Thursday, July 31, 2014

#106 Letters to Intercessors

C. Peter Wagner explains
the importance of letters to
the intercessors:

"Doris and I periodically write 
a long letter to our I-1 and
I-2 intercessors.

We are very open and honest
with them.

When major decisions need to be made, they are the first to know and they pray us through them.

None was more important than the decision we made to 
coordinate the United Prayer Track of the A.D. 2000 
movement, which they all were praying about.

As they prayed with us for weeks and even months, they 
began hearing clearly from the Lord that the A.D. 2000 
movement was a major item on the heart of God for the 
1990s, and that the invitation to be a part of it was a 
call from Him.

As much anything else, these divine assurances through 
our prayer partners convinced us that God wanted us to 
make this high-level commitment, which has had radical 
implications for our future ministry.

When we write that letter, we always include our ministry 
itinerary for the next few weeks so they know exactly where 
we are and what we are doing.

We also enclose copies of vital correspondence on issues 
we are dealing with, reports I write or receive, photocopies 
of crucial articles and the like.

Jane Rumph types this letter and mails it to the I-1 and I-2 
prayer partners. Then she edits it to make it shorter and to 
remove the sensitive material and sends the edited version 
along with the itinerary to the I-3 intercessors.

This obviously requires considerably more effort than we had 
to expend in the days when our prayer partners were all 
members of our Sunday School class.

As Cindy Jacobs says, 

    'People need to be thanked often for their prayer sacrifice.
    They work hard at this.'

When a particular need arises, Doris or I will call our out-of-
town prayer partners on an individual basis. Jane Rumph is 
also tooled to initiate a prayer chain when the whole team 
is needed for urgent prayer.

She phones those who are out of town and Joanna McClure 
contacts the locals.

Most of the time, however, the seven prayer partners who 
live in other parts of the country are the ones who initiate 
telephone conversations with us.

Sometimes they do it simply because it has been a long 
time since we have talked. Other times they call with a 
fresh word they have received from the lord concerning 
us or our ministry. Every one of their calls is a great 
encouragement to us."


#106 Letters to Intercessors, in the series taken from C. Peter 
Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELDHow to intercede for pastors, 
Christian leaders and others on the spiritual  frontlines.
(pgs. 188-189) in book by Regal Books

NEW UPDATED VERSION:

Prayer Shield, rev. and updated ed.: How to Intercede for Pastors and Christian LeadersRetail: $14.99 Save 20% ($3.00)
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CHOSEN / 2014 / TRADE PAPERBACK




Let’s pray:

   Father, when I have a need,
remind me to call or text a 
trusted friend to pray with me.
  
   When I'm praying for someone,
and I feel inclined to call them
to see how they're doing, may I
do it.

   I believe it's important to let
them know that they're being prayed for, and that I'm concerned about how things are going.

   Help me be an effective prayer partner with others. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 1 Chron. 28:10 "Take heed now, for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it."

Today’s quote: Max Lucado – “Read books to your kids. Play ball while you can and they want you to. Make it your aim to watch every game they play, read every story they write, hear every recital in which they perform. Children spell love with four letters: T-I-M-E. Not just quality time, but hang time, downtime, anytime, all the time! Cherish the children who share your name. Succeed at home first!”

S
ome thoughts today: Despite all you've gone through, God has sustained you!

- Your perspective is what is important when there's two opposite opportunities before you. Pray for God to give you His plan for your life. Your decision may very well have a profound effect on the rest of your life.

-  We all have levels of faith. The more we see Jesus moving in our lives, the stronger our faith becomes.

8/2- Saturday’s post:  Discernment vs. Criticism Par 2 Jean Oathout

3rd- Sunday's post:  Walking Through Dark Valleys Dr. Charles F. Stanley

3rd- evening's post:  Tenderhearted Ginny Merritt

5th- Tuesday's post:  #107 Avoid the Dangers C. Peter Wagner


A popular post:  Praying for the Lost Dutch Sheets 
explains further about pride being a 
hindrance to folks 
receiving God: “This 
understanding of the 
blinding ability of pride 
is a tremendous clue in 
how to pray for the lost."


