Sunday evening reflections

I know, I know.  I’ve said it before.  But this time I really don’t know where to begin, in describing this day at CLC.  UNBELIEVABLE!  Let’s try to recap:

• First of all, this was the largest ‘regular’ Sunday attendance in our 20-year history in Tinley Park, as we literally filled every single chair & had to bring in more chairs in the 9:30 service – all together, nearly 1,400 people worshipped at the Tinley campus alone, and over 1,800 people worshipped at a CLC campus today in one of our seven services! In fact, our Media director says if we add in the number of folks who worshipped online with us today in more than 10 different states, we reached over 2,000 people today!
• AND my wife was ON FIRE!  So many breakthroughs were taking place, some baptized in the Holy Spirit, others set free from addictions – wow!
• In South Bend, the report says service was “absolutely phenomenal”!  Strong attendance, great worship & Pastor Doug said his preaching was the “loudest & most forceful ever”!  AND they baptized 10 precious people today!
• Pastor Dan says his wife really connected with the congregation in Shorewood today, and their service raised the excitement for tonight’s Encounter service to close the fast.
• At our newest campus in Lisle , Pastor Eric reports the momentum is blowing up, as people are making real commitments – some salvation decisions – and honest transformation resulting from the fast.
• Pastor Jaime from our Hispanic congregation says sickness limited their attendance, but a blessed service nonetheless, and they’re already getting inquiries from the radio spots which just began airing.  Please believe with us for a harvest among Hispanics in the South Suburbs!
• In our Philippine campus, Pastor Herley says their service was great, with 6 precious souls receiving the Lord at the close; then this afternoon he preached at a neighboring church whose pastor he’s been mentoring, and 50 people came forward to receive Christ!  I love it!

What do I say about tonight’s “Encounter” to close our time of fasting?  I haven’t heard from all the other campuses yet, but in Tinley Park, there are no words to describe this evening.  At one point late in the service I felt impressed to call Kevin Carter forward to share the story of his 7-year old fasting sweets “so he could hear God better”, and we invited all our children who participated in the fast to come up front & pray for adults who wanted to ‘hear God better, too”.  Somehow that turned into a gauntlet of kids (we usually call it a ‘fire tunnel’) and after our choir & musicians passed through the line, people just spontaneously got up and walked through as the children laid hands on them & prayed for them.  I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years of ministry, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it! Here’s one picture to give you an idea:

One late-breaking news report – I just received word from Pastor Shanna in South Bend that one of their faithful workers was baptized in the Holy Spirit tonight during their encounter – and get this: she had prayed for 24 years to receive her prayer language!  Quick disclaimer: that’s not necessary – no one has to tarry since Acts 2, but she had been wounded in an early church setting & never received until tonight – and needless to say, there was a lot of rejoicing in the Bend this evening!

Wow.  WOW.  WOW! I don’t know if it can get any better – testimony after testimony in the lobby tonight – but we’re about to find out!

I’m signing off – and gonna have a bowl of soup to break this fast!  See you manana-

Breaking your fast

One of my first experiences with fasting for an extended time (beyond 24 hours) was during my Bible school days.  The president of our school had called the entire student body to a 3-day fast, with the cafeteria resuming service for the dinner meal on the third day.  (He also informed those of us who worked off-campus that we could break our fast that evening with dinner). So, along with some of my friends from work, I went to a Mexican buffet and ended my fast with 9 tacos! Needless to say, I spent the rest of the evening in the men’s room, and learned a valuable lesson in the process!

If you have observed the fast for the past 21 days with us, I would encourage you to go slowly as you resume eating tonight or tomorrow.  Especially if you have only taken water & juices, your digestive system has taken a long-needed rest, and to awaken it by eating large quantities or heavy foods (like the steak you’re craving) can result in nausea, cramping, and worse.  Besides, one of the ‘victories’ you’ve won in these past 3 weeks is showing your flesh that it does not dominate you, but that you can and did discipline your body…..so you don’t want to ‘blow’ that now, by indulging your flesh in everything it wants!

Here’s a couple of additional articles with several suggestions about the best way to break a fast – by Dr. Bill Bright and by Ron Lagerquist.

Don’t forget our “ENCOUNTER” service tonight at 6:00 pm!  Also, this Wednesday in Tinley Park, immediately following our annual Business meeting at 7:30pm, we’ll move into a time of sharing and hearing your testimonies from the fast – I’m already looking forward to that, and hope you’ll join us!

Prayer & Fasting – day 21

On this last day of the fast, I want to encourage you about what happens afterwards. In my personal experience, during the fast itself I’ve not usually experienced the insights and answers to my prayers like I’ve wanted – they’ve usually come in the days and weeks following the fast.  In fact, I really expect that you will see and hear things from the Lord in the days ahead like never before!

