by Mark Gungor on November 2nd, 2010
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In a previous post I talked about the Damage of Sexual Promiscuity—more specifically, the “imprinting” that happens during a person’s initial sexual experiences.
People have read the article or have heard me talk about his and contact me after they realize they have been improperly “imprinted” on—especially through lust-filled, elicit sex and the use of pornography and masturbation—and they want to know if and how it can be reversed or erased. They wonder if it’s possible to go back to a clean slate–kind of like the old Etch-a-Sketch toy where you could turn the knobs and a little line would appear on the screen so you could draw pictures. Then when you wanted to start over, you just tipped the thing upside down and shook it to make all the lines disappear—all was erased and you would have the blank screen again. They ask if it’s possible to get back to the blank screen when it comes to sex.
This was the case with a young man I recently heard from through my radio show. He was one of those people, like so many, that had been affected by his early exploits with lust-filled sex. Since then he had gone on to be a born-again believer, who loves God and is doing all he can to live for Jesus. He wrote to me explaining that he and his wonderful wife of ten years were having some issues. He was still struggling with the desires and “pictures” in his head after all this time and wanted to recreate those things of the past to make their sex life more interesting. That is the power of sexual imprinting.
His wife did not have those types of early experiences, was much more conservative in her approach to sex, and uncomfortable with what her husband wanted. He didn’t force her into anything, but felt the pull to go back and relive those things that were so very exciting in his past. There was frustration and tension between them because of this and he wanted to know how to fix it. This young man—as many people wonder—wanted to know “how far” he could go and still have it be “ok”. Where was the line on what constituted lust? My advice to people who are struggling with this is to stay as far away from the line as you can. Be very deliberate to avoid anything of the lust-filled nature and aim to be as conservative as possible. You won’t get free if you just “cut back” or keep “toeing the line”; you need to stop it all together to break this.
It reminds me about a story of a wealthy man back in the horse and buggy days who was looking to hire a carriage driver. There were three candidates and he asked all three of them the same question: How close to the edge of the cliff can you drive and not go over the edge? The first guy said he could get within two inches and not lose the carriage. The second guy said he could get within a half inch. But the third man wisely said, “I stay as far away from the edge as possible.” He’s the one who got the job and was thinking the right way. Why take the risk? Why push the boundaries? Why do something if it makes the passenger nervous and uncomfortable just so you can have the thrill?!
It’s not about how much you can “get away with”. You need to steer clear, learn to key off your spouse and do what she likes. You must not make it about all the things that are a part of pornography and the promiscuity of your past, rather make it about pleasing her. Men should be lovers to women in the first place. It’s not about what she does to you. Pornography has turned men into selfish pigs who have lost the art of making love to a woman. People who struggle with this can be changed through prayer and with God’s help, but they must be very deliberate. The bible tells us we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We need to change the way we think so that sex isn’t about being selfish and your spouse isn’t there just for you to be satisfied.
If you are “bored” or find that sex is a “drag”, try doing a sex fast for a week or two—maybe even a month if need be. This goes for both men and women—it’s not as common or talked about as frequently, but women can and do have the same issues with lust. Allow your desire to build during that time and concentrate on only your husband or wife. No porn, no masturbating—think only of him or her, focus on that one man or that one woman. Give them your time and attention; flirt with each other to let the sexual tension build until you can retrain yourself to respond only to your spouse without needing all the other garbage to arouse and satisfy you. It will change your life and set you free.
Know that “kind of” staying away from the lust or “cutting back” won’t do it. You need to stop it. For men and women who are Christians, nothing is more miserable than being stuck in a lustful world you know you shouldn’t be in. Dangling dangerously close to the precipice doesn’t work…be like the wise carriage driver and stay as far away from the edge of the cliff as possible.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
There Ain’t No Easy Button
by Mark Gungor on September 17th, 2010
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Lots of people wish life had an easy button… like the commercial for the office supply store Staples, where you just push the big red button with the word “easy” on it and everything you want just magically happens. But the reality is, there are no easy buttons in life, and that is especially true in Christianity—even though people often think and act like God is the easy button for us.
Frequently, believers will treat God like the magic genie or giant vending machine in the sky. We ask Him to do things just so we don’t have to do it ourselves; then we don’t have to put any work or effort into a situation. Husbands and wives will pray for God to make their marriage better, yet they will continue to invest no time and attention into the relationship. People may be diagnosed with some illness or condition and beg God to heal them and take it away, but they won’t do anything to change their diet, exercise or lifestyle that would improve their health. Students will blow off studying for an exam, yet earnestly pray for God to help them do well on the test. There are people who pray and ask God to bring them a job or a spouse, but never go out and look for one! I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but that’s not the way it works.
God will help us. We can ask Him to give us the strength and courage to persevere and do the right things—like dealing with disease, a difficult relationship, or temptation—but He doesn’t just magically fix it or take it all away to make it easy. This is especially true when it comes to dealing with and controlling feelings. Here is one common example that I’ve heard numerous times from men: I’m so tempted to look at other women and pornography and I’ve prayed and prayed for God to take those feelings away. I’ve also heard people say that they are experiencing great temptation with attraction to another person other than their spouse and want God to just “take those feelings away”. Mind you, they don’t want to flee the temptation or stay away from this person or situation. They don’t want to learn to control their feelings—they want the easy button instead. And quite simply, there isn’t one.
Part of being a Christ follower is learning not to be led by feelings. We must learn that feelings don’t determine our behavior or else we will be doomed. Most people think that if they feel it, they just have to do it and that’s why they pray those prayers asking God to “take them away”. They reason that surely humans can’t help what they feel! Sadly, too many people end up being slaves to their feelings and think they cannot possibly manage, control or resist their urges, temptations and emotions. Therefore they believe that the only reasonable and certain solution is for God to just zap them away. Nonsense!
The bible is very clear that we are to fight temptation and that God will help us so we don’t have to succumb. I Corinthians 10:13 says: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV) That means you don’t have to give in, nothing is too much for you to take—despite what your feelings tell you. In the book of James scripture tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from you (4:7). But we don’t want to resist the devil; we want to pray and ask God to make him to go away. These are wrong thoughts and wrong prayers. God won’t do it. He won’t sprinkle you with pixie dust and make it all vanish. We are expected to live by His word and that means we have to do our part in this—never giving up and never giving in. James goes on to say we are blessed when we persevere (1:12 and 5:11)
Every human being is tempted—whether that means you are tempted by visual lusts, feelings of attraction or dissatisfaction, the tendency to be mean and nasty to people, complacency in your faith, food, alcohol, drugs, and the list goes on and on—but that doesn’t mean we are to be condemned for feeling certain things. We are to resist, not in our own will power, because as believers we have the Holy Spirit and the power of the risen Christ at work in us to enable us to stand up to any and every temptation or feeling. The problem is often people equate the want to with the have to, but just because you feel it, doesn’t mean that you listen to those wants or feelings or that you act upon them. And sometimes those “want tos” can be really strong, but they are never greater than the strength we have as Christians. Don’t tell me that your desire to look at porn is more powerful than Jesus!
It’s at times of temptation and struggle that we must rely on the power available to us. That is when it is vitally important to have the word of God in you so are able to quote the truths of scripture that will enable you to combat and fight those urges.** Only then will we be able to break free from being a slave to feelings and not allow emotions to dictate our choices. We must stop thinking we have to be “true and honest to our feelings”. They are the most unreliable and dishonest thing a person could possibly follow. As Christians we must learn to control our feelings and not allow them to control us.
Stop asking and expecting God to do all the heavy lifting, just so you can have it easy and not do the work that it requires. Remember, there is no easy button in heaven…you’ll have to go to Staples for that.
**For a list of scripture to help you with any kind of temptation, please see our link at http://www.laughyourway.com/resources/sexual-addiction/.
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Lots of people wish life had an easy button… like the commercial for the office supply store Staples, where you just push the big red button with the word “easy” on it and everything you want just magically happens. But the reality is, there are no easy buttons in life, and that is especially true in Christianity—even though people often think and act like God is the easy button for us.
Frequently, believers will treat God like the magic genie or giant vending machine in the sky. We ask Him to do things just so we don’t have to do it ourselves; then we don’t have to put any work or effort into a situation. Husbands and wives will pray for God to make their marriage better, yet they will continue to invest no time and attention into the relationship. People may be diagnosed with some illness or condition and beg God to heal them and take it away, but they won’t do anything to change their diet, exercise or lifestyle that would improve their health. Students will blow off studying for an exam, yet earnestly pray for God to help them do well on the test. There are people who pray and ask God to bring them a job or a spouse, but never go out and look for one! I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but that’s not the way it works.
God will help us. We can ask Him to give us the strength and courage to persevere and do the right things—like dealing with disease, a difficult relationship, or temptation—but He doesn’t just magically fix it or take it all away to make it easy. This is especially true when it comes to dealing with and controlling feelings. Here is one common example that I’ve heard numerous times from men: I’m so tempted to look at other women and pornography and I’ve prayed and prayed for God to take those feelings away. I’ve also heard people say that they are experiencing great temptation with attraction to another person other than their spouse and want God to just “take those feelings away”. Mind you, they don’t want to flee the temptation or stay away from this person or situation. They don’t want to learn to control their feelings—they want the easy button instead. And quite simply, there isn’t one.
Part of being a Christ follower is learning not to be led by feelings. We must learn that feelings don’t determine our behavior or else we will be doomed. Most people think that if they feel it, they just have to do it and that’s why they pray those prayers asking God to “take them away”. They reason that surely humans can’t help what they feel! Sadly, too many people end up being slaves to their feelings and think they cannot possibly manage, control or resist their urges, temptations and emotions. Therefore they believe that the only reasonable and certain solution is for God to just zap them away. Nonsense!
The bible is very clear that we are to fight temptation and that God will help us so we don’t have to succumb. I Corinthians 10:13 says: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV) That means you don’t have to give in, nothing is too much for you to take—despite what your feelings tell you. In the book of James scripture tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from you (4:7). But we don’t want to resist the devil; we want to pray and ask God to make him to go away. These are wrong thoughts and wrong prayers. God won’t do it. He won’t sprinkle you with pixie dust and make it all vanish. We are expected to live by His word and that means we have to do our part in this—never giving up and never giving in. James goes on to say we are blessed when we persevere (1:12 and 5:11)
Every human being is tempted—whether that means you are tempted by visual lusts, feelings of attraction or dissatisfaction, the tendency to be mean and nasty to people, complacency in your faith, food, alcohol, drugs, and the list goes on and on—but that doesn’t mean we are to be condemned for feeling certain things. We are to resist, not in our own will power, because as believers we have the Holy Spirit and the power of the risen Christ at work in us to enable us to stand up to any and every temptation or feeling. The problem is often people equate the want to with the have to, but just because you feel it, doesn’t mean that you listen to those wants or feelings or that you act upon them. And sometimes those “want tos” can be really strong, but they are never greater than the strength we have as Christians. Don’t tell me that your desire to look at porn is more powerful than Jesus!
It’s at times of temptation and struggle that we must rely on the power available to us. That is when it is vitally important to have the word of God in you so are able to quote the truths of scripture that will enable you to combat and fight those urges.** Only then will we be able to break free from being a slave to feelings and not allow emotions to dictate our choices. We must stop thinking we have to be “true and honest to our feelings”. They are the most unreliable and dishonest thing a person could possibly follow. As Christians we must learn to control our feelings and not allow them to control us.
Stop asking and expecting God to do all the heavy lifting, just so you can have it easy and not do the work that it requires. Remember, there is no easy button in heaven…you’ll have to go to Staples for that.
**For a list of scripture to help you with any kind of temptation, please see our link at http://www.laughyourway.com/resources/sexual-addiction/.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Forgiveness Part 2: What is Forgiveness?
by Mark Gungor on October 4th, 2010
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In the previous post I wrote about why it is imperative to let go of hurts and offenses and to live your life walking in forgiveness. As Christians we do not have the luxury of remaining bitter, vengeful, unforgiving and holding grudges. I laid out the scriptural commands that instruct us on forgiveness and showed the gravity of the situation when we do not forgive others. Knowing that God will not forgive us if we don’t forgive others is a pretty sobering thought and should be all the motivation we need. Yet we often have difficulty with forgiving those who have transgressed against us and hurt us. I think we don’t really understand what it means to forgive someone.
Many times people have trouble forgiving because they believe that it’s tied to emotions or memory and they think they have to stop feeling or stop remembering in order to forgive. Not true. I teach every weekend at my marriage seminar and write about it in my book Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. Here is an excerpt:
The first thing you have to understand about forgiveness is that is has nothing to do with your emotions. You may feel the emotional pain of what that other person did to you till the day you die—it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
Second, forgiveness has nothing to do with erasing your memory. You may remember what that person did to you till the day you die. Forgiveness is simply this: a decision to let it go. The Greek word that translates to “forgiveness” is aphieeme,” literally “to send off,” “to release,” or “to let go.” This means forgiveness is the act of sending away incidents that cause offense to brew in us. It means we can’t keep focusing on the wrong done to us. Forgiveness is an act. This is an example of forgiveness: ‘I forgive you. I will never use it against you in the future. I will never speak of it again to you or to anyone else.”
When you forgive, you decide to release the person from his or her guilt, period. You may remember the offense repeatedly at first. That’s okay. The commitment to forgive a person is a commitment to “send away” the incident every time it reappears in your mind.
Once the apostle Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” That’s 490 times.
Luke, in his Gospel, adds the phrase “a day.’ Imagine forgiving the same person 490 times a day! Truth is, it is pretty easy to get consumed by someone’s offense. When a person does something that really hurts you, you will naturally think about it over and over again. Practicing the principle of forgiving someone 490 times a day means every time you think about what that person did to you, you prayerfully give it to God. The choice to forgive means we keep forgiving. Over time you will find the incident losing strength.
You must also remember that forgiveness has more to do with your tongue than your head or your heart. If you’re still talking about what that person did to you, you haven’t forgiven him or her. You need to hush. You need to let it go. The good news is, God will help you do this.
See, you don’t have to erase your feelings or memories. Forgiveness is not amnesia; it’s intentionally choosing to let the offense go. When God forgives us He never brings it up again. The Bible says he throws it in the sea of forgetfulness. But it’s not like he’s an old man who has Alzheimer’s. Do you really think that God can’t remember? It’s not as if God looks at you and goes, “There’s something that ticks me off about this guy, but I just can’t remember what it is!” You think God literally can’t remember? Of course He can, He just chooses not to. He never brings it up again. He never, ever, ever, will speak of it or use it against you in any way, shape, or form. And that’s what you need to do as a Christian. You need to quite talking about it…and that includes the running conversations you have with yourself in your head!
When an offense is new and you are first dealing with all the emotion and hurt, you need to talk through it and all. I get that and I’m not condemning that. But at some point you have to stop, let it go and you have to let go of the anger and hate in your heart. People complain that it’s hard to do. Yeah, that’s why you need to pray and ask God to help you. I’ve struggled with this. There have been times in my life that I’ve been so angry and I didn’t want to forgive. But I knew better. I knew this was not okay and I took it so seriously because I know what the Bible says. So in tears and crying out to God, I dealt with it and broke through. So I’m not condemning people who struggle with this—we all struggle. If you are a Christian you have to let it go. If you say you have forgiven the person, but are constantly in a state of pain day after day, into week after month after year, you have only re-titled the unforgiveness as “pain”. Be aware of the struggle and realize that it’s not a good place for you to be. It might take some work, but you need to get out of it.
Refusing to forgive another doesn’t make right the wrong, nor does it even the score or supply vengeance. It only hurts the one who refuses to forgive. Unforgiveness is like taking poison in hopes that the other guy will die. And it is literally like a toxic poison in your body. It will make you sick and destroy you, your life and your relationships. Jesus taught that without forgiveness, your very relationship to God is doomed. And I can assure you that without forgiveness, your marriage is doomed.
*Also see the related post “I Said I Was Sorry”.
Share
In the previous post I wrote about why it is imperative to let go of hurts and offenses and to live your life walking in forgiveness. As Christians we do not have the luxury of remaining bitter, vengeful, unforgiving and holding grudges. I laid out the scriptural commands that instruct us on forgiveness and showed the gravity of the situation when we do not forgive others. Knowing that God will not forgive us if we don’t forgive others is a pretty sobering thought and should be all the motivation we need. Yet we often have difficulty with forgiving those who have transgressed against us and hurt us. I think we don’t really understand what it means to forgive someone.
