Category: 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #20

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Prayer Advance!

Recently, I read of an evangelist’s account of ministry that took place in northwestern Romania in 1980 in spite of intense government persecution.  Revival was breaking out in churches of that area and the government couldn’t stop it.  As I read, my heart was deeply challenged by the following:

1.  The believers became burdened for other Romanians who had not heard the Gospel.  They travelled over the mountains to remote areas to reach people for Christ.  When they arrived at these remote churches, they did not preach evangelistic sermons; they simply taught the believers how to pray for their unsaved families, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Can you imagine coming to church for one solid year to hear preaching about prayer and then you really prayed?  Can you imagine not just praying for 10 minutes with weak, silent, going-through-the-motions prayer, but heart-rending prayer for hours?   Makes me think of some pertinent passages of Scripture:

  • Matthew 21:12-13 –   And Jesus entered the templeand drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
  • Acts 12:5 –  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
  • 1 Timothy 2:8 – I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.

2.  The evangelist went on to say that a huge difference between preaching in Romania as opposed to America was when the Romanians were taught something from Scripture, they obeyed, and they did it.  In America, it’s just written in a notebook and never done!  I’m guilty.  Are you?  What has God convicted you about in recent days through the reading or preaching of His Word?  Have you just written it down in your notebook or are you doing it?

3.  When the evangelist went back after a year to those churches in Romania where prayer was made without ceasing (Acts 12:5),  they would hold evangelistic meetings and many people would come to Christ!  In one church in a small place called Gallots, the church was packed and people were standing outside in below zero temperatures. Revival had broken out!!

When I read about how these people prayed and shared the Gospel, I said to myself, “That’s advancement!”  Folks, we are twenty days into our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting.  Let’s keep advancing!! What will be different about how you worship this Sunday?  What will be different about how you sing, pray, testify, observe communion, fellowship, listening, etc.  Will it be prayer advance, sing advance, testify advance, —advancing for Christ!!  As Romans 12:11 says, Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord!!

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 #19

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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PRAYER ADVANCE!

What a name for a men’s gathering!!  One of the most exciting events of the year is the opportunity to attend the Men’s Prayer Advance in Goshen, VA.  As stated on the Christ Life Ministry website, “The Men’s Prayer Advance was started over 20 years ago by a burden to see God do a fresh work in hearts. The emphasis of the Prayer Advance is hot, revival preaching and heart-searching prayer times.”  The fulfillment of this goal is has left a real impact upon my life.  Every year we are reminded that this is an advance, not a retreat!

Just picture 600 or more men singing with all their hearts, hands raised in praise, shouts of joy ringing out as we sing, “In Christ Alone,” or “Come, Thou Fount,” or “And Can It Be,” or “It Is Well With My Soul,” or “Victory in Jesus”!!  Seriously, I believe it is a foretaste of Heaven.  Add in the Friday night men’s choir singing a song such as, “I’m Amazed that You Love Me” or one of the men singing “I Am So Blessed.”  That’s shoutin’ ground!!!  What preparation the music makes for the preaching of God’s Word that penetrates the heart and convicts us in such a way that we are moved to decisions for Christ!  The altar is full with men being transparent with the Lord and each other.

Another highlight of the Advance is the many, many opportunities to pray!  If the meetings are held in the large cafeteria, we are seated in folding chairs.  That’s important.  During the service after a time of singing, we may be asked to get into a circle and go to prayer.  The chairs are moved, men go their knees, and there is a unified chorus of intercession that takes place that I believe is an illustration of the praise around the Throne of God!  At any given time, we may have this opportunity as the leader of service calls us to prayer.  After the service, we are then able to go back to our bunkhouses, and there, we have another prayer meeting.  My, the honesty, the transparency, the crying out of broken hearts for lost souls and wayward children, the tears, the joy, the praise!  It is a bit of Heaven on earth!

The Advance begins Thursday afternoon and concludes Saturday at noon.  All we do during those days is sing, listen to Spirit-empowered preaching and enjoy excellent meals around a table of fellowship.  When we pack up to leave and head on down the highway, we can always say, “I have seen the Lord!”

I must admit, I long for this to be the norm at Boones Creek Bible Church.  Why are we so timid when it comes to praising our God?  Why are we so shy about One-to-One Bible reading with another individual in the congregation?  Why are we so slow to rise out of our seat when we are called to come to the front and pray for the salvation of lost souls?  And when we are gathered like that, why are we so quiet in prayer?  Why are we so timid about sharing a personal testimony of the goodness of God?  Why do we have to drive a distance to be in a prayer meeting, a singing gathering, a preaching service that you know God has touched down and is doing a mighty work in the hearts of His people?

