Nobody Cries (Part I)

Cross-posted at http://fenwaychurch.org/blog/?p=54.

Jesus wept. [1] Two words, one verse. To weep. To shed tears. [2]

He wept. [3] He mourned, lamented, bewailed. He wept as one who mourns for the dead. He wept as a sign of the pain and grief of things yet to come. [4]

He wept for the oppressed, the helpless, the children, the mothers and their babies. He wept for the dead. He wept anticipating the judgment that was to come. He wept because of their unbelief. He wept because he was human. He wept because he was God.

It has been said that when angels cry it rains. What happens when God cries?

What takes place in heaven as they watch the Son of God weep. What happens when the divine and human collide. When God’s tears mix with the salt of the earth. When Abba’s son shakes and wails. When his eyes redden and his brow contours. WHAT HAPPENS? WHO HEARS? When heaven cries?

The agony of death, the ravages of evil men, the darkened wombs of raped women, the silent whimpers of molested children, the groans of modern slaves, the cries of widowed mothers, the screams of tortured captives, and the wails of the unjustly bereaved. And yet:

4 No one calls for justice; they conceive
trouble and give birth to evil.
5 They hatch the eggs of
vipers and spin a spider’s
web… Their deeds are evil
deeds, and acts of violence are in their
hands.
7 Their feet rush into sin;
they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their
thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and
destruction mark their ways.
8 The way of peace they do not
know; there is no justice in their
paths… no one who walks in them will know
peace.
9 So justice is far from us,
and righteousness does not reach us. We look
for light, but all is darkness; for
brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10 Like the blind we grope
along the wall, feeling our way like men
without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it
were twilight; among the strong, we are like
the dead.
11 We all growl like
bears; we moan mournfully like
doves. We look for justice, but find
none; for deliverance, but it is far
away.
Our offenses are ever with
us:
13 Turning our backs on our
God, fomenting oppression and
revolt.
14 So justice is driven
back, and righteousness stands at a
distance…
15 Truth is nowhere to be
found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a
prey. [5]

When the innocent ones, those who knew not evil become the prey. When the blood of the unborn cries from the ground. When the blood of the Iraqi children reach the ear of heaven. When the Son of Man hears the muffled cries of the crack baby and child prostitute. When the very heart of God is moved. Then his plan of redemption is set forth. The justice of a righteous God is readied to flow like a river. All of heaven converges. AND yet God pauses… Heaven gasps. Angels murmur. They stand appalled. And why? Shockingly because:

There is no one to intervene… (Isa. 59:16)

Jesus, nobody cries any more. Daddy, release a great weeping in our midst. Holy Spirit, pour fire in our hearts. Burn the love of God within us. Show us what it means to cry again. Reveal your heart. Let injustice awaken us, let sin provoke us, let love compel us. Loose the captive and reveal our darkness, liberate the oppressed and show us our sin, destroy complacency and sharpen our conscience, teach us to cry like you did, Jesus.

[1] John 11:35
[2] http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1145
[3] Luke 19:41
[4] http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=2799
[5] Isaiah 59:4-16

Moving Blogs Once Again

With our recent church launch, I have switched blogs once again. I may occasionally post revival/movement oriented thoughts here, but my main blogging will now take place at: http://blog.fenwaychurch.org

Introducing Erik Fish - "Foolish Preachers"

Student CPx'ers (simple church training for college student this summer),

I was thinking of you and praying for you this morning! I wanted to share a couple thoughts.

"Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe." (I Corinthians 1:21)

Sometimes it's easy to get tripped up thinking about how clever we need to be to lead people to Christ and make disciples. It's sometimes possible to get confused over strategy and trying to get every step right in order to multiply churches, etc. It can be deflating. I just wanted to encourage you that - next to simply loving God and being loved by Him - really the main task God has given us is pretty simple: "Preach foolishly about Jesus."

Sound too difficult? Can you be dorky for Jesus? Can you communicate the story of the cross and resurrection of Jesus with only average charisma? Can you get people to laugh at you and think you're ridiculous for what you believe? If so, you're in good company with the Apostle Paul. Paul was possibly the greatest disciple maker and church planter in history, yet he gives us great insight into his ongoing strategy for what really produced good fruit in the midst of his seeming "failures."

"I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." (I Cor 2:1-5)

It seems to me that Paul made a conscientious choice NOT to use clever and persuasive speeches. Using this tactic opened a door for people to experience an encounter with God and freed Paul from the naggingly unsatisfying insecurity that comes when you rely on your own ability, preaching skills, and "coolness" (or whatever) in trying to lead people to Jesus. Our one simple responsibility, next to loving God and loving others, is to simply be willing to be a foolish preacher when it comes to speaking openly and honestly about who Jesus is to people.

"It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom." (I Cor. 1:22)

Paul knew what it was like to be rejected on two fronts: By those who's callous, self-righteous hearts had hardened them to the reality of the coming of their Messiah, and those who were intellectually arrogant and were only impressed with the latest philosophy and rhetoric. In the midst of this rejection, he embraced a simple, reassuring truth: we don't have to make ourselves impressive to people for God's power to move upon their hearts. We only need to be willing to be a foolish preacher and speak simply about what Jesus did, who he is, and the good gift he offers to all who will receive Him.

I was so convicted recently when I encountered a fifty-year-old man who was telling me his story. He went to UCLA years ago. In spite of there being a strong presence of campus ministries, he told me he never even heard the gospel until he was thirty-five years old. Among other possibly deeper explanations, there is one simple reason the gospel doesn't spread on certain campuses: Christians don't preach the gospel to non-Christians and invite them into a new relationship with their Creator. Are you willing to do so?

Please let your heart be convicted to preach the gospel to those who don't yet know Christ! This is where the miracles happen: When you're willing to be foolish enough to take the story of Jesus to the those who don't know Him. It's the method God uses to bring people to salvation: "He has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe." The world calls it foolish. God calls it brilliant. I am believing we will reach a time together on our college campuses when not one person will get through college without at least hearing the message of Jesus communicated to them. We must all be willing to be "foolish" preachers to see it happen.

Please share any prayer requests with each other as well as stories that may be of encouragement to the rest of us as you foolishly preach the gospel this semester. :)

Love,

Erik

efish@studentchurch.org

785.423.3272

Invitation for the Glory of God in New England

The Glory of God in New England:
Invitation to the New England Solemn Assembly
Saturday, October 4, 2-6 pm

Harvest Ministries of New England
East Weymouth, MA

"Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar; let them say, 'Spare your people, O Lord, and do not give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?' Then the Lord will be zealous for His land. Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nation." (Joel 2:15-19)

Dear pastors, ministry leaders, intercessors, and brothers and sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are pastors and leaders from various denominational and theological backgrounds and various locations in New England. We share a common vision and desire to see the Glory of God in our midst and the subsequent outbreak of revival in our communities. This vision, along with our beliefs, is articulated in the following website: http://www.newenglandalliance.us/

We are writing to you because the Lord has stirred our hearts with a burden for New England, the place where God has sovereignly positioned all of us at this time. As you know, the Bible speaks of "the sons of Issachar, who understood their times, and knew what Israel ought to do" (1 Chr. 12:32). Also, the Lord Jesus taught us to discern the times, and He rebuked the Pharisees for not doing so: "You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times" (Matt 16:2).

