2011/ Day 21: Thank You!

To all my fasting friends, I want to THANK YOU for walking this spiritual journey with me. It doesn't matter what you fasted and for how long, but that you honored God and were obedient to His invitation to draw closer. Thank you!

As I’ve looked in Scriptures, I have not found a place where God said ‘Thank You’ to anyone for what they did. If God was going to say thank you, it would probably be found in Hebrews 11, but it’s not there. What we do find are different phrases spoken by the Holy Spirit concerning those who believed God and obeyed His directives.

Note with me just a few…

Abel…he was commended as a righteous man (vs. 4)

Enoch…he was commended as one who pleased God (vs. 5)

Noah…became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith (vs. 7)

Abraham…received the promise (vs. 17)

God didn’t have to say Thank You to appreciate what His faithful followers did. He just acknowledged them! Wow, just think, God knows me! He sees, hears, understands, and works with me. What more can I ask for!

Why did I fast these 21 days? To get a ‘thank you’ from God? To impress you? Did I do it because I’m the pastor? I sure hope not. Why does anyone do anything for God? To please Him! I just want my Heavenly Father to know that it’s Him that matters to me and that I’m willing and ready to do what He expects from His children.

Hebrews 11:39 says; “They were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Do you see the reason? Right at the end of the verse, “they would be made perfect.” If this fast has brought more perfection to your faith, then trust me, that’s what our God was after. One day, it won’t be ‘thank you’ that we hear from our God, but “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 20: Was It Worth It?

There are many biblical principles which don’t make common sense. Things like: the weak are strong (11 Corinthians 12:10), the last are first (Mark 10:31), the humble are exalted (Luke 1:52), and give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38).

Fasting seems to me to fit exactly with this concept. Giving up food, TV, computers, internet access, newspapers, exercise routine, are just a few of the things that I’ve hear individuals in our congrgation have relinquished to get closer to the Lord. But does it work all the time? Does God have to respond? Is this just an old spiritual discipline still touted in our modern society?

Those questions are all grounded in one simple belief: Do you believe God’s Word is infallible? The term infallible means: “incapable of error, not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint, incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals.” (Merriam-Webster dictionary)

Everything I do as a follower of Jesus rests on whether or not I believe what I read in the Bible. This post-modern culture tells me there are no absolutes to be trust in. The culture holds fast to the belief that the strong always overtake the weak, the last can never be first, the humble will never be exalted, and keeping makes you richer.

God isn’t afraid of my doubts. In fact, He encourages me to test Him (Malachi 3:10). If there is one truth I’ve learned in my fasting, it is that faith and fasting go hand in hand! I serve a God who requires my faith to be activated if I’m going to please and receive from Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Has this fasting done any good? Absolutely!  These 21 days have been a personal investment in developing my faith and I know I’m stronger than when I started. It’s reinforced my faith, strengthened my commitment, satisfied my soul, and crushed my flesh. Did I like it? Not every day. But, has it been worth it? Without a doubt!

Oh, by the way, I can say like Paul, “I can do everything (including fasting 21 days) through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 19: Lost & Found

When I hear the phrase Lost & Found, I immediately think of a location where things that are forgotten or abandoned are brought so that they can be recovered by their owner.  The problem with most Lost & Founds is that few items are ever recovered.  They’re just left and forgotten.  In our disposable society, we often quickly replace anything we’ve lost without trying to recover the original.

I learned a very significant lesson Wednesday night in our Oasis meeting.  As is my custom, I try to greet everyone personally who attends.  As I was walking through the gym, I met a real “Lost & Found” person.  Not a pair of glasses, forgotten Bible, purse or jacket, but a live Lost & Found soul!

It was a quick greeting only to be followed up with an extended email the next day (Thursday).  This story of Lost & Found is no different from a forgotten cell phone or misplaced wallet.  “I attended Calvary many years ago.  I left, but I don’t know why.  I guess my life challenges turned me to abuses that I’m not proud to admit.  And it happened; I just got lost.” As the email continued, this individual spoke of walking away from the music, the relationships, and especially Jesus. 

