Galatians, Ezekiel, and Acts

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)
      Jesus, please redeem the times — get your Church out of foster care and into the adoption you have prepared for us. Thank you.

“When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out my Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 39:27-29)
      LORD, bring us out of captivity to our culture and pour out you Holy Spirit on us. Thank you.

And being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” he said, “you have heard from me; “ (Acts 1:4)
      Holy Spirit, give us hearts that are willing to wait for your timing.

      Holy Father, flood us anew with your Holy Spirit — bathe us in pools of living water.

      Jesus, help us to obey your commands.
“
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. ” (Acts 1: 5)

      Holy Spirit, come and burn in our hearts. Baptize us in living water. Thank you.

      Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP)

A word received: Look to me. Keep looking to me.

Sunday: 66, 67 * 19, 46; Ezekiel 3:16-27; Ephesians 2:1-10; Matthew 10:24-33,40-42
HC: 68:1-20 or 47; Acts 1:(1-7)8-14 or Ezekiel 39:21-29; 1 Peter 4:12-19 or Acts 1:(1-7)8-14; ohn 17:1-11
Monday: 89:1-18 * 89:19-52; Ezekiel 4:1-17; Hebrews 6:1-12; Luke 9:51-62

I know that my redeemer liveth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtU1c5JZf0k
Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, and As The Deer Panteth For The Water http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH8bV7rUVaU

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Dear Torre,
We just received this update and prayer request from our daughter Catie who is on a SOMA Mission Trip to South Africa. Edwina Thomas is the team leader. They return on June 16th. Please pass this on to the Diocesan Prayer Warriors with my thanks and gratitude.
Faithfully Yours in Christ,
+Bill
From: Samuel Kennedy
Subject: Prayer Update
Dear family and friends,
      Greetings from Utinhege, South Africa! We trust and pray that you are all well in the Lord. As usual, time online is short, but God has given us an opportunity to share with you some of what has been going on for the past few days and to share our tentative schedule for the rest of the week:
      We arrived in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth this past Wednesday and spent Thursday and Friday in the Northern Areas, based out of St. Luke’s parish. The church is located in a working class area, and sits on the outskirts of the city. It overlooks all of the other houses and buildings that lead down toward the sea. The spiritual atmosphere at St. Luke’s the Evangelist was extremely hard, and the Lord gave the team a strong word to deliver on our first night there – a word of repentance. We thank the Lord for your intercession, and for the way he worked in that place. It would seem that many eyes were opened, and there was a tangible difference in the spiritual atmosphere when we left. There is a strong spirit of control and division among the clergy in that area. Please continue to pray for the Lord to bring deliverance and healing to their hearts, lives, and ministries.
      We arrived in Utinhege last night, and the team split in two and ministered to the youth of two different parishes. Catie and Justice were with one youth group and Renji and Samuel were with the other. Utinhege is a few miles outside of Port Elizabeth. It is home to a Volkswagon plant, and most of the factory workers live in this city. There is tension, however, between the workers and their superiors, who reside in Port Elizabeth. We have already felt and witnessed the resulting tension, and pray that God will actively change hearts in the Utinhege community.
      Today, Edwina and Catie will remain at Father Dudley’s home and give an afternoon teaching on healing; Justice, Renji, Jacques, and Samuel will be travelling to one of the outlying townships (in the Xosha region) and will be ministering at a funeral and perhaps also an evangelistic event in that area. Please uphold us all in your prayers today!
      We will be preaching in churches in Utinhege tomorrow (please remember especially Catie, Renji, Justice, and Jacques who have been called to preach and teach this Sunday) and then will be travelling to the opposite side of Port Elizabeth to St. Francis Xavier parish. We’ve been told that the climate in our new location will be a bit warmer, with beautiful beaches to be enjoyed (Samuel hopes to swim in the Indian Ocean)! During our time at St. Francis Xavier’s, we will be engaged in teaching and ministry programs in that area – the details of which still have to unfold. We may also spend a day in a home for orphans with AIDS – please pray that they would know the mighty love and compassion of their heavenly Father.
      God has equipped this team with strong teaching which we have faithfully delivered. Unfortunately, in both of our church venues some of that teaching has been to less than a handful of people. We are confident that God’s word spoken will not return void. We just wish that it was planted in more hearts.
      On Friday the 10th of June we will travel to another cluster of parishes in the diocese. Please go before us in prayer!
Further prayer points:
      - We have been blessed here in Utinhege in our accomodations – no one has been left alone. In previous parishes we have been scattered all about. We would appreciate prayers for continued provision of “communal” housing for us. It really helps facilitate our time of worship and planning as a team!
      - Please interecede for the youth of this area of Utinhege. There is a sense that they are viewed as a “lost” generation. Please pray that the mighty Spirit of God would draw them back to the Father, and that he would place a great burden for them on the churches in the area.
       – Please pray for the Lord to work a miracle in his church throughout this great nation. Please pray that identity of the church would not be based upon the laws of apartheid, but rather according to the principles of the kingdom of God, and our common identity as the children of our heavenly Father. There is still great division and great wounds between the different ethnic groups in the country. A great majority of the churches are still largely segregated.
      Thank you again for your continual prayers and thoughts. We are incredibly encouraged by the knowledge that you are interceding for us and the wonderful people of South Africa!
In Christ, The whole SOMA team: Edwina, Jacques, Catie, Justice, Renji, and Samuel

