Blessed to be a blessing!

First of all, let me say that there is nothing at all wrong with believing, asking, expecting and receiving blessings. Many have read the prayer of Jabez, and many of us have prayed those prayers that started with the words, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed..." 1 Chron. 4:10. But often times we miss the purposes for which God has blessed us. It is the human condition to think that we are the dead-end of the blessings in our lives. The "redeemed" condition, however, is to realize that we are blessed to be a blessing. What if our prayers today would have as a focus of not just being blessed but being a blessing?

Would you in faith join with me in prayer?

Father, thank you for "every good and perfect gift that comes down from You" that has filled our lives. You are a faithful God and have demonstrated Your faithfulness over and over again! Would you show us today how we can reflect Your nature and character by being a blessing to someone in our paths? Help us to realize that even in the small acts of unsuspecting kindness we are showing people the love of our Father in Heaven. Even in the difficult circumstances of life, help us to look for the "God-moments" that You will most certainly reveal. Help us to be a people who are a blessing to our family's, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers. Truly, we have been blessed to be a blessing! We pray this so we can spread Your love and grace, in Jesus' Name! Amen.

May every blessing be yours today, and may you be a blessing!

~Pastor Randy

Don't Worry!!!

It's so much easier to say to someone else than to live it out yourself! We all have so many things that can encumber our minds and distract us from a focused life and prevent us from walking in peace. The words of the Apostle to the Philippians was right on when he said, "...Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything..." Phil. 4:6
My encouragement to you today is that you will saturate your life in a spirit of prayer, knowing that your Father in Heaven cares about you, and that He has the power to effect the change in you and around you in Jesus' Name!
Pray with me today...

"My God and my Father, I come to you with a list that can, at times, be so very long. Sometimes, I confess, I've neglected to bring you my 'stuff' because I was overwhelmed by it's oppression, consumed by the worry and fear of what those things may bring, or I felt that perhaps you were too busy for me, but today, I COME TO YOU! Thank you that in Your presence there is peace for my weary mind, and joy for the journey I'm on. Thank you that You have the power to change my life and make all things new. Today, I bring you my list - I bring You my life - I bring You my love and worship. Today, You are the awesome God who loves me and cares about me, and I TRUST YOU...in Jesus' Name, Amen"

Now, may you live in the peace of God that passes all understanding, knowing that your God is going to work it all out!

Be blessed!

~Pastor Randy

Your Will Be Done...

Obviously, the words from Matthew 6 where Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. What a powerful thought - that God would entrust you and I with the authority to pray His will into existence.
When I think about His will, I think about those things that are in keeping with His revealed Word and nature. Those things, unfortunately, don't always line up with my will. Thus the conflict between His Kingdom and "...the kingdoms of this (my) world..." What we should be praying for, are those things that "could be and should be". Think about it a minute! What could be - and for that matter should be, in your life? It brings a lot of things to mind.
So as we focus toward the end of this designated fasting and prayer time, please join me in prayer in believing God for the actualization and fulfillment of His will for our church.

"Oh, God, my Father, I come to you today on behalf of our church family - and the ministry it represents here in the Pinellas County communities. We have fallen so far short of truly seeing Your will come to pass for our church. We call for prayer, and allow the things of this life to distract us from seeking Your face. We hunger for an outpouring of Your Spirit but languish in our resolve to see it happen in us. We need true fellowship and unity yet allow the unimportant to separate us from each other. We yearn for understanding and knowledge of the Holy One and yet fade in regard to discipleship. We have a blurred vision for Missions, and live the adage of "...out of sight - out of mind." We speak of stewardship but we have prioritized everything but God in our wallets and checkbooks. We dream of ministry and yet bristle at the idea of "serving" someone else. Lord, all these things, and so many more are indications of Your desired plan for our church. I say, Oh God, along with the faithful of Your people - BRING YOUR WILL TO PASS! We say along with Jesus today - "Not my will, but Thine be done!"

May every blessing from being in Christ, be Yours today, in Jesus' Name! Amen"

God bless you and have a wonderful week in Jesus!

