• First of all, we had a full house today.  There’s nothing quite like the feeling of everyone being there at the same time.  It changes things.
• We were blessed to have several guests this morning who caught the article about our church in the Peoria Journal Star yesterday.  You  can catch the online version here!
  • Speaking of the newspaper article… totally a God-thing seeing as how we are only 3 weeks away from our Grand Re-Opening.
• The atmosphere was really electric today
• Zach, my oldest son, had the opportunity to share with the team how God enabled him to lead 7 of his friends to Christ in the last two days!  That’s right… SEVEN.  And several of them were with him at church this morning.  That totally fired up our people!
• Coach Bob spoke this morning for the first time and did a great job!  I’m so stoked to have a ministry partner with the experience, skills and passion that Coach Bob has.
• We honored one of Peoria’s finest this morning in honor of the anniversary of 9/11 and in honor of his recent recognition as a recipient of the “Distinguished Service Award” on the Peoria Police Dept.  Way to go Marvin Kenser!
• I am sensing that our people are beginning to get revved up for 9/28.  It’s going to be great.  God is doing his thing, and we are doing ours.  It’s awesome.

Jesus began His earthly ministry with prayer and fasting (Mt 4). Shortly after that he taught his disciples to fast (Mt 6). Though fasting is never commanded, Jesus assumed that the disciples would want to in order to see great things happen!  But it’s not something a Christian has to do, but can choose to do…not many guidelines given in scripture about fasting, either!

I touched on the different types of fasts yesterday, but I want to include one more here today.

Partial fast
Good if you have diabetes, hypoglycemia, or some other condition which precludes a normal fast. In the partial fast you omit certain foods for a while, but not others.
Dan. 1—he and 3 hebrew children did a partial fast, and at the end were stronger and healthier than those eating what they wanted. Elijah did this on 2 occasions, John Wesley was well known for going days on end eating only bread and water, some give up meats for a time, eating only vegetables/just skipping a meal to spend time in prayer would be another example of a partial fast

Purpose of fasting:
A way to seek God by denying the physical in order to focus on the spiritual…for this reason prayer and fasting must always go together (or it does you no good spiritually!)

Of course, there are physical benefits: medical dr’s are discovering more and more benefits to fasting…because the body is designed to heal itself on a cellular level…as we eat and take in various toxins, processed foods, medicines, etc., we hold a certain amount of poisons in our cells…but when we fast many of those things are flushed out of our system!

But if you want a spiritual benefit, make sure and take the time you would have in eating and transfer it to prayer time!

Usually we fast and pray when we have a special need. I mentioned nine purposes for fasting yesteday. Today, I’ll add some meat to those bones. If any of these situations are applicable to you, then fasting may be in order. These situations are described in Isaiah 58:6-8

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. 8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

1. Fasting to get freedom from addictions (vs 6) (things you’d like to lay down but have been unable to)

• “I’ve tried to quit smoking, but I can’t!” - Try fasting!
• Porn/alcohol/cussing/thought life…try fasting!
• God has ordained that when we get serious about walking in victory we demonstrate it through fasting…& he knows we’re serious now!

2. Fasting to solve problems (vs 6)

• Messed up finances, marriage in shambles, job solution, etc. -When it seems hopeless, no way out!
• God will deal w/ in an instant what you’ve stressed for weeks and months!

3. Fasting for revival and soul-winning (vs 6)

• I challenge you to do this this week!

4. Fasting to conquer mental and emotional problems (vs 6)

• There are more people stressed out and under emotional strain than ever

5. Fasting to meet the physical needs of others (vs 7)

• to cut back once in a while and give that food or $ to feed the poor (special blessing in scripture!)

6. Fasting for clearer insight in decision-making (vs 8 )

• Different that problem-solving…this is when you’re seeking God’s will in a major area of life…you’re at the fork in the road and don’t know which way to go.
  • [job offers/transfer/dating/ministry/college]
• it’s like God turns on the lights and now you know what to do!

7. Fasting for health reasons or healing (vs 8 )

• Have a loved one that’s terminal? Get serious and fast for them! When there’s no hope from a human perspective, put it in God’s hands…it may be His will to honor that.

