Keep Sunday Alive

We began today by mentioning Mercy Oloo, one of our frontrunnerz who went to be with the lord. there is a page dedicated to her on your right. Please visit it. May her soul rest in erernal peace with the Lord.

1 peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Chip was categorical in mentioning that expansion is not just putting bricks together to put up a church, but clearly mentioned that we have to be the ones to expand.

We have to be made of living stone. The spiritual house is more important than the physical house in Gods view. We need to build ICC to a spiritual house, the land, property, buildings are not important if the attendants are not made of living stone.

The body is a living organism, the body of Christ is aslo a living organism and we have to strive to live in the body of Christ so that we can be one family with the potential to grow and bear fruit that is in the living body of Christ.

Living specifications of life can be shaped, useful, grow and be of great value if they are living stones in the body of christ.

The living God provided us with living bread and living water so that we could be a living stone.
John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

1 Peter 2:4
[ The Living Stone and a Chosen People ] As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

God is calling us to be living stones

Jesus is building us to build his house that we may multiply. One stone is not adequate. So we must chizel to neatness many stones then the one will fit in and add great value. Each living stone chizeled and moulded in Jesus Christlikeness, is of great value and multiplies to the maximum.

If we dont understand that God is building us as a spiritual house then this expansion is just brick and mortar and has no value at all. We must all play a role in the living Expansion of ICC.

A security guard from NASA was asked by a visitor what role he plays in the organisation… He replied… “I help put people on the Moon” (Nice one Chip)
Clearly you can see, this guard knows the core objective of his organisation., He can see the big picture.

We need to see the big picture here at ICC, The big picture being building and expanding the kingdom of God by being living stones. We are building for His entire plan and vision.

Ephesians 2:14
14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

The church is not just the Mombasa road chapel we are known for but YOU AND I FOR GOD’S GLORY.

We have to provide opportunities to step into the unknown and see what we cant even imagine, we ave an opportunity to be what God wants us to be.

Pastor Chip is looking towards a minimum of 500 people in the new church, I pray for a multitude.

Friends, I hope this will keep you reminded of the sermon, I found it quite turr to put down but I did my best. Please add comments and help us all understand it better and keep the Sunday message alive.

Truely yours,
Kathukya.

Dear Friends,

The title of todays sermon reminds us that Pastor Chip is a real American… just a startup line.

Hey, those of you who are in C2’s will find this first verse we where told about rather familiar, it from chapter 2 of book 3 in Descipleship. Its on the chapter on prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Ponder on this verse and pray over i this whole week and if you are not in a C2 friend, you don’t know what you are missing, its like going to a “Christ’s Party” every week.
Its fulfilling,
Its Fun,
Its full of sharing, praise and worship,
Friends, its what you make of it.
Make a step, Join a C2 near you today.

Joshua 3:1-17 (NIV)
Crossing the Jordan
1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards [a] between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea [b] ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

The fact is as Chip put it was that one step stopped the flow of the river Jordan.
Yes there are a secuence of events that led to the Israelites reaching the stage where they where to cross the river Jordan to go across to March around the walls of Jericho.

1)
The first step was the release from bondage of the Egyptians.
2)
The second is the command in…

Joshua 1:2-5 (NIV)
2″Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

3)
The 3rd event was Calculation. Joshua used well thought out calculation to 2 instead of the original 12 spies to go into Jericho and map out strategy.
the 2 came with a positive report.
Note that in this process God also used Rahab the prostitute to give Joshua a positive report on strategy…

Joshua 2:1-4 (NIV)
Rahab and the Spies
1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute [a] named Rahab and stayed there.
2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

4But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” 6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

4)
Consecretion…

Joshua 3:5 (NIV)
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua told the people to obey God, be positive to Gods vision. It was the time of harvest when teh Jordan was Flooded and this is the time God set out for the Isrealites to cross the Jordan as opposed to when it is mild and the water is low at ankle height.

Like the man in the moon said… “One small step for man, One huge leap fpr mankind”
is the way that we should be prepared to take a step of faith. The circumstances must not be perfect to human standards for us to take a step of faith. Gods idea of being ready is not when you are ready, its when he asks you.

Listen out for the voice of the Lord, He is calling you to serve him, take that step today and it could change your life forever.
That step could seem small but it will be very significant to the Lord God.

Thank you friends and pleas feel free to comment and make any remarks on this.

Jonathan.

Dear beloved friends,

I am feeling guilty towards all my faithful readers, I have not updated this log since like February. Well Folks… I am back, I have prayed about it and I want to make sure you are given a taste of at least, every Sunday. Pray I get an assistant for when I am unable to do this Someone please HEEEEELLLLLPPPPPP!!! jkathukya@yahoo.com is my email address. Lets Keep the Sunday message alive.

