More than a Diet

We have started in on the 21Days of Fasting, Prayer and Personal Devotion. This year we have partnered with Awake21.org

I realize that fasting can raise a lot of questions so I thought I would try and address a few here on my blog today and throughout the next two weeks.

some things that fasting is not:

1. a diet. With all the trend diets in our culture we have to be careful to not see a fast or even a Daniel’s fast as the next great way to shed unwanted pounds. Truly, that concept my backfire because denying yourself of food can cause you to over-indulge later.

2. a merit. Fasting does not earn you credit with God. In fact, nothing does. God is already pleased with you, He loves you. He has unmerited favor for us, all we have to do is humbly turn to Him and accept it. Eph. 2:9

Which brings me to a couple things that fasting is:

1. a humbling of ourselves. It is a way to declare that our desire for God exceeds our desire for even necessary supplement or our favorite activity. However expressed, humility will always produce spiritual growth.

2. a disconnect with the world. Prayer always connects you to heaven, fasting is a discipline of disconnecting from the world. So, if the entire time you are fasting you are focused on the one thing you gave up, well, you aren’t fasting. Which is why Jesus said not to make a big deal about it, but to make it a private act of devotion to God.

Next week I will write more about private and corporate fasting found in the Bible.

Here are a few practical tips when it comes to fasting:

- Make it more about how you are wanting to devote your life to God and less about whatever it is you are giving up.

- Even if it is in a season of corporate fasting, keep your fast to yourself. If you are thinking about doing multiple days of intense fasting then you will want to confide in some people as well as consult a physician. Even then, don’t fast in order to draw attention to yourself.

- Whatever you give up, let it make room for more of God. If you decide to fast a meal, then spend that time praying or reading. If you decide to fast entertainment media like FaceBook, TV, or blogs, spend that time in prayer and devotion.

Here is what Jesus had to say about fasting:

^{Matthew 6:16} “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

Make no mistake about it, your heavenly Father will reward you. Why? Because He is good like that. Read Matthew 6 for the full story.

#LiveTheDream

This month we will be walking through the book of Nehemiah. A life-changing story highlighting the ability of God to use ordinary people to change the world! God wants you to dream a dream so big and so powerful that when it is fulfilled everyone will realize it wasn’t just a you thing, it was a God thing!

If you are in the St. Louis area you can join us in the Des Peres Movie Theater at 10a on Sunday mornings:

Week 1, January 8th: “Ordinary World Changers” find their purpose, Live their potential and Change their world!

Week 2, January 15th: “Develop the Leader Within You” yes you! God is calling you to be a leader, be one!

Week 3, January 22nd: “Defeating Discouragement” is necessary because you will be discouraged at times when you are going after the Dream God has put in your heart. You have to learn how to press past the adversity!

Week 4, January 29th: “Finishing Strong” because it isn’t always about how you start, but more about how you finish!

We will be posting the audio files at www.ThriveChurchSTL.com 

2 things I think are fun about Colossians 1:22-23

This morning I read this and loved it. Just wanted to share!

²¹ This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. ²³ But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.

My 2 favorite parts of the above:

- “You are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault!” Think about it. “without a single fault.” By His grace that is how God sees you. The death of Jesus did something for us if we believe, something powerful. Total forgiveness.

- “Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” When we first hear about the audacity of God to accept us by mere faith, it is often and rightly received with joy. All too often, we start trying hard to be better and do more. But remember, from start to finish it isn’t about our own effort but it’s all about free forgiveness! Let’s keep the joy of knowing God has chosen to love us!

FAITH REVOLUTION

. . . and so it begins. The hardest part of a REVOLUTION is finding time for it on the calendar. Well, we have done it. The FAITH REVOLUTION begins this Sunday at Thrive Church!

A revolution is something that has perpetual impact. It’s influence is forever felt on the lives of those involved as well as on the planet as a whole. Jesus was a revolutionary, they killed him for it, and then it got contagious. The message of Jesus went viral and now it is time for you and I to get sick with it.

11/6 RADICAL FAITH – 11/13 SCANDALOUS FAITH – 11/20 DOUBTERS’ FAITH – 11/27 PSEUDO-FAITH

for times and location go to www.ThriveChurchSTL.com

Fall Splash!!!

