The Crossing Church | Message Podcast: Recent Episodes
Lead Pastor Greg Dumas
The Crossing Church is one church in multiple locations in Tampa and Ruskin, FL with Lead Pastor Greg Dumas.
36 For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. 12 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.~ Romans 11:36-12:2 NASB
- Good
- Acceptable
- Perfect
13 If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.
4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we know in part and prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I [d]became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror [e]dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the [f]greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NASB Mindset of the World vs the Renewed Mind of Christ:- Source of Wisdom:
- Mindset of the World: Often derived from human reasoning, cultural norms, and societal trends. These perspectives are influenced by material success, personal achievement, and the pursuit of pleasure or power.
- Mindset of Christ: Based on divine revelation as revealed in the Bible. Christ’s mindset prioritizes spiritual truths, eternal values, and the wisdom that comes from God.
- Approach to Life and Morality:
- Mindset of the World: Tend to be relativistic, often changing with societal trends and personal preferences. Morality can be subjective and centered around self-fulfillment and individual rights.
- Mindset of Christ: Grounded in absolute truth as taught in the Scriptures. It emphasizes selflessness, sacrificial love, and living in accordance with God’s commandments.
- Attitude towards Material Wealth and Success:
- Mindset of the World: Often measure success in terms of wealth, status, and personal accomplishments. Material gain is frequently seen as a primary goal of life.
- Mindset of Christ: Teaches that material wealth is temporary and not the ultimate goal. Success is measured by faithfulness to God, loving others, and storing up treasures in heaven.
- Response to Suffering and Adversity:
- Mindset of the World: Views suffering as something to be avoided at all costs. The focus is often on comfort, convenience, and personal happiness.
- Mindset of Christ: Views suffering as an opportunity for growth, a means to develop perseverance, and a way to share in Christ's sufferings. It teaches reliance on God's strength and grace.
- Perspective on Power and Authority:
- Mindset of the World: Often equates power with dominance, control, and personal advancement. Authority is used for personal gain or to exert control over others.
- Mindset of Christ: Emphasizes servant leadership and humility. Power and authority are exercised to serve, uplift, and benefit others.
- View of Relationships and Community:
- Mindset of the World: Self-centered, focusing on what one can gain from relationships. Community is often seen as a means to an end.
- Mindset of Christ: Centers on love, sacrifice, and serving others. It promotes a sense of community built on mutual care, forgiveness, and bearing one another's burdens.
- Ultimate Goal and Purpose:
- Mindset of the World: Seeks personal satisfaction, temporary pleasures, and achievements that affirm one’s ego.
- Mindset of Christ: Seeks to glorify God, fulfill His will, and advance His kingdom. The ultimate purpose is living in a way that reflects God's love and brings others to a knowledge of Him.
- Source of Wisdom:
- Removing worldly influences and relationships
- Replacing lies with truth
- Reengaging atmospheres and activities that are God-centered
- Holy Spirit involvement is required
- Ask for Forgiveness
- 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9 NASB
- Forgive Others
- 14 For if you forgive other people for their [a]offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ~ Matthew 6:14 NASB
- Renew Your Mind
- 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [c]acceptable and perfect. ~ Romans 12:2 NASB
- Cultivate Faith and Trust in God
- 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. ~ Proverbs 3:5 NASB
- Embrace God's New Mercies Every Day
- 22 The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB
- Focus on Christ and His Example
- 2 looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:2 NASB
- Pursue Godly Goals and Purpose
- 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 3:14 NASB
- Engage in Community and Fellowship
- 24 and let’s consider how to [a]encourage one another in love and good deeds, ~ Hebrews 10:24 NASB
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been experiencing signs of Alzheimer's.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with pain in their left knee.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal women who have had difficulties getting pregnant.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering with infertility.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is struggling with learning delays.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has a speech impediment, specifically stuttering.
Why did the Son of God come to earth?
- To fulfill the law and the prophets
- 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ~ Matthew 5:17-18 KJV
- Fulfilling prophecies -Jesus fulfiled over 300 prophecies in his coming to earth
- To seek and save the lost
- 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” ~ Luke 19:9-10 NASB1995
- 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. ~ 1 Timothy 1:15 KJV
- To give eternal life
- 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ~ John 10:27-27 NASB1995
- To bring Light into darkness
- 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ~ John 1:4-5 NKJV
- 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. ~ John 12:46 NKJV
- 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:14-16 NASB1995
- To make us sons and daughters
- 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. ~ Romans 8:15-17 NKJV
- To Empower us to live
- 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ~ Acts 1:8 NKJV
- 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. ~ John 7:38-39 NKJV
- 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23 NJKV
- 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NKJV
- To destroy the works of the devil
- 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. ~ 1 John 3:8 NKJV
- To give his life as a ransom for many
- 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. ~ Titus 2:13-14 NJKV
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having severe pains in their left index finger.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone of arthritis.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with neck soreness.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering from a tension headache.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with knee pain.
Valley Gate
The gates in the book of Nehemiah represent different areas of spiritual growth in our journey with the Lord. One area of growth that the Valley Gate represents is standing firm in our faith through the trials we encounter in life. Think of the valley type experiences (sickness, the loss of a loved one, betrayal, rejection, financial burdens, difficult decisions, disappointments...) that are used by the Lord for our personal growth. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Many people leave discouraged, tired, and offended when they get to the Valley Gate. He wants to change us in the middle of our valley, He wants to give us beauty for ashes.This gate is also a reminder of the importance of humbling ourselves. Jesus teaches us that we are blessed if we realize our absolute need for God.Matthew 5: 3 (HCSB) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”Valley of Trials and Testing:James 1:2-4 (MSG) 2 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
- Pray that we will freely and quickly forgive those who offend and hurt us.
- Pray that we will pause in the valleys of our lives to seek the Lord and allow Him to direct our path.
- Pray for strength and discipline to persevere and not step out of anything prematurely. James 1:12 (HCSB) 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
- Pray for those who are in the valley of despair, discouragement, or disappointment. Romans 5:3-6 (HCSB) And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
- Pray that in these valleys, we will allow our afflictions to produce endurance, which produces proven character, which produces hope. And this hope will not disappoint us.
- Pray for times of refreshing to come.
Valley of Isolation or Loneliness:1 Peter 5:5-7 (HCSB)5 Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.
- Pray that pride will not cause anyone to be in isolation if they are currently walking in a valley.
- Pray that we would ask for help and allow others to carry our burdens with us.
- Pray for our life groups and other groups, that many will join and find family and community.
Valley of Decisions:Proverbs 4:5 (HCSB)5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.Psalms 25:4 (HCSB)4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.
- Pray for those walking through a valley of decisions. Pray that they will hear a word from the Lord for direction.
- As you seek direction for difficult decisions, “6 Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)
James 1:13 (HCSB) No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone.Psalms 22:1 (HCSB) My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? [Why are You] so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?
- As we face trials, it can cause us to harden our hearts towards God. Pray that God exposes where we have any offense towards Him, for the trials we face, and any areas where we may be accusing Him.
- Just like David in many of the Psalms, we can share our true emotions with the Lord. Holding back our feelings from Him can cause us to withdraw from Him instead of drawing near to Him. Lord, help us to be truly intimate with you, to allow our hearts to be completely exposed in your presence. We resist all fear, guilt, and shame that would try to keep us from this kind of deep intimacy with You.
- Pray that we will once again feel His love, acceptance, belonging, and hear His voice.
Return to the stronghold, you prisoners who have the hope; This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.Zechariah 9:12 Happiness vs Joy
- Happiness fluctuates based upon situational benefit.
- Joy intensifies based upon the Holy Spirit's faithfulness.
Words of Knowledge
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having severe throat pain.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been dealing with significant weight loss and the doctors have not been able to determine the cause. The Lord wants to completely heal you.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with blurred vision.
The Mountain of Economy/Business
This applies to all aspects of our culture that deal with the flow and balance of the production of resources, the distribution of resources, and the consumption of resources. This sphere of society includes every area of the marketplace (sciences, medicine, retail, services, the restaurant industry, trades, etc.).Matthew 6:31-32 (HCSB) 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.We choose to serve Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord my provider) and not mammon. We live under the banner of God’s provision. Mammon wrestles for God’s seat in our lives, causing us to always strive for more.
- We repent for giving into any influence of mammon: greed, lust, and all idolatry.
- Corporately we reject the principality of mammon in our church and in this region.
- We will not give way to fear. No matter what is going on around us, we choose to trust in the Lord God Almighty. Romans 8:28(HCSB) 28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Psalms 37:23-24 (HCSB) 23 A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. 24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.
Jesus said, “the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field” (Matt. 13:45) and “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls” (Matt. 13:45) The reign of heaven is activated on the earth by using the prophetic gift to discover the treasure or pearl that’s hidden in the dirt. We need men and women on this mountain that will operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. (The Seven Mountain Prophecy Unveiling the Coming Elijah Revolution, by Johnny Enlow)
- Pray that the believers in this sphere of influence will operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)
- Pray for believers in the Business Mountain who are feeling discouraged, oppressed, or that they don't have a voice. Pray that God will strengthen them, empower them in their place of influence, and give them strategy and direction.
- Pray for those who want to start a business or who feel called to any area of this sphere of influence. Ask the Lord to give them courage, boldness, integrity, resources, wisdom, and His favor.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.Pray for the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Also, pray for all local government officials who have influence in this sphere.
- Lord, we lift these men and women up to you and ask that you pour out your presence in their lives. If any of them do not know you, we are asking that they come to know you this year. Send men and women to them that will share the Gospel and lead them to you.
- We ask that you bless these men and women.
- We ask that these leaders work to create a commerce that is honoring of Your Word and will help transform this region for You.
- Lord, let them make decisions concerning our communities’ commerce that will bring Biblical principles to the forefront of everything they do.
- We are asking for Christian men and women to be elevated among these boards and in the leadership of these organizations.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (HCSB) but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant, He swore to your fathers, as it is today. Lord, we acknowledge that it is You that gives us the ability to create wealth!
- Pray for innovative ideas and creativity for the business world.
- We are asking that You speak to men and women in this sphere of influence through dreams and visions, to transform this mountain.
Resetting our expectations!1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 The word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3 “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. ~ 1 Kings 17:1-3 NASB1995Embrace the unexpected!He may bring the unexpected in a different way than we expect.1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” . ~ 1 Kings 17:1 NASB1995
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB1995 2 The word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3 “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. ~ 1 Kings 17:2-3 NASB19955 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. ~ Psalm 27:5 NASB1995Embrace the unexpected!4 It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. ~ 1 Kings 17:4-5 NASB19956 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. 7 It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. ~ 1 Kings 17:6-7 NASB19958 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” ~ 1 Kings 17:8-9 NASB19958 The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB1995Embrace the unexpected!10 So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, “Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink.” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” 12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” ~ 1 Kings 17:10-12 NASB1995Embrace the unexpected!13 Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.’”~ 1 Kings 17:13-14 NASB199515 So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The [a]bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil [b]become empty, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke through Elijah. ~ 1 Kings 17:15-16 NASB1995Embrace the unexpected! Words of Knowledge:We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having pain in their right hip.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been having pain in their right ankle.We believe the Lord wants to heal people with heart palpitations.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome.We believe the Lord wants to set people free of overwhelming anxiety that is causing night terrors.We believe the Lord is setting people free of depression and heaviness.The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.~ Luke 1:26- 38 NIV
LET GO
TREASURE
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ~ Luke 2:19 NIV BELIEVE 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. ~ Luke 2:38 NIV 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ~ John 3:16-17 NIV
MOUNTAIN OF ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
In this mountain, we find some of the most influential forces shaping our society. Music, art, filmmaking, television, books, the performing arts, and even sports drive our cultural tastes, values, and standards, particularly in our youth.In Genesis, God is introduced to us as Creator and He has never stopped creating. He is joyfully creative, and the manifestation of His creativity brings Heaven’s wow factor to earth. This aspect of God will draw nations unto Him when we represent Him as Creator properly.Psalms 16:11 (NKJV) 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.If God as Creator can impact even His throne room of glory with maximum joy and pleasure, then just think what will happen here on earth when we allow His creativity to flow through us.
- Pray for believers in this sphere of society to co-labor with God the Creator in all they say and do.
- The glory of God is meant to be seen in all who entertain and create. Ask the Lord to release creativity and abilities that have never been seen on earth before.
- Pray that believers influencing this mountain will begin to bring heaven’s wow factor to earth through the manifestation of His creativity through them.
Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV) Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.The glory of God is to be seen on us as an antidote to darkness. He desires His children to carry His light and glory into this area of culture.
- Lord, let your glory shine over your children in this area of influence to bring your light to the darkness that covers the earth and light to the total darkness that covers the people.
- Pray for His glory to be released in the Arts and Entertainment Mountain.
- Pray Habakkuk 2:14, that the knowledge of His glory will cover the earth through the arts and entertainment sphere.
- Pray that we will partner with Him in expressing His splendor and glory with never-before-seen creative genius.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.We want to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who already occupy these mountains.
- We praise God for the Christians who are taking a stand for Biblical values in these areas of influence. Lord, we ask that you dispatch angels now to protect them and minister on their behalf.
- Pray for their boldness, that they will be like Nehemiah. Lord, may they be focused on doing your work, not surrendering to discouragement, distractions, or efforts to frustrate your purpose.
- May they be men and women after your own heart, and let success and favor be upon them to do your will.
- Pray for them to be a beacon of light that will outshine all darkness in these areas of influence.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 (HCSB) 1There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;God has wired us for happiness. When we are happy our bodies naturally release chemicals and hormones that are good for our mental and physical health. He delights in us having fun and being happy.Having fun and feeling happy affects our body, soul, and spirit.
- We come out of agreement with the lie that God doesn’t want us to have fun. This lie causes us to believe that the way we entertain ourselves is irrelevant to God because He’s not interested and too serious or holy to have fun or care about our happiness.
- Pray that the Lord will expose any form of entertainment that we have made part of our life that isn’t healthy for us or that’s not pleasing to Him. Lord, we repent and choose to turn away from these things.
- Help us Lord to engage in healthy celebrations and entertainment.
- Pray for those in The Crossing family who have forgotten how to have fun. Lord, help them to discover what brings them happiness and joy. And, help them to engage in these things once again.
Beauty for Ashes ~ A Thankful Heart 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” ~ Isaiah 61:3 NKJV 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28 NASB Ashes are: the things we walk throughProblem : the reason we do not have the beautiful life He designed for us is because we never gave him our ashes. Turn your ashes over to God16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NABS1995 Thankfulness - Keeps us from complaining.14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ~ Philippians 2:14-15 NKJV Thankfulness - Keeps us from worrying. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV Thankfulness - Multiplies "Not Enough"11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. ~ John 6:11 NASB1995 Thankfulness - Keeps us from from tainting the raw materials that God uses to build beautiful things.23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 NASB 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. ~ Proverbs 4:23 NKJV Words of Knowledge:We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having pain in the right side of their neck.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone’s left ankle.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with tendonitis.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with weakened teeth.
Media Mountain
The media mountain includes news sources such as radio, TV news stations, newspapers, Internet news and opinion (blog) sites, etc. Media has the potential to sway popular opinion on current issues based upon its reporting, which is not always truthful or accurate. We praise the Lord for the rise in Christian news services. However, to bring transformation to the mountain of media, Christians who are gifted for and called into this type of work must be willing to report righteously and truthfully in the secular marketplace. Spirit-filled believers are empowered to bring His Kingdom to this area of influence as it is in Heaven.“The Crossing carries something as kings and priests that is powerful. It is, in fact, a combined anointing. As kings, The Crossing has authority to administrate over earth and all demonic opposition. As priests, we have power to access heavenly places in Christ. Combined, our identity as kings and priests allows us to access the throne of Grace and receive not only strength but also instruction and divine blueprints that we then administrate on earth. We, The Crossing, are salt. We slow down the decay of culture. We are also light, which means that we illuminate a pathway into a better future.” -adapted from: Lance Wallnau, “Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate”Philippians 4:8 (HCSB)8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things.
- Pray that this scripture becomes the guiding philosophy of those serving in this mountain of influence.
- Pray that journalists and everyone involved in reporting news will learn how to pray in the Spirit and soak in His presence, because Heaven has what we need to create the change that is needed.
- Pray for the goodness of God to be made known through media.
Isaiah 40:9 (NKJV)9 O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"
- Pray for The Church to take ownership in the creation of media.
- Pray that the Lord will release creative ideas for the internet, broadcast, social media, and print media.
- Pray that His Kingdom will come to the mountain of media as it is in Heaven.
John 16:13 (HCSB) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.
- Pray for men and women of God to be put in places of influence to combat the enemy's message.
- Pray for those who have been called to infiltrate this mountain to fill the airwaves with hope and love.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to baptize Christian men and women in this area with His anointing.
- Pray for New York City, NY and Atlanta, GA to become filled with men and women of God who understand their identity in Christ and will occupy this sphere of influence.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (HCSB)4 since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.Media is being used to release (over the airways) fear, hopelessness, faintness of heart, division, and destruction into our society. These are the spiritual influences that we will displace in Jesus' name.
- We command all fear to be silenced across the airwaves. We declare that the Lord has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB) For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
- We come against the thief who is stealing our hope and causing destruction in our city, state, and country, and we cancel his assignment. We declare that we will have an abundant life that is full of hope.
- We cancel the assignment of every lying spirit that would cause division and confusion across the airwaves and every media outlet. We declare that the peace of God reigns, which surpasses every thought, and is guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
- We declare that our airwaves will be filled with that which is true, that which is noble, that which is just, that which is pure, that which is lovely, that which is of a good report, that which is of virtue, and that which is praiseworthy.
Have we traded thankfulness for entitlement?21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, ~ Romans 1:21-22 NASB1995 Entitlement will fool us into thinking that God owes us and is working for us, instead of the other way around.46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” ~ Luke 9:46-48 NASB1995 Thankfulness always involves a posture of humility. If I believe I am owed something, I will not be thankful for it because I think I'm entitled to it. So Its impossible to be thankful when we feel entitled.Entitlement flows from the mindset or posture that we're not receiving what we deserve.Thankfulness comes from the mindset or posture that we've received more than we deserve.Have we traded thankfulness for entitlement? 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. ~ Psalm 100:4-5 NASB1995 When we give thanks unto Him and bless His name for the Lord is good we become thankful and can’t even begin to feel entitledHis lovingkindness is everlasting - meaning there is nothing you can do where I will stop loving you.The overflowing expression of thankfulness to our God lets people know that God is alive and real.Have we traded thankfulness for entitlement? 9 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 NIV 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV God is not looking for tithes, offerings, and gifts that are given reluctantly, or under compulsion, but he is looking for a heart of thankfulness and our giving.Have we traded thankfulness for entitlement? 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ~ Philippians 2:5-8 NASB1995 Have we traded thankfulness for entitlement? Words of Knowledge:We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has scarring on their lungs.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been suffering from pain in one or both of their eyes.