Would you honestly consider the questions above in light of the following passages today:  Psalm 55:16-17; 95:1-3; 150:1-6; Acts 4:23-31; 12:5; Revelation 5:11-13.  If you are not a part of the Boones Creek Bible Church, reflect upon how you worship, pray, sing, testify, read, and listen in your local church, or for that matter, in the place you meet with the Lord in your home every day.  Are you advancing or retreating?

Believers, we need revival!  I will continue these thoughts tomorrow, but for now, will you join me in advancing and not retreating?

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 #18

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Speak Up!

Evangelist Tom Farrell often says, “The Bible is not a book of suggestions, but a mandate from God.”  That same thought can be rendered “The Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion.”  You and I have been given a directive, a calling, a mission, a purpose, a plan and a life from the KING OF KINGS AND LORD AND LORDS, Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).  What a blessed privilege to be a mouthpiece for Deity; to have clear direction for lives; to know what the Lord expects of us; to have a divine purpose; to have a reason to live!  The Gospel must be proclaimed by YOU.

Scripture Passage:  Acts 26:1-23

1.  Do you live your life obedient to the mission Christ has given you?

2.  In your life right now, is it the Great Commission or the Great Suggestion, something you can take or leave?

3.  Do you think often about the lost condition of people who have never heard of Christ?

4.  Are you intentional in your witness for Christ and for His glory?

5.  Are your conversations guided by pointing others to the Theme of themes?

6.  Who are you building a relationship with today?  Who will you talk to today?

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!   To act as the people of God is to be His witness!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #17

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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What’s Your Title?

Acts 22 gives us the account of Paul preaching to the Jewish mob that had just tried to kill him.  While reading this passage recently, a descriptive title caught my attention.  As Paul shares his personal testimony, he mentions the stoning of Stephen and says, And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him (22:20).  Did you note the descriptive term for Stephen?  He called him your witness; God’s witness.  What a title to be known by!  A witness or also translated, “martyr.”  Are you a witness for Christ?  Would you be known as a “martyr” who dies to self and proclaims the message of Christ at any cost, any time, to anybody?

The past days have been an emotional roller coaster ride for us.  God in His grace spared the lives of our daughter and her fiancé in an auto accident Sunday night at 8:55.  A drunk driver was going the wrong way on the interstate and hit them almost head-on at 65 mph.  Andrew’s quick reaction to swerve to the left saved their lives. We are most certainly rejoicing in God’s protection.  Both cars were totaled, destroyed. There are many things about this event that stand out to me, but one of them is Andrew’s genuine concern for the souls of all who were around him.  He asked the state trooper, firemen, witnesses, other authorities, ER doctor and nurses, and folks at the towing company if they were sure of a home in Heaven.  While lying on the bed in the ER, he shared the gospel with the doctor, and she patiently listened.  Andrew was not driven by some adrenaline rush, although he was still under the trauma of it all.  This is Andrew, a man with a passion for lost souls.  The thought that occurred to me, “What would come out of my mouth if I were in a traumatic circumstance such as Andrew?” Now, I’m not setting Andrew up on a pedestal or making him out to be hero because he is my future son-in-law, but the truth is, I watched and heard him compassionately care for lost people in a time of near disaster. So much so, he is already praying about an opportunity to meet the drunken man who almost killed them.  Hence, I find myself saying what Paul said of Stephen, “Andrew, Your witness.”

Why do we need revival?  Because my title and your title needs to be,”(Fill in your name), Your witness.”  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!   To act as the people of God is to be His witness (Matthew 28:18-20)!!

Scripture Passage:  Acts 22

  • Note the boldness of Paul.
  • How will you turn conversations today to the Theme of themes?
  • What are your main fears about witnessing?  Talk to the Lord about them and trust 2 Cor. 9:8.

Let’s be the people of God today for His glory!!

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting: Day #14

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Focus on Christ:  Preparing to Worship Today

Scripture Reading:  John 4; 2 Corinthians 3:18

As you read John 4, you are reminded that every one who came into  contact with Jesus did not stay the same.  As you reflect over the past 14 days of focusing on God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, how have you changed?  What is different this morning from yesterday morning because of time with Christ?

