Category: 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #40

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Not Really the End

What a journey this has been!  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting has been that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!  Looking back over the past 40 days, what is different about your life today?  Has your passion for prayer increased?  Have you found that you are more aware to take the next right step?  Has the beauty of Christ become more compelling in your life?  Has glorifying God become the major motivator in your life (1 Cor. 10:31)?  God has done a real work in my heart.  The plowing of the Spirit’s conviction was difficult at times, but I am grateful for His conviction that has led to change.

Now, we must press on for Christ!  Whatever distractions that caused you to be cold and indifferent, keep them in their proper place.  Whatever sin has easily beset you, it’s under the blood.  Walk in the victory that is already ours in Christ (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 2:14).  Live in the reality of standing before Christ at the Judgment Seat (2 Cor. 5:9-11) and the horror for every unbeliever at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).  Every morning, arise, meet with Jesus, and as Dr. Farrell reminded us, “Report for duty!”

Praise the Lord for souls saved this week as we saw six men, one lady and a boy received Christ!!  Many other decisions were made as well for God’s glory!!  The Gospel still changes lives because the Word is alive and still works!!

This is the end of our 40 days, but it really is not the end.  Let’s not be satisfied.  Let’s keep praying, sowing, growing, and making much of Christ!!  Keep on keeping on!!   Let’s have at it for Jesus!!

See you Sunday morning at 8:15 a.m. for Men & Ladies’ Prayer Meeting!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #39

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Revival Quotes to Ponder

When the pulpit directs its deliverances to catch the popular ear, when it tones down its awful and solemn truths to the level of a pleasant entertainment, it is a fallen pulpit… The spirit of prayer cannot be in harmony with the spirit of entertainment in the Church of God. The feeble phase of holiness, the dulling effect of sin, the secularization of the church, the worldliness, the sensationalism, the absence of the spirit of worship, all these tend to destroy the forces that convict the sinner of sin. (E.M. Bounds)

Whenever the beauty of Christ, the pain of repentance, the shame of guilt, the fear of hell, and humility are lacking—it is a counterfeit revival. It is these deceptive, delusive, and entertaining features that distinguish the real from the false. (Harold Vaughn)

What kind of revival has been going on in your heart this week, in these past days?

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #37

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Oh! men and brethren, what would this heart feel if I could but believe that there were some among you who would go home and pray for a revival—men whose faith is large enough, and their love fiery enough to lead them from this moment to exercise unceasing intercessions that God would appear among us and do wondrous things here, as in the times of former generations. – C. H. Spurgeon

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!   

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #36

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

If revival is being withheld from us, it is because some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the unchangeable truth that “It is not by might, but by My Spirit.”  – Jonathan Goforth

Oh, that we would sincerely get a hold of this truth!!  Lord, send the revival!!

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

Praises From Yesterday

  • Praise the Lord for the salvation of two college students who received Christ as Savior yesterday morning!  They were in our area visiting with friends while on spring break!  As we heard so much yesterday, “The Gospel still works,” and “People bring people to Jesus” (Mark 2).
  • Praise the Lord a daughter burdened for her dad’s spiritual condition, and he came to the service last night!
  • Praise the Lord for the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and folks stepping forward for Christ to make some decisions that will glorify y Him!
  • Praise the Lord for faithful believers who are praying, seeking God’s face, and believing God for what He can do!!

Here are a few principles from yesterday’s three messages from Dr. Tom Farrell

  • If you don’t witness, you are unsaved or unsurrendered!
  • When it comes to witnessing, you have ability through Christ, authority by Christ, and accountability to Christ.
  • God sends trials to develop us.  Satan sends temptations to destroy us.  If we do not respond biblically to trials, they will become temptations.
  • In reference to revival, do you want a meeting or a moving of God?

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #34

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Move Forward!

