Breaking the 21 Day Fast - It's Past Sundown!

Wow! Hard to believe that 21 days have past and in just the past hour, it was time to break the fast.

While I was excited to eat the spinach, ricotta stuffed shells that my mom made us all, there was an overwhelming sense that 21 awesome days had come to an end. Will I remember all the incredible lessons that have come during this fast?

I plan to write more about this in the days that come, however tonight here are just a few reflections:

• We have control over what goes into our bodies. We are not powerless over our surroundings and the alluring marketing of food in our culture!
• If I want my passion level to increase for God, giving up food or something else that I enjoy is a small price to pay.
• The Lord of the Harvest is sending forth his workers into the harvest - thank you God! We continue to pray for the 30 families and individuals that are going to sign up to serve in one way or another.
• Salvation in the house! May we never tire of seeing more people give their lives over to Him each week!
• We must be ready to disciple and lead the way! Continue to raise up individuals who are willing to work with those who are new in their faith.
• Fasting is a practice that I look forward to having in every month of my year in 2009!

Jesus, may I become less so that you can become more!

Fasting? What are you learning?

Participating in "Awakening" has been an awesome opportunity for all of us to explore the discipline of fasting in our lives. In Matt 6 Jesus gives instruction for when we give, when we pray and when we fast. As believers we often struggle with giving, we understand that prayer matters but fasting seems foreign and out dated.

Today a friend asked me what God has been saying to me during this fast. There is so much to say. First - I'm so pumped about fasting. This is now our 3rd 21-day fast at the beginning of the new year at Oasis. Each year God reveals himself to me and our church as we forgo food to seek clarity. This year, more than any other year the discipline factor of fasting has not been a struggle. From day one there has been clarity and answers. We've prayed for salvation to be in our house and in the last 3-weeks there have been 18 people give their lives to Christ.

We've prayed that God will send the workers. We press on in this regard and know that we must continue to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send his workers. And - in 2-weeks we've had 26 new families or individuals give us their information. Already many are asking how they can serve!

More than anything this fast has been the "spiritual atomic bomb" that Bill Bright & Stovall Weems speak of when they talk about fasting. I can't say I ever have a day that I don't love God - but my passion level can wane. I can become stressed out and focused on what does not matter. In the past 16 days my passion level had gone WAY up! And I know that I want it to stay up, even move on up!

So, if putting aside food and other distractions on a regular basis - to fast - is going to increase my passion for the Kingdom then I am in! New school fasting- seeking to be in alignment with what God is up to all around us and then joining in! Clarity in what matters! Cleaning out the cob webs! Revving the engine! Let's go for it!

So are you fasting? What are you learning?

Sunday Night Reflections

Wow! Am I pumped up or what? God is awesome and I am in one of those weeks that I can hardly believe I get to be a part of this! So - here are a few random thoughts and reflections of this past week!

• Fasting is soooo worth it! Should I not be willing to forgo the food I love so much to hear from God? Is not his Kingdom worth it? Is my family not worth it? Are unbelievers worth it? On all accounts - yes! Forgo food and be ready to receive!
• Salvation is in house! Three weeks and 18 decisions for Christ at Oasis! It never gets old seeing people make the connection and then get reconnected to the Father! He is calling His children home.
• We need workers! The harvest is plenty but few are those who are there to lead, to disciple to love, to influence to give!
• I think our 10:30 svc today had the most kids we've ever had at one service - 61 in KidSplash today with 10 workers! Wow! What a ride!
• Can you make the 8:30 service? We could definitely accommodate more people in the first service! If you are willing and able - this would allow us to have more room for visitors which are more likely to attend the 10:30 service.
• Can I just say - that wall MUST come down!
• Will you pray with me that Oasis will give consistently of their resources so that we can see that wall come down?
• More people attending but still not meeting our budget per month! God I trust you and pray you will release your provision for your work here in Maricopa. Find us faithful to you!
• Ok - "30-Days to Live" might be the most challenging series we've done yet! It has been messing me up every week and the response has been one we've not seen in some time - if ever!
• We turn 2 years old as a church in just 2 weeks! Hardly seems possible but it is about to come to pass.
• Can't wait for our dream team party on Feb 7th! Love to celebrate everyone who makes this all happen week in and week out!
• Caryl & I cannot do this all ourselves - we love our staff and we love the Dream Team! Thank you for the way you give your lives away!
• Caryl is traveling this week and then hopefully will be home with us for a month or so! Thank you God - we need the mama at home!
• My parents arrive this Wed night and can't wait for Super Bowl next Sunday - Cardinals here and my parents for Steelers! Should be fun. Johnny says he's just rooting for the Super Bowl!
• Yes - we are getting a new dog! A beautiful Mastiff puppy that most likely will also become a part of our family next Sunday! Time to hide the shoes!

