Wednesday, January 30, 2013

28 day prayer and fast journal

So I say, live by the Spirit… -Galatians 5:16

 

The purpose of this 28 day fast and prayer journey is to strengthen the inner self to become more Spirit minded. If we walk by faith, led by the Spirit of God, we will make the right decisions every time. As we operate under the guidance of the Spirit of God our ministry, work, and family life will not be overwhelming tasks but part of a pleasant journey of service, of love, of peace. As we walk a Spirit led and Spirit minded life, whenever we encounter opposition, obstacles, and challenges, these hurdles become small tasks compared to the joy of eternity with Jesus. Join me for 28 days of meditating in God’s Word and seek with me His guidance.

 


Day 1 -  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. -Colossians 3:1-2

Lead me oh Lord into your path of righteousness. Guide me through this world I’m living. I am blind to so much of spiritual reality. I need your hand to guide me. Deliver me from the perils of this world, from all seen and unseen dangers threatening my life and that of my loved ones. As I begin this 28 day journey, let me walk under open heavens, let my prayer and my worship reach you unabridged and let your blessings pour down over me. As your Holy Spirit guides me, let me clearly hear your voice, clearly see your light and closely follow your lead. For 28 days I want to set my mind on the things above, not on the things on the earth.

Ask God to give you extra strength, to sustain you for these 28 days that you may endure the fast. Pray for divine revelation of God’s will for your life.


Day 2 - 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. -1 Corinthians 2:13-15

Teach me Oh Lord your ways, lead me into understanding your eternal truths. Push me into obedience of your perfect will. Deliver me from temptations and forbid me to walk astray from your path of righteousness and holiness. I praise you Oh Lord, for you alone are great. You are wonderful beyond measure, my soul overflows with your love. I thank you for the wisdom you have placed in my mind. I receive it as a gift from you. Help me overcome pride and in all humility acknowledge you as the source of all wisdom and knowledge. I want to understand spiritual matters, be able to judge all things and be judged by no one. I will not seat in the seat of the scorned but in heavenly places with Jesus.

Give God a heartfelt praise. Thank God for everything He has done for you in your life. Look back even to your childhood and your past and recognize God’s hand over your life. Share with somebody something God has done for you. 


Day 3 - But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." -Mark 8:33 

Lord, Peter was a great disciple and even standing in the physical presence of Jesus, Peter fell for the trap of the enemy of our souls. Help me Oh Lord to set my mind on Your things and not on the things of men. I trust my life into your hands and believe with all of me that You are my provider, my healer, my caretaker, I need nothing because of You. You satisfy all my needs and you take care of every one of my affairs on earth, even from the smallest details to the greatest deal. Let me be an instrument of your peace and love. Let me behold your glory and walk in your presence. Let me think, feel, say and act according to your perfect plan for my life.

Memorize and repeat the following verses throughout the day:

 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. -Romans 12:2

 … the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. -Romans 8:7

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. -Ephesians 4:17


Day 4 - Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. -Colossians 2:23 

Lord, I want to worship in Spirit and truth, not in hypocrisy. I want to worship not by force, nor by any one's pressure, doctrine or religious habit, but only because my soul desires to worship you Oh King, and serve you. Lord you have engraved your law upon my heart and I will follow your commandments, not by the letter of the law, but by your Spirit. Lord these days of prayer and fasting, I do not punish my flesh harshly to present an outward appearance of piety, but I deny the desires of the flesh to seek you. Let my meditations be pleasing to you.

Repeat these verses throughout the day:

 … and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness -Ephesians 4:24

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day -2 Corinthians 4:16 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 2:5  

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. -Romans 8:5


Day 5 - And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on The Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. -Rom 13:11-14  

I reject the pleasures this world offer and put on the armor of God’s light. I will be bright in this world of darkness as I have been marked and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. I refuse to give in to temptations. I will fulfill my call to be the salt and light of this world. Lord, remove from me any impurity that could prevent my light from shining bright. Do your perfecting work in my life. Point out my defects that I must remove myself, and in those areas where I am weak and cannot help myself, Lord be my strength.

Pray for the salvation of every single member of your family, present each one by name to God. If reconciliation needs to take place with any of them, surrender to God and if possible reach out to them.

