MY love down on to you. You must be clothed with MY Love. You must flow MY love to others. You must pour MY Heart to others. But you must first possess MY Heart. You must cling on to the fringes of MY garment and follow ME. You must follow ME! Praise ME! Pray! And CRY out to ME and I will show you great and unsearchable secret things that you do not know."

Word received to Fire of God International Church
June 22, 2013

Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP) Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).

Forgive and let go

Unless we get rid of the hurt, resentment, bitterness, and bad experiences from our hearts and forgiving men of their trespasses, we will not be able to fully embrace God's flock. We will not be able to love people as God loves us. It is because of bad experiences ,many have made conclusions and judgments thus limiting their grace to others. This is not to be so. This is conditional love. Agape love does not expect payment or a favoring outcome. Agape love does not change. Agape love loves even though it knows it will be betrayed. Jesus washed the feet of Judas even though HE knew he would betray HIM. How would we love knowing people have will or have already betrayed us?

Fire of God International Church

False prophets - fortunetelling, sorcery, and witchcraft

There are so many false prophets with the spirit sorcery, fortunetelling, or witchcraft operating within God's people and churches. In Facebook and on the internet, it is very prevalent. And sadly, such false prophets are truly deceived thinking they are serving God.

What are the main physical characteristics of a false prophet with the spirit of sorcery, fortunetelling or witchcraft? Many of God's people do not understand God's government and authority. As a result, many become victims of false prophets who usurp God's authority.

2 Peter 2:10 (AMP) And particularly those who walk after the flesh and indulge in the lust of polluting passion and scorn and despise authority. Presumptuous [and] daring [self-willed and self-loving creatures]! They scoff at and revile dignitaries (glorious ones) without trembling,

As a pastor and/or God's servant, if I am invited into a person house, and while the owner of the house may be preparing food or not looking, am I able to go into their personal rooms? If they have little children in those rooms, am I able to go into the rooms and pray for those children without the owner or parent's consent? What if the children are sick and in need of prayer, does that give me the right to go and pray for them without the parent observing or their consent? Can I make the argument that the Holy Spirit lead me?

The answer is NO! God's government is about authority. Even if the house I enter is a member of my church, I must still ask permission to pray for their children or they must ask me to pray for them. I must submit to the authority of that household. God's authority is not about power to lord or rule over someone or something. God's authority is about learning to do His Will within all circumstances. God's authority is about waiting to hear His Voice and do His Will not only by hearing directly from Him but from other surrounding governing authorities. God's authority is about responsibility. God's authority is about order. What is His order? Just because we have God's spiritual gifts or power does not give us the right to go do as we wish. All must answer to someone and authority is granted as one submits to authority. One cannot just go pray for everyone and one cannot just go prophecy to anyone just because they feel like it. All must be led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that He does not do anything without the Father's consent. But sadly many are deceived using the name of our God in vain for their own purposes. Many operate in pride as their gifts have become corrupted.

Are you able to pray for someone without their consent if they are coherent to be asked? Do we not generally ask? Authority is given as we submit to authority.

If anyone enters a church that is not their home church or is visiting, then such person cannot assume they have any authority over the pastor to go attempt to pray or prophecy to the members of that church. Authority must be given by the pastor to the person asking. A visiting pastor who is going to speak or there for a special meeting receives authority from the home church pastor to speak. No pastor from any other church or ministry can just enter any church and start speaking or taking over. This is out of order and such an act would be to usurp God's authority. It does not matter whether one has the truth to speak but bringing it in proper order is just as important. Proper order and truth is authority.

Even the members of their own church should not be going around praying for one another within their church unless they have the authority to do so. It is different if a member goes home and pray over their family member. Such person has authority over his/her house. It is different if a member is led to pray for someone in public with their consent. God may be giving them the authority for that circumstance. But within His House or Temple, no person can just assume authority and start praying for people, imparting gifts, or prophecy without proper order. This order is authority and it must be given by the pastor.