Many times people have trouble forgiving because they believe that it’s tied to emotions or memory and they think they have to stop feeling or stop remembering in order to forgive. Not true. I teach every weekend at my marriage seminar and write about it in my book Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. Here is an excerpt:
The first thing you have to understand about forgiveness is that is has nothing to do with your emotions. You may feel the emotional pain of what that other person did to you till the day you die—it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
Second, forgiveness has nothing to do with erasing your memory. You may remember what that person did to you till the day you die. Forgiveness is simply this: a decision to let it go. The Greek word that translates to “forgiveness” is aphieeme,” literally “to send off,” “to release,” or “to let go.” This means forgiveness is the act of sending away incidents that cause offense to brew in us. It means we can’t keep focusing on the wrong done to us. Forgiveness is an act. This is an example of forgiveness: ‘I forgive you. I will never use it against you in the future. I will never speak of it again to you or to anyone else.”
When you forgive, you decide to release the person from his or her guilt, period. You may remember the offense repeatedly at first. That’s okay. The commitment to forgive a person is a commitment to “send away” the incident every time it reappears in your mind.
Once the apostle Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” That’s 490 times.
Luke, in his Gospel, adds the phrase “a day.’ Imagine forgiving the same person 490 times a day! Truth is, it is pretty easy to get consumed by someone’s offense. When a person does something that really hurts you, you will naturally think about it over and over again. Practicing the principle of forgiving someone 490 times a day means every time you think about what that person did to you, you prayerfully give it to God. The choice to forgive means we keep forgiving. Over time you will find the incident losing strength.
You must also remember that forgiveness has more to do with your tongue than your head or your heart. If you’re still talking about what that person did to you, you haven’t forgiven him or her. You need to hush. You need to let it go. The good news is, God will help you do this.
See, you don’t have to erase your feelings or memories. Forgiveness is not amnesia; it’s intentionally choosing to let the offense go. When God forgives us He never brings it up again. The Bible says he throws it in the sea of forgetfulness. But it’s not like he’s an old man who has Alzheimer’s. Do you really think that God can’t remember? It’s not as if God looks at you and goes, “There’s something that ticks me off about this guy, but I just can’t remember what it is!” You think God literally can’t remember? Of course He can, He just chooses not to. He never brings it up again. He never, ever, ever, will speak of it or use it against you in any way, shape, or form. And that’s what you need to do as a Christian. You need to quite talking about it…and that includes the running conversations you have with yourself in your head!
When an offense is new and you are first dealing with all the emotion and hurt, you need to talk through it and all. I get that and I’m not condemning that. But at some point you have to stop, let it go and you have to let go of the anger and hate in your heart. People complain that it’s hard to do. Yeah, that’s why you need to pray and ask God to help you. I’ve struggled with this. There have been times in my life that I’ve been so angry and I didn’t want to forgive. But I knew better. I knew this was not okay and I took it so seriously because I know what the Bible says. So in tears and crying out to God, I dealt with it and broke through. So I’m not condemning people who struggle with this—we all struggle. If you are a Christian you have to let it go. If you say you have forgiven the person, but are constantly in a state of pain day after day, into week after month after year, you have only re-titled the unforgiveness as “pain”. Be aware of the struggle and realize that it’s not a good place for you to be. It might take some work, but you need to get out of it.
Refusing to forgive another doesn’t make right the wrong, nor does it even the score or supply vengeance. It only hurts the one who refuses to forgive. Unforgiveness is like taking poison in hopes that the other guy will die. And it is literally like a toxic poison in your body. It will make you sick and destroy you, your life and your relationships. Jesus taught that without forgiveness, your very relationship to God is doomed. And I can assure you that without forgiveness, your marriage is doomed.
*Also see the related post “I Said I Was Sorry”.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Forgiveness Part 1: Do I Have to Forgive?
by Mark Gungor on September 28th, 2010
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If you do a search for “forgiveness” on Amazon, you’ll get a list of over 4700 books, so apparently it’s a hot topic. Everyone gets hurt, offended or betrayed in life, and we all have to deal with forgiving others. Often the lack of forgiveness is like a big, black cloud that hangs over the heads of people, keeping them tied up and held in a prison of anger and bitterness. Countless people ask me how they can forgive someone—usually their spouse—for some transgression that has been committed against them. It is not at all unusual to hear people say that the specific thing they are struggling to forgive happened 5, 10, 20, 30 years ago, yet they are still dealing with the memory, the pain and the inability to work through it. Many relive the event in excruciating detail as if it just happened yesterday, saying they can’t, won’t, or don’t know how to forgive the person.
While non-Christians may have their own steps and formulas on how to forgive, from a Christian world-view I can explain it very quickly and to the point. Quite simply, the Bible teaches that if we won’t forgive other people, then God will not forgive us. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His disciples “The Lord’s Prayer” that says, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Debt means sin or offense.) Then in verses 14-15 Jesus continues and says, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”(NIV) Seems like a very straight-forward concept, yet many Christians don’t get this and even when they hear it, they don’t believe it. There may be things in Christianity that are debatable—such as finer points of theology, speaking in tongues, what is the proper form of baptism, how to interpret the end-times scriptures—but not this. Forgiveness is pretty black and white, fundamental Christianity 101; if you don’t understand forgiveness you don’t understand Christianity.
You would think that once you put into people’s minds they are running the risk of eternal damnation for their souls, they would start to wake up and get a clue. (Which is exactly the case if your sins are not forgiven by God, by the way.) Sadly, many Christians believe that as long as they have “said the prayer”, they can live anyway they want, do anything they want and it doesn’t matter. It does matter. Further on in Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus talks about forgiveness by relating a parable about a servant who owed his master a lot of money—let’s say the equivalent of a million dollars. The master comes to collect and the servant begs to be let off the hook because he can’t repay it. So the master reconsiders, shows mercy and lets him off; erasing the considerable debt that the man owed. But then that very same servant turns around and finds another guy who owes him some small amount— let’s say $100. He starts choking the guy, demanding his money, then throws the guy in jail till he pays him what he owes. When the master hears what the servant did, he calls him back in and says, “You wicked servant. I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” After that the master turned the guy over to the jailers to be tortured, until he could pay back what he owed. Then check out what Jesus says, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
You are fooling yourself if you think you can remain bitter and unforgiving toward someone else and have that be okay with God. The Bible warns not to “deceive yourself” and I truly think this is one of the areas that people are full of self-deception. As Christians one thing that is totally non-negotiable for us is forgiveness. There are lots of things that are for us to decide that won’t affect whether God forgives us or not. How much you pray and how much money you give is up to you—the standard is 10%, but it’s still your call. Whether or not you go to church—God’s not going to send you to hell if you don’t go every Sunday, even though you know you should go. How much you read the bible—once a month, 8 chapters a day—is up to you. There are all kinds of things we get to play with and have wiggle room on. But the one thing that is absolutely not up to you, not negotiable in any way shape or form, is forgiveness. You cannot live in unforgiveness and think you are okay.
I was talking to this one woman who was attending our church and she was there every Sunday on the front row loving and worshipping Jesus—but she had just divorced her husband. I asked why, and she said, “Because he called me fat! I hate him! I want him to die and go to hell!” Seriously!? I think people are delusional. You can clap, sing, praise God and think you are a Christian all you want, but the truth is you will have to answer to God for your lack of forgiveness. Sadly, you don’t hear this taught by pastors. I know because when I say these things, people look at me like I just dropped in from Mars! They become indignant and can’t believe that I’m saying such a thing. One lady was talking to me in my office and she got so mad that she slammed out the door yelling at me, “How dare you imply I’m in trouble with God because of what my husband did!” She wanted no part of dealing with her own sin of unforgiveness. Many people have a problem with this teaching and I understand that it is extremely strong, but I don’t see how they get around these scriptures.
People often say “I am growing in forgiveness”, or “I’m learning to forgive”—I don’t buy it. Either you have forgiven or you haven’t, there’s no growing! Hear me on this…and if this freaks you out and scares you, it should! Jesus said, “Many will say to me on judgment day ‘Lord, Lord’”. Then He’s going to say “I never knew you” and you’re not getting in. (Matthew 7:21-23) Make no mistake, one of the fundamental reasons is because people absolutely refuse to forgive those who have hurt them. You may know people who say they have been a Christian for 20 years or more but can’t or won’t forgive someone. I say those people need to really reconsider whether or not they are Christians. I think there will be surprises on judgment day as to who is and who isn’t a real Christian.
I am not being condemning here, only showing the gravity of this situation. The Church has suffered, because pastors have not taught the great importance of forgiving and the dire consequences if we don’t. Christians tend to be very compassionate in trying to help people forgive, but the thing that should really motivate us is when we truly understand the seriousness of choosing not to forgive another person. Honestly, that teaching has been withheld in Christian circles and I am certain that if we really understood it, we would be less inclined to walk in unforgiveness.
Here is an analogy to help clarify this. Let’s say you have a problem with eating chocolate cake. You are really tempted to eat it any time you see a delicious slice. Now, it’s a pretty easy temptation to work around and deal with because most of the time it’s not going to kill you if you slip up. After all, you have been doing so well avoiding the cake and sticking to your diet. You rationalize that you can work it off later, walk farther to burn the calories, or reason that you will only indulge a little by having one small piece. Now, if you knew that the cake was laced with cyanide, would it still be a temptation? No, not at all! It breaks the temptation entirely and no way would you yield to that because you totally get it— you understand the gravity of the situation and the consequences.
That’s what pastors teach about forgiveness: We know it’s difficult, just do your best, try harder to avoid it, but if you can’t, it’s really not that bad, you’re still ok. I believe that people struggle with not forgiving others because pastors have failed to teach the perilousness of it. They aren’t telling believers that the cake is saturated with cyanide. If we fully comprehended what the Bible says about the sin of unforgiveness, if we really understood the huge price we will pay on Judgment Day, I think we would be much quicker to let others off the hook, release our grudges, and forgive. Jesus was not ambiguous in any way—if you refuse to forgive people, God will not forgive you. My question to you is: Can you afford that?
**Check back next week for Part 2 “What is Forgiveness?”
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If you do a search for “forgiveness” on Amazon, you’ll get a list of over 4700 books, so apparently it’s a hot topic. Everyone gets hurt, offended or betrayed in life, and we all have to deal with forgiving others. Often the lack of forgiveness is like a big, black cloud that hangs over the heads of people, keeping them tied up and held in a prison of anger and bitterness. Countless people ask me how they can forgive someone—usually their spouse—for some transgression that has been committed against them. It is not at all unusual to hear people say that the specific thing they are struggling to forgive happened 5, 10, 20, 30 years ago, yet they are still dealing with the memory, the pain and the inability to work through it. Many relive the event in excruciating detail as if it just happened yesterday, saying they can’t, won’t, or don’t know how to forgive the person.
While non-Christians may have their own steps and formulas on how to forgive, from a Christian world-view I can explain it very quickly and to the point. Quite simply, the Bible teaches that if we won’t forgive other people, then God will not forgive us. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His disciples “The Lord’s Prayer” that says, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Debt means sin or offense.) Then in verses 14-15 Jesus continues and says, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”(NIV) Seems like a very straight-forward concept, yet many Christians don’t get this and even when they hear it, they don’t believe it. There may be things in Christianity that are debatable—such as finer points of theology, speaking in tongues, what is the proper form of baptism, how to interpret the end-times scriptures—but not this. Forgiveness is pretty black and white, fundamental Christianity 101; if you don’t understand forgiveness you don’t understand Christianity.
You would think that once you put into people’s minds they are running the risk of eternal damnation for their souls, they would start to wake up and get a clue. (Which is exactly the case if your sins are not forgiven by God, by the way.) Sadly, many Christians believe that as long as they have “said the prayer”, they can live anyway they want, do anything they want and it doesn’t matter. It does matter. Further on in Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus talks about forgiveness by relating a parable about a servant who owed his master a lot of money—let’s say the equivalent of a million dollars. The master comes to collect and the servant begs to be let off the hook because he can’t repay it. So the master reconsiders, shows mercy and lets him off; erasing the considerable debt that the man owed. But then that very same servant turns around and finds another guy who owes him some small amount— let’s say $100. He starts choking the guy, demanding his money, then throws the guy in jail till he pays him what he owes. When the master hears what the servant did, he calls him back in and says, “You wicked servant. I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” After that the master turned the guy over to the jailers to be tortured, until he could pay back what he owed. Then check out what Jesus says, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
You are fooling yourself if you think you can remain bitter and unforgiving toward someone else and have that be okay with God. The Bible warns not to “deceive yourself” and I truly think this is one of the areas that people are full of self-deception. As Christians one thing that is totally non-negotiable for us is forgiveness. There are lots of things that are for us to decide that won’t affect whether God forgives us or not. How much you pray and how much money you give is up to you—the standard is 10%, but it’s still your call. Whether or not you go to church—God’s not going to send you to hell if you don’t go every Sunday, even though you know you should go. How much you read the bible—once a month, 8 chapters a day—is up to you. There are all kinds of things we get to play with and have wiggle room on. But the one thing that is absolutely not up to you, not negotiable in any way shape or form, is forgiveness. You cannot live in unforgiveness and think you are okay.
I was talking to this one woman who was attending our church and she was there every Sunday on the front row loving and worshipping Jesus—but she had just divorced her husband. I asked why, and she said, “Because he called me fat! I hate him! I want him to die and go to hell!” Seriously!? I think people are delusional. You can clap, sing, praise God and think you are a Christian all you want, but the truth is you will have to answer to God for your lack of forgiveness. Sadly, you don’t hear this taught by pastors. I know because when I say these things, people look at me like I just dropped in from Mars! They become indignant and can’t believe that I’m saying such a thing. One lady was talking to me in my office and she got so mad that she slammed out the door yelling at me, “How dare you imply I’m in trouble with God because of what my husband did!” She wanted no part of dealing with her own sin of unforgiveness. Many people have a problem with this teaching and I understand that it is extremely strong, but I don’t see how they get around these scriptures.
People often say “I am growing in forgiveness”, or “I’m learning to forgive”—I don’t buy it. Either you have forgiven or you haven’t, there’s no growing! Hear me on this…and if this freaks you out and scares you, it should! Jesus said, “Many will say to me on judgment day ‘Lord, Lord’”. Then He’s going to say “I never knew you” and you’re not getting in. (Matthew 7:21-23) Make no mistake, one of the fundamental reasons is because people absolutely refuse to forgive those who have hurt them. You may know people who say they have been a Christian for 20 years or more but can’t or won’t forgive someone. I say those people need to really reconsider whether or not they are Christians. I think there will be surprises on judgment day as to who is and who isn’t a real Christian.
I am not being condemning here, only showing the gravity of this situation. The Church has suffered, because pastors have not taught the great importance of forgiving and the dire consequences if we don’t. Christians tend to be very compassionate in trying to help people forgive, but the thing that should really motivate us is when we truly understand the seriousness of choosing not to forgive another person. Honestly, that teaching has been withheld in Christian circles and I am certain that if we really understood it, we would be less inclined to walk in unforgiveness.
Here is an analogy to help clarify this. Let’s say you have a problem with eating chocolate cake. You are really tempted to eat it any time you see a delicious slice. Now, it’s a pretty easy temptation to work around and deal with because most of the time it’s not going to kill you if you slip up. After all, you have been doing so well avoiding the cake and sticking to your diet. You rationalize that you can work it off later, walk farther to burn the calories, or reason that you will only indulge a little by having one small piece. Now, if you knew that the cake was laced with cyanide, would it still be a temptation? No, not at all! It breaks the temptation entirely and no way would you yield to that because you totally get it— you understand the gravity of the situation and the consequences.
That’s what pastors teach about forgiveness: We know it’s difficult, just do your best, try harder to avoid it, but if you can’t, it’s really not that bad, you’re still ok. I believe that people struggle with not forgiving others because pastors have failed to teach the perilousness of it. They aren’t telling believers that the cake is saturated with cyanide. If we fully comprehended what the Bible says about the sin of unforgiveness, if we really understood the huge price we will pay on Judgment Day, I think we would be much quicker to let others off the hook, release our grudges, and forgive. Jesus was not ambiguous in any way—if you refuse to forgive people, God will not forgive you. My question to you is: Can you afford that?
**Check back next week for Part 2 “What is Forgiveness?”
Friday, September 24, 2010
Talk It Out Before You Say, "I Do"
By Julie Ferwerda
CBN.com – You’re thinking about spending the rest of your life with that special person. But do you really know them as well as you think? Are there areas you need to know about (or they need to know about you) that you haven’t discussed? The best time to get down to the nitty-gritty with each other is before you say, “I do.”
You need to know what to expect after the wedding day, and to decide if you really want to spend the rest of your life with this person the way they are now. Chances are they (and you) won’t change that much, so if you really want to know who you are agreeing to love, work through these questions together. There’s no hurry—take all the time you need. But there’s one rule. You must be completely, gut-wrenchingly honest! If you misrepresent yourself…they will remember.
