Day 21 - you made it!

2 Timothy 4:7

"I have fought the good fight, I have

finished the race, and I have remained

faithful."

Congrats!!!!  You made it - Day 21!!!!!

I am so proud of you and I am so proud

of Antioch Church for remaining faithful

and pressing in to seek the heart of God.

I know that our God must be smiling upon

this church and you.  God loves obedience

in His children.  And with obedience - comes

reward.  There will be results from this 

incredible time of prayer and fasting through

out the rest of 2009.  It's going to be

exiting to see it all unfold.

Tonight - @ 6:30 - our worship teams and

our church will be coming together in the

auditorium at Antioch for a time of prayer

and praise as we bring this fast to an end.

Please come and bring your family and

friends.  

Enjoy the journey.

Day 20 - pass it on

Psalm 145:4

"Generation after generation stands in awe

of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty

acts."

Over Christmas and New Year's - I had such a great

time spending it with grandparents, parents, siblings,

aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.  I feel so blessed

to come from families that love God and love to

tell stories of His great love and His great miracles.

Every time we meet - our conversation ends up on

the Lord.  You can see Jesus woven into every generation -

of not only my family but my wife's.  It really is a

rich heritage of Christianity.  We have always made

it a point to talk about God and what He is doing in

our lives.  It's been very reassuring to know that my

family is also praying for us - Antioch Church - during

our 21 day fast.  Isn't it great to know that prayer has

no boundary, no limit, and no measure.  Prayer - is

an immediate connection to us and to God.

If you don't have that rich heritage in your family - 

let me encourage today - to start it with YOU.  You

begin telling the story and watch how it spreads.  The

story of Jesus.

Pass it on.

Day 19 - history making

I Timothy 2:1-3

"The first thing I want you to do is pray.  Pray

every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Pray especially for rulers and their governments

to rule well so we can be quietly about our 

business of living simply, in humble contemplation.

This is the way our Savior God wants us to live."

History was made today and it was amazing watching

our country come together to pray over our new

president.  The United States of America is the

best country in the world - and I'm so glad to

be a part of it.  Even among our differences and

opinions - it's great to see the spirit of God bring

the people of this country together in such a

unified way to give honor and bless the establishment

of President of the United States.  Today - we

did as the Apostle Paul ask of us in the New Testament.

We prayed.  We prayed for our ruler and our 

government.  That's what is so inspiring about

America - we still pray.  Yes - prayer may have

been taken out of some of our institutions -

but prayer is still woven into the very fiber

and being of who we are in this country.  And

we saw it displayed and exercised today in

the inauguration.  Let's continue to hold our

government and President Obama up in prayer

before God.  As Paul tells us - "...so we will

live simply, in humble contemplation.  This is

the way our Savior God wants us to live."

God bless America.

Day 18 - a faithful God

Lamentations 3:22-23

"It is because of the Lord's mercy and 

loving-kindness that we are not consumed,

because His compassions fail not.  They are

new every morning; great and abundant

is your stability and faithfulness."

We serve a faithful God.  We serve an understanding

God full of love and compassion.  He is the ONE

thing in this life that we can depend on.  Despite

our unfaithfulness at times - He still is faithful.

That overwhelms me.  What love!

Aren't you glad that His love and faithfulness comes

new to us every day?

Day 17 - an amazing weekend

Psalm 95:6,7

"So come, let us worship:  bow before Him,

on your knees before God, who made us!

Oh yes, He's our God, and we're the people

He pastures, the flock He feeds."

What a weekend of worship - at all of our services!

Antioch Church is so encouraging.  Especially - this

weekend!!!  As I look out at the church as they

worship their God - and then watch our team as

the lead in worship - I can really understand the

strength and joy of the Lord.  It is amazing to me

knowing that this is the 3rd week of our 21 day fast -

and I see all of these people at church on the weekend

praising and worshipping God in the middle of this

huge discipline of fasting.  God's glory was truly

shining on and through His church this weekend!

If you want a little piece of Heaven on earth - come

to a weekend service at Antioch.  You will never be

the same!

Day 16 - a busy day

Ephesians 5:29-33

"No one abuses his own body, does he?  No, he feeds

and pampers it.  That's how Christ treats us, the church, 

since we are part of His body.  And this is why a man leaves

father and mother and cherishes his wife.  No longer two,

they become "one flesh".  This is a huge mystery, and I don't

pretend to understand it all.  What is clearest to me is the

way Christ treats the church.  And this provides a good 

picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself

in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband."

Many of us got to be a part of Derek and Ashley's wedding day.

It was a great ceremony and a great day for us to share together.

I am so proud of them and for what God is doing in their lives.

For those that don't know - Derek and Ashley are a part of our

worship ministries at Antioch.  Derek just got back from Hillsong

College in Sydney, Australia.  He is one of our singer/songwriters

at Antioch and Ashley plays keys.

I was amazed at so many from our team, as well as those from 

Antioch Church, that were involved in this day and then came back

for our Saturday night service to lead in worship.  

