Author: Leo Colon

  • Breakthrough. Day Eleven (11)

    Breakthrough Day Eleven (11): ”
    Beloved, Grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from our LORD Jesus Christ. Day number Eleven (11), think about this, you have made over the half way point. There less ahead of you that there is behind you. You are doing it. Today Pastor Maurice Johnson encourages us to look for our Breakthrough. Thank you sir for this awesome word. Please comment on the blog if it is a blessing to you. We want to hear from you. Thank you.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    http://www.ihpfwc.org
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    Breakthrough – Day (11)

    Grace and Peace be unto you from God Our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, what an accomplishment you have made, you have reach day eleven; this really demonstrates your commitment to the Lord and Godly things. Pastor Leo encouraged us on yesterday and we should give and earnest ear to the statement he made, ‘Fasting is not something that is man made. It is in fact, of God.’ I concur; it is one of the terms of our agreement with the Lord Jehovah, which we have been taught is the Lord’s covenant name with Israel. I would like you to know that God is a reciprocating God, when we focus our attention on him and keep his word he responds, he is a God who always keeps his word. In contractual agreements, there are common or key elements, for example, contracts have an offer, acceptance, consideration for an exchange and a contract clearly sets out the terms of the agreement without ambiguity. Even when we forget some of the benefits or terms enclosed with the agreement, the Lord does not forget his word, he stands firm upon his promises.

    My wife and I, like all responsible drivers have insurance on our vehicles so that if we are involved in an accident we can recoup the cost of any damages that our vehicles may incur. Many years ago one of our vehicles broke down and required towing, while searching for some information in the glove compartment of our car we noticed an emergency clause that was included in our insurance agreement. The clause entitled us to free towing for a given number of miles, but we did not know the benefit existed. We called the insurance company and they explained that type of benefit was commonplace for all of the policies they offered.

    One of the commonplace benefits of fasting is breakthrough; breakthrough should be seen in the realm of the spirit, emotions, and personal habits or in practical areas of life, such as a relationship or finances. In I Samuel chapter 7, Israel laments and cries for the presence of the Lord 1 Samuel 7: 2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. Notice the actions of Israel, verse 6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and FASTED on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. Just as you have been challenged during the fast, so was Israel, verse 7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. It is normal for others to view you as in a weakened state physically and you are somewhat weaker physically but you are a pushover, God is with you. Notice Israel appears to lack physical strength, they are apparently unarmed, but they are in the Lords presence, and here comes the breakthrough verse 9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.

    When you are sincere about your sacrifice the Lord will fight for you and discomfort your enemies. Whatever you do, do not quit now, victory belongs to those will remain in the Lord’s presence amid adversity.

    Grace and Peace be multiplied,

    Maurice Johnson
    Bethcar Fellowship Church

    (Via .)

  • I want God to Guide Me. Day Ten (10)

    I want God to Guide Me. Day Ten (10): ”
    Beloved, grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Today is Day number 10! You have made it into the double digits. You are doing awesome, and you should really be proud of yourselves. There are some great rewards that await you all, and you should expect great things. I am excited by what God is about to do. Not just for me, but for you as well.

    Today, I want to encourage you, but also to caution you about fasting. Fasting is not something that is man made. It is in fact, of God. Fasting is done with prayer, and with hope for the things we want from God. We must never forget that God requires us to seek him, but we do not want to do this in vain. God requires us to live a certain way even when we are fasting. I do not want to fast and find that I am wasting my time. My demeanor must conform to the will of God. Now I am not saying that any of you are not living according to God’s mandate, but a word to the wise is sufficient. I want my fasting to count for something and so do you, so look at this scripture and be encouraged.

    NLT
    Is. 58:3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!’ ‘I will tell you why! It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers.
    Is. 58:4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.
    Is. 58:5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
    Is. 58:6 ¶ ‘No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn.
    Is. 58:7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
    Is. 58:8 ¶ ‘If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
    Is. 58:9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. ‘Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors!
    Is. 58:10 Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.
    Is. 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
    Is. 58:12 Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.

    Beloved I want God to guide me, don’t you? I want God to water my life when I am dry, and keep me healthy. I want everything that God has for my protection, and I am praying that God would do the same for you. Don’t do the kind of fasting that gets you nowhere. Trust God, Obey God, and God will honor his side of the commitment.

