Saturday, January 31, 2009
Revival
Years ago a young minister visited Dundee, Scotland, deeply concerned that his ministry was producing such meager results. He decided to visit the scene where years before Robert Murray McCheyne had ministered in such evident power of the Spirit of God. McCheyne died at the age of 30, but not before God used him to turn Scotland upside down. The visitor asked the old sexton (church property caretaker) at St. Peter’s if he could tell him the secret of the amazing influence of Robert McCheyne. The old man led the young minister into the vestry. “Sit down there,” he said. “Now put your elbows on the table.” He did so. “Yes, that was the way McCheyne used to do it,” said the old man. “Now put your face in your hand.” The visitor obeyed. “Now let the tears flow! That was the way McCheyne used to do!” said the sexton. (Explore the Psalms Vol. 2, John Phillips, 1988. 478-9)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Six Habits of Highly Defective People
•They have a losing attitude: People generally get whatever they expect out of life. Expect the worst, and that’s what you’ll get.
•They quit growing. People are what they are, and they are where they are because of what has gone into their minds.
•They have no game plan for life. As William Feather, author of The Business of Life says, “There are two kinds of failures: Those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.”
•They are unwilling to change. Some people would rather cling to what they have rather than embrace what might be better because they are afraid of getting something worse.
•They fail in relationships with others. People who cannot get along with others will never get ahead in life.
•They are not willing to pay the price for success. The road to success is uphill all the way. Anyone who wants to accomplish much must sacrifice much.
From Success One Day At a Time, by John Maxwell
•They quit growing. People are what they are, and they are where they are because of what has gone into their minds.
•They have no game plan for life. As William Feather, author of The Business of Life says, “There are two kinds of failures: Those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.”
•They are unwilling to change. Some people would rather cling to what they have rather than embrace what might be better because they are afraid of getting something worse.
•They fail in relationships with others. People who cannot get along with others will never get ahead in life.
•They are not willing to pay the price for success. The road to success is uphill all the way. Anyone who wants to accomplish much must sacrifice much.
From Success One Day At a Time, by John Maxwell
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Ouotes of the Day
"Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered, and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds." Charles Lindbergh
"Beware of the barrenness of an overcrowded life." Anonymous
"You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity." O. A. Battista
"Beware of the barrenness of an overcrowded life." Anonymous
"You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity." O. A. Battista
Revival
•First God comes. On New Year's Eve 1739, John Wesley, George Whitefield, and some of their friends held a "love feast" which became a watch night of prayer to see the New Year in. At about 3 a.m., Wesley wrote, "the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground." Revival always begins with a restoration of the sense of the closeness of the Holy One.
•Second, the gospel is loved as never before. The sense of God's nearness creates an overwhelming awareness of one's own sins and sinfulness, and so the power of the cleansing blood of Christ is greatly appreciated.
•Then repentance deepens. In the Ulster revival in the 1920s shipyard workers brought back so many stolen tools that new sheds had to be built to house the recovered property! Repentance results in restitution.
•Finally, the Spirit works fast: godliness multiplies, Christians mature, converts appear. Paul was at Thessalonica for less than three weeks, but God worked quickly and Paul left a virile church behind him.
James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.
•Second, the gospel is loved as never before. The sense of God's nearness creates an overwhelming awareness of one's own sins and sinfulness, and so the power of the cleansing blood of Christ is greatly appreciated.
•Then repentance deepens. In the Ulster revival in the 1920s shipyard workers brought back so many stolen tools that new sheds had to be built to house the recovered property! Repentance results in restitution.
•Finally, the Spirit works fast: godliness multiplies, Christians mature, converts appear. Paul was at Thessalonica for less than three weeks, but God worked quickly and Paul left a virile church behind him.
James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Revival Quotes
Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again. Vance Havner.
A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness, making God's love triumph in the heart. Andrew Murray.
The pathway to revival is paved with true repentance. Revival that ignores the issues of sin will only stir the emotions for a short time, but one that deals with sin can change the course of life for sometime to come! Revival must be both celebrational and confessional! Dennis Marquette
A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness, making God's love triumph in the heart. Andrew Murray.
The pathway to revival is paved with true repentance. Revival that ignores the issues of sin will only stir the emotions for a short time, but one that deals with sin can change the course of life for sometime to come! Revival must be both celebrational and confessional! Dennis Marquette
Friday, January 23, 2009
Five Weeks Until Revival
It is just five weeks until revival with Tennessee State Evangelist, Tim Farmer. I spoke with him briefly at the Distric Meeting in Jackson and he is ready to be with us.
Prayer and fasting needs to continue - especially intensive prayer. Pray for revival for the local church and revival for each person. It has been said that revIval has an I in the middle and that is what revIval is all about. Draw a circle around yourself and seek God to revive you. There is another word with an I in the middle - prIde. Pride is the opposite of repentance and humility. We will not, repeat, we will not have revival without the presence of the Holy Spirit. WE MUST PRAY, PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY MORE.
A powerful presence of adoration and worship to the Lord will also be much needed. We will come together to worship but we should also worship in our private times - washing dishes, cleaning house, driving the car and truck and on the job we can also worship in our hearts. May God help us to seek YOU for this time of revival.
We need YOU O MIGHTY GOD!
Prayer and fasting needs to continue - especially intensive prayer. Pray for revival for the local church and revival for each person. It has been said that revIval has an I in the middle and that is what revIval is all about. Draw a circle around yourself and seek God to revive you. There is another word with an I in the middle - prIde. Pride is the opposite of repentance and humility. We will not, repeat, we will not have revival without the presence of the Holy Spirit. WE MUST PRAY, PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY MORE.
A powerful presence of adoration and worship to the Lord will also be much needed. We will come together to worship but we should also worship in our private times - washing dishes, cleaning house, driving the car and truck and on the job we can also worship in our hearts. May God help us to seek YOU for this time of revival.
We need YOU O MIGHTY GOD!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Nashville Voting on English as Official Language
Today thousands of Nashvillians will go to the polls and vote for or against the English language referendum. Both sides have stated that taxpayers will loose if either vote wins. Makes me wonder which is correct. If Nashville chooses to make English the official language, how will that affect those who cannot speak English? If Nashville votes down the referendum, what difference will it make? Our country still provides for equal rights to all people regardless of race, creed or religion. So, it seems that this election is going to cost taxpayers a lot even if the vote is finally for or against.
Some say, they are for all people as long as it does not infringe on their freedom to be financially independent. These people want those who immigrate here to work for their needs and not become dependent on those who have already worked to make their way. They point to the way immigration was decades ago and believe governmental programs have become too generous and regulations have become lax.