***** Give thanks to the Lord for what he is doing among us by his Holy Spirit.

Albany Intercessor

Eight ascents and descents, part 2

Moses’s ascent (Ex 19:8-13) and descent (Ex 19:14-19)
Resurrection of the Shunammite’s son (2 Ki 4)

Theme: Purification/spiritual warfare
Dominant posture: Intercession at the feet of God

The Israelites are instructed to sanctify themselves, wash clothes, abstain from sex, and respect the boundaries God had set.

Exodus 19:16-17 NIV
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

The Shunammite woman goes to Mt Carmel for Elisha and holds onto His feet in fervent intercession. Carmel, a Levitical city, means ‘garden.’ It is known for victory in spiritual warfare–Joshua defeated the king of Jokneam, a city at the foot of Mt. Carmel (Joshua 12:22), and Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).
It is also known for desperate intercession–Abigail fell at David’s feet and pled with him to spare the lives of the men of her household (1 Samuel 25): Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant.

Prayer Table Reports from Lake Luzerne, Scotia, and Schenectady

PRAYER TABLE REPORT, St. Mary’s of Lake Luzerne, (Sat., June 4, 11:30 a.m.-noon, outside our Parish Hall prior to the weekly Community Luncheon. Weather — Bright sun, mild, and … lots of Black Flies! Still, people came for prayer. Deacon Alan Hart presiding at His table.)

a–denotes anointed with Holy Oil.
t–denotes received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

a–EDIE — She came for prayer for her nephew and his female partner of 12 years (unmarried) who have a four-year-old son. (No names; private.) The couple is having problems at the moment; there is a lot of verbal fighting. Edie wanted prayer for the couple and for safety, above all, for the boy. We prayed that, if it be God’s will, this couple will reclaim the once they once had for each other and then get married. We prayed, above all, that this young child be protected and made safe. Edie also gave thanksgiving for prayers answered for healing for her brother ROBERT, sister GRACE and a friend (name not given) who are all making progress in battling cancer.

WOMAN GOING BY (first time) — She hesitated as though she wanted prayer but kept walking despite our invitation to sit down. She said “No thanks, not today. But I appreciate you being out here for people.”

MAN AND WOMAN (first time) — This older couple slowed as they walked by the table. The woman wanted the man (who uses a cane) to get prayer for his ailing leg, but he politely declined. The woman said as they left, “Don’t worry. He gets prayers from ME every day!”

a–MARY — She asked for prayer for healing. She is bothered by Sciatic nerve discomfort.

a–JOE — A regular to the table. He sought prayer for his troublesome right knee.

PRAYER TABLE REPORT, ST. ANDREW’S OF SCOTIA, (Sat., June 4, 3-5 p.m. on church lawn during annual Chicken Barbecue. Perfect weather with a soft breeze. Deacon MaryCarol Hart, Rev. Mike Neufeld and parishioners Marji Edgar and Ray Rockwell taking turns presiding two at a time at His table.)

MARTY — Asked for prayers for his anxiety issues and for relief from worry.

BETSY — Sought prayers for thanksgiving for healing that has gone on in her brother, who has been very ill.

a,t,t,t — LENA — This woman stopped for prayer for healing. She was recently diagnosed with a heart problem and is also having problems controlling her medication because she often feels “woozy.” Her son CHRIS and his friend MIKE accompanied her. All three accepted a cross.

a–ALBERT — His wife PEG recently fell on the sidewalk and had some facial injuries and generally was kind of “banged up,” so we prayed for her quick and complete healing.

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, April 23, 2011, 9:25 – 10:30 a.m. Carol MacNaughton, Mark Pasko and Torre Bissell on State St. and Bob Baker, and Joe Gaito on Albany St.

+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

Albany St.

Devonne — prayer for family and needs.

Nate — restoration with children and to start reading the Bible again.