    Remember just fast for today, you are doing great. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Drink all the water you can, and pray. Bible study is tonight for all of us at IHP and Beth-Car. We will see you tonight. The LORD bless you.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    http://www.ihpfwc.org
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    (Via .)

  • God Will Speak to You in Visions and Dreams. Day Nine (9)

    God Will Speak to You in Visions and Dreams: “Beloved, Grace and peace from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Today is Day number NINE (9). That is incredible. I know many of you thought you would have quit by now, but you didn’t. Congratulations, God has a miracle for you. You are doing great. Hang in there, don’t give up, you can and will make it.

    Today, I just want to encourage your hearts. I believe that you will receive answers as a result of this fast. Fasting and prayer really does prompt God to speak. I want you to know that God will speak when you seek him like this. Let’s look at today’s text:

    Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
    Acts 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
    Acts 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

    In this text we see a principle that is proven all throughout scripture. Fasting and prayer will get the believer answers. Cornelius rehearses to Peter why he summoned Peter to his house. The real explanation is God spoke to me as I was fasting and praying. The awesome thing about this text is that God answered by giving him direction. I do not know about you, but I know in this fast I am praying for direction. I know what I need to do; I just need to know how to do it. Many times that really is the missing link to what we want. Cornelius prayed and God spoke, the interesting thing here is that God gave him an answer that required him to get information from someone he did not know. We cannot and must not try to limit God to the familiar. He told him to find a man named Peter. If we examine the text, God did not say find your friend Peter, or the man you know named Peter. Go to another town, to another man’s house named Peter, who is a tanner, and ask for another man named Simon, whose surname is Peter, specifically. God wants to give you specific information. In this case beloved he does it in a vision. I believe that God will speak to many of you in visions. What does that mean? Many of you will see things in dreams and visions, and God will give you clear direction in these dreams. You may not know, or recognize what he is telling you to do. The information maybe a new thing for you, but that is how God operates. Look for answers during this fast. Listen, this dream/vision given to Cornelius, happened while he was fasting. It can, and I believe it will happen for you. Look for it. Expect it. God wants to give you visions and dreams. God wants to speak to you, and he will. I believe it! Visions and dreams are coming during this fast.

    Beloved you are doing awesome. Just continue. Do one more day. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Drink all the water you can handle. Remember water helps. I love you, and I am praying for you.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    http://www.ihpfwc.com
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    (Via .)

  • You are Preparing For Victory. Day Eight (8)

    You are Preparing For Victory. Day Eight (8): “Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. We are a victorious people indeed. We are on Day number EIGHT, (8) WOW!!!! This is indeed something to give God thanks for. You have defeated not only the intention of the Devil, but you have also seen the big picture, as Sister Tinisha Smith admonished us yesterday, and achieved a closeness with God you have never achieved before. Well done beloved, you are on your way.

    Beloved, I want to encourage you today with regard to this journey. There are some benefits to praying and fasting. The obvious reason is you get prayers answered, this discipline does foster a closer relationship to Christ. All these are reason enough to do this. There is although another good reason. Demons are part of the Christians woes. Meaning when you are living for Christ you will encounter the adversary. There is something you need to know. Being part of the club does not make you victorious. Let’s look at this text:

    Mark 9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, why could not we cast him out?
    Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

    The disciples were absolutely part of Jesus’ inner circle, but this did not guarantee success in dealing with demonic activity. They had seen Jesus heal many people, and obviously even their attempts at doing certain things were successful. So much so that they did honestly expect to be successful with this issue. You know sometimes we think that membership in our church should mean that we can handle anything. We think because we have been saved a longtime, there is nothing I cannot do. The disciples really asked this question, for it puzzled them. We have seen you do these things, but we cannot do it. So many times we think because we seen the result, we understand everything it takes to get there. If we see a drummer playing the drums, and he sounds amazing, we think if we just do what we saw him do, we should get the same results. The disciples asked him seriously, ‘Why could not we cast him out?’
    Jesus let’s them know that there is only one-way and it is not the way you think. Being around me is not the key, watching me is not the key, using the right formula is not the key. You cannot deal with demons by being around the church, or even belonging to the church; you must actively do something that will prepare you for this task. Listen, even in everyday life we see the same principle. You cannot be a professional soldier by being around the military; you must go to boot camp. You cannot engage yourself in the medical profession because you have the spirit of medicine, you must go to school. Well beloved you will need to be able to deal with certain demons in your life, and Jesus says the only way for certain victory is to do what you are doing right now, FASTING.
    So as you go through your day, know that you are preparing yourself, equipping yourself for victory. You are doing it. You are preparing yourself for the front lines. Onward Christian Soldier. This Kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

    Remember drink plenty of water. All the water you can drink. By now, you cannot drink just any water because the taste is getting to you. It is all part of the journey. Keep praying for the things on your prayer list. Do one day at a time. Just fast for today. Don’t worry about tomorrow just concern yourself with today. I am in awe of you. You can do it. You are preparing yourself for victory!

