DAY 17 - WAKE UP - PT. 5 - JAIRUS' DAUGHTER

Luke 8:54-56 But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

The other day I mentioned that the icing on cake was my favorite part. Do you ever save the best for last? I usually eat all the way around the cake before I finish with the icing! Well, this devotional about Jairus' daughter is my favorite. This is when we can really begin to see the prophetic implications of the story.

First lets start by reading another passage of Scripture, just one verse, but you will see how they come together. Joel 2:28 says "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people." Do you see what I see? I see another Conjunction Junction...'and afterward.' When God uses these, we must go backwards and see the verses that are joined together. If we, the church, want Joel 2:28, we must experience Joel 1:1 through Joel 2:27. We must fast, pray, and yes, wake up (Joel 1:5). And when this happens, God promises He will pour out His Spirit! I desire for this to happen! Don't you?

Look at what happened with Jairus' daughter and let God's words jump off the page. "My child, get up! Her spirit returned..." WOW! I love when God's word comes together and He teaches us something new! Go back and read these 5 devotionals again and recall what God is speaking to us. We, the church, are in the same spiritual condition as Jairus' daughter! But when we seek, fall, pray, and believe, He will pour out His Spirit! His Spirit will return into the life of the church just the same as it returned into the life of this little girl! This makes me want to stand up and shout and praise God!

Lord, as Your people engage in battle during this time of prayer and fasting, will You awaken the church? Will You pour out Your Spirit into our sleeping body? We need You now more than ever and we rest on your promise...And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit...

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. What is God speaking to you?

DAY 16 - WAKE UP - PT. 4 - JAIRUS' DAUGHTER

Mark 5:41-42 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

This story is really starting to get good. Are you seeing the prophetic implications with the church today and Jairus' daugther? Here are couple of things to remember: 1. Seek Jesus, Fall at His Feet, and Pray; 2. Ignore what is going on around us and don't be afraid, but believe; 3. Don't pay attention to the enemy laughing at you because it is time to Wake Up!

In bringing our story up to the moment, Jesus just got done removing all the unbelievers in Jairus' home. He then took a few of his trusted disciples and the girl's mother and father into her room where she was "sleeping." Jesus grabbed the little girl by the hand and said, "Talitha Koum" which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" Can you imagine what Jairus and his wife were experiencing in that moment. What were the diciples thinking? This was the first time Jesus had raised someone from the dead! I love what the Scripture says: "At this they were completely astonished." Kind of sums it up, doesn't it? What about the girl? Sometimes I wish God's Word gave us a few more details. Like what did she do when she woke up? How did she react? And what will the church do when we wake up?

I am praying for God's girl, His church, to wake up, stand up, and begin to walk around in the authority and power He has given to us! I am ready for God to breathe those words, "Talitha Koum" into the life of the church. What are you praying for? Will you agree with me in prayer for these things to take place? Can we believe that His Church will wake up?

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. Why did Jesus remove the unbelievers?
2. What does Talitha Koum mean for the church?
3. How will the church react when we wake up?
4. Are you still praying? Why or why not?

DAY 15 - WAKE UP - PT. 3 - JAIRUS' DAUGHTER

Luke 8:52-53 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

One of my favorite stories from World War 2 came after the Japanese Navy bombed Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto made the following statement: "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve." The reason I love this quote is it inspires me about Christ's Church. When are we going to stand up and fight for all the onslaught the enemy has attacked us with? Where is our resolve? When are we going to wake up? Do we realize the enemy is laughing at us? The same way the people who were in Jairus' home laughed at Jesus. All He did was say something similar to Admiral Yamamoto; "she's not dead, but asleep." In the midst of all that is going on around us, when are we going to stop wailing and mourning? When are we going to wake up?

Here is what I believe: The church isn't dead, we are sleeping. Why are we sleeping? We have been intoxicated with the things of the world. The enemy has done an incredible job of distracting us from what God has called the church to do. Read Joel 1:5 and see how God speaks to you: "Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!" Every time I read this I see God trying to reach out to us. I am praying that it doesn't take a "Pearl Harbor" to wake up this sleeping giant called the church.