In this series we are trying to get the blessed life to you. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.2 Corinthians 9:10-11 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.Deuteronomy 8:18 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.Proverbs 13:22 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Matthew 28:19-20 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;Ephesians 4:11-12 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Matthew 6:19-21
Words of Knowledge-
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been suffering with pain that was caused from breast cancer treatment.We heard the Lord say he is healing someone’s leg who injured it in a fall at a stadium.We believe the Lord is blessing someone with an increased amount of courage this weekend. You have said repeatedly that you just can’t do this anymore, but the Lord is intervening on your behalf. He is going to sustain you and provide exactly what you need to get through.Mountain of Religion
True worshipers of Jesus have been given authority to displace every enemy from the top of this area of influence.John 4:23 (HCSB) But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him.The religious spirit, idolatry, and human reasoning sit on this mountain and are assigned to steal worship designated for God. These spirits hate the power, the presence, and the passion of God that Holy Spirit brings to earth. Without Holy Spirit our religion is dead. Holy Spirit is specifically for us in our time. The Father sent Jesus, who, on the cross, paid the price for the redemption of man and all of creation. Jesus told His disciples that in addition to the work of redemption on the cross, His purpose was to send the Holy Spirit to help them. (The Seven Mountain Prophecy: Unveiling the Coming Elijah Revolution, by Johnny Enlow) True WorshipersJohn 4:23 (HCSB) But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him.· We repent Lord of all forms of idolatry, anything that has gotten our eyes and focus off of You. Deuteronomy 29:18 (HCSB) Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.· Forgive us Lord for offering performance-based worship to you. Create in us a pure heart for you and renew a right spirit within us. We repent of any human reasoning that keeps us from worshipping you in spirit and in truth. Isaiah 29:13 (HCSB) The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.· We repent for coming into agreement with a religious spirit that tries to keep us from ministering outside of how Holy Spirit is guiding and directing. Help us to be Spirit led in all that we do.· Pray that human reasoning that creates a type of Christianity that is a form of godliness but denies its power will be displaced in our church.New Wine SkinsActs 2:5-6, 13 (HCSB) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
- Pray that our hearts will not be stuck in old wine skins or locked in traditions but that we will be open to whatever Holy Spirit wants to do as we continue advancing for Him.
- Pray that Holy Spirit will move in us and all believers in this region like never before, causing the mountain of religion to shake and its dark forces to be displaced.
- Pray that we will be a church body that cares more about what Holy Spirit wants us to do, rather than what man wants.
UnityWe rejoice in the Lord for all the work He is doing in the Tampa Bay region with pastors and churches. The uniting of churches is happening! Let’s continue to pray for unity in our church, the churches in this region, and those all around the world. Hebrews 10:23-25 (HCSB) 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25 not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
- Pray for a spirit of unity to continue and break out here at The Crossing and also in the churches in this region.
- Pray that churches will band together as a unified army, so as to effectively win the lost in this region together and to bring influence in every area of our culture.
- We declare that we are a church family that is not easily offended and walking in forgiveness is easy for us.
- Command all division to be exposed and removed from The Crossing.
Pray for the peace of Israel:Psalms 122:6-9 (HCSB) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
- Lord, bring Hamas and Hezbollah, the enemies of Israel, to an end. We ask that all their plans and strategies will unfold and be ineffective.
- We come against the spirit of hate and murder that has revolted against Israel and command it to be dismantled, in Jesus' name.
- We also want to pray for peace and protection from all unrest in our nation. Lord, we ask that you dismantle all antisemitism in the United States.
- Pray that national leaders will receive God given ideas on how to help and what to do. Genesis 12:3 (HCSB) I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
- Pray for all corruption and lies to be exposed concerning this war.
- Pray for salvation to come to the Jewish nation and the Muslim nations.
In order for us to step into the blessing we have to first deal with the curse! The curse because of the idol worship we've created with the spirit of mammon. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”Luke 16:10-13 The enemy only cares about your worship! It’s not about the money that’s evil but the “idol” worship of it but even in this we can break free and walk in the blessings of God. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.Matthew 26:14-16 The actions we take can bring shame to our names. and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:15 God demands worship because He and he alone is worthy of it. “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”Revelation 4:11 If we believe this biblical truth then we also would understand that as sons and daughters we have access through Christ. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.John 12:2-3 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at [a]Jesus’ feet and heard His word.Luke 10:39 Mary sat at Jesus' feet and learned. Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”John 11:32 Mary fell and Jesus' feet and surrendered. She didn’t just give this costly perfume, she also put it to work by anointing His feet. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.John 12:4-6 Judas became consumed with pursuing money over everything else. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.1 Timothy 6:10 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.John 12:7 Are we willing to receive an open rebuke in love or are we wanting secret love? Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed.Proverbs 27:5
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;
Malachi 3:8-11Words of Knowledge
Words Of Knowledge:
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been suffering with numbness in the left foot, we believe the Lord is healing your heart and all circulation issues today.
We believe the Lord wants to heal people who are suffering from the side effects of some type of treatment or vaccine. He wants to heal you today.
We heard the Lord say he is healing backs this weekend and we believe He is going to do it as people forgive and release bitterness.
We believe the Lord is setting people free of idolatry. As we ask Him to reveal the idols of our heart, He is going to show us. As we repent and turn away from the idols of our heart, He is going to set us free.
Old Gate (Jeshanah Gate)
Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. Nehemiah 3:6 (HCSB)This gate represents ancient ways and truth. Focusing on this gate challenges us to focus on returning to or going deeper into the things of God. The prophet Jeremiah admonished the people of God, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16). We are called to minister to the Lord, be in unity with one another, study and obey His Word, fast, pray, build community, and minister the Gospel like never before. (Isaiah 58) We are praying for God to take us back to the simplicity of the Gospel.Prayer Points:We want to make ministering to the Lord our number one priority. We want to hunger more for His Spirit. Matthew 5: 3 (MSG) "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you, there is more of God and his rule. (NKJV) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Pray that we will return to our First Love with a new fervency. Revelations 2: 2-5 (HCSB) I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 You also possess endurance and have tolerated [many things] because of My name and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love [you had] at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent.
- Pray that we would learn how to abide or remain in His presence at all times.
- We want to minister to you Lord in ALL that we do.
- Lord, help us to set aside more time to worship you. Draw us closer to you, Lord. We desire a deeper intimacy with you.
We want The Crossing Church to be known as a house of prayer. We want prayer to be our first response.
- Pray that we would have a new desire to pray consistently every day, with all kinds of prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18, Luke 18:11)
- We want to pray like Jesus in Luke 3:21; that while we are praying, heaven will open, and the Holy Spirit will descend on us.
- Lord, teach us to pray with a new fervency and tenacity. (Luke 6:12)
- We want to be a people who will seek you in prayer for guidance and direction every day. (Genesis 24:42-49, Hebrews 4:16)
- Lord, build our faith as we pray. Let us be a people that know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you hear our prayers and that you are faithful to answer. (Mark 11:24)
We want to receive a new hunger for the Word of God.
- Pray for a deeper devotion to His Word.
- Pray for new insight and revelation from His Word.
- Pray that learning scripture would become easy for us all.
- Pray that nothing else in our life would be able to take the place of spending time in His Word.
- Pray that we will live our life according to the precepts of His Word, that we would receive revelation from reading and hearing the Word and apply it to every situation we encounter.
We want to pray for the nations to turn to the Lord. We are believing God for a great outpouring of His presence all over the world.
- Pray for believers all over the world to return to their first love. Pray for a new passion and hunger to be stirred up. Lord, awaken your Church
- Pray for the end time laborers Matthew 9: 36-38 (HCSB) When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
When we recognize God is first with all that we are... He redeems all that we have. How to approach a King You shall redeem with a lamb the firstborn from a donkey; and if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem all the firstborn of your sons.Exodus 34:20 However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will certainly buy it from you for a price; for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.2 Samuel 24:24 Our approach to God should be with reverence, acknowledging His sovereignty. The Tale of Two Offerings: Cain and Able So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy.Genesis 4:3-5 Abel’s offering reflected devotion and faith by giving the first of his flock. Cain’s offering lacked this level of honor and dedication. God values the recognition that He gets your first and your best. The Sacrifice of the Firstborn: A Redemption Symbol you shall devote to the Lord every firstborn of a womb, and every firstborn offspring of an animal that you own; the males belong to the Lord. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn among your sons you shall redeem.Exodus 13:12-13 Every tithe and every offering is a tangible statement that we remember that it was God that bought our freedom and not ourselves. The Gifts of the Wise Men: Symbols with Deep Meanings And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Matthew 2:11 The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and the one who receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person shall receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."Matthew 10:41-42 Giving to God What is God’s They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”Matthew 22:21 We are made in God's image, our whole being belongs to Him.
Words of Knowledge:
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having pain in their left ear.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been suffering with heart palpitations.We believe the Lord is going to heal someone who is suffering with anxiety.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with stomach issues that is causing severe nausea.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who had an injury to their leg that affected their knee and ankle.We believe the Lord wants to set someone free of being disgruntled and of chronic complaining.Words of Encouragement:
We believe we heard the Lord say, “Trust. Rest. Rejoice. I have an inexhaustible supply being poured into your life in an endless stream! You will live and not die! There is no expiration date on the dreams and visions that I have given you. The purposes I have sown into your life will be accomplished, and you will never be turned back or defeated!”Sheep Gate
This gate represents salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross.
John 10:7-9 (NIV) 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. The Sheep Gate reminds us of His sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God, the ultimate sacrifice, who takes away the sins of the world. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)In many ways, the Sheep Gate represents our salvation. Salvation is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Just like sheep, all we have to do is enter into this beautiful relationship with Him. 1. Pray for a great harvest of souls all around the world. John 3:16-17 (HCSB) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- We decree that we have entered a soul-winning season!
- We are asking that those who do not know you, will come to know you and receive you as their Savior. Holy Spirit, don’t delay. 2 Peter 3:9 (HCSB) The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
- Pray specifically for those deceived in witchcraft and occultic worship. Pray for those in leadership roles to encounter Jesus and to surrender completely to Him.
- Pray specifically for Muslims to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Check out this great resource: Prayercast- https://www.prayercast.com/love-muslims-home.html
2. Pray for our lost family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors: 1Timothy 2:1-4 (HCSB) First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- Pray for the redemption of our unsaved loved ones. Lord, bring them closer to you. Let them know of your love and your mercies. Holy Spirit, we ask that you convict them so that they may repent and follow your ways.
- Pray that their spiritual eyes and ears will open to see and hear what the Lord is doing and saying.
- Pray that the Lord will draw them to Himself.
John 6:44 (MSG) 44 You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me - that's the only way you'll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End.
- Pray for Holy Spirit to reveal to us how to minister to those we know and love, who are lost. Help us Lord to be kind and compassionate, for it is your kindness that draws people to repentance.
3. We want to be a church who continually prays for the lost souls of this community and all around the world. Romans 8:26-27 (HCSB) In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
- Lord, we are asking for a heart of intercession for the lost.
- Pray for opportunities to minister to the lost. Lord, help us to recognize these opportunities in our day-to-day lives.
Matthew 5:16 (MSG) 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep an open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
- Pray that we will not grow weary in praying for the lost. Lord, help us to be like the widow in Luke 18 who refused to give up asking. We need perseverance.
- We pray with confidence, knowing that the Lord hears our prayers.
4. Pray for Revival to come to Tampa Bay:
- Pray that this community will see the goodness of God and that the lost will be drawn to Him.
- Pray for us and every other ministry in this region to be reignited with a burden for the lost. Matthew 5:16 (HCSB) In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
- Pray for those who will go out to share the Gospel in our community. Give us boldness to go out, loose us of any and all fear.
- Pray that there will be demonstrations of the Spirit and power everywhere we go witnessing, in Jesus' name.
- We declare that you, Lord, are a wall of fire around Tampa Bay, and nothing and no one will stop what you are doing in us and our city!
We are discussing lies and false beliefs that can cause cracks in our foundation. I cant help how I respond when my hormones are out of wack.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23 GNT My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.James 1:19-21 HCSB Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.Galatians 5:24-26 HCSB I can make it without consistent time in the word and prayer.For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:1-5 NIV I have to have a spouse to be happy. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!Psalm 27:13-14 ESV I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.Philippians 4:13 GNT It is my responsibility to chance my spouse. Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body. And so wives must submit themselves completely to their husbands just as the church submits itself to Christ.Ephesians 5:21-24 GNTIn the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a word, because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is. You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses you wear. Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight. For the devout women of the past who placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by submitting themselves to their husbands. Sarah was like that; she obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are now her daughters if you do good and are not afraid of anything.
1 Peter 3:1-6 GNT Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.1 Corinthians 13:4-7 HCSB Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.Romans 13:1-2 NIV I am not responsible for how my children turn out. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.Matthew 7:7-8 NJKV God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NJKV Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.Proverbs 22:6 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with [their] enemies at the city gate.Psalms 127: 3-5 HCSB Resources:- Joyful Journey: Listening to Immanuel, E. James Wilder, John Loppnow, Sungshim Loppnow & Anna Kang
- You’re Going to Make It Devotional by Lisa Terkeurst
- Nurture: Give and Get what You Need to Flourish, Lisa Bevere
- Power of a Praying Wife, Stormie Omartian
- Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian
- 5 Day Devotional in YouVersion Bible App: Prayers of Blessing Over My Adult Children
- It’s not supposed to be this way by Lisa Terkeurst
- You’re Loved No Matter What (Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect) by Holley Gerth
- Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
- Praying for your future husband: Preparing your heart for his by Robin Jones Gunn and Trisha Goyer
- Captivating By John & Stasi Eldredge
- Wild Heart, by John Eldredge
Words Of Knowledge:
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having pain in their right ear.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been suffering with emphysema.We believe the Lord is going to heal someone who is suffering with medically diagnosed anxiety.We believe the Lord wants to pour out His presence on someone who is dealing with severe loneliness. The Lord is your friend who sticks closer than a brother.Fountain Gate
The Fountain Gate represents the baptism of the Holy Spirit and subsequent infillings of His power. The Fountain Gate speaks to us of the living waters of the Holy Spirit that cleanse our lives and empower us for our Christian life! We need a fresh baptism from the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel 36:25-27 (HCSB) I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances.
- Pray that we will allow Holy Spirit to cleanse us of anything that would keep us from knowing the Father in a deeper way.
- Pray for the Lord to search our hearts and reveal any hidden sin or offense. We repent of these sins, Lord, and ask you to help us to turn away from them.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to come and soften our hearts to receive His love completely.
John 7: 37-38 (HCSB) On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! 38 The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him."
- Pray for a new infilling of the Holy Spirit in us individually, for our spiritual leaders, and for our church family.
- Pray that we will desire to be in His presence more than anything else. Lord, create a new thirst for more of you.
- Pray for Luke 3:16, that we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. Baptize us Lord with a fire that will consume all our worldly desires.
Acts 1:8 (HCSB) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
- Pray that we will overflow with hope into our communities by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
- Pray that we will be fountains of refreshment to those around us.
- Pray that we will operate in all of His spiritual gifts so that we can impact our communities with power. (1 Cor 12: 4-10)
We have several ministry opportunities planned for all campuses this weekend. Let’s pray that Holy Spirit will invade our communities with His presence and power. John 4:14 (HCSB) But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again-ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life."
- Pray that our teams will be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to minister the Gospel and to be led by Him.
- Pray that the hearts of the people in the communities will be soft and ready to receive Jesus as Savior.
- Pray for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will bring salvation, healing, and deliverances.
- Pray for favor with the schools and the neighborhoods that we go into this week and this weekend. Lord, help us to partner with them in a way that brings lasting transformation to our communities.
BIG IDEA: Men of God are designed to lead.15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it.- Genesis 2:15 NASB20201For behold, the Lord God of armies is going to remove from Jerusalem and Judah, Both supply and support, the entire supply of bread And the entire supply of water; 2 The mighty man and the warrior, The judge and the prophet, The diviner and the elder, 3 The captain of fifty and the esteemed person, The counselor and the expert artisan, And the skillful enchanter. 4 And I will make mere boys their leaders... Isaiah 3:1-4 NASB2020How to get rid of the inner boy
- Seek to Serve
- Chose Forgiveness over bitterness
- Take responsibility
- The desire for godly leadership is a noble aspiration, not one to be taken lightly.
- Aspiring means to stretch out for something.
- Aspiring for responsibility vs Aspiring for resource ...10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it...1 Timothy 6:10 NASB2020
- We were created to take dominion over the earth. We were not created to dominate other people.
- Above Reproach: A godly man should be a moral and ethical model for the community.
- The Husband of One Wife: A godly man has the character of a one-woman man
- Temperate: A godly man must be a man of moderation so that he is alert.
- Prudent: A godly man must have self-control.
- Respectable: A godly man must be able to order his life.
- Hospitable: A godly man must be loving to all.
- Able to Teach: A godly man has a lifestyle of impartation.
- Not Addicted to Wine: Godly men must avoid addiction.
- Not a bully: Godly men must avoid forceful aggression in action and speech.
- Gentle: A godly man focuses on delivering restraint over retribution.
- Not Contentious: A godly man focuses on a life marked by peace not conflict with others.
- Free from the Love of Money: A godly man is content.
- Management of the home
- Discipleship of children - 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.” - Malachi 4:6 NASB 2020
- Maturity in faith
- Community Reputation
- Protector – Steps between his people and what would harm them
- Priest – Presents his people to God
- Prophet – Presents God to his people
- Provider – The second thing God gave man was “work”
Mountain of Religion
Praying for Israel
Prayer for Jerusalem must become a top priority of ours as we partner with the Lord to see His Kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven. Let’s pray not just for the peace of Jerusalem, but also against the plans of the devil, who has always desired the destruction of the Jewish people.Pray for the peace of Israel:Psalms 122: 6-9 (HCSB) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
- Lord, bring the enemies of Israel down. We ask that all their plans and strategies will unfold and be ineffective.
- We come against the spirit of hate and murder that has revolted against Israel and command it to be dismantled, in Jesus' name.
- We also want to pray for peace and protection from all unrest in our nation.
Pray for the protection of civilians on all sides and for the hostages:
- Pray for the protection and rescue of the hundred or more who have been kidnapped by Hamas. We must pray that their evil schemes will be thwarted, just as the plot by Haman was thwarted (Book of Esther). https://firmisrael.org/praybyname/
- Pray for those who have been wounded to get the medical attention they need to recover well. Pray for their physical and emotional healing.
- Pray for the Israeli people and all civilians who are mourning. May they experience God’s comfort and the healing of their pain.
Pray for Israel’s leadership:
- Pray for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Pray for all those defending Israel’s borders. May they witness God move in a miraculous way in their protection and deliverance. Deuteronomy 33:29 (HCSB) Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their backs.”
- Pray for wisdom for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and for all of Israel’s leaders. Pray for Israel’s next action. Isaiah 30: 21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
- Pray for the following key leaders:
- Yoav Gallant: A former commander in the Israel Defense Forces, Gallant has served as the minister of defense since 2022. He has been instrumental in Israel’s war efforts, mobilizing troops on Oct. 7 and declaring a siege of Gaza on Oct. 9.
- Herzi Halevi: He has served as the Israel Defense Forces’ Chief of General Staff since Jan. 16, 2023. Since joining the IDF in 1985, he has held a variety of positions. He is one of the most important members of Israel’s leadership during this time of war.