But then it happened, the lost was found again after believing that they would never again find the peace that comes from being in right relationship with the Savior!  This past Wednesday, they described being Found!  They were not discarded by God.  Jesus led them back and they realized that He loved them all the time.

It dawned on me that I’m really responsible for the Lost & Found Department at Calvary.  It’s my responsibility to reunite lost man with his owner, God the Father.  What an awesome privilege!

Did they come because of my fasting?  I don’t know.  Could I have prayed them in?  Maybe… or maybe your prayers did.  What really matters is that the Kingdom of God believes that those who are Lost can be Found.  (Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:32)

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George  

2011/ Day 18: Bait and Switch

Don't you hate it when the old bait-and-switch scheme is pulled on you?  Cheryl spoke with a local business and was promised a significant discount on a product.  When we arrived at the business and spoke with the service provider this morning, they couldn't and wouldn't honor the offer.  Bummer!!!

This experience had me wondering if I have ever done the bait-and-switch with people.  When I was growing up, a man’s honor was his word, but has that been true of me?

As I walked out of that business this morning, I also asked myself, "Have I ever done the old bait-and-switch with God?"  Have I made promises to Him and then not kept them because it wasn't convenient or comfortable in my situation? 

Did you see American Idol last night (Wed. 1/26)?  The very last contestant was a young man who was engaged to be married.  Two weeks before the wedding, his fiancée was in a terrible automobile accident, which left her with severe brain damage.  When asked why he stayed in the relationship, he replied, "I was just two weeks away from making the promise to love her for better or worse, and I couldn't walk away from her in the time she needed me the most!"  Wow! There was no bait-and-switch love with that guy.  (By the way, he's going to Hollywood!)

Thinking about that young man’s story, I asked another question: "Has God ever done the bait-and-switch with me?" ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!  I can't remember a time when either God or His Word has offered me something and then not come through.  Read Hebrews 6:13-20 to be reminded that we don't serve a bait-and-switch kind of God. 

The $64,000 question is made clear to me again: "Will I be a man of my word?"  If I'm a bait-and-switch kind of person, will I allow the Holy Spirit to change my heart and make me like the One I serve?  While fasting and praying today, would you join me and take time to ask the Holy Spirit if we've got bait-and-switch tendencies?  If we do, let's ask forgiveness so that we can be people of our word!

I'll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George   

2011/ Day 17: Do-Da-Dippidy

I am seldom impressed by television commercials, but one has grabbed my attention.  It's a new car commercial presented by hamsters.  Yes, you heard me right, hamsters.  They are promoting the KIA Soul and it’s the jingle that's so catchy!  Watch it now if you have never seen it. The rapping hamsters declare, "You can get with this, or you can get with that," but it's the comparisons you must contend with.  When they sing “You can get with this...” you see the new KIA Soul. When they say “You can get with that...” you see two hamsters in a box or toaster.  Who wouldn't want "this" rather than "that”?

The Holy Spirit is singing the same jingle to us every day.  As our guide, He constantly is revealing the effects of choices in my life (John 15) .  Simply put, I can choose life or death, blessing or curse, power or defeat, truth or lies.  My free will is truly mine.  All the Holy Spirit can do is remind me of what the Word of God has said is mine, depending on my choices. 

Like so many others, I often make my choices and later think about the consequences.  Spiritual maturity teaches us to think first before we act.  How many difficult situations would have been different in my life IF only I would have had the singing hamsters’ jingle in my head showing me the comparison, "You can get with this or you can get with that..."?

I will choose only those things that perfect my SOUL! 

I'll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 16: Seekers

I am finding that these days of fasting are bringing clarity to my thoughts.  I can’t explain it, but it just seems like life is becoming more simplified as the days proceed.  Trust me, I’m not complaining.  My life seems to be in perpetual motion and this is good.

Today I asked myself, "What am I searching for?  Will I know it when I’ve found it?"  There are a lot of things I wanted to add to my list of goals at the beginning of the fast, but I’ve found it better to allow the Holy Spirit to set in my heart the desire and then pursue what my Lord desires for me. 