The way to a revived heart is seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18.  Read it several times.  Christ wants to change us from glory to glory.  That means, He is developing in us the attributes of Himself that are communicable such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, . . . (Galatians 5:22-23).  Look into His face,  listen to Him speak, and you will leave different, changed as the Spirit of God takes the Word of God and tranforms us into the likeness of Christ one exposure at-a-time.

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #13

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Focus on Christ:  Preparing to Worship.

We were created to worship God (Exodus 20:2-6; Psalm 29:1-11; 86:9-10; 99:1-9; 100:1-5; John 4:21-24; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 4:8-11).  What an awesome privilege!  With every privilege comes a responsibility. We must be intentional worshipers! Our God is worthy, and He deserves our best adoration, praise and worship.  Since revived hearts desire to give Him the best, then we must be prepared to “enter into His gates” (Psalm 100:4) so we can be genuinely thankful and bless His holy name!  Last Sunday’s blog post (Day 7) gave some tips on worship preparation for Sunday morning before arriving at church.  Today, I want to share some ideas that will help you, your spouse and your family give God the best worship on Sunday by preparing on Saturday.

Practical Preparations [The purpose of the practical preparations is to limit distraction and decrease tension in the home, which often results in irritations and conflicts.]

1.  Prepare Sunday’s meals. Have breakfast made and table set. Perhaps choose simple self-serve breakfasts such as muffins or fruit bread, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, etc. Avoid a high sugar, high carb meal that may lead to drowsiness. Prepare the noon meal as well.

2.  Gas up the car

3.  Pick out clothes and take care of needed ironing

4.  Find Bibles (and shoes!) and lay them out

5.  Set aside your offering (2 Cor. 9:7)

6.  If you wear hearing aids put in fresh batteries.

7.  Teachers: make final lesson preparations

8.  Have children take baths

9.  Get to bed early. Avoid late night Saturday activities as much as possible. Avoid television, video games, and fluffy books.  Avoid anything that trivializes, or tends to put your mind in neutral. God’s thoughts are deep (Psalm 92:5).

Personal/Heart Preparations [The purpose of these personal preparations is to sensitize your heart and mind to meet the Lord in corporate worship. The goal is to go to bed with the Lord on your mind.]

1.  Delight in the Word.

2.  Read Psalm 32 or 51 and spend time in confession.

3.  Read some Scripture about worship (E.g. Hebrews 12:18-29; Psalm 95-100).

4.  For communion Sundays: read a Gospel account of the crucifixion; resolve interpersonal conflicts, seek forgiveness where needed (Matt. 5:23-24; 1 Cor. 11:23-34).

5.  Read a chapter from a solid devotional-style book such as The Knowledge of the Holy (A.W. Tozer).

6.  Devote yourself to prayer for tomorrow’s worship service and all participants: ushers and greeters, Scripture readers, musicians, choir, and songleader, preacher, nursery workers, Bible class teachers, visitors, unbelievers who may be present.

7.  Bible teachers: pray for your students, other classes and fellow teachers.

8.  Discipline your mind with song. Fill the house with worshipful music. Sing some hymns.

You know, the above suggestions can fit into the definition of fasting as you give up some things to remove the distractions. Just as we sing at Christmas, may our heart’s passion be, “O, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!”  Looking forward to Sunday!!!

40 Days Goal of Prayer & Fasting:  We want God to so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

(Hat tip to Paul Tautges for help with these ideas.)

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #12

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Focus on Christ:  Destination

Yesterday afternoon, my wife and I headed up the hill behind our house.  The higher we went, the deeper the snow.  The trek is further than you think.  We kept on going because we had a destination in mind; we were going to enjoy sledding in the freshly fallen snow!  Now, we could have sat in our warm home, for which we are sincerely thankful, and said, “Sure is pretty outside.  Wish we could go sledding.”  Or, we could do as we did.  We put on our winter attire and headed out!  We had a blast!  What an adventure trudging through the snow, making a path, sledding down the icy hillside road and laughing all the way!  You know why?  Because we had a destination in mind and took the necessary action steps to accomplish it!

Jesus, too, had a destination, a purpose.  Read His very own words in the following passages:

Matthew 17:22-23  And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.”

Matthew 20:28  The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

John 6:48  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 10:17-18    “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Jesus clearly knew His destination.  He fully understood the reason for His incarnation.  His purpose was as He said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His conly begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:14-17).

