Volume 41 March 2, 2010 Issue 9

A Little Quiz on the Subject of Fasting:
 

* Who was the first person who fasted in the Bible?

* What was the longest length of time of a fast recorded in the Bible?

* Who were the three people the Bible records as having fasted for 40 days each?

* Do you fast on a periodic basis?

Now you probably knew that Moses was the first recorded faster in the Bible. And perhaps you also knew that the longest time of fasting was for 80 days (Deuteronomy 9:9,18) You may have even guessed all three of the men who fasted for 40 days. [If you didn’t know I will let you look that one up] But the last question is a bit different from the first three. It may even be a little threatening, because it invites us to evaluate our lives. If you are like me, and are trying to squirm out of it by asking what I mean by "a periodic basis." But we should not avoid the question. This fourth question is very important; much more important than the other three.
 
Fasting has been “out of style” for at least 150 years. In the twentieth century church, the idea seems alien to us. God's Word assumes fasting will be a regular part of a Christian's life. Yet for most of us, it's not. If we were to make a study of fasting in the Bible most of us would find ourselves very challenged about this neglected area of Christian discipline. I'd like to encourage you to do something about that problem.
 
In a fast, the believer chooses, for a set time, to do without something that is hard to do without. Usually, the fast is to do without food. Food is one of the great blessings of God in our lives, a true pleasure and a true necessity. Our hunger can compel us, force our hand, occupy our thoughts. Fasting helps to bring food back into proper perspective allowing us to surrender to God so that He can be returned to His rightful place in life.
 
Some people take something pure, like fasting, and twist it for their own needs. People have often misunderstood and misused fasting. So let's be sure that we are clear on what Biblical fasting is not: God never tells people to fast as a purely physical discipline, i.e. dieting for the purpose of making the body beautiful or for some other physical benefit. I'm not saying that dieting is wrong -- dieting may or may not be helpful to you personally, but the Bible never encourages "fasting" for that reason alone. When the Bible uses the term "fasting" it has spiritual goals in mind -- something very different than Weight Watchers or Low Carb diets.  Sometimes fasting is viewed as an attempt to twist God's arm or to win His approval. But God doesn't respond to pressure. We must never think of fasting as a hunger strike designed to force God's hand and get our own way! We don't need to strong arm God. God is good (Psalm 119:8) and eager to answer our prayers. He is generous (James 1:5) and eager to give us 'good things' (Matthew 7:11). Fasting should also never be allowed to become a "look-at-how-spiritual-I-am" exercise. Jesus is very clear on this in Matthew 6:16!
 
God said, "When you seek Me with all your heart, I will be found by you" (Jeremiah 29:13,14). When we are willing to set aside the legitimate appetites of the body to concentrate on the work of praying, we are demonstrating that we mean business, that we are seeking God with all their heart. "Yet even now," says the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting. . ." (Joel 2:12). So why fast? To demonstrate that we are seeking God "with all our heart." Fasting puts things in proper focus. It is a physical way of saying, "Food and the things of this life are not as important to me now as going to the next level in my relationship with GOD." Denying yourself food to focus on God and His purposes shows humility. When a person is really concerned about the things of God, he will humble himself. There will be times when he will abstain from the enjoyment of food to continue focus on what is important to God.
 
I am very proud of all of you who made a commitment to join us in fasting and seeking God from March 14 to Easter. More importantly, I am SOOO EXCITED about the spiritual growth and unknown wonders I am convinced God is going to do in our lives during this time!
 
We want to do all we can to make it easy for you to be successful in this commitment.
Check out our website (hpclife.com) for details of the fast and additional resources that may be helpful during the fast. Amber Kail has been kind enough to prepare some “fast friendly” recipes that will soon be posted to the site. Also coming soon, a restaurant guide that will list some great “fast friendly” selections at several local restaurants. I will be praying for you during this fast. I encourage you to not settle for anything less than the awesome life God has intended for you!  Click Here for Fasting Information.
               

Serving You and Him with Purpose,
  paul riddle

Our next Baptismal Service will be
Easter Sunday,
April 4, 2010
 
If you would like to participate please contact the
church office, 422-5171, for more information.

Mark Your Calendars Now

April 2, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Rayna Carter
Daughter of
Adam & Jenny Johnston

Stephanie Perez
131 Stewart Rd.
Jackson, TN 38305
(Dylan and Hayle)

  March

• 7th—Baby Shower for Jenny Johnston, 2-4, reg. at Target
   

• 14th—Time changes
   

• 14th—Daniel Fast begins
   

• 14th—Bridal Shower for Elizabeth Lee, 2-4, reg. at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Wal-Mart and Macy’s
   

• 15th—6 pm Women In Motion ladies movie night. Bring a snack to share. Movie in the FH.
   

• 17th—Foreign Mission program, Adam and Rebecca Winters will share in the service.
   

• 20th—6 pm Karaoke Night Individuals or Groups of up to 4 may perform pre-approved music selections. Please fill out a form available the 7th and turn it in by the 14th to allow time for scheduling the event.
   

• Mondays at 5 pm Zumba in the gym for ladies, cost is $5 per night.
   

• Sun. at 9, Wed. at 6 Prayer Team needs people to meet upstairs in the WC bldg. to pray.
   
  

The Week of March 7, 2010 at HP

SERVICE TIMES

Sunday

 9:30 Worship Service
10:45 Life Groups
  

Wednesday

6:30  Adult Bible Study
      Bible Clubs for Children and Student Study

MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS

Nursery

9:30

Babies   Tammy Nicely, Diane Holt
Toddlers Anne Holt, Cindy McMinn
2-3 Yrs. Renee Riddle, Quinn McRae, Lisa Snider
   

Life Group

Babies   Kelly Howe, Cindy Thoma
Toddlers Millicent Johnson, Linda Graves
2-3 Yrs. Jon and Kelli Roberson, Madison Kinard
  

The Grove

    Coordinator: Traci Williams, 423-3380

Registration

9:30 Karen Davis, Tami Summers
 
Wed. Traci Vann, Traci Williams
  

Common Grounds

Jessica & Duke Julian
Russ Kinard
  

Teller Team

Linda King, Travis Patterson
 

Safety Team

    Coordinator Chuck Williams, 423-3380
  
Sunday    Tim Russell, Roger Reed, Kenny Griggs, Ben Long

Wednesday Chuck Williams, Donald Vann
   

Hospitality Team

    Coordinator: Jessica Julian, 222-0511
 
Please be at the doors to greet by 9 am.
 

Randy and Nancy Yarbrough, Glenn and Monda Qualls,
Mark Fesmire, Donald and Tracy Vann