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Team Tuesday - December 16, 2014

12/16/2014

Song for you: O Holy Night! Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMSrZYA9gv0
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings of joy to fill you and embrace you in God’s abundant love during this Christmas Season as we celebrate our Savior’s birth.

I will be on Christmas break until January 2015.
May I suggest you review lessons from February 2013 on "The Keys of the Kingdom."

“I thank my God always concerning you for the
•    grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
•    that you were enriched in everything by Him
•    in all utterance and all knowledge,
•    even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
•    so that you come short in no gift,
•    eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
•    who will also confirm you to the end,
•    that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” See 1 Corinthians 1:2-9.

YOUR CALENDAR
December is always a good time to go through this year’s calendar and reflect on all the victories that God has given us this past year.

It’s also a good time to make a list of your desires and set goals for the coming year. Get your new calendar and pray over each month of the New Year, asking for God’s blessings and protection for yourself and your loved ones.

2015: THE YEAR OF GOD'S ABUNDANT FAVOR!
I’m expecting God to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think as He fills us…overflowing with His Holy Spirit!

Please continue to prayer for your counties.

Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org

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Team Tuesday - December 9, 2014

12/9/2014

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"I will go before you
and make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze."
Isaiah 45:2
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Holy Brethren,
THE GLORIOUS CHURCH
As we come to the end of the year 2014, the Lord desires each of His beautiful children to come up into the higher ways of being led by His Spirit and the deeper walk of faith for exciting times are opening up ahead of us.

TIMES OF REFRESHING FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” See Acts 3:19-21.

Definition of Refreshing: recovery of breath; revival

When God made man out of the dust of the earth, He breathed into His nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being. The Hebrew scribes say “man became a speaking spirit.” When Jesus was speaking on the new birth, He told Nicodemus “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

What do times of refreshing or restoration look like?
That’s our lesson for this week, tapping into the supernatural!

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” See Acts 2:2-4.

Jesus had told the disciples of that which was to come, “out of your heart will flow rivers of living water,” and “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” See John 7:38-39 and Luke 3:16.

THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Restorer!
“For with stammering lips and another tongue
He will speak to this people,
To whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which
You may cause the weary to rest,’
And, ‘This is the refreshing’;
Yet they would not hear.’” Isaiah 28:11-12

Weakness of the spirit will leave you vulnerable. Selah

What major events can we see taking place after the entrance of the Holy Spirit in the upper room?

One of the first things I see is the fulfillment of Jesus promise to baptize believers in the Holy Spirit and to give them power and be His witnesses. Acts 1:5 & 8.

We can see evidence of this manifestation as we immediately see a big change take place in Peter. Just weeks before Satan had “sifted him as wheat.” He even denied ever knowing Jesus. Now Peter stands up before the multitudes with great boldness and wisdom and gives his first sermon. Result? Three thousand souls were converted and that was only the first day! Acts 2:41

What’s happening? The birth of The Church!
Times of refreshing had come. Recovery of breath: revival!

DISCIPLESHIP, FELLOWSHIP, AND MIRACLES
“And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles’ doctrine
and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
Then fear came upon every soul,
and many wonders
and signs were done through the apostles.
Now all who believed were together,
and had all things in common,
and sold their possessions and goods,
and divided them among all,
as anyone had need.

“So continuing daily
with one accord
in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house,
they ate their food with gladness
and simplicity of heart,
praising God
and having favor
with all the people.

“And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

FAITH IN HIS NAME
The man who was lame from his mother’s womb asked Peter and John for money as they entered the temple. What was their response?
“And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”
See Acts 3:4-6.

“And all the people saw him walking and praising God!”

Peter quickly brought correction to those who thought this miracle was a result of his own power. “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

Jesus had taught His disciples many times that He could not do anything of Himself but could only do what He saw His Father do and could only say what His Father told Him to say. See John 5:19 & 12:49-50.

So it was with Peter.

It’s and Inside Job
It was the Spirit of God who was working through Peter in the name of Jesus Christ that made this lame man rise up, walking, leaping, and praising God!
Peter’s part was to hear and do.

TIMES OF RESTORATION: OUR GENERATION
Along with the release of God’s power comes a requirement for obedience, responsibility and speaking the truth. An atmosphere of respect and honor should always be given place as we enter into God’s presence.

Let’s look at the account of what happened to a man and his wife who were part of the early church…for a very short time.

Lying to the Holy Spirit
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

“But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.

“Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

“Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?’
She said, ‘Yes, for so much.’

“Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.” Acts 5:1-11

Was this a sign of revival?

The Heart of the Matter
Someone said, “I thought Ananias and Sapphira were just speaking to Peter.”

No, Peter was standing in front of them, but Someone unseen was directing events and knew the hidden deception that was in the heart of this couple. It’s good to remember that presenting tithes and offerings are holy to God. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD.”
Leviticus 27:30

THE PRESENCE AND GLORY OF THE LORD
Words are containers, carriers of what is in the heart. When Sapphira spoke those words to Peter she was revealing the sin that was in her heart.

As we get closer to the fulfillment of the ages and God’s holiness and purity of glory begin to increase in our churches with signs and wonders, we need to observe honor and respect in His presence.