Others feel that all who are in need of services and help should be able to access it through the government - local, state and federal (taxes). I understand the federal government allows legal immigrants to live here and work here for a period of time without paying taxes in order to get their "feet on the ground." We understand there are hundreds of dialects in our nation at this time and more coming. The government also provides translators for those who need services.
We have come through the "salad bowl" era and the "melting pot" era. What is next? Some may be wanting the full course meal with all the trimmings without any work ethic. Some may want to be selfish and hold on to their full course meal and not share with those in need. Perhaps it would do us some good in this nation to all eat "soup" for a while. I'm sure those who were around in the Great Depression of the late 1920's and 1930's could share some good pointers on how to be thankful for what we have and to share with those who are in need. Maybe we need to be involved in more pressing matters than what language people speak.
Here are some headlines from the Great Depression.
U.S STEEL LAYS OFF ANOTHER 10,000
GENERAL MOTORS STOCK DOWN FROM $500 A SHARE TO $10 A SHARE
CHICAGO TEACHERS FEED 11,000 HUNGRY CHILDREN
IOWA CORN WAY DOWN IN PRICE
SALE-SALE-SALE SUITS AND COATS FOR $15
KENTUCKY COAL MINERS FOUND LIVING ON DANDELIONS
N.Y.C. COPS TO CARRY LIST OF CHARITIES TO DIRECT THE HELPLESS
110 CHILDREN IN N.Y.C. DIE FROM MALNUTRITION
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE?
Some say, they are for all people as long as it does not infringe on their freedom to be financially independent. These people want those who immigrate here to work for their needs and not become dependent on those who have already worked to make their way. They point to the way immigration was decades ago and believe governmental programs have become too generous and regulations have become lax.
Others feel that all who are in need of services and help should be able to access it through the government - local, state and federal (taxes). I understand the federal government allows legal immigrants to live here and work here for a period of time without paying taxes in order to get their "feet on the ground." We understand there are hundreds of dialects in our nation at this time and more coming. The government also provides translators for those who need services.
We have come through the "salad bowl" era and the "melting pot" era. What is next? Some may be wanting the full course meal with all the trimmings without any work ethic. Some may want to be selfish and hold on to their full course meal and not share with those in need. Perhaps it would do us some good in this nation to all eat "soup" for a while. I'm sure those who were around in the Great Depression of the late 1920's and 1930's could share some good pointers on how to be thankful for what we have and to share with those who are in need. Maybe we need to be involved in more pressing matters than what language people speak.
Here are some headlines from the Great Depression.
Headlines of 1932
U.S STEEL LAYS OFF ANOTHER 10,000
GENERAL MOTORS STOCK DOWN FROM $500 A SHARE TO $10 A SHARE
CHICAGO TEACHERS FEED 11,000 HUNGRY CHILDREN
IOWA CORN WAY DOWN IN PRICE
SALE-SALE-SALE SUITS AND COATS FOR $15
KENTUCKY COAL MINERS FOUND LIVING ON DANDELIONS
N.Y.C. COPS TO CARRY LIST OF CHARITIES TO DIRECT THE HELPLESS
110 CHILDREN IN N.Y.C. DIE FROM MALNUTRITION
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE?
Prayer and Fasting
Today is the end of the 21 day scheduled public fast. Some will stop their fast. Others may continue. Prayer must continue. We believe that this time of intensive prayer and fasting will be an impetus for the work ahead as we move forward.
Revival is scheduled for February 27, 28 and March 1, with State Evangelist, Tim Farmer. There is no secret formula for revival. Prayer, fasting, pure worship, visiting, and witnessing are all needed. As the local church here involves themselves in the work of the Lord, giving themsleves to Him wholeheartedly, growth will be the result.
There are a couple examples in the scripture that speak of move 'n on. 2Kings 7:3 tells us, ". . .there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?" These four lepers were in a time of famine and starving to death. They could not get food in the city and were not supposed to get near anyone. There was the enemy army outside the city and surely they could not go in there. They declared, "why sit we here until we die?" They went to the enemy army camp and found the camp empty of soldiers because God had already created a sound like a vast army to come upon them. The lepers ate enemy food, took what they wanted (clothes, silver, and gold) in two different trips to the camp. Then they felt guilty about getting the spoils alone so they told the Captain of the Guard who told the King. The whole city spoiled the goods of the enemy soldiers. As Elisha had prophesied, there would be plenty of grain to sell.
The other example is the two sons that Jesus gave us. He tells us in Matthew 21:28 "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard." One son quickly resonded that he would go to work in his vineyard. The other son was very hesitant and would not go. During the course of time, the one who said he would go did not go. The other son who was hesitant went. Its time to GO! Why sit around and die? Let hesitation be turned into moving on.
Lets GO!
Revival is scheduled for February 27, 28 and March 1, with State Evangelist, Tim Farmer. There is no secret formula for revival. Prayer, fasting, pure worship, visiting, and witnessing are all needed. As the local church here involves themselves in the work of the Lord, giving themsleves to Him wholeheartedly, growth will be the result.
There are a couple examples in the scripture that speak of move 'n on. 2Kings 7:3 tells us, ". . .there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?" These four lepers were in a time of famine and starving to death. They could not get food in the city and were not supposed to get near anyone. There was the enemy army outside the city and surely they could not go in there. They declared, "why sit we here until we die?" They went to the enemy army camp and found the camp empty of soldiers because God had already created a sound like a vast army to come upon them. The lepers ate enemy food, took what they wanted (clothes, silver, and gold) in two different trips to the camp. Then they felt guilty about getting the spoils alone so they told the Captain of the Guard who told the King. The whole city spoiled the goods of the enemy soldiers. As Elisha had prophesied, there would be plenty of grain to sell.
The other example is the two sons that Jesus gave us. He tells us in Matthew 21:28 "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard." One son quickly resonded that he would go to work in his vineyard. The other son was very hesitant and would not go. During the course of time, the one who said he would go did not go. The other son who was hesitant went. Its time to GO! Why sit around and die? Let hesitation be turned into moving on.
Lets GO!
Move 'n On
There are times in our lives when it seems we get stuck. Ever feel like you are stuck - just spinning your wheels. That's what happens when a car gets on soft, muddy ground. No matter how much you give it the gas, it just sits and spins. There must be some type of solid ground to get it unstuck or you need another vehicle to pull it out.
