DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE A FAILURE?

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever felt like a failure? Inadequate? Ineffectual? Have you ever examined your heart and glimpsed sin and darkness and defeat? I have. It is discouraging and demoralizing. It makes me wonder what God sees in me. There is no doubt that I am a flawed vessel. But does that mean that I am a useless vessel?

Sometimes we try to get around our weaknesses by denying them. Other times we tell ourselves that if we just try harder ... buck up ... pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, then we will succeed; then we will experience victory and conquer the darkness. But these are not the answers I see in Scripture.

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you notice?  Our great power to overcome any place of difficulty and failure - it comes from God.

Yes, we are but “jars of clay,” and we still have failures and difficulties in our lives.  We are not perfect and we will often fail - BUT GOD’S POWER IS WITH US!  I can’t be victorious by myself.  I need God’s power and strength.

I am weak but God is strong.

The place to start, then, is acknowledging that we are frail and damaged—jars of clay that are cracked and worn and easily broken. Weakness and failure is not to be denied. Nor are we to overcome it ourselves. Rather, weakness is to be embraced. Paul actually takes pleasure in and boasts about his infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). 

If we wait until we are perfect, until we fix all our cracks, to offer ourselves to God, then we will never do so. But if we offer ourselves to God with all of our frailties and flaws, our damage and darkness, his light will permeate our cracks and then shine through them. He will overcome our brokenness and failure with his strength. We remain jars of clay, but jars of clay are particularly appropriate vessels to highlight the glorious power of God, as they have none of their own.


    

3 TYPES OF STORMS YOU WILL FACE IN LIFE

I’ve been a Christian for almost 60 years and I’ve seen a lot of things in life - especially the trials that all Christians will eventually go through.  I speak from experience because I have had to walk through these same storms in my own life.  

I remember sitting with my dad before being launched out into ministry and he spoke these prophetic words over me - “God is not going to give you any shortcuts.”  I honestly thought just the opposite - that God would make things easy for me.

How wrong I was.

Over the years I’ve now categorized 3 different storms that we will all face and I would like to share those with you today.

3 TYPES OF STORMS

Storms To Be Rebuked Or Resisted (Time To Fight)
Storms To Seek Shelter (Time To Hide)
Storms To Endure (Time To Stand

It’s important to say this before going any further - Any storm that sweeps into your life has been allowed by God as He will not allow you to go through more than you can bear.

1) Storms To Be Rebuked Or Resisted (Time To Fight)

These could be things like lust, selfishness, pride, etc.

“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”” Luke‬ ‭8:22-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This storm was probably of Satanic origin.  Jesus would never have rebuked this storm if it had come from God.

2) Storms To Seek Shelter From (Time To Hide)

There is a time to fight and there is a time to hide.  You need to know what you are supposed to do.

In Exodus 12 we see God’s instructions to the elders of Israel on how to shelter their families from the Death Angel that was going to strike Egypt (This was the final plague coming against Egypt.)

At times, storms of great magnitude need to left in the hands of God. To rush out and rebuke these storms would prove futile and harmful because only God and His power can deal with this type of storm.

In this storm, we are to seek shelter and allow God to fight the battle for us.

“My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.” 2 Samuel‬ ‭22:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

3) Some Storms We Must Endure (A time To Stand)

There is a time to fight.  There is a time to hide.  There is a time to stand.

This is the spiritual warfare that every Christian has to deal with in their lives - standing up for God’s ways and God’s principles.

“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul knew that there was a time to endure what was before him.  Even in his weakness - he worked through and stood strong so that the power of Christ would work through him.

There used to be a man in my church who was a jeweler.  I was always amazed at watching him created beautiful pieces of jewelry for his clients.  One time I was watching him melt gold.  He heated it up and let the dross come to the top so he could scrape it off.  He did this over and over until all was left was pure gold.  (I am told that this needs to be done 7x’s to be done right).

You might be going through a storm right now.  I don’t know whether it is a storm you need to resist or seek shelter from or a storm that you just need to endure.  I do know this - whatever storm you are facing - God is with you right now and He will not leave or forsake and will take you to the very end.  You are precious and are loved by God.

EIGHT REASONS WHY YOU HAVE VALUE

I’ve done a lot of counseling over my lifetime and I have talked with many people about many issues.  I’ve heard people talk about relationship issues, money issues, family issues, goal issues, etc. But there is one issue that is perhaps one of the hardest issues to talk about - it is about these questions: “Do you like yourself as a person?” “Do you feel that you are important to God  and do you feel that you have purpose in life?”

Quite honestly, many people don’t feel like they have any in intrinsic value in life.  They have bought into the lies of the enemy that they are not worth much and that they have no real meaning in life.

