Day 15 of a 21-Day Fast

Praise God! We have reached day 15 of this 21 day journey. Be encouraged! You are on your final week. You have completed two out of the three weeks. Don't let up this final week, but rather set aside as much time as possible to spend with the Lord.

Regardless of what you are believing God for, you can have confidence that God is moving on your behalf. During this time of fasting and prayer, find within the scriptures God's promises concerning your need. The word of God provides us with a secure foundation for our requests by informing us of God's will.

As you get into the word of God and find His promises regarding your situation, any remaining hindrances to your faith can be erased. I am reminded of the story of the leper. This man who had leprosy approached Jesus, who is the Living Word, to find out God's provision for his dilemma. "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, 'if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed." (Mark 1:40-42).

This leper through approaching Jesus, the Living Word of God, found out God's provision for his need. Jesus informed the man that He was willing and then healed him. Some of you need to reach that level of confidence concerning your situation. You need to know that God is willing. So do what the leper did and go to the word of God. Spend time in the written word of God and find out what God says concerning your need. Time spent in the Word will give you great confidence that God can and will move on behalf of your prayers and requests. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5: 14-15).

Let the word of God be your confidence. Ask according to what you find in the Word. You will then have assurance that God will hear and if God hears, know that He is moving on your behalf. Also know that in His timing you will receive what you ask of Him. That is a reason for a shout! Come on and praise Him! Let confidence be yours today and in the days to come! Share on the blog the promises you have found that speak to your needs!

[by Pastor Chad Craig]

Today's Prayer

Dear God, Today I want to ask for Your protection and blessing upon Christian leaders around the world. Please give wisdom and guidance, and surround them with guardian angels.

I pray for pastors, missionaries, and other church leaders; for Christian heads of governments; for teachers and parents; for social and relief workers; for every kind of leader that is out there doing Your work, Your will, Your ministry. I lift them up to You, for their tasks are difficult. Block Satan's attempts to harm them or sidetrack them. Help them stay focused on the tasks and the missions to which You have called them.

Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Just how much is a trillion dollars?

What's a trillion dollars?

A trillion dollars = $1,000,000,000,000.

That's 12 zeroes to the left of the decimal point. A trillion is a million million dollars.

The U.S. government spends more than the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Australia, China and Spain combined. If you laid one dollar bills end to end, you could make a chain that stretches from earth to the moon and back again 200 times before you ran out of dollar bills! One trillion dollars would stretch nearly from the earth to the sun. It would take a military jet flying at the speed of sound, reeling out a roll of dollar bills behind it, 14 years before it reeled out one trillion dollar bills.

What is frightening is that government will continue to grow in America unless citizens prevent it. If government stays on the course it's been on for the past forty years without a radical change, the federal government will have a $10 TRILLION BUDGET by the year 2010.

Foolish politicians make pronouncements about the strength of the economy. The total debt obligation of the United States now exceeds 46 TRILLION DOLLARS.

American workers now net almost 30 percent less in real wages than they did in 1973. After taxes, two paychecks in a family barely equal the purchasing power one had thirty years ago.

The population of the U.S. is 303,824,640 (2008). Of that population, 16.5% are gainfully employed in civilian employment = 50,131,065. If we gave each gainfully employed person a million dollars, it would cost us $50,131,065,600,000. That's $50 trillion. Our national debt of $46 trillion is almost there.

If you had started spending one million dollars per day when Jesus was born, and continued every day until now, you are still short of one trillion dollars.

Now, some are talking about a $2 trillion stimulus package. If we just gave the $2 trillion to the working Americans, each would receive approximately $40,000. That would fix most mortgages, and maybe even allow most families to trade cars as well. Everybody gets fixed.

That isn't going to happen. Which raises the question, where will most of the $2 trillion end up?

How Do You Treat People?

I try to treat everyone I meet like a V.I.P. I don’t always do it perfectly, but it really is my intention. It’s part of a commitment I made to God to avoid showing favoritism in accordance with James 2:1.

And maybe part of my reason for doing it is knowing what it feels like to be on the receiving end of an encounter with a person who doesn’t think you’re very important. I have a lot of memories of talking to people at, say, church growth conferences, and the whole time I was trying to get to know them their eyes were darting everywhere looking for someone more important to interact with. I found that demeaning, and I never want anyone to experience that because of me.

How much value could you add to the people in your life if you starting trying to treat each of them like the most important person in the world as you interacted with them?

