Jesus Said, "Follow Me"

 

(Almost) every Monday I text a couple of groups of men. I call it "encouragement" because I figure that is what most of them (and I) need on a Monday morning. Many of these guys pour themselves out for their families, and their jobs during the week and their church on the weekends, and I want to try to pour a little back into them. 

I am also trying to be more disciplined in writing and blogging; so to kill-two-birds-with-one-stone so to speak, here is the Monday Morning Encouragement for this week: 

Good Monday morning men. A little encouragement from the Lord's word this morning. 

Yesterday we studied John 21:15-19, where Jesus forgave Peter and restored his faith. At the end of v.19 it says, John 21:19 NLT ... Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” These were the same words Jesus used when He first called Peter to be His disciple. Those two words (follow Me) reveal Jesus' love and grace. They are an invitation to a relationship, or in this case a continuing relationship. Jesus wanted Peter to continue in a relationship with Him, and stay close to Him. 

Sometimes when I sin and fail, I think the Lord is so disappointed in me that He wouldn't want to even be around me, much less want me to identify with Him. Nothing could be further from the truth. The problem with my thinking is that I focus more on myself and my failure than I do on Jesus and His grace. He reminds me that His grace is greater than any and all sin I have committed. Though there may be consequences for my sin and failure, one thing that never happens is that Jesus gives up on me and distances Himself from me. On the contrary, He comes to me, like He did Peter, and restores me and says, "Keep following Me." 

Jesus wants us to stay close to Him even when we have failed. What an amazing Savior!

Love you guys. Praying you have a blessed week!

If you'd like to be added to a text group (guys only 😉) you can comment on this post (only I will see it) and I will reach out to you to get your number (or just text me if you already have my number).

And sometime today, out loud and on purpose, praise the Lord! (DD)

Five on Friday - April 25, 2025

 

Here is an update on things I've been reading, listening to and pondering this week: 

1. VERSE I AM REMEBERING

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31 CSB

This week I began participating with the  Healthy Eating and Activity Lab (HEAL) at the University of Tennessee, for a study on daily eating patterns for health. The 12-month study will hopefully help me make better food choices for a healthier lifestyle. The verse above reminds me that even what I eat should be done for the glory of God. 

2. APP I AM USING

"Libby" is the free library reading app that allows you to digitally check out books for two-week periods, just like you would check out a book from the local library. All you need is a local library card and a compatible device. You can check out both audio and digital books (Kindle). I've been using Libby for a while, mostly with audiobooks that I listen to while I am driving or walking. Check out the APP HERE

3. BOOK I AM LISTENING TO (on Libby)

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This book was written in 1939 by Carnegie, a Missouri born writer and teacher who became one of the leading motivational speakers in the world. Though the wordage and illustrations are dated, the book is a classic on relationships. The title is a little misleading because it sounds manipulative, but the material is a great primer on how to build solid and lasting relationships and friendships, not just in business but in all areas of life. 

4. BOOK I AM READING 

One at a Time: The Unexpected Way God Wants to Use You to Change the World by Kyle Idleman. I am doing a slow read of this book with a friend (one chapter every two weeks). Idleman is the pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, one of the largest churches in America. Using episodes from the New Testament that show how God valued individuals, Idleman shows us the Jesus way of changing the world--by loving people one at a time. 

5. QUOTE I AM PONDERING 

In One at a Time, Idleman points to the story from Acts 8 where God tells Philip to leave a great work that is happening in Samaria, and travel the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (yes, same Gaza as today). On that road he encounters one man, a wealthy Ethiopian eunuch who is reading from Isaiah. Philip gets up in the man's chariot and shares the "good news about Jesus" (v.35). Idleman writes:

 "What we have to share with people is good news about Jesus. Philip didn't share his morals or his values or his political views. He pointed to Jesus and got personal enough to invite the Ethiopian man to take the next step closer to God."

It is a great reminder of the message we have to share with the world - the GOOD NEWS about Jesus!

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment or question if you'd like to dialogue about anything!

FIVE ON FRIDAY - April 18

 

One of my goals is to be more productive with my blog. I have things I want to share, but I struggle with the discipline to write. My plan is to do better, and to post more regularly on my blog. 

