"FAITH APART FROM WORKS IS DEAD"

Jan. 29, 2000
14. What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17. In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. 20. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? 21. Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.James 2

"You show Me your faith, and I will show you a person who has put it into action."
(The Lord showed me a hand which was raised as if to say a blessing, and the person said, "Have faith and be made well." The hand was very much like a glove.)
"This is very much like the man who passed by the Samaritan. He said a few things, and then, he went on his way. Was this man then taken care of ? I say that he was not."
(Again the Lord began to show me some things. There was a door or a portal which was an arch which opened-up in front of me. I was in the presence of the Lord, with clouds in front of me. He showed me a very long foot-bridge, the kind that would stretch out over between two mountains, or cliffs. It was very foggy, and I just discern some of the bridge in the distance in front of me. He then said, "This is what faith is like." As I continued watching this scene, He told me to go back to the bridge, and I saw a figure laying across part of it in the distance, blocking my way. He then said, that "Faith is helping this person, or you can go no further.)
"Was not Abraham ready to sacrifice his own son? Surely, he heard my voice, and put into action what I had told him. So, faith apart from works, is dead. Truly, as it has been said, "The demons even believe and they shudder." Many may well know that I AM the only God that there is. But do you see the evidence of their faith working in their lives? The road stretches out before you, my servants....and there will be many opportunities to show forth "good works." So, be fruitful in your service to Me. Do not just say "good things," but put into action what is on my heart. Then you will be "living examples" of what I AM in this world. Otherwise, your house will fall into the sea because it was not built upon the rock.
"That is my charge for you this day, my servants."

Stephen Hanson

"LAND WHICH PRODUCES A CROP"

Jan. 22, 2000
"Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned." Heb. 6:7-8
"The rain has brought forth a fruit in the land. There will be a shower of blessing for those who have obeyed Me, but the very land which some have planted in, will bring forth weeds and thistles. "
(I saw a scene of a man who was working in his yard. He was mowing the grass, and it was cut clean, and seemed to be kept up. Alongside this, off to the left, was a field of very tall and unkempt weeds and grasses. They had been left for some time, and had become very tall. I noticed also, trees of different kinds in the other yard, the first one, which had grown tall, and seemed to be of different varieties and types. They were "fruitful" each in their own way.)
"There will become a very marked distinction between some people in these days. The fruitfulness and blessing of my hand will be seen in some. The very activities which this group does, will be things which have been "sown" into them. They, like the seed which fell, produced a crop, and this crop grew in abundance. It was nourished by my word. But there was also seed which fell along the path. The very cares of this world have "strangled" this seed from producing. The birds of the air have come and eaten it away. "
(Then I was shown a scene of a house, which at first seemed to be kept-up and taken care of, but as I looked further, the weeds and grass along the sidewalk up to it, had overgrown, and filled-up around it. At the top of these weeds they were purple in appearance and had the shape of a thistle, and were very prickly. There was a metal gate which had fallen down, and the steps and porch which went up to this house, were old and weathered, and had not been taken care of in a long time.)
"I have said that 'Through much slothfulness, the house decayeth,' and without a "continued" effort to study my word, and giving heed to it, then your own individual "houses" will fall into disrepair. Take care of the things which are in your lives. Tend the garden of your souls, for in time it will produce a crop of great fruit. I AM letting all "grow-up" until the end of the age, and then at that time, some will be thrown into the fire, and then the others will receive their rewards. See to it that your land is well cared for."
Matt. 13: 3. "Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. "

Stephen Hanson

"THE RAINS WILL COME"

Jan. 16, 2000
"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty. "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:1-6

"I, surely the Lord God am coming back...."
"From the north and east, and south and west, I AM gathering my fold in. I will gather them in as a shepherd gathers in his fold. Surely, that day will come. Who can stand before the Lord on that day? Who's heart has been tried as of silver or as of gold? Surely, I AM a refiner's fire. "
"I said that I would send you Elijah the prophet before that day and truly, he did come in the form of John the Baptist. But also, the Spirit of John the Baptist has come also in the form of my sons and daughters. For I AM sending my Spirit of fire out into the ends of the earth. My servants will go where I've called them to go. The Spirit of the prophets will come into the folds. Gone will be the days when someone is told to speak just "good things," for my truth will be told and said. For my word will be poured forth like the rain. "
(The Lord showed me a bucket which held water in it. This water was being poured out onto the earth, and as I looked, the earth was parched and dry, very much like a desert. There were huge cracks in it, which went down into the earth very deep. I looked at this crack and it then became a cliff very much like the Grand Canyon. Then the water which had been poured out, filled-up the cracks in the earth, and formed a river. Here in the midst of the river, were plants and vines which began to sprout-up, and formed.)
"See, my word will not return void, but will accomplish that for which I purposed. My word will go out into the ends of the earth. It will break the chains of oppression. It will break the bonds of bondage. It will accomplish the "word" for which it was sent. I said through my servant Joel that in the last days I would pour out my Spirit; and surely, my Spirit has come forth. But the "latter rain" will fall, and will increase in intensity. For there will be "torrents" of rain fall from my Spirit, would say the Lord. There will be times of increase as you have never witnessed before. There will be a "restructuring" in how many of my churches have operated. For the old wineskin needs to be remade. The old wineskin represents the "old order." The latter house will be greater than the former house, for my Spirit will be manifested in my house, says the Lord. The house will "throb" with my Spirit. Those who have been in the desert will be "brought forth." I call my servants, the prophets, to not fear; speak that which I have given, and don't "fall back." Then the day of my appearing will come---then the rains will come, the latter rains. Then the earth will bring forth that for which I called it to. "
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. " Isaiah 55:10-11

