Wednesday

What You Need to Know About Prayer and Fasting Shut -Ins

Someone told you they will be participating in a prayer and fasting service that requires them to stay overnight in a church and asked you to join, so what can you expect if you are attending a "shut-in" like this?

A Prayer and Fasting Shut-In is a great way for believers to come together to pray for one another as well as community, national and international concerns. The doors are not actually locked and people are not shut in all day unable to leave the church. Instead, everyone is welcome to come and go when the prayer and fasting period begins. But this special event is called a "Shut-In" because believers will usually stay up all day and night in the church praying and meditating on scripture until they receive a spiritual breakthrough—more on this later.

Although unbelievers are welcome to this event, it may be better for them to attend a regular church service before committing to staying overnight in a church. Someone not use to praying, talking, dancing, singing, or laughing with God may be uncomfortable being in this kind of service. Also, no one is allowed to eat during this time in the sanctuary, those who must eat are asked to go outside of the church. The reason for this is so that one can focus on God not on eating. To fast means that you are willing to abstain from something you would normally take pleasure in such as food, television, Internet use, or entertaining family and friends. Prayer and Fasting Shut-Ins are not meant to last for months. A personal fast can last as long as 40 days in the Bible. The period of fasting and prayer has been known to produce great spiritual breakthroughs. Many believers report everything from miracles, signs, and wonders during this time.

Unlike regular church service, you will not be entertained, you will be expected to pray and worship God. Believers will hold up their arms, bow, fall to their knees, lie down on the church floor, sing and do other things that will be discussed later.

Before accepting an invitation to participate, know what kind of church denomination is partaking in this activity. You may find that you don't agree with the way the Shut-In is being handled or it may go against your spiritual beliefs, if so, it's best not to attend.

Basic information is revealed to all members of the church body such as the date, time, location, who is hosting the event, and how long it will last. If someone doesn't provide this information to you in advance and information is not readily available to you when you request it, don't go until you get specific details.

If you do receive a program about the Shut-In, a specific protocol should be mentioned. The information should state things such as whether talking in the sanctuary is allowed, how old should children be if they are welcome, and warnings about turning off or silencing your cell phone during the prayer period. Also, rules for when and where to eat should be mentioned and other details such as those with a medical condition must eat outside of the sanctuary so that they are not bothering others. Issues like these are all distractions that can hinder someone's spiritual experience. During this time, leadership may allow participants to bring desk work to the church, sleep, journal, and meditate.

Program information should also list what you will be praying about as a group and mention the times allotted for you to pray individually and with others about concerns. There is also free time given to you to leave if you have to or do other things like read, pray around the property, or socialize with other believers.

There may be other things that you will be fasting from during this time as well, find out if there are any other things the leadership will be asking of the congregation besides what is listed in the program. Be certain that what they say aligns with biblical principles. You should never feel pressured or coerced to do something that would not be deemed righteous.

Before you participate you may want to know if local transportation is nearby. You may ride to the church with someone and realize during the fasting period that the person chooses to stay longer while you would like to go home. Before you choose to ride with someone to the church, take the time to jot down the phone number of the local cab service or find out what bus you need to catch before you commit to going. Take your note and cell phone in case you need it.

There may be speakers present during the prayer and fasting period that you are unfamiliar with; you may want to find out who is on staff at the church and who will be leading some of the prayer services. Since no one who stands before you in or out of the church is perfect, pray that God gives you a discerning spirit to incorrect teaching, a tough skin to negative comments which unfortunately do come from leaders as well as laymen, and the courage to rebuke anyone who is out of order.

Since a Prayer and Fasting Shut-In may go on through the night, you will need to know what to bring with you to the event. Pillows, sleeping bags, blankets, water, and other items are usually acceptable.

Unlike a hotel room, there is no privacy; you will most likely be sleeping on chairs or on the floor. Lights are usually dimly lit but bright enough for you to see what's going on around you.

The church hosting the Prayer and Fasting Shut-In may be open to spiritual gifts then again they may not. This information is crucial to know before you participate because you may feel led to openly worship God, speak in tongues, or share a prophetic word, but those in leadership may not be flexible. If they aren't, you may want to reconsider attending a prayer and fasting event that restricts the move of God. Spiritual gifts are signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit refer to the Book of Acts.

Creating an atmosphere to usher the presence of the spirit is acceptable. According to Biblical scripture men fasted and waited on God, see Romans Chapter 5. They also were blessed by God with various spiritual gifts. Although some people have more or less gifts, all are used by God, read I Corinthians 12. If there is a special gift from God you are hoping to receive, a Prayer and Fasting Shut-In is the perfect place to request it. However, avoid the temptation to be critical of others, mock, curse, or debate. People who cause unnecessary disturbances will be asked to leave.

When the opportunity is given to participants to share testimonies, prophetic words, songs, and other spiritual things, you will want to ask the leadership how long do you have to speak. Keep in mind that others will be listening, learning, and having a need to say something, so keep what you share brief. If you need more time, ask for it.

Sometimes the power of the spirit is so strong it may knock you off your feet, if this should happen you will want to know if there will be anyone around to cushion your fall or you may want to look out for others. There should always be someone watching to be sure no one hurts themselves.

Strange things tend to happen during any event that is hosting the presence of God, so with that said you will want to know basic things like where are the exit doors (if it becomes overwhelming for you or if an emergency situation should occur) and if there will be security present if someone or something gets out of hand.

For more information on Prayer and Fasting Shut-ins or starting one yourself, mention this article to your church leadership and print others about hosting such an event at your church. God bless!

Monday

Let Love Shine Upon a Face

Let love shine
upon a face
once filled with disgrace
when pain seemed too much to bear
when words were devoid of care
Let love shine upon a face!

No more running and feeling mad
crying alone looking sad
confused and acting bitter
displaying someone else's litter
Let love shine upon a face!

Days are so few
memories like morning grass dew
gone so very fast
good moments don't last.

So let love shine upon a face
be one of the first to finish the race
with arms held high
and a tear in your eye
wave goodbye to sadness
so long pain
God will stop all the rain!

Let love shine upon your face!

Sunday

Embrace the People Who Come into Your Life for a Season...

Embrace the new people who come into your life for a season, but when things seem to have come to an end, rather than work to keep them in your life, be willing to let them go. This is a message I have learned through experience.

When I think about what I have just written, the people who overstayed their welcome in my life comes to mind. Their welcome should have been canceled years ago, but I fought to keep them there! You see, I am usually the person that reaches out to others, I have my good memory to thank for this. I am the kind of person that will take you back to a time you may have forgotten about and bring you back to it again (those from my former elementary, high school and college know this by the photos I have posted in my social networking photo albums.) Depending on where you were during that time of your life, you may have good memories or bad, but I don't intentionally set out to hurt people. So when someone comes into my life or vice versa, rather than hold my hand up in a cross formation and wonder, "What does this person want with me?" I watch them like a movie; I listen and learn. What they say for the time being may be pertinent to my life then again maybe not.

But what happens when the friendship or relationship has served its purpose? A series of warnings also known as "red flags" come up. Everything from promise after promise to meet one another but your gut says "don't" and arguments about one thing or another while neither party is willing to compromise.

I am one of those who try to keep relationships and friendships going long after the expiration date. What do you think usually happens when you keep a carton of milk past the expiration date? You got it, it spoils! Then when you dump it out, it stinks! That's how expired relationships and friendships eventually work out! When this happens, I am usually the one losing the most money and/or time. If a person promises to call, but doesn't, I would try to keep in touch anyway even though the writing on the wall would say, "Keep away." If a loved one invites me somewhere I rather not go, I would sometimes go against my better judgment and go. There are usually warning signs when it comes to these expired relationships and friendships, but at times I would still "give them the benefit..." However, there are those times when doubt would kick in and the safety warning would blink "back away," sometimes I would put an end to those connections and sometimes I wouldn't. I am learning as I go along in this journey called, "Life."

Everyone who comes into our lives are just not "meant to be!" That's why when I see these large networks of people online who claim "friendship", these huge mega churches, and other gigantic organizations, I can't help but think how many people are really meant to be in that person's life/network/group. How many of those people you are trying to reach are really a waste of time and energy? While one is fighting with a negative person who should have been gone out of his or her life a long time ago never to be reached again, others are building worthwhile connections that are getting them somewhere.

When people are "meant to be" in our lives, they bring gifts not excuses, attitudes, disagreements, and fights. That's not to say that you won't disagree with your quality connections, because you will, but you must know when to take heed to warning signs that a person has overstayed their welcome in your life.

