Prayer and Fasting

As we have been seeking direction for Bend City, Scott and I have decided to do some fasting in January and will likely ask the rest of the body to fast at some point in February. Since there may be some that are not familiar with the idea and practice of fasting, I thought it would be helpful to write briefly about it and why we are deciding to do it.

First off, I think it is helpful to note that fasting is not commanded in the New Testament. There are many direct commands throughout the gospels and letters of the New Testament, but fasting is not one of them. With this said, although it is not commanded, fasting is spoken of often. At one point, when Jesus is asked why disciples do not fast, he plainly tells them that his disciples will fast when he leaves the earth. Jesus was sure that his disciples would fast.

Matthew 9:14-15

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees
fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding
guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Other times fasting is mentioned in the New Testament are Matthew 6:16, Acts 13:2, Acts 14:23, and 1 Corinthians 7:5.

Purpose of Fasting

When Jesus was on the earth, his disciples did not fast. When Jesus returns and we are with him, we will not fast. This gives us insight on the purpose of fasting. Fasting exists because we are not yet with Jesus. Fasting should come from a longing to be closer and have deeper relationship with God while we are not physically with Him. There are very practical ways that fasting creates deeper relationship with God. Once a God-given pleasure such as food or marital relations is voluntarily removed for a time, it is constant reminder of the giver of all gifts and a reminder of the necessity of the giver. Also, if fasting is combined with seeking God in prayer, the hunger caused by fasting can remind the faster to seek God in prayer. This is obviously not meant to be an exhaustive explanation of fasting, but a general overview.

What Fasting Is Not

There are 3 main pitfalls that I can see regarding fasting that bear mentioning.

1. Fasting is not a means to earn acceptance from God

Luke 18 tells of a Pharisee that was excited because of all that God had allowed him to do and was basing his acceptance from God on his works. One of which was fasting twice a week. Jesus explains in Luke 18:14 that this Pharisee, despite his twice a week fasting, was not justified before God

2. Fasting should not be done to distinguish yourself as a good Christian to others

Matthew 6:16-18
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

3. Fasting is not an arm twisting of God for Him to answer your prayer

This is probably the most subtle of issues that can arise. The chain of events can go like this. We have a prayer need. We’ve decided to not only pray, but to pray and fast to seek God’s guidance. When the answer does not come as expected, we feel cheated because we were really devoted to God and he didn’t fulfill his end of the bargain.

Fasting must be done in an attitude of humility as we seek guidance and direction from an all-knowing, all-wise God. God, in His wisdom, may choose to withhold what we think we need or answer in an unexpected way.

Why Call Bend City to Fast

As we are entering our second year as a local church, there are 2 issues that we see needing direction and wisdom from the Lord. Among other needs, these are going to be the 2 needs we focus on during our time of prayer and fasting.

1. Direction of Discipleship- Jesus commanded the church to make disciples and to teach the disciples. This is a given. What is not a given is how this is done. We feel God will give us specific direction and wisdom to teach and train the disciples, raise up leaders from among the body, and create an atmosphere for making disciples that make disciples.

2. Ministry to the City- We are expectant that God will make more clear where we are to focus our efforts in being a light to the city of West Bend. More specifically, where can God’s people be empowered by God’s spirit to do acts of service to the world around us.

Fasting- The Practice

Some will argue that fasting must be done in such and such a way. If you feel called to fast from a certain food or only eat certain foods or fast from entertainment, etc., that is excellent and you should be obedient to your Godly conviction. From Scripture, I do not see a certain prescribed method of fasting, and thus, believe there is some freedom on the matter. Scott and I will be fasting from certain foods similar to what Daniel had done in Daniel 10. Other methods of fasting that can be done are eating only bread and water, drinking only juice, abstaining from TV and internet, or abstaining from other forms of entertainment. Remember, the goal is closeness with God, not how much can I resist proving I am Godly.