Stephen Hanson-----

"WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?"

Jan. 15, 2000
"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven." Matt. 16:13-17
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. " Phil. 3:10-11

"I AM the rock upon which everyone should build. I AM the "Living Stone...." I AM the Door which men can open-up.....I AM the "First and the Last," the "Alpha and the Omega", the "Soon and Returning King." I AM the "Living Bread which came down from heaven."
"There are many names which I have been called. I asked Peter who I was....and he told Me that I was the Christ, the Son of the living God, and he was able to say this because of the Holy Spirit. Many of my sons and daughters know about Me but they don't really know Me. They may know Me as someone who can answer their prayers. They may know Me as someone they can present their requests to. They may know Me as "Commander and Chief." They may know Me as the "VIne Dresser."
"Truly, I AM these things and more."
(The Lord showed me a Bible and it was small and black in appearance. Someone was flipping through the pages of this Bible as if to learn more about God and His Son. As they were leafing through the pages, I noticed that there was a larger Bible behind or superimposed alongside the smaller one. As I noticed this, the print on the smaller one was much smaller, and the larger Bible had larger print in it.)
"When you read about Me, you just "read about Me," but when you know Me, you know Me in the depths of who I AM. I AM asking those who want to know Me to pull-up a seat next to Me, and sit down next to Me. To come and sup with Me. "
(Here the Lord showed me a book again, very much like the Bible in appearance, but the words were a song, as if written by a composer for someone to sing or to learn the music therein.)
"Then the word which you read will become a song, a beautiful song. For it will spring to life. Then the very words you read will become "rhema" to your soul. But I AM asking you to even go beyond this. I AM asking that you not only know Me in this way, but that you identify with Me and become like Me. "
(Here I saw a burial place where someone had been and it was a large area of ground which was cut seemingly square and clean in appearance. As I watched, this, I followed and went below the ground as if following the Lord, and noticed that there were flames. However, as I followed, then I noticed that I was with the Spirit and the Son, and they went up into the sky and then the Son was seated at the right of God. Then after this, I saw a scene of Christ with his head bowed to the ground on the cross.)
"Many people still live their lives as if I was still on the cross. They do not fully realize the impact of Me being raised from the dead. They do not know all the promises I can give them. Intellectually they may know about these things; but to truly be "alive to these things", you need to know Me."
"I say come...and the Spirit says come....Come to know Me as I truly am. Don't know Me as others have said I AM. Everyone must work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. When these things begin to happen, then my church will be ready for my return."

Stephen Hanson

"WHEN WILL MY BODY BE UNITED IN ME?"

Jan. 10, evening, 2000
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelation 21:1-2
"The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, " declares the LORD. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jer. 31:31-33

"The heart is something beautiful I have made in each and every servant of mine. With this heart, you can move mountains or cast them into the sea. For in a "fleshly" heart these things cannot be done. But in the heart that I have made, these things can be done. This heart has been circumcised. It has been "remade." It has been "purged." Let Me renew your hearts. Present your hearts at my table and I will give you "new hearts." You will be given "new hearts," and with these new hearts you will see new things. You will see the things that I have in store for you. Gone will be the days of regret. Instead of ashes, I will give you the "new rain." But you must leave the past behind. Everyone who is mature must be like-minded. "
"The days are racing forward to my soon return. These are the days that many have longed for. They are days when night will be dark, and evil will be ever rampant. But the new day will dawn. (I saw the sun coming up as in a beautiful sunrise on the horizon.) For that light will be manifested in my sons and daughters. A bright vision will be given to my body. It will be the vision of the New Jerusalem. Truly, that city will come. This city, the New Jerusalem, adorned by my own hands, will outshine the radiance of anything you have ever seen. But just as a new city is coming down from heaven, there will be new things here on earth while you are waiting. I AM building new things in the midst of my people. Just as there are new hearts being built, so there are new alliances being made--covenant alliances and covenant relationships. For it is time for the forming of and uniting of various ministries and churches. "
(I saw the construction of a partially assembled structure which was in metal or wire. This was in the shape of a human figure. I watched and looked at this structure and saw where the feet and legs and torso were. Everything was "in process," along with the arms which were outstretched, as if beckoning. While at the top of this figure, was the head of Christ. However, the Head, which seemed to be fully complete and finished, wasn't. It was as if you were looking at a head which was complete on one side, but in "places," particularly at the bottom of it, there was still the wire structure showing through. Otherwise, where the Head appeared to be finished, it seemed to glow and have a radiance about it, and was golden in appearance. The rest of the structure had the "shape" of the figure, but it was unfinished and not complete or alive compared to the Head.)
"Everything needs to be with "prime importance" being given to the Head. Many are trying to build this body without the proper attachment. Surely, this structure, my body, will be "life-less" without the blood and life-giving Head of my Son. It needs to be an organism and not an organization. When will my body be united in Me?"

