 Dear Friend,
As we pray in concert today, the topic of prayer is 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."
The Holy Spirit has led me to focus our prayers on people in two leadership positions:
1. Pastors - This Sunday, January 10th, hundreds of pastors from across our nation will be leading their church congregations in 21 days of prayer and fasting.
- Pray for the pastors: wisdom, anointing and unction from the Holy Spirit; protection from the enemy and personal renewal in their own relationship with Christ as they too seek Him in fasting and prayer.
- Pray as well for those in their congregation: that they will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading regarding prayer and fasting.
- Pray for a spirit of repentance to be given the Church as so many in our nation are fasting and humbling themselves before God. May revival come to our nation once again!
2. Government Leaders - During the month of January, while we and so many others in our nation are fasting, I feel led of God that we should take time each Thursday to pray for our nation and its leaders.
- May God give those in leadership a fear of Himself. May He give them insight into the Scriptures and a belief in its Truth.
- May He bring them to an end of themselves, removing pride in self, pride in our government (it is not more powerful or more perfect than God) and selfish ambition.
- May He protect them from the enemy, his schemes and deceptions
- May He prosper those who are His faithful servants--prospering their faith, their families, their staff, their future service in government and their God-given initiatives currently underway in government.
There is a promised result - even a personal result - when you and I pray in this way: we will lead "a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." America will be safe. Godliness will increase - I am claiming this for our nation, as well as our own personal godliness.
"Reverence" is a promised result. The word in the original language means: "the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, dignity, majesty, sanctity, honor, purity."
Can you imagine such godliness restored to our nation that there is a prevalent, open reverence for God? Such reverence and respect for God and His laws, and for other human beings, that crime is reduced? Can you imagine dignity and sanctity of life returning once again -- respect for the unborn, the young, the elderly and the disabled? Can you imagine our moral standards reversing and purity being restored?
The promise God makes in this verse is that we will lead "a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (emphasis added). It doesn't say "minimal" godliness and reverence. Or "some" godliness and reverence. It says "ALL" And that's what I'm claiming today!
I'm looking forward to meeting you before the throne of grace at 6:30! Remember, God IS "a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" Hebrews
11:6 (emphasis added).
Your Sister in Christ,
Natalie Nichols
President,
Shades of Grace Ministries
www.shadesofgrace.org
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An Invitation to Pursuit 21 
Can you believe that another year is already here? Perhaps you have
deep longings for 2010-things you want God to do in your life, a loved
one's life...or your business or ministry.
There is something you can do in this first month of the year that
will set the course for what God does in your life all year long -
something that will bring you closer to God and release His wisdom,
guidance and blessing in every area of your life.
There is no better way to begin the year than with a Biblical fast.
Just as beginning our day with prayer sets the course for the rest of
the day and affects anything that might happen, so beginning
the year with a fast affects not only our inward relationship with God,
but also circumstances and blessing throughout the entire year.
We give God the first of our day, the first of our week and the first of our income. Why not the first of the year?"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mt. 6:33). When we give God the the first of our year in prayer and fasting...he gives unto us all year long...
To The Top
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Giving God the First 
Several years ago I began giving God the first twenty-one days of
the year through prayer and fasting. Scripture exhorts us in Matthew
6:33 to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...and then everything else will be given to us.
Perhaps you have goals, desires, dreams and resolutions for the New
Year. Maybe you have already begun submitting your requests to God for
the things you'd like to see Him do in 2010. Maybe He is asking you to
believe Him for certain results in 2010. Beloved, prayerfully consider giving God the first of your year in prayer and fasting and watch Him give unto you all year long.
Up until a few years ago, I - like so many other Christians - overlooked the significance of fasting. I
believed in giving God the first of my day, the first of my week and
the first of my income, but I was missing a vital element: the first of my year...
To The Top
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Lord, Teach us to Fast 
Today, as I pray and prepare for January's upcoming fast, I am posting a portion of a previous blog pertaining to fasting:
In Matthew chapter six, as Jesus is teaching the disciples about the
kingdom of Heaven - its laws and conduct - He mentions the word "when"
three very significant times.
Not If, But When
1. "When you give..." (v. 2).
2. "When you pray..." (v. 5).
3. "When you fast..." (v. 16).
Notice that He did not say, "if you give," "if you pray," "if you fast". He did not say "if" but "when".
Jesus made it clear that fasting, like praying and giving, is to be a
normal part of Christian life. We all know and believe in the
importance of prayer and giving. But sadly our approach to fasting is
that it is a dispensable thing - merely an option for occasional
implementation, if at all...
