“Seeking the Kingdom of God for Holiness and Divine Success”



“Seeking the Kingdom of God for Holiness and Divine Success”Matthew 6:33, Colossians 3:1-17*Join us in prayer from 7 pm to 8 pm nightly* Greater New Bethel Sounds of Praise351 Greyback RoadSummerville, SC 29483Apostle Allen H. SimmonsCo-Pastor Lady Elect J. SimmonsSenior Pastor, Elder Christian SimmonsExecutive Pastor, Elder David HartwellIntercessor Pastor, Elder Shirley GravesTable of Contents:Words of Encouragement from Apostle A. Simmons……………………………………...4Consecration Uplift from Senior Pastor…………………………………………..……..…...5“On Your Knees” from desk Pastor Shirley Graves…………………...……………..…..…6Power of Prayer………………..………………………………………………………...……..7Praying with Expectation……………………….………………..……………………………82017 Consecration Commitment..…………………………...……………………………..…9Fasting Fundamentals……………………………………………………………………..…10Personal Plan……………………………………………………………………….………….11Day 1 -12…………………………………………………………………………...……….12-24The Lord’s Prayer……………………………………………………………………………..25Example of Answered Prayers…………………………....…………………………………26Bible in a Year…………………………………………………………………………………285 Finger Prayer for Children…………………………………………………………………29Suggested Study Topics…………..………………………………………………………….30P30X…………………… ……………………………………………………………..……….31Devotionals……………………………………………………………………………………42Words from Apostle A. SimmonsAs we consecrate ourselves these next 12 days, we must always be mindful of the Word of God which says in Matthew 17:21, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.”First of all, to consecrate means to “make sacred” or “to dedicate or a particular purpose.” This is accomplished by prayer and fasting. It goes hand-in-hand to accomplish our spiritual goals. Prayer simply put is, talking to God. Theologically, it is a child’s petition to all wise, all loving, father God. Jesus said in Luke 18:1, “Men ought always pray and not faint.” Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that ye receive them, you shall have them.” So prayer is very vital, valuable and yet simple.Fasting means to “abstain from food/water, in order to focus on communion, prayer and fellowship with God. The bible teaches us that these two together, gives powerful results. (OT – Exodus 34:28, II Chronicles 20:3, Jonah 3:5, NT-Luke 2:37, Matthew 4:2, Acts 13:2)Just as the Bible teaches us that prayer and fasting is very important, it does not specifically command believers to spend lots of time in this. However, periodically it is something that we should be doing to accomplish special results; because the real purpose of it all is to take our eyes off of the things of this world, and focus on our thoughts and prayers on God. So when you fast, don’t be as the hypocrites (disfiguring their faces); but wash yourselves (face), and anoint your head with oil, so that it is not obvious. The glory of this consecration will yield powerful results as we ““Seek the Kingdom of God for Holiness and Divine Success” For it is written, “The Father who seeth us in secret will reward you openly.” I encourage each of you push through to the very end and watch God work! 2017 promises to be a year of breakthroughs, completions, turnarounds, bounce backs, prosperity, and successes. So expect your miracles and promises made to you. May the eternal God of peace, bring to pass all of your requests that are found in his divine and perfect will.In His Service,Apostle Allen H. Simmons, DDUplifting Words from Senior PastorIt’s that time again, a very important time for us here at Greater New Bethel SOP. It’s the time of year that we dedicate to corporate fasting and praying. We consecrate ourselves for the greater of our National and Local church, our government and communities, our leaders, president and his staff and our local ministries. We understand the importance sacrifice and dedication to God, to our ministry and to our communities. Consecration means to be set apart and we are set a part to the work of God here on earth. Our work extends far past the walls of the church and should overflow into our homes, jobs, communities, and our government. It is our desire to invoke the presence of God during this consecration period to infiltrate every area and allow His Power to bring change in this upcoming year. We start the year off in consecration in prayer and fasting and this sets the tone for the spiritual year at our ministry. I always say how you start a thing is how you finish it. We will start our consecration strong and we will finish strong; which will carry over in the coming years.Please take a moment and utilize the entire consecration booklet, not only the devotionals but also in your daily reflections as well. The intercessory team has spent countless hours praying, fasting and seeking the face of God for a comprehensive manual that can be used not only for this period of reflection and renewal but as instruction manual for fasting as a whole. Use this as basic instructions for any time you need an answer, you need healing, or for a deeper renewed relationship with God. Also inside you will find a 30-day consecration guide that is inspired by our Publications Ministry that will jumpstart an active prayer life for 2017 and beyond. May God continue to bless us corporately as we impart on this consecration and throughout the year. Senior Pastor Elder Christian PastorFrom the desk of Intercessor Pastor:Elder Shirley GravesWe invite you to attend prayer with us. Our prayer times are every Saturday morning at 6 a.m., Thursday, noon day prayer from 12 pm to 1 pm and each intercessor takes time praying around the clock daily. Feel free to pick and pray with us. Listen out for additional prayers throughout the year in accordance with services and National eventsCorporate ConsecrationWhat does it mean to consecrate? Consecration means to set apart or devote as sacred. Setting ourselves apart gives God the opportunity to transform our thoughts, emotions, feelings, decisions and inner dispositions. God is a gentleman and He will never force Himself upon us. When we decide to consecrate ourselves and set ourselves apart for His use, we grant Him permission to work in us. We relinquish Him authority to reset our worldly attitudes, emotions, reasoning’s and dispositions. As God, resets them, He aligns them with His will for our lives and gives us the tools to follow His plans for our lives. As we consecrate ourselves and set ourselves apart for Him, He prepares us for His glory. Consecration is so important because it puts on the path of holiness that we may walk the Lords way, is opens up the door for God to work in us and it also puts us on a path to enjoy the riches of God’s salvationAs 2017 approaches, I have been seeking God. The Word that He gave me is, “I am talking but are you listening?” God’s people have lost their zeal and are not focusing on Him, as a people, we are walking in disobedience and listening to everything around us. With the different issues in the media, government and society, it’s easy to lose focus and wonder where is God. The way to overcome these issues and to come back to God is to reverence him for who HE is, to rebuild our relationship and to give Him our burdens. 1 Peter 5:7 reads, “Cast your cares on Him because He cares for you.” He is our Father and He wants to provide for us. We must remember to come to Him with clean hands. We need to stop making “Resolutions” about what we plan to do in 2017 and just do it. We need to just live right. We don’t know when He’s coming, so we need to be ready. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for all things. Now is the time to get right with God. We must be united. United does not mean that we will get along all the time. United means that we have an understanding in God’s Kingdom and that we work together. It means that we come together to complete the work of the Father. Each person has a role in the kingdom and its time to get working. We know that Faith without works is dead. We do not want our faith to be dormant. It’s time to put on our armor and go to battle against Satan. Satan is not playing with us and we shouldn’t play with him either. We need soldiers to get on the frontline to battle with Satan. Do you accept the challenge? Getting Your Knees Right“Our heavenly Father knows what’s best for us because He loves so that He even gave His only begotten Son to save us from our sins. In being pruning to go to the next dimension you really have to be committed to God to receive your abundance of more fruit and Jesus said it costs to follow Him.God has to prune deep, for you to mature, perfect to be complete in Him. While we are going through the process, weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning (Ps 30:5).POWER OF PRAYER*Join us nightly in prayer from 7 pm to 8 pm*Prayer is more than petitioning God and making requests to Him. Prayer is essential to the foundation of our relationship with God. Prayer is the portal that opens up the doors to an intimate, personal and solid relationship with our Heavenly Father. Through prayer, we can praise the Father, worship our Heavenly Father, confess our sins, express our concerns to Him, share our fears, give Him our true inner self, be completely vulnerable with and petition our hearts desires to Him. Prayer is also a vessel of communication with our Heavenly Father. Not only does prayer