I learned 5 lessons about the 5 fold yesterday!  Thanks to President Trump keeping another campaign promise we received a nice tax return.  We used it to replace our gazebo that was destroyed in a snow storm 2 years ago.  I needed help raising the roof and it did not escape my notice that I had two pastors and an elder of a local church assist me.  As I built this structure it reminded me of Ephesians 4:11 and the five-fold gifts that Christ gave to build His Church. 

I framed the foundation, poured the concrete and put up the major framework with a little help from Brenda.  The last task after putting the roof on was to anchor it to the foundation.  It required drilling 16 holes.  So I got myself some sleeve anchors made for concrete.  These came with a bit for the drill.  

It took me 30 minutes to drill the 1st hole and about 15 minutes into the 2nd hole I thought, this is CRAZY!  My muscles are beginning to cramp up, progress is slow and did I mention.... its painful!  

Now I had used this drill to do all of the work on the structure where screws were needed.  It did the job just fine.  But, this tool was just not the best tool to work on the foundation. 

A hammer drill is what I needed.  It was bigger, more expensive and louder.  So I rented the hammer drill and finished the remaining 14.5 holes in about 25 minutes and that included installing the anchors.  

As I thought of this experience and combined it with so many different experiences such as building prayer networks, establishing ministries, planting churches, coaching and mentoring other leaders, God revealed a number of things to me.

In "Build the Wall" starting on page 7 I share part of the inspiration for the vision for 24/7/365 prayer.  It says, "as I began to study and pray, I found two keys to my question. The first comes from the Hebraic word iyr, translated "city" in English.  It literally means, "a place guarded by a waking or a watch."  When you combine that definition with Jesus' command to watch and pray always, we get marvelous insight into the current state of so many of our cities. Our cities are in such disarray - crime, poverty, homelessness, etc. - because no watch is guarding them."  

The book goes on to describe how to build the wall of prayer personally, in your family, then in your local church.  The same principles can be used to build the wall of prayer in a city using the 1Church1Day strategy.  But the truth is, building the wall of prayer in your city actually begins in the home and in your local church. 

The premise under-girding 1Church1Day is that continual prayer praise and worship creates an atmosphere that invites God's abiding presence.  His presence is beneficial to all and is the key to transforming our communities.  However, most churches or ministries are to small to maintain 24/7 prayer all week, all month or all year long!  

But what local congregation could not cover at least one day each month with 24/7 prayer?  All it would take is 24 people doing one hour each day, 12 people committing to 2 hours each day, or 6 people committing to fours each day.   The Moravians who launched a 100 year long continual prayer gathering from which the modern day missionary movement was birthed utilized a strategy of having 2 people prayer together for an hour.  It took 48 people each day. 

When leaders have asked me over the years how does a church cover their day with 24/7 prayer my typical response is, "any way they want."  I urge them to "pray and obey" because every congregation is unique. 

It's Mother's Day!  Almost four years ago my Mom went home to be with Jesus.  Before she went, my little Baptist Momma began to have dramatic visions of heaven.  I thought you might appreciate hearing what she described.  Here's something I wrote for her memorial.

Lillian Taylor's Encounter with Heaven

On July 14, 2014 my mother, Lillian Pearl Taylor, went to the hospital with an infection that took her home on July 21st. Mom had a very dear friend, Lesli, who treated her like her own mother.  For two days she sat with her, prayed with her, visited with her and transcribed what she saw and heard.   What follows are excerpts from Lesli's transcription and my memory of our eye witness account of my Mom's description of her experience in heaven.  Many of these experiences occurred with her eyes wide open. 
 
I became aware of Mom's encounter with heaven when I walked into the room and Mom was absolutely giddy.  She was yelling "it is so beautiful.  The colors are so beautiful.  He is so beautiful!  I am so beautiful."  She described seeing Jesus, angels, a horse, my Dad and a house.
 
John 14:2-3
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. NKJV
 
It is so beautiful, it is so gorgeous, the colors, oh the colors, I have to go back.

In October 1991 upon my return from Desert Storm Brenda and I went to Israel.  It's when we were called into the ministry.  

Just the other day I came across and old file with cards we had made to help us raise monies for our move from Springfield Oregon to Renton Washington where we'd been asked to oversee the missions department for MFUSA.  The picture is from our personally historic time in Israel.  

Its when we were called into the ministry and given the assignment we walk in to this day. Several months ago I sensed very strongly the Lord speaking to me, it was time to return.  This occurred about the same time as President Trump announced the US Embassy was moving to the capitol of Israel... Jerusalem.  That's set to occur in just 2 days on May 14th. 

Why are we returning?  First, I believe I've heard clearly... God said.  Second, prophetic words and signs.  God's given many to us over the years. It has kept us apostolically pioneering and preparing for this day.  It's a day when:
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• The body of Christ needs to be united as one!
• Our Father's house of prayer is being built.
• The Church like the valley of dry bones is being raised up as a body, as the army of the Lord.
• There are multitudes and multitudes in the valley of decision
• God said He wanted David's tabernacle (24/7/365 prayer) restored.

While I've carried great revelation regarding the restoration of David's tabernacle (ie. churches in any city who choose to do what David did can enjoy the effects and benefits of God's abiding presence - Isaiah 4:3-6), Isaiah 2:2-3) I never consider that God might actually desire us to connect and serve churches in Jerusalem too.  But in 2010 at the Global Positioning of the Saints hosted during the Feast of Tabernacles in Ohio I changed my mind.

Years ago I played high school and college football. I played defensive end and our defense was rated #2 in Florida at the time.  We played at a pretty high level.  The way that was accomplished was by focusing on and practicing the fundamentals consistently.

Whenever our team started doing poorly, it was often a sign that it was time to go back and review the fundamentals. 

Today, the Church in America is in crisis.  I've had numerous interactions with ministers whose character falls far from the standard set in God's word and or have little or no power.  While I am sure there must be some ministers from bible colleges and seminaries who walk in the character and power of Christ, in the last several years I've interacted with far to many who do not.  It's no wonder that the Church in America is in the condition that it is in.  

Based upon the fruit that I see, it's time to revisit the basics.  This short (50 pages) but powerful workbook is an interactive course designed to get YOU into God's word so you discover what His word says about these essential foundational doctrines that take the believer from the spiritual cradle to eternity.   

Click here to visit Amazon and orders your copy today.