Will this really be a new year for you? Or, maybe it will be just another "old" year. So many of us are guilty of allowing our years to slip right through our fingers. We do the same thing every time. We make resolutions, only to see them fade away after a few weeks. We make all those promises to ourselves and others, just to see them fail in a short amount of time. Soon, we just stop talking about goals and dreams and plans because we are embarrassed in front of ourselves.
To make this year really "new," we must do something different. We have to get on it and stay on it! Set a few goals, not a long list. Then, start working on them immediately. Look for daily and weekly progress. Achieve short term targets and stay focused. Set the deadline for May or August instead of the end of the year. That will leave you room to make necessary adjustments. And, remember, any goal worth achieving is worth the cost and effort necessary to achieve it.
Numbers of you are joining me for in fasting and praying this week. I'm doing seven days; from Sunday to Sunday. We are drinking plenty liquids but eating no solid foods. And we are praying fervently. Some of you are engaging for shorter periods. However, I'm delighted to know that so many of you recognize the value of prayer and fasting.
Jesus told his disciples that some things will never happen unless people of faith fast and pray. I'm convinced that we have to fast and pray about the tough stuff! We have so many things going on in our society and in our families that if we are not careful, they could get the best of us. Getting this new year started demands that we engage in true spiritual warfare!
The enemy is out to get us and he's serious. He's not just trying to hurt us, He's trying to kill us! The enemy has pulled out his heavy artillery and we're trying to defend ourselves with a flashlight and a flyswatter! It's time we used our secret weapon; prayer and fasting! This way, we will win rather than lose. We will be victors rather than victims. Bless the Lord!
Ephesians 6:10-18 is a wonderful passage to read each day of fasting. Let it bless your spirit as you stand strong for the many great causes around us. I know that each of us have our particular prayer concerns. However, I trust that we also have some in common. I'm praying for our nation and our President-Elect, Barak Obama and his family; our national and local economy; healing and deliverance for those who are wrestling with medical conditions; and I'm praying for our church family, every person!
May God grant us grace in 2009 to be a strong people, focused and committed to all that is right and good.
Pastor E.L. Branch
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About Us
Third New Hope Baptist Church
Dedicated to providing a diverse ministry community that will assist both believers and non-believers in developing close, intimate relationships with God. We are a Christian community of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are committed to His Word and to His way of life. We believe in the study of the Bible and accept it as the authoritative word of God. We believe in the equality of the human race and the full expression of gifts and callings of individuals. We are dedicated to the worship of God, fellowship of believers, the spiritual nurture of each Christian and active Missions and Evangelism. Our Pastor of 35 years is the phenomenal Edward L. Branch.
Third New Hope Baptist Church is located in Detroit, MI at 12850 Plymouth (just 2 blocks west of Meyers Rd.).
Our worship services are each Sunday at 8:00am, 10:00am & 12noon
visit our website at http://thirdnewhope.com/
Dedicated to providing a diverse ministry community that will assist both believers and non-believers in developing close, intimate relationships with God. We are a Christian community of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are committed to His Word and to His way of life. We believe in the study of the Bible and accept it as the authoritative word of God. We believe in the equality of the human race and the full expression of gifts and callings of individuals. We are dedicated to the worship of God, fellowship of believers, the spiritual nurture of each Christian and active Missions and Evangelism. Our Pastor of 35 years is the phenomenal Edward L. Branch.
Third New Hope Baptist Church is located in Detroit, MI at 12850 Plymouth (just 2 blocks west of Meyers Rd.).
Our worship services are each Sunday at 8:00am, 10:00am & 12noon
visit our website at http://thirdnewhope.com/
7 comments:
Pastor,I'm glad you called a fast because it became my motivation to really do it. I was thinking about doing the Master Cleanse and I debated with myself whether I actually wanted to go thru it or not. And when you mentioned it during your sermon and afterward, I knew that I needed to follow through. Today was my first day and it has been quite the challenge. One thing is for certain, it is not easy, but when I think about the purpose behind it, it is definitely worth it. Another thing is that prayer must accompany the fast. It's not about just giving up food, it's about growing the most important part of me - my spiritual being. When I take my mind off the food and concentrate on communication with God thru prayer and His Word, I am strengthened! Thanks for sharing prayer needs because it will help me to focus my prayer on where the needs are great and take the focus off myself!!
You are so right Pastor. I have set a few goals and started on them a few weeks ago. I didn't wait until the New Year and I didn't tell anyone. I have already started to feel some results. Like you said the key is short term targets and staying focused.
Thank you for sharing your fast with us. I've done three days but I'm going to push myself to do more. We are living in some trying times and this is a great way to start the year off.
Bless you and thank you for your prayers. We need them.
I totally agree. My biggest change is that I've moved to another state. That is a new year for me! I am starting my new year differently. Also, I plan to make changes. I need to fast for cleansing and definitely need to pray more. My faith has been challenged with loosing my job and I just sit in the corner discouraged. I truly miss Third New Hope. I haven't found a regular church that is fulfilling my needs in faith. I have to seek and find me a church. I plan to drive, if I have to. Thanks for this sharing of prayers! I do encourage some type of outreach to the members that have left and relocated out of Michigan. If you ever thought of televising your service, it's a great idea. I know that it may be costly but your ministry is strong and it's hard to find elsewhere.
Thanks Anonymous, an outreach program is a great idea. Is there someone in Detroit that could send you some DVD's of the services? If not send your information to the church and I'll send some to you. Send it to Min. Joy's attention and I should get it.
Stay encouraged!
Praying for you.
So true pastor,these trying times we must follow the best example, jesus.some things can only be done thru prayer and fasting.handling natural things in a supernatural way.thank you pastor.
Pastor EL,
Thank you for your leadership! Within the last 2 months I have been reading the book FASTING by Jentezen Franklin. It has definitely opened my eyes in a new way to the discipline of fasting. His book has been very inspirational and instructional to me. Often times in the Baptist Church, we talk about fasting but never really give instruction on fasting or an in depth understanding. So I definitely now embrace fasting with a different perspective. In addition, I have been reading A Celebration of Discipline by Stephen Foster that also talks about prayer, fasting, meditation, etc. So enriching myself spiritually on prayer and meditation has also pushed me to another level spiritually. My goal was to fast this month anyway, so your call to share in a fast with you was right on target for me; just starting a little earlier. Your sermon on Sunday, Beleiving God for the impossible. was impactful! And once again on target to help me think differently. I am still on the "fast" journey til Sunday--praying for our church, you and Lanell, world peace, our economy and Obama and Family. Thank you for your guidance.
Wow, as usual some powerful words.
At the end of every year I think about what I accomplished and my goals for the upcoming year. As you mentioned, sometimes those goals fall by the waist side after a few months. Well, this year I've decided that would not happen to me. I have even claimed '09 to be my year. When I made the claim I thought to myself everyone has said this will be a challenging year, is this the year to think great things will happen. I then had to re-focus and remind my self that with God great things can happen at any time, even in the midst of a storm. In the words of EL Branch... "God is up to something" I'm believing I'll see that something in '09!
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