Be Intentional

 

Pastor Allan was ministering and from my notes I present his edited sermon.

God expects us to be open and willing to receive.  As you enter your personal prayer closet, breathe in and ask for open eyes to see, and open ears to hear from the Holy Spirit.  Not just on Sunday morning, but every day, take a behavior check.  Ask, “Lord what changes in me do you desire?”

Often we have fear of missing out, but don’t miss out anything God has for you.

We have entered into a new season – a season of Hope for our Nation.  I believe what is happening in the White House is God’s plan.  Understand it is NOT a man to follow, but to follow God.  Pray that God will use him, and the many Christian advisors assisting him.

Don’t get caught up in the different things or arguments you hear or view.

Last week I attended a ministers meeting of several denominations.  We were all of one accord as on the day of Pentecost, and our cry was “God do something great for our communities and for our Nation.

It is time to set aside our mindset of opinion.  Getting right with God, our salvation is the first step, then seek a close relationship with Jesus.  Be humble to walk in repentance.

2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Relationship with Christ must continue – there can be NO turning back, only go forward in Him daily.

If you want to see others transformed, you must be a follower of Christ for others to follow you.  Maintain your relationship with Jesus.  Don’t justify being tired or discouraged; repent from those seeds of doubt in your heart.

Before we take communion, we pause to examine ourselves.  “Search me and show me what it is you want to remove?  What should I cast aside?  What ever it is, reveal it to me.  Clean up the stench and remove that which offends you Lord God.  I surrender; take me and lift me out of the pit.  Strengthen my relationship with you, as I determine to move forward.”

The Prophet Joel walked the streets of his city and it was so bad he lamented, telling the people to repent and to fast and pray  God heard and answered. 

Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

Joel 2:19  Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

The Lord promised to do great things and restore all the canker worm and locust had destroyed.

We are in the season of restoration.  He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. God will show wonders.  Call on the name of the Lord and be delivered.

On the Horizon is Hope.  United we stand whether we claim to be Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Pentecostal or some other denomination; just know God is over all who believe on Jesus.

Prophesy is being fulfilled in our day.  We have a covenant with God to bless.  Our part is to repent and follow Jesus.

Be intentional to prepare your heart.  Set your alarm and wake up on purpose to pray. Acknowledge the Father, acknowledge Christ Jesus, and acknowledge the Holy Spirit.  Worship and adore each one individually.  Recognize the importance of each person in the God head.

Concentrate and plan to worship and receive. 

Set a particular time.  Don’t get so busy and caught up in life that you neglect your “time with God.”  Be intentional and take time.  Evaluate your priorities.  God desires your ministry to succeed but not at the neglect of your family.  Get intentional to meet with God first, then family, then work or  ministry.

Be intentional; about all you do especially your relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Be intentional to fellowship by inviting someone to lunch or out for coffee.  

 

Be intentional to join with others in the various meetings and activities of our church.  Make plans to help and bring relief to our single mothers with children, our widows, and  those caring for elderly parents.

 

Prayers for Self-Deliverance

 

 

Prayers for Self-Deliverance

 

Our Wednesday Prayer meeting at our church, opened up with a short teaching on the importance of being baptized with the Holy Spirit so that our prayers are more effective.  Many of us pray from our ordinary Earthly heaven, and we may even gaze into the second heaven where we see the sky, stars and the moon, but for effectual praying we must pray from the third heaven, (God’s throne room) and that is when we pray in other tongues in the Spirit….

 

As we prepare to witness to our neighborhood, to our family and friends, we must be certain we are ready inwardly.  Of course receiving Jesus is the first step and most important one; however most of us have a problem in our soul which is our “Mind, Will, and Emotions.” 

 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

 

Timothy speaks of Fear being a Spirit.  Now we know there are all kind of spirits, some would call them demons, but I prefer the word spirit.  A Christian cannot be demon possessed, but a Christian can be oppressed broken and bound by spirits that are NOT of God.

 

As we prepare to be READY to reach out to others, let us consider that we may need to do some housecleaning in our “Soul;” (Mind, Will and Emotions.)  Some of these spirits will affect our body causing us to be sick, depressed and ill.  Please study the following and then pray the prayer at the end; because you may discover there are things in your life that need to LEAVE so that you can be free to minister to others. 

