Life after fasting..

Hey Fam,

I hope you are all doing well, and studying intensely for your finals and getting ready to head home. I just wanted to share what has been going on with me since Saturday night, and maybe I'm the only one who is going through this but hey!

It has definitely been to keep my prayer life back in track like it was during the fast. I feel my old self sort of settling in slowly on me. Getting comfortable and logging in to facebook, and eating anything I want, and I sense the Holy Spirit letting me know that this is a trap. This morning I had an extensive conversation with the Lord and he has just been letting me know that this is going to be a fight for me. As hard as it was to get into the fast and have things normalize at some point, is as hard as it is for us to live a fasted life continually. There has to be a lot of deliberate decision-making for the Lord. There has to be a hunger for him and a fear of him that transcends all things.

As for me, I'm fighting to continue in a consistent prayer life, and to continually praying for the same things we fasted for. God draws near to those who first draws near to him.
Remember to go to the deep ends for the Lord, and let this Holiday be the most unique one you have ever encountered!

And when you get a chance checkout www.setapartgirl.com
Love you all,

Uloma.

Funny how life can be...

I was just telling Stephanie before, and then I was talking to the Lord and I said, even though for a while now I've been looking forward to today (hint hint), as it dawns upon me that the Daniel fast is almost over, I don't want to stop. I've experienced so much of God and his heart for me, and my generation, that I'm afraid that if I stop I won't get to where I was reaching. So I told the Lord this, that I don't want to stop but I do want my food, and he replied...you can still keep fasting. You see fasting isn't about abstaining from some foods or facebook or what, it's greater. You can still fast your eyes from seeing as the world does to seeing as I call you to see; from hearing the voices of everyone else, fear, doubt, doom and hear my voice whispering to you throughout your day; your mouth to speaking and singing and confessing me and my glory to the world, instead of glorifying the evil one; your body from laziness and slothfulness, fast from the fleshly desires and cling to me and my word for you....and your heart, to guard it from anything not of me, yet seek me and desire me all the more each day. That's a fasted life. If anyone is feeling the same way as I was, be encouraged. The Lord says the fire has been lit, here in our campuses. The revival has begun. It shall catch on to other campuses, from us. He says to not let it die down, we should keep praying- fanning the flames. Hope to see you all at the meeting tonight (Tayo in spirit), the Lord has amazing, amazing things planned for us.
Ndokudai mese (I love you all)
Blessing

'Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth'

Over the past couple of days, I've tried to spend more time reading the word. I keep thinking--what happens after the fast? I don't want to lose the spirit of prayerfulness that has come over me, and the increased ability (unfortunately, I am still struggling a lot but God is giving me strength) to shun that which takes me away from God. I feel like during this fast, my eyes have been opened to so many fallacies that I was living under--the idea that 'Christian freedom' was enough to make me strong enough to live a somewhat secular life, the idea that so many things are okay when they are NOT.

It is so easy to make excuses for things that are wrong, by using science and logic, as if God didn't create them both, as if He is not above them. When I was googling one of the verses I read, I came across this link: http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/pearl-masturbation.html. It talks about how masturbation 'is not wrong' and appears to have been posted by a pastor, which could possibly confuse people even more and lead them to sin. We need so much spiritual protection in order to not fall into the trap of accepting things just because everyone else does them. It's not about what one can PROVE is wrong--it is about what takes each individual away from God, and what brings her closer. One is wrong, and one is right. These are some verses that I've come across over the past few days and have inspired these thoughts:

2 Timothy 3

¹This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

⁶For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

⁷Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

⁸Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

⁹But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

¹⁰But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

¹¹Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

¹²Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

¹³But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

From 1 Corinthians 3...

16 Do you not know that you [2] are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

From Romans 7...

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^c]">[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Only one thing is important!

Is anyone interested in going? I'm thinking of going (moreso praying about it). I would love if other people could join me :)

You know you want to come!

Not the Only Ones Praying

I mentioned earlier that we are in a spiritual battle. However, I think that sometimes we forget that we're not the only side fighting to win.

