Prayer Enlarges our Vision

DAY FIVE

Prayer enlarges our vision – Isaiah 54:2-3 2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Have you ever felt like a rubber band that’s being stretched? I have. In fact, I have felt stretched in multiple areas of my life. Each of us are different. We respond to the “stretching” different from one another based on our personalities, talents and gifts.

The truth is…we’re not going to be effective till we’re stretched. (A rubber band hasn’t done its job till it’s stretched) The stretching equips us for SUCCESS.

1. Inspired to stretch – we don’t always like the stretching. In fact, we’ll avoid it as long as we can especially if we are faced with a challenge that is seemingly difficult to overcome.

• We dread it because we’ve never been down this road before. What if it turns out to be a bad experience?
• We are content with how things are right now. We’d rather remain in the ease of our comfort zones.
• We don’t have the confidence to climb over the low self-esteem that has convinced us we’re only meant to be average.
• What inspires you?

Some people can’t resist a challenge.

• Some are inspired after a long season of dissatisfaction or even a previous accomplishment.
• Again…what inspires you?

1 Corinthians 15:58 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2. The Never Ending Stretch – If you stop stretching, you become dull.

Realize your possibilities

• What are you doing right now that you enjoy? If you are content with what you’re doing, it’s probably because your surroundings are conducive to creativity.

Commit your possibilities

• Proverbs 16:3 3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
• If you are not stretching in your Christian walk you will limit your effectiveness for the Lord’s work.

Expand your possibilities

• Accepting responsibility for your personal development is key to reaching your fullest potential.
  

Prayer
Dear Father, thank You for stretching me in my personality, gifts & talents. Thank You for allowing me the privilege of serving in Your Kingdom. Sometimes I feel the stretching is going to pull me apart. But I know when You stretch me, You are making more room in me for Your Spirit. As You stretch me I will be thankful and I will rejoice even though the process is sometimes painful and uncomfortable. I commit myself to this journey You have started me on and am determined to welcome every possibility I’m presented with.

Prayer Prepares our Future

DAY FOUR

Prayer prepares our future - Philippians 3:13-14 "13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

• I count not myself to have apprehended—Whatever gifts, graces, or honors I may have received from Jesus Christ, I consider every thing as incomplete till I have finished my course, got this crown, and have my body raised and fashioned after his glorious body.
  
• This one thing I do—This is the concern, as it is the sole business, of my life.
  
• Forgetting those things which are behind—My conduct is not regulated nor influenced by that of others; I consider my calling, my Master, my work, and my end. If others think they have time to loiter or trifle, I have none: time is flying; eternity is at hand; and my all is at stake.
  
• Reaching forth—The Greek word επεκτεινομενος points out the strong exertions made in the race; every muscle and nerve is exerted, and he puts forth every particle of his strength in running. He was running for life, and running for his life.

• I press toward the mark— I pursue along the line; this is a reference to the white line that marked the ground in the stadium, from the starting place to the goal, on which the runners were obliged to keep their eye fixed; for they who transgressed or went beyond this line did not run lawfully, and were not crowned, even though they got first to the goal.
  
  
• For the prize of the high calling of God—The reward which God from above calls me, by Christ Jesus, to receive. The apostle still keeps in view his crown of martyrdom and his glorious resurrection.

Prayer

Father, You have captured my heart with Your love. You are the purpose of my living and the longing of my spirit. As I proceed forward in my spiritual quest, I reaffirm my focus to not be entangled by anything in this world that will cause me to become distracted from my love for You. I surrender my past, my mistakes, my shortcomings and my failures to You. I declare this today to move forward in faith and stretch further in every effort to obtain Your reward!

Fasting for the Journey Ahead

DAY THREE

Ezra 8:21-23 21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. 22For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. 23So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.

• This fast involved everyone giving themselves to seek the Lord, as it regarded His leading and guidance pertaining to the long journey ahead of them to Jerusalem.
• Ezra boasted to the king of the power and goodness of God and had spoken of himself and his brethren as being assured of the Divine protection of God.

Prayer

• "Lord, where You lead I will follow. I ask you to protect my family and provide all the assistance we need on our journey. We need your substance to sustain us as we continue forward. Lord, Your hand is upon us. Your fingers direct us. Your palms rest us. Thank You for Your guidance. In Thee oh Lord do we trust!"

