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Day 8 of 30 Days of Thirst at GTPC…

Thirsty for souls.

Do you remember the last time you were really, really thirsty? I'm talking about when your tongue would stick to the top of your mouth and you thought you couldn't walk one more inch until you have some sort of liquid touch your mouth. The kind of thirsty when once you finally do get a drink you feel it as it travels all the way down. The kind of thirst that would cause you to pay a ridiculous price for something to drink. This is the kind of thirst that we need to develop for the things that God loves.

God loves souls. Granted he doesn't love the sins that fill the lives of so many, but oh how He loves the person! We need a fresh passion and burden for people. A thirst for those that need this message of truth. A thirst for the unloved, the misunderstood, the sick, the poor, the rich, those with too little and even those with too much. A thirst for those with life issues, colorful histories, hurts and scars of previous battles and trials. A thirst for those that have never fit in, for those with low self esteem, high self esteem and those with no self esteem. A thirst for everyone that has not walked through the door of the "ark of safety", Christ Jesus. The Church must become thirsty for altars that are full, baptisms that take all day, new member classes that never stop, bible studies that lead to more, and doors that never close –thirsty for "the world's people" like the old children's song goes, "any color and shape any size" God loves people.

The result of this kind of thirst? Bigger buildings, more services, discipleship, deeper roots in the community, blessings, the unmerited favor of God, and so much more.

For God so loved this world, that He gave His only begotten son… Jn. 3:16 The love that cost him everything. A ridiculously high price to quench His thirst. His thirst for a people.

Dear Lord – Let me become thirsty for the things that you thirsted for. Let me love souls. Let me love the church, locally and globally. Let me be a willing vessel of honor that you are willing to use. Develop this driving thirst in my heart, mind and soul! Let nothing less than the winds of Pentecost be the quenching agent!

Blessings,

Pastor

Day 7 of 30 Days of Thirst at GTPC…

First, let me encourage you to stay connected and participate in this 30 Days of Thirst. It will make a difference in your life! I can't encourage you strongly enough to start first in the sacrifice department. We will begin our time of fasting and increased prayer Sunday. Then on Tuesday nights make it a priority to join us in prayer at the church from 6:30 - 7:30 for focused prayer. Sunday will begin our corporate Daniel's Fast. While most of the church will participate in this, it is also understood that some for various reasons cannot. If you can't be a part of the Daniel's fast, please endeavor a fast of some type. If you need help with an alternate fasting plan, contact me and I will help you.

 

Day 7 –

Thirsty for relationship.

Webster defines relationship as the state of affairs between two parties – the connection – a romantic or passionate attachment.

Too often things become mundane and ordinary that should be passionate. The relationship that Christ afforded us by Calvary's blood should never be mundane. It should be exactly the opposite. It should be full of passion!

Most experts tell people that are looking to accomplish something to first recognize why they don't already have it. Once you identify why you don't have it, or have accomplished that goal you move toward changing it.

So why don't we have as passionate relationship with Jesus Christ as he wants us to have with him? It is often said perception is reality. While in some cases I agree with this, it is not an absolute fact. Our perception can easily be wrong, especially considering our influences. Wrong perceptions do not equal reality.

The passion that is felt when we first came to Jesus and He washed our sins away and filled us with His spirit, is overwhelming. As the days and weeks turn into months and years, that passion can dull if we are not careful. Like any other relationship, it takes TWO to keep things balanced. Since Jesus Christ does not change, that leaves us looking in the mirror of self examination. John would write in the book of Revelation, that God held something against the church – they forsook, or left their "First Love". (Revelation 2:1-7)

Let us be very careful to guard our relationship with Jesus Christ. To keep it passionate. To never leave it. To never allow worldly influences to change our perception of whom He is. He is still the great "I AM" – the lover of our souls. Life's hurts, heart aches, disappointments, trials and troubles do not affect God's power and authority or His passion toward us. He is forever faithful and truly just as close as the mention of His name.

Ask yourself this question this morning; is your attachment to Jesus Christ and The Church he paid for a "passionate attachment"? Passionate attachments don't easily fade. They work until its right!

Get thirsty for a more passionate relationship with The Lord Jesus. He will not deny you. It's His desire for you to be as close to Him as you are willing to get!

Thirsty for him,

Pastor

Day 6 of 30 Days of Thirst at GTPC…

Thirsty for Unity.

I have preached and taught on this powerful subject many, many times. Scripture shows us time and time again the power of a unified people. World history teaches the same lesson. Why is it so hard then for this "post modern" church to enjoy the benefits of real unity? Real unity brings real revival, real blessings, real power, and real results!

Satan hates spiritual unity. Hell took its most devastating blow when 120 dedicated, faithful saints put their agendas on hold, got focused on Jesus, became obedient and unified – The Church was born! The ushering in of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost birthed The Church. The power of unity has not changed. Hell knows this. Hell hates a unified Jesus loving people. Satan will stop short of nothing to arrest unity in its tracks on the path to Pentecost. Let us recall there were 500 that stood with Jesus and received the call to unity. 380 lost out. 120 paid the price, unified, and felt the winds of Pentecost blow across their soul!

I have been a pastor long enough to recognize the tactical forces that Satan uses against The Church. Every time a fresh vision and determination is born in my heart so are fresh weapons in hell's armory. When I feel the need to call for fasting and prayer and a fresh wind on consecration to blow over our souls, hell gets angry. We can count on an attack.

