ANODOC

21 Day Fast Upon being appointed to lead All Nations Open Door Church, Pastor Lori Kovac invited the church to enter into a 21-day commitment to fasting and prayer. The church responded enthusiastically and quickly organized to have three teams. Each team would be responsible for leading our activities for one week, while Pastor Lori would seek the Lord to provide a word each day to guide us and help us to focus our prayers. We would meet three times every day by WhatsApp to pray together. We met at 6:00 a.m., 12 Noon, and 6:00 p.m., after which we were released to have a meal. Understandably, the thought of 21 days of fasting after the pattern of Daniel, was a daunting one. However, we relied on God throughout this time and began to perceive two distinct principles in our fasting. We envisioned that we were climbing a mountain, and that our fasting was a struggle to reach the peak of that mountain. As we climbed the mountain, which we identified with Mount Horeb/Mount Sinai, we sought to approach closer to God. The second image that we perceived was that of the Tabernacle of Moses. We followed the pattern that was revealed to us of the Outer Court, Inner Court and Holy of Holies. I - In week one, we prayed for forgiveness and breaking strongholds of the enemy in our lives, our families’ lives and those of our community. - In week two, we prayed for the Holy Spirit to come to us, and to fully manifest the pressence of God in us and in our church. - In the final week we prayed to hear from God. The church was very blessed in that many of our members indeed heard from God and were able to convey the messages they had received. These messages were full of encouragement for us and we are renewed in our commitment to serve the Lord. For those who may have an interest in how our prayers were led, below is a transcript of the guidelines we followed. Day 1 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Today is October 1, the first day of our 21-day fast. For those fasting today, Let us pray for God to grant us the strength to be faithful to the vows we have made. - That he will make our minds strong to resist the natural urge of our bodies to satisfy our cravings. - That the hunger of our physical body would be a blessed reminder to be hungry for God and to pray for the desires of our heart - That as we fast, we would maintain peace with those around us, and - That God would protect us from attacks of the enemy that would seek to distract us from this sacrifice and service to God. Day 2 Sunday Service: The word for this week: “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:” Focus for Day 2 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Today is October 2, the second day of our fast. This week is dedicated to repentance. Sometimes other people sin against us and hurt us, but God wants us to forgive them. Sometimes we hurt others also. We may not mean to do it, but it happens. Today, let us pray: - that God would cleanse our heart from all bitterness and fill us with a spirit of forgiveness; - that He would set us free from any spirit of offense that seeks to make us hate others; - that God would give us a spirit of humility to know when we have hurt anyone and apologize. - that God would work in the hearts of anyone we have hurt so that they might forgive us, and - that God would forgive us for any hurt we may have caused to others: - Our husbands and wives - Our children - Our parents - Sisters and brothers - Extended family near or far - Friends - Acquaintances - Workmates - Neighbours - Strangers - and any others Be blessed today. May God strengthen you. May His glory shine upon you. Day 3 “and said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: but if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.” May God bless and keep you on this, our 3rd day of fasting and prayer. Nehemiah prayed for forgiveness and restoration for his entire nation. He took personal responsibility for the sins of his people and humbled his soul before God on their behalf. Today, I ask you to pray for forgiveness and reconciliation with God for ⁃ Your family near and far, by blood or by marriage ⁃ Your church ⁃ Your community ⁃ Your friends (and enemies) ⁃ Your city ⁃ Your country Let us pray corporately that if there is any sin in the church, that God will forgive us. I bless you today. May the Lord our God smile on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen Day 4: Prayer points for October 4 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Let us be mindful of God’s commandments today and pray: ⁃ that God write his commandments into our hearts and minds so that we would never even be tempted to disobey Him ⁃ That He would transform our character, individually and corporately ⁃ That He would increase our love for Him ⁃ That He would increase our love for each other, for family, neighbours, community, colleagues ⁃ That He would also grant us wisdom to guide our love. Day 5 Prayer points for October 5 “for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” “Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing? Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together. They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?” The original sin of humanity is idolatry, Our first iniquity was pride. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. The natural man will elevate many things in our lives and give them importance and priority before anything else. They become idols that sit upon thrones in our hearts. We may not even realize or recognize idols in our lives. They are many. For example: ⁃ Our love for our own self: our beauty, intelligence, talents, possessions, etc ⁃ Family pride ⁃ Our national pride ⁃ Sports, music, culture and those who excel in these things ⁃ Our love for our children, husbands/wives parents. ⁃ Even when we hate, that can become an idol to us. ⁃ Our desire to control people and situations ⁃ Our love of food and drink, ⁃ Love of fun, social media, and other experiences and activities ⁃ Bad habits that destroy our bodies ⁃ Religion and rituals. These can all become idols. - Let us pray today that God would cleanse us from every form of idolatry and cast down all the thrones where the enemy has enthroned himself in our lives. - That He would cast away from us every spirit of idolatry. - Let us pray that God alone would be enthroned in our hearts and establish himself as the only one to whom we give our love, worship and obedience. Amen Day 6 Word for today - October 6: And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third a*nd to the fourth generation. ⁃ Let us pray against generational curses and iniquities that come against us. ⁃ Let us pray against any evil that has attached itself to our bloodline. ⁃ Let us repent for the sins of our ancestors. ⁃ Let us ask the Lord to heal our souls of all ancient wounds. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree “Take us the foxes, The little foxes, That spoil the vines: For our vines have tender grapes.” Day 7 Breaking the Power of Witchcraft Though many will deny it, we know that witchcraft is real. The weapons of our warfare may not be obvious to the eyes but they are extremely powerful. They are spiritual weapons and if we have spiritual weapons, it is because we are fighting spiritual enemies. If we who are saved, are soldiers and agents of God’s army, the devil also has his soldiers and agents, and they also have spiritual weapons. But praise be to the God of all glory, He is the omnipotent, all-powerful, mighty warrior, captain of the hosts of Heaven. It is on His strength we depend for the victory. Let us read and understand the word for today and apply it to our situation. Let us claim victory over all witchcraft that is sent against us. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was very angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they finish everything in one day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox goes up, he shall even break down their stone wall. Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: and cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, and conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. Our prayers today: ⁃ That God would break the power of any words spoken against us, our families, churches, community city, province and our country. ⁃ That God would destroy the works that have been planned against us ⁃ That the enemy’s plans to destroy us and our church would be defeated ⁃ That God would arise in glory and give us the victory ⁃ That God would give us a forgiving heart, towards anyone who has done us wrong ⁃ That God would forgive us for speaking curses ⁃ That God would forgive us for being afraid of witchcraft. Day 8 Sunday Service Bind the works of evil. Seal our Repentence and give Thanks for the great things God has done. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, And hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. I cried to thee, O LORD; And unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Day 9 This week we will be focussing on getting to know the Holy Spirit and inviting Him into our midst. Learning the Character of the Holy Spirit Many times we find that churches ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit but seldom if ever do they ask God to help us understand who the Holy Spirit is. It seems odd that we might invite someone to live in our dwelling place with us without knowing them and becoming friends with them first. The Holy Spirit dwelling in us is the most intimate relationship that can exist, and we need to know Him as much as possible, to develop a harmonious relationship with our Heavenly “roommate”. The Seven Spirits of God And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seveneyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. Revelations 5:6 Let us pray for insight and revelation into the character of the Holy Spirit. Day 10 What is the work of the Holy Spirit? But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. How will He perform his work? Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Today let us pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and that God would help us to understand them. DAY 11 The Spirit of Wisdom In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Let us meditate today on the Holy Spirit We know that He has always been with God from eternity past, before the world was created. He is the spirit of wisdom and He is God. God desires a special, intimate relationship with us. He does not want to be a faraway God but he wants to share our life. Though we who are saved have received the pledge of the Holy Spirit, we are asking God to bless and increase the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within us and in our Church. September 29 - October 6 was the feast of Tabernacles. It was during this season that the Lord called us to fast. ⁃ We continue to pray to the Lord for his Holy Spirit to manifest his presence among us. ⁃ We also pray for the nations of the world that are currently at war or experiencing disasters. Particularly, we pray for the peace of the nation of Israel and the City of Jerusalem. ⁃ Pray for healthy marriages and for healing of relationships ⁃ Pray that the Lord will bring people to us. ⁃ Pray that God will bless us to be able to minister to them