This Sunday will begin our 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer.  As a church family, we are going to be believing God through prayer to change lives (starting with us), change situations, change our country, change conditions, and overall do incredible things that only He can do!

It is going to be a powerful time personally as each of us put aside what we want for what He wants.  Options for fasting could be doing a “Daniel Fast” (just Google it if you don’t know what it is), partial fast (give up meat, soda, or other addictive foods), fast one meal a day, or fast social media or TV (this might be hardest of all for some).

When we give up we go up!  Bondages and addictions can be broken, captives to sin can be set free, and miraculous moves of God take place.  You can’t out-give God, so if you put aside time to be with Him, instead of food, TV, social media and whatever else, then you can be assured of gaining His attention.

Don’t miss this chance to grow in your faith and relationship with God.  I’m believing for more than we could ask or think to break forth as we seek Him during this focused time of prayer.  Get ready!

Some of us are just too good at expecting failure.  If you’re conjuring up a future that hasn’t even happened yet, and exaggerating the worst possible scenario, it’s no wonder you’re stressed.

Wouldn’t it be great if we were able to do the opposite?  Like, what if we imagined having success in advance instead of failure?  What if we got good at visualizing the best possible outcomes before they happen?

Throughout the Scripture, God was always trying to get His people to see the possibilities instead of the problems.  Whether it was a Red Sea, enemy forces, sickness or even death, God imagines what could be a good outcome.

Picturing the desired results and announcing it is an effective way to push yourself toward that action.  Sure, it’s scary to step out in faith, but it’s even worse to sit back and turn into a complainer who claims everyone gets all the breaks.

If you expect rejection, it’s a lot easier to live a mediocre life. But, who wants to live with that strategy? Better to attempt making it great now rather than mourn failure later.

Get out there and attempt something great for God and let your friends notice who’s expecting now.

When I was a baby, I was pretty dependent upon the people around me to eat.  I had people that fixed bottles, mushy cereal, and ultimately real food (love this!).  However, the day came that the people around me expected me to start putting my own spoon in my mouth.  Then, they even thought I should pour my own cereal into a bowl and add the milk myself (the nerve!).

Why is it that this is a normal expectation of us, yet when it comes to other areas, we still want people to feed and care for us?  Like for example, people come to church for the pastor to spoon-feed them the Bible or a spiritual truth that they can digest for the week.  Many people never give thought to feeding themselves.

Here’s the problem, in any area of life if you are to get stronger, more mature and achieve greater things, then you will have to be a self-feeder.  I heard a saying that the person who doesn’t read is no better than the person who can’t.  Think about that.  The illiterate person is at no disadvantage from the person who chooses not to read.  To grow and be healthy, we have to take in nourishment for our bodies.  The same thing applies to our mind and spirit.  Paul scolded some believers because they still acted like babies in 1 Cor. 3:1-3.

What are some ways that you can grow and feed yourself this week?  How about reading the Bible online (we send it out each day via email), get a good book and load it on your phone and other devices so it is always with you, or do an audible book that you can listen and learn while driving or doing other tasks?  My family fully expects me to feed myself, and it’s not just about food.  Every leader is a learner and every growing person is intentional about it.

I remember being a kid and being so excited about the Christmas season.  It seemed like it took forever between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  My heart was full of expectancy about everything that surrounded the holidays.  I loved the lights, decorations, songs, parties and of course the gifts.  Each year I looked forward to all the potential the season had to offer.

Something happens as we get older.  We become the one to fix the lights when they don’t work.  We have to put up the decorations, plan the parties and pay for the gifts.  All of this can taint the season.  If we’re not careful, we can transform from the expectant child to the Grinch.

This is not only a problem with Christmas; it’s a problem in marriages.  Two people walk down an aisle to go live life in love, only to discover that there are pressures they never planned to experience.  They didn’t anticipate one of them losing their job, or having a special needs child, or finding themselves attracted to someone else at work.  When burdens come, it’s all too common for us to begin dreading the very thing we once anticipated.

My challenge to us all this season is to take joy in this time of year.  The story is about a Savior who left His throne to be born in a manger, live and teach, then die a sacrificial death for our sins.  Be careful what comes out of your mouth.  Instead of dreading the holidays, your marriage, your job, your family, why not expect the best?  Let a spirit of expectancy build in your heart and find it’s way into your mind and mouth.  Changing how you view things can go a long way toward how you experience them.

All of us do it.  We all talk to ourselves on a regular basis.  Throughout the day we say things like, “I wonder what goofy thing I’ll say at school today?” or “I never make a good first impression, but here we go” and “I just don’t think I’m going to be able to fulfill this request, I’m just not able.”

The real danger in talking to ourselves is not THAT we do it; it’s HOW we do it.  Often what happens is we internally enact a future that hasn’t happened yet, but telling ourselves the worst possible outcomes.

What would happen if you changed the way you talked to yourself?  Think about saying, “I think they’re going to like me in this interview” or “This talk I’m presenting to my co-workers should be well received.”

By telling yourself positive stories and picturing it happening is an effective way of pushing yourself toward the desired goal.  The Bible says that faith is being sure of what we hope for even though we don’t see it yet.  (Hebrews 11:1)

One reason we may be hesitant to do this is we’re actually afraid that if it works, we will be held to a higher standard.  If you expect failure, weakness and low achievement, it’s a lot easier to live up to it.  But, why settle for that?  You and I were made for so much more than we are currently living.

