January 2009 Newsletter from our Pastor

“What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

In his book, The Heavenly Man, Brother Yun wrote about his 74-day fast while he was in a Chinese prison. He said, “For day after day, week after week, I didn’t eat or drink a thing. The Lord himself was my sustenance. I know that it’s medically impossible to live more than a few days without any water, but ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’

I never stopped to think that the fast was a miracle, and I never knew it would go on so long. All I knew was that God had told me to rest and to meditate on Jesus. This is what my mind and heart was wholly focused on during the fast. After the first few days I didn’t think about food or water again. Day by day my spirit communed closer with Jesus. My own sinfulness diminished as the presence and light of the Lord was magnified in my spirit.”

Brother Yun fasted because he was led by the Lord to do so. I think that is a good reason. In the Bible, fasting was associated with: sadness (Matthew 9:16-17); prayer (Matthew 17:21); charity (Isaiah 58:3-6); and seeking the Lord’s will (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Have you been led to fast? I encourage you to ask the Lord if he wants you to participate in a time of fasting and praying at the beginning of 2009.

Our church has several special ‘ministry opportunities’ to pray about as the new year begins. On January 4th our adult Sunday School hour will be devoted to prayer. We want to seek our Lord and His leading. Our prayer focus will include intercession for:

Matthew 6:16-18 reads, “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

If the Lord leads in your life, use January 4th as a target date for fasting. It could serve as the culmination of a week of fasting. Or it could be the start date for you. (Think about the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:16. He did not say if, but, ‘…when you fast…’)

I trust that these important ‘ministry opportunities’ will be greatly affected by your faithful prayers.

Pastor Lerud