~Pastor Randy

Garment of Praise

"and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." -Isaiah 61:3

One of the things that I struggle with the most when I fast is what Jentezen Franklin calls 'dethroning King Stomach.'. I really love to eat and when I choose not to, it kind of seems like I am a person who is trying to quit smoking. I start going through withdrawal and I get cranky. I know it sounds silly, but I start spiraling into a slight depression. And if I had to guess, there are probably some others reading this that might admit, at least to yourself, that you go through a little bit of that as well. God never told us that fasting would be easy. If it was, more people would do it and I'm not sure that God would think as highly of those who choose to participate in it.

With that said, I think it is important to understand that during a season of fasting, we should really strive to rejoice in this discipline. Isaiah tells us that God gives us a garment of praise rather than a spirit of despair. When fasting, let's try and maintain a spirit of gladness. God is honored when we choose to abstain from food and other things for His sake. What a great way to show our commitment and dedication to God. So, the next time you feel like I do during fasting times, don't allow those negative thoughts to enter into your mind. Try and imagine your Father in Heaven watching you... Rejoicing over you... Beaming with pride as His child works to hear His voice and follow His direction. What a great thought! Rejoice!

-Pastor Josh

God, our Helper

Psalm 3: 3-5

3But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill.
5I lay down and slept; I wakened again, for the Lord sustains me.

God,

I want to thank You for you are in our lives...You are a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). When we are at our weakest, God, You are our strength. Lord, I pray that whatever we face today, help us to trust that You are with us, You lead us, and You guide us (Psalm 23:2-3).

Today, we don't need to be afraid, for Your love casts out every fear (1 John 4:18). And as we walk with You today, help us to love You more, love others more, and strive to be more like Jesus.

Help us to recognize (like David did in Psalm 3), that no matter what enemies or obstacles we face, You are our Helper (Psalm 54:4). You lift our head, You give us rest in the midst of trouble and You sustain us.

I pray that God is your helper and strength today. No matter what you are facing or going through, I pray that He would be EVERYTHING you need.

Blessings,

Pastor Wes

What are you looking at?

It's a good question - no, it's a great question! What are you looking at? Perhaps one of the greatest prayers that we could pray would be the one of Moses as he is on the mountain top with God. After a discussion about where they would go from there, Moses says in Exodus 33:18 "...I pray You, show me Your glory!" God carves out a cleft in the rock, places Moses in the cleft, and then passes by proclaiming His Name and allowing Moses to see the backside of Himself - WOW!
Now, I ask myself the question today, "What would change in my life if instead of looking at the world around me, I could behold the Glory of God?" What would happen in your life if, today, you would behold His absolute goodness and hear Him speak His Name to you? I believe everything would change! Why don't you pray with me today...

"Father, let me - let us, like Moses, first of all, cry out for the revelation of Your Glory. And then let us see You with unveiled spiritual eyes. Let us behold the most beautiful sight of all - that is You. Even as the Psalmist David said, "...to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His Temple." Let us sing again, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace". Father, it is true, if we can see Your glory then our hearts and minds will receive new strength...our perspective will be altered eternally...our lives will be changed! God, this is my cry...this is our prayer today, in Jesus' Name! Amen.

Be blessed today as you behold the Glory of God in prayer.

~Pastor Randy

Peace of Mind

Many people I have talked with recently have had struggles; some physical, some financial and some emotional. We have been encouraged not to give up. So just what do we do while we are holding on and waiting to see how the Lord is going to take care of our issues?

Phil 4:8-9 tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Father, thank you so much for the "text messages" you give us to help us live in the kind of peace that can only come from our relationship with you. Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts so I ask You, Lord to help us learn how to think as you do. Help us to take any negative thoughts captive and listen for your guidance through prayer, fasting and the Word. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Julia Rohrs

Hold on, help is on the way!

The title for this blog brings back the echoes of the song from the movie, "The Preachers Wife". The take-away line from that song was that phrase, "Hold on, help is on the way". Can I tell you today, IT'S TRUE! Hold on, Child of God, help is on the way - because the Helper is on the way!

All too often we're tempted to give-up just before the answer shows up. I think Daniel maybe was feeling a little bit the same way, when he had been fasting and praying for 21 days, and he looks up to see the most magnificent sight of his life. Daniel 10 tells the story and verse 12 gives us hope.

Dan 10:12 "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. NIV

I believe that our petitions are heard in Heaven and that our Father dispatches His Heavenly hosts to accomplish what concerns you and me. Hold on. Join me in praying today...