    Your Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    http://www.ihpfwc.org
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    (Via .)

  • Endure. Day Six (6)

    Endure. Day Six (6): “Beloved, Grace and Peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Today is Day Six (6). You guys are really doing the impossible, and I am proud of you. Hold on, and keep praying. Drink lots of water, you will make it. Today, my wife is our Guest blogger. Pastor Dorothy takes the time to share and encourage our hearts, join me in welcoming her. Don’t forget to leave a comment. It is a help to us to know that these devotionals are a blessing to you.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    http://www.ihpfwc.org
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and Mercy to the leaders whom I may be blessed to share with today. Thank you Pastor Colon for sharing this space with me. I honor you and your commitment to the people of God. To the IHP Family and Family of the body of Christ at-large joining in this 21 day fast and consecration it is worth the journey, to you I say ‘Endure’.

    As I walked down 42nd street and Lexington Avenue yesterday, it was cold and the blocks seemed longer than usual. On every corner I could smell coffee from the street vendors and the aroma of Starbucks. As I took it all in and began to think about what I was not having, my morning large coffee, which seemed to get me through the first 2 hours of the day, I said to my self ‘SO WHAT!! Yes, so what I am not having coffee, so what it has been 6 days, SO WHAT, I am weak and tired and hungry and moving slow, I am giving all of this to Jesus. It is my sacrifice. He has sacrificed so much for me and he would love me whether I fasted or not. It is my good pleasure to afflict my flesh. We must be willing to do whatever it takes to draw closer to God, get his attention, and gain the power to confront the enemy of our promises.

    We must be willing to ‘Endure.’ 2 Timothy 2:3 says ‘You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ’. Paul admonished Timothy, his son in the Gospel to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. So do I admonish you. Embrace your discomfort and rejoice in your suffering. When you fast you have entered into Warfare. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us ‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds.’ At the end of this exercise you will have the power to destroy the strongholds that are holding back your promises. You will speak with power and chains will be broken. You will have authority over demonic assignments to your life! You have unleashed havoc in the spirit that is why you are being attacked with the very thing you are resisting. Remember greater is He that is in you. Embrace your hunger and weakness for when you are weak, then are you strong in Christ Jesus. Endure!

    Peace to You
    Pastor Dorothy
    http://www.ihpfwc.org

    (Via .)

  • I will Restore to You the Years. Day Five (5)

    Well beloved, today is a day you have never seen before. Today is day number five (5). You need to give God the glory. A lot of you did not think you would make it this far, and Day number two (2) seems like a month ago. Nevertheless, you are here. Today one of my sons in the gospel is going to share. I am please to welcome Isaac Caldero as a guest blogger. He is a member of IHP, and a good young man. Isaac also has a blog site. Feel free to visit his site as well. The address is isaaccaldero.wordpress.com. Please help me welcome Isaac. Remember drink all the water you can. You can make it, just do today.

    Yours Because I am His,

    Leo Colon

    www.ihpfwc.org

    leocolon.wordpress.com

    Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

    I would like to first thank God for sustaining me with his right hand of righteousness. I would like to also thank my Pastors Leo and Dorothy Colon for taking the time to sow into my life.

    2010 is here!!! It’s been a journey I know for many. This year I believe that God is going to do the ridiculous in our lives! I also believe that this is a year of restoration for all of us. These past years, some lost jobs, houses, finances and relationships. It feels like something we had control over, yet, we still lost it. We can come up with a thousand excuses as to why certain things happened, but lets face it, God was in control of it, even before you came to earth!

    Joel 2:25 KJV “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”

    Doesn’t it feel like locust just came and took some stuff of yours? Three type of locust here are mentioned. Each of them were different and ate different things. They came and ate everything, leaving nothing behind for anyone. The locust that came into Judah was sent by God.