This was a "full day".....but what a way to spend the day - 

marriage and church.......the 2 institutions that God 

created and ordained.  We all got to share in

that.  I am in awe of how God compares them.

We love you - Derek and Ashley.  Thanks for sharing your day

with us and reminding us that God is an amazing God!

Day 15 - the last week

Philippians 3:14

"By no means do I count myself an expert in all

of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God

is beckoning us onward - to Jesus.  I'm off and

running, and I'm not turning back."

7 days left!!!  This word from Paul in Philippians

should encourage you today as you travel

this last week on your prayer and fasting journey.

The goal - The prize - is Jesus.  That one word -

"Jesus" - is what keeps the momentum going for

me.  I want Him in my life in everything I do.  I want

Him as Lord.  I want Him to rule and direct my 

next decision.  I want Him for wisdom as I walk on

this earth as a Christ follower, as a husband, as

as a dad, as a minister, as a worship leader - I want

Jesus and His will.

Lean on Him and talk to Him everyday these last

7 days.  I'll see you at the finish line.

Day 14 - new life

Galations 2:20

"My old self has been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the

Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me"

The power of Jesus living in us - that's an incredible

thought!  Christ lives in you - the hope of glory!

It is so great to know that when Christ takes up

residence in our heart and lives - the old person

is gone.  Jesus makes all things new.  

You don't have to live for God - He lives IN

you and then through you.  

Walk in Him today.

Day 13 - trust

Proverbs 3:5,6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show

you which path to take."

Like a child depending on his parent for everything -

God is showing us in His word that we need that

same trust of dependency on Him as well.  He is

moved by your trust.  He will take care of it.

Follow the path that Christ has for you today.

Day 12 - a new day

Psalm 118:24

"This is the day the Lord has made.  We

will rejoice and be glad in it."

Janet & I were out late last night - in this

cold & windy Kansas weather.  Every time

we finally made it into the car without being

blown away - my comment was always the

same - "I hate this weather!".  At one point -

Janet stopped me right in my complaining

and said, "Could you look at this a little

differently.  God made this season."  OK...

.............my wife is right again.  Thank God

for her.  She always brings me back around

to praise.  

So in the words of Janet........"God is in this

season.".  This day - God does walk with you.

This is the day that He has made and He

has given you to live in.  No matter what

the circumstances are around you - God is

still with you.  

Rejoice and be glad that our God is in this

day!

Day 11 - half way there

Galations 6:9

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest

of blessing if we don't give up."

It's the half way point.  You've made it this far!

Let me encourage you today in the word - 

at the right time you will reap the blessing!

Enjoy the rest of the journey.

Day 10 - don't give up

James 1:2-4

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and

challenges come at you from all sides.  You know that

under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open

and shows its true colors.  So don't try to get out of

anything prematurely.  Let it do its work so you become

mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

This fast - is a gift.  It is a gift from God.  Under the

pressure of fasting - your faith is forced to grow.  You

will never be the same.  It's worth the tests and the

challenge.

Don't give up!

Day 9 - God is able

Ephesians 3:20

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through

His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish

infinitely more than we might ask or think."

The word of God - again - brings us hope during

this time of prayer and fasting.  Nothing is too

difficult for God.  He is more than able to accomplish

everything that concerns us.

Watch in amazement at what God will do in your

life during this journey.

Day 8 - strength vs weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9

"But He said to me, My grace is enough for you: 

for My strength and power are made perfect and 

show themselves most effective in your weakness.  

Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my 

weaknesses and infirmities , that the strength and 

power of Christ my rest upon me!"

Weakness is not something we never really openly

talk about it.  It makes us look "not good enough".  

It reveals too much about ourselves.  Why is that 

we always have to appear "strong".  None of us are

in every area of our lives.  There are weak places

and weak moments that we all face.

Another thing on the fast that will face each of us

is our weaknesses.  Whether it be:  1.  the thing 

we are fasting from or 2. the things we deal with on

a day to day basis in our lives (our inadiquicies, our

infirmities, our addictions, our intimidations, etc...)

Again - thank God for Jesus and His Word.  Today's

scripture gives us Hope about our weakness.  God's

strength and power is most effective in our weaknesses.

Rely on that today.  In your prayer time - rely on the

strength and power of our God.  You will find that

in Him - You become all you need to be.  Your weakness

seems to diminish as the strength of the Lord becomes

greater in Your life.

Draw strength from Jesus today.

Day 7 - bear fruit

John 15:5

"Yes, I am the vine: you are the branches.  

Those who remain in me, and I in them,

will produce much fruit.  For apart from me

you can do nothing."

One thing I know about prayer and fasting -is

the end results will be fruit.  Your encounter with

God over 21 days will for sure bring results

in your life - and the results is what Christ

calls "fruit".

In our book study during the fast "One Month

To Live" - the author says:

"He (God) wants you to fulfill the ultimate purpose

for which He created you, to be as fruitful as

possible."

