Living in the Dash

Someone entering an historic city sat in the square and as a local resident greeted him he asked "was anyone famous born here?" The response was "no, only babies."

You see we all come into the world the same way, it will be what we do with dash (-) between our arrival and our departure dates that counts. Do something of eternal significance today, PRAY!

Pastor Winston

A Face Like Flint

This is how GOD answered me: … Use words truly and well. … Then, but only then, you'll speak for me. Let your words change them. Don't change your words to suit them.” Jer 15:19 THE MESSAGE

Don't let circumstance change the truth of your message.  Truth remains truth regardless of culture or the year.   The delivery vehicle may change but he message does not.

Pastor Winston

Divine Coincidence

The former Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple said, “When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they don't.” When we ask God for direction, often doors are opened that were unexpected.

Pastor Winston

Four Types of Men

“There are four types of men in this world:

1. The man who knows, and knows that he knows; he is wise, so consult him.
2. The man who knows, but doesn't know that he knows; help him not forget what he knows.
3. The man who knows not, and knows that he knows not; teach him.
4. Finally, there is the man who knows not but pretends that he knows; he is a fool, so avoid him.”

                           - Solomon Ibn Gabirol ben Judah (1021-1058)


Pastor Winston

A Bright Future

Because of our current state of affairs, the habits with which we are so easily overtaken, the challenges of a disciplined approach to life we often feel disconnected from the Lord.  We contemplate the question, can he really use me?  Here is the answer that came to me again this morning.

"I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering." Jer 29:11 (CEV)

Pastor Winston

Paid In Full

Be generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Psalm 119:17 MSG




A Father’s generosity is not always measured by the goods he provides. And in the case of our heavenly Father – the measure is his great LOVE. For he so loved us that he sent his only son die and be the “FINAL PAYMENT” for us.

We are eternally "PAID FOR" – that’s the stamp upon us – no one can claim us but our heavenly Father.





Pastor Winston

Lord, You Are My Example

I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. 16 I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it. Psalm 119:15-16 MSG



There is a particular food item that I like to have on occasion in Jamaica, we call it Jerk Pork. Whenever I have it, I will chew on it to get every bit of flavor from the meat in my mouth. I can taste the various spices and pepper, as it moves around my mouth my taste buds with the delicate flavor of each spice.

Can we take our Father’s Word and chew on it in like manner. Experience every nuance of it’s flavor and relevance to our daily lives … wow, what an explosion of power when I read and understand my Father’s Word.

Pastor Winston

I Need To Hear From You

I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. Psalm 119:14


I want good things in this life, a nice home, a good car; the ability to pay my bills on time. But Father, I want nothing at the expense of my relationship with you.

Give me what is best for me, help me to know what the desire of your heart is for me and then I will use my given faith to secure it.

Pastor Winston

Train Me In Your Ways

Be blessed, GOD; train me in your ways of wise living. 13 I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; Psalm 119:12-13 MSG


Father, I’m all ears – I now that I will never be put to shame by following your Word. The old hymn "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah" comes to mind – challenge my every step Lord, don’t let me slip on the path of this life. I am depending on you!


Pastor Winston

I Am Full

I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Psalm 119:11 MSG

If I mess up, your Word is there to pick me up. Better yet, before I can make the wrong choice your Word is there to guide me. I really have the best kind of life I could because my account is always full of your Word because I HIDE IT IN MY HEART.


Pastor Winston

Don't Miss Your Exit

I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. Psalm 119:10 MSG

As drivers go I believe I’m a very good one. I am alert and I am always aware of the signs on the road before me. I remember however, travelling on a highway in New York several years ago where the exits were several miles apart.

I somehow missed the sign for my exit and had to proceed to the next, turn around and double back to where I should have been in the first place. If we keep our eye on God’s word, we will seldom miss an exit or an on ramp of life.

Keep your eye on the Word and you will be ready for the next opportunity from God.

Pastor Winston

Where Do I Go?

How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. Psalm 119:9 MSG



Several of us may be directionally challenged. We couldn’t find the grocery store in our own neighborhood. But we are not lost, for someone developed a little device that we can speak into or type into and it immediately maps our route to our destination.

We call it a navigation system. The word of God is our navigation system for this life – How can we miss the pitfalls of life? Use God’s navigation system – THE HOLY BIBLE.


Pastor Winston

Please Don't Leave Me

I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me. Psalm 119:8 MSG


What a request – Father, Don’t leave me! And his reply, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Our Father is a loving, doting poppa that is clearly interested in every part of our lives. If we would only let him in – and enjoy his intimate fellowship.

