Acts 14:19-23
Question 6: Which of the two commitments have you decided to make this week?
A. Now grumbling/complaining or,
B. Signing up for some kind of sacrifice, such as volunteering for a church need or give up something that you love or love to do.
The words from "Here I Am To Worship" are appropriate for me:
King of all days, Oh so highly exalted,
Glorious in heaven above;
Humbly you came to the earth you created;
All for love’s sake became poor.
So here I am to worship …
And I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross.
Jesus knew tribulation, the early saints knew tribulation(Stephen, James, Paul, Peter, on and on, those in China, Darfur, Somalia, India, China, Saudi Arabia, and so many other places in today's world). And here I am complaining.....oh the shame....
Also as a reminder, since this is the week of the Lord's Supper, there is a one day fast that is voluntary. The suggestion is to start on Thursday after sundown and continue until after sundown on Friday.
Some thoughts about fasting:
a. It is used for spiritual growth
b. Used to seek the Lord's counsel on matters of importance
c. To glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper into our prayer life
d. To help us take our eyes off of the things of this world
It is not:
a. used for dieting
b. Required by Christ or Scriptures
c. necessarily from food, can be anything that is causing you to not focus on God
d. for diabetics or others with food related problems...consulting your doctor is always recommended.
From "All About God"
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).
Christian Fasting - A Lifestyle of Servant Living
Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others.
"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9).
Prayer Requests:
Travis - A sister who does not know the Lord and had developed a blood clot on the brain and also has addiction problems, please pray that she will surrender to the Lord and for the Lord to heal her.
Also a continuation of prayer for the Lord to help Travis develop the good habits of using his time wisely and getting the rest that he needs.
David - Praise - there is no diabetes - please pray for the Lord's help in David's struggle with a problem that continues to plague him also that the Lord would heal an "impaired glucose tolerance" problem.
Please also pray for David's father who has pre-cancerous skin cells on his face and that he quit procrastinating and have them treated.
Dennis - For the Father to give him wisdom on how best to serve the Kingdom, family and church.
Barb - Praise - the pain in her left chest and back is NOT due to a recurrence of cancer but to a fractured rib. Probably due to a bike accident a month or so back. Please pray for quick healing and for the pain to stop.
Barb said that she will sign up for the "not grumbling or complaining"
Daniel and Benny - For the Lord to heal their injuries from the car accident
Mary - Pray for Katrina and her sister Nichol who, along with their mother are now living in a shelter. The mother could lose her two girls.
Please pray for the Father to give Mary wisdom as she has an opportunity to be the resource for the mother. Pray that the Father will use all those around Mary to help her in this decision.
Libby - Please pray that the Lord would cure the tendinitis that plagues Libby as she has a job where she is on her feet most of the day.
Gaby - Please pray that the Lord would intervene with the insurance people to bring speedy payments for all of the bills that have been a result of the accident. Also pray that the injuries caused in the accident will heal quickly.
Also, pray for Billy to be the godly man and leader in his home for Gaby and the boys. Pray also that Gaby will be able to lay all of her worries and concerns in the hands of our Father.
Jacksons - Please pray for Giovanni, Marisella, Gracie, DeeDee, Will and Ricky as they go through the loss of their father Rod. Please also pray for all of Rod's family, for peace and healing from their loss.
Please pray for the Harvest Party, that there will be those who come who are yet undecided and the Holy Spirit will work on them to surrender to the Lord.
Please pray that the church family will not withdraw from their giving. Pray that all would see this as the time to give more and to find joy in knowing the Lord is in control and will bless them mightily.
Please pray that the Christians in this nation will come together and vote for the life of our unborn and not for murder. The spiritual battle is on and we must vote for the least of those among us. Please pray that the Lord will help us to restore the moral foundation of this country.
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