Brothers,
I just got off the phone with Bill. He must have read my mind since I had committed to call him today. How exciting to hear how God is drawing together an army of soldiers hungry for genuine intimacy with Him!
We discussed the option of adding members to our union as Bill's son Davey has made contact with others from as far away as England that are coming to Canton. I will leave the decision up to the three of us. I for one vote that as long as a potential member is willing to commit to membership obligations of the Punjab Prayer Union of John Hyde in 1904, (as listed on the sidebar) we allow them access to post on this blog.
As we commit to pray for one another daily, I am excited to think I could add my brothers and sisters from around the world to my list and know that they too are praying for me.
The journey continues...let's stay strong! October 23 approaches rapidly!
Your brother, Steve
Friday, June 22, 2007
A True Friend
Greetings Brothers,
123 Days until Canton!
Billy phoned yesterday and it got me thinking about what it means to have a true friend. He called to chat about a number of things including the birth of his 14th grandchild (now 7 boys and 7 girls). After we talked, laughed and prayed together I noticed my spirit was "warmed" by our conversation and for the rest of the day I was conscious of a deep connectedness and love for a brother that I probably see no more than a couple times each year. I feel the same when I speak to my brother Bill, another man that I see maybe once a year if I'm lucky.
In contrast, I come in contact with many other men and women, exchange email and phone calls with dozens of other Christians and non-Christian "friends", and yet there is something very different that keeps these relationships at a surface level.
When Jesus spoke to the men on the road to Emmaus, they were prevented from recognizing the risen Christ with their eyes, but nothing could hide the deep connectedness they felt with this "stranger" at a far deeper level. They said to each other afterwards, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us..."
I believe that the "burning" that I feel kindled in my heart as I talk to my brothers is the Spirit of the Risen Christ connecting us at the deepest core of our being. We are sharpening each other spiritually, "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This has incredible value as we know for certain that we are not alone, but members of a spiritually connected team that is charged with the awesome responsibility of being earthly agents of the Almighty God of the Universe! I believe we will meet many more agents in Canton in October. Let's keep our spirit sensitive to other agents in our midst that may be hungering to enter the battle. There is no limitations on membership in this brotherhood, provided we are one in the Spirit of Christ.
I encourage both of you to never feel guilty if days or even months go by with no conversation, no postings on this blog, no emails exchanged. We are all very busy men with large families and many responsibilities. However...as I shared with Billy, I share again here...there is one thing that I do want you to feel very guilty about. If one day goes by and you do not lift up your fellow soldiers in prayer....I wish you sleepless nights until you get alone with God and bring your brothers before the Throne.
Today, one of us may face an attack more subtle and deadly than any roadside bomb in Iraq. The impact of a moral or ethical failure for one of us has the potential to destroy not only us, but generations of our offspring. The enemy can destroy the soldier in Iraq but once. Our enemy can destroy dozens of lives and spiritually cripple families for generations to come if we are not continually on guard against the "wiles of the devil."
I desperately covet your prayers. I am learning in my own life that this is the very best I can do for both of you. I am praying that God will bring the fresh fire of His Spirit into your life in a way that will empower you in your marriage, as the spiritual leader with your children and grandchildren, and most importantly in your daily service to Jesus Christ. It is incredible to realize that Jesus said he would not call us servants any longer, but we are now friends and because we are friends, He desires us to know His will and to do it.
You are both my true friends and I am so thankful to have brothers on this journey. Billy, thank you for your phone call...it was the highlight of my day. Bill, I'm calling you today. God bless both of you.
Your friend, Steve
123 Days until Canton!
Billy phoned yesterday and it got me thinking about what it means to have a true friend. He called to chat about a number of things including the birth of his 14th grandchild (now 7 boys and 7 girls). After we talked, laughed and prayed together I noticed my spirit was "warmed" by our conversation and for the rest of the day I was conscious of a deep connectedness and love for a brother that I probably see no more than a couple times each year. I feel the same when I speak to my brother Bill, another man that I see maybe once a year if I'm lucky.