PURPOSE
My biggest goal in life is to…
I find satisfaction in…
Before I die I want to…
I am here because…
My dream is to someday…
I will be ready to die when I’ve…
PAST
The best part about my childhood was…
The worst part about my childhood was…
The scariest thing that ever happened to me was…
Something I’m afraid to tell anyone about my past is…
A past situation that could affect my future is…
I’ve had [ ] sexual partners before this relationship.
The way I feel about my past relationship history is…
WHO I AM
My biggest fears in life are…
My biggest needs in life are…
My most frequent mood is…
The thing I hate most is…
The thing I worry about most is…
Three things I want to change about myself are…
Three things I really like about myself are…
My most common daydream is…
I get angry when…
My favorite kind of house pet is…
My overall opinion about myself is…
I think my greatest personality asset is…
My greatest personality weakness is…
I find the greatest enjoyment in…
The sin I struggle most with is…
I’m most ashamed about…
Someone I greatly admire is…
The way I feel about death is…
I think war is…
I feel happy when…
I have no use for people who…
When someone acts rude to me, I…
When someone is unfair, I…
I feel jealous of…
My dream vacation would include…
The things I find the most fun are…
My favorite sport(s) is…
Playing sports in my future is a [ ] on a scale from one to ten.
Watching sports on T.V. is a [ ] for me on a scale from one to ten.
I am disgusted by…
When I am afraid (substitute sad, angry, happy, lonely, tired), I…
My hobbies include…
I spend [ ] hours a week at my hobbies.
What I really want when I am sick is…
The part of my body I am most bothered by is…
The part of my body I am most happy with is…
What hurts me most is…
The best (and worst) thing about life is…
The first thing I notice about someone is…
When someone is angry with me, I…
When someone is disappointed in me, I…
The worst (and best) thing about the opposite sex is…
Being teachable means…
People (including me) should say they’re sorry when…
MARRIAGE
My reasons for wanting to get married are…
I think the keys to a good marriage are…
The biggest mistakes I made in past relationships are…
The area I’ve grown the most in relationships is…
Relationships in the past have taught me…
I’ve always viewed marriage as…
My parents had a [ ] marriage.
I learned [ ] about marriage from my parents.
I think the things in marriage you should be honest about are…
The areas I’m concerned about being married are…
The areas I’m excited about being married are…
Marriage for me will be giving up…
Marriage for me will be gaining…
I think separate vacations are…
Traveling together is…
When having conflict, I like to: cool off by myself before discussing the problem; discuss and work the problem out right away; pretend there is no problem and just move on; analyze the problem as to what it is, why it happened, how to avoid it in the future, etc…
Arguing and or fighting is…
The best way to handle disagreements is to…
What I fear most about marriage is…
What I anticipate most about marriage is…
The role of in-laws in marriage is…
The thing that will make me most secure (and insecure) in marriage is…
Dating (each other) after you are married is…
Love is…
“Till death do us part” means…
I think people should be allowed to divorce when…
For me, divorce is…
SEX
I think sex is/will be…
I think a healthy marriage involves sex [ ] per week or [ ] per month.
I’m aware that real sex in marriage differs from Hollywood in the following ways…
I think being naked in front of someone is…
On a scale from one to ten, sex is a [ ] in importance in a good marriage for me.
What sex means to me is…
Talking about sex feels…
Being spontaneous or creative in marriage sex sounds…
MONEY/FINANCES
I think money is…
Spending money is hard/easy for me because…
The biggest waste of money is…
The best investment of money is…
I have [ ] in personal debt.
I use credit cards for…
I think car loans are…
Saving up to buy big ticket items is…
My savings plan is…
My retirement plan is…
The way I feel about tithing is…
I hope my spouse is a: saver, spender, somewhere in between.
On a scale from one to ten, financial security is [ ] in importance to me.
I want to save up to buy a…
The kind of house I want to own someday is…
Other items I hope to own are…
Charities I want to contribute to are…
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Is my own appearance important to me?
Is it important that my spouse maintains his/her current physical appearance/weight throughout our marriage?
How important is hygiene to me, i.e. brushing teeth, taking showers, deodorant, etc.?
How do I like to dress for special occasions? For church? For dates? For work?
Do I want to be able to have a say in my spouse’s choice of clothing, hairstyle, or general appearance?
Do I care if they have a say in mine?
Is cologne/perfume important to me?
What physical features are attractive to me?
HOUSEHOLD
How clean is a home that is comfortable for me?
What is my favorite thing about home?
What can I not tolerate in my home (noise, clutter, dirt, pets, unmade beds, etc.)?
How many/which jobs do I think I should do to keep my house maintained?
How many/which jobs do I think my spouse should do around the house?
Who should keep the yard maintained (spouse, both, or hired out)?
Who will maintain the cars (spouse, both, or hired out)?
Who will make decisions for and carry out decorating the home (spouse, both, hired out)?
Who will cook family meals?
How many meals do I expect to cook or for my spouse to cook daily?
Who will do the shopping?
Who will do laundry?
Who will do the dishes?
Who will pay bills?
RECREATION
My idea of recreation is…
To me, camping means…
My favorite sports are…
The way I relax on the weekends is by…
What areas of recreation do I want my spouse to accompany me on?
What areas of recreation do I want to do with my friends or alone?
How often will I want to spend time away from the family in my own recreation?
KIDS
I think kids are…
Kids get on my nerves when they…
I love it when kids…
The way I feel about other people’s kids is…
The way kids usually feel about me is…
Kids should be disciplined when…
The way I want to discipline my kids is…
The role of a parent is…
I want [ ] kids someday.
How important is showing physical affection to my kids?
Is telling my kids I love them important?
How much time do I think I should spend with my kids daily?
How important is two-parent interaction and discipline?
I think the bottom line for discipline should be with the (mom or dad)?
How important is it for kids to respect their parents in my home?
When it comes to discipline, I think I will be: lenient, strict, or somewhere in-between?
Where do I want my kids educated (private school, Christian school, home school, etc.)?
HEALTH/HISTORY
Taking care of myself and my health is [ ] important to me.
I think a healthy lifestyle includes…
Physical exercise is…
To me, eating right means…
My idea of a good work out is…
My life fitness plan is to…
My health problems (present or past) are…
I take medication for…
I think life long-term supports are…
People in my family have a history of the following health problems…
People in my family have died at the ages of…
INTIMACY
I feel loved when…
The way I show love to people is…
Which of the following are ways I feel most loved? Time spent with, words of encouragement/praise, gifts, being touched and hugged in a non-sexual manner, when people do things for (serve) me.
Showing affection in front of kids or friends is…
Intimacy is developed through…
I think a good marriage needs at least [ ] hours a day (or week) of focused communication to stay connected.
WORK
My idea of a dream job is…
I think the average number of hours a person can regularly work a week and maintain family commitment is…
Providing for the family is whose responsibility?
My career plans are…
How important is a steady job to me?
What kind of work ethic do I want in my mate?
Where do I draw the line with a job that demands too much time?
My plans for retirement are…
SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION
The way I feel about God is…
I think the way God feels about me is…
On a scale of one to ten, going to church is [ ] in importance for my life and future.
I want to raise my kids in the [ ] faith.
Will God be the center of my home? Why or why not?
If yes, how will I make Him the center?
Prayer is something I do when…
To me, the Bible is…
Other religions besides Christianity are…
Eternal life is accomplished by…
Select and discuss the following. To me, God is: personal, real, distant, vague, angry, happy, loving, harsh, demanding, gentle, kind, good, make-believe, living, powerful, weak, or other.
The way to have a relationship with God is…
For me, including God in my daily life is…
On a scale from one to ten, obeying God and His word is a [ ] to me.
When I die, I…
CBN.com – You’re thinking about spending the rest of your life with that special person. But do you really know them as well as you think? Are there areas you need to know about (or they need to know about you) that you haven’t discussed? The best time to get down to the nitty-gritty with each other is before you say, “I do.”
You need to know what to expect after the wedding day, and to decide if you really want to spend the rest of your life with this person the way they are now. Chances are they (and you) won’t change that much, so if you really want to know who you are agreeing to love, work through these questions together. There’s no hurry—take all the time you need. But there’s one rule. You must be completely, gut-wrenchingly honest! If you misrepresent yourself…they will remember.
PURPOSE
My biggest goal in life is to…
I find satisfaction in…
Before I die I want to…
I am here because…
My dream is to someday…
I will be ready to die when I’ve…
PAST
The best part about my childhood was…
The worst part about my childhood was…
The scariest thing that ever happened to me was…
Something I’m afraid to tell anyone about my past is…
A past situation that could affect my future is…
I’ve had [ ] sexual partners before this relationship.
The way I feel about my past relationship history is…
WHO I AM
My biggest fears in life are…
My biggest needs in life are…
My most frequent mood is…
The thing I hate most is…
The thing I worry about most is…
Three things I want to change about myself are…
Three things I really like about myself are…
My most common daydream is…
I get angry when…
My favorite kind of house pet is…
My overall opinion about myself is…
I think my greatest personality asset is…
My greatest personality weakness is…
I find the greatest enjoyment in…
The sin I struggle most with is…
I’m most ashamed about…
Someone I greatly admire is…
The way I feel about death is…
I think war is…
I feel happy when…
I have no use for people who…
When someone acts rude to me, I…
When someone is unfair, I…
I feel jealous of…
My dream vacation would include…
The things I find the most fun are…
My favorite sport(s) is…
Playing sports in my future is a [ ] on a scale from one to ten.
Watching sports on T.V. is a [ ] for me on a scale from one to ten.
I am disgusted by…
When I am afraid (substitute sad, angry, happy, lonely, tired), I…
My hobbies include…
I spend [ ] hours a week at my hobbies.
What I really want when I am sick is…
The part of my body I am most bothered by is…
The part of my body I am most happy with is…
What hurts me most is…
The best (and worst) thing about life is…
The first thing I notice about someone is…
When someone is angry with me, I…
When someone is disappointed in me, I…
The worst (and best) thing about the opposite sex is…
Being teachable means…
People (including me) should say they’re sorry when…
MARRIAGE
My reasons for wanting to get married are…
I think the keys to a good marriage are…
The biggest mistakes I made in past relationships are…
The area I’ve grown the most in relationships is…
Relationships in the past have taught me…
I’ve always viewed marriage as…
My parents had a [ ] marriage.
I learned [ ] about marriage from my parents.
I think the things in marriage you should be honest about are…
The areas I’m concerned about being married are…
The areas I’m excited about being married are…
Marriage for me will be giving up…
Marriage for me will be gaining…
I think separate vacations are…
Traveling together is…
When having conflict, I like to: cool off by myself before discussing the problem; discuss and work the problem out right away; pretend there is no problem and just move on; analyze the problem as to what it is, why it happened, how to avoid it in the future, etc…
Arguing and or fighting is…
The best way to handle disagreements is to…
What I fear most about marriage is…
What I anticipate most about marriage is…
The role of in-laws in marriage is…
The thing that will make me most secure (and insecure) in marriage is…
Dating (each other) after you are married is…
Love is…
“Till death do us part” means…
I think people should be allowed to divorce when…
For me, divorce is…
SEX
I think sex is/will be…
I think a healthy marriage involves sex [ ] per week or [ ] per month.
I’m aware that real sex in marriage differs from Hollywood in the following ways…
I think being naked in front of someone is…
On a scale from one to ten, sex is a [ ] in importance in a good marriage for me.
What sex means to me is…
Talking about sex feels…
Being spontaneous or creative in marriage sex sounds…
MONEY/FINANCES
I think money is…
Spending money is hard/easy for me because…
The biggest waste of money is…
The best investment of money is…
I have [ ] in personal debt.
I use credit cards for…
I think car loans are…
Saving up to buy big ticket items is…
My savings plan is…
My retirement plan is…
The way I feel about tithing is…
I hope my spouse is a: saver, spender, somewhere in between.
On a scale from one to ten, financial security is [ ] in importance to me.
I want to save up to buy a…
The kind of house I want to own someday is…
Other items I hope to own are…
Charities I want to contribute to are…
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Is my own appearance important to me?
Is it important that my spouse maintains his/her current physical appearance/weight throughout our marriage?
How important is hygiene to me, i.e. brushing teeth, taking showers, deodorant, etc.?
How do I like to dress for special occasions? For church? For dates? For work?
Do I want to be able to have a say in my spouse’s choice of clothing, hairstyle, or general appearance?
Do I care if they have a say in mine?
Is cologne/perfume important to me?
What physical features are attractive to me?
HOUSEHOLD
How clean is a home that is comfortable for me?
What is my favorite thing about home?
What can I not tolerate in my home (noise, clutter, dirt, pets, unmade beds, etc.)?
How many/which jobs do I think I should do to keep my house maintained?
How many/which jobs do I think my spouse should do around the house?
Who should keep the yard maintained (spouse, both, or hired out)?
Who will maintain the cars (spouse, both, or hired out)?
Who will make decisions for and carry out decorating the home (spouse, both, hired out)?
Who will cook family meals?
How many meals do I expect to cook or for my spouse to cook daily?
Who will do the shopping?
Who will do laundry?
Who will do the dishes?
Who will pay bills?
RECREATION
My idea of recreation is…
To me, camping means…
My favorite sports are…
The way I relax on the weekends is by…
What areas of recreation do I want my spouse to accompany me on?
What areas of recreation do I want to do with my friends or alone?
How often will I want to spend time away from the family in my own recreation?
KIDS
I think kids are…
Kids get on my nerves when they…
I love it when kids…
The way I feel about other people’s kids is…
The way kids usually feel about me is…
Kids should be disciplined when…
The way I want to discipline my kids is…
The role of a parent is…
I want [ ] kids someday.
How important is showing physical affection to my kids?
Is telling my kids I love them important?
How much time do I think I should spend with my kids daily?
How important is two-parent interaction and discipline?
I think the bottom line for discipline should be with the (mom or dad)?
How important is it for kids to respect their parents in my home?
When it comes to discipline, I think I will be: lenient, strict, or somewhere in-between?
Where do I want my kids educated (private school, Christian school, home school, etc.)?
HEALTH/HISTORY
Taking care of myself and my health is [ ] important to me.
I think a healthy lifestyle includes…
Physical exercise is…
To me, eating right means…
My idea of a good work out is…
My life fitness plan is to…
My health problems (present or past) are…
I take medication for…
I think life long-term supports are…
People in my family have a history of the following health problems…
People in my family have died at the ages of…
INTIMACY
I feel loved when…
The way I show love to people is…
Which of the following are ways I feel most loved? Time spent with, words of encouragement/praise, gifts, being touched and hugged in a non-sexual manner, when people do things for (serve) me.
Showing affection in front of kids or friends is…
Intimacy is developed through…
I think a good marriage needs at least [ ] hours a day (or week) of focused communication to stay connected.
WORK
My idea of a dream job is…
I think the average number of hours a person can regularly work a week and maintain family commitment is…
Providing for the family is whose responsibility?
My career plans are…
How important is a steady job to me?
What kind of work ethic do I want in my mate?
Where do I draw the line with a job that demands too much time?
My plans for retirement are…
SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION
The way I feel about God is…
I think the way God feels about me is…
On a scale of one to ten, going to church is [ ] in importance for my life and future.
I want to raise my kids in the [ ] faith.
Will God be the center of my home? Why or why not?
If yes, how will I make Him the center?
Prayer is something I do when…
To me, the Bible is…
Other religions besides Christianity are…
Eternal life is accomplished by…
Select and discuss the following. To me, God is: personal, real, distant, vague, angry, happy, loving, harsh, demanding, gentle, kind, good, make-believe, living, powerful, weak, or other.
The way to have a relationship with God is…
For me, including God in my daily life is…
On a scale from one to ten, obeying God and His word is a [ ] to me.
When I die, I…
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Day 32 (Wednesday 8 September) - Waking Up The GIANTS!
One can almost imagine the fear in Satan as he thinks of the Church's unmeasured potentials. "Let the Church sleep! If she wakes up, she will SHAKE the world!" so the saying goes. Is not the Church the sleeping giant of today? There is more evidence of religious sensation before our eyes than evidence of spiritual regeneration and supernatural phenomenon! Not many Christians today can forget the fact that the devil goes about as a roaring lion, but we seem to have lost sight of the fact that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has defeated the "roaring lion" and therefore, every anointed Samson or Gideon or church can have victory over the "lion of hell". Though wicked men are doing wicked things, God's promise to us is that "the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits" (Daniel 11:32). (Leonard Ravenhill)
Reflection: Isa 52:1-12. Seek God to remove every 'cobweb', dust that has dulled your spirit. Shake loose every self denial, delusion and deception. Ask Him to cleanse and awaken your spirit man.