What an amazing thought!  God's design for you -

is to be fruitful.  He wants your life to matter to

others.  Isn't that what it's all about for the cause

of Christ.  That what you say - what you do - how

you react - what you decide - how you live your

life - is beneficial (fruitful) for others.

The only way this can happen is being connected

to the vine - that is Jesus.  Our true source for

growth.

Stay connected to Him.

Day 6 - pray

Jeremiah 33:3

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and 

unsearchable things you do not know."

I am a firm believer in this scripture.  I know that when

I call to God in prayer that He hears me and He does

answer me.  But the best part of this passage to me is...

.."and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not

know."

A huge part of fasting is seeking God and His will in

your life.  Seeking - means something you have to

search for.  You are searching for something you haven't

seen yet or know what it looks like.  But God knows.

That is so great!  God knows!!!  And when we call on

Him - He will tell us.  God wants to reveal so much

to us.  He just wants us to seek Him for it.  

Let me know what He tells you.

Day 5 - run to win

1 Corinthians 9:24

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners

compete, but only one receives the prize?  So run

your race that you may lay hold of the prize and 

make it yours."

This fast is like a race, huh?  Talk about endurance.

This thing is hard.  If you're like me - on the 5th day

of this race - I can tell that my body and my emotions

are taking a beating.  I think the most difficult time

is late afternoon and the evening.  

Here is where I find my strength.......in the Word

of God!  Last night - at a weak point - I was the only

one home and I was seeking God.  I turned on a

Christian program and the minister was speaking

about fasting.  What timing!!!!!  God knows just

what we need in our weakest moment.  Through

the Word - I'm finding out that there is a reward.

There are benefits.  There is a prize!  I'm assured

that the things I'm praying about and the things

I'm praying for are being heard from the Almighty

God of the Universe!  He hears me!  And He will

answer according to His will!  Praise God!  That

keeps me going.  That gives me momentum.  That

gives me strength.  That let's me see the finish line.

I'm excited about the prize and I'm excited about

the results.

You CAN win this race!  Don't give up!

Day 4 - peace

Colossians 3:15

"Let the peace of Christ rule your heart"

As you begin your work week - allow the time

you have spent with the Lord over the weekend

to guide your steps, your conversations, and 

your decisions.  The scripture tells us to let

peace rule our hearts.  Your family, friends,

and co-workers need to see that your are led

by Christ........that you are at peace with Him and

yourself.........and He is Lord of your life.

There is nothing better than knowing that

you have peace in your heart.  That peace

only comes from a relationship with Jesus.

Your prayer & fasting time will be a time

where you can hear clearly from the Lord -

there is such peace in knowing that God

is in control of your life and circumstances.

Live in peace this week.

Day 3 - rest

Exodus 20:8

"Remember the sabbath day and keep

it holy."

I hope you all are reading our book study

during the fast "One Month To Live".  Here

is a quote from chapter 3:

We all need downtime to rest and to worship, to

still ourselves before God, to think about our lives and

to listen to His voice.  A regular time of rest and recovery,

a sabbath, is essential in our schedules.  We need to become

attuned to a greater measure of time than mere clocks

and calendars.

We're designed to require rest and to crave beauty.  Even 

our Creator rested and observed a Sabbath.  

Take this Sunday - and do nothing but rest and enjoy

the Lord.  You will find such strength in resting.  

Day 2 - worship together

Hebrews 10:25

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some

people do, but encourage one another, especially now that 

the day of His return is drawing near."

I want to encourage all of you to be in church this weekend.

Start 2009 in the house of God.  What an incredible 

movement on the earth - the church of the living God.

And to think - you can be a part of this movement.

Come to the house of God this weekend to hear from

God's word, draw strength and support from the people,

and sing out your praises - this is all worship!  There is

nothing like it - corporate worship!  

During our 21 days of prayer and fasting - there will

be special moments with God when we meet together

for our weekend services.  Come ready to see what

God is going to do with you and the church.

I'll see you at church!

Day 1 - the journey begins

1 Peter 1:18

"Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness

of God."

Today - we begin a 21 day journey.  A journey not alone - but with

friends and family.  The best part of this journey......is that

God is with us.......every step.  

We are all walking on to this path with much excitement and also

with much anticipation.  Some of us are beginning with anxiety

and fear.  But let me remind you again.....God is with us....every step.

I encourage you today......to find time to pray and get alone with

God.  Start this journey with prayer......it will be your strength

for the next 21 days.  Whatever you are giving up for the next

3 weeks (food, media, hobbies, etc.......), make sure you fill

that void with prayer.

Please come to this blog everyday for encouragement.  And

also feel free to leave comments for others.  Share what God

is doing in your life.  Share your struggles as well......this will

only lead to others praying for you.

Through prayer and fasting - we are giving to God - the first year 

of this month.  And like we have seen in years past, when we do this -

we will see benefits and answered prayer the rest of the year.

Have a wonderful 1st day .......... and know that I am praying

for you today.  

Enjoy the journey!