FASTING...a tool for spiritual break-through
Last Wednesday evening I shared a devotional with our church on the subject of fasting. It's a tool that we as Christians have available, but rarely use. God is challenging...or maybe I should say convicting me to use this tool on a regular basis.
In Matthew 6 where Jesus is delivering the Sermon on the Mount, we read his teaching on taking care of the poor and then instructions for prayer. In both instances, his teaching assumes that we will do those things. Then in verses 16-18, he mentions fasting...with the same language...assuming that we as believers will fast.
Why give up food for a meal or an entire day? It's simple...to pray earnestly for God to move in an amazing way. When we get physically hungry...and it will happen when you fast...instead of eating, you simply pray.
There are many examples in the Old & New Testaments of people fasting. It's a tool that adds power to our prayers. I want my prayers to be even more powerful...don't you?
So here's the challenge that I give to our church: Join me in a weekly fast. I am beginning this Wednesday. I am giving up my lunch to pray for our church and its growth. Will you join me? Fasting is not something to brag about...it just something to privately commit to do. Maybe God will lead you to join me in this...I pray that He will.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
REDSKINS GAME EXPERIENCE...
I was given 2 tickets to today's game versus the Titans...who were winless before today :-( My son and I took in the game...the weather was great...the seats were great...we had a blast...except for the result of the game.
A few times during the game, during the pressure situations, all 90,000 plus fans would be standing and yelling at the top of their lungs to support the team. I just stood there amazed and took in the site. People are fanatical about their Redskins.
We rushed to the game directly from church. We finished packing up the portable church trailer, rode the metro for an hour, spent a total of 7 hours from start to finish, but we didn't mind. I couldn't help but compare the two events of our day and wonder...why aren't people as excited about what is happening in God's house as they are are about what's happening at Fedex field? Why are people willing to give 7 hours to a Redskins game, but struggle to give 1 hour to a church service? We are celebrating a victory every week. As believers, we are always on the winning team.
I was given 2 tickets to today's game versus the Titans...who were winless before today :-( My son and I took in the game...the weather was great...the seats were great...we had a blast...except for the result of the game.
A few times during the game, during the pressure situations, all 90,000 plus fans would be standing and yelling at the top of their lungs to support the team. I just stood there amazed and took in the site. People are fanatical about their Redskins.
We rushed to the game directly from church. We finished packing up the portable church trailer, rode the metro for an hour, spent a total of 7 hours from start to finish, but we didn't mind. I couldn't help but compare the two events of our day and wonder...why aren't people as excited about what is happening in God's house as they are are about what's happening at Fedex field? Why are people willing to give 7 hours to a Redskins game, but struggle to give 1 hour to a church service? We are celebrating a victory every week. As believers, we are always on the winning team.
Monday, October 02, 2006
IN THE ZONE DEVOTIONAL...some thoughts to follow up Sunday's message...
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” Proverbs 3:9
We all want to exist in that sweet spot of success. We all want to live in the zone. And God wants that for us, too. But for that to happen, we have to willingly and readily honor God in everything we do, say, touch and feel. Whether it’s respecting our parents, loving our neighbor, or yes, even managing our money God’s way—honoring God is the fastest way to discover life in the zone.
But what does money really have to do with success in God’s economy? The simple reality is that money represents so much of our lives. And because of that, the way we manage our money determines in a profound way whether we are zoned in or zoned out. Money is the second greatest theme in the Bible. Jesus mentioned it more than heaven, hell or even prayer. Over half of Jesus’ parables focused on money and possessions. He knew we would struggle with the idea that we are managers and stewards, not owners. The truth is that God is the one who owns it all. When God looks at you and says, “Bring to me the first 10% of everything you make, and bring it to your local house of worship,” he’s simply telling you to return to him what is already his.
People say, “Money talks.” If that’s true, what does your money say about your priorities? Don’t fall prey to the thinking that you own your money. Instead, honor God’s command and return to him what is already his. It’s one of the greatest ways to discover just how to live in the zone.
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” Proverbs 3:9
We all want to exist in that sweet spot of success. We all want to live in the zone. And God wants that for us, too. But for that to happen, we have to willingly and readily honor God in everything we do, say, touch and feel. Whether it’s respecting our parents, loving our neighbor, or yes, even managing our money God’s way—honoring God is the fastest way to discover life in the zone.
But what does money really have to do with success in God’s economy? The simple reality is that money represents so much of our lives. And because of that, the way we manage our money determines in a profound way whether we are zoned in or zoned out. Money is the second greatest theme in the Bible. Jesus mentioned it more than heaven, hell or even prayer. Over half of Jesus’ parables focused on money and possessions. He knew we would struggle with the idea that we are managers and stewards, not owners. The truth is that God is the one who owns it all. When God looks at you and says, “Bring to me the first 10% of everything you make, and bring it to your local house of worship,” he’s simply telling you to return to him what is already his.
People say, “Money talks.” If that’s true, what does your money say about your priorities? Don’t fall prey to the thinking that you own your money. Instead, honor God’s command and return to him what is already his. It’s one of the greatest ways to discover just how to live in the zone.
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