Repeat these verses throughout the day: 

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. -Gal 3:26-27 

... that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. -Eph 4:22-24 

...put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him... -Col 3:10 


Day 6 - So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. -Galatians 5:16

I renounce sin, I renounce the ways of iniquity of this world, I must gratify my spirit with your Spirit Oh Lord. You are a fountain of living waters flowing from within me because your Spirit fills me. Wash away my sinful nature; baptize me with your Spirit one more time. Baptize me with your Spirit and fire, with your fire Oh Lord. Cleanse me through and through, break every chain, and break every yoke. Set me free, free, completely free.

Meditate on the following verses today:

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. –2 Corinthians 3:17

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God –2 Corinthians 3:5

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. –2 Corinthians 5:21

Day 7 -…in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. - Romans 8:4


…clearly you are an epistle of Christ… written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. - 2 Corinthians 3:3


I am a living letter written by Your hand, I am a walking testimony of Your love and justice. Oh God, thank you for turning my world around, for leading me in to green pastures and still waters of peace and serenity. I need a clear mind and a steady hand to fight all spiritual battles, thank you God for giving me the strengths I need. I am determined to carry on with your command. I will be a trumpet from heaven, and announce your soon return. I will pray harder and louder. With my brothers and sisters I will bind on earth that which you would bind in heaven and lose that which you would lose. Even if it is for just a short while I will be your prophet.

Ask God to give you spiritual discernment and activate the gift of prophecy in your life today.

Meditate in these verses:



And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. -John 16:8-11

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged…. -1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:31


Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand… Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; -Joel 2:1,15

 

Day 8 - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. -John 4:23-24

Lord, a sinful woman came to Jesus and washed His feet with her tears and anointed his feet with an expensive perfume. I want to be like that woman at your feet and worship you with all my love. I want to pour out my soul to you today and offer myself as living sacrifice of praise and worship.

If you are able, kneel to pray today. Physically bow down, put your face to the ground and worship God in no uncertain terms. Today sing a song of worship to God.


Day 9- Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever…" -Genesis 6:3

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." -John 4:24

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…-2 Corinthians 5:21

I have made an altar of your Word and there I sacrificed my sin I shattered all my idols. On earth Jesus made himself sin so that I did not suffer the death penalty; He took my guilt and shame and nailed it to the cross on my behalf. Thank you for freeing my soul. I humbly accept your amazing grace and your love. Now I live for you. I will be your eyes to see for the blind, your hands to give to the poor, your feet to carry your Word, your mouth to speak your blessings wherever you send me, wherever I am.

Today make a random act of charity.


Day 10 -  For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death. -Psalm 48:14

You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. -Psalm 73:24

The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. -Isaiah 58:11

God, I am refreshed in your presence, you strengthen my bones and satisfy my soul. Lord, you guided the Hebrews in the dessert as a column of fire by night and as a pillar of smoke during the day. I am not lost because you guide me; you have set clear signs for me to follow until the end. I feel safe walking under your guidance. I am comforted by your rod and staff. My step is firm; you give me strength to go on and a clear vision of the way to follow. I follow you.

Today meditate on the glorious prize of life eternal in the presence of Jesus. Set your eyes on the prize. Walk in joy in the presence of God.

Day 11 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Lord thank you for one more day, for another opportunity to serve you by reaching out to my fellow human beings. Thank you for waiting a little bit longer for the unsaved to be rescued by your amazing grace. Lord, place in me your love for mankind, so much so that I would not waver at the chance of bringing lives to your light, to your truth. All the glory and power and honor is yours and only yours. All I want is to be like you in faithfulness, love, self control and humility for the glory of your name. The name of Jesus is above all names.

Today, share the truth of salvation with an unsaved loved one; be careful not to be judgmental but exercise compassion. Just tell this person about God’s love.


Day 12- But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18

Heavenly Father, you are my daily provision, my strength and my protection. You are the source of all life and every good thing comes from you. I am so glad I have this personal relationship with you. I am so glad that you are not too busy for me. I love you so much. Forgive me when I forget you are near me, sometimes my eyes lead me away from you. Deliver me from all temptations.

Today, pick up the Bible, open its pages and read the Word of God. Before reading, ask Him to speak to you through his word.


Day 13- For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:5

 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:7

Lord, I am eagerly waiting for your justice. You are my redeemer, our hope is in you. I am so excited for the soon manifestation of Jesus throughout the whole earth. The glorious day of our redemption is near. Lord bring your justice, establish your kingdom of glory once and for all. End all the injustice that is taking place in this world, and strengthen your servants that are praying day and night.

Today, if you are able, send a donation to a charity that is helping combat poverty and hunger.