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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
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Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal
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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
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(Check out the Reviews on the
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Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help)
(Volume 1)


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

#105 Communicate Regularly

C. Peter Wagner shares 
on the importance of our
communicating with prayer
partners:

"Communicating is the part
that takes time. 

One of the best known 
cases of missionary 
history where evangelism 
was stimulated through prayer occurred when J. O. Fraser recruited prayer partners for his evangelistic work among the Lisu of Burma.

For years nothing happened outwardly as he preached the gospel, but inwardly he learned that the real battle he faced was a spiritual battle.

He said, 

   'I know enough about Satan to realize that he will have 
   all his    weapons ready for determined opposition. He 
   would be a missionary simpleton who expected plain 
   sailing in any work of God. I will not.'

Fraser then wrote home his mother who for years had ministered as what we would call his I-1 intercessor.

He asked his mother to recruit 'a group of like-minded friends, whether few or many, whether in one place or scattered' to join with her in prayer for the Lisu.

The results were dramatic. Hundreds of Lisu families came to Christ in a short period of time. But that is not the immediate point.

The point is that when James Fraser requested her to find prayer partners he was wise enough also to say to his mother,

   'If you could form a small prayer circle, I would write
   regularly to the members.'

Fraser was very serious. He said,

   'I am not asking you just to give 'help' in prayer 
   as a sort of sideline, but I am trying to roll the main
   responsibility of this prayer warfare on you. I want
   you to take the burden of these people on your 
   shoulders. I want you to wrestle with God for them.'

And his role? He saw himself as an intelligence officer. 

   'I shall feel more and more that a big responsibility 
   rests on me to keep you well informed.'

He was prepared to invest the time necessary to communicate with his prayer partners.

John Maxwell, from whom 
learned most about personal 
prayer partners, gives 
communication with 
intercessors a high priority.

The 100 men who pray for him 
have privileges that other church
members do not have, particularly 
to accessibility to the senior pastor.

John does not send a Tychicus to them, but he meets with them personally four times a year, three times for breakfast and once on an all-day partner retreat where they eat together, play together, learn together and above all pray together.

He meets with one-forth of them every Sunday morning 
before the service on a rotating basis. He shares his needs,
and they lay on hands and pray God's anointing on their 
leader. John has lunch once a month with this I-1 intercessor, 
Bill Klassen.

Because my intercessors are scattered around the country, I do not find it as easy to keep in contact with them as I might if they were in the same church.

Doris and I were frustrated about how to communicate with the I-3 intercessors until Jane Rumph, who is one of our original I-2 prayer partners, agreed to become the prayer coordinator for our ministry. 

Jane keeps the mailing list of more that 100 up to date and is in personal contact with several of them.

When we put off writing for too long, Jane gets on our case, as we have instructed her to to."


#105 Communicate Regularly,
in the series taken from C. Peter 
Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD
How to intercede for pastors,
Christian  leaders and others 
on the spiritual  frontlines.
(pgs. 181-183) by Regal Books


Let’s pray:

   Father, I see the importance
of communication, now.

   May I write, call, text, or see
personally, those who pray for me.

  If I can be of service to my pastor
in writing to his prayer partners, I
ask that I be willing to do so.

   I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Is. 40:31a "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength."

Today’s quote: Fran Pasch – “God has given us a gift, the greatest gift of all—His Son, Jesus Christ. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday activities, we forget Him, burying Him in the attic of our minds. But unlike the world, Jesus offers us a second chance. He forgets the past and wipes our slates clean when we put aside those things we’ve kept hidden from Him and begin anew by making Him the center of our lives.”devotions and poetry  

Some thoughts today: When the devil keeps coming against your efforts for the Kingdom, keep on "digg'n" and try the next "well" of opportunity God gives you.

