One of the great values of the "21 Days to Change" is that it reminded us of the great value of accountability. To know that you have another person to help you stay on track is invaluable in the Christian life. "Iron sharpens iron" we need each other and some close Christians friends to help us along the way.
Below is a list of accountability questions that I came across some time ago while taking a course at Dallas Seminary. Maybe you have a friend or two of the same gender that you could set down with once or twice a month to go other these with.
ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS
1. Have you spent regular time in the Scriptures and in prayer?
2. Have you been completely above reproach in your financial dealings?
3. Have you spent quality relationship time with your family and friends?
4. Have you done your 100% best in your job, studies, business etc?
5. Have you told any half-truths or outright lies, putting yourself in a better light to those around you?
6. Have you shared the Gospel with an unbeliever this week?
7. Have you taken care of your body through regular physical exercise and proper eating/sleeping habits?
8. Have you had any flirtatious or lustful attitudes, tempting thoughts, or exposed yourself to any explicit materials which would not glorify God?
9. Have you allowed any person or circumstance to rob your of your joy?
10. Have you lied to me/us on any of your answers today?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
21 Days 2 Change - Day 21
PRAISE GOD!!!!!
We made it. 21 days of prayer, 21 days of fasting, 21 days of the WORD, 21 days of corporate prayer, 21 days of change and we have a lot to be thankful for.
It has not been easy but it definitely has been worth it. I can rejoice because my relationship with God has gone higher...I needed this for "life" has a way of draining your relationship with God but these "21 Days of Change" have reenergized my spiritual walk. I have so enjoyed how prayer and the WORD has moved back into my home as a family and I have so enjoyed the Wednesday nights and Sunday morning prayer. I have also enjoyed the challenge of eating healthy, I am a terrible eater but I have eaten things I never thought I would eat before. I have read labels, I have lost 7 lbs, and I feel better then ever. I don't even have the cravings that I had at one time.
James 4:8a states, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." I have sensed this in awesome ways. Now serving God is not all about feelings, but the actions of fasting and praying have motivated me in a number of ways and I am grateful.
Thank you, Concord for being a church open to change and seeking God so passionately in this season. I am so proud of you. You thought you won't make it but you did and I am so elated for you. God is so awesome!!! May you use this season in your life as a spiritual marker for your walk with God.
See you in a little while...take care! Let's praise HIM this morning for DAY 21!!!!
We made it. 21 days of prayer, 21 days of fasting, 21 days of the WORD, 21 days of corporate prayer, 21 days of change and we have a lot to be thankful for.
It has not been easy but it definitely has been worth it. I can rejoice because my relationship with God has gone higher...I needed this for "life" has a way of draining your relationship with God but these "21 Days of Change" have reenergized my spiritual walk. I have so enjoyed how prayer and the WORD has moved back into my home as a family and I have so enjoyed the Wednesday nights and Sunday morning prayer. I have also enjoyed the challenge of eating healthy, I am a terrible eater but I have eaten things I never thought I would eat before. I have read labels, I have lost 7 lbs, and I feel better then ever. I don't even have the cravings that I had at one time.
James 4:8a states, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." I have sensed this in awesome ways. Now serving God is not all about feelings, but the actions of fasting and praying have motivated me in a number of ways and I am grateful.
Thank you, Concord for being a church open to change and seeking God so passionately in this season. I am so proud of you. You thought you won't make it but you did and I am so elated for you. God is so awesome!!! May you use this season in your life as a spiritual marker for your walk with God.
See you in a little while...take care! Let's praise HIM this morning for DAY 21!!!!
Monday, January 21, 2008
21 Days 2 Change - Day 17 & 18
As you reflect on your experiences over the past 17 days, I am sure many things come to mind in response to the changes you have made in your life and the growth in your prayer lives. You have changed your spiritual diet and you have changed your physical diet. As you reflect on these changes, what aspects of the "21 Days 2 Change" do you plan to continue even after Sunday arrives? Where do you think we go from here?