 

It is VERY important that you agree with God, that you DO NOT want these spirits to remain.  Each person must first have a WILLING MIND to desire freedom. 

 

Many out there in our city, our neighborhood, and even in our family will have these types of spiritual problems haunting them, so it is important that you understand and are free yourself, so you can help them.

~ ~ ~

 

Prayers for Self-Deliverance 
Original source: Apostle John Eckhardt’s book “Prayers that Rout Demons”

Prayers for Self-Deliverance:

As a believer in the Power of Jesus Christ and the authority He has given me; I break all generational curses of pride, rebellion, lust, poverty, witchcraft, idolatry, death, destruction, failure, sickness, infirmity, fear, schizophrenia, and rejection in the name of Jesus.

I command all generational and hereditary spirits operating in my life through curses to be bound and cast out in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits of lust, perversion, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and immorality to come out of my sexual character in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits of hurt, rejection, fear, anger, wrath, sadness, depression, discouragement, grief, bitterness, and unforgiveness to come out of my emotions in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits of confusion, forgetfulness, mind control, mental illness, double-mindedness, fantasy, pain, pride, and memory recall to come out of my mind in the name of Jesus.

I break all curses of schizophrenia and command all spirits of double-mindedness, rejection, rebellion, and root of bitterness to come out in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits of guilt, shame, and condemnation to come out of my conscience in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits of pride, stubbornness, disobedience, rebellion, self-will, selfishness, and arrogance to come out of my will in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits of addiction to come out of my appetite in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits of witchcraft, sorcery, divination, and occult to come out in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits operating in my head, eyes, mouth, tongue, and throat to come out in the name of Jesus.
I command all spirits operating in my chest and lungs to come out in the name of Jesus.
I command all spirits operating in my back and spine to come out in the name of Jesus.
I command all spirits operating in my stomach, navel, and abdomen to come out in the name of Jesus.
I command all spirits operating in my heart, spleen, kidneys, liver, and pancreas to come out in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits operating in my hands, arms, legs, and feet to come out in the name of Jesus.
I command all demons operating in my skeletal system, including my bones, joints, knees, and elbows, to come out in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits operating in my glands and endocrine system to come out in the name of Jesus.
I command all spirits operating in my blood and circulatory systems to come out in the name of Jesus.
I command all spirits operating in my muscles and muscular system to come out in the name of Jesus.

I command all religious spirits of doubt, unbelief, error, heresy, and tradition that came in through religion to come out in the name of Jesus.

I command all spirits from my past that are hindering my present and future to come out in the name of Jesus.  I command all ancestral spirits that entered through my ancestors to come out in the name of Jesus.

I command all hidden spirits hiding in any part of my life to come out in the name of Jesus.

A Prayer for Deliverance

If you would like God to set you free, please repeat this after me:

Dear Lord, I thank You that Your Son Jesus was made a curse so that I could be redeemed from the curse. Lord You know the issue that I have problems with.

I repent for yielding to ______ (name the spirit(s) that have been enslaving you.) I also stand in the gap for my generations on both my mother's and father's side, repenting for their yielding to _____ [name the spirit(s)].  I say with my mouth, I do NOT want these spirits any more in my life.   I command these spirits and all spirits associated with them to leave now! In Jesus' name!

Thank you Jesus for setting me free.  Amen.

 

What is Worship?



 

At our Bible Study this week, we were honored to have Donald be our teacher.  I took notes and also used his hand-out to present this lesson.

Donald put forth the question, “What is worship?”  During a church service we think of worship as singing hymns of Praise to God, but true worship is more than that. 

 

Worship is a lifestyle.  Our entire being is involved in worship.

Worship isn’t something to do for one hour.  We can’t just set our clock and time it.

Worship is about declaring the Goodness of God as we remind ourselves of his blessings.

Worship is not about manipulating God to get a result to our prayers.

A worship service is not about manipulating people to make them see, or feel something.

True worship comes from within the believer as God moves in a powerful way and we throw off our agenda and simply come to Him with hearts of praise; as we declare his goodness, his faithfulness and testify to His work in our lives.

His Name is holy and there is none beside him.  1 Samuel 2:2  There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside you: neither is there any rock like our God.