In contrast, I come in contact with many other men and women, exchange email and phone calls with dozens of other Christians and non-Christian "friends", and yet there is something very different that keeps these relationships at a surface level.
When Jesus spoke to the men on the road to Emmaus, they were prevented from recognizing the risen Christ with their eyes, but nothing could hide the deep connectedness they felt with this "stranger" at a far deeper level. They said to each other afterwards, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us..."
I believe that the "burning" that I feel kindled in my heart as I talk to my brothers is the Spirit of the Risen Christ connecting us at the deepest core of our being. We are sharpening each other spiritually, "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This has incredible value as we know for certain that we are not alone, but members of a spiritually connected team that is charged with the awesome responsibility of being earthly agents of the Almighty God of the Universe! I believe we will meet many more agents in Canton in October. Let's keep our spirit sensitive to other agents in our midst that may be hungering to enter the battle. There is no limitations on membership in this brotherhood, provided we are one in the Spirit of Christ.
I encourage both of you to never feel guilty if days or even months go by with no conversation, no postings on this blog, no emails exchanged. We are all very busy men with large families and many responsibilities. However...as I shared with Billy, I share again here...there is one thing that I do want you to feel very guilty about. If one day goes by and you do not lift up your fellow soldiers in prayer....I wish you sleepless nights until you get alone with God and bring your brothers before the Throne.
Today, one of us may face an attack more subtle and deadly than any roadside bomb in Iraq. The impact of a moral or ethical failure for one of us has the potential to destroy not only us, but generations of our offspring. The enemy can destroy the soldier in Iraq but once. Our enemy can destroy dozens of lives and spiritually cripple families for generations to come if we are not continually on guard against the "wiles of the devil."
I desperately covet your prayers. I am learning in my own life that this is the very best I can do for both of you. I am praying that God will bring the fresh fire of His Spirit into your life in a way that will empower you in your marriage, as the spiritual leader with your children and grandchildren, and most importantly in your daily service to Jesus Christ. It is incredible to realize that Jesus said he would not call us servants any longer, but we are now friends and because we are friends, He desires us to know His will and to do it.
You are both my true friends and I am so thankful to have brothers on this journey. Billy, thank you for your phone call...it was the highlight of my day. Bill, I'm calling you today. God bless both of you.
Your friend, Steve
Friday, June 15, 2007
Prayer, Conviction of sin, and then the blessing
As we begin this journey to Canton, and embark on asking God to bring revival, I want to share some things that God has put on my heart today. I think that when I first thought of revival, I only hoped for the blessings of having God move in our midst , and bring change and excitment to my life with Christ. I was feeling like there had to be more, and my heart was yearning for whatever this "more" was. God has brought scripture to me and has brought people into my life and has directed me to many revival articles, books and videos, that have shown me what was missing.
True revival begins with earnest heart felt prayer for God to move. That is the beginning. God will then begin to move in mens hearts and through the Holy Spirit will begin to bring about a heavy conviction of personal sin. This, I believe, is where most revival will end. Unless the praying men are willing to have the Holy Spirit reveal areas that he has not been allowed to move into and then men fall on their face before a holy God, seek forgives and truely repent,God will not move. The reason that we do not see much revival in north america these days is because of one thing. It is very costly to the individual. It is going to remain costly until the praying men get a vision of the true cost of NOT having revival. Now that would be a greater cost to us and our families to be before the judgment seat of Christ and have God show us what might have been. Can you even begin to imagine the pain and anguish one would experience on that day if we do not move forward now. But... today we MUST count the cost. Am I really willing for God to reveal my sin as He sees it. Am I willing to truely repent (change my ways and thoughts). We must !! Brothers we must be in great prayer for one another to have this issue settled in the deep parts of our hearts. God must invade the "secret chambers" and cleanse the temple once more.
As we count down the days to our great reunion in Canton we must pray like we never have before. Let us keep reminding each other of the dangers that lay ahead from the enemy that so desparetly wants to defeat us. Put on your armor brothers. We must have the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember... we must make room for the Holy Spirit. He reqires all of us. Oh Lord, continue to give me the strenght to move on with you.