I recently started receiving a weekly email from Tim Ferris, author and entrepreneur (check out his blog here). The email is called "5-Bullet Friday" where he shares short points of interest with his readers. To help get me started I am blatantly borrowing his idea and plan to make at least a weekly blog on Fridays of things from my life that I find interesting, and I hope you will too. So here goes ... 

1. BIBLE READING PROGRESS

I am using the YouVersion Bible App for my daily Bible reading and following a reading plan from The Bible Project (check out the plan here). This week's readings have been in 2 Kings 1-19. The nations of Israel and Judah are pretty much on a downward spiral and judgement from the nations of Assyria and Babylon is coming. The reading is like watching a train wreck about to happen - you know something bad is coming, but you just can't look away. 

2. BIBLE VERSE I AM MEMORIZING/MEDITATING ON

"Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22 

Confession - I am guilty of "Yo-Yo" praying about my "burdens." That is, I throw them at the Lord in prayer, but there is an invisible string attached that brings them right back to me, so I don't really turn loose of control. Through this verse God is reminding me that it really doesn't work that way if I want Him to sustain me. The word "cast" in this verse literally means to "throw down" and turn loose of something. I'm learning to cut the string on the Yo-Yo, so to speak. 

3. BOOK I'M READING

"Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins we Tolerate" by Jerry Bridges. (NavPress, 2007). I'm about a third of the way into the book and Bridges has laid out a pretty compelling argument that Christians are hard on blatant sins (and sinners) like adultery, murder, false witness, etc., but tend to be soft on "respectable" sins like pride, unthankfulness, selfishness, anger, sins of the tongue, etc. It's a hard read because it hits so close to home. 

4. QUOTE I AM PONDERING

    From the above book - Bridges emphasizes the need for Christians to rely on the Holy Spirit not only to deal with sin, but to live a life that honors God: 

"Regardless of how much we grow, however, we never get beyond our constant need of the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual life may be compared to the motor of an electric appliance. The motor does the actual work, but it is constantly dependent upon the external power source of the electricity to enable it to work. Therefore we should cultivate and attitude of continual dependance on the Holy Spirit." (pgs. 48-49)

5. DAD JOKE I'M DIGGING

Shared by my friend (and Deacon) Dennis: 

A pastor interrupts his sermon to ask three men on the front row: "What would you want your friends and loved ones to say as they are looking down at you in your coffin?" 

Tom: "That I was a good husband and father." 

Bill: "That I lived a good life of kindness to others." 

Dan: "Hey look, he's moving!" 

A merry heart does good like a medicine ..."  😊

If you have any thoughts or ideas for future "Five on Friday" blogs, let me know. 

Have a blessed weekend! Hope to see you Sunday!

EASTER @ Grace Point

 

“From death came life, from sorrow came joy; this is the hope of Easter.” -Aloo Denish Obiero

Easter is the glorious foundation of our faith - we celebrate the most significant event in the history of our world, the resurrection of the Christ Jesus our Lord. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: 

17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 

1 Corinthians 15:17-22 NLT

Because of Jesus and the resurrection, we have hope and we have new life in Christ. 

Sunday morning we will celebrate the resurrected Lord beginning at 7:00 am with and Easter Sunrise service at Community Fellowship Church in Christ (515 Lakeshore Road, Talbott) I will be preaching and our worship leader, Lydia de Santos will be leading the music. Refreshments will be provided, and everyone is invited (bring your own camp chair)

At 9:00 am we will gather for worship at Grace Point. The message is titled "Why Do You Still Doubt?" and will focus on Jesus's interactions with Thomas following the resurrection. If you or someone you know has ever struggled with spiritual doubts, I encourage you to be there. 

Following the service, the kids will have their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Kids need to bring their baskets, but eggs will be provided. They will all receive Easter Treat Bags from Ms. Cecelia. Also following the service we will have a brief "finger-food fellowship" in the fellowship hall. We are asking our members to bring some light snacks for refreshments and it will give us an opportunity to fellowship while the kids are finding eggs. 

I believe we are going to have an amazing time of worship and fellowship on Easter Sunday. I hope you will plan to join us!

Do You Want to Be Well?

