2 Peter 3:17-18
17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
I've used these verse as a TWT topic back in the day, but i think its time we looked into this again.
Its vital in our walk with the Lord that we keep to a scheduled part of our day that is set apart for prayer and meditation in the word. The same way Abel gave his "first fruits" to the Lord we must also give God the best of what we have; time, money, relationships, the things we focus on and hold as high responsibility in our lives. (Gen 4:4-5, Prov 3:9)
Its also very important that we don't let anything get in the way of our personal 1 on 1 time with God. The day i skip my bible reading time or loose focuse in my scheduled prayer life is the day i feel the attack of Satan more than ever before. I can always root the problem to skipping out on my time with God and it leaves me feeling vulnerable, frustrated and confused and in the end i know i could have been more proactive to keep myself from reaching that place of spiritual desperation.
A big thing that gets in the way of my time with the Lord are my friends and family. In regards to 2 Peter 3:17-18 most of my friends and all of my family are (in most free time situations) exempt from the description in which Peter is referring to the "unprincipled men" so when i'm with them i know, for the most part, that i am safe building relationships with them, and its easy keeping the Holy Spirit involved and in mind when being with them knowing together as the body of Christ we are moving forward. And on top of it they would never allow themselves to get in the way of my schedule.
But there are certain times when even they could pose a treat to takeing me away from my closet time before the Lord (if i allowed myself to draw away with them, as oviously thier schedual is different than mine) and there are other people/things that are in my life that could also pose a possible threat to drawing me away from the Lord in my secret place, or personal 1 on 1 closet prayer time.
Its important that we recognize these threats and bring them before the Lord and ask for grace to move forward to be cautious and on guard so that we are not taken from an intimate place in our day to day dwellings with God.
So this week, weather we've been strong in the last little while with staying true to God and ourselves and held to somewhat of a scheduled meeting time with the Lord or weather we've veered off from that, or haven’t started in a relationship with God in that sense at all, lets re-evaluate ourselves and put ourselves back on track, or press on to a deeper and more consecrated week before the Lord.
One of the best ways to actually do this is to find a friend or family member to hold us in their prayers and to keep us accountable to a standard that we've set out for ourselves. So this week lets find someone who we can partner with and have a time of sharing weather its to allow them to hold you to a righteous standard this week, or weather its to get together to confess sins or to just pray a few nights out of the week so that a deeper level of involvement with the Lord in that sense is accomplished.
So if you have any questions or concerns or prayer requests e-mail me at andrewgusztak@hotmail.com
Have fun this week and be blessed!
-Drew
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Whats on my heart...
This last week we were meditating on 1 John 2: 27-29. Like i mentioned in the last post, these 3 verses have impacted me a lot. There are some things i want to highlight that i've been focusing on about these verses that i want to bring to attention. So here are some of my thoughts:
1 John 2: 27-29 Notes:
-These verses are in a context to an end times theme that John was addressing to the church in regards to truth and the spirit of the antichrist and falling into deception concerning those things. (v 21-26)
-John states in verse 27 that we have no need for anyone to teach us but that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. -The ways in which the Holy Spirit will teach us are in regards to Christ and growing in the mysteries/knowledge of God the Father by learning about His Son Jesus. (John 14:8, 16:13-15)
-The anointing that John speaks of is the working of the Holy Spirit that Christ has ordained for us. (John 14:26, 27, 15:11, 26, 16:7-15)
-Its also interesting to note that God is an experiential God. We learn all things by God working them out through us (life circumstances or just revelation in the secret place). It starts with us rooting ourselves in the Word and getting connected to the will of God (steadfast lifestyle of prayer/reading the bible) and then asking things of God and Him making them a reality in our lives by working through His Spirit to answer our prayers and making Himself known. (John 14:13-15, 15:7-8, 16:23-24, 2 Cor 3:18)
-Two of the most important realities that are found in these three verses are: abiding (walking by) in the Spirit and living righteously. If we follow through with these two callings on our lives we will not have fear of being ‘saved but wasted.’ (v. 28) John also speaks of confidence - he speaks again of being confident before the Lord in 1 Jn 5:14-15 and it is in direct relation to prayer. Its comforting to note that we can build confidence through prayer and seeking Gods heart in that area of being a servant to Him.-One of the most outstanding ways that we can practice righteousness is by living out the Matt 5-7 lifestyle. If we do so while seeking the Lord by His Spirit we will find ultimate fulfillment in this life and the next.