- You need to get up and take some risks and do what God has instructed you to do. Don't talk too much about any success, as it hinders what God's doing.

- Whatever you've imagined is far less than the huge opportunity before you. Don't despise small beginnings, as God's the One with great ideas for you, as you learn to walk in obedience to His leading.

31st- Thursday’s post:  #106  Letters to Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

8/2- Saturday's post:  Discernment vs. Criticism Part 2 Jean Oathout

3rd- Sunday's post:  Walking Through Dark Valleys Dr. Charles F. Stanley

3rd- evening's post:  Tenderhearted Ginny Merritt

A popular post:  A Meeting for Reconciliation  Dutch 
Sheets - “…Psalm 85:10 states‘Lovingkindness and 
truth have met  together; righteousness and peace 
have kissed each other...  God had a dilemma seen 
through four words in this verse. He not only is a God 
of lovingkindness..."




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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 a review would be
appreciated.
Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal
Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.95
(Check out the Reviews on the
Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help)
(Volume 1)


Sunday, July 27, 2014

Discernment vs. Criticism- Part 1

Jean Oathout shares with us
first, some thoughts about what 
is taught about Discernment.

We need to learn the 
difference between 
discerning what is wrong, 
and what may be just our
critical thoughts.

And, what about Deception?
Where does that fit in?

Isn't Wisdom involved here too, somehow?

In Proverbs, that are many verses on wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Prov. 2:2; 2:10,11; 9:10 are but a few to check out.

Many times we are given discernment about a situation that 
we believe is not right. What we think, say, and do about it 
is important to God, as it's His desire that we ask Him how 
to handle it. 

We're to ask for His direction, how to pray, and who to speak to, if anyone.

God wants us to hide His Word in our hearts and minds, as then we'll be able to distinguish what is true, and what is false. Col. 3:16 tells us to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..."

If we see a sin that needs to be dealt with because of its effect on others, then do it according to Matt. 18:15-17. It can restore relationships and heal churches if used correctly. We're admonished to first go to the person, and try to help them make a correction themselves, so it won't be necessary to involve others.

Many times if we pray about something we observe, we can help most by seeking the answer in prayer. 

Once the person is repentant, then the offense can be dealt with, and the solution for the sin or issue can be resolved.

We can't stop a person from being ignorant, but we can help them become more aware of what God wants of them. When they offend us, we have the right to speak up for ourselves, and to not allow them to dishonor us. You'll see that others will take note, and they'll do the same. 

{This makes me think of an incidence while living in PA many years ago. The boys and I heard several motorcycles drive into our driveway. I marched right out there and asked if there was something I could do for them. They said no, and would be on their way shortly.

My sons were peeking out from the curtains, watching me. I'd like to think it helped them be bold to confront challenges over the years.} 

We need to depend upon God's Word to give us the guidance in our discerning of what is right and wrong, and how we are to act and react in every situation.

What matters is how we handle it, and that we use the loving hands of Jesus Christ in the situation.

This is what the Lord spoke to me:

   "I'm listening, and I want to help each of them to 
   choose their words and attitudes carefully, as they'll 
   have an effect of folks' feelings and reactions."

As to spiritual discernments; we'll need God's Holy Spirit living 
within us to be able to have His perspectives where His Word 
is concerned. He can give believers understanding on what 
others say about His Word, as to whether or not it is Truth.  
1 Cor. 2:14-16 

May our hearts be in the right place when moving in any discernment we may have. We need to ask God to help us see the broad spectrum, use His wisdom, and then do what we know to do, so we won't be deceived and cause someone's hurt.

This is why studying His Word is so important!

Discernment vs. Criticism   Jean Oathout

On Saturday, 8/2, I'll post Part 2, which covers the subject of Criticism. Hopefully, we'll see it's effects and learn how to avoid being critical.


A Prayer for Peace

2008 by Diana C. Derringer

"Lord, why can’t we see that peace is better than conflict,
that love is better than hate,
that following your way means giving up our way,
and daily we’re to live like you?

