Letter From Pastor Dan, 1-29-18

By Pastor Dan

Hello everyone,

     I pray that your time of fasting is going well and that you are encouraged by what you are learning from the Lord. In our group prayer time on Sunday and Monday we saw God emphasizing the importance of unity and community that He is building in our fellowship. At one of the meetings a person shared how John 15, specifically, abiding in Christ, had really been illuminated in their heart. I am so thankful that they were at the group meeting and chose to share what God was showing them as this was confirmed by others that were there. The passage that was ‘glowing’ from John 15 was verses 4 and 5 where Jesus declares, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”  The beautiful simplicity comes from understanding what Jesus is saying when He speaks of “abiding.” Consider the following words in describing and to some measure defining what it means to abide; to continue, to be held, to remain, to dwell, to stay close and give attention to. During the time we have set aside to fast and pray I encourage you to consciously choose to abide (emphasis upon, ‘to stay close and give attention to). Guard your heart against fasting that is a type personal achievement. Remember, from Sunday’s message, “Fasting is not a method to capture God’s attention, it is a discipline used to direct our attention.” As we fast we choose to direct our attention to God. This can be done through prayer, through worship with music, through conversation, through relaxation…. attention that would have been given to something else is now consciously given to God.

If you feel you have failed in your attempt to fast, remember, it is not an ‘achievement’ to accomplish, it is a choice to ‘abide’ in Christ. If you need to reset, start fresh, then do that today. As we feed our spiritual lives (Ephesians 4:20-24) we will be strengthened day by day, experiencing His faithfulness, His goodness, His forgiveness, His strength, His love… Abiding in Him we will “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”(2Peter 3:18)

 

Thank you for your prayers and for partnering in the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

By His Grace,
Pastor Dan

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