Are you awake or are you sleeping? Do you hear the enemy laughing at you? How can we respond in this time of crisis going on all around us? Will we settle staying intoxicated and remain in our slumber?

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. How does the Admiral's quote regarding Pearl Harbor apply in your own life? Church?
2. What are you wailing or mourning for? Is it time to stop?
3. Are you awake or asleep? Sober or intoxicated?

DAY 14 - WAKE UP - PT. 2 - JAIRUS' DAUGHTER

Mark 5:35-36 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

I just finished reading some of the headlines on foxnews.com. Without going into much detail, it seems like we are living in a crazy world. Am I wrong? We are being told about war, financial recessions, incest, murder, rape...this was all in today's news! Makes me wonder what's going to happen next? But are we supposed to be listening to Fox News, or God's Word? There's the question for the day. Lets see what He says...

In the miraculous story of Jairus' daughter, he was facing the same kind of news. Some of the men from his home came to tell him it was no use bringing Jesus because his daughter was already dead. Yes, Jesus had done some amazing things in His ministry up to this point, but He hadn't raised anyone from the dead. No wonder these men came with the horrible news and said quit bothering the teacher. What could He do anyway? But Jesus did something each one of us can learn from. Pay attention to Jesus' reaction to the news...He simply ignored what they told Jairus. Then He brought words of comfort..."don't be afraid, just believe."

Now lets allow this passage of scripture to speak into our lives. In yesterday's devotional, I said the church today is just like Jairus' daughter...dying! You may in fact believe the church is dead. Believe me, there are many people who come to God's House who try and tell others the church is dead, or it has nothing for me, or...well you get the point! But Jesus ignored the talk. In fact, He didn't even give them the time of day. Can we ignore what we are hearing? Is it possible for the Body of Christ (a.k.a. the Church) to not be afraid and just believe? This is God's call to us today. No matter what the world is trying to do, lets remember who holds the world together. Let's wake up! His Church isn't dead...

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. What is God speaking to you through this story?
2. What crazy things are you hearing about the world?
3. What are you hearing about the church?
4. Are you able to ignore, not be afraid, and believe?

DAY 13 - WAKE UP - JAIRUS' DAUGHTER

Mark 5:22b-23 Seeing Jesus, hefell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please comeand put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live."

Yesterday morning I woke up around 4:30am and had a difficult time returning to sleep. After a few attempts, I decided to go on into church because I knew I wasn't going to be able to sleep. I walked into the church about 5:30am and began to pray for the service and seeking God for what He wanted to say to the church. After engaging in prayer, God reminded me of a passage of scripture He brought me to three weeks ago. The story was the miracle of Jairus' Daughter. As I read the scriptures, both in Luke 8 and Mark 5, I began to see a story come to life with Spiritual implications. The church, just like Jairus' daughter, is in a place where we need to come back from a spiritual state of death and wake up. Over the next few days, I want to explore this story in our devotions and see what God wants to speak into our lives. Are you ready to listen?

The first thing the Holy Spirit revealed through God's Word was how Jairus acted. Note what he did in Mark 5:22, Jairus saw Jesus...in othe words, he was seeking Him! Jairus knew who the answer was. Who is the answer to our Spiritual condition? Then pay careful attention to Jairus' physical reaction when he met with Jesus..."he fell at His feet and pleaded earnestly with Him." Jairus gave us a complete and accurate description of how we can come before Jesus. Are you falling at feet of Jesus? Are you pleading earnestly with Him? Finally, lets take Jairus' words and use them by prophetically praying for the church, Christ's bride:

"Lord, your bride is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live!" Seek Jesus, Fall at His feet, and Pray...

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. What is God speaking to you through this story?
2. Is the Church asleep? or Dying? Can it wake up?
3. What can we do? Seek...Fall...Pray...