Pastor Winston

Straight Talk

I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. Psalm 119:7 MSG


Our Father speaks the truth, He does not hide his heart or his desire for us. We are assured that the Word that we read in the canon of scripture represents the heart of our creator. We then, his creation, should appreciate the loving and kind words that encourage, empower and transforms us into the likeness of our Father.

Pastor Winston

No Regrets

Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; 6 Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. Psalm 119:5-6 MSG



The psalmist doesn’t ask a question or make a vague comment – rather, he makes an emphatic statement; "Lord steady my footing, let me see the ordered path you have placed before me. Then, as I live this life on earth, I will in review have no reason to regret what I have done."


Pastor Winston

In The Spirit and Power of Elijah

Luke 1:17 [KJV] And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias , to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

- Todays Message at Christ Alive, "In the Spirit and Power of Elijah"

Luke 1:17 MESSAGE He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics — he'll get the people ready for God."

1. Influencing the Parent's of our nation to turn their hearts to the children (not just their children)
2. To Awaken the skeptic and fence walker to the reality of true relationship with Jesus Christ
3. To prepare a people for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ

Pastor Winston

Closer Than A Brother

You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Psalm 119:4 MSG



What an expectation. God gave us the blueprint for our lives, the provision for the building and then He expects us to follow it to the letter. If we seek Him, really seek Him, He will always meet us – He is never far from us – HE STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.

Pastor Winston

All Sufficient Grace

You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. 3 That's right — you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. Psalm 119:2-3 MSG


As wayward children, and sometimes well meaning – we take detours from the God ordained road of life and encounter the potholes and roadblocks that inevitably meet us on our journey.

Life is never without it’s challenges but why create those for which we are unprepared. On His road for us, we are well equipped to deal with the obstacles that lay before us … the equipment - HIS ALL SUFFICIENT GRACE.

Pastor Winston

Follow After God

You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.  [Psalm 119:2 MSG]

God's best comes to us as we live based on His revealed will for your lives.  How do we find His will? We must read His Word, meditate His Word and do our very best to understand his desire for us to be like Him.  After all, He made us in His own image and after His own likeness.

Pastor Winston

Walk Steadily

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD.  [Psalm 119:1 MSG]


It is our Lord's desire to order our steps and bring us to success in this life.   Many challenges that we face are realized because we fail to walk steadily and surely on the road that God has already mapped for our lives.  
 
Pastor Winston

An Empowered Life

"God's Way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life." [1 Corinthians 4:20 MSG]

When we are living out our faith with integrity and compassion in the world, God can use us to let others see His love and character.

Pastor Winston

Called To Serve

What’s our responsibility? A gospel that is focused on just our own, our person, our family is missing an integral component. We are, as our Lord Jesus said, to serve the poor … poverty of material things and poverty of the spirit.

As citizens of the household of faith, we are called to serve. Our foremost mandate is not to assess what we don’t have, or what we can receive it must be “what can I give.” I must learn to serve by:

1. Lifting up the poor and marginalized
2. Challenging injustice
3. Rejecting the worldly values found in our culture
4. Love our neighbors as ourselves.

“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.” Psalm 82:3 KJV

Pastor Winston

Sanctify Us, Lord ...

Father,

“OH, THAT You would rend the heavens and that You would come down , that the mountains might quake and flow down at Your presence — … to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!” Isaiah 64:1-2 AMP

We open our hearts to you today, sanctify us by your Word O Lord, for your Word is truth.  Let your glory fill the earth as the water covers the sea.

Your humble servant

Faith Without Works

"... When will you ever learn that "believing" is useless without doing what God wants you to? Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith."  James 2:20 TLB

In 1 Samuel 15, we see where King Saul was given specific direction from God by the Prophet Samuel.   Repeatedly the King did only some of what God had wanted him to do and on one occasion he went beyond his authority and stepped into doing what was not within his authority before God and man.  

Does the end justify the means?  Never! In the sight of God, we must be completely open with him, obedience and openess with our heavenly Father brings a great intimacy with Him.

Pastor Winston

Speak the Truth In Love

"How painful an honest discussion can be ..?" Job 6:25 [GW]

Are you afraid of speaking the truth when faced with a personal confrontation?  It is an imperative if we are growing in godly character to be open and honest with our friends, our family and ourselves.  Truth makes us free and hints and suggestions only cause misunderstandings and misinterpretations. 