The scriptures though lay out some amazing things about you and how valuable that you really are.  Here are Eight Reasons You Have Value:

1. You  Are Created In God’s Image

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Think about that - You and I were created in the image and likeness of God Himself.  There is no other model that is greater than this.  That means that the characteristics of God are the characteristics that has shaped you.

2. You Are Special Creation From My Beginning.  

God Considers You Important.  He Is Always Thinking About You.

“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” ‭Psalms‬ ‭139:17-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Marinate this phrase over your soul right now - “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.”

Isn’t this so true?  God thinks you are precious and that you have great value.  He is always thinking about you.  You are important to God.

3. You Are Redeemed By His Blood.

“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value.” 1 Peter‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Redeemed means to pay a ransom for you - “to buy back.”  God did that by allowing Jesus to pay the price for your sins.  That’s the ultimate price that anyone would pay for any person.

4. You Are His Workmanship.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve seen many masterpieces in my lifetime and I’ve enjoyed some beautiful pieces of art.

You are one of a kind.  You are an original.  You are God’s masterpiece - His work of art.  Do you know how special you are?

And here’s a fact: God is not done with you.  I once saw a person who was wearing a button that said P B P W M G I N F W M.  Being the curious person that I am, I asked what it meant.  He said to me: “Please be patient with me, God is not finished with me.”

So, don’t be down on yourself - God is still painting your picture.

5. God Accepts You Right Where You Are.

Yes, God accepts you just like you are but God also expects us to change to become more like Him.

God expects us to:

• Give up our plans and our ways for His plans and His ways -(Matthew 16:24-27, James 2:14-26). 
• Keep His commands (1 John 2:3; 1 John 5:3).
• Keep growing in Christ (Philippians 2:12-13).

6. You Are A Source Of Pleasure For God.

God enjoys hanging out with you.  He enjoys your company.

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”” Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” Psalms‬ ‭149:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

7. Jesus Is Working In You.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s as if I have a 24/7 coach who is working in and for me on every level.  That’s a hard thing to grasp.

8.  You Are A Child Of God.

This is important - Your are God’s son or daughter and He is your Father.

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” 1 John‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Romans‬ ‭8:15-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you’ve ever doubted your importance to God in the past, I pray that you would consider these words today and allow God’s Holy Spirit to confirm in your heart - YOU ARE SPECIAL TO GOD AND YOU HAVE GREAT VALUE TO HIM.  I guess that makes all of us really important people.

BIG DREAMS AND GOD'S PROMISE OF PROTECTION

“Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”” ‭Genesis‬ ‭28:12-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I’m a dreamer. At nighttime, when I sleep, I have vivid full color dreams.  Often, these dreams become a vehicle that God uses to speak to my heart about life decisions and plans for the future.

So, when I read about Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching up into the heavens and what was said to him - I get it.

Let me bring you up to speed a little.

His father Abraham received 2 promises in life - 1- You will be the Father of many nations and 2- That God would give him this land.

Abraham, like many of us, struggled to do things God’s way.  Instead of trusting God to fulfill His promise through Sarah his wife to bring children into their life - he has relations with Hagar (his wife’s handmaid) and she births Ishmael.

Finally, Abraham and Sarah have Isaac - the promised son.  Isaac marries Rebekah and they have twins: Esau and Jacob.

Esau is a man of the earth, a man’s man.  He’s daddy’s favorite, a sportsman, and an outdoorsman.

Jacob is a little “different.”  He’s mom’s favorite, likes to hang out in the kitchen and always a trickster.

When he was born - he came out grabbing the heel of his brother.

He steals his brother's birthright and follows his mother’s instructions to trick his father out of the family blessing - which didn’t sit well with Esau.

When daddy Abraham passes away - mommy Sarah is afraid for her son Jacob that Esau will extract revenge.  To protect him, Shen sends him away to find a wife in her homeland.

I’m sure Jacob was dealing with some fear and was afraid for his own life from Esau as he set out for Haran.

That’s when God showed up and gave him a dream.

Jacob is alone.  No one is with him.  There are no family members, servants, etc.

He is on the run from his blemished past and his broken relationships.  His brother wanted him dead. It must have been a frightful feeling out in the desert, alone at night.

How ironic – he’s grabbed the firstborn’s inheritance and the family blessing – but he can’t go home to claim it or fulfill it.

He stops for the night, and the only comfort he can find is a rock for a pillow. The rock is a fitting pillow isn’t it? Because on this journey he’s not finding any comfort at all.

Jacob is out in the middle of nowhere, unsure of how anything he’s ever wanted to come true in his future will ever happen. He’s had all these dreams and passions, all this ambition and zeal – and now, he’s on the run with only his questions, his worries, his doubt and his despair to comfort him.