When it comes to your spiritual life, your relationship with Christ, where are you headed?  What is your desired destination?  What actions will you take to arrive at your destination?  You can sit in your house and wish for spiritual growth or you can take some action steps to arrive at your destination.  The wonderful truth is you have all the grace you need to accomplish what God has in store for you (2 Cor. 9:8; 2 Peter 1:3-11).

Prayerfully answer the following:

1.  Where does God want you to be spiritually in five years?  One year?  Next month?  Next week?  Today?  What is your destination?

2.  What action steps does the Lord desire for you to take to arrive at your destination?  For example, “by this time next month, I will have memorized Psalm 34.”

3.  Remember, you must be intentional in your action steps.  Write them down.  Have someone hold you accountable.  What will you do next?

40 Days Goal:  We want God to 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 #11

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Focus on Christ:  Commitment to Biblical Change

Yesterday, I was invited to attend a very profitable meeting at Summit Leadership in Johnson City, TN.  Mike Jackson, a local Christian businessman, made a statement that I want to share with you.  “When listening to a sermon or a presentation, instead of taking notes, write down commitments.”  I want to ask you to do that today.

1.  Make sure you are in a place where you can listen to Jesus talk to you through His Word.  Remove the distractions.

2.  Read John 15:1-27 and record in your journal, not so much notes from the chapter, but commitments that lead to biblical change in your life today.  Again, as the Word/Jesus reads you as you read it, what changes and plans of action need to be written in your journal?

Goal of 40 Days: Our goal, our heartbeat, our motivation, our joy for these 40 days 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 #10

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Focus on Christ:  Full of Grace & Truth

Last evening, we finished the four-session, Marriage Matters, small group study at our home.  These are always special times of growth and change.  The Word is always profitable (2 Timothy 3:16).  All four lessons this time dwelt with the subject of communication, and in particular, the final lesson drew our attention to the great need and supply of grace.

How marvelous is the message of John 1:14, 16, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  You see, when you received Christ as your Lord and Savior, He Who is full of grace and truth comes to dwell with you.  And as you learn of Christ, talk with Christ, meditate on Christ, and imitate Christ (Matt. 11:28-30; 1 Cor. 11:1; 2 Cor. 3:18), you find that for every situation of life, there is grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace. It flows like a river that never runs dry.  There is no “fuel gauge” on grace. The more you behold your Savior, the more you understand, appropriate and appreciate that Christ is full of grace and truth and pours out upon us grace upon grace. Colossians 2:9 tells us that all that God is, is in Christ, and therefore, all that is in Christ is in us!   When you have Christ, you have all you need (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Today’s Passages: Romans 5:17, 20; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9; Ephesians 4:7; Hebrews 4:16

1.  What does each of these scripture passages teach us about Christ and His grace?

2.  What area or situation of your life do you need grace upon grace from Christ (John 1:16)?

3.  Whatever the Lord reveals to you in reference to question #2, what “grace passage” listed above applies to your need?

4.  Remember, our goal, our heartbeat, our motivation, our joy for these 40 days 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!   This will take grace . . . and there is sufficient grace; grace upon grace.  Turn whatever you need to over to Christ.

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #9

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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FOCUS ON CHRIST

Yesterday morning, my wife sent me a Voxer message.  “Dale, you have two typos in your blog post for today.”  And then she proceeded to tell me where they were located in the body of the text.  Without any further thought, I immediately got up from my reading and went to my computer.  Those typos had to be corrected.

As I pondered my actions later on, I was reminded of something very important.  When I read God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit points out a “typo,” a sin in my life, do I respond as quickly to change it? You see, to be honest, I did not want you to read my blog post and see any errors (not that these posts are perfect by any means).  I was concerned what you would think.  I wanted it to be right.  “I’ve got to fix this right now!”

Wow!  Sadly for many, we are more concerned about what man thinks of us than what God knows of us.  Today, as the Word of God reads you, and the Holy Spirit sheds light on your darkness, your heart, will you respond quickly to put off the old and put on the new?  How long will it take?

Today’s Passage:  Ephesians 4

Complete the Following:

1.  Read Ephesians 4 slowly, prayerfully, and listen as Christ talks to you from verse 1 to the end of the chapter.  Do not be in a hurry.  Read a phrase or two, stop, listen.  What is Christ saying to you?  Be sure to record it in your journal.

2.  As “Christ reads you” as you read His Word, what “typos” has He revealed to you?  Use 1 John 1:9 right now and confess and forsake (Proverbs 28:13).

3.  Remember, our goal, our heartbeat, our motivation, our joy for these 40 days 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!