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Passionate Pursuit
A Journey Journey to More of Christ
Ladies, come and enjoy coffee and dessert, uplifting music and a
transforming message as Natalie Nichols, founder of Shades of Grace Ministries,
shares an encouraging word for your present need.
Join us as Natalie leads us on a Passionate Pursuit to know Jesus
and the power of God's Word more intimately each day.
Mark Your Calendar!
January
14, 2010 (2nd Thursday) - 6:30 p.m.
Piney Woods Country Club
3001 US 59 S
Nacogdoches,
TX 75964
Worship by Grateful Heart
With beautiful harmonies, humble hearts
and soaring songs, Grateful Heart leads
listeners in sincere and true worship.
 Pursuit 21 with Natalie Nichols.
Have you become complacent about your time with God and His Word? Are your desires dictated by the appetites of your flesh? Do you need a breakthrough in your finances, your relationships, your business? Natalie shares the key to seeing a transformation and supernatural work of God in your life...and your year!
 A Moment in Concert
Throughout the Bible and the history of the
great revivals, concerts of prayer have
preceded a life-changing, revolutionary descent
of God upon the soul of man, the heart of the
church and the life of the community. In this
new segment, we bring our instruments of prayer together for a moment in concert.
Invite Your Friends!
Forward this email to a friend as their invitation. 
Register online or by phone at 936.569.8741.
Registration: $5 online /
$10 at the door
Registration
required for dessert. Registration ends @ 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, January
12, 2010.
Save the Date: February 4, 2010 - 6:30 p.m.
A powerful evening of praise and worship as we close the fast & celebrate God's faithful answers to our prayer and seeking!
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Discover Natalie Nichols
& Shades of Grace Ministries
In the midst of severe
illness caused by undiagnosed Lyme Disease, Natalie Nichols came to rely
on God's Word to comfort and sustain her. Now through Shades of Grace
Ministries, she shares how you and your loved ones can experience God's comfort
and grace through life's trials.
Our
Mission
The core mission of Shades
of Grace Ministries is to lead others to seek and apply the Word of God in
every circumstance of life.
Our Vision
Shades of Grace Ministries
desires to see a world where every Christian walks by faith and stands
upon God's promises as found in His Word.
Watch Natalie's Journey
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In This Issue
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
6:30 p.m.
Piney Woods Country Club
3001 US 59 S
Nacogdoches, TX 75964
Invite Your Friends!
Registration:
$5 online / $10 at the door
Register online or by phone at 936.569.8741
Pre-registration required
for dessert. Pre-register
online by Tuesday,
January 12, 2010, 6:30 p.m. _____________
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Shades of Grace now on YouTube!
Visit our channel
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Visit Passionate
Visit Natalie
on Facebook. ________________
Follow Natalie. ________________ |
TESTIMONIES
I love Passionate
Pursuit! It is like a mini-Women of Faith Conference for me each month.
- Bethany
"Just
this morning I prayed - I was out of faith, gas, or hope. Your message
was my answer from God! It's like I'm just beginning to see who God
really is. This morning I felt like I was standing alone. Now I know
I'm not! Thank you, Jesus."
- P.F.
"I saw your post (Isaiah 58:1, "Like a Trumpet"). It is my desire that God would
develop me into that kind of man. Thanks for your boldness..."
- Kevin
"The
day I heard your testimony was a life-changing day for me. I have never been
the same since! We Christians are in and out of the Word. We don't know
its value. Your testimony
showed me
that the
Word is our only hope."
- Michele
"Because
of this time of prayer and praise I realized that God's standard of holiness
must begin in me -- in the small and big decisions I make every moment."
- Carla
"Although life is still a
struggle for me and my family, I know God is faithful...and your life is living
testimony to that! Thanks for the encouragement - revealed through your life -
that brings endless hope to hurting people. I praise God and know He is behind
it all!!"
- Paula
"I've been a doubting Thomas. I didn't realize until the
message tonight just how much my faith has diminished over time through
disappointing, hurtful circumstances. Tonight, that has changed! God has
breathed fresh life into me and my walk of faith, and I know there is more to
come."
- Valerie
"Just this morning I prayed - I was out of faith, gas, or
hope. Your sermon was my answer from God! It's like I'm just beginning to see
who God really is. This morning I felt like I was standing alone. Now I know
I'm not! Thank you, Jesus."
- P.F.
"I watched the concert of
prayer tonight -- powerful praise and worship! I worshiped God in my living
room along with you...God is calling me to a higher place with him; I must
share the gospel with others -- in the places he gives me, no matter the
cost...Thanks for leading us into his presence."
- Cynthia
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