Have you ever been there? Been that alone? Been that unsure of the future? That embarrassed with your past? No one understands, no one’s been this way before? He’s out in the middle of nowhere – no motel 6, no traveling companions, no XM Radio.

He lays down his head, closes his eyes, and as best as we can tell, God speaks to him for the first time in his life.  Genesis 28:12-15.

God speaks to him that He still has promises to fulfill through Jacob and that He would protect Him.

The question for all of us is not where have you been but it’s where are you going – and who is going with you?

In my own dreams about life - God has promised me many “BIG” things that often seem overwhelming at time.  But this I know, God has promised to go with me - always.

Periodically, God shows up to remind me that He’s not done with me and His promise of protection is still in tack.  It is very comforting.

God reminds me… “Stay committed Bill as I’m not done with you.  I’m not stopping until we get this done.  I’m not giving up on you, regardless of what obstacles are in the way.  I’m not looking for someone else to fulfill this dream in your life. We’re going across the finish line together.”

Jacob’s response? He is made aware of God’s presence. “Surely God is in this place.“

It’s amazing how your perspective changes when you suddenly realize that God is still in the house.

Jacob was struck by awe of God’s presence.  Awe can be a powerful moment of change in our lives. Awe reveals to us that we are not the shiniest thing in God’s creation – nor are we even in the same league.

Albert Einstein once said, “He who can no longer pause to wonder, is as good as dead.”

Awe has a power to remind us of our own place in the grand order of things. Suddenly, all our accomplishments, all our talents, all our shiny medals, all our adoring fans no longer have the same sway on us they once had.

• Being struck by the awesomeness of God reorders our priorities.
• Being struck by the awesomeness of God reopens our hearts
• Being struck by the awesomeness of God recommits our souls

Perhaps you are wondering whether God is really with you and whether are really cut out for the assignment given to you.  You might be wondering - “Is God really with me in this.”  Like Jacob who found God in a dark and foreboding place - His presence can also overwhelm and remind you “I am with you and will never leave or forsake you - ever!”  His promise of protection and peace is still for all of us in every situation you face right now.

PRAYER PATH - DAY 10

Prayer Path- Day 10

Scripture Meditation


Joel 2:28-29 (NKJV)
And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.


Haggai 2:9 (NKJV)
The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”


Isaiah 44:3 (NKJV)
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;


Acts 2:21 (NKJV)
And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved


Matthew 9:37-38 (NKJV)
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”


Prayer Points


Focus- Revival


1. Pray for a genuine spirit of repentance to be stirred up and a hunger for holiness to fill our church.

2. Pray for a fresh and great visitation of the Holy Spirit in our church and in Christian churches around the world and that our young people would see visions and the older people would dream dreams. Cry out to the Lord for miracles, signs, and wonders to break loose in our services- bringing glory to His name!

3. Pray for refreshing strength to be poured out upon Christians that we would not grow weary of doing good and that a spirit of endurance will be imparted to us.

4. Pray for an army of prayer warriors, intercessors, and willing evangelists to be raised up in this generation.

5. Pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ is boldly preached and proclaimed inside and outside of churches and that the lost will hear and receive the message of salvation.

6. Pray for a huge wave of servant-laborers to rise up and prepare for the coming great harvest of souls in our church and across our nation and the world.

7. Pray for churches and Christians who are feeling “dry” and “dead” and that the Word and worship would be made alive again in their spirits.

PRAYER PATH - DAY 9

2016 New Life Chapel Prayer Surge

Prayer Path- Day 9

Scripture Meditation

Malachi 3:10-11 (NKJV)

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts,“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.  “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;

Philippians 4:11-13, 19 (NKJV)

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 45:3 (NKJV)

I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call youby your name, Am the God of Israel.

Deuteronomy 28:1, 4, 8, 12 (NKJV)

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth…Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks…The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you…The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

Prayer Points

Focus- Finances

1. Alignment of our hearts, minds, spirits, and spending habits with God’s Word and Will.

2. Obedience for every church member in the practice of tithing.

3. Development of a spirit of contentment by trusting the Lord to provide for every need.

4. Super-natural cancellation of debt and elimination of unexpected expenses.

5. Miraculous and creative provision of money, land, inheritances, promotions, houses, and cars meeting needs and bringing glory to God.

6. Increase of financial blessing that we may be a blessing to our community and the world.

PRAYER PATH - DAY 8

Prayer Path- Day 8
Scripture Meditation

Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV)
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.

