Jeremiah 23
The Prophet Jeremiah describes first of all an indictment against the shepherds in Israel. They have scattered the flock rather than tending and caring for Israel. Jesus said, that anyone who does not gather with him ends up scattering the flock. The key to successful shepherding is partnering with the Lord as our chief shepherd. When we are laborers together with him we cannot help but have a gathering unto him. But if we fail to partner through our relationship with Jesus we can end up with a pretense of shepherding but fail miserably because of the disconnect. Prayer: Lord keep me connected to you in a close personal relationship so that I may labor with confidence that the end result will be able to be rewarded not discarded.
I Peter 5:1-4 tells us to feed God's flock willingly not for monetary gain but in service to Christ and his body. When we do the right things for the right reasons(motivation) then we will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Be not decieved.
Jeremiah 22
God tells Jeremiah to prophecy that the ruin of Jerusalem was a result of having forsaken God and bowing down to serve other gods. Whenever we make anyone but Jesus Lord of our lives we place ourselves in jeopardy. Their pride and arrogance gave them a false sense of security. They thought they could live any way they wanted without consequence. The one who ultimately is decieved is the individual not God. I believe the Lord would have us observe and learn from this an invaluable lesson of the necessity of keeping things real in our relationship with God. Anyone is capable of self -deception. The antedote is to expose our lives to the Lord and His word daily so that the light of truth can shine on us and expose any hidden sin of pride or self service. Jesus quoted the law when he declared, "man cannot live by bread alone, but every word that procedes out of the mouth of God.
God tells Jeremiah to prophecy that the ruin of Jerusalem was a result of having forsaken God and bowing down to serve other gods. Whenever we make anyone but Jesus Lord of our lives we place ourselves in jeopardy. Their pride and arrogance gave them a false sense of security. They thought they could live any way they wanted without consequence. The one who ultimately is decieved is the individual not God. I believe the Lord would have us observe and learn from this an invaluable lesson of the necessity of keeping things real in our relationship with God. Anyone is capable of self -deception. The antedote is to expose our lives to the Lord and His word daily so that the light of truth can shine on us and expose any hidden sin of pride or self service. Jesus quoted the law when he declared, "man cannot live by bread alone, but every word that procedes out of the mouth of God.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Jeremiah 21
There are times when God's prophet could not give a word of victory to the King or priest. This was the case for Jeremiah. King Zedekiah wanted to hear a word from the Lord based upon past performances or outcomes that God had worked. God had done some wonderful acts in their past but presently they were in trouble. The word was that if they were going to live they would have to surrender to the will of God. The opportunity for change on a national scale was past their only hope was for the individual because judgment of God was coming and it would not relent.
I think this may have application to our modern societies today. Not because they are modern, but because whole nations are becoming less Christ centered and more pagan. Iniquity is waxing worse and worse therefore the judgment of God may be upon nations but the individuals can still surrender their lives to God. I fear that the USA may be too far gone away from the principals of the Bible and that our sin and arrogance as a nation may have already invoked a response from heaven of His wrath. I remember the prophets who cried out in wrath remember mercy that is my prayer for our nation.
There are times when God's prophet could not give a word of victory to the King or priest. This was the case for Jeremiah. King Zedekiah wanted to hear a word from the Lord based upon past performances or outcomes that God had worked. God had done some wonderful acts in their past but presently they were in trouble. The word was that if they were going to live they would have to surrender to the will of God. The opportunity for change on a national scale was past their only hope was for the individual because judgment of God was coming and it would not relent.
