We have all talked about how this is such an exciting and energetic time for all of us involved in the Sunday Night worship service. With that said we really need to examine some personal things in our lives as we move forward. Scott Honess put a charge out to the people who were at last Sunday night's planning session. He challenged us to fast and pray. On Monday he elaborated his challenge by saying that when Jesus spoke of fasting it was not an if type thing. Jesus said when you fast. Matthew 6:17-18 says: "But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
By devoting ourselves to a time of prayer and fasting we will truly see God speak to us and give us the energy to complete his tasks. I challenge each and every one of you to spend time in prayer while fasting. I know that God will truly bless us and our efforts in we can devote this to him
I have included a link to the Campus Crusade for Christ International that talks about fasting. It talks about 7 basic steps to prayer and fasting. Please prayerfully go to the website and take up the charge to devote time to Prayer and fasting. I promise that not only will we not regret it, but realize how much we need it!
God Bless you all!
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/7-steps-to-fasting-and-prayer/index.aspx
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3 comments:
There have been a few times in my life when I fasted for longer than 3 days, each time it was to help me focus clearly on direction for my life. After the initial periond of hunger subsided, I found myself filled with the Spirit, able to focus much more on my prayers and scripture reading. I encourage you all to give it a try. Your body will rebel. That's to be expected - the rewards are great.
Prayer is always powerful. Fasting is powerful. When you combine them you unleash the full blessing of God's awesome power in your life. If you're praying, but not fasting it's like going out into the snow with only one boot on. If you're seeking stronger,deeper intimacy with God fasting is a vehicle to get you there. And when we fast as a community, all seeking the same direction from the Holy Spirit, it's a force that shakes the very gates of Hell.
the link is terrific Ken. I've put together a handout on fasting from it and will have it available at Wednesday's group and at our next meeting on Nov.30th.
Good to read Luke 4 this morning in my devotions. Jesus once He was baptized and filled with the Spirit, was led into the desert by that same Holy Spirit. The purpose was to get clear on His mission, purpose, to be tempted to clear out any motives that wouldn't work. Jesus follows in the steps of preparation that Moses (Ex. 24:8 & 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) took as they prepared to serve God in a big way. He is tempted to go the fast and exciting route to build the Kingdom, mystery, miracles, power - but Jesus brushes them all aside. He sticks to following God and His Word.
Next He goes back home and his Messianic message is well received at first, the people were amazed at His teaching that Is. 61 was fulfilled. They had all been waiting expectantly for a Messiah. But he ruins a perfectly good sermon by telling them that they would be rejecting him, seeking miracles like they heard about in other cities. Jesus really drops the bomb when he tells Old Testament stories about the grace of God appearing to GENTILES - not Jews - people like a widow from Sidon or a leper Naaman from Syria. This riles the people so much that they basically foam at the mouth and determine to chuck Jesus off the cliff.
So, as you each begin to think about a fast, why now, how so and for what purpose, get clear on this. A fast can mess with your entire life. It can give you purpose and meaning that you never dreamed of. It can ruin you for this world! Done right, a fast is a part of a healthy diet (spiritually speaking)
Let me know what God is teaching you.
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