Sanity restored

“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored.” Dan 4:34(NIV)

Do you feel like your life and schedule are out of control? Circumstances overwhelming? You don’t have time or wisdom to solve the problems in your realm? That life has gotten insane?

Try raising your eyes toward heaven! Then keep them there.

Spend time in the Word, with the brothers, & Pray!

May the Joy of the Lord be your strength, now and always.

“Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.” Dan 4:34(NIV)

Correy Russell Meeting

For those that did not have the opportunity to attend the Corey Russell meeting this weekend (April, 26,27 ) you missed a good one. The presence of God was incredibly intense. Corey mentioned again that he and those that he has been praying with from IHOP believe that revival is in the near future for the River Valley. The last night of their visit was my favorite. Corey said that everyone who desires to be a part of this needs to wake up and prepare for war. He said that we need to organize, (Martial our Troops). He mentioned that this next out poor is going to be so powerful that we need to begin pressing in now; otherwise, if we wait too long we will not be able to handle the anointing necessary to be used. Become laborers now in order to be sent out so you can be of the chosen few to reap a harvest. With this I am reminded of proverbs 20:4, "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore, shall he beg in harvest and have nothing." Like any true revival there will be deliverance's, miracles and salvation of many, so I encourage you to pray for the laborers. Corey then pointed out that hidden things will be exposed about people, or those things that take precedence to their walk with GOD. I encourage you to get copies of the services, and try not to miss the next visit. Press in and press on, for we have an opportunity to be part of the fore running of this incredible blessing from our Lord.

IN HIM
Bobby

GOD HAS OPENED THE FLOODGATE

Malachi 3 (New Living Translation)

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease.[a] Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

My son Zachary has been raising money for the Asia mission trip. I have been with many of you when I have asked you to pray for his fund raising. I have been with many of you when I gave a report from a proud but sometimes worried Dad. I felt led to ask for more than enough funds for the trip. I spoke the amount and asked you to pray with me about it and we prayed many times about the fund raising. Time went by and there were good reports but the whole amount was not suddenly brought in. Zachary was concerned but not really doubting but worried. Three weeks from the deadline Zachary had raised about $1000 dollars but needed about $3500 dollars. The whole Twenty Four Seven team set forward doing every concievable job and method of fund raising. I participated in one such project and never felt doubtful but questioned if God would increase our faith through the project. I never doubted or desired to change my mind about the amount but wondered if God would work in His own way and prove again just how faithful He is. Today April 27th,2007 I spoke to Zachary and he told me he believed he would go over the dollar amount I asked for and we all prayed about. I can truly give testimony that God is Faithful! My faith is increased! and God did it all just like He promised. God opened the flood gate for us and to us! Thank You God!!!! Thank You God!!!! Mr. Bill !!

The Beautiful Gate

Lessons from the Beautiful Gate

“Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

Peter and John – Acts 3

Yesterday morning in prayer with friends, Brian Fields prayed a prayer for my beloved father-in-law, who has lung cancer. It touched me deeply. My “Dad” Russel Hogue is 83, has had a long healthy life, knows and loves God, so he is ready to meet him. He’s only asked that we pray for God’s peace.

And for the most part that’s how the brothers have been praying for him. On this day Brian prayed an impassioned prayer for his healing that I know touched the heart of God, if it didn’t originate there.

I would characterize Brian as strong, faithful, not that emotional. He started his brief prayer asking for peace in the situation, but then mentioned the lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate in Peter’s day. He was only expecting a few coins when Peter and John noticed him. But what he received was a supernatural healing! Such is our God. And that is what Brian prayed for passionately, until he could speak no more.

“Let the LORD do what seems best to Him.”

Thank you Brian. And thank you Father. -=db=-

CCF Men Ministry Leaders "To Know Him"

Greetings Brothers,

And thank you for your prayer ministry for the men of CCF and your leadership to the same. I feel sure that our Lord will take our little, multiply it beyond measure, and do much! 8)

As discussed earlier, a main task before us is to spend time with and know our God better and better. One on one. You! To that end the disciplines (habits) are important -- time in the Word, prayer, study, reading, solitude, fellowship, etc. -- the ancient paths. "They that know their God will do valiantly." To the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13) dark spirits said, "We know Jesus, we know Paul, but who are you?" "To know Him and the power of his resurrection..." as Paul said, should be our primary passion! "Our great reward."

To that end, let us consider how to encourage each other to do this more and more as we see the day approaching! Pray for each other. Challenge each other. Brian and I are open to all your ideas and suggestions to get this done. This is central to who we want to become and what we want to do, in our place and in our day!

Shalom and blessings as you grow in Him,
--
Dwayne <><

"...and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts17:26b-27

"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers... Acts 13:36a

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Ex 14:14

"He's Hiring..." from the beginning of Matt 20

“About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'

'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'”

Matt 20:6-7 (NIV)

He’s Hiring… (even if it’s the eleventh hour for history or for you)

Improving your Serve

Current Opportunities to serve...

The Needs:

(1) Painting at Oaks Manor Retreat Center, May 2007
Volunteers: Dennis Padilla (skill) Bill Spilman & Dwayne Bell (help)
Filled / Thanks

(2) Yard, house, general labor help as a
Thank you! for Joe & Vail Carruth
May 25 or 26, 2007- date to be announced soon.
Contact Dwayne Bell if you wish to participate.