Years ago I was attending a church where God’s glory was beginning to manifest during the worship services. One of the ladies on the worship team was wearing a dress that had many large designs and symbols of Egyptian idols. It was very disturbing. I spoke to the leader of the group about it but that lady wore the dress several times after that, and then I noticed her absence from the church. A few months later the church had her funeral service.

When David was bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, Uzzah put out his hand to steady the cart and died. Why? Because God had said only the priests could touch the ark.
See 2 Samuel 6:7.

When Moses went up the mountain and met God, the LORD told him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

OBSERVING PROTOCOL
“And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.
For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD?
Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD?

”God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,
And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” Psalm 89:5-7

The Holy Spirit will show us the way!
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PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
As we intercede for The Church this week, let’s pray for Pastors, worship leaders, and members of the Body to flow with the Holy Spirit and God’s plan for revival.

Ask for signs and wonders to be done by faith in the name of Jesus Christ.

Praying for: The Church The Lost Elected Leaders in our counties.

Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org

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Team Tuesday - December 2, 2014

12/2/2014

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"... that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times
He might gather together in one
all things in Christ,
both which are in heaven
and which are on earth--
in Him."
Ephesians 1:10
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Children of God,
If you haven’t read the previous lesson, please scroll down before continuing.

THE BLESSING OF GOD
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them,
•    ‘Be fruitful
•    and multiply;
•    fill the earth
•    and subdue it;
•    have dominion over the fish of the sea,
•    over the birds of the air,
•    and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” Genesis 1:27-28

Awesome and glorious words, containers of God’s will for man.
And just like when God said, “Light be!” and light was, His Word contains the power to produce what He said.

The Thief
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

When Adam and Eve received The Blessing it was exactly what Satan wanted: dominion and authority to rule! (God gives us insight about Satan and his past in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:1-19.)

Satan thought he could have the blessing but everything that he touches becomes defiled and rotten. He devised a way to work through fallen man to take authority on earth.

He even came to Jesus in an attempt to steal what Jesus was sent to earth to do.

“Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.’” Luke 4:5-7

Jesus overcame this temptation by speaking God’s will, the written word.
“You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”

After the resurrection, God blessed His Son.

“ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME.” MATTHEW 28:18

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of man, overcame every temptation from the enemy and redeemed mankind from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2. As the first Adam had a choice in the garden, so man would once again have the right to choose the blessing or the curse, eternal life or eternal damnation.

And our Savior also had something else in mind.

THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT: This Changes Everything!
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14

This is the Gospel message and it holds within it the power of change.
When received, man would be born again, the temple of His Spirit, one with God!

KEPT UNDER THE LAW: The Tutor
“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.” Galatians 3:23

THE FULLNESS OF TIME
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:4-7

WHEN GOD JOINS WITH MAN
Jesus Christ opened the way for you and me to be one with Him and His Father, to receive eternal life. With adoration and complete submission we cry out, “Abba, Father, I love you!”

The Creator became one with you and me, His creation, through the sacrifice of His Son. Glory to God!

THE REVEALING
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:19-21

HEIRS
As we develop and mature through fellowship, prayer, and study of His Word, we increase in our ability to receive revealed knowledge and operate as sons who have been given great power.

We would never place a two-year old child behind the wheel of a car, hand him the keys, and tell him to drive to New York City. Why not? He has to develop and mature through years of daily training. When he reaches the appropriate age he must pass a test before being issued a license, a vehicle, and the keys to be free to go wherever he pleases. He can now be trusted.

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” See 1 Corinthians 13:11.

THE TEST: It’s Your Choice
1. LOVE
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

2. ANSWERED PRAY AND FORGIVENESS
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24-26

3. DOERS OF THE WORD
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25

4. WORDS: WATCH WHAT YOU SAY
“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2

5. LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For
‘He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.’” 1 Peter 3:8-12
6. THIS GRACE IN WHICH WE STAND
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
‘God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.’
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:6-7

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

7. THE GOSPEL: The Life of Faith
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,
‘The just shall live by faith.’” Romans 1:16-17

DIVINE UNITY: Original Intent Restored!
•    One with God’s plan.
•    One with God’s purpose.
•    One with God’s Spirit.
•    One with each other.

Read and meditate on John Chapter 17 this week.
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PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
Called to pray for:
The Glorious Church   The Lost   Elected Leaders

If you have read this lesson and feel like you’re on the outside looking in, or in other words, you don’t have a personal real-life relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, it’s time you did! It’s what you’re searching for.
Please read the prayer on the: Don’t Know God? page.

Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org

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Team Tuesday - December 16, 2014

Song for you: O Holy Night! Chris Tomlinhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMSrZYA9gv0 ____________________________________________________________

Team Tuesday - December 9, 2014

"I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze."Isaiah 45:2_______________________________________________________________

Team Tuesday - December 2, 2014

"... that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him."Ephesians 1:10_______________________________________________________________

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Song for you: O Holy Night! Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMSrZYA9gv0
____________________________________________________________

"I will go before you
and make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze."
Isaiah 45:2
_______________________________________________________________

"... that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times
He might gather together in one
all things in Christ,
both which are in heaven
and which are on earth--
in Him."
Ephesians 1:10
_______________________________________________________________