[from "Pastor Steven Furtick" by Steven Furtick]

Leadership Styles

The Situational Leadership model uses a 4 box grid based on the amount of direction and support the situation needs. The four styles are:

1. Directing Leaders define the roles and tasks of the "follower," and supervise them closely. Decisions are made by the leader and announced, so communication is largely one-way.

2. Coaching Leaders still define roles and tasks, but seeks ideas and suggestions from the follower. Decisions remain the leader's prerogative, but communication is much more two-way.

3. Supporting Leaders pass day-to-day decisions, such as task allocation and processes, to the follower. The leader facilitates and takes part in decisions, but control is with the follower.

4. Delegating Leaders are still involved in decisions and problem-solving, but control is with the follower. The follower decides when and how the leader will be involved.

Another approach categorizes styles according to emotional intelligence competencies, some of which work better than others in specific situations. These styles are:

5. Coercive: This “Do what I say” style demands immediate compliance. It is especially useful in turnaround situations, in a crisis, and with problem people. However, using this style inhibits your organization’s flexibility and can dampen motivation.

6. Authoritative: This style mobilizes people toward a vision. Specifically, it provides an overarching goal, but gives others the freedom to choose their own way of reaching it. This approach is most effective when an organization is at sea and needs direction, or during an economic downturn. This style is less successful when the leader is working with a team of experts who may have more experience — and may disagree with his approach.

7. Affiliative: This “people-first” style engenders the creation of emotional bonds and team harmony. It is best used when team coherence is important or in times of low morale. But this approach’s focus on praise may permit poor performance to continue unchecked, and people may lack a sense of overall direction. This style builds consensus through participation. It is most appropriate when organizational flexibility and a sense of individual responsibility is needed. The downside of this style, however, is that it may result in indecision, and some people may be left feeling confused and leaderless.

8. Pacesetting: This style expects excellence and self-direction. It works best for highly skilled and motivated people who work well on their own. Other people, however, may feel overwhelmed by a pacesetting leader’s demands for excellence. Their self-esteem, trust, and, ultimately, their morale may drop under the regime of this type of leader.

9. Coaching: This style focuses on personal development. Coaching leaders help people identify their strengths and weaknesses, and tie them to their career aspirations. While this style is highly successful with people who want to change or improve professionally, it is largely unsuccessful with those who are resistant to learning or changing their ways.

While some styles may be more comfortable for you to adopt than others, the more you stretch yourself to learn a range of styles, the more effective you will be as a leader.

[from Great Leadership by Dan McCarthy]

Day 14 of a 21-Day Fast

Magnifying Your Worship

“If my people who are called by name will 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 heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

On your fourteenth day of fasting, remember:
- Drink water or juice
- Go to your prayer time and prayer place
- Listen to a few of your favorite worship CD’s
- Write in your prayer journal
- Focus on your meditation and listening
- Continue to speak regularly with an accountability partner from your group
- Chew sugar free gum and keep sugar free mints with you

Physical Effects:
- Weight loss continues
- Bad breath
- You become spiritually aware of the Lord’s presence all around you
- Cravings can be strong at times

Today’s Quote: “Fasting and praying will provide the perspective of God that can only be described as magnification as His perfect will, His presence and His power come into focus with greater clarity than ever thought possible.” (Jentezen Franklin)

Thoughts for your Journal:
- Praise God for bringing you this far and thank Him for His steadfast presence.

Today's Prayer

Dear God,

Today I want to ask for Your protection and blessing upon Christian leaders around the world. Please give wisdom and guidance, and surround them with guardian angels.

I pray for pastors, missionaries, and other church leaders; for Christian heads of governments; for teachers and parents; for social and relief workers; for every kind of leader that is out there doing Your work, Your will, Your ministry.

I lift them up to You, for their tasks are difficult. Block Satan's attempts to harm them or sidetrack them. Help them stay focused on the tasks and the missions to which You have called them.

Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Day 13 of a 21 Day Fast

When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains.

Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest.

Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus' example when you fast.

• Spend time listening to praise and worship.
• Pray as often as you can throughout the day.
• Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face.

There are other forms of fasting that your children can do. Here is what your kids can do:

• Fast from sweets and junk food
• Fast from TV and movies
• Fast from video games

Today's Prayer

Lord, I commit my works unto you, and ask you to establish my thoughts and direct my steps.

Let my heart beat with your desires. Deliver me from all wrongdoing and fleshly desires. Keep me under your faithful, loving, and warm wings of love.

I praise you, Father, Savior, Deliverer. In Jesus' name.

Gay NH Bishop to Offer Prayer at Inaugural Event

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop will offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial at an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama.