Yesterday, I read Numbers 13-14 and was reminded of God’s plan for us to keep moving forward in faith and courage for Him.  Ten of the twelve spies gave a fear-filled report of the land and its inhabitants (13:26-29, 31-33).  Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, had the courage and faith in God’s word to stand against the fear-mongers and say, “We can!  We must! Move forward!  The land is already ours!” (13:30; 14:6-9).  Sadly, the children of Israel paid an awful price because they chose to listen to men and retreat.  They should have stepped out in courage and moved forward!

Another example we have been studying here of late of moving forward against the foe of doubt, ridicule, fear and criticism is Nehemiah.  He kept on praying and going forward!  How about Abraham?  How about Noah?  What about Peter and John?  What about Stephen?  How about Paul?  All these and many more did not retreat but are known as people of faith who moved forward for God!

Tomorrow begins our revival meeting. Are you advancing?  Are you moving forward for Christ?  Are you more intentional to grow in grace, to memorize the Word, to live in worship, to step out in faith and take risks, to connect with people who need to know Christ, to earnestly pray, to make that visitor at church feel welcome, to follow Christ at any cost, to disciple no matter how hard or how much time it takes, to invite someone to your home to go through The Exchange Bible Study, etc?

Take note of Caleb’s example and words as recorded in Numbers 13:30, Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”  That’s moving forward!!

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

Another Reminder:  MOVE YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD AN HOUR!!  Don’t dwell on the hour you lost, but look at what you gain!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #33

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Who Will Come To Christ Because You Prayed?

We are just days away from the beginning of our meetings next week and especially this Sunday’s service where we are praying and seeking to see many come to Christ.  May I encourage you to continue praying earnestly, fervently and biblically for souls to be saved this Sunday (1 Timothy 2:1-6)?

So, you want to be like Christ?  Pray for the salvation of unbelieving sinners.  Jesus did while hanging on the cross (Luke 23:34), and His prayer was answered at Pentecost (Acts 2).  What powerful words are found in Isaiah 53:12, Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  How many souls have been saved due to Christ’s prayer on their behalf? 

What about Stephen while being stoned?  In his final moments, we read in Acts 7:59-60, And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  Who was saved as a result of Stephen’s prayer?  Saul (Acts 8:1; 9:1-22).

Also, do not only pray and not act on your prayers!  Be intentional and persistent in inviting!!  Follow the example of the four men who gave all to get the paralytic man to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12)!  Remember, people bring people to Jesus!

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day 32

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

One Man changed your life.  Now, you say  what He says; teach what He taught; do what He did; and live as He lived.  In so doing, there is something more about your life that matters above all else.  You are being used to change lives through that Man, the Man Christ Jesus.  That brings awesome glory to God!!

As you watch  Something More, consider how Christ is working through you to reach someone for Him.  Who is coming with you to church this Sunday to hear the Gospel?   After all, there is something more to you–you say what He says; teach what He taught; do what He did; and live as He lived.

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #31

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Something Rare and Special Going On!

Yesterday morning, I read the following Facebook status from Gerald Wolfe that said, “If I lived anywhere near Albemarle, North Carolina, I’d join up with the folks at Prospect Baptist Church! There’s something rare and special going on there that should be the “norm” for Churches across the country!”  That statement peaked my interest.  Gerald did not give any further explanation, but someone from the church did, and I definitely want to share it with you.

“God has placed His hand on this place. It is not anything we do or can explain. It is a pastor in Stoney Benfield that had taught us through the Word about repentance, love & worship. There is a freedom of worship to clap, cry, laugh & love. There is a call to prayer & submission to the one Holy God. There is a challenge to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing. There is an expectation of meeting with the Lord every time the doors are open & that worship is out of the overflow of our personal time of worship, reflection & service throughout the week. There is a passion in ministry for the students, the children, the hurting, the addicted, the lost…this list goes on. …We can’t explain it, but we do experience it! No, we don’t get it all right. We are an imperfect people serving the Perfect God and we are so humbled and thankful that God had chosen to be here and pray that we remain amazed & humbled so that He continues to stay.”

I have one question to ask this morning, “Is something rare and special going on in your life this morning?”  If so, it will spill over into your family today and our church starting this Sunday.  Will you be a part of what should be the “norm”?

Isaiah 55:6-12

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!