Transition Time - Deuteronomy Days
Do you have a hard time living today? I spend most of my time in yesterday and tomorrow. Which means I spend a fair amount of time in regret (living in yesterday) and anxiety (living in tomorrow). Lately, I've been spending time thinking about tomorrow. Trinity, I'm excited about some kind of church planting. And the 5pm Table Service is busting at the seams! Our overall attendance is larger than its ever been since I came to serve as pastor. Maybe it is time to plant? What would it look like? Where would it be? Leadership? Worship? Money? Existing Trinity? ANXIETY!
In conversation with the Lord this morning I got the impression that we are to have some Deuteronomy Days. Deuteronomy Days are marked by being done with the old slavery, done with wandering, done with unbelief. Deuteronomy Days are also marked by surrendering to God's future and trusting in God's provision. Deuteronomy Days look back, but don't go back. Deuteronomy Days look forward, but don't go forward. Deuteronomy Days are on the edge of yesterday and tomorrow, but they are neither. They are today.
"In the fortieth year...Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them" (Deuteronomy 1.3 esv). I believe God is calling us to live decisively TODAY for the next forty days. I believe He is preparing us for what is next, and that a transition in our life together is happening, but that the Holy Spirit is strengthening the body of Christ TODAY for what He will be doing tomorrow. There will be elements of remembering, and repenting, and personal and corporate revival, but He will lead it. We will be content to be with Him, and say, "Your will be done! Your kingdom come in my life and in our life together as it is in heaven."
My friend pointed out that Andy Comiskey of Desert Streams has called the church to a 40 day season of prayer and fasting for the bride of Christ. He wrote this in his blog:
Andy is also providing a daily devotion to focus our prayer during these forty days. It is found here: http://andrewcomiskey.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Days-1-4_Prayer-Points_Formatted.pdf
Maybe you could pray something like, "Father, you have made yourself available to me TODAY. I choose not to live in yesterday or tomorrow, but to make myself available to you TODAY. Show me if there is something you are calling me to fast from to make more availability TODAY."
In conversation with the Lord this morning I got the impression that we are to have some Deuteronomy Days. Deuteronomy Days are marked by being done with the old slavery, done with wandering, done with unbelief. Deuteronomy Days are also marked by surrendering to God's future and trusting in God's provision. Deuteronomy Days look back, but don't go back. Deuteronomy Days look forward, but don't go forward. Deuteronomy Days are on the edge of yesterday and tomorrow, but they are neither. They are today.
"In the fortieth year...Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them" (Deuteronomy 1.3 esv). I believe God is calling us to live decisively TODAY for the next forty days. I believe He is preparing us for what is next, and that a transition in our life together is happening, but that the Holy Spirit is strengthening the body of Christ TODAY for what He will be doing tomorrow. There will be elements of remembering, and repenting, and personal and corporate revival, but He will lead it. We will be content to be with Him, and say, "Your will be done! Your kingdom come in my life and in our life together as it is in heaven."
My friend pointed out that Andy Comiskey of Desert Streams has called the church to a 40 day season of prayer and fasting for the bride of Christ. He wrote this in his blog:
“We at Desert Stream Ministries are positioning ourselves before Christ Crucified for 40-days of prayer, from October 15th to November 23rd. Our purpose is to welcome Him afresh into our depths, that we might more nearly grasp His heart for the one He loves most, the Church, His bride. For each of the 40-days, the Desert Stream staff will pray at 3pm CST for specific themes and needs. Will you prayerfully consider joining us? ” Andrew Comiskey “First, let fasting be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.” John Wesley
As Wesley beautifully states, fasting is about the Lord: to glorify Him and join with Him in prayer on behalf of His purposes. Whatever sacrifice we make is unto more time to be in His presence and pray. This sounds wonderfully easy. Yet following these clear and simple guidelines requires forethought, grace and discipline!taken from: http://andrewcomiskey.com/blog/page/2/
Now is a good time to begin to pray and consider what type of fast the Lord is asking of you.
What might you give up in order to give God room to make your heart more like His? He may be inviting and challenging you to sacrifice beyond what you feel able. This might involve you fasting on water and a minimal amount of food.
A water fast requires major adjustments in one’s schedule, allowing adequate time to rest and planning to do less physically and socially.
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, author of Spiritual Disciplines Handbook lists some of the things fasting includes:
*abstaining from food, drink, desserts, chocolate, to intentionally be with God.
*abstaining from media: TV, movies, radio, music, email, [Facebook, Twitter], cell phones and computer games to allow space for listening to the voice of Jesus.
*abstaining from habits or comforts: elevators, reading, shopping and sports in order to give undivided attention to God.
I have also heard pastors call their congregants to fast criticism, judgment and cynicism; a fast we could all benefit from, especially if we turn instead to Scripture and prayer.
The encouraging and challenging truth is that we all can fast in some way. We each have something we can abstain from for forty days in order to pray and spend more time with God. Remember, our self-denial is “in order to intentionally attend to God in prayer.” Calhoun, p 218
Fasting clears us out and opens us up to intentionally seeking God’s will and grace in a way that goes beyond normal habits of worship and prayer. While fasting we are one on one with God, offering him the time and attentiveness we might otherwise be giving to eating, shopping or watching television.
Fasting reminds us that we care about “soul” things. We care about the church. We care about the world. We care about doing God’s will. Thus we willingly set aside a little comfort so we can listen and attend to the voice and nourishment of God alone. For God can give us grace and comfort and nurture we cannot get on our own .” Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, and be thankful. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ” Col. 3:15, 17.
Andy is also providing a daily devotion to focus our prayer during these forty days. It is found here: http://andrewcomiskey.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Days-1-4_Prayer-Points_Formatted.pdf
Maybe you could pray something like, "Father, you have made yourself available to me TODAY. I choose not to live in yesterday or tomorrow, but to make myself available to you TODAY. Show me if there is something you are calling me to fast from to make more availability TODAY."
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