2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.
"This evening we seek the Lord for his agenda. We seek the Lord for His will for this time of seeking Him and his favor."
The above passage and statement began a time of intensively seeking God by the congregation of the Waverly Church of God of Prophecy (WCGP). After three weeks of seeking Him on each of the past three Sunday evenings (Oct. 2, 9, 16) at 5 pm until, we can give thanks and honor to Him for being present in our midst. The three weeks have realized a powerful move of the Holy Spirit as people have shared needs, desires, failures and sins and God's presence has overwhelmed us. We are thankful for an average of 13 being present to cry out to God, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways.
We believe He will, then, forgive our sin and heal "our" land. We continue to seek Him to open our hearts and minds to realize and receive godly repentance that leads to godly living and serving in Christ's vision and mission.
We thank all those who have given time in this prayer initiative. We anticipate and expect great and awesome things as we put God and His agenda alone on our prayer initiative.
Appreciation goes out to Stephen James for leading in this effort. May God be continually glorified!!!
Seeking God through prayer is one of our core values. We will continue this prayer initiative for the glory of God.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
09-11-11 A Day To Challenge Us...
There are many articles, news reports and media events surrounding the the ten year memorial day of 09-11-01. There will be prayer gatherings, prayer events, memorial services and possibly every church in America will have something to remember this tragic event when over 3000 people lost their lives. This time of prayer and memorializing is to be expected and commended where genuine seeking of God is found. Questions comes to mind. Will this be a temporary time of prayer? Will our nation continue on the path away from Biblical principles and lifestyles? Will this be only a time to commemorate a disaster or will it be a turning form wickedness and turning to God as 2 Chronicles 7:14 admonishes? No, I'm not saying the Twin Towers disaster was a punishment from God but it certainly was a wakeup call for Christians to be sober and diligent in seeking God. This is a time for a great opportunity.
Yes, we have a great opportunity to put forth a challenge in churches all across America since 09-11-11 is on Sunday this year. We have an opportunity to seriously share the need for continuously seeking God. We have an opportunity to share with our children and youth the value and priority of daily seeking God. We have the opportunity of coming to the cross where the blessed Savior died and to the empty tomb where he rose from the dead and is alive forever more. We have the opportunity of coming boldly to the throne of grace where he ever lives to make intercession for us. We have the opportunity to challenge people to seek God, not simply or only on 09-11-11 but every day of our lives. Let's use this opportunity to encourage importunity in prayer - to seek Him every day not just special occasions or memorial days....
Yes, we have a great opportunity to put forth a challenge in churches all across America since 09-11-11 is on Sunday this year. We have an opportunity to seriously share the need for continuously seeking God. We have an opportunity to share with our children and youth the value and priority of daily seeking God. We have the opportunity of coming to the cross where the blessed Savior died and to the empty tomb where he rose from the dead and is alive forever more. We have the opportunity of coming boldly to the throne of grace where he ever lives to make intercession for us. We have the opportunity to challenge people to seek God, not simply or only on 09-11-11 but every day of our lives. Let's use this opportunity to encourage importunity in prayer - to seek Him every day not just special occasions or memorial days....
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Update - Africa Report and Prayer Initiative
We were blessed by the presentation of Stephen James on his mission trip to Africa. He is a young minister seeking God and studying to grow in Christ.
He and I have been meeting and encourageing each other and also discussing and planning a corporate strategic prayer initiative for Waverly and surrounding area. This is not a specific Church of God of Prophecy prayer gathering. It is for all who want to join us in the area. We will meet in a room at the Waverly COGOP or in the auditorium as needed.
We will begin this time of SEEKING GOD on the first Sunday evening in October at 5 pm and each Sunday evening thereafter or as announced. We are using the Scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 as our emphasis. This prayer time is informal and will be open to anyone for prayer requests, testimonies, sharing scripture and personal struggles and needs. We will be listening to the Holy Spirit and seeking God for divine intervention, true revival and whatever He speaks to us. We will be asking God for forgiveness where we have failed and seeking for humility and repentance. We will focus on the vision and mission of Christ in our communities.
The enemy would make this time seem insignificant but we can be sure that prayer is at the top of the list in spiritual warfare. Though it is a simple effort in that we are not limiting the time, making a program outline or setting certain objectives, it is very profound in that we enter and press forward in this time of praying to humble ourselves, confess and repent of "wicked ways" and seek God's face.
Please join us in this time. If you can't attend please pray with us. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray........"
He and I have been meeting and encourageing each other and also discussing and planning a corporate strategic prayer initiative for Waverly and surrounding area. This is not a specific Church of God of Prophecy prayer gathering. It is for all who want to join us in the area. We will meet in a room at the Waverly COGOP or in the auditorium as needed.
We will begin this time of SEEKING GOD on the first Sunday evening in October at 5 pm and each Sunday evening thereafter or as announced. We are using the Scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 as our emphasis. This prayer time is informal and will be open to anyone for prayer requests, testimonies, sharing scripture and personal struggles and needs. We will be listening to the Holy Spirit and seeking God for divine intervention, true revival and whatever He speaks to us. We will be asking God for forgiveness where we have failed and seeking for humility and repentance. We will focus on the vision and mission of Christ in our communities.
The enemy would make this time seem insignificant but we can be sure that prayer is at the top of the list in spiritual warfare. Though it is a simple effort in that we are not limiting the time, making a program outline or setting certain objectives, it is very profound in that we enter and press forward in this time of praying to humble ourselves, confess and repent of "wicked ways" and seek God's face.