We at GTPC have embarked on this 30 Days of Thirst journey – Countdown to Easter. This journey will yield great results if we can stay in UNITY. Unity is key to great results. Nothing can stop us when we come into a spirit of unity. Our enemy is not one another, our family or friends – our enemy is dis-unity and spirits that cause division. Let us not fall prey to these tactics. When the opportunity arises (and it will) to find fault, be critical or simply "feel" discouraged – reject it and whisper that name that is above every name, JESUS! Begin to thank God for your church, your brothers and sisters, your opportunity, your pastor, and all the blessings God has given you. Try it, it works!

Unity isn't always easy. It will cost you, but the reward is WORTH it.

Are you thirsty for unity?

Get so thirsty for unity that you can't do without it.

Get so thirsty for unity that you are earnestly praying one for another.

Get so thirsty for unity that you are willing to prefer another's feelings over your own.

Get so thirsty for unity that nothing else can quench that God given desire for heavenly results.

Get so thirsty for unity that no Hell designed wedge can muster a position in your life.

Get so thirsty for unity that God's divine blessings must follow liberally.

Simply GET THIRSTY for unity – and it will follow!

Blessings!

Pastor

Day 5 of 30 Days of Thirst!

Following an event even the most competent and able athlete will thirst. Hydration is key; It is key for muscle survival. No one looks on the gold medalist strangely for being thirsty. Thirsty to the point they will seek to quench it even if it means engulfing their head in a cooler of Gatorade! Arrive on the scene of a fire and one of the first things you will notice is hydration stations for fire fighters. Prolonged exposure to the intense heat of the flames is dangerous. These examples could go on. The common thread among them all is this; thirst is the natural end result of exertion. How and with what we choose quench the thirst with is key.

On the spiritual side, the most seasoned Christian has the potential to become dry. The key to our survival too, is learning with what and how to quench the thirst of our soul. Life's struggles and challenges will cause us to become thirsty. What will you quench it with? You will quench it with what you are most thirsty for or with what we can get to with the least amount of effort - generally speaking.

How do we make sure we drink from the fountain of the Lord rather than the things of this world? Crucified flesh is the answer. When you daily keep your spirit right with God, you will keep your flesh crucified and your soul hydrated. The wickedness of this world that can look so good and appealing and even seem like the thing that can "easily" quench your longing is actually designed for your demise.

Let us walk after the Lord and His ways. As we do this we will drink from that faithful fountain that He has provided.

When this world leaves you thirsty, look to Him who is forever faithful in ALL things, both great and small.

Prolonged exposure to the intense heat of Hell's flames is dangerous too - stay hydrated with the Spirit of The Lord! It WORKS!

Blessings!

Pastor

30 Days of Thirst Begins at GTPC, Countdown to Easter!

Today marks the beginning of our 30 Days of Thirst at GTPC.

It is my earnest prayer that we embark on this journey together in total unity. Unity will bring about spiritual growth. I look forward to this time with you.

Scripture reminds us that there are blessings that those that thirst and hunger after righteousness.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

The key to the blessing is becoming truly thirsty for the things of God!

We can all relate to being thirsty. While the last few months we have enjoyed some nice cool temperatures, it won't be long until the "dog days of summer" are upon us. When temperatures soar and the sweltering heat beats on our faces, we tend to realize just how thirsty we can become! Whether to the athlete or to the sedentary, we have all been thirsty at one time or another in our life. There is nothing quite like the feeling of true thirst. When our mouths become dry and parched, the muscles of our body contract in cramps because we are lacking the nutrients and proper hydration that water brings to us. Our bodies are a complex system of organs and tissue and miraculously work together to function and produce life. Without proper hydration, life CAN NOT exist. Our bodies will shut down and die. Harsh but true - we need hydration. The thirst mechanism kicks in and tells us that we must drink, or we are going to be in big trouble!

Our spirit man too will thirst. We will thirst for the things of God. We will long for that missing thing in our life. We are just as much a spiritual being as we are a physical creature. The spiritual soul will live forever and never die. I want to live in His presence both here on earth and in eternity. Because of this, I desire to be blessed! I thirst for the blessings of God! If we do not have proper hydration spiritually we too can lose our life and die...

Humanity often makes a grave mistake. We will try to satisfy the deep longing of our soul with things that are NOT of God or his righteousness. In other words, we know we are missing things in our life but rather than look to God - the creator - we look to the world - the creation for satisfaction. We are all born with a measure of faith. The perfect God ordained portion that will take us from where we are to where He wants us to be! As we exercise the muscle of faith in the spiritual man, thirst is the result!

Over the next thirty days I intend to preach, teach, and encourage that measure of faith within us all. I plan on attacking the wickedness of hell's lies with the GOSPEL TRUTH! I intend on leading us to a place of thirst where the things that have perhaps satisfied you before will not do it this time. It's my hope to lead you to that well that never runs dry and there we will drink of His righteousness and be filled. Won't you come with me? Let's go! Let's go for a drink at the feet of the Master!

Fasting, prayer, dedication, power, anointing, love for others, and unity - Here we come! We are getting THIRSTY!

Blessings to you GTPC!

Pastor