As I am hearing what sounds to me like chanting, coming from a group of bona fide non-believers, I am reminded that the enemy has his special forces engaged in winning souls; but it can be argued that their efforts are tend to be more bold than ours. Depending on where you are, you will witness the power of persuasion that the enemy employs in attracting, engaging, and deceiving those who are empty, impressionable, and feel they have nothing more to lose. The enemy also understands the importance of unity in "prayer" and oneness with the Source, and I think its imperative that we continue to take our roles seriously in calling on the Lord, the source of Goodness, to rain down on this valley where the shadow of death is so prevalent.

Let's also remember to pray against the Satanic strongholds..

love
love
love.

So I woke up this morning needing to write 5 extra credit essays for an 11:00am class. I told myself I would do it after devotion, yet somehow found myself at my desk typing up essays at 10:15am, not yet having done my devotions, and still in great need of a shower. I obviously didn't have time to read Isaiah as I had planned. Instead I decided on a Psalm, and I came across Psalm 63.

It say's "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me..."

I was especially convicted by the first image of being in a hot desert, where your body is giving out because of it's desire for water, yet still your thirst for is Christ. Doing this fast has definitely required me to ask myself whether I see God as capable of sustaining me both spiritually and physically. But I think the bigger question is, in the midst of thirst and hunger, in the midst of my body giving out, am I still able to say to Christ, "I thirst for YOU".

Is our hunger for Christ stronger than the physical hunger we've all been experiencing?

Are we fully satisfied with Christ "as with the richest of foods"?

These are questions that we should ask ourselves.

And if the answer comes up "no", the next step is to ask ourselves, "why"? What is it that we hunger for instead of Christ, even after we "have seen [Him] in the sanctuary and beheld [His] power and glory"? Why has this fast affected so many of our attitudes and bodies so much more than it has affected our hunger for Christ?

I would encourage you to think and pray about it. Don't get so caught up in praying for the generation that you forget to pray for your own growth. It's like the good book already say's, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few". We need to be revived so that when He's looking for laborers to collect the harvest we're praying for, He knows that we are so hungry for Him that we will go where He leads, and do what He says do.

Blessings and peace during finals week,
Ashleigh

A Declaration Unto God

Hello Beautiful Child of God who is made in His own image!

Just thought I'd share this declaration which I was introduced to six years ago. I've always kept a printed copy and the plan is to eventually read it aloud every day before starting my day, or at night before going to bed.

Be blessed, and be radical...


Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering. I’ve made my choice; the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back. I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes, with God’s people, on God’s planet, for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home waiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasure. I know what matters most and I will give it all I’ve got. I will do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today. I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal; not on the sidelines or on those running by me. When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m spirit-led, purpose-driven, and mission-focused so I can’t be bought. I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me. I am a radical in the original sense of the word: rooted in Christ, rooted in love, and rooted in his Word.

I hereby declare my supreme allegiance to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I say this: However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer is yes! I’m ready. Anytime. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful one. Come on in and let the eternal party begin!”

Renewal of faith

Hi everyone!

As I shared with you all on Saturday, I am anemic and last week I felt very unwell. On Sunday I decided to break my fast, and yes I started eating "normal" stuff. It was great being able to eat the food I wanted and all, but one thing has been missing from my life for the past 3 days- God's peace. Today, by the Grace of God, I realized that I can and should in fact restart this fast. I realized that the food bit of the fast is a good incentive to seek God throughout the day. When you hunger and thirst physically, your spirit is triggered to seek God. I realized this is what I was missing- the incentive to go before God on behalf of my generation. What has especially made me realize I need to start fasting again is the fact that today I became so overwhelmed with everything I have to do by next Monday, such that I forgot the reason I was supposed to be going before God. I got irritable and fearful- and fear is something that was extinct from my life during the fast.

I really want to pray for my generation, that we will all come back to God and experience his wonderful love, so I am taking a bold step to give up the food I want so that I can come before our father and pray for his children. I ask that you all pray with me, that the devil does not bring sickness back into my life and that I will be daily renewed in this purpose to pray for God's people.

I'm insanely excited to spend more and more time with God, because I do know he is listening to our prayers, and like Blessing said he is surely with us. Praying with Kyra made me realize he has some intense plans for his people and they will come to pass whenever HE decided that it is time.

I pray that everyone be encouraged in this walk and that even after this food fast, we will continually live a fasted life for God.

I have been inspired by Romans chapter 12 and I ask that you ALL read it:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]} faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]} do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^{c]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[c]} Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^{d]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[d]} says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^{e]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[e]}

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

A new heart...