I’m also believing that your personal devotional times in the future will include times like I talked about last Sunday from James 5:17 where it was said of Elijah, “in praying, he prayed”!

Don’t be surprised if you hear the Lord calling you from time to time throughout this year to do a personal fast – it doesn’t need to be 21 days necessarily; it may be for 3 days, or even for 24-hours – but my honest expectation is that this corporate fast has launched us into a culture of fasting & prayer, and that we will never be the same again!

Don’t think for a moment that the enemy won’t come against that, because he also knows the power of prayer & fasting – but we are not ignorant of his devices (2Cor 2:11) - and we’re going to press our way in!

Here’s what we’re praying in unity throughout CLC today:

Increased works of the Holy Spirit among us at CLC - (Acts 4:29-31; 1Corinthians 2:1-5, 1Corinthians 14:26; Mark 16:17-18)

• pray for our worship team, that they never merely entertain us, but rather lead us into His Presence every time we come together!
• pray for our pastors & guest speakers, that they bring rhema words to us, rather than mere words of human wisdom.
• pray for gifts & manifestations & demonstrations of the Holy Spirit among us, through healings, miracles, signs & wonders! (Acts 4:29-33)
• pray that even people who visit our services will sense & know that God is at work here (1Cor 14:24-25).
• pray that everyone in our CLC family will be baptized/filled with the Holy Spirit! (Acts 19:1-6)
• pray that all of us who are Spirit-filled will grow deeper in the things of the Spirit!

In fact, as we come together today for this breakthrough Sunday, let’s come expecting all of this!

For the final devotion from the network of churches fasting with us, click here.

Don’t forget today’s “ENCOUNTER” service as we close the fast at each campus – 6pm in Tinley Park; check with your campus for starting time.

Prayer & Fasting – day 20

In this third and final week of the fast, I want to encourage you about your prayers. In my personal experience, sometimes on an extended fast itseems that my prayers aren’t really ‘connecting’.  In fact, I’ve sometimes been discouraged while fasting over the thought that I really wasn’t getting anywhere in prayer at all. But Jentezen Franklin encouraged me when he said that “fasting is prayer, and when we’re fasting, we’re sending up prayer 24 hours a day!”

I’m also believing this final week will include times like I talked about Sunday from James 5:17 where it was said of Elijah, “in praying, he prayed”!

Here’s what we’re praying in unity throughout CLC today:

our Nation, the United States of America – (2Chronicles 7:14; 1Timothy 2:1-4; Habakkuk 3:2)

• pray for President Obama, that he be surrounded by godly counsel.  Let’s ask the Lord to turn his heart to seek God and His ways for our country.
• pray for his staff, cabinet officials, and entire administration – that they also would stand for righteousness and justice.
• pray for our elected officials in Congress – that God would hear our cries and bring revival to that institution, so they could legislate.
• pray for our State governing officials, and our local municipalities, that even at the grassroots level there would be a shift and turning toward godliness and righteousness.
• pray for an AWAKENING in our land – that Americans would turn away from sin and turn to the Lord.
• pray for our educational system, that God would supernaturally send revival to instructors and students alike.
• pray for our media, that changes could come from the born-again believers in that industry.
• pray for the entertainment industry, that men & women of fame would surrender to the Lordship of Christ, and that their influence would bring about the salvation of many others.
• pray for a revival of righteousness and generosity in the business community, that men & women of God would use their giftedness in compassionate service toward others.  Pray for a restoration of prosperity in these hard economic times!

God has not given up on America, and it’s not too late – we can turn around through prayer!

For more devotions from the network of churches that are fasting with us, click here.

Ask the Pastor

Got a little backlog with several questions submitted of late, so I’m going to answer two today:

Q1: One of my favorite CLCers writes, “In Genesis 32 Jacob wrestled with a man.  This man told him in verse 28, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won.”  In Genesis 35 Jacob is told again, in verse 10, “Your name is no longer Jacob; you will now be called Israel.”  Why is he told two different times?  If his name was changed in Genesis 32, how can his name still be Jacob?

Great question, but maybe we’re overthinking this one.  Has God ever told you something twice?

To be honest, there’s no explanation given in Scripture for this, but I’ve got to believe the repetition was merely for the sake of emphasis.  You can actually find several references to “Jacob”, even hundreds of years later, despite the fact that his name is changed to Israel.  I really don’t see any contradiction here; I just see it as God working with Jacob just like He works with us, until we ‘get it’.

Q2: A CLC-Lisle member says, “In John 2:4 Jesus said”…Mine hour is not yet come” and yet he then proceeds to do his first miracle and provide the wine miraculously transformed and requested by implication for the wedding?????”

