FIRST 2017

Your focus determines your direction. Your focus affects your quality of life. Whatever your heart is focused on your life will be focused on and this will determine much of what becomes of your life!

Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God”. My heart focus is to be on the things of God first. They are of greater value, they are more important than anything else in my life.

How you start each day has a direct impact on how you will respond to what comes of the day. How you start 2017 may have a significant impact on how you live throughout the year.

How do I “seek the Kingdom of God above all else,”?

When Jesus said, “seek first,” He was also describing that a person following Him would do three things: give, pray, and fast (not for show but as a personal “Thank You” to God). We find this talk in Matthew 5-7 and in chapter 6 Jesus is saying, “when you give, when you pray, when you fast,”

The results are a life where we can reasonably choose to not worry, knowing that God will provide for us and reward us. See Matthew 6.

FIRST 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting January 8-28th for City Harbor Church.  Prayer for each day: links

It’s a conviction, for us as a church, that starting a new year by seeking God brings us to right focus. As a church, we begin the New Year by setting aside a time of “sacred assembly” to dedicate ourselves to God afresh. As individuals, we set aside time for prayer & fasting to allow the Holy Spirit to deal with us personally (about our lives/homes/work) – to make sure that anything that should not be in our lives is cut out & anything that should be in our lives is put in.

The practice of fasting means – going without to focus on God. Setting aside time to focus on God is a perfect way to check your focus! “This practice removes distractions, cleanses your soul, deepens humility, intensifies prayer, feeds your faith, and it produces self-control.” – Pastor Frank Damazio

For best results, this includes changing your normal schedule and going without some of your normal activities so that you have more quality time for God. This may mean that you spend less time on the internet or watching TV in favor of investing more energy into your spiritual life.

At the beginning of every year as a church we are going without meats & sweets (at least) for 21 days to be focused on God through prayer & fasting. We are choosing to go without normal food and entertainment so that we can start the year more focused on God than anything else. Some of us will go without food for a meal, a day, or any multiple number of days.

Consult your Dr. before changing your diet.

Please consider writing down your answers to these questions:

• What do I want to be focused on?
• Why am I choosing to “go without”?
• What food, activities, music, TV, or social media will I be doing without?
• What will I be praying about?
• What days and times will I be in prayer and Bible reading?

Here’s an opening prayer:

God, you are more important to me than anything else. This January 8-28 I’m going without _______. I am doing this for the purpose of _______. I will be more focused on you than anything else. I choose to live for you. Please speak to me God. Thank you!

Here’s a few more verses to consider:

“When you give, pray, fast…focus, seek FIRST, and don’t worry.” Matthew 6

“Love with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind ie: with all your passion, prayer, intelligence,” FIRST Commandment Matthew 22:37

“You keep Your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before You in wholehearted devotion.” 2 Chronicles.6:14

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

“Turn to me now. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate.” Joel 2:12-13

Here’s a few books to consider:

• Fasting – Jentezen Franklin (also “The Fasting Edge” same author)
• 101 Reasons to Fast – Dr Bob Rogers
• Toxic Relief – Don Colbert MD
• Purple Book (Bible studies that every believer should go through with a friend) and Wiki Church Steve Murrell
• Crazy Love – Francis Chan
• The Jesus I Never Knew – Philip Yancey
• No Perfect People Allowed – John Burke

January Prayer Focus – Lent?

In the spring we will enter the ancient Christian calendar season of Lent, the 40 days leading to Easter. It’s good to learn from our history. Three major themes of this practice are self-control, prayer, and reflection. It certainly brings great joy in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus! It also honors the 40 days that Jesus spent in prayer & fasting, Matthew 4. For more resources on Lent, click here. http://bit.ly/YBOuXf

For the past couple of years we’ve chosen to not observe Lent directly. We follow the principles by starting the year with a prayer and fasting focus on Jesus (January 4-24). Then during the weeks leading up to Easter we set aside time to consider, reflect, and celebrate the Cross of Christ and the Resurrection of Christ.

Practical To Do:

1. Prepare spiritually. (You’re hearing from God and know that you’re doing it because you’re led.)
2. Determine what kind of fast and how long. (Certain meals or food, number of days, full fast?)
3. Write down why you are doing it and your fasting plan.
4. Devote extra time to prayer & the Bible.
5. Limit time spent with TV, internet, and social media.
6. Be physically prepared: headaches, lightheaded, bad breath, more sleep, plenty of water.

