THE BREATH OF I AM

We had a great time of "Prayer" last night at THE ALTAR. I put prayer in quotes because there wasn't much speaking going on through our lips -- but the Great I AM sure was speaking to us. I know He spoke much to me. It was a wonderful time of listening for me.

For the past few weeks Isaiah 30:15 has been big in my spirit. It says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is you strength..." -- Last night was the "rest" part of the equation -- repentance + rest = salvation. It was very restful as I laid on the altar and listened to the Holy Spirit. It truly was a Secret Place of rest under the shadow of the Almighty.

The youth kicked off the prayer time about 6:30 PM. Crying out to God with passion, they prayed up a storm -- a good storm, of course! The adults began streaming into the church from 6:45 on, a few at a time until a mighty army was assembled and ready to do God's bidding.

The CD "The Breath of I AM" was playing and it was literally shaking the house -- the Lord's name be praised! (This instumental CD, by Graham Ord, has been a great tool God has been using in our "Altar" times to spur us on to interceed).

By 7:30 I was feeling this great peace come over me and I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Rest". I was at the altar. Shirley, my wife, was on my left and Joel, my son, was on my right and the Comforter was permeating the room. His presence was thick.

Around 8:30 I could hear in the background that people were beginning to head out to go home for the evening, but I couldn't leave His presence. I knew this peace and this rest was so vital and I needed to soak in it as long as I could. So as a family we stayed. It was a powerful time under His shadow.

We played some praise and worship CDs beginning with "HOLY FIRE" by Paul Wilbur. Our hearts were on the the altar. We raised our hands. We clapped. We cried. We knelt. We worshipped. We laid out on the floor. We walked. We jumped. We danced. Their was such joy -- such unspeakable joy!

At some point we worshipped with the new Love and Fire CD "My Heart Burns for You" cranked and before we realized, it was 11 PM.

What a powerful time of rest. I'm still full of His peace this morning as I write this -- I truly don't want to let go. And as I face whatever this day brings, I know His peace will abide. Thank you Father for Your breath -- continue to breathe on me, my family, and the families of The Love Church both now and evermore, until you decide it's time to split the sky and return for Your Bride -- we're ready Lord Jesus -- even so... come!

I must always remember "I become like what I behold", therefore I must keep beholding Jesus so that my obedience to His 2nd commandment will not be impossible, but it will flow out of my love relationship with Christ. What did I "behold" today? What DID you "behold"?

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations. Exodus 20:4-6

Almost everytime God promises something in the Bible it comes with a big "IF"... We've got to do our part in the agreement -- the covenant is always 2-sided!!

"'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' Give this message to the Israelites." Exodus 19:4-6

Obedience actually feels good!! There is something that happens when I obey God... even if the obedience hurts -- it is good to know God was obeyed. It's hard to explain, but maybe that's one reason why the Bible says... "To Obey is Better than Sacrifice...".

It is important that we take one day each week to rest, even though it is difficult to do in our society these days. Even God rested on the 7th day after He created everything. Got any thoughts on that??

Genesis 2:2-3
On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.

And God even rested from making Manna for the Children of Israel in the desert on the 7th day of each week. He made enough for them on the 6th day so they wouldn't have to gather it on the 7th day.... but still some went out to try to gather it any way, against what God had said.

Exodus 16:24-30
The next morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. Moses said, "This is your food for today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD. There will be no food on the ground today. Gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is a Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground for you on that day." Some of the people went out anyway to gather food, even though it was the Sabbath day. But there was none to be found. "How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?" the LORD asked Moses. "Do they not realize that I have given them the seventh day, the Sabbath, as a day of rest? That is why I give you twice as much food on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must stay in your places. Do not pick up food from the ground on that day." 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

"My Heart Burns for You"

LOVE & FIRE LIVE WORSHIP CD RELEASED

September 22, 2005 -- Love and Fire Ministries releases their first live CD. Recorded at The Love Church, in Horseheads, NY, during a very special time of God's Spirit moving corporately on His people in a powerful way.

Titled "My Heart Burns for You", this worship experience speaks of an intense longing to be with Jesus -- a burning desire deep within that will not let go.

"Love is as strong as death... It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away." Song of Songs 8:6-7

The sound is raw on this CD, but the worship is passionate! So if you're looking for production perfection you won't find it here. But if you're longing for a rendezvous with the Holy Spirit, you will find it on "My Heart Burns for You". Take time to get alone when listening to the new Love and Fire Worship CD, just you and His Spirit, and let Him draw your heart into His burning fire!

LOVE & FIRE WORSHIP

Live at The Love Church

Worship Leader -- Joe Cuda

and

The Love Church Worship Team

NOW AVAILABLE
$12.99
TO ORDER CLICK HERE

Genesis 17:7-14
"I will continue this everlasting covenant between us, generation after generation. It will continue between me and your offspring forever. And I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Yes, I will give all this land of Canaan to you and to your offspring forever. And I will be their God. "Your part of the agreement," God told Abraham, "is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.

The Obedience Scripture of the day:

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.