The selection of New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson for Sunday's event follows weeks of criticism from gay-rights groups over Obama's decision to have Pastor Rick Warren give the invocation at his Jan. 20 inauguration.

Pastor Warren backed the ban on same-sex marriage that passed in his home state of California on the November ballot.

Robinson said last month the choice of Rick Warren was like a slap in the face. In an interview with the Concord Monitor, he said he doesn't believe Obama invited him in response to the Rick Warren criticism but said his inclusion won't go unnoticed by the gay and lesbian community.

"It's important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way," Robinson told the newspaper for a story in Monday's editions. "Whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority, or in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters."

Clark Stevens, a spokesman for the inaugural committee, said Robinson was invited because he had offered his advice to Obama during the campaign and because of his church work. When asked whether Robinson was included to calm the Rick Warren complaints, he said Robinson is "an important figure in the religious community. We are excited that he will be involved."

Robinson, 61, said both Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will attend the event, and Obama is expected to speak. As for himself, Robinson said he doesn't yet know what he'll say, but he knows he won't use a Bible.

"While that is a holy and sacred text to me, it is not for many Americans," Robinson said. "I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation."
Robinson said his prayer will be reflective of the times.

"I think these are sober and difficult times that we are facing," he said. "It won't be a happy, clappy prayer."

Robinson's 2003 consecration has divided the church in the United States and abroad, causing local churches to separate from the mother church, resulting in law suits over church properties. Last month, theological conservatives upset by liberal views of U.S. Episcopalians and Canadian Anglicans formed a rival North American province.

[Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.]

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

I. The Holy Spirit as a Person
A person is characterized by consciousness, rationality, moral and ethical qualities.
A. (Lk. 12:12) He is a teacher
B. (Ac. 8:29) He speaks
C. (Ac. 5:32) He is a witness
D. (Rom. 8:26) He is a helper and intercessor
E. (Ac. 15:28) He determines the value of decisions
F. (1 Cor. 2:11) He is constantly in touch with the mind of God
G. (Ac. 20:28) He chooses church leaders
H. (Ac. 5:3) He can be lied to

II. Symbols/Figures of Speech used of the Holy Spirit
A. Clothing (clothed with power) Lk. 24:49
B. Dove Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22; Jn. 1:32
C. Fire Ex. 3:2; Lev. 9:24; 1 Kgs. 18:38; 2 Chron. 7:1; Zech. 2:5; Mal. 3:3; Ac. 2:3; Heb. 12:29; 1Pet. 1:7; Rev. 1:4
D. Oil Matt. 25:3-8; cf. Ps. 45:7 with Heb. 1:9
E. Seal 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30
F. Water Jn. 4:14; 7:37-39
G. Wind Jn. 3:8; Ac. 2:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:21
H. Mouth/Word of God Isa. 34:16; Ezek. 1:3
I. Breath of God Gen. 2:7; Job 27:3; 33:4; 34:14-15; Ps. 33:6; Jn. 20:22
J. Finger of God Lk. 11:20, cf. with Matt. 12:28
K. Hand of God Ezek. 1:3
L. Earnest 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14
M. Seven Eyes Rev. 5:6

III. The Deity of the Holy Spirit
A. Divine Attributes:
1. Omnipresence Ps. 139:7
2. Omniscience Isa. 40:13-14; 1 Cor. 2:10
3. Omnipotence Isa. 11:2; Jn. 3:6
4. Eternality Heb. 9:14
5. Holiness Rom. 1:4
6. Transcendence Ps. 51:12
7. Agent of Salvation Heb. 10:29: Zech. 12:10
8. Perfection Rev. 1:4; 3:1
9. Unity of Spirit Eph. 4:4
10. Divinity of Spirit 2 Cor. 3:3
B. Various references to the Holy Spirit are interchangeable with references to God:
1. Ac. 5:3-4
2. 1 Cor. 3:16-17, see also 6:19-20
C. Holy Spirit performs certain works which are commonly ascribed to God:
1. Creation Gen. 1:1, 3; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30
2. His work with humansa. Regeneration Jn. 3:5-8; Titus 3:5b. Resurrection Rom. 8:11

D. The Holy Spirit’s association with the Father and the Son: ( Mat. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2)
1. He is called both the Spirit of Yahweh (Isa. 61:1) and the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9; 1 Pet. 1:11)
2. Jesus ascribes the working of the Holy Spirit to both the Father and Himself (Jn. 14:16; 15:26)
3. The Holy Spirit is sent by both the Father (Jn. 14:16, 26) and Christ (Jn. 16:7).
4. The Son is the revealer of the Father by incarnation (Jn. 14:7-10), while the Holy Spirit is the revealer of the Father by inspiration (Eph. 1:17, NIV).