    But God’s promise to us this year is to make up for those years that they had eaten! Whatever we lost, whatever we went through, God is going to make it up to us! Not just because we deserve it,but because he loves us.

    Let us all continue to obey the Word of God and walk into the ridiculous blessings he has for us this year. It’s so close, that I can almost see it.

    Grace and Peace,

    Isaac Caldero

    isaaccaldero.wordpress.com

  • Thanks Be to God. Day Four (4)

    Thanks Be to God. Day Four (4): “Beloved, grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. As promised, I am pleased to welcome Pastor Maurice Johnson, Senior Pastor of the Bethcar Fellowship Church of Connecticut, and my good friend, as our guest blogger. Please welcome him as he speaks to our hearts and encourages us through the word of God. I thank God for my friend Pastor Johnson and the Bethcar Fellowship Church, as we take the 21-day journey together, and seek God for the plan to be victorious in 2010.

    Yours Because I am His
    Leo Colon
    http://www.ihpfwc.org
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. What a tremendous privilege and opportunity it is to share a word with you during this time of fasting and consecration; my thanks to Pastor Leo Colon for providing the platform. It is my intention and desire to keep this short and try not to bore you with too much rhetoric.
    Day four and I think you should give thanks to the Lord and congratulate yourselves for accomplishing something today that will influence your tomorrow. The journey you have embarked upon is extremely beneficial to your soul in your relationship with Jesus; however, the journey is replete with challenges that strive to deter the 21-day graduation that lies before you. I want to take this time to address one of your greatest challenges during these 21 days as well as encourage you as you face and confront the challenge–that is yourself. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans chapter seven verses 18 through 20, (NIV) ‘18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do– this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.’ By nature you are your best friend, greatest fan, worst critic and at times during these 21 days you will be your own worst enemy. Repeatedly, the law of your mind will war against and struggle with the desire of your spirit in an effort to convince you to negate the remaining days of the fast that lie before you. No one besides the Lord understands you like you understand yourself, as your flesh whispers things like, ‘can’t you see how much you’ve already accomplished, why go further,’ attempting to convince you that your journey is too difficult and that you will not reach the finish line.
    Paul writes of the duplicitous nature of humankind whereas on one hand is your flesh, which is an enemy of God, and on the other hand is your spirit, which seeks to be more like Jesus Christ; you are a living contradiction. However, do not be discouraged because you are in good company with others who celebrate the same outlook on life. Like Paul, ask yourself this rhetorical question found in Romans chapter 7:24, ‘Who will rescue me from this body of death?’ In concert, respond as Paul did in Romans chapter 7:25, ‘Thanks be to God– through Jesus Christ our Lord!’ Stay focused! I wish to believe that among the various desires you have placed on your prayer list is the apprehension of a deeper more intimate relationship with Christ. The acquisition of this comes from the abandonment and redirection of our innate desire for worldly things shifting them to private moments in prayer and consecration. Remember, even Jesus was tempted during the fast, and we are looking for the same results that Jesus received after he completed the fast and was tempted, as recorded in Luke 4:14, ‘And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.’
    Let us take it one day at a time and enjoy this opportunity afforded to us as we present ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and remember, ‘Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.’ You can make it!

    Grace and Peace be multiplied,

    Maurice Johnson
    Bethcar Fellowship Church

    (Via .)

  • Finding Solitude. Day Three (3)

    Finding Solitude Day Three (3): “Beloved, grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Today we begin Day # 3 this is a blessing. This is an opportunity to do warfare. That is what we are doing you know. You have a goal to be what God has ordained you to be, and to go through whatever process God requires of you. Because of this, know that you have an adversary who will engage in actual warfare to prevent not only the plan of God in general, but the plan of God for you. Let’s win this fight, you and I, together we can destroy the plan of the devil and be victorious. What’s the plan? Just fast one more day. Just fast for today, tomorrow will take care of itself. Want proof, you made it through yesterday.
    Today, I would like to continue to talk about prayer. Yesterday, we ask the question that the disciple asked, Lord teach us how to pray. We looked at this from the perspective of how important God is in our lives. He is that important that I want my conversation with God to be done in a manner that honors him. Today I would like for us to consider that Jesus did not only teach us how to pray by speaking to us, but he also taught us by example. Let’s consider the text:

