Hey everyone,
Today is the final day of our 21 day journey! Stay strong. Here's a word of encouragement. The visions of elaborate lunches are not from the Lord! Ha! I'm so hungry. But seriously, I want my spirit to always be this hungry for the Lord. I read psalm 121 this morning.
"I will lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
who made heaven and earth."
There is nothing too difficult for the Lord. He is always present, always engaged in our circumstances and always ready to give us the strength to endure.
I'm so glad to have engaged these 21 days. I have seen his strength and help and inspiration each day in it's own unique expression. I pray that this would truly be the beginning for us to live in new supernatural ways.
see you tonight!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 19 - David Olinger
Hey everybody! Can you believe that we are almost at the end of the 21 Days of Engagement? I am looking forward to meeting with everyone at Confluence this Wednesday night…
Last night we had an incredible time with the youth group. I remember at one particular time in the night, the Lord gave me a prophetic word about our youth. The word was that they would have an understanding of the scriptures that is way beyond their years and that there was a spiritual maturity that is developing in the young people. I have been amazed at how hungry of youth are for the Lord!
As I have been thinking about that throughout today, I believe the same is true for the rest of the church as well. Think about how much we have grown together over the past few weeks! I am so encouraged to see the Lord move every age group together at once. I believe that the Lord is going to keep taking us deeper and deeper throughout the year. What we have been experiencing together lately is just the beginning.
Last night we had an incredible time with the youth group. I remember at one particular time in the night, the Lord gave me a prophetic word about our youth. The word was that they would have an understanding of the scriptures that is way beyond their years and that there was a spiritual maturity that is developing in the young people. I have been amazed at how hungry of youth are for the Lord!
As I have been thinking about that throughout today, I believe the same is true for the rest of the church as well. Think about how much we have grown together over the past few weeks! I am so encouraged to see the Lord move every age group together at once. I believe that the Lord is going to keep taking us deeper and deeper throughout the year. What we have been experiencing together lately is just the beginning.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
January 18
The Lord is our portion. He satisfies our deepest desires. His love restores us. We are changed in His freedom. We are loved.
Lord, thank you for stretching our hearts to hold more of your love. We want to love you back more than we ever have before.
Lord, thank you for stretching our hearts to hold more of your love. We want to love you back more than we ever have before.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Day 16
Hey Everyone,
I hope that for you, this 21 day adventure has awakened some new habits or ways of seeing and engaging God the way it has in me. It really has helped to have a daily focus. As we continue toward the finish line, my prayer is that it won't be an end but a whole new beginning for us.
I've read that it takes repeating something for 21 days consecutively in order to create a habit. I'm not sure if this would ever function completely on "auto-pilot",(or that it should) but it can become a more integral part of our outlook.
I was driving down the highway praying yesterday and asking the Lord to show me what He was praying. As I did, I passed by an eighteen wheeler that read "delivering new solutions". My spirit immediately jumped and knew this was the word of the Lord. It gave me a clear direction for prayer and insight into His heart. I want habitually anticipate hearing God in small events like this. Whenever I go to a grocery store or a coffee shop or whenever I am, I want to begin to expect again to see the wonder of God show up in everything. Here's an old poem of mine for you:
"There is cinema hiding in the cornfields
There is mystery beneath the crow's wing
There are stories the size of eternity sleeping inside of a moment.
Liberate the Divine Spark.
Wonder is all around us.
It quietly hums even beneath the mundane
Crouching in wait for those who will discover
Symphony is peering behind every tree."
I hope that for you, this 21 day adventure has awakened some new habits or ways of seeing and engaging God the way it has in me. It really has helped to have a daily focus. As we continue toward the finish line, my prayer is that it won't be an end but a whole new beginning for us.
I've read that it takes repeating something for 21 days consecutively in order to create a habit. I'm not sure if this would ever function completely on "auto-pilot",(or that it should) but it can become a more integral part of our outlook.
I was driving down the highway praying yesterday and asking the Lord to show me what He was praying. As I did, I passed by an eighteen wheeler that read "delivering new solutions". My spirit immediately jumped and knew this was the word of the Lord. It gave me a clear direction for prayer and insight into His heart. I want habitually anticipate hearing God in small events like this. Whenever I go to a grocery store or a coffee shop or whenever I am, I want to begin to expect again to see the wonder of God show up in everything. Here's an old poem of mine for you:
"There is cinema hiding in the cornfields
There is mystery beneath the crow's wing
There are stories the size of eternity sleeping inside of a moment.