Just as I have picked my share of people to disconnect from, there have been others that have disconnected from me. Rather than, feel like this is some great loss or a bad reflection on the woman "I am," I consider it a blessing, because for every one person that leaves there are two more that come into my life whether on or offline. I have had discussions in the past about this issue of "seasonal" friends and most will say that the relationship or friendship started off great, but then took an ugly turn. I must say from personal experience that ugly turns are just warnings to avoid opening the doors up again to a person or group unless you absolutely must (and usually the "must" part falls under the category of family--sometimes you don't have much of a choice especially if you know you need to resolve matters that are affecting others in your family circle.) However, making peace doesn't mean be a fool!

Now some people may have never had an "ugly turn" experience, but that doesn't mean that these same people are significant to your destiny, so why create a bad experience to get them out or wait until it gets to a negative point in the relationship or friendship? Just step away quietly. You don't have to go out with a bang! I have had some people who came into my life with a bang and went out with one as well! There simply is no need to keep gathering around the table with Judas. How many times did Judas sit at the table with Jesus? (Hello!)

These days I am welcoming those who are meant to be while dismissing those who aren't and avoiding the temptation to open up anymore doors that were meant to be closed and stay closed years ago. Not every door should or needs to be open. I rather have two friends I know are "meant to be" (God's will) then have ten that aren't.

Friday

Not a Coincidence. What is God Saying to Us About These Celebrities?

Have you noticed the following musicians in the music industry:

Aaliyah Died August 25th
Left Eye Died April 25th
James Brown Died December 25th
Michael Jackson Died June 25th

This was brought to my attention.

Now here is what the numbers mean from a spiritual standpoint according to, Symbolism the Numbers, a website that discusses the spiritual meaning behind the numbers.

Two means...

"Two is unity plus another, thus we have a difference or a contrast between the one and the other. Two is the first number by which we can divide another, in all of its uses this fundamental idea of division or difference shows through. The first time that the word two is used in the bible is in relation to this theme of division. The sun and the moon were to mark out the division between the day and the night. Thus the first use of two in the Bible was to make a division.

16And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:16-18

When it comes to the course of human affairs, the difference may be for good or for bad. The second might be for comfort or help.

9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

However it might be in opposition, enmity or oppression. Unfortunately when humans are involved the second is more likely the case.

22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. 23And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Genesis 25:22-23

Here we have Rebekah pregnant with Jacob and Esau who struggled from within the womb and all through their lives. Here we have a prime example of not only two who are in opposition to each other but also a contrast. The Bible often seeks to teach us by showing us a contrast between a bad example and a good one. Esau was the oldest and thus should have inherited the birthright of the promises given to Abraham and Isaac. However he valued them so little that he sold them to Jacob for a pot of stew. When Esau was forty years old he took two wives of the Hittites which were a grief of mind or a bitterness of Spirit to Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:35). Jacob on the other hand valued the birthright so highly that he resorted to deception and guile to win them. Also he worked for 14 years to attain the wife of his parents (and his own) choosing."

The website also instructs on the meaning of 5.

"Five is four plus one, we have seen that there are three persons in the Godhead, four represents their created work. The creation was made subject to corruption, mankind has sown to itself corruption, there is no life without death.

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope

Romans 8:20

In this verse the word translated as creature is the Greek word ktivsi" ktis’-is, which means the creation, the thing created, or the act of founding or establishing. The Greek word translated as vanity is mataiovth" mat-ah-yot’-ace, which means what is devoid of truth and appropriateness, perverseness, depravity, frailty, want of vigour. Thus this verse could read, "For the creation was made subject to frailty..."

Five is the creation plus another. The only possible answer to the corruption and death that is an inevitable part of the creation is Gods power of redemption. There is no aspect of creation and especially of mankind that deserves or could earn redemption. God can only give redemption as a free unmerited gift. There is an old fashioned word for this undeserved favor, grace. Five is the number of grace.

53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Corinthians 15:53-54

Grace, or Gods unmerited favor is one of, if not the enduring theme of the Bible. Abram did not deserve the grace that was delivered to him any more than we deserved the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. God sealed his unconditional promises to Abram by the covenant of circumcision and by changing his name to Abraham. In the Hebrew this involved adding one letter to Abrams name. The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Sarai, Abram's wife also had her name changed to Sarah by the addition of the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Thus God is clearly showing that His covenant with Abraham was through grace and by grace only."

Information taken from the following link
http://www.vic.australis.com.au/hazz/Numbers.html

Now on to Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson all three died in Los Angeles and all three deaths were reported within three days. It makes you think coincidence or deeper meaning? You be the judge.
I am aware the media and individuals can purposely look for connections when one passes, but some things you need not force. There is no question that the circumstances are definitely peculiar and out of our control.

