Prayer and Fasting, more prayer and more fasting.
It is amazing how some things never change and how we deal with the same subjects at very different times in our lives and in history.
When Jesus was facing something big he always did one of two things. He Prayed for guidance and he Fasted. Many times he did both. Jesus knew his Father had all the answers and prayer is our communications hotline to God. Fasting takes our focus off ourselves and puts it on God the Father. There is something about physical hunger that puts us in touch with our need for spiritual nourishment.
1 Corinthians 2:9 says it well, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"[b]— 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
We have no idea how big God is, BUT we can get a picture of Gods plan through spiritual connections, PRAYER!
Our focus can not be in two places at the same time, you must choose to either focus on your needs or Gods heart
The apostle Peter has taken a beating from most religious pundits for jumping out of a perfectly good boat and then sinking in front of Jesus and his friends. (Matthew 14:28 )
I only wish we all could have the excitement and faith that Peter had.
Not only did Peter love Jesus but he wanted to be just like him, he would do what ever Jesus asked and not question his every request. Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and said Lord call me out to you. Peter wanted Jesus to empower him and Peter walked on the water with Jesus. Only when Peter was distracted by the howling wind and crashing waves did Peter take his focus off Jesus and he did begin to sink, but Jesus was there for him. Jesus stretched out his hand and lifted Peter up and they both walk on the water back to the boat.
I would like to be the guy who took the chance, to have faith in God to walk hand in hand and sink, is far better then to just play it safe and stay on a sinking ship.
It is time we started walking on water, or at least try.
God has called each of us to join him on an incredible journey; it is up to us to take the first step towards him. God is calling, will you answer.
I hope you find time to pray and fast this week. Find a quiet place and spend some time with God. It will bring you places you could only dream of.
Have an awesome week.
Ps. Stephen Alexander
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Raising your level of Faith
Wow, these past few weeks have been very exciting. A little too exciting for many, the fun is only going to get wilder, with a Presidential election (If this one doesn’t get you praying nothing will) and then the Holidays right behind that. We are in for a couple of crazy months.
The numbers we have been presented with hardly seem real, 700 Billion that’s a big number. I can’t imagine how many people will be affected by this enormous amount
of money.
Possibly some good will come out of this whole debauchery, at least one good thing. People will begin to question the way things are done and maybe they will challenge the status quo.
We can look back at history and think that things were better at one time then they are today, but in reality it only seems better because we know how things turned out.
( From John 11 )
Jesus was visiting a town not far from
For two more days Jesus continues to minister to people, praying for them and healing them. Then he announces to his disciples that they are headed back to see Lazarus.
Lazarus had been dead for days by time he arrived back in town to see the family, everyone was upset, Martha challenged Jesus as to why he delayed. Martha knew who Jesus was and believed that had he been there her brother would still be alive.
Martha had an incredible faith, but Jesus was challenging their thinking.
Lazarus is dead!
Not only was he dead but he had been in the tomb for a couple of days. Jesus was very sad and wept at the death of a friend he loved and cared deeply for.
When all hope was lost and all had given up on Lazarus Jesus speaks and raises him from the dead, He speaks life back into Lazarus.
Lazarus is alive!
John 12:24
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Think of this story in relation to your own life. We pray the message reaches God and then God responds, not always the way we would like and usually it requires faith on our part to see our prayers answered.
God gives us a vision and passion for his Kingdom and the plans he has for us, but then we must be prepared to die for these things to really grow. Everyone will be challenged in their faith and relationship with God. Your closest friends and family will not understand what you are doing when you choose to follow God. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.
God wants to grow within you amazing gifts and ministries, but the old nature must die. Don’t look back when things get tough, press on for the prize is ahead of you. Put your faith and trust in God, it’s ok if you don’t understand, most of the time we don’t understand what God is doing, but we do understand WHO God is in our lives.
Shut off the TV and computer; stop listening to CNN, NBC and FOX and start listening to GOD.
We are rich because we have an awesome Father in heaven who will shower us with every gift and blessing if we just ask in faith.
Have an awesome week
Ps Stephen Alexander.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Expecting God?
The bible is full of amazing illustrations of mighty men and women of God doing all sorts of incredible things. The dead are raised to live again, Lepers bodies are made whole again, the blind are given sight, the deaf are able to hear. Mighty raging rivers are piled up and stopped by the word of God. Powerful trained army’s are defeated by a worship teams music.
One of the most unbelievable stories can be found in Mark chapter 6 vs. 4-6
4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Jesus visits his own hometown and no one can see past what they thought Jesus was, a carpenter, a blue collar worker. For the people that knew Jesus earlier in his life they couldn’t believe he was the Messiah.
We can read this scripture today and say “Wow what a bunch of idiots!” What a blown opportunity to have Jesus walk into their lives and then just blow him off as a wack-o!
One of the most unbelievable stories can be found in Mark chapter 6 vs. 4-6
4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Jesus visits his own hometown and no one can see past what they thought Jesus was, a carpenter, a blue collar worker. For the people that knew Jesus earlier in his life they couldn’t believe he was the Messiah.