We collectively share the conviction that we, the church, currently live in a condition similar to that of Israel during the time of its Babylonian captivity. The body of Christ today is in a fragmented, weakened state, lacking the authority that comes from the manifest presence of God among His people. This is because of our own weakness, compromise, and lack of unity.

As you well know, when the Glory of God is upon His people, even the heathens recognize who God is. An example of that is Rahab who told Joshua and Caleb: "For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath" (Joshua 2: 10, 11).

In contrast, when the glory of God lifted off Samson, "the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes.They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison" (Jud 16:21). Similarly, when the glory of God lifted off Israel because of its sin, Israel went into the Babylonian captivity. "By the river of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion." (Psalm 137:1). "Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" (Joel 2:17).

In essence, what the world is telling the church today is, "Where is your God?" We are mocked and trampled upon like Samson was, because of the lack of the glory and manifest presence of God in our midst. We are in a state of spiritual Babylonian captivity, resembling the ruined walls of Jerusalem. "And they said to me, 'the survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire'" (Neh 1:3).

However, the Lord has stirred our hearts. We believe He is calling us and all His pastors and leaders across New England to come together in corporate unity, humility, and repentance in the spirit of Daniel 9 and Nehemiah, in order for His glory and manifest presence to dwell among us. We believe this will lead us out of this weakened state of spiritual Babylonian captivity.

So, in essence, our call and invitation to you is this: "Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem together, that we may no longer be a reproach" (Neh 2:17).

The Lord has stirred us to call pastors, ministry leaders, and intercessors across New England, to come together in a Solemn Assembly on October 4th, from 2-6 pm, at Harvest Ministries International in East Weymouth, MA (details and poster). This will be a time of corporate repentance, intercession, worship, renewal of covenant, and united action.
We will stand in the gap together for New England, crying out collectively for what we currently lack: the presence and the glory of God among us, and the subsequent outbreak of revival.

We believe this is one critical step on the journey that the Lord has stirred us to embark on together with Him. We share the conviction, that as we respond to the Lord's call, we will corporately enter a time of Isaiah 60:

"Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise over you, and His Glory will be seen upon you"
(Isaiah 60:2).

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this, please feel free to contact one of us below.
Please register for the Solemn Assembly. Registration is free and not required, but it helps us to plan.

May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you and continue to cause his face to shine upon you.

Signed by,

Josiah Armstrong, Youthstorm (Windham NH)
Craig and Deb Bensen, Cambridge United Church (Cambridge VT)
Steve Boyce, New Life Worship Center (Smithfield RI)
Richard Brink, Eastgate Apostolic Center (Oakland ME)
John Eckhardt, Stauron Ministries (Topsham ME)
Jonathan Friz, Ten Days of Prayer (S Hamilton MA)
Dick Germaine, Barnabas Ministries (Hopkinton MA)
David Hill, Abundant Grace Church (Brighton MA)
Paul Jehle, New Testament Church of Cedarville (Plymouth MA)
Dick Kiernan, Alpha New England (Manchester NH)
Elijah Kim, Emmanuel Gospel Center (Boston MA)
Mike Kriesel, Community Bible Church (S Burlington VT)
Barbara Lachance, Connecticut House of Prayer (Mystic CT)
Jeff Marks, New England Concerts of Prayer (Beverly MA)
Keith Marsh, Grace Children's Home (Grantham NH)
Kris Mineau, Massachusetts Family Institute (Woburn MA)
David McCahon, Ten Days of Prayer (Deerfield MA)
Audrey Church McIntyre, Connecticut House of Prayer (Hartford CT)
Roberto Miranda, Congregacion Leon de Juda (Boston MA)
Raffoul Najem, Community Christian Fellowship (Lowell MA)
Edson Porto, Joshua Project (Wellesley MA)
Mamdouh Riad, The Glory of God on Cape Cod (Dennis MA)
David Rosen, Partners in Transformation (S Burlington VT)
Rob Shepitka, Northeast House of Prayer (Albany NY)
Colleen Sherman, Emmanuel Gospel Center (Boston MA)
Al and Diane Shimer, Christian Renewal Church (Topsfield MA)
Brian Simmons, Gateway Christian Fellowship (East Haven CT)
Bethany Temple, Justice House of Prayer, Boston (Cambridge MA)
Gail Thomas, Institute for Hebraic-Christian Studies - New England
(Woburn MA)

Saturday Schedule

The prayers continue into the night but I don't know for how much longer. A few of us are heading to bed here at church. Here is the schedule for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday
6am - noon
3-6pm
7-11pm or possibly later especially if the Brazilian church comes to pray again!!!

Sunday
8am-9:30am Pre-service prayer
10-noon Worship service

48 hour - Campout Details

See this previous post for how this is a part of 40 days of prayer and fasting culminating in a New England wide assembly.

We felt led to take 48 hours as 200,000+ students come into Boston to prepare the way for Jesus by seeking HIM through prayer, fasting and worship. We are trying to keep the church open the whole time (and we definitely will through Saturday 8am). We will update this blog as soon as we know the details for Saturday.

The scheduled events so far are:
Friday Multi-church prayer 7:30-9pm
Extended prayer & worship 9:30-11pm
Sunday Pre-service prayer 8-9:30am
Worship Service 10-noon

The rest of the time we will likely rotate between times of worship, prayer, prophecy, exhortation, personal devotions, and even rest. If you come, bring an instrument to help facilitate worship (if there is an opportunity) or even some bedding if you want to stay for an extended period and want to rest in some of the side rooms. You can text me on my cell phone if you have any questions. My whole family will be here for Friday night!

David W.
857.540.9487

"There is a grace for prayer and fasting"

God has been speaking this to me all morning. This call is not about striving. If it seems burdensome, don't do it yet. I really believe God is releasing a supernatural grace and peace to pray and fast. The result is we will quickly be encountering the very real presence of God.

The Fire is Burning Once Again

Some of you will remember the last call and the results. Again, we ring the liberty bell calling Boston to awake. Let us gather this weekend to pray and fast. Surely, God will hear us.

Action Points
1) Begin to pray, fast and seek God.

2) Come to the 48 hour Campout - Abundant Grace Church 77 Guest Street Brighton, MA - Started Friday August 29 - Ending at noon Sunday August 31.

3) Join in the 40 days of prayer and fasting August 27 - October 5

God is speaking. Calling us to seek his manifest presence once again. We are launching a 48 hour campout as 200,000+ college students return to Boston. We are in the midst of another 40 days of prayer and fasting. Matthew 13:44 is our aim. That we would see the unveiling of Jesus Christ as the hidden treasure. And upon seeing him in his glory we would be radically changed.

Link for New England Solemn Assembly October 4
http://www.newenglandalliance.us/six-state-prayer-gathering.php

Prayer

I am preparing to share a message in NH this weekend. God has really been all over the preparation. Hopefully, I will be able to get a recording of the message. For now, here are some snippets.