give us the opportunity to talk to God, prayer also welcomes God the opportunity to talk to and fellowship with His children. Prayers invites Him, into our hearts, our lives and invites His divine love and protection in our lives. It gives God the opportunity to show His love for us, operate in lives and align us in His Will.As prayer has many functions in our lives and connects us to the Father in so many ways, it’s Power is indescribable and crucial to our walk with Christ. David understood the Power in prayer and said, “9?The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.” (Psalm 6:9). He knew that God heard his hearts cry and would show up on his behalf.Throughout the bible, prayer has:Overcome enemies---- Psalm 6:9-10Conquered death-------2 Kings 4:3-36Brought healing---------James 5:14-15Defeated demons------Mark 9:29Salvation to the sinner------Luke 18:9-14Give guidance in war--------1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Samuel 2:1Give sight to the blind------2 Kings 6:17-20Praying with Expectation*Join us nightly in prayer from 7 pm to 8 pm*Give Thanks: 1 Thessalonians 5:18?In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Pray: Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.The first principle in tapping into the power of prayer is actually praying. Praying is actually plugging in the connection to tapping into the Power of Prayer. Recognize the Power is not in the person praying but the Power is in God: Matthew 19:26 26?But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Jeremiah 10:12 12?He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.The second principle is acknowledging the Power from Prayer comes from God the Almighty. Pray with Confidence: 1 John 5:14-15 14?And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15?And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.Confidence is approaching God knowing that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Praying with confidence is having faith and believing that God hears us and will answer.Pray Sincerely: If we walk through the book of Psalms, we will see that David prayed sincerely to God. He often shared his deepest hurts, concerns and feelings. He recognized God for His true righteousness. When praying sincerely, we must be mindful not use prayer as a bargaining tool to try to manipulate God into do what we want. Communicate with God: John 16:13 13?Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Our communication with God should not only be when we want something. We should recognize that God wants fellowship and relationship with us. He wants to bless but He also wants to guide us, love us and protect us. How would you feel if the only time someone called on you was when they needed something or wanted something from you? Pray for Acceptance of God’s Will: Jeremiah 29:11?For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.2017 Consecration CommitmentRefrain from eating or drinking between the hours of 6:00 am to 6:00 pm each day from January 1st to January 12th. New Year’s Day and Sunday are an exception. The fasting time is 6:00 am to 3:00 pm. Target your prayers during the fast. We can easily look around and see the times that we are living are perilous and dangerous. We must pray for our spiritual leadership, our national leadership, our country, our world and God’s Divine Kingdom worldwide. Our prayers should not be limited to our spiritual foundation but also government, communities and society in general. World peace, financial and economic stability, the spreading of the gospel, and unity are things that can be included in our prayers. When you put the needs of others on the altar, we believe that God will hear us and heal our land. In addition, God will meet our needs also. Step 1: Set Your ObjectiveWhy are you fasting? Seek the Holy Spirit for guidance and clarity. Step 2: Make Your CommitmentWhat type of fast are you enduring? What are your limitations? Socially and physicallyHow much time will you devote to prayer daily and study daily? Step 3: Prepare Yourself SpirituallyAsk God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept forgivenessSeek forgiveness from those you have offended.Ask God to fill you with His Holy SpiritStep 4: Prepare Yourself PhysicallyConsult your physician if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment.Prepare your body by eating smaller meals before starting a fast. Fasting FundamentalsPlan Your FastYou should enter your fast with prayer and a specific plan for how long you will fast. Our corporate fast is from January 1st through January 12th from 6 am to 6 pm daily. Along with fasting we will have one hour of prayer daily at the main sanctuary from 7 pm to 8 pm. Part of planning your fast should include targeting things to pray about and pre-planning topics of study. If you have medical conditions and have to alter your fast is may also include pre-purchasing food substitutes or alternatives. Consider Your ScheduleWhile a fast, by nature, is inconvenient, it should be an inconvenience to you—not to those around you. Fasting should be a personal commitment. If you have children and loved ones that are not fasting, try to incorporate their meal times with your prayer times or study times. Tell Only the People You MustYour spouse will need to know you are fasting. Beyond that, you would be better off not telling many people that you are fasting. Telling your pastor can be a help both to you and to him. And always consult with your physician if you have medical conditions or you take routine medications that require food intake.Wean Yourself Off Caffeine and High Sugary FoodsSeveral days before your fast begins, you should start weaning yourself off caffeine and high sugary foods. Some people experience unbearable headaches 2 to 3 days after ceasing to drink caffeinated products. Beware of Your Emotions and Heightened Sense of Spiritual Awareness Some people experience vast mood swings during a fast. One moment they are totally focused on God and the next they are wallowing in pity. Knowing that this is likely to happen will help you react properly. Also expect a sense of heightened Spiritual Awareness, when separate yourself from regular patterns of the world and focus on God, He gives you clarity and it helps to develop a more intimate relationship with Christ. Be Still and Focus on GodFasting ?is a time to study God’s Word, meditate and pray. To help with this, plan a specific Bible passage or topic you want to study during your fast. Look for verses you want to memorize and meditate upon. Fasting by Jesus and the disciples was always accompanied by prayer. Spend time talking to God and allowing Him to reveal Himself to you in His Word.Expect physical changes. During fasting, expect your physical body to change as it physically detoxing in addition to your spiritual detoxing. You could experience symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, foggy brain, bad breath etc. 2017 Consecration My Personal PlanMy Consecration CommitmentMy Objective: My Prayer Target Areas: My Personal Study Topics: My Personal Study Time: Additional Comments: 12 Days of Consecration and FastingJanuary 1~ Renewed Hope and RevivalJanuary 2~ New Bethel Church Leadership (Pastors, Deacons, Ministry Leaders)January 3 ~ Community and Government (President, Governors etc)January 4 ~ Relationships, Church Growth and Power to ConnectJanuary 5 ~ Employment, Sick & Shut-In, Restoration of the Saints January 6 ~ Hunger for Word, Thirst for Righteousness, Obedience to the Word January 7 ~ Uncommon Love, Strengthened Faith, Acceptance of One AnotherJanuary 8 ~ Unity of the Spirit, Bond of Peace, Oneness Mind/SpeechJanuary 9 ~ National SOP – Vision, LeadershipJanuary 10 ~ New Bethel Sounds of Praise, Provision, Finances, Auxilaries/Ministries January 11 ~ Family, Friends, Enemies, Associates, Co-workersJanuary 12 ~ Endowment Power, Leading of the Holy Spirit and Anointing of the House and MembersJanuary 1Renewed Hope and Revival1 Samuel 30:66?And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his GodIsaiah 40:3131?But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.While David and his army were away fighting the Philistines over the Kingdom of Israel, the Amakelites snuck in and attacked the city of Ziglag. The Amakelites burned the city and took the women and children. 