Christian Life Assembly
Our church theme for 2023 is for the one. Everything we do, everything we say and everything we put our hand and resources to at CLA is for the one. For the one to come to know Him. For the one to grow deeper in Him. The Lord has called us to make life change the most important thing we do as a church.
Meditate on God's Word
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Romans 8:5-7
Romans 8:5-7
We will never have a transformed mind... a transformed thought life... without filling our life with the Word of God. We have to meditate daily on God's Word.
The Bible shapes our thinking, not only about the things of God but our worldview on everything! The WORLD and the KINGDOM are opposing worldviews on the most important things and the issues that matter most. But Scripture helps us to master the way we think and view the world, practically and spiritually. (Hebrews 4:12)
The Bible shapes our thinking, not only about the things of God but our worldview on everything! The WORLD and the KINGDOM are opposing worldviews on the most important things and the issues that matter most. But Scripture helps us to master the way we think and view the world, practically and spiritually. (Hebrews 4:12)
"Meditating daily on God's Word will revolutionize your thinking!" ~ Shane Wilson
We must view every issue through a Biblical lens and ask ourselves, "What does the Bible say?" The Word of God helps us know how to approach things and, in doing so, how to think about those things.
There is nothing we will ever face that God doesn't have an answer for in His Word.
There is nothing we will ever face that God doesn't have an answer for in His Word.
"If we believe that our mission and calling are for the one, then the two most important spiritual disciplines we can possess in our life are prayer and fasting."
Shane Wilson
Prayer
Some of the best teaching on prayer in the Bible is Luke 11:1-13.
Luke often records Jesus praying before significant events or teachings. His regular personal prayer life must have impacted the disciples so much that they made the connection that His source of fellowship and intimacy with the Father came from the time He spent in personal prayer! So, with a sense of urgency, they asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray."
If we are going live our lives for the one, then we must ask Him the same question. No one understands the importance of prayer more, and no one challenges us to pray more than He does. There is no better teacher on the subject of prayer than Jesus.
Luke often records Jesus praying before significant events or teachings. His regular personal prayer life must have impacted the disciples so much that they made the connection that His source of fellowship and intimacy with the Father came from the time He spent in personal prayer! So, with a sense of urgency, they asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray."
If we are going live our lives for the one, then we must ask Him the same question. No one understands the importance of prayer more, and no one challenges us to pray more than He does. There is no better teacher on the subject of prayer than Jesus.
- Jesus taught us how to pray by praying!
- Jesus teaches us to be bold and persistent with our prayers.
- Jesus encourages us to come to Him in boldness and persistence through prayer.
Never give up. Never stop praying!
- We must cultivate the spiritual discipline of prayer in our personal lives.
- Effective prayers are specific and in alignment with God's purpose and will!
God loves it when we rely entirely on Him, trust Him and know that He is working all things together for our good when we believe--without hesitation--that our loving Father always gives good gifts.
Keep going to God in prayer. Be persistent and bold! If we are going to reach the one for Christ, then we must ask Jesus to teach us how to pray!
Keep going to God in prayer. Be persistent and bold! If we are going to reach the one for Christ, then we must ask Jesus to teach us how to pray!
Fasting
Guidelines for Fasting
Because every person is different, the things we fast for will differ. Therefore, there are many different types of Biblical fasting. Fasting, at its heart, is about giving up something that satisfies you so you can intentionally pursue satisfaction in God alone.
Types of Fasting
What types of things drive you to prayer while fasting? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29, “…but by prayer and fasting.”
Pastor Shane reminded us that you can pray without fasting, but you can’t fast without praying.
Types of Fasting
- Complete Fast - The duration of a complete fast can range from part of a day, to an entire day, to several days. This was the most common type of fast shared in the Scriptures. While a complete fast abstains from all food for a time, a partial fast abstains from certain foods or drinks for a time (Ezra 8:21-23 NASB). People who have never done a complete fast should observe caution as they begin and end the fast because it will be an extreme adjustment to their body.
- Partial Fast - A partial fast can vary in duration from part of a day to a few days, and it involves abstaining from certain foods or drinks for a time. It can involve when you eat or what you eat. The most common partial fast is often called a three-day spiritual fast. In Daniel, we see believers who ate only fruits and vegetables and drank water for 10 days to honor God while in captivity. Daniel 1:12 says, “A humble Christian who fasts will see answers and feel refreshed regularly.”
- Liquid Fast - Another option is a liquid fast, through which you abstain from all food but allow liquids, such as smoothies, fresh juices and pureed soups. It’s important to drink lots of water throughout the day.
- Non-Food Fast - For those with a medical condition, the non-food fast is the safest way to practice this spiritual discipline. In the Scriptures, we see several examples of non-food fasts, including:
- Oils (Daniel 10:3)
- Unholy things, such as items, people, places, practices, etc. (Joshua 3:5)
- Other examples include sacrificing television/social media/cell phone use – areas that typically take up large amounts of our time.
- Group Fast - A time of group fasting can be powerful on a personal and corporate level. This type of fasting can vary from any of the different types of Biblical fasting. The point is not that everyone is fasting from the same thing but that they are fasting about the same thing.
What types of things drive you to prayer while fasting? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29, “…but by prayer and fasting.”
- Overcoming periods of spiritual dryness; needing to draw closer to God for spiritual refreshing.
- In need of a spiritual breakthrough.
- Obtaining spiritual guidance.
- Spiritual revival; developing spiritual strength, including resisting temptation.
- Developing self-mastery, making our spirits masters of our bodies, such as by showing humility, showing sorrow, enhancing prayer and/or obtaining spiritual knowledge and testimony.
Pastor Shane reminded us that you can pray without fasting, but you can’t fast without praying.
Please remember… No sacrifice will go unnoticed by the Lord.
Seeking the Lord always has eternal rewards: “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early will find Me” (Proverbs 8:17). “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).
Cautions
There are several cautions to consider as you contemplate a food fast.* It is wise to consult your doctor before you begin your fast to make sure that there are no medical reasons why it would be harmful to radically change your diet (short-term or long-term).
Persons who should not fast without professional supervision are those who:
* These cautions were provided courtesy of ag.org.
There are several cautions to consider as you contemplate a food fast.* It is wise to consult your doctor before you begin your fast to make sure that there are no medical reasons why it would be harmful to radically change your diet (short-term or long-term).
Persons who should not fast without professional supervision are those who:
- Are too thin or are prone to anorexia or bulimia
- Suffer weakness or anemia
- Have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood disorders or heart disease
- Have chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs or heart
- Are on insulin for diabetes or are hypoglycemic
- Are pregnant or nursing
* These cautions were provided courtesy of ag.org.