If you take a deeper look into any of these verses i'm sure you'd have come into the knowledge of a lot of what i was highlighting on your own, and the Spirit would give ya a lot more too! So keep at it! keep looking into these verses and enjoy! e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns at: andrewgusztak@hotmail.com
-Drew
1 John 2: 27-29 Notes:
-These verses are in a context to an end times theme that John was addressing to the church in regards to truth and the spirit of the antichrist and falling into deception concerning those things. (v 21-26)
-John states in verse 27 that we have no need for anyone to teach us but that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. -The ways in which the Holy Spirit will teach us are in regards to Christ and growing in the mysteries/knowledge of God the Father by learning about His Son Jesus. (John 14:8, 16:13-15)
-The anointing that John speaks of is the working of the Holy Spirit that Christ has ordained for us. (John 14:26, 27, 15:11, 26, 16:7-15)
-Its also interesting to note that God is an experiential God. We learn all things by God working them out through us (life circumstances or just revelation in the secret place). It starts with us rooting ourselves in the Word and getting connected to the will of God (steadfast lifestyle of prayer/reading the bible) and then asking things of God and Him making them a reality in our lives by working through His Spirit to answer our prayers and making Himself known. (John 14:13-15, 15:7-8, 16:23-24, 2 Cor 3:18)
-Two of the most important realities that are found in these three verses are: abiding (walking by) in the Spirit and living righteously. If we follow through with these two callings on our lives we will not have fear of being ‘saved but wasted.’ (v. 28) John also speaks of confidence - he speaks again of being confident before the Lord in 1 Jn 5:14-15 and it is in direct relation to prayer. Its comforting to note that we can build confidence through prayer and seeking Gods heart in that area of being a servant to Him.-One of the most outstanding ways that we can practice righteousness is by living out the Matt 5-7 lifestyle. If we do so while seeking the Lord by His Spirit we will find ultimate fulfillment in this life and the next.
If you take a deeper look into any of these verses i'm sure you'd have come into the knowledge of a lot of what i was highlighting on your own, and the Spirit would give ya a lot more too! So keep at it! keep looking into these verses and enjoy! e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns at: andrewgusztak@hotmail.com
-Drew
Monday, June 18, 2007
June 19-21
1 John 2:27-29
27)As for you, the anointing which you recieved from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
28)Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
29)If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
These three verses (along with all of 1 John 1 & 2) have been rocking me lately. One of the prep room leaders brought this up last week and i got so jacked for that hour that i HAD to run back to my seat afterwards and start meditating on this again. Not only does John break down the Holy Spirit anointing which effects all our lives but he also breaks down how to live life to the fullest, all within 3 little verses.
So for the next three days lets meditate on these verses and fast and pray accordingly. On the next post i'll write about some of the more significant things the Lord has put on my heart considering these verses and a life in the Holy Spirit.
Also this week our prayer focus will be the Jan-June One Thing interns from IHOP who all just whent home. Lets joing together and pray Col 1:9-11 over them and hit this hard as they're all moving forward in thier walk with the Lord outside of IHOP.
Well, Enjoy and God Bless!!
Feel free to e-mail me at andrewgusztak@hotmail.com if you have any prayer requests or questions or concernes.
-Drew
27)As for you, the anointing which you recieved from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
28)Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
29)If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
These three verses (along with all of 1 John 1 & 2) have been rocking me lately. One of the prep room leaders brought this up last week and i got so jacked for that hour that i HAD to run back to my seat afterwards and start meditating on this again. Not only does John break down the Holy Spirit anointing which effects all our lives but he also breaks down how to live life to the fullest, all within 3 little verses.
So for the next three days lets meditate on these verses and fast and pray accordingly. On the next post i'll write about some of the more significant things the Lord has put on my heart considering these verses and a life in the Holy Spirit.
Also this week our prayer focus will be the Jan-June One Thing interns from IHOP who all just whent home. Lets joing together and pray Col 1:9-11 over them and hit this hard as they're all moving forward in thier walk with the Lord outside of IHOP.
Well, Enjoy and God Bless!!
Feel free to e-mail me at andrewgusztak@hotmail.com if you have any prayer requests or questions or concernes.
-Drew
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
June 12-14
Another week...
This week we'll be focusing on Isaiah 58:3 which reads:
Why have we fasted and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?
Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire,
And drive hard all your workers
Well its day 15 of the 40 day fast... and America and a lot of the rest of the world is still goin hard at this thing. Its getting to the place however that you start to think that it just might not be worth it. Every person who partakes in an extended fast has a great opportunity to tap into humility. Even fasting 3 days a week as our group does sounds crazy to the rest of the world, and causes partakers of the weekly fast to really search themselves and make up thier mind about why the are doing this and is it really worth it in the end? is it worth going through the physical, mental and spiritual obsticals of not eating for a long period of time...
Well i say that it is! And as we fast we can humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and press on to know His heart and search the Spirit to reveal God's desires to us, and to make them a reality in our lives. So this week we are pressing on in the 40 day fast to make our desires known to us, and to press on for another week in TVVT to bring ourselves closer to God the Father through His Spirit in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ. Also along with the reality that this is God's heart for us, we'll come to know realities that will deepen our relationship with Him helping us break free from sin and encounter His love all the more. So lets get ourselves up there before the throne of grace and really focus on God and search ourselves one more time to get our realities straight... knowing this is the upside down kingdom and something like fasting really is worth is, and pays off in the end.
If you have any questions or concernes or prayer requests e-mail me at: andrewgusztak@hotmail.com
God Bless you all!!!!
-Drew
This week we'll be focusing on Isaiah 58:3 which reads:
Why have we fasted and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?
Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire,
And drive hard all your workers
Well its day 15 of the 40 day fast... and America and a lot of the rest of the world is still goin hard at this thing. Its getting to the place however that you start to think that it just might not be worth it. Every person who partakes in an extended fast has a great opportunity to tap into humility. Even fasting 3 days a week as our group does sounds crazy to the rest of the world, and causes partakers of the weekly fast to really search themselves and make up thier mind about why the are doing this and is it really worth it in the end? is it worth going through the physical, mental and spiritual obsticals of not eating for a long period of time...
Well i say that it is! And as we fast we can humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and press on to know His heart and search the Spirit to reveal God's desires to us, and to make them a reality in our lives. So this week we are pressing on in the 40 day fast to make our desires known to us, and to press on for another week in TVVT to bring ourselves closer to God the Father through His Spirit in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ. Also along with the reality that this is God's heart for us, we'll come to know realities that will deepen our relationship with Him helping us break free from sin and encounter His love all the more. So lets get ourselves up there before the throne of grace and really focus on God and search ourselves one more time to get our realities straight... knowing this is the upside down kingdom and something like fasting really is worth is, and pays off in the end.
If you have any questions or concernes or prayer requests e-mail me at: andrewgusztak@hotmail.com
God Bless you all!!!!
-Drew
Monday, June 4, 2007
June 5-7th
Hey Gang,
Well i was sitting in the prayer room the other night and i had a really fun revelation:
As christians we are all on a walk with God, so when we are fasting we are holding His hand.
Its fun to be out walking with someone, but when its someone special how much more when you hold thier hand. And when you hold someones hand for some reason you share a sence of thier feelings and engage in a deeper level of assurance with them. Also as we are fasting and "holding God's hand" it allows Him to more easily guide us and lead us where He wants us to go. Which is so true as we dive into the word and focus on praying and engaging with the Holy Spirit more. So i'm going to keep this short and leave you with that little tid bit that i've been thinking on lately. Overall i think this analogy of fasting and holding God's hand really makes a lot of sence and helps add a level of intamacy and adventure to a weekly routine of fasting and focusing more on our realtionship with God. Hopefully you all connect with it the same way i did.
If you have any questions or prayer requests just e-mail me at: andrewgusztak@hotmail.com. Bless you all and have a great week!
-Drew
Well i was sitting in the prayer room the other night and i had a really fun revelation:
As christians we are all on a walk with God, so when we are fasting we are holding His hand.
Its fun to be out walking with someone, but when its someone special how much more when you hold thier hand. And when you hold someones hand for some reason you share a sence of thier feelings and engage in a deeper level of assurance with them. Also as we are fasting and "holding God's hand" it allows Him to more easily guide us and lead us where He wants us to go. Which is so true as we dive into the word and focus on praying and engaging with the Holy Spirit more. So i'm going to keep this short and leave you with that little tid bit that i've been thinking on lately. Overall i think this analogy of fasting and holding God's hand really makes a lot of sence and helps add a level of intamacy and adventure to a weekly routine of fasting and focusing more on our realtionship with God. Hopefully you all connect with it the same way i did.
If you have any questions or prayer requests just e-mail me at: andrewgusztak@hotmail.com. Bless you all and have a great week!
-Drew
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