"God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love"  Ephesians 4:15 [THE MESSAGE]

Honest Talk

Today's Quote:  "Apart from blunt truth, our lives sink decadently amid the perfume of hints and suggestions"

Are we truly honest and transparent with ourselves? We speak of being transparent with those around us but are we seeing ourselves for who we are?  And when we do, are we willing to go to our Father and say, "daddy, help me be all I can be in you."  Our heavenly Father desires honesty and intimacy - He wants us to be like him, formed in the image of His son Jesus Christ.

"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself."  Philippians 2:5 (THE MESSAGE)

Pastor Winston

This is His Day

Father, thank you for such a wonderful and glory filled day. As I view the mountain before me and the heaven's subtle embrace I think of your awaiting us in the holy place of Worship.  Fill our hearts with yourself and I covenant to give you all the honor, all the glory and all the praise for this privileged life of knowing You so intimately.

The mountain before me is the Blue Mountains of Jamaica and the colors, the various hues of blue, gray and white along with a golden glow that hovers over the east is unquestionably the hand of the Master Designer.

O, that I would know you. To have a single heart and thoughts in common with You my Father.  Teach me your way, show me the path of truth that I may honor you in this life.  That I may bring glory to your name as Jesus did - let us be one as even He was one with you.  

Lord, let this gate of authority be opened unto us and come down and be with us as we create an habitation for your presence. 

Your servant ...

The Presence of the Lord

"I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true — I can't wait till morning!" Psalm 119:62 [THE MESSAGE]

At about 1AM I awakened and found myself praying in the Spirit.  The presence of the Lord is always so apparent - how can I choose anything but to honor Him, love Him and serve Him.  

When I consider His goodness even in the times that challenge my faith - He is indeed an awesome God. 

Pastor Winston

No Limit in Prayer

Don’t limit God. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think. It is nothing less than an insult to His omnipotence when our prayers are for pitifully little things. We should ask for BIG THINGS – IMMENSE THINGS - FAR REACHING THINGS. Of course these things must be in His will and for His glory. Believe BIG, pray BIG, and expect BIG!

As I sit here and reflect on the greatness of God an old hymn echoes in my soul. I remember hearing it during the Billy Graham broadcasts on our television when I was still a young boy in Kingston, Jamaica – Indeed my God, how great, Thou art:

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Pastor Winston

Peace in Prayer

The promise is so clearly revealed in the text also. God states that His peace, a peace not understood by the world, sometimes little understood even by the children of God. Peace that will garrison your heart and minds.

Remember that God does not promise to answer every prayer especially in the form in which it is made. That would be unwise, for our request may or may not be in His will for us. But He does promise a peace, a heavenly peace that will cause our hearts to rest comfortably. As I write this entry, an old refrain begins to rise in my spirit:

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

Pastor Winston

Pray Often About Everything

What should we do? Worry about nothing, pray about anything, expect God to provide everything! That’s PRAYER.

19 And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 AMP

Pastor Winston

Payer of Thanksgiving

Prayer can be a season of thanksgiving. For in seasons of prayer we show our gratitude for what the Lord has done for us. This is pleasing to God as we come near with a heart of thanksgiving into his presence.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:2 KJV

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4 KJV

Pastor Winston

Casting Away Worry

How do we not worry? What thread of wisdom is revealed to us to take us from worry to believing God? It’s the command to PRAY. Paul said, “in everything, by prayer and supplication bring your request to your Father.” This is the way of perfect peace.

Take everything to God in prayer. Big things, little things, medium sized things. Take it all to Him in prayer. The classic hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer” so emphasizes our thoughts and position as we enter the presence of our Father with our petions and worship.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Pastor Winston

Be Careful for Nothing

The Apostle Paul wrote it from the depths of a Roman prison cell. Some have said it is the most complete comprehension of true prayer in the Bible. Paul said, “We are to be careful for nothing.” We are not to be anxious or absorbed in worry about anything.

Why? Simply because we have an all knowing, all wise, all loving and all powerful heavenly Father. In the entire Bible there’s not one scripture that would lead us into worry.

Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, what are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? Or, what are we going to have to wear? Matthew 6:31 AMP

Pastor Winston

Commit our way unto God

This is the true story of prayer. This is the means to answered prayer – FRET NOT THYSELF. Wait on the Lord and commit your ways unto Him. We must rest in Him and He will bring to pass the desires that He continues to place in our hearts.