"Father, forgive us for ever quitting. Forgive us for losing hope in desperate times. Give us the tenacity of Daniel to continue to seek Your Kingdom in prayer and hold on, knowing full-well that our prayers are being heard by You and that You will bring Your Word to fruition. Father, today, we believe You...we believe Your Word...we believe, in spite of circumstances, that Your will is going to be done! Help us right now to hold on in faith as we fast and pray and humble ourselves before our awesome God! We love you and pray this today in Jesus' Name! Amen!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for your diligence in prayer. God does hear and will answer. Be abundantly blessed!

~Pastor Randy

What a love...

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God... 1 John 3:1 (NASU)

I don't think the greatness of God's love for you and me really sinks in to the degree that it should. Perhaps the Apostle Paul understood that when he prayed, "14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Eph 3:14-21

Join me in prayer today...

"Father, even though my mind has yet to comprehend how great your love is, my heart and soul have felt it's impact. I am overwhelmed today because of the vastness of Your great love. Forgive me for doubting it in difficult and impossible situations of life. Help me today to walk in the security Your love brings to my life, and be filled with all the fullness of You as I continue the journey of exploration into it's expanse. With the foundation of Your love in place, now help me - Yes, Lord, Help Me - to believe You in prayer to do "far more abundantly beyond all that I can even ask or imagine..." according to Your great power that lives in me.
Father, I pray this for me and all of Your children today, in Jesus' Name, Amen!

God bless you as you walk in His love today!

~Pastor Randy

The Change

"A diet changes the way you look. A fast changes the way you see." - Lisa Bevere

How is it going? I mean, really. Are you s

till fasting? Has it changed the way you see things? Is God using it to show you something? If not, reconsider this idea of the fast. The purpose of the fast is for you to sacrifice something. If you don't normally eat breakfast and you decide that you are going to abstain from breakfast, you are not sacrificing much. If fasting from something

costs you nothing then it means nothing. If God is not using this season to show you something, reconsider what you are fasting and ask God to direct your thoughts.

Our prayers and thought are with you and what it is that you are seeking God for. Blessings from the GCC staff. We are all honored to journey together with you.

-Pastor Josh

The Magic Kingdom

"...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done..."

No disrespect intended, but, I don't want a Mouse - even Mickey - sitting on the throne of the Kingdom! Unfortunately, all too often, while it may not be a mouse or some other Disney Character, we do find ourselves sitting on the King's throne instead of THE KING! When His Kingdom is truly working right, then He will have His place of Lordship and Leadership in our lives and in the world around us. When He's in charge, and His will is being accomplished, life lines up as it should. Our personal lives are blessed, our homes are at peace, our church is full of love and the Holy Spirit, our nation and society are characterized by righteousness, and our world is right!

This is a primary focus of our fasting and prayer time. As you pray during these 3 weeks of fasting, ask yourself, "Where has Christ not been given His rightful place of Rule?"

Join me in prayer today,

"Father, forgive me for not allowing you the place which you deserve, and you have bought and paid for - that is the place of Lord! First and foremost, please take charge of every area of my life and make everything right. Jesus, may your rule also be in place in our homes, church, schools, community, nation and world - we want to see Jesus' rule come to pass. We've seen and experienced the undesirable results of when we're in charge and we've had enough - WE NEED YOU! And Lord, just as I pray for your Kingdom to come, I also confess that, '...Thine is the Kingdom...' Lord, hear our prayer as we pray in Your Name! Amen."

Thank you for your hearts of devotion in prayer during this special season. Great things are in store for those who call on His Name. I pray you have a wonderful weekend in Jesus!

~Pastor Randy

Victory

The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Psalm 20:6 NIV

At choir last night we started with a time of prayer. When I knelt down to pray, my mind was on the prayer requests given by some of our choir members. My plan was to start praying for their needs. Immediately, I heard the word VICTORY! As that washed over me, it brought such a sense of joy and peace. All I could pray was:

VICTORY for each request

VICTORY for our church

VICTORY in Him for 2011

Last year was tough for so many folks. Financial needs, physical needs, etc. have brought people down. It is time to claim our victory and stand on it. God loves His people and does desire to bless.