- Ronen Bar: The Israel Security Agency, also known as Shabak and Shin Bet, is Israel’s internal security service. Bar has been the ISA’s director since October 13, 2021. The ISA monitors the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, providing intelligence on terrorist rings and plans. Bar’s work is vital to Israel’s counteroffensive strategies, especially now.
- Benny Gantz: Gantz leads the National Unity political alliance, an opposition party in Israel’s government. Since the Hamas attack, he has formed an “emergency unity government” alongside Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party. He also heads a war cabinet with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant.
Pray that the nations around the world will stand with Israel:
- Pray that national leaders will receive God-given ideas on how to help and what to do. Genesis 12: 3 (HCSB) I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
- Pray for all corruption and lies to be exposed.
- Pray that the truth about the conflict will also be reflected by our media channels. Lord, send your Spirit of Truth to dismantle every lie.
- Pray for the doors for humanitarian efforts to open and for those efforts to be honest and trustworthy.
Training Giant Killers6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6 NKJV3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. -Psalm 127: 3-5 NKJV Word from the Lord You have been given stewardship over the children I gave you. You are fully capable. You are fully equipped to train your child in the way that they should go. That is why I gave them to you. You can not trust the systems of this world to train your child.The world systems are designed to steel your time from being intentional with your children. Think about this question: How much time a week do you spend intentionally training your child in the things of the Lord? Systems that are destroying our children - Architect of these systems is the enemy of Christ
- Education
- Book Reference: Dumbing Us Down - The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
- Horace Mann
- John D. Rockefeller, who founded the General Education Board, once said "I don’t want a nation of thinkers, I want a nation of workers"
- Hack for the system -
- Give your child responsibilities
- Teach them to think for themselves (solving problems)
- Teach your kids the promises in the Word
- 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, ... - 2 Peter 1:3-4a NKJV
- Train your child how to be led by the Spirit of God
- 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. - Romans 8:14 NKJV
- Entertainment
- Hollywood and Disney
- Video: Jonathan Cahn Prophetic: The Mystery Of Barbie, Ishtar, and Smashed Babies!
- Healthychild.org
- Hack for the system
- 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV
- Do a media contract
- Do fun times as a family together
- Teach them to love the church
- Book: Dumbing Us Down - The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
- Kids Carrying the Kingdom - Mike Seth 13 lessons
- Book: Raising Giant-Killers: Releasing Your Child's Divine Destiny through Intentional Parenting by Bill & Beni Johnson
- Book: Basic Training for Spiritual Intelligence: Develop the Art of Thinking Like God by Kris Vallotton
- Book: Let Our Children Go: Steps to Free Your Child from Evil Influences and Demonic Harassment by Rebecca Greenwood
- Parent Que By reThink Group - App you can find at Google Play and Apple Store
Mountain of Religion
Praying for Israel
Prayer for Jerusalem must become a top priority of ours as we partner
with the Lord to see His Kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven.
Pray for the peace of Israel:Psalms 122: 6-9 (HCSB) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
- Lord, bring the enemies of Israel down. We ask that all their plans and strategies will unfold and be ineffective.
- We come against the spirit of hate and murder that has revolted against Israel and command it to be dismantled, in Jesus' name.
- We also want to pray for peace and protection from all unrest in our nation.
Pray for the protection of civilians on all sides:
- Pray for the protection and rescue of the hundred or more who have been kidnapped by Hamas. We must pray that their evil schemes will be thwarted, just as the plot by Haman was thwarted (Book of Esther).
- Pray for those who have been wounded to get the medical attention they need to recover well. Pray for their physical and emotional healing.
- Pray for the Israeli people and all civilians who are mourning. May they experience God’s comfort and the healing of their pain.
Pray for Israel’s leadership:
- Pray for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Pray for all those defending Israel’s borders. May they witness God move in a miraculous way in their protection and deliverance. Deuteronomy 33:29 (HCSB) Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.”
- Pray for wisdom for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and for all of Israel’s leaders. Pray for Israel’s next action. Isaiah 30: 21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
- These are specific goals that the prime minister announced on Tuesday morning that we as intercessors can pray for:
- to purge the enemy from Israeli towns and communities and repel the entry of additional enemy combatants, a battle he said is still being waged;
- to carry out a massive attack on Hamas of “unprecedented intensity”;
- to fortify the other fronts, including on the northern border against Hezbollah, in Judea and Samaria, and within Israel;
- to continue to strengthen international support “in order to preserve our field of action against our enemies”;
- and to establish unity among the people.
- Pray for the families of these men and women who are serving to protect and lead during this time.
Pray that the nations around the world will stand with Israel:
- Pray that national leaders will receive God given ideas on how to help and what to do. Genesis 12: 3 (HCSB) I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
- Pray for all corruption and lies to be exposed.
- Pray that the truth about the conflict will also be reflected by our media channels. Lord, send your Spirit of Truth to dismantle every lie.
- Pray for the doors for humanitarian efforts to open and for those efforts to be honest and trustworthy.
The heart of this series is to provide all of us with a strong biblical viewpoint of how God views family and our roles within them. Big Idea: We are at WAR! It's time to draw the line! 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.Romans 8:16-17 15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”Joshua 24:15 18 “You shall therefore [a]impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as [b]frontals [c]on your forehead. 19 You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. 20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as [d]long as the heavens remain above the earth.Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Somebody has to draw the line... 25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “[a]Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and [b]any city or house divided against itself will not stand.Matthew 12:25 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Ephesians 6:10-17 Train up a child [a]in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a [a]tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might [b]come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.Galatians 3:13-14 We are at WAR! It's time to draw the line!
Words of Knowledge:
We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having shooting pain down their left side that starts from the hip and moves to the knee. We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with a lymphatic system issue or lymphoma. We believe the Lord wants to heal someone dealing with sharp pain in the bottom of their left heel that shoots up into your shin. We believe the Lord wants to help someone shift their mindset, He wants you to surrender the thoughts of impossible (medical report, financial hardship, relationships, marriage, or prodigal child) to possible through Christ, Matthew 19:26. We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering with insomnia. We believe God is setting people free of suicide. Specifically, because of lost love, you are wanting to end your life, but God says no!!! I have better for you, just fall into my arms and I will heal your broken heart and give you a great future. We believe there is a mom whose children have shunned her, and the Lord is saying, “They are coming back home, open your arms to forgive and love them.” We believe there is a dad whose kids were taken and turned against you by your ex-wife. God is dispatching the resources of heaven to restore that relationship with your kids today. We believe there is an elderly person who lost their spouse and loneliness has tormented you ever since. God is setting you free of that today. His comfort and purpose are filling your life today. We believe God is setting people free from chaos and confusion that has surrounded you.Mountain of Government
This is one of the most influential and important areas of influence in our culture because it establishes laws and decrees that affect and control every other mountain. We are partnering with the Lord, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on the Mountain of Government as it is in heaven.” -Matthew 6:10As we continue to commit to praying for this mountain of influence, we are imposing heaven’s will. Our prayers are the most powerful ingredient of any possible strategy. We must not grow weary of joining together in prayer. We must continue to take our place in prayer for a great spiritual awakening to continue in America.Pray for our leaders that hold office at every level:1 Timothy 2:1-2 (HCSB)“Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.”
- Lord, we are asking that you bless our leaders and that you surround them and their families with your protection.
- Bind their families together with love and surround them with men and women that love you Lord, and that will share your love with them.
- We ask that they have times of refreshing as they work to serve our city, state, and nation.
- Let there be men and women surrounding them who will offer Godly counsel and direction as they face difficult decisions.
Pray against all corruption in the Mountain of Government.Father God, only You know all things. So, we call upon You and we ask that You expose all the hidden things that need to be exposed. Lord, let Your light shine before men, that we may see the evil works in our nation and reject them—and that we may see Your good works and glorify You.Luke 8:17 (HCSB)17 For nothing is concealed that won't be revealed, and nothing hidden that won't be made known and come to light.
- We say thank you Lord for all that is currently being uncovered and exposed in this area. You are doing a new thing in our nation, and we rejoice because of it!
- We unite and agree in prayer today in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus that the Lord will expose and reveal all corruption and dark voices that are influencing our government (at the local, state, and national levels).
- Lord, give valor to righteous whistleblowers who sound the alarm—and protect those whistleblowers when they do speak out.
- Pray that those who are spreading corruption mess up and reveal themselves in ways that absolutely reveal the truth.
- Pray that any crimes they have committed be exposed.
- Lord, let those who are spreading lies and corruption throughout our government be removed from power, and let righteous ones take their offices.
Pray for our House of Representatives as they prepare to vote for a new Speaker of the House.
- We are asking that our representatives work together in moving forward for the betterment of our nation.
- Pray for God’s will to be done and that no one will be able to obstruct the nomination and election of the person God has in store for our Speaker of the House position.
Pray for Revival to come to those serving in our local, state, and federal government.No greater thing could come to our land today than revival of the spirit of faith—a revival that would sweep through the homes of the nation and stir the hearts of men and women of all faiths to a reassertion of their belief in God and their dedication to His will for themselves and for their world. I doubt if there is any problem--social, political or economic—that would not melt away before the fires of such spiritual revival. ---Franklin D Roosevelt
- Spirit-Filled Life: We pray that every one of our government leaders will be baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit. We decree Luke 3:16, the government officials at all levels will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- Acts 2:17 (HCSB) And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
- Acts 1:8 (HCSB) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
- Pray against all hopelessness, downheartedness, and feelings of defeat.
Romans 8:24- 26 (HCSB) Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.Psalms 34:17-19 (HCSB) The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. 19 Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB) Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.Matthew 19:26 (HCSB) But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. https://humanlifefl.com
Gods directive for us has always been advancement28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:28 NKJV19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. - Matthew 28:19-20 NKVJ Jesus has a unique strategy for you to advance his Kingdom with your family, with your friends, in your workplace, and in the places that you play. Straighten out church error
- The church staff is not here to win the lost
- In the last 100 years we turned church services to be primarily evangelistic and not equipping the saints
- Making converts not disciples
- some to be apostles, (Equip you with cision and parenting others in the Kingdom)
- some prophets (Equip you supernaturally to hear and speak from heave)
- some evangelists (Equip you to take the gospel to the world with miraculous power)
- and some pastors (Equip you to care for people in Godly community)
- and teachers (Equip you to rightly divide the word of truth)
- by which every part does its share (Church growth happens when you are powerfully equipped and do your part)
- Look at all the different strategies throughout the bible
- God has established work for you
Family, Education, and Religion Mountain
(Belong, Believe, Become)
We believe the Lord is pouring out His Spirit all over America. We are interceding today for our children, youth, and young adults. We believe this is a time of great revival and transformation for our young people. We are calling forth the fires of revival to burn in our young people here and all over the world. We decree that they are sons and daughters of the Most High God. We believe the Lord is raising up leaders that will usher in a revolution for Jesus like we have not yet seen before. We see this already taking place all around the world.Revival in our Families:Malachi 4:6 (HCSB) And he will turn the hearts of fathers to [their] children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.· Pray that our fathers and mothers will be careful not to stir up anger in their children but lovingly, wisely, and patiently train them in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).· Pray for prodigal children to return to God in complete surrender.· Pray for relationships between parents and their children to be restored.· Pray for any extended family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) who are raising a family member's child to be encouraged. Pray for them to have the wisdom, support, and the resources they need to parent well.· Pray for all of our foster parents. Lord, refresh them with a fresh anointing to continue in this ministry. We ask that you give them wisdom, understanding, and favor.· Pray for single parents to be refreshed and filled with the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. Pray for them to have the support and the resources they need to parent well.· Lord, we ask for revival to come to our homes. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit consume everyone in our families.· The Lord is always recorded as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because He is a generational God. Pray for a locking of arms between the younger and older generations.Revival in our schools:· Father, pour out Your Spirit on our sons and our daughters. We ask for a harvest of souls of both teachers and students. We pray for revival to fall on every campus in Hillsborough County (every public and private elementary, middle, high school, college, and university).· Lord, teach students who have a relationship with you to conduct themselves in ways that honor you and everyone they encounter. Give them boldness and courage to share the gospel with their peers.· Pray for daily protection around all of our schools. Lord, dispatch your angels to protect our schools in Hillsborough County, in FL, and in our nation.Revival in our churches:Spirit-Filled Life: We pray that every one of our students will be baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit. We decree Luke 3:16, our young people will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. They will invade the Tampa Bay region with power.Acts 2:17 (HCSB) And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.Acts 1:8 (HCSB) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.· We are asking for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our children, our youth, and our young adults.· Pray for “Joshua’s” to arise among our children.· Pray that our students will overflow with hope into our communities by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)· Pray that our students will operate in all of His spiritual gifts so that we can impact our communities with power. (1 Cor 12: 4-10)· Lord, we’re asking that you build bridges between our churches and our schools.Revival among our children, youth, and young adult leaders:· Pray for the leaders of our children and young adults to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and empowered to minister the Gospel with boldness and love.· Pray that the Lord will cleanse us from dead works and old wineskins. Lord, break every wall of tradition that has trapped us in lifeless worship and empty rituals. Refresh and refill them with your Spirit.· We break all false teachings that have promoted division in the Body of Christ. Lord, let there be unity among the ministries in this region. As we work together to see Tampa Bay transformed, show us Your glory, Lord!· We are asking that you impart a new hunger and thirst for your presence among every kids' ministry, youth, and young adult leader in this region. John 4:13-14 (HCSB) Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
BIG IDEA: When we encounter Jesus, we find belonging, which leads to belief in the living water He offers, which leads to us becoming all that He designed us to be.SCRIPTURES (NASB 2020): John 4:3-9, Hebrews 1024:25, John 4:16-18, John 4:10-26, John 4:28-30, John 4:39 Belonging (John 4:3-9)3 He left Judea and went away again to Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, tired from His journey, was just sitting by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away to the city to buy food. 9 So the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, though You are a Jew, are asking me for a drink, though I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) - John 4:3-9 NASB 24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. - John 14:16-18 NASB How To Belong
- Active Encouragement (to poke)
- Active Engagement
- Active Embracing (to call in for comfort)
- Orphan spirit says “Actions allow access to belonging. Belonging allows access to God’s love.”
- Adoption - The Father says “My Love allows access to belonging. Belonging creates right actions.”
- Belonging is always a set up for Believing
- Godly community is designed to:
- (v.14) push our thinking from temporary to eternal
- (v.24) move us from ritual to relationship
- (v.25-26) replace concealment with revelation
- Godly community is more than sharing knowledge, it’s digging wells.
- The only way to experience the thrill of a life lived on purpose is to leave your agenda at the feet of Jesus.
Refiner’s Gate (Dung Gate)
The Refiner’s Gate or Dung Gate represents deliverance or elimination. It’s a picture of forgiving and letting go of. It’s an image of getting rid of things that are unhealthy in our lives. A place where we can allow Holy Spirit to purify our hearts. We are petitioning the Lord today for Tampa Bay to experience His refining fire, so that we will turn away from evil and return to Him as a region. We decree that we will once again be known as the Bay of the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. John 16:8 (ASV) And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment and apply the cleansing work of God in us, Titus 3:5 (HCSB) He saved us - not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
- Father, we ask you to search our hearts today and reveal to us any offensive way in us. We ask that you forgive us for anything that we have done or that we are now doing which is sinful.
- Lord, the scripture says in the book of 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lord, I confess my sins before you, I pray that by your mercy you will forgive me in the name of Jesus.
- Pray that as we, who are called by His name, turn from our wicked ways and seek His face that we will see Him forgive our sins and heal our land.
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. John 16:7-8 (HCSB) Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don't go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. 8 When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:
- Lord, we are repenting today on behalf of the entire Tampa Bay region. Forgive us Lord, we pray. We take the sins of this region to the refiner’s gate and ask that you purify us.
- We specifically repent for the human trafficking that is taking place in our region. Lord, let every human trafficking ring and perpetrator be exposed and brought to justice.
- We ask that You forgive us of all other corruption that is taking place in the Tampa Bay region.
- Lord, forgive us, the Church, for allowing competition and division to come between us. Help us all to work together in unity to transform this region for Your glory.
- Pray that as we, who are called by His name, turn from our wicked ways and seek His face that we will see Him forgive our sins and heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Matthew 3:11 (HCSB) "I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to take off His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- We pray that as we metaphorically pass through the Refiner’s Gate, that we will experience a fresh filling of Holy Spirit.
- We pray for a fresh fire to begin to burn on the altar of our life.
- We come against every form of lukewarmness in our spirit man. Pray for a baptism of His fire.
- Pray for a double portion of His Spirit to be poured out on us and this entire region.
- Pray for revival to fall in our homes, our church, our neighborhoods, our schools and businesses, and the entire Tampa Bay region.
We pray for healthy relationships within our families, our church, and our communities. Healthy relationships will create "dung." It is natural for healthy relationships in the Body of Christ to create issues as the normal process of spiritual growth and maturity. Difficulties, problems, disappointments, offenses, and such are all normal parts of healthy relationships. They are part of life. How we deal with them, and how we deal with the issues that our relationships create will determine how healthy and strong our spiritual lives will be. (HUMAN)
- Pray that we will forgive those who have wronged us or offended us.
- Pray that we will let go of all offense.
- Pray that pastors and churches within this region will put aside all differences, forgive one another, and build strong relationships.
- We declare that we are a body of believers, here at The Crossing, that are not easily offended, and we offer forgiveness freely.
The goal of the series is to help us understand the vision of your house / this house so that we can walk in sync. So that we can walk together as a family. So that we can then do greater things “together"
12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. - John 14:12-14 NASB
National back to church weekend was created in 2009 but it originated over 2000 years ago on the sermon of the mount. Jesus spoke to the crowds in Matt 5, 6 and 7, about how we should live out our lives…because he wanted us to be a family in unity doing greater things.
"The enemy of our souls desires to trap and destroy us. One of his most deceptive and effective enticements comes in the form of offense. Freedom from offense is essential for every Christian because Jesus said it is impossible to live this life and not have the opportunity to be offended (Luke 17:1). There's a MULTITUED of offended believers in the church and there are consequences with this. " - The Bait of Satan by John Bevere
The believer that takes an offense increasingly has a LOSS OF AWARENESS of God's LOVE! Because it is contrary to who He is! And how we are designed to operate.