I love the Word and the way the Holy Spirit led its penmen to capture the heart of God for people and churches.  If you read the beginning of each letter to the New Testament churches, you will find commendations for certain things.  I was impressed by what Paul commended the Thessalonians for!  “We continually remember…your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

It took me a moment after reading this verse to think about what Paul didn’t commend them for.  Honestly, it seems like they were not doing very much. In fact, I asked myself why he didn’t commend them for the things we think of as outwardly spiritual: healings, miracles, fostering a spirit of revival, multitudes of converts, and other outward manifestations of things we believe a church ought to be witnessing. 

Not so fast! Maybe these things were happening and we just don’t know it.  And then again, maybe they weren’t. What really caused Paul to feel encouraged was the fact that this church was active in what pleased God!  Take a moment and ponder the three statements:

·         Work produced by Faith

·         Labor prompted by Love

·         Endurance inspired by Hope

Question…Were any of these three on the list of what you wanted to receive from the Lord when you started your fast?  If not, why?  And, how are you doing in these areas?  It takes as much power of the Holy Spirit to cultivate Faith, Hope and Love as it does to see one of the outwardly spiritual things mentioned on my earlier list.  I don’t have to be a super saint to receive a compliment from God and neither do you. Let’s seek what Paul’s friends in Thessalonica sought--the Heart of God.

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 15: Betrayed

Have you ever been betrayed?  I have and it feels horrible!  People who you thought would always be there for you have turned their back on you.  Sometimes, they are more than friends, they are compatriots.  You have fought a few battles together and celebrated the victories, only to find out something bigger than your friendship got in the way.  Now, they are gone and you’re alone.

It’s Biblical!  Paul wrote to Timothy (II Timothy 4) about betrayal and even named names.  Demas and Alexander were at one time fellow workers with him, only to be drawn away by a love for the world rather than deepening their love for Christ. 

I started this fast with some personal spiritual directives.  I have made God aware of them through my prayer and meditation times.  I must admit, my greatest desire is that I will emerge out of these 21 days LOVING Jesus more than ever!  I have daily renewed my commitment to serve the Lord with gladness and obey His Word and the Holy Spirit in my life and ministry.  I don’t want my name ever mentioned as a spiritual traitor like Demas and Alexander.

Paul described what traitors are like; “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (II Tim. 4:3-4).

My duty…“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage---with great patience and careful instruction” (II Tim. 4:2). 

This is my prayer for today and I invite you to join me in it.

Lord, today I will patiently live and trust your Word, doing as it instructs me.  You called me and I will faithfully obey.  Thank you for individuals who have not nor will not betray me, because they love you as much as I do!  May your Holy Spirit empower your Church today!  Amen

I’ll see you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 14: Do You Listen To Your Dreams?

The experts say we all dream every night.  Personally, I don’t remember 99% of mine, but last night’s was so vivid and the message was loud and clear.  Luke said we would have spiritual dreams (Acts 2:17), so when they come, we better listen.

In my dream, Cheryl and I were living in a rented house.  There was a small leak in the bathroom and we called the landlord to send a repairman.  When he arrived, he went immediately to the problem and we left him alone.  All of a sudden, the end of the house opened and a big machine drove through the room, tearing out the bathroom.  I tried to explain that the problem was small, but the man wouldn’t listen.  Suffice it to say, he tore the house up, took the wall paper off the walls, removed the carpet, and destroyed the whole house. When he was done, the house was a pile of junk.

When I awoke this morning, it was as if the Holy Spirit was saying loudly, “When fixing a problem, be careful who you select to work on the problem with you.  Someone with no experience on the problem can and will destroy what you do on the project.”

How precious and thoughtful Jesus was to give us the Holy Spirit to be our guide in this life (John 14:15-17)!  The Holy Spirit is not just in the world, but Jesus promised He would live inside each of us.  I need the Holy Spirit!  I’m faced with challenges in life and in the church that can’t be explained or reasoned humanly, but the Spirit knows and will guide me and each of us as we listen to the Expert. 

In this last week of fasting, don’t slide into autopilot, but remember the Holy Spirit can be grieved, quenched and resisted.  Invite Him to be your Architect, Builder, Repairman, and Boss…you won’t regret it, and your life will not be torn up in the process!

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 13: Something You Don’t Know About Me!

How much do you know about me?

