I’m still in awe of the amazing service we had this morning. As we celebrated the risen King, God was at work.

Today, 205 people worshipped at RFA. More importantly, one person gave their heart to Christ.  We baptized four new believers. Worship was over the top and the atmosphere was charged by the Spirit of God.

God was certainly present. We serve an alive God. If Jesus hadn’t raised from the dead, the service today would have been lifeless. The resurrection secured God’s eternal presence.  Thank you Jesus!

I woke up this morning with these haunting words of God on my heart.  It is God speaking to the prophet Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV, “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

America needs a church that will intercede.  God is looking for His people who will get down on their knees and stand in the gap for this great nation.  Who of us can complain about the current problems in the US when we have yet to approach God about those problems?  God isn’t done with our nation. We must stand in the gap.

I love to see toothless smiles. Her tooth fell out at school today. I told her the tooth fairy got laid off in the sequester but Sonya still wants to give Hannah money.

Of all  the treasures in this world, there is one that has far greater worth than all others.  A Godly Woman.  Our world today puts worth on things that have little actual worth.  Its value is based on things that do not last or thnigs that do not matter.  But the thing I treasure most is the woman God gave me.  41 years ago today, God unfolded His mate for me.  He created her to be my help meet.  He gave her all the qualities that would be the perfect compliment for me. 

Often, I have not treasured her as I should.  I have not valued our differences enough.  Yet, now I realize that God knew exactly what I needed.  I am thankful that He created and formed this gracious woman.  I can imagine the day that God commanded her birth and looked at her and said, “She is good! She is mine!”  Words cannot express the love that I have for her.   He has given me a beautiful, loving, caring and godly wife.

Nearly 22 years ago when we married, I would have never dreamed that our lives would lead us where we have come.  Through 17 years of pastoring, she has been such a blessing to me as she serves along side of me in ministry.  Though I often get the pats on the back, because my ministry is more public, Sonya quietly serves.  Serves in many capacities.  She doesn’t do it for recoginition, she does it because she is a woman who loves God with all of her heart.  I could never make it in ministry without her.  She truly is my help meet.

Happy Birthday My Cheney!

@dannycheney1 My morning prayer “Lord, give our church a new pastor and let that new pastor be me. Change me and revive me.” I want 2 be what my ppl need.

Sunday we took a look at having an audacious pursuit for the things of God.  This required us to have an audacious faith and audacious prayers.  Many people wrote down their audacious prayers for our church.  I have been blown away by the daring and bold prayers that were prayed.  I could sense the faith in every request, and this morning, I began praying for each request.  I am excited to seee the results of our linking together in prayer for these things.  Follow the link to take a look at these audacious prayer requests.

Audacious Prayers For RFA

Matthew 21:22, “And  whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Jesus gives us a promise about prayer.  Whatever things you ask in pray you will receive if you believe.   What a promise!   Why is it so hard to believe in the power of prayer?  If we truly believed in God’s power to answer, we would pray more.  We are weak in prayer because we are weak in faith.  Somehow we have convinced ourselves that God will not answer so why pray.  I am reminded of the Scripture, “You have not because you ask not”.  The Bible also tells us to let our requests be made known to God.

As a sidenote, I find it interesting that Jesus gives us this great promise of answered prayer in the same chapter as His challenge for the church to be a house of prayer.  He has called us to engage in believing prayer. As individuals and as a church.

Acts 20:26-27, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I  am  innocent of the blood of all  men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

Paul is recounting his life in ministry and testifies that he has been faithful in sharing the Gospel with all men. He has gone preaching the kingdom of God and declaring the whole counsel of God.

Sandwiched in this text is a convicting statement for most people but it was a relief to Paul. He said, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.” Instantly, it takes us back to the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel 3:18, “When I say to the wicked, ‘you shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.”

Can we say with Paul that there is no blood on our hands? Or are we guilty of not sharing, with the world, the message of this life-changing Gospel? May we be messengers of Christ and proclaim Him to this desperate generation.