BECAUSE OF YOUR WORDS

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/29/2020

Daniel 10:12 Do not fear, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

Daniel, a special man of Faith; although he was taken into captivity at a young age, threatened with death if he could not interpret the King’s dreams, witnessed his friends thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship the King’s image and even thrown into a den of Lions for praying daily, he never lost sight of his purpose.

In Chapter 10, we are told that a “message” was revealed to Daniel that disturbed him so much that he went into mourning.  His spirit was so troubled by the things that were to come that he had to set aside food, drink and even taking care of his personal needs for 21 days to seek God.

For the full 21 days, the scripture does not report that God spoke anything else to Daniel.  How many of us could fast and pray for 21 hours without hearing or feeling God speaking to us?  But Daniel continued because he and God had a history.  He understood that God had given him the “message” in the first place, God was and always had been faithful and God would give him the answers and clarity he sought.

FINALLY, on the 24th day, 3 weeks and 3 days after he received the message, Daniel had a Divine Encounter.  The Man in the vision told Daniel, “Your words were heard FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY!”

WHAT?????

“You mean you let me go hungry and thirsty for 21 days?  Here I am sitting by the river, stinking to high heaven and now you tell me YOU HEARD ME ON DAY ONE?  I thought you loved me; I thought I was special; a chosen vessel but you waited 24 days to answer!”

BUT INSTEAD….

Daniel turned his face to the ground and became speechless and God strengthened Him, revealing that for those 21 days, God had heard and God had fought the battle.  And now…GOD HAD COME BECAUSE OF DANIEL’S WORDS!

Our nation has been in quarantine for 14 days.  We have fasted, prayed, asked for forgiveness, petitioned God to still the plague AND at times it seems things grow worse.  There is nothing good to report on the news and people are going stir-crazy huddled in their homes.

BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU FROM THE FIRST DAY, GOD HAS HEARD YOUR WORDS!

God is fighting the battle; we have a history with God, He is faithful, and He will be victorious.

DON’T GIVE UP, keep seeking the Face of God; continue bombarding Heaven with your words because God not only hears, HE WILL ANSWER!

AND….

One day, “If we wait upon the Lord,” He will COME BECAUSE OF OUR WORDS AND OUR STRENGTH WILL BE RENEWED!

BEARERS OF HOPE

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/28/2020

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the HOPE of Glory.

I hop out of bed, stretch to get the blood flowing, wash my face, brush my teeth, grab a cup of coffee and my laptop…BIG MISTAKE…should have snuggled under the cover for another hour.  Facebook – full of doom and gloom.   If I read one more negative post; one more, “my city is harder hit than your city,” one more, “the federal government needs to be our sugar-daddy,” I think I will explode.

Turn on the news – BIG MISTAKE…should have settled in with my Bible.  Every Network – full of doom and gloom.  The latest infection count, the latest death count, this hospital won’t treat patients, this governor will not allow certain medicines…Please put on a cute little dog chasing its tail…I need some relief.

ANYONE ELSE, tired of it all and longing for sunshine and roses…just a little bit of good news? 

WELL HERE YOU GO…

God did not send this virus but He is working in the midst of it and if we will concentrate on His goodness, He will open our eyes to see His faithfulness…count your blessings instead of your woes.

God is using men and women of faith to bring good news and bless hurting and confused men and women…let Him use you.

God loves us all and has plan has not been thwarted by dire news reports, the blame game or even our fear…Yes, His throne is still occupied BY HIM!

God’s mercies are new EVERY MORNING and in Michigan it is still early enough to open yourself up and let His Mercy flow through and surround you.

AND ONE MORE….

God has revealed Himself to us; the Mysteries that the Men and Women of Faith under the Old Covenant longed to look into have been made known to us. 

WE HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT; CHRIST IN US! WE ARE BEARERS OF HOPE!

Let that HOPE shine through today.  Send an EMAIL OF HOPE; make a PHONE CALL OF HOPE; post a STATUS UPDATE OF HOPE.

BE A BEARER OF HOPE!

IT’S A NEW DAY; GOD HAS FRESH MERCIES; REJOICE IN HOPE!

INSTEAD OF A STIMULUS, PROCLAIM A FAST

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/27/20

Jonah 3:5 So the people of Ninevah believed God, PROCLAIMED A FAST, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Today, the Congress of the United States is prepared to pass the largest STIMULUS PACKAGE ever issued in the history of the World.  It is designed to assist people and businesses financially as we deal with this Plague that is sweeping our country and the world.

It will be a shot in the arm to our economy and be a temporary blessing to many struggling families.  As one Congressman said, “This will be Unemployment on Steroids.”  While Steroids may be a short-term fix, let me remind you that STEROIDS BRING LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS!  They include, changes in mood or behavior, irritability, increased aggression, depression, suicidal tendencies, and even worsen other underlying conditions.