“Prayer begins by going vertical”

“Prayer is the intersection of two realities”

“Prayer causes the breakout of heaven on earth”

“Prayer nullifies the affects of sin”

“Prayer results in repentant living”

A Call to America - Lou Engle & the Call DC

Today, hundreds of thousands of young people across the nation will be calling out to God and repenting for the sins of our nations. Tens of thousands will be gathering at the mall in Washington DC to attend the Call DC founded by Lou Engle. I have met Lou, and he carries a zeal for prayer and a love for our nation that in unmatched by any one I know. He is sounding a prophetic call, "Can I nation be changed?" Watch this video to hear the word's of prophetic father calling a nation to repentance and a people to prayer and join them online at iworship...

"God break the rebellion and raise up a revolution."

Luke 10 - podcast

To listen click here.

Luke 10 is Jesus' instructions to his disciples on how to minister to lost communities. This message was born out of God speaking to me as I struggled with the lack of effectiveness in my own evangelistic efforts back in June. You can read about it here: "Evangelism = no great results, why?"

The model I see Jesus laying out contains six steps:
1) Pray out of heart of compassion (Mat. 9:36-38)
2) Go to lost communities
3) Enter into the social life of those communities
4) Stay there developing relationships
5) Heal the sick you meet
6) Tell them the "kingdom of God is near"

If you read Jesus' teaching in Luke 10:1-10 with his similiar teaching in Matthew 10:5-8, you get a fuller picturer of what a true disciple on mission should look like. It is more than a person making friends and sharing his story (although that is a key part) but a person filled with the very power and presence of God - healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead.

Jesus restore our understanding of how to be missional within our culture, empower us to be witnesses to the ends of the earth!

A Missional Church - my first podcast

This message was recorded on a hand-held device at Fenway Church's first community night as we prepare to launch our first Sunday Service this fall at Church, a local bar/restaurant/club (http://www.churchofboston.com/).
Several of our church planting team member are gone for the summer so I decided to create my first podacst.

Topics in the this message include:
- Brief discussion on renting Church
- Holiness is Missional
- The Essence of the Church is Missional
- The Evolution & Progression of Paul's Church Planting Strategy

Haha, sounds like a lot. Hope somebody can benefit from it; I did in preparing it!

"The Pursuit of God"

The Pursuit of God

Or, in .pdf

Over vacation, I read most of A.W. Tozer's book, "The Pursuit of God." I just finished reading it yesterday on the steps of Marsh Chapel at Boston University and found it deeply challenging and moving.

The book begins by talking about grace. When the Spirit of Jesus Christ enters the lives of those who believe by faith they are regenerated by the grace of God. This renegeration opens up a relationship with and ability to communicate with God that was not possible apart from the grace of God.

The rest of the book, Tozer urges the reader to pursue this amazing opportunity to know God. Tozer brilliantly teaches on truthes of who God is including his "universal presence" which means he is constantly speaking to us if we would but turn the "gaze of our souls" to Jesus. He poignantly points out many of our corrupt inner desires (pride, materialism, etc.) that keep us from experiencing the wonder of constant contact with the "God who is near." Tozer reminds us that an important part of Christianity is the individual experiencing and interacting with the presence of God. Like an Old Testament prophet, he laments the complecency and lethargy of the church (btw, the book was written 50-60 years ago)but more than that he laments their lack of understanding and desire to know and experience the God who created and saved them.

Tozer concludes by breaking down the distinction of sacred/secular work and actions. Everything we do unto God is sacred. May we start our days on our faces before him and continue with him throughout our day uttering "a thousand silent prayers."

You can read this book online now for free. I highly recommend it. May God stir in us a desire to know and pursue HIM.

Parables & Seeds

Got back from vacation tonight (a great time with the family at the beach). I am preaching tomorrow on Mark 4:20-34. Betsy, my wife, summarized it very well.

"1) If I gave you understanding (into sowing the seed of the kingdom,the parable immediately before it) and you do not use it, then it's like you have no understanding at all and you will perish. What is hidden is meant to be disclosed.

2) Yet the power lies not in you, but in the seed, lest you be confused about who/what is doing the work.

3) And don't be afraid that small seeds won't bear big fruit. They will. It's how it works. That's the confidence I leave with you."

Newfrontiers Together On a Mission

Returned from England later Friday night. Left more convinced then ever that working in relationship with both a local church and apostolic movement of churches is extremely valuable and Biblical. I personally felt that it has the potential to be a historic conference for our movement (Newfrontiers). Here are some amazing and free resources from the conference if you are interested in learning (some of the audio files are not yet up yet but keep checking back it is worth it!).

http://adrianwarnock.com/ (written recaps, says it way better than me!)

http://www.newfrontiers.xtn.org/resources/talks-and-preaches/select-event/leadership-international-08/main-sessions/

Mark Driscoll was the guest speaker, and I went to his training track also. He was an amazing communicator. I left completely strengthened and envisioned for church planting. Convinced again that church planting is the Biblical model of evangelism. Still learning how to church plant though!

A Couple Notes

I am heading out to England on Saturday for our Newfrontiers world-wide leadership conference, but I wanted to share a couple thoughts before I go.

I am reading Shane Claiborne's book, "The Irresistible Revolution," which contains a challenging look at what it means to follow Jesus in our culture. It is especially impacting for me at this time because our church has been spending this week hosting an outdoor Vacation Bible School, concert, and ministry times in a local, urban housing development where many of the youth are coming from very broken backgrounds.

Along the same lines, my friend, Kelsey, has started a blog this summer. Her latest entry hits on the same themes as Shane does and is definetely worth reading (as well as the rest of her blog). Check it out: http://thefractallife.blogspot.com/2008/06/living-beyond-hype.html

I will be back on July 13. More to come then as we prepare for 300,000 college students coming back into the Boston area in September!

Jesus may we learn how to follow you each day. Clear the hype and speak to us through your Spirit of Truth.

DW

Evangelism = no great results, Why?

I was reading Luke 10, and I have not been able to escape Jesus’ words. Jesus is instructing the disciples how to be laborers in the harvest field (vs. 2, May 19 post). In other words, he is teaching his disciples how bring people into the kingdom of heaven. He instructs them to be undistracted and singularly focused (vs. 4), to find a person who will welcome you into their home (vs. 6), and then to heal the sick and tell them the “the Kingdom of God is near you.” Demonstration then proclamation.

Recently, I have been listening to a lot of people talking about new methods of evangelism mainly revolving around the concept of finding a “person of peace” who will allow his whole community to hear the gospel. This concept is crucial and is a part of Jesus’ instruction to the disciples. However, evangelism from what I see in the Bible is not merely finding open communities and sharing the gospel with them. Evangelism or at least the type of evangelism Jesus describes here is a known call to a specific area that requires complete abandonment of worldly pursuits (“do not take a purse or bag or sandles”) and a singular focus on the mission and locale (“do not greet anyone on the way). Paul puts it like this, “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs…” (2 Tim. 2:4)

A person who has been called knows he will eventually find a man of peace because he knows God has called him to that village, town, or neighborhood. Not only that, the person will know he is carrying Christ Jesus’ very authority to cast demons out of people, heal the sick, and raise the dead because he KNOWS he has been commissioned by God to bring the KINGDOM to a specific area or people group. (Mat. 10:8, 5-6) BAM, BAM, BAM!