21 Days 2 Change - Day 16
Hello Family,
On Sunday night, we hosted a fellowship at the house for some students from Dallas Seminary and the menu was pizza and wings while they brought a salad, two desserts and soda. We had planned the fellowship before the fast and so there was no backing out. I am a junk food addict. We've got a Meat Lovers Pizza, Honey Barbecue wings, Pepperoni pizza, a Oreo Swirl dessert and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. But God is so faithful and he gave me strength to resist and I ate the salad. I have noticed that the times I have struggled most have been when I see other people eating something that I want (sometimes its a commercial).
Isn't that how temptation works? Temptation comes when we start looking at something that we don't need and convincing ourselves that we need it. Ultimately, we exchange God's best for cheap substitutes.
Please keep posting your answers to this question, "How Has 21 Days 2 Change Impacted Me?"
Finally, let me conclude with the final three purposes of fasting.
6. To Express Concern for the Work of God - Nehemiah chapter 1 describes how Nehemiah fasted because he was heartbroken over the city of Jerusalem. Then after a time or prayer and fasting he then went to work to do something tangible and public to strengthen this work of God. Christians may fast and pray because we feel a burden for the work of God in a specific way.
7. To Overcome Temptation and Dedicate Yourself to God - Jesus did this for in Matt 4:1-11, we find Jesus praying and fasting for 40 days and this prepares him for one of the greatest tests of his life. Satan tests him and he passes this test and possibly it was his dedication to God for 40 days that prepared him for the task. Christians can use fasting as a way to dedicate themselves to God as they prepare for a new season in life.
8. To Express Love and Worship to God - Anna in Luke 2:37 exemplifies this for fasting can be an expression of finding your greatest pleasure and enjoyment in God. Fasting honors God and is a means of worshiping Him as such. It means that your stomach isn’t your god as it is with some (see Phil. 3:19). Instead it is God’s servant, and fasting proves it because you’re willing to sublimate its desires to those of the Spirit.21 Days 2 Change - Days 12, 13, 14 & 15
Well, today is Day 15 the countdown is fast approaching. I have a different mindset these last 6 days then I did when I started, I feel so excited about finishing well. My hope for each of you is that you are experiencing a new closeness with God. Can you believe that you have gone 15 straight days without meat? Can you believe you have gone 15 straight days without soda? Can you believe that you have had 15 straight days of reading the Word and reading your devotional? And even if you missed a day, you still have made some great strides. Congratulations!! Please post on today your answers to this question, "How Has 21 Days 2 Change Impacted Me?" I really need your help, your responses will be included in our Video of Change we plan to show next Sunday. We may not be able to use all of them but please share yours, it will be a great source of encouragement to those who read the blog.
Let me close by offering you two more purposes of fasting.
4. To Express Repentance and a Return to God - Fasting can be a signal to a commitment to obedience and a new direction. The Israelites expressed repentance through fasting in 1 Sam 7:6. Repentance must be a part of any season of repentance as you have seen through the devotions for without repentance, fasting is only a diet. Lack of repentance removes all spiritual significance.
5. To Humble Oneself Before God - Fasting when practiced with the right motives is a physical expression of humility before God, just as kneeling or prostrating yourself in prayer can reflect humility before Him. King Ahab humbled himself in 1 Kings 21:27-29 and King David did in Ps 35:13. Fasting challenges us to humble ourselves by sacrificing what we normally.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
21 Days 2 Change - Day 11
Day 11 has arrived and thank God for passing the half way point. Today's devotional was so on point that we simply need to "remember our first love." For the next couple of days, I want to do some reflections from a journal article I recently read on the purposes of prayer. Each day for the next few days, I will give you some biblical principles about the purposes for fasting.