God is the Holy Creator and is worthy of praise.  We must come before God with reverence, respect and honor, as we bow down before Him.  At times we come with a holy hush. And at other times with a shout or a saintly roar.  We may even dance before the Lord.

Isaiah 43:15 KJV I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

1 Chronicles 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

We understand according to John chapter one, Jesus is the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth

John 1:12,13  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

By the Holy Spirit, God has quickened us and made us alive in Him, to Him be all the glory 

Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Our very bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit and we respect and care for this tabernacle where God dwells.

We are to place our affection on things above and not on things on this earth.  Our very will becomes to do His will here on earth.

Psalms chapter two:  Is a prophesy of Jesus reigning, but notice that this also can mean that God sets up leaders on earth, and when the people disapprove, they are fighting against God.  However what does God do?  He laughs at their foolishness and will upset their plans.

Psalms 2:1-6 Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying ,  Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.  He that sits in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision. Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure: Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.

 

 

God is My Provider

 

 

Pastor Allan was encouraging the congregation that when adversity hits us, to know that God is still in control and He always loves us.  Some are going through financial difficulties at this time, but understand that He is your provider and he will take care of you.  You are not alone for we all have struggles of some kind.  From my notes I present his edited message for Sunday Morning.

The ministry of Jesus was all about people.  He had compassion, and He is the healer.  He still provides healing.  May the book of Acts be active today in our lives. 

Through the blood of Christ and the authority He has given, we are to embrace the Word that you need for today.

We are reminded of the various names of Jehovah.  When we read the Twenty Third Psalm, it is interesting that He is the all encompassing God.  Each name proclaims His mighty attributes.   David was reflecting on the great things God had done and knew He would take care of him in times of trouble.  He is our provider.  His grace is sufficient for me.

You are the Lord:

Jehovah-Tsidkenu— God is our Righteousness  (Psalms 23:6_

Jehovah-M’Kaddesh— God Sanctifies me (Psalm 23:5)

Jehovah-Shalom— God is my Peace (Psalm 23:2)

Jehovah-Shammah— God is Present  (Psalms 23:4)

Jehovah-Rophe— God is my Healer ( Psalms 23:3)

Jehovah-Jireh— God is my Provider ( Psalms 23:2)

Jehovah-Nissi— God is my Standard-Bearer (Psalms 23:5)

Jehovah-Rohi— God is my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)

Stand firm.  The Lord is our banner.  The Standard Bearer carried the banner out before the battle.  The Banner showed which army was winning.  God goes before us and prepares the way.  His banner over us is Love.

What is happening here in Oroville?  Those outside our city are taking notice that God is laying out the ground work to take back our city.

When the walls of Jericho fell down, they collapsed because the people obeyed God.  The people inside the city feared Joshua and the Children of Israel, because God put fear in their hearts.  They did not force the walls to tumble, because God brought them down.  God will go before us because He is our banner.

If God can part the Red Sea, He can take care of your problem. 

When Abraham went up the mountain to sacrifice his son in obedience; he did not realize it was a test.  God almighty was able to provide and made Himself totally accessible.  God is our provider.

God is taking care of His children.  David was so thankful as he expressed how God would provide for every need.

May God teach us how to reach out and receive.  Thank God that he is capable of defeating our enemies and bringing us peace. 

So many of you are going through trying times, but God will bring you peace.

We fight many of our battles in our mind and it wears us out.  Turn it over to God and rest in Him.  God is your provider and He cares for you. 

 

 

Praying the Ten Commandments as a pattern

 

Using the Scriptures as a Pattern for Prayer

A week ago at our 9:00 am Wednesday meeting to pray over our city, we spoke about using scriptures to pray by adding our own words to the scriptures. The Lord's Prayer was our suggested pattern as an example.  Many of the Psalms may also be used.

 

This Wednesday, we considered using the 10 commandments to pray over our city and our nation. Each commandment was adapted into a prayer with our own words for our city and nation.   The following was our hand out from Don Nori’s book.

Praying the Ten Commandments as a pattern 

Excerpts’ from Don Nori’s book:

"Hope for the Praying Nation: Petitioning Heaven for Change in Your Country"

Praying the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 3-17) We use this portion of Scripture as a pattern of prayer because we know that these instructions came straight from the heart of God to maintain order among humankind. As in any pattern of prayer, you will think of other things to pray for as you use the following notes. Remember that a pattern will always help you in this way. As you pray according to a pattern, the Lord will bring many things to memory that you should remember in prayer. You may even find that you will not be able to pray through an entire pattern at one sitting. That is fine. The goal is to develop a spontaneous and vibrant conversation with the Lord. A pattern only helps you to get started.

First Commandment: You shall have no other gods before Me.

Today we honor You as the only God; there is none beside You. We honor You as our Creator. We honor You as sovereign Lord. We worship You as the only God, full of mercy and truth. There is none higher, none more wonderful than You. We praise Your wonderful name.

Second Commandment: You shall not make for yourself a carved image… you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.

Anything that stands between you and God is an idol. We pray blessings and not curses upon our children, blessings to the fourth generation. We also pray blessings on our nation, our leaders, and our communities. We trust God for the best possible He has for them. Lord, help us to notice when something seems to be more important than You; when something comes between us and Your love and plan for us.  

Third Commandment You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

God, You reveal Yourself to me through Your name. The Bible gives You several names. They all help me to understand who You really are and how much You really love me.

You are the Lord:

Jehovah-Tsidkenu— God is our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23: 5)

Jehovah-M’Kaddesh— God Sanctifies me (Psalm 23: 5)

Jehovah-Shalom— God is my Peace (Psalm 23: 2)

Jehovah-Shammah— God is Present (Ezekiel 48: 35)

Jehovah-Rophe— God is my Healer (Psalm 30: 2)

Jehovah-Jireh— God is my Provider (Genesis 22: 14)

Jehovah-Nissi— God is my Standard-Bearer (Exodus 17: 15)

Jehovah-Rohi— God is my Shepherd (Psalm 23: 1)  

Fourth Commandment Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

God Himself is my Sabbath or rest; and there remains a rest for the people of God (see Hebrews 4: 9-10). I trust You, God, to do what I cannot do. I want You, Lord. I rest in Your love, in Your provision. I refuse to be fearful. I refuse to panic. I rest in Your love for me.  

Fifth Commandment Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

We pray concerning the rebellion in the hearts of youth. Lord, I pray for the children, all children. Lord, please turn the hearts of the children back to their parents, back toward their families. Please mend the brokenness among families and help our children to have a heartfelt love and respect for their parents. (See Malachi 4: 6.) We pray for parents, that their hearts would turn to their children; to love them, to raise them with honor and in the fear of the Lord.  

Sixth Commandment You shall not murder.

We pray for a respect for life across the United States of America. We take it as a personal assault on our faith when someone is murdered. We pray for domestic tranquility and harmony in every home. Lord, no one hates murder more than You do. I pray for Your Presence in our cities and towns. But I also pray for Your Presence in our hearts so that the spirits of murder and death will have no place to rest. Let healing come to our hearts and to our land.  

Seventh Commandment You shall not commit adultery.

Oh Lord, I take authority over the spirit of lust that drives men and women to compromise their lives. We pray that the marriage beds will be undefiled and that men and women will look upon one another as temples of the Holy Spirit. I pray for holiness to be born in the hearts of all Your people. I pray that Your love will overcome the lust that so many fight and hate. May we see our spouses as the wonderful gifts from the Lord that they really are. Teach us to love them with everything that is in us.  

Eighth Commandment You shall not steal.

I pray that people will not steal but work with their hands. We pray that people will give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. Lord, help me not to be greedy and envious of others. You take wonderful care of me. Besides, if I need anything, all I have to do is ask You. You are my Provider. I love You. Thank You, Lord.  

Ninth Commandment You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

I pray that people will not become false witnesses against their neighbors. I pray that our reputations will be safe in the hands of others and vice versa. Help us to be truthful to ourselves and to You, Lord. You can only forgive us if we are honest with ourselves and with You. May truth grow up from the deepest part of our hearts. May I learn to love the truth and cherish it.

 

Tenth Commandment You shall not covet your neighbor’s house nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

I pray that people will find themselves content no matter what their situation. Help me to be content. Help me to rejoice with another’s promotion or new car or whatever You bless them with. You supply everything I need. I am happy for Your provision. Thank You, Lord. I love You!