Day 14- There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

... you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

Father, you have given me your Spirit and adopted me as your son. As your child I will proudly carry your name which is Holy. I will be more Spirit minded and seek the things from above and as you show me and reveal your truths to me I will walk in the strength of your power doing good, loving the world with your love.

Tell somebody you love that you love him. Read 1 Corinthians 13.

Day 15O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:24

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,… For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:16;19

Lord I once was lost in sin and you have made me one of yours. You rescued me. I am your son now like the angels in heaven. I will join you forever upon your return and at last your creation will enjoy everlasting peace.

Pray earnestly for God’s soon return to earth.


Day 16- and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:17

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Lord, thank you for cleaning my heart, I can now offer my body as a living sacrifice, a body with out sin, without vices, without blemishes; living, breathing, walking for you in the righteous path of your guidance. You healed my body and my soul.

Today give up a meal, join the millions that are hungry today and pray for God’s kingdom soon establishment on earth.

Day 17 – For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 1 Timothy 4:4
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Thank you for the water, thank you for the sun, thank you for the air I breath, for the daily bread, thank you for the trees and the plants that bring life and food, thank you for the shelter, You are my refuge. Thank you for my clothing, I put on Jesus, thank you for your spiritual armor that protects me from the darts and attacks of the enemy. Thank you for my friends, for the opportunity to serve you, for one more day, for every breath. Thank you thank you thank you. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, you are everything to me, everything I have, everything I see, everything I can think of is only because of you. You are the source of life, you hold the universe in the palm of your hand.

Make this day a day of thanks giving. Tell someone you are grateful for their presence in your life.

Day 18 - But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Acts 15:5-11


Lord, religious burdens are still dividing your body, the church. Some churches believe certain traditions should be imposed, others have different opinions about Your Word and commands. Father, bring your church together, let your church be one with Christ as the head. Let us accept each other’s differences and stop us from entering into fruitless discussions. Help us by your Spirit to grow closer to each other as we draw closer to you.


Pray for your church, your pastor and for the churches you have ever visited. Pray for unity in the church and for the denominational barriers to cease.



Day 19 - “
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God
. John 3:18

Lord in the last days there will be great disasters on this earth, clear signs of your soon return. I am convinced that we are living these days. Help me be bold to bring people to your saving light. Move your Spirit on this earth, let the world see clearly and hear your calling. Let the lost souls come to you, oh Lord, in repentance and submission.

Today, pray again for your relatives. If you are able to call one today, do it, and talk to them about God’s calling in this generation.


Day 20-
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me: Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. 9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10

Don’t leave me alone Oh Lord, I am nothing without you. I am not strong enough. You are my strength, you are my life. If I don’t have your Spirit to guide me, I am lost, if I don’t have your Word to feed me I will starve. I am dead without You. Your Spirit and your Word are my life and my strength. My trust is in you, it's the only way I could stand firm. You alone are faithful. I live to worship you.

Meditate in this:

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:13


Day 21 -
There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.... It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Corinthians 15:41,44

Your word tells us that soon you will redeem our bodies and transform us into the eternal beings. I have confessed my sins and repented. I have decided to follow Jesus. I know He is your Son and that after living a perfect life free of sin, He died for me. He paid for my life with his blood. He suffer on the cross for my faults. He gave His life willingly as ransom for humanity. In his life, death and resurrection he reconciled man with God, and thanks to Him I can come freely to You. I am a new creation in Jesus.

Present your body to God. Romans 12:1
Day 22- Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:9-10

In restoring the ruined city of our hearts, I will work. I will be a stone worker and will help in shaping those cold rocks into warm breathing souls. I will carry the mortar, and the water, and the material to repair the broken walls. I will measure and will balance, I will climb and will life, I will do whatever necessary to rebuilt and reconstruct, you are the architect, I am a laborer in this project. I will spend my life in this project as Nehemiah.

Read Nehemiah 5: 14-19


Day 23- “
For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8

You alone are God, above all the earth, the universe declares your majesty. I have seen the glory of the stars and of the sun and of the moon, and nothing compares to you. The heavens declare your great science. The angels above sing your glory, and you alone Oh God are worthy of all praise. You keep your promise and your judgments are just.
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.11 Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.
Deuteronomy 7:9-11


Day 24 -“
Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed
. Deuteronomy 16:16

Lord, I celebrate your sacred holidays on a daily basis, although I am not subscribed to the law of Moses, in my heart I will celebrate every sacred feast, and observe every Sabbath because your law is perfect and it has been perfected in my spirit by you. Your presence in my life gives new meaning to every word in the Bible. You open my mind to understanding of your word and your word is a lamp unto my fee and a guide unto my path.