 

5 One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.” 8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.

John 5:5-9 CSB

At Grace Point we've been in a series called "Questions Jesus Asked (and is still asking)." Yesterday the message was about Jesus healing the invalid at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). Before he healed him, Jesus asked him, "Do you want to be made well?" Which seems like a redundant question but instead of answering "yes" the man started making excuses. Jesus knew that the man had grown comfortable in his situation. Jesus doesn't bless his heart, He just tells him that if he wants to be well, "Get up. Pick up your mat and walk." And he does. His healing didn't come in the way he thought it would, but it came when he OBEYED the command of Jesus. 

Sometimes when we have problems, we figure out how to fix them and ask God to do it our way. But God doesn't work that way - if we truly want to be well, i.e. have our problems "fixed", we have to do it His way. He may command us to do something unconventional, or outside of our comfort zone, but to truly be well, we have to do things His way, not ours. He never promised that it would be easy, but He does promise to be with us as we obey. 

Being made well will take a significant step of faith, because if some small tweak would have helped you overcome your problem you would have done it years ago. You can't be made well of something you won't confront, or something that you are still trying to manage or compensate for. You will only get well when you surrender fully to Jesus and do as He says. The healing may not come in the the way you thought it would, but if You follow Jesus and obey His words, you will be healed. 

Do you want to be well? 

You can listen to the full message HERE at our sermon site. 

DISCIPLE: Be One - Make Others

 

 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 2:1 CSB

My DGroup has been studying 2 Timothy together and this past week we discussed chapter 2 verses 1-2. The whole chapter is about being disciples who make disciples, but verse 1 is the foundation. We can't make disciples unless we are being a disciple, and that starts with our own relationship with the Lord. 

Paul tells Timothy (and us) to be strong in the grace of the Lord. The word he uses for "strong" means to be "empowered, strengthened, and full." To be empowered and strengthened by God's grace, we have to spend time with Him, in His word and in prayer. Our first priority every day is to nourish our own relationship with God. 

Before we "do" for the Lord, we must "be with" the Lord. God is always more concerned with who you are than what you do for Him. So make sure you are spending time with Him in your day

Monthly Prayer Focus: Relationships

Our prayer focus at church this month is relationships and our weekly verse is "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 This command is not just a suggestion, but a fundamental principle for all relationships.

Jesus' love is the ultimate example of how we should love one another. It is a selfless, sacrificial love that puts the needs of others before our own. This kind of love is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

When we love others as Jesus loves us, we create a ripple effect of love that can transform our relationships, our communities, and even the world. Love is the is the key to building strong and lasting relationships.

Love is a command from Jesus, it something we are to do, not just something we are to have. As you think about putting love into action, here are some questions for reflection: 

How can you love others as Jesus loves you?

What relationships in your life need more love?

How can you show love to those who are difficult to love?

As you think through those questions, remember that Jesus is not only our example of love, but through the Holy Spirit, He also empowers us to love as He does. 

Guard Your Heart: The Source of Life

 

Guard Your Heart: The Source of Life

Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." We've probably read this verse hundreds of times, but have we truly stopped to consider the profound wisdom packed into these few words?

Think about it. In our modern world, we're constantly bombarded with messages telling us to protect our physical health, our finances, our reputations. And while those things are important, this verse places something else above all of them: our heart.

When we say "heart," we're not just talking about the organ that pumps blood through our veins. The  "heart" refers to the core of our being. It's our inner self, our thoughts, feelings, motivations, and desires. It's the wellspring from which everything else flows.

Why is it so crucial to guard this "inner self"? Because what we allow to take root in our hearts directly impacts the life we live. If we fill our hearts with negativity, bitterness, and resentment, that's what will spill out into our relationships, our work, and our overall outlook. Conversely, if we cultivate love, joy, peace, kindness, etc. within our hearts, those qualities will naturally radiate outwards, enriching not only our own lives but the lives of those around us.

So, how do we guard our hearts? It's not a passive activity; it requires conscious effort and consistent practice. Here are a few thoughts:

• Be mindful of what you consume: Just like we're careful about the food we eat to nourish our bodies, we need to be equally discerning about what we feed our minds and hearts. What kind of media are you consuming? What kind of conversations are you engaging in? Are you spending time reading and meditating on the Bible, the word of God?

• Practice forgiveness: Holding onto grudges and unforgiveness is like poison for the heart. It festers and contaminates our inner being. The Bible says that bitterness is a root that grows in our hearts and must be dug up. Choosing to forgive, even when it's difficult, is a crucial step in guarding our hearts and freeing ourselves from the shackles of bitterness.