IV. Titles Attached to the Holy Spirit
1. Spirit of God Gen. 1:2; Mat. 3:16
2. Spirit of the Lord Lk. 4:18
3. Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6:11
4. His Spirit Num. 11:29
5. Spirit of Yahweh Judges 3:10
6. Thy Spirit Ps. 139:7
7. Spirit of the Lord Isa. 61:1
8. Spirit of your Father Mat. 10:20
9. Spirit of the Living God 2 Cor. 3:3
10. My Spirit Gen. 6:3
11. Spirit of Him Rom. 8:11
12. Spirit of Christ Rom. 8:9; 1 Pet. 1:11
13. Spirit of Jesus Christ Phil. 1:19
14. Spirit of Jesus Ac. 16:7
15. Spirit of His Son Gal. 4:6
16. Spirit of the Lord Ac. 5:9; 8:39
17. One Spirit Eph. 4:4
18. Seven Spirits Rev. 1:4; 3:1
19. The Lord the Spirit 2 Cor. 3:18
20. Eternal Spirit Heb. 9:14
21. Spirit of Glory 1 Pet. 4:14
22. Spirit of Life Rom. 8:2
23. Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1:4
24. Holy Spirit Ps. 51:11; Mat. 1:20; Lk. 11:13; Jn. 14:26
25. Holy One 1 Jn. 2:20
26. Spirit of Wisdom Ex. 28:13; Eph. 1:17
27. Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding Isa. 11:2
28. Spirit of Counsel and Might Isa. 11:2
29. Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord Isa. 11:2
30. Spirit of Truth Jn. 14:17
31. Free Spirit Ps. 51:12
32. Spirit of Grace Heb. 10:29
33. Spirit of Grace and Supplication Zech. 12:10
34. Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4:13
35. Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8:15
36. Paracletos Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7
37. Spirit of Judgment Isa. 4:4; 28:6
38. Spirit of Burning Isa. 4:4
39. Holy Spirit of Promise Eph. 1:13
40. Power of the Almighty Lk. 1:35
41. Promise of my Father Lk. 24:49
42. Promise of the Father Ac. 1:4

V. Works Attributed to the Holy Spirit
1. Perfecting of the Saints 1 Pet. 4:14
2. Agent of Regeneration Rom. 8:2; Jn. 3:5-8
3. Sanctifier Rom. 1:4
4. Gives Wisdom Jn. 2:20; Eph. 1:7
5. Agent of Application of Grace Heb. 10:29
6. Reveals our Adoption Rom. 8:15
7. Helper Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7
8. Executes Judgment Isa. 63:10; Ac. 5:3-9
9. Ordains Ac. 13:2-4
10. Directs Christian Witness Ac. 10:19; 16:6
11. Guides the Church in Decisions Ac. 15:28
12. Distributes Spiritual Gifts 1 Cor. 12:11
13. Reveals the Lordship of Christ 1 Cor. 12:3
14. Provides Gifts of Ministry 1 Cor. 12:27-29
15. Provides Access to the Father Eph. 2:18
16. Agent of Incarnation Mat. 1:18-20; Lk. 1:35
17. Agent of Inscripturation 2 Tim. 3:16
18. Teaches Jn. 14:26
19. Intercedes Rom 8:26
20. Bears Witness Jn. 15:26
21. Convicts Jn. 16:7-8
22. Strives/Judges Gen. 6:3
23. Anointed the Anointed One Lk. 3:21-22; Ac. 10:38
24. Has a Role in the Resurrection 1 Pet. 3:18-19
25. Agent for Justification 1 Cor. 6:11
26. Enlightens the Believer Jn. 16:12-13
27. Glorifies Jesus Jn. 16:14-15
28. Enables/Empowers the Believer Ac. 1:8
29. Baptizes the Believer into the Body 1 Cor. 12:13

[from SOMETHING TO CONSIDER by Phil Hoover]

Today's Quote

"I believe that pastors are the most strategic change agents to deal with the problems society faces. If I didn’t believe pastors have the best chance of making a difference in our world, I’d be doing something else." - Rick Warren

Most Americans Pick'n Choose Religious Beliefs

The majority of American adults pick and choose their religious beliefs to create, in essence, a “customized” religion rather than adopting the set of beliefs taught by a particular church, a new study found.

By a three to one margin (71 percent to 26 percent), Americans say they are more likely to personally develop their own set of religious beliefs than accept a comprehensive set of beliefs taught by a church or denomination, a Barna study, released Monday, shows.