If you are able, make a special offering to the church.

Day 25 -And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11

Lord, help me overcome by my testimony. Help me be uphold my testimony, deliver me from temptation, deliver me from all evil. Let the blood of the Lamb be alive in me to give me strengths and prevent me from failing. Your spirit guides me, your spirit strengthens me, your spirit Oh Lord lifts me up, I will not be put to shame.

Tell God your commitment to follow Him, tell Him you are determined to do His will, that you will not give up and will persevere to the end.


Day 26-
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11

Lord you have led me and carried me like a shepherd, carrying me in your heart. I am eternally grateful for your protection, care and guidance. You give me strengths to go forward. My heart is to follow you always and never forget of your loving-kindness. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. You give consolation to the suffering, you will reign forever.

Meditate in God’s love for your life and in the following scriptures:


The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18


Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3


Day 27-
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Revelation 2:11


You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4
I shall remain pure of thoughts, pure in my actions, retain a pure heart. My name is written in the Book of Life. I shall be raised to be with Jesus forever. For the rest of my life, I shall walk in purity of though. My words shall reflect my heart, My heart is filled with the love of God. The Spirit of God is upon me. In the midst of trials and tribulations even in the face of death, I shall overcome by the word of my testimony and by the blood of the Lamb.

Remind yourself of your commitment to remain faithful to God. Meditate on this scripture:


And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:12


Day 28 -
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5


For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

Thank you Holy Spirit for 28 days of prayer. Let my life be a constant prayer to you, maintain the communication opened at all times, have your spirit talk to mine often. Open my ears I want to listen to your words, and open my eyes, I want to see your revelations. Don’t let me be fooled by false doctrines, help me speak your truth always. As I walk the rest of my life towards my destiny of eternity with you, continue perfecting your will in my life, so that I become a better servant and make you proud of me.

Continue praying for your family, for the close relatives and also for those that are distant. Let those close to you know that you love them. Show your love to them, if there is conflict in your relationships, resolve them with love. If this is too difficult for you to do, ask God for help, ask God to send someone to help you. Be blessed and be a blessing.

Monday, January 7, 2013



010613 Renewing the mind to become Spirit minded and Spirit led

 As we move forward into the new year, we often make new year resolutions and traditionally we think of the new year as a new beginning. I have preached about this topic a few times and likely will continue to talk about this topic forever, as it is imperative that we reflect on the spiritual new birth to move forward in live in a journey that is close to the Heart of God. We have established that when a person is born again in the Spirit, the person is given a new spirit, we become a new creation that is in tune with the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the Spirit of God himself is now dwelling in us. This is the Spirit that will lead us out of danger, that will guide us through the paths of truth, peace, righteousness, and God’s justice. The Spirit of God within you will help you talk to God as you pray, give you words when you speak, heal your body when you are afflicted by disease and operate that which is miraculous in your life and in the lives of those for whom you intercede. The Spirit of God helps you not only in the difficult circumstances and what seems impossible, but also on your day to day activities.

When we allow the Spirit to lead our lives, then we act and think according to the exact will of God. The steps of the righteous are ordained by God. God can set up the circumstances,  prepare the ground and walk you right into His plan for your life, when you live a Spirit led life. The message today is about living a spiritual life, to enter the new year becoming spirit minded people.

We can see a clear distinction between living a spirit minded life and living a carnal minded life but not very often we see the distinction between living a a life led by the heart (mind) and the difference of living by the spirit. To appreciate the difference we can always look and learn from the life of Jesus and from what is written in His word. The Bible says that the heart is deceiving above all things, and also that to live for the flesh is a death sentence.

Jesus did not let circumstances worry him so much as to distract him from fulfilling his mission on Earth. His mind was focused on the heavenly matters, on the will of God not just for mankind but for all His creation. A born again Christian will care more about the things of God than the things of this world. The Bible suggests that we transform our minds into the mind of Christ.

