January Meeting

MEETING OVERVIEW
bondfire ministries held it's January meeting on Saturday, January 6, 2007. Although we had a small group attending, GOD moved in a special way. Our Pastor Israel, shared from the Word and taught the importance of intercessory prayer, fasting and the the need that the body of Christ has in calling out to GOD on behalf of others. Our teaching was based out of Genesis 17:8-16, if you're familiar with this passage, this is the account of Israel in battle with the Amalekites and as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed; and when he let down his hands the Amalekites prevailed. After they had place stones under Moses' arms for support since they had become too heavy, Aaron and Hur supported his hands by one standing on each side of Moses.

The scriptures state that Joshua defeated the Amalekites and later Moses built an altar and called it's name The-LORD-Is-My-Banner. There will be times in our lives that we will need the aid of our brothers and sisters as we fight through this journey called life. For some of us it may seem that all is well and that we are on "Easy Street" and that everyone around us are the ones facing adversity. I've often heard my pastor use this phase, it's a little harsh, but there's a harsh truth about it. "If you live long enough, life has a way to shut you up" There will be a time in your life that life will hand you something that you cannot handle on your own, and the only way you manage to make it, is with the help of others holding you up in prayer on your behalf.

The loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, a spouse that has been unfaithful, sickness and disease, a rebellious child, a foreclosure on the house, a pregnant unwed daughter . . . . things that life just has a way of coming our way and now we find ourselves having to deal with something we've never had to deal with before. Oh, but how comforting it is to know that we can call on others to interceed for us as they stand beside us in the Spirit.

We also referenced Daniel 10:12, this is where the angel of the Lord came to Daniel and spoke these words to him, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day . . . your words were heard; and I have come because of your words." As we learn from these passage there was a struggle in the Spiritual realm as the prince of Persia withheld the angel of the Lord for 21 days and Michael, one of the chief princes came to the aid of this angel.

We were encouraged to never let the circumstances of the natural to overtake us, GOD will always have His angel to encamp around us and to also fight on our behalf.

At the close of our meeting, we prayed intensely for those that GOD had from bondfire in different parts of the world ministering to the lost and for those here at home that need the undergirding of their fellow brothers and sisters. Lastly, we closed by making a committed unifying decree to fast for a week. Although some have continued to fast for 21 days, GOD will ultimately honor our efforts, sacrifices but most importantly our obedience to this call to stand in the gap for others.
DECEMBER VISITORS
Andrea Liu (guest of Paul Mordi)

PRAYER REQUESTS UPDATES

Kevin Gonzales from Espanola, New Mexico: UPDATE!
We recently received an update on Kevin's prayer request. In another message not previously posted, Kevin had a desire to work in full time ministry. Here is what he has to say: ". . . my last day at my current job is Thursday, but God has opened the door and I am starting as the full-time youth pastor at my church. I am so excited and grateful to what God is doing. This is the first paid position in the church besides the Pastor, so it is all new, but I know that this was the right time. It has always been my desire. . ." It's awesome to see what GOD has been for this brother. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Gregory Fisher from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: UPDATE!
This brother from OKC happens to be an old college buddy of bondfire's member, David Martinez. This is what was recently shared with us: "Chance is doing ok. He's keeping his spirits up, which is good. The the doctors aren't giving him much hope of recovery as far as the paralysis goes, but I have an answer from God (Thats' awesome!) that my cousin will walk again. Please continue praying for him." Please friends, let continue to pray for this young man, Chance Fisher. Remember, he's just 18 years old, for the guys who are reading this, remember your life when you are 18? This young man is at a turning point in his life (in general), but now he has to deal with the reality that he cannot walk (YET!).


Seth Herrell from Palestine, Texas: UPDATE!
A prayer request for Seth was presented during our December Meeting. He asked for prayer regarding finances to return to school, Seth recently sent us and update, here's what is stated: " . . . . (it) look like I'll be staying in p-town (Palestine) for a while, though I'm starting to think that God may be working on some things in me and all this is part of his devine plan". Let's continue to keep this young man in prayer and may this "season" of being away from school, may be a time that God move in his life like never before.