We can read this scripture today and say “Wow what a bunch of idiots!” What a blown opportunity to have Jesus walk into their lives and then just blow him off as a wack-o!
We all have been in the position of choosing between trusting God for something and relying in our own strength.
I have seen the power of expectation, it is the difference between the status quo and a life changing day.
Imagine what your life would be like if every day you woke up and expected God to do something amazing in your world.
Imagine what your life would be like if every day you woke up and expected to do something amazing in another persons world.
( a friend, a family member, a co worker )
Imagine what your life would be like if next week you expected God to impact your life through the message that was spoken at church.
Imagine what your world would be like if you took the responsibility for you life and placed your trust in God for every aspect of your life.
God is waiting for us to seek Him, to call on Him, to expect Him to speak to us.
The wait is over, cry out to God, open your heart, seek Him today and He will answer you as you have faith in Him your faith will grow.
Raise your expectations, God is BIG he can handle what ever your need is.
Ephesians 3:16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Have an awesome week,
Ps Stephen Alexander
A couple of quick updates below!
You can now sign up as a “Follower” of MANA, this is a great new feature from Blogger that will help us track who is reading our blog and where they come from. Please take a minute and sign up now -------------------------->
On our website at www.C3RAL.com we NOW have an ability to receive online giving and Tithes. Please take sometime and prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with us as we build the church in Raleigh. All donations are tax deductible and we will keep all our partners updated monthly on the progress of the church and our Ministry to the community.
Simply visit the website, click on Donate and you will be taken to a secure PAYPAL website.
We are still working on other online features as well as new music downloads for FREE, and all the latest news about Christian City Church.
Thank you all again for all the prayer warriors out there lifting us up and covering us in prayer.
Be Blessed!
I have seen the power of expectation, it is the difference between the status quo and a life changing day.
Imagine what your life would be like if every day you woke up and expected God to do something amazing in your world.
Imagine what your life would be like if every day you woke up and expected to do something amazing in another persons world.
( a friend, a family member, a co worker )
Imagine what your life would be like if next week you expected God to impact your life through the message that was spoken at church.
Imagine what your world would be like if you took the responsibility for you life and placed your trust in God for every aspect of your life.
God is waiting for us to seek Him, to call on Him, to expect Him to speak to us.
The wait is over, cry out to God, open your heart, seek Him today and He will answer you as you have faith in Him your faith will grow.
Raise your expectations, God is BIG he can handle what ever your need is.
Ephesians 3:16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Have an awesome week,
Ps Stephen Alexander
A couple of quick updates below!
You can now sign up as a “Follower” of MANA, this is a great new feature from Blogger that will help us track who is reading our blog and where they come from. Please take a minute and sign up now -------------------------->
On our website at www.C3RAL.com we NOW have an ability to receive online giving and Tithes. Please take sometime and prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with us as we build the church in Raleigh. All donations are tax deductible and we will keep all our partners updated monthly on the progress of the church and our Ministry to the community.
Simply visit the website, click on Donate and you will be taken to a secure PAYPAL website.
We are still working on other online features as well as new music downloads for FREE, and all the latest news about Christian City Church.
Thank you all again for all the prayer warriors out there lifting us up and covering us in prayer.
Be Blessed!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
A New Name
The spoken and written WORD can be a powerful thing. The concept that words can’t hurt you is a poor attempt to comfort school children being harassed by a bully, but the fact is that as we grow and live life we learn that indeed, words can hurt.
Words can also be a powerful motivating vehicle; words can deliver healing and proclaim liberty to a lost and dying world.
With all the Blogs and websites and Cable and Satellite TV words are now everywhere and in large supply
Even more powerful then a word is a Name! A name in it self is a declaration and a statement about who someone is. In many cultures it is better to die then to bring shame to the Family name.
Some famous names that may come to mind might be Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Kennedy, Gates, Gandhi, Jobs, IBM, Chevy.
How about Peter or Abraham or Joshua?
Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
For many of us the world has given us a name that we live our lives by, names like faithless and failure or hopeless and small. We see ourselves through the eyes of the world and we are defeated and lost, without power to see God and a future.
However God, your heavenly Father has given you a new name, a Holy name, one of Power and Purpose. Your life and everything around you is transformed when you connect with God!
God has a new name for you, a name of wonder and success.
Spend time with God this week, it is a new month, the kids are back in school, vacations are winding up, new opportunities are before you. Find out what your real name is, the name God has given you, it will change your life!
Have an awesome week!
If you enjoy this blog then consider joining us on Thursdays at 7:30 pm at our house.
We are located in Raleigh NC in the Wakefield Plantations Community.
12613 Honeychurch St.
Talk to you soon.
Ps. Stephen Alexander
Words can also be a powerful motivating vehicle; words can deliver healing and proclaim liberty to a lost and dying world.