During bible study last night, the question was posed, "If you could give anything to Jesus for Christmas, what would it be?" My initial response was, "Well, I can't give You anything. Everything that I have is because of You and, hence, anything that I give You is already Yours." But in the wisdom of our bible study leader, I realized that although we may recognize that everything belongs to God and that everything we have is a gift from Him, there are still areas, characteristics, things in our lives that we still hold on to and have not given up completely to God, even if we think we have. We were encouraged to ask God what we He wanted us to give Him.

Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Through this whole process, I've recognized more than ever how necessary it is to be poured out, and to allow God to break us. It is so easy to believe, "I live a christian life and hence there's nothing major in my life that needs to be changed." Yet, after asking him such question I got love. He wants me to give up my love to him. At first, I was confused. What do you mean you want me to give up my love? You know I already love you. And then it hit me, I compartmentalize my love. I can and do love my family, my friends, my sister, I do love...I love those close to me. Yet, God in all his goodness, mercy, kindness, and yes LOVE, loves even those who reject Him and don't know Him. I've been praying for God to give me his heart for others, and today I've realized that means loving the way He does. I now understand that I need to give up my conception, definition, and understanding of love so that He can give me His. In getting rid of my own perceptions, I'm allowing God to cleanse me and deposit in me His love, and His perception of it...It is when I understand the way He loves, that I can therefore love my fellow beings regardless of anything...that I can truly reflect God's love to others...

Ezequiel 36:25-27

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. ²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

in LOVE,
Karen

The Lord is present

Hi all!

Finally, I'm able to share on the blog what God is doing in me. Honestly, this fast is beginning to get very heavy for me. Last week was challenging, but this week is difficult. The hunger, the desires for food and the work load for school are all piling. The Lord was speaking to me and he reminded me that he is greater than any feeling or sign i can see. Even when i pray, or during the fast and i don't sense his presence, he is still here. That's how im maturing, it comes down to having a deeper level of trust such that nothing and noone can shake you. I'm getting there, it's difficult to not feel his presence you know, but knowing that he is there and that he is faithful is what will take me further in this walk. Sometimes i have to go on faith and believe that he will show up. And he will ya'll he will. He is always here, even when i mutter that prayer in class, or when i feel like i might just faint from hunger...or when i feel discouraged because i asked him to help me in my paper and i didn't get the grade i wanted. He did tell me this, he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Not that we need a reward, knowing him and being close to him is all the reward i need. We love you Lord. We thank you for this opportunity that you have given us to step in the gap and lift up our generation. We don't see what you see, we don't know what you know, but we do know that you love these people. You have never stopped loving them. As we pray Lord, incline your ears toward us, stir up a revival in them...even in us. Mold us, make us, strengthen us...help us to see that the cause we stand in battle for...is far greater than us, greater than the desirable food we would rather have, greater than facebook, greater than the tv shows...greater! We are honored to be chosen by you, thank you Father...

He just led me to write that prayer here...Keep pressing on...don't take the vision from your eyes...we have overcome!

Love,
Blessing

Poured Out!

I can't begin to express how I feel right now. I feel so emptied out. God has been emptying me of all the foolishness inside of me and it has certainly been a long and painful process. I see his heart for me and for this generation and how much it hurts that his own children are turning back on him, and my heart gets burdened. I spent a good part of last night praying and asking for forgiveness, for all the sins I have ever engaged in, and for every time I defiled the Lord. And in that I was able to see how it is only by grace that I am not still in my sins. I think it can be hard to pray for other people, or for our campuses or for this generation, when there isn't the slightest tug in your heart to see their sins the way God sees it.

I once was a sinner, but now I'm saved by grace through faith in the Son of God who took away my sins because he loved me so much. He didn't have to do it. I deserved the wrath of God, not the Son of God. My sinful nature has been at war with God for a good part of my life, but God...

