Today is day three of our journey into a closer relationship wiyh God.  This is typically the most difficult day of the fast.  Hang in there the benifits far outweigh the momentary discomfort.  Remeber that fasting is continual prayer each time you feel hungry remember that your purpose is to is to get Closer to God and just take that moment to meditaite on Him.  As you experience temporary hunger in the flesh for natural food as the Holy Spirit to increase your hunger for Him, also ask the lord to give you a new vision for the coming year. Remember just because something is hard does not mean you should give up, remember no pain to gain.  The passage form our reading today that I would like us to consider is Matthew 18:7-11  ⁷“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! ⁸“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire.
⁹“If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.
¹⁰“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
¹¹“^£For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
The passage teaches us that we need to go to what length necessay to ensure our right relationship with God and our ultimate reward of  spending eternity in heave with Him.  We must also guard our hearts,our testimony, and mouth that we do not become a stumbling block to others.  I don't think we should take it lighty that Jesus said "woe to man who causes a stumbling block." 

Good Morning, sorry I didn't get this up yesterday as with all of us life sent me a curve ball and I had to take care of some unexpected things yesterday.  Yesterday was day two of our fast the second and the third day can be the most challenging because your body starts to burn fat for energy.  Mild physical discomfort is to be expected if you experience something more speak to someone.  The Passage from our reading I want us to think about is Matthew 12:33-37  ³³“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. ³⁴“You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. ³⁵“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. ³⁶“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. ³⁷“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The KJV uses the phrase you Will e judged by every idle word.  As we endeavor to draw closer to God during our fast I think we should consider what kind of fruit comes out of our mouths, are our words justifying us or are they condemning us.  I will post later today the post for today.

As we embark on this spiritual journey for the next 21 one days remember that our purpose is to develop a closer more intimate relationship with God.  We will increase in wisdom understanding and favor with God as we read, fast and pray.  Remember Ecclesiastes says that a cord of three strands is not easily broken.  We will strengthen our relationship with God as we practice these spiritual disciplines for a season of focused and concentrated time with the Lord.  The first thing I believe that we should be praying for and believing God for is lost souls. First in a broad sense paying for the lost of the world then in a more personal sense, that we pay for those we know and those close to us for their salvation.  I would suggest you make a list of those you are praying for and pray for them daily asking God to move in their Life.  This being the first day of our fast you may experience some physical discomfort as your body begins to detox. from sugar caffeine and other things we consume on a daily basis.  I encourage you to hang in there to push through your discomfort and remember that the benefits of a closer relationship with God far outweigh our momentary discomfort. 

Here are a few tips tom help get the most out of this time.  Decide to watch less TV play less video games, spend less time on facebook and spend that time with God. Play praise and worship music in place of other noise distractions and don't just sit and listen to the music participate in it it will bless God and yourself. On the more practical side drink plenty of water at least 8 8oz glasses or more a day.  Headaches and hunger pangs are normal and you can make it through them cravings for food are to be expected we just need to exercise our will and remind ourselves it is only a short time and it is for a greater purpose.  We are reading Matthew 1-12:34 today, I am looking forward to your insights, comments and questions about our passages each day.  Tomorrow we will be reading Matthew 12:35-22:30

Happy New Year to all.  As we look forward to the coming year I am believing God to make this year a  year of double portion.  I am filled with anticipation faith for what God is going to do this year those who are faithful to Him.  Maybe 2012 was not the year you had hoped it would be,  maybe you didn't get that job or the promotion you had hoped for, maybe you experienced a significant loss of some kind. Believe God to give you a better year this year than last, put the failings, mistakes and shortcomings of last year behind you and believe that 2013 will not only be a year of double portion but your best year yet. Paul said in Philipians 4:13 "... but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.", in 2 Corinthians 5:17  He said "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. " Let us leave 2012 behind us and move forward with great expectations as to what God can and will do for us all this year.  As we begin our fast tomorrow pray for one another that God will strengthen us all.  Tomorrow our reading is Matthew 1:1 - 12:34   on Thursday and each following day I will open the blog with thoughts and comments on the previous days reading.

