Oct 31 - Press On After Christ

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

In this pericope Paul states that there is a destiny of perfection that must compel believers to press on toward the fullness of Christ and His Glory. The Lord’s purpose for His redeemed one goes beyond our sins of the past. Paul was pressing on for so much more! Paul was reaching for a goal in Christ Jesus. Paul’s life was not finished when he surrendered his life to Jesus on the road to Damascus. His life was completely transformed to one that was running a new race – a race dedicated to apprehending all that Christ had in mind for him.

Jesus Christ has taken hold of you by His grace with a destiny in His heart for you. But you must press on after Him in order to be all that Jesus desires you to be if you want to achieve, complete, pursue, or grasp hold of all that Christ Jesus had purposed for you.

We must allow the revelation to surface daily in our hearts that only what you do for Christ Jesus will last. This will give you the purpose to press after Christ Jesus. You will know you have to endure hardness as a good soldier. As Paul would say, “It takes power working within you when pressing after Christ Jesus.” That gives Him the opportunity to accomplish the plans that He has for you and through you for the Kingdom of God. Have you ever felt like just giving up on life’s struggles, but it suddenly entered into your mind that Jesus did not give up on you? You never would have made it, but Jesus has always been by your side. Keep on Pressing After Christ Jesus!

Prayer Focus: Our Father, we praise you for the destiny of perfection that you have for our lives. We worship you as being worthy of “pressing on” toward all you have offered your people. Lord, stir within our hearts the determination to carry out your purpose. God, we repent of those things that hinder us wholeheartedly, from seeking the destiny for our lives. We pray for the leaders in our church to have the same heart as Paul to relentlessly pursue Christ. We Pray In Jesus Name. Amen.

Rev. Darlene Smith

Oct 30 - The Lord God, My God Is With You

Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” (I Chronicles 28:10, 20, NIV)

God-sized assignments can be at times overwhelming. There are often tough challenges and stiff opposition that commands our attention along the way. There are times in our journey when our focus is shifted from God to the task before us. The difficult moments in God-sized assignments often arise after you have begun to exercise your faith and make great strides for God.

David knew what it was like for God to ask him to do something significant and important for the kingdom. After all, it was David who challenged the Philistine giant from Gath named Goliath. Yes, David knew what it was like to be called to do something great for God and then face opposition along the way. In 1 Chronicles, Chapter 28, as David encourages his son Solomon in his assignment, David reminds Solomon that no matter what God has called you to do and no matter where you are along the journey, “He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished!!”

Just like David, we too have a God-sized assignment. The assignment is not just for construction of a new edifice. It is also for building new lives. The truth of the matter is that we have faced the giants and we are still standing. We have come through some opposition, but we are still here. There have been some challenges, but we are still on course. Why? Because the Lord God, my God is with us and he will be with us until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished!!
Prayer Focus: Let us pray for the success of the building project. Pray that we would continue with whole hearted devotion and that we would press toward the end amid all obstacles and opposition. Pray continually for God’s strength as we make our way along this journey and remember – “THE LORD GOD, MY GOD IS WITH YOU”.

Reverend Todd Smith

Oct 29 - Stay In The Word

“Blessed is the man (or woman) that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

Many times it seems like we have a hard time in different situations in our lives. The word “blessed” is translated happy. Yet the simple solution is found here in the first three verses of Psalm 1. We are told that in order to be happy that we simply need to delight ourselves in the Word of God.
The man who is characterized as blessed is first described according to the things he does not do, just as we begin with children by teaching them what they must not do. He is not a companion of the unrighteous.
Then he is described by what he should do. How can we be happy? Meditate in the “Law of the Lord.” He who thinks grows. The law on which he meditates is not to be thought about but practically obeyed. Also, the results of reading the bible and studying are a beauty of one’s character, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Everything he takes in hand becomes successful.
What a richly flowing brook is to the tree that is planted, such is the word of God to him who devotes himself to it; it makes him ever fruitful. The tree by the river runs its roots down into the refreshing stream beneath, and when the upland tree withers and turns brown, the tree by the river is as green as ever. Christians meet the troubles of life like other people, but if they devote wholeheartedly to do God’s will, delight in the law of the Lord, they will have peace in the midst of their troubles.
If as a church body, we constantly meditate on the Word of God, these verses remind us that in whatever we do, we will prosper. We will prosper because the word of God has the answer and solution for all problems. Also, as you study and meditate on God’s word, creative ideas will enter your mind. These ideas can make you in demand, help you solve valuable problems and cause wealth to flow into your life.
Prayer Focus: Pray that all of Gethsemane will stay in the word. Pray that we will find time to read, meditate, study and apply the commands of God on a daily basis. Pray that we will find the time to not only attend Sunday worship service, but also Church School, Bible Study, First Principles, and Eagle/Hebrew School classes. Pray that all of us will stay rooted and grounded in the Word.
Rev. Ann Stovall

Oct 28 - Save Time - Let God Counsel You

But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken” Psalm 33:11

Many of us go to our parents for counsel. Others go to friends who, like Job’s friends - mean well but do not understand the entire situation. Some of us even go on line to determine what the latest answer is to our problem. After all, why should we waste time—just go to the experts. They wouldn’t have a web site if they didn’t have all the answers, would they?
After we get totally frustrated, we finally, and by “accident”, meet our guardian angel who says, “Why not go to God? He is the only one who knows everything about your situation”.

You see, God sent our guardian angel because He knew that we only trust the advice of someone who has flesh on him/her. When we finally go to God, we discover that He was always just a prayer away. God is trustworthy when others are not. God cares about us when others do not. God’s only true motive is that He loves us unconditionally and wants what is best for us, even when we don’t want it for ourselves.