I think this may have application to our modern societies today. Not because they are modern, but because whole nations are becoming less Christ centered and more pagan. Iniquity is waxing worse and worse therefore the judgment of God may be upon nations but the individuals can still surrender their lives to God. I fear that the USA may be too far gone away from the principals of the Bible and that our sin and arrogance as a nation may have already invoked a response from heaven of His wrath. I remember the prophets who cried out in wrath remember mercy that is my prayer for our nation.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Jeremiah 19 and 20
These chapters record Jeremiah's message of destruction and subsequent personal meltdown as he faces intense opposition, prison, daily derision and a desire to quit on God. The work of God is not always a walk in the park. We have to fight the good fight of faith and realize sometimes the miracle is God's ability to preserve his work in our lives in the midst of wickeness, evil and hard hearts. Jeremiah said, he was not going to speak any more in the name of the Lord. That is what frustration and negative responses to a hard message of judgment for sin can do. However, we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jeremiah declared that the word of God was like fire trapped up in his bones. May I be so bold as to say that we need preachers(I need to be a preacher) who have fire in their bones. A hot word from God off the altar of his fiery presence. My former Superintendant Earnest J. Moen once said, that the church doesn't need a sermonette for christianettes, throw your little sermon in the fire and let God burn something in your soul that comes out with a sense of conviction. Our world still nees men and women who are willing to wait on God until they hear a "thus saith the Lord" God will not let you quit. By that I don't mean it is impossible but God is faithful even when we are not.
Lord today, I need and desire your word to fill my life in such a way that I cannot keep it to myself. I love you and I am thankful that you remain faithful. Your mercies were new today and will be just as fresh tomorrow and every day I live.
I pray for my family to not only be kept by the power of God but that your choice of career path, and of husbands for Beth and Sarah will be brought to pass. I call those things that are not as though they already are. Your kingdom come and your will be done. I thank you Lord for another generation who will worship you for all eternity.
I also, thank you that every word you have spoken will come to pass. Help them and me to hear your voice and to understand the purpose of their life and calling. In Jesus name, Amen
These chapters record Jeremiah's message of destruction and subsequent personal meltdown as he faces intense opposition, prison, daily derision and a desire to quit on God. The work of God is not always a walk in the park. We have to fight the good fight of faith and realize sometimes the miracle is God's ability to preserve his work in our lives in the midst of wickeness, evil and hard hearts. Jeremiah said, he was not going to speak any more in the name of the Lord. That is what frustration and negative responses to a hard message of judgment for sin can do. However, we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jeremiah declared that the word of God was like fire trapped up in his bones. May I be so bold as to say that we need preachers(I need to be a preacher) who have fire in their bones. A hot word from God off the altar of his fiery presence. My former Superintendant Earnest J. Moen once said, that the church doesn't need a sermonette for christianettes, throw your little sermon in the fire and let God burn something in your soul that comes out with a sense of conviction. Our world still nees men and women who are willing to wait on God until they hear a "thus saith the Lord" God will not let you quit. By that I don't mean it is impossible but God is faithful even when we are not.
Lord today, I need and desire your word to fill my life in such a way that I cannot keep it to myself. I love you and I am thankful that you remain faithful. Your mercies were new today and will be just as fresh tomorrow and every day I live.
I pray for my family to not only be kept by the power of God but that your choice of career path, and of husbands for Beth and Sarah will be brought to pass. I call those things that are not as though they already are. Your kingdom come and your will be done. I thank you Lord for another generation who will worship you for all eternity.
I also, thank you that every word you have spoken will come to pass. Help them and me to hear your voice and to understand the purpose of their life and calling. In Jesus name, Amen
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
God uses lumps of clay
Jeremiah 18
Our fall break Debbie and I, Bethany and Sarah went to SDC in Branson(steal your dollar city). I walked into the pottery shop where the artisan was molding clay into bowls preparing them to be fired into ceramics. He looked up and as he was applying water and shaping the clay he said it is very rewarding to take a lump of clay and make it into something useful. Immediately, I thought that is what God does with us. God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house and I will give you my message there. This was another one of God's illustrated sermons. The potter made a pot but something went wrong so he had to make another pot the way he wanted it to be. The old hymn writer took his inspiration from this passage when he wrote, "Have thine own way Lord, Have thine own way, thou art the potter, I am the clay, mold me and make me after thine will, while I am waiting yielded and still." Don't resist the potter or try and tell him what to make of you just simply let the master go to work and take our messed up vessel and make something useful out of it.
