#107 Avoid the Dangers

C. Peter Wagner One of
the celebrities I contacted 
regarding their personal
intercessors sent me 
a letter rather than a list
of personal prayer partners, 
expressing a degree of 
anxiety he had over the 
whole idea.

I was surprised at this
because it was such a new
and exciting area for me.

But soon afterward I spent some time with Pastor Casey Treat of the Christian Faith Center in Settle, and he shared some background I had known nothing about.

In the early 1980s, a wave of fanaticism occurred concerning intercession, particularly among the "word of faith" charismatics, but also among other charismatics.

Some pastors began to ride hobby horses and taught that if you did not pray three to five hours a day you were not moving in the Spirit.

They picked up on Paul's 'travail' or 'laboring in birth' for the Galatians (see Gal. 4:19), and intercessors would groan loudly as if in labor and even lie on top of one another on the church platform.


Another obvious example 
of flaky intercession. 

Some flaky fasting was 
also involved, based on 
the premise that the
longer you fast the more 
you can get God to do 
what you want Him to do.

Fortunately, this was only a fad and is not seen much today. But Casey observes that the memories of this are still strong enough for some pastors to be very cautious about personal intercession.

Casey Treat himself has a fine team of prayer partners. He introduced me personally to his three I-1 intercessors, each of whom has a particular specialization for their prayer ministry.

Even where the intercession itself is not flaky, dangers in receiving intercession need to be recognized and avoided.

I have been stressing that personal intercession for pastors and other Christian leaders is a high-level spiritual activity. As such it attracts the attention of the devil in a high-level way.

He will attack the relationship of a pastor and intercessors in any way possible, but he seems to focus on three principal areas: spiritual dependency, emotional dependence and physical dependency."

(I will make three postings of these principal areas over the next couple of weeks.)

#107, Avoid the Dangers,

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. 190-191) by Regal Books

NEW UPDATED VERSION:

Retail: $14.99 Save 20% ($3.00)

$11.99
Prayer Shield, rev. and updated ed.: How to Intercede for Pastors and Christian Leaders

C. Peter Wagner

CHOSEN / 2014 / TRADE PAPERBACK

Let’s pray:

   Father, we know that
our prayers are needed and
important to our leaders.

Help us pray effectively
and wisely for them with
Your direction and power.

   I want to learn how I am to follow what is the best way to pray for them.

   May my praying friends and I be sensitive to the Holy Spirit within us. I ask in the precious Name of Jesus for help in this matter. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 3:3 "I know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him."

Today’s quote: Michael Brooks – “All of man's paths to righteousness are empty and self-serving. The only power for real change comes from Jesus. The only One with the authority of God, who laid down His life for us, is Jesus. In Him we find all that we have been searching.”

Some thoughts today: The Holy Ghost within us is the solution of overcoming our trials, as everything you'll need is found in Him!

- Do we need to be great in man's sight, or God's? God 
wants to equip us to meet the needs of others. Our being 
"great" in His sight, is allowing Him to use us in our 
weaknesses. That's where He'll start. 

- It's what you are that is your testimony, remember. That is what will have the most impact on others. Where you are now is both a trying and proving ground.

7th- Thursday’s post:  #108  Spiritual Dependency
C. Peter Wagner

9th- Saturday's post:  Behind the Song: In the Garden
Diana Leagh Matthews

10th- Sunday's post:  Doubt vs. Faith
Jean Oathout

10th- evening's post:  To God Be the Glory
Heather Ricks

A popular post:  She-Bear Meetings Dutch Sheets tells us, “Let’s progress in our thinking to the breaking aspect of intercession meetings—enforcing the victory of Calvary. I call this ‘the bear anointing’ because of Proverbs 17:12: "Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly."…

Read God's Word daily, as
it will give you guidance.

jowildflowers@gmail.com

Samples of Jean's crafts

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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 and for troubled marriages. (Volume 1)

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#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 SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, 
Christian leaders and others on the spiritual  frontlines.
(pgs. 188-189) in book by Regal Books

NEW UPDATED VERSION:

Retail: $14.99 Save 20% ($3.00)

$11.99

Prayer Shield, rev. and updated ed.: How to Intercede for Pastors and Christian Leaders

C. Peter Wagner

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!”