With all the Blogs and websites and Cable and Satellite TV words are now everywhere and in large supply
Even more powerful then a word is a Name! A name in it self is a declaration and a statement about who someone is. In many cultures it is better to die then to bring shame to the Family name.
Some famous names that may come to mind might be Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Kennedy, Gates, Gandhi, Jobs, IBM, Chevy.
How about Peter or Abraham or Joshua?
Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
For many of us the world has given us a name that we live our lives by, names like faithless and failure or hopeless and small. We see ourselves through the eyes of the world and we are defeated and lost, without power to see God and a future.
However God, your heavenly Father has given you a new name, a Holy name, one of Power and Purpose. Your life and everything around you is transformed when you connect with God!
God has a new name for you, a name of wonder and success.
Spend time with God this week, it is a new month, the kids are back in school, vacations are winding up, new opportunities are before you. Find out what your real name is, the name God has given you, it will change your life!
Have an awesome week!
If you enjoy this blog then consider joining us on Thursdays at 7:30 pm at our house.
We are located in Raleigh NC in the Wakefield Plantations Community.
12613 Honeychurch St.
Talk to you soon.
Ps. Stephen Alexander
Thursday, August 14, 2008
New Vision
I, like many of you have spent the past few days watching the Olympics.
It amazes me that your life can be defined by a single choice that you make, or what you do when you are only 16 years old. That is exactly what is happening for many of the athletes competing in this years Olympics. If they win a gold metal or set a world record, they will be transformed into instant superstars.
This accomplishment comes at an enormous price to all of them, they did not simply wake up one day and say, “I think I’ll go to the Olympics and be the best.” Getting to the Olympics as one of the worlds best athletes cost them their lives, it cost them friends and it required them to make a choice between a normal life and an extraordinary life.
They must see the world different from how others view the world and they must believe that they will succeed.
In the 13th Chapter of Numbers, Moses has sent 12 men into the land that God had promised them, the idea was simple, see what is ahead of us.
Verses 26 – 33 tells of their report to Moses and the people.
10 men returned and said, yes there is enormous fruit and fertile land, BUT the people there are huge and they will kill us all. We can’t do it!!!
2 men, Joshua and Caleb returned a different report. They said yes, big fruit, fertile land and yes the people there are big, but we will take the land that our God has promised us!!! We can do it!!!
We all will face challenges in our lives, everyday we can choose to see through the eyes of doubt and fear and that will lead to failure. However if we choose to see through the eyes of Gods promises and we see with the eyes of hope and faith, then nothing will be to big and nothing will be impossible for you.
Because Joshua and Caleb believed God and His promise to them, they lived to walk in that truth. If you are believing for something from God, don’t be discouraged if it is taking longer then you would like. Joshua waited 40 years in the desert, but then at the appointed time God delivered them and all of Israel into their Promised Land.
Believe God for what he has promised you, and begin to walk through your life as a child of God. You are a child of God, you are not an orphan, you have not been abandoned. You have been adopted into the family of the King of Kings.
Dream Bigger, Believe Bigger and Live Bigger!
Have an awesome week, talk again soon,
Ps. Stephen Alexander
check out our new website www.c3ral.com
It amazes me that your life can be defined by a single choice that you make, or what you do when you are only 16 years old. That is exactly what is happening for many of the athletes competing in this years Olympics. If they win a gold metal or set a world record, they will be transformed into instant superstars.
This accomplishment comes at an enormous price to all of them, they did not simply wake up one day and say, “I think I’ll go to the Olympics and be the best.” Getting to the Olympics as one of the worlds best athletes cost them their lives, it cost them friends and it required them to make a choice between a normal life and an extraordinary life.
They must see the world different from how others view the world and they must believe that they will succeed.
In the 13th Chapter of Numbers, Moses has sent 12 men into the land that God had promised them, the idea was simple, see what is ahead of us.
Verses 26 – 33 tells of their report to Moses and the people.
10 men returned and said, yes there is enormous fruit and fertile land, BUT the people there are huge and they will kill us all. We can’t do it!!!
2 men, Joshua and Caleb returned a different report. They said yes, big fruit, fertile land and yes the people there are big, but we will take the land that our God has promised us!!! We can do it!!!
We all will face challenges in our lives, everyday we can choose to see through the eyes of doubt and fear and that will lead to failure. However if we choose to see through the eyes of Gods promises and we see with the eyes of hope and faith, then nothing will be to big and nothing will be impossible for you.
Because Joshua and Caleb believed God and His promise to them, they lived to walk in that truth. If you are believing for something from God, don’t be discouraged if it is taking longer then you would like. Joshua waited 40 years in the desert, but then at the appointed time God delivered them and all of Israel into their Promised Land.
Believe God for what he has promised you, and begin to walk through your life as a child of God. You are a child of God, you are not an orphan, you have not been abandoned. You have been adopted into the family of the King of Kings.
Dream Bigger, Believe Bigger and Live Bigger!
Have an awesome week, talk again soon,
Ps. Stephen Alexander
check out our new website www.c3ral.com
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