Pray4Guam
Prayers of agreement are even more effective, so here is a place to share insights and revelation to increase our impact.Archive for hope
Overcoming Poverty in Practical Ways
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- While the Governor is working on ways to cut 43 million from the budget, I would like to see specific money raise to cover essential services that will contribute powerfully to the quality of Life on Guam.
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I am shocked to discover that there are 166 massage parlors operating on Guam and about 10 adult entertainment night clubs. Each of the strippers and workers in these businesses generate a significant amount of money each day. Because they are each considered independent contractors, there is no official reporting of income. It is not unusual for a woman to earn $500 each night in tips from stripping. If a mere 400 women work in this line of work on Guam, each earning an average of $150,000 annually, conservatively $60 million is unreported from this small workforce on Guam.
If there was a methodology to collect taxes from these workers, and if a 20% tax rate was assessed and collected, an additional $12 million dollars would be available to support drug treatment and prevention activities on Guam.
The fact remains, that these workers are not paying taxes but most are spending their earnings in Game Rooms, Bars,Karaoke Lounges and Dance Clubs or worse, funding a drug addiction. A minimal amount of these dollars are actually supporting legitimate business on Guam and used to help power this island.
I would like to see some changes. not just to get the government’s budget cut back and people laid off, but to see that the funds are secured to fund the essential services we need on Guam.
If you were to ask some of the ladies we serve at Oasis how much money they were able to save during those years, you would hear absolutely nothing. In fact usually by morning they were bumming a cigarette off one of their friends because fast money disappears as fast as it comes.
The Lord God of Elijah
God will send the Prophet Elijah to minister restoration specifically to the Fatherless Generation. Growing up as part of the Fatherless Generation, we have a challenge learning to trust and rely on God fully. We have learned to survive and live our life mostly on our own. We cope. We have tried to move on from out disappointments and heart-sick experiences. It hurts when are hopes are deferred. We do what we need to to?
As Elijah engaged on a new level of direction at the end of his prophetic ministry, his focus shifted from only confronting that which was a violation of principle to reproducing himself by raising up spiritual sons and daughters. His ministry in establishing the School of the Prophets launched the double portion anointing in lives such as Elisha. He raised up new leaders for the throne of Kingdoms as well. His ministry was far more impartational than confrontational as he ministered to the fatherless generation.
Look at his interaction with Elisha when he first called him to share his ministry mantle and anointing. Elisha tries to share an emotional appeal that he had some family commitments and responsibilities to take care of. He was waiting for his father’s blessing which still was probably a long way off. Elijah’s comment: “WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU?”
The opportunity to mentored and drawn into a relationship that transforms one’s destiny is built around the shift to be fathered in the faith. Much can happen in our lives as we shift from a solitary lifestyle into a nurturing family-based ministry dynamic. Yes, God places the solitary into families. (Ps. 68:6) Through this level of nurture in the crucible of relational service we are transformed.
Consider some key terms: ASSISTANT/ATTENDANT
I Kings 19:25 “Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his Attendant.” Being fathered in the faith and mentored into our destiny requires submission and teachableness. For independent people and survivors who have learned to cope in life in solitude we have to deny an essential part of our divine construction. IT IS NOT GOOD THAT MAN SHOULD BE ALONE. We are all created for relationship and God is nurturing us through relationships. Of course the Gen 1 Context is specifically focused on Gods heart to build the union of a marriage covenant. What is so exciting to me is what happens when we come into a dynamic union of marriage in our life and ministry. Marriage is designed to be a true gift leading to the perfect “HAPPILY EVER AFTER” life story.
Reading 1Pet 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs.with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Eph 5 too is taking a broader focus and application on the practical side of covenant unity and agreement.Even in our disappointing relationships, he comes along side to hold us together, especially to complete us in the areas of our weakness and personal deficiencies. The Lord Himself promises to stand in the gaps that are found in our lives.
Call2Fall
We are planning to be part of the prayer initiative, Call2Fall on Sunday July 5th. Allison and I will be in England that day and hope to find a ministry in the Rochford area that is actively participating in their own prayer initiatives.
I am challenged by the words, BRING FORTH FRUIT that match your declared REPENTANCE.
Words can be powerful and are important but the Lord is also leading us to take action in all the areas we pray and proclaim are right and true. So, as we repent of our secret sin, are we really building practical boundaries to live differently? We can more easily say “Lord, Forgive Me, for what I am about to do…” and then jump in with both feet because we really know what we are doing is wrong.
But then again, what really is sin? Is it only a violation of a direct commandment of God? Is it also a violation of the nature and image of God that He has created in us? Isn’t sin also simply not staying close to the source of all Life? Every time we step outside of faith that draws life from God alone and go get our need met in some independent way is really sin. Sin is more about separation from God than being guilty of some written law or unwritten code.
So, lets respond to the call2fall and really cry out to God for mercy, forgiveness and restoration. Lord we turn our hearts to You and ask you to cleanse us, change us, and begin to make us whole. Work in us both to choose You and do Your Will.
Hopes and Dreams
Many of us have fresh hopes and dreams as we press into a new year. It is as if the slate is wiped clean and we feel we can move ahead with greater focus and purpose. At Zion, we had a baptism for 4 of our people to start the New Year by making a memorial together. At this time of New Beginnings, we pray that Guam will be baptized afresh with the fire of God, love for His presence and desire for His Kingdom to come and His will to be accomplished.
We believe that our prayer is powerful and effective. Together we make up the people of Guahan and can therefore dedicate this land to the Lord and His Kingdom. We have bought into this community, invested in it, and own some of the land. Therefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we commit this land afresh at this first day of 2009 to Open Wide these Gates that You the King of Glory will come in! Come Lord Jesus, Come and Visit Guam! Have your Way among Us! Cleanse us from our sins. Break the power of bondage to sexual promiscuity, sensuality, homosexuality and perversions. This year we pray that the Guam will no longer be a gateway for drugs and human trafficking. We pray that the strongholds of poverty and religion will be displaced by new strongholds of Prosperity and Righteousness. Lord, may Righteousness exalt this island. In the Name of the Father, The Son and Holy Spirit we say, AMEN!