Today is Sunday old man winter has made himself known and left a foot of snow on us
so for the safety of the congeration we had to cancel our morning worship service.  So I will be ministering my word for the new year on Sunday 1/06/2013.  I believe the the Lord has spoken to me that the coming year will be a year of double portion for those who will recieve it in faith.  So as we begin our fast in four days please be mindful of this in your prayers and meditation as well as keep it in the forefront of your mind during your daily activities.  Remember to drink plenty of water, if you are unable to fast food for health reasons there are other ways you can participate with us you could fast television, video games, internet, facebook, etc. Then use that time for prayer, meditation and reading the word of God. If  you are unable to join us in our fast please join us in our daily reading.  The reading for January 2nd  is:

Matthew 1:1 - 12:34  Here are a few suggestions for fasting

 

Suggestions For Fasting

• If you are a diabetic or have health problems you should consult your physician.
• During a fast it is best to take normal eating times and spend them in prayer.
• Fasting without prayer is dieting.
• Understand that during a fast you might experience headaches or weakness.
• A good way to fast is from sundown to sundown.
• Always write down or know your purpose for the fast.

As we all prepare for our fast I want to begin by saying I Believe God has called me to a forty day fast. I will be only drinking liquids during my fast. I asked that you seek the  Lord as to the type of fast the is best for you.  I asked that those joining me in the fast in our church at least "Daniel Fast" for twenty one days with me.  I believe that Jesus taught that fasting should be a spiritual discipline for all believers.  He said when you fast not if you fast.  Matthew 6:17

• SIMPLY STATED, BIBLICAL FASTING IS REFRAINING FROM FOOD FOR A SPIRITUAL PURPOSE
• When you give God your first through fasting, prayer and giving at the beginning of the year, you set the course for the entire year.

Here are several reasons for fasting

• Fasting To Free ourselves from sin and addiction
• Fasting To  Solve Problems.         
• Fast For Souls and Revival.     
• Fasting To Break Emotional Problems In Our Lives        
• Fasting for wisdom in ministry decisions.     
• Fasting For Healing   
• Fast for Protection from the evil one.  
• Are you in need of healing or a miracle?
• Do you need the tender touch of God in your life?
• Is there a dream inside you that only He can make possible?
• Are you in need of a fresh encounter?
• Do you desire a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord?
• Are you ready to have heightened sensitivity to the desires of God?
• Do you need to break away from bondages that have been holding you hostage?
• Is there a friend or loved one that needs Salvation?
• Do you desire to know God's will for your life?

Here is the twenty one day bible reading schedule that we will be following
during our annual fast. We will be beginning our fast on January 2, 2013.
Pastor Jim 
 

The Practice of Fasting: a Definition 

• Fasting is the setting aside of certain desires and satisfactions for the fulfillment of higher desires and satisfactions. Fasting is setting aside some of my personal pleasures, so that I might serve others, freeing them from bondage and meeting their physical needs. Now, fasting is not viewed in terms of one’s relationship to his neighbor (verses 6-12), but rather in terms of one’s relationship with God.

21 Day New Testament Reading Plan

 

January 2 – Matthew 1:1 - 12:34

January 3 – Matthew 12:35 - 22:30

January 4 – Matthew 22:31 - 28:20, Mark 1:1 - 2:21

January 5 – Mark 2:22 - 11:20

January 6 – Mark 11:21 - 16:20, Luke 1:1 - 3:14

January 7 – Luke 3:15 - 11:13

January 8 – Luke 11:14 - 20:18

January 9 – Luke 20:19 - 24:53, John 1:1 - 4:20

January 10– John 4:21 - 11:32

January 11 – John 11:33 - 21:25, Acts 1:1 - 1:11

January 12 – Acts 1:12 - 11:6

January 13 – Acts 11:7 - 21:28

January 14 – Acts 21:29 - 28:31, Romans 1:1 - 6:3

January 15 – Romans 6:4 - 16:27, 1Corinthians 1:1 - 4:17

January 16 – 1Corinthians 4:18 - 16:24, 2Corinthians 2:6 - 1:1 - 2:5

January 17 – 2Corinthians 2:6 - 13:14, Galatians 1:1 - 6:18, Ephesians 1:1 - 1:2

January 18 – Ephesians 1:3 - 6:24, Philippians 1:1 - 4:23, Colossians 1:1 - 4:18, 1Thessalonians 1:1 - 2:17

January 19– 1Thessalonians 2:18 - 5:28, 2Thessalonians 1:1 - 3:18,

1Timothy 1:1 - 6:21, 2Timothy 1:1 - 4:22, Titus 1:1 - 3:15,

Philemon 1:1 - 1:25, Hebrews 1:1 - 1:3

January 20 – Hebrews 1:4 - 13:25, James 1:1 - 4:7

January 21– James 4:8 - 5:20, 1Peter 1:1 - 5:14, 2Peter 1:1 - 3:18,

1John 1:1 - 5:21, 2John 1:1 - 1:13, 3John 1:1 - 1:14,

Jude 1:1 - 1:25, Revelation 1:1 - 2:5

January 22 – Revelation 2:6 - 22:21