Look in Numbers 16, Korah and those who listened to Korah basically told Moses that they were able to hear God too. They were basically saying that they did not have to follow Moses' way. But Moses' way was God's way. Whether Moses is right or wrong, Korah is in rebellion for taking matters into his own hand. What was the result? Korah was sent to HELL alive with his family. Yes, Korah was a member of God's people. Korah was one who also could hear God. But at the end of the day, he ended up a REBEL!

But today, many self appointed prophets usurp God's authority by creeping in to prophecy and pray over people behind the senior pastor and their staff. They come to teach heresy. This is what the scripture speaks about.

Jude 1:4 (NLT) I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Another peculiar characteristic of a fortunetelling spirit is one who will chase you around or come find you to prophecy over you and tell you how "good" you are or tell you of some special qualities of you. It is a spirit that comes using extra effort to find you. They may start making phone calls to lure you without your pastor's knowledge. They will not come with negative degrading words. They will come with enticing luring words to bait and hook you. They will come looking and searching you. But it is only to fulfill their own pride.

Acts 16:16-17 As we were on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who was possessed by a spirit of divination [claiming to foretell future events and to discover hidden knowledge], and she brought her owners much gain by her fortunetelling.17 She kept following Paul and [the rest of] us, shouting loudly, These men are the servants of the Most High God! They announce to you the way of salvation!

In Acts 16, the fortunetelling slave girl was telling the truth but it was to entice others. But more importantly to discern this situation, she kept following Paul. She kept harassing and following them. False prophets will do this. They will come looking for you or entice to lure you to give you a word. It is about their pride. It is to devour you. They come to bring division with a false sword and fire.

If you are a church member of any church and if any new guest comes to visit and they want to pray or prophecy over you without your pastor being aware of the situation, you must tell such people that they are out of order and must go seek the pastor's permission. And as a church member, unless you have been given authority to pray over your own church members, you cannot do so within the walls of that church without your pastor's permission. Most church members need to just observe, learn, feed, worship, and pray. They need to just grow in the Lord rather than trying to go to battle already. Otherwise, the demons will be able to be transferred to one another through the rebellion and of usurping God's authority.  These are serious matter. Ask for the spirit of discernment. It will become worse and more difficult. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Fire of God International Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim

Drinking from the cup of the Lord and the demons

1 Corinthians 10:21 (NLT) You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.

Why would any Christian or believer willingly and intentionally drink the cup of demons? Why would any Christian or believer willingly and intentionally eat at the table of demons? Do you know any such Christians?

Apostle Paul is writing this because it happens everyday. Most Christians are not aware of their idols and this happens everyday. A Christian may go to church or the Lord's House and drink from the cup of the Lord and eat at His table. This is to go and worship feeding from HIM of His Word and Spirit. Then the same Christian goes back out to the world and feeds on such things by watching demonic series like "Twilight" or zoombie movies or series such as "The Walking dead."

Moreover, many Christians glorify death by wearing clothes of skulls, skeletons, and goblins presuming as if it is a macho thing. Now, so many ignorantly tattoo such death symbols on their bodies. No, brethren, these are but speaking death over yourselves and bringing much pain and torment.

We cannot eat and drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of the demons. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons too.

1 Corinthians 11:27-30 (AMP) So then whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy [of Him] will be guilty of [profaning and sinning against] the body and blood of the Lord.28 Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself, and [only when he has done] so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing with due appreciation that [it is Christ’s] body, eats and drinks a sentence (a verdict of judgment) upon himself. 30 That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death.

This is not just about literal bread and grape juice. The bread is the Word. He is the Bread of Life. Therefore, we come together to break bread. We come together to open the Word or Bible to partake Life. But many eat and drink the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy of HIM. Many Christians come to eat which is to spiritually feed from the Word but they are not adhering to the Word and then they go participate at the table of demons. Many have become sick and died. They have received judgment.