What is missing in so much of western evangelism today is a sense of God-ordained, specific calling and the demonstration of the Kingdom’s power and authority. The church spends millions to get people in the pews and yet is too timid or lacks the faith to leave everything, find the person of peace, and begin healing the sick.

Notice, it does not say pray for the sick. It does not say ask Jesus to heal people. It does not say ask for the “healing anointing” to come. It says: HEAL THE SICK. Wake up people!!! You – right there, yeah you – heal some sick people! It’s a command not a suggestion, not a hope, not an experiment. And, let me add that Jesus’ immediate instruction to pronounce “the kingdom of God is near you” must imply the people get healed… immediately. I mean how foolish do you look to make that statement when Grandpa Joe is still seating in the corner blind as a bat and Grandma Judy is still bent over double with back pain. Some kingdom.

Our problem (myself included) is our evangelism mainly works like this: we try to make some friends wherever we are, we tell these interested or uninterested friends about Jesus and how you need him to get to heaven, we may even offer to pray for their sickness which they may or may not get healed from, and we hope that eventually they might be interested enough to come to church with us and hear the preacher say it better then we did and then they might get saved. Meanwhile, 80% of our lifestyle looks no different than our friends. There is no sense of mission, no sense of abandonment, no strategic focus, no power, no healing… and in the end no great results.

Friends, it’s time crack open our Bibles again and start reading scripture with new eyes. It’s time to start asking questions like, “How do I heal the sick?” “How do a hear God’s voice?” “What is God’s specific calling on my life?” And, “How does Jesus tell me how to reach the lost?”

We have a long way to go but an unstoppable God. Let’s get to work.

"Wake Up People!"

This phrase just keeps kicking around in my mind for the last couple months. I think it applies to Boston. It is time to wake up the sleeping giant to the real reality. Watch the link until the end :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD7Eb6u1T9g

Fenway Church Plant Update

Just made this video for the Newfrontiers Midwest Celebration...

"I Know But One Way" Part I

THE WAY (Matthew 5)

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Way – a paraphrase

A person who realizes they are spiritually impoverished will be overcome with grief at their spiritual destitution and humbly seek with the desperation of a starving and parched person acceptance from God.

This person will find himself not only accepted into the kingdom of heaven and comforted but inheriting a new life on earth. They will be filled with joy and happiness at this undeserved gift of acceptance. Their natural reaction to this grace will to be merciful to others.

In response, God will continue to show them mercy cleansing them from all unrighteousness and giving them pure hearts. Newly cleansed they will see God for who he truly is and begin to act as peacemakers.

As they act as ministers of reconciliation between the rebellious sons and daughters of earth and the kingdom of heaven, some will call them who they truly are - sons of God while others will persecute them for their new way of life. In either outcome, these sons and daughters of God will celebrate their place in the kingdom of heaven.

Next Part II: "Jesus and the Way"

Evidence that Demands a Verdict

Matthew 9:35-38

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV vs. 36-38)

Jesus “making a circuit of all the towns and villages… teaching in their meeting places, reporting kingdom news, and healing their diseased bodies, healing their bruised and hurt lives…” (Msg vs. 35) looked into this sea of battered peoples' lives and his heart broke. The image is of a people harassed by the ravenous wolves of Satan’s minions. Helpless against the lies of the enemy and the power of sin. Like sheep without a shepherd not knowing where to go or how to get there. Jesus is so moved at the overwhelming need that he stops his relentless ministry to the people and turns to the disciples and commands them to pray.

I imagine the disciples puzzled looks. Pray? Pray for what? Are you not the answer to our prayers' Jesus? Are you not leading the most dynamic and anointed ministry we have ever seen? Are you not the one ushering in the kingdom of heaven to earth? Are you not the answer to visions of all our prophets?

Can Jesus really be so overwhelmed by the incredible need he sees before him that he must stop to enlist the prayers of his chosen friends and sent-ones? Is it possible that the Lord seeks for partners in his task of “ever making intercession?” (Heb. 7:25)

The answer is YES! The Son of man having so deeply immersed himself in the sea of humanity suddenly surfaces to proclaim golden fields of wheat so heavy with fruitful seeds that there is a risk that the very seeds will break the stalk and the harvest will be lost. Time is of the essence! The harvest season will not last forever. The Son of God cannot accomplish the work alone.

What is needed? More workers, and not just workers, but workers who have been commissioned, empowered, and sent by the LORD of the harvest. How will these workers be released? By the sons of men earnestly asking, beseeching God for more laborers.

Oh that we would respond to the Lord’s cry! Oh that our knees would become calloused and our floor boards worn! Oh that our hearts would break for what breaks HIS? Oh that we too could see the harvest? Open our eyes Lord Jesus!

Come friends get, “On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” (Msg)

When Love Costs

There are affections in our lives that we love and dearly hold onto. Often time, these affections hold no similar appeal to those around us. If they were to look into our hearts, they would not understand why we get such joy and pleasure from these momentary delights. Yet, these delights drive and thrill us. Our enjoyment of them is so intense that we find them coming to the forefront of our minds more often then we would like to admit (and always at the strangest times!). We find ourselves adjusting our schedules around them. Even becoming disillusioned if not angry when we don’t have time for them.

More often than not, these affections are false loves, hidden parts of the soul that no one else knows about until they suddenly coming rumbling to the surface in an angry, accusatory mix. False loves do not sustain you; there is no lasting peace found in them. The momentary delight fades when confronted with the cool, harsh realities of life. We find ourselves unable to enjoy them in the context of community because they are selfish, inward things. We find them filling our thoughts and time and driving us from others.

Love is a costly thing. When I was a child, I read a story of a young forest princess who stole a dragon egg because of its beautiful colors. She hid it in a tree and when the beautiful baby dragon was born she daily cared for it and fed it. Until one day, it had grown so big she could not longer control it, and it turned against her almost destroying her life. In the same way, we watch false loves grow in our lives denying their power over us. Then suddenly, they rear their ugly heads surprising those around us and destroying everything in their path.

To rid ourselves of these loves comes at a great personal cost. It is not easy to let go of something that holds such sway over the seat of our affections. We find ourselves cringing at the thought of it. Can I really enjoy myself without this relationship, that job, the show, the book, the sport, the drink, the drug, the game, the idle wandering of our minds?

But when we do give them up pushing through the pain and tears of losing it, we find for the first time a strange liberating feeling pumping through our hearts. We find freedom to be a better master then false love, and we find true joy comes after mourning.

Esther 9:22

A New Generation Arising

In the midst of the winds of changing culture and shifting ideologies in the midst of rapid globalization yet increasing obscurity, a radical and subversive people are emerging. Unshakeable in faith, they beckon the many to join them in a way of life, an ancient path oft spoke of yet seldom travelled.

Assailed by doubt and persecution, they journey together in the pursuit of that which is eternally good. Confounding the wisdom of the wise, they live out a new life uncompromised by the pressures of earthly achievement or false humility. They are beautiful yet broken, weak yet brave, humble yet assured.

Dark but lovely, the light of eternity glistens on their faces as they fix their eyes on the Son. Ruined for this world, they reflect the One who changed them, gave them hope, and taught them how to love.

In Him they find healing and freedom, a reason to live. Their story begins and ends with Him, their creator, their lover, their friend.

Jesus.

Boston Arise!