· My favorite colors? Blue & Brown

· My favorite meal? Hamburgers

· My favorite exercise? Running

· My favorite Bible passage? Psalm 139:13-17

· My favorite music? Smooth Jazz and Southern Gospel

Are you surprised by any of my answers? All of those are pieces of who I am, but what you really need to know about George Cope is that I am a diligent person. Don’t tell me I can’t do something unless you’re ready to be proven wrong. I believe that this trait came from my learning disability background and from being told you “won’t make it,” or “you just aren’t smart enough.” If you hear that long enough, you’ll fight to prove people wrong. It took a while, but I found my educational way and earned a doctorate degree, have you?

Now don’t get me wrong. That last statement isn’t meant to be cocky, but a matter-of-fact statement. How could I do it? Diligence! Dr. Mark Rutland in his book, Character Matters, gives four faces to the virtue of diligence:

1. Diligence means constancy. Temporary obedience is disobedience.

2. Diligence means instant. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

3. Diligence means exactitude. Partial obedience is disobedience.

4. Diligence is observant care. Careless obedience is disobedience.

He concludes by saying, “Diligence is the responsible, orderly, steady application of God’s power within me toward whatever responsibility is mine.”

During this prayer and fasting season, expect God to speak to you concerning increased spiritual responsibility. We are not doing this solely as a spiritual discipline, but for the purpose of increasing spiritual purpose in our lives. This is not an exercise in futility, but one of spiritual proportions that will manifest to others your spiritual diligence.

When these 21 days are over, what will people know about you that they don’t know now? You think about that and apply these truths to your life!

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 12: My First Thought Today!

I’m not sure how you wake up in the morning, but when I do, my thoughts are vibrant and alive. I’m not one of those groggy kinds of people that takes four cups of coffee and two hours to get going. I’m a morning person and I love my early quiet time.

This morning my very first thought was, “The devil doesn’t like you fasting and praying!” Not a voice, but my spirit was sensitive to impending danger. My mind went immediately to when Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to fast and pray forty days prior to the start of His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). Notice the words, “he was hungry.”

Satan didn’t come until the end of Jesus' time in the wilderness when his body was on edge, hungry, lonely, and weak. If that’s how Satan dealt with Jesus, do you think his strategy would be any different with us? What is my weakest link? Where do I find myself fragile spiritually? Protect it!

The Word of God is my only defense against Satan’s sure attack during this spiritual season. Jesus said to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane; “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is wiling, but the body (flesh) is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 11: I've Got A Confession To Make!

I'm selfish!  That's right, I'm selfish.  I must confess, I'm really ashamed of myself, BUT I'm so glad the Holy Spirit has brought it to my attention so I can make this confession and get it resolved.

I became aware of my selfishness yesterday while preparing for the Oasis gathering.  I was sitting quietly when the Holy Spirit prompted me to read Isaiah 58 and boom...there it was.  Has that ever happened to you--your eyes opened to something you weren’t expecting to see?  

God spoke to me through the prophet's word to Israel, telling the people why their fasting was not acceptable to Him.  But I had to read it in the Message translation… (please stop and read Isaiah 58 right now.)

It wasn't so much the directness of God's accusations, but the fact that I have only thought of fasting as something personal.  I think you know what I mean: what was the fast going to do to change me?  What did the Spirit want to reveal to me for my betterment?  Was I going to come out of my fasting stronger and more powerful?

Isaiah 58 changed all of that!  When you read it, did you see what I saw?  God was saying to Israel, “I want you to take action to change certain things”.  It wasn't about sitting and waiting in God's presence, but getting involved in changing society.

I confess I haven't done that and I'm NOT proud of myself.  I've expected God to do the changing, but He has chosen you and me to involve ourselves in cultural transformation.  

Today, I've been asking the Holy Spirit to show me where I must take action in one of the eight directives given.  Will you join me?  Let’s turn our fasting into acting on what concerns the Heart of God!

I'll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George 

2011/ Day 10: If One Is The Loneliest Number, What Does That Make Ten?

Today is a personal milestone for you and me!  A milestone, as you know, is an event of significance.

