I am sure not to be the only one

"Better Than a Blanket" by Harmony Pace.
    
Though I am sure not to be the only one, I have a confession to make. With a little confidence (seeing that I had experienced motherhood for more than two years already), upon the news that we would once again be adding to our family, I set out to do something I had not done before. The most beautiful, soft, blue yarn was chosen. Care was taken to purchase the proper sized hook for the yarn size that was chosen. Things were set in order. Between caring for a toddler and a home, I excitedly began crocheting a blanket for our coming son.

The result . . . not what I had imagined. Though soft and of beautiful color, it was more of a lopsided rectangle the size of my lap than any crocheted blanket worthy of covering a newborn. An attempt was made with all the right elements, but the execution was less than perfect. In truth, I gave up.

 
Many moms might say that prayers for our children have also, at times, been comparable to the experience detailed above. Maybe, frustrated in our botched attempts to “really pray” for our children, we have been tempted to stop at just “a good effort.” Let me encourage you to keep on praying.

 
Prayer can sometimes look like hours of praying over the different aspects of our children’s lives. At other times, there may be a still small voice that nudges you to pray the blood of Jesus to cover and keep them in a single moment. Sometimes, our attempt at praying feels a little lopsided and insufficient to cover even our own laps . . . but pray on! You have all the key elements.

 
The covering of prayer isn’t in the beautiful sufficiency of the flowery prayer that I pray. The sufficiency of the One I pray to is what covers my children completely. The beautiful thing about prayer is that when it is prayed in faith in Jesus’ name, it doesn’t matter if it’s less than “perfect.” No physical blanket that I might crochet could cover my son for a lifetime. The covering I create for him through prayer, however, will long outlive me. Prayer never dies. Through prayer, it is my desire to build a place of refuge, an access point, for both of my children to access the shelter of HIS wings and HIS truth— a covering better than any blanket!

 
Pray long, pray short, pray less than perfect, but just don’t give up praying. It will cover them!
 

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:4).

Info from: Ladies Prayer International Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesprayerinternational-aol.com@shared1.ccsend.com 
 

Trusting in the Lord can be difficult

"Trusting in the Lord"

Trusting in the Lord can be difficult with all the struggles that life brings. It can be hard to believe that God cares about us and sees where we are. However, we can have peace knowing that our Lord loves us, cares about us, and desires for us to be happy. Therefore, when we are called, we can have peace and comfort, knowing that His will is the best thing for our lives. He will not give you a calling and then leave you, rather the Lord will help you every step of the way. 

When you are worried about the future or struggling to trust in the Lord, pray:

    Lord, help me to see myself the way you see me and assure me of my calling.
    Give me strength and comfort through my situation and help me to know that you are always there.
    In the good times and the bad, help me to remember to give my problems and situations over to God.
    Lord, I thank you for the calling you have placed on my life and for always making a way for me.

Sarah Smith
Guest Writer
Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com

To some the Bible is just a Book

" I Can Speak HIS Word " by Tara Dillon
    

To some, the Bible is just a book with a lot of words that some say they don’t understand. But to a desperate child of God, it is life and hope.

 

I am a mother to four very wonderful people. I have two beautiful girls who are married to wonderful ministers of the gospel and two handsome young men still at home. My husband and I have been very fortunate in the child-rearing area of teenagers and young adult stages of life. This year, however, the devil attacked our family in a new deceptive way that we never could have imagined.

 

In this crisis, I became desperate for God’s direction and leading in our family and home. We prayed more, fasted more, sought counsel, and began to re-evaluate some things in our lives.

 

We both work, myself part-time and my husband full-time, on top of Hyphen ministry, Bible quiz coaching, church leadership team, and jail ministry. If you asked us what we enjoyed, we would tell you all of it. However, did we love it more than family? Nothing matters more than our family and home.

 

We realized that while we were working for the Kingdom, but we were not ministering where it was the most important: our family. We began evaluating every area of our lives. As a result, we kept the same ministries, but we tweaked how they affected our daily lives. During this time, God quickened me to pray the Word over my children and home. This concept was not foreign to me. After all, I have years in Bible quiz ministry. I encourage young people to pray the Word, and I have prayed the Word many times.

 

I prayed constantly throughout the day and part of the night. Although things changed, it was still a battle. I woke up and anointed my boys’ clothes, prayed over their pillows, prayed over the house, and rebuked any hindering spirits in my home. But I needed something stronger.