Pray for Growth in God

DAY TWO

Pray for Growth in God – Colossians 1:10 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

• “Walk” refers to one’s behavior and that it can be accomplished only by making the Cross the Object of one’s Faith, which gives the Holy Spirit the latitude to perfect our “walk”.


• Fruitfulness will come if Faith is properly placed in the Cross.

Prayer:

• God, I need You more today than yesterday. I long to learn of Your “ways” so that my “walk” will be fruitful and pleasing in Your sight. Hear my heart Oh God. I cry out to You today – come and search me, try me and dig out anything in my heart that is unlike You. I want to grow.

Prayer Changes Us

DAY ONE

Prayer Changes Us - Psalms 25:4-5 4 Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

• God, I want to know Your ways, be taught Your paths and be led into Your truth.
• Lord, unless You show me your ways, I cannot discern which direction to go.
• If You don’t teach me, I cannot learn.
• If You don’t lead me, I cannot walk.
• Lord, I will wait on you, I will persevere in earnest prayer.

The first day of a fast is exciting and challenging at the same time. The sense of knowing that you’re pushing past the desires of the flesh and expanding the growth of your spirit man. Then there’s the challenge of cravings, habits and routines that must be mastered.

Looking forward to Day Two…

Today, History Was Made!

Dear BFWC Family,

Today was a history making day for Bethel Family Worship Center. We hosted our first official Game Day for UPWARD Basketball and Cheerleading. My heart was overwhelmed to see so many children participating.

One thing that was really exciting to me was the opportunity we had to meet so many parents and relatives of the children. In fact, I spoke with two families who asked what time our services were on Sunday morning. I received lots of positive feedback about the experience.

Years ago, we enrolled Kaitlyn in the UPWARD program at Ben Davis Christian Church. It was a wonderful experience! Beverly and I dreamed of one day being able to host a quality program like UPWARD at BFWC. Today, that dream became a reality!

These children will learn valuable principles concerning healthy competition, sportsmanship, skill building and fun - verses the "win-at-all-costs" mentality found in many children sport leagues. Winning is so much more than the final score.

I want to commend Coach Andy Carpenter and the entire UPWARD team for their professionalism and commitment to this ministry. The atmosphere today was exciting! The spirit of the meeting was edifying and everyone had such a good attitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

As your pastor, I rejoice in my heart when I see the quality of ministry that went forth today. My dear BFWC family - you are a great body of believers!!!

With all my heart,

Pastor Hylton

How May I Encourage You?

If I'm going to have fast food, then one of my favorite places to visit is Chick-Fil-A. The courtesy is so refreshing! When I visit through the drive thru, for my favorite sweet tea, I'm always impressed with the way the employees speak to me. "It will be a pleasure to see you at the window" - I mean come on....you just don't get this type of customer service everywhere.

In fact, I've had my share of discourteous service:

• The sales clerk who is talking on the cell phone or a co-worker and trying to wait on me as well.
• The sales clerk who doesn't say "hello" but just holds their hand out to receive my method of payment.
• The sales clerk who doesn't say "thank you" or "you're welcome."
• The sales clerk who's attitude is "Hey, I'm doing you a favor just to wait on you."

Does anyone have good customer service skills anymore?

When I was in the banking industry, I was taught thoroughly how to provide quality customer service with my clients.

• Use their name as often as possible.
• Greet them with a smile and direct eye contact.
• Thank them for their business.

As a believer, I have an obligation to represent Jesus Christ to everyone I come in contact with. Not only in church...but in every secular environment as well.

The next time you go to the grocery store, prepare yourself mentally before you walk in the door to "encourage" the employees of the store and other customers.

Be prepared for SHOCK. Some people will look at you strange and think you're up to something. This is the day we're living in. It's almost strange to actually be nice.

Depending on where you live in this country, the way people communicate in public ranges from a hardy hello to a blank stare.

Lets determine to be ENCOURAGER'S to those we come in contact with. Here are a few tips:

1. Express genuine interest - ask questions to get the other person talking.


2. Affirm & Validate - by acknowledge what's important to someone else you are building self-esteem and confidence.


3. Congratulate - if someone has worked hard on a project or has seen success in an area in their life, offer congratulations. Your words can encourage them to do even better the next time.