The Purposes for Fasting
1. To strengthen prayer
The most important aspect of the discipline of fasting is its influence on prayer. Scripture does not teach that fasting is some kind of spiritual hunger strike that compels God to do our bidding but it does change our praying. Ezra (in 8:23), Neh (in 1:4), Dan (in 9:3), and Joel (in 2:12) each used fasting as a way to strengthen their prayers. There is something about eliminating things from our life that allows us to pray better.
2. To seek God's guidance
In Judges 20 Israel lost a war to the tribe of Benjamin and it wasn't until they prayed and fasted that God assured them victory (20:28). Fasting does not ensure certainty of receiving God's guidance but it does help us to silence some of the many voices in our lives. I have spoken to families that have turned off the TV and video games for 21 days, they clearly have greater clarity simply because of silencing all the noise in their homes. I have discovered personally that food simply has too much power in my life...someone told me that food is their best friend, it always makes them happy and it always brings comfort...fasting removes the power from food and gives the power back to God.
3. To seek deliverance or protection
After being notified that a vast army was coming against him, King Jehoshaphat was afraid and proclaimed a fast for all Judah. People from all over Judah came together to seek help from the Lord (2 Chron. 20:3–4). We find a similar occurrence in Esther and Ezra, that people fasted to seek deliverance or protection from enemies and circumstances. It seems that corporate fasting by God's people allowed them to unite in prayer and God often answered these prayers.
Have you seen any of these purposes at work in your life during the 21 Days to Change?
The Purposes for Fasting
1. To strengthen prayer
The most important aspect of the discipline of fasting is its influence on prayer. Scripture does not teach that fasting is some kind of spiritual hunger strike that compels God to do our bidding but it does change our praying. Ezra (in 8:23), Neh (in 1:4), Dan (in 9:3), and Joel (in 2:12) each used fasting as a way to strengthen their prayers. There is something about eliminating things from our life that allows us to pray better.
2. To seek God's guidance
In Judges 20 Israel lost a war to the tribe of Benjamin and it wasn't until they prayed and fasted that God assured them victory (20:28). Fasting does not ensure certainty of receiving God's guidance but it does help us to silence some of the many voices in our lives. I have spoken to families that have turned off the TV and video games for 21 days, they clearly have greater clarity simply because of silencing all the noise in their homes. I have discovered personally that food simply has too much power in my life...someone told me that food is their best friend, it always makes them happy and it always brings comfort...fasting removes the power from food and gives the power back to God.
3. To seek deliverance or protection
After being notified that a vast army was coming against him, King Jehoshaphat was afraid and proclaimed a fast for all Judah. People from all over Judah came together to seek help from the Lord (2 Chron. 20:3–4). We find a similar occurrence in Esther and Ezra, that people fasted to seek deliverance or protection from enemies and circumstances. It seems that corporate fasting by God's people allowed them to unite in prayer and God often answered these prayers.
Have you seen any of these purposes at work in your life during the 21 Days to Change?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
21 Days 2 Change - Day 10
I thought some of you might enjoy this video. Sometimes, we forget that we have access all by ourselves...it is a play on those Geico Commercials
Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Keep praying and fasting you are half way there...11 days left...
21 Days 2 Change - Day 9
As we keep making progress in our journey to change. I just want to let you know I am extremely proud of each you in this journey. Change does not comes easy for most of us but I truly believe that God is pleased by the changes each of you have made in your pursuit of Him. I encourage you to keep spending time in prayer, reading or listening to the Word, journaling, praying with your family, and joining us for corporate times of prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays. Ask Him to take you deeper in your relationship with Him.
The prayer tip for today is "write out your prayers." When I pray sometimes, I have great difficulty focusing and so one of the ways that has helped me is to write out my prayers. I have found that this helps me immensely in staying focused in my prayer time and keeps me from drifting so much.
In closing, let me offer this prayer guide that you may use on today. This focus is "Lord, Change My Heart," and you can use the scriptures to pray to God for your own life.