Why would I say that?  Jesus’ instruction to fast (read Matt. 6:16-18) wasn’t just a directive without purpose.  And the purpose wasn’t meant to be public.  Fasting was between the faster and their Heavenly Father.  I entered this fast anticipating that something of spiritual significance would occur because of my obedience. 


Today is Day 10. The number 10 has Biblical meaning.  It “deals with completeness that happens in a divine order or completed during a course of time.”  According to the number, something has been completed in our fasting season that God knows, whether He reveals it to us or not.  Based on biblical numerology, we have achieved our first spiritual milestone.  You have not gone ten days for nothing!  God has been at work and continues to work according to your faith and discipline. 

Our next milestone will be Day 20.  The number twenty “deals with the expectancy of things happening with a great magnitude.”  Notice how moving forward in our dedication will accomplish things of great magnitude.  Again, that’s why the Holy Spirit instructed Paul to write; “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). 

Why 21 days of fasting?  The number twenty-one has the meaning which “deals with a Divine Completion.”  Though I don’t know what God is doing in your and my situations, I know His plans are for something divine to be accomplished and it will only occur as I keep my focus on obedience.

We’ve made it this far! We’re half way through, so don’t give up now… you’re walking in divine order which will produce something of great magnitude when it is completed in God’s time!

I’ll meet you at the Throne,
Pastor George

2011/ Day 9: Muddy Paws

This morning I was reminded of an event that took place when I was really young and we had a dog. One day, after my mother had put clean, starched, white sheets on the bed, the dog came into the house with muddy paws and jumped on that bed. Without discussing it with my father or the family, my mother sold the dog that very day! 

Be very careful before you judge my mother.  She’s my mother.  I would agree, as she does today, that it was an extreme decision and action.  But you do not have to wonder which was more important to my mother; it was the clean sheets!  Fortunately, I was too young to feel the loss.  As a family, we still give Mom a hard time every now and then about her quick and reactionary decision.

Do you ever feel like you’re walking around spiritually with muddy feet and wonder if God will react to you the same way?  Without a doubt, God wants our lives to be clean from the muck and mire of sin and worldliness, but what is His way of dealing with that? Certainly not by disowning us!

Our season of fasting, prayer and meditation allows us to see ourselves from a much different perspective.  My muddiness isn’t sinfulness or disobedience all the time, but could very well be the trials of life or situations God allows for the perfection of my faith.  Peter wrote; “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith---of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Living on this planet often feels like I’m walking in mud!  But these muddy trials will NOT cause Christ to disown me, because He uses them to refine me so that I will bring “praise, glory and honor” to Him.

Some verses to wash your mud off with…

“…To make her (the church) holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.  And to present her (the church) to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  Ephesians 5:26-27

“…Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.”  Psalms 51:7

“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”  1 Cor. 6:11

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 8: What God’s Word and Bread DON’T Have in Common!

I often find myself saying as I begin my daily time with Jesus, “Lord, I need a fresh word from you!”  The meaning of my request is simply, "Give me something I haven’t seen or understood for the situation or circumstances I’m facing in life or ministry today!"

Though I don’t believe my intentions are wrong when I make this request, I often forget the magnitude of the God I serve.  Some questions may be helpful in understanding what I mean.

·         Isn’t God omniscient, knowing all things?

·         Hasn’t He worked with millions of individuals before me?

·         Doesn’t He know the basic issues of humanity, including mine?

·         Doesn’t God know everything about my life?

·         Are my situations beyond what God has instructed in His Word?

·         Will the Holy Spirit speak to me personally today?

When I take the time to process these realities of God, I find that an attentive ear and open heart will always find freshness for my soul.  A word God spoke two or three thousand years ago can be as fresh for the soul as one spoken today.  It’s when life’s circumstance and God’s Truth meet that you receive something fresh. 

Never equate God’s Word with a loaf of bread.  After a few days, bread becomes hard and stale, but God’s Word remains fresh and tasty after thousands of years.  Keep eating God’s Word during this fast and you will understand as Jesus did, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” (John 4:32).  

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 7: The Joy of Fasting!

Have you ever given much thought to what really brings you joy?  If you have, then I’m sure your list, like mine, is one of delightful things: a relaxing day off on the beach, a date night out without the kids, two week vacation from work; you know, the good stuff! 