A soul tie is a spiritual bond with anyone with whom we have had a direct relationship and it holds us tied to them with godly cords of love OR ungodly cords of spiritual darkness and captivity.We've held onto these wounds so long that we cant imagine our lives without the offense. Many of us think that they are impossible to get rid of. We are not meant to be bound! You know what the Bible says? Just untie it.10 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And [a]there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a [b]sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent over double, and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” 13 And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she stood up straight again, and began glorifying God. 14 But the synagogue leader, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, “There are six days during which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does each of you on the Sabbath not untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it away to water it? 16 And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for [c]eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this restraint on the Sabbath day?” - Luke 13:10-16 NASB 25 Now beside the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 So when Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household. - John 19:25-27 NASB Jesus saw an opportunity even while enduring the cross. Jesus is dying on the cross, three scriptures away from saying "it is finished!" and yet he chose to speak of the importance of family.He is dying in agony, gasping for each breath. But now as he sees his mother at the foot of the cross, heartbroken, weeping, inconsolable, his heart goes out to her. Rather than being consumed by an understandable concern for his own welfare, he is touches by hers. He is touched by that wound you have there. He is touched by that offense. He's concerned over the soul tie you are still entangled in! The disciples were able to shake this world and turn it upside down because when they saw someone, they didn't see them as an obstacle/ challenge/ hinderance/ dollar sign. They only saw a brother/ sister/ mother/ father.God never intended for us to live separately and independently of each other. The Bible is clear that the church is not the building, the body of Christ NEEDS YOU! We need each other! Without all of us surrendering to Gods will and the service of each other, we will not be able to do greater things! 10 And at that time many will [a]fall away, and they will [b]betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will rise up and [c]mislead many people. 12 And because lawlessness is increased, [d]most people’s love will become cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. - Matthew 24:10-13 You belong here. Lets do greater things, TOGETHER!
Words of Knowledge -
Praying for the Nations
(Mountain of Religion)
Matthew 28 tells us that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus, and with that authority, He tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. The original Greek word for nations here is ethnos (referring to linguistic people groups or groups of people with their own language and culture.) The Lord cares about all the people of the world and wants every person to be saved, but there are still over 2 billion people who have never heard the Gospel before (operationworld.org). This should move us to pray for the nations. Even though we don’t always see the effects of our prayers, prayer is a powerful weapon that we can use to bring the Kingdom of Heaven here to Earth.These prayer points can be used to pray for all nations as Holy Spirit leads you.Today we are praying for seven specific nations located in Asia: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, and Thailand.Matthew 28:18-19 (HCSB) 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (HCSB) 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15 My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place.
- Pray for a spirit of repentance to fall on the nation.
- Pray that the Lord will forgive the nation for their sins against Him.
- Pray for God to intervene in any crisis that the nation is currently facing.
- Pray for the nation to have a desire for the One True God.
- Pray that they will desire to seek the Lord God Almighty first, more than anything else.
- Pray that the governmental and political leaders of the nation will have a personal encounter with Jesus.
Matthew 9: 37-38 (HCSB) 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
- Pray for the protection of the spiritual leaders of that nation.
- Pray for an increase in the number of spiritual leaders of that nation.
- Pray protection for the missionaries in that nation and for the power of Holy Spirit to endue them like never before.
- Pray that more believers will answer the call to go into this nation to share the gospel and to make disciples.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (HCSB) 1 Finally, pray for us, brothers, that the Lord's message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,
- Pray for the Gospel to go forth in all the land of this nation.
- Pray that the wealthy will use their resources to spread the Gospel throughout the land.
- Pray against any hindering spirit or principality that is causing the spread of the Gospel in this nation to be obstructed. Command that spirit to be silenced and stopped.
Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB) 18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
- Pray for the protection of the saints in this nation.
- Pray for the angels of the Lord to be dispatched to the Christians of this nation for their protection. (Isaiah 54:17 HCSB) No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord's servants, and their righteousness is from Me. This is the Lord's declaration.
- Ask the Lord to keep the saints hidden from those who seek to persecute them.
- Pray for strength and mercy for our brothers and sisters.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (HCSB) 10 Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.
- Pray for unity within the family of Christ in this nation and around the world.
1Timothy 2:1-4 (HCSB) 1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- Pray that the governing leaders of this nation will be saved.
- Pray that these leaders will have pure hearts and integrity.
- Pray for the removal of all corruption.
- Pray for Biblical legislation that will bless the nation to be passed.
Resources to help you pray for the nations:https://operationworld.orghttps://www.cciequip.org The WORLD BLESSING 2023 ♥ 154 nations proclaim God's blessing in 257 languages ♥ Share H I S hope
PATHWAY TO PURPOSE – YOUR DESTINY 1Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind. - Genesis 37:1–11 (ESV) God positions us in a place of priority to fulfill our purpose.
11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
Four Expression that impact our purpose:- Position in the Family - Joseph was the youngest of 12 brothers.
- Favor - personal favor - Israel Loved Joseph more than all the boys.
- Perceived fairness - He favored him with a coat of many colors and with his ear.
- Opportunity - plays into God’s purpose in our lives –
- Family Dynamics
- Competition leads to opportunity.
- Effort is the expression of our engagement with God’s plan.
15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. 17 And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The Lord's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” 18 And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. 19 Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.”- 2 Kings 13:15-19 ESV
God reveals purpose through revelation. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. - Ephesians 1:3–6 (ESV) Joseph had Two Dreams of Revelation:- Joseph and his brothers were binding sheaves, and my sheave arose and stood upright and your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.
- The sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a Danish theologian, philosopher, poet, social critic, and religious author who lived in the 1800’s.Maybe one day, 100 years from now, someone will say something like this: " YOU ARE EITHER AN INFLUENCE OR YOU’RE BEING INFLUENCED" ~ Tom Lane – Pastor, Organizational Leader, Believer The path to our Purpose is a winding road not a straight line.
- Every Assignment provides 2 things:
- Learning Opportunities
- Tests
- An Opportunity needs to be evaluated in light of our purpose.
- Is this opportunity a distraction or God's purpose?
- Am I stewarding this opportunity, or are you wasting it?
- I think our greatest regret in Eternity will be realizing what God had for us, but we missed out on it because we ignored, wasted, or squandered the assignments God brought our way.
- Are you stuck in a place of missed opportunity?
- Are you controlled by doubt and unbelief?
- Have you misapplied or misunderstood God’s vision for you?
- Have you lost the hope of your vision in the midst of difficult circumstances?
- We must discover the desire or express it before God so he can change our heart to align with His purpose.
- If the foundation of our hearts is to fulfill God's purpose we can't miss God's purpose for our lives, he will lead us to it.
- Do not stagger at the promises of God in unbelief and doubt.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering with incontinence.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering with ringing in their right ear.
- We believe we heard the Lord say that if you are battling anxiety, fears, frustrations, infirmities, or restlessness, He wants to set you free today.
Mountain of Family
This sphere of society includes all families, people who work as counselors, ministers, social workers, educators, government officials who write, approve, and carry out laws that affect the family unit, and those in any aspect of culture that deals with family life.We want to give thanks for our families.Ephesians 5:15-20 (HCSB) Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise- 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
- Lord, we are thankful for our families. No matter what is going on within, we are thankful and we believe that you are bringing healing and restoration.
- Thank you for your blessings on our families.
- We are asking for an infilling of Your Spirit that will empower us to respond to our family in love.
A major influence on this mountain is the spirit of rejection (the refusal to accept, consider, submit to, hear, receive, or admit), this is the opposite of love and acceptance.Pray for freedom and healing from a spirit of rejection within our families.Romans 8:14-1714 All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, 17 and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.Colossians 3:1313 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.Marriages:
- Pray that husbands will love their wives as Christ loves the church. (Ephesians 5:23). Pray that husbands will love their wives as their own bodies, nurturing and caring for her (Ephesians 5:28–29, 33) and that husbands will cling to the wife of their youth (Ephesians 5:31, Proverbs 5:15–23, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Malachi 2:14–16).
- Pray that wives will respect, honor, and mutually submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5: 22, 33, Colossians 3:18).
- Pray for broken marriages to be restored.
- Pray for families that have gone through divorce, that there will be inner healing for everyone involved, and that joy and love will return to them.
Parents and Children: And he will turn the hearts of fathers to [their] children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse. (Malachi 4:6 HCSB)
- Pray that fathers will be careful not to stir up anger in their children but lovingly, wisely, and patiently train them in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
- Pray parents will create an atmosphere of joy that celebrates obedience in their homes, and children will desire to obey their parents because they know obedience pleases God (Colossians 3:20).
Family/Next Gen Ministry:
- Pray for our children’s, youth, and young adult ministries and their leaders.
- Pray for our schools at all levels, that our children will be children of God and will be known by others as the children of God (Isaiah 51:16, Romans 8:14–15).
- Pray that God will teach our children, make them prosperous, keep them from oppression and terror, not allow any weapon formed against them to prosper, and refute any accusations made against His righteous children (Isaiah 54:13–17).
We can break through in prayer and create an umbrella of influence in the Spirit where righteous enactments are made, no matter who is in office. (Esther 8)
- Pray for Godly men and women to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
- Pray for the fear of the Lord to instruct our Supreme Court Justices.
- Pray for the laws and ordinances that govern the family to be written with Biblical values and influence.
- Pray that our welfare laws would be adjusted to promote and strengthen a strong family unit and that financial factors will not be the primary consideration.
Core Values 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. - John 14:12-14 NKJV Assignment of a vision
- We are all charged with the great commission
- Each body of believers plays a part
- Our part is to empower people and churches : do greater things
- Our vision fuels our mission : belong, believe, and become
- Our vision and mission stands on the foundation of our core values
- God called you to this church
- God has an assignment for you in this body
- We have allowed things into our lives that keep us form living our these Core Values and you can lay those down today
Mountain of Family
This sphere of society includes all families, people who work as counselors, ministers, social workers, educators, government officials that write, approve, and carry out laws that affect the family unit, and those in any aspect of culture that deals with family life. We want to give thanks for our families. Ephesians 5:15-20 (HCSB) Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise- 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
- Lord, we are thankful for our families. No matter what is going on within, we are thankful and we believe that you are bringing healing and restoration.
- Thank you for your blessings on our families.
- We are asking for an infilling of Your Spirit that will empower us to respond to our family in love.
A major influence on this mountain is the spirit of rejection (the refusal to accept, consider, submit to, hear, receive, or admit), this is the opposite of love and acceptance. Pray for freedom and healing from a spirit of rejection within our families. Romans 8:14-17 14 All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, 17 and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Colossians 3:13 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Marriages:
- Pray that husbands will love their wives as Christ loves the church. (Ephesians 5:23). Pray that husbands will love their wives as their own bodies, nurturing and caring for her (Ephesians 5:28–29, 33) and that husbands will cling to the wife of their youth (Ephesians 5:31, Proverbs 5:15–23, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Malachi 2:14–16). Pray that wives will respect, honor, and mutually submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5: 22, 33, Colossians 3:18).
- Pray for broken marriages to be restored.
- Pray for families that have gone through divorce, that there will be inner healing for everyone involved, and that joy and love will return to them.
Parents and Children: And he will turn the hearts of fathers to [their] children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse. (Malachi 4:6 HCSB)
- Pray that fathers will be careful not to stir up anger in their children but lovingly, wisely, and patiently train them in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
- Pray parents will create an atmosphere of joy that celebrates obedience in their homes, and children will desire to obey their parents because they know obedience pleases God (Colossians 3:20).
Family/Next Gen Ministry:
- Pray for our children’s, youth, and young adult ministries and their leaders.
- Pray for our schools at all levels, that our children will be children of God and will be known by others as the children of God (Isaiah 51:16, Romans 8:14–15).
- Pray that God will teach our children, make them prosperous, keep them from oppression and terror, not allow any weapon formed against them to prosper, and refute any accusations made against His righteous children (Isaiah 54:13–17).
We can break through in prayer and create an umbrella of influence in the Spirit where righteous enactments are made, no matter who is in office. (Esther 8)
- Pray for Godly men and women to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
- Pray for the fear of the Lord to instruct our Supreme Court Justices.
- Pray for the laws and ordinances that govern the family be written with Biblical values and influence.
- Pray that our welfare laws would be adjusted to promote and strengthen a strong family unit, and that financial factors will not be the primary consideration.
Everyone is called to model after Jesus in humble service.
Set The Scene-
- Last Supper = Last Chance
- Jesus is about to go to the cross so this is His last chance to impart vision to those charged with building His church.
- Man with a Pitcher
- In Luke 22:10- Jesus tells Peter and John to look for a man carrying a pitcher of water.
- They missed the point
- 23 So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do it. 24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. -Luke 22:23-24
- Jesus Interrupts with Service
- Self- centeredness is not conquered by force, it only surrenders to servitude.
- Self- centeredness is a response of the flesh and the flesh requires crucifixion.
- 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. -Galatians 5:16-17
- 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:... strife, jealousy,... selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy,... and things like these... -Galatians 5:19-21
A Garment, A Towel, and A Basin-
- 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 got up from supper and laid His outer garments aside; and He took a towel and tied it around Himself. 5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which He had tied around Himself. - John 13:3-5
The Ultimate Question-
- 12 Then, when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? - John 13:12
Jesus' Leadership Seminar is a Servanthood Seminar-
- 13 You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and [a]you are correct, for so I am. 14 So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. 16 Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is [b]one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. - John 13:13-16
- Tue leadership isn't about how many people serve you, but how many people you serve.
- Leadership is not about wielding power, but about yielding power.
What does my "towel and basin" look like?
- We are each called to find our own ways to serve those around us. These are:
- Unnoticed acts of kindness
- Intercession prayer for others
- Spirit-led Words of Knowledge
- The everyday responsibilities we shoulder to accomplish the mission of our church and family.
- 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. -John 13:17
Words of Knowledge:
We believe the Lord wants to heal people who have a brain injury to their frontal lobe.We believe the Lord wants to heal people struggling with residual pain in their right hand from being electrocuted.We believe there are people here who have given up on “God dreams” and He wants you to believe again.
Mountain of Government
This is one of the most influential and important areas of influence in our culture because it establishes laws and decrees that affect and control every other mountain. We are partnering with the Lord, “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on the Mountain of Government as it is in heaven.” -Matthew 6:10 Thanksgiving: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4, NKJV)
- We are thankful to be living in the United States of America, where we can worship the Lord freely. Thank you, Lord, for the freedoms we enjoy every day.
- We thank You that we began as one nation under God, and we declare we remain one nation under God.
- We are thankful for the overturning of Roe vs. Wade by our Supreme Court.
- We are thankful for the recent ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on mifepristone (an abortion pill). Their ruling kept in place part of Judge Kacsmaryk’s decision from several months ago. The ruling ends the drug’s availability by mail and limits its use for up to seven weeks of pregnancy, rather than 10. The court’s decision also requires mifepristone to be prescribed by a doctor after an in-person visit. The drug will, however, remain on the shelf and these restrictions will not be in effect until the case makes its way through the appeals process and is heard by the Supreme Court. We are asking the Lord to assign angels to this case to prevent this drug from ever being used in America again.
- We are thankful that we have a promise from You that during this very time, YOU will arise over our people, and we will see Your glory. Thank You, God that Your glory is now being revealed across this nation. Thank You, God, that people are running to Your light, kings and leaders are running to Your light, and through Your glory and Your word our nation is being transformed, even today! (Isaiah 60:2-3 NKJV) For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Repentance: If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)
- We submit to you God, and we ask you to forgive the sins of this nation, our state, and our cities.
- Lord, we repent for not consistently praying for our government leaders including city, county, state, and national leaders.
- We repent of talking negatively and/or cursing those you have allowed to be in leadership. (Ephesians 4:29)
- We repent for dishonoring those you have placed in authority over our city, county, state, and nation.
PRAY:“Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.”-1 Timothy 2:1-2(Take time weekly to pray for members and leaders of each branch of government at all levels and their support staff.)
- Pray that the principles and truths of God’s Word will once again oversee our nation.
- Pray for divine protection and open doors of favor to cover those in authority.
- Pray for Godly leaders to influence the government with the integrity of God's heart.
- Pray for righteous leaders who establish laws based on the justice of God’s moral law. That justice and righteousness will be the measuring line for the laws of our city, state, and nation according to Isaiah 28:17. “And I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level.”
- Pray that our political leaders will live a lifestyle that showcases honorable behavior.
- Pray for upright and honorable leaders who operate with clean hands and pure hearts.
- Pray for the Lord to appoint Godly leaders to rule and reign over governmental matters.
- Pray that God will bless, empower, and enlighten those who are in authority over us.
Declarations
- We decree that all plots, schemes, and devices of the evil one for our city, county, state, and nation will be exposed and brought to nothing.
- We decree that we are still one nation under God.
- We decree that our leaders will rule in a manner that reflects the love and authority of Christ. By faith, we decree that our leaders and those who work with them will trust in You with all of their hearts and not depend on their own understanding. They will seek Your will in all that they do, and as they do this, we trust that You will show them which path to take. We declare that they will not be impressed with their own wisdom, but they will fear You and turn away from evil. Your Word admonishes that a house divided against itself cannot stand; therefore, we decree that our leaders, on every level, will work together with leaders around the world for the good of all people. Our leaders will turn away from division and evil and do good; they will search for peace and work to maintain it.
Jesus’s idea of Community is Family.
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, - Ephesians 2:18-19 NKJV
Jesus came to expand Gods family.“it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” - Romans 8:16-17 NRSV
“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” - Proverbs 14:12 NRSV
- Every family has an Ethos
- Ethos – the characteristic spirit of a community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations
- How we live and treat others
- Gods ethos for this situation
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” - Ephesians 5:25-28 NRSV
- God has an ethos for his family
- Love 1 Corinthians 13
- Peace - 1 Corinthians 14:33
- Healer - Exodus 15:26
- Savior/Restorer - Romans 10:13
- Provider - Genesis 22:14
- Gracious and Merciful - Psalm 103:8
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. - 1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV
26 ... For I am the Lord who heals you.” - Exodus 15:26b NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13 NKJV
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” - Genesis 22:14 NKJV
8 “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” - Psalms 103:8 NRSV
- The way we change our ethos
- Get rid of the "high thing"
- Mental and emotional transformation
- Behavioral modification
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” - 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2 NKJV
- Break the old ethos and embracing the new
- Difference in a slave and being adopted
- Adopted children
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. - Romans 8:14-17 NASB1995
Deliverance PrayerDear Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross for my sins and that you raised again from the dead. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, I repent of all my sin and agreements I have made with Satan’s kingdom and the occult.I forgive all others who have wronged me or harmed me. I lay down all resentment, all hatred, and all rebellion. In particular, I forgive ________________________________ (name).Lord, I ask you to forgive me and to cleanse me by your precious Blood particularly of ______________ I accept your forgiveness and I chose to forgive myself.Now Lord, I renounce every lie I’ve believed and agreement I’ve made with the spirit of Slavery I lose myself of the spirit of Slavery in the Name of Jesus and I command them to leave me.Lord, you have said, “whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be delivered” (Joel 2:32). I call on your Name right now and I recognize you as my deliverer. Words of Knowledge We believe the Lord wants to heal people with sinus issues.We believe the Lord wants to heal people struggling with shoulder pain.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been struggling with breathing. Your lung capacity has been operating at a lower-than-normal level. God wants to heal your lungs and breathe life into your lungs. We saw a double portion in this, your lungs will be healed, and you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering with chronic migraines.We believe there are many people this weekend who have accepted certain medical conditions as hereditary, so you think “it’s mine to deal with.” We believe that God wants to heal you. Come out of agreement with that lie and He is going to heal cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disease and disorders, migraine headaches, COPD, asthma and allergies.We believe the Lord wants to give peace and comfort to parents who are worried and fearful over releasing their children to a new chapter of life at college; away from the home and family where they were raised.We believe the Lord wants to heal people who have been hurt or wounded by their earthly fathers.Words of Encouragement:We believe the Lord wants you to know that he loves you so much, he does not condemn you. He is standing with his arms stretched out in acceptance and love for you. For those feeling condemned, come receive the Lord's acceptance and love for you.We believe the Lord is restoring hope to those who have lost hope due to a long season of deferred answers from Him.We believe we heard that the Lord is calling you to walk in HIS FULLNESS. He wants you to step into His presence. In HIS presence is FULLNESS of ___________. You fill in the blank. HE IS WAITING FOR YOU!We believe we heard this from the Lord: You have learned and trained yourself to carry burdens you were never meant to carry. It’s time to cast every care on Him. He cares for you.East Gate
This gate represents the return of Christ. The prophet Ezekiel tells us that “the man then brought me back toward the sanctuary's outer gate that faced east, and it was closed. 2 The Lord said to me: "This gate will remain closed. It will not be opened, and no one will enter through it, because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it. Therefore, it will remain closed.” (Ezekiel 44:1-2 HCSB) The east gate opens and looks toward the Mount of Olives, and we know according to Zechariah 14:4 that when Jesus returns, He will return to this mount. He will then enter Jerusalem by the east gate. The east gate then speaks of the return of Jesus Christ. For our Christian life, it shows us of our need to live with this hope and to long for His return. A specific crown is even given to those who do this. 2 Timothy 4:8 (HCSB) In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing. Philippians 3:20 (HCSB) 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
- We want to be prepared for Christ’s return. We want to be a church that remains in Him.