4. Common Courtesy - saying thank you is not only good manners but it sends a message that what they have done is worthwhile and meaningful to you.

I Want To Be An Encourager

Have you ever shared your heart with someone about a dream of yours only to find out that they weren't particularly enthused about it?

Perhaps you've dreamed about being an actor on TV or of owning your own business. Whatever the dream, it is vert important that you share it with the right people.

I had a teacher in High School that made a lasting impression on my life. She was such an encourager. When I considered applying for a music scholarship at Akron University, she not only believed I could get the scholarship - she drove me to the appointment!

As I have journeyed through life, I've met many "discouragers" as well. These are the people who always tell you why you can't attempt the task at hand. They're reluctant to lend their support to something they think will end up being a flop.

Usually, those people have had some devastating events transpire in their lives and as a result they discourage anyone with a big dream - for fear that they'll be disappointed if it doesn't work out.

Praise God for the ENCOURAGERS! I've met some wonderful ones in my life! Spending time with them is such a joy...the discouragers are soon forgotten. These are the people you want to surround yourself with. They exemplify many of the following traits:

1. Modeling - encouragers don't just talk the talk...they walk the walk. They are living examples of encouragement themselves. They've learned how to "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'!"

2. Listening - although an encourager can give you lots of good advice that will spark your heart - they also know how to "hear" what you're really saying from your heart. You feel compelled to spill your life story to them - knowing they're going to be objective and sincere.

3. Truthfulness - an encourager will tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear. They will point out some blind spots that should be considered and factor in the positives as well.

4. Revealing - an encourager will get you to pour out your deepest dreams on the table then examine what's been holding you back from fulfilling your dreams.

5. Inspiring - an encourager will inspire you to start where you are - even though you haven't got it all figured out yet. They will help you see that you don't have to be perfect to begin. They know that your "gift" or "craft" will develop over time - but unless you start now, chances are you'll never start.

Again, I'm very thankful to have had some great encouragers in my life!

Reflect today on the people that have encouraged you along the way. Ask yourself, "am I an encourager or a discourager?"

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! This past week has been incredilbe! I'm definitely looking forward to 2010 with expectancy.

It is generally said that 40 to 45% of adults make one or more resolutions each year. Most New Year's resolutions are about self care and management, weight loss, exercise and spending more time with family and friends. Some involve better managament in their finances.

Here's usually what happens: only after a couple of months, if that, those resolutions are broken and former habits are picked up again. Some of this has to do with the fact that many people throw in the towel after one failure with their resolution.

New Year's resolutions are like that. It's "all or nothing". However, i think we should steer away from "resolutions" and focus on goal setting instead. We should begin our year with defined goals. If we do not state our goals, we will have nothing to aim for.

So what are your goals for 2010? Are they achievable?

Here's a recap of this past weekend:

SUNDAY
Both Encounter services on Sunday morning were great. We continued our series on "Get a Grip not a Gripe" with an emphasis on "The Agony of Defeat." I was especially blessed by the mime presentation of Lisa Hubbard and Sierra Reed as they performed the song "Encourage Yourself In The Lord."

Click here to view "The Agony of Defeat"

Our Nursing Home Ministry met Sunday afternoon and had a great outreach effort.

On Sunday evening we celebrated our first IMPACT Night of the year. My heart was full to minister on the thought "The Spirit of an Armor Bearer." Many people came forward to answer the call of God on their life. After service we hosted open gym for basketball.

Click here to view "The Spirit of an Armor Bearer"

10 Salvations and 15 Water Baptisms!

This past Wednesday night at BFWC was incredible! We hosted our last service for 2009 and it was incredible.
The evening began with prayer and praise & worship, followed by a message on "The Blood of Jesus." The altars were full and we witnessed 10 Salvations!
We then shared a special time spending time at the Lords table in Holy Communion. Families and friends were seated together and each received the laying on of hands and a prayer of blessing from our leadership team.
Another highlight of the evening was the water baptism of 15 people! What a great night of ministry!
Visit our website at http://www.bfwc.net/

Click here to view sermon