Prayer Points
■ Implore Him to awaken the Body of Christ to her true spiritual state with deep conviction and repentance to come forth. Renounce and repent of our complacency, self sufficiency, self indulgence, compromise, carnality, etc.
■ Restoring passion and hunger to spend time with Him and His Word in the Body of Christ. Believers to be enlightened to His hope and calling to be His salt and light.
■ Prayer Cells springing forth in all realms of influence, reaching out and establishing strong discipleship in schools, colleges, housing estates, marketplace, etc.
■ Decree an open highway and ask God to raise up His standard over our Church and nation to thwart the plans of the evil one so that His GIANTS will ARISE and SHINE in the days of His power! Declare our GOD REIGNS over Malaysia
Reflection: Isa 52:1-12. Seek God to remove every 'cobweb', dust that has dulled your spirit. Shake loose every self denial, delusion and deception. Ask Him to cleanse and awaken your spirit man.
Prayer Points
■ Implore Him to awaken the Body of Christ to her true spiritual state with deep conviction and repentance to come forth. Renounce and repent of our complacency, self sufficiency, self indulgence, compromise, carnality, etc.
■ Restoring passion and hunger to spend time with Him and His Word in the Body of Christ. Believers to be enlightened to His hope and calling to be His salt and light.
■ Prayer Cells springing forth in all realms of influence, reaching out and establishing strong discipleship in schools, colleges, housing estates, marketplace, etc.
■ Decree an open highway and ask God to raise up His standard over our Church and nation to thwart the plans of the evil one so that His GIANTS will ARISE and SHINE in the days of His power! Declare our GOD REIGNS over Malaysia
What do You Say to This?
Church plans Quran-burning event
July 30, 2010 | By Lauren Russell, CNN
In protest of what it calls a religion "of the devil," a nondenominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to host an "International Burn a Quran Day" on the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
The Dove World Outreach Center says it is hosting the event to remember 9/11 victims and take a stand against Islam. With promotions on its website and Facebook page, it invites Christians to burn the Muslim holy book at the church from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
"We believe that Islam is of the devil, that it's causing billions of people to go to hell, it is a deceptive religion, it is a violent religion and that is proven many, many times," Pastor Terry Jones told CNN's Rick Sanchez earlier this week.
Jones wrote a book titled "Islam is of the Devil," and the church sells coffee mugs and shirts featuring the phrase.
Muslims and many other Christians -- including some evangelicals -- are fighting the initiative.
The church launched a YouTube channel to disseminate its messages.
"I mean ask yourself, have you ever really seen a really happy Muslim? As they're on the way to Mecca? As they gather together in the mosque on the floor? Does it look like a real religion of joy?" Jones asks in one of his YouTube posts.
The Islamic advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations called on Muslims and others to host "Share the Quran" dinners to educate the public during the monthlong fast of Ramadan beginning in August. In a news release, the group announced a campaign to give out 100,000 copies of the Quran to local, state and national leaders.
"American Muslims and other people of conscience should support positive educational efforts to prevent the spread of Islamophobia," said CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper in the release.
The National Association of Evangelicals, the nation's largest umbrella evangelical group, issued a statement urging the church to cancel the event, warning it could cause worldwide tension between the two religions.
"The NAE calls on its members to cultivate relationships of trust and respect with our neighbors of other faiths. God created human beings in his image, and therefore all should be treated with dignity and respect," it said in the statement.
Dove's Facebook page, set up for the September event, has more than 1,600 fans.
"Eternal fire is the only destination the Quran can lead people to, so we want to put the Quran in it's [sic] place -- the fire!" the page says.
July 30, 2010 | By Lauren Russell, CNN
In protest of what it calls a religion "of the devil," a nondenominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to host an "International Burn a Quran Day" on the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
The Dove World Outreach Center says it is hosting the event to remember 9/11 victims and take a stand against Islam. With promotions on its website and Facebook page, it invites Christians to burn the Muslim holy book at the church from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
"We believe that Islam is of the devil, that it's causing billions of people to go to hell, it is a deceptive religion, it is a violent religion and that is proven many, many times," Pastor Terry Jones told CNN's Rick Sanchez earlier this week.
Jones wrote a book titled "Islam is of the Devil," and the church sells coffee mugs and shirts featuring the phrase.
Muslims and many other Christians -- including some evangelicals -- are fighting the initiative.
The church launched a YouTube channel to disseminate its messages.
"I mean ask yourself, have you ever really seen a really happy Muslim? As they're on the way to Mecca? As they gather together in the mosque on the floor? Does it look like a real religion of joy?" Jones asks in one of his YouTube posts.
"No, to me it looks like a religion of the devil."
The Islamic advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations called on Muslims and others to host "Share the Quran" dinners to educate the public during the monthlong fast of Ramadan beginning in August. In a news release, the group announced a campaign to give out 100,000 copies of the Quran to local, state and national leaders.
"American Muslims and other people of conscience should support positive educational efforts to prevent the spread of Islamophobia," said CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper in the release.
The National Association of Evangelicals, the nation's largest umbrella evangelical group, issued a statement urging the church to cancel the event, warning it could cause worldwide tension between the two religions.
"The NAE calls on its members to cultivate relationships of trust and respect with our neighbors of other faiths. God created human beings in his image, and therefore all should be treated with dignity and respect," it said in the statement.
Dove's Facebook page, set up for the September event, has more than 1,600 fans.
"Eternal fire is the only destination the Quran can lead people to, so we want to put the Quran in it's [sic] place -- the fire!" the page says.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Day 31 (Tuesday 7 September) - 4/14 Window
There's an urgent global appeal to consider the strategic importance and potential of the 1.2 billion children and youths in the 4/14 Window (children aged from 4 years to 14 years). As a national church, we need to open our hearts and minds to the idea of reaching and raising up a new generation from within this vast group - a generation that can experience personal transformation and can be mobilised as agents for transformation throughout the world. The vision and hope is to maximise their transformational impact while they are young, and to mobilise them for continuous impact for the rest of their lives. It is imperative that we see children and young people as a crucial, strategic force, capable of transforming the nation and the world. May our hearts be opened to embrace this 4/14 Window and release this generation into the full potential God has for them. (Luis Bush)
Reflection: Lam 2:19, Matt 18:14. Urgently ask the Lord to move our hearts to see this generation through His eyes and pray for them. Ask the Lord how else you can avail yourself to build this group?
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to release a revelation of His heart upon His church, to shake us, break us, and change us with what He sees, feels and hears in regards to children.
■ Raising workers, Sunday School teachers who understand the needs, nature and potential of this emerging generation to disciple and equip them to transform their schools, community and nation.
■ Thank the Lord for the national children prayer movement. Pray that in each local church, God will raise up prayer leaders who are equipped to teach and empower children and youths to pray.
■ God to protect and preserve this generation and their destiny, to mould them to be His prophetic generation with radical commitment and excellence in character to be His future leaders to shape the destiny of nations
Reflection: Lam 2:19, Matt 18:14. Urgently ask the Lord to move our hearts to see this generation through His eyes and pray for them. Ask the Lord how else you can avail yourself to build this group?
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to release a revelation of His heart upon His church, to shake us, break us, and change us with what He sees, feels and hears in regards to children.
■ Raising workers, Sunday School teachers who understand the needs, nature and potential of this emerging generation to disciple and equip them to transform their schools, community and nation.
■ Thank the Lord for the national children prayer movement. Pray that in each local church, God will raise up prayer leaders who are equipped to teach and empower children and youths to pray.
■ God to protect and preserve this generation and their destiny, to mould them to be His prophetic generation with radical commitment and excellence in character to be His future leaders to shape the destiny of nations
Monday, September 6, 2010
Day 30 (Monday 6 September) - Unity and Diversity
They would meet for Bible study once a week, studying the Word of God and singing hymns, united through the Holy Spirit in one faith and under one Lord. When they came across difficult passages in their studies that divide their respective denominations, they would maintain love, patience and care for one another. Yet come Sunday, their differences will be marked in their Catholic, charismatic, Brethren, Anglican, Methodist churches. Some raise hands and speak in tongues, while others sing hymns and ladies cover their heads in reverence. Nevertheless these brothers and sisters believe that "There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:5). Seeking unity in the things that unite them, they concentrate on the Word, prayer and in evangelism, the transformation of the nation believing in the promise that one day "the Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name." Zech 14 : 9
Reflection: Eph 4:3-5, Ps 133. Thank the Lord for the unique calling and strength in all denominations. How awesome when different parts of the body with all generations come together in unity! The enemy shudders!
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord to forgive us of our pride and arrogance; to seek to celebrate each other's giftings and doctrinal distinctives.
■ Churches will promote activities, conferences that will unite the various denominations in prayer, worship, the Word, evangelism among all the generations, young and old. A spirit of unity and cooperation in sharing and releasing resources with common vision towards transformation of society, community and nation.
■ One united VOICE, with clear purpose to face the authorities on issues that are affecting the Body of Christ.
■ Bless all denomination heads and pray for one united prayer movement to come forth
Reflection: Eph 4:3-5, Ps 133. Thank the Lord for the unique calling and strength in all denominations. How awesome when different parts of the body with all generations come together in unity! The enemy shudders!
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord to forgive us of our pride and arrogance; to seek to celebrate each other's giftings and doctrinal distinctives.
■ Churches will promote activities, conferences that will unite the various denominations in prayer, worship, the Word, evangelism among all the generations, young and old. A spirit of unity and cooperation in sharing and releasing resources with common vision towards transformation of society, community and nation.
■ One united VOICE, with clear purpose to face the authorities on issues that are affecting the Body of Christ.
■ Bless all denomination heads and pray for one united prayer movement to come forth
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Day 29 (Sunday 5 September) - Youths in Sabah & Sarawak
The authorities have made great concerted effort to actively target the younger generation in Islamising the native people, the 'Bumiputeras' of East Malaysia. The Islamic religious authorities have focused their activities on longhouses by for example, setting up hostels or "asrama" where the warden and staff are Muslims who deliberately influence the students living there towards Islamic values and way of life.
This has caused deep concern as the majority of the Christian population in Malaysia are from Sabah and Sarawak. The urgency is to bring awareness of the strategies used against our younger generation and to educate our youths on the basic foundation of their faith so that they are steadfast and always abounding in the ways of the Lord.
Reflection: Col 2:6-12. To 'continue to live in Him' – what does this mean to you? Is this the reality in your walk with the Lord?
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for preserving Sabah and Sarawak. Continue to ask the Lord to protect our youths in these states from all schemes to influence and indoctrinate them with wrong values.
■ Indigenous pastors and leaders in the rural areas to be empowered, awakened and alerted on the schemes of the enemy. They will be vigilant to warn, disciple and strengthen the youths. For strong discipleship and mentoring in the interior churches.
■ Releasing of finances and resources to establish Bible schools, training centres, Christian schools and kindergartens so that the younger generation's faith will be preserved and strengthened.
■ Raising up more pastors and leaders to empower churches in the interior. More youths will heed the call of God to be church planters; evangelists, pastors and teachers.
■ Greater partnership and united effort between the Peninsular and East Malaysian churches to formulate mission strategies that will reach the lost
This has caused deep concern as the majority of the Christian population in Malaysia are from Sabah and Sarawak. The urgency is to bring awareness of the strategies used against our younger generation and to educate our youths on the basic foundation of their faith so that they are steadfast and always abounding in the ways of the Lord.
Reflection: Col 2:6-12. To 'continue to live in Him' – what does this mean to you? Is this the reality in your walk with the Lord?
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for preserving Sabah and Sarawak. Continue to ask the Lord to protect our youths in these states from all schemes to influence and indoctrinate them with wrong values.
■ Indigenous pastors and leaders in the rural areas to be empowered, awakened and alerted on the schemes of the enemy. They will be vigilant to warn, disciple and strengthen the youths. For strong discipleship and mentoring in the interior churches.
■ Releasing of finances and resources to establish Bible schools, training centres, Christian schools and kindergartens so that the younger generation's faith will be preserved and strengthened.
■ Raising up more pastors and leaders to empower churches in the interior. More youths will heed the call of God to be church planters; evangelists, pastors and teachers.
■ Greater partnership and united effort between the Peninsular and East Malaysian churches to formulate mission strategies that will reach the lost
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Day 28 (Saturday 4 September) - Patriotic Generation!
Each year, many youths attend the National Service Training programme in selected locations all over the county. Among the stated objectives for the programme are:
* Developing the younger generation who are patriotic and with love and devotion for their country;
* Enhancing unity among the multi-racial communities in the country by instilling a spirit of caring and volunteerism among society; and
* Developing a positive characteristic among the younger generation through good values.
One of the ways to achieve these objectives is through 'Kelas Kerohanian' (religious classes conducted by volunteer teachers). Classes are held on Thursday and/or Friday nights from 8.00 to 10.30. More than 120,000 youths are trained each year. Currently, over 40 out of 82 campsites have Christian trainers going in regularly to conduct Bible studies. This therefore provides Christians with great opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of our youths and to foster a right spirit and attitude for nation building.
Reflection: Psalm 18:30-40. Pray that God's agenda for our next generation and the good objectives of the NS will be achieved. Not only raising physical army but also a spiritual army.
Prayer Points
■ For excellent, efficient, creative, qualified, and disciplined officers, trainers, counsellors and jungle guides. Protection as they travel to remote campsites.
■ For good maintenance of facilities and equipment; security and cleanliness in living conditions and protection on trainees' health.
■ For enough committed Christian teachers to be trained and sent to ALL 82 camps in 2010. Churches to adopt and pray for the camps and the yearly three batches of trainees in their localities in 2010.
■ For spiritual awakening in all camps and Christian youths to be His light and salt to encourage and stand with those trainees in their times of need. Maturing of our next generation for the Kingdom of God
* Developing the younger generation who are patriotic and with love and devotion for their country;
* Enhancing unity among the multi-racial communities in the country by instilling a spirit of caring and volunteerism among society; and
* Developing a positive characteristic among the younger generation through good values.
One of the ways to achieve these objectives is through 'Kelas Kerohanian' (religious classes conducted by volunteer teachers). Classes are held on Thursday and/or Friday nights from 8.00 to 10.30. More than 120,000 youths are trained each year. Currently, over 40 out of 82 campsites have Christian trainers going in regularly to conduct Bible studies. This therefore provides Christians with great opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of our youths and to foster a right spirit and attitude for nation building.
Reflection: Psalm 18:30-40. Pray that God's agenda for our next generation and the good objectives of the NS will be achieved. Not only raising physical army but also a spiritual army.
Prayer Points
■ For excellent, efficient, creative, qualified, and disciplined officers, trainers, counsellors and jungle guides. Protection as they travel to remote campsites.
■ For good maintenance of facilities and equipment; security and cleanliness in living conditions and protection on trainees' health.
■ For enough committed Christian teachers to be trained and sent to ALL 82 camps in 2010. Churches to adopt and pray for the camps and the yearly three batches of trainees in their localities in 2010.
■ For spiritual awakening in all camps and Christian youths to be His light and salt to encourage and stand with those trainees in their times of need. Maturing of our next generation for the Kingdom of God
Friday, September 3, 2010
Day 27 (Friday 3 September) - Substance Abuse
Alex had always been ambitious and wanted to study in the US but all came unstuck when he failed in his exams and his girlfriend broke off their relationship. Life crumbled into complete darkness. Unable to cope he began to hang out in pubs and soon got involved with the wrong kind of "friends". Soon, he was drawn into their 'club drugs'. This is just one case of thousands of young people who have been targeted and lured into drugs. Some just want to 'try out' out of curiosity; some want to escape reality while others join the crowd because of peer pressure. Many came from dysfunctional homes, and broken relationships. Today there are 1.2 million drug addicts and many have failed in their attempt to kick the habit. For those who have been set free, they are finding difficulty in social acceptance. Disillusioned, they soon fall back to old habits. As a church, we have a social responsibility towards these people. Let us cry out to God for mercy to help us accept them.
Reflection: Psalm 107:10-16. Is there any trace of prejudice against this group of drug abusers? Do you regard them as a social menace? Confess and renounce every prejudice, religiosity and hypocrisy. Ask Him to fill us with love and compassion.
Prayer Points
■ Take authority over the spirit of rebellion, hopelessness and drug addiction that seek to destroy our youths. Teachers and law enforcers to be vigilant against syndicates working through schools and colleges to trap and recruit students.
■ The Body of Christ will reach out and be their source of comfort, encouragement, direction to young people who are facing rejection and feeling lonely. Effective youth ministries to reach out in love.
■ Expose drug traffickers in our nation and local processing labs in remote places. Expose and remove all corrupt officials in authority who are protecting these syndicates.
■ Strong support groups to uphold and strengthen those who have been delivered from drugs. They will find love and acceptance and able to integrate back into society successfully.