• Cultivate gratitude: A grateful heart is a protected heart. When we focus on the good things in our lives, no matter how small, it shifts our perspective and fills us with positivity. Make it a daily practice to "give thanks in every situation, for this is God's will for your life." (1 Thess 5:18)

• Spend time in reflection and prayer: Taking time to connect with our heart with God is essential for nurturing and protecting our hearts. Quiet moments of reflection allow us to examine our thoughts and motives, identify areas that need attention, and seek guidance and strength.

Guarding our hearts is a lifelong journey, not a destination. It's a daily choice to prioritize our inner well-being and cultivate the qualities we want to see reflected in our lives. By diligently guarding our hearts, we are not just protecting ourselves; we are nurturing the very source of life.

Disciples Who Make Disciples: Defining Discipleship

 

The last words Jesus gave to His followers were

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

These words were the continuation of the first words that He had spoken to the men He called to be His disciples: And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17  ESV Jesus spent three years of His earthly life discipling His followers to be fishers of men. Following His commission, they went into all the world and made disciples, who made disciples, who made disciples, and the process continues today. And it will continue into the future, as we who are His followers now obey His command and make disciples of all nations. 

What is a disciple? 

According to Bobby Harrington at discipleship.org, there are three primary characteristics of a disciple. 

• He/she follows Jesus
• He/she is being changed by Jesus
• He/she is committed to the mission of Jesus

Discipleship.org uses the diagram at the beginning of this post is a visual way of showing how people grow as disciples:

• Head – in the mind the decision to follow Jesus has been made (now he/she needs to connect in discipling relationships)
• Heart – in discipling relationships we are changed by the Spirit to be more and more like Jesus (now he/she needs to minister to others)
• Hand – by our actions we actively committed to the mission of Jesus (now he/she needs to share the gospel and disciple others)

Being a disciple of Jesus is a "full-body" commitment. He demands nothing less than the all of us. Are you a disciple? 

Read the full article from disciplship.org here. 

Learning From the Little Ones

 

This coming Sunday we will continue our study of Luke 18 at Grace Point Church. The passage we are looking at is a beautiful teaching moment Jesus has with His disciples. Some parents were bringing their children to be blessed by Jesus, but His disciples stopped them from coming, thinking they would be bothering the Master. But Jesus corrects them and tells them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children." (v.16). And then He makes this powerful statement, "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (v.17)

Wow, that is a pretty significant statement: Unless you receive the Kingdom of God like a child, you aren't getting in. What is it about children that would cause Jesus to make a statement like that? What is He wanting us to learn from the little ones? 

In thinking about this passage, I think there are Four Childlike Characteristics that are important to Jesus, and He wants us to know: 

1. Total Dependence - The word that is used in v.15 for "children" is "brephos" and refers to a very young child, typically an infant or newborn. It can also refer to a pre-born baby in it's mother's womb. Luke uses the term for Elizabeth's unborn baby that leaps within her womb when the expecting Mary comes to her. In the Greco-Roman world, infants were often seen as the most vulnerable members of society, dependent entirely on their parents or guardians for survival. 

The point here is that entrance into God's Kingdom means that we are totally dependent on Him for our salvation. As Paul writes in Ephesians, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." (Ephesians 2:8-9).

B. Fearless Faith - Scientist tell us that we are all born with only two fears - the fear of falling, and the fear of loud noises. All other fears are learned as we grow, and sometimes the learning comes from hard experiences. Kids seem to have a fearless faith that they can do anything their minds imagine - anything from flying by jumping off a rooftop, or running across the road before the car can hit them. Parents have to teach kids safe boundaries, but in doing so, sometimes we instill a fear of failure or adventure into their lives. 

It is interesting that when Jesus called His first disciples, He didn't call them to develop a systematic theology, or a Robert's Rules of Order for obedience. He didn't even ask them to believe in Him in the beginning. He just said, "Come, follow Me ..." By nature, faith requires risk, and following Jesus implies movement. As Henry Blackaby says in his book Experiencing God, “You cannot stay the way you are and go with God.” We are called to follow Jesus with fearless faith. 