1 Samuel 30:4 tells us that they wept until they could not weep anymore. I can imagine that David and his men were weary from the battle with the Philistines. I imagine they felt hopeless and helpless because their families were taken into captivity by the Amakelites. At that time, David was in a jam. He just finished one battle with the Philistines and came home to find calamity and his wives taken and then his own people, even spoke of stoning him. Many times in life, we find ourselves in a jam. After we think we defeated one thing, something else happens and the cycle continues. During times like these, it is easy to feel hopeless, helpless and want to give up. Like David, we have to learn to “encourage ourselves in the Lord.” We may not always have someone around to say you can do it or encourage you, but times like that are times when we have find strength in Jesus. We must remember that we are God’s people and He has not forgotten about us. There will be times in life when we are distressed, feel alone and have feelings of hopelessness. The attack from the enemy can be so great that it seems like the people closest to us have given up on us. Those are times when we have to encourage ourselves in the Lord. We have to use the tools that God has given us to take back what the enemy stole from us. We have the power to speak renewal and restoration over ourselves, our families, our finances, our communities and our country. Day 1Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 2New Bethel Church Leadership (Pastors, Deacons, Ministry Leaders)Hebrews 13:7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.Exodus 17:9-139?And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.10?So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.11?And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.12?But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.13?And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.Just as Moses held up the rod while Joshua fought during the battle, it is up to the people to support the leader. The scripture teaches us when Moses hands got tired that Aaron and Hur each went to one side of Moses and helped to hold up steady his hands while Joshua was fighting. This is a perfect example of the need for us to pray for our leaders. We must hold them up because they get weary and need a helping hand also. You don’t see Aaron and Hur talking bad about Moses but you see them lending a helping hand and enduring the weight until the battle was over. Can we say that we have a heart and spirit like Aaron and Hur? That will help carry the weight of our leaders during battle? Can we truly love and support our leadership? Our leaders are constantly enduring for the kingdom of God, our church and their personal lives. We must absolutely make ourselves available to praying for them, as they watch over our souls. The vision and the ministry take unnecessary hits from the fiery darts encountered from these attacks. As soldiers on the battlefield, we must get suited up and in position to lessen and in many cases annihilate these fiery darts. This allows the vision to go forth and the ministry to be strengthened and growing. We must obey leadership even when it is inconvenient and when we don't understand.Day 2Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 3Community and GovernmentEsther 4:1616?Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.1 Timothy 2(AMP)1First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, 2?for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3?This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4?who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth. 5?For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, 6?who gave Himself as a ransom [a substitutionary sacrifice to atone] for all, the testimony given at the right and proper time.We are all familiar with the story of Esther and how she went to the king to save herself and her people. One of the key instruments in the survival of Esther and her people is that the community of the Hebrew people stuck. When she heard of the decree for her people, she asked her uncle to get the people together and collective do a corporate fast. After three days, she would take a chance and go before the king to save her people. What is all of God’s people gathered together and corporately prayed and fasted for our country, community and government? What if God’s people could push past denomination and joined together and prayed for America? In praying for our communities and government, we need to pray for leaders who make decisions that will align with the heart of God. We bind the thoughts and underhanded works of corruption and come against rulers of darkness that infiltrate to try to lead this nation astray. We exercise our authority and speak that God will continue to maintain leaders with wisdom, forgetting not God, and acknowledging Him as King (the government is on His shoulder, oh how powerful)!Day 3Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for TomorrowJanuary 4Relationships, Church Growth and Power to ConnectPsalm 133 (KJV)133?Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!It is truly a pleasant and great time when the saints come together and develop Godly relationships. Godly relationships give us the power to connect and stay in tune with the Word of God individually and corporately. And Favor is the Power Supply that helps to connect positive relationships inside the church and that overflows and builds church growth. The best definition of the word favor is “demonstrated delight.” The favor of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.” When we favor someone, we want to be with him or her. We delight in him or her. We connect with him or her in a way we don’t connect with everyone. We usually favor people who also favor us. In the same way, God sows favor to the ones who delight in, connect with, and give honor to Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor; those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward.” To be “perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of anyone else, even ourselves. This is the power that we need to build relationships that stimulate church growth, in order to be connected to Christ. To have the power of Christ to connect and build relationships in and out of the church it takes favor. Those who are favored of God know that God is with them and that nothing can happen to them apart for His good purpose (Romans 8:28). They have His ear as they walk through dark valleys. Day 4Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 5Employment, Sick & Shut-In, Restoration of the SaintsPsalm 41:3 (NIV)3?The Lord sustains them on their sickbed????and restores them from their bed of illness.Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)24?Gracious words are a honeycomb,????sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.Psalm 107:20 (NIV)20?He sent out his word and healed them;????he rescued them from the grave.When one has a sickness or an illness or is unemployed, it can leave one feeling hopeless, helpless and lost. Those feelings are real and no one can deny them but there is an answer to all of those feelings and the answer is Jesus. If we check our key scriptures, we learn that, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Divine healing comes from Jesus. He has already endured the suffering of our physical, emotional and mental pains and anguishes. We must look to Jesus and His sufferings and remember that He has already overcome death. He is already VICTORIOUS and our personal victory can only be found in Jesus. We must put our faith to work through prayer and dedication. When praying for divine healing it is important to: 1. Pray the Word of God, 2. Speak to the Illness, 3. Be in an Encouraging Environment, and 4. Have Faith. Our victory is not just for ourselves but people around us who are watching us and seeing how we go through. Whether our illness be physical, spiritual or emotional, we must not let the situation control us. We must remember that God is in control and the outcome has already been determined. We must remember that we are already victorious. As we pray, we must ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us:Turn our weakness into strengthSuffering into compassionSorrow to joyUse the pain to comfort otherDay 5Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 6Hunger for Word, Thirst for Righteousness, Obedience to WordJohn 4:13-1513?Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14?But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15?The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.Matthew 6:3333?But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Jesus had a conversation with a Samaritan woman and offered fill her thirst with the living water. He called out her from her sinful life and advised to fill her desires with the Living Water. To be hungry for the word is to seek after God’s righteousness rather than attempting to establish a righteousness of your own. What you seek will fill you. If you seek righteousness, holiness, peace, joy, love and the fruits of the spirit you will be filled. It will satisfy your hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God. Ways to seek righteousness are studying the Word and being obedient to it. Jesus is calling us to a deep and radical spiritual fulfillment. Christ is the fulfillment. He is bread of life. He is more to us than food, water and clothes. He is the air that we need to survive. Deuteronomy 6:25, states a true and personal with God that will be manifested in lives of the people of God. There is no place for legalism, idolatry and self-righteousness. Your love should be whole hearted when it comes to the things of God. Being obedient to Christ includes; obeying His commandments. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience will cause you to love, to forgive, to give, to make peace, to put away and wrath, to turn the other cheek and to be submissive to His Will. We must pray that Jesus be our desire and we are able to receive the fulfillment when we get it. We must pray that our hunger and thirst be an example to those around us. If you are what you eat, what are you? Are you feeding off of gossip, social media, dirty jokes, or reality television etc? What other books are you meditating on? Are you feeding off the Word of God?Day 6Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 7Uncommon Love, Strengthened Faith, Acceptance of One Another1 John 3:1616?Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.John 8:7-117?So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her .8?And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9?And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10?When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11?She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.12?Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.1 Peter 4:88?Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sinsThroughout the Gospels, you find Jesus our Savior in the company of tax collectors, adulterers, and various other sinners. He helped sinners, cast out demons, gave sight to the blind and other miracles. It’s clear that He showed uncommon love for sinners and His own people. He accepted others for who they were and invited sinners and saints to the Kingdom of God. Jesus gave love to people that had been cast down by society, judged, condemned and unwanted. We must ask ourselves, do we show outsiders that uncommon love? Can we even accept the differences amongst ourselves before we even attempt to accept the differences of others? There is so much hatred, racism, and divisions in the world that is easy for one to stay the corner and avoid the madness of the world. Now is not the time to back down. It is time to love. We have to love maturely. That means we have to love when it hurts, love when it’s not popular and love when we are hated. That is the kind of love that would lay down his life for a friend. Day 7Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 8Unity in the KingdomNehemiah 4:6, 15-206?So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. 15?And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.16?And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.17?They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.18?For the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.19?And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.20?In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.In the scripture we learn that Nehemiah enlisted his people to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem. The wall served as protection of the city. During the process the people got tired and enemies were planning to attack them and their work. Nehemiah called to the nobles and the rest of the people and prepared them to fight for themselves and their families. From that point on, half the people worked on the wall and half of the people stood guard. They unified themselves and worked together to rebuild the wall. What if God’s people unified like that and worked together to build God’s kingdom. If God’s people pushed past differences and denominations, we could tear the enemy’s kingdom down. Living in unity does not mean that we will agree on everything, but we can agree without being disagreeable. However, we must agree on one purpose in life-to work together in love for God, because our outward expression of Unity will reflect our inward unity of purpose.Day 8Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 9National Sounds of Praise – Vision, Leadership1 Corinthians 11:23-2923?Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24?Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25?Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26?I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27?I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28?Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29?Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?As members, sometimes we don’t recognize the trials and tribulations that our National Leadership constantly endures. They are the first ones to take the hits from the enemy. They work diligently at the National level to make sure that things flow smoothly to the local churches. The sacrifices that are made are hardly ever seen or mentioned. It is our duty to constantly be in prayer for them and the Vision because they are building churches just like Paul and endure similar hardships. We must pray for their strength, dedication and that they stay on the front line enduring because they are doing it now. Our National Leadership has set a Vision and has goals for our organization. The enemy fights the Vision on each hand. He attempts to attack and distract leadership. We must counter his attacks through prayer and support. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. But we have the power through to combat his attacks before they are manifested. The same way Paul endured trials our national leadership endures trials, as well. From our key scripture, we can easily see that Paul endured many trials and tribulations. His trials included beatings, he was shipwrecked, cold, hungry, without proper clothing, the dangers of the sea in his travels to the churches, and he was concerned for the churches and their trials. Paul was not a stranger to trials and tribulations but he never gave in. He suffered for the gospel and not for evil. He did not allow the trials and tribulations to cause him to lose faith. When praying for our National leadership, it is important to pray for strength that they to continue on Gods plan. We must pray that they stay focused on God and His Vision for the Sounds of Praise. We must also pray for peace during the storm. And we must remember that we can speak to the trials and tribulations and call those things that are not as though they are. Day 9Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 10New Bethel Sounds of Praise, Provision, Finances, Auxiliaries/MinistriesRomans 12:3-8 (AMP)3?For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. 4?For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, 5?so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent of each other]. 6?Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; 7?if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8?or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, [with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.The scripture compares the parts of the physical body to the body of Christ. Just like our physical body has many parts to work efficiently, it takes many parts for the body of Christ to work efficiently. Each of us has a function in the kingdom and each function is detrimental. We know God is our provider. He will provide our financial, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. It seems that we trust Him in the other areas but our faith can go lacking in area of our financial needs especially in our unstable economic system and during a financial crisis. But we cannot forget to give and to not give grudgingly but to give cheerfully.Day 10Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for TomorrowJanuary 11Marriage, Family, Friends, Enemies, Associates, and Co-workersGenesis 4545?Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.2?And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.3?And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.4?And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt5?Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.James 5:16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.It’s important that we pray for marriages, families, friends, co-workers and the people that we spend the most time with. It is no coincidence that we are connected specifically to co-workers, associates and enemies. There is a divine plan when we cross paths. Sometimes the people that are closest to us, are the ones whose cuts are the deepest. There can be a wide spectrum of emotions, situations and circumstances that will require us to pray, intercede, forgive and extend ourselves selflessly for family, friends etc. Being open to pray regardless of the circumstances demonstrates our willingness to be used by God no matter how or the reason why. As we pray for our families, let’s pray for their salvation, God’s protection and that their families be unified. The enemy is attacking the structure of marriage and family on every end but we can counter his attacks on family with consistent pray and by showing genuine love for our families. Let’s remember to pray that our family members respond quickly when God calls. We must remember to pray for friends, co-workers and associates. Sometimes we spend more time with them than we do with our families. Let’s pray for their families, their finances and for their personal relationship with God. Let’s remember to pray for our enemies also. We must pray for the spirit working in them, pray for their deliverance and that hear the God’s voice. Let’s pray that they would be convicted of sin. Pray for their families and they would have peace. Day 11Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:January 12Endowment, Power, Leading and Holy Spirit and Anointing of the House and MembersActs 16:25-3125?And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.26?And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.27?And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.28?But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.29?Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,30?And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31?And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.Paul and Silas were in prison but they did not give up on God. The power of prayer caused the earth to shake and to free them from their bondage. And when the power of God freed Paul and Silas, it also freed the rest of the prisoners and the soldier also received salvation. We’ve got to get that same power and anointing that Paul and Silas had, that anointing that will free us and the people around. That powerful anointing that will bring people to salvation just like soldier. Jesus promised us that He would not leave us as orphans. He said that He would ask the Father to send us an advocate. And that advocate is the Holy Spirit. We invite the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and anoint us personally but we must also receive that same power collectively in our worship experience. We the Holy Spirit comes in and Anoints the House, He gives us power to withstand, overcome and defeat devils in our home, communities on our jobs and in the world. We must remember that the anointing of God on us as individuals, sets up apart and prepares us for God’s for us. But what about the anointing in the order of the house? How has God anointed our ministry and set us aside for His use? What’s going on in the community around us? Is it fruitful, it is going? Is there a lot of violence and crimes? Does our House mean something to the community around us? Does the anointing from our sanctuary, our house does it benefit the community around us or are we just a landmark as people pass by? Day 12Target Prayer Area:Today I Feel:My StrengthsMy Weakness:Plan for Tomorrow:The Lord’s PrayerOur Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom,and the power, and the glory, forever.Amen.Matthew 6:9-13 King James Version (KJV)Examples of Answered Prayers(People who prayed in the bible and God answered prayers) JabezScripture Reference: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10Background: Jabez, an unknown character mentioned in lineage of David, was given the opportunity to pray.Prayer: 1 Chronicles 4:9Answered: 1 Chronicles 4:10 Key Scripture: “Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm”Scripture Personified in Me: Even if seems as you are an unknown, you are assigned by God to pray prophetic destiny over your own life. JonahScripture Reference: Jonah 2Background: God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach to the people. Jonah disobeyed God and his disobedience caused a storm attack him and the people around him. Then he was swallowed by a big fish. Prayer: Jonah 2:2-9Answered: Jonah 2:10Key Scripture: Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly.Scripture Personified in Me: If you find yourself in a pit or a whale’s belly, you can call to God for help. HannahScripture Reference: 1 Samuel 1 – 2:11Background: She was barren and was taunted by her husband’s other wife. Prayer: 1 Samuel 1:11-15Answered: 1 Samuel 1:20 Key Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10, 13…10. 10?And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. 13?Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken Scripture Personified in Me: Don’t be shy or afraid to go to God. King HezekiahScripture Reference: 2 Kings 20Background: The prophet Isaiah delivered a prophecy to Isaiah to get his house in order because death was coming to him. Prayer: 2 Kings 20:2Answered: 2 Kings 20:4Key Scripture: 2 Kings 2: 5 5?Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.Scripture Personified in Me: AaronScripture Reference: Numbers 16Background: The people turned against Moses and set out to overtake but God sent a plague and starting destroying the communityPrayer: Numbers 4:16-45Answered: Numbers 4:50Key Scripture: Numbers 4:48Scripture Personified in Me: You can intercede on behalf of the plagues that are attacking your family, friends and community. Position yourself like Aaron, intercede to God on behalf of those around you. Tips for Praying with ChildrenSuggestions for Study TopicsHearing God’s VoiceJohn 10:27-28King James Version 27?My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28?And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.Psalm 32:88?I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 119:105105?Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.Romans 10:1717?So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of GodUnderstanding God’s Will Hebrews 13:20-2120?Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,21?Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.James 1:55?If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.Matthew 6:1010?Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Ephesians 5:15-2015?See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16?Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17?Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18?And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19?Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20?Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;Seeking God1 Chronicles 16:11Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.Isaiah 55:6-76?Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:7?Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Hebrews 11:66?But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.P30XJust as there are New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight, have a clearer mind and release all baggage’s in the upcoming year, there should also be a resolution to develop an active and continual prayer life. Anything that is done more than 21 days becomes a pattern and a lifestyle. This is a program to develop a lifestyle of prayer and consecration through a 30-day reflection process. (Pray 30 Days Extreme)The scriptures for the first 10 days are to offer assistance in guiding you to a better understanding of who our Heavenly Father is. So many times, we as God’s people, recognize Him for what He has done for us and what He can give us in the future. Use this time to challenge you to develop a deeper relationship with God for who He really is and not just for what He does. Take time in these first 10 days to experience the Father is His Righteousness and Holiness. Use this opportunity to spend time with God with your hands raised in reverence to His Holiness and not just your hands open awaiting His blessings. Take the challenge, not ask God for anything but just enjoy His Sovereignty, His Righteousness, His immutable love for us and the peace and harmony that comes with being in the presence of the Lord. The second part of this consecration is to refresh and renew yourself. This is a time for self-evaluation and God-given refreshing. Follow the scriptures provided and allow God to empty you of all past hurts, disappointments and sins and then God can fill you with His peace, love, joy and hope. These scriptures will help to renew your personal relationship with God, as well as, leading you to forgiveness, repentance, and accepting God’s love. Take this time to challenge yourself to be a better you, sometimes that means admitting to our short-comings and inner-conflicts and accepting that God loves us in spite of who we are and what we’ve done. We can’t buy Gods love nor can we earn His. Take this challenge to allow God to transform you into a new creation. The final part is to offer tools to support and guide you through praise as you wait in expectancy for God to move on your behalf. These tools will also aid you overcoming any spiritual attacks that the enemy will attack you with in the future. You must remember to be thankful in all things, encourage yourself that God will complete what He started in you because He has prepared a future for you according to His will. Day 1Isaiah 43:1515?I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.Recognize Him for as your King. Use today to personalize God as your King. He’s not just a King but your King. Focus: God is my KingToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 2 2 Timothy 2:13 (AMP)13?If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself. God is faithful to us, even if we are not faithful to Him. Recognize that God is faithful. Faithful is His character, faithful is Who He is. And His faithfulness to us is not determined or conditional on our faithfulness to Him. Focus: God is FaithfulToday I Feel:Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 3 1 Chronicles 29:11 11?Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.Recognize that God our father is SUPREME!!!! Everything is His and there is nothing that we can give him that doesn’t already belong to Him. Acknowledge that He is all powerful and there is none greater.Focus: God is Great and Supreme (Jehovah)Today I Feel:Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 4 Psalm 121I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.2?My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.3?He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4?Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5?The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6?The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7?The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8?The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.Recognize that your help comes from God and God alone! Do not waste time, effort, energy or emotion looking elsewhere. Your help comes directly from the creator that doesn’t even take a break from keeping and protecting you from harm and evil. You can trust that he will keep you forevermore.Focus: God is my HelpToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 5 John 3:6 16?For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.Recognize that His love for you is so great and matchless that gave Himself to give you the opportunity to believe and live forever. Focus: God is a Selfless GiverToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area:Day 6 Psalm 34:88?O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.Recognize that the result of placing our trust and committing our ways to God can produce nothing but blessings, partake and try Him for yourself. We often encourage others to trust and try God then find ourselves trying to work things out. Trust him and taste His goodness for yourself. Focus: God is GoodToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 7 Hebrews 13:1616?But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.Recognize that the execution of pure and good intentions and effective communication that expresses and show the love of God in every situation is pleasing to Him. Focus: God is please with Good CommunicationToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 8 John 10:1010?The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.Recognize that the enemy of your soul means you NO GOOD. It doesn’t matter what or who he uses to distract us he is still our ENEMY. Rest and rejoice that God our father is greater and has defeated the enemy. He came and gives us life abundantly.Focus: God is the Giver of Eternal LifeToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 9 1 Chronicles 16:2525?For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.Recognize that our God is the Greatest!!!!! There is NONE GREATER and we should offer unto Him the great praise that He is due! Focus: God is greatly to be praised Today I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 10 Proverbs 3:5-65?Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6?In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy pathsRecognize that trusting God is the best choice for our lives. Depending on anyone else could possibly lead us astray. If we commit to trusting and acknowledging Him, He will always give us good direction for very area of our lives.Focus: God is my DirectorToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 11 Romans 12:2 2?And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Recognize that the things and the cares of the world will hinder your spiritual growth and being in the will of God. It’s important not to be drawn into the conditions of the world but allow God transform your mind to align with His will. Take time to empty mind of worldly views and opinions that do not line up with the will of God. Focus: I have a renewed mind in GodToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 12 Psalm 51:10 10?Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.Recognize the necessity of having a clean heart. A clean heart is imperative to having a clean home for the spirit of God to dwell within you. Take time to empty yourself of all unclean and impure, desires and feelings that you may be harboring in your heart. Focus: I have a clean heart and a renewed spiritToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 13 James 4:7-8 7?Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8?Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.Recognize that we belong to God and should be yielded to Him, His will and His way. In every area of lives we need to be unavailable to Satan, this is how to keep him away. Be completely given to God and go after Him. He will in turn draw close to you so be prepared by purging yourself of all unrighteousness. Focus: I am closer to God through submission and obedienceToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 14 Ephesians 4:3232?And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.Recognize that forgiveness is essential to renewing your relationship with God. Take time to forgive others for things that they have done to us and also to forgive ourselves. Focus: I forgive others just as God has forgiven meToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 15 Romans 8:35-40 35?Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36?As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37?Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38?For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39?Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Recognize that life can be difficult. Trials and tribulations will come your way but you have to resolve in your mind that you won’t let anything separate you God. God won’t let anything effect His love for us and we in turn, should not anything hinder our relationship with Him. Focus: Nothing shall separate me from God’s LoveToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area:Day 16 Ephesians 2:88?For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Recognize that grace is a gift from God. There is nothing that you can do to earn it. Accept grace as a gift from God. But resolve not abuse Grace. Focus: I have the grace of God through FaithToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 17 Isaiah 55:6-76?Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:7?Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Recognize the importance of time and that the time to seek God is now. Don’t wait for tomorrow but seek Him while He is near. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Make the most of the time that you have.Focus: I seek the Lord and I am returning to GodToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 18 1 John 1:99?If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Recognize the importance of repentance. The wages of sin are death. And always takes you further than you want to go. Sin separates us from God but repentance opens the door for God’s forgiveness. God is not like man, He is faithful to forgive, we have to be faithful to confess. Focus: I confess my sins to the LordToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 19 Luke 9:2323?And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.Recognize that our lives are not our own. When following Christ, we have to commit to Him daily. Sometimes that means you have to put your own will aside and submit to the will of the Father. What are some things that you may have to deny yourself? Focus: I resist all my personal feelings and follow Christ (the Word of God)Today I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 20 Psalm 65:44?Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy templeRecognize that life is about decisions. You can choose to follow God or not. With all choices there are blessing and/or consequences. Take some time to evaluate the choices that you make. Are they choices that will produce a harvest or consequences.Focus: I am satisfied and blessed Today I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 21 Isaiah 43:18-1918?Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.19?Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.Recognize that the past is the past and our past experiences will have no effect on your future because God is prepared to do a new thing. Focus: A new thing is being formed in meToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 22 1 Corinthians 15:5757?But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Recognize that our Victory is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your victory is already secured in Jesus. Focus: I have the victory in Jesus ChristToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 23 Jeremiah 29:1111?For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.Recognize that God is Sovereign and He has prepared a future for you. No matter what it looks like know that this is not your final destination.Focus: I have an expected endToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 24 Philippians 4:8-98?Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.9?Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.Recognize that the enemy loves to play mind games. He tries to fill our minds with negative thoughts. The way to overcome these thoughts is to think of positive, pure and virtuous things. Focus: I will think of good thingsToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 25 Philippians 1:66?Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:Recognize that God’s Word is true. You can be confident that if God said it that settles it. He will never give up on you and He will continue to mold and build you. Focus: I am confidentToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 26 Romans 8:2828?And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purposeRecognize that every trial and tribulation that you have endured and every battle that you have fought are tools that God are working together to make you better and align you in God’s Will for your life. Focus: I am called to God’s purpose, so it’s working for my goodToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 27 2 Corinthians 10:3-53?For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:4?For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;5?Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;Recognize that you can’t fight spiritual battles with worldly weapons. God has given us effective tools of prayer, worship and praise. Use your tools to create an atmosphere that is condusive for the Spirit of God to manifest itself against the attack of the enemy. Focus: I have a spiritual weapon in prayer, worship and praiseToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 28Philippians 4:44?Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.Take time to rejoice and be joyful in the Lord. The command states to “Rejoice Always,” that means rejoice no matter what life brings. Focus: I shall rejoice Today I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 29 Colossians 3:1515?And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.Recognize that there is power in peace. Don’t underestimate it, God instructs us to let it have rule in our hearts and calls us to be unified as one unit by it. We should be grateful for God’s peace.Focus: The peace of God is ruling my heartToday I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area: Day 30 Psalm 28:77?The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.Remember that you can depend on God. He will strengthen you and protect you. Knowing that God is faithful we can dedicate our time and efforts rejoicing and praising Him Focus: The Lord is my strength and my shield Today I Feel: Self-Evaluation:Growth Area:DailyDevotionsIntercession 1 Tim 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2?for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. The old joke goes, "What do you call 200 congressmen at the bottom of the ocean?" The answer, "A good start." There is something to laugh about there. There is also something to think about, and perhaps even to cry over. Many people decry the failure of moral leadership in our nation. While there is truth to the accusation, the angry eyes and accusing finger might be pointing in the mirror back at us. We are instructed to pray for all men. Those around us need salvation, encouragement, correction, health and a myriad of other things that we could spend days listing. In short, we all have needs. From the lowest to the highest, our resources are not sufficient to cover all the cracks. If we look at our own lives, not all that closely, it becomes evident to us that we are insufficient in many ways. A prayer for a better job, a petition for a sick child, spouse or friend, thanks for a financial need met - we can share in all these things. There is a rich blessing in praying for others, or intercession. There are some who are called to the task and others who exchange requests with one or two friends. We have our own prayer ministry for those who have the time and the desire to serve in this way. Even prayer for our own needs is important. While it is true that He knows our needs, He wants us to ask. It is just another way for us to spend a little time with Him. And He loves to pour our His blessings on us. Mal 3:10-12 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11?"Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes " says the LORD of hosts. 12?"And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land," says the LORD of hosts. God literally dares Israel to see if He will not do as He promises to pour out blessings they can hardly imagine on them. Paul specifically mentions 'kings and all who are?in authority'. We blame our leaders for the situations we find ourselves in from day to day. The accusation can be made equally at us if we fail to intercede for these people. In America, we elect many in authority ourselves. They are there by our own hand and we will not support them with prayer. We place them in a position that exposes them publicly to difficult decisions and thorny situations and then complain rather than pray for them. We act surprised or indignant when the turn out to be made of the same dust of the earth as ourselves. The irony is staggering. Whether you agree with their politics or not, if we have any hope for a 'tranquil and quiet?life', it is in praying for our leaders. If you don't agree with them or didn't vote for them, I would say it is all the more reason to pray for that leader. Start by humbling your own heart and pray for the leader who causes you the most consternation. Add others as your time and desire permit. Pray for each member of your immediate family. Hook up with a close friend and exchange a request each. Pick a time when you can pray together - even if you are in different places. Help each other to be consistent. Don't labor over this time, unless you feel the need to do so. You may soon be surprised by the amount of time that flies by in intercession. Mike A Prayerful Spirit I have heard it said that one reason that some churches have unison prayers of confession on Sunday mornings, is that is the only time some members pray during the entire week. If it is true, it is sad. When we don't pray often, or relegate it to a last resort tactic, we cheat ourselves of an intimate, ongoing relationship with our Heavenly Father. He desires to be involved in all details of our everyday lives, and in our hearts throughout each day. Prayer is not to be a weekly practice, or even simply a daily habit. Recently I was walking in the yard with our Cocker Spaniel, Pierre, and observed a praying mantis. Its forelegs remained poised in a form that truly does look similar to praying hands. I thought, "that is how we Christians should be; during every waking moment, our hearts should be in a continuous posture of prayer." Eph 6:18 (NIV) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. I like that -- "all kinds of prayers." Each time we become aware of God's working in our lives (or someone else's), we should praise Him for it. As soon as the Holy Spirit brings to our attention an unconfessed sin, we should repent and confess. As someone has said, we need "to keep short accounts with God." When we become aware someone has a need, we can intercede for him or her right away (and help to fill that need if it is appropriate). When we feel a hurt, we can take it to the Lord instantaneously. We don't have to be in a church or even a private place, in order to pray. Anytime and anywhere, we can pray in our hearts, to God -- driving up the road, taking a shower, sending up a "bullet prayer" in the midst of hectic activity. In fact, as Henri Nouwen has said, we should offer even our work up to God as a prayer. I challenge you to try to consciously make prayer a part of all your daily lives, until it becomes "second nature" to you. Mike Tips But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 NIV If you have ever wondered if there's a right way to pray, you are in great company. Even the twelve disciples were unsure, until Jesus advised them. Prayer isn't like a popularity contest. The idea isn't to impress people, but to develop a personal relationship with the Lord. He wants to connect with you. Take time to find a place that is quiet and not distracting. God is not keeping a record of the number of words you use, so there is no need to be lofty. Just tell God what is on your mind, for He knows what your needs are anyway. You should remember His attributes, that He is the God of Heaven and how awesome and merciful He is. What do you find amazing about God? Tell Him. Tell Him your feelings about His creations. Tell Him how you are glad He honors His promises. Let the Lord know you expect to hear from Him. During one's prayer time, it is helpful to give glory to God's name. By honoring him, you are showing God He has value in your life. When you ask for God's will be to done, you demonstrate your belief in his mighty power. Your wants and desires become secondary. Unforgiveness is a prayer blocker. Ask God to forgive any sins, as you forgive people who have hurt you. It is also wise to ask God to deliver you from temptation that is bound to find you. As you pray, just remember to trust that God will take notice. Lisa Prayer and Forgiveness Psalms 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Two days in a row have held horrific events. The reasons have been listed by those supporting their agendas generating friction and anger. Assumptions have been made when very few facts have been collected. Battle lines are drawn and redrawn. How do we respond? James 1:5 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. It is easy to think that it happened so far away. "What can I do?" Two powerful things come to mind. All of us can pray. We can kneel at the foot of the Throne of Grace and try to find in our hearts the wife that just became a widow, the son or daughter that just became an orphan, or the friend who watched their friend fall to the ground and never move again and wrap them in God's love and mercy. Second, we must forgive. How do you forgive someone who came in and killed a dozen people? Don't give in to hate. Anger is part of grief. Rage is destructive. There was a shooting in an Amish school in October of 2006. The community, led by the Grandfather of one of the girls who died, publicly forgave the shooter. No fingers were pointed. No lawsuits were filed. The shooter had shot himself. No action was taken against his relatives. The community supported the grieving families and each other. A group from the Amish community visited the wife and children, the parents and the parents-in-law of the shooter. The forgiveness offered touched the lives of these family members. The father of the shooter is reported to have sobbed for as long as an hour held by one of the Amish men. They touched hearts and ended what could have dragged on for an extended time. What could have been a cycle of frustration and resentment was given no soil in which to take root. This does not excuse the actions - the evil. Just as God forgives our sin when we truly repent there may still be consequences for our actions. The story of David and Bathsheba is a perfect example of this. David experienced God's mercy - unmerited favor - just as we who name Christ as our Savior have, but not without consequences. 