There is so much more I could say but it is WAY past the time I should be in bed tonight! Johnny has school in the AM and that means dad has to get up early!

With love - Pastor Scott

Oasis Sunday Night Reflections

It's Sunday night and time to put out a few reflections about the week and today! We serve an awesome God and what an incredible thing that we get to do this in community with one another!

Here goes:

• Week 2 of "30 Days to Live" was more intense than week one. Perhaps one of the most difficult messages I've had to bring but so worth it!
• Did I honestly say out loud today "if you don't give to God, you don't love God"? Again, can't apologize for that because it is the truth. If you are struggling with that, you've got to check your heart because love gives!
• Love gives of our finances, of our time and of our lives!
• God is moving in 2009 - 3 weeks in and we have 13 commitments for Christ already!
• Lord of the harvest - send your workers! We need help to do discipleship, follow up, hospitality, more kids- the harvest is plenty but where are the committed followers who will do the work?
• First service attendance was up today - think it had something to do with Cardinals - Eagles game!
• Can I just shout out! AZ CARDINALS are in the Super Bowl. So excited for our state and for Kurt Warner - the man! Perry Noble says this might be one of the last great prophecies to be fulfilled before Jesus comes back! LOL
• To top it off Steelers won today so this means the when my parents arrive in a few weeks we will have a rivalry in the house for Super Bowl Sunday! Gotta love it! This is like perfect alignment of the stars!
• Awakening 2009 is an awesome privilege and man are we blessed to be a part of this! Awaken our souls oh God, may we see you and your will more perfectly!
• Answered prayer - salvation in the house and protection for my family from illness as Caryl & I cared for very sick parents this week! God is good
• Oasis - looking to know your specific prayers so I can pray for your during this fast! Send them to my email. I encourage you to seek Him as well but it would be my privilege to intercede on your behalf!
• We are just about to turn 2 years old as a church! So looking forward to our celebration dinner for the Dream Team! If you serve or have served in the past year - mark Sat. Feb 7 on your calendar as we celebrate you! We'll meet at 5:30 at the church for catered dinner for adults and a movie night with their own meal, popcorn and more for the kids!
• The Shell across the street from our church is selling drug paraphernalia and some local groups and individuals are working to convince them to stop. Check out local media outlets for stories and details! Most of all pray - we can see this removed from our city! Earlier this week they agreed to stop and then reversed their decision.
• Caryl is traveling the next two weeks! Please pray for her as it is a struggle for her to be away from the family! And we miss her!
• Making a final decision about adding a new puppy to our household! Are we crazy?
• "Pray for Maricopa" is coming this weekend! Don't miss it as we join together with believers of all denominations and backgrounds to pray for our city, our churches, our families, our country, our schools and our future! Imagine what could happen!
• Praying and believing for what is ahead! We're just getting started!

Answered Prayers

God answers prayer! At times not exactly as we had in mind but in due time and in His nature! As we continue Awakening 2009 we want to know your prayer requests, your heartaches and all that you would ask us to intercede for you. I urge you to pray and fast as well and seek the face of God. Make your petitions known to him through prayer, with thanksgiving. He promises peace and the guarding of your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Here is how is answered some prayer this week already:

• Salvation to come to our house - last Sunday (first day of our prayer & fast) we had 8 people give their life to Christ! May we be on our knees daily for those who have not yet come to Jesus.
  
• We prayed with a team on Tuesday night that a local convenience store owner would have a change of heart and remove drug paraphernalia from his merchandise counter. On Wed he made an unexpected stop at his store and M.A.S.H. and a concerned local activist met with him. He has agreed to remove the merchandise within 4 days. More territory taken back!
  
• Caryl & I had nearly 3 days of intense care for her parents on Mon-Wed of this week. They came down with the flu and due to Alzheimer's and lack of mobility we had to clean up lots of bodily fluids (and other things that I'd rather not put in writing). We have been fasting and praying that we would not get this flu so we could continue to care for them and for our flock at Oasis. Now 3 days later we appear to have been spared. Caryl had a mild touch of it and I only lacked energy for a day. Today we are energized and preparing to bring the Word tomorrow! Thank you God for your protection.
  

