Fasting

In our discussion a few weeks ago, we touched on the subject of fasting. This is excerpt is from the book A Journey to Victorious Praying by Bill Thrasher and printed by Moody Press.

What is Fasting?

Richard Foster defines fasting as the "voluntary denial of a normal function for an intense activity." In the Bible the reference is primarily to eating, but Scripture also mentions temporarily abstaining from the physical relationship in marriage (1 Corinthians 7:5) and from sleep (2 Samuel 12:16; Daniel 6:18).

In other words, the Bible's emphasis is on fasting from food but it refers to a broader use of abstinence from other things. In some cases, these things can knowingly or unknowingly become a substitute for God. Therefore, one might benefit from a media fast, or fasting from such things as recreational shopping. The purpose of all such abstinence in the words of Norwegian theologian O. Hallesby is to "to loosen to some degree the ties which bind us to the world or material surroundings as a whole in order that we may concentrate all our spiritual powers upon the unseen and eternal things." The abstinence is not to be an end in itself but rather for the purpose of being separated to the Lord and to concentrate on godliness. This kind of fasting reduces the influence of our own self-will and invites the Holy Spirit to do a more intense work in us.

There is nothing meritorious in fasting in the sense that through it one earns something from God. Christ's death on the cross earned for us every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). Every spiritual discipline should rest on the foundation of Christ's finished work. However, fasting can be a discipline that seeks to experience the life of victory that Christ has purchased for us. When one fasts from food, a greater amount of blood, ususally needed for digestion, is available for mental and spiritual concentration. As Neil Anderson says, "Eating is the grand-daddy of all appetites. Fasting is a commitment to bring about self-denial and overcome every other conceivable temptation." It is response to the Lord to seek Him and abstain from food or another normal activitiy to make your whole heart available to Him.


Question: What can we abstain from this coming week so that you can make your whole heart available to our Lord Jesus Christ?

A Couple of Thoughts

So, I was recently handed back an essay I had written in AP English; in which I had made the point that the law is a means of revenge. Not to say that the law is wrong, however, the law puts just limitations on revenge. Some might quote the bible and say "Revenge is mine, thus sayeth, the Lord", and others might try and refute this notion as much as possible. However, if God has given us laws, and those laws provide for revenge, is it still just? I should most definitely hope so- but likewise, I digress. Instead of charging your brother in a court of law with a suit, whether it be vengeful or not, take it to the brother first, and see if you can settle it with him. If a conclusion is unable to be reached, take it with the brother to a pastor and/or elders. Both parties ought to have the spiritual maturity to take the pastor and elder's decision and follow it...

Its funny how- as christians- we get so bent out of shape about the smallest, most trivial things. It never ceases to amaze me that I catch myself saying something malicious, raising a finger in traffic, or even just being a jerk because I often like to pretend like I know what I'm talking about (a bit pretentious, no?). So, I guess the entire point of the before paragraph of hard-to-follow rambling was me trying to say: If you have an issue, either shut up and live with it, or take it to your brother with whom you have the issue. Think I'm crazy? Look at what paul had to say in 1 Corinthians chapter 6.

You really wanna know what love is?

I prefer the ground

“Even this post reeks of a certain presumptuousness on my part” I wrote disgustedly after I re-read the essay I had written for this blog.

I was writing an essay about how this blog is unique because it is about communication rather than preaching. But God humbled me, and I realized that the way I was writing it, was illustrating how prideful bloging can become. It’s not about how well You or I can write. It is about communicating ideas; showing Christ not ourselves. So it is with humility that I admit: I will struggle with this.

Today I realized, that I love being humbled more than I love the pats on the back for a well written essay. When he takes me off my soap box, and puts me on the ground next to the people I was metaphorically screaming at. You see, when atop a pedestal your movements are restricted. However when one steps down, the ground lies limitless below your feet. It urges you to move, to put action to what you believe, and more importantly it allows you to better see the enormity of God. We miss so much of God, when we make ourselves taller.

Rather than the verbose essay I was preparing to be our first post. The one that talked (so pridefully) about not being prideful when you make post….

I can sum up what I wanted to say with this: Let God be the reason you’re here. Let God be the reason you post and comment. And let Him alone move you.

NewsFlash: We have a Blog?

We have a blog.....but I guess that you might have realized that by now.
However, anyone who couldn't attend today might not know why, and I suppose you might like to know. If so continue reading. If you don't, go to the next heading.

I posted a question on the facebook group about the (admittedly useless) website. After very little response I felt like many simply did not have much of an opinion. After our study, we were sitting around and I again asked again how people felt. There seemed to be a general consensus that rather than a static website, an interactive blog would be more appropriate. So, we now have a blog.

Next week we are starting in 1 Corinithians Chapter 13
This chapter should prove to be as interesting and as full of depth as the last. The heading of Chapter 13 simply says "Love". And it is with that that I want to pose the first question: "Define Love". Contemplate it, share good articles you find, talk about greek history, or a bubbly feeling, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY comment. That is what this is for.


Want to contribute? (You obviously do).
Send me your email address and I will make you a contributor or just send your post to OrganEkk@gmail.com , and I will post it up. This is the point of having a blog after all. It can be anything from a story, to an article, to you reflecting upon something, to a great passage of scripture....to....ANYTHING. The point is discussion, not how wise you may (or may not) look.

What do you think about this "NewsFlash Idea"?
It could be weekly and have two purposes.
1. Let those who couldn't attend the week before know what passage we are on.
2. Make any news announcements known.

Now comment away.....