Joannie and Kids — prayer: moved to new apartment — salvation. Said, “See you next week.”

State St.

+Masie (woman) — “For my cancer.”

+++Shaquille (young man, probably about 18), Damond and Deavon (early teenage boys, Shaquille’s brothers) — Prayer for everything; special prayer for Shaquille that he would know how to lead his brothers and be a good role model. They go regularly to Refreshing Springs Church.

Curtis — Wanted prayer for prosperity for the community (he had a cross from a previous time at the prayer table).

The Bus Driver slowed, honked, and waved his hand.

+Walter (man) — We prayed for Walter’s witness to other people. Walter prayed for us at the prayer table and for the community.

+Narish (young Guyanese man) — He is separated from his wife and has great needs. He is clearly a Christian and we asked him if he was going to church. He has been in the country for one year. He had gone to a church once and they asked him to fill out a visitor’s card. He cannot read or write and was so humiliated that he couldn’t read the card to fill it out that he never went back. It is ironic that this visitor’s card which is meant to welcome people should be an impenetrable barrier for him. We invited him to Christ Church and told him not to worry about the visitor’s card. (As a child in Guyana he had to leave school in the 3rd grade to help support the family so that his father could have an operation.)

Moses — “Peace.”

Debra (regular) — Her arthritis.

+Danny — General blessing.

++Darcel (semi-regular) — Drove up to the church. She gave thanks for the manna God provided for her to keep going. We prayed for her to receive move foster children to take care of.

+Paula (regular) — “For her family and her husband.”

Steve

+Larry — Healing for the operation on his left eye (still swollen).

Desdemona — We prayed for blessings on her and on Macedonia 7th Day Adventist Church on Swan St.

Bill (regular) — We prayed for his friend Wendy that she would make good choices.

+John (Paula’s husband) — He is rather crippled up but was able to drive himself here this time. Other times he has had to be driven. Often in great pain.

Hebrews 5:7-11

who, in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and was heard because of his godly fear, (Hebrews 5:7)
      Lord, bring us to your fervor of prayer.

though he was a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8 )
      Holy Spirit, help us learn as Jesus learned: help us in all our afflictions to learn obedience.

And having been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him, (Hebrews 5:9)
      Help us to obey your through out this diocese, Jesus, and enter into the salvation you have established for us.

called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” (Hebrews 5:10)
      Holy Spirit, help the priests of this diocese find in Jesus the model for their lives.

of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (Hebrews 5:11)
      Father, we too have become dull of hearing: open our ears and hearts to your word.

Saturday: 87, 90 * 136; Ezekiel 3:4-17; Hebrews 5:7-14; Luke 9:37-50
Sunday: 66, 67 * 19, 46; Ezekiel 3:16-27; Ephesians 2:1-10; Matthew 10:24-33,40-42
HC: 68:1-20 or 47; Acts 1:(1-7)8-14 or Ezekiel 39:21-29; 1 Peter 4:12-19 or Acts 1:(1-7)8-14; ohn 17:1-11

I know that my redeemer liveth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtU1c5JZf0k
Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, and As The Deer Panteth For The Water http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH8bV7rUVaU

Albany Intercessor

Eight ascents and descents, part 1

The Torah was given by God to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai more than 3300 years ago. The annual renewal of the covenant between God and the Jewish people takes place on Shavuot, a two-day holiday. It commences at sundown next Tuesday.
I’ve recently been studying Exodus. Moses ascended and descended Mt Sinai eight times. His face did not shine until the eighth descent. Circumcision, the sign of belonging to the covenant people, was to be performed on the eighth day. This sign of circumcision was also a symbolic representation of the infilling of the Holy Spirit in the Christian.
The Bible records eight individual resurrections other than the Lord Jesus and the saints. Leading up to Pentecost, I will compare the two series (Moses’ ascents and descents and the resurrections) in chronological order.–JW

Moses’s ascent (Ex 19:3-6) and descent (Ex 19:7-8)
Resurrection of the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Ki 17)

Exodus 19:4-6a NIV
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’”

Theme: God’s provision and deliverance. Identity as holy nation.
Dominant posture: God carries

In the drought, Elijah goes from Tishbe, Gilead to the brook Cherith, where he is fed by ravens. God instructs him to then go to Zarephath, where he, the widow, and her son are supernaturally fed by a supply of oil and meal that does not diminish.

