Stage217

“BELIEVE”

I was sitting here wondering why I still wasn’t believing?

Could itbe that the enemy was deceiving?

or could it be that my bible I wasnt reading?

It should of been your face that I was seeking!

But instead I found myself unbelieving!

How many people do I have to watch falling?

Before I answer God’s true calling?

How long will I keep running?

Before I realize the enemy wont stop coming?

what happened to those mighty dreams id be dreaming?

of all the lives thru me you’d be healing!

What in the world happened to me?

Why am I still wallowing in my own pain and insecurity?

Did I forget what you promised me?

Lord You created me for victory!

and to possess unwaivering mental ability!

not to copy those things that are on t.v.

Especially those things found on mtv

filled with selfishness an immorality

How many people are waiting for me?

To answer the call you have placed upon me!

I dont have time to turn and flee!

When all those souls are depending on me!

Thats why he needs us all to truly believe!

because there are so many souls that need to be freed!

So go ahead and get your face off the floor!

Because God has destined you for so much more!

“THE RACE“

I thought id never win this race!

I was sure id end up another disgrace!

at least thats what everyone used to tell me in my face!

Instead I was held up by his holy grace

because I have been frequently seeking his face!

It’s tough living in this worlds ever quickening pace!

But u can surely finish this race

Just take a look in my trophy case

The enemy might be giving you chase

But he wont even be able to see your face

Because of how fast you will run this race

Once your covered by God’s holy grace

There are some of you that are stuck on the starting line

So let me give you some advice of mine

Just start the race and you will do fine

and I will introduce you to this God of mine

Do you wish you could run and not get tired?

Just wait till he fills you with his holy fire

With God by your side you will always get first place

So dont worry about ever being a disgrace

Dont listen to comments by those in last place

There just mad at themselves for falling out of Gods grace

or for never listening to him in the first place

Aword of advice to you running this race

Do not go to slow of pace

There is one who wants to take you out of grace

and see that you never finish this race

I will be waiting or you on the finish line

I trust that you will all do fine

Because you know that God of mine

-end

 

I am reading this book by Bill Hybels called “Courageous Leadership”
When chaos hits humanity, when something cataclysmic hits our normal routines, what is the response we are suppose to take? For example the tragedy that was 9/11 2001; I can still remember where I was at the exact time of that attack. As I am sure you can too. It was a cold brutal attack killing many. It was designed to steal the hope that Americans had in there lives. Many people in search for there loved ones hoping to hear something about there family and friends. Such a devastating moment in our history. And we are seeing one now with the earthquakes in Haiti. Then I read the statements from this book, “The local church is the hope of the world”(15). We all know that after 9/11 and even today in Haiti there are many organizations hard at work to help better the situation. But the Red Cross, humanitarian groups, millionaires who donate money, food donations and such can only go so far. Their work is very important, but the local church can do an even greater work, a deeper work during these times of chaos. We get to hug the hurting, sit and help heal the deep wounds of the broken. Talk and be there for people and minister to the very soul of a person. So as we sit back and wonder what we do during these times, during havoc. Trust and know that God has given us, his local church, the amazing gift of caring the way He cares for people, the way He loves people. The Acts 2 church modeled a caring community of people who loved and gave for one another. We can do the same. When the people in our small groups and circle of influences need a shoulder to cry on, we can be there. When a person is struggling to pay a bill, we can help them. We can minister to one another in the hard times, as a family, as a local community.

Acts 4

Fasting…ugh when I hear those words I cringe. It has always been my Achilles heel, my struggle. However, when I would fast my sensitivity to God’s voice and will intensified! But why do we have to fast? I mean I get revelation and understanding already from the Word of God, is there more to Him that I have not discovered? David, in Psalm 42 was fasting and he got to a point where he was past his earthly desires and was able to cry out from the deep of himself into the deep things of God. That’s a good place to be. I’m reading a book by Jentezen Franklin called “fasting” and he says something that I think we need to all hear, “the practice of fasting is not limited to ministers and special occasions” (9). I believe this to be true and a struggle of most people. Fasting was to be a normal part of a relationship with God, but we use it normally for special events, hoping God will show up and bless our events, or we think that only the ministers should fast elevating fasting to a level of exclusiveness that is was never intended for. Fasting isn’t exclusive (for the select few) it is inclusive (for everyone). “The three duties of every Christian are giving, praying, and fasting.”(11) Imagine that. Jesus said in Matthew 6 when you pray…when you give…when you fast…He made it clear that we should give as much attention to fasting and we do to giving and praying. “If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why would He fast? The Son of God fasted because He knew they were supernatural things that could only be released that way. How much more should fasting be a common practice in our lives”(14).
I just wanted to encourage you today to fast, pray and give. God has so much more for you today that if you would position yourself on His wheel and remove all the impurities by the blood of Christ His perfect plan for your life will be revealed! Spend time with God today. Go into your room, close the door, don’t announce to the world that you are doing it, and just keep it between you and God. He has much more in store.

Psalm 42-“As a deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 “a threefold cord is not easily broken” -Prayer, giving and fasting

Matthew 6 “The Beatitudes”