Reflection: Psalm 107:10-16. Is there any trace of prejudice against this group of drug abusers? Do you regard them as a social menace? Confess and renounce every prejudice, religiosity and hypocrisy. Ask Him to fill us with love and compassion.
Prayer Points
■ Take authority over the spirit of rebellion, hopelessness and drug addiction that seek to destroy our youths. Teachers and law enforcers to be vigilant against syndicates working through schools and colleges to trap and recruit students.
■ The Body of Christ will reach out and be their source of comfort, encouragement, direction to young people who are facing rejection and feeling lonely. Effective youth ministries to reach out in love.
■ Expose drug traffickers in our nation and local processing labs in remote places. Expose and remove all corrupt officials in authority who are protecting these syndicates.
■ Strong support groups to uphold and strengthen those who have been delivered from drugs. They will find love and acceptance and able to integrate back into society successfully.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Day 26 (Thursday 2 September) - Redeeming the Generation
When others sleep, the Mat Rempits begin their day. Mat eagerly looks forward to these daily gatherings. His friends in the gang are his life. With them he feels brave, the drugs make him feel alive, far from the aimlessness at home, loiterings in the shopping malls and being called 'hopeless' and 'useless'. His life is like a motorcycle, always on the move and picking up speed. When in speed, he cannot slow down and think. Whatever the group fancies, he will follow. Some days they prey on young women, even pregnant ones; other times, they smash car windows, steal bags and laptops, destroy property and perform dangerous stunts on their bikes.
These youths and others like them must be reconciled to their parents, authorities and God. Parents, authorities and the government must likewise do the same and find ways not to alienate but to restore them.
Reflection: Malachi 2:1-8. Ask God for forgiveness where as a nation we have failed in our priestly covenant duty according to Mal 2: 5 to bring "life and peace", compassion and "true instruction" to the lost youths.
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to forgive parents who have lost their priestly duty to give "true instruction" to their children who are lost in the cycle of entertainment, leisure, lust of the eyes, casual sex, computer games, late night parties.
■ God's deliverance to come upon the Mat Rempits, bringing radical deliverance and revelational encounters.
■ Pray for creative ways to reach out to them. Church to be relevant in building bridges and help the young generation in their community.
■ Government to have wisdom and compassion to address, engage and educate the youths with love and understanding. To engage them in nation building and community life that transcend culture and race. To initiate community programs that nurture wholeness, love for nation and religion
These youths and others like them must be reconciled to their parents, authorities and God. Parents, authorities and the government must likewise do the same and find ways not to alienate but to restore them.
Reflection: Malachi 2:1-8. Ask God for forgiveness where as a nation we have failed in our priestly covenant duty according to Mal 2: 5 to bring "life and peace", compassion and "true instruction" to the lost youths.
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to forgive parents who have lost their priestly duty to give "true instruction" to their children who are lost in the cycle of entertainment, leisure, lust of the eyes, casual sex, computer games, late night parties.
■ God's deliverance to come upon the Mat Rempits, bringing radical deliverance and revelational encounters.
■ Pray for creative ways to reach out to them. Church to be relevant in building bridges and help the young generation in their community.
■ Government to have wisdom and compassion to address, engage and educate the youths with love and understanding. To engage them in nation building and community life that transcend culture and race. To initiate community programs that nurture wholeness, love for nation and religion
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Day 25 (Wednesday 1 September) - Weak & Helpless
Davin didn't like it when mum's boyfriend stayed in the house. When mum wasn't around, he would become moody and violent. Grabbing Davin's neck, he would stub his cigarette on his arm, legs and private parts laughing as Davin screamed in pain. Davin feared telling his mum as he was threatened with further punishment and beatings. Everyday we hear cases of children sodomised, brutalized, raped in shrubs, under the bridges, ponds, lakes. Those that survive live shattered and broken lives full of fear and hate. In 2007, reports said 8 Malaysians were raped daily, not including the countless unreported cases of children and those living in physical abuse. In most of these cases, the children trusted and knew their attacker who preyed on them because they were weak and helpless.
Reflection: Matt 19:14, Psalm 127:3-4. Seek God's forgiveness for forgetting that children are a gift from Him and they are our pride, joy and reward from Him. Ask Him to forgive us for hindering them from coming to Jesus and help us to treasure, protect, guide, teach and love each and every one of them irrespective of race and religion.
Prayer Points
■ Children's ministries in every church that they be lighthouses to the children in their community and outreach areas. Christian children will be raised up, ground in His Word to reach out and comfort their friends in need.
■ Vigilance and security in schools, kindergartens, tuition centres, shopping malls,.etc. Law enforcers to be watchful and alert to protect children in public places when they are not accompanied by adults.
■ Exposing all child abusers, syndicates or individuals who prey on children with evil intentions. Ask God to heal and deliver children from all afflictions: physical, emotional and spiritual abuses.
■ Church in all states to have concerted and united effort for community/social projects to help, rescue and provide loving care to the helpless and fatherless children
Reflection: Matt 19:14, Psalm 127:3-4. Seek God's forgiveness for forgetting that children are a gift from Him and they are our pride, joy and reward from Him. Ask Him to forgive us for hindering them from coming to Jesus and help us to treasure, protect, guide, teach and love each and every one of them irrespective of race and religion.
Prayer Points
■ Children's ministries in every church that they be lighthouses to the children in their community and outreach areas. Christian children will be raised up, ground in His Word to reach out and comfort their friends in need.
■ Vigilance and security in schools, kindergartens, tuition centres, shopping malls,.etc. Law enforcers to be watchful and alert to protect children in public places when they are not accompanied by adults.
■ Exposing all child abusers, syndicates or individuals who prey on children with evil intentions. Ask God to heal and deliver children from all afflictions: physical, emotional and spiritual abuses.
■ Church in all states to have concerted and united effort for community/social projects to help, rescue and provide loving care to the helpless and fatherless children
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Day 24 (Tuesday 31 August) - Merdeka! Merdeka!
Through the years, we have enjoyed much peace, stability, growth and prosperity despite the many upheavals at different times and seasons. The Lord has preserved us as a nation...as the Body of Christ rise up in prayer. Truly we thank God for raising up His people to stand in the gap to intercede like never before. Over the last two decades, we have seen the prayer movement gaining great speed. This is just the beginning. God desires to shape this nation to display His glory and splendor to all people groups and the nations beyond. Let us continue with fervency to intercede and proclaim "MERDEKA" in all realms!
PROCLAIM:
■ MERDEKA over our nation and Government! Declare Isa 60: 1-3 over the nation, liberating her from all spiritual darkness. Ask our Father of Light to shine His everlasting light over our nation and to all people groups.
■ MERDEKA over the Church, liberating her from all contaminations of the world that she will set herself apart. Call forth an army of united generations to come forth to be His witnesses in all realms.
■ MERDEKA over financial institutions! Declare Isaiah 60:5-7, liberating this realm from greed, materialism and hoarding. Call forth abundance of wealth to be released to fund national and global evangelisation.
■ MERDEKA over the Education Realm, liberating our nation from all false ideologies and humanistic world view. Call forth a generation of young people who will distinguish herself in leadership with wisdom, knowledge and character to serve His calling.
■ MERDEKA over IT and Communication, liberating her from all onslaught of the evil one who seeks to sow confusion, corruption, distortion and perversion of truth! Call forth a new wave of young generation of believers to dominate this realm with creative ideas to reach the unreached with the gospel.
■ MERDEKA over Media and Arts, liberating this realm from all wrong values and virtues from being sown. Raise godly Christian men and women to take this gate to influence viewers with godly values and principles.
■ MERDEKA over the majority group in our nation! Freedom to accept Christ without restrictions
PROCLAIM:
■ MERDEKA over our nation and Government! Declare Isa 60: 1-3 over the nation, liberating her from all spiritual darkness. Ask our Father of Light to shine His everlasting light over our nation and to all people groups.
■ MERDEKA over the Church, liberating her from all contaminations of the world that she will set herself apart. Call forth an army of united generations to come forth to be His witnesses in all realms.
■ MERDEKA over financial institutions! Declare Isaiah 60:5-7, liberating this realm from greed, materialism and hoarding. Call forth abundance of wealth to be released to fund national and global evangelisation.
■ MERDEKA over the Education Realm, liberating our nation from all false ideologies and humanistic world view. Call forth a generation of young people who will distinguish herself in leadership with wisdom, knowledge and character to serve His calling.
■ MERDEKA over IT and Communication, liberating her from all onslaught of the evil one who seeks to sow confusion, corruption, distortion and perversion of truth! Call forth a new wave of young generation of believers to dominate this realm with creative ideas to reach the unreached with the gospel.
■ MERDEKA over Media and Arts, liberating this realm from all wrong values and virtues from being sown. Raise godly Christian men and women to take this gate to influence viewers with godly values and principles.
■ MERDEKA over the majority group in our nation! Freedom to accept Christ without restrictions
Monday, August 30, 2010
Day 23 (Monday 30 August) - Silent Cry!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
War has been declared since the beginning of time when the 'serpent' sought to crush the seed of the woman - her posterity. Today, within nations globally, hundreds of millions of innocent lives have been snuffed out before they could see the light. Bruising the woman's seed bruises the heart of God as each human life is of great worth and value in His sight. EVERY life is precious and matters to God! The Church must therefore be His voice for the helpless and VOICELESS generation! May their silent cry be our cry today...
Reflection: Gen 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-18. Pause a while to consider the things that break God's heart. Thank the Lord for His love for you and all people groups because we are beautifully and wonderfully made in His image.
Prayer Points
■ Stand in identification repentance on behalf of people in our nation who have shed innocent blood and seek His forgiveness and mercy on behalf of those who have committed this grievous sin.
■ Ask God for deeper understanding of the sanctity and dignity of all human life. Church to rise up to be the voice for the voiceless!
■ Uphold programs by Christian organisations that focus on youths, that more teenagers will resolve to make a stand against premarital sex. Godly values and purity to be restored in teenagers.
■ Exposing and closing down all clinics that illegally practice abortions in our nation
War has been declared since the beginning of time when the 'serpent' sought to crush the seed of the woman - her posterity. Today, within nations globally, hundreds of millions of innocent lives have been snuffed out before they could see the light. Bruising the woman's seed bruises the heart of God as each human life is of great worth and value in His sight. EVERY life is precious and matters to God! The Church must therefore be His voice for the helpless and VOICELESS generation! May their silent cry be our cry today...
Reflection: Gen 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-18. Pause a while to consider the things that break God's heart. Thank the Lord for His love for you and all people groups because we are beautifully and wonderfully made in His image.
Prayer Points
■ Stand in identification repentance on behalf of people in our nation who have shed innocent blood and seek His forgiveness and mercy on behalf of those who have committed this grievous sin.
■ Ask God for deeper understanding of the sanctity and dignity of all human life. Church to rise up to be the voice for the voiceless!
■ Uphold programs by Christian organisations that focus on youths, that more teenagers will resolve to make a stand against premarital sex. Godly values and purity to be restored in teenagers.
■ Exposing and closing down all clinics that illegally practice abortions in our nation
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Day 22 (Sunday 29 August) - Caring for the Elderly
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Manjeet had served faithfully as a clerk in the Government all his working life. He longed to see the day of retirement but when it came and the days turned to months and then years, he became restless and anxious as his EPF savings started dwindling and his children contemplated putting him in a home. Today, like Manjeet, many senior citizens face a grim reality. A survey of 65-year-old retirees found that many had exhausted their savings (70% of EPF savings were spent within 10 years ) and were dependent on their children who in turn are shirking their responsibilities. Many idle away their time worrying and gossiping in coffee shops, food courts, stock markets, courting China women. Some like Manjeet have begun to cry out to the Lord, "Now that I am old and grey, do not abandon me" Ps 71:18.
Reflection: Psalm 71:9, 16-18. Ask the Lord to forgive us if we have shirked our responsibilities towards our elderly parents, if we have not understood their needs and have been impatient with them.
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord to strengthen family ties, commitment and responsibility and that children will care for their elderly parents.
■ Bless all senior citizens in the Body of Christ that they will use their remaining years to serve Him faithfully, impart, nurture and give godly advice to the younger generation.
■ Church to equip and integrate senior citizens into the various church ministries and that there will be avenues for them to reach out to other retirees caught in worry, doubt, fear, aimlessness and loneliness.
■ Effective government policies to be implemented for the well being of elderly, disabled persons. To subsidise the rising cost of healthcare, food, housing for senior citizens, establish well-run homes and to find ways to utilise them in nationbuilding efforts
Manjeet had served faithfully as a clerk in the Government all his working life. He longed to see the day of retirement but when it came and the days turned to months and then years, he became restless and anxious as his EPF savings started dwindling and his children contemplated putting him in a home. Today, like Manjeet, many senior citizens face a grim reality. A survey of 65-year-old retirees found that many had exhausted their savings (70% of EPF savings were spent within 10 years ) and were dependent on their children who in turn are shirking their responsibilities. Many idle away their time worrying and gossiping in coffee shops, food courts, stock markets, courting China women. Some like Manjeet have begun to cry out to the Lord, "Now that I am old and grey, do not abandon me" Ps 71:18.
Reflection: Psalm 71:9, 16-18. Ask the Lord to forgive us if we have shirked our responsibilities towards our elderly parents, if we have not understood their needs and have been impatient with them.
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord to strengthen family ties, commitment and responsibility and that children will care for their elderly parents.
■ Bless all senior citizens in the Body of Christ that they will use their remaining years to serve Him faithfully, impart, nurture and give godly advice to the younger generation.
■ Church to equip and integrate senior citizens into the various church ministries and that there will be avenues for them to reach out to other retirees caught in worry, doubt, fear, aimlessness and loneliness.
■ Effective government policies to be implemented for the well being of elderly, disabled persons. To subsidise the rising cost of healthcare, food, housing for senior citizens, establish well-run homes and to find ways to utilise them in nationbuilding efforts
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day 21 (Saturday 28 August) - Media & Arts
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
In 1962, a director of FBI said, "Movies are doing more to advance crime and juvenile delinquency than any other factor today." How true his statement has become. The media is a powerful tool that can advance good or bad, positive or negative effects. Today we are seeing a stream of perverted sex, witchcraft, violence, murder, brutality, high divorce rates and so forth. The trends are also changing with more and more young people watching movies and entertainment contents online. Fewer people are reading newspapers while more are downloading contents on to their personal computers. Through advances in technology, the media and arts sector has begun to establish its own social networking and followings. The traditional forms of social life are fading away. In the midst of this rapid change, we thank God that the Body of Christ has begun to redeem the media and arts sector. The challenge calls for us to consider how we are to create contents that are truthful, reflecting godly spiritual values, relevant to the younger generation and at the same time, creative and entertaining.
Reflection: Prov 4:24-26. How do you spend your time? Are you concerned about what you see? Does it affect you spiritually? Commit to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord for greater understanding of the new things He is doing. Despite the many media options available, pray that our eyes and ears are constantly focused on Him.
■ Believers who will use their God-given skills and talents to reach out to the lost generation through movies, music, games, comics etc. Pray for the expression of these gifts in every language: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and others.
■ God to raise a new breed of believers who will be pioneers of the new media technology. They will be creative, relevant and will utilise every new medium available to bring the prophetic message to the nations.
■ Pray that the government will continue to support creativity and free speech in the media arts. Pray that no one will be prevented access to what God wants to do in the media and arts
In 1962, a director of FBI said, "Movies are doing more to advance crime and juvenile delinquency than any other factor today." How true his statement has become. The media is a powerful tool that can advance good or bad, positive or negative effects. Today we are seeing a stream of perverted sex, witchcraft, violence, murder, brutality, high divorce rates and so forth. The trends are also changing with more and more young people watching movies and entertainment contents online. Fewer people are reading newspapers while more are downloading contents on to their personal computers. Through advances in technology, the media and arts sector has begun to establish its own social networking and followings. The traditional forms of social life are fading away. In the midst of this rapid change, we thank God that the Body of Christ has begun to redeem the media and arts sector. The challenge calls for us to consider how we are to create contents that are truthful, reflecting godly spiritual values, relevant to the younger generation and at the same time, creative and entertaining.
Reflection: Prov 4:24-26. How do you spend your time? Are you concerned about what you see? Does it affect you spiritually? Commit to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord for greater understanding of the new things He is doing. Despite the many media options available, pray that our eyes and ears are constantly focused on Him.
■ Believers who will use their God-given skills and talents to reach out to the lost generation through movies, music, games, comics etc. Pray for the expression of these gifts in every language: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and others.
■ God to raise a new breed of believers who will be pioneers of the new media technology. They will be creative, relevant and will utilise every new medium available to bring the prophetic message to the nations.
