Why Fast?

Why fast?  That's a question that lots of people have. In fact, it's not even a talked about topic in most of our churches and therefore, it leaves us ignorant concerning it.  In short, it is drawing close to God.

God clearly teaches in His Word that if we would draw close to Him, then He would draw close to us.

Fasting is not an easy thing, to say the least.  It is primarily abstaining from foods for a pre-determined period of time that is set by the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.  The purpose is for us to break out of our normal routine to come apart and spend some rich, intimate, and quality time with the Lord to get closer to Him.

Over the past several years, my family and I have committed to a lifestyle of prayer and fasting to press in closer in relationship with our heavenly Father.  We've seen many miracles happen in our lives and those around us as a result.  I am thankful for faithful teaching from such men as Jentezen Franklin and Stovall Weems on the subject of fasting.  I have read their books, heard their sermons, and studied it for myself.  Fasting is a choice and not a requirement.  However, it is one of the best choices we can make as Christians.

If you are not on the 21 Day Fast with us at Bridges of Hope Fellowship, I would encourage you to jump in and start today.  It will change your life!  Be sure to stop by the info wall in the foyer and pick up a copy of "Your Personal Guide to Prayer & Fasting."  It has some great tips and pointers, especially if you are fasting for the first time.

Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you press into Jesus and draw closer to Him!

The Journey Begins

Today is a special day in my life and the life of our church at Bridges of Hope Fellowship.  Today, we begin our annual 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting to clear our minds and bodies so that we can have a greater awareness of God's presence and greater clarity in hearing His voice.  Also, I'll be kicking off our message series from Joshua 10:12-14, "Sun Stand Still."  If you live in or around McMinnville, Tennessee, I hope you'll join us on Sundays at 9:30 or 11 a.m.  You choose!

This year, we are calling it the "Sun Stand Still" fast as we are asking people to believe God to do the impossible in their lives and in the life of our church.  What might it look like if we were to dare to ask God for the impossible?  People would be healed, souls rescued from the destruction of hell and their sin, marriages restored, financial doors opened, and so on.  It literally could start a revolution of audacious faith in our church and the body of Christ!

In beginning my fast, I want to focus on one Scripture this morning,

“Search me O God and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts.
See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24

F. B. Meyer was one of the greatest Christian writers of the centuries. As a pastor, Meyer was successful, but not as he ought to have been. He had two friends, Charles Studd and Hudson Taylor, great men in the history of the church. They seemed to have victory day by day—joy and power in their lives. Meyer watched them. One day he went to Studd and said, “You have joy in your life that I don’t have.” Studd said, “There is nothing I have that you can’t have. Have you given everything to God?” 

Meyer went back to his room that night and began to pray. In his heart there had been something he did not want to yield to the Lord. It seemed like a small thing, but it was standing between him and victory. He wrestled with God that night until finally he came to the place where he had to do something. He took a bunch of keys out of his pocket and said, “Lord here it is. This key ring represents my life. I give it over to you.” And he said, “It seemed as if the Lord said to me, ‘Are all the keys there?’  ‘Yes Lord, they’re all there except one small key, a key to a little cupboard. But it’s just one little key.’ The Lord handed the keys back and started to walk out the door. I said, ‘Wait Lord. Don’t go. Here’s that key. I don’t believe I can give it to you, but I will hold it out. Please take it.’ The Lord took those keys, every one of them, and went into that cupboard and began to do a work, and my life was transformed.’”

So I have to ask myself and you a few questions in regard to this passage.  Is there some little key like that in your life or mine?  Some little cupboard where we say, “Lord, you can be Lord of all—except this.” Have we yielded?

I want to invite you to take this 21 Day Journey of Prayer & Fasting with me and watch God move in your life in 2013.  Usually, the first 3 days we ONLY have water and fruit juices.  The remaining 18 days is the Daniel Fast, which means no meats, breads, sweets, or dairy.  Basically, you eat all fruits and vegetables on the Daniel Fast.  If you'd like some tips or more information, visit http://www.gethope.info/ministries/fasting/index.html 

ALERT: Terrorism in the Church!

Here's a little something that I borrowed from a friend, Ric Veal.  How true it is and really felt like it needed to be shared with my readers.

Terrorists in our Churches
Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Osama Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ.

The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy. However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others.

They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return. And guess what, no church is exempt. However, you can spot them if you "bin lookin".


I want to encourage all Christians to be on the alert this year that satan is alive and well.  He is roaming about and seeking whom he may devour.  We need to wake up and realize when he is trying to destroy the fellowship of the Body of Christ and create confusion within.  Let's don't fall prey to misunderstandings, getting our feelings hurt, and missing in action.  Instead, let's be on the offense and deal with him before he launches his scheming tactics against us.  It's time to stop terrorism in the Church!