Dear Friends,

The Christmas season is coming up when we celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ. I would like to share some thoughts in this newsletter about the second coming of Jesus Christ. I don’t spend much time reading about or thinking about when Christ will return. I know it will happen and that we are to live each day as if that were the day of his return.

I remember well the 1960s when there was much discussion and controversy surrounding the return of Jesus Christ. During this time a book came out by Hal Lindsay titled; “The Late Great Planet Earth.” In this book his position was that we were living in the last days of planet earth, Christ’s return was imminent and we must be ready. I had many discussions with believers worried that Jesus would return soon and they would not be ready. I remember one young couple that was pregnant with their first child asking me what would happen to their unborn child if Jesus came back. I didn’t have an answer but it started me on a journey to try and sort out what scripture had to say about the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Here we are fifty plus years later and Jesus still has not returned. However, in light of what is happening in the Middle East at this time it wouldn’t hurt to explore this topic a little. Interestingly our Pastor, James Ranger, began a series this last Sunday on the topic of Jesus Christ’s return. He was originally going to teach this in August but sensed the Lord telling him no. When he felt released to begin the series in November the conflict just broke when Hamas invaded Israel. We all thought that was interesting timing.

I want to share with you four questions Pastor James Ranger started with which I think are a good introduction to this topic of the return of Jesus Christ.

(1) What is the coming of Christ?
John 14:2-3 “In my fathers house are many rooms, if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

He is coming to take us who believe in him home to be with him for eternity.

(2) When is Jesus going to come back?
Matthew 24:36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

NO ONE KNOWS. Do not allow yourselves to be deceived by anyone who claims to know when Jesus is coming back. “We should plan our lives like he’s not coming back for 100 years, but we should live our lives like Jesus is coming back today.”

(3) How is Jesus going to come back?
I Thessalonians 4: 16-17 “For the Lord himself with come down from heaven, with a loud command, with voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.“

This is not going to be a quiet second coming. With a loud command, (shout), and trumpet call.

(4) Why is Jesus Christ coming?
Revelation 21:5 “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for those words are trustworthy and true.”

Everything new could mean: new life, new body, new name, new city, new song, new heaven and earth.

I know there are various interpretations of when and how the second coming of Jesus Christ will evolve. Whatever your understanding of exactly how these events will play out we can all agree on the fact that Jesus Christ is coming back.

I trust you will have a blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our blessed Savior and a great and prosperous New Year as we move into 2024!

God bless,

Mike

BEFORE YOU GET HERE

Deal With The Garbage That Oppresses You Now!

BEFORE YOU GET HERE: BAGGAGE TO DROP ON YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN

Why wait until heaven to be freed of the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat you? God wants you to face those burdens now, on this planet, and through the power of specific prayer be freed from them. My book, subtitled Baggage To Drop On Your Way To Heaven, is a guide to assist in discovering freedom from the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat you.

You can order directly from our store at THIS LINK – Before You Get Here

If you have a copy don’t forget that they make great gifts. Consider giving one to a friend.

“Learning To Do What Jesus Did” is available on YouTube.

In addition to the 9 DVD series being available through Wholeness Ministries you can now watch the entire series on YouTube. The book, an excellent training manual, has been taught around the world and is available in English and Spanish. You can buy the Book, CD’s or DVD’s at the Wholeness Shop.

Learning To Do What Jesus Did (9 parts)
Available on Youtube

Dear Friends,

As I was reading one of my morning devotionals this statement caught my attention. It reminded me how amazing it is that God, the creator of everything; also choose to dwell within us! Here is the quote from the devotional; Jesus Calling.

“I AM THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH: Lord of all that is and all that will ever be. Although I am unimaginably vast, I choose to dwell within you with my presence. ONLY IN THE SPIRIT REALM COULD SOMEONE SO INFINITELY GREAT LIVE WITHIN SOMEONE SO VERY SMALL.”

For some reason in all of my years following after Jesus Christ, reading and hearing that God dwells within us never penetrated my small brain that this is indeed an unusual relationship. Most likely because I never seriously thought about how great God is and how small we are by comparison as His creation. And as far as we know, humans are the only creatures in all of creation within which God dwells by His Holy Spirit.

Since we have within us the Holy Spirit of God we are able to draw upon Him to guide, protect, and provide for us as we continue in this journey of life. Why then do we so often and so easily not call upon Him? Why is it so much easier for us to think that we can do it ourselves? This is usually the way we act when the path looks easy and straightforward. We think, “I can handle this.” But that is when we are in the greatest danger of stumbling.

When life throws something at us that can easily overwhelm us, then we call upon God to help. How much simpler this journey would be if we were to draw upon the Holy Spirit daily as we face whatever life would throw at us that day. The difficulty of what we are facing makes little difference to God as He is easily able to handle it. Do you actually think God is surprised by anything? That anything is to difficult for him to handle?