■ Pray that the government will continue to support creativity and free speech in the media arts. Pray that no one will be prevented access to what God wants to do in the media and arts
Day 21 (Saturday 28 August) - Media & Arts
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
In 1962, a director of FBI said, "Movies are doing more to advance crime and juvenile delinquency than any other factor today." How true his statement has become. The media is a powerful tool that can advance good or bad, positive or negative effects. Today we are seeing a stream of perverted sex, witchcraft, violence, murder, brutality, high divorce rates and so forth. The trends are also changing with more and more young people watching movies and entertainment contents online. Fewer people are reading newspapers while more are downloading contents on to their personal computers. Through advances in technology, the media and arts sector has begun to establish its own social networking and followings. The traditional forms of social life are fading away. In the midst of this rapid change, we thank God that the Body of Christ has begun to redeem the media and arts sector. The challenge calls for us to consider how we are to create contents that are truthful, reflecting godly spiritual values, relevant to the younger generation and at the same time, creative and entertaining.
Reflection: Prov 4:24-26. How do you spend your time? Are you concerned about what you see? Does it affect you spiritually? Commit to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord for greater understanding of the new things He is doing. Despite the many media options available, pray that our eyes and ears are constantly focused on Him.
■ Believers who will use their God-given skills and talents to reach out to the lost generation through movies, music, games, comics etc. Pray for the expression of these gifts in every language: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and others.
■ God to raise a new breed of believers who will be pioneers of the new media technology. They will be creative, relevant and will utilise every new medium available to bring the prophetic message to the nations.
■ Pray that the government will continue to support creativity and free speech in the media arts. Pray that no one will be prevented access to what God wants to do in the media and arts
In 1962, a director of FBI said, "Movies are doing more to advance crime and juvenile delinquency than any other factor today." How true his statement has become. The media is a powerful tool that can advance good or bad, positive or negative effects. Today we are seeing a stream of perverted sex, witchcraft, violence, murder, brutality, high divorce rates and so forth. The trends are also changing with more and more young people watching movies and entertainment contents online. Fewer people are reading newspapers while more are downloading contents on to their personal computers. Through advances in technology, the media and arts sector has begun to establish its own social networking and followings. The traditional forms of social life are fading away. In the midst of this rapid change, we thank God that the Body of Christ has begun to redeem the media and arts sector. The challenge calls for us to consider how we are to create contents that are truthful, reflecting godly spiritual values, relevant to the younger generation and at the same time, creative and entertaining.
Reflection: Prov 4:24-26. How do you spend your time? Are you concerned about what you see? Does it affect you spiritually? Commit to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Ask the Lord for greater understanding of the new things He is doing. Despite the many media options available, pray that our eyes and ears are constantly focused on Him.
■ Believers who will use their God-given skills and talents to reach out to the lost generation through movies, music, games, comics etc. Pray for the expression of these gifts in every language: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and others.
■ God to raise a new breed of believers who will be pioneers of the new media technology. They will be creative, relevant and will utilise every new medium available to bring the prophetic message to the nations.
■ Pray that the government will continue to support creativity and free speech in the media arts. Pray that no one will be prevented access to what God wants to do in the media and arts
Friday, August 27, 2010
Day 20 (Friday 27 August) - IT & Communication
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
While the older generations were brought up around television, our youths today are brought up on computers. This worldwide phenomenon has changed our entire culture. With the emergence of global network, information is being disseminated at rapid speed that's beyond any control! The young generations, who have been around computers their entire lives, are able to run businesses faster and cheaper. These young people who are knowledgeable about video, audio and the written word have more potential to change theworld than many corporations.
Today, we see God's hand moving among our youths. They have the potential to change the world and He is preparing a generation of revolutionaries. Those who are destined by God to be a part of this movement will be on the new era of reformation that will revolutionise our world.
Reflection: Dan 12:4 says knowledge will increase in the last days. IT communication has made it possible to acquire knowledge freely and make it available to the rich and poor, young and old.
Prayer Points
■ Ask for forgiveness for the many times we have abused IT technology. We may have used it to cheat on our spouses, avoid spending time with our loved ones, steal intellectual property, download pornography, spread malicious statements, etc.
■ Pray for wisdom and understanding of the times. Pray for strategies on how to use IT to reach and impact generations and nations.
■ Church - equipped to minister to and lead a people living in the information age. Pastors/leaders will be discerning, at the forefront of the cutting edge of new technology for the advancement of His kingdom.
■ Pray for Information, Culture, Communication and Arts Minister Dato' Seri Dr Rais Yatim, that he will personally know the Lord who raised him up for such a time as this.
While the older generations were brought up around television, our youths today are brought up on computers. This worldwide phenomenon has changed our entire culture. With the emergence of global network, information is being disseminated at rapid speed that's beyond any control! The young generations, who have been around computers their entire lives, are able to run businesses faster and cheaper. These young people who are knowledgeable about video, audio and the written word have more potential to change theworld than many corporations.
Today, we see God's hand moving among our youths. They have the potential to change the world and He is preparing a generation of revolutionaries. Those who are destined by God to be a part of this movement will be on the new era of reformation that will revolutionise our world.
Reflection: Dan 12:4 says knowledge will increase in the last days. IT communication has made it possible to acquire knowledge freely and make it available to the rich and poor, young and old.
Prayer Points
■ Ask for forgiveness for the many times we have abused IT technology. We may have used it to cheat on our spouses, avoid spending time with our loved ones, steal intellectual property, download pornography, spread malicious statements, etc.
■ Pray for wisdom and understanding of the times. Pray for strategies on how to use IT to reach and impact generations and nations.
■ Church - equipped to minister to and lead a people living in the information age. Pastors/leaders will be discerning, at the forefront of the cutting edge of new technology for the advancement of His kingdom.
■ Pray for Information, Culture, Communication and Arts Minister Dato' Seri Dr Rais Yatim, that he will personally know the Lord who raised him up for such a time as this.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Day 19 (Thursday 26 August) - Common Good & Justice
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Islamic authorities have issued edicts that barred girls from behaving like tomboys and banned Muslims from doing yoga, although neither was enforced. Earlier this year, a Muslim woman was ordered to be caned for drinking alcohol.
In recent times, criticisms against the Islamic authorities' overzealous attempts at clamping down on immoral behaviour have mounted from various young professional groups, many of whom are Muslims. These professional groups have also taken pains to point that such practices have damaged Malaysia's reputation as a progressive and moderate Muslim-majority country.
We thank God for the rise of such professional groups and forums in the area of justice and common good. Let's pray for more of these groups who can speak objectively and sensibly against all forms of injustice and unrighteousness in this land.
Reflection: Isa 40:3-5. Thank the Lord who is working out His purposes in the nation using different people groups. Ask the Lord to enlarge our hearts and mind for the nation and people whom He will use.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for raising up groups of Muslims who are concerned about justice and righteousness for everyone.
■ Pray the Body of Christ will also be open-minded to engage with the moderates to seek the common good of our nation in regards to human rights, constitutional laws, policies and religion.
■ Believers to be His salt and light influencing and impacting these moderates by our lifestyle and values so that their hearts will be opened to the gospel.
■ Fear of God to be upon judges, lawyers and advocates so that they will be people of integrity, upholding righteousness and justice without fear of men or partiality in judgment. More Christians will be raised up in the judiciary.
Islamic authorities have issued edicts that barred girls from behaving like tomboys and banned Muslims from doing yoga, although neither was enforced. Earlier this year, a Muslim woman was ordered to be caned for drinking alcohol.
In recent times, criticisms against the Islamic authorities' overzealous attempts at clamping down on immoral behaviour have mounted from various young professional groups, many of whom are Muslims. These professional groups have also taken pains to point that such practices have damaged Malaysia's reputation as a progressive and moderate Muslim-majority country.
We thank God for the rise of such professional groups and forums in the area of justice and common good. Let's pray for more of these groups who can speak objectively and sensibly against all forms of injustice and unrighteousness in this land.
Reflection: Isa 40:3-5. Thank the Lord who is working out His purposes in the nation using different people groups. Ask the Lord to enlarge our hearts and mind for the nation and people whom He will use.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for raising up groups of Muslims who are concerned about justice and righteousness for everyone.
■ Pray the Body of Christ will also be open-minded to engage with the moderates to seek the common good of our nation in regards to human rights, constitutional laws, policies and religion.
■ Believers to be His salt and light influencing and impacting these moderates by our lifestyle and values so that their hearts will be opened to the gospel.
■ Fear of God to be upon judges, lawyers and advocates so that they will be people of integrity, upholding righteousness and justice without fear of men or partiality in judgment. More Christians will be raised up in the judiciary.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Day 18 (Wednesday 25 August) - A Call Towards Social Justice
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
At the launch of the Government Transformation Programme held on 18 December 2009 at the Sunway Convention Centre, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dato' Idris Jala said there were approximately 44,000 households classified as extreme poor under the poverty income level. According to the mid-term review of the 9th Malaysia Plan, a poor family is classified as one whose income earning is less than RM720-00 in the peninsula and RM960-00 and RM380-00 in Sabah and Sarawak respectively. Some have suggested that the poorest 10% of the population have only a 1.7% hold of the economic income compared to the richest 10% who control 38.4% of the income.
This simple statistic reveals a great disparity in terms of income and resources between the rich and poor. This social injustice is a setback in the Government's agenda to eradicate poverty. The Government has acknowledged the weaknesses in the National Key Result Area (NKRA). We need further involvement from churches, especially from the younger generation. But are our youths prepared to take up the cause for social justice for the poor or are they too "young" to be troubled by such realities? Believers, regardless of age, must be reminded that they are called to be salt and light for the nation. As light unto the nation, we have the responsibility to take on this cause for those who have been sidelined and marginalised.
Reflection: Micah 6:8, Isa 1:17. What is the Lord impressing upon your heart in regards to Scriptures? Renounce any indifference and apathy towards the poor and marginalised. Ask the Lord to fill us with love and compassion.
Prayer Points
■ Breakthrough in our younger generation to be conscientised on these realities and be moved to show compassion and mercy in dealing with the poor and marginalised.
■ Body of Christ will be generous in releasing wealth for God's redistribution to advance His Kingdom in places and among peoples in deep spiritual and material need.
■ Effective community services / projects run by local churches to impact poor communities. Lord of Harvest to release workers into these areas to minister effectively to break the yoke and set the people free from every bondage.
■ Government to effectively implement projects and policies and that will eradicate poverty. Wisdom in law enforcement to battle the various social problems in the country such as drugs, child abuse, rape, prostitution, violence, gangsterism, gambling etc. Exposing and eradicating corruption in every governing body
At the launch of the Government Transformation Programme held on 18 December 2009 at the Sunway Convention Centre, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dato' Idris Jala said there were approximately 44,000 households classified as extreme poor under the poverty income level. According to the mid-term review of the 9th Malaysia Plan, a poor family is classified as one whose income earning is less than RM720-00 in the peninsula and RM960-00 and RM380-00 in Sabah and Sarawak respectively. Some have suggested that the poorest 10% of the population have only a 1.7% hold of the economic income compared to the richest 10% who control 38.4% of the income.
This simple statistic reveals a great disparity in terms of income and resources between the rich and poor. This social injustice is a setback in the Government's agenda to eradicate poverty. The Government has acknowledged the weaknesses in the National Key Result Area (NKRA). We need further involvement from churches, especially from the younger generation. But are our youths prepared to take up the cause for social justice for the poor or are they too "young" to be troubled by such realities? Believers, regardless of age, must be reminded that they are called to be salt and light for the nation. As light unto the nation, we have the responsibility to take on this cause for those who have been sidelined and marginalised.
Reflection: Micah 6:8, Isa 1:17. What is the Lord impressing upon your heart in regards to Scriptures? Renounce any indifference and apathy towards the poor and marginalised. Ask the Lord to fill us with love and compassion.
Prayer Points
■ Breakthrough in our younger generation to be conscientised on these realities and be moved to show compassion and mercy in dealing with the poor and marginalised.
■ Body of Christ will be generous in releasing wealth for God's redistribution to advance His Kingdom in places and among peoples in deep spiritual and material need.
■ Effective community services / projects run by local churches to impact poor communities. Lord of Harvest to release workers into these areas to minister effectively to break the yoke and set the people free from every bondage.
■ Government to effectively implement projects and policies and that will eradicate poverty. Wisdom in law enforcement to battle the various social problems in the country such as drugs, child abuse, rape, prostitution, violence, gangsterism, gambling etc. Exposing and eradicating corruption in every governing body
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Day 17 (Tuesday 24 August) - Wealth In The Nation!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
The Lord has ordained the creation of wealth through commerce. Wealth is to be gained through righteous dealings and shared with the poor. This cycle of receiving, generating wealth and giving to the needy is a wondrous picture of God's providence and care for the poor. Let the people of God in every line of commerce seize this truth that through our vocation, we will portray our God as a God of justice, truth, righteousness and uprightness, so that even the unbelievers will be amazed as was the Queen of Sheba with Solomon in 2 Chro 9:2-4, and give glory to God!
Reflection: Deut 8:17-18, Matt 6:33. Ask the Lord to open our eyes to see God as the all-sufficient provider, that through our commercial participation, they will see us as His representation of justice, truth, righteousness and uprightness. Ask the Lord to reveal ways in which you have fallen short in the area of portraying godly ideals such justice, truth and righteousness. Confess and pray that He will strengthen you.
Prayer Points
■ Renounce and repent of sin of greed, materialism, pride and ingratitude towards God's financial blessings to our nation.
■ Believers in the financial realm to be a blessing, that Christians demonstrate the divine principle of blessing others financially, showing mercy to and helping those who are under financial distress.
■ Exposure and correction of unrighteous dealings in all sectors of commerce, law, policy-making, leadership practices and employee actions. Law and policies governing commerce to be reviewed to cover loopholes on unfair practices.
■ Commercial entities to embrace giving to the needy within and outside the nation as part of the company culture. Prov 19:17 affirms that pitying the poor equates to lending to the Lord. What a privilege!
The Lord has ordained the creation of wealth through commerce. Wealth is to be gained through righteous dealings and shared with the poor. This cycle of receiving, generating wealth and giving to the needy is a wondrous picture of God's providence and care for the poor. Let the people of God in every line of commerce seize this truth that through our vocation, we will portray our God as a God of justice, truth, righteousness and uprightness, so that even the unbelievers will be amazed as was the Queen of Sheba with Solomon in 2 Chro 9:2-4, and give glory to God!
Reflection: Deut 8:17-18, Matt 6:33. Ask the Lord to open our eyes to see God as the all-sufficient provider, that through our commercial participation, they will see us as His representation of justice, truth, righteousness and uprightness. Ask the Lord to reveal ways in which you have fallen short in the area of portraying godly ideals such justice, truth and righteousness. Confess and pray that He will strengthen you.
Prayer Points
■ Renounce and repent of sin of greed, materialism, pride and ingratitude towards God's financial blessings to our nation.
■ Believers in the financial realm to be a blessing, that Christians demonstrate the divine principle of blessing others financially, showing mercy to and helping those who are under financial distress.
■ Exposure and correction of unrighteous dealings in all sectors of commerce, law, policy-making, leadership practices and employee actions. Law and policies governing commerce to be reviewed to cover loopholes on unfair practices.
■ Commercial entities to embrace giving to the needy within and outside the nation as part of the company culture. Prov 19:17 affirms that pitying the poor equates to lending to the Lord. What a privilege!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Day 16 (Monday 23 August) - Education
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Many teachers have been of great influence to many successful citizens of the nation. At the inaugural gathering of Mission Schools Organisation held last year, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Abdul Razak paid tribute to his teachers during his days at St John's Institute. We too may have our own stories of our favourite teachers and how they have played an influential role in our lives. Teachers are supposed to be role models and exemplary citizens. They stand to make or break a student's future and by their sacrifices, they contribute to moral citizenry. If this profession is of critical importance, why are there less and less Christian teachers today? Consider the following statistics based on a 2005 survey conducted by the Teachers' Christian Fellowship:
* There are approximately 836 Christian teachers of different age groups. Of this figure, 5% are below the age of 30.
* The largest number total around 42%. They are between ages 50 and 59. This means that in a couple of years when these teachers retire or leave the service, there will be very few Christian teachers around!
These are alarming figures and the implication is clear. At this rate, unless more Christian students enrol to become teachers within our national school system, we will have no more Christian schoolteachers within the next 10 years. Can we, the Christian community, afford this?
Reflection: Prov 22:6. Thank the Lord for teachers. Desperately beseech the Lord to move our young generation to respond to the teaching vocation. Breakthrough in parents' hearts to release their children to serve His call as teachers.
Prayer Points
■ Pray for Christian teachers and students that their eyes will be opened to their role and calling and to be His witness in the midst of darkness. Powerful move of God in our schools and campuses. Christians would be God's agent of spiritual and moral change.