Thanks
Jonathan Kathukya.

Dear Friends,

We are still in the spirit of the 40 Days of Prayer. This week the issue at hand is The priority of Prayer. Well folks, the message by Pastor or May I say Reverend Tony Kiama was, without mincing words… Delicious.

The Priority of Prayer

Jn 14:13-14 (NIV)

13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

1 Chronicles 5:20 (NIV)

20 They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.

If you dare to pray He will answer… was the first most exciting statement Tony made. Well it touched me right on the spot.

A good example given was a group of upmarket Kenyans… Church going Kenyans in a restaurant with Pastor Kiama, the food was delivered and as hos routine the pastor offers to say the grace… People are scared be seen closing their eyes praying in an upmarket restaurant. Is praying in public places really that shamefull or embarassing?

Think about it. Praying cannot affect your public life. Its the ignoring prayer that most likely will have a negative impact.

We have to make prayer a priority and I dont care how many times this word PRIORITY appears in this message because it is of utmost importance.

Luke 10:38- (NIV)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Being in the Presence of God is more important that everything else in this world. when we pray we put ourselves in the presence of God Mary in the passage above chose to sit in the presence of Jesus and Jesus clearly stated that the choice was the better choice.

In my opinion if anyone complains about your praying, just have in mind that you are doing the right thing for your in the presence of the almighty. Wacha Waseme Watachoka (let them complain, they will get tired).

John 16:24 (NIV)

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Ask of th Lord and He will give you says the bible.

Guess what?! the best time to pray is now. Not tomorrow, Not later, Not this evening, NO, NO, NO The time to pray is NOW!! Whether you are in a merc, a Tuk Tuk, a Matatu, a Meeting, whisper to God a prayer and He will surely Guide you.

Make prayer your Number 1 priority not the alternative for when you meet a dead end or when you end up in between a rock and a very hard place.

Remember Its about you. Its all about you and your are your top priority. Quoting Pator Tony….

        “No one fels jow it feels to be you, you know what you need. No one can stand up in the gap for you.”

Yap its true… Pray for you its only you who really has the need not anyone else. Remember tis you who needs to wake up and go to work or school or college or whever it is you go. No one goes for you. God made you alone not a mixture of you and someone else.

Prayer and Fasting

Daniel 9:3 (NIV)

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

There are things to pray about and things to prayer and fast about. Remember there is healing that Jesus said needs prayer and fasting, maybe that is what you need…

 Dont give up if your prayers are not answered how you expected them to be God will not let you down. Fast like Jesus fasted, skip a meal and pray and God will not let you down. remember friends…

   ‘Where there is a will there is a way’

Think about what you give to God. is it of any value?

Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)

7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Pray for the Country, Make Prayer Priority.

Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Psalms 32:6 (NIV)

 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
       while you may be found;
       surely when the mighty waters rise,
       they will not reach him.

Psalms 122:6

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
       “May those who love you be secure.

May those who love the Lord be secure.

Mathew 18:20 (NIV)

20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Numbers 23:19 (NIV)

19 God is not a man, that he should lie,
       nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
       Does he speak and then not act?
       Does he promise and not fulfill?

God surely answers Prayer (Friends Please TURN TO GOD)

That bank manager will leave, that cop who sorts you out will be transfered, that boss who gets your friends jobs will be fired, your business my go into financial constraint etc. but the best part of all is that if you turn to God, GOD WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU!!!

MAKE PRAYER YOUR FIRST PRIORITY AND GOD WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!!

Dear Friends, 

God wants to do the miraculous.

God wants to heal us.

Acts 3:1-10 (NIV)

Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar

 1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

 6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Pastor Chip stressed the fact that the miracle sign in the passage above was simply a chip off the block. Just an example of one of many of the miracles that Where performed by the miralces. this He expressed by strongly stressing the the first two words of verse 1… ‘ONE DAY…’

This stresses the fact that one day, maniy deeds can occur, miracles can happen, this specific day is one day not yesterday but one specific day. That day was a special day and is not comparable to any other day. Its the day God chooses for you to get your miracle.

This is why we have to be prepared because God does not operate on the system of a specific day of your choosing, He operates on a day of his own choosing thus ‘ONE DAY’.

Acts 2:42-43 (NIV)

The Fellowship of the Believers

 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

Clearly, the verse above stipulates that there where many ONE DAY’s for those who received thier miracles.

