Thursday, February 25, 2010
Captives set free
I pray that we would open our hearts to Him and receive the revelation of how He sees us and how deeply He loves each one of us. When we fully know Gods love we can fully give it. His love is the tool He uses to bring us freedom, then God can use us to help others break free.
A few days back Carl posted Isaiah 58:6-7 "Is not this the fast that I choose, to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?... I believe it is an important verse for us too. Along with Isaiah 61:1 (said again in Luke 4:18). "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty those who are oppressed".
Years ago I attended prayer meetings that a man named Leonard Ravenhill would lead.
This was one of his favorite songs and has become one of mine.
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!"
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!
Hymn written by Samuel Trevor Francis (1875)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Love rollercoaster
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
EEEWWWW!
That's how I feel the fast has been going for me this year. I started out the fast praying, "God, make us who you want us to be. Give us the strength, wisdom, and courage to do all that you want us to do this year." Unfortunately, as God was moving things around He uncovered a few messy spots: bad attitudes, sinful behavior....EEWWWW! How embarrassing. How did THAT get there? I was expecting to have some wonderful revelation from God and see Him do incredible things in the church, but I feel like I can't do anything until I clean up this mess.
It feels like, in preparation for all that God wants to do, I've had to do a little cleaning of my heart and life. A little disappointing and ego deflating I guess, but I'm sure I'll enjoy my new room.:)
That's life in the FAST lane.(get it?)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
ALMOST HALF-WAY HOME
We are almost half-way through our corporate fast.
We are on a journey. When our journey ends, we really won’t be home. Not our Heavenly home anyway…(of course, I don’t know God’s plans so…we could all be surprised!) But we will have completed our corporate fast. What will God reveal to us – individually and as a body? What will we learn? Will everything be clear or will we still be in the watchtower, awaiting a sign?
Maybe a better question is: Have we been listening? I have been and I am sorry to say I have no great revelations to share with you. I don’t know where we are headed and I don’t yet know what direction to go. I do know that we will probably take a few detours and go down a few wrong paths before we reach our destination, but when we do reach it, we will know that we have found the right answer. I also know that if we are faithful, if we are patient and if we listen, God will reveal his plan to us – in his time. We just need to stay faithful and keep fasting and praying. The answer will come. I pray that I have the patience to wait for it.
"Men listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel." Job 29:21 (NIV)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Infinite joy is offered us
Monday, February 15, 2010
Isaiah on fasting
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Rick
One week into the Fast and so far I feel like maybe I'm just going through the Motions. I take time each day during lunch from playing Spider Solitaire and spend time to pray and read devotionals instead but I feel a half seriousness about my intentions. I feel like if I were having a conversation with God during this week it would have been something like:
Me: Lord, show me what you want of me through this Fast
Lord: Rick, I already told you but you were not listening
Me: But Lord I'm tired and the load seems too heavy
Lord: Rick, I have walked with you every step of the way
Me: But Lord, I'm struggling so much myself and I have so little to give
Lord: Rick, I've blessed you greatly and you have much to give
Me: But Lord, it seems so little and insignificant
Lord: That's why the fast is corporate - it's not about you, it's about the church
Me: But, but, but
I heard something on KTIS recently about how our but's can be too big and right now I think that may be my problem - my but is too big. I am going to try to be more intentional with my fast from here on out and starting with prayer. I have a prayer for our church I pray each Sunday on the way to church - I have a lot of time and so far it's not illegal to pray and drive. The prayer has roots from Exodus 3:12 - 18 and I plan to pray this prayer every day of the fast instead of just on Sunday.
Lord, Thank you for Cornerstone and a place to seek your presence. Those of us that have been here have found a place where we have experienced your healing hand upon us, where we have seen you perform miracles, we have heard the truth of your word spoken, we have praised you in worship and you have been faithful to lead us through many difficult times. We have grown to know you as an awesome, faithful and loving God. And Lord, we stand before you now with many difficult decisions and questions so Lord, I ask that you would fill our minds with wisdom to make the correct decisions, fill our hearts with love to show compassion to others, put your words on our lips so that we may speak the truth of your work and speak encouraging words to one another. Lord I pray that you would be so present among us that others would see this as a church that seeks the Lord, that others would come to this place to seek your healing, to hear the truth of your word spoken, to praise you in worship and to know you as a Mighty God who loves them. And Lord I pray that we would not confine you to the walls that make up our church but that we would walk with you into the cities, across our great country and into all nations to proclaim the truth of your word, your hope and your joy to all people. Lord we are your church, we are your people! Lord show us your Glory! I pray to my Father in Heaven by the Power of the Spirit and in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Day 6 Amazing Grace
"We need a coat with two pockets. In one pocket there is dust,
and in the other pocket there is gold. We need a coat with two
pockets to remind us of who we are."