DAY 12 - BATTLE PT. 3 - CONJUNCTION JUNCTION

Ephesians 6:18 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.

Okay, lets go back in time and have a memory flash...remember "School House Rock?" I do! Every Saturday morning, watching cartoons, these different songs would come on the TV and the tunes and words would be burnt deep into our malleable psyches. Lets go with one for a moment, sing it with me: "Conjunction Junction, what's your function? Hooking up words and phrases and clauses." Now how many of you are singing it with me...more than probably would like to admit, right? Okay Pastor, get to the point of this one. Do you notice the first word of the verse today? The word "and" is a conjunction and as we just sang, it hooks up words, phrases and clauses. So what does Ephesians. 6:18 hook up with? I am glad you asked...its our Spiritual Armor!

In our previous two devotions, I have been encouraging you to gear up for the battle we are in and to not fight naked. As important as these two are, this devotion is the icing on the cake (this means icing is my favorite part)! Even if we are ready for battle...and even if you put on your armor...you must engage in battle! Otherwise, you will stand there all pretty and shiny and never win the war! The word "and" gives us the battle strategy, or the way we actually win the war...PRAYER. "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." This isn't a request, this is a command! Ever notice how we tend to confuse the two? Remember, God didn't write the 10 Requests...it was the 10 Commandments! So listen to me with your ears wide open and ready to receive. Prayer is how we engage the battle and how we overcome the enemy! Who wants to be an over comer?

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. Is this revelation to you regarding Battle? Explain.
2. Are you engaging in battle or just standing there?
3. What is the difference between a request and a command. Is Eph. 6:18 a command or request?

DAY 11 - BATTLE PT. 2 - DON'T GET CAUGHT NAKED

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore puton the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Who among you are able to name all the pieces included in our spiritual armor? Need some help? Here you go: 1. Belt of Truth; 2. Breastplate of Righteousness; 3. Feet fitted with the Gospel of peace; 4. Shield of Faith; 5. Helmet of Salvation; and 6. Sword of the Spirit. Don't feel too bad if you didn't get them all. I was lucky enough to have the Bible right beside me when I wrote this out. However, I have a inclination if you would go and ask some of our kids in the church, they would be able to spurt them out without hesitation. Hmmm...maybe we need to learn from their example!

Let me get to the point here...in the Spring of 1991, almost exactly 18 years ago, I preached one of my first sermons..."Don't Get Caught Naked." It was to a large group of youth we were ministering to in Virginia. Needless to say I was trying to get their attention with my title because I wanted them to understand how essential God's Armor was in the battle we face. So how about you? Are you fighting naked? Are you covered in God's truth? Are you living a righteous life? How is your faith? Have you accepted Christ as your savior and received His free gift of salvation? What about the sword...are you actually using it or is it sitting on a shelf or coffee table collecting dust. Here are my two cents...too many Christians today are naked. We are engaging in lifestyles contrary to God's word. We are rampantly sinning and ignoring God's call to live Holy and Righteous. Our faith is dictated by our fear and the Word of God goes unread. Can we get dressed for battle? Can we move into the enemy's territory and take hold of our promise? Let's put it on!

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. Of the 6 pieces of our Spiritual Armor, what is missing in your life?
2. Are you fighting naked? Why or why not?

DAY 10 - BATTLE

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

On March 9th, I received an email from a member of our church regarding the spiritual battle we were facing. Like it or not, we are engaged. I really didn't realize this notion until I read the first sentence of her final paragraph: "You've started a war Ryan and for the duration of the next 40 days we will be in battle." Who is ready for a battle?

To be honest, her words shook me into a sense of reality. The reality that God has asked us to stand in the gap and pray. This is how we engage in the battle...face forward without fear or hesitation, but in prayer. As it was so eloquently portrayed to me..."there is no (spiritual) armor for our backside so if we tuck tail and run, we will get arrows in our hindsides." Isn't that a great picture! No need to run...just face the enemy and pray.

