Hello friends,

Tonight's message touched my heart and really ministered to me. Have you ever visited a kennel and taken notice to the amount of flies buzzing around the filth of the animals? That really puts a perspective of my life before your eyes. There are so many little things that I would like to change about myself, in a spiritual sense. It seems like so great a task, that I have been putting it off for sometime when I was "spiritually high" and full of a greater strength. I suppose we could call that Charismatic Procrastination.

So how does someone like me tackle such a massive project? Pastor Beverly has offered the answer so many times, her words were very prophetic and led to this moment. I am almost definite, unless you were distracted from the point of the sermon, that these thoughts and considerations are bouncing around in your spirit about now. So what is the solution to this change we are seeking?

Pastor Beverly takes a brief pause between songs and often speaks a prophetic and timely word to the congregation. She made several statements recently concerning "fire". Pastor Randy touched on it tonight I believe, as well. We have to "let it burn". It's something that we can't do ourselves yet must SEEK and APPLY to our lives. So what does it require me to do?

First, as Pastor Randy told us, we have to humbly and fervently pray. The prayer that I personally pray that helps me the best is so simple it might seem ineffective. I simply pray "Lord Jesus Help!" and admit in my heart that I can't do it alone and that it requires His hand on the matter to make a resolve. Prayer is the key to getting the help you need in times when you feel like you are falling apart, that you just can't not sin for one more moment. It is also the secret to maintaining purity throughout the fire and gaining prosperity when the fire dims. Pray Pray Pray...longer and diligently, focused and worshipfully.

In the midst of temptation, when you want to retreat from the battle, you have to use a powerful weapon to push back the enemy. Praise is your weapon! It's like pouring hot coals on those demons, it's like filling a demon's ears with sweet loving communion. When we praise in thankfulness and gratitude, lifting up the name of the Lord God Almighty, it puts the enemy to flight. How do we lift up the name of the Lord? By expressing our God is big and powerful and mighty and such.

So now you know of two weapons, aside from the full armor of God, that you can use to make this change and exterminate the flies in your life. There are many other things you can do that the Lord will reveal to you. Together with the Lord, I am definite that we can walk in a greater purity and be purged of more of our self.

As I leave you to go read a bit before getting some sleep, I want to mention something else. We have to STOP the sin in our lives. Period! That was the point of the sermon this evening. I want you to think about the new building for a moment. What will you bring with you into it? Will you bring spirits of lust, addictions, jealousy, gossip? Our intercessors will be working overtime as it is, will you bring further spirits against them when we enter that new building? When you pack your bags to move into your new spiritual home, think about what the Lord desires you to bring? I thank the Lord that He has provided us with 3 weeks to examine our hearts and move towards repentance. I challenge you to repent, to make an honest and genuine change in the areas of your life that have been in bondage.

What am I working on? I have been smoking for around 8 years. I have been acting upon lustful desires for far longer. I have been slack on communion with the Lord. I have walked the fence post for too long in many areas of my life. It is the perfect time to change, half-hearted repentance just won't cut it anymore! Today I make my change. It might be the most painful experience, it probably will, but it's the time to choose life or get out of the way.