Our fall break Debbie and I, Bethany and Sarah went to SDC in Branson(steal your dollar city). I walked into the pottery shop where the artisan was molding clay into bowls preparing them to be fired into ceramics. He looked up and as he was applying water and shaping the clay he said it is very rewarding to take a lump of clay and make it into something useful. Immediately, I thought that is what God does with us. God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house and I will give you my message there. This was another one of God's illustrated sermons. The potter made a pot but something went wrong so he had to make another pot the way he wanted it to be. The old hymn writer took his inspiration from this passage when he wrote, "Have thine own way Lord, Have thine own way, thou art the potter, I am the clay, mold me and make me after thine will, while I am waiting yielded and still." Don't resist the potter or try and tell him what to make of you just simply let the master go to work and take our messed up vessel and make something useful out of it.
Jeremiah 17
The consequences of sin will always be greater than what one thinks they can control. Sin was the cause of them losing their land and becoming subject to their enemies. Sin had hardened their hearts so that the only way to write on them was with an iron tool with a diamond tip. that is a hard heart. Instead of worshiping God they were serving and worshiping idols and instead of blessings they were cursed.
When you stop depending and trusting the Lord and you start trusting in other people and the strength of others you are headed to a very dry place spiritually speaking. The Lord is the one who has to test our hearts and our minds so that we can be healed and cured from self deception.
The prophet Jeremiah understood that it was the Lord who heals and saves and who is worthy of all praise. When things were hard, he said, "I run to you for safety in times of trouble." The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and are saved.
Help me O Lord to avoid all sin because I don't want to pay it's consequences or allow it to harden my heart or cause me to worship anything but you. I also do not want to be decieved by saying that I trust in the Lord but have God to test my heart and find out that in reality I am trusting in the strength of men or worse my own strength. God I declare you are my strength and I draw near to you to worship you and to surrender my heart and life to you. I resist the devil and he must flee.
The consequences of sin will always be greater than what one thinks they can control. Sin was the cause of them losing their land and becoming subject to their enemies. Sin had hardened their hearts so that the only way to write on them was with an iron tool with a diamond tip. that is a hard heart. Instead of worshiping God they were serving and worshiping idols and instead of blessings they were cursed.
When you stop depending and trusting the Lord and you start trusting in other people and the strength of others you are headed to a very dry place spiritually speaking. The Lord is the one who has to test our hearts and our minds so that we can be healed and cured from self deception.
The prophet Jeremiah understood that it was the Lord who heals and saves and who is worthy of all praise. When things were hard, he said, "I run to you for safety in times of trouble." The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and are saved.
Help me O Lord to avoid all sin because I don't want to pay it's consequences or allow it to harden my heart or cause me to worship anything but you. I also do not want to be decieved by saying that I trust in the Lord but have God to test my heart and find out that in reality I am trusting in the strength of men or worse my own strength. God I declare you are my strength and I draw near to you to worship you and to surrender my heart and life to you. I resist the devil and he must flee.
Monday, October 24, 2011
What Not To Do
Jeremiah 16
God tells Jeremiah directly that he is not to marry or have a family in the place he was at. The reason why? Because of their rebellion against God. Tragedy will come and there will be no comfort. What terrible sin did they commit? They simply quit following God and pursued other gods. The next generation did worse. They did not pursue any god, instead they became very stubborn and did only what they wanted to do. Selfishness is the primary root of all sin. People do what they do because the want to. Anyone who has yet to surrender to the Lordship of christ will inevitably end up in pursuit of those things that they desire for themself to enjoy.
So what happens? People end up with their lives scattered, empty and void of true meanging because they go their own way instead of God's way. They may have godly heritage and memories of what God has done in the past but their past will not give them a future that is filled with the blessing of God unless they are living in a present state of surrender and submission to the Father's will. God tells Jeremiah that as God had to deliver his people out of Eypt, God will now have to bring His people back from other lands as well. I think God is saying you cannot avoid the mess you will end up in, if you fail to follow the living God.
God also reminds Jeremiah, that He sees everything they do. They cannot hide it from the Lord. The only one we fool when we have hidden sin is ourself. The consequences of sin cannot be avoided. Sin can be forgiven and washed away. The Lord can and will give strength and power to those who trust him in order to teach others that they will know that He is Lord.