8. Fasting for a more righteous life and influential testimony (vs 8 )

• It’s easy for a Christian to grow cold…so say, Lord, light a fire under me! Make me like I was when I was first saved!
• If you get serious enough to deny yourself in the physical realm, it will be amazing what God will do in your soul spiritually!

9. Fasting for the glory of the Lord, to protect us from the evil one (vs 8 )

• v. 8b “rereward”=protection

When we get serious about doing business with God in this way, through this discipline, then we will often see victory that has never been available to us before.  I encourage you to participate in this practice according to the needs of your life.

If anyone has any God-stories of victories and/or answers that came through fasting, I would love to have you share them with me here.

The first mention of fasting is in Leviticus 16:29 (AMP) -It shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month [nearly October] on the tenth day of the month you shall afflict yourselves [by fasting with penitence and humiliation] and do no work at all, either the native-born or the stranger who dwells temporarily among you.

Fasting was instituted among God’s people early on as an intentional avenue to pursue God and enjoy his forgiveness. Ever since, it has been use for that purpose as well as a few others. There are nine different fasts (or nine different purposes for fasting) recognized in scripture:

The Apostles Fast to break addiction.
The Ezra Fast to solve problems.
The Samuel Fast for evangelism & revival.
The Elijah Fast to break despondency.
The Widow’s Fast for humanitarian needs.
The St. Paul’s Fast to make decisions.
The Daniel Fast for health & healing.
The John the Baptist Fast for reputation & influence.
The Esther Fast for spiritual warfare.

But for those who are new to fasting, the primary purpose would be to empty yourself of you and allow more of God to consume you and fill you.

HOW TO FAST

• Water Only Fast – This is where you have water only The max duration is 40 days. Jonathan in (1 Samuel 20:34)
• Absolute Fast – This means no water or food. The longest recorded is 40 says. Moses did this in Exodus 34:28
• Partial Daniel-type fast. - This fast you deny yourself of only certain food. Maybe cut out meet, maybe desert. This is a fast that can go on indefinitely. An Example of this fast is Daniel found in Daniel 10:3
• Juice Fast – This is a modification of the normal fast. Fruits and vegetable juices are used for a supplement. This is good for a person who is in an extended fast
• Sundown fast – This is a fast where you eat on meal a day. This time that you save with meals should be spent in time with God. This feast can go on a long time. But it is harder to maintain then you think

Most of us naturally assume that fasting has to do with abstaining from food. There is a reason for that -we as a society are driven by food. Look at the number of restaurants, look at the number of food commercials, look at how much we think of food.

Not all fasts involve food. There is the Idols fast – some people should not do a dietary fast, it just does not work. But everyone certainly can give up TV, Internet, Books, hobbies, etc., for a certain time period. This one can go on indefinitely. But it has to be something meaningful in your life. Otherwise it does not demonstrate true fasting.

Prayer must always be included in fasting. I hope you pray every day, but while you are fasting, you should increase your prayer time.

I’ll add more on fasting tomorrow

SUNDAY

• Had a lot going on this morning trying to get a few tech pieces to work the way we wanted them to.  Tech is a huge asset to the service, but can be really challenging at times (very thankful for the guys that work to pull that off)
• Today was the first service with Coach Bob here for good (see more on that below)
• I am totally stoked about what his presence means for our ministry and our men.
• Jr Church resumed this morning… I think both kids and parents were happy about that.
• We continued our series on spiritual disciplines by talking about fasting.
• A large percentage of our congregation pledged to fast weekly until our Grand Re-Opening as we plead with God for his blessing on us and our church as we seek to reach the lost around us.
• The fast will go on daily between now and then, with at least 1 person per day fasting.
• I am blown away by the willingness of our people to pursue God in this way.
• I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when we give up something good for something God, we will be blessed.

SATURDAY

• Saturday morning began at the church by ripping some drywall down on either side of the stage and on the second level.  It wasn’t exactly back-breaking work, but it was hot and there was plenty of sweat to go around.
• We got a lot of work done there including getting drywall in the Jr church room wiped down and prepped for painting.
• One of our ladies (thanks Jen) brought out a bunch of sub sandwhiches and chips to help keep the energy levels up.
• From there we went over to move in Coach Bob and the Olla family as they finally arrived here from Wisconsin.
• There were 15+ people there helping to unload the truck and get their family moved in.
• What a blessing to watch all of these folks reach out to minister to our new coach’s family in such a tangible way.
• I still can hardly believe they are actually here… it’s getting ready to get good.

