It’s that time of the year again – preparing our hearts and minds for Easter! I really believe that this is going to be an Easter Weekend to remember at Coastal! It will be our first Easter in our new facility. And we’re hoping that our new Chapel will be open as well for overflow. But one of the ways that we prepare ourselves spiritually for Easter at Coastal is by participating in an Annual 40 Day Easter Fast! The Fast begins this coming Monday, March 7th and goes through Good Friday, April 15th! Fasting is simply denying yourself something physical for a set period of time for the spiritual purpose of focusing on prayer, the Word, repentance, and your relationship with God. Jesus said, “When you fast . . .” In other words, Jesus meant for fasting to be a regular part of the Christian lifestyle. I would encourage you to get your whole family involved and make it a powerful spiritual experience.
What do you choose to fast? It’s different for different people. It’s probably the thing that first comes to mind when you start considering to fast. It might be some form of technology or social media that seems to have a stronghold in your life. It could be television. It might be some specific type of food – sugar, caffeine, sodas, meat, etc. It could be drinking or smoking. It could be time – where you get up earlier each day for 40 days and have a quiet time. It could be gossip or negative words. You decide that for 40 days nothing negative will come out of your mouth. It could be worry. You pray. You decide. Read through Matthew 6:16-18. Don’t make a big deal or a fuss about it. If you are interested in participating, respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.
Begin praying now for your “ONE”, the people in your life you will be inviting to church over Easter weekend, and the people our church will be reaching out to through personal invitations, advertising, email, yard signs, postcard, etc. We’ll be having 6 services over 3 days – Friday, April 15th, 7pm; Saturday, April 16th, 4:30pm, 6pm; Sunday, April 17th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am!
Sometimes the first few days of a fast are the most difficult. Satan will plant seeds in your mind that it’s really no big deal, no one will know if you really do it, or that it really doesn’t make any difference. Remember, Satan is a liar and the Father of Lies! Jesus promises in His Word that the Father will reward you! How will He reward you? I don’t know, but I know that He will! So – keep it up and don’t give up! What you are doing has eternal consequences and God is using it to do a work in you. But remember the focus is not on the actual thing you are giving up, it’s to be directed on prayer, your relationship with God, repentance, service, scripture reading, and scripture memorization.
For those of you who like to read and research, here are some scriptures references and books on fasting:
Examples:
Moses (Exodus 34:28; Deut. 9:9,18), David (2 Samuel 12:16), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4); Esther (Esther 4:16), Daniel (Daniel 1:12), Anna (Luke 2:37), Paul (Acts 14:23), Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2), the early church (Acts 13:2-3).
Jesus on Fasting:
Example: Matthew 4:1-2
Teaching: Matthew 6:1-18; Matthew 9:15
Paul on Fasting: 1 Corinthians 7:5
Purposes of Fasting: Zechariah 7:5; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Samuel 12:16; Acts 14:23; Acts 13:2; Daniel 1:12
Fasting Bibliography:
The Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060628391/epic03/
The Power of Prayer and Fasting: 10 Secrets of Spiritual Strength by Ronnie W. Floyd
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805401644/epic03/
Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer L. Towns
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830718397/epic03/
A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer by John Piper
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0891079661/epic03/
Hope this helps! See you on Sunday!
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris
P.S. Join us this Saturday, March 5th, 8:30am at the church for Saturday Serve! We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am (come at 7:30a, if you want to help with chairs), project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve! It’s a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus right here in our community, where we live, work, parent and play! I promise you’ll be glad you came!
