H. L. Sheppard

Bulletin

October 2006

ONE SHORT-FUSED

FISHERMAN

Jesus seemed to be sharing an orderly outline of current and immediate events that would take place in His soon-to-be-ended life. His words are recorded in Luke 22.

The Lord offered His Apostles communion at the Last Supper. He then made them aware that one of His own would betray Him. Continuing His monologue after supper, He cautioned them about the dangers of desiring to be greater than one another, thereby imitating the spirit of the world.

Suddenly, He stopped speaking to the Apostolic conclave and focused His attention on one tempestuous, outspoken, short fused fisherman:

“Simon (Peter)”

The Lord said:

“…Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”(Luke 22:31-32)

What cataclysmic upheaval in the vast expanses of the heavenlies would prompt the Creator of all things to pray? What earth-shaking convulsion of the natural elements of creation would warrant the rapt attention of the very God and Savior, Jesus Christ?

It’s simple really: One man named Peter needed the Lord’s help. Therefore, Jesus Christ (the man) prayed to the divine Spirit that lived within Him and petitioned that Holy Spirit to intervene on Peter’s behalf.

No need, no hurt, no heartache, no test, no man every escapes the attention of the Savior. Jesus Christ is never too busy with the operation of a hundred billion stars in a hundred billion galaxies to stop everything and focus on the needs of “One.”

Have you won “One?” Are you praying for that “One” soul that God has placed on your heart?

2006

THE YEAR OF

“ONE”

Are you doing your best to reach ONE?

REMEMBER: October is 'Prayer & Fasting' month. For the entire month special emphasis is placed upon the necessity of prayer and fasting. Everyone is asked to double their normal prayer time for this month. Ministers are asked to fast three days each week. All members are asked to fast two days per week. Prayer has always been the prelude to Revival.

The focus of our prayer for this October is: “ONE”…We are going to pray that God would help us to finally reach that One soul that we have been seeking all year long.

 If you do not have a regular daily routine of prayer, now is an excellent time to start. You are encouraged to discipline yourself to pray for five minutes each morning, or immediately after rising from sleep. It is a well-researched fact that any activity performed consistently for thirty consecutive days becomes a habit. Prayer is a wonderful and fulfilling habit to develop. Not only is it pleasing to God, prayer enables men to access heavenly resources that are available only to those who give themselves to effectual fervent prayer: 

James 5:16  "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."