...saved me. Out of the pits of hell...he saved me. And now I am privileged to call him Abba, Father, Friend, Comforter, my Provider, my King, my Savior, my Lord and My God! It is such a privilege to be able to come before this creator of all things and speak to him, and pray to him, knowing that he hears everything I say, and his word says that I should ask, and I will receive. Honestly speaking, the generation we are seeking God for was once a generation that we were all lost in, not caring about God so much, and wanting to control our own lives. We sought for pleasure in people, places, and in things. We wanted to be fulfilled in many ways, but we never thought that God would fulfill us. And now that he has pulled us from our old self, from darkness, and he has brought us into his marvelous light, we need to see what an honor it is that you get to worship him and talk to him. Let that be your motivation to want to help pull other people into the marvelous light as well. We were all once there, and we all know what the devil is like. He is only around to KILL, STEAL and DESTROY us. Let's pray with more vigor, remembering where we came from, and not wanting to let anybody experience the woes of the enemy.

God's heart is roaming and seeking those who will persistently and earnestly seek him, and CRY out (not just last minute prayer/or quick 10mins prayer), but people who will understand the wickedness of this generation and cry out to him.

Joel 2:12 "'Even now' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning".

Let God empty you out and pour out everything inside of you so that you can be used as an empty vessel for him.

Love,
Uloma.

Prayer Line

Friends,

I mentioned that I would post the phone number and pass code for the prayer line. Join in by calling in and listening during the following times:

5:40a-6:00a
12:00p-12:15p (lunch time)
9:00p-9:15 pm (youth focused)
11:30p-12:00a (Breaking of a new day)

The number is 218-862-1300
passcode: 253196#

You can also send prayer requests to: prayerrequest@wwfcif.net (I believe)


Be blessed....

Don't let the devil ride...

If you let him ride, he'll want to drive...

Don't let him ride!

As I sit here and reflect on my own circumstances and the world around me, my heart began to sink, I lost focus, and this song made famous when I was a young girl in the Joy Bells Choir rose up in my spirit.

Just wanted to share and encourage you to keep fighting. It's a spiritual battle...

--------------------
Zephanii Smith
Sent from my mobile device.

Hey all,

I pray that your all enduring during this week. I realized how stubborn I am this last few days how much in control I want to be. I am found myself approaching situations in my own strength. I did things using my own knowledge. I forgot that that my life no longer is mine, that I do not live any more but that Christ lives in me. My life should be a pleasant and fragrant sacrifice for him. I saw how much my emotions, will and mind hindered Gods work in my life even in the little choices I make day by day. WE all need to DENY these aspects of ourselves. They are what led us to stumble. We need to stop being independent and self-reliant. We need to have David's heart a heart whose only desire was to worship the Lord. David knew that he could not defeat Goliath on his own, he did everything in the name for the Lord and by having fellowship with the Lord he had power to overcome. We need to be dependent on the Lord every single second, we need even bring our thoughts to obedience to him. Than we will experience freedom in the Lord. Let us lose control and let our Almighty Loving and Powerful God have his will in us.

Love Jemima

'Say to those with fearful hearts'

Hi, I'm Tayo, from Tufts.

The eating part of the fast was very hard at the beginning, and I fell quite a few times, but after a few days my spirit just calmed down and accepted what I am supposed to be eating. I have now felt encouraged to keep the fast even if it has meant that, when I have no time to prepare what is acceptable, I do not eat much. This isn't the point of my post, but I thought I would just put that out there in case someone else has fallen, too. You're not alone :)

For someone who is practically addicted to secular entertainment, it has been quite a change to be free of it. I have not broken that part of the fast, and I can't believe what a difference it has made. I would be in the middle of studying, listening to Christian music, and I would just put down my books, get on my knees, and pray and cry to God. I actually had to stop listening to Christian music during my most intense study sessions, because it was likely that I would begin to cry again. So what I have been doing is setting aside time to do nothing but listen to Christian music. My crying during this fast has reached somewhat unprecedented levels, which would be embarrassing if I didn't feel sure that God was pouring something out of me, emptying me so that I could be filled with Him and the peace and revelations He has prepared for me. It's like a cloud has been lifted and I can see clearly how desperate I have been to be closer to God. I didn't even know how bad it was, because I was too distracted.

A friend texted me this morning with a Bible verse, which I am so grateful for because it talks about the state I have been in--filled with anxiety and fear. I still feel God working on this part of me, hence all the tears, maybe? It was Isaiah 35:4 --

New International Version (©1984)
say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."

Bible in Basic English
Say to those who are full of fear, Be strong and take heart: see, your God will give punishment; the reward of God will come; he himself will come to be your saviour.

