Praying in Faith (Part 2)
Prayer . . . avails much (James 5:16)
As we battle spiritual forces, it is important to distinguish between the burden of the Lord and the weight of unbelief. We must take inventory of our emotions as we pray. Is a spirit of fear, anxiety, or hopelessness present? Do we feel “under the circumstance” that we are praying about? Are we consistently begging for God’s help? If so, the heaviness we are feeling is probably not about the circumstance we are facing, but from our own beliefs about God and life. These emotions are not going to go away just by praying longer, fasting, or praying harder. We also cannot pretend these emotions are not there. We need to confront them and rebuke spirits of unbelief, fear, and hopelessness. We can start this by repenting of wrong core beliefs that hinder confidence in the power of our prayers. Then we must turn our eyes to God’s faithfulness and worship Jesus until we get a revelation of His goodness and love toward us. The battle is first in us and then in our circumstances.
Declare: Fear and doubt are my main enemies. I am not a victim to these emotions. I replace the lies fueling them with the promises of God. I trust in the goodness of God.
Praying in Faith (Part I)
Mary has chosen the best part (Luke 10:42)
Often people spend much effort and time praying over a circumstance hoping that time and quantity of prayer will bring the desired result. The hope is that perhaps faith will increase through this effort and thus the prayer will be answered. This kind of thinking implies that faith is built by the amount of time and energy expended. We need to understand that faith does not come through our effort. Faith is a result of what we know. Our “measure of faith” (Romans 12:3) will increase in proportion to the revelation we have of God’s character, His love, and His promises toward us. Often we do not realize the value of spending time with God when we are not praying for needs. The reason we worship, quietly wait in His presence, and search the scripture is mainly to build a relationship and to learn about the character, power, and love of God. Our intimacy and relationship with Him will have a direct correlation to our level of faith; not because it earns us more authority, but because it gives something for our faith to stand on.
Declare: My trust and faith in God grows in proportion to how much I know His character, goodness, and trustworthiness. I therefore spend much time in His presence developing intimacy with Him.
Bringing Life to Dead Places
Let the weak say “I am strong” (Joel 3:10)
God has called us to make dead things alive. In Ezekiel37, the prophet was asked if the dry bones could live. In the dialogue and events that followed, God showed Ezekiel and His people a powerful principle that is vital for us today. God’s method of bringing life to these very dry bones was through Ezekiel prophesying “life” to the whole situation. Ezekiel had to speak to the bones. He had to prophesy to the wind. As he did, things changed and life came. You and I also must continually speak to dead areas in our lives and circumstances. A main method of God bringing change to a situation is for one of His children to speak His promises over people and circumstances. “And God who gives life to the dead and calls those things that are not although they are” (Romans 4:17).
NOTE: It starts with each of us prophesying life over ourselves. Joel gives us a good place to start in Joel 3:10, “Let the weak say I am strong.” Start now a lifelong habit to “call those things that are not as though they are” in your life.
Declare: Even though I feel weak at times, I am really strong. I am very strong to accomplish God’s purposes in my life and to be a strength to others. I prophesy daily over my circumstances, my future, and over the dry areas of my life.
A Lying Apple Tree?
Calling those things that are not . . . (Romans 4:17)
An apple tree will produce apples because of what it is. When it is young, it will have no apples; but it still must say, “I am an apple tree.” When it is winter and there are no apples; it still says, “I am an apple tree.” Is it lying at those times? No. It would be lying to say anything different. Many Christians have a hard time saying who God says they are when no fruit is manifesting in that particular area. Could they be too young in that truth to be fruitful? Could they be in a season where that dimension of the Christian life is being pruned back for future growth? Either way, it does not mean they are lying when they say, “I am anointed, prosperous, delivered, healed, righteous, strong etc.” Joel 3:10 says, “Let the weak say I am strong.” We don’t deny the fact of weakness, but we focus on the greater truth that we are strong in Him. Again, because the Word says we ARE these things, we would be untruthful to say anything different. Let’s not lie against the truth. Indeed, we ARE what the Bible says we are.
Declare: I am who the Word says I am. I have a sound mind. I have great favor with God and man. People love me. I am a happy person. I love life and enjoy every day. I walk in divine health. I have abundant provision. I am blessed and protected. I increasingly know who and what I am in Christ. I make a tremendous difference for Christ wherever I go.
Abundant 7 Announcements – April 2014
Abundant 7 – April 2014
Seven things you should know at Abundant Life for April.
- Abundant Life Worship Center Sunday morning Worship Services begin promptly @ 10am, “Abundant Life Prayer” is Sunday mornings before service 9:00 to 9:45am in Prayer Room.
- “Life of Faith Bible Study” every Wednesday @ 7pm, ALWC Wednesday night Prayer 6 – 7pm both held @ 217 Lexington Drive, Vallejo 94591.
- ALWC “Family Gathering” all are invited to the production of “The Beautiful Cross” Friday, April 18 @7pm. At Shiloh Church, 3295 School Street, Oakland, CA 94602. This a great opportunity to Connect & Fellowship!
- Our “ALWC 21 Day Daniel Fast” has begun, (Please watch this brief video regarding our Fast.) There are handouts regarding the Fast available at the Hospitality Table.
- “Men’s Network Gathering” is inviting all men to take a Walk in the Park! Saturday morning April 19, @ 8:45am, Men will meet at the Safeway parking lot, 5051 Business Center Dr. Fairfield and Drive to Location, Rockville Park. Please wear hiking shoes and appropriate attire, bring water and a snack. More info (707) 567-6749.
- Ladies save the date for our “Women’s Network Gathering” Saturday April 26 @10am, 5142 Leonardo Court, Fairfield
- “Welcome to ALWC” Introduction to Membership Class Sunday Morning April 27, @8:30am (for those new to ALWC or new to Christ) 1435 Glenn Street, Vallejo. Signup today following service at the Hospitality table.
Ownership
Every place . . . I have given you (Joshua 1:3)
Joshua chapter one is the place to go for those ready to leave wilderness Christianity. Joshua was called to lead the new generation into the Promised Land. In verse two, God says, “Go to the land I am giving you.” He adds in verse three, “Every place your foot treads, I have given you.” Then verse four gives the boundaries to what was theirs. Read more…
ALWC – Daniel Fast
ALWC 21 Day Daniel Fast
Introduction
We invite you to join us for a 21-day Daniel Fast (March 30 – April 19). We will be concluding our fast on Saturday, April 19th, the day before our Easter Celebration.
We have a threefold approach to our Daniel Fast: fasting, prayer, and the Word of God. The blending of these three in a focused and sustained manner, will propel us to achieve great things for God. When we add the scriptures to our prayers, we are praying inspired thoughts from the Holy Spirit and are coming into agreement with the Heart of God. In other words, when we activate the scriptures, they become actual vehicles for our prayers. The Word leads us into places of transformation in our lives, families, careers, relationships and spheres of influence.
As we are ministering on the Connected Series, we want to be in agreement about God releasing the same type of anointing that was released on Daniel and his companions. This anointing empowered them to stand for God and shine as witnesses with:
- Supernatural courage,
- Divine wisdom, and
- Godly creative problem solving ability.
As we release these things we will see God manifest in our lives in a special way, and equip us to impart to the world we are called to reach, the Gospel Truth He teaches us. Read more…