20/20 Vision
Let's get a great start to the New Year!
New Year/New Decade --> 4 New Challenges
Happy 6th Day of Christmas! Christ is still Lord and King...Emmanuel, though seated on the throne of heaven, is still very much "God with Us." And Jesus wants to helps us have a tremendous New Year (and New Decade).
So here are four big challenges to help us start and finish well in 2020.
1) Consider joining me in a 20 day fast to start the New Year. Feast on the 1st, before embarking on a 20-day fast. I believe that a 20 day fast will help you (and the church collectively) gain 20/20 vision for God's work in your life in 2020. You may choose to fast from lunch over these 20 days; or a "Daniel fast" where you give up meat and sugars for 20 days; or a partial fast for 6 days a week with a total food fast one day per week. You may choose to fast from the internet or video games or television for 20 days.
Teaching on the idea and spiritual importance of fasting are included, along with tips and family ideas, on the attachment below.
Whatever you choose to fast from, fill the void with some conversation time with Jesus.
He has promised to fill you up!
2) Commit to reading the New Testament alongside your church family in 2020. The attached reading plan offers a short reading for 6 days each week (one day to rest or catch up if you miss a day). Each week, you'll encounter the stories of our faith in Jesus that you can discuss with others in the church who are readings the same texts.
3) Start Journaling. Beth and I each got "1 sentence per day" journals for Christmas. We hope to right at least one sentence each day as we step into what we hope will become a new habit: journaling. Maybe your one sentence could be a positive thought from the day, a simple goal you have for the day, or a word that God speaks to you from your daily Bible reading.
4) Renewed worship and service. Let's make 2020 a year of renewed commitment to excellence and participation in worship and missional service. If, on average, you attended worship 1 time per month in 2019...shoot for twice per month in 2020. If you were already at twice per month, aim for 3 times per month. And in addition to your Sunday morning worship commitment, begin praying for God to reveal a great service opportunity that you and your family/friends could become more dedicated to serving in 2020. It could be a Prospect ministry, or a ministry within our community.
When you engage new and positive inputs into your life; you can have every reason to believe a great 2020 is coming your way. With God's help, I'm counting on that being the case!
And I hope you'll join me on the experience!
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Pastor Steve
2020 Verse: Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. -Matthew 6:33
2020 Big Idea: Put God first and everything else will find its proper place.
2020 Mantra: Do the right things the right way and you will get the right results in the right time!
Copies of the Fasting Guide and NT Reading Plan are also available in the sanctuary and church office.