Please join us in this time. If you can't attend please pray with us. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray........"
Saturday, July 23, 2011
RESCHEDULED. Stephen James visit rescheduled.
Stephen James has been rescheduled to share his ministry trip to Africa at the Waverly CGP on the first Sunday in August 7th. NOTE:See previous post.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Stephen James To Share At Waverly CGP
On Sunday July 24th, Stephen James, son of Shirley (Stephenson) James, will share his testimony of his recent trip to Africa. Stephen is the grandson of David and Peggy Stephenson. We appreciate Stephen and look forward to hearing him share his journey to Africa and the ministry he was involved with there.
THE MIDNIGHT CRY
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
JESUS IS COMING! JESUS IS COMING! The cry has gone out for many years since he ascended after His resurrection. There are those who scoff and say that everything is the same and there is nothing to prove that he is coming. The Apostle Peter records in 2 Peter 3:3&4 "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." Jesus spoke of ten virgins who were to be ready to meet the bridegroom. It is obvious that he is speaking of His own return as the bridegroom and of those who are to be ready when He comes again. He uses this analogy of the bridegroom and the ten virgins.
He says five of the ten were wise and five were foolish. The five wise had oil in their vessels and their lamps. Because the bridegroom tarried they all ten slumbered and slept. The cry was made at midnight (an unlikely hour for him to come) that the bridegroom is now coming. The ten virgins arose from slumber and trimmed their lamps. The five foolish virgins trimmed their lamps as the five wise did but the foolish had no vessels with oil to re-fuel their lamps. The five foolish were out of oil and asked for oil from the five wise ones. The five wise would not give oil to the foolish lest they not have enough but told them to buy their own. It is interesting to note that the five wise brought, not only their lamps but VESSELS with OIL IN IT. Verse eight indicates that the foolish had trimmed and lit their lamps but had not brought vessels with oil and their oil had depleted in their lamps and their light had gone out.
There can be no light burning in lamps without oil. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Without oil in our vessels the light or fire cannot burn in our lamps and must be replenished. Some have compared the ten virgins to ten churches - five wise, prepared, empowered and on fire churches and five foolish, cold, dead and unprepared churches. Whether the ten virgins were churches is not the critical point. Jesus makes clear what is critical in verse thirteen. He says, "watch, for ye know not what hour the Son of Man cometh." Lamps will burn out and oil has to be replenished. Without lamps burning with oil we cannot watch. We must have the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to have our spiritual eyes burning to see the coming of the bridegroom - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Verse ten says, "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." Those that were ready went in with the bridegroom and the door was shut. I remember hearing former General Overseer M. A. Tomlinson say that one of his favorite songs was "Getting Ready To Leave This World." Being ready is what our Lord is emphasizing - watch and be ready for His coming. JESUS IS COMING! JESUS IS COMING! SOON!!! Keep your vessels full of oil and your lamps trimmed and burning!!!
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
JESUS IS COMING! JESUS IS COMING! The cry has gone out for many years since he ascended after His resurrection. There are those who scoff and say that everything is the same and there is nothing to prove that he is coming. The Apostle Peter records in 2 Peter 3:3&4 "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." Jesus spoke of ten virgins who were to be ready to meet the bridegroom. It is obvious that he is speaking of His own return as the bridegroom and of those who are to be ready when He comes again. He uses this analogy of the bridegroom and the ten virgins.
He says five of the ten were wise and five were foolish. The five wise had oil in their vessels and their lamps. Because the bridegroom tarried they all ten slumbered and slept. The cry was made at midnight (an unlikely hour for him to come) that the bridegroom is now coming. The ten virgins arose from slumber and trimmed their lamps. The five foolish virgins trimmed their lamps as the five wise did but the foolish had no vessels with oil to re-fuel their lamps. The five foolish were out of oil and asked for oil from the five wise ones. The five wise would not give oil to the foolish lest they not have enough but told them to buy their own. It is interesting to note that the five wise brought, not only their lamps but VESSELS with OIL IN IT. Verse eight indicates that the foolish had trimmed and lit their lamps but had not brought vessels with oil and their oil had depleted in their lamps and their light had gone out.
There can be no light burning in lamps without oil. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Without oil in our vessels the light or fire cannot burn in our lamps and must be replenished. Some have compared the ten virgins to ten churches - five wise, prepared, empowered and on fire churches and five foolish, cold, dead and unprepared churches. Whether the ten virgins were churches is not the critical point. Jesus makes clear what is critical in verse thirteen. He says, "watch, for ye know not what hour the Son of Man cometh." Lamps will burn out and oil has to be replenished. Without lamps burning with oil we cannot watch. We must have the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to have our spiritual eyes burning to see the coming of the bridegroom - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Verse ten says, "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." Those that were ready went in with the bridegroom and the door was shut. I remember hearing former General Overseer M. A. Tomlinson say that one of his favorite songs was "Getting Ready To Leave This World." Being ready is what our Lord is emphasizing - watch and be ready for His coming. JESUS IS COMING! JESUS IS COMING! SOON!!! Keep your vessels full of oil and your lamps trimmed and burning!!!
Monday, July 18, 2011
YES We Are Continuing Pastoral Ministry At Waverly COGOP
Several asked after the appointments at the COGOP State Convention and by text and email if we were going back to Waverly and why our names were not called. I cannot answer as to why our names and some others were not called but I (Milton) did speak with Bishop McKinley who said Karen and I are officially appointed back to Waverly COGOP. We anticipate great things in the Lord, seek to reach the harvest and pray to that end. We pray for Holy Spirit empowerment.
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