Taken from Awake21.org

We are heading into the ninth-day of this season of prayer and fasting and the impact it has on people is as different as the people themselves. Most everyone agrees that spiritually, it is just incredible. Increased time spent in God’s presence always yields results. Yet, that does not mean there hasn’t been resistance spiritually, emotionally or physically. For some, hunger and the physical toll are a reality and they find themselves at that place where they are beginning to feel pressed. Someone mused today that the wallpaper was beginning to look edible. I know- that was a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. I have discovered that where there is no resistance, no effort is needed. Effort is called for when there is something of value involved. What then is on the line? Simply put – tomorrow. I press through today so that I can position myself to be successful tomorrow. Tomorrow represents the next step towards all that God has purposed for you and for me.

A great preacher, John Wesley, understood the importance of pressing through, especially in the face of difficulty and adversity. A friend once shared with me the following excerpt from his diary:

Sunday Morning, May 5, preached in St. Ann’s, was asked not to come back anymore.

Sunday p.m., May 5, preached at St. John’s, deacons said “Get out and stay out”.

Sunday a.m., May 12, preached at St. Jude’s, can’t go back there either.

Sunday p.m., May 12, preached at St. George’s, kicked out again.

Sunday a.m., May 19, preached at St. somebody else’s, deacons called a special meeting and said I couldn’t return.

Sunday p.m., May 19, preached on the street, kicked off the street.

Sunday a.m., May 26, preached in the meadow, chased out of meadow as a bull was turned loose during the services.

Sunday a.m., June 2, preached out at the edge of the town, kicked off the highway.

Sunday, p.m., June 2, afternoon service, preached in a pasture, 10,000 people came to hear me.

Perhaps at the end of the season of prayer and fasting you may not be preaching to 10,000 people, but what God desires for your life is worth pursuing. We want to believe Him right through to the end.

James 5:16 reminds us “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” NKJV I encourage you to press through. Kick up the fervency of your prayer. Remember that when you feel your weakest, it is at that place where you can be confident that He is most strong and in that strength, you can go the distance. Let’s together, believe God to the end as we seek Him in this season of prayer and fasting.

We recently started Awake21, 21 days of Prayer and Fasting together as a body and i wanted to let you know that is not to late to still participate. Over 300 churches have joined together across America to believe God for the impossible and we are already seeing results!

I recently saw this posting below on one of the other churches participating and I wanted to share it with you all.

John 3 “Stepping Into The Light”

Nicodemus was a religious leader, a member of the group of Pharisees. He confessed to Jesus that they (the Pharisees) knew He had been sent by God. Although he knew the truth about Jesus, it’s apparent he was still searching for more answers, as he came looking to Jesus to question Him. In the cover of darkness, Nicodemus was drawn to the light of Jesus Christ.

John 3:20 NLT
“All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near for fear their sins will be exposed”.

Notice the first step to doing what is right is stepping into the light. Our nature is to not want to be in the spotlight. We feel exposed and vulnerable, but only in Jesus are we safe. Whether it’s accepting Jesus for the first time, or perhaps confessing a hidden sin, when we choose to step into the light, an exchange takes place. We exchange our faults and our shame for the light of His mercy and grace.

Is there anything “hidden” in your life that Jesus is calling you to bring into the light? His mercies are fresh every day.

by Pastor Chris Hodges Lead Pastor-Church of the Highlands Birmingham, AL

It’s one thing to hunger for physical food; it’s another to be hungry in spirit.

When we crave food, we can easily grab a snack or consume a meal that satisfies in the temporal. When we are hungry in spirit, we become desperate for more of God, His presence, and His power that moves in the supernatural. But how do we fuel and feed our spiritual hunger?

John 1:1 NKJV
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The opening text of the gospel John introduces the Word as the source of life. The Word was not only with God, it was God. The deepest hunger in our life is for Jesus Christ Himself. In Jesus, we have the bread of life. He is the only one that can satisfy the true longings of our heart.

As the source of life, God’s written Word was designed to fuel spiritual hunger. The Word brings strength, joy, hope, wisdom, contentment. It is a guide for our steps, a living and active tool that searches and knows all things, a revealer of the character of God. It offers spiritual nourishment that can fulfill the deepest cravings.

As we begin our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, what are you hungry for? Stir up your spiritual appetite and feast on God’s Word. Dig into the Scriptures, pray His Word aloud, and press into His presence.

May your spiritual hunger grow and be fed by the Word the next several days and beyond…

Taken from Awake21

Just For Kids!

Should My Children Fast?

“Personally, I think it’s wonderful for children to participate in the fast in some way, but their participation should come from a heartfelt desire – just like our fasting should. If your child expresses a desire to participate, then arrange for them to give up certain foods. I do not recommend that children skip meals or drastically reduce their food intake. If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of your child giving up meat completely, you could choose to give up red meat. Eliminating sweets, TV, computer time, cell phone usage, or video games is another way kids can fast. Encourage them to substitute the energy spent on those things for time spent focused on prayer, Bible reading, or serving others. I am actually amazed at how sensitive my children are to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If our children can learn to recognize and follow the voice of God, they will be positioned for a life well-lived and framed by wisdom and favor. Of course, you should always check with your child’s pediatrician before fasting.”

by Pastor Kerri Weems, Celebration Church – Jacksonville, FL

As we go strong into 2009, there is a scripture that keeps touching my spirit:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Proverbs 4:23

“Guard your heart”. A simple reminder that is so crucial these days. With so much fear and unrest in our nation’s economy and the world’s political climate, it can become easy for us to get distracted. We can veer off course if we don’t guard our hearts.

But if we do guard our hearts, and if we believe that God truly blesses those who give, it will become obvious to us that right now is the time - more than ever before - to be a giver - to invest our resources (our time, touch, talents and treasure) now into the cause of reaching others with the hope that we have secured in Christ.

We will be sharing more with you in the upcoming weeks as we head into 2009 together, united to do all that God has laid before us.

I believe that if we will guard our hearts and not allow fear to creep in, then 2009 will be a year of incredible influence for the Kingdom of God throughout the world. I’m so excited about what God has in store for all of us - changing lives, impacting eternity!

Much love and prayers,
Pastors Jerry & Melanie

Hello Life Church and Happy New Year! Melanie and I have returned from our time with family and are ready to go after more of God in our lives, services and ministries in 09!

Starting this Sunday, January 11th through the 31st will be are set aside time for prayer and fasting to seek God for what He wants in 09 for us as individuals and our ministries at Life Church. I want to encourage you to:

#1 Make room in your schedule to slow down so you can give as much attention as possible to the Lord in prayer.

- We are offering Spirit-led Prayer Meetings every Thursday, 7PM at the Annex located at 6401 Carmel Rd. Suite 103.

#2 Prepare yourself spiritually. It’s not about starving yourself. It’s about allowing your spirit man to feast. Prepare your heart and plan on focused prayer times, participating in some type of corporate prayer services, and daily Bible reading.

- We are reading daily through the Bible at www.oneyearbibleonline.com.

Blessings and we are looking forward to see what God has planned for us in 09!

Pastors Jerry and Melanie