 

When I felt the nudge of God to pray the Word, HIS Word, my thoughts first went to Proverbs for instruction. I placed my child’s name in the scripture. For example, in Proverbs 1:8 you can pray, “Let (child’s name) hear the instruction of their father and not forsake the law of their mother.” In Proverbs 4:13 you can pray, “Lord, help my children to ‘Take hold of instruction; let her not go; for she is their life.’” Make scripture personal when you pray over your kids!

 

In closing, after praying the Word over my children and my home every night, things began to fall into place. Sister Joy Haney’s, PRAY the Word, became my best strength. God began leading and guiding us step by step. He was moving before, but my words are not HIS Words!! For example, I had prayed Hebrews 4:12 many times before, but this time I prayed that verse with tears pouring down my face. During this time, I realized that HIS Words are exactly what I need.

 

 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

 

This scripture incorporates it all, for the Word is what I need spiritually, physically, and mentally all the time. When I don’t know what to pray, HIS Word is the answer.

(Information from: Ladies Prayer International Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesprayerinternational -aol.com@shared1.ccsend.com) 

The Lord delivered me

After almost 30 years as a saved Bible Believer, I have never heard of or known anyone who did not have to overcome evil in his/her Salvation Journey towards Eternal Life. The Bible says this: Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me 2 Timothy 3:11 KJV.

I was never naive many years whn I just started my Journey to think that because I am saved I will have no more problems because of the Power of God in my life. Instead, the difference to me is ( and was back then) that now I have some super natural help to overcome evil. 

Wickedness and evil still came my way. But prayer and fasting help as long it is the will of God that he will do what I can never do for myself. So it feels good to be saved in times of trouble or extra trouble from the principalities and powers of evil in this world. Ephesians 6:12 KJV says: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The Apostles and Disciples, etc., from the early Church and Bible days had to face and endure the same evil and wickedness every true and saved Bible Believer will face today, and in the future. But if we have the real God and not just a god with us, we must (not may) overcome. That is why the Bible tells us that out of them all the Lord delivered me.

We must never stop praying one for the other, and help one another when we can. Because that is absolutely necessary, I believe, for our survival and endurance untill the end. Read Matthew 24:13 KJV.

Many still do not recognize Jesus

"Recognizing Jesus" by Mary Loudermilk

“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him . . . .” (Luke 24:31a). 

I’ve heard people say how exciting it would be to have lived at the time of Jesus—to see Him, follow Him, hear Him teach. What an incredible experience! Yet I wonder, would I have recognized Him? Would I have believed? Been indifferent? Scoffed? I hope I would have recognized and accepted Him as Messiah, but many did not.

“What about the prophecies?” we may ask. Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies. Didn’t they see? Didn’t they understand? We are looking back, putting all the pieces of the puzzle together and seeing the whole picture. They, with their preconceived ideas of how those prophecies would be fulfilled, did not recognize what was taking place in their midst.

No doubt other infant boys were born in Bethlehem around that time. Unusual circumstances? Yes, but those were unusual times. Oh, there were stories about shepherds seeing angels and strangers arriving from the East who talked about a bright star, but things were so chaotic with the crowds and the taxation. Who knows? Then one day the family was just gone. No one knew where. People soon forgot the couple and their baby.

Nor was Jesus the only iterant rabbi (teacher) who walked the dusty roads of Israel, teaching any who followed Him. Others had claimed to be Messiah, and no doubt others would come later. As the folks of Nazareth said, “Isn’t that Jospeh’s son?” (Luke 4:22). And in their minds they may have added, “And wasn’t there a question about His mom and a rushed wedding?”

Consider the times when even Jesus’ own disciples did not recognize him.

    He walked on the water toward them, and they were afraid (Matthew 14:25-27).
    Mary Magdalene saw Him at the tomb and thought He was the gardener (John 20:14-16).
    Two disciples walked with Him on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, some seven miles, and did not realize it was Jesus (Luke 24:13-35).

We live in a world where many still do not recognize Jesus. They do not look with eyes of faith, much like those in Nazareth who thought He was “just Joseph’s boy.” But it’s not just the non-Christian who does not recognize Jesus. We too may be guilty of overlooking Him in our life’s situations.

Perhaps one reason we do not see Jesus in our circumstances is because we have fixed ideas of how He will work. This mindset—putting Him in a box—limits our vision of Him and His power in our lives.