God today help me to follow you with all my heart. I surrender my will to yours. I submit myself to you and resist the devil and he must flee. Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me a godly wife and two beautiful daughters who love and serve the Lord.
God tells Jeremiah directly that he is not to marry or have a family in the place he was at. The reason why? Because of their rebellion against God. Tragedy will come and there will be no comfort. What terrible sin did they commit? They simply quit following God and pursued other gods. The next generation did worse. They did not pursue any god, instead they became very stubborn and did only what they wanted to do. Selfishness is the primary root of all sin. People do what they do because the want to. Anyone who has yet to surrender to the Lordship of christ will inevitably end up in pursuit of those things that they desire for themself to enjoy.
So what happens? People end up with their lives scattered, empty and void of true meanging because they go their own way instead of God's way. They may have godly heritage and memories of what God has done in the past but their past will not give them a future that is filled with the blessing of God unless they are living in a present state of surrender and submission to the Father's will. God tells Jeremiah that as God had to deliver his people out of Eypt, God will now have to bring His people back from other lands as well. I think God is saying you cannot avoid the mess you will end up in, if you fail to follow the living God.
God also reminds Jeremiah, that He sees everything they do. They cannot hide it from the Lord. The only one we fool when we have hidden sin is ourself. The consequences of sin cannot be avoided. Sin can be forgiven and washed away. The Lord can and will give strength and power to those who trust him in order to teach others that they will know that He is Lord.
God today help me to follow you with all my heart. I surrender my will to yours. I submit myself to you and resist the devil and he must flee. Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me a godly wife and two beautiful daughters who love and serve the Lord.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
What are you eating?
Jeremiah 15
Can we change the mind of the Lord? I don't know. Certainly it appears that Moses did, Abraham tried, and Hezekiah got 15 years more out of life all through prayer. But a word of caution. It doesn't always change God's determined mindset to carry out His plan especially when it comes to judgment and destruction due to the rebellion of those who have had much opportunity to surrender their foolish pride to the Lord. The Lord tells Jeremiah that even if Moses or Samuel stood before me, my mind would not be favorable toward this people. Even two of the most Godly people in the entire OT would not be able to change God's heart. Sometimes maybe we are prone to think that the reason we are not seeing more done in the church we are pastoring is because of our own shortcomings. That certainly can be the case, but it could be that where the church is at and where you are at is in two different places. What do you do if that is the case? You plead with God for mercy and patient endurance. And there are times when you have to eat the word that God gives you, and make it a part of your life so that while you endure you can experience a joyful heart in the midst of God's judgment being poured out on others. Sometimes you will have to go it alone. Jesus had to go to the cross by himself. No one could go for him. And no one can take up your cross. We must continue to turn to the Lord and not allow the majority to influence our life style. Let's stay the course. Eat the word and digest it, make it part of our life so that God can and will deliver us from all harm.
Lord today I am hungry to eat the word and to let it become a part of my life so that I can truly live the message of your love and grace. IN JESUS NAME! AMEN
Can we change the mind of the Lord? I don't know. Certainly it appears that Moses did, Abraham tried, and Hezekiah got 15 years more out of life all through prayer. But a word of caution. It doesn't always change God's determined mindset to carry out His plan especially when it comes to judgment and destruction due to the rebellion of those who have had much opportunity to surrender their foolish pride to the Lord. The Lord tells Jeremiah that even if Moses or Samuel stood before me, my mind would not be favorable toward this people. Even two of the most Godly people in the entire OT would not be able to change God's heart. Sometimes maybe we are prone to think that the reason we are not seeing more done in the church we are pastoring is because of our own shortcomings. That certainly can be the case, but it could be that where the church is at and where you are at is in two different places. What do you do if that is the case? You plead with God for mercy and patient endurance. And there are times when you have to eat the word that God gives you, and make it a part of your life so that while you endure you can experience a joyful heart in the midst of God's judgment being poured out on others. Sometimes you will have to go it alone. Jesus had to go to the cross by himself. No one could go for him. And no one can take up your cross. We must continue to turn to the Lord and not allow the majority to influence our life style. Let's stay the course. Eat the word and digest it, make it part of our life so that God can and will deliver us from all harm.