Let me finish this devotion with a bit of encouragement. Ephesians 6:10 says "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." Not our strength...His! Not our power...His! I can't, nor can you, fight this spiritual battle without God's strength and power. When we do this, verse 11 says we will can "take our stand against the devil's schemes." So if you try to battle in your own strength or power...stop! Use the power of the Holy Spirit! Remember one last promise from the book of James as we engage in battle...

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."Do you hear the promise? Submit to God, Resist the enemy...and he will "Tuck tail and run!"

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. How do we engage in Spiritual battle?
2. Who are you fighting against? Answer this one honestly...is it flesh & blood (people) or the enemy?
3. What can you do in order not to "Tuck tail & Run?"
4. Repeat the promise in the book of James.

DAY 9 - EPITAPH - HOUSE OF PRAYER - PT. 4

James 4:2b-3 You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Lets talk religiously for a moment. What will you epitaph read? Will it be something for your family like "Good husband and father?" Or maybe scriptural like John 3:16? Want to know the one which grieves me for the church? "You do not have because you do not ask God." Frightening, isn't it to know we do not receive from the Lord because we don't ask. Its my hope our church won't have this as their epitaph! Here is the religious part...when you read this, its really easy to jump up and say, "Hey, it wasn't God's will!" Sounds like a great religious answer. But let me implore you, don't use this theological viewpoint to excuse a lack of prayer. God's desire is to pour out His blessing on us, we just aren't asking for His will!

Let me put it to you another way. As I was preaching this message (House of Prayer), God began to reveal to me the spiritual state of His church. Our body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, is now His dwelling place! Its where His Spirit lives. Not a temple made of brick and mortar, but an actual living, breathing temple who God created. And you know what...God desires for His new home to be a House of Prayer! Even if it means turning over the tables and chairs in your life and revealing the things He wants to change! My house will be a house of prayer! Are you getting this? Lets not wait until we are physically dead to find this out!

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. What will your epitaph read?
2. Have you ever used theology to excuse your lack of prayer or not receiving from God?
3. Is your house a house of prayer?
4. What does God need to reveal in your life to make sure you are a house of prayer?

*Devotional thoughts inspired by sermon of Pastor Jim Cymbala and his book "Fresh Power"

DAY 8 - HOUSE OF PRAYER - PT. 3

The last few years has been really interesting to me in terms of pastoral counseling. My schedule could be completely full each day with opportunities of this type of ministry. Every once in awhile I have to question why? As a trained counselor, I realize the need for people to come and express their thoughts, emotions, and spiritual concerns. But my question in all of this is have we lost the ability to go to the One with all the answers?

Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Notice it doesn't say, "Let us come boldly to the pastor", or "boldly to the therapist office." Its implies we need to come boldly to Jesus because He knows what we need, long before we even ask it! Where are you going for your answers? Whose counsel are you seeking? Let's not ever lose sight of who the Great Counselor is!

The table (Psalms 23:5) is set before us and God is speaking (Psalms 34:8) come and taste and see that I am good. Everything we could possibly need is there, set for us. Now just grab a chair and pull up! How do we pull up a chair and eat? PRAYER! Are you hungry? Are you receiving from God? Maybe it is time to eat from His table.

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. Who is your counselor?
2. Are you looking for answers elsewhere beside from God?
3. When life is troubling, where are you going to obtain your needs?
4. Are you hungry? Where are you eating at?

*Devotional thoughts inspired by sermon of Pastor Jim Cymbala and his book "Fresh Power"

DAY 7 - HOUSE OF PRAYER - PT. 2

Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

I find it interesting when I think about church today. What have we made it into. Does it really have the aroma of prayer? Are we flocking to be a part of prayer times? Do we listen when the pastors call us to fast and pray? As I said yesterday, have we made it into a House of Preaching or a House of Music? Neither or wrong or unbiblical, but if they become the focus of church life, are we missing it's true intent?