Jesus is waiting for us to see Him for who He is. He wants to move outside the boundaries we have set that limit Him. We must open our eyes. God is at work.

(Information from: Pure Ministry - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com) 

Do I wait and watch for the Lord

Waiting by Caitlin Walker

“My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)

 

We often associate night with trials, and darkness with struggle and rough seasons of life. I don’t know about you, but I certainly do not enjoy harsh seasons. Rather I see them as something I need to suffer through and claw my way out of, barely surviving.
    

The above scripture in the New Living Translation says, “I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.” A sentry is a soldier who stands guard all night to watch for enemy attacks, fires, unauthorized people, etc. They are members of the first line of defense, and their main goal is to signal to the people they are protecting that danger isn’t too far off.

 

Imagine a soldier standing at the ready with drowsy eyelids, forcing himself to stay awake. The people’s very survival depends on this man watching the horizon all night. I would be terrible at night shifts, so I can only imagine how hard the job would be and the tremendous pressure. I can hear the sigh of relief when the first ray of sunshine peeks over the horizon.

 

I have to ask myself: do I wait and watch for the Lord as these men did? Am I anticipating His arrival, anxiously awaiting to see miracles, signs, and wonders? Do I see deliverance off in the distance, or am I consumed with frustration because I can’t seem to see Him working?

 

Lift your eyes today! Just as the sentries watch for the sunrise, wait and watch for the Lord. He will show up, He will work it out, and He is coming back for His people! Keep hoping, believing, and praying. He is always on time.

(Information from: Pure Ministry - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com) 

Faith is my favorite seed

"Dormant Seed" by Jennifer Brooks.

Every year it’s inevitable that my garden will produce a plant that was sown in a previous year. The bountiful surprise always leaves me with a smile on my face. The precious seed needed time for whatever reason to blossom. However, the growth would have never taken place had a seed not been sown.
    

I can’t recall how many times I’ve rehearsed over and over in my mind the seeds of prayer that others have placed in my heart. Seeds that lay dormant for countless years with no indication of growth, no matter how much they were watered. But God!

It can be frustrating to select a new vegetable to add to your seasonal crops, only to discover that the germination failed. Planting seeds in others can leave us kicking and screaming inside as we wait for the growing season. It’s a very beautiful breathtaking moment when a loved one gives their heart and soul to Jesus. But what do you do when you’ve prayed, you’ve planted seeds for a very long time, you’ve done all you could do, and you never witnessed the moment?

The answer is you keep doing you. People are watching you. Trust me, there is someone you are shining a light for and you’re making a difference for that person. My dear grandmother who raised me in a UPCI Apostolic Church since I was age five, went to her grave never knowing if the seeds she planted would ever take root. Thank the Lord they took root!

Faith is my favorite seed that sprouted. The intense feeling of strong faith is what kept me adamantly focused on the Lord during the hardest battles a person can face. The sudden death of our 18-year-old son as a result of a homicide left me bruised and broken. However, the Lord picked me up and rebuilt all the pieces. I often get asked, “How can you speak so calmly about your son after everything that happened?” My answer without hesitation, “We are a family that has strong faith.”

Strong faith simply implies that you believe in the one that can move those mountains. It’s rarely a casual assumption that the Lord can remove obstacles from your life that will leave you feeling complete, but instead it must be an absolute knowing. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t still have those moments where memories of my baby boy will flash in mind, causing an emotional uproar in my heart. It was a devasting thing to go through. Strong faith doesn’t mean you never break down into a sobbing mess. On the contrary, sobs usually lead to stronger faith.

To plant seeds or ideas into a person is going to require a process of germination, so to speak. The process will require nurturing, commitment, prayer, and the right season to flourish.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

I don’t know about you, but I have absolutely no intention of giving up on others. Now let me clarify some situations will call for a small dose of wisdom. If you proceed to witness to a person with a persistence too strong, you could run that person further away from truth. On the other hand, if you're not persistent enough at various times, that could also lead to failed attempts. The best approach is God’s timing.

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23)

Sometimes you plant seeds by saying nothing at all. The way you carry yourself, the way you put God first no matter what, and the way you live, all speak of your life and how you believe. Even when trials manifest in your situations, and they leave you hurt, crying, and devastated, others are watching how you respond to such pain. Handing over the hurt to the Lord while going through the motions of your mundane everyday tasks, speaks volumes of your character and your faith.

(Information from: Pure Ministry Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com)

The Scars and more Inspirational Posts

The Scars of the Lamb Throughout the Generations!

