JACKSON MEMORIAL CONSECRATION FAST 2014! Reverend Dr. Gregory A. Sutton, Senior Pastor Corporate Consecration January 19, 2014 through January 25, 2014 Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the Lord your God, And cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14 As a spiritual family, we humble ourselves corporately to God our Father in fasting and prayer. The purpose of spiritual fasting is to consecrate (set aside) a specific period of time to draw closer to God and hear from Him. As we come into agreement and believe that He will move mightily in our lives. I am standing in faith with you for a successful fast, believing that God will do great and amazing things in every area of our church, our personal lives, finances and families. Below are some Basic Instructions to help you during your fasting week. Be encouraged and stand firm in faith believing God for whatsoever you stand in need. ______________________________________________________________________ Before You Begin The Fast (Pray to Consecrate Yourself Totally to God Pray/Repent. You cannot expect God to answer your prayers if there is any sin or unforgiviness in your life. Our primary focus is to ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness for our sins of rebellion, unfaithfulness and disobedience to His WORD, and to prepare our hearts to return to Him and receive the manifold blessings that He desires to give us. Confess your sin(s). Pray and ask God’s mercy and forgiveness for all sins (known, unknown, confessed, unconfessed, sins of omission, sins of commission), unfaithfulness and disobedience to Him and His Word. Then, offer forgiveness to others if you have not done so. Forgive those who have hurt or anger you. Humble yourself and ask for forgiveness from anyone you have hurt. You do not want to enter into a fast holding grudges, carrying envy, pride, anger or hurt. The enemy will try to use those things to distract you. Ask God to help you to prepare this week so that you can consecrate with other believers as we dedicate ourselves to Him. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you. Ask Him to help and strengthen you so that you do not to break this fast. Surrender your life and thank Him for all He has done for you. Praise Him and give Him Glory for who He is and for what He is going to do! Read: 1 John 1:9-10; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Luke 13:3; Psalm 51; James 5:16; Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:31-32 Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3-4; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 18:21-22; Isaiah 42:25. Physically, and Spiritually Conditioning: Fasting and prayer bring surrender of body, soul, and spirit to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Fasting reduces the power of self so that the Holy Spirit can do a more intense work within us. By humbling our souls, fasting releases the Holy Spirit to do His special work of revival in us. Oftentimes, we allow negative thoughts and emotions hold us in bondage. In order to live Gods abundant life, we must “put off” our old way of thinking, so we can see things as God does! Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Philippians 2:5; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:7;; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:4-8; Ephesians 4:20-24; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Jeremiah 17:10. Reduce your food intake. Gradually start cutting out a few things so that your body won’t be suffering from major cravings along with hunger pangs such as caffeine, coffee, tea, sugar, sweets, breads, meat and other addictive food and beverages. By reducing the amount that you eat, you are preparing both your body and your mind for the fast. **Drink lots of water when preparing to fast to begin the cleansing process. Avoid tap water and drink purified water or distilled water instead. **Water flushes the toxins from your system, which helps you get off to a good start. Fasting Instructions: A Partial Fast is what you are asked to commit to. Partial Fast is a spiritual experience to help develop a more intimate relationship with the Lord, seek answers to prayer, and grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus. A Partial Fast usually involves abstaining from certain foods and drinks for a period of time. During the fasting period, eat fruit and vegetables only. Liquid Intake for the Fast: Natural fruit juice (apple mixed with distilled water), and just distilled water alone. **Throughout the fast, please make sure that you drink PLENTY of water. However, if you are unable to go without eating for any reason, you can still participate with us. Please choose something to give up as part of your fast. This can include not watching TV, not reading the newspaper, or talking on the phone, etc. for few hours of each day. As always consider your physical condition. If you are taking medication, please CONSULT with your physician before fasting. During the Fasting: Start your fast with prayer and reading the Bible. Focus on the reason (s) you are fasting instead of the temporal feelings of hunger. Close your fast with another prayer to the Father. Seek the Lord. The Word of God says you will find Him when you seek Him with your heart, all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33. Commit to prayer and reading the Bible. Spending time in prayer, reading the Bible and meditation during your fast is important. Take time throughout your day and spend time praying for what you believing God for, praising Him for the answer and mediating on His Word. Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day, pray without ceasing. Isaiah 55:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17; Philippians 4:8; Joshua 1:8; John 8:31; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:12. Pray for God’s continue anointing upon the Under-Shepherd, our Pastor, Reverend Dr. Gregory A. Sutton and his continued obedience to the will of God. Pray for his wife, and family. Luke 4:18; 1Timothy 5:17; Hebrews, 13:17; 1 Peter 4:11. Pray fervently for God to open the eyes and cultivate the heart of all Jackson Memorial Leaders and Ministries to become yielded vessels and true servants of Christ. 2 Timothy 2:21; Romans 6:23. Pray for God to touch the hearts of the JMBC Church family to give financially so that the church can become debt free in 2014. Pray for 100% Tithers. Malachi 3:10. Pray for Guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 30:21; Psalm 37:23. Pray for Finances & Provision-Deuteronomy 28:12; Philippians 4:19. Pray for this nation, President Obama and all Government officials, to turn back to the True and Living God and be true to our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust.” 1 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 15:6. Pray for God’s Protection. Psalm 91:1-2. Ask Him to cover you, your family and the youth (children/students (Elementary-College) for their total obedience and surrender to Him. Pray for Health/Healing. Pray for supernatural healing and divine health in our bodies. Isaiah 58:7-9, Jeremiah 30:17, Jeremiah 33:6, Matthew 9:35, James 5:16. Pray for Peace. Ask God for Divine peace. Psalm 29:11; Psalm 37:11; Psalm 55:18. Pray for the Church, the Body of Christ. Isaiah 56:7; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-16; Ephesians 1:18-23; Colossians 3:14-16. Pray for the Lost. Ask God to save our loved ones and all unbelievers. Romans 10:1; Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4. 10:4; John 3:16; John 10:27-29. Set aside time for just you and the Lord. The power in fasting has less to do with food than with setting a specific period of time to focus on the Lord. The power of fasting is found when you discipline yourself to spend time with the Lord, reading His word as you focus on Him and not on your circumstances. Read John 15:4-5; Hebrews 10:22-23; James 4:8; Psalm 65 Breaking the Fast Pray. Always, break your fast with prayer. When you end your fast, do not eat a large meal or heavy food. Drink plenty of water. Keep in mind that it will take your body just as many days as you fasted to adjust back to normal eating. Be Expectant. Remain in faith and believe God to answer your prayers. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20; 1 John 5:14-15.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 15:06:54 +0000
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