Perhaps you are "stuck in the mud." The mud of undue criticism. I heard about a junior in high school who had a particularly hard teacher. She got a C on her first test. When she went to ask the teacher how she could study better to make better grades the teacher responded, "You are just not an A student are you." Now, I don't know about you but that would have sent me spinning in the mud. This remark from the teacher could have discouraged this student and left her "stuck in the mud." With some help from the parents and others she took in stride and moved on.
By the way, I graduated with a C+ average in high school, not because I could not do better but because I didn't want to study and work harder - had other interests on my mind (sports, hunting, fishing, skipping school). That was a unique type of "mud" in another time of my life.
Anyone who gets "stuck" in some type of "mud" (there are different kinds) needs to seek to move on. There is the mud of gossip, unforgiveness, division, backbiting, strife, etc. etc. Then there are the crystal clear waters of "move 'n on." Move on with grace, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-contol. The only way to get out of the mud is the solid ground of God's grace. Then, move on in the Holy Spirit.
What 'd ya say? Lets move on. . .
By God's grace, I'm move 'n on. . . .
Perhaps you are "stuck in the mud." The mud of undue criticism. I heard about a junior in high school who had a particularly hard teacher. She got a C on her first test. When she went to ask the teacher how she could study better to make better grades the teacher responded, "You are just not an A student are you." Now, I don't know about you but that would have sent me spinning in the mud. This remark from the teacher could have discouraged this student and left her "stuck in the mud." With some help from the parents and others she took in stride and moved on.
By the way, I graduated with a C+ average in high school, not because I could not do better but because I didn't want to study and work harder - had other interests on my mind (sports, hunting, fishing, skipping school). That was a unique type of "mud" in another time of my life.
Anyone who gets "stuck" in some type of "mud" (there are different kinds) needs to seek to move on. There is the mud of gossip, unforgiveness, division, backbiting, strife, etc. etc. Then there are the crystal clear waters of "move 'n on." Move on with grace, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-contol. The only way to get out of the mud is the solid ground of God's grace. Then, move on in the Holy Spirit.
What 'd ya say? Lets move on. . .
By God's grace, I'm move 'n on. . . .
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Peaceful Transition of Presidents
Former President George W. Bush, right, hugs President Barack Obama after Obama was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)From Comcast
Prayer and Fasting
This is day 21 of the prayer and fasting intensive. I admit, it has been a challenge but great blessings and benefits have come and will continue to come from this time. The most valuable is the relational closeness that has been more intense with our Father in Heaven. Thank God for the challenge that Jesus left us, "then shall they fast." Some may phase out of the fast today. If you have been on a total fast. . .drink juice and water mixed first. . .then eat light for a few days to get your body to accept bread, meat and sweets a little at a time.
Some may be continuing the fast. . .let your health be strongly considered. Talk to your medical doctor if necessary. Prayer will continue on. We know the Bible records, "pray without ceasing." We thank God for this intensive time.
Some may be continuing the fast. . .let your health be strongly considered. Talk to your medical doctor if necessary. Prayer will continue on. We know the Bible records, "pray without ceasing." We thank God for this intensive time.
Five Truths About Problems
1. They’re unavoidable.
2. Perspective on the problem, rather than the problem itself, determines success or failure.
3. There’s a big difference between problem spotting and problem solving.
4. The size of the person is more important than the size of the problem.
5. Problems, responded to correctly, can propel us forward.
Click here to read the rest, From Leadership Wired, John Maxwell
2. Perspective on the problem, rather than the problem itself, determines success or failure.
3. There’s a big difference between problem spotting and problem solving.
4. The size of the person is more important than the size of the problem.
5. Problems, responded to correctly, can propel us forward.
Click here to read the rest, From Leadership Wired, John Maxwell
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Forty Fourth President
The Scripture admonished Christians to pray for leaders - "for all in authority." President Barak Obama needs the prayers of Christians. He will lead effectively only as he leans on God and trusts God. No leader can be effective without the overarching influence of God in their lives and the wisdom that only God can give.
Let us pray for our new President.
Let us pray for our new President.
Prayer and Fasting
Day 20 of prayer and fasting continues. Thank God for His greatness and goodness! It is beyond any human words to express the awesomeness of our Great God. "Joy unspeakable and full of glory," said the Apostle Peter.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Corporate Prayer and Fasting Continues
Today is day 19 of the corporate prayer and fasting time. Of course, we need the Lord more than just 21 days but we are starting the year with emphasis on seeking the Lord through intensive prayer and fasting. It has been said, "fasting intensifies our focus and affections upon the Lord." Surely we do not want this to be a "humanistic" and much less "carnalistic" endeavour.
We desire to see God's good pleasure in our lives and His perfect will accomplished among us both individually and corporately. When we are realizing His good pleasure we will, without doubt, be blessed beyond measure and fulfilled completely - no matter the temporal conditions or extenuating circumstances.
Prayer:
"Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name." "This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Thank you Heavenly Father for being my Father and letting me be your child. Help me to let your light shine out more to others today and encourage someone who is in need of your touch. Forgive me when I am less compassionate than you desire. Bless my family and protect them today - my children, grandchildren, mother, brother and family, sister and family and my precious wife and her family. Please bring the ones who don't know you to repentance and salvation. Bless the church here where I pastor. Help me to be the Pastor you desire. Forgive me when I fail to care for the members and friends of the church as you would have me to. Help me to serve better and give me a greater passion for the ministry you have called me to. Bless the leaders of our church, nation and the world. Be with the President and President-Elect during this time. Protect them. Help them make wise, godly decisions. I ask these blessings in Christ's holy and precious name. AMEN!
We desire to see God's good pleasure in our lives and His perfect will accomplished among us both individually and corporately. When we are realizing His good pleasure we will, without doubt, be blessed beyond measure and fulfilled completely - no matter the temporal conditions or extenuating circumstances.
Prayer:
"Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name." "This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Thank you Heavenly Father for being my Father and letting me be your child. Help me to let your light shine out more to others today and encourage someone who is in need of your touch. Forgive me when I am less compassionate than you desire. Bless my family and protect them today - my children, grandchildren, mother, brother and family, sister and family and my precious wife and her family. Please bring the ones who don't know you to repentance and salvation. Bless the church here where I pastor. Help me to be the Pastor you desire. Forgive me when I fail to care for the members and friends of the church as you would have me to. Help me to serve better and give me a greater passion for the ministry you have called me to. Bless the leaders of our church, nation and the world. Be with the President and President-Elect during this time. Protect them. Help them make wise, godly decisions. I ask these blessings in Christ's holy and precious name. AMEN!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Prayer and Fasting Continues
This is day 18 of the 21 day prayer and fasting time throughout the churches of the nation and possibly over the world. We continue to seek the Lord's face. Remember the Scripture says in Hebrews 11:6 ". . .he that cometh to God mut believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Eleazar prayed and fasted a day to seek God for Isaac's wife.
Moses went into the mount to pray and fast to seek God.
Elijah went into the mount and prayed and fasted to seek God.
Jesus went into the wilderness to pray and fast and seek His Father.
Daniel mourned and prayed and fasted for three weeks to seek God for return to Jerusalem.
Esther and the jewish people prayed and fasted three days to seek God for protection and deliverance.
Samuel and Israel joined together to pray and fast for revival.
Nehemiah mourned, fasted and prayed to seek God for restoring the walls.
All the people of Nineveh (and even their livestock weren't given food) fasted and prayed to God to seek repentance and forgiveness.
Saul prayed and fasted three days after being encountered by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. He was transformed into the Apostle Paul.
Peter was on the housetop praying and fasting when he received the vision to go minister to the Gentiles.
The early Christian church prayed and fasted to the Lord before sending ministers out to do mission work.
Do you know of others you would include here? Let us continue to pray and fast unto the Lord.
Eleazar prayed and fasted a day to seek God for Isaac's wife.
Moses went into the mount to pray and fast to seek God.
Elijah went into the mount and prayed and fasted to seek God.
Jesus went into the wilderness to pray and fast and seek His Father.
Daniel mourned and prayed and fasted for three weeks to seek God for return to Jerusalem.
Esther and the jewish people prayed and fasted three days to seek God for protection and deliverance.
Samuel and Israel joined together to pray and fast for revival.
Nehemiah mourned, fasted and prayed to seek God for restoring the walls.
All the people of Nineveh (and even their livestock weren't given food) fasted and prayed to God to seek repentance and forgiveness.
Saul prayed and fasted three days after being encountered by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. He was transformed into the Apostle Paul.
Peter was on the housetop praying and fasting when he received the vision to go minister to the Gentiles.
The early Christian church prayed and fasted to the Lord before sending ministers out to do mission work.
Do you know of others you would include here? Let us continue to pray and fast unto the Lord.
WISDOM FROM THE PSALMS from Crosswalk.Com
Psalm 8:5Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast cr owned him with glory and honour.
There are not many days that go by where I feel very holy. As much as I might like to be a reflection of Jesus Christ, I am afraid that my image is a very dim one at best. For each success I have at walking in the footsteps of Christ, I have a dozen failures where I have strayed from the path. And through it all, God still loves me totally. In my imperfection, God still reveres me and thinks I am good. It boggles the mind to realize that human beings are God's pride and joy. Despite the grief and frustration we must be, God believes in us and helps us to be the best people that we can be. He loves His children and rejoices in their victories. Our Lord created us just lower than the angels; the most perfect of His creations.
Despair not. No matter how inadequate we might feel, we are considered beautiful by our Creator, and in the end it is His opinion, not ours, that makes all the difference in the world.
Prayer:
Grant me spiritual wings that I might soar as an angel on this earth, O Lord. Help me to live up to the intention You had at my creation. Let me wear my crown wisely and proudly, to Your glory. Amen.
There are not many days that go by where I feel very holy. As much as I might like to be a reflection of Jesus Christ, I am afraid that my image is a very dim one at best. For each success I have at walking in the footsteps of Christ, I have a dozen failures where I have strayed from the path. And through it all, God still loves me totally. In my imperfection, God still reveres me and thinks I am good. It boggles the mind to realize that human beings are God's pride and joy. Despite the grief and frustration we must be, God believes in us and helps us to be the best people that we can be. He loves His children and rejoices in their victories. Our Lord created us just lower than the angels; the most perfect of His creations.
Despair not. No matter how inadequate we might feel, we are considered beautiful by our Creator, and in the end it is His opinion, not ours, that makes all the difference in the world.
Prayer:
Grant me spiritual wings that I might soar as an angel on this earth, O Lord. Help me to live up to the intention You had at my creation. Let me wear my crown wisely and proudly, to Your glory. Amen.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Prayer and Fasting Continues
Today is day 17 of the 21 day of corporate fasting. We are believing the Lord for His direction, power and blessings. To seek Him as our reward is far above anything that could be given. He wants to bless us. He wants to provide all that is resident in His Son, Jesus Christ. Keep looking to Him who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Go here for instruction, encouragement, and admonition in fasting.
Go here for instruction, encouragement, and admonition in fasting.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Urgent Prayer Request
I received a call late last night from Vickie Lawrence, daughter of Mildred Lawrence. Sister Mildred has been admitted to Jackson General Hospital. She was having severe pain last night and tests are to be conducted today. I spoke with Sister Vickie this morning and she is more restful today. Join us in prayer for Sister Lawrence.
Core Value - Prayer
General Overseer, Bishop Randall Howard, shares a message on the first core value he shared in the General Assembly last year.
You can go here and click on the link under the heading VideoStream near the bottom of the page.
Let us continue persistently in prayer leaning heavily on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Read Luke 18.
You can go here and click on the link under the heading VideoStream near the bottom of the page.
Let us continue persistently in prayer leaning heavily on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Read Luke 18.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Prayer and Fasting Continues
This is day 14 of the corporate extended prayer and fasting time. Let us continue to "look unto Jesus" for direction and power. He cannot fail.
Here is a link to an encourging word each day during this fast time. Jentezen Franklin offers encourging words and biblical examples each day during this time.
Listening to praise and worship music during your time of fasting can be a means of encourgement. Christiannet.com has several stations. The link posted here is more contemporary praise and worship. There are other stations that can be found by doing a web search.
Here is a link to an encourging word each day during this fast time. Jentezen Franklin offers encourging words and biblical examples each day during this time.
Listening to praise and worship music during your time of fasting can be a means of encourgement. Christiannet.com has several stations. The link posted here is more contemporary praise and worship. There are other stations that can be found by doing a web search.
WISDOM FROM THE PSALMS from Crosswalk.Com
Psalm 6:2Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak; O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
The closer we get to God, the more glaring are our faults. The brighter the light of perfection that we subject ourselves to, the more flaws are revealed. The better we understand the awesome magnificence of God, the more we expose our own imperfection. As the great men and women of the Bible came to realize, the stronger we become in the faith, the more wretched we sometimes feel.