Many need to repent and remove the idols in their lives. Such idols are the reason so many continue to back slide rather than be able to move forward.

Job 17:9 (NLT) The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.

Fire of God International Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim

Interpreting a dream

Dream from God and interpretation - This is a real dream from God given to a particular believer. I am sharing this with you because I want you to examine yourselves on how you perceive things. Are you perceiving things in the flesh or by God's Will?

The dream consists of two people. Both people are believers. For this purpose we name the two believers in the dream as John and Jane. However, the one believer (John) appears very strange and peculiar. In fact, other believers may even see incremental manifestations of demons on John. People may view John as eccentric and out of the ordinary as he does things that may be viewed as not normal and in fact demonic. John does things many people are not comfortable with. Some may even be uncomfortable with John's way of worship. Therefore, many believers may distance themselves from John because of his outside physical characteristics and actions.

The other believer in the dream is stumbling and falling because she (Jane) is looking at John. Why is Jane stumbling and falling because she is looking at the actions and characters of John?

Interpretation 1 - John is stumbling Jane with his actions, words, and character. Therefore, John is a danger to other believers. Conclusions - stay away from John or have him removed.

When told this dream to others, interpretation 1 is most common. Why? It is common because most people are making an educated guess or answer based on what appears very common or obvious from the surface of the dream. But many believers attempt to interpret dreams and visions in their flesh and from out of their own pride.

Interpretation 2 - This is the interpretation we received as we took it in prayer. Jane is judging John because of his outside character, physical looks, and actions. Therefore, Jane is stumbling herself because of her lack of love to others. Her own judgment of John not being normal to her is her own fall.

How did you interpret? Did you just assume or did you wait and read the whole article? Many need to learn to wait for God to answer rather than jumping in the flesh to answer to look good. Interpretation belongs to the Lord. Anything beyond that is pride.

Genesis 41:15-16 (AMP) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream and interpret it. 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, It is not in me; God [not I] will give Pharaoh a [favorable] answer of peace.

This was a real dream given to our church regarding some particular people in our church. But it happens all the time and everyday with God's people. May HE have mercy on His people.

Fire of God International Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim

Your decision will produce good or bad fruit

Your choice or decision in any given situation will produce an action and thus produce another reaction, and perhaps another reaction and so forth. If your choice or decision is good and according to God's will, then you will produce good fruit. But if your choice or decision is selfish, wrong, or fleshy, then it will produce bad fruit.

There will be a chain reaction of that particular fruit that continues to be produced. If it is good fruit, then good fruit will continue to be bore. But if it is bad fruit, then bad fruit will continue to be bore.

You must examine your lives and determine what is occurring around your life. What type of fruit is being produced in your life and circumstances? If you are experiencing continued bad fruit, then you must ask God where that point of decision or choice was made. Maybe it was choices and/or decisions. You will probably have to repent. Let HIM show you.

When King David made a bad decision to commit murder and adultery, he repented when the prophet came and warned him. God forgave him but there were consequences. We may still face and experience consequences for making bad decisions. King David as part of his judgment lost his baby son. His daughter Tamar was raped and one of his sons were killed by another son, Absalom. Then he lost the kingdom to his son Absalom. King David was not a baby believer. He was mature and as a result had to face the consequences.

His decision was bad fruit and thus created more bad fruit. But as King David experienced his judgment and consequences, it was still his test regardless. He was being tested. Although bad fruit were being produced, King David turned and made choices and decisions to show good fruit after he had repented. He had spared Shamei who had cursed him during his flee from Jerusalem. Moreover, King David was not looking to kill Absalom. He wanted him spared for he loved him much.

If you make choices and decisions now that are of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, then you will experience the further actions and reactions of the same nature. If you show mercy, will you not be shown mercy? If you show kindness, will you not be shown kindness? We reap what we sow.

Matthew 5:7 (NLT) God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Gal 5:19-24 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Fire of God International Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim