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Kid's Happening July 2017

Hello Church Family,

Everybody say Ya, ya, ya, ya, yes, to the love of VBS! For those of you that were singing this while you read it… well, I would have to say that you are someone that has been heavily involved with our VBS this year or in years past.  And for that, I want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for investing in our children and for giving of your time and energy. I know you must be exhausted but Oh how rewarding it is to see those faces light up as they sing, play, and hear of the love of Jesus. We are so very blessed to have the opportunity to host Vacation Bible School at our church. So many churches have declining numbers in attendance and have ended their programs. This isn’t the case at Oakhill!  Thank you Jesus for parents that send their children and volunteers that invest in the young generation!

      I read an article that spoke to me about this young generation and what our part needs to be for them. It was wrote by Tony Souder called Prayer Changes Generations and reads;  Do you ever think about whether the kids in your church will still be following Jesus five years from now? How about 10?  Some research indicates young people are steadily migrating away from God and the church.  A study conducted by Sticky Faith shows that 40 to 50 percent of kids from healthy youth groups and families will drift away from God and the church after high school.

       These statistics seem overwhelming. But there's good news, too.  A recurring theme in research indicates that young people who do stay connected to church and flourish in their faith after high school have had multiple Christian adults intentionally investing in their lives.  That means it's up to us to be brave and ask ourselves. “What is my role in God’s plan for the next generation?” Psalm 145:4: “Let each  generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.”  Prayer is a way to initiate relationships across generational lines while also creating a bond that’s supernatural and lasting.  One of the greatest benefits churches experience when they establish an intentional prayer plan is that they become stronger and more relationally connected.

       This month I would like to ask our church to start praying for our children that are going to Kids Camp. I will have bracelets at the welcome desk with children and leaders names on them that are attending camp.  When you commit to take a bracelet, be intentional with prayer.  These people will need prayer for changed hearts, safety, healing, and so much more.  Lets start to be a church that is intentional with changing this generation through prayer and relationships!

Spiritual Development July 2017

Why Should I Fast?

Fasting is the most misunderstood and under-utilized spiritual discipline of our time.  It’s a practice that Jesus himself used and expected his followers would also participate in, which is indicated in Matt. 6:16-17 when he says “When you fast…” instead of “If you fast…” So what should motivate a Christian to fast?

Christian fasting must have a spiritual purpose; a purpose that is closely aligned to our relationship with Christ. If fasting is done for worldly purposes, such as weight control, a pre-operation dictate, physical training, saving money, or political protest, then it isn’t a Christian fast!

The biblical accounts of fasting make it clear there are a variety of reasons why a Christian should fast. And, none of these purposes involve earning God’s favor.  We can’t use fasting as a way to impress God.  We are made acceptable to God through the work of Jesus Christ alone.  Fasting has no eternal benefit to us unless we first repent of our rebellion against God and surrender to Jesus Christ in faith.

Having said that, here are some good reasons to fast:

1. Fast to Strengthen Prayer (Ezra 8:21,23)

Now, the Bible does not teach that fasting is a kind of spiritual hunger strike that compels God to do our bidding. Fasting does not change God’s hearing; it changes our praying.  Christians who pray while fasting communicate that they are truly in earnest and are expressing that earnestness in a divinely appointed way.

2. Fast to Seek God’s Guidance (Judges 20:26-27a)

Fasting doesn’t ensure clear guidance, but it does make us more sensitive to God, helps us tune out the world and focus on the Lord, so that we might listen more attentively to His Word. Think of the leaders in Acts fasting before they sent out Paul and Barnabus. They wanted to be sensitive to be more to the Spirit's leading, so they fasted.

3. Fast to Express Grief Over Sin (2 Samuel 1:11-12; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 1:9)

Confession of sin isn't a simple mouthing of words.  Biblical confession involves grief for the sin committed, and inasmuch as fasting can be an expression of grief, it is never inappropriate.  But we want to reject the temptation to think that our fasting somehow is   paying for our sins.  Our fasting should include much praise to God for how he has promised that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

4. Fast to Express Repentance and a Return to Trust in God (Joel 2:12)

Closely related to expressing grief for sin, fasting can also signal a commitment to obedience and a new direction.

5. Fast to Humble Yourself Before God (1 Kings 21:27-29)

John Calvin said about fasting, “Since this is a holy exercise both for the humbling of men and for their confession of humility, why should we use it less than the ancients did in similar need?”

6. Fast to Express Concern for the Work of God (Dan. 9:2-3)

Now, we wouldn’t want anyone to leave thinking that we should fast all day every day as an expression of concern for all of God’s work, but God does, on occasion, give us so great a concern for His work that the Holy Spirit communicates to us we should fast.

7. Fast to Minister to the Needs of Others (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Fasting cannot be compartmentalized from the rest of our lives.  The spiritual disciplines, as we have said before, are not only for our sake, but for the sake of others, too. If we give up some meals by fasting, we can use that time and money to minister to others.

8. Fast to Overcome Temptation and Dedicate Yourself to God (Matt. 4:1-4)

Fasting is a good exercise in self-discipline.  Refraining from eating food can strengthen our ability to refrain from sin when we are tempted. If we train ourselves to accept the small “suffering” of fasting willingly, we will be better able to accept other suffering for the sake of righteousness.

9. Fast to Express Love and to Worship God (Luke 2:36-37)

To fast means that you love God more than food. You deny your hunger for food to pursue your hunger for God.  Seeking more of Him is more important than eating. When you feel a hunger pang, let it remind you that your stomach is not your God and that your fasting honors the true God.

So, to summarize this article, remember that fasting must always have a spiritual purpose – a God-centered, not self-centered,        purpose.

More Resources on Fasting:

A Hunger for God by John Piper (download for free at desiringgod.com), Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney (chapter 9),  Habits of Grace by David Mathis (chapter 10), “7 Steps to Fasting” by Bill Bright (online article)