God told me to re-start the blog. God will awaken Boston - don't doubt it.

The Fast - final thoughts

While the miracles of salvation, healing, and prophecy that took place during the fire nights were amazing, they serve only to point to the reality that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Honestly, the times of prayer in the prayer room were more moving and powerful then the actual demonstrations at the public services. God has taught me many lessons throughout this fast. However, the one that has had the greatest impact on me is the pursuit of the presence of God. I can no longer be satisfied with just a mental understanding (however glorious) of who Jesus is. Instead as scripture clearly speaks, we were created to pursue the very presence of God. It is the very of presence of Jesus that Mary loved and that King David pursue. May we forever pursue that which is eternally good (Jesus) and see his manifest presence in our lives, communities, and city.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
Psalm 27:4

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

He (Jesus) entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:38-42

Day 40 - Worship, Salvation, and Healing

After the first Fire Night on Thursday, the prayer room was absolutely exploding with praise and worship. From 9:45pm - 2:30am, there was continuous worship. YWAM Boston played for 2 1/2 hours straight without stopping. The faith and sense of joy in the rooms was unbelievable. God began to challenge us to pray for the lost and prepare ourselves to go out!

Friday night during the final Fire Night the glory of God was so thick during worship. I was literally face down on the ground through multiple songs. At the end of the night, I preached on the journey of Jesus to death and then his triumph over it. One young man gave his life to Jesus and was baptized the same night!!!

Several people were also healed from neck and back pains during the prayer time at the end.

God was so faithful to demonstrate who Jesus was! We stand in awe at what he did. Jesus is alive and real. All glory goes to HIM!

Day 39 - Outbreak of the Prophetic

We kicked off the conference late Wednesday night with Youthstorm (www.youthstorm.org) leading the charge in worship and prayer. One young woman gave a powerful word.

Often in Boston, we feel that we are fighting through a haze of unbelief and darkness in trying to reach God in prayer and believing to see his power. In reality, we are actually seated with Christ in heavenly places. As Christians in Boston, we need to "rise above" the clouds of darkness and recognize we are seated with Christ in heavenly realms. We can freely decree what God will do from this place of freedom and authority over the darkness.

I really believe that was the word of the Lord not only for the conference but for Boston. It released a tremendous amount of faith as we got the focus off ourselves and onto what God was doing. The 48 hour prayer room was consistently electric after that point. Literally, people would stay in the prayer room for 4-6 hours just praying and worshiping and dancing. There was a tremendous sense of God's presence as well as powerful times of repentance and intercession.

Thursday night, we hosted the first Fire Night. During worship, God gave a young woman an image of a person with noose around their neck. She felt God was saying that there was someone there who had tried to commit suicide but was afraid of death. She addressed the crowd asking if that person was present to come up and get prayer. There was no immediate response but later during the meeting and then at different points during the conference three different people received prayer who had tried to commit suicide in the past!

There were several other words that were completely accurate with people coming forward to receive prayer in response to them. These words included a young woman who had been struck by her parent when she was 14 years old and a person with a pain in their hand.

We were amazed at how God spoke so clearly and demonstrated to the 50-60 of us who were there including several non-Christians that Jesus is alive. The worship was absolutely incredible as Daniel & Camila Aguilar served us so well in ushering us into the presence of God.

Day 38 - The Fire Conference Begins

Please keep us in your prayers. We are believing God signs, wonders, and creative miracles. Our God reigns!

David W.

Day 37 - The Fire and the Fury

By Dave Csinsi

Matt 15:29-31 (The Message)_"After Jesus returned, he walked along Lake Galilee and then climbed a mountain and took his place, ready to receive visitors. They came, tons of them, bringing along the paraplegic, the blind, the maimed, the mute—all sorts of people in need—and more or less threw them down at Jesus' feet to see what he would do with them. He healed them. When the people saw the mutes speaking, the maimed healthy, the paraplegics walking around, the blind looking around, they were astonished and let everyone know that God was blazingly alive among them."

Here we are, ready God. Ready to receive the fire you are going to send down. Ready to make an impact in this world through your Spirit and through your message of Grace. Here we are to make the only Living God known. Here we are to break the chains of injustice, to comfort those who mourn, to give beauty for ashes and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

We are ready now. To proclaim your love over the people of Boston. To be Jesus in the eyes of those who need Him. To be light to those in darkness. To be love and peace to those in desperate confusion. To follow you where you're leading and to not back down when we are opposed.

We are an incandescent people. A people ablaze with the eternal fire of your Holy life. We are a brilliant, shimmering beacon to those in the valley of despair. We are your peace to those wrestling with demonic forces. We are your conduit for life to flow through the lungs of the dead.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. There is a cry ringing out from Boston from the tired and weak, from the homeless and hungry, from the lost and desperate. The punishment that was upon us was placed upon Jesus. The judgment that was meant for us has been transferred to Jesus. The wrath and fury of your anger has been shielded by Grace. Jesus is our wall. He took on his shoulders and back the rebellion and iniquity of us all.

And now is the time. Now is the day. Now is the hour. Now is the second when your Kingdom will come, your will will be done, ON EARTH as it is in HEAVEN. The hour has come. You, God, are preparing a mighty wind and a small spark to set this dry tinder alight. The vortex of your fire will engulf the city of Boston in a flame of Holy Fire.

No one that passes Ruggles Baptist church will be able to pass without looking inside. No one that hears the praises of your people will be able to walk away from the cacophony of sound. No one who lives within 5 miles will not hear of the fire that fell. The explosion of your glory will echo for generations.

And there will be peace. Peace to the restless, hope for the hopeless, justice for the unjustified, grace for the sick, mercy for the stagnant, pouring out for the empty, quiet for the burdened.

And in your house your priests will bring an end to the reign of Satan. In your house there will be an end to the will of others. In your house there will be no more money changing, no more thievery, no more impurity. Your people will be pure. Your bride will be resplendent with purity in the light of your gaze.

Amen.

Day 35 - A Spiritual Battle: A Young Man's Account

By Matthew Nowland


My name is Matthew Nowland and I am someone who desires to be in the presence of God constantly. I always want to be on the front lines, I always want to be in the thick of the action on this planet and in the spiritual sense. When David started the 40 days of prayer and fasting, I instantly committed to being there all 40 days. On the 2nd day of prayer I had an amazing experience with God where He told me I am not part of this fight in Boston, and He wanted me to be on the sidelines so He could show me everything that was going. I was very unhappy with this because I wanted to be in the fight, but I said God's will, not mine, and started recording everything He showed me. Since then every day He has shown me the most amazing things.

God told me that the great battle for this city, the one that determines the outcome of God's transformation, was going to start on day 5 of prayer and fasting, and was going to last for 30 days. He also told me that towards the end of the prayer and fasting He was going to call me to do something no one else could. After a few days of more revelations, more writing them down, I quickly forgot what He had said. As the days increased the Fenway church was leaving for the retreat, and I felt very strongly that all this prayer would be for nothing if someone did not stay back to continue it at Ruggles, I volunteered and committed to not going on the retreat to continue this prayer.