Asking  confidently and expectantly is a challenge at times, but that is exactly what the Lord wants us to do.  And the reason is summed up nicely in this video clip from one of my all-time favorite movies “Facing the Giants”.  Watch this and let your faith in prayer grow!

• Woke up this morning feeling really stressed about the day..
• a busy week had left a lot piled up to still accomplish on Saturday night.  I hit the sack @ 2:00 am.
• Got three hours of sleep and was feeling totally fried
• Lesley woke up feeling sick and thought she might skip church
• posted a tweet via twitter that I was feeling stressed
• Was truly encouraged by the response on twitter
• Felt really unprepared for the whole morning today…. but there was a sense that God wanted to do something special
• We had people praying and working and encouraging each other all week long… just seemed like the enemy was pressing hard against us
• Many felt like that was a clue that God wanted to show up big-time
• After what felt like a less-than-stellar message, I just felt led to invite everyone to join me in a commitment to prayer for the next 40 days leading up to our grand re-opening.
• This was totally unplanned, we had no music, just a raw, silent opportunity for our church to come together in prayer AND WE DID
• And I am totally convinced that we sensed the presence of God in a very real way this morning.
• Lots of new families and some committed “old-timers” going through our new team orientation after the service.
• It’s about to get good!

So the man began his account of the famous parable. He said, “There was a good Samaritan going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among the thorns, and they sprang up and choked him and left him half-dead. So he said, ‘I will arise!’ and he arose and came to a tree for forty days and forty nights, and the ravens fed him. Then Delilah came along with a pair of shears and cut off his hair, and he fell on stony ground. He said again, ‘I will arise!’ So he came to a wall, and Jezebel was sitting on that wall; and he cried out, ‘Chunk her down!’ So they chunked her down. He said, ‘Chunk her down seventy times!’ And great was the fall thereof and of the fragments that remained they picked up twelve baskets full, but whose wife will she be in the Resurrection?”

That about sums up the average Christian’s knowledge of the Bible. Lots of bits and pieces, but they can’t quite put it all together. And for most believers, it’s because they’ve never committed themselves to study the Bible. Many don’t know how and don’t know where to start. I won’t try to answer “where” here… you need to start where it makes sense to you. But I will give you a few tips on how.

• The first way we have to approach the study of the Word with is consistently. Look at Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2. Both verses contain the same phrase that signifies consistency: “day and night”. Does this mean that we are to have our nose buried in our Bible every moment of every day? No; but it does mean that we are to have His Word in our minds and in our hearts every-day-all-day. It is never to “depart from our mouths”. It is supposed to be a living part of our life, just like breathing or eating.
• Then we have to approach our study of the Word expectantly. In Hebrews 11:6, we read, “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently search for Him.” Do you believe that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him? Then He will reward you if you seek Him. Look at another time this was promised by God: Jeremiah 29:13; “You will be searching for me and I will be there, when you have gone after me with all your heart.”
• Approach your study of the Word prayerfully. By prayerfully I don’t mean say a prayer, read the Word, and then pray when it’s over. What I mean is, be in conversation with God while you’re reading His Word and while you’re hearing His Word. His Word is “living and active”; He is speaking to you at the very moment that you are reading it. His Word is not just some stuff that a bunch of guys wrote down several thousand years ago. His Word is as fresh and alive as if the ink were still wet on the page. Talk with Him as you read His Word.
• The last way we need to approach our study of the Word of God is obediently. It does no good to read or hear what God has to say and then not be obedient to it. In James 1:22, we are told quite clearly, “But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” To simply pay lip service to what the Word of God teaches is to be self-deceiving, thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, thinking that just because we know what the Bible says in our heads makes us solid in our walk with God. A little later James tells us, “Even so, faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself (2:17).” What he means is if we aren’t obedient to what we say we believe then we have nothing to back it up - it’s just a bunch of empty words in our lives and there is no life in it. A dead faith is a worthless faith. Remember that Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:14).”

