Joe & Becky Cruse

We did it. It’s really hard to believe but the corporate fast was over just a few hours ago. I cannot begin to tell of all that God has done for Ps Joe and myself, much less, the reports that are coming in. As we prayed together tonight, Ps Joe and I felt that for us personally we must continue on and so, as a couple we will continue the fast until further direction from the Lord.

Thank you CWC and friends of this ministry…I believe only eternity will tell all the awesome things God has done and yet to do! We will gather some of the testimonies and post them on this blog for others to read. It will encourage your faith.

Just a quick reminder about our Vision Sunday tomorrow, Jan 25th. I am so excited about what the Lord is going to do in the morning services tomorrow. You will not want to miss out. Join us at 8:30 and 11:00 as together, we see what the Lord has spoken for his church, City Worship Centre in this new year.

And then Sunday night, we begin our New Season Revival! We are so privileged to have some great pastors and dear friends that will be joining us Sunday night through Friday. Every night @ 7:00 pm and every morning (M-F) @ 10:00 am. God has marked this week of meetings–they will go down as a real watermark in the history of the ministry so I wouldn’t miss one service if I were you. (for more details on the guest ministers, click on the “new season” icon on the website)

Invite your friends, co-workers, inlaws and outlaws and let’s fill the house for the glory of God. I believe the harvest is closer now than ever before.

See you this week–BC

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Hebrews 10:23

One little, no, two little words for those fasting with us this 21 days–HOLD FAST! I have always heard it said that it is darkest just before the dawn and friends, that quote is playing out with the Cruses today! Three more days and my flesh is crying out…well, to be quite honest, it’s not just my flesh…I believe we have made the enemy of our souls very upset. He doesn’t like it when he is not pre-eminent. So in light of these things, the Lord gave me these thoughts…

Hold fast to the Word of God–it is your lamp and your light
Hold fast to His promises over your life–they are yes and amen
Hold fast to His presence–that is your safe dwelling place
Hold fast to His commandments–complete obedience is the key
Hold fast to His teachings–they are the key to abundant life
Hold fast to His ways–they are much higher than ours
Hold fast to His life–you will lose yours but find His
Hold fast to His purpose–there you will find your greatest dreams fulfilled
Hold fast to His plans–they will prosper you and give you hope and a future
Hold fast to His love–Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends

Holding on to Jesus
BC

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matt 5:23-24 NIV)

I rose early this morning (as most every morning) to read my Bible and pray. In doing so, I came across this verse and I believe the Lord had something He wanted to show me.

Offense is not a popular topic of ministry these days, but what damage it does to the praying man or woman of God! Offense—the secret sin. Offense—on the outside we are fine but on the inside, we struggle with scars and wounds that generally come as a result of being offended. Spouses, friends, parents have all said or done things that have brought the opportunity for offense. Now, the purpose of this blog entry is not to teach on offense. John Bevere’s incredible book, The Bait of Satan, deals with this subject and I would highly recommend, if you have not read it, to do so.

I was quickened in my spirit how fruitless it is, if we want to draw closer to God (and I do), that we consecrate our temples through prayer and fasting (and I am) and have “something” against my brother, or rather, that he/she has something against me.

So I begin praying and asking God to reveal any known offenses that I was aware of. I know this might sound petty, but friend, I don’t want anyone or anything to hold me back or keep me from the promises of God being fulfilled in my life. And you know what, it didn’t take me too long to be reminded of some issues (as small as they may be) that I need to take care of.

I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (NLT) which says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged”.

Do you want answers to your prayers? Do you want God’s Holy Spirit active in your life? Do you want the time that you spend “dying to your flesh” to count for something? Friend, ask the Lord to reveal the areas that need to be freed from the sin of offense, go and make things right, and God will see you heart and answer your cry!

Hey guys, I am just checking in to see how you are doing with the fast. This is Day 9 for Ps Joe and myself and we are right on track, feeling great and resetting some horrible habits and patterns. It is so amazing how through the days and months, we lose track of what is good and right and how God originally designed this body to function.

We have determined to turn off the news and spend more time in worship and prayer. I keep watching in hopes of some “good news” but I have been watching a long time and the news has never changed. Mostly depressing, devil lifting up, gospel putting down stories from people who don’t love God or His ways. The Lord didn’t lead us to particularly fast media but as we enjoy our time with Him more and more, it just seems to be a natural inclination.

Church yesterday was powerful. The worship was so intense and the Spirit of the Lord was ever present. Many people were touched by His power in such a tangible way. It seemed as though many were breaking through in areas of worship and I know that only time will tell what is happening as we continue to consecrate our “temples” in fasting, prayer and giving.

In my prayer time early this morning I felt the Lord speak a simple word to me. CHANGE! Now, I don’t have the complete interpretation of that as of yet, but I already feel myself changing. I know that change starts inwardly. I must decide to change, or should I say, I must decide to allow Him to make the changes in me. The older I get, the harder it seems to change. It’s easy to get in a rut, and do the same things everyday, but for me to go higher in his ways, to reach further to the lost, to take hold of “Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done,” and cause heaven to be established on the earth, I MUST CHANGE, and somehow I don’t think I am the only one!

I know that 2009 will not be without its challenges, but I look forward to this new year embracing the continual change God will make in me. I am desperate to hear His voice and walk in His ways. I must shut off the noise of the world and “tune my heart to sing His praise” in every situation.

2 Cor. 3:18 says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

So the question is this, will you join me? It’s the only way we will move through this year, full of faith and expectation for all He has in store for us. Feel free to email me with prayer requests or praise reports. We are sharing them with our people to encourage their faith.

Till next time–Ps Becky

I tell you the truth, we are very excited about what the Lord is going to do in us during this time of consecration. We are believing God for some awesome things during these 21 days of corporate prayer and fasting. We have put every ministry, every plan, every staff member, every relationship every dream on the altar of sacrifice and asked the Lord once again to bring everything into His perfect order!

We are at home this evening listening to worship CD’s and spending time in the Word. It’s exciting to jump off the wheel of mundane and walk on the water! This is a new experience for us and we know it is the right time as we prepare ourselves to for this next phase of growth.

I said to Joe, “its kind of like exercise—its hard to start but once you do, you begin to see the results and the pain is worth it in the end”!

I plan to blog regularly throughout our fast. I want to share with those of you who have answered the call to corporately fast with us. Remember, at whatever level God instructs you, be obedient. If you have never fasted before, start with something you know you will stay with. Maybe its one meal a day, or certain types of foods, (such as caffeine and sweets), whatever He says to do, do it! If you have any suggestions or testimonies, let me hear from you.

I will close this blog by including a website that explains the Daniel Fast (this is the fast we have chosen) and gives you good guidelines and info that will help you during this season. Be blessed and I will check in a bit later. Ps Becky Cruse

http://DanielFast.wordpress.com