Beginning again...

BEGINNING AGAIN...

2 Chronicles 6:26
When the skies shrivel up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, but then they pray at this place, acknowledging your rule and quit their sins because you have scourged them, Listen from your home in heaven, forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Then start over with them; train them to live right and well; Send rain on the land you gave as inheritance to your people.
2 Chronicles 6:25-27

It's been awhile...and boy has it been a journey! The blessings and the burdens have all been for the purpose of building me up, and in the midst of it, God has been teaching tools and tasks at levels that I would have never learned. Many of these gifts and graces are just in the incubation stage, awaiting future moment for God's miraculous grace to make evident the maker's work in my life through a manifestation that will encourage and engage others in a life of living that will lift the Savior! I am grateful, but I am glad to have this season to move forward.

A few days ago, I was driving and I heard the spirit confirm to me what I had heard and confirm for weeks in works and deeds through myself and others...."begin again". These words came as comfort and joyous instructions to a soul that is amazed that God knows just when to provide assignment for the good of both others and for servant. This is also true of what Solomon heard and exclaimed to our God Elohim in the text..."Listen from your home in heaven, forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Then start over with them; train them to live right and well; Send rain on the land you gave as inheritance to your people." (2 Chronicles 6:25-27).

Let's take the invitation provided us by the breaking and building up of the prophet of old provided by our God...begin again. Start now, right now, making up in your mind the following:

• Tough times are over for the immediate future regardless of standing...because God is good and has good for me as I follow his will.
• My commitment to faithful living and fruitful living begins with me focused on my Father and the relationship I hold and nurture frequently.
• I will seek the goodness of the Lord in the land of living (Psalm 27:13); the seeking is worth living and loving.
• The end of everything I touch and live in will be better than how I begin within its function and purpose (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

For me, beginning this devotional and transcriptive work requires openness and a carefulness to seek simplicity and passion; two keys to a offering worthy of God that is rewarded and multiplied. As I pray this for you, I believe it also for me. Be it unto you...

Preparing To Propser Fast - Day 26 (June 20, 2009)

During this season of fast for our congregation, scripture(s) will be placed in this area for all to use as we focus our hearts and minds during our time of prayer, praise, and readings.
Scripture Verse for June 20, 2009 (day 26):

Christ Crucified Is God's Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." [c]
20 Where are the wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 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. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let those who boast boast in the Lord." [d]
-- I Corinthians 1:18-31 (TNIV)

PROCESS FOR FAST:
•REPLACE ONE MEAL A DAY (LUNCH OR DINNER WITH TIME OF PRAYER, READING, AND PRAISE). •MISSED MEAL: EITHER LUNCH OR DINNER.
•ALL PERSONS STOP FOR PRAYER AT 12 NOON AND 7:00 P.M. (5/15/30 minutes)
•NO EXCESSIVE SNACKS AFTER 7:00 P.M.
•TAKE FUNDS FOR LUNCH AND SAVE FOR “FUSION FUND”!
•*some may choose to employ one of the other types of fast provided (extra).
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR FAST, IT'S PURPOSE, HELPS AND FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE:

Preparing to Prosper Fast - Day 25 (June 19, 2009)

During this season of fast for our congregation, scripture(s) will be placed in this area for all to use as we focus our hearts and minds during our time of prayer, praise, and readings.

Scripture Verse for June 19, 2009 (day 25):

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

6Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man."

10"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
11He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." 12"Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said. – John 9:1-12 (TNIV)

PROCESS FOR FAST:
•REPLACE ONE MEAL A DAY (LUNCH OR DINNER WITH TIME OF PRAYER, READING, AND PRAISE). •MISSED MEAL: EITHER LUNCH OR DINNER.
•ALL PERSONS STOP FOR PRAYER AT 12 NOON AND 7:00 P.M. (5/15/30 minutes)
•NO EXCESSIVE SNACKS AFTER 7:00 P.M.
•TAKE FUNDS FOR LUNCH AND SAVE FOR “FUSION FUND”!
•*some may choose to employ one of the other types of fast provided (extra).
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR FAST, IT'S PURPOSE, HELPS AND FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE:

Preparing to Prosper Fast - Day 24 (June 18)

During this season of fast for our congregation, scripture(s) will be placed in this area for all to use as we focus our hearts and minds during our time of prayer, praise, and readings.Scripture Verse for June 18, 2009 (day 24):

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by [c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues [d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire [e] the greater gifts.

– I Corinthians 12:12-31 (TNIV)

PROCESS FOR FAST:

•REPLACE ONE MEAL A DAY (LUNCH OR DINNER WITH TIME OF PRAYER, READING, AND PRAISE). •MISSED MEAL: EITHER LUNCH OR DINNER.