SO WHAT IS THE ANSWER???

The Book of Jonah is one of the most wonderful unique Books of the Bible.  It begins with the Call of God, and then moves to Disobedience to the Call, Discipline from God and Repentance by the Offender.  The Book continues with Proclaiming the Word of God to an evil people, Hearing of the Word of God, Fasting, Humbling, Praying and Repenting by the warned people, resulting in Forgiveness and Mercy by God.  THEN ENDS with the Sent Preacher angry at God because He showed Mercy.  Definitely, an interesting read.

The Book of Jonah may hold a key to the Dissipation of the Virus sweeping our world.  When Jonah finally got around to preaching and warning the People of Ninevah of God’s anger with them and the coming destruction, the King didn’t hesitate…there was no stimulus package issued to ease anyone’s discomfort; there was no finger pointing or blame at neighbors, enemies or other high officials and leaders….The King issued a PROCLAMATION…

Verse 7-8 THE PROCLAMATION, “Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth and cry mightily to God; yes let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.”

Verse 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

The King of Ninevah issued an EXECUTIVE ORDER, proclaiming a FAST OF FOOD AND WATER.  Not a “Daniel Fast” where they would make delicious vegetarian recipes for a month, but a REAL FAST, not only for every man, woman and child but also every animal.  The King also ordered that everyone would HUMBLE themselves (put on sackcloth), REPENT, and CRY MIGHTILY TO GOD!

There was no panic buying of food and hoarding of toilet paper, no mobilizing of the National Guard; not even a task force to help make the decision…JUST A PROCLAMATION TO FAST, REPENT AND SEEK GOD!

AND GOD SAW THEIR REPENTANCE, HEARD THEIR CRY AND SHOWED MERCY TO ALL!

Jonah 3:10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN….

If instead of a STIMULUS PACKAGE, the President of the United States would issue an EXECUTIVE ORDER OF FASTING, REPENTANCE AND PRAYER? 

I can tell you now, there would be LAW SUITS, calls for IMPEACHMENT, reminders of DIVISION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE as the virus continued to spread and more people died.

Would even the PEOPLE OF GOD listen and obey such a proclamation as we have obeyed SOCIAL DISTANCING, HAND WASHING AND QUARANTINE?  Or, would we mock the President right along with his political foes, point out his many sins and shame those who actually thought fasting and prayer was a good idea?

I AM NOT SAYING THAT GOD SENT THIS VIRUS BUT, I AM SAYING THAT GOD CAN STILL THE SPREAD AND HEAL OUR LAND…IT IS UP TO US….

And “Who can tell how God would move.”

WE DON’T NEED A PROCLAMATION to humble ourselves, repent, fast and pray.  Many people are joining in prayer today and for some Sunday has been proclaimed a Day of Prayer and Fasting.

GOD STILL SEES; GOD STILL HEARS; AND GOD WILL STILL HEAL OUR LAND IF WE CALL ON HIM!

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/26/2020

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; in whom shall I be afraid?

Verse 3 Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war may rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Verse 5 For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me; He shall sat me high upon a rock.

“Oh Lord,” I prayed, “Please move against this virus.  I feel like a prisoner; I feel as if I am under siege.”

AND GOD ANSWERED,

“I AM your light; I AM your salvation; there is nothing to fear.  You can have confidence in me though an Army of Viruses encircles you because there is a SECRET PLACE in me where you can hide.  I will sit you HIGH UPON A ROCK…I AM THE ROCK!”

If like me, this quarantine threatens to overwhelm you and fear begins to creep in, GET TO HIS PAVILION…there you will find peace and safety on the Rock.

I am praying for each one of you today…for your physical well being and your mental strength as we journey alone, together.

STAND STILL

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/25/20

In prayer this morning….

“My people have prayed for many years, “Lord, send revival.” It has been prophesied many times, “Great Revival is coming.” Yet you were not prepared and you question my methods.

I call upon my people today, as you humble yourself, pray and seek My face, to lay aside every fear; lay aside every anxiety; lay aside every question; STAND AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD!”

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle.  Position yourselves, stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord, who is with you, oh Judah and Jerusalem . Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.

WHY ARE YOU FEARFUL?

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/20/2020

Mark 4:37-39 And a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Master, do you not care that we perish?”  And He arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

40 And He said unto them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

In this passage, Jesus had been teaching the multitudes of people that had gathered.  The Bible tells us that Jesus taught in PARABLES or used stories as examples to teach a PRINCIPLE.  Included in the crowd were His Disciples, the twelve that He had chosen to walk with Him daily.  They walked, they talked, they watched; He taught, He showed them by example and this passage of scripture tells us in verse 34, that when they were alone Jesus even EXPLAINED all things contained in the parables.