Did the revival in Acts begin while someone was preaching? Nope. Acts 2 records those gathered in the upper room where praying and waiting on the promise of the Father. It was during that time when God's Holy Spirit was poured out. How about Joel 2:28, those two words, "And Afterward." And afterward He will pour out His Spirit. After what? People returning to God in prayer and fasting. Even the revivals of the past, they occurred because people where praying!

Let me finish with this thought...if I told you to choose between coming to the free prayer meeting or paying $20 to see your favorite Christian Artist in concert, what would you choose? And be honest about it! Have we come in a place in the history of the church where we would rather be entertained rather than to entertain the throne room of Christ? Only you can answer that question. God is truly calling His church to Wake Up. Are you listening?

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. Prayer Meeting or Concert? Why
2. Does my church have the aroma of prayer?
3. Go and study the revivals of the past. How did they start? Was it prayer or preaching? How did they continue? Was it prayer or good music?

*Devotional thoughts inspired by sermon of Pastor Jim Cymbala and his book "Fresh Power"

DAY 6 - HOUSE OF PRAYER

Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

When each of us picture Jesus in our mind, most of us have a calm, gentle, and loving shepherd. Rarely do we picture our savior, engaged in righteous anger, overturning tables and chairs, and driving out those who were buying and selling in the temple. But the question I ask is "what got Him so upset?" The answer comes when we read what Jesus said: "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers."

When churches lose the focus of prayer, they lose. How can we engage in the battle against the enemy without it? We can't! How can we effectively reach those who do not know Christ? We can't! How can we worship and enter into God's Holy Presence? We can't! As I said in my sermon, God has not called church to be a house of music, nor did He call it to be a house of eloquently spoken sermons...He called it a "HOUSE OF PRAYER". Without prayer as our focus, we will miss the table God has set before us! And what does He say..."Taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps 34:8)."

So what does your house look like? Is it a House of Prayer? Does our church look like a House of Prayer? If not, what should our reaction be? What do we need to overturn? What needs to be driven out?

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. Is my house a house of prayer? Why?
2. Does our church have the focus of prayer?
3. How can we make it our priority?
4. In our home and in our church, what needs to be driven out and overturned?

*Devotional thoughts inspired by sermon of Pastor Jim Cymbala and his book "Fresh Power"

DAY 5 - HOW TO PRAY

Matthew 6:9-13 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

The Lord's prayer is one of the greatest examples and patterns of how we should pray. Its almost like a recipe of how to pray and Jesus gave us the ingredients.

"Our Father in Heaven" teaches us who to address our prayers to - the Father. "Hallowed be your name" is our opportunity to exalt and praise Him. "Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" is praying for God's will in our lives, not our own. "Give us today our daily bread" is Jesus' encouragement for us to ask for those things we need. "Forgive us our debts" is a reminder to confess our sins to God and to turn from them. "As we also have forgiven our debtors" persuades us to forgive others as God has forgiven us. "And lead us not into temptation" is asking God to help us become victorious over sin. Finally, "but deliver us from the evil one" is praying for protection from the attacks of the enemy.

How many times have you recited the Lord's Prayer without even thinking about what you are saying. Remember yesterday's devotion? Its almost the same as babbling. Now its okay to memorize it, but lets know what we are praying as we pray it! My encouragement to you today is to pray this prayer everyday, but add your ingredients into the recipe that Jesus gave us.

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. What did you learn through this devotional?
2. Have you ever recited this prayer without knowing or even meaning what you said?
3. How will you use this prayer in your daily life?
4. Does prayer make a difference? Why?

DAY 4 - HOW NOT TO PRAY - Pt. 2

Matthew 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

My youngest son, Elijah (22 months old), is now at the point in his speech development where he is starting to string words together. These cute little sentences are hard to make out at times. I often wonder how my wife is able to discern what he is speaking. At times, if either one of us doesn't understand what he is saying or asking right away, he gets a little upset or can tend to talk louder. I think this is his attempt to be understood and heard.