Spiritual Keys to Fasting:

1. Fasting is an invitation. Not a requirement. (Breaking out of the routine of life, “You love me regardless, I am voluntarily giving this up, I am coming after you God.”)
2. Fasting is a grace. Not gritting your teeth. There is a connection between the Holy Spirit and fasting. God gives you grace.
3. Fasting is humbling yourself before God. “Lord I need you.”
4. Fasting is an act of worship.
5. Fasting is giving up something perfectly good, acceptable, so that you can have more of God.
6. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is a physical act.
7. Fasting is a time of Spirit-led self-examination. You will see God begin to do a deep internal work in your life.
8. Fasting increases our sense of humility and dependence on God.
9. Fasting allows us to set aside time for prayer.
10. Fasting expresses our earnestness and urgency to God in prayer.

16 short prayers for 2017

16 short prayers for 2017 – a great post from a dear friend Steve Carpenter

“For me and many others, praying the scripture is a powerful way in which to release God’s authority over our lives, our families and our nations. In preparation for 2017, here is my list of 16 short prayers from the Bible that we can pray for the new season ahead.” – Steve Carpenter

1. The prayer of Moses. “Please, show me Your glory.” Exodus 33:18
2. The prayer of Joshua. “What does My Lord say to His servant.” Joshua 5:14
3. The prayer of Samuel. “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
4. The prayer of Solomon. “Give to Your servant an understanding heart.” 1 Kings 3:9
5. The prayer of Elijah. “Let it be known this day that You are God in Israel.” 1 Kings 18:36
6. The prayer of Elisha. “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17
7. The prayer of Hezekiah. “Save us, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.” 2 Kings 19:19
8. The prayer of Nehemiah. “Oh Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy.” Nehemiah 1:11
9. The prayer of Job. “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” Job 42:2
10. The prayer of David. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
11. The prayer of Jeremiah. “Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored.” Lamentations 5:21
12. The prayer of Daniel. “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” Daniel 9:19
13. The prayer of Joel. “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach.” Joel 2:17
14. The prayer of Habakkuk. “O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath, remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2
15. The prayer of Jesus. “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

16. The prayer of the Disciples. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30

Living on Purpose

Day 21 Saturday January 28

“Lord, I receive Your love. I confess my mistakes. Please forgive me. Please do not punish me in the way that I deserve. Please do give me Your love in the way that I do not deserve. I believe that Jesus is my way to salvation and ultimately Heaven. Lord, I choose to live for You. I give my life to You completely. Please help me to see You more clearly. Please help me to understand Your purpose in my life. Thank You for helping me grow stronger in this resolve.”

• Lord, I will seek your kingdom first and live on purpose. Matthew 6:33
• Lord, You are the most powerful one and all of this is for you. Your kingdom is eternal. Psalms 145:13
• You are able to do more than I could ask for or think of. Ephesians 3:20
• To You, Oh Lord, be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Ephesians 3:21
• Lord, I will love you with all I’ve got and I will love others (in the same way I take care of myself). Matthew 22:37-40
• Lord, I will be sober, aware, careful, and a good steward in all things, enduring hardships. I will work to share the Good News of Jesus with as many people as possible, to fulfill the work You’ve given me. 2 Timothy 4:5
• Lord, I will urge as many people as possible (people of all varieties) to become followers of Jesus, leading them to take next steps in following You. We will love each other, ever learning more about who You are and all that You’ve said. We will gather in small groups in homes and as a larger group in the church. Matthew 28:19-20 Acts 2:41-47

Lord, please help us become a church:

• Loving Jesus in a way that people talk about.
• Where people find salvation & healing in Jesus.
• Helping people find careers & peaceful homes.
• Where everyone can find a place that they fit.
• Serving the city with love that works.

That this should result in peaceful neighborhoods, crime reduction, employment & literacy increase, and a decrease of addictions. It would include a better connected effort between existing churches, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and the business community.

Personal Change

Day 20 Friday January 27

“Lord, please help me receive Your forgiveness. Lord, I surrender every area of my life to you. Lord, please help me leave the past behind. Please help me, as I choose to forgive others. Lord, please help me see how You want my life to look. Help me have a clear picture of what growing closer to You looks like. Help me see how my life can change. Lord please open my spiritual eyes to see the change that You desire.”

Let’s take a few minutes to write down a few topics to prayer over our personal lives. Reading Colossians 3, Philippians 4, or Ephesians 4 may help.

How could my life be different, for the better, to reflect the love of God and His plan?

What could be? What should be? By God’s grace, what will it be? What is that “preferred future” of God, for me?

What’s bothering you? What is the solution? What should be? Beginning to feel like a moral imperative? See a connection with what God is up to?

