I know have not posted for awhile, but the Lord has still been at work. We are starting to see some major things happen in our lives. The Lord has been helping Rebekah and I to see how to be more effective in ministry. Its a humbling experience and I give all the praise to the Lord. I'm looking forward to see what the Lord is going to do in the days ahead.
I will have to confess, I am glad I am over the hump and heading toward the finish line. Keep us in your prayers.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Day 9
The following is from an African pastor. I took this devotion from Stan Toler's book, Devotions for Pastors.
"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have a Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of his. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure, I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go 'til he comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'til all know, and work 'til he stops me. And when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me- my banner will be clear!"
I love this. This is my prayer. I want to measure up to this.
Day 8 was an excellent, awesome day! There are days where the Lord just seems close. Yesterday was one of those days.
I have had a teenager that has started coming in the last month. His name is Justin and he is a sophomore. He seems to be a very good kid from a family that does not know the Lord. Yesterday he asked the Lord into his life for the very first time. PRAISE THE LORD! I am expecting so much more and am praying the Lord continues to add to the kingdom.
"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have a Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of his. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure, I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go 'til he comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'til all know, and work 'til he stops me. And when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me- my banner will be clear!"
I love this. This is my prayer. I want to measure up to this.
Day 8 was an excellent, awesome day! There are days where the Lord just seems close. Yesterday was one of those days.
I have had a teenager that has started coming in the last month. His name is Justin and he is a sophomore. He seems to be a very good kid from a family that does not know the Lord. Yesterday he asked the Lord into his life for the very first time. PRAISE THE LORD! I am expecting so much more and am praying the Lord continues to add to the kingdom.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Day 6
It has been a hard five days, but I believe I have settled into the fast. My headaches are gone and I have had a lot of energy today.
I have been praying and fasting for very specific miracles in the last six days. I have read Matthew 17:20 many times and have always believed I had faith the size of a mustard seed. Yet, some mountains just have not seemed to move. So today I read again Matthew 17:20 and noticed I was missing verse 21. My Bible seemed to do from 20 to 22. So I pulled out the KJV and read a verse that tied everything together. The verse was "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
This word "howbeit" is the key that unlocks the power in the statement "noting shall be impossible unto you."
Jesus had told the disciples they needed faith as small as a mustard seed. Before this event the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where he spent forty days and nights with no food. For Jesus nothing was impossible.
If Jesus could have accomplished all he came to do without fasting, why would He fast? I believe He fasted because He knew that only when He fasted He would see the supernatural take place. When we fast I believe we can expect the same.
Lord, today I am asking for supernatural miracles in my life and my families life.
I have been praying and fasting for very specific miracles in the last six days. I have read Matthew 17:20 many times and have always believed I had faith the size of a mustard seed. Yet, some mountains just have not seemed to move. So today I read again Matthew 17:20 and noticed I was missing verse 21. My Bible seemed to do from 20 to 22. So I pulled out the KJV and read a verse that tied everything together. The verse was "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
This word "howbeit" is the key that unlocks the power in the statement "noting shall be impossible unto you."
Jesus had told the disciples they needed faith as small as a mustard seed. Before this event the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where he spent forty days and nights with no food. For Jesus nothing was impossible.
If Jesus could have accomplished all he came to do without fasting, why would He fast? I believe He fasted because He knew that only when He fasted He would see the supernatural take place. When we fast I believe we can expect the same.
Lord, today I am asking for supernatural miracles in my life and my families life.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day 2
I love it when I open up a devotional I have not read for awhile and it speaks to situations I am facing. Today I opened a devotional that Kenneth Sullivan wrote, On Top of the Mountain. I turned to September 2nd and the devotion was over discouragement.
Here is what touched me.
"Truth is still on trial, and good is threatened every day; and you who stand up for these things will fight a strong enemy. But the Light shines on, and God is Ruler of the universe."