Jesus, the risen Lamb, appears in Revelation 5:6 with visible scars from His death on Calvary.These scars should remind us of our scars. Jesus could have easily removed His scars after His resurrection, yet He chose to show His scars to remind us of the glory of conquering His enemy at Calvary. The scars were left to remind us of the costly love He displayed on the cross. The scars of the Lamb point us to the superior dominance Jesus had over death, Hell, and the grave. In the same way, Jesus has left some scars in our lives to remind us of the superior dominance He has over the enemies in our lives.

The scars of the Lamb in our lives remind us of His valuable love for us while we go through battles. He will leave some scars visible for others to see to point us to the power of his sovereign grace in our lives. “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17).

Rev. T.F. Tenny made the statement that some experiences we encounter are worth millions of dollars because of what we learn from them and how it brings us closer to Christ, but he would not pay a penny to go through it all over again. These are scars from the Lamb. Some scars are memories, relational wounds, or physical limitations that we encountered from our obedience to Jesus Christ.

The scars of the Lamb in our lives become an unmissable advertisement of the glory and honor we give to the resurrected Lamb, Jesus Christ. Your scars are working an exceeding weight and purpose more than you can begin to imagine. When our scars are linked to His scars it amplifies the glory and the power of God in our lives.

“For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you” (I Corinthians 4:9-14).

Pastor Don Rogers

The Pentecostals of Wisconsin

WNOP North Central Regional Prayer Coordinator

Info from: https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/378d01eb-8326-480d-8a18-7162036d61f0.pdf

AND

Supremacy of Jesus

The Supremacy of Jesus Christ by Pastor Don Rogers.

The brazen altar was the first piece of furniture the Israelites engaged with in the tabernacle of Moses for daily prayer. This shows us God’s grace from the beginning. The sacrificial lamb, Jesus Christ, represents this brazen altar. The placement and position of the brazen altar tells us we must depend upon His blood and His grace in order to boldly approach his throne.

God’s gift is not a question of human will or human effort, but a testament to God’s mercy. It depends not on one’s willingness nor on strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God having mercy on us (Romans 9:16). Jesus shows us we should approach him in faith through His blood, His grace, and His sovereign supremacy over all human affairs. I must acknowledge daily the supreme authority of Jesus Christ over everything in my life.

His grace and blood demand this kind of exaltation in “brazen altar” worship and prayer. We are showing God we trust Him and acknowledge Him in the things He allows into our lives. It is through this kind of grace He multiplies peace in our spirit to become overachievers in the assignments of life and in building His kingdom. This grace and blood through prayer conquers fear, anxieties, and the oppositions of our enemies (I John 4:18, Psalms 44-48). So, when I practice fearing God and His word through repentance at the brazen altar, I am activating the grace and blood of Jesus Christ in prayer. We are showing He is Lord and sovereign over our entire lives when we embrace this attitude in prayer. We demonstrate grace and that the blood is fully capable to handle the mountains and oppositions of our day. He releases peace and strength into our inner man so we can face, with courage, the oppositions greater than our physical capabilities and resources.

This grace and blood from the brazen altar serve as an antiseptic for any wounds and offenses we may experience. His Spirit becomes intimate with us through prayer to provide relational comfort and healing to potentially fatal offenses. The brazen altar of Jesus Christ is designed to calibrate our attitudes in prayer so we can access the promise of God through faith, His grace, and His blood!

The Supremacy of Jesus Christ facilitates grace by His blood to combat end time insanity, offenses, and lawlessness. The brazen altar of Jesus Christ provides us this kind of access to the power of overcoming grace through prayer.

HOW TO PRAY:

I decree and declare that God will multiply grace in my life and my family that I might accomplish His kingdom will today.
I claim His cleansing blood through grace for any offenses that I have been hit with.
I decree and declare His supremacy, that it is greater than my dilemmas today. Jesus is sufficient in grace for what I am facing today, because of His brazen altar sacrifice.
I claim multiplied peace and grace towards the souls I am working with. He will in time manifest the promises of His Word towards the people that I am laboring to save even though it may look impossible right now.

Pastor Don Rogers

The Pentecostals of Wisconsin

WNOP North Central Region Prayer Coordinator

Information from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com

AND

Jesus is the Lamb.

The Scapegoat

The Word of God tells us that Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). A lamb or flock of sheep are often used to symbolize those who are God’s, while goats are used to symbolize those who are not (Matthew 25:32-33). The Encarta English Dictionary defines the word scapegoat as one who is forced to or made to take the blame for others.

