Our Children Our Faith Our Future

Transcription

1 Our Children Our Faith Our Future Greetings family! FOOD TIPS FEEL LIKE HEAVEN IN 2019 Pamela Atkins, MD and Floyd Atkins, DPM As many of you know St. John s will be embarking upon a huge undertaking by setting our sights on opening a boarding school for homeless young men in the Houston area. We believe God is leading us to take care of and educate this forgotten group. In kicking off the New Year, our 2019 St. John s Fasting Journal focus is: Our Children Our Faith Our Future. As we set our minds and hearts on the work we plan to do, we also want you to practice building your faith in preparation for your future. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for each and every one of us; however, it goes on to say that the plans are revealed if you seek him. In this New Year, be encouraged to seek the word of God more. Allow this journal to help you kick off a year of bible study, reflection, and devotion. During your time with your journal, be encouraged to also participate in the deep breathing exercises. Studies have revealed many health benefits to deep breathing, but it also a wonderful way to help clear your mind of unwanted thoughts so you are more receptive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Our Fasting Journal is filled with Scriptures that were hand selected to jump-start your faith and provide clarity for your cause. Read them, study them, pray over them, and share them. Then, allow the Spirit to fuel your faith to prepare you for the abundant future the Lord has already planned. Our special thanks to Drs. Pamela & Floyd Atkins, Pastor Tiffany Chandler, and long-time member Ashley B. Patton for their contributions. Anything worth doing is usually done in community. As we journey together over the next 30 days know that We love you and there s nothing you can do about it! Ashley B. Patton & Pastors Rudy & Juanita Rasmus Center for Wellness and Healing 3730 Kirby Dr. Suite 1200 Houston, TX

2 Our Children Our Faith Our Future LET'S US PRAY FOR ALL CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD, FOR OUR RENEWED FAITH, AND FOR A BLESSED FUTURE Most Gracious Lord, You gave me life. You are the source of all life. And you have given me children to take care of your life, whether they be my own or in my midst. Children are a source of our joy, hope and our future. Yet, I confess that I have not lived up to my calling in this world. Children around the world are dying of hunger, of disease and of violence. Innocent lives are abandoned and abused. Often times, I feel helpless and powerless in the face of such despair and brokenness. Have mercy on me! Forgive me of my greed and complacency. Grant me the courage to trust you and to lead the world to your guidance. Help me to see and to know that children are our future and our purpose for being. We live for your children, as we are your children. Thank you for the promise of your abiding presence in my live. I commit my life unto you. Use me as an instrument of your love and your peace for all the children of the world. Heavenly Father, I also pray for the children nearest to me. May you cover them with your protection, leading them to you during times of conflict or uncertainty. Help me to set a good example in and out of their presence. Lord, you are the author and finisher of my faith. I trust you with my entire heart at times and other times I find my faith dwindling. I find it hard to muster that mustard seed of faith. Jesus Christ, today I pray for renewal of my faith. Even though my future may seem uncertain, I will look to you, I will keep my eyes turned to you. My spirit would be at rest knowing you are in control of my life. Take control of not only my life God, but also my mind and renew my strength. Let me run and not be weary, let me walk and not faint. Help me Lord, and all the children of the world, to always know you are in control and your grace is sufficient for me. I pray all this, in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus, AMEN!!

3 Our Children Our Faith Our Future FASTING COVENANT I commit with God s help, to go on this spiritual journey of allowing God to make me a disciple the next 31 days I will: Fast: I will fast from (or fast by not): 1. Study the daily scripture (Assigned in this journal) 2. Invest time in daily silent reflection 3. Pray daily (without ceasing especially when you feel hungry, use this to trigger a conversation with God throughout your day) 4. Daily identify anyone, myself included that I need to pray forgiveness for Your Name Accountability Partner I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 SAMPLE DAY Scripture: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as thy spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 1:42 47 Reading: Devotion is the time we intentional give to God and his way for our lives. : Lord help me live today devoted to loving like you do. (Take a moment and be quiet before God, How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture and or reading)? I think God wants me to listen and give God more time. difficulties or frustrations have you encountered today? I got so angry with Angela today she made a decision for me without consulting me. Before I knew it my whole mood had changed. But today I got a great card in the mail from a friend I hadn t seen in a long time. After you have remembered your day, turn the not so good and the good into an evening prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude. (See this sample page if you God when I got quiet you showed me that I was angry with Salie because I wasn t in control. Thank you for reminding me that I am the only person I can control. Thanks also for Mary sending me a card. Amen.

