In This Month's Report:
* Editorial - Mammon, the Elephant in the Room!
* Feedback - 'Guilty as Charged'
* September Events - Reopening the Wells of Revival in AC
* September Ministry - Impacting the Northeast and Beyond
* News and Resources - Debunking Church Misconceptions
* Products - Four Exciting Resources (see link below)
* Partnership - Invest in God's Program for the Northeast of America
* God Thoughts - God's Glory

We would love to hear from you; please send us your feedback today. Don’t forget the ever-popular 'GOD THOUGHTS' at the end of this report. Enjoy! JB

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.” ~Matthew 6:24

INTRODUCTION

Webster's dictionary defines 'Mammon' as: 1) the false god of riches and avarice. 2) riches regarded as an object of worship and greedy pursuit; wealth as an evil, more or less personified.

Mammon was personified as a false god in the New Testament. The term is often used to refer to excessive materialism or greed as a negative influence. In our last editorial ("The Divided States of America") I said, "Our rampant materialism has moved us away from the thankfulness and appreciation of the basic necessities of life...." With the recent volatility in our economy, it now seems that our trust in the material things of life in America is seriously being shaken.

THE SHAKING OF NATIONS

Even though we now have a global economy, the reality is, if Wall Street sneezes, the rest of the world still gets a cold! The not-so-mighty dollar is still the standard of world currency, although many believe that's its use-by date will soon expire, being replaced by the Euro or the Chinese Yuan.

The value of all this 'paper' is based solely on perception. This is perpetuated largely by the 24-hour news networks. In turn, that has recently produced a hysteria that has stimulated some of the lowest motives of human nature, such as fear, greed and envy, which are running rife in these times.

NO FINANCIAL ARMAGEDDON

Despite all the dire predictions of a financial 'Armageddon,' James Galbraith, a University of Texas economist calls the possibility of another Great Depression "overheated rhetoric" because the federal government plays a far larger role in the economy than it did during the 1920s and 1930s, both in terms of government spending and regulation. For instance, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation began insuring bank deposits in 1934 to protect depositors from bank failures. "When the private economy collapsed, that was the whole economy," Galbraith said. "The banking system entirely collapsed in the 1930s. That's not going to happen." (Source: Mary Ellen Podmolik & Mike Hughlett - Chicago Tribune)

'I SOLD MY SOUL....'

In some contemporized media, Mammon is depicted as a handsome gentleman, suave and sophisticated, often seen making attractive deals with humans for their souls. I can't imagine that Mammon does not have an office on Wall Street! But I'm sure you will find he also has a presence on Main Street! Either way, recent events have highlighted our greedy pursuit of Mammon to the point that our lust for the material things of life is highlighted so much that it cannot be ignored; it has become the elephant in the room!

Will we continue to trust in a false god or will we truly obey the scriptural admonition of Matthew 6:19-20, “Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them"?

CAUTIOUS, NOT HYSTERICAL

Prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in practical affairs. It is a balance between unnecessary risk and over cautiousness. On one end there is recklessness, often as a result of panic and hysteria; on the other, there is cowardice. These two extremes are vices, but somewhere in between can be found the cardinal virtue of prudence.

Prudence is a most excellent companion in any season, feast or famine. It will help you keep your heart in the right place, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:21 #

"Thank you for this report (FMI Report, August 2008). I am guilty as charged!!!!! I went into God TV and then into Morningstar Ministries. A young fellow had gone to Lakeland and, in April, stood in Morningstar and asked God why anyone had to go there, why weren't we able to experience the same here. I have asked God the same. I am asking the Holy Spirit to come descend on Greene County here in Northeastern TN. I live in expectancy. Turn around, turn around, turn around, and seek God's face! Be Blessed, Nancy Cole"

"Thank you, Pastor Jeff for keeping me updated with the goings on in our fight against evil. God bless you and your family always. Robert Buan, CT"
 

Reopening the Wells of Revival in Atlantic City - In 1904-05, God used a man from Wales by the name of Evan Roberts to initiate the greatest awakening to occur in the 20th century. Wales was completely changed, almost overnight, as the revival took effect. Drunkenness was cut in half. The illegitimate birth rate dropped 44%. Crime was reduced to the point that many policemen were unemployed! Some 100,000 people were converted in Wales alone. From Wales, the revival spread to Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

The revival crossed over the Atlantic Ocean to the Northeast of America. In Atlantic City, for example, one of the more astounding impacts took place. Out of a population of 60,000 it is said that only 50 people remained unconverted!

On the night of September 14th, I partnered with Joshua Kennedy of Kingdom Invasion in Atlantic City for a meeting of worship, prayer and preaching, with the aim of reopening the wells of revival in Atlantic City. Joshua sent this report below:

"Jeff, I would like to thank you for participating at the WAVE gathering in Atlantic City on September 14th. Knowing that God sent you to this region from Australia to be an agent to birth revival, I believe your presence at this meeting was truly God-appointed. Meeting at Victory Deliverance Presbyterian Church, which I believe was one of the catalysts of the 1905 revival, was significant in creating the atmosphere to see another revival wave pour out on this city once again.

The presence of God was truly like a warm blanket throughout the meeting. I believe God's love was warming our hearts, creating the compassion we need to become His agents of love to the many people of Atlantic City who are in need. The history you gave of revival, I believe, was so necessary in stirring up the faith, especially of the younger generation, to step out and move with God. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to congregate with us, and may God richly reward you for your obedience. God's Peace, Joshua Kennedy, Kingdom Invasion, Egg Harbor Township, NJ"

If there is one thing that will get America's attention, it is money! Whether it's Wall Street or Atlantic City, both run on gambling and Mammon. The next day, Monday, September 15th, saw one of the biggest drops in stock market history.