Looking forward to seeking God with you for His glory.

The Night Joseph Chose Mercy

For Christmas this year I wrote a story around the birth of Christ.  Here is the poem from the end of the story.  You can get the rest of the story here.


Now listen to what Joseph learned
In the hour of his great trial
As he journeyed down the path
When he rode upon his mule

God spoke to Moses through a bush
That the flames did not consume
Our great God is a consuming fire
Consumed with love for you

For God’s great heart was torn when he
Heard of the slave woman’s cry
And torn His heart is greater still
When to sin we yield our lives

Moses sent –
     as a man of God to set
  The captives of Egypt free
Jesus Christ –
     the only son of God has come
  To free Sin’s Slavery

To sway the angel of death away
A Passover lamb was slaughtered
Christ is the Lamb of God for us
And For us his life was offered

God struck his final blow to Pharaoh
Baptized in the in Red Sea’s flood
To sin God gives his final blow
Being baptized in Christ’s blood

From Mount Sinai where God spoke at first
Of the slave woman’s misery
Back to Sinai to receive the law
To show us our true slavery

All who sin are true slaves to sin
With only one hope for liberty
That Christ was born in a stable low
As any Passover lamb would be

A broken and contrite heart oh God
I know you will not despise
May the law of Moses do it’s work
And lead us to your side

On this day in Bethlehem lay
A greater one than Moses
For Moses led us to the law
So that Christ could redeem us

Christmas Eve Service

Bend City will be having a Christmas Eve service at 4:00pm. Come join us as we sing about Jesus' birth, read through the Christmas story, and break out some candles in the process.- Shane

Out with the New in with the Old

2010 is coming to a close and 2011 will be here before we know it.  Is it just me or does each year seem to pass more quickly than the year before?  Maybe it's because I'm getting older! Granted, I am getting older and that has to be part of it, but I also think that we live in a day that values fast and is always looking forward to the newest thing.

One generation ago the microwave was invented to make things fast.  I still remember getting our first microwave (in fact, my parents still use the same one twenty-some years later).  Now, our generation stands in front of our microwaves wishing they would hurry up.  Google just came out with "instant search".  I've been using it - definitely helpful.  Google claims that it will save people between 2 and 5 seconds a search.  I still remember doing research for my high school term papers.  No google and no internet.  Just a handful of books from the libary and a few magazines.  The first internet searches saved us days and weeks of research, now google is shaving off seconds.

Technology is progressing more quickly today than ever before.  We are always looking for the newest toy and tweeking the latest invention.  Xbox just released Kinect - an attachment that reads your body movements and in essence makes the person the control.  We got to see one in action on display at Old Navy.  Kaylee jumped right into the dance game.  I have to admit it was pretty cool.  No sooner did Microsoft release Kinect than someone hacked it so that it could be used as a Windows controler.  Check out this video:

using kinect to control windows

"Fast and new" describes our generation, but sometimes the very thing that we need is to slow down and hear from a perspective outside of our own.  A year ago I made it a goal to read a few more books from Christians outside of our generation.  We have a lot to learn from the people who have lived before us.  It's good for us to dip our feet into Christian streams of thought that were flowing long before we lived.  After all if Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever than I think that we may have something to learn from these Saints.  Here are the older Christian books that I read this last year and I am recommending them to you in order.

Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
The Confessions of St. Augustine by Augustine
Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Spurgeon - A New Biography by Arnold Dallimore
The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

Let me know if you have any older Christian book suggestions because I want to continue this throughout next year as well.

Death in His Grave

I've never plugged music before on the blog, but was listening to John Mark McMillan's album "The Medicine" this morning and thought I'd post. There sometimes seems to be a lack of creative artists with biblical lyrics, so when somebody comes along that has both it's good to get the word out. Listened to "Death in His Grave":

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

Check it out- Shane

ps Future of Forestry EPs are the most played on the home ipod these days.......by me at least