Liberate the Divine Spark.
Wonder is all around us.
It quietly hums even beneath the mundane
Crouching in wait for those who will discover
Symphony is peering behind every tree."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Day 15 - Clara
It’s moving day at my house. As I write this note, everything I own is packed in boxes…. This morning the 21 days of engagement feels a lot like moving to me.
Over the last couple of weeks I have made several trips to the Salvation Army and the dumpster to get rid of things. I’ve also made a few trips to the store to get some new things. And, I have encountered a lot of dust!
How in the world has all this “junk” found it’s way into my house and how was I making it without some of the essentials? One example…. an alarm clock! Instead of a clock have been using my phone. Not a bad plan until it rings in the middle of the night or I forget to plug it in and it goes dead before morning.
The 21 days has felt the same to me. Moving out things I don’t need (like some of my time sucking habits), dusting off some things I had forgotten about and adding in some much needed items (like giving thanks). As we hit day 15 it feels like a FRESH START. I didn’t even realize I needed one. Isn’t it great that the Lord always knows just what we need.
Over the last couple of weeks I have made several trips to the Salvation Army and the dumpster to get rid of things. I’ve also made a few trips to the store to get some new things. And, I have encountered a lot of dust!
How in the world has all this “junk” found it’s way into my house and how was I making it without some of the essentials? One example…. an alarm clock! Instead of a clock have been using my phone. Not a bad plan until it rings in the middle of the night or I forget to plug it in and it goes dead before morning.
The 21 days has felt the same to me. Moving out things I don’t need (like some of my time sucking habits), dusting off some things I had forgotten about and adding in some much needed items (like giving thanks). As we hit day 15 it feels like a FRESH START. I didn’t even realize I needed one. Isn’t it great that the Lord always knows just what we need.
Jan 14th - David Olinger
I was reading this week in John 6 about Jesus feeding a crowd of five-thousand men, not including women and children. The bible says that Jesus multiplied enough food for the entire multitude of people by using only two pieces of fish and five loaves of bread that he was given by a “young lad.” I imagine that the young lad who decided to give up his food that day never dreamed that his little sack lunch would feed so many people!
It doesn’t take a lot of talent, skill, anointing, or much of anything to be used by the Lord in huge ways. Our willingness to give out the little bit that we have it what the Lord will use. What is in your sack lunch today?
1Cor. 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
It doesn’t take a lot of talent, skill, anointing, or much of anything to be used by the Lord in huge ways. Our willingness to give out the little bit that we have it what the Lord will use. What is in your sack lunch today?
1Cor. 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Jan 13th - Wendy H
Random
Isn’t it amazing that there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love? There’s nothing we can do to make him love us more or less. To me – that’s quite a relief, like somehow it’s easier to breathe and just be myself. He pursues us, chases us, and comes after us in the most random of ways. And today he’s going to use us to pursue and encourage someone who seems pretty random to us (faith action – dialing up a random phone number), but in reality the person we call has been on His heart for quite a while. Love makes you do crazy things – right? The Lord must be nuts about these people.
Random
Isn’t it amazing that there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love? There’s nothing we can do to make him love us more or less. To me – that’s quite a relief, like somehow it’s easier to breathe and just be myself. He pursues us, chases us, and comes after us in the most random of ways. And today he’s going to use us to pursue and encourage someone who seems pretty random to us (faith action – dialing up a random phone number), but in reality the person we call has been on His heart for quite a while. Love makes you do crazy things – right? The Lord must be nuts about these people.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Jan 9th - Matt
Good morning. My guess is that we all have a greater appreciation for food than we have had in awhile. We are all looking forward to this evening when we get to once again put the taste buds God gave us to good use. I'm looking forward to it. But until then, we get to awaken our spiritual mouth by tasting of the Lord's goodness, of His faithfulness and love instead of food.
I have to laugh at the dining opportunities that seem to suddenly arise whenever I fast. Maybe you have had some too. Yesterday, I was invited to an emergency lunch meeting with a group of people - at one of the best restaurants in Winston. The next thing I knew, my ice water and I were surrounded by free filet's of salmon, steak and chicken. It looked good too. It's in these moments that we choose to complain or smile and see it as an opportunity to worship instead, giving a greater gift to God and choosing to eat of His love and presence, which is better than prime rib and fine wine. A presentation was then given during the lunch, describing how nearly 30,000 people who were literally starving to death and thirsty - I was then thankful to not be eating and realizing how amazing blessed and lavished on we all are here.