Love it!  You’re absolutely right in your observation: Jesus said (in effect), it’s not time for me to demonstrate the miraculous yet, but then proceeded to do that very thing.  What’s up with that?

The answer can only be found in what transpired between his statement and the miracle.  Notice the passage again.

Mary refused to take ‘no’ for an answer! Her faith prompted Jesus to do the miraculous even before He intended to!

In fact, her faith reminds me of the Gentile woman in Matthew 15 whose faith likewise prompted Jesus to meet her request, even though she was a Gentile and He was only sent to the Jewish people at that time.  Faith brings the miraculous!

I could preach, but I won’t.  Or maybe I will – just because our fast is nearing an end, don’t forget to ask boldly.  Don’t quit.  Keep believing!

I hope those helped.  Now, what would YOU like to Ask the Pastor?

Prayer & Fasting – day 19

In this third and final week of the fast, I want to encourage you about your prayers. In my personal experience, sometimes on an extended fast itseems that my prayers aren’t really ‘connecting’.  In fact, I’ve sometimes been discouraged while fasting over the thought that I really wasn’t getting anywhere in prayer at all. But Jentezen Franklin encouraged me when he said that “fasting is prayer, and when we’re fasting, we’re sending up prayer 24 hours a day!”

I’m also believing this final week will include times like I talked about Sunday from James 5:17 where it was said of Elijah, “in praying, he prayed”!

Here’s what we’re praying in unity throughout CLC today:

the Nations - (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; Psalm 2:8)

We can pray specifically for:

• Senegal, the predominantly Muslim nation in West Africa where CLC has invested most heavily through the years, providing 4 buildings, leadership training, medical clinics, and food distribution.  Right now we are engaged in our final ‘GO’ project by beginning the work for a ministry training center that will serve the entire country, and will also be self-supporting once it’s in operation!
• Turkey, another Muslim nation in the Middle East that seems to be our assignment from the Lord.  Our primary partner is in the capital of Ankara, but we have close ties to missionaries in Izmir and Kusadasi as well.  Turkey is one of the largest unreached nations on earth, so pray for hearts of the Turkish people to be open & receptive to the Gospel, and for the strength & courage of the precious workers there.
• Peru, where CLC has focused efforts in the Amazon region for the past several years, thanks to Pastor Jaime Flores and his heart for that area.  We’ve provided clean water wells for more than a dozen villages, and built at least a couple of churches in this neglected and difficult to reach area.  Pray for the national workers and for favor with the people whom they seek to reach.
• Philippines, where we have two special partners: Jane Walker is doing an incredible work with children & families in the worst poverty imaginable, living in the garbage dumps of Metro Manila; and Herley Montes, pastor of our only international campus, “Household of Faith-CLC” in Davao City on the southernmost island of Mindanao.  Pray for Jane’s team to have strength & courage as they minister in these very hopeless conditions, and pray for Herley’s congregation to continue making a huge impact on the youth & college students of Mindanao – which is very strategic because of the encroachment of Islam and Al-Qaeda‘s efforts there.
• Israel, which is our #1 priority in missions – “to the Jew first”! Please pray for our primary partners, Tikkun Ministries and their network of Messianic believers who are faithfully and courageously serving in difficult situations.
• OR, ask the Lord to give ‘you’ a nation by speaking to you in prayer about a country or group of people that HE places on your heart!

For more devotions from the network of churches fasting with us, click here.

Prayer & Fasting – day 18

• In this third and final week of the fast, I want to encourage you about your prayers. In my personal experience, sometimes on an extended fast itseems that my prayers aren’t really ‘connecting’.  In fact, I’ve sometimes been discouraged while fasting over the thought that I really wasn’t getting anywhere in prayer at all. But Jentezen Franklin encouraged me when he said that “fasting is prayer, and when we’re fasting, we’re sending up prayer 24 hours a day!”

I’m also believing this final week will include times like I talked about Sunday from James 5:17 where it was said of Elijah, “in praying, he prayed”!

Here’s what we’re praying in unity throughout CLC today:

Revival in our next generation - (Psalm 78:4, Psalm 78:6; Psalm 102:18; Joel 2:16; Joel 2:28-29)

• Pray for true revival to break out among our youth, resulting in:

Zeal for God

A passion for seeing their friends come to Christ

A desire for true holiness of living

A longing for the Word of God

A life that is a love song unto the Lord

A revelation of the calling of God in and on their lives

Engagement in Christian service even in their youthfulness

And that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit will be recognized, sought, and received … and that the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit would flow through our youth as an example even to our adults

• Pray for our children:

Salvations even at their young ages.

That they would receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and that signs would follow … even more, that the “power to witness” would be evident in their young lives.

