There is a reason God told us to fast. When we consecrate or set apart our normal activity, schedules and eating for God to fast, conquering our flesh from ruling us, to consume more of Him in our life, it opens up freedom in the spirit.
We can pray without fasting, but we shouldn’t fast without praying.
“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
Ezra 8:21-23, Acts 2:43-47, Joel 1:13-14, Joel 2:12-17
We need to step up, and step into the Promiseland of what God is calling us to do.
We were made for hard things. Things bigger than ourselves.
Like the children of Israel who thought it’d be better to go back to Egypt than going after what God had promised them, we can sometimes get overwhelmed and take a step back, but be encouraged – you have a God that created the heavens and the earth that is on your side. He will not leave nor forsake you. When we don’t go after everything the Lord has for us – we’re actually rebelling against Him.
Numbers 13:25-33, 14:1-4, Hebrews 10:39, John 3:1-6, Romans 12:1-2
We are to continue steadfastly in the Four Joints of Building The Body of Christ.
Joint # 3 – THE BREAKING OF BREAD
1) COMMUNION – the body & blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 6 : 48 – 51)
2) EATING TOGETHER – in the temple & house-to-house, the body of Christ must gather & fellowship
3) READING THE WORD – Encountering Jesus in the revelation of The Word
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.: Acts 2:42 NKJV
Acts 2:40-47, John 6:48-51, Luke 24:25-35, Luke 22:19-20, Ephesians 1:15-18
God desires to take people higher. There are many accounts in scripture where God invites people to “come up” to Him, to ascend the “mountain.” It’s at this higher place where He meets with people, where there are encounters, where people receive wisdom and revelation.
What we know is that going higher, always requires effort and testing.
It’s the journey that changes you. Are you ready to prepare for the climb?
1. You must acknowledge your current position.
2. You must prepare for the journey.
3. You must climb.
4. Prepare for hard conversations.
5. Get ready to encounter God.
There should be fruit as you journey. God is inviting you higher! He loves you and wants more for you. Are you ready to climb?
Genesis 22:1-14, Isaiah 55:8-9, Micah 4:2, Matthew 17:1-2, Exodus 24:12. Isaiah 6:1
Matt Scott is the founding pastor of The Gathering Place Church in Moody, Alabama, and is an Overseer of The Roads Church, providing spiritual oversight to the church in a variety of ways in leadership decision making and accountability matters.
Fellowship – kŏinōnia – Close mutual relationships and involvement; partnership, participation; sharing in activities or privileges of an intimate association
We are to “continue steadfastly” in Fellowship – both horizontally – with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and vertically with the Father and Jesus. And this is that “your joy may be full.”
Vertical Fellowship – We are not called merely into a relationship ABOUT JESUS; we’re called into a kŏinōnia WITH JESUS. We are called to partner with, participate with, involved with Jesus in an intimate relationship. You cannot have faith outside of the revelation that Jesus living in you is greater than he who is in the world, and then you can release faith through Jesus living in you.
Horizontal Fellowship – Who you fellowship with MATTERS! We have been called to horizontal kŏinōnia that goes out into the world that is so connected to Jesus that He in us will draw people to Him. When we partner with people who are connected to Jesus who prays for us, who encourages us, and when we get out of kŏinōnia with Jesus and the Bible, they call us to the truth. And when we partner with others in ministry – fruit abounds to your account in heaven.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:1-4
Philemon 1:4-6, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 John 1:5-7, Acts 2:40-47, 1 John 1:1-4