This was David’s philosophy as God had revealed it to him – it may be ours also.

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it, and he will.” Psalm 37:5 TLB

Pastor Winston

Resting in the Lord

Then, to REST in the Lord follows quite naturally. We are to rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. In His own good time He will most surely bring his plans and purposes to pass for us.

There may be days intervening, but the end of those days will be the complete fulfillment of all that the Lord has said regarding us. And as we rest, and as we wait, we have the daily exquisite satisfaction of His presence.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14 KJV

“Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee ...” Psalm 37:34 KJV

Pastor Winston

Staying On Course

We must have confidence in our God and fully commit our way unto Him. We say to our hearts that we want nothing less, nothing more, nothing else but His will for us.

Our daily walk is to be down the path of His choosing. Our life is to be lived at His command. Our day by day joy is His companionship and guidance. We look to Him for everything.

1 You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. 2 You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. 3 That's right — you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. Psalm 119:1-3 THE MESSAGE

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Trust, Delight and Rejoice

Our TRUST in the Lord is to be manifest by delighting ourselves in Him. Our confidence is not in the level of mere duty. We take a higher path than that.

We delight in God. We joy and rejoice in His will. We seek His face always, and listen for His step. He becomes the perfect happiness of our Heart.

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” Proverbs 29:25 NLT

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Trust in the Lord

Instead of being fretful, we must come to trust in the Lord. Actively TRUST. Having come into the knowledge of who God is and what Christ has done, we’re to definitely decide to rely upon Him. Not in people, not in forces and certainly not in ourselves. But in the living Lord.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Pastor Winston

PRAYER:Fret Not

In David’s thirty seventh division of the Psalm we are told not to fret. In spite of the worry and fear of the people around us, the formidable situations that face our communities, our families and us personally. In spite of the threatening clouds of doubt, unfamiliarity and questions.

We are children of the God of the universe. WE are kept in the hollow of His mighty hand. “FRET NOT,” says the Lord.

“Do not fret ...” Psalm 37:1 NKJV

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Don't Fret or Worry

One of David’s Psalms is a most beautiful reading on the subject of prayer. Within the span of seven short verses the whole theme is rivetingly reviewed. Precious, so precious indeed is the lesson of confidence in a tender and loving heavenly Father.

37:1 Never envy the wicked! 2 Soon they fade away like grass and disappear. 3 Trust in the Lord instead. Be kind and good to others; then you will live safely here in the land and prosper, feeding in safety. 4 Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it, and he will. 6 Your innocence will be clear to everyone. He will vindicate you with the blazing light of justice shining down as from the noonday sun. Psalm 37:1-6 TLB

Pastor Winston

SALVATION: Praying for the Lost

All of this being true, it is vitally necessary that we rely upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The fact is, no one is ever saved unless the Holy Spirit convinces him of sin. But prayer for sinners calls upon the Holy Spirit to do just that. And when consciousness of sin I present, the way is made open to bring the lost one to the feet of the Savior to be comforted and brought into God’s own family.

Do not ever become discouraged, the answer may be delayed (in your own mind) but your prayers for the salvation of lost ones must be answered.

2 Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3 KJV

Pastor Winston

Pray without ceasing

As we review God’s instruction to us it is evident that Prayer and Anxiety are mutually exclusive in our lives. Prayer and worry are on the opposite ends of the pendulum of power with God.

We have heard it said, “why pray when you can worry?” But God’s ageless revelation remains, “WHY WORRY, WHEN YOU CAN PRAY!”

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Acts 12:5 KJV

17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

Pastor Winston

Come to God and ask...

It may be alright to tell others of your desires and your petitions of God. But there is no experience like coming to Him and making your request known to him alone. It’s also acceptable to ask others to pray with you but Paul informs us to – TELL GOD.

Make them known to God and leave them there. Why not? He is able to care for our every need? More than that, He has promised to meet every need according to His own abundant supply.

Continue in prayer , and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2 KJV

Pastor Winston

SALVATION: God's Ultimate Miracle

The salvation of a soul is a mighty undertaking even for God. For salvation includes not only redemption from sin, but a complete new place in the family of God. The saved one is freely given the gift of life everlasting, made an heir of wealth incalculable, commissioned as an ambassador, joined forever to Christians of all ages and to our wonderful Lord. And all of these things are perfectly accomplished and eternally secure.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation …” Romans 1:16 KJV

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:7 KJV

Pastor Winston

SALVATION: God Saves

There is no doubt that prayer for the salvation of others is well within the will of God. Other requests may be doubtful. This type of prayer is never doubtful. When one engages in intercession for the salvation of the unsaved, one may be sure beyond the shadow of a doubt that his is God’s will. And being the will of God, prayers are right and proper, and one shall, in God’s good time, see its fulfillment.