But, have you ever thought of fasting as a joyous event, one you are privileged to do? For that matter, have you felt that way about any spiritual discipline?  If the word discipline is attached, then for most of us, it sounds unattractive, boring and unbeneficial.  This morning, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Hebrews 12:2-3, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Is this verse saying what I think it's saying, that Jesus saw joy in the cross?  That He accepted the cross as a good thing?  He wasn’t finding joy in comfort and ease, but in doing the will of His Father!

Wow, that changes some things for me! If giving up life’s luxuries (food, time, pleasures, cookies and ice cream, extra sleep) can bring joy, I want that kind of attitude.  Fasters can easily begin to feel we’re “super saints” because of our willpower to say ‘no’.  Sometimes, I have had the random thought, “How fortunate God is to have me,” and all the time doing my spiritual duty in a less than joyous way.  My focus has been on my sacrifice for His service, rather than the attitude of Jesus who, for joy, endured.

Fasting, for me, is doing more than just counting days and intensifying my prayer and meditation.  It’s confronting my humanity driven by my fleshly desire to be comfortable and content.  I don’t want to end these 21 days with the feeling, "I made it!"  I want these 21 days to awaken a spiritual part of me that I have never touched before, releasing a greater faith and joy in my life, marriage and ministry.  The Holy Spirit is telling me it’s time to move from a desire for comfort to a readiness to bear a painful cross when required.  I will do it gladly because I've learned through fasting and prayer to not allow anything to make me grow weary and lose heart.

I’ll meet you at the Throne,

Pastor George

2011/ Day 6: A Test Between Feelings and Faith!

Let’s be honest!  Somewhere over the past six days, you’ve said to yourself (because you wouldn’t dare want people to think you’re not spiritual), “This is CRAZY!”  Now, before you think I’m just writing words, I’ll tell you, I’ve said it too!  OK, there you have it. I may not be as spiritual as you think, BUT I am honest.  I fight my feelings and faith big time, just like you.

So what do we do when our feelings and faith start fighting?  Remember the very foundation of why we started this fast in the first place.  I didn’t do this to diet; that’s a wrong motive.  I didn’t do it because a lot of others are doing it; that would just be religious.  This isn’t some hollow religious exercise; my God is personal and has purpose for all of His directives. 


I entered this season of fasting because I believe God’s promises.  Have you read 2 Peter 1:3-4 lately?  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

E.M. Bounds, the great prayer warrior of a century past, said, “Without the promise, prayer is eccentric and baseless.  Without prayer, the promise is dim, voiceless, shadowy, and impersonal.” 

Now, what’s that got to do with you and me?  Everything!  As you spend quiet time today in prayer and continuing your fast, I want you to remember ALL the promises God has made throughout Scripture to His followers:  Abraham, I’ll make you a father.  Hannah, you will give birth to a son.  Nation of Israel, you will see Jerusalem again as your own.  World, I’m sending the Messiah.  Church, you will receive power from the Holy Spirit. 

But let me leave you with a promise from Ezekiel 36, as the prophet speaks to a people with spiritually hard hearts:  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God” (Ez. 36:26-28). 

Your fasting will be attacked by your feelings, but don’t give up.  There’s something great at stake as you pray for family, friends, jobs, finance, the church, power, hope, encouragement, peace; and the list goes on and on.  You’re going to get the promise of a new heart and the Holy Spirit’s power.  That should be enough to win the battle between feelings and faith. 

Keep fighting, Soldier of the Cross…VICTORY is ours in Jesus’ Name!

I’ll meet you at the Throne…

Pastor George 

2011/ Day 5: Imitators: Good or Bad?

In my daily devotions this morning, I read again the Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthian church. In 1 Corinthians  11:1 he writes, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  Several translations translate the word ‘example’ as imitate.

It got me thinking about the concept of imitating.  When I was a kid, we would make fun of people by imitating their kooky or crazy actions.  We would act like them and then laugh, thinking we were cool. Now I know how hurtful that can be.  Still, my favorite venue at Sea World is the sea lion exhibit.  It’s not just the sea lions, but the mime that performs prior to the show.  He imitates people as they come into the stadium for the show and people love him!  He makes me laugh like crazy, although I’m glad he’s never caught me, yet!