Some 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."

jowildflowers@gmail.com

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Where authors and readers come together!

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)

Tenderhearted

Ginny Merritt - "I banged my coffee mug down on the kitchen counter, pressing my left hand on its moist rim, my right hand on the cold enamel surface of the drain board. 

Tears welled in my eyes. Words spoken at breakfast to my husband had been as hard and jarring as the sound of my stoneware cup striking the counter. 

I allowed anger from another strained relationship to spill over to him. I was sorry and I needed to apologize.

Pushing myself away from the sink, I walked across the red linoleum floor carrying my empty mug with me. 

Quietly, I stepped onto the living room carpet. He sat in his beige recliner with his Bible on his lap, eyes closed in prayer. He sensed my presence and opened his eyes.

Unsure of myself, I remained on the edge of the carpet. It was hard to get the words out. 

I took a breath and stared out the window while he waited.

'I’m sorry,' I offered. 

   'I shouldn't have let my words hurt you.'

He bent forward in his chair and smiled, lines wrinkled around his brown eyes.

Like so many times before, he was ready to forgive. 'It’s okay. I know you’re having a hard time.'

I nodded, releasing a deep breath. He picked up his blue mug, stood, and said, Let’s go fill our cups again.'

Ephesians tells us to 'be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you.' 

Saying “I’m sorry” is humbling and difficult, but it is the oil provided by the Holy Spirit to keep our relationships functioning.

Is there someone in your life, in your day, you have been harsh with? Now is a fine time to ask God’s help to restore the relationship. You will be glad you did it.

You might even want to carry your empty mug with you, ready for a friendly cup of fresh coffee.

Let kindness and compassion fill your cup."

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 (RSV)

Tenderhearted - Ginny Merritt

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Grant Cochrane.

While Ginny Merritt is first a homemaker and pastor's wife, writing is woven into every facet of her life. 

She has been writing primarily to enrich her ministry for years through Bible studies, curriculum, and drama. 

Her early-reader chapter book, A Ram for Isaac, was published four years ago, and a children’s novel, The Window in the Wall, is coming out in November, both through Journeyforth, a division of BJU Press.

Read Ginny's devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us 
and Ginny Merritt

Let’s pray:

   Father, when we find we
need one of those "humbling"
experiences, may we be quick
to heed Your prompting.

   Help us to not say words
that hurt someone, especially
those we love.

   Open my eyes to times that I'm apt to speak out of turn, and when I could hurt someone by what I'm thinking I should say.

   May I be slow to speak, and carefully choosing my words wisely each day.

   In the Name of Jesus I pray for help. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Lam. 3:40 "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD."

Today’s quote: Our Daily Bread “One act of kindness may teach more about the love of God than many sermons.”

Some thoughts today: We're not to presume things will go smoothly and not experience problems. Follow and live for Christ through every situation.

- What you're going through may very well be a spiritual assault 
against your place in Christ.

- We miss opportunities to have fellowship with God, by not reading the Bible. We need to be stirred up! 

Praying together helps
days go more smoothly

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

7th- Thursday’s post:  #108  Spiritual Dependency 
C. Peter Wagner

9th- Saturday's post:  Behind the Song: In the Garden 
Diana Leagh Mathews

10th- Sunday's post:  Doubt vs. Faith 
Jean Oathout

A popular post: Under the Juniper Tree  Mary Southerland - “Elijah is a great example of a man in need of rest. One day he was the conquering hero, the next we find him sitting under a Juniper tree, wallowing in self-pity – and begging God to let him die. 

jowildflowers@gmail.com

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  

Kindle $2.99

Wisdom for Brides (Christian Marriage, 

Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

Walking Through Dark Valleys

Dr. Charles F. Stanley shares with 
us today about walking through dark 
valleys:
   "As a teenager, Joseph lost almost 
everything.

   His family, his position as the favored son, his home, and his freedom were abruptly taken from him. (Google image).

   How stunned he must have been by the hatred of his siblings and 
such over-whelming loss.

   But one thing he did take with him was his faith in God.

   Life is like that at times for every one of us.

   Sudden changes in health or finances, the unexpected death of a loved one, or abandonment by a good friend can bring us into a dark season.

   We do not understand why the Lord has allowed the trial or lets the pain continue. Joseph probably wondered the same things, but he managed to hold fast to his faith.