Do you ever feel like a little kid when you speak to God? Each of us have wondered at times if He actually heard us? Do you ever pray louder so He can hear you better? Have you ever had those times while praying when you think you need to say more or even use elegant words? How many times have you found yourself praying in "King James" language? When thou prayeth in King James, thee beginist to useth words that doth not maketh much senseth. Some of my favorite prayers are the ones where you add an "ah" after the name Jesus-ah or God-ah or when extra syllables are added to words so they sound more Evangelical! You know what I am talking about...

Here is the point: Don't babble when you pray. Don't go on and on and on. In fact, you don't have to even yell at God. Jesus refers to that kind of prayer as paganistic. The wonderful thing is this...it's His promise to us: He already knows what you need before you ask Him! That overwhelms me with a sense of peace and adequacy! We can do this...

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE
1. Do you know how to pray? Are you learning?
2. Have you ever felt inadequate when you pray?
3. Does knowing that God knows what you need before you even ask it bring you comfort? Why?
4. Are you released from burden of praying to elegantly or extravagantly?

DAY 3 - HOW NOT TO PRAY - PT. 1

Matthew 6:5-6 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 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.

I am not sure how your mind's eye works, but in mine I can see these men with extravagant religious clothing, standing out on the street corner, wailing at the top of their lungs, attempting to get some attention. This picture leads me to a few questions: Why did these religious leaders pray in this manner? What do you think people thought when they walked by these *hypocrites* who purposely wanted to be seen by others. And why did Jesus call them hypocrites? Do you think he was being too harsh on these religious individuals?

Listen to the next phrase Jesus says, "I tell you the truth". When the Son of God is going to shed some truth in our life, doesn't that make your ears perk up to listen? The truth is we need to go into our room, close the door, and pray. Alone...with Him! Do you have a secret place? If not, find one and get alone with God. He is wanting to reward those who seek the unseen God in the secret. Let's make a covenanent today we will not pray like a hypocrite.

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE:
1. How should I pray?
2. Do I have a secret place? If so, where? If not, why?
3. Have you ever prayed in a way similar to those whom Jesus referred as "hypocrites"?
4. What is the result of getting alone with God in a secret place?

REVIVAL IN LARNED (AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES)

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:10-11

1. Pray for God to draw people to repent, fast and pray for spiritual breakthrough.
2. Pray for God to raise up a generation of young prayer warriors to pray boldly for God to break in with His Presence and move in our community.
3. Pray for God to transform each of our hearts, fascinate our hearts with His presence and give us a real longing for Christ and cause us to be in passionate pursuit of God.
4. Pray for God to cause the Body of Christ in Larned to have a hunger for God, to really know Him and make Him known.
5. Pray for the Lord to raise up people across the state that will pray and call others to prayer for Him to move in their city and in our nation.
6. Pray for unity in the Body of Christ and for pastors to begin to pray together to seek God’s face and ask for transformation and revival.
7. Pray for God to transform every center of power within our city and to turn them to Christ.
8. Pray for Larned’s institutions to be overrun by the grace and presence of God, for every center of power to be touched by the presence of God, for the fire of the Holy Spirit to be summoned and to fall in our city, and for true revival to sweep our nation and turn hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER FOR PERSONAL REPENTANCE

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Psalms 51:1-3

1. Confess and repent to God of any sins in your life.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas He is displeased with in your life.
3. Repent for any prayerlessness in your life and not reading and obeying His Word.
4. Repent for any lack of love you have for others and for disunity in the body.

DAY 2 - ANSWER TO PRAYER

I thought a great addition to the daily devotionals would be the answers to our prayers. If you have one specifically to share, please email it to Pastor Ryan in care of larnedag@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing your replies!

