Its been a couple of days since we last met for Team Baps/Presbys... some members have commented that perhaps our 'name' Baps perhaps does not summarise the brevity/ depth of denominations our group entails... however... like most 'nicknames' that we get coined from time to time... i think the name personally... is just an endearing term that shows our versatility!
Any thoughts on new names? Suggestions Welcome!!
Also... Chad & Whitney have inspired us to take seriously... or reflect at least on Ash Wednesday (Yesterday) for those that were looking into it... C& W regularly (annually) fast from Ash Wednesday until Easter (over 46 days?).... and what do they 'give up'?... its 'Sweet Things/ aka Desserts!' :D
All of us were challenged at the thought of having to 'give something' up that we love to eat/ indulge in... What has God challenged you lately with giving up? Are we relying solely on Him and Him alone? With/without chocolate? :P
I gave up chocolate and icecream (2 of my most favouritest things in the whole wide world) for a period of time...
In the end, fasting isnt about 'giving up'.... its more like 'giving to God'..... everything... your most 'basic' of needs... often that means something like food-- something we know that 'we cant live without'... or can we? Didnt God feed his people for 40 years in the desert? (or was it dessert? :P).
For some, it may be not listening to music in the car... not watching Tv for a period of time... it could be anything!! Its very personal, and its a conscious choice...
I've got quite a few passages in the Bible related to Fasting that I will post up soon... in the meantime... a couple of today's devotions from our dear friends Joyce (Meyer) and Max (Lucado!)... well only Sam can actually call Max 'a friend' methinks!
Have a great day team :D
(If you're trying to figure out how to leave a comment... scroll to the bottom of this entry and click on the 'word _ comments'.... and a pop-up box will appear for you to enter in thoughts!)
Thanks :D
xo Van
Joyce Meyer
Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
—Romans 8:1
Guilt and condemnation are major problems for many believers.
It is Satan's greatest delight to make us feel bad about ourselves. He never tells us how far we have come, but rather, he constantly reminds us of how far we still have to go.
When the enemy attacks me, I say, "I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be. I'm okay, and I'm on my way."
Like David, we must learn to keep ourselves encouraged in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6.) None of us has arrived at the state of perfection. We cannot perfect ourselves: sanctification (holiness) is the job of the Holy Spirit, and it is worked out in our lives as a process.
The Bible teaches that we can have complete forgiveness of our sins (total freedom from condemnation) through the blood of Jesus Christ. We must decide if Jesus did a complete job or if He didn't. We don't need to add our guilt to His sacrifice. He is more than enough.
Let Jesus do His job. He wants to forgive you. All you have to do is receive His forgiveness. Complete forgiveness is completely free!
Say This:
"I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be. I'm okay, and I'm on my way."
Let Jesus do His job. He wants to forgive you. All you have to do is receive His forgiveness. Complete forgiveness is completely free!
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www.maxlucado.com
Don’t Forget
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself…encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Are you still in love with Jesus? Before you remember anything, remember him. If you forget anything, don’t forget him.
Oh, how quickly we forget. So much happens through the years. So many changes within. So many alterations without. And, somewhere, back there, we leave him. We don’t turn away from him…we just don’t take him with us. Assignments come. Promotions come. Budgets are made. Kids are born, and the Christ…the Christ is forgotten.
Has it been a while since you stared at the heavens in speechless amazement? Has it been a while since you realized God’s divinity and your carnality?
If it has, then you need to know something. He is still there. He hasn’t left.=====
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