Going back to the beginning of this letter, God is so great-we are so small; it is astounding to me that we can spend as much time in his presence as we want. I often jokingly refer to my morning time as having coffee with God. I wake up, grab a cup of coffee and go into my study to sit down and spend time with God. Think about that for a moment. The God who is the creator of everything that is in the entire universe will come and sit with me each morning just to hang out. Sometimes we talk and sometimes we just sit there together. Whether we talk or do anything is not the point, but that we are together.

I remember many years ago when I was sitting in the canyon up by the Kern River and God said to me, “Michael, I’m going to teach you how to be a friend and friends just hang out.” That was a revelation to me, that God wanted some time to just hang out with me. Did you get that? God also wants to hang out with you!

When you feel as if you don’t count for much or you don’t have much to contribute remember that God your creator thinks so much of you that he wants to hang out with you! Yes God is so great and we are so small, but He gave his own son for us so that we might spend eternity with Him! That how much He loves us.

Thank you for your prayers and support for Wholeness Ministries. You are vital in our continuing work.

God bless,

Mike

WHY NOT WASTE TIME WITH GOD
Moving Beyond A Superficial Relationship With God To Live In Intimacy With Him

IT’S ABOUT RELATIONSHIP!

God wants to hang out with you. We so often feel as if we must be doing something even when we are with God that it’s difficult for us to grasp that He wants to be our friend. In order for deep friendship to develop there are times when we must spend time together doing absolutely nothing but being together.

This book will help you understand that, but only if you apply it will it help you live it. Everything in this world fights against time alone with God. Everything in God longs for time alone with us. Why would you possibly choose to be influenced by the former?

“This book frames spiritual growth with God’s heart, given in his Son and validated by His Spirit. This book demolishes our excuses and defenses against divine intimacy. This book is for those willing to have a fresh self-encounter and a fresh God-encounter,” Dr. Don Williams

You can order directly from our store at THIS LINK – Why Not Waste Time With God or call 661-833-2920.

Dear Friends,

Could you say to God, “You are worthy of all my confidence and trust?” In our lives there are people and things that deserve some of our confidence and trust. We live in a world that seems increasingly unsafe and unpredictable. Frequent mass shootings, loss of confidence in our governmental leadership with a shutdown looming, unprecedented gas prices, earthquakes, floods and fires devastating our planet with the loss of thousands of lives. These are just a few what we face daily.

Our inclination is to be in control of our life, but in reality we are not really in control of much. If your sense of security rests in your circumstances, you will soon discover that is folly as those circumstances can easily change. It would seem obvious that our firm foundation must rest in God who deserves all of our confidence and trust. Did He not give his all for you so you could live forever in His presence? Did He not say in Scripture, “I will never leave you, I will never forsake you?” Did He not say, “Call to me and I will answer you?” Did He not say, “Do not worry about tomorrow?” What more does God need to do to convince you that he will guide you, provide for you, and protect you?

His presence with us is not limited by time or space and we do not need to fear the future because He is already there and our future is in His hands which He releases to us day by day, moment by moment. We are so often distracted by tomorrow that we fail to live life to it’s full each day, seeing all there is to see and doing all there is to do.

There is significant peace and rest when you can move to a place where all of your confidence and trust is in God. You do not have to worry about your future. Whatever life’s concerns come at you daily can be turned over with confidence to God who will guide you in how to respond to them. What needs you have can and will be met by God if you let him.

So the question is, what keeps you from placing all of your confidence and trust in God?

“Learning To Do What Jesus Did” is also available on YouTube.

In addition to the 9 DVD series being available through Wholeness Ministries you can now watch the entire series on YouTube. The book, an excellent training manual, has been taught around the world and is available in English and Spanish. You can buy the Book, CD’s or DVD’s at the Wholeness Shop.

Learning To Do What Jesus Did (9 parts)
Available on Youtube

Thank you for your prayers and support.

God bless,

Mike

BEFORE YOU GET HERE

Deal With The Garbage That Oppresses You Now!

BEFORE YOU GET HERE: BAGGAGE TO DROP ON YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN

Why wait until heaven to be freed of the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat you? God wants you to face those burdens now, on this planet, and through the power of specific prayer be freed from them. My book, subtitled Baggage To Drop On Your Way To Heaven, is a guide to assist in discovering freedom from the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat you.

You can order directly from our store at THIS LINK – Before You Get Here

If you have a copy don’t forget that they make great gifts. Consider giving one to a friend.