Why can’t we see that disagreeing does not mean destroying,
that our opinion is not the last word,
that a crises, though dangerous, offers opportunity too,
and we all are important to you?

Lord, keep our eyes ever on you.
Live through us as never before.
Help us remember St. Francis’ request:
Lord, make us your instruments of peace."

"Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." 
Psalm 34:14 (KJV)

Let’s pray:

   Father, when I'm given 
discernment about a situation,
help me bring it to You, first.

  I want to be able to see the
bigger picture, and be careful
not to make a wrong judgment.
   
   Help me pray first, asking 
for true discernment, and then 
to go the person privately.

   Or go to the person in charge, if that's what You direct.

   I ask that my heart be kept pure, Father. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

(Google images added)

Today’s Bible verse: Prov. 3:13 "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding."

Today’s quote: Sandy Quandt Proverbs 4:23 GNT warns us to be careful what we think. Thoughts aimed in the wrong direction cause us to stumble and become ineffective. Solomon was wise in his warning. God graces us with care and provision. He also manages our provision. He also manages our every need. He doesn’t want our minds cluttered, our generosity stopped. Or love for others slighted. www.sandykirbyquandt.com

Some thoughts today: Whatever we put our hand to; we’re to act, think, and speak in godly ways, and follow the laws of love and grace. Real success begins with our treating others this way.

- Coming under authority, we learn it’s not about us. It’s a good way to learn to live for a purpose to help others dream, acknowledge their visions, and their goals.

- Don't worry about what you'll say. God will put His message in you to share His Life.


29th- Tuesday's post: #105  Communicate Regularly C. Peter Wagner

31st- Thursday's post:  #106  Letters to Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

8/2 Saturday's post:  Discernment vs. Criticism Part 2 Jean Oathout

3rd- Sunday's post:  Walking Through Dark Valleys Dr. Charles F. Stanley


Could it be that God really did
hear our 7-days of prayer?

A popular post:  Be Defensive. Keep the Serpent Out!  
Dutch Sheets tells us, “Adam was told in Genesis 2:15 
to guard or  ‘keep’ the garden. From what? It had to be 
the serpent! I assert this because first of all, it is much 
in keeping with the nature of God to have warned him."

http://christianpoetsandwriters.blogspot.com/

I invite you to check out the above link, to see the many interesting topics of Christian Poets and Writers. 

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  Kindle $2.99 

Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the
Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)

(I give my personal testimony in the end
Chapter)

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Where authors and readers come together!

Christ Heals the Hurting




       Christ Heals the Hurting 

             by James Cagle 

The blade was not of Damascus steel,
Nor was the stone made of granite;
But still the blade wounded very deep,
As the stone, by the hand that threw it.

In a time of peace, the traitor caught
The trusting heart unguarded, unaware;
And smote his companion to the ground,
With whom the path of life was shared.

This sort of blow pierces the soul’s depth,
Causing real pain that is silently borne;
Wounds of this sort are only felt in the heart;
The flesh is safe, while the soul is torn.

Such inner wounds aren’t given by the foe,
But are made by dear intimate friends;
Those whom we trust and believe their love,
And who we let hurt us again and again.

Soon the soul is completely without feeling
And the heart is callous from the many scars;
Until another blow cannot bleed the heart
And the soul no longer reaches beyond its bars.

Life is then enclosed in a shroud of fear,
With the resolve that love ministers pain;
Looking out from a past that’s thwarted the future,
With tomorrow’s that seem pointless and vain.

The light is now gone from the once shining eyes,
The countenance is changeable stoic;
For this heart paralysis has taken away hope
And destroyed all that was once heroic.

A high wall is painfully built all around
As the stones are laid one hurt at a time.
To protect against love he imprisons himself,
Where all alone he will spend the rest of his time.

But the tender embrace of the loving Shepherd,
And a generous outpouring of His grace;
Heals all of the wounds and softens the heart
And renews the desire to again run life’s race.