Sonia Lee from Dallas, Texas UPDATE!
Sonia left for a mission trip during the latter part of December, and as of this posting she is still overseas. She and a small team of others were on their way to Niger (in Africa) to do some missionary work in a remote area of Niger. Where some would see it as "bad luck", God placed her and about 8 or 9 others from her team in Paris, France. Having her heart set in ministering to the people of Niger, in a recent e-mail message, Sonia writes: "This city is beautiful with lights that glitter everywhere, but beyond that, I see the intense darkness in the air surrounding people everywhere, and I see the void in their eyes and it is heartbreaking. At first I felt distraugt at the impossibility to reach out as planned to a particular unreached people . . . but then I understood that the people here are just as unreached as nay other unreached group". God has an amazing way to work out his plan, even if it goes different than what we may have planned. Continue to pray for this group of fellow brothers and sisters carrying out the gospel in France.

PRAYER REQUESTS

The following prayer requests have come a member of bondfire ministries and we would like for you to have an active part, in assisting us to keep these individuals in your prayers.

Kevin Gonzales from Espanola, New Mexico:
This brother is working towards his degree in Interactive Media Design and his employer assists him with his educational expenses. However, due to budget cuts, they are force to cut his school funding in addition to that, their budget doesn't afford them the choice to bring him on-board as a permanent employee. Now, Kevin is now faced with having to seek employment elsewhere. Please pray that the Lord will open the right doors for him for a new job.

Greg Fisher from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:
Greg (aka Fish) is asking prayer for his 18 year old cousin, Chance Fisher. Chance was in a bad accident last Sunday and suffered a broken neck and doesn't have feeling or movement from his waist down. Please keep Chance and the entire Fisher family in your prayers.

(if you have prayer requests that you would like for us to post, please send them to bondfire-ministries@hotmail.com and we will post them as soon as we can. The above requests were submitted through "myspace")

Decemeber Meeting

MEETING OVERVIEW

bondfire ministries held it's monthly meeting this past Saturday, December 9, 2006. Our Pastor, Israel shared from the Word and taught on the subject of "Desert But Not Deserted". We were taught that when we are going through those seasons in our Christian walk that seem like we are being lead into the "wilderness", it's not so most as a time of punishment or correction, but a time to have an encounter and experience with God.

We learned that Moses (Ex. 3:1) found himself leading Jethro's flock "to the far side of the desert" and after he had arrived at Mount Horeb (Mountain of God) the angel of the Lord appeared to him within the flames of a bush. As Moses got closer, that is when the voice of the Lord spoke to him, and told him to draw closer. We see here that after his journey to the far side of the desert, Moses had his God encounter.

Another person that has taught us a lesson in the same context, is Jacob. As we see Jacob traveling to see his brother Esau, there was a point that he was left all alone (Gen. 32:24a) and that's when he wrestled with the angel until daybreak. One of the key elements of this passage is when Jacob told the angel "I will not let you go unless you bless me". At times it takes each of us to have that kind of drive and tenacity to have an encounter with God. A place that we are so changed by the power of God that we will never walk the same again, a place that will, so to speak, will change our name.

Our primary example in having a "wilderness" or "desert" experience, is Jesus Christ. Having reached the place during His baptism in the latter part of Luke 3, we see that in Chapter 4 He is "lead" to the wilderness "by the Spirit" to be tempted (tested) by the devil.

Not every desert experience will lead to testing, but undoubtedly, some will and it's those times, that we need to have the Word of God in our hearts and minds to help us overcome the enemy. Others will merely bring to the forefront, our complete confidence and trust in the One that has allowed for us to travel on this temporary trek. Remember, just because we find ourselves in a desert, doesn't mean we've been deserted.

DECEMBER VISITORS

Drew Nutt (guest of Tony and Sara Privitt)

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR

Seth Herrell - For finances so he may be able to return to school (CFNI) in the Spring.

Sonia Lee - For finances, protection and Spiritual preparation for her mission trip to Africa.