   Even as a slave in a foreign land, he experienced the blessing of God's presence. And recognizing that the Lord was with this young captive, his Egyptian master showed him favor (Gen. 39:2-3).

   One of the keys to walking through dark valleys —those times when life seems to be crumbling and the future's looking grim—is to embrace the reality of the Lord's presence with us.

   At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live permanently within the new Christian and seals him or her as belonging to God forever.

Google image

   Because of the indwelling Spirit, we're never apart from God.

   No circumstance, suffering, or loss 
can separate us from Him or his love 
(Rom. 8:35, 38-39).

   Take a few minutes each day and 
reflect on Jesus' promise to be with us always (Matt. 28:20).

   The result will be that this truth becomes planted deep within 
your soul to sustain you in hard times."

InTouch magazine, August '14 Page 50 of Daily devotions 
from the sermons of Charles F. Stanley

Used by permission  customercare@intouch.org 

(Google images added)

When I Go to Heaven

"When I go to heaven

When this body is no more

I'll meet my loving savior

He'll greet me at the door.

He'll put his arms around me

He'll look me in the eye

He'll tell me that He loves me

And I will start to cry.

What did I do to earn this?

Why do you love me so?

You know that I'm not perfect

But You've never let me go.

My child, it's cuz you know me

Your faith was always there

You never gave up trying

You never ceased to care.

But Lord I did have dark times

I almost did give up

 It was so hard at times Lord

At times it was so rough.

I know it wasn't easy

It's not supposed to be

I had to mold you into

The child that I now see.

So welcome home my daughter

Come here greet everyone

Come share in all the laughter

Come join in all the song.

Your trials are far behind you

You've earned a heavenly seat

Your tears are turned to laughter

Your joy is now complete."

Debbie McEwen

tmcewen91@yahoo.com

(Jean added color to Christ's  answers, with permission). Post-Cancer Nutrition Changes By JillSavage on Jul 21, 2014  "When I met with my oncologist after my last treatment he told me that I now have three jobs: 1) Exercise Regularly 2) Eat Right 3) Keep my weight down    As he explained, lifestyle changes can make a difference in “turning on” the cancer cells in our body. There’s nothing we can do that will 100% remove the cancer risk, but there are things we can do to lower the risk as much as possible.    So I’m changing the way I’m shopping, how we’re eating, and my exercise plan. I’m determined to do what I can do to stay cancer-free..." (I hope you'll check out Jill's message, and forward it to anyone who's standing against cancer from recurring.)

Let’s pray:

   Father, may we remember Your call 
today: be quick to come to You with whatever we're dealing with.
   Help us remember folks like Joseph 
who kept his faith through every hurtful circumstance.
   When life seems to be crumbling and the future's looking grim—help me to embrace the reality of Your presence with me.
   I ask for grace to look to You, no matter what.  In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 

(1 Kings 8:48 a) "And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive."

Today’s quote: 

Cindy Sproles – “God never fully releases us from His grip until there is absolute denial. And if we’ve known Him and called out, the Father dunks us in His grace and mercy and washes all the stains away . . . again. He is a God of second chances. The man who stands tall in pride sinks to his knees in humility when his time approaches.”

Some thoughts today: 

- The error of all religions: DO what is necessary to live good enough to please God. God was in Christ Jesus, and He was the one Who did what was necessary to please the Father!

- We're to live for Christ, and to walk a life that's honoring Him. He wants to be involved with everything that concerns you. Even in a tragedy, He will offer His comfort to you.

- Wherever you are, and in whatever situation you find yourself in, Jesus will be faithful to help you walk through it with the right attitude and spirit that honors Him.

3rd- evening's post:  Tenderhearted 
Ginny Merritt

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

7th- Thursday's post:  #108  Spiritual Dependency
C. Peter Wagner

9th- Saturday's post: Behind the song: In the Garden
Diana Leagh Mathews

A helpful post:  

After Surrender, What?  

From DEVOTIONS for MORNING and 
EVENING, with Oswald Chambers 
“The whole of life after surrender is an aspiration for unbroken communion with God.”

One of the Wonders of Creation!
God loves us, every one

Samples of Jean's crafts
http://twitter.com/jeanoathout
http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

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