If My People

WHAT NOW? (9/15/25)

By Joni Ames
joniames@aol.com
(Dr. Joni Ames is a long term CMM Ordained Minister and also a graduate of our school.)

Dear Friends,

Our Father God told us there would be days like this.

1 Timothy 4:1 tells us “The Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”

Additionally, 2 Timothy 3:1 says, 
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.”

When we see what happened this past week with the shooting of Charlie Kirk and some of the crazy fallout since then, we know these things are certainly occurring. He has become the picture of a modern day martyr.

What now? How will we respond?

Charlie Kirk was not Jesus, but he was obviously a man after God‘s own heart.

He wasn’t perfect. Some of what he said, although maybe true, had a very harsh and cutting edge to it.

But there was great fruit happening in his life. He was a Christian without a religious spirit. He didn’t try to sugarcoat anything. He spoke the truth.  Therefore many young people across America loved and admired him for his honesty. And they came to Jesus as a result.

The shocking part of what has happened is the horrific joy that such a horrible event has arisen in some people. How anyone could be happy that such a thing happening to someone could cause joy for anyone is unfathomable. It is downright evil and insane.

But what Satan met for evil, God is beginning to turn for good. Many are now rising up to stand in favor of the Christian principles Charlie Kirk gave his life for.

As God’s Word says, when a seed falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit. (John 12:24)

The spark of what has occurred has ignited a flame of revolution and revival across America that cannot be quenched.

There is a cry from the heart of America for the violence and hatred in our nation to come to an end. 

A difference of opinion is one thing. But allowing our emotions to run amok to the point of murdering someone is evil insanity.

When someone goes into a murderous or violently uncontrollable frenzy because they don’t agree with another’s ideology, there is an obvious demonic spirit behind it. It isn’t normal.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”(Ephesians 6:12)

At this point, we don’t need enemy forces from the outside to come in to destroy us. Our nation is being destroyed from the inside out.

There is a clarion call across America to end the bitterness, anger, and division that the enemy has sown here. It must come to an end before we literally destroy our nation from within.

There was a song once that in it was said, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

Galatians 5:23 tells us that we can have the spirit of self-control when we crucify our flesh and its desires.

We don’t always have to be right. But we should never want to be right so badly that we would kill somebody else because they don’t agree with us.

Whatever you want to call it – revival, restoration, reformation – we here in America desperately need it. 

God promises us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear (them) from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

We can’t wait for someone else to lead the way. We each must do it on our own and lead the way ourselves.

Large churches need to quit fearing becoming small because they choose to do so. Small churches need to quit fearing becoming smaller because they speak the truth and follow Jesus.

In my journalism class in high school I learned that you need to answer six questions when you write something. Who? What? When? Where? Why? And how? So let’s do that.

Who? This word is for all of us. It’s what we all need to do.

What? We all need to humble ourselves and pray, and turn from our wicked ways.

When? Now.

Where? Right where we are at. We don’t have to go to church or a huge conference or anything else. God will meet us right where we are.

Why? Because we need Jesus. Our nation needs Jesus. We need to leave this world better off than we found it.

How? Talk to God. Repent. Then operate in self control of your own emotions. 

That means we must be sorry for and turn away from the evil ways of the world and our own heart. 

14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
(James 1:14-15)

So basically, tell the Lord from your heart that you are sorry. Ask for and receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and the forgiveness of any bitterness, anger, strife, hatred, division, and any other evil thoughts, words, or actions/sins. 

Then operate in self control by turning away from and not returning to those things again.

Let it begin with us. Then lead the way for others as well.

Even if no one else does, we are responsible to do so for ourselves and our families.

We will still see evil in the world. But don’t let it be from us.

Jesus Himself – words in red – warns us in Matthew 24:21: “there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

But The Word also encourages us that,

“12 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct.
15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.”
(Psalm 37:12-15)

So what’s ahead?

He promises us in Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:17-21 that God’s Spirit will be Poured Out in this day:
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lordcalls.

Matthew 24:6 lets us know:
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things MUST come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

But as He says in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled.”

Psalm 37 encourages us:

“1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

My prayer for you today is this:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Love and Blessings to you!🙏 
Joni
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Feel free to forward to others to encourage them. Just please maintain my contact info. (Thank you.)

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Persevere! Never give up! Never surrender!!!
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Joni Ames
703 Kings Row
Charleston, WV 25314