■ More Christian school principals to be raised up to be in position to bring transformation in schools. Pray for strong Christian Fellowships to be established in every school.
■ Wisdom for Minister of Youth and Sports to spearhead government programs for young generations that will instill godly values and raise godly leaders and a productive generation.
Many teachers have been of great influence to many successful citizens of the nation. At the inaugural gathering of Mission Schools Organisation held last year, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Abdul Razak paid tribute to his teachers during his days at St John's Institute. We too may have our own stories of our favourite teachers and how they have played an influential role in our lives. Teachers are supposed to be role models and exemplary citizens. They stand to make or break a student's future and by their sacrifices, they contribute to moral citizenry. If this profession is of critical importance, why are there less and less Christian teachers today? Consider the following statistics based on a 2005 survey conducted by the Teachers' Christian Fellowship:
* There are approximately 836 Christian teachers of different age groups. Of this figure, 5% are below the age of 30.
* The largest number total around 42%. They are between ages 50 and 59. This means that in a couple of years when these teachers retire or leave the service, there will be very few Christian teachers around!
These are alarming figures and the implication is clear. At this rate, unless more Christian students enrol to become teachers within our national school system, we will have no more Christian schoolteachers within the next 10 years. Can we, the Christian community, afford this?
Reflection: Prov 22:6. Thank the Lord for teachers. Desperately beseech the Lord to move our young generation to respond to the teaching vocation. Breakthrough in parents' hearts to release their children to serve His call as teachers.
Prayer Points
■ Pray for Christian teachers and students that their eyes will be opened to their role and calling and to be His witness in the midst of darkness. Powerful move of God in our schools and campuses. Christians would be God's agent of spiritual and moral change.
■ More Christian school principals to be raised up to be in position to bring transformation in schools. Pray for strong Christian Fellowships to be established in every school.
■ Wisdom for Minister of Youth and Sports to spearhead government programs for young generations that will instill godly values and raise godly leaders and a productive generation.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
4Q 2010 + 2011 Activities
check this link for more updates!!. (click)
(as at 22 Aug 2010)
2010
Youth & Young Adults Camp:
17 - 19 November (after SPM)Inviting a special team from Sunway... "Spiritual Quotient"..
Mix of workshops, games & teaching / sharing..
Sports & Games:
20 November onwards (school holidays)Badminton... Bowling.. Captain Ball.. etc
Orang Asli Mission Trip:
20 November (KIV) - public holidayUncle Leong will liase with Pastor David
Learn simple Malay Christian songs
Youth &Young Adult Mash-Up:
provides a space for YF/YA to experiment and lead in worship and conducting a 'service' of their own..Youth &Young Adults have worship together.. followed by either:
- Prayer in teams of 3 or 4
- Cell Groups for YF & YA separately
- Special speakers (main service) to speak to the YF/YA
-
2011
Jalan Jalan Cari Makan
School holidays / long weekendsEvangelistic.. Charter bus..
Building relationships with believers and non-believers
Sports & Games (as above)
WFA Family Day
Station games / telematches + picnicWFA Treasure Hunt
Walk / drive around Seremban town looking for the next clue..Adults can be "station masters" to give the next clues
Can be evangelistic.. Building relationships
Cinema Cinema Cinema
Showcase movies with good (Christian) values..Can be made discussion topic later..
Prove that movies & media are not always "bad/negative/dirty/meaningless"
Sky Trek / Paintball
Rough it out! Get dirty and sweaty in a good way!
Day 15 (Sunday 22 August) - Only Way!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
We are not here in this beautiful nation by chance but by His divine appointment, being part of His glorious plan to bring redemption to all people groups in the nation. The destiny of 28 millions comprising various people groups lies in our hands! Since the beginning of time, the enemy has stolen, robbed, perverted and blinded the hearts and minds of the people groups to worship him and alienated them from the life of God. We are here for a MISSION and VISION for the nation. There is only One Way, One Hope, One Faith, One Life - all found only in Jesus Christ. The hope lies with the Church taking hold of the keys to change the course of history and destiny of this nation to redeem all mankind to Him. Is your life a witness that points people from all faith to Him? Or do you see the magnitude of the task and shrink back?
Reflection: 2 Pet 3:9, Col 1:10, 13, 14, 20-27. What is your purpose and mission in life? Commit it to the Lord and confess where we have failed to be His witness in our character, attitude and lifestyle.
Prayer Points
■ In identification repentance on behalf of the nation and people groups, ask the Lord for forgiveness for idolatry and for Him to set all people groups free from their spiritual blindness and break every pact and allegiance to the god of this age.
■ Decree open heavens for outpouring of His spirit upon all people groups to bring spiritual awakening and unprecedented revival.
■ The Lord to prepare His Church; Body of Christ in all generations to be equipped and empowered to teach, disciple and mentor new believers. Passion and compassion for the lost.
■ Churches to be set ablaze with hearts for missions to plant home churches in places among people where the gospel has not been preached, both locally and beyond our borders.
We are not here in this beautiful nation by chance but by His divine appointment, being part of His glorious plan to bring redemption to all people groups in the nation. The destiny of 28 millions comprising various people groups lies in our hands! Since the beginning of time, the enemy has stolen, robbed, perverted and blinded the hearts and minds of the people groups to worship him and alienated them from the life of God. We are here for a MISSION and VISION for the nation. There is only One Way, One Hope, One Faith, One Life - all found only in Jesus Christ. The hope lies with the Church taking hold of the keys to change the course of history and destiny of this nation to redeem all mankind to Him. Is your life a witness that points people from all faith to Him? Or do you see the magnitude of the task and shrink back?
Reflection: 2 Pet 3:9, Col 1:10, 13, 14, 20-27. What is your purpose and mission in life? Commit it to the Lord and confess where we have failed to be His witness in our character, attitude and lifestyle.
Prayer Points
■ In identification repentance on behalf of the nation and people groups, ask the Lord for forgiveness for idolatry and for Him to set all people groups free from their spiritual blindness and break every pact and allegiance to the god of this age.
■ Decree open heavens for outpouring of His spirit upon all people groups to bring spiritual awakening and unprecedented revival.
■ The Lord to prepare His Church; Body of Christ in all generations to be equipped and empowered to teach, disciple and mentor new believers. Passion and compassion for the lost.
■ Churches to be set ablaze with hearts for missions to plant home churches in places among people where the gospel has not been preached, both locally and beyond our borders.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Day 14 (Saturday 21 August) - Possessing the Gates
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
In Gen 22:17-18, the promise of victory was given to Abraham and His seed. We, His church are Abraham's spiritual descendants to secure victory over the enemies in Christ. This promise and blessing is in our hands and He is hastening His time for restoration and aligning families with all generations uniting and standing together as an army for the battles ahead! Surely the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church when all generations rise up in one accord, standing and possessing all gates of influence for transformation! Army of God, arise and join our Commander-in-Chief!
Declare and affirm the Word in Gen 22:17-18 aloud. Are you faltering in God's promise? Renounce every unbelief and doubt and ask God for faith to believe and step out.
Prayer Points
■ Pray for the fullness of restoration and realignment of families; parents with their children praying together.
- Restoring family altars.
- Increase of youths and children attending church prayer meetings with their parents.
■ Raising up powerful Prayer Cells to be established in every high place of authority to possess all realms of influence.
■ Call forth the invincible army that God is preparing for Himself in the last days (Joel 2:10-11), consisting of all generations in close rank, invading every territory and bringing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
■ Lord of Harvest to raise labourers among the adults, youths and children to reach out to the lost, to teach and disciple their generation.
In Gen 22:17-18, the promise of victory was given to Abraham and His seed. We, His church are Abraham's spiritual descendants to secure victory over the enemies in Christ. This promise and blessing is in our hands and He is hastening His time for restoration and aligning families with all generations uniting and standing together as an army for the battles ahead! Surely the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church when all generations rise up in one accord, standing and possessing all gates of influence for transformation! Army of God, arise and join our Commander-in-Chief!
Declare and affirm the Word in Gen 22:17-18 aloud. Are you faltering in God's promise? Renounce every unbelief and doubt and ask God for faith to believe and step out.
Prayer Points
■ Pray for the fullness of restoration and realignment of families; parents with their children praying together.
- Restoring family altars.
- Increase of youths and children attending church prayer meetings with their parents.
■ Raising up powerful Prayer Cells to be established in every high place of authority to possess all realms of influence.
■ Call forth the invincible army that God is preparing for Himself in the last days (Joel 2:10-11), consisting of all generations in close rank, invading every territory and bringing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
■ Lord of Harvest to raise labourers among the adults, youths and children to reach out to the lost, to teach and disciple their generation.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Day 13 (Friday 20 August) - Our Golden Eagles!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Many seniors in the church refrain from taking an active role in the church because of their age and the availability of younger and more energetic people. Many feel that others are able do a better job and so they just fade away into the background. Should our seniors resign and become dormant in the Church? Has their time passed? God forbids! The church must not allow the seniors to be forgotten. Instead they are the treasures and they have their role to play. With their wealth of life experience, they can pass on their accumulated wisdom to the younger generation. They have much time in hand to serve as counsellors, advisers and mentors to the younger ones. Let us not forget that God called Abraham and Moses in their old age to change the history and destiny of their nation. A crown is not complete without these precious stones. Let us affirm and stand together and call forth His destiny for our Golden Eagles!
Reflection: Gen 12:1-5. How do you respond to His Word or promises? Do you doubt, procrastinate or are reluctant to obey His Word and allow your natural instinct to dictate your decisions and justify your actions. Let us renounce and repent of our unbelief, self justification and disobedience.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for all senior citizens in our churches. Bless them with every spiritual gift and pray that God will use them mightily as His agent of change and to influence the younger generations in godly ways.
■ Deliver the seniors from looking back on their past glories/achievements but rather look ahead to seek the Lord for new ways and understanding of current trends to bridge and forge deeper relationship with all generations so that they remain relevant to impact them.
■ Seniors will find their place and role in every local church to serve. Ask the Lord to raise a wave of seniors who will rise up to be gossipers of the gospel in coffeeshops, markets, shops, stalls, parks... etc.
■ Retired government civil servants will use their gifts and talents to contribute to society and nation building.
Many seniors in the church refrain from taking an active role in the church because of their age and the availability of younger and more energetic people. Many feel that others are able do a better job and so they just fade away into the background. Should our seniors resign and become dormant in the Church? Has their time passed? God forbids! The church must not allow the seniors to be forgotten. Instead they are the treasures and they have their role to play. With their wealth of life experience, they can pass on their accumulated wisdom to the younger generation. They have much time in hand to serve as counsellors, advisers and mentors to the younger ones. Let us not forget that God called Abraham and Moses in their old age to change the history and destiny of their nation. A crown is not complete without these precious stones. Let us affirm and stand together and call forth His destiny for our Golden Eagles!
Reflection: Gen 12:1-5. How do you respond to His Word or promises? Do you doubt, procrastinate or are reluctant to obey His Word and allow your natural instinct to dictate your decisions and justify your actions. Let us renounce and repent of our unbelief, self justification and disobedience.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for all senior citizens in our churches. Bless them with every spiritual gift and pray that God will use them mightily as His agent of change and to influence the younger generations in godly ways.
■ Deliver the seniors from looking back on their past glories/achievements but rather look ahead to seek the Lord for new ways and understanding of current trends to bridge and forge deeper relationship with all generations so that they remain relevant to impact them.
■ Seniors will find their place and role in every local church to serve. Ask the Lord to raise a wave of seniors who will rise up to be gossipers of the gospel in coffeeshops, markets, shops, stalls, parks... etc.
■ Retired government civil servants will use their gifts and talents to contribute to society and nation building.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Day 12 (Thursday 19 August) - Undivided Devotion
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
As the population disparity between males and females widens, many middle-aged single women today find themselves without suitable life partners. This is further aggravated when there are more single women than single men in local churches. The danger with this situation is the temptation to get married outside of the faith. Coupling this is the pressure that comes from parental and communal expectations of marriage. Is being single a social stigma? Or some may ask, "Do we need a life partner to have a fulfilled life?" Let us remember, true fulfilment only comes from the Lord, not marriage. So, let us affirm the singles in our midst. In His sight, all are precious and no one group is above another; whatever social standing or status we are in, we are all equal before the Lord. Let us therefore stand together as ONE Body.
Reflection: 1Cor:32-35. Whether you are married or single, are you living a fulfilled life? Is there any false expectation or fear of commitment? Commit and surrender to Him.
Prayer Points
■ Singles will find their deepest satisfaction and fulfilment in Him. A life of commitment and undivided devotion to Him.
■ Redeeming the fullness of their time, resources and giftings to serve Him. The Lord to raise exemplary leaders among them to disciple, mentor and guide the younger generations.
■ Those who are single by divorce or death of their spouse. Pray that they find their hope in Him with renewed passion and destiny to serve Him.
■ Workers and tentmakers to be raised up among them to take the message of hope to the least-reached people groups in the nations.
As the population disparity between males and females widens, many middle-aged single women today find themselves without suitable life partners. This is further aggravated when there are more single women than single men in local churches. The danger with this situation is the temptation to get married outside of the faith. Coupling this is the pressure that comes from parental and communal expectations of marriage. Is being single a social stigma? Or some may ask, "Do we need a life partner to have a fulfilled life?" Let us remember, true fulfilment only comes from the Lord, not marriage. So, let us affirm the singles in our midst. In His sight, all are precious and no one group is above another; whatever social standing or status we are in, we are all equal before the Lord. Let us therefore stand together as ONE Body.
Reflection: 1Cor:32-35. Whether you are married or single, are you living a fulfilled life? Is there any false expectation or fear of commitment? Commit and surrender to Him.
Prayer Points
■ Singles will find their deepest satisfaction and fulfilment in Him. A life of commitment and undivided devotion to Him.
■ Redeeming the fullness of their time, resources and giftings to serve Him. The Lord to raise exemplary leaders among them to disciple, mentor and guide the younger generations.
■ Those who are single by divorce or death of their spouse. Pray that they find their hope in Him with renewed passion and destiny to serve Him.
■ Workers and tentmakers to be raised up among them to take the message of hope to the least-reached people groups in the nations.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Day 11 (Wednesday 18 August) - Kingdom Driven Purpose
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Our Father longs for the hearts and minds of young adults. This generation of youths who have great potential and resources, are the most untapped or un-used as they are busy with their careers or find church not relevant. When they are captured and captivated, they will be world changers, fulfilling God's destiny for their lives and calling for His Kingdom purposes. Daniel 11:32b will be fulfilled when we know God intimately and are moved by God-powered desires! Let this generation's allegiance and priority be aligned to Him. When we place Him continually in the centre of our hearts, we will walk as a generation who makes a difference for His Kingdom's purposes.
Reflection: Col 3:1-2, John 4:34. Jesus came with a mission to do the will of His Father. What is your mission and purpose in life? Commit to the Lord and ask Him for the hunger to know Him intimately. Confess and renounce ways in which other matters have captured our hearts such that our allegiance and priority have shifted from our Lord. Receive His grace and the strength to reorder your life. Seek counsel and support from your elders.
Prayer Points
■ Believers will be awakened to their hope, calling and purpose. Set free from aimlessness and purposelessness.
■ Churches will birth relevant and creative ministries, that spiritual gifts will be uncovered and developed to serve the church and non-believers in our workplace and communities.
■ Spiritual fathers and mothers to arise in churches, to model Christ-likeness for the young adults in family life, work and service unto the Lord. They will submit to the Lord with regards to life partners and honour Him by their purity and faithfulness.
■ Young adults of all races to channel their idealism and passion appropriately and the Lord to harness them to be a mighty force to birth forth prayer cells to impact all realms of influence towards nation transformation!
Our Father longs for the hearts and minds of young adults. This generation of youths who have great potential and resources, are the most untapped or un-used as they are busy with their careers or find church not relevant. When they are captured and captivated, they will be world changers, fulfilling God's destiny for their lives and calling for His Kingdom purposes. Daniel 11:32b will be fulfilled when we know God intimately and are moved by God-powered desires! Let this generation's allegiance and priority be aligned to Him. When we place Him continually in the centre of our hearts, we will walk as a generation who makes a difference for His Kingdom's purposes.
Reflection: Col 3:1-2, John 4:34. Jesus came with a mission to do the will of His Father. What is your mission and purpose in life? Commit to the Lord and ask Him for the hunger to know Him intimately. Confess and renounce ways in which other matters have captured our hearts such that our allegiance and priority have shifted from our Lord. Receive His grace and the strength to reorder your life. Seek counsel and support from your elders.
Prayer Points
■ Believers will be awakened to their hope, calling and purpose. Set free from aimlessness and purposelessness.