I know I'm not the only one who becomes afraid easily, afraid of 'failing in the Christian life'. As I was reading in some of the other blog posts, it seems too easy to go wrong and to cross that thin line, and in my own experience, I've learnt that it takes practically no time to go from a strong Christian to one that seems to have fallen. The human heart is weak and unable to resist the temptations that befall us, but God is our strength and our portion forever. If we constantly rely on Him, and dwell in Him, He will never forsake us and will never allow us to die (?). I wasn't going to use that particular word, but somehow I feel that that is what I was supposed to write. Hope you understand :)

God bless and keep you all <3

Tayo

Hey, Fam!

Earlier today, sunday, I had a really strong urge to pray. So, I texted a few people to see if they wanted to join me, and the only person that agreed was Yasmine. So, we set up a time to meet later in the evening to pray together. Before our meeting, I went to Frary to get dinner and I saw one of the workers that I'm friends with at the register (she's a Christian, too). One of the first things she said to me was "girl, you need to pray for these students!" As soon a she said that I felt a confirmation that I sensed the strong urge for prayer for a reason. Things seem to be getting worse and Satan is loving where he has these campuses. My friend explained to me how a group of students came into the dining hall intoxicated and caused so much chaos. They were throwing things, drinking their beer right in front of her face, placing the empty beer cans on the dish rack, and just being obnoxious. As soon as she started calling for her manager on her walkie talkie the group began to file out. But then they snuck into one of the private rooms and drank their beer in there (they were determined to drink as much as they could). When they finally left, she said that the room reaked and the restrooms smelled like vomit. She explained how she used to be an alcoholic, partier, and evrything they were. so, it was hard for her to see her old self in those students. Family, we need to pray even harder! Things are escalating, therefore we should escalate. Allow God to keep pushing you in prayer. don't get discouraged because nothing seems to be happening, but trust that in his timing He will "heal our land."

Pray Hard

I just witnessed a group of naked girls (plus flowered stickers to cover part of breasts and g-strings) going to the bathroom party. I was told by these otherwise respectable young ladies that "you can't get in unless you have no clothes on."

I guess the point of this post is just to say how serious the situation is for our peers and community. Of all the girls I know in my floor, I am the only one who professes Christ. More than 5 have already graciously mentioned to me that they are atheists or that they don't believe in organized religion. Sometimes it feels kind of like a bandwagon situation... like this lifestyle I'm describing and witnessing is the cool thing to do.

My last point is just that we are literally walking through the valley of the shadow of death. The enemy is getting bigger, badder, bolder and has no qualms about stealing, killing, and destroying our generation. We are among the living dead. People are looking for love, looking for answers, peace of mind, and hope in all the wrong places.

#needHimnow

Something we should Know

2 Samuel 24 vs 15-16
(This was after David had sinned against the Lord and the Lord gave him 3 punishments to choose from) So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated and 70,000 of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, "Enough, Withdraw your hand."

Jeremiah 4:19-22
Oh, my anguish, my anguish!
I writhe in pain
Oh, the agony of my heart!
My heart pounds within me,
I cannot keep silent.
For I have heard the sound of the trumpet;
I have heard the battle cry.
Disaster follows disaster;
the whole land lies in ruins.
In an instant my tents are destroyed,
my shelter in a moment.
How long must I see the battle standard
and hear the sound of the trumpet?

My people are fools;
they do not know me.
They are senseless children;
they have no understanding
They are skilled in doing evil;
they know not how to do good.

I just encourage you to read Jeremiah from chapter 1 through 8 when you can.
The Lord is grieved. I encourage you to pray for the church. So many things are going on in a place that has His Name that has nothing to do with Him. We need Grace and Redemption for the places called "The House of the Lord." We need to pray for our pastors, the people that God has entrusted His flock to. We have to pray for them so that they refocus/ keep their focus on God and what He has called them to (teaching the Word/feeding His flock) as opposed to the business of running a church or the politics of running a church.
Acts 6 vs 2
"... "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables." (This was when the church was growing and people started complaining that some widows were not getting a distribution of the food.)
I actually got this scripture from Joyce Meyer. She used it in the context of delegating but as I was writing the post, I just"felt" (?), anyways, it came into my mind to use it as an example of what God means by focus.