Lord, Change My Heart
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Deuteronomy 11:13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
Psalm 119:36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
The prayer tip for today is "write out your prayers." When I pray sometimes, I have great difficulty focusing and so one of the ways that has helped me is to write out my prayers. I have found that this helps me immensely in staying focused in my prayer time and keeps me from drifting so much.
In closing, let me offer this prayer guide that you may use on today. This focus is "Lord, Change My Heart," and you can use the scriptures to pray to God for your own life.
Lord, Change My Heart
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Deuteronomy 11:13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
Psalm 119:36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
Monday, January 14, 2008
21 Days to Change - Day 8
On Sunday, I had a chance to share with a number of people who shared how much they appreciate the blog. Thanks to each of you who have left posts, your posts have been a great encouragement to me and others in this season of "21 Days To Change."
I want to continue yesterday's question on today. What has God taught you about yourself or what has God taught you about Him after this first week?
God has taught me that it is easy to lose priorities in life. My family and I have truly enjoyed the time of connection that we have experienced thus far. Sometimes the busyness of life has a way of slowing draining away from your walk with God.
I have learned to celebrate the many aspects of God. Each time we have a prayer time on Sunday or Wednesday, we begin with a attribute of God, this has been refreshing to study these aspects and rediscover the vast God that we serve. He is good, faithful, holy, pure, merciful, forgiving, loving, great, omnipotent, omniscience, omnipresent, gracious, sufficient, perfect, glorious and many others. I have enjoyed each day taking just one of these themes, studying it and meditating on it throughout the day. I have learned to keep my focus on him and his character above everything else.
I want to continue yesterday's question on today. What has God taught you about yourself or what has God taught you about Him after this first week?
God has taught me that it is easy to lose priorities in life. My family and I have truly enjoyed the time of connection that we have experienced thus far. Sometimes the busyness of life has a way of slowing draining away from your walk with God.
I have learned to celebrate the many aspects of God. Each time we have a prayer time on Sunday or Wednesday, we begin with a attribute of God, this has been refreshing to study these aspects and rediscover the vast God that we serve. He is good, faithful, holy, pure, merciful, forgiving, loving, great, omnipotent, omniscience, omnipresent, gracious, sufficient, perfect, glorious and many others. I have enjoyed each day taking just one of these themes, studying it and meditating on it throughout the day. I have learned to keep my focus on him and his character above everything else.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
21 Days 2 Change - Days 6 & 7
I have decided to have just one posting on the weekends. My schedule is so crazy on the weekends it's the best I can do (i.e. worship services, meetings, study time, errands, family time, graduate school work and COWBOY football). I have to tell you that Kennedy, our 3 year old started soccer on Saturday and I enjoyed being there to watch her first practice. There are only 4 in the class but she is the BEST!
Another way to help organize your prayer life is to have a specific prayer focus for each day. This gives you a focus for the day and allows you to cover the key areas within a week. Such as on Sunday (worship services, sermon, salvation for lost souls), Monday (family and friends), Tuesday (workplace and coworkers), Wednesday (pastor and family; staff; church leaders), Thursday (ministry you serve in or growth group you are in), Friday (your personal requests), Saturday (unsaved or unchurched family, friends, associates). I encourage you to develop a system of some sort, it will greatly assist you in your prayer life.
I have enjoyed so much reading your posts as we complete the first week of our "21 Days 2 Change." Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas or encouragement. Since we are concluding our first week...I want you to answer a question. What has God taught me about himself during this first week? or What have I learned about myself during this first week?
Friday, January 11, 2008
21 Days 2 Change - Day 5
Thanks for all your responses, I have really enjoyed reading the comments throughout the day. I was really apprehensive about starting a blog because I just didn't feel I had time but it has been a true joy and a great source of encouragement for others.
