| We are coming to the end of our 40 day emphasis: the Power in "ONE." Last Sunday as we were focusing on the "One desire" portion of our study, where David said, This one thing I ask... (Psalm 27), the service took a unique turn. Many small things led to my decision to let the preaching segment be a direct connect with God and not listening to a messenger. Allow me to process it a bit with you.
As the week was unfolding there was a growing sense in me that the best way to present this was not by me preaching it. Sometimes we take these "leadings" too lightly, but I couldn't shake it. We are so ready to preach something into others and less prepared to throw out our preconceived plans and let the Holy Spirit do it Himself. In this case, there was also a deep sense of conviction through my prayer and fasting that I needed to give God some room to deal with me.
Still battling....Sunday morning I was up early finishing preparations for the day. As I wrestled for a sense of direction I decided to put my notes aside and just worship. I asked Cyndi to put a Worship CD on. I began to listen to the words of a CD that I had never heard before. They grabbed my spirit. They ushered me into the very sense of what I was to be preaching on a few hours later. I knew I had to be open to setting the stage for a direct connect not another Chip Block sermon.
As the service unfolded later that morning I was prepared to step aside after reading the text and let the Holy Spirit be the teacher of the day. I challenged the attendees to take the sermon note page and fill it with a prayer or words they sensed God was speaking to them. As we moved through that portion of the service there was a strong sense of God's presence.....a Holy hush. We gave God time to drive his agenda. It was fresh, spontaneous, and meaningful.
I have received several notes, emails or direct comments coming out of our Sunday worship experience: All positive (although I know the other are out there). Most of the comments have reflected the fresh, spontaneous, and meaningful aspects of the time spent. What about you. Any thoughts? In this case there is some validity to the statement: I guess you had to be there. But, I would love to hear from you.
We finish the actual 40 days today. I did some extended fasting two different times during the 40 days and then some shorter fasting exercises in between. I come out of this affirming again that prayer with fasting is powerful!!!! The battle with the flesh is no stronger that when we are fighting it in seasons of fasting and prayer. I experienced that first hand. BUT, the spiritual awareness, sensitivity and rewards of breakthrough far out-weight.
Let's keep pressing on to all that God has for us!!!!
Hope to see you Sunday,
Chip
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