Ron Sawka Ministries
April 14, 2021; Iyar 2, 5781
www.rwsministries.com
“From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chron. 12:32).
“And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off … for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest” (Josh. 3:13, 15, NKJV, emphasis added).
Being Positioned for Increase
I think one of the amazing things about this month of Iyar is how the Lord wants to position us for increase. As I was teaching on this during MPP, I realized that God had given Teddy and me an incredible object lesson about eighteen years ago. It was long before I was acquainted with the whole concept of celebrating the Hebrew months as a way to help us align our thinking to God’s way of thinking.
Looking back, I see the actual miracle took place in the next—that is the third—Hebrew month (Sivan). For quite a long time we had been struggling financially. We were in our new church building, but because our staff was large Teddy and I had chosen to live by faith and weren’t receiving a salary from the church. We were surviving, but it wasn’t easy. Each month it seemed like there was just barely enough.
It was during that third month that Teddy came to me and said we needed to pray about this in a different manner. We wrote down our estimated monthly needs and I was a little shocked at how high the total actually was. (I have to give her the credit, because otherwise I would have continued to try to get along as we had been.) So now that we knew the necessary monthly total, we joined hands and agreed in prayer: “Lord this is how much we need each month. Please provide. We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.”
As is usual for me, I felt nothing during or after the prayer. Teddy asked me later that day if I noticed anything different. I said “no.” But she felt like her feet were sore—as if she were walking and breaking new ground.
When the end of the month came, I saw the total of our income was actually 2–3% higher than what we had asked for. From then on, I kept careful watch on our income. Each month the total was 10%–25% higher than what our original request was. That miracle went on for several years. You could say it still is ongoing—our needs now are much higher, but the abundant provision is still there.
The miracle came in the third month, but I saw clearly it was during the second month, this month of Iyar, that God was preparing us. During that second month I had received a larger-than-usual offering from a ministry trip and it felt good not to have to be thinking about our finances. That was preparation.
I think my testimony raises the question: What do I do so the Lord can position me for increase? Two things come to mind. First, know that God wants to bless you and increase you. This is His covenant plan and promise. Second, not only think this, but also speak it out.
Two events from Israel’s crossing the Jordan River help us understand this. First, the Lord whose power and presence opened the way so they could cross on dry ground is described as “the Lord of the whole earth” (Josh. 3:13). Second, we are told that the crossing happened during harvest time (3:15). God’s plan was to stop the manna so they could eat the produce of the land (Josh. 5:11–12). The manna didn’t stop during a cropless season, but during harvest time.
Think of that. The Lord of the whole earth is the one who goes before each us. The same Lord who opened the Jordan river is opening doors for us and bringing us into harvest. Harvest is not far off in the future. Harvest and abundance are now. Just knowing that positions us for increase.
Thanks for praying. Be blessed.
Ron and Teddy
Hearing the Voice of God—Online Prophetic Training
Second online session this Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m. (Japan time)
As part of our efforts to operate as an online apostolic center, we are offering this course from April. Details regarding this six-part seminar on how to hear and release the voice of God are here.
The Importance of Our Words: Understanding the Times We Are In!
Iyar: The second month of the Hebrew Year, April 13–May 11
This month is known as the prophetic month and is connected to the tribe of Issachar, which understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Not only is it a time to prophesy, but it is also a time to meditate on and speak out the prophetic words already given to us. We also need to know that the Lord wants to prosper us. Click here for full description of the month of Iyar.
Online Apostolic Center
Below is a list and times (Japan Standard Time) of public meetings you can connect with via Ron’s public Facebook page.
Every Tues., 8:30–10 p.m., Apostolic Center Training, English/Chinese. Registration required.
Every Fri., 7:00–8:00 p.m., English/Russian
Mon.–Fri., 6:00–6:45 a.m., Morning Prophetic Prayer, English/Japanese
Sun., April 25, 8:30 p.m., Apostolic for China, English/Chinese
Morning Prophetic Prayer (MPP)
No MPP on the following days:
April 29–May 5 (Thurs.–Wed.). Japan Golden Week holiday. MPP resumes Thursday, May 6.
Those who have special needs for ministry can contact us at: info@rwsministries.com or info@mppjapan.com.
You can join the live broadcast via Facebook (Ron’s public page), or can access the other channels to view the recording at your convenience:
Giving to Ron Sawka Ministries
1. Thank you so much for your giving, which plays such a vital role in helping us to do what the Lord has assigned to us. No matter what amount the Lord puts on your heart, we are so very, very thankful.
2. You may also feel led to become an Apostolic Fund Supporter (AFS) by pledging to give $1,200 (US) or its equivalent for the year.
Yes, I Commit to Being an Apostolic Fund Supporter for 2021
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Also please be sure to attach a recent photo of you and your family (if applicable).
Please send us this information with the subject line “2021 Apostolic Fund Supporter.”
Bank Info and Online Giving (From Any Nation)
You can give online by credit card or debit card at https://give.mogiv.com/app/giving/rwsministries.
In addition to online/credit card giving which can be used from any nation, you may give via the following:
JAPAN
Japan Post Bank: 029 Branch
Account No: 0142537
Account Name: CTF Japan
Account Code Number: 00250-6-142537
Direct Bank Transfers from Overseas
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Bank name: SMBC Trust Bank
Address: Nishi Shimbashi Square 1-3-1 Nishi Shimbashi, Minato Ku, Tokyo Japan 105-0003
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Intermediate bank name and SWIFT code: Sumitomo Mitsubishi Bank Corp. SMBC JPJT
USA
CTF World USA, 2304 Page Rd, Durham, NC 27703. Please make out the check to CTF World. Be sure to clearly designate “For Ron Sawka Ministries.”
Singapore
POSBank 149-42129-7 (account name Ronald W. Sawka)
Taiwan
Bank: China Trust
Account Name: Ronald Wade Sawka
Account Number: 42854 0413470
Korea
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KEB HANA BANK 249-890619-84307 Ronald Wade Sawka
Canada
Since we do not have a Canada office, we suggest you use the credit card option https://give.mogiv.com/app/giving/rwsministries. (Unfortunately, the receipt is not tax deductible for Canada.)
Thank you for your giving!