On the weekend before the retreat I was feeling spiritually burdened in a way I've never experienced before. When I found out I was the only staying back on the retreat, and that Sunday morning I would be praying alone the burden increased. I felt like I would be contending with the enemy alone, that all of this rested on my hands, and that the enemy knew it too and could focus its attack on just me. Tuesday morning I asked for prayer for it, and after everyones prayer I still felt burdened. Everyone said what I expected them to say, that I'm not alone, that it doesn't all rely on me, and so on. On Friday morning David asked that we pray for me, he felt that their was a huge significance in me staying back to continue praying. He felt like this prayer relies on me staying back to pray, that it is because of my decision to stay back to pray that will result in the success.

While they were all praying for me David felt like God was saying that I will not be just contending against the spirit of my flesh, but also against the spirit of this city. As everyone was praying I suddenly felt myself stand completely erect, straighter then I've ever stood before. I felt so straight I felt like I grew a few inches (and after a few days a friend of mine said she thought I had grown taller when she looked at me during that prayer), that a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and I also felt something come into me and completely fill me up. I then heard the voice of Jesus clearly say over and over to me, "You're not alone, you're not alone, you're not alone, I am with you". There were also many words of me not being alone, and someone from Youth Storm said he saw me as Joshua when God said to Him over and over again "You're not alone, I am with you". That morning God clearly spoke a few things to me. First that I was going to be contending with the enemy over this city on Sunday and that I would win and his power would be broken over this city. Second that as I fought with him I would be struck but it would not matter because God would prevail, and I would know this because my nose would bleed. Third that the enemy knew I was going to contend with him and this was his last chance to keep this city, so he was going to be focusing his full attention on me, but God would prevail.

Friday night at 5 almost on the dot, when Fenway church left for the retreat I was instantly under attack. I could not remember anything God had spoken to me on the previous days, lost all memory on my phone (where I keep tract of what God says to me), and could not write in my journal what God had spoken to me. I was not depressed, not angry, not sad, I was just spiritually completely under attack in a way I have never known. Saturday night when I had to work I had the largest migraine of my entire life. It wasn't because I hadn't slept, it wasn't because I hadn't eaten, it was just there. But on both nights God prevailed and I got through.

Sunday morning, what all of you have been waiting to read, and for me by far the coolest spiritual experience I have ever had in my entire life. When I woke I felt stronger then I had ever felt in my entire life. I felt so strong I would have challenged Goliath, or 10 of them, or an army, it would not have mattered to me. I get to the prayer room at Ruggles (the whole day I was by myself) and start off by reading Isaiah 61 and 58:6, after a couple of prayers I put on worship music. On the very first song, which is sung by only a guy, I hear angels singing in the room. Filled with faith I spend the first few songs just embracing Jesus, wanting to be consumed by Him and be just Him. A few songs go by and I get on the floor as I am being filled with God's love and presence. As I am on the floor face down spiritually being filled and not yet ready to face the enemy, I hear the enemy walking around. I can clearly hear him as he is searching for me, moving chairs around and walking across the wooden floor, but if I look I see nothing. As I am face down on the floor, I feel 2 angels stand over me protecting me, I hear a door open and the enemy leave and right as the door shuts the words in the current song playing said "I have given you wings so you may escape the snare of the enemy". I then see a vision of me in a church, I am convinced it was Ruggles, and I am all alone. You can not completely see me though, I am transparent like a ghost, but inside of me you can clearly see Jesus, as if I was a ghost standing in the same spot Jesus was. Suddenly I lift my head up and spread my arms out and a giant explosion happens. It starts to ripple through the city, shattering everything like glass in its path and underneath everything that shatters is pure white. As I am watching I zoom out and the explosion encompasses the whole city, then I zoom out to space and can see it from space, then zoom out to the moon and I can see the flash of the explosion from moon. After this vision I stand up, full of God's presence and love, and I look out the window and on the balcony are lots of small birds. All the birds have their feathers ruffled as if facing a predator and are looking into the window. I walked up to the window, knowing full well that when they fly away the enemy was coming. A song comes on called "ready now" by Desperation Band" (about being ready to do whatever God's will) and all the birds fly off, and I knew the enemy was coming. I felt the enemy enter the room and he tried to point out all my flaws and failures. Suddenly I felt Jesus over took me and I completely snapped and flipped out at Him. I heard the words come out of my mouth saying "You thought you could come here and defeat me, but you did not realize this is not Matthew Nowland you face, but Jesus Christ. I am not Matthew, nothing here is, but only Jesus. Your power has been stripped, your role broken, you failed you lost. Jesus defeated you in 40 days, I have defeated you in 35 because Jesus said "You will be able to do all things I have done, and even greater things because I am with you". (John 14:12) Jesus is with me, Jesus IS me for I am just a vessel of God and you have no power here you are over, done. Go, go now, leave this place leave this city, you have been beaten and NEVER return". I said many more things too, but I do not remember, all I know was that I was not speaking, those were not my words, but Jesus controlling me, I was just a vessel. After me telling him to leave I felt a snap, like a tree snapping in half and knew his power was stripped and he was gone. Right after I went to the bathroom to blow me nose (forgetting what God said on Friday) and suddenly my nose started pouring out blood and I knew he had been defeated and God had won. Again I was instantly filled up and started praising God like never before, as if it wasn't myself and all the angels where using me to praise Jesus.

And here is when all the really cool things start to line up. It dawned on me a little bit after about everything that just got confirmed, and I looked back in my journal to double check. Sunday was the 35th day of prayer, exactly 30 days from when the battle started and when God said it would end. That God had just called me to do something that no one else could do like He said He would. He also said at the beginning of the 40 days that on the 37th day that the prayer would end in a special way, in a different way. It didn't dawn on me until Sunday that the 37th day was the fire conference. There were some other things also that were confirmed that I realized, besides everything that has been confirmed with David and others. Then the scripture came to my mind "You will know all these are true because of the miracles that confirm it" (John 10:25).

It is not to late to go to the fire conference, and I recommend that everyone comes. The battle has been own, this city has been taken. Now is the time to press on, now is the time to invade the city with the call of Jesus. All this I know because of the confirmations of miracles and words. I personally took off from work and am going to be there for all 48+ hours, not leaving that room except to go to the bathroom and only eating fruit. I do not recommend being there for all 48+ hours, but I do recommend coming as often as you can. This is all real, something amazing is happening now, don't watch and let it slip away. The enemy will only be weak once, if we ever gave up in the Revolutionary War and paused, let the British regather, we would have never gained our freedom. Nor would a second try EVER be as successful as the first. God bless and I pray I'll see everyone there.

Gather the People // Feb. 20 - 22 \\

“Gather the people…” Joel 2:16

There are moments in history that shift the destinies of cities and nations. Jonah, the reluctant prophet, saw an idolatrous and immoral Nineveh turn to God in response to his prophetic message. The apostles overturned the prevailing and hostile religious traditions of Jerusalem through the proclamation of the risen Christ and demonstration of the Spirit’s power.

Throughout history, God has chosen to use individuals as the vehicles for this type of change. At a critical moment in American history, a small group of “minutemen” responded to a call to stand in the path of tyranny and injustice represented by British forces marching to Lexington and Concord.

Minute-men represented a small hand-picked force selected from the ranks of local militia companies... Approximately one-third of the men in each militia unit were chosen "to be ready to march or fight at a minute's notice."