Today, I want to offer some ways to organize your prayer life. As you increase your prayer time during this season one of the best approaches it to use the ACTS method. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. This is a model from Scripture that helps us to be balanced in our prayers. It is so easy to rush in and ask God according to our needs but a better approach is this method. It allows us to worship God first, confess our sins, thank him and finally ask him. This method has been a great model for me. Let me also challenge you to double your prayer time in this season of prayer and fasting by spending time in the morning, time at lunch, and time at night. I doesn't have to be a long period of time, it could be 5 minutes each time but at least you are growing in your intimacy with Him.
As you respond today, I would like to know what has been your favorite food thus far. Mine has to been fresh strawberries, fresh pineapples and a baked potato with Italian dressing. The fruit has satisfied my sweet tooth and the baked potato gave me some substance. My wife's favorite foods have been oatmeal with soy milk and popcorn.
Today, I want to offer some ways to organize your prayer life. As you increase your prayer time during this season one of the best approaches it to use the ACTS method. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. This is a model from Scripture that helps us to be balanced in our prayers. It is so easy to rush in and ask God according to our needs but a better approach is this method. It allows us to worship God first, confess our sins, thank him and finally ask him. This method has been a great model for me. Let me also challenge you to double your prayer time in this season of prayer and fasting by spending time in the morning, time at lunch, and time at night. I doesn't have to be a long period of time, it could be 5 minutes each time but at least you are growing in your intimacy with Him.
As you respond today, I would like to know what has been your favorite food thus far. Mine has to been fresh strawberries, fresh pineapples and a baked potato with Italian dressing. The fruit has satisfied my sweet tooth and the baked potato gave me some substance. My wife's favorite foods have been oatmeal with soy milk and popcorn.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
21 Days to Change - Day 4
Last night was our first prayer service since we began the 21 Days to Change. I haven't seen that type of attendance in years, I am so proud of so many making a committment to line up with the 21 Days of Change. We had a tremendous time of prayer and praise becuase when God's people come together to prayer...things happen. As good as personal prayer may be, there is a special power present in corporate prayer. Concord, let's stay focused and stay committed in this season of prayer and fasting, there is simply no limit to what God can do!
Yesterday as I reflect on the the day, I missed sharing my faith twice. Two people at different occasions that I missed opporutnities. My prayer today is to ask God to make me a better instrument for him. Scripture teaches us that the changes that God will honor are the changes that line up with his Word. So today, Lord change me by helping me to share my faith more frequently. Lord, please make me more sensitive to moments to reach others for you.
Yesterday as I reflect on the the day, I missed sharing my faith twice. Two people at different occasions that I missed opporutnities. My prayer today is to ask God to make me a better instrument for him. Scripture teaches us that the changes that God will honor are the changes that line up with his Word. So today, Lord change me by helping me to share my faith more frequently. Lord, please make me more sensitive to moments to reach others for you.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
21 Days 2 Change - Day 3
Wow! Day 3 is here! We’ve made it for 72 hours. This has been a struggle but it is going to be worth it for sure…I feel changed already. One thing I have learned is to “clean out my refrigerator and pantry.” Cleaning out the refrigerator and pantry is critical to success during this season of fasting and praying. If I have a big bag of Doritos in the pantry, I would be in trouble but by removing them that is one less temptation I have to deal with. We simply had to get rid of some foods to avoid the temptation. When I think about cleaning out my refrigerator, it reminds me of my life in that I have to make sure I am cleaning some things out of my spiritual pantry. Things like grudges, bitterness, fears, past failures and others. Until I have asked God to help me purge my pantry I will forever be tempted to go back to it. Have you considered the things in your life that you need to say “ashes to ashes and dust to dust” to in your spiritual pantry?
21 Days 2 Change - Day 2
Day 2 is well on its way, so far so good. I am enjoying the challenge and the joy of sharing this journey with my family and our church family. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. We plan to connect each evening at 7:30 as a family for our prayer time, everybody will participate except Carson he gets a pass for now. :) We read a story from a Children's Bible for the kids and my wife and I are planning to connect about the devotional before going to bed each night. I am so enjoying this 21 day emphasis becuase it allows me to get reconnected spiritually and brings back some needed consistency in my life.