 

 

Pride can Destroy a Generation.

Do Not Fear, I am the Messenger Gabriel with a Message from God for You

 

Our Bible Study at Open Door Church on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, continues of interest in the incense burned during the worship at the temple.  From my notes I present an edited message.

Pride can destroy a generation.  I Chronicles chapter 24:1,2 Now these were the divisions of the sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.  But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

The two sons of Aaron who died because they used strange fire that displeased God and they were struck dead.  If they had lived their offspring may have been in the line of Christ.

There was a division  and order of the Priests, and in turn they served at the temple with various duties.  Their entire generation was destroyed because of their rebellion and sin against God's ways.

Luke chapter one, happened at the altar of incense where Zacharias the Priest had his two weeks of service.  The priests were chosen by lot to serve, and each priest had a work to do.  Once in a lifetime they were allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies for 2 weeks. 

 

An angel appeared to Zacharias with a message that his barren wife Elizabeth would conceive and bare a son and the child was to be named John.  The child shall be full of the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb.  He shall be great in the sight of the Lord and many will turn to the Lord God.

It is interesting that this occurred at the altar of incense

Zacharias questioned the Angel’s message, because both he and his wife were old.  Because he did not believe the angel, he was struck mute.  The people wondered why he was so long in the holy of holies.  When he came out, they realized he must have seen a vision.

Zacharias returned home, and the Lord took away Elizabeth’s reproach and she became pregnant as the angel had said.  (This was also prophesied in the Old Testament.)

The same angel “Gabriel” appeared to Mary with the good news about her being chosen to bare the Savior of the World.  Mary being a virgin wondered how this could be.

Luke 1:35-38 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary decided to visit her cousin and as she arrived at Elizabeth’s home and called out, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy in the womb, and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:57 - - Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.  And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.  And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.  And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.  And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God.

 

An Act of Worship

An Act of Worship

 

From my notes I present an edited post about our Sunday morning service at Open Door church.

Before we began the worship portion at Open Door Church, our Sister Linda shared; 

 

"For many years Abraham and his wife Sarah desired a son.  God gave them a promise, but it took 25 years until their son arrived.  By this time both Abraham and his wife were very old; yet they were excited to have their beloved son with them at last.  One day, God required Abraham to give up his son on the Mount.  But God provided a substitute sacrifice.  It was on this same mountain that Jesus became the sacrifice as our substitute.

We must honor God with our very life.  Today we share our weaknesses, and they actually become our strengths.

We don’t have to do these things, but we do them willingly.  How much like Abraham you are, as you model Christ.

(The praise and worship portion of the service began - - God was in this place.)

Pastor Allan took the microphone and was speaking;

"God desires to come into the clutter of your heart, however you must give Him access and allow Him to come in.  Don’t slam the door of your closet, but give him all of your heart.  Even the deep corners where are hidden things you know you need to let go. 

The Word say, “Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.”

The designer knows the working parts that need adjustment and replacement.  Let God do the work.  We often want to be in control and fix it ourselves, but we need to turn it over to God."

Pastor turned the service over to Associate Pastor Rodney, for the morning message:

“God is taking us through a process so can understand the Living Word.  Ask God questions while you study your Bible.  Let God speak to you from the printed pages.

Mark 14:1 It was festival time, and although the Chief priests and the scribes desired to kill Jesus by a treacherous way, they waited because the timing was not right during a celebration.

Mark 14:3. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as Jesus sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head and feet. The fragrance of the precious balm filled the house.

Some had indignation and criticized the woman for wasting a years wages on Jesus; when in their opinion, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor.

Mark 14:8  Jesus told them to leave her alone because  she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

You might have some questions about our church and why do we raise our hands, or stand while we worship?  You may not know all the story.  Mary knew who Jesus was.  She had seen him raise her brother from the dead.  He was the Resurrection and the Life, and she loved Jesus with all her heart.  Her gift was a small sacrifice compared to all that Jesus had done.

We may not understand all the theology, but when God touches your heart, He can change your life.  Mary knew who was at that table on that day.  He was real to her. 

 

As we read the Bible stories, they become live actors.   The culture in that day was different than ours, but she knew she must do this anointing as an act of worship and she was not afraid.