God Richly Bless You! :)

prayer has improved greatly

Hello everyone,
I'm Marco from HMC. This fast has improved greatly my prayer life. I'm happy I'm already seeing some things. I'm a senior and therefore in the process of taking a decision about next year. I feel God has been talking to me a lot during this time. It may not be because of the fast. It may be that he is always talking but I get to hear more now. In any case, it has been great in that respect. I actually feel like praying sometimes. I'm in the middle of homework and I just feel like I have to stop and pray for the campus, the unreached, the depressed, the tied. I'm not sure how that works, but I have been more open to stop these days. It has been great. I feel more aware of the spiritual world.

Marco
HMC

Hey, Fam:
 
On Wednesday I found myself going through my old notes in the journal I keep specifically for note-taking. So, I came across some notes I took in church over the summer and the topic was...REVIVAL! There are a few key points I really wanted to share with you all. I'm going to modify my notes a little so that you will understand what it says:
The Key to Revival:
1) Obedience
-It's time to come into TOTAL obedience
2) Cleansing (mind, spirit, emotions)
3) Empty vessels (this needs to happen before God fills me)
4) Use what I have
-I have to release what's already inside of me
5) Now God fills me up
6) Change happens
-with this revival comes change/transformation
-God is calling on his people to believe on him again
*There are some things you can get in privacy with God
-prayer brings revival
 
I was sooooo amazed when I found those notes the other day. They are right on point with the very things we are seeking God for and they hit on some important steps that need to be made in order to reach the goal of revival. We have to rightfully position ourselves before we see God move on our behalf;this includes humility and the abandonment of self before God. I have definitely been seeing (very clearly) how weak I am w/o the Spirit of God and just how much I don't have any room for pride, conceit, haughtiness, arrogance....you name it. This breaking and humbling process isn't the best feeling, but it def is a necessary step we all have to take on this journey toward revival we have embarked on. Humility is the door that we cannot go around.
 
Be encouraged,
Kyra  

Hey sisters,

Grace and peace to y'all. Here's a scripture that God gave me today that blessed me and I hope will bless you too.

"It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.' With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause THANKSGIVING to OVERFLOW to the GLORY of God.

Therefore DO NOT LOSE HEART. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being RENEWED day by day. For our light and momentary troubles (haha that's a good reminder-I confess I had a complaining spirit on the first day while picking through my plate of greens) are achieving for us an ETERNAL GLORY that FAR outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen (don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate breakthrough-God's timing is perfect), but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

-2 Corinthians 4:13-16

You are all in my prayers. Continue to stay strong in Him!

Love,

Steph

Why I am a Christian: Honesty & Integrity

I've begun to think about why I'm a Christian after reading a blog post on http://www.reverendelder.blogspot.com/ last week. One reason why I proclaim Christ is because I believe in the commandments. I believe in honesty and being a good citizen.

I decided just the other day that the phone I really want is a red blackberry pearl to match my glasses and every other red accessory that I wear to accent my outfits. I went to sit down at Scripps outside for lunch and was reading through Yasmine's blog post when I realized that no one was coming back to claim the red blackberry pearl phone with the matching red blackberry cover that had been laying on my table all along. The doors closed, everyone went on about their day, and it was just me and the blackberry of my dreams.

Rather than pocketing it, I used it for what I hoped to be a testimony for its owner. I found her mom's number, called her at work, and asked her what she would like for me to do with the phone. She told me that her daughter worked at the Motley and asked that I take it there. So I said sure, thanked her for her time, and told her to let her daughter know that THERE IS A GOD.

What would you have done in this situation? and what would you have done if you had family and friends making arguments of why it was probably meant to be for you to take advantage of the situation? 

When I was leaving Scripps this made me think a little bit about what it means to be a good citizen and follow God's example. I pray that this act inspires you to let God use you by being an example and doing what's right because people are watching, learning, and taking note. I am reminded that our true identity is who we are when no one is looking. When tempted to do something shady, even if it could be argued that there is nothing that bad about doing something, ask yourself "what would Jesus do?"

WWJD!

Like the song says, we want to be just like Jesus. He's a pretty cool dude, and it's an honor to model my life after His, as a Christian.

God bless you, Stay Strong

#goodfight

Hi everyone!

Hi everyone!