In the past 10 weeks over 100 people have responded to the messages at Thrive Church by committing their lives to Christ! Let’s throw a party!!! Everyone is invited to come celebrate.

Fall Splash is This Sunday October 30th from 5:30-8p at the Des Peres Lodge.

• Food, Fun and great Friends
• Baby Dedication, and pictures
• Baptism in the Des Peres Swimming Pool
• Dinner and Communion!
• Child-care is provided

If you are one of the many who God is changing then it is time to tell the world and Go Public with your faith.

• Join us at 5:30p at the Lodge in Des Peres, and let us know you are ready!
• Wear clothes you can get wet. Darker colors work best.
• Long shorts or pants are required.
• Bring Dry clothes to change into after.
• Be ready for what God is already doing in your life to hit a whole new level!

I look forward to celebrating with you!

Resources to get you “THERE!”

I love this message series we are in called “From Here to There.” It is powerful and life changing to focus on the practical steps needed to attain our goals and not just the goals.

I’ll be honest, this last week’s message was one of the toughest I’ve ever spoken. Mostly because I know how difficult relationships can be, I know that many of us struggle with finding ways to excel in our relationships. I also believe that faith is lived out in our relationships so it makes sense that it is a difficult area.

I’m not an expert when it comes to relationships. But, I have learned a great deal from those who specialize in this area. I’d like to pass on some of the resources that I’ve gained from in hopes that your relationships might thrive!

-       Relationship Coaching. I see so much value in connecting with those who can professionally help deal with crisis or even take my relationships to a new level. A Licensed Clinical Psychologist is trained to advise you and help you relate to others in constructive life giving ways. A professional counselor can give you valuable tools that will help you grow in relationships.

• Locally I’d like to recommend a friend, my relationship coach. Kelly DeVere LPC www.kellyDeVere.com
• For those who are in a marriage crisis let me encourage you to check out   www.nationalmarriage.com “you can still put the pieces back together”

-       Relationship Books. There are so many great books that will give you new tools to better communicate. Here are a few that I have enjoyed.

• How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk, by John Van Epp Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/How-Avoid-Marrying-Jerk-Foolproof/dp/0071472657
• The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Five-Love-Languages-Heartfelt-Commitment/dp/1881273156
• His Needs, Her Needs, by William F. Harley Jr. Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/His-Needs-Her-Affair-Proof-Anniversary/dp/0800717880
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life, by Clowd and Townsend link http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/0310247454

-       Church. The local church is the hope of the world. And if there is any way I can help you connect better at Thrive Church please let me know!

• Here is a link to some life giving churches nationwide. Click Here
• If you are in St. Louis area join us this Sunday 9a or 10:20a as we continue the conversation and take our “Work Life” to where you dream it could be!
• The best way to get more involved and become a part of what God is doing among us is to join us at our Growth Track.

My prayer is that your life would thrive!

Resources for Life

I am having the time of my life as pioneer pastor of Thrive Church on the west side of St. Louis. Our current message series “From Here to There” is all about the practical principles that will take our lives from where we are to where we have always dreamed we could be in practical areas like: Relationships, Work, Family and Faith.

Last week: we covered “Finances” I wanted to give you a link to a couple of resources that have helped us in putting a plan together for our Financial Life .

www.DaveRamsey.com

www.Mint.com

This Week: From Here to There in Relationships. Everyone has a relationship we want  to improve! Invite a friend to join you and I will see you at 9a or 10:20 inside the Des Peres Movie Theater. If you are planning on joining us at 9 you will want to be on time!

The final countdown!

We are just 3 days away from the start of THRIVE CHURCH. I already feel like I am living my dream and having the time of my life. It is so fun to work with amazing people who are passionately operating in gifted areas and serving together with amazing unity. The result: lives Changed! First ours, then as many as we can connect with.

We start Thrive Church this sunday with two experiences one at 9a and another at 10:20. Thanks to an amazing leaders team we have nearly every detail in place:

• Super Fun and safe kids area
• Rocking music and lights
• Fun message series with lots of video elements
• Thrive Cafe with bagels and coffee

We are praying that as many as who would connect with us would experiencing the life changing message of Jesus. Would love to have you praying with us. If you are interested in being a part of our THRIVE WORLD-WIDE PRAYER team and can pray 3 minutes a day for us simply email me your name and email address to Jason@ThriveChurchSTL.com