Pastor Chip made his own Personal Quote in his ‘one day’ and it goes:

“I dont want my one day to be another like another like any other day. I want my new today to be God’s day…”

Another point to note is that there are no hidden miracles, Jesus did his ministry in the open for all to see. When He sent the Holy Spirit, it was not a secret affair, it was public for all to see and all who believed to receive Him.

God wants to empower us to go out there and spread His word. Thus the miracles performed out there are for all the world to see.

Acts 5:12 (NIV)

The Apostles heal many

12The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

Acts 6:8 (NIV)

Stephen Heals Many

12The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

Acts 8:6

6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.Above are just some of the verses to show that the miracles where performed out in the open for all of the world to witness and believe. they started with the apostles and trickled down to all who believed and prayed.The apostles had a habit of praying as quoted inActs 4:23-31

The Believers’ Prayer

 23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
   ” ‘Why do the nations rage
      and the peoples plot in vain?
 26The kings of the earth take their stand
      and the rulers gather together
      against the Lord
      and against his Anointed One.’27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Having a habbit of prayer is key to everything that God does for you. 

Holy Spirit vision brings about Holy spirit boldness and this can be achieved gthrough prayer.

Acts 4:7-13 (NIV)

7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11He is
   ” ‘the stone you builders rejected,
      which has become the capstone.^[a]‘^[b] 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

 13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

We need to have Jesus to give and not silver or gold. For it is in Jesus name that we perform miraculous signs.

Acts 1:14 (NIV)

14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Acts 6:6

6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Kindly enjoy your week and keep the message alive. Fast if you are able and pray, pray, pray.

Sincerely,

Kathukya

Dear Friends,

Today’s Sermon by Pastor Anthony Francis, though rather fast, was extremely interesting and at the end the prayer and the calling for the Refilling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts was so touching, I found tears, tears of joy rolling down my cheeks. I know and I know the Holy Spirit filled the sanctuary today like He did on the day of Pentecost. I could feel Him, I know I could and still can.

The 40 days of prayer still continue, this week ofcourse as the topic highlights is based on prayer;

PRAYER AND THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Pastor Anthony was categorical in breaking it down clearly for all to understand on how the Holy Ghost comes upon us.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit
definition
Baptism is extracted from the Greek word Baptismo which interpretes into Immersion thus
Baptism in the holy spirit, put logically is IMMERSION IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

There are 3 stages of the Holy Spirit comming into our lives or His presence in our lives

1. The holy Spirit is with us/you and has been with us from before we where even born.

John 16: 7-9 (NIV)

2. Another time is when we receive Jesus as saviour, the Holy Spirit develops into us.

1 corinthians 3:16 (NIV)
16Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

3. Immersion is the 3rd factor that brings the Holy Spirit amongst us; Overflow of the, Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1: 3-8 (NIV)
3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

There is a difference between receiving the Hopy Spirit and Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of Baptism in the Holy Spirit is:
– Comforter
– Councellor
– Guide
– To receive the POWER OF WITNESS
In the power of witness, there we gain confidence, there is no fear.
Peter betrayed Jesus three times because of FEAR. He had not yet been baptised in the holy spirit.
– To fight the power of SATAN
– To witness to the ends of the earth.

Acts 2:1 (NIV)
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Jesus commanded his desciples to wait together in one place till he sent the Holy Spirit. This is because the Baptism is the Holy Spirit is a SPECIAL GIFT that we have to aknowledge.
The Holy Spirit came suddenly – He came as a surprise, His release was manifested upon them.
Tongues of fire filled the air.
They where filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19: 1-7 (NIV)
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.

4Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.

Acts 10:44
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

With this Pastor Anthony Gave Us all some home-work
read 1 corinthians 14:1 on:
– Desire to receive the Holy Spirit
– Beliveing in Speaking in tongues
– Growing in the Spirit
– REFILLING in the Holy Spirit

– The Need for Gods Presence

Also read Acts 4: 31 on Refilling.

Thanks Alot for your time
Jonathan Kathukya.

Dear Friends,
I know this is quite late for me to be adding this message from the service but bear with me, I got a bit tied up.

This was the first Sunday for the 40 Days of Prayer and it was a lovely introduction to the period. The service was slightly different with the sermon comming in the earlier part of the service and then prayers towards the end.
Here is some of what he had to say:

WAITING ON GOD
The first example given of impatience in the society today is that of the fast food industry, we no longer have time to wait for a nice well cooked meal, we want ready made Kenchick, Nandos, Chicken inn etc.

In our homes there is all all too common microwave oven, in technology the very special mobile phones, palm tops, blueberry, and here goes the craziest of all… ‘Online Dating’.

Waiting these days is a lost commodity in the church today.