Lord today I am hungry to eat the word and to let it become a part of my life so that I can truly live the message of your love and grace. IN JESUS NAME! AMEN
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Jeremiah 14
What would cause God to say to Jeremiah "Do not pray for this people, for thier good" When they fast, God says, I will not hear them. When they offer there burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Can you imagine the shock Jeremiah must have felt when he hears God tell him not to pray. I would never want to imagine myself or a loved one reaching a place in their life before God where God would tell someone not to pray. What was their problem? I think the problem lies in the heart. When you are at a place where you outwardly appear to be doing the God honoring things but inside your heart there is hidden desires for things other than God. God is not fooled by our show. He wants us to come clean from the inside out.
It is also possible to assume the wrong thing. The prophets were prophesying lies. God says I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them;they speak false vision, and worthless words from the deceit of their heart. Anything that is spoken as being from the Lord but the person speaking it has not really heard from the Lord is deceitful even if the intent is not to deceive. It is important to learn that when we say that God has told us something, that we are earnest, sincere and truthful in the way we speak. Jesus rebuked Peter for having in mind the things of man rather than the things of God. He was sincere and not intentionally trying to say something that was off the mark, but he simply did not understand what God's ultimate purpose was. Before claiming to speak for God, we must spend time with Him and seek earnestly to listen to Him.
There is much harm that is done to oneself and to others when you assume the mind of God apart from waiting on God, being in his presence and listening for His voice.
On the other hand when we speak the word of God under the anointing and direction of God it is powerful and life shaping and transforming. To quote another, there is no transformation apart from revelation.
What would cause God to say to Jeremiah "Do not pray for this people, for thier good" When they fast, God says, I will not hear them. When they offer there burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Can you imagine the shock Jeremiah must have felt when he hears God tell him not to pray. I would never want to imagine myself or a loved one reaching a place in their life before God where God would tell someone not to pray. What was their problem? I think the problem lies in the heart. When you are at a place where you outwardly appear to be doing the God honoring things but inside your heart there is hidden desires for things other than God. God is not fooled by our show. He wants us to come clean from the inside out.
It is also possible to assume the wrong thing. The prophets were prophesying lies. God says I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them;they speak false vision, and worthless words from the deceit of their heart. Anything that is spoken as being from the Lord but the person speaking it has not really heard from the Lord is deceitful even if the intent is not to deceive. It is important to learn that when we say that God has told us something, that we are earnest, sincere and truthful in the way we speak. Jesus rebuked Peter for having in mind the things of man rather than the things of God. He was sincere and not intentionally trying to say something that was off the mark, but he simply did not understand what God's ultimate purpose was. Before claiming to speak for God, we must spend time with Him and seek earnestly to listen to Him.
There is much harm that is done to oneself and to others when you assume the mind of God apart from waiting on God, being in his presence and listening for His voice.
On the other hand when we speak the word of God under the anointing and direction of God it is powerful and life shaping and transforming. To quote another, there is no transformation apart from revelation.
Fall thoughts
Minister's conference takeaways: God is a God of process. There are no shortcuts to become the man God intends me to be. God has seasons for us to grow through that are similar to the 4 season of the midwest. Spring = revival, Summer = harvest, Fall = dealing with issues, Winter = establishing roots. I think the season I am in is fall and winter combo. I find myself dealing with relational issues that force me to deal with me and then find a way to allow the Lord to establish my faith roots in deeper soil. I think this is the tougher season to experience vs. spring or summer. Lord have your way in my life, ministry and every relationship.