Paul genuinely asked the Corinthians to follow him and do as he did as he imitated Christ. He understood that our actions and attitudes should be just like Jesus.  Do you want to know if you are lining up spiritually?  Ask yourself, “Did Jesus do it?”  I know the WWJD bracelets are old news and mostly out of style, but the concept is correct.  Paul knew that imitating Jesus was the right thing to do. 

When Jesus is your Savior, you want Him to shine in and through you at all times.  Jesus understood the value of fasting and prayer. May we find that what we are doing during these 21 days is exactly what Jesus would be doing!  Like Jesus, we should be praying for spiritual discernment, seeking guidance about who to touch with the Kingdom message today, sensitizing our hearts to what issues must be addressed now, and wanting to please our heavenly Father in everything that we do.  We are more able to do all these things, and much more, when we fast and pray.

We can imitate bad things or choose to imitate good…it’s your choice. As Paul says, “imitate Jesus”. Your world will be a better place when you do!

I’ll meet you at the throne,

Pastor George  

Don't Forget to Rest

Aren't you glad that when God created the world He put in a day of rest? (Gen. 2:3)  He understood from the beginning that man would have a hard time making himself rest, so He ordered a day for nothing other than to selah (pause & reflect). 

Today is Cheryl’s and my Sabbath, the day we rest from our daily routine.  For six days, I give myself to God's work, but Thursdays, I let my body, mind, and spirit rest from the pressures of life and ministry.  In a culture that never stops, our loving heavenly Father preordained the necessity of every human being having to recharge their batteries.

When you fast from food, you are allowing your body’s digestive system to rest from its normal routine.  And if you're fasting something other than food, you are resting your senses from the normal stimulation that activity produces.  In either case, rest is good.

But there is one very important aspect to fasting which we cannot forget.  To fast without acknowledging our Creator and His Word to us, is nothing more than a diet.  Sadly, too many followers of Jesus believe they are involved in spiritual disciplines when they are only going through the motions.  Please read Isaiah 58 today and see exactly what I'm talking about.  The prophet addresses people who were fasting, but ignoring God and His directives.  Those who were just going through the motions caused God great displeasure.

Why is this important to me?  Attitude...only God and I know my heart.  I must be very careful NOT to become religious, but remain relational with my God.  

Let this fasting season take you to a place in your relationship where you will find rest.  That is what God wants!

I'll meet you at the throne,

Pastor George   

2011/ 21-Day Prayer Focus Points for Calvary

 

DAY /  DATE

1       M   1/10  Discipline, breakthrough, protection, revelation for all those fasting

2       T    1/11   Purity in all our thoughts, motives, relationships, bodies and lives

3       W   1/12  An increased hunger for the Word, for wisdom, for knowledge

4       T    1/13   Supernatural awakening in individuals, families, and in the Body

5       F    1/14   Comfort for the lonely, those in need, hurting, and grieving loss

6       S    1/15   Increased discipline for personal and corporate prayer in 2011

7       S    1/16   Increased discipline for personal and corporate fasting in 2011

8       M   1/17  Increased giving of time, treasures, talents in 2011

9       T    1/18   Submission to God and those in authority in our lives

10    W   1/19  Personal preparation to REACH others in 2011

11    T    1/20   Hearts purged of anger, resentment and bitterness

12    F    1/21   Removal of condemnation, judgment, hypocrisy, self righteousness

13    S    1/22   Confession and repentance of personal disobedience and rebellion

14    S    1/23   E- May the elements of our worship be pleasing to God

15   M   1/24    S- May souls be saved as we boldly "Share Life" with others

16    T    1/25   S- Anoint our shepherds as they care for the flock

17   W   1/26   E- Let us walk with an empassioned calling and equip others

18    T    1/27   N- May we build community through ‘nosh fellowship’

19    F    1/28   C- May we go into the community and extend God’s liberating love

20    S    1/29   E- Increased effective teaching to maximize maturity and growth

21   S    1/30   Declare that the work He has begun through this fast will be completed