1 Peter 3:12 Mike God's Heart Acts 13:21-22 "And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. "And after He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.' (NAS) Israel had insisted on a King. They had confronted Samuel and refused to hear what God had said to them. We often move forward based on our limited vision and finite wisdom. We insist that we must know better when God has nothing but our best interests at heart. (1 Sam 8:19-20) Saul was a strong, handsome young man. He came from a good family. He was obedient to his father. And Saul was trusted with family matters by him. By all appearances, he had everything going for him.(1 Sam 9:2) 1 Sam 15:10-14 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not carried out My commands." And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all night. And Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul; and it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal." And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have carried out the command of the LORD." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" (NAS) Saul started well, with humility and a sense of insufficiency in himself. As time progressed, Saul began to attribute the victories the Lord gave him and Israel to himself. Finally, he was told to utterly destroy the nation of the Amalekites. Saul returned with 'a sacrifice' for the Lord. He inserted his own interpretation into the command of God. And while there is tremendous presumption in this, have we not done the same thing? When we are uncomfortable with something, we often either decide 'that couldn't have been the Lord', or 'I just can't do something like that'. Saul would continue in his rebellion wafting between a sense of repentance and full blown disobedience, back and forth. As Saul fell wounded in battle and was overrun by the Philistines, he fell on his spear but failed to kill himself. A young warrior would recount the story to David. 2 Sam 1:6-10 And the young man who told him said, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen pursued him closely. "And when he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I said, 'Here I am.' "And he said to me, 'Who are you?' And I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.' "Then he said to me, 'Please stand beside me and kill me; for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.' "So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord." (NAS) Saul was killed by a man who should not have been alive, possibly never been born. God knew that the Amalekites had to be destroyed to preserve Israel. When God tells you to get something out of your life, do it. He is not trying to take away your enjoyment. He cares for you more that we can understand. If we rebel against His commands, we will pay the price. The things we choose will only come between us and God. There is nothing in this world that God cannot replace with something more precious and more wonderful if we will let Him. There is nothing good He would withhold from you when you are ready for it. Did your dad give you the car keys at age seven? Not likely. And if we earthly fathers know how to give good gifts, how much more does our Heavenly Father know how to give good things to us. David succeeded where Saul failed by keeping his heart in line with God. Did David fall? Yes, at times. But his repentance was total and kept no part of his rebellion from God. He laid his heart completely, good and bad, before God. Psalm 139 is an example of such a heart. It is only 24 verses. Please take the time to read it through, and consider. Keep your heart after God's own heart. Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (NAS) Mike are the Days“Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”- Revelation 3:8 (NRSV)One of my favorite television shows from the 1970s always opened with the two main characters sitting at a piano singing “Those Were the Days.” As I think about this song, I realize that it is easy for us to look back and idolize the “good old days.” But scripture challenges us to sing “These are the days!”To the church in Philadelphia, John was instructed to write, “Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Here and now we are called to celebrate God’s presence. Here and now we are called to embrace what God is doing in our lives. God has placed before us open doors of opportunity. We don’t want to miss them by looking back or because we are afraid of what lies on the other side of the threshold. Instead, we can follow the apostle Paul’s example from today’s reading: “I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me.” Like Paul, we can celebrate and embrace what God is doing and is going to do in our lives.Christopher Yopp ?Be Confident in Whose You Are“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’”?(John 8:12 NIV).When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” he was defining himself. He was saying, “I know who I am.” At least 18 times in the Bible, Jesus said, “I am” and then gave a description. He described himself as the door, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the resurrection, and the life. Over and over, he defined himself. Jesus knew who he was (and still is) and, as a result, he was not under pressure.This is the principle of identity. As long as you are unsure of your identity, you’re going to be pressured to fit into other people’s molds. They will manipulate you. They will try to make you into what they think you ought to be, rather than what God made you to be.One of the major causes of stress comes from trying to be somebody that you’re not. When you are fearful that someone’s going to find out what you’re really like and that you might not be able to keep up the fa?ade, it causes stress.The only way you can counterbalance outside external pressures is to have an internal sense of satisfaction about who you are and who God made you to be. You discover who you are by knowing whose you are.The Bible says that you were created by God. You are deeply loved by him. You are accepted as you are. He has a plan for your life. Until you settle this issue of identity, you will be insecure and you will be pressured by stress. You cannot serve other people until you settle this issue.Jesus constantly did things that surprised everybody else. He put himself below others and served them. None of the other disciples would have ever thought to wash each other’s feet in the Upper Room because of their insecurity. But Jesus always served from a position of strength. He knew who and whose he was, so it didn’t matter that he lowered himself to serve them.Service comes from self-esteem. Until you overcome your insecurity and feel good about yourself, you won’t feel like helping anyone else. Be secure in who you are and whose you are so that you can effectively serve others.Rick Warren Do People Follow Jesus?John 6:22-71When Jesus walked this earth, a vast multitude followed Him. They came for all sorts of reasons—some noble, some selfish. The same is true today. It’s important that we understand what motivates people to come to Christ, because not all who seek Him are really His followers. In fact, we each need to analyze our own walk with the Lord: What do we want from Him? How committed are we to being His disciples?Many of the people who followed Jesus did so because they had urgent needs that He alone could meet. Everywhere He went, the sick and demon-possessed were brought to Him—this is one of the ways that God draws us to Himself. Those who can solve all their own problems never need a Savior.Other folks came for sensationalism. They wanted to see the signs and miracles and feel a thrill of excitement. Today some people come to church or conferences to get pumped up, but mountaintop experiences are always followed by valleys. When hardships or challenges come, such people are quick to abandon the Lord.But Jesus’ disciples followed Him because they genuinely believed He was the Messiah, the very Son of God (Matt. 16:16). Their commitment went beyond emotions or needs. They wanted to know Christ and walk closely with Him.Are you more interested in what Jesus can do for you than in just being with Him? Do you find it hard to stay committed without an emotional experience to sustain you? Our physical and emotional needs can draw us to the Lord, but they should never be the foundation for our walk with Him.Dr. Charles Stanley HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" ................
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