This, however, is no cause for despair. Our Lord wants nothing more than for us to come to depend on Him. We can only truly become dependent as we acknowledge our inadequacies. As the Apostle Paul found out, true strength comes from admitting our weakness, and total healing comes by realizing that without God we are sickly and terminally diseased by sin. Cry out for the mercy of God and He will strengthen you; ask for His healing and you will be made whole.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I try to be perfect and f ind that I am hopelessly deficient. Nothing I can do will bring me the perfection You intend for me. Fill me with Your Spirit and do for me all that I cannot do for myself. Amen.
The closer we get to God, the more glaring are our faults. The brighter the light of perfection that we subject ourselves to, the more flaws are revealed. The better we understand the awesome magnificence of God, the more we expose our own imperfection. As the great men and women of the Bible came to realize, the stronger we become in the faith, the more wretched we sometimes feel.
This, however, is no cause for despair. Our Lord wants nothing more than for us to come to depend on Him. We can only truly become dependent as we acknowledge our inadequacies. As the Apostle Paul found out, true strength comes from admitting our weakness, and total healing comes by realizing that without God we are sickly and terminally diseased by sin. Cry out for the mercy of God and He will strengthen you; ask for His healing and you will be made whole.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I try to be perfect and f ind that I am hopelessly deficient. Nothing I can do will bring me the perfection You intend for me. Fill me with Your Spirit and do for me all that I cannot do for myself. Amen.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Prayer and Fasting Continues
As we continue to fast and pray, remember that there are significant changes that you will feel and see in your body. Headaches, backaches, joint aches, weakness, dizziness at times, cold hands and feet, dry mouth and/or eyes, and ringing in the ears are some of them. . .to those who are working and can't stop to rest when you need to. . .remember to drink plenty of liquids and eat only wholesome foods. . .raw fruits and vegetables and juices, soups with no sugar and low sodium. Most Krogers have a health food section
There is a web site called Synergy that offers good informational help for your fasting. Don Brock, who Pastored and Evanglized in our churces, is the editor.
There is a web site called Synergy that offers good informational help for your fasting. Don Brock, who Pastored and Evanglized in our churces, is the editor.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Bible Verse of The Day
Proverbs 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. King James Version
Proverbs 30:32 If you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself, or if you scheme, you had better put your hand over your mouth. God's Word Version
Proverbs 30:32 If you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself, or if you scheme, you had better put your hand over your mouth. God's Word Version
Corporate Prayer and Fasting Continues. . ,
Today is the 12th day of our 21 days of prayer and fasting to begin the year 2009 seeking the Lord. We have high anticipation of hearing from the Lord and what He wants from us as a local church and from each one individually. We have joined together in this time to intensify our focus on the Lord and what He wants for us.
NOTE: To those who are on a partial or intermittent fast consider this. Eat some raw celery, if you can. The benefits of this vegetable are given on this web site. Click here . Remember, your body is the temple of the Lord and you are the steward of that body. To those on an extended total fast, take care not to become dehydrated. Drink pleny of water. We are fasting to the Lord and desire not to be destructive to our body in any way.
NOTE: To those who are on a partial or intermittent fast consider this. Eat some raw celery, if you can. The benefits of this vegetable are given on this web site. Click here . Remember, your body is the temple of the Lord and you are the steward of that body. To those on an extended total fast, take care not to become dehydrated. Drink pleny of water. We are fasting to the Lord and desire not to be destructive to our body in any way.
Prayer Requests
These request prayer. . .
James Moore had a knee replacement Friday. He requests prayer for a speedy recovery.
Lilly Grooms continues to request prayer for strength.
Ralph and Mildred Stacey request prayer.
Willodene Davis requests prayer.
Chuck Burks is scheduled for kidney surgery on February 2. He only has one kidney and the diagnosis is cancer with 20% of the kidney needing to be removed.
Ragene Burks requests prayer for her two granddaughters.
Jenny Sanders requests prayer.
Continue to pray for revival.
James Moore had a knee replacement Friday. He requests prayer for a speedy recovery.
Lilly Grooms continues to request prayer for strength.
Ralph and Mildred Stacey request prayer.
Willodene Davis requests prayer.
Chuck Burks is scheduled for kidney surgery on February 2. He only has one kidney and the diagnosis is cancer with 20% of the kidney needing to be removed.
Ragene Burks requests prayer for her two granddaughters.
Jenny Sanders requests prayer.
Continue to pray for revival.
Thanking God!
Sunday's meeting was filled with God's presence as we worshipped the King of Kings. There were visitors, James and Karen. We appreciated them and she also sang during the service. We continue seeking the Lord.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Death Notice, Shelia Robbins
Sister Shelia Robbins died today. Sister Robbins' husband, Jerry Robbins, pastors the church in Dyersburg, Tennessee. They have served churches in Tennessee, Arkansas and North Carolina. He was my pastor when I attended the church in Burns, Tennessee. He not only is a colleague in ministry but a very special friend. We love this family and pray for them. The following is from our State web site. . .at http://www.tncogop.org/
Early this afternoon, Sister Shelia Robbins passed away at Dyersburg, Tennessee. Shelia's husband, Jerry serves as the pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy in Dyersburg.
I spoke with Brother Robbins on the telephone twice today, reminding him that his church family in Tennessee (and beyond) are praying for him and his family during this time in his life.
Pastor Robbins, his family and the local church have been examples of love, kindness and the grace of God in action.
Please join me in prayer for Jerry and his family, I will be posting details of the funeral services tomorrow just as soon as I receive them from the family.
Early this afternoon, Sister Shelia Robbins passed away at Dyersburg, Tennessee. Shelia's husband, Jerry serves as the pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy in Dyersburg.
I spoke with Brother Robbins on the telephone twice today, reminding him that his church family in Tennessee (and beyond) are praying for him and his family during this time in his life.
Pastor Robbins, his family and the local church have been examples of love, kindness and the grace of God in action.
Please join me in prayer for Jerry and his family, I will be posting details of the funeral services tomorrow just as soon as I receive them from the family.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
What's All The Buzz About Fasting?
Churches all over the nation are involved in the first 21 day's fast of this year. Emphasis and encouragement has been sent out from the International Offices and State Offices of the Church of God of Prophecy along with many other church organizations. This discipline is vital to the ministry and growth of God's Kingdom but lets not turn fasting into a humanistic effort.
Christian television is emphasizing the 21 day fast. Books on fasting have been written and printed over the past couple years. We see many different suggestions, hints and details on fasting in books and articles. Has this been a lost discipline of the church over the past several decades with all the material emphasis in this nation? Have churches gone through the mechanics without the unction and anointing of the Lord?