    NRSV
    Matt. 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

    In order to pray, Jesus actively did some things. Part of his preparation for prayer was his ability to seek solitude. Beloved this is interesting to me. There is a benefit to solitude. We know that, even in our earthly relationships, solitude helps build intimacy. Relationships are strengthened by the investment we undertake to get to know a person. Consider this, whether you are a man or woman, there is a feeling that one has as a result having that alone time with that someone special. If my time with my wife was limited to public encounters, I do not think that we would feel we had a special relationship. She would feel that she was just another person in my life, and that there was nothing that made her special in my eyes. It is that time we spend together away from every body else, that makes her special to me. She can be herself, and I can accept her honesty and despite any public perception of her, get to know her for myself. When I do that, it does not matter what other people think, what other people see, she is special to me. Guess what, if other do not know her, it does not change our relationship. In this text, Jesus sends the multitude away. Beloved do you send the multitude of your day away to invest some time with God? Not just the multitude of people, but the multitude of your day. By that I mean, that our days can get congested by a lot of stuff, that only serve the purpose of being ‘the multitude’. Yes I’ll pray, but I have to check my emails, keep my phone on just in case, the only time I have alone is on the train in the morning, I think we can do better than that for God. Jesus went up the mountain by himself to pray. Invest time with God by achieving solitude. There is a benefit to solitude. Listen, God wants you to get to know him. He wants to tell you some things, that will be just between you and Him. He wants to be special to you, and I know you want him to know that he is special to you. Find a place where no one is, and pray. The time you spend alone with God will make your relationship with him a special one. Think about it, after this, even in a crowd, you can operate in the knowledge that you and God have a special relationship.

    Tonight we meet at IHP for prayer. I hope to see all of you there. Remember drink all the water you can. At least 8 to 12 glasses a day. Pray, and just fast for today.

    Yours Because I am His,
    Leo Colon
    http://www.ihpfwc.org
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    (Via .)

  • Lord Teach me to Pray. Day Two (2)

    Lord Teach me to Pray. Day Two (2): “Grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Beloved today is day number two(2). This is a reason to celebrate. You have made it to today. One of my young people was in the car with me on the way to church on last night, and another young member of the church was at work. She texted him that someone has just placed on the desk in front of her a bowl of chocolate bars. On day one, this is happening. It’s funny, because it was probably innocent. That person may not have had any idea the she was fasting, but it still hurts. Ouch!!!
    Beloved, this journey we are on holds the key to getting your prayers answered. We are fasting for 21 days and committing to prayer during this time for at least one hour a day. Prayer and fasting go together. We have done a lot in our churches to discuss how to fast. What about how to pray? Even Jesus’ disciples posed the question. Let’s look at the text.

    Luke 11:1 ¶ And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

    Jesus, our great example was praying. He is the word in flesh and he was praying. Also note that Jesus found a ‘certain place’ to pray. It suggests that where you pray is important, not to be seen, but to facilitate an opportunity for intimacy with Christ. The portion of this text that captured my attention is that one of Jesus’ disciples asked the question, Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. This is intriguing. None of Jesus’ disciples were gentiles. All of them were Jewish believers. There is no evidence in Holy Writ that any of the disciples were irreligious. Yet although there very existence is defined by their faith in God, this one disciple asked the question. It suggests to me that prayer should be taken seriously. I believe it is Dr. Cornel West who once said ‘we talk around a thing, because we don’t define said thing’. Prayer is a dialogue with God. Prayer is how you speak to God; also it is an opportunity for you to hear from God. Now think about it, if all your help comes from God, if the very fabric of who you are comes from this sovereign God, and your needs are met by him, wouldn’t you want to make sure you get it right. This disciple seems to have his head on straight. He did not want his life to rest on the fact that he made it into the exclusive group called the disciples, he wanted results. Do you want results? So let’s ask the question. How do you pray? Is it a one-way conversation? Do you simply talk to him when you need something? Is prayer something you do when trouble arises?
    I need to make sure I first of all pray correctly. This is what defines my relationship. The question really speaks to more than just logistics. Think about it, prayer is the way to strengthen your relationship with God. In every relationship, the cornerstone of the relationship is communication. Suppose in your every day relationships you notice that there is a problem with a friend because of the way you talk to him or her. Everyone wants to be spoken to in a certain manner, with a healthy respect for who they are. How much would you move mountains for that friend who only calls when they need money? When you needed something, you could not find them. Or when they called you, their resolve was to say you have got to do this, or that, as if to force you into action. Suppose your friend refused to believe in you if you did not perform the miracle the way they thought it should be done. I could read this text to be asking Jesus the question from this perspective, Lord how would like me to speak to you. Lord you are valuable enough to me that I want to speak to you on your terms. Lord I love you enough to make sure that my conversations with you honor you. How do I do that? Help me talk to you the right way. Help me know that right way to speak to you, because I do want to get the results I pray for. Not just having my request honored, but I need our relationship to be on the right footing.
    As we take this journey of fasting for 21 days, take the time to invest in your relationship with God. Value him enough to talk to him, on his terms.

