As Timothy oversaw the church in Ephesus, Paul exhorted him to "fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Tim. 1:6b, NIV). Despite this, within a generation, the church in Ephesus faced a stern rebuke from Jesus for abandoning its first love, with the only remedy being a return to its initial deeds (Rev. 2:2-5). How did this once-thriving community lose its fervor? Perhaps it grew too comfortable, relying on its robust infrastructure, sound doctrine and well-organized systems.
A curious thing happened after Moses constructed the ancient tabernacle in the Sinai desert. First, Aaron made sacrifices for the sins of the people; then fire fell from heaven and consumed the offering. Then, Leviticus 9:24b (NASB 1995) says, "when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." And God told Moses that the priests were to keep this supernatural fire burning perpetually. A similar thing happened when Solomon built a permanent temple in Jerusalem. After the construction was finished, Solomon prayed and dedicated the building to the Lord. Suddenly fire came from heaven and consumed the offerings.
You never forget the feeling of sorrow and loss that occurs when someone close to you dies. I loved my father dearly. When he passed away in 1991, it took me weeks to get beyond the initial impact of grief and mourning. Each day when I awoke, that sense of loss would hit me again as I thought, "My daddy is dead." He was a wonderful father and grandfather. I am thankful that we had the opportunity to make so many wonderful memories together. His life was indeed a celebration. Though I knew Dad was with the Lord, his absence from this life left a void that took awhile to get over.
I want to share a word that the Lord gave me some time ago. It was about the countless women who have been called to powerful ministries, making a significant impact in Gods kingdom. Most of these women endured immense pain and affliction in their lives, yet they remained strong and steadfast in their faith, and unwavering in their devotion to Jesus. Katherine Kuhlman once said: "The anointing will cost you everything, but it's worth it"
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 KJV Today, I want you to read the parable of the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). As you read, keep in mind that this son utterly rejected and completely humiliated and dishonored his father, then only returned home when he remembered that even his father's hired servants had more food than he did!
In Part 1 we began to address what so many face, but rarely, if ever, speak of: "Why does it seem like so much of my prayer must be missing the target? What am I doing wrong? I believe the Bible and I'm praying in faith. Why isn't it being answered accordingly?" We answered by illustrating the extent to which we, God's very own, tend to be much more transactional than relational, more accustomed and attuned to 'doing life' by mechanisms which eliminate the necessity of being 'in the moment.' Punch a few buttons, or speak a few words, and "the whole world" opens to you, but can't this be at the expense of your "own soul?" As Jesus said: "what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mt.16:26).
There are a lot of challenges and dangers in our world today. As we continue to encounter an increasing number of challenges, there is the question of how we will be able to survive? I submit to you that the answer lies in unyielding prayer. Consistent prayer is essential for maintaining our connection with God. Prayer is a powerful weapon that can help us overcome the challenges we face. It can help us to find strength and courage to tackle these challenges, and it can also help us to stay focused on our goals and to persevere in times of difficulty. Prayer is an important part of our survival toolkit.
In this world of spiritual darkness, you are the light that shines! I know sometimes it feels as if the darkness is so great that everyone will be engulfed in it, but this is not true. This is only a lie and a deception, because those born of the Spirit have the light of life and nothing can put that light out. A few nights ago, we had severe thunderstorms and tornados here in Oklahoma. When I woke up to the weather sirens it was pitch black, but the minute I turned on my little flashlight, the darkness in the room receded and I could make my way to the LIGHT SWITCH and all the darkness in the room FLED. Where did it go?
In today's world, it feels like we're constantly caught in the crossfire of a culture war. Every day, we're faced with divisive issues—from political disagreements to debates over values that shape our society. Whether online or in person, people are divided, entrenched in their own beliefs, often battling to prove their point. It's easy to be swept up in the intensity of it all, but as Christians, we are called to live differently. Rather than engaging in hostility, we are invited to step back and choose to live as citizens of God's Kingdom, responding with love instead of anger.
You can unlock the transformative power of God in your life through intentional prayer, fasting, and a dedicated walk with Jesus. These spiritual practices not only deepen your relationship with Him but also equip you with His divine anointing to overcome challenges and fulfill your purpose. In this blog post, you will discover practical steps to activate God's power within you, enabling you to live a life marked by faith, strength, and purpose. Get ready to embrace the incredible potential that comes from a vibrant connection with the Almighty!
Follow Up