Some blogs include details on fasting. One could surmise that the only way to fast is to get the latest book and articles so that one can do their fasting right. Of course, the indicated motive for these books, articles and blogs is to encourage people and not put on them something that is unnecessary and burdensome. Before someone thinks I am being too critical, let me continue.
Yes, the Scripture tells us to fast - especially when we read Christ's teaching in the Gospels. Yes, there are numerous examples of those who fasted in the Bible. Yes, we are admonished by our Lord and Savior, "when ye fast," and "when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days." (this part of this passage is included in Matthew 9:15, Mark 2:20, and Luke 5:35) Further, our Lord tells us that fasting should not be a somber, public show of perfunctory piety. He says, "be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:16 Fasting is more than doing without food and water (sustenance for physical life). It is more than detailing what to do on certain days and being overly mindful of the physical man. Godly fasting is born out of being "driven" by a divine burden from the Lord. It is "driven" by God's timetable. Fasting and prayer go hand in hand with God's burden.
So, we understand that fasting is a divine part of the Christian's discipline. Yet, why do we fast and why so are so many giving so many details about the fasting? Most of the fast's in the Scripture were "driven" by some great need or crisis in the work of the Lord or in the Kingdom of God. Nehemiah fasted when he received word that the walls of Jerusalem were razed to the ground. He mourned and wept over a divine burden to go back to Jerusalem and work on the walls. Daniel mourned and wept when he read the words of Jeremiah showing that the 70 years of Babylonian captivity were to be soon accomplished. He prayed and fasted to the Lord, confessing to the Lord, "we have sinned." (Daniel 9:2, notice he prayed, we have sinned and not they have sinned) The book of Joel declares "sanctify a fast" unto the Lord. The call to fast in Joel is driven by the lack of faithfulness and consecration of the people to God. Pending destruction of the land is inevitable. Some also believe it is a call to Israel not only in those days but also of the latter days to fast. (read Joel chapter 2 & 3) Fasting is more than doing without food and water but it does include doing without food and/or liquids. Fasting for selfish interests seems ridiculous but there were those types of fasts recorded in the Scriptures.
God chided those who fasted with the wrong motive and spirit. He says in Zechariah 7:5, "Tell all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these past 70 years, did you really do it for me?" GWV It is one thing to do without food and/or liquids and to have the best detailed instructions for praying and fasting (thank God He knows our hearts and motives) and another to have the right spirit about fasting. One can fast (without food or liquid) and be in the wrong spirit. One man stood in the temple and spoke these words, "I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." Luke 16:12 There was no commendation from Jesus for this type of spirit. The one who went home justified was the one who would not look up and smote on his chest and cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner." (v. 13)
Isaiah 58:1-4 tells us, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high." WOW, what an indictment! How can any fast be God's fast if there is no repentance, seeking His righteousness and focusing on what Jesus wants in these last days? God has a chosen fast. Read the rest of Isaiah 58 and also read the times of fasting in the New Testament (Matthew 17:21, Acts 10:30, Acts 14:23, 1 Corinthians 7:5, Acts 13:2)
Our Captain has admonished us that "in those days shall they fast." What are "those days"? He is gone into heaven and now we are in the "those days." The bridegroom is in heaven now but is coming back soon. The days of the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Scripture are upon us daily. The days of the completion of preaching of the Gospel into all the world are getting fulfilled. What could "drive" us more than His compassion to see the lost repent and come to Him as Lord and Savior. Our Lord was "driven" by the Spirit. Mark 1:12 say, "And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness." He was in the wilderness praying and fasting to the Father. The devil tempted Him. He came through victorious over the desires of his human nature. Angels were dispatched to minister to Him in His weakness. Are we "driven" by the same Spirit? Are we motivated by the compassion that He had. He is coming again. Do we "look on the fields that are ready to harvest." Do we see the souls that are crying for deliverance?
Could it be stressed that we are to pray and fast that we may hold fast to the Lord and what He wants for us and our ministry to others? O Heavenly Father, forgive this nation of many sins, forgive this church of many sins. Forgive our wrong motives and lack of contriteness before you. Forgive me Lord of wrong motives and lack of contriteness and brokenness. Give me your compassionate love for the lost. Let us fast and pray unto YOU. AMEN!
Christian television is emphasizing the 21 day fast. Books on fasting have been written and printed over the past couple years. We see many different suggestions, hints and details on fasting in books and articles. Has this been a lost discipline of the church over the past several decades with all the material emphasis in this nation? Have churches gone through the mechanics without the unction and anointing of the Lord?
Some blogs include details on fasting. One could surmise that the only way to fast is to get the latest book and articles so that one can do their fasting right. Of course, the indicated motive for these books, articles and blogs is to encourage people and not put on them something that is unnecessary and burdensome. Before someone thinks I am being too critical, let me continue.
Yes, the Scripture tells us to fast - especially when we read Christ's teaching in the Gospels. Yes, there are numerous examples of those who fasted in the Bible. Yes, we are admonished by our Lord and Savior, "when ye fast," and "when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days." (this part of this passage is included in Matthew 9:15, Mark 2:20, and Luke 5:35) Further, our Lord tells us that fasting should not be a somber, public show of perfunctory piety. He says, "be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:16 Fasting is more than doing without food and water (sustenance for physical life). It is more than detailing what to do on certain days and being overly mindful of the physical man. Godly fasting is born out of being "driven" by a divine burden from the Lord. It is "driven" by God's timetable. Fasting and prayer go hand in hand with God's burden.
So, we understand that fasting is a divine part of the Christian's discipline. Yet, why do we fast and why so are so many giving so many details about the fasting? Most of the fast's in the Scripture were "driven" by some great need or crisis in the work of the Lord or in the Kingdom of God. Nehemiah fasted when he received word that the walls of Jerusalem were razed to the ground. He mourned and wept over a divine burden to go back to Jerusalem and work on the walls. Daniel mourned and wept when he read the words of Jeremiah showing that the 70 years of Babylonian captivity were to be soon accomplished. He prayed and fasted to the Lord, confessing to the Lord, "we have sinned." (Daniel 9:2, notice he prayed, we have sinned and not they have sinned) The book of Joel declares "sanctify a fast" unto the Lord. The call to fast in Joel is driven by the lack of faithfulness and consecration of the people to God. Pending destruction of the land is inevitable. Some also believe it is a call to Israel not only in those days but also of the latter days to fast. (read Joel chapter 2 & 3) Fasting is more than doing without food and water but it does include doing without food and/or liquids. Fasting for selfish interests seems ridiculous but there were those types of fasts recorded in the Scriptures.