Prayer is fulfilled in the “fullness of time.” God hears and moves at the appropriate time to complete the petition that came before him.

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5 KJV

Pastor Winston

SALVATION: The Intercessors Mandate

God’s desire is that all men shall be saved. But He has tied the salvation of men and women to the ministry of prayer coming from His children. No one is ever saved unless someone first prays.

No soul ever comes to Christ unless first the way is paved by sincere intercession. Preachers may preach, workers may plead, but unless prayer has previously been made, all is in vain. Prayer is the absolute requisite for evangelization.

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; … 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1,3-4 KJV

Pastor Winston

SALVATION: The Cry of the Holy Spirit

God’s mightiest miracle is not the creation of the world, or the suspension of the sun, or the ceaselessness of the tides, the flight of the humming bird or the fragrance of the rose. God’s greatest miracle is the salvation of the human soul.

For when God saves us, He does so on a completely righteous basis. God is both just and the Justifier of all who believe in Jesus Christ.

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 TLB

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Prayers Reward

There will come a day when we will see the score after score of unnamed individuals receiving the reward of their intercession. The babies that did not die, the nations that did not fall, the awakenings to God that were realized and the revivals that we experienced – all because SOMEONE PRAYED.

Someday, all of God’s children, small and greate will stand beore the Lrod Jesus Chris, someday the prayer warriors will stand too. If I am not greately mistaken their reqwareds will be the largest of all.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Matthew 25:34 KJV

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: We Can All Pray

The ministry of intercession needs no college degree; the youngest as well as the oldest can serve. The practice of prayer needs no cathedral like setting – your bedroom at home or your prison cell will do just as well. Nor, does wealth or social standing make a bit of difference.

Some of God’s mightiest prayer-warriors were virtually unknown to any but their immediate families. Yet this type of prayer - intercession - is the most powerful and most effective of all. This ministry activates all others. Everything in the Christian life depends on it. And God’s depends on you the prayer …

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Wide Reaching Ministry

As strange as it may seem, these have the greatest opportunity. For they may undertake the greatest ministry and move the greatest mountains. And is so doing, they may earn the greatest rewards. It is true; a prayer ministry is greater than all.

It’s more wide reaching than teaching. It is more effective than preaching. It’s more certain than testifying. It’s more lasting than any other service. For prayer deals directly with God. Prevailing prayer moves the arm that holds the universe. Prayer calls upon the Christ who never fails.

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 50:15 KJV

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15 KJV

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: Earnest Prayer

In the wisdom of God some of His children are confined to their homes. Others are sentenced to spend their time in places of incarceration of mind and body. Some seem to live in obscurity in our modern age of media and the bling. They don’t meet people, teach Bible classes, nor do they preach to churches.

Yet they earnestly desire to do the will and work of God. How can they serve Christ? How can they lay up treasure in heaven? They pray, earnestly pray – and they move the hand of God and awaken his presence from their obscurity.

Pastor Winston

PRAYER: The Foundation of Ministry

We must admit, from our human perspective it really doesn’t look like prayer is the greatest ministry. We would be inclined to think that the evangelist, who speaks to thousands of people, or the television preacher who teaches millions, or even the successful past who leads his large church membership would have larger ministries. But all of these are secondary ministries. There can be no successful evangelist, teacher or pastor without godly, praying people behind them. God’s plan is to bless and use His servants in answer, but only in answer to earnest heartfelt intercessory prayer.

John Wesley said, "God is limited by our prayer life; it seems that God can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him."

One archbishop of Canterbury commented that it seemed more coincidences of God’s intervention occurred after he prayed.

… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

PRAYER: The Foundation of Ministry

We must admit, from our human perspective it really doesn’t look like prayer is the greatest ministry. We would be inclined to think that the evangelist, who speaks to thousands of people, or the television preacher who teaches millions, or even the successful past who leads his large church membership would have larger ministries. But all of these are secondary ministries. There can be no successful evangelist, teacher or pastor without godly, praying people behind them. God’s plan is to bless and use His servants in answer, but only in answer to earnest heartfelt intercessory prayer.

John Wesley said, "God is limited by our prayer life; it seems that God can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him."