I believe God loves me. I believe that God knows what is best for me. God has a plan. By following God’s plan, I have the best plan of seeing the change (written above) become reality. With this change, people will see evidence that will draw them to Jesus.

“Lord please help me. Please bring change, miracles, and opportunities for me to take action. Lord please:

• Awaken my spiritual hunger
• See through the obstacles and not be distracted
• See Your guidance in my life
• Have the strength to resist sinful cravings
• Have the strength to seek You every day
• Help me plan specific next steps toward this change

My Work

Day 19 Thursday January 26

“Lord, please help me see that You have created me with design. Help me see that You have given my life purpose. Help me see that You have created me for good works. Help me discover the vocation You have prepared me for. Help me see the work that You have given me to do today, as a gift. Help me see the work that I can do today as an opportunity to Thank You. Help me to do my best and give my all, for Your glory. Lord, please help me see that my time, energy, and money as resources that You have given me to be a steward of. They are not my own. They are Yours and that You have given them to me as a personal loan. Help me see that one day I will stand before You and give account for what I’ve done with my time, energy, and money. Today Oh Lord, I thank you by how I use these resources. May my work and money honor you oh God”

• Search me Oh God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24
• I will use my hands for god hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Ephesians 4:28
• I will treat my supervisors with respect, serving them sincerely as I would serve Jesus, not only when they’re watching. I will do the will of God with all of my heart, working with enthusiasm, as though I am working for Jesus and not for people. I remember that the Lord will reward me. Ephesians 6:5-8
• I will give with generosity at church, as unto the Lord, testing His principles, with a belief that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Malachi 3:10 Hebrews 11:6
• I will give my time, energy, and money with generosity. God will take care of me. Luke 6:38
• I will be hospitable to others without grumbling. I will be a good steward. 1 Peter 4:9-10
• I will serve others with a humble attitude, thankful for Jesus. Philippians 2:5-8

I will let my conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27

My Health

Day 18 Wednesday January 25

“Lord, may my body and health honor You. May that way that I take care of my body show the world that I value what You have given me. Give me to make good decisions. Please help me to be in control of my body at all times. Lord, please search me and help me see where I’m not making the best decisions. Please forgive me for anything that I’m doing with my body that does not reflect my thankfulness for what you’ve given me. Please help me see how You would like me to put my body to good use.”

• By the stripes Jesus took in punishment for my sin, I am healed. 1 Peter 2:24
• I will not be wise in my own eyes; I will fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to my flesh, and strength to my bones. Proverbs 3:7-8
• I will prosper in all things and be in health, just as my soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
• My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me and was given to me by God. My body does not belong to me, for God bought me with a high price (Jesus’ sacrifice). So I must honor God with my body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• I will exercise self-control, I will discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should, and bring it under control. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

“Lord, please help me see what changes I can make today in how I use my body and take care of my health.”

Walk Protected

Day 17 Tuesday January 24

“Lord, please protect us from temptation. Don’t let us yield to it, but rescue us from the evil one. Please clothe us in the benefits of Your Good News, your armor.”

• I will overcome the enemy by the sacrifice of Jesus, by the word of my testimony, and by not loving my life more than You. Revelation 12:11
• I will put on the attributes of Jesus through a personal relationship with Him. Romans 13:14
• I will put on my new spiritual person. Colossians 3:10
• I will be sober and vigilant; because my enemy walks about, seeking to defeat me. I will resist him, steadfast in my faith, knowing that I am not alone. 1 Peter 5:8-9
• I will put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:11
• The Belt of Truth – I will walk in truth.
• The Breastplate of Righteousness – I will guard my heart with all diligence.
• The Shoes of the Gospel – I am ready to walk in peace, to run with the good news.
• The Shield of Faith – I will defend against the enemy and walk where God wants me by seeing what God wants me to, believing in Him and agreeing with Him, and taking action.
• The Helmet of Salvation – I will bring every thought I have into submission to Jesus.
• The Sword of the Spirit – I will speak the inspired and revealed Word of God.
• The Cloak of Zeal Isaiah 59:17 – The Lord will transform my personality to be passionate about my life in Him.
• The Lord’s got my back “Rear Guard” Isaiah 58:8 – I believe that God’s got me covered.

“Lord, today I choose to be more focused on You than anything that may tempt me in this life. You are better. There is nothing in this life as good as You. Lord, today I commit to learn more about You. Lord, today I choose to walk in Your strength. Today I walk in the results, the benefits, of being saved by grace through faith in Jesus my Savior!”