1 John 2:28 (HCSB) So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
- Pray for a lifestyle of repentance. Revelation 3: 3 (HCSB) Remember therefore what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you.
- Pray for a lifestyle of prayer. Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB) With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
- Pray for a greater desire to read and study the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (HCSB) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2. We want to be a people who live with eternity in mind: hospitable, loving, and serving. 1 Peter 4:7-10 (HCSB) 7 Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. 8 Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.
- Pray that we will live like we truly believe Your return could be during our lifetime. Pray that the Lord teaches us to live with eternity in mind.
- Lord, help us to love others like you love.
- Lord, help us to treat people the way we want to be treated without complaining.
- Pray that we will be known as a Church that loves to serve others.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (HCSB) Love: The Superior Way 1 If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; 5 does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; 6 finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 3. We want to be a people who are intentionally seeking the Lord on how we can partner with Him to establish His Kingdom here as it is in heaven. Ephesians 2:10 (MSG) 10 No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
- Pray that we as a church and individually will come to know the good works God has prepared for us.
- Lord, we are asking that you visit us with dreams and visions of what you would have us do.
- Help us Lord to take advantage of every opportunity you give us to expand Your Kingdom.
4. We want to see our lost family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers saved before His return. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (HCSB) First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- Lord, we ask that our loved ones will have a divine encounter with you and receive your salvation.
- Pray for the names that are in our “salvation box.” We pray that every person whose name is written down will be saved by the end of 2023.
BIG IDEA: By tuning our lives to the rhythms of God's grace, we can develop habits that keep us aligned with His purpose.28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 NASB 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. - Galatians 5:25 NASB Identifying and Overcoming Unhealthy Patterns2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may ]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2 NASB
- The rhythm of your life is a testimony
- The world has a pattern of destruction.
- God’s Kingdom has a pattern of renewal.
- challenged thinking
- surrendering to the Holy Spirit
- and a community that speaks truth into our lives.
- Begin your reading with a simple prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Word for you.
- Maintain a journal to jot down insights and revelations.
- Pressure is the rhythm of the world.
- There is a place in Christ that mutes the world’s rhythm.
- Every mistake is an opportunity to realign with His rhythm.
- Practical Steps to Staying in Rhythm
- Setting Time to Hear His Voice:
- Begin each day in God's Word and prayer. As Psalms 63:1 says, "Early will I seek thee."
- Try using the S.O.A.P. Method – Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
- When you don’t read the Bible, you should not be feeling guilty; you should be feeling hungry.
- Continuous Worship
- See worship not as an event, but a lifestyle.
- 19 speaking to one another inpsalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; -Ephesians 5:19-20 NASB
- Worship is recalibrating your focus away from the chaos, and away from yourself, back to where it belongs… His voice.
- Stay Connected
- Be in fellowship and be accountable.
- Sabbath: Consider a digital detox or dedicating a day to rest and reflection.
- 27 Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. - Mark 2:27 NASB
- Setting Time to Hear His Voice:
- Commit to a set daily quiet time each day this week
- Write what God speaks to you in from a passage each day. (Extra Credit: Share it on social media and tag @wearecrossing)
- Join a group, attend Ironmen, sign up for a Sisterhood Study, and/or go to Reengage with your spouse. https://www.wearecrossing.com/groups/
- Joining a serve team - https://www.wearecrossing.com/serve/
- Take a class at the Crossing Bible College https://crossingbiblecollege.com/ or at the Prophetic School of Ministry https://www.cpsm.life/
Education Mountain of Influence
This area of influence is critical for us because it greatly shapes the minds and expectations of our younger generation. They, in return, will shape our future generations. We are a light into this area of influence. Isaiah 60:1-3 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you. 2 For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance.” Pray for our Students (at every level) to encounter Jesus:
- As our students walk in relationship with you Lord, reveal to them their true identity in you.
- We are believing and interceding for revival in our schools.
- Father, pour out Your Spirit on our sons and our daughters. We ask for a harvest of souls of both teachers and students.
- We believe that students will begin to hold prayer gatherings at their campuses and that through these gatherings their schools will be transformed. Lord, give them boldness and courage to share the gospel with their peers.
- We are asking for miracles, signs, and wonders to flow from our students everywhere they go. Mark 16:17-18, 20 (HCSB) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well."...20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.
Pray for His mercy to be released into our schools: Psalm 86:1-6 (HCSB) Listen, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Protect my life, for I am faithful. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You. 3 Be gracious to me, Lord, for I call to You all day long. 4 Bring joy to Your servant's life, since I set my hope on You, Lord. 5 For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You. 6 Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy. Lamentations 3:22 (HCSB) [Because of] the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.
- Pray for God’s mercy in our schools by focusing our prayer on these things: Freedom from depression, freedom from abuse (physical and emotional), freedom from substance abuse and every form of addiction, freedom from worry and anxiety
- Pray that our children will discern between false teachings and truth, and that they will have the courage and favor to stand for truth. Psalm 86:11 (HCSB) Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.
- Pray for daily protection around our schools. Lord, dispatch your angels to protect every school in Hillsborough County, the state of Florida, and our nation.
Pray for Educational Leaders:
- Pray for our U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona.
- Pray for our Florida Department of Education Commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr.
- Pray for our Hillsborough County Interim Superintendent, Van Ayers, and the entire school board.
- Pray for our private Christian school leaders and our home school families.
- We are asking that God will assign sons and daughters to be principals, administrators, and school board members. Also, that these high-level leaders would seek Godly counsel and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Pray for our Educators:
- We are asking for more Christian teachers to arise and enter the classrooms and to be bold in their faith.
- Pray that Christian educators will awaken to the great calling of influencing this mountain with the love of Jesus.
- Pray that these Christian teachers will be the best of the best, that learning will be easy for them, and that classroom management comes easily because of the love of Jesus flowing from them.
- We believe He is standing at the doors of our schools and knocking. Whenever just one teacher hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in, and bring divine order.
- Pray that as these men and women stand up for Biblical values in our school systems, that they will be protected and promoted. Pray that they will be promoted to team leaders, teacher mentors, curriculum writers, and other areas of great influence.
Spiritual Warfare: 1 Corinthians 1:19-25 (HCSB) 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
- Come against the principality Beelzebub, and his tools which are lies.
- Come against pride and humanism that is currently ruling over this mountain. Humanism rejects the validity of our dependence on faith, the supernatural, and divinely revealed truths.
- Come against atheism, the belief that there is no God.
Each of these constantly push to confuse our children and work to distort their true identity in Christ. Ways to actively get involved in influencing this mountain: Hillsborough County is home to over 300 schools and over 200,000 students. Please partner with us in choosing at least three different schools to intercede for on a weekly basis. Together, we can change the atmosphere and direction of this entire district. Go to the Hillsborough County Public School website and read the agenda for every board meeting and attend as many as you can. *Vote for new board members and superintendents that will support Biblical views in the next election.
Where’s your focus? Humanity or Divinity? - A God-Centered Lifestyle 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, Ephesians 4:14-15 NASB1995 Where’s your focus? Humanity or Divinity? 12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1 NASB1995 Where’s your focus? Humanity or Divinity? 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?Romans 7:19-20, 24 NASB1995 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.Ephesians 4:30 NASB1995 The Bible is clear regarding sin… what we need not to partake in! Read Ephesians 4:17-32 Where’s your focus? Humanity or Divinity? 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:2 NASB1995 Church sometimes we just need to be reminded whose we are! 3 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.1 John 3:1 NASB1995 3 relationships we must have in order to embrace and understand this manner of love /sonship..1.FATHER2. SON3.HOLY SPIRITIt’s not a one on one relationship like we might think but... it’s an “ALL” in one relationship with God! 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:2 NASB1995 When we surrender our past and our identity not based on our past but because of the CROSS then we can maintain those healthy patterns. Words of Knowledge:We believe the Lord wants to heal people with stomach ulcers.We believe the Lord wants to heal people with knee pain.We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering from chronic migraines.We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering with back pain.We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with diphtheria (a serious infection of the nose and throat).We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with an enlarged prostate.
I will stand at my watch-post, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. 2 Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.Habakkuk 2:1-2
4 Keys are-
- Stillness
- Vision
- Spontaneity
- Journaling
Stillness: Quiet yourself in the presence of the Lord.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. SelahPsalm 46:8-11 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7Vision: "I will keep watch to see what he will say to me"
18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.Ephesians 1:18-19 I will stand at my watch-post, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint.Habakkuk 2:1 17 “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.Acts 2:17 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship.Romans 12:1Spontaneity: Then the Lord answered me and said.
...saying, “[a]If anyone is thirsty, [b]let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From [c]his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.John 7:37-39Journaling: Write out the flow of thought and pictures.
Words of knowledge-
Mountain of Religion
A declaration for The Crossing Church from a prophetic word given at Noon Prayer on January 4th, 2023: A new anointing of freedom has been released over us at The Crossing. Freedom to worship, freedom to pray, freedom to pursue the Lord unfettered, and freedom for us to become who He designed us to be. As people walk onto our campuses, the chains the enemy has wrapped around them will fall at their feet. We will be known for the anointing of freedom that flows from here. Freedom reigns in this place. Deliverances are made easy here and transformed lives are a hallmark of what the Lord is doing at The Crossing. Obstacles are being supernaturally removed from the advancement of the Kingdom through us. Advancement for The Crossing has been held up, but it was released on January 4, 2023. We are advancing the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. Isaiah 43:19 (HCSB)
19 Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Pray for unity at The Crossing: 1 Corinthians 1:10 (HCSB) Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. Psalm 133:1(NIV) How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! * Pray that Holy Spirit will help us to discover/reveal and overcome all matters hindering our unity here at The Crossing. * Pray that we will always choose each other over any problem or disagreement that may arise. * We declare that as we unite as one, we will see a harvest of souls come to know Jesus here and across the Tampa Bay region. * We declare that we are a people that are not easily offended, and forgiveness is easy for us. We choose to forgive each other of all offenses.
Repent of all idolatry: the worship of a physical object as a god; immoderate attachment or devotion to something. (1Corinthians 10:14, Deuteronomy 8:19) * Pray that the Lord will reveal any idolatry in our personal lives and then ask for forgiveness. * Pray that The Crossing Church and every church family in the Tampa Bay region be filled with true worshipers of the Lord. * Pray that our hearts will not be stuck in old wine skins or locked in traditions but that we will be open to whatever the Holy Spirit wants to do. (Jeremiah 2:13) * Pray that the Holy Spirit will move in us and all believers in this region like never before, causing the mountain of religion to shake and its dark forces to be displaced. * Pray against the spirit of mockery, Nehemiah 2:19 (HCSB) When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard [about this], they mocked and despised us...
Pray for true worshipers to arise at The Crossing: True worshipers have been given authority to displace every enemy from the top of this mountain, “so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations” (Isaiah 61:11) John 4:23-24 (HCSB) But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. * Pray that human reasoning that creates a type of Christianity that is the form of godliness but denies its power will be displaced in our people. * Pray that we will not be image driven or performance driven and steeped in pride. * Pray that we begin to worship with a new freedom and more passion. * Pray for a fresh anointing to fall on us and every believer in this region. * Pray for a baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16).
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”John 1:29 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Galatians 1:3-5 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Ephesians 6:12
There is freedom in Jesus!
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles...Galatians 1:15-16 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.Acts 8:3-8Jesus is preaching and deliverance is happening!
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.Isaiah 26:3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Hebrews 12:1-2 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.John 10:10 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.John 14:6 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”Matthew 4:4 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.James 4:6-7Jesus loves you!
6 For when we were still without strength, [d]in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.Romans 5:6-11In Jesus there is forgiveness of sins and reconciliation!
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [d]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.2 Corinthians 5:14-21You have been given the ministry of reconciliation!
As Jesus was sent so He sends you!
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”John 20:21 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me [a]to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are [b]oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”Luke 4:18-19Words of Knowledge:
We believe the Lord wants to heal people that have a sharp pain in the base of the left foot.We believe the Lord wants to set people free of crippling anxiety.We believe the Lord wants to heal people with severe pain in their pointer finger on the left hand (might be caused from arthritis or an injury).We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering from upper vertebrae spacing or degenerative disc disease.We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering from breathing issues.We believe the Lord wants to heal people dealing with painful head pressure or tension.We believe the Lord said that this weekend there will be an open heaven for deliverance from heaviness and depression.Words of Encouragement:
We believe the Lord wants to change someone’s mentality from having excuses to having expectancy.Crossing Invade Conference 2023
(Family/ Education / Religion Mountains)
This event is purposed to bring heaven to earth – to help Students to create a kingdom culture that INVADES the current worldly culture. This conference is for Students from 6th-12th grade. Today we want to partner with the Lord and our youth in intercession for areas that impact this generation on a daily basis. We are trusting God together for Heaven’s gates to be opened, for destinies to be written, and for history to be shaped through our prayers today. Surrender: To invade our current culture and the Tampa Bay region, we will have to surrender our lives to the Lordship of Jesus. We want to see our youth totally surrendered to the will of God and to His Lordship.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (HCSB) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Pray for our youth to know the voice of God and His will for their life.
- Touch the hearts of our Youth and remind them not to defile themselves with the ways of the world through fornication, lying, stealing, alcohol and drug abuse, and other worldly things. Help them to make the right choices and activate Your fruit of the Spirit in their lives.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4 (HCSB) 1There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven... 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance Acts 1:8 (HCSB) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.- Pray that in their search for identity, they will come to know that they are Your masterpiece in Christ Jesus, created to do good works that You have prepared in advance for them to do.
- Lord, help each young person see themself as You see them, Your co-worker. Pray that each young person will understand that they were uniquely created for a purpose that only they can fulfill. Lord, help them see that the strengths they have were given to them for a reason and they can impact this world in incredibly powerful ways.
- Pray that our youth will walk in confidence, knowing that they are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).
- On behalf of our youth, we bind up and destroy every speculation and any lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of Christ and we take captive the thoughts that try to pervert the identity of each child to the obedience of Christ.
- Pray that our students will overflow with hope into our communities by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)
- Pray that our students will operate in all of His spiritual gifts so that we can impact our communities with power. (1 Cor 12: 4-10)
Spirit-Filled Life: We pray that every one of our students will be baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit. We decree Luke 3:16, our young people will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. They will invade the Tampa Bay region with power. We decree that they will not be controlled by fits of rage, revenge, jealousy, or malicious words and actions. Instead, we ask that you give them wisdom and understanding, inclining them toward a gentle and thoughtful spirit. When our youth are overwhelmed, anxious, grief-stricken, weary, or troubled in any way, do not let them fall into negative emotional behaviors such as depression, indifference, fear, or hopelessness. Lord, guard them against any detrimental thought processes that could become a stronghold in their lives. Help them trust You in all circumstances so they may live from a heart that is filled with praise and thanksgiving. Lord, we pray that You will bestow on our students a crown of beauty instead of ashes. Anoint them with Your oil of gladness in the midst of mourning. And clothe them in garments of praise so they may be guarded against falling into despair (Isaiah 61:3).
- Emotions: We believe that our youth will be surrounded with the love of Jesus and that they will manage and express their feelings in healthy ways.
1 Corinthians 3: 8-9 (HCSB) Now the one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's co-workers. You are God's field, God's building. Psalms 139: 13-14 (HCSB) For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know [this] very well.
- Identity: Our students will walk in their true identity in Christ as they invade their families, schools, cities, state, and nation. They will not be easily persuaded by the world into believing anything other than who God says they are in His Word.
- Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
- Pray that our students will walk in complete surrender to Jesus, no matter if it’s popular or not. Pray that they will have a new understanding of how much Jesus loves them.
- Pray that our students will be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit to resist the devil and submit to God.
Matthew 7:21 (NKJV) Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. James 4:7 (NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The Grasshopper Perspective
25 When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, 26 they went on and came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, in the wilderness of Paran at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 So they reported to him and said, “We came into the land where you sent us, and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.Numbers 13:25-27 Anytime you see your assignment outside of the context of a "God sent mission" then you will treat it as unholy. 1In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior.1 Peter 3:1-2 7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.1 Peter 3:7 Holy living is the understanding that I am constantly on a Holy mission from God. 7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with [a]someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.Ephesians 2:10 27 So they reported to him and said, “We came into the land where you sent us, and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And indeed, we saw the descendants of Anak there! 29 Amalek is living in the land of the Negev, the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.” 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will certainly prevail over it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, because they are too strong for us.” 32 So they brought a bad report of the land which they had spied out to the sons of Israel, saying, “The land through which we have gone to spy out is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are people of great stature. 33 We also saw the Nephilim there (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”Numbers 13:27-33 The biggest giant you face will always be your perspective.
- The first giant you have to face is the lie you believe about yourself
- The second giant you have to face is the lie you believe about your enemy
The Grasshopper Complex is a combination of facts, lies, and exaggerations.
- Fact= The situation is difficult (stronger, bigger, secured)
- Lie= The land devours its inhabitants (it actually feeds them well)
- Exaggeration= We were like grasshoppers (small but not that small)
The Giant Killers Perspective
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection is gone from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” 10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the Lord appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.Numbers 14:5-10 Aligning our vision with Gods vision, allows us to move from a grasshopper complex to a giant killer confidence. 33 Then they turned and went up by the way of Bashan, and Og the king of Bashan went out against them with all his people, for battle at Edrei. 34 But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have handed him over to you, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” 35 So they killed him and his sons and all his people, until there was no survivor left; and they took possession of his land.Numbers 21:33-35 9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have despaired because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 When we heard these reports, our hearts melted and no courage remained in anyone any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below.Joshua 2:9-11 Practical Steps of a Giant Killer
- Create an atmosphere of worship.
- Pray for Gods perspective.