Joshua 7 is the story of the defeat of the Israelites at Ai. The Lord reveals to Joshua that someone had defied God’s covenant and taken some Canaanite objects as the spoils of war. The sin is traced to Achan, who had buried them under his tent. He is stoned in the valley of Achor.
The subsequent history of the valley of Achor is fascinating. It is called the brook Cherith. Isaiah prophesies that in the new eternal Israel, the valley of Achor will be a place for the herds to lie down, for the people who have sought God (Is 65:10). Hosea foretells that in the regathering of Israel, the valley of Achor will be a door of hope, a place of song, as in the days of her youth, when she was delivered from Egypt (Hos 2:15).
Tishbe means captivity. Gilead means rugged. The brook Cherith is the door of hope. The meaning of the word ‘Zarephath’ is smelting-shop, “a workshop for the refining and smelting of metals.”
Elijah went from captivity through the door of hope to the smelting shop, or refinery. It is after his stay in Zarephath that Elijah will challenge the prophets of Baal.
Just as God carried the children of Israel on eagle’s wings, Elijah carried the widow’s dead son.

We thank You, God, for carrying us.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14)
      Holy Spirit, help us make “the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (See 1 Timothy 6:12)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
      Father, it is ot by our might or strength, but by your Holy Spirit that we shall triumph over sin and death. (See Zechariah 4:6)

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
      Jesus, we come to you now in our hour of need.

A word received: Come to me, wait on me. That is the beginning of prayer. Rest in my arms. Believe that I can do what you cannot.

Friday: 85, 86 * 91, 92; Ezekiel 1:28-3:3; Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Luke 9:28-36
Saturday: 87, 90 * 136; Ezekiel 3:4-17; Hebrews 5:7-14; Luke 9:37-50

I heard the voice of Jesus say http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH4OVm8nzXk
Joy to the World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5hj518Iugk&feature=related
Let the River Flow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGplpTUytfQ&feature=related
Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZjH0OKYJxg&feature=related

Albany Intercessor

Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. (Matthew 28:16)
      Holy Spirit, thank you for preserving their unity in that time of great testing and faith. Preserve our unity in this diocese as we seek to go forward to the work and ministry you have for us.

When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17)
      Lord, we bring our doubts to you as well as our hope. Help us worship you every time we go to meet you. Help us come into your presence at the Diocesan Convention in the times of worship and praise.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18 )
      Lord Jesus, speak to your disciples in our day. Help us repent of misusing the authority you give us.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19)
      Jesus, send us forth from the Diocesan Convention empowered by your Holy Spirit with a zeal and a desire to make disciples of all peoples. Bless those who are going forth on mission trips this summer.

“teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
      Father, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit into our hearts and minds so that Jesus is with us in all we say and do.

      Holy Spirit, please bless the teaching that will take place at the Diocesan Convention. Let the truth of the gospel be proclaimed without hesitation, so that we are empowered to go forth teaching others to observe all that Jesus has commanded us.

      Jesus, let our “Amen”, our “So be it”, be added to that of all the saints who have gone before us and will follow us. Surround us daily with the witness of the saints. Thank you.

            From The Nicene Creed
and ascended into heaven,
      Jesus, thank you for your ascension into heaven to sit at the right hand of your father. Thank you that you ever live to make intercession for us.

            From the Apostles’ Creed
He ascended into heaven,
      Jesus, thank you for being taken up into heaven in the sight of your apostolic witnesses. Help us live day by day in the hope that as you were taken up into heaven, so you will come back in like manner. (Acts 1:11)

A word received: Don’t be afraid. I AM with you.

Ascension Day: 8, 47 * 24, 96; Ezekiel 1:1-14,24-28b; Hebrews 2:5-18; Matthew 28:16-20
HC: 47 or 110:1-5; Acts 1:1-11 or Daniel 7:9-14; Ephesians 1:15-23 or Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:49-53 or Mark 16:9-15,19-20
Friday: 85, 86 * 91, 92; Ezekiel 1:28-3:3; Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Luke 9:28-36

      Notes from the Front Line

***** A personal prayer request from Torre: Fr. Bob and Margaret Whitely helped bring me to Christ in Belize in 1961. He was priest of the Anglican parish (Church of the Province of the West Indies) of St. Mary the Virgin in Belize. They have retired back to the United Kingdom and are in their eighties. I received the following from Fr. Bob this evening and I would appreciate your prayers for Margaret: “I’ve been intending to write a round robin for some time, but we’ve been well occupied with other things after Margaret had two falls in the Nursing Home in Feb and March. She suffered a severe fracture in the knee. Five weeks in hospital followed and since then slowly re-settling to life here. She still has a brace on the leg, so she needs help to stand and to move from chair to bed etc. The hope and aim eventually is to enable her to walk with a frame – at least in her room. The fact is that her hip revision of Feb 2010 has not properly bonded and no further surgery can be done.”

Albany Intercessor