Monday, March 28, 2011
reminders
Sunday take aways: 1. Worship was a bit of a struggle at first but the last two songs were awesome. 2. Organization and processes need to be put into place to help the service to flow. Ushers need help, greeters, welcome center post service needs to be manned. Pre-school planet is overflowing. We had several visitors this week. 3. Follow-up and small groups need to be addressed. 4. Posssibility that Keith Wagler may be moving to Texas. 5. Jake Mellinger needs prayer. 6. Bonnie's mom passed away on March 25, 2011 7. Steve and Wendy Ullam came for prayer.
Fighting the status quo
I am thinking about the changing seasons and how winter seems to be trying to hold on and keep spring the new season from progressing. The calendar says it is spring but the cold fronts moving through make it feel like it is still winter. I think status-qua often does the same. It holds on to the way we think, how we perceive our situation and keeps us from fully advancing into a new season of excitement and change. It is easy to get comfortable and just allow life and church and ministry to just happen without any thought of change. Our attitude can be like a cold front of indifference and apathy that keeps new ideas and opportunities to spring into existence. I want to enter into the season God has for Abundant Life Church. My prayer today is: Lord help me to raise my personal level of faith and expectation for the more abundant life and the "more" than I can ask or imagine realm of what you can do through my life.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Could I have passed the faith test?
Job was a man who loved and trusted God and whose faith was tested by incredible loss and horrible physical suffering. This testimony of the patience of Job (James 5:11) shakes the frivolous teaching of todays church of health and wealth. When everything else in life are gone and all you have is your raw faith in God, you are faced with gut two choices; 1) curse God and give up or 2) trust God and draw strength from Him. Job did the latter. I am 53 years old. I have really good health. I have not lost anyone close to me for 42 years (my oldest sister was killed in an auto accident when I was 11 and she was 21) . I am grateful to the Lord for that. However, no one knows what the future holds and I trust that I will pass the faith test no matter what comes. The Bible says that nothing can seperate us from the love of Christ. Past records of the experiences and obeservations of countless others are certain predictors that it is highly likely that sometime in my future I will be tested in ways that are different than my past. At those moments I trust I will do two things. First of all, count it all joy as James 1:2 says. And second of all draw strength from the Lord that the excellency of the power of God will be made perfect or complete in my weaknesses. God's love cannot be measured by how little or how great we may suffer in this life. Paul declared that the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. " Behold we count them happy which endure" Could you pass the test if called upon to suffer? I trust so!
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Ministry of Presence
Life Lessons: What I am I learning about today- Job; he was a man who feared God and shunned evil. God saw something in him that no matter what he went through he would continue to honor God, even when he did not understand. I see also, the ministry of being present with others during painful times has value. Present with out having to solve or say anything is modeled by job's friends. Job's friends sat in silence with him for seven days and nights because they saw that his pain was very great.
I hope as a pastor I will be sensitive to God's flock. That I will know when I simply need to be present with someone. The ministry of Presence is valuable to those who are going through difficult or painful experiences. One core value that I wholeheartedly embrace: God is present among his people!
So our trip to Illinois for Kathryn Gordon's funeral was all about simply being there. I trust that some good was done because of God's faithfulness to be present among us.
I hope as a pastor I will be sensitive to God's flock. That I will know when I simply need to be present with someone. The ministry of Presence is valuable to those who are going through difficult or painful experiences. One core value that I wholeheartedly embrace: God is present among his people!
So our trip to Illinois for Kathryn Gordon's funeral was all about simply being there. I trust that some good was done because of God's faithfulness to be present among us.
Monday, February 7, 2011
This Week's Video Tutorial
This Week's Video Tutorial: "Sticky Church"
This segment by Larry Osborne is very discriptive of where ALC. I think it speaks to areas that need to be developed.
This segment by Larry Osborne is very discriptive of where ALC. I think it speaks to areas that need to be developed.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Why Fast?
Dr Bill Bright has gone to be with the Lord, but his influence is still being felt. One of the things that God challenged Dr Bright with was fasting. He completed 40 day liquid/broth type fasts on five different occasions and had a vision of 2 million Americans excepting the challenge to do the same. The purpose: The fulfillment of the great commission. He was a visionary who devoted his life to do the will of God and reach as many souls as possible. Today I read some of his articles on fasting. Here are some of my take aways from his thoughts on "Why Fast"
1. Fasting is restorative by nature.
a. Aid to restoring your first love resulting in greater intimacy with God.
b. Breaks destructive patterns. ( like a remodeling of your life, sometimes you first have to tear down before being built up.
2. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God.
3. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition.
4. During a fast the Holy Spirit often quickens the word of God in your heart making it more meaningful.
5. Fasting can transform your prayer life.
6. Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival.
I am excited that over 1/3 of our adults at ALC have committed themselves to a season of fasting and prayer. May God do exceedingly above and beyond all that we can ask or imagine by the power of the Holy Spirit who is at work within us. AMEN!
1. Fasting is restorative by nature.
a. Aid to restoring your first love resulting in greater intimacy with God.
b. Breaks destructive patterns. ( like a remodeling of your life, sometimes you first have to tear down before being built up.
2. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God.
3. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition.
4. During a fast the Holy Spirit often quickens the word of God in your heart making it more meaningful.
5. Fasting can transform your prayer life.
6. Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival.
I am excited that over 1/3 of our adults at ALC have committed themselves to a season of fasting and prayer. May God do exceedingly above and beyond all that we can ask or imagine by the power of the Holy Spirit who is at work within us. AMEN!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year, New Journey, New Life
The first day of a new year. I am in love with the one year Bible. It gives you a nice mixture of Old and New testament verses to read along with Psalms and Proverbs. Thinking prayerfully: I am asking for the wisdom I need in every decision. I want to be able to say, "the Lord has made His plan clear to me. This is the way let's walk in it together. God promises wisdom through disciplines of our faith; prayer and waiting on Him, Meditation on His word, fasting sharing etc. I think I will do well to log hours of prayer, reading and study. I need the discipline.
My goal: 700 hours of prayer. I am thinking of it as two a days. 1000 hours of study- preparation-reading. I want my love for God to grow. I mean real mushy type of love. One that motivates you to do crazy things and to want to talk about him all the time.
Today's reading: Genesis 1,2; Matthew 1, 2 Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1.
Prayer: 15 minutes in the morning, 1/2 hour prayer walking the mall, and 1.15 at night, Great day.
Meditation: Fasting, trying to determine God's purpose for me personally and for ALC
I went shopping today with Debbie and Sarah. Debbie had DSW on her mind all day and found a pair of shoes for $16.00 after coupons. Happy New Years babe! I hope those shoes help put a smile on your face. Would you be interested in fasting shoe purchases? Probably as much as I would be interested in quiting golf. We all have our passions. I love you Debbie, shoe fetish and all.
Sarah was looking smart in her new glasses. They don't help her see any better but she does look smarter. lol.
Hoping to put something nice together for Deb's 5oth birthday. The 27 day countdown has begun.
Just a few New Year's day ramblings. Today begins a new journey of discovery of the new life God has planned for us. May we make the most of each day because "today always matters"
My goal: 700 hours of prayer. I am thinking of it as two a days. 1000 hours of study- preparation-reading. I want my love for God to grow. I mean real mushy type of love. One that motivates you to do crazy things and to want to talk about him all the time.
Today's reading: Genesis 1,2; Matthew 1, 2 Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1.
Prayer: 15 minutes in the morning, 1/2 hour prayer walking the mall, and 1.15 at night, Great day.
Meditation: Fasting, trying to determine God's purpose for me personally and for ALC
I went shopping today with Debbie and Sarah. Debbie had DSW on her mind all day and found a pair of shoes for $16.00 after coupons. Happy New Years babe! I hope those shoes help put a smile on your face. Would you be interested in fasting shoe purchases? Probably as much as I would be interested in quiting golf. We all have our passions. I love you Debbie, shoe fetish and all.
Sarah was looking smart in her new glasses. They don't help her see any better but she does look smarter. lol.
Hoping to put something nice together for Deb's 5oth birthday. The 27 day countdown has begun.
Just a few New Year's day ramblings. Today begins a new journey of discovery of the new life God has planned for us. May we make the most of each day because "today always matters"
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