Post with 1 note
Today marks the start of our pre-retreat fast. As leaders and attendees, we are pushing back the plate, turning off the TV and IPOD to focus all of our attention on God. A common misconception about fasting is that we are attempting to get God to do something for us. For example, someone might think “If I fast, God will take care of this need I have” or “If I fast, God will begin to move over our church”. While both of those situations might take place after a time of fasting, we don’t approach fasting with those intentions. If we do, we are putting confidence in our own power and not in His. We are saying that something we do can force the hand of God. Fasting does NOT twist God’s arm and get Him to do something we desire Him to do.
Fasting is the weapon we use to allign our hearts, motives and will to God’s. Fasting will purge us of our own desires and replace them with His. Fortunately for us, God’s plan does involve us getting something out of the deal. Take a look at this common portion of scripture:
Isaiah 58:6
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
This is an awesome promise in light of the retreat we are approaching. When we fast and pray that people would be set free as a result of this retreat, we are not “twisting God’s arm” in our petitioning. We are simply partnering with His design for fasting. Knowing that, our faith for these results can increase knowing that His desire, His design and His plan for this retreat would be to “loose chains” and “set the oppressed free”. With that perspective, we can fast all the more confidently!
Shalom!
Well… Im sitting on my couch with Chris Riedell and he has inspired me to start a blog. I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself an important person but I figured if Chris has one, I need one too! For the next week, I want to talk about the upcoming Life Change retreat (Nov 19th - 21st). I will post things that I feel God is saying concerning the retreat and specific verses that I feel He would have us pray over.
We just finished a prayer meeting at my house with a bunch of leaders involved in the retreat. Two verses we felt God was highlighting in preparation of the retreat.
- Isaiah 61:1-4, 7
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
7 Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
- Acts 14:3
Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders
The first verse is relatively obvious but let me explain the verse in Acts 14. Many times, especially in our youth culture, our “messages” need to be legitimized my a demonstration of power. A preached message has considerable power but a preached message accompanied by signs and wonders not only has a greater potential to reach the listener but also to produce true, sustainable change. We believe that this retreat will not only be marked by convincing messages but also a demonstration of power through every leader.
So let me say this… if your not coming, COME! If you are, begin to pray that God would prepare you for a true, legitimate life transformation!
Future posts will be more “fun” but for now, Ill keep it spiritual G. Shalom!