C. Innocent Optimism - I've never met a kid who was afraid to ask for what he/she really wanted. Infants have a way of letting their parents know when they need something even before they can talk. And once they start talking, they have no fear in asking for anything and everything. It comes natural to them. As they grow, they learn they can't have everything on the toy aisle, or everything in the commercials on TV and that life is hard and sometimes (most times) things don't go the way we think they should. It is easy to become jaded and lose our optimism. 

But Jesus tells us that our hope is not in the things of this world, but in Him. Jesus once told His disciples that it is hard for a rich person to get into heaven and His disciples were amazed and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) We worship and serve the God who can do anything, therefore we shouldn't be afraid to trust Him to do great things. As William Carey said, "Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God."

D. Infectious Enthusiasm - This may be what I love most about kids - when something catches their attention, they act like it is the greatest thing in the world. I love Christmas because I get to see the wonder and amazement on the faces of my kids and grandkids. My grandkids are excited about their presents and gifts, and my kids are excited that their children are excited, and that excites me. It's infectious. When I see my grandkids playing enthusiastically with their toys, I want to join them (even if I don't understand the game, lol). 

Jesus tells His followers in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and glorify your Heavenly Father." Letting our light shine means serving God with enthusiasm and joy, so that others can see God in us. Perhaps the worst witness for the Lord in world is a "Christian" who has lost his/her enthusiasm for the Lord and for His Kingdom. 

I'm sure there are more characteristics of children Jesus had in mind when He was teaching His disciples. These are just the ones that He brought to my mind. Feel free to share yours in the comments section below. 

Successful in Prayer

 

I just finished reading Roger Steer's book, "George Muller: Delighted in God," the biography of one of histories greatest men. I have read this book numerous times over the years because it is so inspirational (and convicting) to me.

George Muller (1805-1898) was a German pastor who moved to Bristol, England and founded the Ashley Down Orphanage as way to glorify God and show the world that God still answers prayer. In the life of his ministry, Muller asked only God for provision and supplies for the ministry and for his own personal life (he never took a regular salary from the church he pastored, or from the orphanage.) During his 70+ years of ministry, he provided care for more than 10,000 orphans, and stewarded what would today be more than 10 million dollars. That alone would be remarkable, but Muller also started the Scriptural Knowledge Institute (SKI) that established 117 schools worldwide which offered Christian education to more than 120,000 kids. SKI also provided financial and material support to many missionaries including Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission. AND in the later years of his life, at the age of 71 Muller and his wife began traveling for evangelistic preaching. In 17 years of evangelism, they traveled more than 200,000 miles and visited more than 20 countries preaching the gospel. All the funds needed for these ministries and more came in answer to prayer. (BTW, his ministry is still active today, you can learn more at georgemuller.org) 

His name has become a by-word for prayer and faith throughout the world, but Muller insisted that he was just an ordinary man who believed God answered prayer. And he believed that anyone could experience the same as he, if they would just pray as the Bible teaches us to pray. At the funeral of his friend Henry Moorhouse, George Müller outlined four conditions of successful prayer. 

1. We must pray in accordance with God's will. 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 NIV Muller taught that if you were uncertain if a matter was according to God's will, you must pray about it until you are sure of God's will, and then pray according to God's will on the matter. 

2. We must not pray and ask on our own goodness and merit, but "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." 

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14 NIV. We must not ask because we “deserve” it or have “earned” it. At this point, Müller emphasized the importance of regular confession of sin and repentance. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” “‘That is,’ he said, ‘if I live in sin, and go on in a course hateful to God, I may not expect my prayers to be answered.'”

3. We must ask in faith of God's power and His willingness to answer our prayers. 

"This is deeply important," Müller said. "In Mark 11:24 we read, 'Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.' … I have found invariably that in the fifty-four years and nine months during which I have been a believer, that if I only believed I was sure to get, in God’s time, the thing I asked for." Müller offers proof of God’s power and love in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

4. Persevere! "We have to continue patiently waiting on God till the blessing we seek is granted." 

Müller said, “For observe, nothing is said in the text as to the time in which, or the circumstances under which, the prayer is to be answered. ‘Ask, and you will receive.'” We must keep asking, seeking, and knocking until we receive from the Lord the blessing He has promised. 

In his life, Muller recorded more than 50,000 answers to specific prayers in his prayer journal. More than 30,000 were answered within the hour or day in which they were asked, others weren't answered until after his death. But Muller believed God would and did answer all of his prayers. 