We have a lot of plans we want to do as a church body, and we no apology is necessary as we worship.  Do your friends and family know you are a Christian?  

We are called to sacrifice as Jesus was willing to be the sacrifice for us.  He has given us new life, a new purpose and a new direction .  May we come to Him with a willing heart.  Thank you God that we can be a part of the revival of our city."

 

Selecting A Small Area and Saturate It.

The Small area highlighted with a yellow marker

is the target area we plan to soon walk door to door.

The Green Dot is Open Door Church

 

Each Wednesday we meet at our church to pray over our city and over the Nation.

A week ago, Pastor asked all who could walk, to march around a chosen block of streets leaving from our church and returning again.  Associate Pastor Rodney, and Rev John, let the way as about 15 of us prayed as we walked.  John blew the Jewish Shofar rams horn, at the 4 corners of the blocked area.  This is the area we intend to be our first attempt at knocking on doors. 

Fast forward to last Wednesday.  Some of those in attendance were new, and Pastor asked that we not walk today, until we have at lease one experienced person with those who are new.  The young men, who were from Jordan’s Crossings, will need their Pastor to help us decide who is prepared to go door to door. 

I had brought some sets of 10 pages for “How to evangelize Door to Door,” so these were passed out and I asked them to study this to help them be prepared.

I had copied a hand out about using the Lord’s Prayer as a Pattern and add your own words as you pray.  I will end this post with a copy of using the Lords Prayer. 

After going over how to pray using scriptures by adding your own words; I showed everyone a cut out of the first area we will walk very soon. (see above map portion) 

 

I asked them to be observant of street signs and to pray for people who live on that street.  Calling the names of the streets on our designated area, I prayed aloud, for homes to be reconciled, hearts to become tender and receptive, and for God to stir our city to desire to receive Jesus.

We dismissed with that prayer, and everyone was receptive today.

~ ~ ~

 

Praying the Lord’s Prayer as a Pattern: 

(This is an excerpt from Don Nori’s book Hope for the Praying Nation: Petitioning Heaven for Change in Your Country) 

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father, I praise You, God, that you are my loving Father. You are more than my Creator— You are Dad. You are the One and only Protector of my soul. I love You, Father.  

I worship You in heaven, Isaiah 55: 9 says the heavens are above the earth, and so are God’s ways higher than ours. Lord, I seek guidance from Heaven’s perspective. Jesus set the example by doing only what He saw His Father doing. I, too, know not what to do without Your loving Presence leading me. I cannot do this myself. I need the help that only comes from Heaven. 

Hallowed be Your name. You have revealed Yourself to us through Your name. I call upon You by the names through which You have revealed Yourself to humankind, Your children. Lord, You are everything I need and want. By Your name, all the demons on earth and in hell tremble. By Your name, nature comes under Your Lordship and people are healed. But most wonderfully, by Your name, average people like me can come to know You as Savior and Lord. Thank You, Lord, in Jesus’ name, for forgiving me and loving me.  

Your Kingdom come. Your will be done…. This is not a passive prayer! To pray this prayer means to stomp my foot and mean business. Every person has a will to surrender— for God to have His will, I must surrender my will. To yield my will is to humble myself. I can be humiliated by others, but only I can humble myself.

 (See James 4: 10).  

Give us this day our daily bread… Jesus, You said Your source of food was to do the will of Your Father (see John 4: 34). What satisfies me is to know that I satisfy Your purpose. You are my necessary Bread (see John 6: 35). You are the Bread of Heaven, and You also want me to look to You for my daily natural provision.  

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…. It is necessary to forgive if I expect to be heard when I pray, so Lord, I choose to forgive. (See Matthew 18: 21-35.) 

Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Jesus, You were driven into the wilderness of temptation. It was there that the enemy attempted to cause You to forget who You are, saying, “If You are the Son of God…” (Luke 4: 3).

If the enemy can get me to forget who I am, he can get me to do whatever he wants me to do. Who am I? I will declare who I am in Christ. (See Galatians 3: 26; Romans 8: 37; Revelation 1: 6.) Ephesians 4: 27 says not to “give place” to the devil. This means do not give the enemy a legal right to be in your life. Areas where the enemy can enter are fear, hate, witchcraft, and sexual immorality.  