    Remember; pray for your leaders, your Pastors, pray for their families. They love you, and are concerned for you. Remember, do not try to do the whole 21 days today, just do today.

    Yours Because I am His
    Leo Colon
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    leocolonwordpress.com

    (Via .)

  • Nothing you Propose Shall be Impossible for You

    Nothing you Propose Shall be Impossible for You: ”
    Grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Beloved, today we have embarked on our journey of our 21-day fast. It is day one (1), and this journey seems daunting. Today I would like to encourage your hearts. The beginning of a thing always seems impossible or even crazy because when you begin there is no fruit to encourage you. All you have to hold to is your hope, and let’s face it, sometimes that seems like a pipe dream. We as Christian believers have operated in hope for a long time, and are probably used to it. Today I would like to encourage you with a word from God. After the flood in Noah’s time his family repopulated the earth and began to build. The text in Genesis tells us that they wanted to build to stay close together and not be apart, but God wanted them to populate the whole earth. In this narrative we glean a truth that God gives us to encourage our hearts. In verse 6 God makes an observation about there beginnings.

    NRSV
    Gen. 11:6 And the LORD said, ‘Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.

    God says about their beginnings that because they speak ‘one language'(KJV), nothing that they propose to do will be impossible for them. Imagine going into this fast with the knowledge that nothing that you desire to do will be impossible for you. Here is a thought, if God says to me in this word, that nothing that I propose to do will be impossible to me, (and he does) then my first reaction would be to check my purpose. I need to make sure that I propose to do some miraculous things this year, and expect a positive end. Beloved do not go into this journey with only the mundane needs before the LORD. Purpose in your heart to do incredible things for the year 2010. Be led by the Holy Spirit, to ask God for and purpose to do the impossible. Redefine your boundaries, and push the limits on 2010. Think about it. Instead of just wanting to earn a few extra dollars, purpose in your heart to own your own business and determine for yourself how much money you want. Instead of moving into an apartment closer to work, believe God for a house. Instead of determining to help a friend, get involve in ministry at your church, and help build the Kingdom. What am I saying? Think big, and take the limits off of what you propose to do. Why? Because nothing that you propose to do will be impossible for you, if you are speaking one language. What language is it that the believer engages in? The language of Faith. Remember the word of God:
    NRSV
    Prov. 18:20 From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;
    the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.
    Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.

    Faith also says this:
    KJV
    Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

    Beloved, speak one language through out this fast, and let that language be the language of faith, and God says nothing that you propose to do will now be impossible for you. This is the word of the LORD unto you.

    Beloved, remember do one day at a time. Just get through today. Do not concern yourself on how you will fast for 21 days; just do today, tomorrow will take care of itself. Drink plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses today. Do more if you can.

    This year I would like to welcome to the blog site my friend Pastor Maurice Johnson and the Beth-Car Church. As a son of Archbishop Wilbert McKinley, Pastor Johnson and I have been leading our churches on the 21-day fast for a few years now. This year Beth-Car will be tuning into the daily blogs. Also Pastor Johnson has consented to be a guest blogger this year, and I personally want to thank him. Also one of my sons, Isaac Caldero will be a guest blogger. We will be hearing from him, and I cannot wait. And of course, my awesome wife, Pastor Dorothy Colon will be bringing us a blog weekly. I am looking forward to this fast, and this year. I cannot prove it, but I feel in my spirit that God is going to do some incredible things through us.

    The LORD bless you and keep you.

    Yours because I am His
    Leo Colon
    pastor@ihpfwc.org
    http://www.ihpfwc.org
    leocolon.wordpress.com

    (Via .)