Guys, I want the blessings that revival will bring but first we must walk in some dark valleys.Our Lord has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Hang on to that one!!
Sermon Index.com has a new video download section. Edwin Orr has a must view sermon called "Revival is like Judgement Day". I would love your comments. Looking forward to your thoughts and comments.
Your brother in the battle,Bill Stephenson
True revival begins with earnest heart felt prayer for God to move. That is the beginning. God will then begin to move in mens hearts and through the Holy Spirit will begin to bring about a heavy conviction of personal sin. This, I believe, is where most revival will end. Unless the praying men are willing to have the Holy Spirit reveal areas that he has not been allowed to move into and then men fall on their face before a holy God, seek forgives and truely repent,God will not move. The reason that we do not see much revival in north america these days is because of one thing. It is very costly to the individual. It is going to remain costly until the praying men get a vision of the true cost of NOT having revival. Now that would be a greater cost to us and our families to be before the judgment seat of Christ and have God show us what might have been. Can you even begin to imagine the pain and anguish one would experience on that day if we do not move forward now. But... today we MUST count the cost. Am I really willing for God to reveal my sin as He sees it. Am I willing to truely repent (change my ways and thoughts). We must !! Brothers we must be in great prayer for one another to have this issue settled in the deep parts of our hearts. God must invade the "secret chambers" and cleanse the temple once more.
As we count down the days to our great reunion in Canton we must pray like we never have before. Let us keep reminding each other of the dangers that lay ahead from the enemy that so desparetly wants to defeat us. Put on your armor brothers. We must have the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember... we must make room for the Holy Spirit. He reqires all of us. Oh Lord, continue to give me the strenght to move on with you.
Guys, I want the blessings that revival will bring but first we must walk in some dark valleys.Our Lord has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Hang on to that one!!
Sermon Index.com has a new video download section. Edwin Orr has a must view sermon called "Revival is like Judgement Day". I would love your comments. Looking forward to your thoughts and comments.
Your brother in the battle,Bill Stephenson
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Bill's Initial Comment
Billy,
I wanted post Bill's initial response that I received via email today. I think he makes some excellent points!
Steve,
What a privilege God has given me to have a true friend to encourage and inspire me. Thank you brother!! My only problem is that I have just seemed to master the e-mail technology and now my brother is talking about "blogging". Steve, my kids wont believe it. I will learn to "blog".
In all seriousness, I am grateful to have brothers with a similar heart beat for the Lord. I look forward to meeting Billy, but I think that over the next 134 days I will get to know him better than most people I see on a regular basis. What a great adventure we have embarked on. Our Lord has surprises around each corner. Let us get the armor on as we begin this journey. The enemy is aware that men have begun to stir in their words and e-mails, and will begin to try to block our PRAYER life. The power that we will need for this 134 days will be brought on by men on their knees seeking the only power that has any lasting and true POWER and is only given by God through the HOLY SPIRIT.
I have just finished E M Bounds book called "The Essentials of Prayer". I will now re read it.
God has begun to show me the results of asking and obedience combined with faith. Steve , I had asked you before about my question "is there anything more important than prayer?" God gave me an answer this week. It is wrapped up in the fact that "without faith it is impossible to please God". Prayer and faith are so intertwined and cannot be separated. I will explain more at another time.
I met with another frustrated brother last night. He called me at 9:30 last night and wanted to meet. I was in bed but had just had a great prayer time and had asked God to bring other hungry men . I got back to bed at 1:30 am. Praise God. God has answered many other prayers this week.
I am so excited to learn how to blog with you guys. Lets get out of the way and finally let God be God and do what He wants with us. I am willing, and ask my brothers to pray for me to be even more willing.
I have a meeting at the church wed night. Pray . Next wed night is our first "official" prayer , worship, revival meeting. PRAY for us. God will bring others.
I will be joining my brothers in prayer DAILY for this new adventure. I must go now but hopefully will be blogging real soon.
Your brother in the battle,
Bill
I wanted post Bill's initial response that I received via email today. I think he makes some excellent points!