So, let’s expect great things.  For the next 30 days make a conscience effort to say to yourself only things that are positive and praiseworthy.  What if it only produced 10% better results, or 20% more effectiveness, perhaps a 25% better marriage?  Wouldn’t that be better than settling for something less?

I believe in the power of negative thinking.  People who believe that bad things are going to come their way are usually right.  Why is that?  I think it kind of works like a self-fulfilling prophecy.  You proclaim that bad things will come your way and then your depression; lack of confidence and negativity usually can make it happen.

It’s like the person going in for a job interview believing they will say something stupid and that the company will hire someone else, so they do.  Or, it’s the person who thinks their marriage stinks and will always stink, so they look for it.

What would happen if you thought your best days were yet ahead?  I know you’ve got all kinds of reasons to tell me why they’re not, but humor me for 30 days and act like they are.  See if life doesn’t seem to go little better.  Watch for miracles instead of catastrophes.

See if you don’t get more of what you expect.  Let me know how the 30 day experiment works.

I am so excited about what I believe God is going to do this weekend!  As you know, many of us have declared a 21 Day Fast to start off the New Year.  Also, many of us started on January 1^st, so we are now on day 17.  That means by this weekend we will be nearing the end of the fast and already people are being impacted.

Here’s what I want to ask you to do with me:  let’s believe for a day of miracles this Sunday as we gather in worship.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matt. 5:6).  Even Jesus Himself was called to a long fast and THEN the day of miracles began to happen through His life.

How do you prepare for this weekend?

• Keep up the prayer and fasting specifically for this day of miracles.
• Ask God to perform signs & wonders in our midst for His glory.
• Come expecting to receive your miracle.
• Invite others to come expecting as well.
• If you haven’t already been fasting with us, then consider doing so between now and Sunday.
• When special prayer is called for in the service, be ready to step out and receive prayer for your miracle.  (*Don’t be late!  This time of prayer will occur DURING our time of worship to God – toward the start of service)

What kind of miracles should we expect?  I’m believing for God’s healing power to touch those who are sick in body.  Also, for those bound by sin, addiction, hurts of the past, and oppression of the enemy to be set free by His delivering power.  And further, I’m believing for God to open wombs for the childless, lost loved ones to be reached, give direction to those seeking, and other kinds of miracles as well.

Our God is all we need!  He is the Lord God our Provider who cares for His people and is able to do far exceedingly above all we could ask or think.

Just like Jesus’ example, prayer and fasting gets you ready for the day of miracles.  I’m ready for it now, how about you?

Guest post by John Money:

Many of us are praying fervently for “Change” during our time of fasting.  Perhaps it is pleading with the Lord to change your health, relationships, finances, or overall direction of your life.  Or you may be pleading with the Lord for change in your loved one’s lives.  Perhaps a wayward daughter, son, husband, wife, brother, or sister needs salvation or restoration in Christ.

My encouragement today is for you to hang in there!  Keep up your fervent fasting and praying…….through faith in Jesus, you are on the verge of a breakthrough….the winds of change are about to blow!  Remember to believe, trust, and not doubt.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples and told them that they were to be his witnesses in this world.  But, first he wanted them to wait for the power and presence of His Holy Spirit to come upon them and to be in them.  Jesus said to his disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

After this discussion, the disciples gathered for several days of fervent prayer.  As they were praying……

² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:2)

This is what I envision happening for you.  The winds of change from the Lord are going to blow from heaven.  During your time of fasting and prayer, He is going to bring renewal within you by his Holy Spirit.  When the Holy Spirit moves, change happens.  The winds of change are blowing today….get ready!

Have you ever wondered why Jesus fasted before He began His earthly ministry?  The Bible says that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to fast and pray before He did one miracle, selected one disciple, or taught one lesson.  Why did He do this?  He was preparing Himself for the road that lie ahead.

What road does God have ahead for you?  Are you getting ready for it?  One of the ways we can prepare is do what Jesus did.  You don’t have to be the smartest guy around, just follow what smart people do and people will think you’re smart.  Jesus did great miracles, made wise choices, and taught powerful principles.  If you want to be like Jesus, then you need to do what Jesus did.

This is what our 21 Days of Fasting are all about this year.  We are trying to be more like Jesus so we can do what Jesus did.  Some of us need a miracle, know a captive that needs to be set free, or have a big decision that requires wisdom.  The answer is to tap into the supernatural power of God and the way to do it is follow Jesus.

For those who are taking this 21 day journey, is it getting easier or more difficult?  Are you more determined to win the victory than the enemy is to cause your defeat?  Let me encourage you today, as well as myself, keep going, don’t give up, pursue Jesus and He will supply the power for the victory.  We don’t know all the road may hold for us yet ahead, but we can be prepared by getting ready today.

God has been speaking to me lately about the power of questions. A well placed question can help to bring incredible clarity, understanding and direction. For example: Why do you allow him to treat you that way? That one question can help a person evaluate an abusive situation and take ownership and lead to action.

Here’s some questions that might be good to ask heading into a New Year:
What didn’t work well for me in 2011?
What did I promise that I would do last year that I failed to complete?
What would it take to complete it in this coming year and make it a priority?
Who do I need to get around more often in the New Year?
Who do I need to spend less time with next year?
What fear do I need to conquer in 2012?
What excuses kept me from doing more this year? How can I stop making them?
What do I feel God might be leading me more & more into? (New ministry, witnessing, giving…)
What first step do I need to take to achieve greater alignment with God in 2012?

These are just a few I thought of, do you have any great questions to be asked heading into a New Year?