We look forward to the opportunity to pray with and for you. Please send me your prayer requests at pastorscott@oasislifechurch.org or post them here on my blog if you want them to be public.
Don't forget to send me updates on how God answers your prayer! He may have far more than you could have asked, believed or imagined in store for you!

With love- Pastor Scott

This Was an Eye Opener!

Today I was reading "Fasting" by Jentezen Franklin and this was an eye opener! Wow God, why had I not seen this before? I've been committed and learning about the practice of fasting for a number of years and I had not heard this concept.

The three duties of every Christian are giving, praying and fasting. Matt 6:1-18 gives very strong guidance regarding when we give, when we pray and when we fast. Jentezen says that this creates a threefold cord that is not easily broken. Could we be missing out on great breakthrough and release because we fail to fast?

I know that my actions are not going to make God love me more. But, I sure can tell the difference between being dry and being full. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matt 5:6) Isn't forgoing food or drink for a period of time worth it to have a deeper understanding of the relationship God desires with us? Wouldn't it be worth it to have more of his character revealed?

God, like never before I want my attention to be turned from my stomach, from my desires, from my needs, from my wants, from my concerns - to Your Kingdom! Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven!

So what do you think?

Awakening 2009

Oasis Life Church is joining with over 300 churches - representing over 300,000 believers who will be joining together to fast and pray. Imagine what can happen when we come together to seek the face of God. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" Seek to be in alignment with what God is doing on the earth.

Join us as we pray and fast from Jan 11 to Jan 31. For daily devotion and reading resources, see http://www.awake21.org/ You'll also find insightful blog entries and encouragement from other believers joining together in Awakening.

Oasis Sunday Night Reflections

8 Decision for Christ today as we kicked off our first series of the year: "30 Days to Live" . If you knew your time on earth was limited, how would this change your life? It's not about completing the "bucket list" but rather having a filter to select what is important in life. While Craig Groeschel first penned this series, it has been rocking my thinking. I pray that as we look into God's Word regarding this subject - your life will be changed as well.










Here are some thoughts from today:

• We kicked off our 21 day prayer & fasting and we are partnering with http://www.awake21.org/


• First service attendance was really down - not sure what to make of that!


• Second service was well attended but we could have been at overflow if there were not football playoff games and the flu going around!


• "30 Days to Live" is going to be an awesome series that will challenge us all to evaluate how we make decisions in our life. What is your filter?


• 8 people made a decision to give their life to Jesus today! Man - this is why we are here and this never gets old!


• Our Dream Team rocks!


• Nearly 50 members of our dream team stayed for a meeting and training today.


• Many members of our team ate raw vegetables without Ranch dressing today for the first time.


• You can eat really healthy and be satisfied on the Daniel fast!


• Our new KidSplash rooms look incredible - thank you to everyone who helped to paint and re-arrange them over the Christmas break.


• Trying to give up coffee/caffeine during this fast- had less today but not sure how I will do in the days ahead. My wife and friends usually beg me not to stop drinking coffee- they say I'm grumpy when I don't?


• I like the thought that Stovall Weems posted last week that coffee is a bean juice and should be legal on a fast!


• Fasting is no about twisting the arm of God but rather about coming into alignment.


• Take fasting serious but don't be so legalistic that you miss the point - it's about seeking after God in a way that allows for spiritual & physical purification. For spiritual purification, we must replace time eating, watching TV, listening to the radio, etc with time in God's presence and in His Word. For physical purification, it will take the elimination of many foods.


• Just take the next step - if you've never fasted, try it for a day or two. If you've never fasted food - try it. Perhaps you need to fast technology.


• On that point - I'm fasting Facebook and Twitter for the 21 days of this fast - this may be harder than giving up any food!


• Coming out of the fast, I am going to be working on some additional lifestyle issues so that I can successfully drop the 40 pounds that need to be gone from this body in 2009!


• Been thinking about the few comments that I've been hearing that we don't offer enough programs - must stay true to the vision that God has given and often know more when to say "no" than to say "yes".


• God is good - no matter the set backs.


• God is good- even when it seems that he is not.


• God is good - his mercy endures forever!