■ Churches will birth relevant and creative ministries, that spiritual gifts will be uncovered and developed to serve the church and non-believers in our workplace and communities.
■ Spiritual fathers and mothers to arise in churches, to model Christ-likeness for the young adults in family life, work and service unto the Lord. They will submit to the Lord with regards to life partners and honour Him by their purity and faithfulness.
■ Young adults of all races to channel their idealism and passion appropriately and the Lord to harness them to be a mighty force to birth forth prayer cells to impact all realms of influence towards nation transformation!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Day 10 (Tuesday 17 August) - Youth Power
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Never before have we experienced a wave of young people rising up in prayer, reaching out in compassion for the welfare of the nation. This is just the tip of the iceberg; we have yet to see the fullness of that which is to come. As we enter this critical hour, may His Spirit accelerate the stirring of His call to these young generations to live out their destiny in pursuit of a lifestyle of holiness that is grounded in His Word and to give Him wholehearted devotion until they come forth into His fullness.
For the church, we need to equip, empower and commission this generation to have, alongside their parents, a passion for Jesus and pursue a supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit to fulfil His purpose. Let us not stand in the way to hinder them but release them to the Lord!
Reflection: Eph 3:16-20. How deep is your root in Christ? Do you have difficulty in communicating with youths/young adults? Use the verses to pray for the youths and for yourself.
Prayer Points
■ An outpouring of His love and power to come upon this generation that they will set themselves apart for Him and excel in His excellence. An increased hunger for the knowledge of God through His Word. Many secondary students will take up Bible Knowledge in schools.
■ Neutralize all assignments of the enemy and the prevailing trends that seek to corrupt and enslave this generation. Smoking, drug addiction, pornography, homosexuality, materialism, cyber games, gangsterism… etc
■ Godly role model who will lead, guide and mentor them. Uphold youth pastors and workers who work among them.
■ Powerful student movement among Christian youths. Raising up a band of witnesses to champion Christ in schools, colleges, vocational schools and universities . Establishing strong Christian fellowships and prayer cells.
Never before have we experienced a wave of young people rising up in prayer, reaching out in compassion for the welfare of the nation. This is just the tip of the iceberg; we have yet to see the fullness of that which is to come. As we enter this critical hour, may His Spirit accelerate the stirring of His call to these young generations to live out their destiny in pursuit of a lifestyle of holiness that is grounded in His Word and to give Him wholehearted devotion until they come forth into His fullness.
For the church, we need to equip, empower and commission this generation to have, alongside their parents, a passion for Jesus and pursue a supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit to fulfil His purpose. Let us not stand in the way to hinder them but release them to the Lord!
Reflection: Eph 3:16-20. How deep is your root in Christ? Do you have difficulty in communicating with youths/young adults? Use the verses to pray for the youths and for yourself.
Prayer Points
■ An outpouring of His love and power to come upon this generation that they will set themselves apart for Him and excel in His excellence. An increased hunger for the knowledge of God through His Word. Many secondary students will take up Bible Knowledge in schools.
■ Neutralize all assignments of the enemy and the prevailing trends that seek to corrupt and enslave this generation. Smoking, drug addiction, pornography, homosexuality, materialism, cyber games, gangsterism… etc
■ Godly role model who will lead, guide and mentor them. Uphold youth pastors and workers who work among them.
■ Powerful student movement among Christian youths. Raising up a band of witnesses to champion Christ in schools, colleges, vocational schools and universities . Establishing strong Christian fellowships and prayer cells.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Day 9 (Monday 16 August) - Spiritual Shepherds
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. The enemy knows where to strike. Pastors, elders and church leaders are often the chief targets of the enemy's attack. Spiritual leaders are not super-beings. They have their needs, limitations and weaknesses. In addition, the ministry has become more and more complex and challenging. To be effective servants of God, they need the affirmation, assistance, support and encouragement from the Body. Their success will in turn result in the success of the Body and the Church! Believers, let us arise and be committed to pray daily for our spiritual leaders to make the difference.
Reflection: Mark 14:27, Hebrews 13:17. As leaders are the prime target of the enemy, how often do you pray for your pastor, elder or leader? Do you hold any grudge, anger or frustration against your spiritual leader? Take this time to confess to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse and heal every offence and hurt.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for pastors, elders, spiritual leaders for their sacrifices to obey the call of God in their lives. Renewing of their passion and intimacy with the Lord. Strengthening of their relationship with their spouses and children.
■ Confess and repent of church disunity; renounce every strife, contention, disunity, slandering, murmuring, envy, jealousy, backbiting, pride and rebellious spirit. Healing, restoration and reconciliation of every broken relationship. Unity, love and forgiveness to prevail in all local churches.
■ Support & strong relationship between shepherd and sheep.
■ Thank the Lord for unity among all denominations that they will continue to stand together as ONE mighty force and voice for the nation. Bless all the spiritual heads of each denomination for greater wisdom and anointing to prepare and empower their churches for what is to come.
- One heart with a united vision and purpose to build God's kingdom.
- A strong network of churches in united effort in sharing resources and manpower in community projects to reach out to the lost.
Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. The enemy knows where to strike. Pastors, elders and church leaders are often the chief targets of the enemy's attack. Spiritual leaders are not super-beings. They have their needs, limitations and weaknesses. In addition, the ministry has become more and more complex and challenging. To be effective servants of God, they need the affirmation, assistance, support and encouragement from the Body. Their success will in turn result in the success of the Body and the Church! Believers, let us arise and be committed to pray daily for our spiritual leaders to make the difference.
Reflection: Mark 14:27, Hebrews 13:17. As leaders are the prime target of the enemy, how often do you pray for your pastor, elder or leader? Do you hold any grudge, anger or frustration against your spiritual leader? Take this time to confess to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse and heal every offence and hurt.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for pastors, elders, spiritual leaders for their sacrifices to obey the call of God in their lives. Renewing of their passion and intimacy with the Lord. Strengthening of their relationship with their spouses and children.
■ Confess and repent of church disunity; renounce every strife, contention, disunity, slandering, murmuring, envy, jealousy, backbiting, pride and rebellious spirit. Healing, restoration and reconciliation of every broken relationship. Unity, love and forgiveness to prevail in all local churches.
■ Support & strong relationship between shepherd and sheep.
■ Thank the Lord for unity among all denominations that they will continue to stand together as ONE mighty force and voice for the nation. Bless all the spiritual heads of each denomination for greater wisdom and anointing to prepare and empower their churches for what is to come.
- One heart with a united vision and purpose to build God's kingdom.
- A strong network of churches in united effort in sharing resources and manpower in community projects to reach out to the lost.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Day 8 (Sunday 15 August) - Interdependence
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
We need to seek God and get rid of the pride and loftiness in our hearts and mind. Like Moses, we need humility and strong team unity so that the 'giants' in our nation will be conquered. In Ex 17:8-16, we see the interdependence of all generations for the battle to be won. Moses could have held his hands up like a champion, but if Joshua and his men had not shown up, there would not have been any victory. In this critical hour, how much more do we need to work, not independently but rather interdependently, with all generations for the sake of His kingdom, changing and transforming every realm for His Glory!
Reflection: John 15:5, Exodus 17:8-16. Do you have heart issues working with others or submitting to those in authority or younger leaders at your workplace / ministry or church? Be honest and confess your pride, envy, jealousy, strife…
Prayer Points
■ On behalf of the Body of Christ, confess and renounce our pride, independent spirit and ask Him to clothe us with humility and grace to work with others. Pray for renewed minds and hearts to embrace each generation and to appreciate its strength and gifting.
■ Pastors and leaders to discern their members' strength and gifting; to encourage, affirm, equip and empower them to serve and to position them according to their gift and calling.
■ Church - unity and strong teamwork among all age groups in ministries for the expansion of His work both internally and externally, touching communities and nation.
■ Speak blessings of unity and pray that all extended church organisations, Christian NGOs, ministry networks to be connected, honouring and serving interdependently for the common good of nation building towards national transformation.
We need to seek God and get rid of the pride and loftiness in our hearts and mind. Like Moses, we need humility and strong team unity so that the 'giants' in our nation will be conquered. In Ex 17:8-16, we see the interdependence of all generations for the battle to be won. Moses could have held his hands up like a champion, but if Joshua and his men had not shown up, there would not have been any victory. In this critical hour, how much more do we need to work, not independently but rather interdependently, with all generations for the sake of His kingdom, changing and transforming every realm for His Glory!
Reflection: John 15:5, Exodus 17:8-16. Do you have heart issues working with others or submitting to those in authority or younger leaders at your workplace / ministry or church? Be honest and confess your pride, envy, jealousy, strife…
Prayer Points
■ On behalf of the Body of Christ, confess and renounce our pride, independent spirit and ask Him to clothe us with humility and grace to work with others. Pray for renewed minds and hearts to embrace each generation and to appreciate its strength and gifting.
■ Pastors and leaders to discern their members' strength and gifting; to encourage, affirm, equip and empower them to serve and to position them according to their gift and calling.
■ Church - unity and strong teamwork among all age groups in ministries for the expansion of His work both internally and externally, touching communities and nation.
■ Speak blessings of unity and pray that all extended church organisations, Christian NGOs, ministry networks to be connected, honouring and serving interdependently for the common good of nation building towards national transformation.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Day 7 (Saturday 14 August) - Curse or Blessing?
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Abraham, the father of our faith, inherited blessings from God that saw the progression of generational blessing passing from one generation to the next. In Gen 27:33, Isaac said to Esau, "I blessed him (Jacob) and indeed he will be blessed!" In Gen. 48-49, Jacob gathered his sons and blessed them and their families and spoke prophetically about their destinies. The words of faith pronounced by the Old Testament patriarchs over their children had great power.
Parents ought to store up treasures of His promises in the Word to bless their children by faith! Today we need to ask ourselves, "What spiritual depth do I have to speak forth His Word in faith to our children or to the next generation that will affect their life and destiny?" Or have we spoken death? We need to sanctify our tongue today!
Reflection: Prov 18:2, James 3:3-11. Confess and repent of any spoken word that has pronounced death and curses, belittled or put down your children. Seek God to cleanse and purify your heart to speak words of life and blessing. Parents, bless your children.
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to heal all wounded and damaged child and youth who are emotionally and spiritually crippled by words spoken over them by their parents, relatives, spiritual leaders, teachers or others. Break every lie and curse upon their lives.
■ Youth and children will be deeply rooted in God's love and in the Word so that they will find their identity and security in Him and fulfil His calling and destiny.
■ Raising up prophetic generations in all age groups, who are deeply rooted in the Word of God to release His rhema Word in season to turn the tide of evil for spiritual breakthrough and transformation of the nation.
■ Positioning of godly believers in high places of authority to be His prophetic voice to influence decisions and policies in state affairs.
Abraham, the father of our faith, inherited blessings from God that saw the progression of generational blessing passing from one generation to the next. In Gen 27:33, Isaac said to Esau, "I blessed him (Jacob) and indeed he will be blessed!" In Gen. 48-49, Jacob gathered his sons and blessed them and their families and spoke prophetically about their destinies. The words of faith pronounced by the Old Testament patriarchs over their children had great power.
Parents ought to store up treasures of His promises in the Word to bless their children by faith! Today we need to ask ourselves, "What spiritual depth do I have to speak forth His Word in faith to our children or to the next generation that will affect their life and destiny?" Or have we spoken death? We need to sanctify our tongue today!
Reflection: Prov 18:2, James 3:3-11. Confess and repent of any spoken word that has pronounced death and curses, belittled or put down your children. Seek God to cleanse and purify your heart to speak words of life and blessing. Parents, bless your children.
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to heal all wounded and damaged child and youth who are emotionally and spiritually crippled by words spoken over them by their parents, relatives, spiritual leaders, teachers or others. Break every lie and curse upon their lives.
■ Youth and children will be deeply rooted in God's love and in the Word so that they will find their identity and security in Him and fulfil His calling and destiny.
■ Raising up prophetic generations in all age groups, who are deeply rooted in the Word of God to release His rhema Word in season to turn the tide of evil for spiritual breakthrough and transformation of the nation.
■ Positioning of godly believers in high places of authority to be His prophetic voice to influence decisions and policies in state affairs.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Day 6 (Friday 13 August) - No Substitute!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Today, parents are more disconnected and less involved in their children's lives than any other generation. Many parents have entrusted the care of their children to "surrogate parents" - parents or parent-in-laws, day-care centres, babysitters or worse, television and video games which have begun to influence the children's moral and social values.
God Himself gave parents - not Sunday School teachers, schools, youth ministry leaders or anyone else - to nurture and admonish their children in the ways of the Lord. There's no short cut in parenting. Parents need to be responsible for the role God has entrusted to them and not to abdicate that high calling.
Reflection: Deut 11:16-21. Let us search our hearts where we have not fulfilled this command and have abdicated our role in instructing children in the ways of the Lord. Confess to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for homemakers and pray for strength and grace that they will be empowered to fulfil different roles, His calling and destiny.
■ Working parents that they will encounter God afresh and to know the perfect will of God for their lives. Despite busy schedules, parents will give priority to God. Imparting strong values and priorities to govern every home so that children will be brought up by strong discipline.
■ Parents to seek the will of God for the plans for their children, to prepare, guide and release them to serve His purpose.
■ Uphold kindergartens, day care centres, Sunday School teachers to teach and impart godly values and principles to the children.
Today, parents are more disconnected and less involved in their children's lives than any other generation. Many parents have entrusted the care of their children to "surrogate parents" - parents or parent-in-laws, day-care centres, babysitters or worse, television and video games which have begun to influence the children's moral and social values.
God Himself gave parents - not Sunday School teachers, schools, youth ministry leaders or anyone else - to nurture and admonish their children in the ways of the Lord. There's no short cut in parenting. Parents need to be responsible for the role God has entrusted to them and not to abdicate that high calling.
Reflection: Deut 11:16-21. Let us search our hearts where we have not fulfilled this command and have abdicated our role in instructing children in the ways of the Lord. Confess to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for homemakers and pray for strength and grace that they will be empowered to fulfil different roles, His calling and destiny.
■ Working parents that they will encounter God afresh and to know the perfect will of God for their lives. Despite busy schedules, parents will give priority to God. Imparting strong values and priorities to govern every home so that children will be brought up by strong discipline.
■ Parents to seek the will of God for the plans for their children, to prepare, guide and release them to serve His purpose.
■ Uphold kindergartens, day care centres, Sunday School teachers to teach and impart godly values and principles to the children.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Day 5 (Thursday 12 August) - Turn Your Heart!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Mal 4:5-6. God promised to send us the prophet Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and children to their fathers and together to God. Fathers are to instruct and train their children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord so that our Christian heritage is not lost in one generation but that the love for God may be passed from one generation to the next. Let us therefore pray for significant breakthroughs for parents and children as we turn their hearts back to our Heavenly Father in repentance on where we have failed, so that the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings.
Reflection: Mal 4:1-6. Are you holding grudges, anger, frustrations, unforgiveness or disappointment against your loved ones? Confess to the Lord, release and seek forgiveness.
Prayer Points
■ Implore the Lord to turn hearts back to our Abba Father wholeheartedly. Parents to children; Pastor/Elders to their flock. Openness, mutual trust and respect to be restored in all relationships.
■ Ask the Sun of Righteousness to bring restoration and reconciliation in families. Family altars to be restored and homes to be His lighthouse as a place of refuge to those who are in need.
■ Fullness of the restoration of fathers to take their rightful role as head of household, leading by godly example, guarding and governing their homes in the fear of God.
■ Ask the Lord for the latter rain outpouring that a great revival will commence over the entire nation and beyond.
Mal 4:5-6. God promised to send us the prophet Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and children to their fathers and together to God. Fathers are to instruct and train their children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord so that our Christian heritage is not lost in one generation but that the love for God may be passed from one generation to the next. Let us therefore pray for significant breakthroughs for parents and children as we turn their hearts back to our Heavenly Father in repentance on where we have failed, so that the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings.
Reflection: Mal 4:1-6. Are you holding grudges, anger, frustrations, unforgiveness or disappointment against your loved ones? Confess to the Lord, release and seek forgiveness.
Prayer Points
■ Implore the Lord to turn hearts back to our Abba Father wholeheartedly. Parents to children; Pastor/Elders to their flock. Openness, mutual trust and respect to be restored in all relationships.
■ Ask the Sun of Righteousness to bring restoration and reconciliation in families. Family altars to be restored and homes to be His lighthouse as a place of refuge to those who are in need.
■ Fullness of the restoration of fathers to take their rightful role as head of household, leading by godly example, guarding and governing their homes in the fear of God.
■ Ask the Lord for the latter rain outpouring that a great revival will commence over the entire nation and beyond.
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