Hasidic Tale
Friday, February 12, 2010
Day 5 A Spirit controlled mind
I've decided to give up sweets during our fast along with being more intentional with how I spend my time. Its been a joy to go off to a quite place to read and not have my time with God be so rushed. Why does it take a corporate fast to inspire me? I don't know - but I'm thankful. I pray God will bless all of our efforts and direct our paths.
Romans 8:5 (amplified version)
For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Day 4 Just a Trim Please
The challenge for me is always making it more than just a check on my to-do list and actually seeking a deeper relationship with God, trying to hear his voice, and finding the strength and courage to do whatever he says. For example when I take the time to ask God to fix a situation in my life, maybe a hormonal teenager, insufficient funds, attacking dust bunnies, or a bad hair week, if I actually listen, I'll hear, "What you really need is to work on your heart." There I sit thinking, "But I'm not getting my prayers answered!" In reality he's always right and my situation is always better if I just relax and let him change me. Which really never happens because I'm not the kind of person who just sits still and lets God change me. I tend to be like a small child getting a haircut who is 'only moving a tiny bit', insanely bothered by all the itchy hair, or 'just trying to help'. I gave My first grader a haircut this afternoon so this is all very fresh in my mind. There is really no way for him to help except to just sit still and do what I say! I too find it very difficult to just sit still, do what I'm told, and let God take care of things. So, I guess the control freak inside me likes to fast and pray because it helps me focus more on God than on my problems.
I believe God is always doing great things in our lives, but I believe that fasting and prayer positions us to receive more of what God wants for us, especially if we are open to what He wants us to do. I'm very excited about the things that God is doing and will continue to do as the people of Cornerstone corporately humble themselves to seek God's will.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Day Three
Fasting. Growing up Catholic, what I knew about fasting was all about food and was mainly associated with Lent. Fasting was also required before taking communion. When I was very young we used to fast from food starting at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday in order to receive communion on Sunday morning. That meant no breakfast before Mass. As I grew older, the church changed this requirement to a one hour fast before taking communion. Lenten fasting (and abstinence) rules also changed with the times. Isn’t it funny (sad, typical) how man changes things to accommodate himself and his selfishness? So I've asked myself, was this God’s intent for what fasting is meant to accomplish? The Bible talks about fasting – but always connected with prayer and becoming closer to God. (I couldn’t find anything about fasting before receiving communion. hmmmm…)
Maybe what God really wants is for us to fast so that we can minimize the distractions that deter us from being in prayer and becoming ever closer to Him. Fasting might just mean purposely dedicating time for God and God alone. I don’t think that necessarily means not eating food, although it certainly could. In Biblical times, there wasn’t much else to give up. For us, it might mean giving up something else – an activity, TV, social media, video games. So that’s the fasting part. Dedicated, purposeful prayer is what should result. Prayer replaces what we give up. Is it hard to fast? Sure! Nothing worth achieving is accomplished without work. I believe that the however small sacrifice I make will allow the time I spend each and every day throughout our corporate fast to provide me with maximum refreshment and rest in The Lord. He will grant me strength to make it through. I will turn my eyes and my heart to The Lord and watch Him do marvelous things for Cornerstone!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Day 2 of The Fast--Should this be so difficult?
A Battle
Would you pray for Dillon, Tori, Anna, Chris and Ozzy as I meet with them on Wednesday evening. How amazing is it that just when we start to fast and pray that God decides to use me in this way. Pray that God will deliver these kids from the evil one. Pray that they will give their lives over to His control. Pray that I will be led by the Holy Spirit in everything that I say and do during this meeting.
To God Be The Glory!!