Every time I talk to another member, it seems everybody is struggling but at least we are struggling together. One member texted me last night, "24 down and 483 hours left *whew.* That brother was counting the hours... I also received some helpful websites you might be interested in: http://www.holy-spirit-led-christian.com/daniel-fast-recipes.html
http://www.hacres.com/home/home.asp
I am encouraged each day about the changes God wants to make in my life and in the life of our church and I have an expectancy. I hope that those of you that are joining us on this journey are expecting God to move in your lives, matter of fact he already has...
Enjoying the Journey...
Every time I talk to another member, it seems everybody is struggling but at least we are struggling together. One member texted me last night, "24 down and 483 hours left *whew.* That brother was counting the hours... I also received some helpful websites you might be interested in: http://www.holy-spirit-led-christian.com/daniel-fast-recipes.html
http://www.hacres.com/home/home.asp
I am encouraged each day about the changes God wants to make in my life and in the life of our church and I have an expectancy. I hope that those of you that are joining us on this journey are expecting God to move in your lives, matter of fact he already has...
Enjoying the Journey...
Monday, January 7, 2008
21 Days 2 Change : Day 1
Welcome to my blog, I have been wanting to start a blog for a long time and I am excited about finally beginning.
On yesterday at Concord, we began a special emphasis entitled "21 Days 2 Change." We will be fasting and praying for twenty one days seeking God to change us and change our church. I am so excited about this season of change. I feel stagnant at times and I believe that this season of prayer and fasting will revitalize and reenergize my walk. Every time I have entered a season of prayer and fasting, it has been a powerful experience in life.
I went shopping last week and bought some of the food we will be eating during the Daniel Fast and I must say, "this is going to be a struggle." But we are determined to make it. As we prepared for the fast my wife was kind enough to celebrate her birthday on Friday and Saturday since her birthday is today. We had our last meal at Houston's, her favorite restuarant.
As I woke up this morning and left the house with my fruit juice and fruit. I got in the car and began listening to one of my favorite morning shows. After a few minutes of hearing about gossip in the hip hop world, I turned the radio off and begin to pray as I was driving. I was reminded that if I expect change then I cannot function the same way. Whatever I fill my mind with in the mornings sets the stage for my entire day. I am determined to fill my mind with spiritual things during this season of prayer and fasting otherwise I will be simply going on a diet and not going deeper in my relationship with God. I plan to read my devotional during lunch. I am also looking forward to gathering my family this evening together for a time of prayer as well...
On yesterday at Concord, we began a special emphasis entitled "21 Days 2 Change." We will be fasting and praying for twenty one days seeking God to change us and change our church. I am so excited about this season of change. I feel stagnant at times and I believe that this season of prayer and fasting will revitalize and reenergize my walk. Every time I have entered a season of prayer and fasting, it has been a powerful experience in life.
I went shopping last week and bought some of the food we will be eating during the Daniel Fast and I must say, "this is going to be a struggle." But we are determined to make it. As we prepared for the fast my wife was kind enough to celebrate her birthday on Friday and Saturday since her birthday is today. We had our last meal at Houston's, her favorite restuarant.
As I woke up this morning and left the house with my fruit juice and fruit. I got in the car and began listening to one of my favorite morning shows. After a few minutes of hearing about gossip in the hip hop world, I turned the radio off and begin to pray as I was driving. I was reminded that if I expect change then I cannot function the same way. Whatever I fill my mind with in the mornings sets the stage for my entire day. I am determined to fill my mind with spiritual things during this season of prayer and fasting otherwise I will be simply going on a diet and not going deeper in my relationship with God. I plan to read my devotional during lunch. I am also looking forward to gathering my family this evening together for a time of prayer as well...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)