For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory…. Psalm 108: 5 says that Your glory is over all the earth. The glory of God is over my family, my friends, my loved ones, those with whom I worship. I pray that You will spread Your wings over them and protect them.

 

Familiar Food at the Pot Luck

This True Story was posted 3 years ago - -

 Face-Book reminded me that perhaps some haven't seen it and a redo would be good. 

 

 

The church pot luck was always a good time of fellowship with lots of good food.   

Families were asked to bring three dishes; a main dish, a salad and a desert, while single people could bring potato chips rolls and butter or perhaps a side dish. 

Coffee and punch were provided and the blessing over the food had been invoked.  The people began to line up; Pastor and his wife were first and also the elderly. 

Our children were hungry and they came to me with a question; “Which food is ours?” 

I tried to explain that the entire spread of delicious food was there for them to partake of, yet they wanted the familiar and were not ready to experiment with food that seemed different to them.

This caused me to consider how we as Christians often react when we are exposed to portions of the Scriptures that are considered off limits by some who fear the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the supernatural. 

We are happy to nibble on our common everyday Bible stories that we are accustomed to. 

Yes, we are willing to acknowledge that Jesus did miracles and healed the sick, but when we come to scriptures that indicate that even today it is God’s will that we prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers, we often balk like a mule. 

Paul indicated that although some spiritual gifts are to bless the church, they must be tempered and used wisely.  Then he said, "Do NOT forbid to speak in tongues." 

Paul also stated that He personally prayed in tongues more than you all.  Apparently if we are not using our prayer language, we are missing a powerful tool to fight and win spiritual battles.   

Jude exhorted us to pray in tongues as this will build us up in our most Holy Faith. 

As we view the table that God has spread and consider it all as eatable food, we must realize that to leave out what is provided is doing ourselves and our families an injustice. 

Jesus asked us the question; “If you as fathers (and mothers) have hungry children, would you give them a stone or a serpent instead of bread?  How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to them who ask?” 

Get ready because the dinner bell is ringing and the table is spread !!

 

 

Give God Time

Give God Time

 

Today was Church, but due to the Storm and the flooding roads, my husband suggested that I stay home.  From my friend Donald, I requested the sermon title, and the scriptures. From his notes I am presenting a message that I pray will speak to your heart. 

As humans, we often do not like to wait.  “I want it now,” is often our cry and also the demand from others.  God’s timing is not like ours.  His plans often interfere with our way of doing things.

Looking into the book of Exodus we find the story of Moses, born at a time when the King had proclaimed that all the boy babies be killed.  God protected Moses and eventually after 40 years, Moses became the one to bring the Children of Israel out of Egypt.  God appeared to Moses on the mountain with a cloud of glory that included fire and thundering.  The presence of God frightened the people and they requested Moses to be the one to speak to God on their behalf.  

 

God’s presence guided them on their journey in the form of a cloud by day and a fiery cloud by night.  Because of the people’s rebellion, murmuring and disobedience, another 40 years of wandering became their lot before they could enter the Promised Land.  God took His time, and “If only” – was a sad regret for the people.

God has ordained the seasons and times:  Ecclesiastes 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

God has chosen us to be fruitful and to fulfill His plans on earth.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Allow God time to do the work in your heart as you bring yourself into His presence and into His glory.  God has a plan for your life and He desires that you walk with Him as He shows you His direction.

There is no need to rush and hurry because it takes time to become like Jesus.

John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit

Although we are born again when we come to Christ, there are things in our lives that God will reveal to us that need to be disposed of; such as attitudes and habits that may need to change or be let go.  Our thoughts and desires often need to change.  Allow your mind to become renewed as you read and study God’s Word.

Slow down and don’t freak out, because God has got this.  Be practical and understand that God loves you and desires you to be all you can be for Him.

Wait on God; Attend church regularly and your meetings as they will bring you closer to Jesus.  It is in the body of Christ where we can find accountability.  It brings us strength to be a part of a fellowship.

It is a good thing to be accountable to another person, whether it is a friend, your Bible Teacher, or a sponsor in a program.

All in all - - Be patient and give God time - - to perfect you into His image.