Among those who describe themselves as Christians, for instance, nearly half believe that Satan does not exist, one-third say that Jesus sinned when He was on earth, two-fifths say they do not have a responsibility to share the Gospel with others, and one-quarter dismiss the idea that the Bible is accurate in all of its teachings – beliefs that are contrary to most church teachings.

George Barna, founder of The Barna Group, commented on the findings saying that a growing number of people are serving as their own “theologian-in-residence,” resulting in Americans embracing an “unpredictable and contradictory body of beliefs.”

He pointed out that millions of people who consider themselves as Christians who believe the Bible is totally accurate in all its teaching also contend at the same time that Jesus Christ sinned.
Others, the researcher noted, say they believe they will receive eternal salvation because they confessed their sins and accepted Christ as their savior, but they also believe that a person can do enough good works to earn eternal salvation.

Americans today, Barna observed, are “more likely to pit a variety of non-Christian options against various Christian-based views.”

“This has resulted in an abundance of unique worldviews based on personal combinations of theology drawn from a smattering of world religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam as well as secularism,” he said.

Leading the pack of pick and choose your religious beliefs are people under the age of 25. More than four out of five (82 percent) of them say they develop their own combination of beliefs rather than adopt a set offered by a church.

Born-again Christians were among the groups least likely to adopt an a la carte approach to religious beliefs, but even most in this group say they have mixed their set of beliefs (61 percent).

In other words, the Barna survey’s findings show that people no longer look to denominations or churches for a complete set of theological views. Rather, combining beliefs from different denominations, and even religions, is becoming the norm.

Another finding in the survey is that Christianity is no longer viewed as the default religion in America. More than 50 percent of the adult respondents say that Christianity is no longer the faith that Americans automatically accept as their personal faith.

Previously, many assumed that if one was born in America than one would automatically be affiliated with the Christian faith.

Evangelical Christians (64 percent) and Hispanics (60 percent) were the strongest supporters of the idea that Christianity is no longer the automatic religion of Americans. Residents in the Northeast and West were also more likely than those living in the South and Mideast to say that Christianity has lost its place as the first faith option people consider.

A slight majority of political conservatives, however, still believe Christianity remains the natural choice of most Americans.

Despite the changes and shift in religious beliefs, an overwhelming portion of Americans still say religious faith is an important source of personal moral guidance. Nearly three out of four (74 percent) American adults say their faith influences their moral judgments.

The report is based upon telephone interviews conducted by The Barna Group with a random sample of 1,004 adults selected from across the United States, ages 18 and older, in August 2008.

[By Jennifer Riley - Christian Post Reporter]

Life in the Fishbowl

Right or wrong, when you’re a pastor, people’s expectations of you change.

- Some believe you are holier than you could humanly achieve. Others are skeptical, secretly hoping you’ll fail.
- Some sincerely hope your family is materially blessed. Others think your family should barely be above the poverty line.
- Many will have very high expectations of your kids. Some will privately (or publicly) gloat when your kids fail.
- Some people will want to be close to you simply because you’re a pastor. Others will be too nervous to be themselves around you.
- Some will extend irrational love toward you and your family. Others will be easily offended (and dislike you) over something you would consider a minor misunderstanding.
- Some will almost worship you (even though you don’t want it). Many of those same people will leave your church before the end of this year.

The joy of intimate Christian relationships for pastors couldn’t be greater. The pain and loss of broken relationships will haunt you throughout your ministry.

Welcome to the real world of pastoring in the 21st Century.

[from LifeChurch.tv : swerve by Craig Groeschel]

Is Domestic Abuse an Acceptable Reason for Divorce?

According to the Christian Post: "Physical abuse by one’s spouse is not a biblical reason for divorce," says a pastor at Saddleback Church in southern California. Tom Holladay, teaching pastor at the megachurch founded by best-selling author Rick Warren, says the Bible only gives two cases where divorce is acceptable: abandonment and a physical affair.

“I wish there were a third in Scripture having been involved as a pastor with situations of abuse," Holladay said in an audio clip posted on Saddleback Church’s Web site. "There is something in me that wishes there were a Bible verse that says, 'If they abuse you in this-and-such kind of way, then you have a right to leave them.'"

Physical abuse, he defined, is someone “literally” beating another person up regularly...
Holliday does believe that couples involved with domestic abuse should separate; and find counseling.

You can read the whole article here.

So … what do you think? Is Domestic abuse grounds for a Biblical divorce? What’s your scripture?

Click "comments" below.

[from MMI Weblog by Todd Rhoades]