Hey all, 

this coming Sunday we are kicking off our new Sermon Series "Breakthrough" focusing on the grace of of God to bring down walls, change circumstances, to reorient our lives, open new opportunities and ignite our hearts for the Glory of his name through prayer, fasting and giving. 

In Matt 6, building on the flow of Matt 5 Jesus speaks of a new way of living, a Kingdom way of living that is not always in the 'whats' but in the 'Why's. He speaks to three areas, Giving, Fasting & Praying. He never presumes that these activities are possible activities in our lives but 'givens'. 

Importantly, he says "When you do a charitable deed" (V3) and "when you pray..." (v6) and "when you fast..." (v 16) 

Living kingdom centred lives is the answer to worry and fear. 

I believe that God is always guiding us, we however are often effectively blind because the Storm dominates our vision rather then the one who is greater. 

Join us this Sunday to continue your journey, to connect to community and most importantly to worship God as one. 

Hey all, 

we have David Harrison from Compassion speaking at //South at 9:27am and at //ThePoint* at 5:57pm this coming Sunday!!! 

David is part of Compassion's Executive Leadership team and has a passion for those in extreme poverty. 

David's passion is to be "of the generation that ends obscene poverty".

You can see David speaking from Calcutta on India 

here ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns64WmWlSmU

Come and be inspired and challenged to the call of God on your life

4Life, 

JOSH

Hey, with the transient nature of Canberra there is a lot of need for accommodation. 

If you need or have accommodation available post your need or availability here. 

Simply post it in the comments and we will approve it. The purpose is to connect Christians with other Christians primarily in share house situations. 

This service is only to connect people and can not guarantee the character or references of any applicants, all such responsibility lies with the applicant and present tenants/owners. 

You can also post it at our new Christian Accommodation Canberra page on facebook and for people new to Canberra you can check out our I'm New here page

Before we kick in I have to say I am sorry I have not finished the 'Practical' Blog series. I will get around to it but for the time being lets blog
life and what we are discussing in Church.

Things I wish Jesus never said (Wk 1)

(and the power and significance of them)

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’[a] 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matt 10:34 – 39

Now of course if you just read that first verse someone might think that Jesus was calling for warfare which would seem rightly a little
unusual and as we read on we note that it certainly is not a military conflict Jesus is calling for but IT IS CONFLICT he is
saying will come relationally.

I am consistently amazed at the continual challenges that Christ gives us. For me this passage asks a number of questions.

In this blog I just want to zone in one verse 35 and the challenge it brings.

1) How Distinct is my life? V 35

Whilst the gospel brings connection and peace with God , the operation of the gospel and the changing values, beliefs and identity in our loves will and should cause 'distinction'. So often Christian struggle to 'be the same' or relevant but our greatest struggle is not really relevance but distinction. Am I different? Am I ready for that distinction to cause relational distinction? The potential for a life to make a difference is found not in its relevance (that should be assumed) but in its distinction.

If you read Micah 7 you will see that Jesus was quoting Micah 7:6. In effect we see in Micah 7 the potential feelings of a person of God and the isolation that can bring but don't worry keep on reading past verse 6.

Verse 7 says

"Therefore I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me" Micah 7:7 NKJV

Note three things in here

a) "I will look to the Lord" Where is your focus?

b) I will wait for the God of my salvation" - Who/What am I waiting for? What do I practically consider my salvation or deliverance from my circumstances?

c) "My God will hear me" - Do you still trust in his ability and faithfulness to hear you? Circumstances can crush our hopes but he is faithful and will hear.

The results of a distinct Life

a) People will not 'understand' a distinct life (it shows your different values)

In Luke 2:41-49 Jesus as a 12 year stays at the temple - after the confusion in finding him and asking him why he was there. Jesus said that he was about his fathers business but they 'did not understand'. There should be things in our life that are confusing to the understanding of people and offensive to their perspective on life.

b) People will be 'incovenienced' by distinct life (it shows your different priorities)

When was the last time your kingdom priorities inconvenienced the normal plans that people have? It might be as simpleas going to church on sunday instead of the footy. Not watching certain movies etc. which might pull you out of activities with friends? I think you can easily say the call of Christ inconvenienced even his family.

c) People will be 'confronted' by a distinct life (It shows different rulership)

John 3:17 – 21

It is not our place to 'condemn' the world but we need to realise that it is condemning itself and your life should confront that position.

