Lifelong Learning

Many of now concluded their Daniel Fast for this Easter Season (me included).  I realize some are still continuing and for those we send our commendation.  What I would like to know and hear from you about is:  what did you learn from this particular fast?  What we learn through a spiritual discipline can sometimes seem mundane, like 'I was constantly hungry', or it can attain moments of true connection with our Creator God.  But what was it for you?  I would like to hear and it would be a blessing to others as well.  Leave a comment or send me an email, pastorcarlyn@harvestcomchurch.org

Is this it?

For a while it seemed as though it would never arrive, but here it is.  Day 21!  I don't actually know how many are still fasting but if you are, thanks and congratulations.  I have heard of some going on further, for some today is the end.  What a great day to give God thanks and praise for taking us through with Himself.

I was thinking again of the passage in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus talks about fasting.  In Matthew 6:16-18 we get the attitude Jesus would have us to display, which is to keep it before the Father.  For those of us who are coming to the end of our fast, let us not make a display of it...let us not make sure that everyone around us knows...no, rather let us be fulfilled with the knowledge that God knows.  We could settle for the praise of man; let us rather take our joy from the reward of the Father. 

Today let us praise Him for molding and making us into the people He wants us to be.  To the praise of His glorious Name.  Amen.

The Vision to See

What a great celebration it was in Melrose yesterday.  Not because any of the things said was extraordinary, and not because of some technical wonder during the service; the music was very good.  What made it great was the obvious work of God that is going on in Melrose.  The first thought is to think, hmmm, too bad they don't have more people.  But then it becomes clear that this is a solid base from which to go forward.  I am more encouraged than I have ever been been with the work that God is doing in their midst.  It was a fantastic time to interact with several of the Birch Hills people during the potluck!  I was reminded of the story of Elisha in 2 Kings 6 where he tells his servant to not be afraid for "for those who are with us are more than those who are with them".  If only we would get that vision in our mind.  God is doing far more than what we can see with our eyes.  The fast that you are and I are engaged in ought to be one that would move our fixation away from the things that are seen, to the things which are unseen.  Lord give us eyes to see the reality, not simply what is.

Let us be in prayer for the future direction of Harvest Community Church.  He has us on a path that only He knows, but the final result will be to the praise of His glory, of that we can rest assured.

A Daniel Fast recipe from Sue:

Oriental Hotdish

Stirfry-

sesame oil

1/2 red pepper, chunked

1/2c.mushrooms, sliced

broccoli, chopped. 

steam/fry until slightly tender

add:

1c.blanched sliced carrots

and 1c.blanched asparagus stems

and 1/2 pkg. cooked brown rice pasta shells

sprinkle with garlic powder, salt,pepper and

 Lemon and Herb Mrs Dash

seasoning. Add 1/4 cup olive oil/

balsamic vinegar blend. 

Warm through.

Got both of our approvals!

I really like the brown Rice Pasta Shells

bought in the Natural foods section

at Coborns.

(Measurements are guessed)

Married and Waiting

Today I was meeting with some men and talking about the topic of improving our marriages.  As we were talking and praying, I was struck by the fact that Jesus is our groom, the One who has sacrificed Himself in order to brought into a right relationship with us.  The One we long for is coming again, and how do we want to be found when He does?  I also thought of the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) who are waiting on the bridegroom.  Only half were ready when the announcement came that they could enter.  I think these thoughts help to put the idea of fasting into perspective.  Fasting is simply preparation, it is focus, it is desire for the One that we long to return to take us to be with Himself from this day now, and forevermore.  The true value of fasting is not in losing some weight or in healthy living, its greatest value is not in a detox of the body or the elimination of a caffeine habit.  No, the value is that it would lead us in the path of longing for and seeking after that which truly satisfies.  Let us be of those who are led into longing and looking for our Savior.

Let us be in prayer for our spouses today.  God, may I not elevate my spouse and my desires for my spouse above my desire for you.  May You be the One I long for this day more than any person or any food.  Amen.

Worship Me?

In the last temptation in the Wilderness Satan invited Jesus to 'fall down and worship me' in exchange for all the glories that the world has to offer.  Of course Jesus would have none of it telling the Evil One that all are to 'worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve'.  How tempted we are to pursue the glories of this world, and it can happen even in the midst of a spiritual fast before the Lord our God.  The temptation becomes to pursue notice, to want more strongly the trinkets of this world, to pursue the platitudes of the masses, rather than to worship the Lord our God.  The chief aim of mankind must be as the catechism states 'to love God and enjoy Him forever'.  May that be our focus today.

Let us be in prayer for those who lead us in Worship in our weekly Worship gatherings.  May they be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit to usher us into the presence of the King of Kings, may they draw our attention to the One who is Lord of Lords.   For His name's sake.  Amen.

Protected!

I was reading in my devotions from Psalm 3..."But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head."  The context states that there are those who rise up against me, maybe even seek to do me harm.  But through it all, and not necessarily taken out of the difficulty, the Lord is my shield, my protection.  He is the One who encourages and carrys me through.  Thank you to all those who have encouraged me in this fast, but thanks be to God who alone can lift my head and place me on the pathway to glory, which ultimately sounds to His Great Glory.  "Salvation belongs to the Lord, your blessing be on your people".

Let us be in prayer today for those who ignorantly live in opposition to the Lord our God.  Pray especially concerning whomever comes to mind as you read the previous sentence.  God would you change their heart, would you bless them with a relationship with You.  For Your Glory and Praise!  Amen.