The passive will He enlivens and sets free
And the soul flies out of its cold dark prison.
The past is forgotten with the best yet to come,
For with Christ life again has rhyme and reason.

Christ Heals the Hurting by James Cagle


James wrote this to me...


"I hope my poem can in some way help others come to see 
that their only hope is in Christ.  And that Christ is deeply 
interested in our pain and getting us beyond it.

I wrote the poem Christ Heals the Hurting because of the pain and hurt I had received many times by those who said they loved me.  

The original poem was called Hurt, and did not have the last eight lines.  I had actually been hurt and knocked down so many times by "loved ones" that I did not want to go on.  

I was so tired of the pain, the hurt and the struggle.  But quite literally (and I'm crying as I write this) God came to me and lifted me out of my pain and hurt and gave me the desire to go on.  It was then that I wrote the other eight lines and changed the title.  Hopefully God will use it to help others as well."

James Cagle

Toni Campbell

"We don't have to have it altogether all the time.  Life isn't tied up with a bow.  Sometimes, we experience loss.  And sometimes, we just need permission to grieve before we move on to those new chapters in life.


And that's okay." 


As seen on lakeside lessons 7/9/14 Check out the entire post by Toni Campbell. 


Parenting in the Early Years: Take Care of Yourself
By JillSavage on Jul 15, 2014 12:17 pm
hammockI remember the day well. I had a newborn, a four-year-old, and a six-year-old. As a stay-at-home mom, I’d been with them all day and I was exhausted.

Mark walked in the door from work and I said desperately, “I wanna make a deal with you.” He looked at me, surprised. I’m sure I sounded like a crazy woman.

“Thirty minutes. That’s all I want is thirty minutes.”

“Thirty minutes of what?” he asked.

“Thirty minutes to myself, in my bedroom, with the door closed. That’s it.”

“Well, if you think it will make a difference, I can make that deal.”

(This is such good advice, I wanted to share it with you mothers of young'ns. I hope you'll forward this post link to any mother who needs it. Thanks!)


Let’s pray

     Father, James and I hope his message will 
help some folks who are hurting. May his thoughts bring hope and help to the readers.
    No doubt, some have checked in, hoping to 
find answers for themselves. May they sense 
Your presence, Father, and realize that healing 
is in the Name of Jesus. In Christ's Name we pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Rom. 8:37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Today’s quotes: James Cagle – “We find that facing our trouble helps us conquer our fears and we wonder why we were running from them in the first place. We also find that facing our fears help us mature and builds our character and gives us wisdom. Troubles and problems are sent our way by God and are actually intended to make us grow up. But only as we face them rather than run from them. It is our response to our problems that determines the kind of impact they have on our life.” 

Eddie Jones The Lord is able to give you much more. More is not enough. God is. When you find yourself in need, turn to God. He is able to provide what you need and then some.”



Some thoughts today: You can wrestle with God all you want, but He will bless your simple obedience.

- Don't be boxed in. Don't fear to step out for God's Kingdom. A fresh anointing will come!


- You are not a second-class person if you're God's child. Have the confidence that you are special to Him.



27th- evening's post:  Discernment vs. Criticism Part 1 Jean Oathout
29th- Tuesday's post:  #105  Communicate Regularly C. Peter Wagner
31st- Thursday's post:  #106  Letters to Intercessors C. Peter Wagner
8/2- Saturday's post:  Discernment vs. Criticism Part 2 Jean Oathout

A popular post:  His Shining Light James P. Willis tells us, "It occurred to me while it’s important for us to show God’s love during the good times, His light shines the brightest in our darkest hours."



http://christianpoetsandwriters.blogspot.com/

I invite you to check out the above link, to see the many interesting topics of Christian Poets and Writers. 

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 a review would be
appreciated. 

Bridal Shower Devotional

Bridal Wisdom for Women


Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 
My book in paperback $7.96
(Check out the Reviews on the
Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) 


AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!