This month of February  join me in 28 days of prayer and fasting asking God to help us transform our minds into the mind of Christ in us so that we may truly become spirit minded and Spirit led people.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you... Romans 8:9 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

122112 Mayan Calendar?

122112 - Mayan Calendar?
In light of the attention given to the date of 122112 I decided to search the Bible using this number. The first 122112 I found was the Bible book 12 chapter 21 verse 12, (2 Kings 21:12). I further continued to the next book counting in 12’s (12, 24, 36…) and landed in Jeremiah. The next book, Zephaniah, did not have 12 chapters so I used chapter 2 verse 1 and also verse 12 (122112), and that was the formula for the books with less than 12 chapters. Here is the list of scriptures followed by a compilation of the passages:
2 Kings 21:12; Jeremiah 21:12; Zephaniah 2:1; Zephaniah 2:12; Galatians 2:1; Galatians 2:12; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV 84)
Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle…. O house of David, this is what the Lord says:“‘Administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done—  burn with no one to quench it….Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation,… …… “You too, O Cushites, will be slain by my sword.”…Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also….Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group….Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind….Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
The message is clear. God is getting ready to intervene directly and aggressively in the affairs of this world, particularly, to bring justice over His people. The message in the Old Testament speaks specifically to the Jews in their land, and in the New Testament it is for all those who confess that Jesus is The Lord. The message is the same. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Let us stop the hypocrisy and let us correct our conduct while we still have a chance, time is running out.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

121212

121212 – In light of the attention given to the date of 121212 I decided to search the Bible using this number. The first 121212 I found was the Bible book 12 chapter 12 verse 12, (2 Kings 12:12). I further continued to the next book counting in 12’s (12, 24, 36…) and landed in Jeremiah. The next book, Zephaniah, did not have 12 chapters so I used chapter 1 verse 2 and also verse 12 (121212), and that was the formula for the books with less than 12 chapters. Here is the list of scriptures followed by a compilation of the passages:
 2 Kings 12:12; Jeremiah 12:12; Zephaniah 1:2; Zephaniah 1:12; Zechariah 12:12; Galatians 1:2; Galatians 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 1:12 (NKJV)
… and to masons and stonecutters, and for buying timber and hewn stone, to repair the damage of the house of the Lord, and for all that was paid out to repair the temple. … The plunderers have come On all the desolate heights in the wilderness, For the sword of the Lord shall devour From one end of the land to the other end of the land; No flesh shall have  peace…. “I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land, ”Says the Lord;  …  “And it shall come to pass at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, ‘The Lord will not do good, Nor will He do evil.’  And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; …  and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:  For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ… elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied…. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Reading these verses make me think that God is calling his people to invest in restoring His temple.  In a figurative way the temple may represent our own lives which are in dire need of repair and restoration. Let's get back to that place of prayer and communion with the Spirit. I believe that God is warning the world of His imminent intervention. Was this the meaning of 121212?

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Drawing closer to God - James 4:8

As I was praying this morning asking God for a fresh word for the church, I could feel His presence and my message becoming clear. I wanted to preach about praising and worshiping God, I also was thinking about Hanukkah the Festival of Lights, or maybe preaching about Christmas since it is that season again. As I was praying I realized  that 1- I was asking God to draw near me and 2- give me some word of His Spirit. I was asking God for something ( a fresh word), and also for Him to get closer to me. Of course there is nothing wrong with asking God for favors, who else are we going to ask? We could ask friends, coworkers, family to help us out in a time of need, and that’s OK too, but ultimately coming to God with our petitions is the wisest move since He holds the universe in His hands. I am a firm believer that we should ask God for anything. Yet this time, the message was instead of asking God to come to me, I needed to get closer to God. It is me that needs to get closer to God to get anything or to catch His attention. How often we ask God, "protect my children, help me at my work, help my marriage, help my finances, my relationships, give me give me give me."

Relationships are  2 way streets. We want God to get close to us to wherever we are. Instead, how about we try to get closer to God to wherever He is? Of course we are still trapped in these bodies and do not have the ability to physically enter in to the heavenly places, but in the spirit we are able to get very close to Him.


To be born again means that:

1- we are not reborn on the flesh;
2- we are born in the spirit;
3- we are new creatures;
4- we are children of God;
5- as such we have access to the Father…

The access we have gained because of the work of Jesus on Earth, means we can approach the throne of God and enter in his presence at any time. However, we must remember that God is holy and demands holiness from us. I must have preached this a million times, and will preach it a million more; we need to be in a close relationship with God.

Any relationship that is only asking and demanding from one side is not healthy. It gives the impression that one is taking advantage of the other and the one that is always giving, and giving, could one day get tired of the lopsided relationship and walk away.

Relationships require that all involved commit to the relationship, look out for the needs of the other and try the best to meet those needs. That is a relationship based on love.  Of course when we talk about our relationship with God we understand that we cannot fulfill God’s needs, because He doesn’t really need anything from us and there is nothing we can do to remotely help Him. God is not a man. However, we need to understand that God is God and out of respect to His Holiness we will live lives of holiness and righteousness and approach God to honor Him as He deserves.