Yes, they had a history together; the Disciples obviously believed that Jesus was the “real deal” because they left all to follow Him.  They listened to His teaching and watched as He performed miracles, yet when they faced adversity, when the winds began to blow, as the storm arose, FEAR clouded out all they knew to be true and they were sure they were all ABOUT TO DIE!

BUT…

Jesus wasn’t worried; He was tired and resting peacefully.  THAT IS…until His frightened Disciples ran to the bottom of the boat yelling, “Wake up…We’re all gonna die….You don’t even care.”

THEN….

Jesus, “THE MASTER OF THE WIND; THE MAKER OF THE WAVES,” simply rose and said, “Peace be still.”

Yes, there is a crazy storm going on and for many, the boat is rocking wildly.  We have a HISTORY WITH JESUS.  We’ve experienced the miracles, we’ve heard the teachings, His voice has explained the great mysteries of Truth in whispers to our heart; we are even filled with the Holy Ghost; empowered by God,

YET…

We fear.  The Master is sleeping, the winds are howling, the boat is listing….WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE…”JESUS DON’T YOU CARE?”

And Jesus asks, “Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?  You are my own chosen people, I have walked with you, shown you great things, and filled you with my Spirit…It’s gonna be alright.”

Oh yes, He cares!  And as soon as you call out His Name, He WILL calm YOUR storm.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY AND REST IN JESUS…HE IS NOT WORRIED!

THE SENT CHURCH

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/19/20

Acts 3:6 Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Jesus always intended for the Church to be a “SENT CHURCH” not a “COME TO CHURCH.”

The gathering together was to be a time of encouragement, glorifying God, sharing testimonies and preparing New Christians to BE SENT.  Instead, the CHURCH BECAME AN INSTITUTION, complete with million dollar buildings, million dollar budgets, glitz, glamour, professional bands, smoke and lights.

Our Mission was TO GATHER TOGETHER.  In fact, Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of yourself together,” became a DOCTRINAL STATEMENT…a SALVATIONAL ISSUE…one of the SACRAMENTS…but we forgot the PURPOSE.

You only have to go up one verse, to verse 24 to find that the PURPOSE was NOT in the meeting together, but to PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER TO GOOD WORKS BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SENT!

Oh, we instituted Evangelism Programs; we knocked on doors, handed out tracts, gave away bicycles, preached on rooftops and had candy rains to get people to COME to our gathering, then huddled together like a herd of sheep in the evening, NEVER SENDING OUT TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL!

Instead of being the Hands and Feet of Jesus, we invited our friends and neighbors TO COME and hear; COME and see; COME and learn; COME and be saved…and most of them wondered FOR WHAT? And FROM WHAT?

Imagine for just a moment, Peter and John are going to the Temple to pray…NOT TO GATHER TOGETHER, BUT TO PRAY…At the very Gates of the Temple lies a lame man begging for money.  Why didn’t he go into the Temple?  It was the House of God.  After all, isn’t that where all of the Power resides?  But no, he continued to lie there, begging for kind strangers to drop a few coins in his hands, just to be able to buy enough bread for the evening…

UNTIL…

He encountered a SENT CHURCH.  There would be no Acts 3:6 included in the Bible if Peter had said, “COME into the Temple with me.  We have a Priest that can anoint you after he reads the scrolls. And our architect; our praise singers, our altar will wow you so much that you will forget you can’t walk.”

BUT NO…PETER HAD BEEN SENT...He was filled with the Power of the Holy Ghost and carrying the Authority of the Name of Jesus…so the story has a very different ending…the man was no longer lame.

So we come to March 2020, our buildings are shuttered, our singers are silent and our gatherings have been limited…BUT THAT WAS NEVER THE CHURCH.

WE; the Redeemed; the Blood-washed; those filled with the Holy Spirit….WE ARE THE CHURCH and WE HAVE BEEN SENT!

SO GO…fulfill the Great Commission.  Live the Gospel to your neighbors; make sure they are okay and have the things they need during this trying time.  Smile at that person at the grocery store and give them 1 of the packages of toilet paper you have piled in your cart.  Thank the clerk as she scans your purchases. Tip the restaurant waitress that brings the takeout to your car.  Find someone who could seriously use Divine Intervention and PRAY with them, then pray for them the next day and the next, then follow up…check on them, so they know that they are not forgotten because you and Jesus love them.  Share a testimony with someone.  They don’t have to COME to Church to hear of the Goodness of God in your life…YOU’VE BEEN SENT!

REVIVAL IS HERE…GOD IS REVIVING HIS CHURCH SO SHE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE SENT!

GO!