While goats are often cast in a bad light, God provided the ultimate sacrifice when He became our scapegoat―manifesting Himself in flesh to come to this earth and take the blame for us. Most people would not want to be this kind of friend, let alone be this kind of friend. There may be a select few who might “take the rap” for us, but it is not likely many would be willing to die. However, this was the sacrifice that God made because He loved us, and desired to give us a chance in spite of our many faults and iniquities, with the hope that we would choose to love Him in return.

In the Old Testament, God’s people were required to come before the appointed priest and one goat was designated by lot to be the scapegoat. In turn, the scapegoat was to carry the sins of the people into the wilderness. Leviticus 16:10 tells us, “But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.” The phrase “let him go” has many applications in Hebrew; a few are to “put away, forsake, or let depart.” This practice symbolized the putting away of sin, which God cannot tolerate, from the people.

New Testament scripture tells us that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). Therefore, God Himself provided a more perfect sacrifice; an eternal lasting sacrifice. Isaiah 53:4 says, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” The word “borne” in Hebrew also has many applications and meanings, but those most pertinent to what is written here are “to carry away, pardon, and forgive.” When we think critically, we can see the symbolism. Jesus carried away our sin. To say it more plainly; God Himself loved us enough―that even though we do things that go against His righteousness―He put on flesh to become our scapegoat. If that doesn’t make us want to do right―nothing will.

Let us keep in mind, not only at Easter annually, but ALWAYS, the great sacrifice that Jesus became for us; and let’s always give ourselves in sacrificial prayer for His sake and for the sake of His kingdom!

Beth Marie Evans, International Christian Fellowship, Brookfield, Illinois

Info from: The Praying Life Newsletter - https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/06b871b0-56fc-466d-812b-1461bc75189f.pdf

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The Cross

The Power of The Cross

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18).

The act of Calvary represents history’s most powerful demonstration of love by Jesus Christ. This act of love released an unparalleled power against evil and a superior love for humanity never seen before or since. All hope, miracles, strength, and sustaining love flows from the finished work of Calvary by Jesus Christ. Every act He performed through Calvary was for redemptive, reconciliatory and relationship purposes (Hebrew 4:15).

His trial and court case with the Sanhedrin (Isaiah 53:3-4):

was for Power to be released to help us when we experience slander. 
was for Power to be released to help us when we experience character assassinations. 

His scourging and beatings (Isaiah 53:5):

was for Power to be released for the physical sufferings we would experience. 
was for Power to be released to give us physical healing. 

The crown of thorns (Philippians 2:5):

was for Power to be released for our mental and emotional healing. 
was for Power to be released for strength and endurance for our mind. 

The nail piercings of His hands (John 20:27):

was for Power to be released to help us with service ministry and loving others relationally. 

The nailed piercings for His feet (Romans 10:15):

was for Power to be released for our jobs and ministries.  
was for Power to carry the Gospel. 

The piercing of His side (Ephesians 5:30):

was for Power to be released so that we may be His Bride.  
was for Power to learn how to receive His superior love personally. 

The robe Jesus wore (Isaiah 61:10):

was for Power to walk in our identity. 
was for Power to walk and live in holiness. 

Calvary is final! It is our total source for power and passion when engaging in spiritual warfare and intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Pastor Don Rogers

The Pentecostals of Wisconsin

WNOP North Central Region Prayer Coordinator

Wisconsin District Prayer Coordinator

Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com

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The Wisdom...

The Wisdom of Fallowing the Ground

We can learn a lot from the farmers of old. God set the law of fallowing the ground in Exodus 23:11, “But the seventh year thou shalt let it [the ground] rest and lie still.” Six years the Israelites may work the ground to produce crops but the seventh year (Sabbath year) it must rest.

A thought recently came to me about fallowing the ground. During the time of the Covid pandemic, we’ve all had to stay home and be still. Unfortunately, not everyone survived. Many were sick, but thankfully, many recovered. Some were confused; others angry. Personally, I appreciated this divine timeout and rest from travels. The question that came to me was this: Was the Lord causing His Church to be fallowed?

Fallowing the ground occurs when the ground is purposely left unsown, unreaped, and unharvested. God, in His great wisdom, knew that if the ground was worked over and over for years on end, the soil would become depleted of essential nutrients, and therefore less and less productive. Thus, the secret to producing plentiful crops is in letting the ground lay dormant for a season.

