An Appointment with God is Available for You

The Prayer Meeting last night was awesome! ICCJ Mission Pastor Rishi Anandani led us in focused and powerful prayer, much of the time in small groups as we lifted up the various Mission ministries of ICCJ.

For me personally, the time that we spent from 6pm until 6:45pm in individual prayer was especially wonderful. From the moment I stretched out on the carpet, the sweet presence of Jesus washed over me repeatedly… He touched me.

One of the things Jesus whispered to me is “I was waiting for you.” This does not mean that Jesus hadn't been speaking to me earlier in the week. He had been. But there were some things which He waited to release to me at 6pm on January 17, 2008. It was a memorable occasion. I liken it to a Wedding Anniversary dinner. I say loving things to my wife many times everyday, but there are some things which I reserve, that I plan to say which are beyond the normal things, on the night of our Anniversary.

I remember a significant testimony from a Pastor and his family when I was in Panchkula, India. They had moved to Panchkula from New Delhi to plant a Church. When the Lord led them to lease their apartment, He very clearly spoke to the heart of the wife that one bedroom was to be dedicated for prayer and that they were to meet Him there at 5am every morning. They had wonderful experiences with the Lord and He led them as they established a great Church in that city for His glory. They never missed meeting Him at 5am… until one day. They had a function late the night before and they all over-slept. They rushed into the room but they could not sense His presence. They repented and waited but the presence of the Lord, at least in the relatable form that they were now accustomed to could not be sensed. They found themselves feeling alone in the room that morning. They made certain to show up early the next morning! They testified that God did not express anger, but He made it very clear that He had said, 5am and He truly meant it. They were not late again.

Friends, if you have been missing your appointments with God, He is not mad at you… disappointed maybe, because He loves you and He wants to be with you… but it’s not too late.

As your Pastor, I understand that not all of you are able to attend Thursday night prayer. I once attended a Church that had no meeting that was specifically for prayer. The reason is because God told the Pastor that all of the meetings need to include prayer. He was doing what God told him for that Church. That Church was and is large and effective. The point is that it is not a religious exercise but it is obedience with passion, allowing God to set our structures, schedules and appointments with Him. But I need to ask you, when are your appointments with God? Sunday morning is obvious… if you don’t meet God on Sunday mornings in ICCJ then it is you and not Him. Is it at CARE group on Wednesday, Women’s or Men’s Ministry time? Good… but when do you meet Him alone or just with your spouse or family? I firmly believe that He has room on his calendar for you if you will make room on your calendar for Him.

The teaching on Thursday night by Sister Linda Cochenour was life changing! It explained why the Lord led me to call for a 3 day fast. We are being prepared and given an opportunity to settle our back accounts and to put things in order so that God will allow us to go to a new realm, a new level… (see the blog post for “You Cannot Escape to a New Level”). There was soooo much more but that was an appointment as well. But next week will be powerful too!

The author of Hebrews explains that God is a “rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” He wants to bless you and if you will seek Him you will find Him… It’s a promise. When God promises, you can bank on it.

Pastor Joy and I love you guys and we are blessed to serve the King and His Kingdom with you!