So the question is; why all the troubles? God has never promised that we will live without troubles. As a matter of fact, I believe He sometimes tests our faith and our faithfulness through trials. However, the bible says; “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us”. Romans 8:37 NIV

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 NIV

By watching the news, reading the paper, and listening to those around us, we become aware that many of the issues are still in place for 2011, however, it is time to stand on God’s promises and believe. We are victorious in Him. Hold on…the answers are on the way.

God, we come to you today claiming victory! You are a mighty God and you want us to live in victory. Whatever today brings, we will stand on your promises. When the issues of today try to weigh us down, we will call on you. We won’t let go Lord, we will hold on. We trust in you that through every problem that life brings, You will be there to see us through to victory. Thank you God.

Posted by: Patty Thompson

Spiritual Wisdom & Understanding

We have just passed that magical moment in time - New Year's Eve! That time when most of us reflect upon the last year and make resolutions. If you are like me, you think of things that you should do or maybe stop doing; things that test your willpower rather than things that can make an eternal difference. That led me to these questions. What is it that I really want? What is it that could make a difference not only in my life but also in those around me? Spiritual wisdom and understanding came to mind because those gifts, free for the asking, have the ability to help us with everything in our lives. It also helps us point people to Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. Won't you join me in a prayer today modified from Col 1:9-11?

Father, I ask that you help us to continually pray for each other; asking You to fill us with the knowledge of Your will, Your wisdom and spiritual understanding. That You, Father would help us to walk in such a way that is fully pleasing to you and bearing much good fruit. I ask You also to strengthen us according to Your might and according to Your glorious power. We give You thanks for your redemption and forgiveness of our sins. In Jesus name, Amen!

Julia Rohrs

Meditate

Psalm 119:15-16

15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

Meditate literally means to "self talk." Have you ever caught yourself, and realized that you were talking...to nobody but you? I must admit, it's kind of an awkward feeling at first. Sometimes when I'm looking for something that I've lost, or trying to remind myself of why I'm in a certain place, I'll ask myself questions (or talk to myself) to help me remember what I'm doing.

In the same way, meditation is that important part of prayer where we begin to speak out what we know to be true about God, as well as listening to hear his voice. We need to continually remind ourselves of God's goodness, love and power in our lives.

So I say to you and me today (and I'll say it out loud), that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:38-39)...and God can do ANYTHING, far more than we could ever imagine (Eph. 3:20).


- Wes Morris

What's It Worth To You?

Why fast? What is the big deal about going without food for a period of time? Biblically, fasting brings us into a deeper, more intimate, closer relationship with God, our Creator. Fasting helps you focus your thoughts on the things of God. When you go without food, you are letting God know that your hunger for Him is greater than your hunger for physical nourishment.

Some times in life, there are things we really need an answer to or something that we desire. This could be a financial need, healing or possible even praying for someone to give their life to God. Whatever the case, God hears you when you pray. And I am convinced that when you add fasting to praying, it gets God's attention. Pairing these two disciplines together let's Him know that you mean business. So, the question begs to be asked: Is there a need that you want God to move on? If so, what are you willing to do to make sure it happens? What is it worth to you? Take this season of praying and fasting to prove it.

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him..." Matthew 6:8

~Pastor Josh

First Things, First

Why is it that so often when going to prayer I allow really big things to obscure my vision? Whatever it is that causes that, I don't think I'm alone. We allow our lives, our sin, our failure, our successes, our needs, and a host of other things to get in the way of seeing the most important - HIM!
It's the reason when Jesus taught us to pray, He said to pray like this, "Our Father, who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name..." (Matt 6:9) So join me today in praying like this:

"Father, today, in the middle of all my stuff, with so many things that need to be addressed, and with so many things going on in my life, help me to see YOU! Lord, even like Isaiah saw you "...High and lifted up..."(Is. 6:1) in the middle of a very traumatic situation, let me, indeed, let us, today, see you on Your Throne - High and Lifted up. God, forgive me for allowing the looming things of life to obscure the "one thing" that brings the greatest sense of peace, love, security and well being, and that is what David wrote about in the Psalms, when He said, "...that I may dwell in the House of The Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His Temple".(Ps. 27:4) That's my hearts cry today, Oh God, that I may simply behold the beauty of the Lord and be with You. May I see you right now as the One whose Name is Hallowed - and the One who alone is Holy! God, I've got to know that you're going to take care of the rest, in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen!"

God bless you all and have a wonderful Monday!
Pastor Randy

What is fasting?

Biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.