The true minute-men — always the first to appear at or await a battle — stood at Lexington Green on the morning of April 19, 1775, and led the attack on Concord Bridge. Their numbers were reinforced by the regular militia that turned out in that day's historic battles.[1]

Today, I believe a new generation of “minutemen” is emerging. These young men and women are ready to respond in a “moment’s notice” to the moving of God’s Spirit. At this time, I believe God’s eyes are focused on the city of Boston; He desires to release a mighty move of his Spirit in this stronghold of man-made philosophies and ideologies.

I believe February 20-22 represents one of these “minutemen moments” in history. It represents the merging of two independent calls: the finishing of 40 days of prayer and fasting inspired by a dream of God’s manifest presence in Boston and a call to prayer by Lou Engle for the establishment of Christ’s rulership in our nation. It fulfills a separate vision God gave over a year ago of a “fire conference” taking place on February 20-22 at Ruggles Baptist Church.

God is calling young “spirit-led minutemen” to be the first at a new battlefront. Starting February 20, for 48 hours, continuous worship and prayer will ascend to the throne of Jesus. As we seek the face of God, we expect to encounter the very presence of Christ and see demonstrations of His Spirit’s power through healings, signs, and wonders.

If God is moving your heart, please join us for the Fire Conference at Ruggles Baptist Church.

Kickoff Service Wednesday February 20 @ 9pm // Fire Night Friday February 22 @ 7pm
874 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts

Participating Ministries:
Fenway Church - David W. Hill, JHOP Boston - Bethany Yeo, , BASIC College Ministries - Kent Muwarski, Youthstorm - Joseph Robinson, Revival & Restoration Ministries - Daniel & Camila Aguilar, Luke 18 Project, YWAM Boston

More info and 48-hour schedule
http://bostonawake.blogspot.com // http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8761791373

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[1] http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/bookmarks/minutemen/

Day 31 - Lou Engle Calls for Prayer Feb. 20-22

On February 13, Lou Engle sent out an email calling for 21 days of prayer. It concluded by saying:

In the middle of these 21 days, would you set apart February 20 - 22 to pray Isaiah 22:20-22 and Daniel 2:20-22? Both passages have to do with the removing of kings and the raising up of kings. We must have God's overriding government presiding over the elections.

Once again we are asking you to pray and seek God with all of your heart for a great turning of this nation.

Lou Engle
TheCall.com

These days coincide with what God spoke to me a year ago to host a "fire conference" from February 20-22 at Ruggles Baptist Church. As you know, it is concluding a time of 40 days of prayer and fasting to usher in the presence of God and release an Isaiah 61 anointing to transform Boston. On February 8, Lou Engle wrote on the significance of 40 days of prayer on his blog saying:

"If a Christian will pray consistently for a 40-day period, he will be able to conquer most satanic strongholds in his life."

We are a part of something bigger than ourselves. God is destroying the strongholds of Satan in our lives and in Boston. A govermental shift is taking place in the spirit realm over Boston. Jesus and his church are taking their place as rightful rulers. We are preparing to meet God on February 20-22. Surely, "He will come to us like the rain." (Hosea 6:3)

Day 29 - Breakthrough

Today, I feel like I stumbled on that pearl of great price. I literally feel like I have found hidden treasure. I know this is a major breakthrough, yet it is not the break through we (or at least I) have been looking for. When you read on, you may think, “duh! I know that…” Please do not take that approach however tempting. The context of this revelation is 4 weeks of daily and at times heart wrenching prayer from 6-8am everyday. As a group, we have embraced seeking the face of the Lord and turning to him as best as we can. We have cried out for the presence of God, interceded on behalf of city, wept over the condition of our souls, and asked for a greater hunger and thirst for God. Many of these young people have taken on limited fasts and have turned from various activities in order to better seek the face of God. In the midst a vision for revival and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, God birthed this vision in our hearts.

For over a half an hour I lay flat on my face, moments of silence were interrupted by sobs as the worship music from the laptop filled the room. It was one of those times when nobody wanted to move. God was captivating us with his presence, but it wasn’t the experience that enthralled us. It was the picture of Jesus being burned on our eyes, minds, hearts, and emotions.

We had come together at 6am. We began with thanksgiving in an effort to rouse ourselves but didn’t seem to be getting anywhere in prayer. After 10-15 minutes, we began to be reminded of what Jesus had done for us on the cross. We remembered how Jesus rescued us out of darkness and brought us into his kingdom that we love. We remembered the great cost he paid in order for that to take place. Then, we remembered that as he hung on that cross he called out, “Father forgive them.” Suddenly, something crystallized. Here I am begging God for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit day after day, and yet, I am still unable to forgive or overlook so many small things that people do to me. Yet there is our tortured Savior hanging from a cross forgiving his tormentors. It was that moment for me that the greatness of God entered the room.

It was like our hearts began to be captivated by the Savior himself. Our focus turned from ourselves, revival, anointing, and prayer to Jesus himself. We had been seeking the glory, the presence, the power… suddenly we were seeking Jesus himself. Jeremiah said, “You will find me if you seek me with all of your heart.” We hadn’t set out to find HIM, but in the course of our seeking through this fast, God sovereignly led us to the one person worth seeking, worth becoming like, worth becoming obsessed with. We couldn’t take our eyes off him; he began to become our only focus. We wanted to give everything to him. We realized how we had hurt him and sinned while he lived in us. We wanted to nothing else but him. Jesus, Jesus, our hearts could yearn for nothing else. He will remain the one we seek throughout this fast. Words fail, but the feeling cannot fade. Jesus, Jesus all for Jesus. The pearl of great price.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Before long the world will not see me anymore but you will see me.

Because I live, you also will live.”

John 4:18-19

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Revelation 22:17

Day 25 - Prophetic Images

Dave C. had the following images during prayer the last few days. I think they can definitely help direct our prayers:

During prayer over the past few days God has given me images in my mind. Some were to encourage me, others were kind of prophetic, and most were for me to pray in right then. Three come to mind and here I will share them.

Two days ago we were praying for the city of Boston, ourselves, our efforts in the church and various needs. While one of us was praying out I saw a waterfall, a zoomed in section of the bottom a waterfall, with a rock behind it. On a rock below the falls was an empty glass bottle with the top closed on it. There were also a few plastic bottles in the water with their tops closed too, floating around. I didn't notice if those bottles had anything in them but my main concern was that their tops were closed. The bottle on the rock was being showered in water but nothing was going inside. I began to pray out that image, letting whoever was in the room with their "top" closed know that they needed only to open it up and a huge waterfall would fill them.

Today I received two images while praying. The first was while I was thinking about my life and my actions. I was contemplating that Christ had died for and taken care of all of them. I then caught a picture of a wounded soldier in the middle of a dirty battlefield. He was lying in the dirt in a trench with barbed wire surrounding the position. Then the whole image zoomed out and I saw a gigantic landscape of war, exploding bombs, fire blazing, the only colors were brown, black and a muted blue. I saw that one soldier as a speck among millions of others. They were either injured as well or running full speed toward the enemy camp. I began to pray that we not be consumed by our own position, our own failings. The only reason we remain injured and wounded spiritually is because we do not turn back to Jesus. If our focus would just remain on him even if we fall, we won't be stopped. Besides that our focus in prayer should be on the battle at large, not our individual fears and failings. There is of course a time to repent and sanctify ourselves, but what I'm saying is the enemy is very successful at derailing us simply by convincing us we are no longer in Christ, or no longer a viable prayer warrior. It's just no true. Jesus has won the victory over sin and death and imputed his righteousness to us forever. Forever.