Steve,
What a privilege God has given me to have a true friend to encourage and inspire me. Thank you brother!! My only problem is that I have just seemed to master the e-mail technology and now my brother is talking about "blogging". Steve, my kids wont believe it. I will learn to "blog".
In all seriousness, I am grateful to have brothers with a similar heart beat for the Lord. I look forward to meeting Billy, but I think that over the next 134 days I will get to know him better than most people I see on a regular basis. What a great adventure we have embarked on. Our Lord has surprises around each corner. Let us get the armor on as we begin this journey. The enemy is aware that men have begun to stir in their words and e-mails, and will begin to try to block our PRAYER life. The power that we will need for this 134 days will be brought on by men on their knees seeking the only power that has any lasting and true POWER and is only given by God through the HOLY SPIRIT.
I have just finished E M Bounds book called "The Essentials of Prayer". I will now re read it.
God has begun to show me the results of asking and obedience combined with faith. Steve , I had asked you before about my question "is there anything more important than prayer?" God gave me an answer this week. It is wrapped up in the fact that "without faith it is impossible to please God". Prayer and faith are so intertwined and cannot be separated. I will explain more at another time.
I met with another frustrated brother last night. He called me at 9:30 last night and wanted to meet. I was in bed but had just had a great prayer time and had asked God to bring other hungry men . I got back to bed at 1:30 am. Praise God. God has answered many other prayers this week.
I am so excited to learn how to blog with you guys. Lets get out of the way and finally let God be God and do what He wants with us. I am willing, and ask my brothers to pray for me to be even more willing.
I have a meeting at the church wed night. Pray . Next wed night is our first "official" prayer , worship, revival meeting. PRAY for us. God will bring others.
I will be joining my brothers in prayer DAILY for this new adventure. I must go now but hopefully will be blogging real soon.
Your brother in the battle,
Bill
Monday, June 11, 2007
Let's Get Started!
Hey Brothers,
The Canton Revival Conference starts October 23 and is now 133 days away. Our brothers in 1904 created their prayer union to dedicate 30 days (actually 30 nights) to cry out for God's annointing and blessing on their conference. If we focus our prayers on the 5 questions that were asked of each man that wanted to join John Hyde's group, I think we are working from a firm foundation. By way of summary, here are the 5 again:
1. Are you praying for quickening in your own life, in the life of your fellow-workers, and in the Church?
2. Are you longing for greater power of the Holy Spirit in your own life and work, and are you convinced that you cannot go on without this power?
3. Will you pray that you may not be ashamed of Jesus?
4. Do you believe that prayer is the great means for securing this spiritual awakening?
5. Will you set apart one half-hour each day as soon after noon as possible to pray for this awakening, and are you willing to pray till the awakening comes?
Regarding the 30 minutes daily after noon, I need my time early in the day. I believe the important piece of this commitment is that we would make this a daily priority and expectantly look for God's answer to our prayers.
If you know of another man that should be added to our union, please send me his email and I will invite him to join us.
Until next time, I am praying for you both!
Your brother, Steve
The Canton Revival Conference starts October 23 and is now 133 days away. Our brothers in 1904 created their prayer union to dedicate 30 days (actually 30 nights) to cry out for God's annointing and blessing on their conference. If we focus our prayers on the 5 questions that were asked of each man that wanted to join John Hyde's group, I think we are working from a firm foundation. By way of summary, here are the 5 again:
1. Are you praying for quickening in your own life, in the life of your fellow-workers, and in the Church?
2. Are you longing for greater power of the Holy Spirit in your own life and work, and are you convinced that you cannot go on without this power?
3. Will you pray that you may not be ashamed of Jesus?
4. Do you believe that prayer is the great means for securing this spiritual awakening?
5. Will you set apart one half-hour each day as soon after noon as possible to pray for this awakening, and are you willing to pray till the awakening comes?
Regarding the 30 minutes daily after noon, I need my time early in the day. I believe the important piece of this commitment is that we would make this a daily priority and expectantly look for God's answer to our prayers.
If you know of another man that should be added to our union, please send me his email and I will invite him to join us.
Until next time, I am praying for you both!
Your brother, Steve
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