A Time to Pray

While many people are gearing up for a weekend of candy, parties, and costumes, the Church is being summoned to pray. Much of the world has been deceived into celebrating October 31st as Halloween – a day glorifying the work of the devil. But as believers we recognize and observe Reformation and All Saint’s Day. Let us redeem this historic season in church history when Martin Luther(1517) boldly nailed his 95 theses on the Wittenberg church door and the Holy Spirit fell in Wales with Evan Roberts (1904). We are hungry for another mighty move of God in our land!


This is a pivotal time for our country. Midterm elections are next week and many people have become disillusioned by the promises of hope and positive change on which Obama campaigned. Again, I don't believe the answer will necessarily come about from voting in different leaders but rather by praying for the transformation of hearts towards the Lord. The main issue for many is the struggling economy. However the root issue is our nation's distorted moral compass. Greed, deception, lies, infidelity, and a confusion of what is truly right and wrong are the reasons why we are faltering. Jesus has the power to heal our land. May we intercede for this nation to see her destiny fulfilled as a beacon of freedom, righteousness, and hope. Let us pray and hunger after revival!

"Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zechariah 10:1 (KJV)

Cholera Outbreaks

Haiti has recently come in the news again after seemingly losing its public attention from the devastating earthquake that occurred in January. At least 280 people have died in a cholera outbreak and thousands more have been affected. Now there are reports of an even bigger outbreak in Nigeria as the UN is reporting over 1,500 deaths and 40,000 cases from this deadly disease. I have not found a reliable organization to support Nigeria yet but if you would like to make a donation to Haiti click here to go to the Mercy Corps website.


Sickness and disease are from the enemy so let's pray against his plans to steal, kill, and destroy human life. Father, we say greater is he who is in us than who is in the world. We declare an end to this cholera outbreak and the suffering it is causing. We pray for the conditions that enabled this disease to spread to be transformed. May there be an end to corruption, apathy, and evil and an increase in righteousness, love, and justice.

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

The Unaborted Life

Throughout history, society has gone through periods of great deception concerning the sanctity of human life. Slaves were viewed as less than human and treated like property. Native Americans were considered savages and killed like wild animals. Jews were exterminated by the millions because people were indoctrinated to believe they were an inferior race. Thankfully the majority of the world now recognizes the depravity and horror of such beliefs. Unfortunately another deception is still blinding the eyes and hearts of billions of people around the world. It is the lie that a baby in the womb is not a human life.

According to the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, there are approximately 42 millions abortions performed each year worldwide. That is over 115,000 abortions each day! The reason why this atrocity occurs is because people have been deceived from the truth that a human life resides in the womb of a pregnant woman. Can you imagine someone in America today possessing a black slave or killing a Native American? Not too long ago this was an everyday reality, today it would be a prosecutable offense. There will be a day when abortion will be viewed the same way. In order to get there we need people fighting and praying for the truth to be revealed.

Most people don't really consider that the millions of babies killed in the womb would have grown up to be part of society. In recent times, some well-known individuals have made a case for the unaborted life. Susan Boyle, the star of Britain's Got Talent, has revealed in a new autobiography that doctors had told her mother to abort her because they thought the pregnancy was risky. They recommended a “termination” to Bridget Boyle because they feared physical complications. Mrs. Boyle rejected this advice because of her Catholic faith. When Susan was born by emergency c-section, doctors did not congratulate her mother but took a dismissive view of Susan's life – especially when they suspected brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. “‘It’s probably best to accept Susan will never be anything,” Boyle recounted the doctors telling her mother. “‘Susan will never come to anything so don’t expect too much of her.’”

College football star Tim Tebow (now in the NFL) revealed that doctors recommended abortion to his mother after she became sick in the Philippines. Tebow’s story was featured in a 30-second ad spot purchased for last year's Super Bowl.

Italian singer Andrea Bocelli also revealed that doctors recommended abortion to his mother after she experienced an attack of appendicitis, making it likely that her son would be born with a disability. Andrea may be blind but his voice is angelic.

As these individuals testify, human life is worth fighting for. May we be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the cause of life!

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." II Corinthians 10:3-5

The Power of Our Words

There is a clever childhood phrase that seeks to protect the hearts and spirits of anyone who has ever been made fun of, belittled, or unfairly criticized:

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

But, as many have realized, this simply is not true. Words do have the power to harm. Nearly all of us have been hurt or have hurt others by what was spoken. In fact, the Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 in The Message translation puts it plainly: “Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.”


It is easy to observe the power words have in our relationships. We are naturally drawn to people who are positive and encouraging. They seem to nurture and uplift our spirits whenever they speak. Their words literally energize us.
On the other hand, it is challenging, difficult, and even painful to be in the presence of negative and critical individuals. They are physically and emotionally draining. Life and death are truly in the power of the tongue. May we choose to promote life in others through what we say!

"Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." Acts 15:32

Declarations

The power of the spoken word is universally recognized. It is part of what makes us human. For the Christian, we know it is also a reflection of the Divine. God speaks and it comes to pass. Jesus, the King of Kings, makes decrees and they are backed by heaven. We are taught, authorized, and empowered to make declarations just like our Father. I will expand on this idea in the coming days but prophecy is the art of making declarations. Our words have the power to change the world and advance the Kingdom. We just need to believe it.

Isaac is learning about declarations and enjoys coming up with new ones each day.
Here are some amazing declarations he has made already.

Isaac: "I declare that..."

God is always good.

Everyone we pray for will get healed.
There is no sickness in our house.
I will be the fastest runner!

Isaac, I declare you are a favored son of God who will heal, deliver, and love countless numbers for Jesus!

"Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." Psalm 71:17

My Favorite Preacher

My son is attending school (pre-K) at Bethel and loving it! We are so thankful because last year he did not want to go. Now he enjoys telling us about all of his classmates and the new things he learns. Apparently his favorite friend is a certain young girl. His mother is not too happy about that...

Anyway, they recently had a class activity where they made a "Dream Tree" which included a picture of each student on a paper tree with what they want to be when they grow up. When I visited the class for Back to School Night I naturally looked for Isaac's picture.

Tree of Dreams




Isaac's dream

My little guy declared he wanted to be a seed-planter! I was so proud. When Isaac was born I knew he was going to grow up to be a minister. I believe this is a prophetic declaration of his future destiny as one who preaches the word of God. The Father has implanted gifts of truth, righteousness, holiness, freedom, and humor in Isaac's heart. My son is already my favorite preacher. I am excited for his dream to come true!

Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:9-10

Good News!

In a world so filled with bad news it's always nice when there is a good story to rally around. The 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped in an underground mine 2000 feet below the surface with 100+ temperatures for 69 days were finally rescued on Thursday. The entire operation took over 22 hours and was completed in front of a jubilant crowd of about 2000 people. This news took center stage throughout the world as a triumph of faith, persistence, and hope.

The last miner to be rescued, Luis Urzua, centre, gestures as Chile's president Sebastián Piñera, right, looks on. Photo: Alex Ibanez/AP

Part of the reason why this story strikes the heart of so many is because it is a symbol of our spiritual reality. Humanity was condemned to an eternity in hell, trapped in the fiery belly of the earth, desperate for freedom. The God who loves us worked tirelessly to rescue and lift us out of the pit of despair. Through Jesus Christ we have been saved from our prison of sin and death! Those who have been redeemed are now charged with the task of helping those still trapped. The global celebration for the Chilean miners is just a small shadow of what lays ahead when Christ returns.

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14