in a way that will touch their hearts and lead them into eternal life ⁃ Pray for our young people: for their education, for their future work success, that they would know God and have good marriages. ⁃ Pray for the spiritual health of our Church and that ⁃ God to provide workers for the ministry. Day 12 I have heard from many of you, how you have been seeing God manifesting his blessings to you in the last two weeks. Let us give thanks today for the way God has answered our prayers this far. There are many ways to offer our thanksgiving; And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben–ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Let us continue to praise him for the great things he has done. ⁃ Let us pray against the bondage of the spirit of religion which keeps people in service to religion but without the power of God in it, or a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; ⁃ Pray against the bondage of those who do not in the offer the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ; ⁃ Pray against the deception of those who do not believe in God; ⁃ Let us pray for them, that as God has forgiven us, that they may come to believe, and humble themselves and receive forgiveness and deliverance also. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept Compare the above scripture to the one following: My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. Experiencing God as a real person. How do you explain the knowledge of God to another person? The truth is that you cannot explain it. It is a very real experience that causes a person to understand the things of God and experience God through the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. A person can sit in church for years and years but still remain in spiritual darkness (going to church is good, afte rall faith comes by hearing the word of God) but when the Holy Spirit comes into your heart, He takes away the spiritual darkness and begins to give you understanding and suddenly, the things of God begin to make perfect sense to you. This is not an intellectual knowledge of God because you begin to have a real, strong love for God as you might have for another human being who you can see with your eyes, you begin to know him as a person, and He also has real interactions with you. Soon your life is transformed not by your power but by His power and as you continue the journey of life, no one can convince you otherwise about God being real or not. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34 Day 13 Many people believe that Friday the 13 is an unlucky day. And this month is the month when people celebrate Halloween. They are superstitious and believe in lies and false doctrines that if they do this or that thing they can make bad luck go away. Do we know that luck, good or bad is not from God? People who put faith in luck are putting faith in doctrines of demons. We can see the results all around us of people who believe in lies and false doctrines. London is a city where we see homelessness, mental health problems, addiction, crime, filthiness, depressed and dangerous neighbourhoods, and abandoned buildings. London looks tired and depressed and our politicians do not have an answer to these problems. Hamilton is even worse. The people dwell in darknesss and it shows in our city. We were like that once: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Now we dwell in the light because God has revealed it to us. Those of who dwell in the light have a responsibility to shine that light for others to find their way out of the darkness. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Let us pray for this city: - That God would touch the heart of every man, woman and child in this city; - That He would provide homes and support for all the needs of the homeless and abandoned people of this city; - That the spirit of idolatry and it’s brother addiction would be completely defeated and cast out of our city; - For the defeat of poverty and homelessness; - That the people who are despised will be able to come out of their misery; - That God would reveal to them the goods news of salvation in Jesus Christ; - That God would raise up wise and righteous leaders who will be able to take London to a good future. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. On this day we came together for a night vigil consisting of worship and prayer. Day 14 Our prayer focus for today: Spirit of Unity Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ⁃ Let us pray for unity as it invites the power of the Holy Spirit to the church ⁃ Pray that God would give strength where we are weak ⁃ Pray for each other ⁃ Pray for the GPS Ministry that is coming to visit us on Monday and Tuesday. ⁃ Pray for unity in the Church all over the world. Day 15 Sunday Service - Sealing the word of the previous week On this day we summarized the teachings and prayers of the past week and prepared to enter the new week with the goal of seeking to hear from God. Day 16 Hearing from God. Brothers and Sisters, This week we will be focussing on hearing the voice of God. God has many ways of speaking to us and we need to be able to recognize them. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 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. Let us focus on what the Word is saying to us. Listen to it or read it. Ask God to speak to us from His word. This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, And in their minds will I write them People have many times open their Bibles seeking a solution for their challenges and they have found the answer. Even if we do not have a Bible in our hands, God is able to write His word in our spirit, so that all our actions are led by him. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We need to study the word of God regularly. To connect with His word is to receive revelation. Today let us pray for the Holy Spirit to minister to us through the word of God. Let us also take a little time today to read about least one chapter in our Bibles, asking for God to give us insight and wisdom. Day 17 Listening to Others So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans‬ Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. Song of Solomon 1:7-8 Again we are focusing on hearing the voice of God, through his word. Yesterday we saw that reading the word is one way to hear from God. Another way is to listen to others teach the word and interpret its meaning for us. We need to be able to trust that our teachers are indeed teaching from the heart of God and that what they are teaching is the truth. How can we trust our preachers and teachers when so many times we hear of bad preachers, and false prophets? Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Jeremiah 14:14 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Mathew 7:15 From ancient times, this has been a big problem. It is easy to listen to a word that makes us feel good, but sometimes the word must make us uncomfortable so that we can be motivated to change for the better. ⁃ The word of God will never lie. ⁃ The word of God will never contradict the Bible ⁃ The word of God will never contradict God’s Law ⁃ The word of God will never have us worship anything or anyone but God. When a preacher begins to teach that he is more special than others, he is building a cult. ⁃ The word of God should encourage us in doing what is Good, and righteous in God’s eyes; ⁃ The word of God should encourage us to change the things that do not please him; ⁃ The word of God should reveal who He is and who we are in relation to him; ⁃ The word of God should break strongholds; and ⁃ The ward of God should teach us how to grow in relationship with God. It is important to read the Bible. The entire book, as often as possible. Start from the first page and work your way through. It doesn’t matter if it takes 5 years; When you finish, read it again. If you don’t understand it, ask family members, brothers and sisters in Christ, or leaders that you trust and know that the preach the truth. Most importantly, ask God to reveal his Word to you. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11 Day 18 Hearing the voice of God And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will make us sensitive to listen for the still, small voice of God. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: My reins also instruct me in the night seasons. Day 19 Hearing the voice of God Dreams & Visions And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. Numbers 12:6 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Joel 2:28 God will sometimes speak to us in dreams and visions. Very often, the dreams are symbolic. When we dream, we sometimes need to pray for understanding or speak to someone who can interpret the dream. Once we understand the dream, our course of action becomes very clear. There are many examples of people receiving dreams and visions from God. Not only the righteous but also the wicked. God has given dreams to people to warn them of danger of continuing the way they have started, he sends dreams to warn people of danger, to instruct them what they should do, etc. In Genesis 28 Jacob dreamed of a ladder between heaven and earth In Genesis 37 Jacob dreamed dreams of future greatness And in Genesis 40 he interpreted dreams for his fellow prisoners In Genesis 41 Pharaoh dreamed of 7 fat and 7 thin cattle and Joseph interpreted his dream. We see even in the New Testament that Joseph received dreams from God instructing him what to do, and even Paul was sent to Asa Minor by the Holy Spirit sending him a dream. Visions happen when we are awake, dreams while we are sleeping. Sometimes when we are meditating or praying, we can receive visions, but sometimes you can receive an image in your mind when you are alert and awake at an unexpected time. Dreams and visions are very powerful because God can use imagery to convey a big message. Let us continue to ask God to speak to us. He has promised that he will pour out his Spirit and we will dream dreams and have visions. Day 20 Hearing God’s voice The Lord is so gracious, he may sometimes even appear personally to you as a human being in the flesh or in a vision. Before the birth of Jesus, throughout the Bible He appeared to many people. In Genesis he appeared to Abraham, and to Hagar. In exodus he appeared to Moses He said that Moses was someone with whom He spoke face to face. In Judges he appeared to the parents of Sampson, and later to the prophets. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples. Today, there are many reports of of people having divine encounters with Jesus. It is a profoundly life changing event to have an encounter with God. It is my sincere desire that each of you would enter so deeply into His presence that you will be allowed to see His glory. Day 21 A day of thanksgiving that the Lord has brought us to completion of our vows. The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. Ezekiel 37:1-10 God has spoken to many of us and reassured us that he is with us to take us forward and use our church for His Kingdon purposes. Let us be faithful and continue to serve Him, trusting in his promises. We give thanks for this experience and for the faithfulness of our church elders and members in taking this journey together. God bless you abundantly. AMEN