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Rich Text Building disciples through relationships 2008-03-18T21:08:40Z http://exploremcc.org/rich/?feed=atom WordPress Rich http://exploremcc.org <![CDATA[Practical notes on Fasting]]> http://exploremcc.org/rich/?p=16 2008-03-18T21:08:40Z 2008-03-18T21:08:40Z For those of you who are on the Journey, welcome. I want to remind you that your time should be focused and specific. We have set three goals for this time of fasting:

  1. Your next step towards God.
  2. Your friend/family members next step towards God.
  3. Your role in the ministry at MCC.

Take some time and allow God to reveal the next step.

    Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

    See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. PS 139:23-24

Trust Him to make obvious how to help connect your friend to God. It will start with prayer and lead to action. Both are necessary.

    Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. Gal. 6:10

Begin thinking about the things that you love. God wants you to use the things you are passionate about. Even if it doesn’t seem to “fit” into what you think about church, explore the possibilities!

]]> 1 Rich http://exploremcc.org <![CDATA[What’s it all about?]]> http://exploremcc.org/rich/?p=11 2008-03-14T03:01:35Z 2008-03-14T03:01:35Z I 3 logo

Maybe you have noticed this phrase on an MCC publication: “Helping people begin and build a relationship with God”. Ever wonder what role you played in the equation? It’s more important than you thought. People just like you are gathering in homes all over the Miami Valley to take their next step together. We call it “small group”, and it’s our simple strategy to grow our faith. Your smile, your story, your encouragement could very well be all it takes to help a friend move a little closer to God.

Want to start a group? It’s simple. Gather a few friends that are interested in getting to know God and each other a little better. Contact our Small Group team, and we will help you get started. It’s really that easy. Start making your list!

]]> 2 Rich http://exploremcc.org <![CDATA[Prayer at a whole new level!]]> http://exploremcc.org/rich/?p=13 2008-03-12T18:57:36Z 2008-03-06T22:23:30Z When you think of fasting, what image comes to mind? For many of us, it’s either a blank slate or some pious person abstaining from food. Often we are confused about the purpose of fasting. Fortunately, Scripture provides many examples both in the Old and New Testaments of how fasting can make a difference in our lives. God must consider fasting important, it is mentioned 92 times in His Word. Many of our heroes of the faith, including Moses, Elijah, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel and Paul, fasted at crucial points. Jesus both taught and modeled fasting (Matthew 4:2, Matthew 16:16-18).

What is the purpose of fasting in the life of the believer today? Consider these:

  • Intentionally seeking God at a deeper level (Jeremiah 29:13)
  • To know God’s Will (Acts 13:1-3)
  • Developing Discipline (I Corinthians 9:27)

To simply not eat would be a diet, but coupled with intentional, planned time with God – you have the ingredients for growth. Take some time to make a list of people, relationships and obstacles in your life that you want to have God lead you in. Now make sure you do not have any medical conditions that would make fasting from food a health risk. If there are no health concerns, the length of your fast can be set. You could miss a meal a day, fast for a day, the weekend or the whole week. Remember, this is a private discipline. If you do have medical reason keeping you from fasting from food, I would encourage you to choose something that would represent a sacrifice (tv, coffee, internet, etc) and give that time to God.

More later…

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