- Study His Word.
- Choose daily to actively trust in His promises over your problems.
- Ask Holy Spirit to guild your day and take courageous steps to do it.
Perspective will either limit you or liberate you... it's your choice.
Words of Knowledge-
- We believe the Lord wants to heal people with left ankle pain.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal people with mid-back pain.
- We believe the Lord is removing a veil of confusion from the hearts and minds of people when they read the Word of God.
- We believe the Lord is freeing people from insomnia.
- We believe the Lord is freeing people from a spirit of rejection. Specifically, we believe this is for someone who has a pattern of being attracted to people who always pushes them away and doesn’t love you for who you are.
- We believe the Lord is breaking ungodly soul ties with someone who knows they are supposed to get away from a certain person, but something keeps pulling you back to that toxic relationship.
- We believe the Lord said that this weekend there will be an open heaven for deliverance and freedom at The Crossing and if you bring your “thing” and truly surrender it, He will break it off your life.
Words Of Encouragement:
- We believe the Lord wants to encourage people in this season to press into the Holy Spirit for confirmation and revelation. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (MSG) Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.
Water GateNehemiah’s Water Gate represents the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in our life. In the book of Nehemiah, the Water Gate did not need to be repaired. This represents the fact that God’s Word is perfect and needs no revision. Its promises are for sure and remain true forever. The Water Gate represents: Revival resulting from the washing of the Word of God. The word “revive” in Hebrew is Chayah which means to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live forever, be quickened, be alive, and be restored to life or health. In Nehemiah 8 we see the Israelites’ hunger and thirst for scripture and how it brought about a great revival for them.This life comes from reading and understanding God’s Word. The Lord spoke this to us as a church family on 8-15-2022:Continue to pursue me in all seasons. As you chase after me and my Kingdom, I will hear your cries and fill you with rivers of living water. This water will flow from you, and I will use you to refresh others. I will use you to nurture Kingdom assignments here on Earth. When obstacles come, and they will, you will leap over them all just like a runner does in a hurdle race. The patterns and disciplines you put in place now will directly impact you in your future. Rejoice: We want to praise the Lord for His Word!Psalms 119:12-16 (HCSB) Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. 14 I rejoice in the way [revealed by] Your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.Psalms 119:47-48 (HCSB) I delight in Your commands, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes.
- Thank You, Lord, for Your Word that directs our path.
- Thank You for Your Word that brings life to our bodies.
- Thank You for Your Word because it gives us a long and healthy life. Proverbs 3:1-2 (HCSB) My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.
- We praise you Lord for your promises that train us in righteousness.
- We thank You because we are blessed when we hear and obey Your Word.
- We are thankful that Your Word is living and active in our lives.
- We praise You because Your Word builds our faith.
- Pray for those who feel as though they are in the middle of a desert or dry season to be renewed in His Word and His presence.
- Pray that we all develop a new thirst for His Word.
- Pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to be poured out on us so we may know Him better.
- Pray that we will receive a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire.
- Pray that as we continue to study the Word, that the revelation deposited will cause us to live more like Him in every area of our life.
- Pray for the Word to expose hidden areas of our hearts. Psalm 139:23-24 (HCSB) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.
- Pray that we will personally experience life more abundantly as we spend time in His Word.
- Pray for our church to experience miracles, signs, and wonders every time we meet. This includes our services, life groups, prayer services, and Sisterhood and Iron Men gatherings.
- Pray that our communities and neighborhoods will experience restoration in every way.
- Pray that our state and nation will experience an outpouring of His presence in every sphere of society.
- Pray for the leaders of The Crossing Bible College (TCBC) and the Crossing Prophetic School of Ministry (CPSM).
- Pray for those who want to attend one of these schools, Lord we ask that you supply the provisions needed.
Giant: is anything that defies God’s plan in your life or in the world around you.Giant Killer: someone who takes out the things that defy God plan in others lives and in yours. Giant Killers must first grow up into their calling. 3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! - 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV Age of Enlightenment (age of reason) 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. - Proverbs 4:23 NIV 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV DeismSecessionismHumanism 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? - 1 Corinthians 3:3 NASB1995 How God sees you 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20 NASB1995 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. - Matthew 10:7-8 NASB1995 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” - Acts 1:8 NASB1995 Gifts of the Spirit - 1 Corinthians 12
- Words of Wisdom
- Words of Knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of Healing
- Miracles
- Prophecy
- Distinguishing between spirits
- Tongues
- Interpretation of tongues
- Discipleship
- Handling the Word of Truth
- Operating in the power of the God
- Unlocks mysteries on how to live the abundant life
- Brings the Kingdom into our lives and this world
- Heals the sick
- Sight to the blind
- Frees the captive
- Wisdom to rise to the top of mountains of influence
- The ability to operate in the gifts of the spirit to change the world around you
- How to cast out demons
- How to discern and remove satanic influence from environments that you walk into
- How to partner with God to speak prophetically into this world
Media and Entertainment Mountains
The entertainment sphere of society includes actors, writers, producers, managers, singers, instrumental musicians, dancers, athletes, coaches, referees, photographers, graphic artists, gaming professionals, cartoonists, artists in all types of mediums, and individuals who work in various support roles in these fields. The media area of influence refers to the news outlets that establish (create) and report the news. These outlets include TV stations and networks, websites, newspapers, radio stations, magazines, social media, blogs, etc. Also included in this arena are the institutions of higher education that train people for these fields of work. We want to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who already occupy these mountains.
- We praise God for the Christians who are taking a stand for Biblical values in these areas of influence. Lord, we ask that you dispatch angels now to protect them and minister on their behalf.
- Pray for their boldness, that they will be like Nehemiah. Lord, may they be focused on doing your work, not surrendering to discouragement, distractions, or efforts to frustrate your purpose.
- May they be men and women after your own heart, and let success and favor be upon them to do your will.
- Pray for them to be a beacon of light that will outshine all darkness in these areas of influence. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
God is introduced in Genesis 1 as Creator; His essence is creative. The messages most often sent via these outlets are influenced by perversion (a misinterpretation of; to lead into a less excellent state) and counterfeit (made as an imitation with intent to deceive). The enemy works to provide a perversion and counterfeit of the Lord’s creativity.
- Pray for new ideas and creativity to consume every Christian that has any area of influence in the media and entertainment mountain.
- Pray that the work of Christian artists and celebrities will cause viewing audiences to focus on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, and that if there be any virtue or any praise, audiences will be led to think on these things (Philippians 4:3–13).
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to baptize Christian men and women in this area with His anointing. (John 16:13 HCSB) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.
We believe that prodigals who are currently influencing these mountains are going to return to the Lord. We believe men and women who are public activists for all things contrary to God and Biblical principles are going to become public activists for the Lord. (Acts 9:1-31)
- Pray that nonbelieving men and women in this sphere will have a Damascus Road experience like Saul did.
- Pray for them to be immediately baptized in the Holy Spirit and endued with power, just like Paul was.
We celebrate all that the Lord is doing through Angel Studios and through the release of “The Sound of Freedom.” Thank you, Lord, for exposing the works of the enemy in our nation and around the world. On Monday (July 10th) Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, sent a letter to Mark Zuckerburg (Meta CEO) requesting his appearance to testify before the Statewide Council for Human Trafficking about the results of a Florida human trafficking survey. This meeting will take place on October 2nd. The following information is found in her letter: According to the survey, 146 of the 271 reported instances of social media platform use in human trafficking were attributable to Meta platforms (lnstagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger) more than 53% of the reported instances involved. To put this number in perspective, after Meta platforms, the next-highest social media platform used in human trafficking was Snapchat, and it was utilized 19 times, seven times less than Meta platforms. Additionally, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s 2022 Cyber Tipline Reports by Electronic Service Providers, more than 27 million, or 85% of the incidents reported were from Meta platforms. These are alarming statistics, and we are believing God for a major cleansing and correction to come to every social media platform. Let’s pray:
- that all those who exploit and use children would be exposed for what they are — and that all who protect them would suddenly abandon them, leaving them exposed to justice.
- that every bit of technology that these criminals use to market, sell, and profit from their crimes cease to function.
- that their computers fail — but let the evidence of their activities be preserved for the justice system. Let their internet connections henceforth refuse them any access.
- that corporations supporting pornography and human trafficking in any form would change course, publicly rejecting wickedness, and embracing righteousness instead. If they will not, then we ask that You bring them to justice — and that they would even go out of business.
- that the Lord would give all Americans, including our lawmakers, other government officials, and peace officers, a righteous sense of indignation and justice, so that every child abuser and trafficker would be prosecuted and brought to justice to the full extent of the law.
- that the Lord would bring every abuser to trial, with full exhibits of all the evidence needed to convict them. We ask also that You, Holy Spirit, would hand-pick the jury.
“See You at the Library” will be on August 5th. This is a nationwide campaign that is being spearheaded by Kirk Cameron and BRAVE Books. The mission is to turn our nation back to God. Please go to bravebooks.com to find out more about this initiative and to learn how you can get involved.
How Jesus breaths new life into us. There are tons of ways of that Jesus breaths new life into us.The area that I want to focus on is temptation because there is not one of us in here that does not struggle with some sort of temptation, because I believe this area of our life when Jesus breaths new life into us it also helps experience the freedom that all of us desire. .12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV Temptation is anything that promises satisfaction at the cost of obedience to God. Four truths about temptationIt's not a sin to be tempted.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 NIV You are never above temptation.12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV God will never tempt you.13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 NLT There is always a way out.13 ...And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV Christ in you is always stronger than any temptation in you! Words of KnowledgeWe believe the Lord is healing people with pain in their left knee.We believe the Lord is healing someone with ocular hypertension.We believe the Lord is healing someone that has a bad cut on their foot that is infected.
Sheep Gate
This gate represents salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross. John 10:7-9 (NIV) 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.
- Pray that the Lord will draw them to Himself.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to us how to minister to those we know and love, who are lost. Help us Lord to be kind and compassionate, for it is your kindness that draws people to repentance.
- We want to be a church that continually prays for the lost souls of this community and all around the world.
- Pray for those who will go out to share the Gospel in our community. Give us boldness to go out, loose us of any and all fear.
- We declare that you, Lord, are a wall of fire around Tampa Bay, and nothing and no one will stop what you are doing in us and our city! We pray with confidence, knowing that the Lord hears our prayers.
- Pray for Revival to come to Tampa Bay:
- Pray that this community will see the goodness of God and that the lost will be drawn to Him.
- Pray for us and every other ministry in this region to be reignited with a burden for the lost. Matthew 5:16 (HCSB) In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
John 6:44 (MSG) 44 You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me - that's the only way you'll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End.
- Romans 8:26-27 (HCSB) In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
- Pray that we will not grow weary in praying for the lost. Lord, help us to be like the widow in Luke 18 who refused to give up asking. We need perseverance.
- Matthew 5:16 (MSG) 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
- Lord, we are asking for a heart of intercession for the lost.
- Pray for opportunities to minister to the lost. Lord, help us to recognize these opportunities in our day-to-day lives.
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- Pray for the redemption of our unsaved loved ones. Lord, bring them closer to you. Let them know of your love and your mercies. Let the Holy Spirit convict them so that they may repent and follow your ways.
- Pray that their spiritual eyes and ears will open to see and hear what the Lord is doing and saying.
- 1Timothy 2:1-4 (HCSB) First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- Pray for our lost family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors:
- The Sheep Gate reminds us of His sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God, the ultimate sacrifice, who takes away the sins of the world. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)In many ways, the Sheep Gate represents our salvation. Salvation is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The Sheep Gate had no bolts or bars. Salvation is freely available to everyone who believes and puts their faith in Him.
- John 10:7-9 (NIV)
- This gate represents salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross.
God can move mountains when we move out of the way! 20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.Matthew 17:20 When we activate the power of God in our lives, we can have freedom and peace from the mountains that we face. What happens to our faith when we encounter mountains? Do we surrender to it or do we surrender to God? 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 Are we wanting complete results without total surrender? 14 When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.Matthew 17:14-15 38 And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy,Luke 9:38 16 I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” 17 And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”Matthew 17:16-17 20 They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”Mark 9:20-24 18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” Matthew 17:18-19 Is it possible that we are questioning more than we are believing? 20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. 21 [But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]Matthew 17:20-21 What is your mountain?
Horse Gate (Nehemiah 3:28)
This gate represents spiritual warfare and victory. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). We will stand our ground with truth, righteousness, and peace. We will defend against the enemy’s attacks with our faith (Ephesians 6:16). We will advance against the enemy by speaking the Word of God and applying it to every situation (Ephesians 6:14-17). We will advance the Kingdom of God into every mountain of influence by staying alert and by praying in the Spirit at all times with perseverance and intercession for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18). Ephesians 6:12-18 (MSG) 12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. 13 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. 14 Truth, righteousness, 15 peace, 16 faith, 17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. 18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. We fight from victory, not for victory. We, believers in Christ, are victorious already because Jesus won an extraordinary triumph over sin, death, evil, poverty, illness, demonic powers, and so much more on the cross and through His resurrection. These are just a few verses to declare over ourselves individually, our families, our church, and the Body of Christ as a whole.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57 (HCSB) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
- Psalms 108:13 (HCSB) With God we will perform valiantly; He will trample our foes.
- John 16:33 (MSG) I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."
- Romans 8:37 (HCSB) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
We must understand that spending time in His presence and His Word are our best defenses against the enemy. We want to be a people who:
- Pray for a deeper intimacy with the Lord.
- Pray for a desire to spend time devoted to worshiping the Lord every day.
- Pray for a continuous hunger for His Word.
- Pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
One of satan’s strategies is to destroy us through intimidation and isolation. On the contrary, God’s purpose is to be in a relationship with Him and others. Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (HCSB)
- Pray that we as a body will be intentional about doing life in community.
- Pray for all the different groups here at The Crossing and the leaders. (Sisterhood groups, Life groups, Iron Men groups, ReEngage groups, Student groups, Young Adults groups, & Grief groups)
- Pray that we will recognize when we are becoming isolated and have the strength and desire to come out of isolation.
We must be faithful and persistent in praying for each other. We learn that part of spiritual warfare includes interceding for one another.
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalms 122).
- Pray for Pastor Greg, Pastor Tamara, and their family.
- Pray for The Crossing staff and elders.
- Pray for our servant leaders and our entire congregation.
- Pray for the Church of Tampa Bay and the entire global Church (Romans 8:18, 2 Chronicles 7:14)
Almighty God, wake up Your Church to stand firm in this moment! Help us to remember that through Your authority and in Your power, we can take our stand against the Devil’s attempts to do damage. We have Your strength and Your Spirit! Give us great courage to stand together in unity as communities, families, and churches. May we be recognized as Your loving children, adorned in Your holiness. May we function as salt and light in order to be Your hands and feet in this hour!
We are going to look at what shaped Moses into the person who could be the person that God could use. 11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion?” 14 Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!” 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from [a]the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.Exodus 2:11-15 25 Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.Acts 7:25
3 Excuses That Keep Us from Saying Yes to God:
1. Who am I? (Identity) 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”Exodus 3:11-14 2. What if they don't listen? (Influence)4 Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ” 2 So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”
Exodus 4:1-2 35 “So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ Through the angel who appeared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior.Acts 7:35 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”Matthew 9:37-38 3. Am I able? (Insecurity About Abilities) 10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and [a]slow of tongue.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”13 But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” 14 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.Exodus 4:10-14Words of Knowledge-
We believe the Lord is healing someone with pain in their upper jaw area – which has caused stress and anxiety.We believe the Lord is healing someone who has a dental abscess - specifically on the right side.We believe there is someone who has been crying out for freedom in a very specific area, step out in faith and He is going to give you a breakthrough today.Words of Encouragement-
We believe the Lord is releasing an enjoyably exciting outpouring of His Spirit upon His people this weekend that will bring much freedom.Story of the Dry Bones 10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.Ezekiel 37:10 NLT Guard Your Purpose
27 This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. 28 But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.” 30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants[b] there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
Numbers 13:27-33 NLT 22 “But you all came to me and said, ‘First, let’s send out scouts to explore the land for us. They will advise us on the best route to take and which towns we should enter.’ 23 “This seemed like a good idea to me, so I chose twelve scouts, one from each of your tribes. 24 They headed for the hill country and came to the valley of Eshcol and explored it. 25 They picked some of its fruit and brought it back to us. And they reported, ‘The land the Lord our God has given us is indeed a good land.’Deuteronomy 1:22-25 NLT Guard Your Thoughts 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.2 Corinthians 10:5 MSG 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.Proverbs 23:7 NKJV Guard Your Actions 8 but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.Joshua 14:8 NLT 14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?James 2:14 NLT 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.James 2:17-19 NLT 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath,[a] so also faith is dead without good works.James 2:25-26 NLT Jesus calming the storm -35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Mark 4:35-41 NLTProverbs 3:5-6 NIV5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. GOD KNOWS THE PLANS Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” GOD’S PLANS ARE MEANT FOR GOOD Romans 8:28-29 NIV28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. GOD’S PLANS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM TRIAL Genesis 7:15-16 NIV15 Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. 16 The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in. Daniel 3:17-18 NIV17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” TRUST IN THE LORD, NOT YOURSELF
Fearless Healthy Fear Fearing God means we respect, reverence, awe, and honor God, leading us to adoration and worship.God created us with Fear as a survival mechanism, designed to protect us from danger. The amygdala is constantly, subconsciously surveying our surroundings to determine if they are good, bad or scary. Unhealthy FearF.E.A.R.FalseEvidenceAppearingReal Fear can impact our ability to experience the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Fear can keep us from living out our purpose & from becoming the person God created us to be. Even lesser or smaller fears can keep us distracted from everyday life, preventing us from being fully present with those we love. Joshua 1:5-9 Niv - 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” How beautiful it is that one of the most repeated promises in Scripture is “I will be with you”. Equip to fear less
- Capture our thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Tells us to take every thought captive.
- Evaluate
- Cast that thought our of our minds and replace it with the Truth! (1 John 4:18)
- Breathe
- Perceive God's presence
GODRomans 1:19-21, 25 NIV19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. SINRomans 3:23 NIV23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, JESUS Romans 5:8 NIV8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 6:23 NIV23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:1-4 NIV8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Romans 8:28-29 NIV28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. RESPOND Romans 10:9-11 NIV9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Luke 15:11-32 NLT
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Where We Live What We See 15 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! Luke 15:1-3 NLT 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, Luke 15:28 NLT Grace is not a goal to be achieved but a journey worth traveling.Government, Family, Religion, and Media Mountain
(Human Trafficking)
This area of concern is actually impacting every area of influence in our culture and around the world. Today we will focus on its impact on these mountains. We come together and believe James 5:16, that the intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations: violence, manipulation, false promises of well-paying jobs, and/or romantic relationships Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime. Pray for awareness in our community, state, nation, and around the world:
- Pray for more strategies to get the word out, and that people of all nations would hear about warning signs and how to spot victims.
- Pray that more people will develop a passion for ending human trafficking, and be stirred into action. James 1:22-25 (HCSB) But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror; 24 for he looks at himself, goes away, and right away forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts-this person will be blessed in what he does.
- Pray that the Lord will show you how to use your gifts and talents to help advocate for the cause of anti-human trafficking, to the glory of Christ.
Pray against the root causes of human trafficking:
- Pray for greed to be broken off our community, state, and nation.
1 John 2:16 (HCSB) For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. Luke 12:15 (HCSB) 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
- Pray for poverty to be broken off of our community, state, and nation.
- Pray for rejection to be broken off of our community, state, and nation.
- Pray for addiction and perversion to be broken off of our community, state, and nation.
Pray that victims and survivors:
- will be found and will receive the offered help despite fear, threats, and deception (Matt. 10:28; Ps. 72:12–14).
- will experience restored minds, bodies, and lives through Christ (Zech. 9:11–12; Rom. 12:2).
- will follow through on treatment plans and learn to live in a new, healthy, and productive way (Eph. 4:22–24).
- will desire Christ alone and allow Him to fill their need for belonging, acceptance, joy, hope, and peace (Rom. 8:15; 15:13).
Pray for our government officials, law enforcement, and first responders:
- Pray for increased training in all sectors.
- Pray for our law enforcement to identify victims and to be able to rescue them.
- Pray for our law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute traffickers.
- Pray for wisdom and strength from God in daily encounters with victims/survivors.
- Pray for protection for our law enforcement and first responders and their families (physical and spiritual). Psalms 5:11-12
- Pray for laws to favor the most vulnerable.
- Pray for appropriate funding to follow existing and new legislation.
- Pray that our local city council, mayor, and community leaders to be empowered and inspired to bring change to our community and make trafficking a top priority.
- Pray for all corruption in our government concerning human trafficking to be exposed and removed. Deuteronomy 16:19
- In addition, pray that God will bring confusion into the enemy’s camp so that his schemes are unorganized and ineffective (Deut. 7:23; Ps. 71:24).
Pray that traffickers and buyers:
- will find their transactions interrupted and their wicked plans frustrated (Psalm 9:16, 10:15, 146:9).
- will see the reality of what they are doing and seek help (Phil. 2:3–4; 1 Cor. 6:18–20).
- will encounter effective outreach that will bring them into a relationship with Christ.
- and their trafficking operations, masked by false facades, will be exposed.
- who are trapped by greed are given the power to break free.
- to turn to God for help living lives of sexual integrity.
- caught in addiction to repent and change their harmful behavior.
Pray that in the Media Mountain:
- Prostitution, adult entertainment, and pornography to be exposed and eradicated over all platforms.
- A cultural shift that opposes the glamorization or normalization of pimping, pornography, and prostitution will come.
- Pray for the movie “Sound of Freedom” to be released in every theater across America. We are asking that this movie become a catalyst for change in our country concerning human trafficking.
- Pray for Angel Studios as they continue to produce content that stands for Biblical values and principles.
In a Series: Simply called Identity: Highlighting the fact that Fatherhood helps to shape a man’s identity. Fatherhood is part of our Identity - it’s miraculous, overwhelming, life changing in so many ways. 1. Fatherhood changes you Physically and Emotionally 2. Fatherhood changes you Spiritually
- Encouraging
- Comforting
- Urging
- Have better, healthier relationships
- Make wiser decisions about relationships
- Less inclined to have sexual relations too young
- Seven times less likely to get pregnant as a teenager
- Have better emotional health and control
- More likely to be non-aggressive toward others
- Four time less likely to be prone to anxiety or depression
- Less likely to have behavioral and emotional difficulties
- Have better physical health
- Twice as likely to be physically fit
- Probably more likely to be breastfed
- Two times less likely to be a victim of sudden infant death syndrome
- Are less likely to become addicted to substances
- Less inclined to use and abuse alcohol
- Less prone to use and abuse drugs
- Less likely to become depressed, which sometimes leads to addictive behavior
- Are more likely to feel safe and more confident
- Ten times less likely to suffer physical or emotional abuse
- Six times less probable that they will suffer neglect
- Have better odds of academic success
- More likely to get top grades
- Two times less likely to repeat a grade
- Two times less like to drop out of high school
- Less likely to be suspended or expelled
- More likely to stay out of trouble
- Less like to engage in risky behavior
- Less prone to commit a crime
- Less likely to prison
1. Ask to join him in an activity he likes.
2. Ask him for advice.
3. Randomly thank him for his hard work.
4. Help him with a task.
5. Let him relax.
Words of Knowledge:We believe the Lord is healing people with neck pain on the right side, this pain causes headaches and shoulder pain on the right side.Words Of Encouragement:We believe the Lord is encouraging someone, regardless of your challenges, situations, or circumstances, that it's time for you to change your posture and perspective; it’s time to renew your mind with the Word. Isaiah 60:1 (AMPC) Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.Old Gate (Jeshanah Gate)
Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. Nehemiah 3:6 (HCSB)This gate represents ancient ways and truth. Focusing on this gate challenges us to focus on returning to or going deeper into the things of God. The prophet Jeremiah admonished the people of God, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16). We are called to minister to the Lord, be in unity with one another, study and obey His Word, fast, pray, build community, and minister the Gospel like never before. (Isaiah 58) We are praying for God to take us back to the simplicity of the Gospel.Prayer Points:We want to make ministering to the Lord our number one priority.
- Pray that we would learn how to abide or remain in His presence at all times.
- We want to minister to you Lord in ALL that we do.
- Pray that our ministry to others would be an overflow of ministering to Him.
- Lord, help us to set aside more time to worship you. We want our spirit to continue ministering to you all day long, no matter what we are doing. Draw us closer to you, Lord. We desire a deeper intimacy with you.
We want The Crossing Church to be known as a house of prayer.
- Pray that we would have a new desire to pray consistently every day, with all kinds of prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:18, Luke 18:11)
- We want to pray like Jesus in Luke 3:21; that while we are praying, heaven will open and the Holy Spirit will descend on us.
- Lord, teach us to pray with a new fervency and tenacity. (Luke 6:12)
- We want to be a people who will seek you in prayer for guidance and direction every day. (Genesis 24:42-49, Hebrews 4:16)
- Lord, build our faith as we pray. Let us be a people that knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you hear our prayers and that you are faithful to answer. (Mark 11:24)
We want to make fasting a regular part of our life.
- Pray for the discipline to fast on a regular basis.
- Pray that we would be compelled to learn more about fasting and its importance in our life. (Isaiah 58:6-12, Mark 9:29, Ezra 8:23)
- Pray that we as a church would be drawn to fast and pray more for our families, communities, state, nation, and Israel. (Joel 2:12-32, Esther 4:16)
We want to receive a new hunger for the Word of God.
- Pray for a deeper devotion to His Word.
- Pray for new insight and revelation from His Word.
- Pray that learning scripture would become easy for us all.
- Pray that nothing else in our life would be able to take the place of spending time in His Word.
- Pray that we will live our life according to the precepts of His Word, that we would receive revelation from reading and hearing the Word and apply it to every situation we encounter.
We are praying for our Spiritual Elders: Those men and women faithfully serving the Lord for 25+ years
- Pray for blessings and encouragement to overtake these leaders in our faith.
- Pray for a new boldness to reach out and mentor/ pour into younger believers.
- Pray for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16)
- Pray for divine encounters with the Lord, that the giftings of the Holy Spirit will be manifested on a daily basis in their life. (1 Corinthians 12:7-10)
- Pray that the younger generations will look to spiritual elders with respect and honor; that they will seek them for Godly council.
- Pray that there be unity among the younger and older generations, that we all will build community with one another and work together to bring His Kingdom from heaven to earth.
What does it look like when we don’t find our Identity in the Lord? When we don't know who we are in Christ it's easy to blame and then to seek validation from the wrong source. In this darkened state:
- We can begin to erode our character and integrity very quickly.
- We can become more and more hostile towards the truth, God, Christians, and Christianity.
- All kinds of evil start to manifest in our thought’s, attitudes and actions.
Blame
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”Genesis 3:8-13Validation
Fickle and Temporary Validation. 22 Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?Isaiah 2:22 The Trap of Comparison.10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.Galatians 1:10 Misplaced Priorities.33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 5 Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done: 6 He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon.Psalm 37:5-6Words of Knowledge-
We believe the Lord is healing people with bursitis in the hip.We believe there is someone who has pain in their right knee that keeps you from putting any pressure on it. We believe the Lord wants to strengthen and restore the tendons and the entire joint.We believe the Lord is healing people with ringing in their ears.We believe the Lord is healing people with chronic muscle pain in the jaw and neck on the right side.We believe someone is dealing with envy and jealousy and the Lord wants to set you free today.We believe the Lord wants to deliver someone from an addiction to the recreational use of marijuana.Spiritual Freedom : Shame 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18 NKJV8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.1 John 3:8 NKJV Shame is the Prison Warden of IntimacyShame – a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of my weakness We were not created with shame 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. - Genesis 2:25 NKJV First signs of shame in the Bible7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. - Genesis 3:7 NKJV Shame cause us to hide from relationships8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. - Genesis 3:8 NKJV Shame is the Prison Warden of Intimacy
- Intimate relationships are based on
- Mutual acceptance – I accept you for who you are not who I can make you
- Mutual trust - your weakness, fears, and all shortcomings are safe with me
- Mutual care – have your best interest in everything I do.
- Knowing one another – we can be truly naked with one another
- Commitment to one another above self preservation
3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited. 4 “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. - Isaiah 54:3-4 NKJV
- Us from becoming who God created us to be
- Us from reclaiming the lost territory and promises of your family line
- Your children under the same curses of your ancestors
- Allows fear to hold us back
- Remove grace (equiping and provision from God) from our lives
- You may hear the whispers of
- I’m to dirty to be accepted
- If they only knew they would not want me
- No one can love me
- They don’t want top be around me
- They don’t want to hear what I have to say
- No one sees me
- I’m not as good as they are
- I'm all alone
- If I try and fail I can’t handle the feeling so I just want try
- I’m just not good enough
- Shame based thinking
- Makes us vulnerable to perfectionism
- We are critical of ourselves which drives us to criticize others
- We use self- defeating thoughts to shield ourselves from disappointment
- Fights
- I power up
- Stand my ground
- Bully
- Reject others and their thoughts
- Refuse help
- Use shame on others
- Blame others
- Arrogant
- Flight
- I shut down
- I hide my true self
- I run away (always have plans of escape)
- Perfectionism (the shame last time was so painful it has to be right)
- Avoid conflict
- Escape from reality (work,hobbies, drugs, Alcohol)
- Regret not saying or doing anything about our situation
- Feelings of no one cares enough to know me
- Freeze
- You can’t think straight
- Hide true emotions
- Mentally check out
- Detach from the world through sleep or hiding somewhere alone
- Avoid close relationships
- With coworkers
- With family
- With friends
- Appease
- Ignore your emotional needs to take care of the other person
- Make yourself as useful and as helpful as possible
- Neglect to develop your own self identity
- You offer praise and admiration even when they are criticizing you
- You agree to things that you would rather not
- You know ver little about what you like or enjoy
- Avoid sharing your own thoughts for fear of repercussions
- Have few boundaries around your own needs
- Self deprecate
- People pleaser
Family, Religion, & Education MountainWe are praying for our young people today. We decree that they are sons and daughters of the Most High God. We believe the Lord is raising up leaders that will usher in a revolution for Jesus that we have not yet seen before. We see this already taking place all around the world. Acts 2:17 (HCSB) And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
- We are asking for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our children, our youth, and our young adults.
- Pray for “Joshua’s” to arise among our children.
- The Lord is always recorded as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because He is a generational God. Pray for a locking of arms between the younger and older generations.
- Pray that our children will be rooted in the Word of God, that they will have a love and hunger for Truth.
- Father, we thank You for teaching our children! We thank You that You are giving our children great peace.
- Pray that our children will not become confused in any manner but will walk in the peace of God concerning their identity all the days of their life.
- Lord, we’re asking that you build bridges between our churches and our schools, that our education system will once again honor You and Your principles.
- Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers on these issues. Thank you for our governor who continues to take a stand against “woke” agendas that keep bullying their way into our school systems.
- Pray that laws will continue to be written and passed that will protect children in our schools and in public arenas, all over America.
- Instruction takes place off school grounds;
- Students' attendance is voluntary and with parental permission; and
- No state or federal resources (taxpayer funds) are used. Released Time is privately funded - by churches, community organizations, and/or individuals.
- We pray that the discovery and use of the Release Time law will spread across the nation and result in a great revival among public school students.
- Pray for leaders to arise that will be able to build such programs here in Hillsborough County and throughout the state of Florida.
Question we are answering is: What does it look like when we don’t find our Identity in the Lord.Science/Sociology/Scripture14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV Science/Sociology/Scripture 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV Science/Scripture
- Science says, everything came from nothing?
- Scripture says, “God created the Heavens and the Earth” (Genesis 1:1)
- Science says, we evolved from Apes? (1856 Neanderthal Man, 1859 The Origin of the Species, 1974, Lucy)
- Scriptures says, we reproduce after our own “Kind” (Genesis 1:22)
- Society says, love expressed as sexuality defines freedom?
- Scripture says, that God is love, and that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (1 John 4:8, John 8:32)
- We believe the Lord is healing people who have been experiencing blurred or cloudy vision.
- We believe the Lord is healing people with tinnitus (constant ringing in the ear).
- We believe the Lord said there is a person who is about to move into a new job, and you are holding unforgiveness toward your supervisor on your old job. You were let go from your old job and you’re blaming that supervisor for this. We believe the Lord is saying this dismissal was the Lord’s doing. He was setting you up for the future that he has for you. It is important that you forgive the old supervisor in order to walk into this new job with the blessing of the Lord on you.
- We believe the Lord showed us a family who has a son that has been diagnosed with ADHD and that he actually does not have this but just learns differently. He doesn’t fit the mold of traditional education and learning. We believe the Lord is breaking off of his life these words that have been spoken over him of ADHD.
- We also believe that the Lord wants to heal and deliver an older son in his 20’s named Kelly. He still lives at home and has been diagnosed with ADHD and uses medical marijuana to treat anxiety. We believe the Lord is saying if you go home and speak over him that he is not ADHD, that he has been wrongfully labeled, and have him renounce the lie of ADHD; God is going to set him free of all baggage that comes with this label.
Family Mountain
Father, the darkness increases, but we will not fear. Isaiah 41:13 says that You take us by the right hand and tell us not to be afraid because You will help us. We stand on that promise for our children and youth. As You have said, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. If you said it, we believe it! Equip us to fight for our young people.We want to pray for our children to discover their true identity in Christ.
- Pray that young people would come to know that they are loved by God, that He sees them, and that He has a purpose for their lives. Their true identity is as sons or daughters of the Most High, and He invites them into an intimate relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 29:11(HCSB) For I know the plans I have for you"- [this is] the Lord's declaration-"plans for [your] welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
- Pray for our children’s eyes to be open to see the truth and to recognize the lies of the enemy. John 8:44 (HCSB) You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars.
We have Children’s Camp coming up next week, June 5th-9th. We want to pray for our children who will attend and also for every leader that will be serving.
- Pray for an outpouring of His love and power on every child.
- Pray for protection for every child.
- Pray for families to be restored and revived because of what the Lord does at camp this year.
- Pray for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit on every child and leader.
- Pray for wisdom, compassion, endurance, energy, and good health for every leader.
- Pray for favor with the campground owners.
We want to pray for every state to pass legislation that will protect children before and after birth. We now have 20 states that have passed legislation putting restrictions on abortion and transgender treatments for minors. There are eight states that are currently considering passing similar laws. We thank the Lord for the following states who have taken a stand to protect the children in the United States of America. Let’s pray that all other states will follow their lead.Nebraska, Texas, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, Montana, North Dakota, Indiana, Idaho, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Dakota, Utah, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas
- Pray for wisdom and boldness for those who write bills and those who will vote on these bills. James 1:5 (HCSB) 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
- Pray that those who are pushing agendas that bring harm to our children will lose their funding and influence in our government.
Why Pentecost is so Important? 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 NIV Pentecost provides the Power to Persevere 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV Pentecost calls us into Unity 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV Pentecost urges us on in our Responsibility
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:3-16 NIV Words of KnowledgeWe believe the Lord is healing someone of nausea. We believe the Lord is healing someone’s neck.We believe the Lord is healing someone of chronic fatigue.Unity: Influencing the Religion Mountain
To-Gather 2023This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and we will be worshiping Jesus together with over fifty other local ministries. Our prayer is that Jesus will be magnified in Tampa Bay and that the power of the Holy Spirit will rest in that arena and everyone there. We desire to see the Kingdom of Heaven come to the Tampa Bay region.Ephesians 4:2-13 (HCSB) 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, 3 diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds [us]. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope at your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah's gift. 8 For it says: When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity; He gave gifts to people. 9 But what does "He ascended" mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth?10 The One who descended is the same as the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. 11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, [growing] into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. Pray for unity at The Crossing: 1 Corinthians 1:10 (HCSB) Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.Psalm 133:1(NIV) 1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to discover/reveal and overcome all matters hindering our unity here at The Crossing.
- Pray that we will always choose each other over any problem or disagreement that may arise.
- We declare that as we unite as one, we will see a harvest of souls come to know Jesus here and across the Tampa Bay region.
- We declare that we are a people that are not easily offended, and forgiveness is easy for us.
Ephesians 4:14-16 (HCSB) 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head-Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.Pray for unity with other church families and ministries in this region:
- Pray that churches would band together as a unified army to effectively win the lost in this region together and to bring influence in every area of our culture.
- Pray for direction on how to come together more, for the sake of bringing revival and transformation to Tampa.
- Pray for the pastors and leaders of our local churches who have not yet experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit to be baptized in this power. (Acts 19:2-6) Also, pray for those who have been baptized to be refilled.
Pray for the To Gather event:Acts 2:2-4 1 (HCSB) When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability for speech.Unity will maintain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit now and for generations to come.
- Pray for everyone involved in the organization of this great experience (protection, peace, and wisdom).
- Pray for favor with USF, Yuengling Arena, and any government officials involved.
- Lord, we are asking that this gathering will shift the atmosphere over our region. We are asking for an Acts 2 outpouring in the Tampa Bay area.
Unity Declaration:As we, The Crossing Church, run down the road God has called us to take,we will do it with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring ourselves out for each other in acts of love. We are alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. As a church, we were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so we will stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. Everything we are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. That doesn't mean we should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given our own gift. We are all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. We walk in unity in our homes and within the ministry at The Crossing.(Adapted from Ephesians 4:1-16 MSG)
May is Mental Health awareness month 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:27 NIV
- God cares about our Struggles.
- He never leaves us alone in our Struggles.
- Our Struggles are Signals to direct us to healing .
- King David
- Elijah
- Jonah
- Jeremiah
- Job
- Jesus
Anxiety is a messenger...
Depression and suicidal thoughts aren’t random....
Loneliness isn’t caused by a lack of friends....
He cares deeply about us and the renewal and restoration of our minds. Words of Knowledge:- We believe the Lord is healing someone's migraines.
- We believe the Lord is healing someone of sleep apnea.
- We believe the Lord is healing someone with lymphoma.
- We believe the Lord is healing someone’s left shoulder.
Fish Gate
This gate represents the call on our lives as Christians to share the Gospel with others. We are ambassadors for Christ to the world. This gate during Nehemiah’s time was used by fishermen to bring their catch into the city to be sold. The Fish Gate reminds us that we are to get involved in evangelism because we have been called to be “fishers of men”. Matthew 4:18-20 (HCSB)As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
- Lord, we are thankful for salvation. Thank you for investing your one and only Son, so we could be saved.
- Thank you, Lord, for empowering us with the grace to invest in others, by sharing the Gospel.
- Thank you for protecting us as we go out to share your love and kindness with those who don’t know you, yet.
- Thank you, Lord, for giving us the courage and an unquenchable desire to share the Gospel.
- Thank you for equipping us to win souls for your Kingdom.
- Thank you for a harvest of souls, and for a great revival in the Tampa Bay area.
Matthew 5:14-16 (HCSB) You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 9:37-38 (HCSB)Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
- Pray that The Crossing Church family would have the boldness and courage to step out and share the truth of the Gospel.
- We command the spirit of fear to leave our lives.
- We command every power of darkness plotting evil against us as we move through our community sharing the love of Christ to be bound.
- We command every prince of the air regulating the affairs over the Tampa Bay region to stop your operations to be cast down now, in Jesus' name.
- Pray that we will transform this region for Christ.
John 4:39- (HCSB)39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said when she testified, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 Therefore, when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of what He said. 42 And they told the woman, "We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world."
- Pray that we would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and operate in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12: 8-11).
- Pray that we would receive words of wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement as we share the Gospel in this region. We believe that just like the word of knowledge Jesus gave the Samaritan woman ended up transforming that region, when we share what Holy Spirit is saying to us, the Tampa Bay region will also be transformed.
- Pray that we would be like the Samaritan woman who went back to her community and invested in the people thereby inviting them to meet Jesus.
Romans 10:1 (Msg) Believe me, friends, all I want for Israel is what's best for Israel: salvation, nothing less. I want it with all my heart and pray to God for it all the time.
- We pray for salvation to come to the people of Israel:
- For Israel to turn to the Lord so the veil may be taken away (2 Corinthians 3:11-16), and for their spiritual blindness to be removed.
- Pray based on the Lord’s promise that all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this My covenant with them, when I take away their sins" (Romans 11:25-27).
- Proclaim also God’s promise that “He will cleanse them and give them a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36).
God in all his wisdom and creativity, designed us perfectly but He did not fashion us to BE perfect. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV We HOLD on to HOPE HOLD on to the HOPE of God’s unfailing love.
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11 NIV
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, Romans 8:35, 37-38 NIV
HOLD on to the HOPE in God’s Word.13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
HOLD onto the HOPE of others.17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:17-19 NIV
HOLD on to the HOPE of your story.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV
25 ....whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NIV
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV
HOLD on to the HOPE of God’s unfailing love.HOLD on to the HOPE in God’s Word.HOLD onto the HOPE of others.HOLD on to the HOPE of your story.HOLD on to the HOPE of eternity. Words of Knowledge- We believe the Lord is healing someone's left foot.
- We believe the Lord is healing someone of pancreatic cancer.
- We believe the Lord is healing someone's right shoulder and neck.
- We believe the Lord is stopping someone’s child or children from being attacked with night terrors.
- We believe the Lord is completely healing people who are recovering from surgery. This will be a speedy recovery without any complications.
- We believe the Lord is healing people with left knee pain and injuries.
- We believe the Father wants to comfort, heal, and deliver someone who has been dealing with suicidal thoughts.
- We believe the Lord wants to download wisdom for provision and discipline to someone who is struggling with their finances.
- We believe we heard the Lord say that there is someone who has missed baptism, and the enemy is telling you that you are not ready to express your decision for Christ. We heard the Lord say to go find a pastor and get baptised.
Praying for Israel/ Mountain of Religion Isaiah 62 Fast Global 21 Days of Prayer for Israel We are joining in today with over 5 million believers who are standing before the Lord for His purposes for Israel. Millions of Christians all over the world began fasting and praying on May 7th and will continue these 21 days of prayer and fasting until May 28th, the Day of Pentecost. This initiative was birthed out of the International House of Prayer and Mike Bickel. The goal is that we commit to praying at least one hour a day for Israel during these 21 days. According to Mike Bickel, “This will be the first time in history that far more than one million Christians will continue 24 hours a day for 21 days in praying for God’s promises for Israel. The uniqueness of this prayer initiative is itself a sign of the times and an acceleration of God’s “set time for a generation yet to be created” to engage together in His purposes for Israel (Psalm 102:13, 18).” Psalm 102:13 (HCSB) You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her - the appointed time has come. Psalm 102:18 (HCSB) This will be written for a later generation, and a newly created people will praise the Lord.For more information visit: Isaiah62fast.com Isaiah 62:6-7 (HCSB) 6 Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen on your walls; they will never be silent, day or night. You, who remind the Lord, no rest for you! 7 Do not give Him rest until He establishes and makes her Jerusalem the praise of the earth.
- Pray that as a church we will commit to fervently pray for Israel.
- Pray that we will be the watchmen on the walls who refuse to be silent in our prayers for Israel.
- For Israel to turn to the Lord so the veil may be taken away (2 Corinthians 3:11-16), and for their spiritual blindness to be removed.
- Pray based on the Lord’s promise that all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this My covenant with them when I take away their sins" (Romans 11:25-27).
- Proclaim also God’s promise that “He will cleanse them and give them a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36).
- Pray for protection from the ongoing threat of war and terrorism from Her enemies.
- Pray for God to deal swiftly and justly with those who hate Israel and the Jewish People, and who seek to destroy them.
- Pray for God’s solutions and provision for border disputes, housing, water shortages, incoming refugees, and other troubling internal issues.
- Pray for protection over Her resources.
- Pray that every person in leadership will seek the Lord for wisdom in leading Israel.
- Pray for prosperity and protection over her government leaders, spiritual leaders, heads of families, and all who are in authority.
- Pray for those who protect her and her allies, and may the United States always be one!
You are the Masterpiece of the Sovereign God of the Universe. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16 NIV AS GOD’S MASTERPIECE
- You are created for the Master's purpose.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT
- God uses everything in your life to bring about His purposes.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Words of KnowledgeWe believe the Lord is healing people with low iron.We believe someone needs to hear that forgiving doesn’t mean that you have to go back to being in a relationship with them. Release them and allow the Lord to heal you. He is all you need.Words of Encouragement:It may seem like your children have gone astray for good. Don’t give up. Don’t stop praying for them. No matter how deep in the “world” they are, don’t stop praying. The Lord hears the cry of your heart. Your children aren’t lost causes. "This is what the Lord says: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come — this is the Lord’s declaration — and your children will return from the enemy’s land. There is hope for your future — this is the Lord’s declaration — and your children will return to their own territory." (Jeremiah 31:16-17 HCSB)God has called us to do greater things.Build a church that worship in spirit and truth. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." - John 14:12 NKJV But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” - John 4:23-24 NKJV Mary Martha Principle-"Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42 ESV Bringing together of two worlds-1. The spirit filled supernatural world (hosting God well )2. The caring for people world (hosting people well)They represent the 5 fold ministry-
- Marry – in that she is always heaven focused
- Apostolic
- Prophetic
- Martha – in that she is always people focused
- Evangelist
- Pastor
- Teacher
- Love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
- Love our neighbor as ourselves.
but do not have love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient, love is kind.Love does not envy,is not boastful, is not conceited,5 does not act improperly,is not selfish, is not provoked,and does not keep a record of wrongs.6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousnessbut rejoices in the truth.7 It bears all things, believes all things,hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends.But as for prophecies,they will come to an end;as for languages, they will cease;as for knowledge, it will come to an end.9 For we know in part,and we prophesy in part.10 But when the perfect comes,the partial will come to an end.11 When I was a child,I spoke like a child,I thought like a child,I reasoned like a child.When I became a man,I put aside childish things.
Words of Knowledge-
Fountain Gate The Fountain Gate represents the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the subsequent infilling of His power. Ezekiel 36:25 (HCSB) ‘I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.’ Pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us of anything that would keep us from knowing the Father in a deeper way. Pray for the Lord to search our hearts and reveal any hidden sin or offense. Pray for the Holy Spirit to come and soften our hearts to receive His love completely. John 4:14 (HCSB) But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again in fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life. Pray for a new infilling of the Holy Spirit in us individually, for our spiritual leaders, and for our church family. Pray for Luke 3:16, that we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. Acts 1:8 (HCSB) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Pray that we will overflow with hope into our communities by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13) Pray that we will operate in all of His spiritual gifts so that we can impact our communities with power. (1 Cor 12: 4-10) National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 4th Pray for an infilling of the Holy Spirit to come to the people of every church in the Tampa Bay region. Pray for the nation
God wants you and He wants you to experience the fullness of life in Him. He made you, He knows you, and He has a plan for you. He desires relationship with you!10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.John 10:10 NASB(1995) 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.John 14:12 NASB(1995) But obedience opens the door to abundance. 1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”Jonah 1:1-2 NASB(1995) 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.Jonah 1:3 NASB(1995) God wants all of you / all of me! God wants ALL of every part of us. The Word tells us that: (Luke 10:27) We are to love God with our
- Heart / not just a part of our heart - but all of our heart
- Soul / not just a piece of our soul - but all of our soul
- Mind / not just a portion of our mind - but all of our ming
- Strength / not just a percentage of our strength - but all of our strength.
Education Mountain of Influence This area of influence is critical for us because it greatly shapes the minds and expectations of our younger generation. Isaiah 60:1-3 (HCSB) We are a light into this area of influence. 1Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you. 2 For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance. Pray for our Children: We are believing and interceding for revival in our schools. Father, pour out Your Spirit on our sons and our daughters. We are asking for a harvest of salvations to come to our schools. Pray that our children will discern false teachings and truth. Pray for daily protection around our schools. Lord, dispatch your angels to minister to and protect our schools in Hillsborough County, FL, and our nation. Pray for Educational Leaders: Pray for our US Department of Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona. Pray for our FL Department of Education Commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr. Pray for our Hillsborough County Superintendent, Addison Davis, and the entire school board. We are asking that God will call believers to be principals, administrators, and school board members. Also, that these high-level leaders would seek Godly council and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) Pray for Curriculum Writers: John 16:13-15 (HCSB) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is Mine. This is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will declare it to you. We need men and women of God to move into this area to bring righteousness and truth into our curricula. Pray that wisdom and truth will be deposited into Christian writers in such a way that their work will be so brilliant that every district in America will want to adopt it. Pray for this calling to explode in men and women who love to write. Pray for our Educators: We are asking for more Christian teachers to arise and enter the classrooms and to be bold in their faith. Pray that Christian educators will awaken to the great calling of influencing this mountain with the love of Jesus. Pray that these Christian teachers will be the best of the best, that learning will be easy for them, and that classroom management comes easily because of the love of Jesus flowing from them. We believe He is standing at the doors of our schools and knocking. Whenever just one teacher hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in, and bring divine order as more open to Him. Pray that as these men and women stand up for Biblical values in our school systems, that they will be protected and promoted. Pray that they will be promoted to team leaders, teacher mentors, and other areas of great influence. Spiritual Warfare: 1 Corinthians 1:19-25 (HCSB) 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Come against the principality Beelzebub, and his tools which are lies. Come against pride and humanism that are currently ruling over this mountain. Humanism rejects the validity of our dependence on faith, the supernatural, and divinely revealed truths. Come against atheism, the belief that there is no God. Each of these constantly push to confuse our children and work to distort their true identity in Christ. Ways to actively get involved in influencing this mountain: Hillsborough County is home to over 300 schools and over 200,000 students. Please partner with us in choosing at least three different schools to intercede for on a weekly basis. Together, we can change the atmosphere and direction of this entire district. Go to the Hillsborough County Public School website and read the agenda for every board meeting and attend the ones that you can attend. *Vote for new board members that will support Biblical views in the next election.https://prayers.org/2017/03/children-at-school/
The Story Of Rebellion and Rescue! Rebellion #1 - Adam and Eve in Eden - Care, Continuation, Christ, Communication. Genesis 3:21, Genesis 2:17, 3:3, Hebrews 1:115 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” -Genesis 3:15Rebellion #2 - The “sons of God” Transgression that led to the flood. Genesis 6:1-4, Numbers 13:33, Deuteronomy 2:10-11, 20-218 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.-Genesis 9:8-10Rebellion #3 - The Tower of Babel that scatters and separates. Deuteronomy 32:8-9, Psalm 82, Ephesians 6, Genesis 11, 12:1-9; 15:1-6; 18:1-15The coming of Christ!15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—-Colossians 1:15-22His Empowering Spirit! 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.-Acts 2:1-4Sin is no longer your master!14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.-Romans 6:14Every spiritual power must answer to the power of the Holy Spirit! 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.-Ephesians 1:21-23The Sentinel Group: The Gates of Whiteclay, depicts God’s intervention through a lady named Norma Blacksmith in a small town nestled up against the sprawling Lakota Sioux reservation at Pine Ridge. Notorious for selling over 11,000 cans of fortified malt liquor a day to bootleggers and emotionally-broken Natives, the New York Times dubbed it “the Skid Row of the Plains.”WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE We believe the Lord is healing neck pain this weekend. We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having hip pain. You have thought that the pain was not bad enough to come down for prayer and that you can just manage it, but the Lord wants to heal you today.
Matthew 1:22-23 | Isaiah 9:6 | John 1:1-5 | John 14:10-30 | Hebrews 4:14-15JESUS Q1: Who provided the only kind of sacrifice able to fulfill God’s covenants with Abraham, Noah, and Moses, fulfill the Law and the Prophets, and negate the penalty of death for sin? A1: Jesus: The Lamb of God/Sacrifice Q2: Who had the strength to disarm death, plunder Hell and disable Satan and all his demonic forces? A2: Jesus: The Lion of Judah/Strength Q3: Who gives believers the security that they too, will experience the resurrection, and inherit eternal life! A3: Jesus: The Son of God/Security Jesus: The Sacrifice of the Lamb17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.Matthew 5:17-18 ESV9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”Revelation 7:9-10 ESVJesus: The Strength of the Lion7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.Revelation 12:7-9 NIV15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.Colossians 2:15 NKJV18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. 19 In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water. 22 Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.1 Peter 3:18-20,22 HCSB18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.Ephesians 1:18-21 NIV12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Ephesians 6:12 NIVJesus: The Security of the Resurrection3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV“The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a certainty, If any fact, not merely of Christianity, but of history, stands on an impregnable foundation, this does.”—B. P. Goodwin D. D.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.Romans 6:5-7 NIV54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”1 Corinthians 15:54 NIVWe all need the Sacrifice of the Lamb We all need the Strength of the Lion We all need the Security of His Resurrection WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE We believe the Lord is lifting the cloud of heaviness and releasing joy into the life of someone who has been in deep grief. The Lord wants to turn your mourning into dancing.We believe the Lord is healing ovarian cysts.
The Old Testament concept of sacrifice: The Tabernacle Jesus: The ultimate metaphor and mediator 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!John 1:29 NIV5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,1 Timothy 2:5 NIVJesus: The ultimate/final sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.Romans 6:10 NIVJesus: The ultimate act of love and selflessness 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled consecrated them and provided ritual purity, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.Hebrews 9:13-14 NET8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8 NIVThe Way of The Lamb - Philippians Chapter 2 Humility Humility isn’t thinking less of “yourself”, it’s thinking of your “self”…less Listen: James 1:19…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, Serve: Phil 2:3-4 …3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. LoveEmpathy: Rom 12:15…15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.Kindness: Eph 4:23…23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;RedemptionSeek Forgiveness: Matt 5:23-24 …23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.Bearing with one another: Col 3:12-13…12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Jesus told us to make disciples not converts.18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20 HCSB6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NKJV19 An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.Proverbs 18:19 HCSBSpiritual Decision Process -
WHAT TO DO ON THE WORST DAY OF YOUR LIFE13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”Job 1:13-19 NLT1. JOB MADE A CHOICE20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.Job 1:20-22 NLT2. JOB WRESTLED11 “Why wasn’t I born dead? Why didn’t I die as I came from the womb? 12 Why was I laid on my mother’s lap? Why did she nurse me at her breasts? 13 Had I died at birth, I would now be at peace. I would be asleep and at rest.Job 3:11-13 NLT20 “Oh, why give light to those in misery, and life to those who are bitter?Job 3:20 NLT3. JOB REALIZES38 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. 5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, 9 and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? 10 For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. 11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’ 12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? 13 Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? 14 As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. 15 The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence. 16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? 17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? 18 Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know! 19 “Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? 20 Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? 21 But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!Job 38:1-21 NLT42 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.Job 42:1-3 NLTTHE WHO IS GREATER THAN THE WHYWORDS OF KNOWLEDGE:We believe the Lord is healing hypertension. We believe the Lord is healing people with inflammation and pain in the left lymph nodes in the neck. We believe the Lord is healing injuries in the left hip area. We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has a radiating, hot, tingling pain on the inside of their right knee. We believe the Lord is healing digestion issues. We believe God is healing an injury that happened this week while riding a bicycle. We believe the Lord wants to set people free who have been struggling with sexual lusts and pornography. We believe God is restoring the heart that has been wounded by someone that was a friend. Coming forward is not about restoring the relationship, it is an act of surrendering the wound and releasing forgiveness.
Pastor Greg continues our series titled "Undone," teaching on the Fear of Man and the Fear of God.
In our second week of the "Undone" series we discuss how we heal individually and as a nation.
Pastor Greg kicks off a new series titled, “Undone.” You can find message notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
Pastor Greg Dumas continues our Supernatural series teaching on the gift of Prophecy. You can find message notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
Special Guest Pastor Oscar Mumba continues our series “Supernatural” and teaches how the tithe can open the door for the Supernatural.
Lead Pastor Greg Dumas kicks off our 90 Day Tithe Challenge. Learn more at: wearecrossing.com/90day
Special Guest Pastor Oscar Mumba from Zambia, Africa teaches our First Wednesday service on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
SouthShore Campus Pastor Hector Rivera teaches that we have been given authority to pray for the sick and experience physical healing!
Our Lead Pastor introduces the Spiritual Gifts! You can find show notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
Plant City Campus Pastor Michael Pippin shares on the four "loves" defined in the Bible.
Pastor Greg Dumas kicks off our new series title, Supernatural! You can read the message notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
Special guest speaker Dr. Mark Rutland speaks on the Natural and the Supernatural! You can find message notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
Our Lead Pastor Greg Dumas shares part 2 of the message: How to Receive a Miracle. You can follow along with our message notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
Pastor Greg Dumas beings our Christmas series: Waymaker! Read our message notes here: wearecrossing.com/notes
Our Lead Pastor Greg Dumas continues our Recover All series. You can find message notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
Plant City Campus Pastor Michael Pippin continues our series “Recover All” and teaches how we can be ambassadors for Christ and recover His fame. Find show notes at: wearecrossing.com/notes
We conclude our Realignment series asking this question: Is our life built on the foundation of Jesus Christ? Read the message notes here.