Stephen Hanson

"BE A LIGHT-GIVER"

Jan. 8, 2000
"The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5
"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." II Peter 1:19
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Ps. 19:1-2

"A bright and shining day is coming for my people. "
"The heavens declare your handiwork, and the stars show forth your glory. But I tell you that the firmament is nothing compared to the glory when I will return. There is a natural order of things seen in heaven and on earth. There is the order of the earth, and this order is seen as day unfolds to night. For with each passing day, new things come. It has been said that new things come in the morning, and truly, this is so. Let the troubles of the night stay with the night. Darkness will give way to light. The light has shown in the darkness, and the darkness has never been able to understand it. And I tell you, that the enemy will attempt to darken the vision which I have planted in each of your hearts. Let that light which is in you, shed that light abroad unto many."
(The Lord showed me a scene where there was a row of people in robes and each of them were carrying candles in their hands. It was evening, and this was in a landscape of some kind, in the country-side. They were walking across this landscape in a fashion which was woven across the country-side; like an army, or a group of people would as they traveled. Then one of them let go of his candle, and it soared into the sky and heavens. This candle though, was in the shape of a "ball of light." Here it was caught by God, and He threw it back to earth, and another group of people in robes caught that (ball) of light. After this, then each of the people in this group, began to "trumpet" the call of God. Each had trumpets, and they were "heralding" the call of God with this "ball" of light.)
"The people that have the light of God, must share it with others. There are some who receive my light, and they keep it unto themselves. And there are others who have received that light, and given back unto Me, and it has gone unto others. There is a reciprocal way in which light can be given. When the light that I give you, is given unto another, then I AM given glory. But you see....then this light which was given unto another, is manifested in a form where it is then "heralded." The light which had begun, has now grown in intensity. And so is this true in the body. For someone may receive a revelation; and they receive that light, and then that light is given. Others receive that "ball of light," and then they herald the truth of that "light." You see....light and revelation is not just given unto one. And then the full manifestation of that light can be seen in the varied expression of my people. And that light will reveal all things unto you. My Son had come to be the light of the world. Now that light is in you. Truly, my people, you will see the things hidden in darkness. I will illuminate. Let the candle burn brightly in each of your hearts. Then you will see the way which is before you. Be my "light givers" unto this world. "

Stephen Hanson

"COME INTO SAFE HARBOR"

Jan. 5 evening, 2000

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matt. 6:25-27
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

"Speak tenderly unto Zion, and tell her that her long service is over with."
"There are times of resting, and there are times of laboring. There are times when my servants need to learn how to rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. There is a way of entering into my rest even in the midst of laboring for Me. Many of my servants find themselves caught-up in all kinds of activities. Strain and toil�.these are things which can hurt your relationships. Muscles and tendons are stretched when exertion is great, so in the same way, is it in the Spirit. Exercise is needed in order to be in shape, and truly, this is important; but without rest between those moments of exercise, then a muscle is overly exerted.
"I tell you, I see many of you going about, doing this and doing that. "Activities�activities�. There is so much "busy-ness." "Martha, Martha, when will you just sit at my feet? Did not even the Son of Man go and find a place to spend time with Me? There is no fruitfulness in activity, which is activity just for the sake of activity. "
"Let Me make an analogy:"
"There was once two boats which set sail. Both of them had a full crew and the necessary gear. And then, a stormy gale came. One of them was busy "polishing" and getting everything ready. They were constantly checking the netting. They checked the sails to make sure that they had no tears in them. They checked the instruments to make sure that they were all working properly. And the other ship simply had their men stationed at various positions. They looked out and saw a storm approaching them; and they hoisted the sails and made ready. But the other ship was so busy watching for a tear in this or that. Which ship do you think made it safely home?
"And so it is with you, my people, you need not be preoccupied with all the cares of this world. I will take you safely home to a safe harbor. I will bring you "safely home." There are many things, which would concern you about the year in which you are living. Truly, this year, this New Year, will see many changes. But again, do not just look at the "netting," and how you can prepare. Look unto Me. "