If you know of needs or opportunities for the men to jump in and help or serve someone and spend good time together doing so, contact Dwayne Bell or Bill Spilman.

Blessings...

IS REVIVAL IN OUR NEAR FUTURE?

Back in January, Corey Russell spoke at the Cross Roads Church in Alma. In his first message he said that he and many other prayer warriors from IHOP have been praying for ten years that God would cause revival to break out in the River Valley. He then said that they have heard from God that the revival is in our near future. On the second night, during worship, the Lord inspired me to open my NKJ Bible to Zechariah 10:1 and read it out loud. It says, “Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.” Shortly after reading the passage, a breeze caused my Bible to turn back one page. The verse I looked to was Zechariah 8:20, which says, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying , let us continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of hosts. I myself will go also. Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.”
Today, 04-17-07, as I was in Tuesday morning prayer with the men, I was impressed to turn to Isaiah 58:12, which says in the King James, “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations: and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.” I then looked to chapter 60 and the first five verses read as follows, “Arise, Shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed by thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.”
Brothers, I hope this excites you as much as it does me.
Blessings
Bobby

Thanks Men!

A big “THANK YOU” to all the CCF men who helped and participated in Unity Fest 2007 Saturday at Fort Smith River Park! It was quite cold and windy (but no rain – praise God). Yet there was a spirit of grace and good attitudes throughout. Thanks for leading and serving men. I know our Lord was pleased by your courage and faithfulness. And we were blessed in getting to know our brothers and sisters in the city with the same hearts to reach out to the addicted and their families.

CCF Men participating were Scott Weston, Randy Allen, David Wilkins, Louis Woodall, Bill Spilman, Dennis Padilla, Lee Smith, John Richmond, Gary Phillips, Chuck McCord, Rick Small, Joe Carruth, Michael Brown, Jeff Cazzell, Bill Stuckey, Craig Smith, Fred Zavala, Terry Williams, Chris Pendleton, Gary Brock, Rodney Fox, David Johnson, Dwayne Bell and Mark Skinner. (Forgive me if I left someone out.)

Special thanks go to Mark Skinner who planned, organized and led the event. We love and appreciate you Mark. May our Lord richly bless your efforts. May He bless your family for your work in this field and in our city.

I received a call and another opportunity to serve the King with our brothers tonight. Needed are 6-8 guys to do light carpentry work on Saturday April 28^th at Oaks Manor Retreat Center. All you need bring is a hammer. Call Dwayne Bell at 242-3333 if you want to help. Thanks.

Shalom, Dwayne <><

Do as I Do

"Do as I say, not as I do." Have you ever said this? Is it a bad thing to say?

"Yes and No" would be my reply. Before you judge me to be a "double minded man, unstable in all his ways," let me explain.

It's true that what you do speaks louder than what you say. And it's a Biblical truth hit hard in James and in the gospels that what we do is more important (see James 2:26 and Jesus words in Matt 7:24).

But what I do is usually preceded by what I say. I usually say I'm going to do something before I do it. It's usually preceded by what my friend Brian Fields calls a "quality decision." And that may be preceded by the Holy Spirit's conviction or drawing me into a different relationship or action? But when I've made up my mind to do something differently, it helps me to say to others what I intend to do. I would usually do this to my wife or some close friends.

Hopefully they will love me enough to speak into my life periodically keeping me accountable and motivated to change. This however isn't the main reason I tell others. It's this. I want to be a man of my word, just like my Father God is. Once I say it -I want to and will - make sure I do it. "A man's word is his bond." This challenges me and motivates me to finish the task or action.

Sure it's humbling. It's an admission you're not where your should be in some area or action. So it's a hit to your pride. That's a good thing. "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace (power, unmerited favor, gifts) to the humble." So I choose to humble myself by doing this - to strike a blow to pride and to cooperate with God in getting the job done. Maybe you don't need the help? I do.

Blessings and Shalom, Dwayne

P.S. Look to hear more about this subject from me and others. Also the about the Holy Spirit, habits or disciplines, and other timely topics.

May the power of Christ rest on us!

In 1st Corinthians 2: 4, 5 Paul says, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power.
In 2nd corinthians 12:9 Jesus tells us, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul then continues to say, "Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
As a body of Christ, one of our ultimate goals should be to persuade the lost that Jesus is the way. To do this, obviously, requires more than words. We need the demonstration of the spirit and of power. According to 2nd Cor 12:9 We should glory in our infirmities so, "THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON US." Evidently, for the power of Christ to rest upon us, it is conditional to glory in our infirmities. Infirmities are weaknesses. They are the things that we are not able to fullfil. Jesus as our mediator and counselor fullfils them for us, and that is where His grace is sufficient. We must do our part by doing all that we can as individuals. Grace is not a motorized wheel chair. It is not even a mechanical wheel chair. It is not even a set of crutches. It is more like a ladder with endless rungs. If we keep climbing His grace will get us there. If we give 100%, if we are fervent in prayer, studies, and obedience etc, etc. then and only then can we glory in our infirmities, and then, the POWER OF CHRIST WILL REST ON US. So, brothers give 100% and glory in your infirmities, and may the power of Christ rest upon us!

Honor those who fear the Lord

Ps 15

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.
(from New International Version)

CCF Men's Leader's Retreat 2007 - Subiaco