One archbishop of Canterbury commented that it seemed more coincidences of God’s intervention occurred after he prayed.

… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

Pastor Winston

Fasting Is Important

We know that fasting has a significant place in the life of a Christian. When one desires something more than life itself - and God can give the answer. Then it is time to fast and pray. God will answer.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP

Pastor Winston

Fasting Is Important

We know that fasting has a significant place in the life of a Christian. When one desires something more than life itself - and God can give the answer. Then it is time to fast and pray. God will answer.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

There is a danger, in fasting merely for the sake of fasting. This could result in false pride. Our Lord once severely censured such fasting. The Pharisees involved were fasting to be seen of men. They were not seeking the favor of God but the approval of men.

16 Moreover when ye fast , be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast . Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast , but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18 KJV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

The Principle of Fasting is well known. At the football training table the players abstain from sweets in order to be better able to win the game. The athlete knows well that certain fasting helps him to run. The swimmer fasts before the swim, the orator before his speech, the preacher before his sermon.

When one is absorbed in either grief or love there are many times that he refrains from eating. The principle is related. We turn from other things to give ourselves more completely to one thing. We fast to cleanse our bodies, we fast to reduce our weight. We fast to improve our physical health.

In fasting and prayer, prayer is preeminent.

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

Let’s be clear in our thoughts. There’s no value before God in the mere abstinence from food. The value stems from the ability to put God first by the laying aside of other things. Fasting is an indication of the earnestness of the soul. It is honestly and sincerely, sometimes desperately, reaching out for God and His will. Fasting indicates that there’s something we want either in ourselves or for God so greatly that we want to put everything aside until we attain it. Fasting is the complete emptying of everything in order that God may fill us.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:5-8 NIV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

There is a danger, in fasting merely for the sake of fasting. This could result in false pride. Our Lord once severely censured such fasting. The Pharisees involved were fasting to be seen of men. They were not seeking the favor of God but the approval of men.

16 Moreover when ye fast , be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast . Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast , but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18 KJV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

We must confess that in today’s world fasting is little known and seldom practiced. Yet in the scriptures there was much fasting with desirable results. Moses fasted forty days on Sinai. Joshua, David, Ezra, Daniel, Nehemiah fasted. Our Lord fasted in the wilderness. Cornelius was fasting when God sent the angel. The church at Antioch fasted when the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul.

When fasting is mentioned in the Bible the results are always commendable.

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:2-4 NIV

21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast , so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. Ezra 8:21 NIV

Pastor Winston

Fasting and Prayer

What is the relationship of fasting to prayer? Is prayer made more acceptable to God if we fast? Is there virtue to fasting if we do not pray? What is the spiritual significance?

We will be looking at these questions over the next several days.

Isaiah 58:1-9 NKJV

Pastor Winston

Prayer is Union With Our Father's Heart

Prayer still includes more than we have already said. It is union with the Father’s heart. Sometimes it’s just entering His presence to touch His hand. Sometimes to lay one’s tired head on God’s breast. Again to just look into God’s face.

For in prayer we’re in the green pastures and beside the still waters. Our soul is restored.

Love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah29:13 NIV

Pastor Winston

God is Worthy of Praise

Prayer is worship. The more one comes into the knowledge of the person of God, the more one feels impelled to lift his soul in flowing praise. Even if it were true that God had done nothing for us, if He had not provided us with everything that we need physically and, for more than that, spiritually – still He would be worthy of our heartfelt praise.

For God is exceedingly great in wisdom, in power, in holiness, in righteousness, in purity, in love, in everything. And His attributes as such call forth from our hearts shouts of sincere praise and worship.

"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise ..." 2 Sam 22:44 NIV

"For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise ..." Ps 96:4 NIV

Pastor Winston

Prayer is Communion

10/13
Prayers are really more than just asking. Prayer is communion. The born-again Christian is more than a creature to God. He is now His son. And, as a son through Christ, he is greatly beloved. He may enter his Father’s presence just to fellowship.

Many of God’s choicest saints have spent hours in prayer and never asked a thing. This is normal of the new nature of the Christian is the nature of God. And this new nature finds its satisfaction only in the friendship of God.

