Prayer based on Ephesians 2

Lord, I accept your gracious Word. I believe what you have done for me. In humble faith I do now take my seat in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus at your right hand. Teach me how to fulfill this sacred ministry, how to exercise the authority which you have entrusted to me. Train me day by day that i may attain to the full stature of the perfect man in Christ, so that in me your purpose of the ages may be fulfilled. In Jesus name! Amen! 

One Prayer 2009

Lifechurch.tv launched the website for One Prayer 2009! If you don't know anything about it, it was something lifechuch.tv did last year and were joined by several thousand churches as they came together and prayed for several different things. 

If you are a Pastor you might really want to check it out and be a part of it! Take a few minutes and check it out!

Fellowship with God

Here are the notes from the first prayer school during consecration:

How do we develop the fellowship with God?

1. We put our faith in God. Mark 11:22, I John 5:14-15
   
2. When we communicate with God in prayer, we have the assurance, the belief that He hears us when we talk to Him. 
   
3. The first step of faith becomes the building block for the next step of faith, which leaves that step with God, and steps out in obedience. Matthew 17:20
   
4. We do not put our faith in our own ability, talent or possessions. We must become lovers of God. Separating ourselves from the thing or things that distract us from loving Him totally.  2 Timothy 3:1-5
   
5. When our hunger is lacking for God, then our prayers are more from the head rather than the heart, and lack deoth. 
   
6. Fellowship with God should move beyond the mechanics of prayer, beyond just the principles of prayer, to the spirit of prayer. 
   
7. Our faith is not knowing the principles only, but knowing the person behind the principals. 1 Timothy 1:12, Phil. 3:7-11
8. Faith and fellowship with God builds a healthy relationship of one heart interacting with another heart. 
9. God intended for us to experience a prayer-inspiring relationship with Him while on earth.
10. More than just endlessly existing as a believer, but experiencing eternal life to the fullest.

Pitfalls (that destroy our fellowship with God)

1. Ministry - being driven by the role and making things happen, tempts us to forgo the "passive" pursuit in spending time with God. 
2. Work related duties - extensive reading and paperwork on the job compel us to forgo reading The Bible. 
3. Full time ministry - For some of us the only time we use the Bible is to counsel, sermon preparation and ministry work. The Bible becomes a textbook rather than the living Word of God!
4. Substituting our public prayer for personal conversation wit God. 

How to avoid pitfalls

1. Evaluate how much time you set aside to spend with God (is it quality time or rushed?)
2. Does my fellowship with God face many intrusions? (Setting aside the right time in my day to avoid interruption)
3. Measuring my moment in prayer with God. Develop a habit of journaling. 

Our faith and fellowship keep us connected to the Father. Acts 27:21-25

 

Boldness to pursue

Here are the main points from Sunday (1/4/09)

Hebrews 10:19-25, 1 Samuel 30:1-10, 17-20.

4 principles:

1. David believed the Word God gave him to pursue.

2. David believed that God had and God would make a way for his pursuit.

• The enemy were slowed down because of the spoils.
  
• David had nothing to slow him down. Sometimes we need to be stripped off everything so that we can pursue at full speed!!
  
• God sent others to David to come in agreement. Matt 18:19,20 Deuteronomy. 32:30

3. David believed that he would find what he was looking for.

• A warrior-king always presupposes/speaks/declares that victory will be his!!
  
• Jesus said count the cost and see if you will win!
  
• Psalm 34:13-14.
  
• Pursue the peace of God
  
• Pursue Godly conversation.
  
• Pursue good works. Do the right thing.

4. David believed he had the strength to pursue the enemy.

• He knew God would keep his word!
  
• Verse 23
  

Consecration 2009

Today is the kick off day for consecration at my church. My Pastor/Bishop will be talking about Pursuing God for a few weeks. Really good stuff! So for the next couple of weeks I will be posting the main points from the messages on Sunday and prayer school which will be held every Wednesday afternoon. If you live in the Hampton Roads in Virginia then come and join us!

Very excited and expecting God to move in a BIG way!!