That they would influence their parents to live lives in relationship to God … and pleasing to God

That they would exercise their child-like faith to see miracles happen … healings, jobs, debts removed, and others

AND finally, for MORE children’s ministry workers at each campus, who would be committed & passionate about working with our children!

If you’re interested in more about this, here’s an outstanding article about why it’s so important that we reach the next generation – page one / page two

For more devotions from the network of churches fasting with us, click here.

What are YOU hearing?

Like most of you, I’ve been reading my Bible daily through this fast, waiting for rhema words from the Lord.  Yesterday, I finally heard one – in Exodus 14:8.  It’s a wonderful story – how the Lord brought the Jewish people out of Egypt after 430 years of slavery, and the Scripture said He brought them out with “a high hand”; i.e., not as a broken, discouraged group of ex-slaves, but as champions, celebrating their victory!

But  I’m using the Amplified translation for my devotions this year, and the “proudly & defiantly” is what stood out for me. In other words, when these former slaves came out of Egypt, they came out defiantly!

Maybe it spoke to me in the afterglow of last Sunday’s message about “How to Get Your Prayers Answered!”, but I just really sensed the Lord saying to us that we don’t need to be timid or bashful in our prayers; we don’t have to let the enemy push us around or browbeat us of our past anymore; we can come out defiantly and press our way into the Kingdom!  (see Matthew 11:12)

I’d love to know what YOU are hearing from the Lord during this season of fasting – would you leave a comment below, so we can all be encouraged?

Prayer & Fasting – day 17

In this third and final week of the fast, I want to encourage you about your prayers. In my personal experience, sometimes on an extended fast itseems that my prayers aren’t really ‘connecting’.  In fact, I’ve sometimes been discouraged while fasting over the thought that I really wasn’t getting anywhere in prayer at all. But Jentezen Franklin encouraged me when he said that “fasting is prayer, and when we’re fasting, we’re sending up prayer 24 hours a day!”

I’m also believing this final week will include times like I talked about Sunday from James 5:17 where it was said of Elijah, “in praying, he prayed”!

Here’s what we’re praying in unity throughout CLC today:

Property / buildings for expansion! – (Psalm 37:4; Isaiah 54:2-3; Acts 6:7, Acts 9:31, Acts 16:5)

• In Lisle, we think we’ve located the ideal rental property, but we still need favor with the owners – in fact, we’re expecting their decision on Monday, the day after our fast concludes – so let’s press on in prayer, to see the desire of our heart there!
• In Shorewood, the building we lease is situated in an out-of-the-way place, making it more difficult to attract visitors, and we have inadequate parking.  There are other possibilities, but financially they are out of our reach.  Pray for financial increase/miracles and favor in acquiring a new place!
• In Tinley Park, the need is obvious, as we’re out of classrooms, auditorium space & parking spots.  We’ve recently located a parcel of land that we think is perfect, but we need FAVOR with the owners, to make it happen financially.  God is a God of miracles – so let’s press in today!
• Our South Bend location has adequate space, but as we all know, the church isn’t a building; the church is people! So Pastors Doug & Shanna Neal are asking for our prayers for the leaders in South Bend, for their growth and development.
• And don’t forget – our vision is to continue expanding until there are at least “12 spokes” coming out of CLC!  Pray that we’ll have ears to hear and eyes to see where the next campus opportunity may be.

I hear the Lord saying “INCREASE!” and “FAVOR!”

For more devotions from the network of churches fasting with us, click here.

Prayer & Fasting – day 16

In this third and final week of the fast, I want to encourage you about your prayers. In my personal experience, sometimes on an extended fast itseems that my prayers aren’t really ‘connecting’.  In fact, I’ve sometimes been discouraged while fasting over the thought that I really wasn’t getting anywhere in prayer at all.  But Jentezen Franklin encouraged me when he said that “fasting is prayer, and that when we’re fasting, we’re sending up prayer 24 hours a day!”

I’m also believing this final week will include times like I talked about Sunday from James 5:17 where it was said of Elijah, “in praying, he prayed”!

Here’s what we’re praying in unity throughout CLC today:

Favor / Influence / Community Impact – Luke 2:52; Acts 2:46-47; Acts 4:32-35

Jesus was our example, and the early Church certainly modeled it, so may CLC also have favor with God and man!  May our influence in each community our campuses serve increase, that we could truly bring ‘heaven on earth’!

As you pray today, pray for:

• favor with city officials and vendors with whom we do business.
• favor with the media, that the public could hear what Jesus is doing through CLC.
• influence among the poorest and neediest in our communities – that we could literally and truly fulfill Matthew 25:34-40.
• the food pantries that we operate in Shorewood and Lisle, and the thrift store in Lisle, and for the precious people that we serve.
• that our hearts would be enlarged with greater compassion to serve, and for NEW opportunities to serve in each community!

Next Page »