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray" Matt 14:2323 NIV

"After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray" Mark 6:46 NIV

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray , and spent the night praying to God." Luke 6:12
NIV

"About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray" Luke 9:28 NIV

Pastor Winston

Ask Largely of God

What about prayers of petition? Well, we are needy creatures and God has ordained that out needs shall be supplied from His benevolent hand. We should not be afraid to ask and ask largely. To ask largely of God is to honor Him. He is abundantly able to give and willing too. Giving does not impoverish Him, nor does withholding make Him rich. The prayer of petition should never be reckoned on an earthly basis. We should ask according to the riches of heaven.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 KJV

Matthew 7:9-11 NKJV1

Pastor Winston

Prayer For Healing Part 3

But that does not mean that healing will always manifest in the time or way we expect it. God’s touch of healing is always according to God’s will and your faith in his ability to change your circumstance. Sometimes it is His will to heal but we are not in developed in our faith to appropriate that healing in our lives.

The application of the Word of God to sickness or disease brings a change to those circumstances. It is important for us to apply the Word before we come to a place of crisis. Confess God’s word over your life before you need to and there will be a great sense of divine presence in the state of your health.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. 3 John 2 AMP

Pastor Winston

Prayer For Healing Part 2

Both the Old Testament and the New are filled with instances of God’s concern about our bodies, and His willingness to restore health and alleviate pain. One of the beautiful marks of both our Lord’s deity and compassion was His healing ministry.

The age in which we live is no different either God’s power to heal is still available today and God’s compassion is still present.

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26 KJV

Pastor Winston

Prayer For Healing Part 1

Is our God able to touch these bodies of ours when sickness or accident comes? The question is absurd of course. God is able to do anything. It is God who made our wonderful bodies in the beginning and it is God who has demonstrated time without number His ability to make and keep us well.

For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Luke 1:37 AMP

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 4

But hindrances may be overcome, and foolish practices abandoned. Some of these are definitely sinful and as such must be dealt with after God’s commandment. If we confess these and turn from them, God will both forgive and cleanse and our prayer line will again be clear.

Other hindrances wait the action of a definite resolve . For all that’s right, and for a Christian life that’s successful may we determine that nothing will be tolerated in our Christian life which will interfere.

“… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 3

We must not ignore the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our prayers. One of the most tender and intimate relationships of the Christian life ought to be that between the believer and his heavenly heart-Guest.

Among His wonderful ministries to Christians is the help He give to our prayer life. It is His task to make our prayers answerable. How exceedingly foolish to bypass Him. To do so is to make our prayer life barren and unfruitful.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:26-27 NIV

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 2

Another hindrance which is altogether too common is worldliness or carnality. The Christian world is filled with believers who give their time and energy to fleshly pursuits and worldly pleasures so that there is little time for the performance of true prayer.

A genuine prayer life and worldliness are opposite.

Set your affection on things above , not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2-3 KJV

Pastor Winston

Hindrance To An Effective Prayer Life 1

Harmony in the home is tied into the answer to our prayers. When two of God’s children unite in marriage God views them as one flesh. God expects them to think together, act together, and pray together. When there is disharmony in the home or lack of agreement and consequent bickering the prayer life of the home is sadly interrupted.

God, in this case, cannot answer prayer, but must in love bring forces to bear which will restore peace to heart and home.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work . James 3:16 KJV

Pastor Winston

Why Our Prayers Are Not Answered 6

Sometimes Perseverance is the key to effectual prayer. Occasionally God may withhold the answer to determine if we really want that for which we have asked. Or, God sees that we need to learn the lesson of patience in intercession, and the growth in grace in Christian charact that perseverance teaches.

History reveals that some of God’s saints have prayed over one object for a score or even two score years, then God answered.

Pastor Winston

Why Our Prayers Are Not Answered 5

Still other Christians dishonor God by the demonstration of "little" faith. They pray, but with a little expectation for God to answer [Hebrews 11:6].

Their requests show little confidence in the ability of a miracle working God. Small wonder God cannot answer their petition.

Read Matthew 6:30-36

Pastor Winston

Why Our Prayers Are Not Answered 4

Far too many of otherwise sincere Christians have in-effective prayer lives just because they do not take time to speak and then listen. Prayer, to some is a one way communication. To God, it is a dialog.

Effectual prayer takes time, takes faith - much time and God's faith in us.

It is true that today’s life is filled to the brim. It is true that there are a thousand and one things loudly clamoring for our attention.

But it is more true that prayer is of more value, or of more importance than anything else. And the wise Christian will take a firm grip on the situation and earnestly resolve by God’s grace that nothing will rob him of the time to fulfill his prayer privilege.