Stand up and you will stand out – stand out and people will ask you to stand down

4 Life,

Josh

LifeCity Church Canberra

 As we continue to grow in many areas @ LifeCity it is always most important to establish our fervour for God as the core of who we are. To help us in that, scripture has given disciplines that focus our lives on who God is and what he wants. Fasting (and the accompanying prayer and focus on God and his word) is a critical element of creating a life that is focused on and dependant on the Holy Spirit. Fasting establishes an intentional sense of order in our lives with the spiritual needs above the natural.

In Matthew 4:2 Jesus set a great example for us when He fasted for forty days and nights (Matthew 4:2) and reminded His followers to fast when he said "when you fast," not if you fast. The Apostles and early Church also fasted (Acts 13:2, 2 Cor. 6:4, 5 )2 Cor. 11:27

 

Fasting helps in a number of key ways

a)   Focuses us back on the ‘first love’ of God that can be lost so easily through distraction and familiarity.

b)    It helps to bring humility in our lives before God. King David said, "I humble myself through fasting." (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21).

c)   In that place of humility God is able to reveal and convict us of our sin focus us on the transformed life he has called us to.

d)   Helps in bringing divine guidance (Judg.20:26–28)

e)   Victory over temptation Matt. 4:1–11

f)      Brings Courage when stepping out in faith (Esther 4:16)

g)   When our lives are lit by God we become far more effective in our impact on others.

h)   It is key in seeing our City, Nation and World Changed for Christ

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chron 7:14

 

Fasting in scripture is primarily centred around fasting food and drink but there is no‘formula’ for fasting. The Greek word for fasting is nesteia -- a compound of ne (a negative prefix) and esthio which means "to eat." So the basic root meaning of the word simply means "not to eat."

 

So take a first step in not eating for a meal, then a day, then a couple days and increase your fast and focus but go in with open eyes.

 

Things to do and be aware of

 

Realise that whilst Fasting is spiritual in its goal and focus it is obviously connected to our physical nature. It is often important to ‘ease’ into fasting.Many tend to FEAST – FAST – FEAST. Doing so obviously misses the point of fasting but also is not good for you physically. (I have some funny but bad stories of people who have feasted after fasting for a long periods – lets just say DON’T DO IT) If you have any questions on going into a longer fast and breaking the fast just ask.

 

Also if you have any particular physical obstacles eg. Pregnancy, diabetes, hyperglycemia, heart disease etc. or you are at all unsure talk to your doctor and/or us.

 

Getting Hungry is normal – that’s part of the point. When you are hungry, have something to drink and allow that hunger to force you to God.

-         Pray

-         Meditateon God’s word

-         Activate– Do something for God and people

 

When you don’t eat you will be amazed by the time in your life used for food preparation and consumption. Use this time to focus on God.

 

As you become weaker through fasting,  your mood can be affected. Be aware of this, do not allow it to control your mood or the way you treat others. Some times this can be a bad witness in trying to grow spiritually.

 

Know your motivations

Jesus warned us about having wrong motivations in fasting (to look spiritual. (Matthew 6:1, 16-18)  People will sometimes ask, for non-Christianfriends, it might help to tell them you have other plans. Tell Christians if needed (but don’t focus on it). The point is this is not about gaining the praise of man but clearly focus and connection with God.

 

Fasting is also not simply a physical disciple(or a weight loss answer) Whilst weight loss and physical disciple can be important fasting is not either.

Not a way to manipulate God – it is easy to treat fasting like a hunger strike until God does what we want him to . (He won’t - see Acts23:12,1)

Building a Culture of prayer and fasting @ LifeCity

 

Our heart at LifeCity Church Canberra is to see a culture of prayer and worship emerge. A culture that is above a programmatic style, one that is centred in the hearts and lives of each person. A culture that is sunk into our community. Our goal is to have specific fasting and prayer covering each day of the week by our second birthday. Join those who have started to do so in seeing lives both personally, corporately and in our City and world changed by the power of God.

 

If you have any questions or want to even start to cover a day in prayer and fasting drop us a line. Lets stand together to see our world changed for Christ.

 

PS – Practical Atheist will be posted soon

 

4 Life,

 

Josh

LifeCity Church Canberra

http://lifecitychurch.com