WANNA KNOW? Wanna know five things you can’t recover in
life? 1.
A stone after it’s thrown. 2. A word after it’s said. 3.
Time after it’s gone. 4. Trust after it’s lost. 5. An
occasion after it’s missed. (Saw this
printed on something, and it kind of jumped out at me!) After all, we are still in the first month of
the year. And while many people don’t
even bother with making New Year’s resolutions, still there’s a part of us that
decides having a fresh start is a great time to turn over a new leaf and make
some changes for the better! But, let’s
be honest. Just how long do these
changes last? One day? One week?
Maybe a few weeks? Then what?
Back to the old routine. And if
we disliked it enough to want to change it, then why are we back where we
started? Just maybe we don’t have the
right direction in life … or more importantly and most likely, we do not have
the Right Person directing us and giving us the power to follow those
directions! So, how ARE you doing so far
this year? Are you completely happy with
your performance? If not, then join us
in this January commitment to not just pray, but to pray AND fast! We can do lots of things in life if we strive
hard enough and do not deter from our goal.
But … being human, often we run out of energy or time, even
motivation. And we for sure, get
distracted from our focus so easily.
Life happens – and so much for our resolution to make changes! Down the drain … we messed up again! So we just let it go – for another year,
struggling with the same things for the next 12 months. You know, it doesn’t have to be this
way! It IS possible to live a life that
doesn’t always leave us with regrets that so much cannot be recovered, that
it’s gone … lost … missed. Is it
possible on our own? No, no. We need God’s help and His perspective. And His Word tells us that sometimes it takes
more than prayer alone; it takes prayer and fasting! Isaiah 58:6 tells us about some breakthroughs
that come through fasting: “Is not this
the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy
burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” You see, when things in our lives are not
easy, it takes the sacrifice of a fast to break the strongholds. Fasting is not easy – but it is powerful and
precious – and God steps up His response to our seriousness about what we are
praying about! When we fast, GOD ALWAYS
SHOWS UP! Fasting gets God’s attention
quickly – and the enemy HAS to flee!
I’ve heard it put this way: Satan
has a furious vendetta against us – that’s why God has a furious LOVE for
us! My husband will be preaching a
message about prayer and fasting this Sunday morning that will answer some of
your questions about “why should I fast?”
One answer is “when we obey God’s commands through prayer and fasting,
we release blessings into all areas of our lives.” Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “And all these
blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the
Lord your God.” And of all the blessings
that come, the highest to be treasured is the deeper intimacy with God that we
will experience! We realize that not
everyone can fast from food, due to medical issues; but how about the need for
all of us to fast from wrong thinking?
Under that heading falls a multitude of things – like fear and
doubt. Does that strike a chord? See, God will show you what kind of a fast He
is leading you to do that will bring spiritual victories, freedoms, and
breakthroughs … in the Name of Jesus – and for the glory of God! We encourage YOU to join our corporate church
fast this week!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
WE ARE
EXCITED about the things God has in store for us as a result of our
Annual Visionary Meeting this past Sunday!
You will see the fruits of the planning and discussion in the next few
weeks as we put things into action! Be
praying for your church!
10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP
10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE
CHURCH
MON, JAN 28TH:
6:30-8:00 P.M. – RE:FUEL YOUTH
WED, JAN 30TH:
7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY
905 El Dorado St. SE, Owatonna
THU, JAN 31ST:
7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY
165 24th Place NW, Owatonna
SAT, FEB 2ND:
9:00 A.M. – MEN’S FELLOWSHIP and
LADIES PRAISE & PRAYER
10:00 A.M. – ADVISORY BOARD MTG
COMING UP:
SUN, FEB 3:
5:00 P.M. - Super/Souper Bowl Party
at 165 24th Place NW, Owatonna
SAT, FEB 16:
5:00 P.M. - "A Sweet Night Out"
at the Timberlodge
ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!
Our first Advisory Board was appointed and announced this past Sunday: David, James, Marty, Robert, and Wayne. This group of men are coming alongside Pastor D for spiritual support and leadership, and will be meeting once a month. Any major changes and business decisions will always come before the entire congregation for approval. Please hold these men of God up in prayer, for wisdom and discernment as they stand by our pastor in leading the church through Christ-like example.
REMEMBER . .
. “My God is changeless in His love for me, and He will come and
help me. ~ Psalm 59;10