In our weakness He will be strong today and as we die to our flesh, His love and power will flow through us. It's a great day to be alive.
I have to laugh at the dining opportunities that seem to suddenly arise whenever I fast. Maybe you have had some too. Yesterday, I was invited to an emergency lunch meeting with a group of people - at one of the best restaurants in Winston. The next thing I knew, my ice water and I were surrounded by free filet's of salmon, steak and chicken. It looked good too. It's in these moments that we choose to complain or smile and see it as an opportunity to worship instead, giving a greater gift to God and choosing to eat of His love and presence, which is better than prime rib and fine wine. A presentation was then given during the lunch, describing how nearly 30,000 people who were literally starving to death and thirsty - I was then thankful to not be eating and realizing how amazing blessed and lavished on we all are here.
In our weakness He will be strong today and as we die to our flesh, His love and power will flow through us. It's a great day to be alive.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Hey everyone,
Yesterday, Sarah and I were having lunch and I overheard a conversation from a table nearby. A man was telling his co-worker to be more "proactive" in his business endeavors. The word "proactive" stuck out to me but I didn't think much of it at the time. Later that evening, I felt compelled to pick up a book I've been reading called "Chasing Daylight" by Erwin McManus. The very place I opened to read said this:
"There is a direct relationship between passion and initiative. The more passionate you are, the more proactive you will tend to be." I knew the Lord was saying something important to me about being more proactive with the opportunities He is bringing.
An honest confession is that during that same lunch hour, I received a word for a lady in the restaurant but wasn't proactive to give it away. There are so many divine opportunities all around, waiting for us to engage them. My prayer is that the Lord would embolden us with such a passionate confidence that we step out with even greater faith as these days unfold.
I also want to encourage us that as we fast and as the disciplines grow in intensity this week, for us to anticipate the Lord's Presence to increase among us with new intensity as well. Ken Helser used to tell me, "The key to discipline is desire." May the Lord fan our desires for Him into such a burning flame, we don't even notice anything else (such as hunger or sleepiness) from under the shadow of his Great abiding Presence.
Rick Joyner says that often the manner in which an endeavor begins, will reflect the quality of how it will proceed. We have begun this year from an amazing place together and I am excited to see where the Lord takes us from here.
Stephen
Yesterday, Sarah and I were having lunch and I overheard a conversation from a table nearby. A man was telling his co-worker to be more "proactive" in his business endeavors. The word "proactive" stuck out to me but I didn't think much of it at the time. Later that evening, I felt compelled to pick up a book I've been reading called "Chasing Daylight" by Erwin McManus. The very place I opened to read said this:
"There is a direct relationship between passion and initiative. The more passionate you are, the more proactive you will tend to be." I knew the Lord was saying something important to me about being more proactive with the opportunities He is bringing.
An honest confession is that during that same lunch hour, I received a word for a lady in the restaurant but wasn't proactive to give it away. There are so many divine opportunities all around, waiting for us to engage them. My prayer is that the Lord would embolden us with such a passionate confidence that we step out with even greater faith as these days unfold.
I also want to encourage us that as we fast and as the disciplines grow in intensity this week, for us to anticipate the Lord's Presence to increase among us with new intensity as well. Ken Helser used to tell me, "The key to discipline is desire." May the Lord fan our desires for Him into such a burning flame, we don't even notice anything else (such as hunger or sleepiness) from under the shadow of his Great abiding Presence.
Rick Joyner says that often the manner in which an endeavor begins, will reflect the quality of how it will proceed. We have begun this year from an amazing place together and I am excited to see where the Lord takes us from here.
Stephen
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Day 7
Hey everyone,
Each day is becoming more and more exciting to see what the Lord has up His sleeve. Directions that begin with "Go to a coffee shop..." are always adventurous! I pray that today as we step out to go past our comfort zones and encounter the Lord in new ways, that He would truly meet us and expand our borders beyond what we thought possible.
Be encouraged that with each day's events, we are digging canals in our lives where the living water can flow through us freely and have access to those who are thirsting. Keep going!
Each day is becoming more and more exciting to see what the Lord has up His sleeve. Directions that begin with "Go to a coffee shop..." are always adventurous! I pray that today as we step out to go past our comfort zones and encounter the Lord in new ways, that He would truly meet us and expand our borders beyond what we thought possible.
