The Power of Prayer

Prayer is not a conventional weapon. In fact, it is a "power-full" tool that God has given his children. The scripture teaches us that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty unto God, for the pulling down of strongholds.

God uses the humble and submissive heart of a praying saint to destroy the devices of the enemy.

When we pray, we gain direct access to the Father. We have no reason to hesitate or fear because we have help; even when we know not what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf.

We can enter boldly into the throne room, and in doing so, we have a one-on-one encounter with the most high God. When we ask according to his will, we know that he hears us, and if we know that he hears us, we can trust that we will have those requests that we ask of him.

Jesus is our example for a powerful prayer life. When he prayed, blind eyes were opened, deaf ears could hear, the lame were able to walk, 5,000 were fed from a few fish and five loaves of bread, and the dead were raised to life again. Christ instructs us that greater work shall we do!

As prayer warriors, we know that we must give God basis for answering our prayers. Praying according to His Word, gives him reason to answer. Acknowledging his honor, his glory, his character and his sovereignty, gives him a reason to answer. Praying in the name of Jesus, gives him a reason to answer. Nurturing an intimate relationship with him, gives him a reason to answer.

Remember, God doesn't need us to pray. He could accomplish the work without us. He chooses to allow us this awesome opportunity, and we should consider it a privilege to have access to this tool to fulfill our kingdom assignments. We should gladly make supplications with thanksgiving to accomplish his will on earth.

Have you exercised your power tool today?

by Terry P. Kilgo, Assoc. Pastor

Blind But Now I See

Paul gave us a wonderful example of how we should respond to the mercy that God extends to us in his account in Acts Chapter 9. Pray that we will be just as obedient when we hear his voice, and thank God for his amazing grace!

ACTS 9

1 MEANWHILE SAUL, [a]still drawing his breath hard from threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 And requested of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus [authorizing him], so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way [of life as determined by faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.

3 Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,

4 And he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and molesting Me]?

5 And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. [b]It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. [Let a man examine himself]

6 Trembling and astonished he asked, [Lord, what do You desire me to do]? The Lord said to him, But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.

7 The men who were accompanying him were unable to speak [for terror], hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Then Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [Lord give me sight to see through Your eyes]

9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank [anything]. [Lord teach me to fast and pray]

10 Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, Here am I, Lord. [Lord make me a willing vessel]

11 And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there].

12And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.

13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem;

14 Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name. [Lord strengthen me to do your will]

15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel; [I am a chosen instrument of the Lord]

16 For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name's sake.

17 So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. [Lord fill me with your Holy Spirit]

18 And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul's] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized, [Thank you Lord for allowing me to see and know the truth]

19 And after he took some food, he was strengthened. For several days [afterward] he remained with the disciples at Damascus.

20 And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, saying, He is the Son of God! [Lord let me proclaim who you are, let me lift up Your name so others will be drawn to You]

21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, Is not this the very man who harassed and overthrew and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon this Name? And he has come here for the express purpose of arresting them and bringing them in chains before the chief priests.

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing and examining evidence and proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah).

23 After considerable time had elapsed, the Jews conspired to put Saul out of the way by slaying him, [I will lay down my life for you Lord]

by Minister Cheryl Jenkins

Take No Thought

We spend a lot of time and energy worrying about tomorrow; what we're going to wear, where we are going to go; what we are going to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We often worry about whether or not we will pass a test or whether or not we'll measure up to other people's expectations of us. Many of us spend needless sleepless nights worrying about our children or how we will pay our bills, or make ends meet.

God's children were not designed for worry. In fact, Matthew 6:25 and 34, instructs us to "take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on." "Tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Our goal is to spend our time, energy, and resources focusing on Our Master. We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Meaning, God will be responsible for us, if we dedicate our lives to seeking him and his way of doing things.

If our Father is generous enough to care for the well-being of the birds of the air and adorn the lilies of the field, how much more will He care for His most prized creation; His children? He has promised to meet every need that we have according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.

The old expression, don't worry, be happy, is a slogan that the church should adopt as a personal affirmation every day; that is as long as we put our trust and confidence in the Lord. Worry does not look good on us. In fact, it has been known to steal our health, joy, and strength if we allow it.

Our mission should be to submit to the "Lover of our Souls" to care for us and our everyday concerns, as we spend our time and energy loving him, unconditionally.

written by: Terry Kilgo,
Associate Pastor

Humility Leads to Harvest

Humility is the forgotten strength that's ignored or misunderstood by most Christians because we've become so goal oriented that we forget that our main focus is to submit to the will of God.

We never see what God can and will accomplish in us and through us as long as we operate in what we feel are our strengths. 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10 reveals that God's strength in us is even more evident when we take our weaknesses to Him.

Pride is a subtle and cunning tool that the enemy uses to get the committed Christian to become self-reliant instead of becoming God dependent and Spirit led. But, pride only brings destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

Humility is a good seed our hearts sow by choice. Matthew 5:5 in the Amplified translation reads, Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, [a]spiritually prosperous--[b]with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! When we come to God with a humble heart and contrite spirit, He will bring about increase in our lives regardless of condition, circumstances, or even devils.

Who needs a harvest? I do!

written by: Keith T. Kilgo,
Senior Pastor GFCC

F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real

This acrostic has circulated its way through the Christian community for years.

By definition fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; a painful agitation; anxiety; loss of courage; intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.

The EVIDENCE is that we currently face a devastating economic environment; high gas prices, mortgage foreclosures, global stock market instability, failing banking institutions, company closings/layoffs. And ...it would be easy for us to fear.

But the TRUTH of the matter is that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (1 Tim. 1:7) In fact, He promised to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Never have the righteous been forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. That being said, we can not afford to operate in fear.

Fear attacks the thought processes to keep us from trusting God and His Word. It attempts to cast doubt on the precepts and promises of God; paralyzing us and hindering us from moving forward in the will of God and the work that God has established for us to do.

We must learn to recognize it for what it is; FALSE EVIDENCE. The enemy would have us to look at our circumstances and situations outside of the context of who God is. He tries to distract us by both the enormity and frequency of negative circumstances, to cause us to loose our focus from our Father. Fear is the opposite of FAITH. We can't react to what we see, and hear taking place in the world, without subjecting it to what God has said in His Word. We have to walk by faith and not by sight.

Romans 5:4 says that we glory in tribulation; knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience hope. We can't allow difficulties to cloud our judgment and decision making processes, but have to learn to rest in our relationship with God.

We have a blessed assurance in Christ, and can be confident that he will never leave nor forsake us. We are hidden in Him and He lives in us. We are children of the Most High God; not moved by what we see, but by what He says.

Feel free to post a comment and let me know how you are holding fast to your faith. And remember, don't be a victim of fear, but be an overcomer in Christ!

written by:
Terry P. Kilgo, Associate Pastor GFCC

A work in progress ....

To God be the glory. Today, September 23, 2008, is the birth of a new ministry for Godly Faith Christian Center. We've stepped into a new arena and God is allowing us to reach the masses through this technology. Please pardon us during these initial days as we begin this project; with a few growing pains. We are a work in progress!