God chided those who fasted with the wrong motive and spirit. He says in Zechariah 7:5, "Tell all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these past 70 years, did you really do it for me?" GWV It is one thing to do without food and/or liquids and to have the best detailed instructions for praying and fasting (thank God He knows our hearts and motives) and another to have the right spirit about fasting. One can fast (without food or liquid) and be in the wrong spirit. One man stood in the temple and spoke these words, "I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." Luke 16:12 There was no commendation from Jesus for this type of spirit. The one who went home justified was the one who would not look up and smote on his chest and cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner." (v. 13)
Isaiah 58:1-4 tells us, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high." WOW, what an indictment! How can any fast be God's fast if there is no repentance, seeking His righteousness and focusing on what Jesus wants in these last days? God has a chosen fast. Read the rest of Isaiah 58 and also read the times of fasting in the New Testament (Matthew 17:21, Acts 10:30, Acts 14:23, 1 Corinthians 7:5, Acts 13:2)
Our Captain has admonished us that "in those days shall they fast." What are "those days"? He is gone into heaven and now we are in the "those days." The bridegroom is in heaven now but is coming back soon. The days of the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Scripture are upon us daily. The days of the completion of preaching of the Gospel into all the world are getting fulfilled. What could "drive" us more than His compassion to see the lost repent and come to Him as Lord and Savior. Our Lord was "driven" by the Spirit. Mark 1:12 say, "And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness." He was in the wilderness praying and fasting to the Father. The devil tempted Him. He came through victorious over the desires of his human nature. Angels were dispatched to minister to Him in His weakness. Are we "driven" by the same Spirit? Are we motivated by the compassion that He had. He is coming again. Do we "look on the fields that are ready to harvest." Do we see the souls that are crying for deliverance?
Could it be stressed that we are to pray and fast that we may hold fast to the Lord and what He wants for us and our ministry to others? O Heavenly Father, forgive this nation of many sins, forgive this church of many sins. Forgive our wrong motives and lack of contriteness before you. Forgive me Lord of wrong motives and lack of contriteness and brokenness. Give me your compassionate love for the lost. Let us fast and pray unto YOU. AMEN!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Psalmist David's Prophetic Image of Christ
Psalm 109: 24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. 25 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
Psalm 110:1 ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 110:1 ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Charles Spurgeon
"It is God that writes intercession upon men's hearts. All true prayer comes from Him, but especially that least selfish and most Christ-like form of prayer called intercession--when the suppliant forgets all about himself and his own needs--and all his pleading, his tears and his arguments are on behalf of others."~ Charles Spurgeon
PRAYING GOD'S WILL
•James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
•3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
•1John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
•1John 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
•PRAY HIS WILL - DO ANY OF THESE BIBLE VERSES SPEAK HIS WILL?. . .
•2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
•1Thess. 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication. . .
•Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
•Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
•Ac 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
•Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Lu 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. "And remember that I am always with you until the end of time." GWV
ANY COMMENTS. . .WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
•Reshaping The Church Researcher, George Barna has identified 4 factors he describes as “indicative of the reshaping of the church in the U.S.” They are: (1) The priorities embraced by church leaders. Most local churches essentially ignore: ministry to children, ministry to families and prayer. From Sermon Central, George Barna Research
•One teenager’s view of prayer: “God answers prayer four ways: yes, no, wait awhile, or, you’ve got to be kidding!”
•A Preacher’s Prayer: “Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff, and nudge me when I’ve said enough.”
•The Top 10 Issues Facing Today’s Church. Number 1-Prayer (Life-Way.com)
•A little girl was pushing the limits of her mother’s very last nerve. Mom was nearing the end of a hectic season of cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping and church stuff. She was also nearing the breaking point with her little pre-schooler. Finally the little girl was bathed and ready for bed. As she knelt to say her prayers, Mom listened as her sweet three year old theologian "customized" her evening prayer, ...And forgive us our Christmases, as we forgive those who Christmas against us! From Sermon Central
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Pulling No Punches
“Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den. God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world. Prayer gives us the significance of front-line forces, and gives God the glory of a limitless Provider. The one who gives the power gets the glory. Thus prayer safeguards the supremacy of God in missions while linking us with endless grace for every need.” (John Piper, “Let the Nations Be Glad”)
"Prayer is surrender-surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boat hook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." E. Stanley Jones, in Liberating Ministry From The Success Syndrome, K Hughes, Tyndale, 1988, p. 73
Our churches today need to be a spiritual house. Many times our churches have become a social house where as one old preacher said: We traded our upper room into the board room, the fire of the Holy Spirit for a warm heater, our prayer meetings for chicken dinners, and we have become as weak as our tea, cold as our soup, and dead as the chicken we eat. Tony Abram, Sermon Central
Americans Support Christian Monuments In a new USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll Americans are overwhelmingly thumbing their noses at liberal judicial activists who seek to strip the public square of all references to God. The poll shows the following preferences: * The inscription “In God we trust” on U.S. coins: 90% approve. 8% disapprove. * Non-denominational prayer at public school ceremonies: 78% approve. 21% disapprove. * Monument of the Ten Commandments in public areas: 70% approve. 29% disapprove. * Monument of the Koran in a public area: 33% approve. 64% do not approve. * Federal funds for social programs run by Christian organizations: 64% approve. 34% disapprove. * Federal funds for social programs run by Islamic organizations: 41% approve. 56% disapprove. These numbers are interesting not only because they show the nation supports generic religious expression, but also because Americans clearly prefer Christian references to those of other religions, the antithesis of our courts today. (PWB 10/3/03) From SermonCentral.com
"Prayer is surrender-surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boat hook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." E. Stanley Jones, in Liberating Ministry From The Success Syndrome, K Hughes, Tyndale, 1988, p. 73
Our churches today need to be a spiritual house. Many times our churches have become a social house where as one old preacher said: We traded our upper room into the board room, the fire of the Holy Spirit for a warm heater, our prayer meetings for chicken dinners, and we have become as weak as our tea, cold as our soup, and dead as the chicken we eat. Tony Abram, Sermon Central
Americans Support Christian Monuments In a new USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll Americans are overwhelmingly thumbing their noses at liberal judicial activists who seek to strip the public square of all references to God. The poll shows the following preferences: * The inscription “In God we trust” on U.S. coins: 90% approve. 8% disapprove. * Non-denominational prayer at public school ceremonies: 78% approve. 21% disapprove. * Monument of the Ten Commandments in public areas: 70% approve. 29% disapprove. * Monument of the Koran in a public area: 33% approve. 64% do not approve. * Federal funds for social programs run by Christian organizations: 64% approve. 34% disapprove. * Federal funds for social programs run by Islamic organizations: 41% approve. 56% disapprove. These numbers are interesting not only because they show the nation supports generic religious expression, but also because Americans clearly prefer Christian references to those of other religions, the antithesis of our courts today. (PWB 10/3/03) From SermonCentral.com
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
TWENTY ONE DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING: The local church has been challenged to be actively involved in intensive prayer and to fast for the first twenty one days of 2009. The Office of General Overseer has also challenged the worldwide church to be involved in this prayer and fasting time. Read more by clicking here
WEST TENNESSEE LEADERSHIP MEETING: Date: Jan 4, 2009 Time: From 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm Location: Holiday Inn Conference Center
541 Carriage House Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
This annual event will be hosted by the West Tennessee District Presbyters, Bishop Clayton Mahan and Bishop Robbie Wier. The service will include the opportunity for local church leaders, pastors and other ministers to interact with the State Staff, and look forward to the events for the next calendar year.