Be encouraged that with each day's events, we are digging canals in our lives where the living water can flow through us freely and have access to those who are thirsting. Keep going!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Jan 6 - David Olinger
Hey everybody! Can you believe that we are already at Day 6! Week One is almost complete. Today in another great day to dive into God, receive from Him, and give it away to others.
I was reading a few days ago in Jeremiah and I noticed that the Lord told Israel that they had forsaken the Fountain of Living Waters for broken cisterns that can’t hold water (Jeremiah 2:21). A few verses later, he told them that he planted inside of them a “choice vine, a completely faithful seed.”
As I read these passages, I noticed that in the Kingdom we actually begin in a place of abundance! Our starting place is a place of having EVERYTHING that we could ever want or need from the Lord. In a world where one must “climb the corporate ladder” to reach the top of his/her field, this is a total contrast. How often have I tried to exchange the unlimited flow of Gods living water for a mindset or “cistern” that can’t even come close to containing the blessing and the kindness of God!
When you came to know the Lord, he planted a completely faithful seed of the Kingdom inside of you that keeps growing bigger and bigger everyday! Jesus Christ is living inside of you!!! God put His best right inside temples of skin and bones! You have every spiritual blessing in Christ! You are seated in heavenly places! (Ephesians 1)
There is so much more the Lord has for you today! Keep digging into God and pouring out on others. There is a fountain of Living Water flowing through you!
David Olinger
I was reading a few days ago in Jeremiah and I noticed that the Lord told Israel that they had forsaken the Fountain of Living Waters for broken cisterns that can’t hold water (Jeremiah 2:21). A few verses later, he told them that he planted inside of them a “choice vine, a completely faithful seed.”
As I read these passages, I noticed that in the Kingdom we actually begin in a place of abundance! Our starting place is a place of having EVERYTHING that we could ever want or need from the Lord. In a world where one must “climb the corporate ladder” to reach the top of his/her field, this is a total contrast. How often have I tried to exchange the unlimited flow of Gods living water for a mindset or “cistern” that can’t even come close to containing the blessing and the kindness of God!
When you came to know the Lord, he planted a completely faithful seed of the Kingdom inside of you that keeps growing bigger and bigger everyday! Jesus Christ is living inside of you!!! God put His best right inside temples of skin and bones! You have every spiritual blessing in Christ! You are seated in heavenly places! (Ephesians 1)
There is so much more the Lord has for you today! Keep digging into God and pouring out on others. There is a fountain of Living Water flowing through you!
David Olinger
Monday, January 5, 2009
January 5
Today is an exciting day – especially for those of us who may be giving a word of encouragement to a stranger for the first time today. Just remember to relax, the pressure is not on us. The Lord will provide the words, if we’ll be faithful to step out.
I’m going to Stein Mart tonight to make a return. I’m already asking the Lord for a word of encouragement for someone at the store. It helps me feel a little more relaxed to get the word ahead of time, instead of trying to get something in the moment. And it also gives me time to write it down for the person – maybe in a card or just a piece of paper. Speaking the word of encouragement is very powerful & sometimes it’s nice to pass it along in written form after you share the word too. You may want to try it. Most people are starving for encouragement – we have the BEST “bread” to share. Enjoy your day! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
I’m going to Stein Mart tonight to make a return. I’m already asking the Lord for a word of encouragement for someone at the store. It helps me feel a little more relaxed to get the word ahead of time, instead of trying to get something in the moment. And it also gives me time to write it down for the person – maybe in a card or just a piece of paper. Speaking the word of encouragement is very powerful & sometimes it’s nice to pass it along in written form after you share the word too. You may want to try it. Most people are starving for encouragement – we have the BEST “bread” to share. Enjoy your day! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Jan 3
As I'm writing this, my phone went out, followed a few minutes later by the power going out. The enemy will always try to deter us from doing what we set out to do in God, giving us reasons to quit, abandon course. Fulfilling our purpose on the earth means that we climb over everything the enemy throws at us, keeping our eyes on Jesus and keep moving forward. Hebrews10:35-38 says "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." A large part of this 21 day time is learning to persevere under all circumstances....We all need endurance and perseverance to get to where we are called to go. This race God has us running in is a marathon with prizes along the way and a huge reward at the end.
Listening to God for 10 minutes or so could be as important as anything else we do in this 21 days......There are many noises, voices, demands and anxieties vying for our attention..Learning to quiet our soul is absolutely essential for us to hear heaven. Today is the first practice of that and though it is difficult, I encourage you to quiet your soul, cast all cares upon Him, receive His peace and "wait on the Lord." He will cause you to rise up like the eagle when we wait on Him...