Romans 12:2 NIV

2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Waiting is needed and has purpose, eg. the waiting in Jerusalem for the promise of the father, the deciples where waiting for someting they did not have, the waiting for 40 years in the desert by the israelites for the promised land is another good example of fruitful waiting in GOD.
God keeps time.
The definition of WAIT in the bible is the paramount sense of expection, NOT discouragment and not frustration. It is EXPECTATION because God does not turn back on his promises.

Psalms talks of waiting Expectantly, Hopefully, PAtiently, Steadfastly.
John talks of Abiding.
Anticipating and not timing (impatience). Excercising patience.
Chip gave a lovely example here: A man waiting fir an answer to the big question… ‘Will you marry me?’
In Psalm 27, David was anointed King and he waited while running forn Saul. He has faith.

Matthew 26:40 (NIV)
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

The desciples could not wait for just one hour. this is in our nature and we should make effort to change it. We must learn to WAIT ON GOD and excercise PATIENCE, EXPECTATION and ANTICIPATION

AMEN

Yours Truely
Jonathan.

Dear Friends,

Pastor Chip this past Sunday gave a very motivational sermon on TRAINING/exercising/preparing the Sout for the 40 days Pray we are going to have from 21st January. It was extremely motivating, here are a few extracts:

1 Timothy 4: 7-8 NIV

7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Train yourself for Godliness. Do this just as you do physical training just this time excercise it for SPIRITUAL training.

Tips:

1. Training is a good thing:

 - We should not look at it as bad or hard

 - We should look at it with value

 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV

 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

2. Train with the end in mind, with a goal in mind.

1 Timothy 2:2 NIV

2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

1 Timothy 6:6 NIV

 6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Godliness is devotion in Motion. Reflection on the character of God

ICC mission statement reminds us

“Connecting people to God and to each other

Challenging believers to Christ-likeness

Challenging the World”

3. The best training draws out what is within us.

1 Timothy 4:11-15 NIV

11Command and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

 15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

Paul drew something out of the time that he may not have thought he new, Motivating Timothy . Thus God by the power of the Holy Spirit is our Coach

we are born into sin thus we have to keep fighting- TRAINING ourselves for Godliness, Godness, Godlikeness. This is what God is shaping us to be.

4. There are training tools needed:

a) The word of God, reading it, studying and memorising it.

b) Prayer eg. the 40 days of Prayer

c) Fasting- set aside food time for spiritual nourishment

d) Going into Solitude.

 Thanks to you all

Kathukya.

Ps. From 21st to 4th March is the 40 days of prayer

- Waiting on God

- Prayer and the miraculous

- Persecution and prayer

- Prayer and pouring of hte Holy Spirit

- Priority of Prayer

- Divine Visitation

- The Antioch church.

BE ALL BLESSED

2 chronicles 7:14-16

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

Dear Friends, 

We are about to face 40 days of prayer. This begins on the 21st if January and I hope like me, you are all looking fowards to it.

Ok, this Sunday was about Fasting, Passtor Munene gave a lovely sermon with great examples that are both practical and realistic about fasting. He gave great bibilical definitions of fasting.

def 1:

Fasting according to the Hebrews is to cover the mouth

def 2:

According to the Greeks, fasting is to abstain

def 3 Christian Theology Bible

Fast, Fasting

Depriving oneself of food for a period of time for a specific purpose, often spiritual. It is the “weakening” of the body in order to “strengthen” the spirit. It is interesting to note that sin entered the world through the disobedience of eating (Gen. 3:6).

He went on to explain that fasting is an integral part of prayer thus the reason for this sermon being part of preparation for the 40 days of fasting.

Fasting is not a strange phenomenon, that is according to the bible, it is a norm

Mathew 6:16-18

16“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

In the old testament it is quotes too many to add to the blog times, but here are a few:

Leviticus 16:29

 29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves ^[a] and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you-Psalm 69:10
 10 When I weep and fast,
       I must endure scorn;

Esther 4:16
16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

 Fasting  cam be compared to affliction of the soul

Fasting is the most important christian discipline. its a pitty that some people have taken up to fasting to loose weight instead of for prayer. Fasting can change our lives, through fasting, there is the element of detoxification of the body thus cleaning the body which we all know very well is the temple of the Lord.

So far this is how Pastor Munene made this sermon so catching. then he discussed the elements and importance of fasting:

- Restores love coupled with prayer

- Opens up the spirit world

- Fasting draws us towards intimacy with God

So give up a meal or two, pray, worship and praise the Lord and the Lord God will surely bless you in His own good way and in His own good time.

Please read Isaiah chapter 58.

Thanks,

Have a wonderful and blessed week

Jonathan.