Luke 2:49, 52 (NKJV)
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Proverbs 22:6  (NKJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Isaiah 43:5-7 (NKJV)
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;  I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth— Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

Isaiah 58:12 (NKJV)
Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

Prayer Points

Focus- Our Youth and Children

1. Protection from evil influences at school, in the home, on social media and television, and their jobs.

2. Godly instruction and training from parents, teachers, youth leaders, relatives, friends, and peers.

3. Release of prophetic purpose to be decreed over their lives.

4. Growth and maturity in their spiritual walk with the walk; development of godly disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, worship, and serving.

5. Return of the prodigal sons and daughters, freedom for those bound by addictions: drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, internet/video games, and money.

6. Breaking off of all generational sins and curses- that our children do not have to go down the same path we did- they can walk and live free.

7. Raising up of a strong youth leader team and children’s ministry team at New Life Chapel who will love our kids, be godly examples, serve faithfully and teach God’s Word.

8. An army of spiritual fathers and mothers to invest in the lives of the children and youth who do not have the spiritual parenting they desperately need.

PRAYER PATH - DAY 7

Prayer Path- Day 7
Scripture Meditation

Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me, To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

John 8:31-32, 36 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed”

Romans 6:18, 22  (NKJV)
And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness…But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Romans 8:2 (NKJV)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Prayer Points

1. FREEDOM
Lord, Mighty King of Heaven, Ruler of All, Loving Father, I thank You for saving me, healing me, and restoring me. I praise You that You have lifted me out of the pit and rescued me from death. I confess there are many times that I forget what You have done for me- and that You not only have given me the promise of spending eternity with you but also the best life right now. Lord, help me to live for You and never return to my old life. I choose to declare that all the shackles have fallen and I am never returning to captivity again. You have set me FREE!!! Today, I pray freedom for/from: 
My mind- old though patterns, hurtful memories, lies from the enemy, negativity
My heart- any bitterness or unforgiveness, rebellion, idolatry (anything that I worship or serve more than You, unhealthy & ungodly relationships, people pleasing
My soul- up & down emotions, any involvement with the occult including fortune-telling, tarot cards, palm reading, horoscopes, and Ouija boards, addictions to food, gambling, internet, shopping, pornography, video games, smoking, drugs, and alcohol
My body- physical pain or affliction, insomnia
My family- strife, arguing, fighting, generational sins and curses, 
My church- division and disunity, competitiveness, jealousy, lack of involvement in service, disobedience in tithing, worry and fear, financial debt, spiritual weariness, performance-based worship
My community- oppression of the enemy, racial and economic division, human trafficking, murder, stealing, disunity among Christians
My nation-ungodly leadership, the education system, 
My world- persecuted Christians in jail, wrongly accused and sentenced prisoners, non-Christians
The lost- that they would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior 

PRAYER PATH - DAY 6

2016 New Life Chapel Prayer Surge

 

Scripture Meditation

Prayer Path- Day 6

 

Romans 5:11 (NKJV)

And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT)

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Psalm 51:10-12 (NLT)

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Joel 2:25-27 (NLT)

The LORD says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,

the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced. Then you will know that I am among my people Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. Never again will my people be disgraced.

Prayer Points

1. RECONCILIATION

Father, thank You for making a way for me to be reconciled to You. You gave Your only Son as  a sacrifice so that I could be a part of Your family. Your love is extreme, amazing, unconditional and I am so grateful. Now I ask that You help me to be just as loving and faithful in bringing others into the same reconciliation. May I be used by You as an instrument of reconciliation. Today I pray for reconciliation in:

Our personal lives- to God, to family members, those I have offended or hurt

Our families- fighting spouses, wayward children, distant relatives, unsaved family members,

                                    post-divorce families

Our church- between members who have been offended or wounded, the lost and broken to God Our nation- between races, political parties, Christian denominations, economic classes

Our world- between nations/tribes at war, back to the One True God

2. RESTORATION

Lord, I choose to believe that You are the great Restorer. You are the One who finds what has been lost, You bring back what has been stolen, You breathe life into what has been dead, and You heal what has been broken. I thank You that because of Your grace and mercy, I can trust You will restore all that I pray for today. Father, please restore: Faith where is it has grown faint, joy where it has disappeared, strength where it has fallen weak

 

2016 New Life Chapel Prayer Surge

Personally- any area of my heart that has wandered, rebelled, been distracted, spiritual

              disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, fasting, serving, resting

Families broken apart by- betrayal, addictions, infidelity, rebellion, misunderstandings

Our nation-back to You, godly leadership, righteous judges and lawmakers, civil obedience,

              peace in our streets

Finances and property that have been- stolen, misused, mistreated, foreclosed, repossessed,

              destroyed

Hope and dreams- for the future, for ministry, for family, for marriage, for children Health-in bodies, sanity, emotional stability, energy, good habits