Prayer and Fasting pt 3

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psa 141:2 (NIV)

As we continue moving toward the weekend I want to offer some more suggestions for our fasting. These are not original they are from Perry Nobel's blog. But they are great.

• You can fast for a day or two…or all week, whatever the Lord puts on your heart.
• You can fast for a specific time period (like from 5:00 pm one day until 5:00 pm the next day.)
• You can fast from a particular meal.
• You can fast from a particular type of food.
• You can fast from something other than food (like maybe facebook or twitter!)

I believe God wants to rock some people's worlds and I for one want to join Him in that - will you join with me?

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Mat 21:22 (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting pt 2.

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 2 Chr 20:2-21 (NIV)

Jehoshaphat was a righteous king but he saw that his people were facing a real danger (a vast army) - and while he was seeking the Lord he called the people of Israel to fast.

As people of faith we see an even greater danger before us. Those we know and love are also under attack - many have not committed their lives to Christ. So this week I'm asking that we follow the example of many before us. Pick a day (or more if you choose) this week to fast and spend time in prayer for those who will be joining us this weekend at HCC.

Pray that God's Spirit moves them to come and hear.
Pray that God's Spirit makes them receptive to His word.
Pray that Jesus is lifted up in a glorious way before them.
Pray that God is glorified in all that we do.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23 (NIV)

In the early church they practiced and taught about prayer and fasting. So important was this practice that they did this prior to appointing Elders in the churches.

I want to ask all of you to join me this week in another important decision. I'm talking about the decision that many people need to make about who Jesus Christ is going to be in their lives.

This coming weekend is Easter and we will have a monster crowd. And among that crowd will be many that are not Christ Followers and many others that at best are "marginal".

I'm asking that you join me for at least one day of your choice of fasting. I'm not being legalistic about this... it is a fast of your choice. It could be a simple juice fast, or a total food fast with liquid only. Let the Lord lead you on this.

And while you do this take some specific time to pray for this weekend's services. Here are a few suggestions for prayer.

Pray for me that I will hear God clearly in preparing the message this week. Pray that God prepares the hearts of those who will be hearing it this weekend. Pray for the volunteers that will make this a great experience for those coming. Pray for the Praise Team that they will worship in such a way that we naturally join them in praise of God. Add to this list as God leads you.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)

I'm now on "Twitter"

You can now follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/Dino2525

Is your bracket blown?

I'm sure that you, like me have said, "my bracket is blown" - at least if you have filled out an NCAA bracket this year.

This has been an exciting time of "March Madness". With some top ranked teams exiting early and some "Cinderella Teams" decimating brackets everywhere.

And while this is a fun time of the year for basketball fans it is really not earth shattering - but what about when the "blown brackets" are not on a sheet of paper? What do we do when the "brackets" represent the plans we have in life?

The hopes and dreams we have are shattered by a sickness, infidelity, or rebellion? NCAA fans can go home and hope for next year. But what can we do?

The good news is that God offers grace and restoration. As a matter of fact the Scripture is filled with examples of blown dreams turned into ministry. I think of Joseph, the spoiled favorite son sold into slavery. God used him mightily. I think of Paul, who started out trying to eradicate the Church and yet became it's greatest advocate. In a couple of weeks I will be preaching about the incredible denial of Peter and the monument of grace he became.

So maybe now your "busted bracket" looms large in your life. Take heart we have a God who is so much larger than our situations. I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in Scripture. Ephesians 3:20 says this, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"

Maybe it's time to just shred that old bracket - and let God do what only God can do.

Oh, and GO BIG BLUE!!!!!