Fasting Thought
The goal of any discipline is freedom. If the result is not greater freedom, something is wrong. When we fast there are many spiritual benefits. We become more attentive to God. Fasting reveals our inadequacies and His adequacy. The focus is not on self and trying to get something. Biblical fasting focuses on God and the benefits are spiritual benefits that we stand fast in the freedom of Christ and glorify God.
Prayer – Talking to God
Today’s prayer pattern is going to take a few artifacts from the tabernacle in the Old Testament. Again this isn’t meant to be a theological stance on how to pray. A pattern helps me pray, I enjoy a basic focal point and allow God to lead me from there.
1. The Gate – Thanking and Praising God is a great way to crank the engines of faith for your time with God. ”Enter His gates with praise and His courts with thanksgiving.” Psalm 100:4
2. The Altar – Forgiveness
3. The Laver (The Ten Commandments) – Obedience & Love for God’s commandments
4. The Lamp stand – Hunger & understanding for Gods word
5. Table of Shewbread – Giving of your life to God’s purpose
6. Altar of Incense – Intercession(prayer for others, leaders, church, etc.)
7. The Ark of the Covenant – Walk in God’s glory
Bible Reading – God talking to us
Luke chapters 1 – 10 …. If you’re reading the New Testament with us in 21 days, or pick up where you left off and keep reading at your own pace.
Memory Verse – Remember what God says
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Action Idea – Doing what God says
Give me some ideas… Please I’m trying to be creative but I can’t sit here all day, help a brutha out!
Corporate Moment – Doing what God says together
Find a connect group that fits your schedule
Action idea: Start a conversation with an elderly person and just listen to what they have to say. There are so many that are ignored or just not heard and they love to share their stories. I started a conversation with an elderly gentleman at the Dr’s office and it was awesome to see him come to life while telling me of his time of service in 1943.
By: Debbi Danner-Rios on Jam1000000amTue, 19 Jan 2010 02:23:06 +000010 5, 2010
at 7:32 p01
For an action idea, maybe something along the lines of a gentle answer turning away an angry word. I’m really working on learning how to just listen sometimes in an argument or in my profession (healthcare) when someone is angry trying to die to myself and be as nice as I can be instead of coming back with an angry response. This can be especially hard at times.
By: Brandie on Jpm1000000pmTue, 19 Jan 2010 19:08:47 +000010 5, 2010
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Action idea #1: In searching out a Connect Group meet early with the host or another brother or sister for coffee (you buy!)
AI #2: Volunteer – call the church office and ask for opportunities that fit your schedule! This can even continue beyond the 21 Day fast…
By: Mark on Jam1000000amWed, 20 Jan 2010 01:51:35 +000010 5, 2010
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Have old balnkets, towels, etc.. that aren’t good enough to donate to people? Take them to your local animal shelter or your vet. They can use them to line cages. Sometimes they can only use them once before they have to throw them out. Shouldn’t we care about the helpless, abandoned aniamls too? Or volunteer to walk the dogs there, clean cages, and so on. It will make you feel good inside.
By: Robin on Jam1000000amWed, 20 Jan 2010 04:43:03 +000010 5, 2010
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Pray with someone. Not for someone but with someone. If someone has asked you to pray for them, call them up and do it now, together. Or if nobody has asked for prayer recently, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and call whoever He puts on your heart and ask how you can pray for them, right then and there, not just adding their name to a prayer list for later on. Or finally, if these don’t work, write out a prayer for someone on a card and send it in the mail, the real mail. Don’t just say “I’ll be praying for you,” but instead, write out the prayer for them. Doesn’t have to be eloquent, just heart felt!
By: Heather H on Jam1000000amWed, 20 Jan 2010 10:34:51 +000010 5, 2010
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We were made to pray and praise. Stop and truly think before every action taken today. Ask yourself if is this a reason to praise God. Before you type an email, thank god that you have motor skills in which to complete that action. Before walking to your car and starting it up, give thanks that you still have functional limbs in which to complete that task. Before doing………..In doing this you will find there are so many simple tasks in life that are taken for granted. Take it a step futher. Take a look at each person that cross your path today. Are they performing a task we consistently take for granted, delivering mail, providing healthcare, extinquishing a fire, a minister giving counsel….things that assist us in carrying out our lives daily. Pray for those who help others just by doing their job and ask for a blessing for those who go beyond
By: Mechele on Jpm1000000pmWed, 20 Jan 2010 14:30:51 +000010 5, 2010
at 7:32 p01