While exercising, see what it's like to "pray without ceasing" by speaking in the spirit under your breath while walking, running, etc....Prayer will become like breathing to us over time....
You are awesome in HIM! Really.....Our confidence is beginning to grow in who He is in us. Poverty mindset take a hike. Inferiority complex and insecurity depart my life....In Him you live and move and exist.
As my friend Matthew Manigat says "I am keeping the faith, and the faith is keeping me."
"It's not how you start, but how you finish...let's finish well and watch this 5 minute video to encourage you to get up and keep going..."
M
Listening to God for 10 minutes or so could be as important as anything else we do in this 21 days......There are many noises, voices, demands and anxieties vying for our attention..Learning to quiet our soul is absolutely essential for us to hear heaven. Today is the first practice of that and though it is difficult, I encourage you to quiet your soul, cast all cares upon Him, receive His peace and "wait on the Lord." He will cause you to rise up like the eagle when we wait on Him...
While exercising, see what it's like to "pray without ceasing" by speaking in the spirit under your breath while walking, running, etc....Prayer will become like breathing to us over time....
You are awesome in HIM! Really.....Our confidence is beginning to grow in who He is in us. Poverty mindset take a hike. Inferiority complex and insecurity depart my life....In Him you live and move and exist.
As my friend Matthew Manigat says "I am keeping the faith, and the faith is keeping me."
"It's not how you start, but how you finish...let's finish well and watch this 5 minute video to encourage you to get up and keep going..."
M
Friday, January 2, 2009
Wilberforce's Speech
When reading about William Wilberforce's speach to Parliamentl, I found this recap from a local English newspaper; The Morning Star
I can't wait to say that "it is impossible for me to object in being instrumental to the business" of the Kingdom. Let us all be so convinced of the goodness of the Lord that "no consideration whatever" would make us swerve or dissuade us from marching boldly forward.2. From The Morning Star, 78 (Wednesday 13 May 1789)
Mr. WILBERFORCE then called the attention of the House to what he was about to propose. He said that he rose with a confession of what operated in his mind relative to the abolition of the Slave Trade. When I consider, says he, how long this has been suggested by many, and of what importance it is to a race of men, possessing qualities equally commendable with our own—how many millions are at present involved in the decision of the question—it is impossible for me to object in being instrumental to the business. He then remarked, that he was convinced, whatever should be the decision, that in bringing forward the discussion, he performed nothing more than his duty; and he was so fully persuaded of the rectitude of his conduct, that no consideration whatever would make him swerve from his honour so far, as to dissuade him from marching boldly forward on the occasion...
Jan 2nd
I hope you enjoyed yesterday and our first day into this. Giving yourselves afresh to the Lord and pressing through will produce some amazing things in our lives, beyond what we see or feel. 10 minutes of praying in the Spirit or several minutes of singing today may feel like a long time as we start out. But if we will press through, connecting in Spirit and doing it with our heart, this time will come alive. Paul said that "I speak in tongues more that ya' all" (or something like that). He had pressed through and discovered some treasures in speaking the language of the Spirit. We will too.
Matt
As I did this today, I realized how long it has been since I have loved on God in this way - too long. The Holy Spirit does things we cannot see as we pray in Him...
You will see some brand new things in Matthew 4 & 5 that you have never seen before as the Holy Spirit bring revelation to what we read...
Today will be a day to give some money away. Whether it's $1 or $100, people will be surprised at your giving, and will probably ask you why. Have fun w ith this and release love and light to them. Money often opens up hearts of people and your generosity will get their attention. Money is the love of the world and the currency of the world's language - so as we give someone some money, use it to then give them the currency of heaven - genuine love.
This is going to be a great day...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Welcome 2009
Our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete....
The one who says he abides in Jesus ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked....
....walk in love...Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise, making the very most of the time, because the days are evil.....Drink in the Spirit of God, huge draughts of Him. Sing songs from your heart to Christ. sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ....
( I John 1:3, 2:6, Eph 5:2, 15-16)
M
The one who says he abides in Jesus ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked....
....walk in love...Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise, making the very most of the time, because the days are evil.....Drink in the Spirit of God, huge draughts of Him. Sing songs from your heart to Christ. sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ....
( I John 1:3, 2:6, Eph 5:2, 15-16)
M
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