Tulsa Bible Church Call to a Day of Fasting

Day of Personal Prayer and Fasting
Wednesday, June 27^th, 2018

Would you consider a personal day of fasting and prayer for Tulsa Bible Church?  The Elders are asking each of us to fast and pray throughout the day on Wednesday, June 27th.  Fasting is a time to set aside to seek God’s will, focusing on increased intimacy with the Lord.

PRAISE: Lord I praise you for Your perfect...

Holy (transcendent and pure)

Definition: God is exalted* and sinless pure.   *in the sense that He is separate from and above everything else

Key verses: Psalm 24:3-4a “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…”

Explanation: This verse shows the two parts of God’s holiness.  He is far above us and He is without any sin. The part that talks about “ascending into the hill of the Lord” emphasizes that God is above and beyond us.  The part that talks about “clean hands and a pure heart” shows that God cannot sin or be around sin.

Good: (Love, Mercy, Grace)

Definition: God desires to do good things for us.

Key verses: “O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 118:1; 136:1 (Psalm 100:5; 106:1; 118:29; 145:9 are have close to the same wording)

Explanation: God is full of good will toward men. (It may not be very theological, but the word “kind” is one that the children will understand.) God’s goodness and benevolence are shown in at least three ways: His Love: (others are His primary concern.),   His Mercy (compassionate), and His Grace (giving gifts even when we do not deserve it).

True (faithful)

Definition:  Everything that God says will happen.

Key verse:  Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth.”

Explanation:  Emphasize that God speaks the truth and keeps His word. Numbers 23:19 and Titus 1:2 both say that God cannot lie. However, God is not only accurate in what he says. He is also steady and faithful in what he does and how he keeps His word. 

Just (righteousness)

Definition:  God does what is right and rewards everyone for what they do.

Key verses:  Proverbs 21:2b-3 “... the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

Explanation:  This verse doesn’t follow the “God is …” formula often used to proof text an attribute of God, but it helps us emphasize two things.  First, God is considering (“weighs the heart”) our actions, words, and thoughts.  Second, being righteous and just is important to God.

Eternal

Definition:  God has no beginning or ending.

Key verse:  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come...” Revelation 1:8

Explanation:   "There is a difference between being immortal and being eternal. Man is immortal—that is, his soul will never die; but God is eternal—He has neither beginning nor ending.”   Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:59)  The laws of time do not affect God.

Immutable

Definition:  God never changes..

Key verses:  Malachi 3:6a “...I the Lord do not change…”

Explanation:    God is unchanging in His being (what He is), His perfections, His purposes, and His promises.  He responds to events and choices we make, but is always consistent in His response.  Immutable does not mean immobile.

Infinite

(Omniscience, Omnipresent, Omnipotent)

Definition:  God cannot be measured.

Key verses:  "Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven--what can you do?” Job 11:7b-8a

Explanation:   God is without any limits. There is no end or limits to his knowledge, strength, location and other perfections. Emphasize the “omni” terms and their meanings. (omniscient-all knowing), (omnipotent-nothing is too hard for God, even though He chooses not to do some things.) (omnipresent-God does not fill up the universe like water fills a glass, but he is present everywhere we are or can be.)

Sovereign

Definition:  God does all that He pleases.

Key verses:  “I am God, and there is no other... My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,”  Isaiah 46:9-10

Explanation:  God governs the world and works through our choices to accomplish His purposes. God has the ability, the authority and the freedom to do everything He chooses.

PRAYER:

·       Pray that these verses would be true of TBC.
“I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to walk in a manner worthy
of the calling to which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness,
with patience, bearing with one another in love,
eager to maintain the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3

·       Pray for the Elders as they prepare for and proceed with a senior pastor search
(Brian Shoop, Forrest Cowan, Mike McCloskey, David Sargent, and Phil Martin)

·       Pray for Dr. John Conner as he brings the Word in the morning service each week

·       Pray for Pastor Phil and Pastor Kade as they shepherd the body of Christ

·       Pray that our Christ-like love would abound still more and more…

·       Pray that we would be sincere (pure) and without offence until the Day of Christ.

·       Pray for healing:
“He gives power to the weak,
and to those who have no might He increases strength.” - Isaiah 40:29

·       Pray for hope:
“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. 
You have heard of the steadfastness of Job,
and you have seen the purpose of the Lord,
how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” – James 5:11

·       Pray that TBC members would share the Gospel this week and see hearts changed for Christ

·       Pray for our Church to be unified, one in Christ, so that we might bring Him glory. 
“that they may be one, even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.” – John 17:21

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Cautions: It is very important to drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated when fasting.

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“Don't fast, even for a short time, if you have diabetes because it can lead to dangerous dips and spikes in blood sugar.  Other people who should not fast include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a chronic disease, the elderly, and children.  Before you go on a new diet, particularly one that involves fasting, ask your doctor if it's a good choice for you. You can also ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian, who can show you how to design a healthy eating plan.”  https://www.webmd.com/diet/fasting#1-3

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It is important to remember that some people simply cannot refrain from eating and drinking in any degree at any time. This is usually due to certain medications that they cannot cease taking and often have to ingest only after eating. If you have unique physical problems that would make fasting dangerous or unhealthy, please do not alter your prescribed regimen of medication or of eating and drinking without first consulting with your physician. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you cannot fast in regard to food and drink. Simply choose another way to fast, such as those noted above.  https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-christians-need-to-know-about-fasting.html

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If you are unable to abstain from food, you may consider other forms of fasting, such as abstaining from computer games, social media, and or TV.  Most importantly, you should also make a point to set aside a extra time for prayer.