Holy Fire Burning for Revival in Japan: An Interview with Missionary Stephen Barrett

Keys to Igniting a Move of God in Japan

Today I was blessed to have an engaging discussion with my brother Steve, an American missionary laboring in Fukuoka, Japan for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit across that nation. Steve's passionate heart burns with holy fire to see revival blaze across the Japanese islands.

As Steve shared, the reality on the ground is that evangelical Christianity only comprises about 1% of the population in Japan currently. The church there lacks the diversity of expressions and movements that we see in America. The Christians that do exist tend to be fairly traditional and denominational in nature. 

However, Steve believes this sad state is an incredible opportunity for the Holy Spirit to birth fresh, New Testament expressions of the church contextualized to the various subcultures and people groups across Japan. This is the vision behind his involvement with Dynamic Church Planting International - to equip and deploy Japanese believers to start organic, indigenous churches rooted in their communities.

Steve emphasized the primacy of simply lifting up Jesus and giving the Holy Spirit room to draw people to the Son. Rather than relying on intellectual arguments or charismatic personalities which can't save, we must clear the way for authentic supernatural encounters with the living Christ. Steve recounted testimonies of how God has given him prophetic words and words of knowledge that have stopped people in their tracks, undeniably confirming the reality of the Gospel.

Powerful corporate worship was another key he lifted up as vital for the move of God in Japan. Steve recounted how in the Book of Acts, teaching from the apostles would lead to spontaneous outbursts of praise and worship among the people. He desires to cultivate the same environment of intimacy and exaltation of Jesus that positions believers to experience fresh revelations and divine encounters.

My friend requested focused prayer covering for two specific needs: First, for supernatural provision to complete the translation of DCPI's church planting materials into Japanese. This is a crucial key to equipped the Japanese leaders they are training.  Secondly, for God to go before them in preparing the way for regional training events in Tokyo and other key cities starting as soon as next year. Steve has a profound hunger for believers in Japan to be unified together under this vision of seeing the nation transformed by the Gospel through multiplication of healthy, vibrant churches.

I was incredibly stirred by my time with Steve and the real move of the Spirit of God occurring through his ministry. While only 1% in Japan are Christian now, I can sense a mighty spiritual shift on the horizon as this first-fruits company of Japanese believers unite to exalt Jesus and passionately pursue an outpouring of Holy Ghost revival across their nation. Please join me in fervent prayer for Holy Fire Japan and Dynamic Church Planting International as they blaze a trail for the advancing Kingdom of God in Japan!

Unveiling the Spiritual Forces Behind 9/11

America Needs More Than Politics: A Prophetic Take on 9/11

On this 9/11 anniversary, instead of dwelling on the details of the tragedy, I want to delve deeper into the spiritual forces at play. While the event itself was horrific, focusing solely on worldly solutions like politics misses the bigger picture.

As Christians, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). 

Politicians, while they may have good intentions, often find themselves entangled with these spiritual forces. True change for America won't come through legislation, 

but through national repentance and a renewed focus on our relationship with God.

Here are key points to consider:

* 2 + 2 Doesn't Always Equal 4: While the 9/11 hijackers weren't primarily from Iraq, the focus was shifted there, highlighting inconsistencies 

in the narrative presented. This illogicality, when sensed by the spirit, exposes a deeper spiritual manipulation at play.

* Principalities and the Importance of Repentance: Just as Daniel's 21-day fast brought down the principality over Persia (Daniel 10), America's healing requires collective repentance as outlined in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Blind trust in political solutions is a dangerous distraction.

* The Carnal Mind vs. the Spirit: We must differentiate between the carnal mind, driven by worldly logic, and the spirit, which discerns truth 

beyond what our senses perceive. The spirit yearns for righteousness and recognizes God's intervention, even when it appears illogical (Romans 8:26).

* Actionable Steps for Believers:

    * Prayer and Fasting: Following the example of Daniel, fervent prayer and seeking God's will are crucial for national transformation.

    * Discernment and Witness:  Sharpen your spiritual discernment through scripture study and prayer. Share the Gospel message with boldness and compassion.

    * Taking Ground: Don't be passive observers. Engage your community through prayer walks, Bible studies, and acts of service, actively demonstrating God's love.

Remember, America's true restoration lies not in earthly power, but in a genuine turning back to God. Let us weep, pray, and seek His face, confident that He hears our cries and longs to heal our land.

From Brita to Bible: Finding Peace in Unexpected Places

How is a Brita water bottle like God?

I like filtered water.  Let me rephrase that - I like very cold clean water to drink.

The cheapest thing I have going is those Brita sports bottles.  They rock!

I keep three in the fridge and maybe take one out to keep near me.  When it isn't cold anymore i simply put it back in the fridge.  I drink so much water that i need to have three to guarantee at least one is really cold at any one time.  You know, cuz it takes a while to cool them off.

I got home last night, and i couldn't find my blue water bottle.  I was so upset. This was a legitimate crisis (in my mind lol....).

I considered buying a new one, but realized that I had simply misplaced the blue one.  So, I somewhat blocked it out of my mind and calmed down.  I got still.  I quieted my mind.

Psalms 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Then a thought occur ed to me.  I had hidden the blue water bottle in the fridge.  I had tucked it back far in the fridge where the human eye couldn't see it.

When my mind was still, it rushed to my remembrance where I had put it!

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

While this may not be the best example of how God works, it is similar.  When we are focusing on a problem and trying to come up with a carnal solution in our mind.  We are too caught up in the situation.  We can't find a solution with our physical eyes.   We need to get in the spirit.  Which this is hard to do if you are fretting about it.

Often times God will bring to our remembrance the solution.  That same spirit often warns us of things to come as well!

John 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Don't you want a relationship like that?