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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-01-20, Page 12t PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2005. From the Minister’s Study Pastor shares reasons for his 40-day fast By Pastor John Kuperus Blyth Christian Reformed Church In November I completed a 40-day fast. My desire was for spiritual awakening and experiencing all the blessings God has intended for us. Fasting is a way to turn off the things of the world and seek God’s face. I would like to share with you some of my journey. A number of Biblical texts speak on fasting. According to Isaiah 58, at the heart of a fast is the desire to break the chains of injustice and to set those who are oppressed free. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks to the issue of fasting in his sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. This text speaks about three acts of righteousness, giving (vs. 2-4), prayer (vs. 5-15) and fasting (vs. 16-18). In reference to fasting Jesus says, “When you fast...” It does not say “if you fast.” Jesus expected his followers to fast. Fasting was a spiritual discipline that was a part of their culture. Every year on Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement, every Jew would fast for the whole day once a year. This fast is practised by Jewish people around the world to this day. The people in Jesus’ day confronted him, because his disciples were not fasting, while the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees did. Jesus responded to this question by saying, “how can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them. They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast” (Mark 2: 19-20). We are in the time when the bridegroom is not with us, so in this time, Jesus expects his disciples to fast. In writing this, 1 am not beating the fasting drums or wanting to draw attention to myself. My desire is that God is glorified and I want more of Him in my life and in the life of our community. This is also an invitation to all who long for revival and the fulfillment of the Great Commission to seek God by humbling ourselves before Him. I understand spiritual awakening or revival in the way Charles Finney defined it, when he said, “revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one’s will to God in deep humility" (Coming Revival by Bill Bright p. 15). Why did I choose 40 days? Forty days is an important number in the Bible. Setting aside 40 days is a spiritually significant period of time. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days. Rick Warren, in the Purpose Driven Life, mentions the importance of 40. • Noah's life was transformed by 40 days of rain. • Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai. • The spies were transformed by 4 days in the Promised Land. • David was transformed by Goliath’s 40-day challenge. • Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal. • The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave the people 40 days to change. • Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness. • The disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus after his resurrection (pg. 10). Our Lord Jesus fasted for 40 days and afterwards, how did he fight against the temptations of Satan? He fought him by saying, “it is written.” The message to followers of Jesus be persistent in situations that you know are against the will of God and fight those situations with God’s word. What happened for me over the 40 days? In the beginning I was concerned whether or not I would be able to make the whole 40 days. That is a long time. The way I encouraged myself was by noticing the mile markers along the way. For example getting past four days meant that I was 10 per cent of the way home. 1 watched my weight closely. At the beginning of the fast, my weight was 188. Over 40 days, fat and toxins were burned off. At the end of the fast, I weighed 162 lbs. and 14 days later I was at 165 lbs. Someone said that fasting before Christmas was not the right time. Historically fasting is practised by the church during Lent. I pondered that thought and concluded that Jesus came to us in weakness, not in strength. What better way to identify with Jesus than by becoming weak. II Corinthians 12:10 was an inspiration for me as well. Paul says there, “W hen I am weak, then I am strong.” As a pastor my responsibility is to lead God’s people. How do we decide what is the right way to go? It is important to listen to God and his will for our community. Moses was an inspiration for me where he spoke to God in Exodus 33:13, “If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so 1 may know You and continue to find favour with you. Remember that this nation is Your people.” I am ministering to God’s people and I am responsible to know God’s ways and lead God’s people. This is a great responsibility and I am earnestly seeking God’s direction. This ; spiritual discipline is a way to humble myself before the God of the universe and seek His will. 1 found at times I became discouraged and depressed. The words of Isaiah 41: 14 inspired me, “Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you, declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Another text where I found comfort was Hebrews 5:7. “During the days of Jesus' life on earth. He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and he was heard because of His reverent submission.” Jesus was emotionally involved with His people and His calling. He too shed tears and sought the direction of His Father. One of the areas I found God addressing me was with strongholds. Strongholds is a mindset that looks at a situation and feels it is hopeless and unchangeable. When I do this, I am surrendering ground to Satan and I displeased my God. I serve the same God David did and David was able to deal with the giants in his life. As a result, I had to re-evaluate the size of my God and do I really believe He is all powerful. This was humbling and refreshing. Confusion was a state to describe myself at one point during the fast. One person would tell me one thing and another person would tell me the opposite. My job is not to judge, although this does create confusion. What is true and what is not true. A number of people approached me and were concerned for me physically. I appreciate the concern. When I had a.physical my doctor told me that for my height and size, 1 was overweight by 10-20 lbs. So losing some weight was okay. I can assure you that physically I feel fine. Being free of extra weight is better for me. Doing the fast only Continued on page 14 January 23 ~ 1 Thess. 3 The Joy of Mutual Encouragement POTLUCK & Annual Meeting L.'E Christ-centred, Bible-believing, Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared 10:30 a.m. ~ Contemporary Worship & Sunday School at Blyth Public School, f corner of King & Mill (3*- Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 523-4848sior: trnest uow ~ // www.getlivingwater.org THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA TVetcMted to C94HC SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 “PteaAC Join UA fat cwytA&ift Sunday, January 23 Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible r 1 Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS January 23 11:00 a.m. - Sunday Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Sunday Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-1131 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca Sunday, January 23 Ethel United Church 9:30 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Celebration of the Season of Epiphany 'The Church is not a Building, \ It is People Touching 7- >People" Sunday 9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. - Prayer Meeting - Sunday School - Worship Service Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 523-4590PASTOR DAVE WOOD Sunday 9:30 a.m.- Family Bible Hour 10:30 a.m.Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m.Evening Worship Service Tuesday 7:15 p.m.Youth Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 p.m.- Crusaders for grades JK-6 L 7:00 p.m.- Adult Bible Study Blyth United Church Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, January 23 Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. “5 People We Will Meet in Heaven” /4U. 'Wetcotne Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman Office: 523-4224 Blyth United Church is a welcoming community of faith. We celebrate God's presence through worship and study, and through responding to the needs and gifts of each other. Welcome to Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Sunday, January 23 9:30 a.m. Guest Speaker: Darrell Jantzi from Mennonite Central Committee, Kitchener I heme: Listening With Our Hearts 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages Darrell Jantzi will focus on the current involvement of Mennonite Central Committee's relief to countries, including the disaster in Eastern Asia and their response to Aids victims, by audio visual/question & answer. We stand tallest when we stoop to help others. Pastor Brent Kipfer 887-6388