In the last two weeks the enemy has stepped up his attacks on my ministry and my family. I realized exactly what was going on but I was still very discouraged. Then today I read this...that Jesus, which is truth, was on trial 2000 years ago and he is still on trial today. I have realized again today, the enemy trembles at even the mention of the name of Jesus. I work in a world filled with darkness, but I choose today to be shine the light...I choose to shine my light high...I choose the truth....I choose Jesus...the Ruler of the Universe.
I am praying today the Lord will continue to reveal His perfect will for my life and for Rebekah's life. I am so thankful to have a wife who not only supports me and my ministry but is willing to seek out the Lord's will in her life as well. She is an excellent help mate and partner. She also felt the Lord calling her to a 40 day fast alongside me.
We are two people gathered together in His name and we are waiting and already thanking the Lord for answers and for miracles.
Here is what touched me.
"Truth is still on trial, and good is threatened every day; and you who stand up for these things will fight a strong enemy. But the Light shines on, and God is Ruler of the universe."
In the last two weeks the enemy has stepped up his attacks on my ministry and my family. I realized exactly what was going on but I was still very discouraged. Then today I read this...that Jesus, which is truth, was on trial 2000 years ago and he is still on trial today. I have realized again today, the enemy trembles at even the mention of the name of Jesus. I work in a world filled with darkness, but I choose today to be shine the light...I choose to shine my light high...I choose the truth....I choose Jesus...the Ruler of the Universe.
I am praying today the Lord will continue to reveal His perfect will for my life and for Rebekah's life. I am so thankful to have a wife who not only supports me and my ministry but is willing to seek out the Lord's will in her life as well. She is an excellent help mate and partner. She also felt the Lord calling her to a 40 day fast alongside me.
We are two people gathered together in His name and we are waiting and already thanking the Lord for answers and for miracles.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
40 Days ahead!
Over the last two years I have felt the Lord calling me to do a 40 day water/juice fast. One of the reasons I have failed is because I have been reluctant to ask for prayer from friends and family. Today as I was doing further research on the subject I stumbled across some valuable information from the late Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ.
"Many people are reluctant to tell others that they are fasting so they will avoid the sin of the Pharisees: fasting just to gain recognition for themselves. I strongly believe that attitude is a result of a wrong interpretation of our Lord's teaching and that it is a trick of the enemy who does not want us to fast, nor to share with your loved ones, neighbors and friends the benefits of fasting. By isolating ourselves from the support of other Christians, we will be more susceptible to doubts and negative influences (both human and demonic). We need the prayer shield of our Christian friends and family members to help us continue when we feel alone and when the enemy tempts us to give up Our Lord as he did Jesus Christ. Eventually, people will notice you are not eating."
I want to ask you today to pray for me as I begin this journey. I am at a point in my life where I want all of God there is to have. I have several reasons that I am fasting but these are three that I feel are so important for me and for other Christians...
"Many people are reluctant to tell others that they are fasting so they will avoid the sin of the Pharisees: fasting just to gain recognition for themselves. I strongly believe that attitude is a result of a wrong interpretation of our Lord's teaching and that it is a trick of the enemy who does not want us to fast, nor to share with your loved ones, neighbors and friends the benefits of fasting. By isolating ourselves from the support of other Christians, we will be more susceptible to doubts and negative influences (both human and demonic). We need the prayer shield of our Christian friends and family members to help us continue when we feel alone and when the enemy tempts us to give up Our Lord as he did Jesus Christ. Eventually, people will notice you are not eating."
I want to ask you today to pray for me as I begin this journey. I am at a point in my life where I want all of God there is to have. I have several reasons that I am fasting but these are three that I feel are so important for me and for other Christians...
- For the Holy Spirit to quicken God's Word in my heart and that His truth will become more meaningful to me!
- I want my prayer life transformed into a richer and more personal experience.
- I am seeking a dynamic personal revival in my life and I am praying the Lord will make me a channel of revival to others.
The next three days will be difficult. Please be in prayer for me as this journey begins. Don't just pray for me during the next 40 days but ask the Lord to start a revival within your own heart.
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