Dear Friends,

Often people will ask me, “How are you doing?” My answer is usually, “Great!” or “I am blessed.” And I do genuinely feel blessed. But this morning I was up at six o’clock to attend “Influencers.” This is group of men meeting at a church near me every Thursday morning. We started with a time of worship. One of the songs, which I had never heard before, was titled “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. As I listened to the song and followed along with the words it struck me that this was a way for me to express back to Him my gratitude for how He was worked in my life. It starts with:

GRATITUDE
by Brandon Lake

All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah

And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah

What a powerful way to express back to Him my gratitude for what He has done and what I know He will continue to do in my life.

Gratitude for a healthy body and mind that has allowed me to write books and to travel all over the world with the message of God’s healing power.

Gratitude for my family and how He has protected, covered and provided for them.

Gratitude for the men that He brought into my life that mentored me. Men like Dr. John Lavender and Francis MacNutt.

Gratitude that God has allowed me to mentor many young men over the years that have grown and are themselves mentoring others.

Gratitude for those of you that have diligently prayed for me and Wholeness Ministries.

Gratitude for those who have faithfully supported this work with your generous giving which has met all of our needs and who without your faithful support we would not have been able to operate.

Gratitude that He has reserved a place for me in eternity that will be so far beyond anything I can even imagine.

I could go on and on and I know that in the coming years there will continue to be many other things that will spark an attitude of gratitude.

The song ends with these words:

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah

And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah

(Check out the video below, it’s powerful!)

I trust this will likewise inspire you to express your gratitude to Him for what He has done in your life. Thank you for your prayers and faithful support.

RIDING SHOTGUN WITH GOD!

I’ve received some very encouraging feedback on my new book. It is filled with over 150 testimonies of miraculous healings I have personally witnessed. Give it a read. You will be encouraged to see how God is still moving powerfully today.

You can order directly from our store at THIS LINK – Riding Shotgun With God

God bless,

Mike

Dear Friends,

As we journey through the ups and downs of life, we often find ourselves facing moments of frustration, feeling flustered, and becoming completely frazzled by the demands of the world around us. In these chaotic times, it can be challenging to maintain our spiritual connection with God. However, we are called to live in constant communion with Him, even amidst the chaos.

Embracing God’s Presence Amidst Frustration: Frustration is a common human experience, but it doesn’t have to disconnect us from God. When frustration threatens to overwhelm us, let us remember that God’s love and patience are boundless. Instead of allowing frustration to drive a wedge between us and God, let it be a reminder to turn to Him for strength, wisdom, and understanding.

When we feel scattered and overwhelmed, let us seek refuge in God’s presence. He is our anchor amid the storm. By pausing for a moment of prayer or taking a few deep breaths, we can regain our composure and realign our focus on what truly matters. God’s peace is available to us even in the midst of chaos.

Feeling frazzled and overwhelmed is a natural response to life’s fast pace, but it is also an opportunity to practice surrender and trust. When we are frazzled, let us lay our burdens at God’s feet, knowing that He cares for us and can handle all our worries. Embracing His peace, we can find solace in the midst of chaos.

Slowing down and quieting our minds can help us to stay on the path to constant communion. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, scripture reminds us of the importance of slowing down and quieting our minds. In a world that celebrates busyness, finding time to rest and commune with God is crucial for maintaining our spiritual well-being.

It is important that we find stillness in the midst the all the noise: In the hustle and bustle of modern living, finding moments of stillness can feel like a luxury. However, it is in these quiet moments that we can truly connect with God. Setting aside time for reading scripture, prayer, meditation, or simply being in God’s presence helps us tune out the noise of the world and tune into His voice.

We can practice gratitude in the chaos. When we are constantly on the go, it can be challenging to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Yet, even amidst the chaos, there are reasons to be thankful. By intentionally looking for blessings and expressing gratitude to God, we open ourselves up to His peace and joy.

We must remind ourselves of the importance of living in constant communion with God. No matter how frustrated, flustered, or frazzled life may make us feel, we can always turn to Him. Through prayer, stillness, and gratitude, we can find peace and strength to navigate life’s challenges with grace.

May this be a season of embracing God’s constant presence, finding peace amidst the chaos, and slowing down to quiet our minds. By learning to live in communion with our Heavenly Father, we can experience the depth of His love and the serenity of His peace.

UPDATE ON MIKE’S BACK SURGERY
Early this month I needed surgery to correct a problem with my back that was causing significant discomfort. I had complete confidence in the surgeon as I had need of his skill earlier for a neck problem. The surgery went extremely well as he was able to correct the problem much easier than he anticipated when viewing the MRI’s. Recovery is going well and I know all of this good news is because of your faithful prayers. Thank you.

RIDING SHOTGUN WITH GOD!

I’ve received some very encouraging feedback on my new book. It is filled with over 150 testimonies of miraculous healings I have personally witnessed. Give it a read. You will be encouraged to see how God is still moving powerfully today.

You can order directly from our store at THIS LINK – Riding Shotgun With God

God bless,

Mike