There will also be an ordination service and the sermon will be delivered by Bishop E.C. McKinley, Tennessee State Presiding Bishop. All are invited to attend.
The above announcement is from the State Overseer's Web Site: http://www.tncogop.org/
SCHEDULED REVIVAL: February 27, 28 and March 1, 2009 with Tennessee State Evangelist Tim Farmer.
WEST TENNESSEE LEADERSHIP MEETING: Date: Jan 4, 2009 Time: From 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm Location: Holiday Inn Conference Center
541 Carriage House Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
This annual event will be hosted by the West Tennessee District Presbyters, Bishop Clayton Mahan and Bishop Robbie Wier. The service will include the opportunity for local church leaders, pastors and other ministers to interact with the State Staff, and look forward to the events for the next calendar year.
There will also be an ordination service and the sermon will be delivered by Bishop E.C. McKinley, Tennessee State Presiding Bishop. All are invited to attend.
The above announcement is from the State Overseer's Web Site: http://www.tncogop.org/
SCHEDULED REVIVAL: February 27, 28 and March 1, 2009 with Tennessee State Evangelist Tim Farmer.
From Charles Stanley
John 14:14 reads, "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."
People sometimes interpret this to mean that any request ending with the words "in Jesus' name, amen" will automatically be fulfilled.
Yet basing our entire concept of prayer on one isolated verse would lead to a skewed perspective. It is also important to consider . . .
Our Fellowship With God. For God to hear and answer prayers, we must first be saved from our sin through the redeeming blood of Jesus. Once we have trusted Christ as Savior, God will hear us only when we walk in righteousness before Him. Of course, He understands our weakness and doesn't expect perfection. But if we knowingly continue in sin and fail to repent, He will not listen.
Our Request. For some people, ending prayers with "In Jesus' name, amen" can seem like a magic charm, but nothing can force God's hand. This saying did originate from a good motive, though: the desire to ask only for what is consistent with Jesus' character. When we ask, we should pray with faith, believing that God is able and will do whatever is in His will. And we should willingly submit our desires to Him.
Our Motive. The Lord won't say yes to prayer that will hurt us or His purpose. When we bring supplications before Him, it is important to check our motive. Is our goal to glorify God and let others see Him in us? Or is our motive selfish, greedy, or impure?
Our heavenly Father tells us to pray. And He will answer when our hearts are pure.
from www.crosswalk.com
People sometimes interpret this to mean that any request ending with the words "in Jesus' name, amen" will automatically be fulfilled.
Yet basing our entire concept of prayer on one isolated verse would lead to a skewed perspective. It is also important to consider . . .
Our Fellowship With God. For God to hear and answer prayers, we must first be saved from our sin through the redeeming blood of Jesus. Once we have trusted Christ as Savior, God will hear us only when we walk in righteousness before Him. Of course, He understands our weakness and doesn't expect perfection. But if we knowingly continue in sin and fail to repent, He will not listen.
Our Request. For some people, ending prayers with "In Jesus' name, amen" can seem like a magic charm, but nothing can force God's hand. This saying did originate from a good motive, though: the desire to ask only for what is consistent with Jesus' character. When we ask, we should pray with faith, believing that God is able and will do whatever is in His will. And we should willingly submit our desires to Him.
Our Motive. The Lord won't say yes to prayer that will hurt us or His purpose. When we bring supplications before Him, it is important to check our motive. Is our goal to glorify God and let others see Him in us? Or is our motive selfish, greedy, or impure?
Our heavenly Father tells us to pray. And He will answer when our hearts are pure.
from www.crosswalk.com
Thursday, January 01, 2009
PRAYER AND FASTING
Today began the 21 day of Prayer and Fasting.
•Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
•Jesus said, “when ye fast.” Showing that there will be times of fasting
•But it is a time to the Lord and not to get what “I want”
•Expected by Jesus, but Neglected by the Church
•Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
•Does this verse mean that we can do without food and water and get what we want from the Lord?
•We must fast to the Lord and not for what “I want.”
•Bring them to Jesus. . .
•David Yonggi Cho pastors the largest church in the world (believed to be the largest church in history) - over 700,000 members! He and his staff have such a belief in the power of prayer and fasting that they rarely counsel people. If someone comes to them with a great problem or urgent need, their standard answer is, “go to prayer mountain and fast and pray for three days”. If they return with the problem still unmet, they tell them to go and fast and pray for a week. (Then for ten days/then for forty days.) They do not think it possible that a person would ever return to them again and not have the problem resolved!
•Nehemiah 1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven
•Zechariah 7:5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
•Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
•Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
•Jesus said, “when ye fast.” Showing that there will be times of fasting
•But it is a time to the Lord and not to get what “I want”
•Expected by Jesus, but Neglected by the Church
•Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
•Does this verse mean that we can do without food and water and get what we want from the Lord?
•We must fast to the Lord and not for what “I want.”
•Bring them to Jesus. . .
•David Yonggi Cho pastors the largest church in the world (believed to be the largest church in history) - over 700,000 members! He and his staff have such a belief in the power of prayer and fasting that they rarely counsel people. If someone comes to them with a great problem or urgent need, their standard answer is, “go to prayer mountain and fast and pray for three days”. If they return with the problem still unmet, they tell them to go and fast and pray for a week. (Then for ten days/then for forty days.) They do not think it possible that a person would ever return to them again and not have the problem resolved!
•Nehemiah 1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven
•Zechariah 7:5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
•Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
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