September 12, 2011

Fast Day #8

As we begin our second week of fasting, we are eager to encounter the Lord and hear his direction for us.  Last night we talked about the activity of ministering to God and the fact that being thankful before Him was a powerful way to align ourselves with who He is and what He is doing.  He has great desire in His heart for us, even when we are weak and easily distracted.  When we struggle and begin to complain about our circumstances, it pulls us into a bad way of thinking.  Accusation against Him and the way He has been leading us begins to grow.  Soon, we are believing lies that God is not really concerned about us at all.  It is a dangerous place to be.

Being grateful and expressing thanks to Him, on the other hand, sets us free from the deceptions and allows us to see Him as He truly is...filled with goodness and love, and eager to encounter us.  Even the smallest move toward Him in love brings delight to His heart.  We are bringing pleasure to God with our weak attempts to follow Him in love!  Grumbling and complaining can steal this reality from our hearts and it is an area we want to fight against with diligence. 

As we continue on this week, we are asking for grace to fast, open access to hear His word to us, hearts filled with thankfulness and a willingness to search this out and speak it out with devotion. 

Blessings,

Brian
Ministry Director

September 06, 2011

Fasting information

Its Day #2 of our 14-day fast and I was alerted to a good resource for us.  The IHOP website has some excellent information on fasting and how to enter in to this discipline in a safe and effective way.  It is worth reading!  In this two-week time of consecration and turning aside to listen, we want to see fasting as a way to align our will with the divine order of Heaven and to walk in step with the One we love. 

Here is an excellent point from the IHOP site:

"Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it. Do not listen to the lie that nothing is happening. It is our conviction that every fast done in faith will be rewarded"

We are pressing forward in our weakness with faith and confidence that God is ahead of us in this, and that even when we are hearing little and feeling a bit worn out He is definitely going to meet us in our efforts.  This is an exciting time for us and what He is doing through SHOP in our city. 

Blessings and grace to all of you!

Brian

September 04, 2011

Corporate Fast

Beginning Monday, September 5th we are calling the SHOP community and all friends of our prayer
community to join in fasting and prayer until September 18th.  This is an important season for us, a season initiated by God and one that we want to press into with integrity.  Recently, we have been hearing that God is going to speak to our house and we are going to take the next 2 weeks to embrace weakness and really listen.  Please join us in this or pray for grace that we grow in love with Jesus.

Brian
Ministry Director