The third image, second of today, was of a mirror. I was looking into a mirror in an attic, the full-length kind that swivels up and down. When I looked in it I saw a bright light where my reflection should have been. This reminded me of the verse 2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

The Message has an even more interesting version of that verse. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 "Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him."

So God is making us to become like him. His splendor and glory will be our splendor and glory because of the Spirit's work in us.

I'm sure there will be more in the future.

FIRE CONFERENCE \\ Schedule

Starts Wednesday February 20 @ 9pm with a Kickoff Service

Ends Friday February 22 with Fire Night II
- A Night of Worship, Word, and Demonstration -
starting @ 7pm

All events take place at Ruggles Baptist Church
874 Beacon Street Boston, MA

Click on graphic to view full schedule.
All are welcomed to join for any of the sessions and prayer times.


The Fire Conference Leadership reserves the right to remove anyone who may disrupt or hinder sessions and prayer times.

Day 25 - Reminder of the Purpose of this Fast

This morning, I was thinking a lot about the upcoming Fire Conference, wondering how to promote it more and how to gather people to it. At the same time, God reminded me of why God originally put this fast on my heart. The fast was a response to a question God asked me in my dream, "Is it possible for a human being to carry the mantle of my presence like this?" Then, God reminded me of this phrase, "And signs and wonders took place at the hands of the apostles." It is from Acts 5:12:

At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.

Two themes jump out at me. First, the apostles were moving in the same supernatural power of God that Jesus did in his ministry. Their own hands demonstrated the power of the kingdom of God to the people. Second, the people were all with one accord. This scripture seems to indicate to me that the believers were united in faith and purpose with what the apostles were doing. I believe that God is calling forth young men and women to demonstrate the reality of Christ through supernatural signs and wonders. AND, he is calling the people of God to unite and purpose, heart, faith, and prayer to believe God will continue to use his "apostles" (sent ones) to demonstrate and proclaim the kingdom of God. Look at the result when this happens - Acts 5:13-16:

But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

The crowds and people came when signs and wonder took place at the hands of the apostles. The purpose of this fast is not to draw a crowd or host a cool conference. The purpose of this fast is to seek the presence of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit out of heart of love for God and a passion for the broken-hearted, the mourning, the oppressed, and the captive (Isa. 61).

We are pressing into the presence of God, we are waiting to receive power from on High. God release the anointing of your Spirit's presence. Embolden and empower us. We say, "YOUR FACE I WILL SEEK!"

Day 24 - Love as our Motivation

One of the brother's this morning shared something God had been speaking to him about over the last year. It was a reminder of why Jesus did what he did. It was a powerful reminder to me that in our desire and vision for a mighty move of God and the demonstration of his kingdom we must be careful that our motivation does not become seeing the "signs and wonders of revival" but rather our motivation is a passion for Jesus and others. When we understand the true condition of the lost (harassed and helpless, Mat. 9:36), we see why Jesus heart was moved for them.

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things." - Mark 6:34

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." - II Cor. 5:14

Paul was driven by this love that Jesus to proclaim the gospel and demonstrate the kingdom throughout his know world. Like Jesus he placed the highest priority not on outward results but he condition of our hearts.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." - I Cor. 13:1-3

We gain nothing from our prayer and fasting if the result is self-effort and an obsession with growth and miracles. We gain much from prayer and fasting when the Father's heart of love is imparted to our own lives, and the things that move the heart of God begin to move our hearts. Then, we begin to fulfill the greatest commandment and the reason for Jesus' ministry - LOVE.

Day 21 - Isaiah 61 Fast

The Spirit of God carried over from last night into this morning. The spirit of faith was at work in our midst as we worshiped and declared the word of God over Boston. Below, Kelsey, a BU student, again gives an excellent account of where we are at and what God did last night at the JHOP meeting.

Hi my friends,

May this note find you blessed in His wonderful presence!

I've been inspired to write to you another update from the front lines of Boston. Moments ago, I got back from a prayer & worship night with Justice House of Prayer in Cambridge, MA, just across the river. This night happened to fall in the exact middle of Fenway Church's 40 days of prayer and fasting. We believe this was not only divinely orchestrated to fall on the 20 day mark, but this night would signify a tipping point in the spiritual battle, in which we would begin to take back ground we had once lost to the enemy. Things are shifting in the spiritual atmosphere over Boston, and God has been disciplining us to be ready for the greater anointing of His presence. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

One of the men challenged us to lift a sustained shout to the shake the foundations of injustice in this city, like how the Israelite army sang and shouted around the walls of Jericho to see it crumble to the ground. Tonight the room filled and expanded with the sound of brokenness over sin, perversion, and darkness pervading this "city on a hill". We were so loud I believe people on the street heard us from outside as they were walking past. Half way through the shout, something inside my stomach broke and suddenly my voice reached a pitch, depth, and loudness I had never experienced before. I felt a shifting in my own soul as the peoples' cries rose to the ceiling. I believe this shout released a greater boldness in me to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone around me. We say yes, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, come!

In light of the breakthrough of the past couple weeks, I humbly ask each of you to keep praying for Boston and the harvesters here. It's a privilege to share this with you, and I hope I can continue updating you on above-and-beyond things God has been doing.

"...Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should." Colossians 4:3-4


Unrelenting until the Kingdom comes,

Kelsey

FIRE CONFERENCE \\ February 20-22

FIRE CONFERENCE

“Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me.
We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty,
who dwells on Mount Zion.” - Isa. 8:18

February 20 - 22
Ruggles Baptist Church
874 Beacon Street Boston, MA

Purpose: Open up a heavenly gateway in Boston through 24/7 worship and prayer. Ignite college students with the fire of God through the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. Demonstrate the reality of Jesus Christ and the gospel through signs and wonders.

Fuel
Ignition
Revival
Expansion

Join the movement: Facebook Fire Conference

24/7 Prayer Furnace - begins Wednesday Feb. 20 @ 9pm
Fire Nights - Thursday Feb. 21 & Friday Feb. 22 @ 7pm
Continuous worship, prayer and equipping for all 48 hours.

To view a tentative schedule click here.
Please feel free to join us for any portion of the conference.
Registration is not required, but the Fire Conference leadership reserves the right to remove any person who they feel is disrupting any part of the conference.

Highlights:
24/7 Prayer and Worship Furnace
Fire Nights – Worship, word, demonstration…
Session topics include: Prayer and the Life of Jesus, Defeating Demonic Strongholds, The Power of Unrelenting Prayer, Prayer and the Life of the Apostles, The Anointing and Ministry of the Holy Spirit, and A Message for a Generation

Current groups participating:
Fenway Church - David W. Hill
JHOP Boston - Bethany Yeo
Youthstorm - Joseph Robinson
Daniel & Camila Agiular - Revival & Restoration Ministries
Luke 18 Project
BASIC College Ministries - Kent Muwarski

Updated schedule and more details to come...