If we will all approach God’s Word with these attitudes, then the time we spend with it will change dramaticlly. Give it a try. See what God reveals to you. This is where it all starts.

This is what amazes me about us Christians.  We have a guaranteed reward waiting for us at the end of the race, and most of us (even myself at times) avoid spiritual discipline like the plague.  It’s almost as if the disciplines have no value, or worse yet, are like punishment.  “You’re in trouble now… you’re going to have to read your Bible.”  “Oh no!  not that…. anything but that!”  You know what I’m talking about.

But spiritual discipline is the key to running and winning your race.  I’m convinced that Bible study holds the key to that.  I believe that the Bible is the piece that helps make sense of all the other pieces.  Without it, as we like to say in the South, we’re ODF (out ‘der flappin’).

I think the biggest excuse people use to NOT study their Bible is this, “I just don’t understand it.”  Can I just use two words here….. LAME-O!  If that’s the best you got, I’ve got a couple of simple solutions:

• Get a version you can read… it’s not all that difficult.  Start with the New Living Translation or the Contemporary English Version.  Both will help make it much more readable.

• Don’t focus on what you don’t understand… focus on what you do understand! - Can we just be honest for a minute.  Most of us know way more about the Bible than we’re willing to do (myself included).  It’s not really a matter of not understanding, it’s a matter of not DOING.  Start with what you know and understand…… AND DO IT!  (Coach Mark, are you listening?)  The Holy Spirit will reveal different things about scripture to different people at different times.  Focus on what you know, what the Holy Spirit reveals, and do what you know.  He’ll reveal other things to you as you need it.

Tomorrow, I’ll add one more post to this topic with some ideas that will help you as you take your treasure map and learn to study it for all it’s worth.

Proverbs 12:1 - To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

On Sunday, I began a series of talks regarding spiritual discipline.  The very word discipline makes most of us shudder.  It has all sorts of negative connotations.  In most of our minds, it is a very negative word.  And in fact, if you look it up online in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the first definition is “punishment”.  ‘Nuff said, right?

Wrong!  The word and concept of discipline has been hijacked and distorted from it’s highest and purest meaning.  Check out this entry from Wikipedia:

In its most general sense, discipline refers to systematic instruction given to a disciple. This sense also preserves the origin of the word, which is Latin disciplina “instruction”, from the root discere “to learn,” and from which discipulus “disciple, pupil” also derives.^[1]

To discipline thus means to instruct a person or animal to follow a particular code of conduct, or to adhere to a certain “order.” Consequently, “in the field of child development, discipline refers to methods of modeling character and of teaching self-control and acceptable behavior.”^[2] So for example, to discipline a child to wash its hands before meals. Here, ‘washing hands before meals’ is a particular pattern of behaviour, and the child is being disciplined to adopt that pattern. ‘To disciple’ also gives rise to the word disciplinarian, which denotes a person who enforces order. An ideal disciplinarian is one who can enforce order without coercion for “family specialists agree that using physical force, threats and put-downs can interfere with a child’s healthy development.”^[3] Usually however, the phrase ‘to discipline’ carries a negative connotation. This is because enforcement of order - that is, ensuring instructions are carried out - is often regulated through punishment.^{cf. [4]}

To be disciplined is then, subject to context, either a virtue (the ability to follow instructions well) or a euphemism for punishment (which may also be referred to as disciplinary procedure).

DISCIPLE

That’s the first and highest meaning of the word.  A disciple is a learner (that sounds a lot like “a leader is a learner”… which means that leading and being a disciple may go hand-in-hand), and a learner is studying the “discipline” of the master/teacher.  You cannot be a disciple without discipline.  And we are called to be “disciples of Jesus Christ”.   Jesus told his disciples to go make more disciples.  All of that requires discipline.

OLYMPIC DISCIPLINE

It amazes me how much discipline it takes for the Olympians to achieve what they have achieved.  And they do it for a reward that will one day tarnish and lose its’ luster.  Why can’t we invest the same commitment to being the best disciple of Christ we can be?  We know the rewards are far greater.

I’ll continue to speak over the next few weeks on spiritual discipline.  And I’ll add some more thoughts on Bible Study tomorrow to follow up on that topic.

I’ll close this with a quote from William Penn - “No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.“