•ALL PERSONS STOP FOR PRAYER AT 12 NOON AND 7:00 P.M. (5/15/30 minutes)

•NO EXCESSIVE SNACKS AFTER 7:00 P.M.

•TAKE FUNDS FOR LUNCH AND SAVE FOR “FUSION FUND”!

•*some may choose to employ one of the other types of fast provided (extra).

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR FAST, IT'S PURPOSE, HELPS AND FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE:

Preparing To Prosper Fast - Day 23

During this season of fast for our congregation, scripture(s) will be placed in this area for all to use as we focus our hearts and minds during our time of prayer, praise, and readings.
Scripture Verse for June 17, 2009 (day 23) :

Concerning Spiritual Gifts
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, [a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

– I Corinthians 12:-12 (TNIV)

PROCESS FOR FAST:
•REPLACE ONE MEAL A DAY (LUNCH OR DINNER WITH TIME OF PRAYER, READING, AND PRAISE). •MISSED MEAL: EITHER LUNCH OR DINNER.
•ALL PERSONS STOP FOR PRAYER AT 12 NOON AND 7:00 P.M. (5/15/30 minutes)
•NO EXCESSIVE SNACKS AFTER 7:00 P.M.
•TAKE FUNDS FOR LUNCH AND SAVE FOR “FUSION FUND”!
•*some may choose to employ one of the other types of fast provided (extra).
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR FAST, IT'S PURPOSE, HELPS AND FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE:

Preparing to Prosper Fast - Day 15

During this season of fast for our congregation, scripture(s) will be placed in this area for all to use as we focus our hearts and minds during our time of prayer, praise, and readings.

Scripture Verse for June 9, 2009 (day 15):
Invitation to the Thirsty
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;

and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.

I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,

for he has endowed you with splendor."
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.

Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever." .” – Isaiah 55 (TNIV)

PROCESS FOR FAST:
•REPLACE ONE MEAL A DAY (LUNCH OR DINNER WITH TIME OF PRAYER, READING, AND PRAISE). •MISSED MEAL: EITHER LUNCH OR DINNER.
•ALL PERSONS STOP FOR PRAYER AT 12 NOON AND 7:00 P.M. (5/15/30 minutes)
•NO EXCESSIVE SNACKS AFTER 7:00 P.M.
•TAKE FUNDS FOR LUNCH AND SAVE FOR “FUSION FUND”!
*some may choose to employ one of the other types of fast provided (extra).FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR FAST, IT'S PURPOSE, HELPS AND FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE:

Preparing to Prosper Fast - Day 14

During this season of fast for our congregation, scripture(s) will be placed in this area for all to use as we focus our hearts and minds during our time of prayer, praise, and readings.

Scripture Verse for June 8, 2009 (day 14):

For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David. [a]

1 Listen to my words, LORD,
consider my lament.

2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.” – Psalm 5:1-3 (TNIV)

PROCESS FOR FAST:

•REPLACE ONE MEAL A DAY (LUNCH OR DINNER WITH TIME OF PRAYER, READING, AND PRAISE). •MISSED MEAL: EITHER LUNCH OR DINNER.

•ALL PERSONS STOP FOR PRAYER AT 12 NOON AND 7:00 P.M. (5/15/30 minutes)

•NO EXCESSIVE SNACKS AFTER 7:00 P.M.

•TAKE FUNDS FOR LUNCH AND SAVE FOR “FUSION FUND”!

*some may choose to employ one of the other types of fast provided (extra).
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR FAST, IT'S PURPOSE, HELPS AND FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE:

***Just a note: as we are a focused community in this season of fasting, Pastor Benton has opted to allow Saturdays as a Sabbath from our fast, and the scripture for preaching on Sundays will be the focus of our reflection as initiate our fasting and prayer time each Sunday evening.

Preparing to Prosper Fast - Day 11

During this season of fast for our congregation, scripture(s) will be placed in this area for all to use as we focus our hearts and minds during our time of prayer, praise, and readings.

Scripture Verse for June 5, 2009 (day 11):
“3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
– 2 Timothy 1:3-7 (NKJV)

PROCESS FOR FAST:
•REPLACE ONE MEAL A DAY (LUNCH OR DINNER WITH TIME OF PRAYER, READING, AND PRAISE). •MISSED MEAL: EITHER LUNCH OR DINNER.
•ALL PERSONS STOP FOR PRAYER AT 12 NOON AND 7:00 P.M. (5/15/30 minutes)
•NO EXCESSIVE SNACKS AFTER 7:00 P.M.
•TAKE FUNDS FOR LUNCH AND SAVE FOR “FUSION FUND”!
•*some may choose to employ one of the other types of fast provided (extra).

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR FAST, IT'S PURPOSE, HELPS AND FULL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE: