21 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Prayer & Fasting is a powerful way to begin a new year.  The purpose is to remove distractions and roadblocks that prevent one from seeing and hearing God more clearly.  A season of prayer & fasting at the beginning of the year intentionally says to God, "You're my hope, strength, and salvation.  I'm putting You first place in my life!  I'm surrendering this new year to You."  That worshipful posture with God causes Him to pour over our live's with blessing.

Life Church has taken that worshipful posture with God every January since 2008 and this year is no different.  Sunday, January 6th - 26th will be our annual 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.  Each day during the fast I will be posting a blog that coincides with our daily SOAP Bible reading plan.  You'll be encouraged, directed, and inspired as you fast and pray.

There are many different fasts in scripture.

* During a time of prayer in a singular day. - Acts 13:2-3

* 1 Day for a time of mourning or to repent of sin. -  Judges 20:26, 1 Samuel 7:6

* 3 Days without food or water to seek direction and consecrate oneself to God.  - Esther 4:16

* 7 Days to mourn a loss. - 1 Samuel 31:13

* 10 Days eating vegetables and drinking water. - Daniel 1:12-15

* 21 Days eating vegetables and drinking water praying for breakthrough. - Daniel 10:12-14

* 40 Days (Jesus - Matthew 4:2, Moses - Exodus 34:28, Elijah - 1 Kings 19:8)  

Some fasted for short periods during a single day and others fasted long extended periods.  Some didn't eat or drink, while Daniel ate vegetables determining not to eat meat, drink wine, or eat "pleasant bread".  All in all, the removal of food was always replaced with prayer.  If you only fast for 21 days and don't pray you might lose some weight, but you won't move yourself closer to God.  [I strongly encourage you to consult your physician before doing anything extreme with your diet.]

I'm challenging everyone who considers LC their church to fast something.  Fast a specific meal each day like lunch.  Do the "Daniel Fast" of only fruits and vegetables.  Maybe do an all liquid fast.  Stephanie and I got a juicer this year to take our season a step further.  I also want to encourage you to cut back on other influences like TV, social media, music and movies that can be a distraction.

Finally, have a specific focus to the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.  Daniel was seeking a breakthrough.  Esther needed clear direction and God's confidence.  What are you believing God for?  Salvation for loved ones and friends?  Wisdom?  Direction?  A new career?  Physical, emotional, financial, relational, or spiritual healing?  Whatever it is, be specific as you fast and pray.  I'm believing God does something miraculous, not just during the 21 days, but during all of 2013!

#SOAP The Call for Every Christ Follower

Our first SOAP of 2013 is from Luke 9. We see how Jesus called and empowered His followers to impact the people in the world with not just words but demonstration of the power of God. I believe 2013 is to be a year where God demonstrates His power on the earth through His followers...the church.

Here's my personal SOAP today:
S = "Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:2 NLT)

O = Jesus sent His disciples out to share with everyone about God and His kingdom and to heal those who were sick.

A = I must be about telling as many people as possible about Jesus and how a life with Jesus works. I must also bring healing to those who are sick in their bodies. I must step out in faith and pray for the sick in the Name of Jesus.

P = Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and for making me your son through Jesus. I ask for Your courage, wisdom and boldness to share You and Jesus with the world around me. I ask for Your special anointing (ability and power) to rest upon me as I walk out Your will on the earth.

Pastor Dan Stauffer
Family Life Church
www.njfamilylife.com
973-229-3407

Relief & Healing in Sandy's #Aftermath

The great state of New Jersey has experienced unprecedented impact during the past two weeks.  She has been devastated by hurricane Sandy, but she has also been overtaken by the love, healing and hope of the Gospel.

The church has stood tall and wrapped its arms around the victims.  Family Life Church's building has been open for almost 2 weeks as a warming center for the thousands still without power/heat in our community.  People can come for a hot cup of coffee, water, snacks, phone charging and use of our free wifi.  We are also partnering with several churches in our community to feed over 200 people daily.  

Gas lines have been long and stressful, so we have walked those lines with a smile and a free cup of coffee.  Many waited between 3 to 4 hours to get gas.  

Family Life Church has also partnered with Samaritan's Purse http://www.samaritanspurse.org which has feet on the ground in 4 major areas affected by the hurricane on New Jersey's coast.  Together, we are cleaning out homes that were under water.  It would take families months on their own.  Samaritan's Purse is getting it done in a day!  Truly amazing.

Family Life Church will continue to direct our people and resources to help the victims of Sandy.  If you'd like to help us you can give now on our safe and secure site, here:  Online Giving Please write: "Sandy" in the fax line for designation purposes.  Please email us at info@njfamilylife.com If you'd like to volunteer to help clean up homes.

Our strong prayer of faith has been Acts 4:29-30. "Now, Lord,...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.”

I Win because I'm with Him!

As we near the final chapters of Revelation I'm becoming more and more aware of God's heart. I pray my SOAP from today helps you to see how much God loves you. May your eyes be opened to His victorious win for you.

S = "Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” (Revelation 17:14 NLT)

O = At the end, everything is leading up to the final battle where all who are not of God will be defeated. The beast/Satan and all his deceived ones will gather an army to attack Jesus, and...they will lose! Jesus will reign victoriously because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Those who are surrendered to Jesus will have the honor of being with Him as He defeats the enemy.

A = Just as you can be guilty by association...we receive honor and authority by association. I will stay close to Jesus and on His side. I will let Him fight my battles for me.

P = Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and being gracious and kind to me. I praise You for Your kindness to allow me to share in Your victory. I ask for Your courage and strength to stay close to You and Your Son Jesus to the very end.

Stay Strong & Don't Leave Jesus!

I thought I would share my SOAP for today in hopes it will encourage you as you're SOAPing Revelation.  

S = "This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus." (Revelation 14:12 NLT)

O = The book of Revelation is "revealing" what will happen in the last days. There will be 7 final years of tribulation or torment. Those who had surrendered their lives to Jesus prior to the tribulation have been "raptured" or taken from the earth. Though the church (born again christians) is gone, many will turn to God, believing in Jesus. These new believers will have an extremely difficult time. Their belief in Jesus will result in great persecution and even death. Those who deny Jesus in the tribulation and worship the statue and take the mark of the beast will ultimately spend eternity in hell. Those who maintain their faith in Christ will receive the eternal reward of heaven.

A = I personally resolve that no matter what pressure comes my way I will stand strong in Jesus. I will obey God and His commands. I will patiently endure persecution, temptation and pressure against God's way of life. Jesus is my all in all.

P = Heavenly Father, I love you with every fabric of my being! I ask for your strength and help to live the life You've called me to. I will press into You and the victory You've given me through the resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for saving me and for being my rock and my fortress.

God's Word Never Fails!

Revelation chapter 10 continues the progression building toward the massive outpouring of sin's judgment on the earth.  God is still working to turn the hearts of mankind to Himself to be rescued.  He loves people.  His Word spoken to His servants has always been for the purpose of revealing who He is and to draw people to Himself.

Here's what was in my heart today as I SOAPed.

S = "When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:7 NLT)

O = God will make sure His plan comes to pass. His secrets were never meant to remain secret. He is not like man that He can lie or withhold His promises. He loves His servants. As a result of that love, He shares His secrets with them.  He promises that all He has said will happen.

A = I will maintain my trust in My God. I will rest assured that nothing from His Word will ever fail in my life. He is my Rock, defense, shepherd and King! I will wait on His Word.  I am safe in His arms.

P = Father of all creation. Thank you for loving me. I love Your faithfulness! Thank You that Your Word never fails. I ask for strength and patience to wait on Your Word to come to pass and to not move forward ahead of You and Your plan for my life.

Revelation SOAP

Revelation is not the easiest book to read; especially not the easiest to find something to readily apply to our daily lives. I thought I would help out those who are SOAPing with us by sharing what God is speaking to me today.

Here's my SOAP of (Revelation 9:20 NLT)

S = "But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood--idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk."

O = Though there must be judgement for sin, God is always merciful and good, looking to receive those who will turn from their sin. However, even after witnessing 1/3 of the world's population judged with their sin, they would not repent and turn to God.

A = I will worship God for His mercy and kindness to forgive sin. I will be humble & quickly repent of my sin and maintain a life-giving flow with God.

P = Father, you are so faithful and merciful to forgive and pardon my sin. Thank you for not holding sin against me. Thank you for seeing me as You see Jesus. I worship you, for You are good and Your mercy endures forever!