He gave us a new life, why do we insist in living the old life? Why do we insist in pleasing the world? Why can’t we live for the one who loved us first and we say we love?

Hanukkah and the dreidel

Hanukkah is the 8 days Jewish celebration also known as Festival of Lights based on the dedication of the temple. Hanukkah starts in the Hebrew calendar on the 25th of Kislev, this year the celebrations fall in Dec 8-16. The celebration starts by lighting a candle each night beginning in the evening of the 1st night. The celebration is popular among the Jews but is not a major holiday, like Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah. Each day of the celebration people will give a small gift to each other, but nothing expensive. Each evening they will light a candle of the lamp using the “servant” candle. The menorah lamp has 9 candles one is the servant light and one for each of the eight days of the celebration.

The miracle of the lights is that during the period between the old and new testaments, after the Jews were allowed to return from their captivity in Babylon, the Syrians attacked and desecrated the temple by dedicating the temple to Zeus, and sacrificing pigs. Judas Maccabeus led a revolt and cleansed the temple and made new utensils altar, and rededicated the temple. The story goes on to say that all the oil had been used and there was only one bottle of sanctified oil enough for one day. The miracle was that the oil lasted for eight days enough for new oil to be pressed and brought to the temple. So the miracle is that one day's worth of lamp’s oil lasted for eight days.

The celebration of the dedication of the temple holds the miracle of the lights but also that only a few brave men defeated the invading army and were able to restore the sacred office to the temple of Jerusalem. The reflection is the same as the parting of the Red Sea, the feeding of the thousands, the miraculous catch of fish…out of the little we have, with faith, God can make a great miracle.

Dreidel is a spinning top toy game with four letters of the Hebrew alphabet, one on each side; Nun,(Nisht-nothing) Gimel (Gants-all), Hei (halb-half), Shin (Shtel Ayin-put in) this is the acronym for Nes Gadol Haya Sham (A great miracle happened there).

I would like for each and everyone of us to be able to say someday, "a great miracle happened here (in my life)".

In great part, the reason God granted these great miracles at the different times, is

1- God loves His people;
2- His people were in tuned with God;
3- there was a Moses, a Joshua, an Elijah, a Judas Maccabeus, a Peter, a _____(fill the blank with your name), that was so closed to God that was able to intercede on behalf of their people and approached God with great faith for help in a time of need.

So the next time we go to ask God to meet with us in the place of our need, let us take a look at how close or far are we from Him, take the leap of faith and draw closer to Him.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

pray for immigration reform

 I invite you to pray with me and ask God to destroy these infernal strongholds that are oppressing the immigrants in our country. Pray that God uses the legislators to make a fair immigration reform. God, break those chains! God, loosen the bonds from the devil! Keep working on your Hispanic people...


Last week a lady came to my church asking me for advice because she was undocumented and in fear for her safety - because of the news of stricter immigration laws in FL and elsewhere. She stated that she has been in Florida for 12 years and that she overextended her VISA from Honduras. After the lady vented some of her frustrations and fears, I asked her if I could pray for her. As I was praying, I could feel God's presence. I could feel the Spirit telling me to pray against the stronghold that is oppressing the immigrants in America. Immediately I was reminded that those who are born again in Jesus Christ have a new citizenship. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God of which Jesus himself is king. I was reminded that the time of our redemption is near and that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strengths. I told all this to the sister who was now in tears of joy after receiving her consolation from the Holy Spirit. Continue to pray with me for God to break the yoke of sin and the yoke of the law that binds our hearts.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Praying for Japan - God is in Control

Let us pray for the Japanese nation and that God will bring a revival among their people there. When facing calamities, the tendency of the human being is to seek God.  The news of volcanoes, earthquakes and tidal waves should not surprise us, because all this  was written. But for us, these news should serve as signs of urgency for our prayers and for divine intervention.  In these days of trials and fulfillment of the prophecies written in the Bible, we will activate our faith and put ourselves in the gap for the people of Japan.


Psalm 89:9 You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them. 



Psalm 93:3-4 3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves.4 The LORD on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea.
   
      
Psalm 95:3-5 3 For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods. 4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.5 The sea is His, for He made it;And His hands formed the dry land.
     
    
Psalm 97:1-6 1 The LORD reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad! 2 Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. 3 A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about. 4 His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD,  At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.6 The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory.


Psalm 99:1 The LORD reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved!