For a long time, it has been my dream to be able to minister to people who really need the Lord, and we ask for your prayers as we step through this “open door.”   We have a very exciting opportunity to go to Guatemala, May 28-June 4.
The Bible admonishes all of us to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt 28:19).  It is so important for all of us to be able to share with people about God’s love, and visiting Guatemala is a great chance for us to do just that.   We are planning to feed 7,000 people, give 1,000 bags of food away that will feed a family for one month, and purchase over 500 toys that will be given to the children.  Already, Destin Assembly, through the faithfulness of God’s people has been able to build a building and buy vehicles for the “Kitchen of Love” ministries.  Under the leadership of Pastor Jose Alvarez, Loves Kitchen is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, feeding the poor, empowering, and discipling the people of Guatemala.
May 4, 2009, we donated a ministry truck to Love’s Kitchen.  This truck will be used to minister in the mountains of Esquipulas for children’s ministry, preaching crusades, and feeding the poor.  So pray for us as we become God’s hand extended.

Living to be Used
Pastor Jason L. Poole

Jesus disciples watched Him pray one day and said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk.11:1). That’s interesting because they didn’t ask him how to preach, but when they saw him pray they said, “We need to get in on this”!  Jesus responded to their request by giving them a MODEL PRAYER we call “The Lord’s Prayer” – actually it’s our prayer!

Jesus said, “After this MANNER therefore pray ye” (Mat.6:9).

Jesus didn’t give us this “prayer” to read it as our prayer, but as an “outline” or “pattern” by which we can learn to pray! Before we “detail” this pattern I want to give you a basic definition of prayer. Prayer – a believer’s basic communication with God who is our Father, through the authority of Jesus Christ and assisted by the Holy Spirit. Communication isn’t just talking.  God is a person to be communicated with, not someone we just talk to. We pray in the name of Jesus because He’s our access to the Father.  The only way we can get to God is by the door that was opened through the blood of Christ.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto, etc. (Jn.14:6).

Jesus is our access to God, and because of what He did on the cross we can “draw near with assurance” and come “boldly before the throne” (Heb.4:16). Before Jesus gave us this model prayer He taught several important principles about prayer that we need to consider:

Principle #1 – Pray Regularly…

Matthew 6:5 – When you pray!

He didn’t say, “If” but “when”!  Our need to pray is the unstated assumption behind Jesus’ statement!  Believers are expected to pray.  Prayer is God’s appointed medium through which He blesses and moves among us, and acts on our behalf!  James said, “Ye have not because ye ask not” (Jam.4:2).

If we want the blessing of God on our lives and ministries; the work of God to go forth in power, we must pray and intercede in prayer. All through the scripture we’re admonished to pray:
1.    Mt.6:6 – Pray to thy Father.
2.    Mt.6:9 – After this manner pray.
3.    Mt.9:38 – Pray ye the Lord of the harvest.
4.    Mt.26:41 – Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
5.    Lk.18:1 – Men ought always to pray and not to faint
6.    Eph.6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication.
7.    1Thes.5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
8.    1Tim.2:8 – Pray everywhere.

Principle #2 – Pray Sincerely…

Matthew 6:5 – Don’t’ be like the hypocrites!

Praying sincerely requires praying with the “right motive”! Jesus said it’s possible to pray amiss with the wrong motives and in the wrong way; to pray and never be heard by God; to pray and only be speaking to ourselves; have our prayers go no higher than our own ears.  That’s the reason Jesus sets out to teach us the “right” and “wrong” motives:
1.    Wrong motive – to be seen of men!
2.    Right motive – to be heard of God!

Principle #3 – Pray Secretly…

Matthew 6:6 – Shut the door!

This is how you measure sincerity – you pray secretly. Jesus wasn’t equating “praying alone” to “effective praying” but expressing the need to “shut out” anything that would keep us from concentrating on God. If you’re going to connect with Him you must connect spiritually – when God sees you’re serious enough to remove all distractions he’ll show up! To do this you’ve got to make the TIME to pray, and to make the time you have to have the WILL to pray! Jesus says, “Get lone, enter your closet, shut the door – be unobserved, undisturbed, unheard”!

We see this over and over in scripture:
1.    Acts 10:9 – Peter went to the housetop to pray.
2.    Acts 10:30 – Cornelius prayed in his house at the ninth hour.
3.    Mk.1:35 – Jesus rose up early in the morning before day and went into a solitary place and there prayed.
4.    Mk.6:46 – Jesus went up into the mountain to pray and continued there all night.
5.    Lk.22:41 – Jesus withdrew himself from the three and went a stones throw away and kneeled down and prayed.

Many don’t pray because they say they don’t have the time – in reality they don’t make the time!

Principle #4 – Pray Thoughtfully…

Matthew 6:7 – Don’t use vain repetitions!

“Vain repetition” is babble, and “babble” is saying the same words over and over with no thought behind them.  Many times we allow the awareness of His presence to fade and we just go through the motions of prayer.  Sometimes prayer is just words we toss out to salute God so we can get on to the real deal – “Hurry up and pray so we can have church”!  God doesn’t hear our prayer because it’s long & repetitious but because we genuinely pour our heart out to God!

“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps.51:16-17)

Prayer is a matter of the “heart” and not a matter of “words” and “length”!

I. Our Father (Mat.6:9)…

The way we’re to open in prayer is to address God as “Our Father”!   By praying this way we’re taught to “whom” we’re to pray! Jesus is teaching that WE as children are to address Him as our loving, compassionate, merciful, gracious, forgiving, Father. Notice, He’s not “My Father but “Our Father”!  That means several things:

1.    God isn’t everyone’s Father!

Jesus said to the religious leaders, “You are of your father the devil (Jn.8:44). Only those who’ve received Christ as Savior and are “born again” have the right to be called “children of God” (John 1:10-12).

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom.8:15).

2.    You’re not the only child in the family!

God has no favorites – I know you thought you were, but YOU AIN’T!  God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). We all belong to the same family and we all have the same common interests, cares, and responsibilities in the family! The “Father” wants us to know that we’ve got some “siblings” and therefore can’t be selfish in prayer!

Because we have a heavenly Father that means:
•    We have someone we can trust!
•    We have someone that will provide!
•    We have someone that will protect!
•    We have someone that’s available anytime we call!
•    We have someone that will discipline!

II.  Which Art In Heaven (Mat.6:9)…

There’re a few things I want you to see:

•    This is where our prayers are to be directed!
•    Because He’s in heaven He has power over things in the earth!
III.  Hallowed Be Thy Name (Mat.6:9)…

Because He is in heaven His name is to be “hallowed”! Hallow – to set something apart as unique or special. When we “hallow” His name we’re saying, “…Lord, there’s none like you.  You alone are holy, etc.  You’re above, before, and over all.  You’re in a class all by yourself.  You’re God and God alone!”

That’s why we praise Him – because of who He is!

In Scripture God has many “names”:
1.    Elohim – The mighty creator who can speak worlds into existence (Gen.1:1).
2.    El Elyon – God most high (Ps.57:2)
3.    El Shaddai – God of strength (Ps.91:1).
4.    El Roi – God who sees (Gen.16:13).
5.    El Olam – Everlasting God (Gen.21:33).

Because Jehovah alone can’t describe Him He’s be given the name:
1.    Jehovah-shalom – The Lord is my peace (Jud.6:24).
2.    Jehovah-nissi – The Lord is my banner (Ex.17:15).
3.    Jehovah-raah – The Lord is my shepherd (Ps.23:1).
4.    Jehovah-rapha – The Lord is my healer (Ex.15:26).
5.    Jehovah-tsidkenu – The Lord is my righteousness (Jer.23:6).
6.    Jehovah-jireh – The Lord is my provider (Gen.22:14).
IV.  Thy Kingdom Come (Mat.6:10)…

This is the first “request” AND should be the FOCUS of our requests! Kingdom – A government or country headed by a king; a realm or domain. The Father has a kingdom and He’s Lord and King over it!  With all the rebellion & injustice, God’s kingdom is needed on earth NOW!  We need to understand that this kingdom is not “physical” but “spiritual” – Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world”. That’s why prayer is so important – it allows you to tap into another realm above and outside this physical realm, where God rules and reigns! So when we pray, “Thy kingdom come”, we’re asking God to make His invisible kingdom visible here on earth!

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom.14:17).
V.  Thy Will Be Done In Earth As It Is In Heaven (Mat.6:10)…

It makes sense that we should want what God wants, when He wants it, the way He wants it! Yet “God’s will” is a struggle for many of us.  The problem is we “want” God’s will but have a hard time letting go of our own!  We spend much time asking God to approve our program rather than getting involved in His!

VI. “Give us this day our daily bread” has several implications:

“Bread” here is the basic necessities of life!  He’s referring to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs!

1.    We can turn to the wrong source in an effort to meet our needs!

We’re to ask our Father for “bread” because we don’t want the wrong person feeding us! The devil has a “food bank” as well and offered it to Jesus in the wilderness (Mat.4:3).  Jesus refused because it would’ve been the wrong source.

2.    Whatever good we receive comes from God!

Asking Him for “bread” reminds us who our provider really is!  If we’re not careful we can FORGET who the source is! Moses gave Israel a warning – “Beware that you don’t forget the Lord your God, and who it is that gave you power to get wealth” (Deut.8:11, 18).

3.    God promised to supply our needs!

“But my God shall supply all your need according, etc. (Phil.4:19).

4.    We’re to ask for our “needs” and not necessary our “wants”!

Jesus never promised we’d be rich, He just said we wouldn’t go without!

5.    Our prayer should include others who have needs as well!

6.    We’re taught to stay dependent on Him daily!

Jesus emphasized the “dailyness” of God’s supply.  Asking Him for daily bread is a reminder that we need Him everyday! The reason He wants us to come everyday is because it keeps us thankful.

VII. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors…(Mat.6:12)…

This is the part of prayer that’s crucial – here Jesus introduces the very difficult subject of forgiveness. There’s not a person here who hasn’t struggled with forgiveness!

Forgive means:
1.    To hurl away – it has to do with “casting” or “throwing” away that which has been done against us.
2.    To cancel a debt – to release the offender from the debt they owe!
3.    To give up resentment and the desire to punish – a “decision” to no longer carry an offense on the books.

When God lets go of our sins He remembers them no more (Isa.43:25). Yet God’s forgiveness toward us rests solely on our forgiveness of others – “Forgive us OUR debts as WE forgive our debtors”. We must be willing to give up what we expect to receive ourselves! Forgiveness is NOT an option – we can’t be forgiven if we don’t forgive!

VIII. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil… (Mat.6:13)…

This is a request for divine protection in the midst of a fallen world that bombards us with evil every day! From the time we wake up till we go to bed – even while we’re sleeping – we’re in spiritual danger.  The entire world system is aligned against us.

When we pray this prayer we’re asking God to:
1.    Give us power over the pull of temptation!
2.    Deliver us from the “evil one”!

The “evil one” attacks two ways – by DECEPTION and DIRECT ASSAULT!

Three powerful truths:
1.    God is faithful and you can count on Him to respond when tempted!
2.    Even the attacks of Satan that come your way are controlled by God – no matter how hard or painful the trial, He’ll never allow it to take you under.
3.    Not only will He limit the extent of the temptation but will provide an escape route at the same time He allows the trial.

When tempted we need to remember:
1.    “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1Jn.4:4).
2.    “If God be for us, who can be against us” (Rom.8:31).

We’re not praying something that He doesn’t know anything about!
1.    “The Lord knoweth now to deliver the godly out of temptation” (2Pet.2:9).
2.    ”He’s able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).

IX.    “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, fore ever.  Amen.” (Mat.6:13).

Jesus taught that as we finish praying we’re to close with praise and worship by praying – “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, fore ever, Amen”.

This praise is different than ordinary praise! David broke out in this kind of praise at the offering given for the building of the temple.  As he began to reflect on the glory and greatness of God He said:

“Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all” (Deut.29:10-11).

David was so overwhelmed with His presence that he couldn’t keep it to himself. Something’s wrong with us if we try to hold it in and keep praise under wraps all the time!  Every now and then we need to LET IT OUT when the glory and greatness of God overwhelms us!

Thine Is The Kingdom…

We ought to praise Him for His KINGDOM! He’s the SOURCE of the kingdom and the power and the glory!  Source – the place of origin; a spring from which a stream arises.

In Mat.4:8 the devil offered Jesus all the “kingdoms” of this world.  Jesus refused because they already belonged to Him!

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by and for him.  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col.1:16).

Not only is it His kingdom but it’s a glorious kingdom, and we’re a part of it!

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col.1:13).

Thine Is The Power…

We ought to praise Him for His POWER! He’s the POSSESSOR of the kingdom and the power and the glory!

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is NO POWER but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom.13:1).

The devil has no power of his own – the only power he has is the power given to Him!  Jesus said, “All power in heaven and earth belongs to me”! It’s not the nature of God to empower the devil and not sufficiently empower us!  We need to understand our empowerment!

Thine Is The Glory…

We ought to praise Him for His GLORY! He’s the RECEPIENT of the kingdom and the power and the glory!
Psalm 113:1-6 (His glory is above the havens)

You won’t find anyone quite as glorious as the Lord!
1.    “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in al the earth, who hast set thy glory above the heavens” (Ps.8:1).
2.    “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Ps.19:1).

Forever…

We ought to praise Him for His eternality; because His kingdom, power, and glory is FOREVER! Because He had no beginning and no ending, His kingdom isn’t going away!

We need to understand WHAT we’re a part of!

This “kingdom” is going to last forever:
1.    “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Ps.145:13)
2.    “The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations, Praise ye the Lord” (Ps.146:10).
3.    “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isa.9:7).
4.    “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most
High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (Dan.7:27).
5.    “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luk.1:32-33).
6.    “Wherefore we’ve received a kingdom which cannot be moved” (Heb.12:28).
7.    “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev.11:15).
V. Amen…

Don’t dismiss this last word as just another nice way to wrap up a prayer! Jesus wasn’t shopping for words to close it out!

Amen – So be it; let it be Lord; I agree with you; it is and shall be done!  When He said, “Amen”, He sealed the deal!  This is where OUR FAITH comes into play and we involve ourselves in what we’ve just prayed about!  You’re saying, “I believe that the things I’ve prayed for WILL come to pass”!

We all hear the constant negative reports concerning the economy.  If you listen to the news or read the newspaper it can cause you go into a emotional frenzy.  While Paul was in prison, you find him trying to uplift and encourage the church in Philippi.  He addresses them by saying, “Be Anxious About Nothing.” The idea is that the believer is not to worry or fret about a single thing. The word “nothing” means not even one thing. The Philippians had every reason to worry and be anxious. Read the rest of this entry »

William Bradford, Governor of the Plymouth Colony made this proclamation in 1623:

“Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.”

During this season of Thanksgiving, I thought the above words would serve as a reminder that we are to be a people with a thankful heart for the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.  Someone once said that true Thanksgiving, is first “thanks”, then “giving”.  How true that is!  When we really realize all that God has done for us, especially in sending His Son, Jesus Christ to this earth over 2,000 years ago, our hearts are filled with thankfulness which moves us to a life of service for Him. Read the rest of this entry »

This has been one of the hardest and most vile elections of our lifetime.  Many have talked about the doom and gloom that will take place after this election is over. When everything is said and done, the dust has cleared; the pundits are at rest, will Barak Obama, our new President solve the problems this nation is facing?
There is one thing for certain, no one person has the ability to do this on his own.  There are many issues that are important to all of us; the views of life, family, taxes, health care, terrorism, freedom, etc…  These issues will not be fixed overnight.  It will take time and a lot of prayer.

As a Christian, I pray that we will come together, pray and ask God for His help.  Lift up OUR new President in prayer every day.  Pray that God will give him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.  Pray that God will protect him and his family.
Isaiah 61:11 (KJV)

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Child of God be encouraged today.  Know who you are and know who’s you are!!!
GOD IS IN CONTROL

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: [26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: [27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Job 19:25-27 (KJV) 

After the Election
1.    Jesus is still alive and He reigns!
2.    Jesus still saves, heals, and delivers!
3.    The power of the Holy Spirit is still operating in our lives!
4.    He is coming back very soon!
5.    Jesus will never be up for election; He is and forever will be!