The Fun and Pain of Sacrificial Investment

Yesterday was a good case study on spiritual preparation. God was moving in our church. But so was the devil. There were technical issues, things were forgotten, people were late, our guest worship leader, Christopher Heidler spent Saturday at the hospital as his son broke his arm. There were probably some other things I don't even know about; I even think some of our people came to church just frustrated for maybe no apparent reason. I believe the enemy was at work.

But so was God. In spite of technical issues and a long Saturday, Christopher and the band were used big time by the Lord! I felt the presence of God all over me as I spoke. And there were at least two people who worked through major spiritual issues at the end of the service. And a family came because of the Breakfast on the Porch in Janine and Glenn Riches' neighborhood.

I believe good things happened because of the investment in prayer and fasting. This week two college students in our church told me they were going to join me in fasting for a breakthrough at our church...college students! I also believe 'bad things' happened because of the investment in prayer and fasting. All those problems Sunday came from somewhere. The enemy gets more active when he sees people praying and fasting. As long as we are operating in our strength, evil can relax. But when people begin to pray and fast, the devil knows God will get involved and he must also. And when we add bringing people to church with prayer and fasting, Hell gets really nervous.

The result is spiritual warfare at The Crossing and that leaves us with two options. Quit praying and fasting and just have church. (Man does that sound disgusting.) Or have more people join us in prayer and fasting for a breakthrough at The Crossing. (Man does that sound fun!) Besides, you don't want to be in a war zone and not be ready for battle.

When God works it forces you off the rail of just being a worker or a watcher to being a warrior: you have to be armed for the war and engaged in the battle or you will get taken out by it. Everyone, especially those in any ministry role, must come to church or to their ministry having prayed for that service or ministry. The Crossing is becoming a war zone and two worlds, the Kingdom of God and the forces of Satan, are colliding. The sacrificial investment of praying, fasting, inviting others, giving, and working hard on your ministry are the only weapons that win on the battlefield.

And we will win...something about the gates of Hell not prevailing against the church comes to mind. It may hurt but man is it fun!

If you have any ministry role at The Crossing, especially on Sundays I want to ask you to join my Partners in Fasting. Invite people to come, prepare the way through prayer and fasting. And let's have some real fun! Don't miss the prayer meeting at the home of Karl and Lisa Alspach tomorrow night. Contact me at rd@atthecrossing.org for directions.