Stephen Hanson

"THE RIVER OF YOUR HEART"

Dec. 30, 1999
"There are springs of living water which I have for my saints, ready to give them. These "springs" are springs which are always there. The earth has springs of water which can be found at various places. There is water which is used to replenish the earth. For this water nourishes and gives forth "life." With it, plants, and trees, and living things can grow. With it, man is replenished and is nourished. But there is a river which runs deeper than any of these to be found. It flows from my throne. It is the river of my Spirit. You may not see this river, but it is ever-present with Me. "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with Me." In the beginning, the word says that "the Spirit was moving upon the waters." That same Spirit which was moving upon the deep, is the same Spirit which is within you. It is within you, and is found "deep" within the rivers of your soul. "
"There are "rivers" which flow in every man's heart. There are the "rivers of desire." These desires are either "fallen" or depraved desires, or there are the desires to "seek after Me." There are the "rivers of dreams and hopes." There are dreams or hopes which every man or woman has. Some of these "dreams and hopes" are dreams and hopes which come from your own nature. And there are other "dreams and hopes" which I have planted there. This river which flows in your hearts flows to show you what "true" hopes and desires should be."
(The Lord then showed me various plants and flowers which were on the side of a river. I watched as a flower began to open and spread its petals forth. He said to me, "These are desires which grow and spread unto eternal life." Then He said, "Now look on the other side of the river. Here I began to watch, and saw a plant which was withering, and drooping. It had a thistle on top of it, and the stems were cut and dying, and torn in places. As I watched this plant, it attempted to bend forward to where the water was, but could not reach it. I then saw the sun above, and the Lord told me that the sun's heat has scorched this plant. )
He continued speaking to me:
"Truly, these are the desires which will never grow in my river. They do not have the nourishment of my Spirit. They are not "sustained and fed." They may have a life of their own, but they are not healthy and strong. The desires which I plant within a man will blossom and grow. Seek that river which flows within your hearts. It flows directly from my throne. Here I will tend it and nourish the things which grow there. I want my desires to be your desires. There is a river which flows deep within you. I watch over that river and cause that stream to flow. "

The Spirit and the bride are saying, "Come!'' Let the person who is listening say, "Come!'' Let the person who is thirsty come. Let him take as much of the living water as he wants. Rev. 22:17
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Ps. 1:3
And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Gen. 1:2
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Ps. 42:7
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Is. 58:11
The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field. Ezek. 31:4
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14

Stephen Hanson

"SEEK ME IN THE MIDST OF THE CLAMOR"

Dec. 29, 1999
"Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. Although they say, `As surely as the LORD lives,' still they are swearing falsely." O LORD, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. " Jeremiah 5
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Is. 58:6-7
"Go out about the city, and tell Me what do you see? A people who are callused and have gone on their own way. In their houses their homes are beautiful to the sight; every imaginable thing they have. Gold and silver is hoarded up for them. But I tell you, that they are not "beautiful" unto Me. For I tell you, that the riches that you have will not save you on that day. From your capital unto your shores there is violence. There was a time when there was heard of Ramah weeping over her children--her children were killed by the sword. But now, a worst thing has happened---children shooting and killing each other. Where have they learned this, you might ask? Who have been their heroes? Who have been their examples? For they have looked to the media and those on the "silver screen."
I tell you, that this "new year" will be filled with many things. You will hear of wars and the continuation of these things. Brother will betray brother, and the love of many will "wax cold." Many will shut themselves up in their hollow caves. For the days which are ahead, are days which I have warned you about. It is a time of seeking Me above the clamor. It is a time of seeking Me in the midst of the storm. Surely, this nation which was once founded upon my word, can return to Me. But you need to throw away your detestable things. A cup of judgment is ready to be poured out upon you. Woe to those you say "peace and prosperity." Many of you have a faith in Me, but you have denied the power their-in. Many of you have neglected the poor. Many of you have neglected the "fatherless." Many of you have neglected the widow and the widower. You have neglected your neighbors and the people next to you. For is this not what I ask, to loose the chains of bondage? To proclaim liberty to the captives? To extend mercy and love to a nation which has gone far from Me? To be my examples to the darkness around you? For you are to be my "lights" in a fallen world. They need to know my word where my word has not been known. Lift up your hands and see if I would not hear your pleas and cries unto Me.
Will judgment come, or will it be stayed? The tide has risen, and the dam has been broken. I say again...."Seek Me in the midst of the clamor." Do not follow the voice of another. To those who hear my voice, I will lead them to a place of safety. I will be a "strong tower" to them. I will be their city of refuge. Surely I have warned....now heed my command. "

Stephen Hanson