When a field lies fallow it doesn’t look like much is happening. All the other fields are sprouting a vibrant kaleidoscope of crops; we can watch them change from day to day, but the fallow field is just an unsightly pile of dirt. It was a pile of dirt yesterday. It will appear to be the same pile of dirt tomorrow.

The miraculous part is that within that defunct pile of dirt, a flurry of activity is happening. Worms burrow tunnels that nourish and aerate the soil. Organic matter decomposes into life-giving nutrients. Rainfall gathers into underground waterways. The health of next year’s harvest depends upon this rich, invisible dance beneath the surface.

Allowing the soil to have a specific rest period gives it time to replenish nutrients which have been leached from certain plants or regular irrigation. Crop fields benefit abundantly from fallowing, turning the soil into what farmers call, “black gold.” When the time is right, the field is awakened and prepared to bear its produce. The equipped tractor is fired up to plow, sow, and reap the harvest.

This is the same for our lives. The pandemic made us be still and go nowhere. Shortly thereafter, we became aware that God was working a work in our lives. He was setting things up for greater revival. Yet, many became anxious and didn’t understand what the Lord was doing. We were so used to doing, pushing, and working that we could have missed His visitation.

The Lord desires that we wait on Him—it’s Him decomposing the dark things, yea, the hidden things of the heart. You might ask, “What is God doing here?” Frustration may well rise, but beneath the surface, the Holy Ghost is doing His finest work.

The negative things that happened are not as bad as you think, but they are the organic matter that God uses to enrich you. This is how He makes “all things work together” for your good (Romans 8:28). During the fallowing time, those things supernaturally decompose within your soul, increasingly it turns into nourishment for a greater harvest of fruit that He can use, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

Every life had the opportunity to do some retrospection. Being restricted from going to the House of God made us to depend on the Word of God that was already sown inside us. That is what sustained us. The fallow ground is breaking up now; we are passionately seeking the Lord through prayer, fasting, and listening for His voice (Hosea 10:12).

If you are still in the fallow stage of life, just trust that God is doing His work. Recommit to regular Bible reading and study. Pray and listen. Get rid of the distractions that pull you away from not only doing God’s will, but finishing it. There is a harvest waiting.

Juli Jasinski WNOP Administrative Team Member WNOP Kids Prayer Coordinator MA/RI District Prayer Coordinator

Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com

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Let God arise...

Binding and Loosing by Pastor Esther Hunt.

“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered” (Psalm 68:1).

God’s people are in the midst of Spiritual Warfare. The battles are fierce. The attacks which have come against pastors, ministers, prayer coordinators, leaders and their families are strong. Let’s join together in unity to bind the spirits which are not of God and loose God’s Spirit and His Love.

    Bind: Spirit of infirmity – Loose: Spirit of Life and the Gifts of Healing (Romans 8:2).

    Bind: Spirit of Fear – Loose: Love, Power & Sound Mind (II Timothy 1:7).

    Bind: Spirit of Jealousy – Loose: The Love of God (Ephesians 5:2).

    Bind: Spirit of Heaviness – Loose: Comforter, Garment of Praise (John 15:26).

    Bind: Lying Spirit – Loose: Spirit of Truth (John 14:17).

    Drive Back Every Spirit That Will Destroy • Not with doubt but with faith. • Praise God for the victory.

    Tear Down the Strongholds – God is the army. II Corinthians 10:3 - 4 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds:”

Pastor Esther Hunt San Saba UPC San Saba, Texas Info from: The Praying Life Newsletter https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/fd0d454f-bb71-44a5-9b8d-ef80268519b8.pdf

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Healing Rain

A Prayer for Healing Rain!

There is a need for healing in our world. There is a cry for a divine visitation that resonates from humanity to the throne of God! “Jehovah-Rapha,” the Lord Our Healer, is the plea ... come and help us (Exodus 15:26)! The masses are suffering from infirmities, in various ways: physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and so on. We know that with God, there is HOPE! Matthew 19:26 declares, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Man’s extremity becomes God’s opportunity!

PRAY:

Lord, first we repent. Forgive us of all of our sins and anything that we have done that has displeased You. Heal us from our fears and let us operate in faith, that we may trust completely in You.

O’ Lord:

HEAL Our Land! If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (II Chronicles 7:14).

HEAL Our Souls! I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee” (Psalm 41:4).