Prayer Focus: Father, we lift you up and praise your holy and mighty name. We come to you because you are an all wise and almighty God! Please forgive us for not coming to you first for everything that we need. Please help us to remember that whenever we need you, you are always there. All we have to do is call on your name. You are Elohim, our Creator and Sustainer! You are Jehovah, our GOD and LORD! You are Jehovah Jireh, our Provider! You are Jehovah Rapha, our Healer! You are absolutely everything that we need.
Now we ask Father, that from this day forth, we will always come to you for guidance and direction. We lift up Operation Transformation before you. We know success is already done. Therefore, we continue to stand on your word and walk in obedient according to your will. We also know in doing this, the new edifice will be manifested. Father, we realize, that Operation Transformation is not just about a new edifice—it’s about transforming every aspect of our lives. It’s about how you will manifest the funds that are already there for us, how you will heal our bodies and how you will hold back the hand of the enemy from distracting us from achieving what you have for us. We thank you, in advance for protecting our leaders, especially our Pastor, Rev. Riddick, who cares for us enough to help us to grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically. We know you will do these things and more for your Glory and Honor. We ask this prayer in the wonderful and marvelous name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Leading Lady Vera Riddick

Oct 27 - Transformed By The Knowledge of God's Word

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
— Philippians 4:13

I once read a story of how a young man was transformed simply by someone telling him what he could do and who he could become. The story reads as follows: “When VICTOR SERIBRIAKOFF was 15, his teacher told him he would never finish school and that he should drop out and learn a trade. Victor took the advice and for the next 17 years he was an itinerant doing a variety of odd jobs. He had been told he was a ‘dunce’ and for 17 years he acted like one. When he was 32, an amazing transformation took place. An evaluation revealed that he was a genius with an IQ of 161. Guess what? That’s right; he started acting like a genius. Since that time, he has written books, secured a number of patents and has become a successful businessman. Perhaps the most significant event for the former drop out was his election as chairman of the International Mensa Society. The Mensa Society has only one membership qualification – an IQ of 140.”

This story reminds each of us of the transformation that can occur when we believe God’s truth for our lives. Satan often tells us what we cannot do and who we are not to keep us in bondage and from experiencing the abundance that God has in store. However, through His Holy Word, God reveals to us who we are and what we can do and more importantly what he can do when we surrender our will to His will.

As we celebrate the first anniversary of Operation Transformation, allow me to encourage us all to keep focus and work toward the goal God gave us a year ago. The Word of God reveals to us that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Remember, we are children of God and He’s working His will out through each of us.

Prayer Focus: Thank You God for revealing to me who I am and what I am able to do through the strength you provide. I lay my Operation Transformation commitment before you and ask that you would continue to provide so that I may faithfully fulfill the commitment made a year ago. By faith I believe that it is already done. Amen.

Pastor Dwight Riddick

SHORT COURSE ON FASTING

In over fifty references to fasting in the Old and New Testaments, there is no specific command to fast, with the exception of the Day of Atonement for the Jews. In the New Testament it was assumed that fasting would be a part of the normal devotional life of the believer.
Matthew 6:16 “When you fast do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.”
Matthew 9:15 “Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.’”
If these verses indicate that fasting should be a normal discipline in the church (and the numerous examples of fasting support the idea), then what does it mean to fast?

What is the purpose of fasting, and how does one go about fasting?

1. Definition of “Fasting”- going without food and sometimes water voluntarily, generally for religious purposes. There are four types of fasting referred to in the Bible.

• a. Normal fast, going without food for up to 40 days (Exodus.34:28; Ezra 8:21,23; Daniel 6:18; Luke 2:37; Mark 2:18; Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:2-3; 14-23 and others).
  


• b. Partial fast, abstaining from certain foods (Daniel 10:3).
  


• c. Absolute fast, going without food or water no more than 3 days (Esther 4:16; this is very rare in the Bible).
  


• d. Voluntary group fast, called for a specific reason for a specific group of people (1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Jonah 3:5; and others).

2. Purpose of Fasting

• a. Worship-it must be God-centered, God-initiated, and God-ordained
  


• b. at times, fasting is an expression of distress, grief, or repentance
  


• c. Fasting is the preparation for God to give guidance and renewal (Daniel 9; Ex. 24).
  


• d. Fasting reveals the things that control us that are sustained “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
  


• e. Fasting reminds us that we are sustained “ by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
  


• f. Fasting helps keep our balance in life (1 Corinthians 9:27; Psalm 35:13).

3. Practice of Fasting

a. For an occasional fast, eat a light meal (fruit, vegetables, yogurt, etc.) prior to beginning. Drink a lot of water. Skip 2-3 meals and break the fast with fruit juices followed by a light meal. Avoid oils, dressings and starch for a couple of meals.

b. when starting a regular discipline of fasting, begin slowly with a partial 24-hour (2 meal) fast once a week for several weeks while drinking fruit juices.

c. Monitor your inner attitudes and maintain a worshipful attitude.

d. Break the fast with a light meal of fruits and vegetables.

e. After a few weeks, try a normal fast, drinking lots of water only.

f. Always be careful not to call attention to what you are doing.

g. After succeeding with this for several weeks, move to a 36-hour ( 3 meal) fast

h. Seek the Lord regarding extended fasts. Get additional information on conducting extended fasts and clear the fast with your physician. (People with certain physical conditions should not fast.)

i. Remember that the major work of scriptural fasting is in the realm of the spirit.

j. If skipping meals is not possible, try fasting certain types of foods (like sweets or soft drinks), or you can fast activities (like TV or sports). It’s important to convert that time to devotional activities, not just abstain from them.