May we do the same!

HUMILITY AND PRAYER

 
At Grace Point Church we began the year with a couple of different emphases; first we returned to our study of the Gospel of Luke. We started studying through Luke all the way back in November of 2021, so we've been at it a little over 3 years. We've taken some brakes for different sermon series, but we started this year in Luke 18. Which contributed to our second emphasis - prayer. For the last couple of years we've started the year with 31 Days of Fasting and Prayer, and you can check out the Prayer guide for this year HERE. 

Luke 18 has a lot of Jesus' teaching on prayer. Last Sunday we talked about being Persistent in Prayer, Luke 18:1-8. To encourage His followers to always pray and not lose heart, Jesus taught a parable about an unjust judge and widow who wouldn't leave him alone until he gave her justice. Jesus taught that, if a widow can get justice with an unjust judge through persistence, HOW MUCH MORE will God's children who pray to Him regularly, receive "justice" quickly. God is a gracious Father who loves to answer the prayers of His people. 

This coming Sunday, Nick Oakes, one of our Elders, will be teaching on "Humility: The Prerequisite of Effective Prayer and the Dangers of Spiritual Blindness." He will be teaching on Luke 18:9-14, The Parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. This will be one of the most important messages in our prayer emphasis. I encourage to plan to join us Sunday morning at 9:00am for the worship service. And get a head start on the study by checking out the SERMON STUDY GUIDE HERE.

31 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Focus on Fasting

 

 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 

Matthew 6:16-18 NLT

When you fast …

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us surrender ourselves to God by voluntarily abstaining from a physical need or activity for a time, in order to better focus our thoughts and senses on God. 

Guidelines for Fasting: 

1. Fast SYSTEMATICALLY. When Jesus taught His disciples about fasting, He began with the words “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Jesus expected that we would fast on a regular basis, whether one day a week or a portion of a day each week. In our "31 Days of Prayer and Fasting" we encourage people to set aside Fridays as a day of fasting, but if there is a better day for you, for with it. 

2. Fast SECRETLY. Jesus cautioned His disciples not to make a spectacle out of fasting like the religious leaders did. Don’t draw attention to yourself; act normal

3. Fast SENSIBLY. Don’t feel that you must fast for many days to be effective. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew” (pun intended). You may fast for a meal, or a day or a longer period, but don’t feel like you have to do a 40 day fast like Jesus did. If you aren’t accustomed to fasting, start slow, and allow God to lead you. Discipline takes practice and time.

4. Fast SACRIFICIALLY. By nature, fasting requires giving up something meaningful. If we normally do not eat breakfast it is not really a sacrifice to fast breakfast. A true fast must be a sacrifice. Doesn’t have to be food. Some are not able because of medical reasons, to fast from food. Social media, TV, sports, shopping. It really isn’t up to you to figure this out. Pray and ask God what He wants you to fast from. 

5. Fast SUPERNATURALLY. The very nature of fasting requires dependence on God’s supernatural power to see us through. You’re not in this alone, trust the Holy Spirit. When the early church fasted before sending out workers, the Bible says, “The Holy Spirit came” (Acts 13:2,3). We need God’s Spirit as we fast.

6. Fast SPECIFICALLY. Have a fasting focus. God said to Israel, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” (Isaiah 58:6). (Isaiah 58, note that fasting isn’t just about “doing without” it is also about blessing others.) We must ask God to direct us in the focus of our fasting.

7. Fast SENSITIVELY. Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. When Israel fasted before a crucial battle, the Bible says they “inquired of the Lord.” (Judges 20:23; I Samuel 23) When we fast we should take special time to hear God speak. (Acts 13:1-2)

 The goal of this month of Prayer and Fasting is to draw nearer to God and listen for His guidance and direction in our lives. 

So when you pray

Do it to the Lord, not to be seen by others. Eliminate the distractions, and you don’t have to pray for hours on end - say what we need to and then listen to the Lord. 

And when you fast: 

We are going to have a plan, and we’re not going to draw attention to ourselves, but we are going to be sacrificial and give up something significant, and we are going to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give us a focus for our fast and we are going to listen for His voice. That is why we are doing this - we want to hear from God! God will speak in His own way at His own time, so we aren’t trying to manipulate God, but we are putting ourselves in a position so we can hear when He speaks.