Pastor Winston

Why Our Prayers Are Not Answered 3

Other prayers avail nothing because of the wrong motive. We ask and have not because we ask amiss. It is excellent exercise to analyze our prayers for their “selfish” content? Are we asking simply to gratify our personal desires?

Or, do we have in mind the glory of God and the edification of others? The truth is, that God is not in the habit answering prayer simply to gratify whims. Prayer should be serious business. Motives must be high.

Pastor Winston

Why Our Prayers Are Not Answered 2

No Christian can ever be a successful person of prayer if he allows un-confessed sin to remain hi his life. We all remember that it was sin which caused all the trouble in the beginning. And it is still sin hat stunts and wrecks the effectiveness of our Christian life and testimony.

God our Father cannot answer our petitions if we play with sin or condone its presence. This is absolutely ruinous to our relationship to God. Rather than sending His blessings upon us, He must send punishment until we repent and confess. Christians must sincerely hate sin – hate it enough o conclusively turn from it. Then we may pray.

Pastor Winston

Why Our Prayers Are Not Answered 1

It is a tragedy above all others when we allow certain things in our Christian lives which make it impossible for God to answer our prayers. For in so doing, we ourselves lose the joy and satisfaction of God’s blessing, and we nullify our opportunities to do lasting service for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such hindrances to prayer should be carefully noted and promptly dealt with.

Pastor Winston

Our Lord’s Own Example

This great prayer reveals also the innermost heart desire of the Lord. What does Christ want most of all? What is the purpose of His heart? Why His death? What’s it really all for? Well, we may see ithere … even thought we may have to read it through our tears.

Christ is interested in us. He wants redeemed men and women to live with Him throughout eternity. The entire purpose of His life and sacrifice is to process our eternal companionship. We are not worthy to even read it. Yet, there it is … ours to read, to meditate upon, to reverently study, and to press it to our hearts. Perhaps this prayer could teach us, more about how our prayers should be fashioned than reams of human advice.

This is the jewel of all prayer - this is the heart of Christ.

See John Chapter 17

Pastor Winston

Our Lord’s Own Example of Praying

No one has ever plumbed the depths of the meaning these words in John Chapter 17. It is questionable whether any human mind can follow the thought expressed in this prayer of the communion of Deity. And yet, there are some things we can know.

Even on the threshold of death on the cross, a death made necessary by the weight of the sins of a world on His heart, the Son of God thought constantly of others. His concern, which is so manifest in the prayer, is for the preservation of His disciples. And not for them only, but for all the vast, unnumbered multitude of believers who should afterward believe on Him.

Never can there ever be any further doubt of the intense love of Christ for His own.

See John Chapter 17

Pastor Winston

Our Lord's Prayer Example

The occasion of this intimate encounter was the night just before the day of the Lord’s crucifixion. In this event we see the pitiful, almost desperate longing in the heart of the Savior for divine consolation.

The words themselves were probably spoken somewhere near Gethsemane’s dark depths. This is truly the “Lord’s Prayer.”

See John Chapter 17

Pastor Winston

Our Lord’s Own Example

The life of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth was rich in prayer to His own Father. Many times He spent the entire night in communion. Of our Lord’s many prayers to the Father but one (John Chapter 17) is recorded for us.

Some have called it the holy of holies of prayer. For here is the heart to heart conversation between God the second Person of the Trinity and God the first Person. With holy reverence we must approach it.

See John Chapter 17

Pastor Winston

God Understands Our Needs

God fully understands the basic needs of his children and so the remainder of the prayer speaks eloquently of God’s interest in individual lives. As the source of all good gifts, He is the one who bestows daily mercy.

As the righteous Father He pardons our iniquities, as a wise guide through life He leads us away from temptation and evil. Nothing which the soul of man requires is to be omitted from our daily prayers. And nothing is anything too difficult for our heavenly Father to provide.

Rarely was ever so much expressed in such an intimate and brief discourse. Here is the panorama of man’s entire need. Here is the complete realization of our relationship to the Heavenly Father. Wise is the child of God who emulates the prayer that his Lord modeled on that day.

Luke 11:1-4
Matthew 6:9-15

Pastor Winston

The Lord's Prayer Template

We know, based on God's own word and from empirical evidence that our agreement with him in prayer brings his plans and purposes to manifestion. The desire of our heart is that His kingdom is to come and His will is to be done everywhere.

These things are the real things in life. These are the matters that will alter, for the better, the entire course of mankind.

Luke 11:1-4
Matthew 6:9-15

Pastor Winston