Spiritual Warfare 101

Spiritual Warfare 101 -- 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20cor%2010:4-6;&version=50;

Greetings!

This Sunday we're hosting the Cat & Dog Theology Seminar. I just got off the phone with the speaker and we came to some suprising conclusions together. And that's the theme of what I wanted to share today.

Let me get a little bit negative before I share the positive...
Our speaker, Pastor Gary Lau, informed me that he had gotten sick last Sunday and today as he was reviewing for the seminar, he again ran into another bout with sickness. Remember when we originally planned this seminar? October 15, 2006... the day of the big earthquake here in Hawaii. Last Sunday Kathy's classroom was broken into and a few items stolen (but PTL they were recovered). Several key leaders and members recently developed health concerns. Personally, I have experienced unusual mood swings and bouts of irritation.

These things are not coincidences. They point to a spiritual battle that is going on over the future of our church and the future of our lives. As we have been sharing with you, God desires to do a great work this year. He wants to bless to overflowing our lives.

Right now, we need to remain strong and come before God.

First, renew your commitment to the Lord. Repent of any sin you may have committed.
Let praise fill your home as a declaration of the Lord's presence and lordship over your home and family.
Ask the Lord to fight for us. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Ask the Lord to break every stronghold, tear down every argument and high thing.
Fast and pray for the Lord's mighty work among us.

Be Strong in the Lord!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Arlen

Praying the Book of Joel

How to pray through the book of Joel:

Joel 1:1-12 ~ God’s Judgment

· Pray for God’s mercy upon those under his judgment.

Joel 1:13-20 ~ The People’s Response

· Seek the source of God’s displeasure and change/repent.

· Kneel before God and seek his forgiveness.

· Practice a fast

Notes on fasting:

· Fasting in general is a healthy practice for your body, however, consult a doctor if you are on medication or have health concerns regarding fasting.

· Remember that fasting is about replacing an activity like eating with a spiritual discipline.

· Fasting isn’t just about food. Fast from TV or Internet or Music. Replace the time you normally spend doing these activities with worship, prayer, bible reading, or read a Christian book.

Joel 2:18-32 ~ God’s Answer

· Pray for God to speak to you and the church leadership.

· Praise God for a renewed spirit of Joy and Faith.

· Pray for restoration of what was lost under God’s judgment.

· Thank Him for an overflow of new growth and fruitfulness.

· Pray for financial restoration in people’s lives.

· Pray for satisfaction in the Lord’s blessings.

· Shout out praises to the Lord for his goodness.

· Ask God for a fresh empowering of his Spirit.

· Beseech God for visions, dreams, and further prophecies for our future.

· Exalt the name and character of God our Savior, Lord, Provider, and King.

The Year of Overflow

The Prophet Joel prophesied to Israel in one it’s most down and out times and I believe he has a word for us today. Joel 1:1-12 describes a land that has been ravaged and reduced to rubble. We are in no way as desolate as the people Joel addressed, but in many ways, we may feel like we’ve been ravaged like the people Joel addresses. But take courage, there’s always hope in our Lord!

A change begins as the leadership starts to mourn and repent, fast and cry out to the Lord because the Lord’s work is not finished yet (1:13ff). As the Lord works within the leadership, a general call is sounded to the whole assembly (2:12ff). Congregational repentance and consecration yields a renewed awareness of the absence of God’s glory in their lives and the Lord turns to restoring the land and reviving His glory through his people (2:18ff).

Church, if we will restore our commitment to God’s glory and renew our dedication to holiness we will see the Lord work mightily. The Lord is anxious to restore to us what has been lost and beyond that to cause us to become fruitful so that “the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil (2:24).”

This is the year of Overflow in the Lord. However if the Lord were to pour his new wine and oil into our midst at this time, our wineskins would burst and everything God would graciously give would create a mess on the floor.

Instead, God would have us seek him for new wineskins as well. New ways of thinking. New Visions. New vessels to hold the precious outpouring of our God.

Join me in prayer as we seek the outpouring of God in our lives.

Devotional Thoughts: Acts 4:32-5:11

Acts 4:32-35 Give us a great picture of a vibrant community of faith. What are you doing to be like this community? Is there some way you can become more involved or if you are involved already, is there someone you can ask to get involved. By doing this, a vibrant community of faith can grow and expand to reach more people in the name of Jesus.