To say the past three days has been easy would be a lie. I've been tempted to create my own rules concerning this fast several times and just this afternoon I was really close to just getting a cookie,, when I decided to chill and just ask God if this was okay. As soon as I was done praying I felt a tap on my shoulder and it Kyra- that was God right there answering my prayers. So,, yes I did not eat that cookie. But I still need help in that regard, Sometimes I hear voices that tell me I can switch up my fast a little, because its all about the heart and what I eat doesn't really affect my heart, etc. I know these words are all from the devil and I want you all to join me in prayer so I can stay true to the commitment I made to you and to God.

 

Another important thing that has happened to me so far. Today, I woke up later than I expected to and during my shower I heard a voice that said to read Isaiah chapter 46. I did not have the chance to read it till an hour later and the last verse got my attention. It reads,

 

I am bringing my righteousness near,
   it is not far away;
   and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
   my splendor to Israel.

 

As soon as I read this I knew God is with me and is earnestly listening to our prayers. Also, I've been reading Romans since the beginning of the fast and yesterday I was stuck at this passage in Romans chapter 5:

 

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 

God did not let me read these verses for nothing and I am completely convinced that he is truly listening to us.

 

Last thing, I promise. Yesterday I found out that a girl at Scripps had to fly to Switzerland for a family emergency. I was convicted to send her an email telling her I'm Christian and if she didn't mind I would like to pray for he. She replied my email about 5/6 hours later, telling me what was going on(her mom is dyeing). She is not a believer and she is tired of going through pain(her mom has been sick for a long time). I do not know what God's will is concerning her mom's life, but I do know whatever happens will be to the glory of his name. I ask that you all please pray with me that through this experience Sophie will come to know God in a special way.

 

That would be all for now.

 

Love you all,

Yasmine.

 

Sincerely,
Yasmine Sampomaa Acheampong
Scripps College '14
A tree is known by its fruit

Something to chew on

So, since the beginning of this fast I have been seeking God with all that I have, and yet I feel like I could fight harder. One of the things that I am challenging myself with is being more hungry for God (although I feel like my stomach is doing all the hungry there is to do here). I've noticed that every time I am focused either in prayer or really reading the word, I'm never hungry physically, but I sense my heart beating faster, and my body drinking in everything from the Bible, it's so weird. It's almost like my soul and spirit are swallowing faster than I can chew, and I've realized that I either have to chew on the Word really fast, or I have to be eating constantly. That scripture that says "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" never became so real to me as it has in the last 3 days.

Ok, so to the original reason why I wanted to write this post. I'm seeking God, and he is leaving so many clues for me on how I can find him. And somehow I stumbled across this devotional online, and I thought it was amazing and I wanted to share it with whoever decides to read this post :)

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090106-1611.html

Please keep one another prayed up, and I ask that the Holy Spirit will continue to give you all the strength to keep pushing and to stay in his will. I'm praying for everyone, but most importantly I'm praying for a generation that seeks God above all things, and I pray that his name will be made famous in our day.

Love you, and stay Blessed,
Uloma.

Listen...

"Be still and know that He is God." Psalms 46:10

When I find myself in a tough situation, I often realize that it would have been avoided had I followed that "voice" in my head that suggested: saying something differently, taking a different action, not saying anything at all...

I'm excited about the fact that I am learning to recognize the Holy Spirit regardless of how loud the world is around me, and I seize the day that I will be able to act on it without hesitation.

Thank God for this time of consecration and focus.

#hallelujah

The Enemy is Moving

I concur with the post below. Today was a rough day. I had to make a really big decision that I have been thinking about and praying about for a long time. After I made the decision confidently expecting a win-win, I received an email that frankly changed the course and put me on a path to believe that I have possibly made a horrible mistake that could be very costly.

Please pray with me that things turn around and that everything works out.

I thought about modifying the conditions of my personal fast, honestly, but a situation like this reminds me of why I should ramp it up instead.

The enemy is moving strong right now, and I'm praying that the decision I made is really in accordance with the will of God.  When things turn around, I will have a real testimony!

#helpmejesus

I long to hear His voice..

God bless you, be encouraged

Day #1-2

The first day of the fast was a lil awkward for me. I just didn't sense as much closeness to the Lord as I wanted. I was happy, but not ecstatic. I was spiritually alert, but not as much as I think I should have been. IDK...But Day #2 has definitely been a struggle...not concerning the fast itself, but personal battles within. Just keep me up Fam. PEACE!