2021: A YEAR OF NEW HOPE: Richer Love and More Prayer
As we look back on this past year, we have seen many disappointments and challenges like never before. I don’t have to remind us of those times but do want us to reflect on how we came through the year by the power of Prayer and the strength of the Holy Spirit in each of us to overcome them with joy.
One of my challenges came as I lay in a hospital ICU room on September 3. My pulse was 28 bpm, my blood pressure very high, and I was having severe chills from the meds. I really wanted to know the Lord was there in the room with me so I asked one of the nurses in my room if she would mind if I sang to the Lord. She said “Sure no problem”. Well, this was never a problem for me. The word says the Lord comes into our presence when we praise Him, He inhabits our praises. I love to sing anywhere or any- time. As the songs came and the Spirit, moved I began to sing in my heavenly language. As I began to experience His Peace and the presence of His Spirit, an overwhelming Joy filled the room. Not long after, the nurse said “Whatever you are doing, just keep it up, because it is working”. My chills left, my pulse rate came up and BP went down.
Praising the Lord in all circumstances we can and will receive His Peace. Jesus said, “My Peace I give to you”.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
So we have nothing to be afraid about and don’t need to let our hearts be troubled because His peace He has given us.
As we think about the new year and the possibilities and the hopes we have in Christ, let’s begin to think of how we will let God move in us, and His Holy Spirit teach us His ways and Jesus empower us with his love.
I truly believe when we desire God more and more like in the ICU room He is faithful to us and we will experience Him more and more in our lives. The Holy Spirit has been given to us for here and now to be with us and in us. I believe you all know this, but like me, we sometimes have to find ourselves in the ICU times of life to remember us how close He is when we call on Him.
Now, let’s dream of the possibilities this new year can bring. Stop here for a moment to dream… Let the Spirit show you what to dream about… be in silence for a few minutes! What did you dream about? …Having a more intimate relationship with the Father is a dream for me.
Now, Let’s think what do I want to be empowered to do. Stop again here for a moment to pray… Letting the Spirit tell you. What did He tell you? I heard the Spirit tell me five things: Thanking more… Serving more… Loving more… Giving more… Making more time for family…
Now, as we think how we can extend these Dreams and Hopes into CFO, I pray the Father will shows us how to creatively expand the mission and dreams the Father has for CFO.
What you are hearing the Father tell you about His Mission and Dreams for CFO? 
This is the main thought I received. A way to help support CFOI financially. We might add a CFO creative to find giving partners. We could share how God, through this creative partnership, brought us blessings from generous hearts.
These Partnerships would be in five different levels of support. CFOI needs about $50,000 per year to meet the financial budget. Partnership giving levels of support could look like this.
Per month support levels:
Seeking 100 — Praise Partners $10, CFOI would receive — $1,000 each month
Seeking 50 — Glory Partners $20, CFOI would receive — $1,000 each month
Seeking 20 — Saint Partners $50, CFOI would receive — $1,000 each month
Seeking 7 — Prayer Partners $100, CFOI would receive — $700 each month
Seeking 3 — Gracious Partners $200, CFOI would receive — $600 each month
Total per month — $4,200 X 12 = $50,400 per year
The more partners in one level the fewer needed in another level. Each Partner will receive a yearly giving support letter/receipt for their IRS tax reporting.
We have many more CFOI friends than we would need to meet this goal of 180 Partners.
As we begin to promote this partnership program of being generous to Support CFOI, I believe God will bless our generosity in more ways than we can even imagine. Many of us have been blessed with much and God will tell us what support level we should partner in.
So this is my thought, What is yours?…
Our first Mission as CFO’ers, is letting Jesus be Lord of our lives and letting His light Shine through us to all on our life’s journey.
“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven, let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin in me”
Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you this coming year. I send my love to you all,
David Dobra, President CFOI Board