I encourage you to look up the spiritual meaning of numbers that continuously shows up in your own life. God isn't restricted to mere words, he uses numbers too.

Be blessed.

Thursday

Prophecy for Believers and Christians with Divine Experiences

(This is the prophetic word I received to believers from God and wrote it the best I could.)

"This day June 15, 2009 shall be a new day in the lives of those around you for they will see visions, have dreams, and will see change begin to happen in their lives. Although change does come with a price it is inevitable. For God will be shaking man up in a way that he has never seen before. He will take man up in his hands and will show him the upset that he is caused in his own life and those around him.

Take heed to my words for I come quick like a flash of lightning in the sky. I will not be moved nor shaken with words, oils, curses, medicines, or other idols that man seems to think will make me move. Like a flood, I come to take back what is mine! I call all men to me and they do not listen. I tell them what to eat, what to wear, what to drink, and still they do not listen. I am no longer moved by man’s tears, his prayers, his hopes, and sorrows. I come like a raging bull knocking down whoever or whatever stands in my way! Like in the Book of Job, calamity strikes without warning, pain comes without notice; death comes not by a mighty sword but in unexplainable, unfounded, misunderstood ways.

For I am God, I am the Alpha and the Omega, Jehovah Rafah. I am the first and last, the beginning and the end no one comes to the Father without Jesus –no one! They slander my names, misuse my text for selfish gain, they do not hold me up in esteem but rather hold themselves up. No longer will I sit by and allow the wicked to prevail in my kingdom. No longer will I allow those who have been wounded to be hurt more by wicked priests, leaders, counselors, and the like. I come not as man but as spirit. Without notice I come! I am disappointed in the way parents idly sit by and watch their children make a mess of my kingdom! I am angered by the utter foolishness that man calls Christian dance! I am spoiled by the music for it reflects not me but a generation that wants fame, fortune, and praise – is this what I teach? Is this what you heard from me? When have I told you to act in this way in my Bible? Did I not warn you of this behavior? Did I not scold you for this recklessness? Who do you think I am? Who might you serve? Idols – human idols made up to be glorified, worshipped, and treated as if they run the world. For do you not know that I am a jealous God, an angry God? I am not the friend that you call a friend instead I am your Father! I am the one who knit you together in your mother’s womb. What, then, shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Where are the tears Oh holy ones? Where is the love oh wretched ones? Where is the help oh lazy ones? Tell me! I will arise and will take all those who have misguided the church to hell. They will not escape my punishment no matter who they ask to pray for them.

I am God who is fed up, angered and vengeful, for I will avenge those who have been led astray by misguided teachings. I will shake the very ground they trod upon. I will not stop until all is destroyed! Move quickly sons and daughters take your children out of schools that don’t preach the gospel, remove your children out of daycare that leave prayer out. Find godly people who will instruct your children in the way they should go. Do it now! Don’t wait! The clock is ticking waiting for the next victim to be taken to the gates of hell. Will it be you? You? You? No one knows the day, hour, season, time – no one!

Stop allowing people to worry you over when I will be coming my soon is not your soon. My time isn’t your time. God only knows. For those of you who have lost your way, come back home while you still can. Do what you must to breathe new life into the kingdom. Do what you must to restore families. Do what you must to save souls – do what you must! But hurry, the clock is ticking. Know that I am God!

I have sent this messenger to you to remind you of the path you must take to get here from there – for the path is narrow and straight it doesn’t turn left or right. May you believe from this day forward and know that I love you.

Shalom!"

(PLEASE NOTE: As heard and recorded by Nicholl McGuire, a layman and believer. Since receiving this word, days following (specifically in the Pittsburgh area,) there have been very bad storms that have caused floods. In one night there were over 3000 sightings of lightning! I find it interesting that the last time Pittsburgh was “shaken up” was in 1998. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake came and shook the city. I also find it interesting that Pittsburgh has been in the spotlight for their winning sports teams lately and world leaders will be meeting here in September 2009. Just the other day North Korea threatened to 'wipe the United States off the map.' If you are familiar with end time prophecy you know that the United States is non-existant in the last days. Further there are those celebrities who have recently died (3 in a row) California as well as the rest of the world is "shook up" about Michael Jackson's death. BRACE YOURSELF there is more to come...Now with this information in mind, reread the text. God’s message becomes just a little more clearer, doesn’t it?)

New Audio Spiritual Messages by Nicholl