In Matthew 6, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged His followers by identifying three opportunities that every Christian can, and should, participate in.
“When you give…” (vs 2)
“When you pray…” (vs 2)
“When you fast…” (vs 2)
Much today exists on the subjects of giving and praying, but very little is said about fasting. And yet, probably the most profound lesson found in the life of Jesus was His 40 day fast in the wilderness. Immanuel God with us abstained from food and pressed in with His Father to prepare not only for the temptation that would follow, but also for the days of ministry ahead. As we face the challenges of this life, this mindset of Christ should be ours as well.
Fasting is truly the source of great power in these three “D’s” of your spiritual journey:
Discipline. In 1 Corinthians 9 the Apostle Paul uses athletics as an illustration to describe a disciplined life. In verse 25, a great competitor “exercises self-control” (NASV). Today, in the Church in America, too often “King Stomach” is on the throne, and controls most of what we think and do. We plan our lives around meals. Fasting disciplines us to “just say no” to the flesh. When we get to the place where we lay aside the “natural” desire for food, we begin to learn the discipline of putting on the “spiritual” desire our critical need to go deeper with God.
Discernment. “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting…” Acts 14:23 (ESV) Fasting coupled with prayer gave the early church discernment as they made leadership choices. Rather than making a decision, and then asking God to bless it, they discerned the heart and mind of God and then acted on it. One has to wonder how that might work today.
Direction. Jehoshaphat was in deep trouble. A “great multitude” of the enemy was coming against him. Overwhelming odds were stacked against him. And “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord; and proclaimed a fast throughout ALL Judah.” 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NASV) All of Jerusalem and Judah fell down before the Lord. God then gave them clear directions and they watched as the enemy literally destroyed themselves. Better than that (if that is possible) it took the people 3 days to gather all of the loot!!
“Fasting positions you to discern the difference between your thoughts and God’s thoughts. There is no higher authority than to know the heart of God for a situation you are facing. His Word is final.”
Start practicing the big three, Give, pray, and fast. It might just turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Basics
A husband and wife were driving down a country road. In the midst of a heated disagreement, everything went totally quiet. As they crested the top of a hill, there was a pasture filled with cows, goats and pigs. The husband looked over at his wife and sarcastically remarked, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep” she replied… “In-laws.” (lol).
Despite all that we know about love and relationships, the divorce rate is somewhere between 40 and 50% of those who actually get married today. And sadly, behind closed doors in the quiet corners of lots of hearts, resides profound sorrow. Pain from love gone bad.
Money, loss, work demands, illness, differences, expectations, so much works against our love and marriages. Solomon said that enjoying life with the woman whom we love all the days of our lives was our reward in life. (Ecclesiastes 9:9) More often than not, marriage can feel like anything but a reward. How can we get back to this place in our love and relationships?
When a basketball player struggles to find his 3 point shot, it’s important to get back to the foul line. He must work on the fundamentals and rhythm of his game to get his shot back. At the heart of every successful marriage you will find:
God. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”(NASV) God must be the center of your home. Not just knowing about Him, but abiding in an intimate relationship with Him. And not just as an individual, but as a couple. In the well known marriage “triangle concept”, with husband and wife on the two bottom corners and God at the apex, as a husband and wife move toward God, they get closer to each other.
Love. 1 John 3:18 “…let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” (ESV) As trite as it may sound, it is all about “the love”. Remember, love is not a feeling. Feelings come and go. Love is a choice. We must choose every day, in “word and in deed”, to show love and kindness to our spouse. Make sure she or he knows that you love them.
Blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 “Not returning…insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead.” (NASV) Your words are important. They will either speak life into your marriage, or death. Instead of bickering back and forth, speak words of blessing into each other’s lives. Here’s the key; honor not expressed, is not honor.
This Valentine’s Day, get back to the basics so that you won’t “miss” what God has for your marriage.
Source:AACC
Despite all that we know about love and relationships, the divorce rate is somewhere between 40 and 50% of those who actually get married today. And sadly, behind closed doors in the quiet corners of lots of hearts, resides profound sorrow. Pain from love gone bad.
Money, loss, work demands, illness, differences, expectations, so much works against our love and marriages. Solomon said that enjoying life with the woman whom we love all the days of our lives was our reward in life. (Ecclesiastes 9:9) More often than not, marriage can feel like anything but a reward. How can we get back to this place in our love and relationships?
When a basketball player struggles to find his 3 point shot, it’s important to get back to the foul line. He must work on the fundamentals and rhythm of his game to get his shot back. At the heart of every successful marriage you will find:
God. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”(NASV) God must be the center of your home. Not just knowing about Him, but abiding in an intimate relationship with Him. And not just as an individual, but as a couple. In the well known marriage “triangle concept”, with husband and wife on the two bottom corners and God at the apex, as a husband and wife move toward God, they get closer to each other.
Love. 1 John 3:18 “…let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” (ESV) As trite as it may sound, it is all about “the love”. Remember, love is not a feeling. Feelings come and go. Love is a choice. We must choose every day, in “word and in deed”, to show love and kindness to our spouse. Make sure she or he knows that you love them.
Blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 “Not returning…insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead.” (NASV) Your words are important. They will either speak life into your marriage, or death. Instead of bickering back and forth, speak words of blessing into each other’s lives. Here’s the key; honor not expressed, is not honor.
This Valentine’s Day, get back to the basics so that you won’t “miss” what God has for your marriage.
Source:AACC
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
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