Here is one from Toni Morss:
***Just so you know the background...we have several families, youth, and children traveling from the Rozel/Burdett area. Toni has been praying about utilizing a vehicle to bring more people to church. Here is the answer to her prayer...***

Pastor Ryan, I've got good news about the bus:

We'll start using it next Wednesday night. It will cost $1.00 per passenger. I've contacted the Robert's, the Knauff's and the parents of the kids we already transport. It's a 15 passenger bus and I'm thinking we can fill up!!!

This is an answer to prayer for me because I was beginning to get concerned about the number of kids the boys were inviting to church. I didn't want to turn anyone away, but I was out of room in my van.

While in prayer on Monday, God simply told me to ask about the public transportation bus. I mentioned it to you on Tuesday and by that evening, God paved the way. Do we serve a problem solving God or what? It's crazy though because sometimes God can answer instantly and sometimes He can take years. I know He is always on time, but when you're in the middle of a wait, time stands still. I can't say that God's answers to prayer are any sweeter to me when I have to wait a long time over a short time. (I of course prefer the instant answers) But whatever God's timing, I celebrate and rejoice when the answer comes and the length of the wait is no longer an issue.

I thought the fasting/prayer time started on Monday so I was quiet before the Lord when he prompted me to investigate the bus option in Burdett. I shared in bible study tonight that this rapid response from God has boosted my faith in expecting to receive solutions to other petitions I have before Him as well.

Toni

DAY 2 - FAITH LIKE A CHILD

Mark 10:15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Last night I had the opportunity to teach the children at Kids Club. Its my once a month "Pastor Time"! Truth be told, I love going. Kids are so receptive to the things of God. There is no question why Christ said we must accept Him like a child. In a kid's eyes, God really can do anything. Where or how did we lose that childlike wonder as adults?

As I finished up my lesson (Water Baptism), I gave them an opportunity to ask any questions they might have. Lots of little hands went up. After answering several of their queires, one little girl made a comment and said she wanted her dad to come and watch her be baptized. She followed that up by saying her dad didn't believe in God and she and her mom were praying for him. Sound like childlike faith? After I answered two more questions, another little girl raised her hand. When we called on her, she said that we needed to pray for this other girls dad. In a moment where she could have used the time for herself, she was more concerned about praying for someone else's need. Not intending to put her on the spot, I asked her to pray for the other girl. She did...and for some reason, I truly believe and know God will answer the prayer of both these young girls.

So now each of you find yourself in a place where God has called you to a time of Prayer and Fasting. Have you wondered how to pray yet? Let the example of these girls and their faith be a starting point for this time. Maybe we should all commit to praying with the faith of a child. As today's devotion is on "HOW" to pray, tomorrow I will be sharing with each of you "HOW NOT" to pray...

1. Does prayer intimidate you? Why or why not?
2. Do you ever wonder about what to pray? Why or why not?
3. Have you lost childlike faith in your prayer since you have become an adult? Why or why not
4. How can you learn how to pray with faith like a child? Ask God to show you...

DAY 1 - WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO

Today starts our 40 days of prayer and fasting as a church. Some of you might just be thinking..."What did I commit myself to?" Maybe in this first day you are already questioning your ability to accomplish this task set before you. Allow me to share some revelation that has helped me: IN THE NEXT 40 DAYS, DON'T FOCUS ON CHANGING YOUR BEHAVIOR, MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOCUS ON LETTING JESUS CHANGE YOUR IDENTITY. (David Nasser - A Call to Die)

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me,he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Are you ready and willing to follow after Jesus? Are you ready to let Him change who you are? Are you able to deny your own self...your own pleasures, wants and desires? Think about it this way...when Jesus spoke those words, the disciples around Him actually knew what a cross was and how it was used. And here is this man, our Savior, telling us to take up our cross... doesn't this lead to our death? Reminds me of a few other verses:

Romans 6:11 Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

As you end this first day of your fast, end it by answering these three questions:

1. What does it mean to deny myself?
2. What does it mean to take up my cross?
3. What does it mean to follow Him?