HEAL Our Emotions! Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed (Psalm 6:2).

HEAL Our Hurts! For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after (Jeremiah 30:17).

HEAL Our Bodies! And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick (Matthew 14:14).

HEAL Our Hearts! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18).

HEAL Our Minds! But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities (Luke 5:15).

HEAL Everything that Needs Healing! By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus (Acts 4:30).

HEAL the Nations! In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).

HEAL Them! “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20).

The Lord is able to heal. He will come in a greater visitation to our world with His Healing Rain!

Flo Shaw Director World Network of Prayer

Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com

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As evil increases in our world...

In Times of Trouble by Stephanie Gossard.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (II Corinthians 1:3-4).

As evil increases in our world, it would be easy to despair . . . to only focus on the bad, on the shooter, on the hurricane, on the flood. Yet in the midst of all of that turmoil, in the midst of all of that chaos, there are great examples of kindness, of love, of compassion.

The person who was shot at and fled but then went back to help others. Those who were not affected by the hurricane yet grabbed their boat and drove hundreds of miles to rescue people. Those who opened their churches for people to come and live in their gym until they could go back to their homes.

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the bad, yet in the middle of all that despair, I find myself thinking more about Gods love. How much we need it. How He came as a man and loved us. He loved us so much He died for us.

I think of the turmoil in our society over injustice and how we treat each other. The Bible talks about how Jesus had compassion on the multitude, on those who were hungry, on those who were hurting. He loved those who were unlovable. We are challenged to be like Jesus. We need to love the world. We need to love each other.

Jesus was our example. He went out of His way to approach those who were unapproachable, the ones society had written off.

Jesus had compassion. He served those around Him.

Info from: SISTERS Military Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladies-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com

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If my People...

A Revival of Prayer

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

What will happen if one individual or one small congregation had a hunger for revival with a great harvest of souls and a hunger to see God do the miraculous? What would happen if God’s people tarried and prayed like they did in the Book of Acts where they stayed on their faces before God until the breakthrough came? In Acts 1 and 2 they “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. They were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 1:14, 2:1). What a prayer meeting! What a revival!

The Azusa Street Revival began with a deep desire for revival. With the hunger for more of God, a lengthy prayer meeting began. What a prayer meeting it was and what a revival they had! God desires to again send a mighty revival. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray ...” and pray ... and pray (II Chronicles 7:14). Unity mixed with the Word of God, and mixed with prayer, is the key to the great end-time revival!

Pray that God will send a holy hunger to communicate with Him more than ever before. 
Pray that God will place a deep desire in the hearts of His Children to draw nearer to Him through the power of prayer and the reading of His Word.
Pray that each church and home will have an atmosphere and spirit of prayer. 
Pray that God’s people have a deep desire for the things of God.
Pray, in faith, believing that God will send a mighty revival. 
Pray the Word of God.
Pray that the glory of God resides continually in the church of the most high God.
Pray that God’s people cherish communication with the keeper of our soul, and the love of our lives, Jesus, through the power of prayer.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

Pastor Esther Hunt

San Saba UPC

San Saba, Texas

Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com

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My Whole Heart

With My Whole Heart by Pastor Don Rogers.

“I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee” (Psalm 138:1).

Whole heart praise chooses to exalt Jesus higher than your problems or daily issues. Whole heart praise faces impossibilities with violent passion from God’s love. It is faith casting down imaginations that exalts itself against the will and mind of God. So, I choose to cast down discouragement and unbelief to give Jesus whole heart praise and worship today. Whole heart praise requires faith in God’s care and protection for your life. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He knows what I need before I ask.

So, as I face the enemy today, I declare my God is a provider. He is my horn and my buckler, my shield and fortress. He’s my friend when I’m lonely. He’s my doctor when I’m sick. He’s my banker when I have no money. He’s my military when I’m under attack. He’s my counselor when I’m confused. So, with my whole heart I will praise the Lord!

This means submitting your will and attitude to exalting and magnifying the goodness of God when you don’t feel like it. It means to focus your faith on His unchangeable promises and not on our limitations. To praise with your whole heart means to let go of your demanding issues and paralyzing problems…and give your God the highest of praise. Whole heart praise means I must passionately declare that I am weak and Jesus is strong. I am nothing and He is everything. I can do nothing without Him; He can do anything!

CONTINUES at: https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/746a1064-c8e7-46dc-94ef-71381d94631e.pdf