4 Our Children January 1, 2019 HAPPY NEW YEAR! Theme: God s Blessing on His Children Scripture Reading: Numbers 6:24-26 Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Most High God, Continue to bless and keep your little ones throughout the world. Shine your face upon each and every boy and girl, granting them peace in the midst of chaos. Give them opportunities to know who you are and how much you love them. In Jesus Name, Amen. Take a moment and be quiet before God, What What joys and delights? Now, turn the not so good and the good into an evening prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude (see the sample page if you January 2, 2019 Theme: Bring Your Children to God Scripture Reading: Mark 10:13-16 Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Lord, call your children, both young and old, closer to you. Allow them to experience your love, grace, and mercy over and over again throughout their lives. Make them to know you so that they may be blessed and have everlasting life, just as you promised each of us. In Jesus Name, Amen. Find a quiet space to take a moment and be quiet before God, Inhale a deep breath through your nose; filling up your lungs and diaphragm with oxygen. Exhale through your mouth. Repeat 4-6 times, focusing your mind on your breathing in order to completely clear your mind

5 and focus on the moment. Then sit still and listen with an empty mind. Continue breathing. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? May you walk after him, and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice. May you serve him and hold fast to him. Precious Lord, bury yourself deep into the hearts of your children. Make the sound of your voice familiar to them so they may follow your word. I pray for your children to be steadfast followers of Christ forever. In Jesus Name, Amen. Begin your breathing routine from Day 2. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? January 3, 2019 Theme: Order the Steps of Your Children Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 13:4 Take a moment and be quiet before God, What What joys and delights?

6 January 4, 2019 Theme: Favor from fear of the Lord Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. After you have remembered your day turn the not so good and the good into an evening prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude (see the sample page if you need help with this) My Savior, let your children leave vengeance and judgment to you. Let them not walk with the wicked, but with the righteous. Grant them a heart for good. In Jesus Name, Amen. Find a quiet space to take a moment and be quiet before God. Inhale a deep breath through your nose; filling up your lungs and diaphragm with oxygen. Exhale through your mouth. Repeat 4-6 times, focusing your mind on your breathing in order to completely clear your mind and focus on the moment. Then sit still and listen with an empty mind. Continue breathing. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? January 5, 2019 Theme: Grant them peaceful sleep Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. My Lord, lay each child down to sleep. I pray for their souls you will keep. If they should die before they wake, I pray, dear Lord, their soul you will take. In Jesus Name, Amen.

7 Continue your breathing routine from Day 2. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? Take a moment and be quiet before God, What What joys and delights? The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. Heavenly Father, grant each parent, caregiver, and influencer of your children the ability to walk along the right path as to guide and teach the young children who walk behind them. May your children be praised for doing what is right, even when no one is watching. In Jesus Name, Amen. Continue your breathing routine from Day 2. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? January 6, 2019 Theme: Praying for the righteousness of children Scripture Reading: Proverbs 20:7 Take a moment and be quiet before God, What What joys and delights? thanksgiving and gratitude (see the sample page if you

8 January 7, 2019 Theme: Granting Authority Scripture Reading: Luke 10:19 Jesus said: Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Gracious Lord, make your children to walk in their given authority. May they understand and live each day, asserting the authority you have given them as your children. Breathing routine. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? January 8, 2019 Theme: Living life because of Christ Scripture Reading: Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Father God in Heaven, may you renew the minds of your children. Remove what is evil and replace it with what is good in your sight. Do you not allow your children to be moved by the wickedness of this world, but strong in goodness. In Jesus holy name, Amen.

9 Breathing routine. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? January 9, 2019 Theme: Jesus is our Model Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Christ our Lord, plant the feet of your children firm into the ground when they face adversity. Allow them to recall your words to use as armor as they fight against any enemy. In your name, Amen. Breathing routine. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead?

10 January 10, 2019 Theme: Set them on their way Scripture Reading: Proverbs 22:6 Start children off in they way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not depart from it. Most powerful Father, put your word along the paths of all your children, regardless of proper parental figures. Embed your word in the depths of their hearts so when they become adults, they will walk in your truth. In Jesus Name, Amen. Breathing routine. How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture, prayer, or the day ahead? Our Faith January 11, 2019 Theme: God delivers Scripture of the Day: Psalms 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

11 My Father, Thank you for helping me to make it through difficult and joyous times. Thank you for carrying my family and through the uncertainty of deep waters, through the flames of trials, and through the pain of hard losses. Thank you for also carrying my family through times of rejoicing and abundance. We are constantly aware of how much we need you, your grace, your strength, your power working through even the toughest days. In your name I pray, Amen. January 12, 2019 Theme: Remembering His Grace Scripture of the Day: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. My God, you said you were full of grace; so much grace that it is enough for me to make it through ANY circumstance or weakness that may come over me. Lord, help me to bury that grace deep in my heart so that I may never forget it. Continue to show your strength where I have none. In Jesus Name, Amen.

12 participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Dear Lord, thank you for the plans you have for my life. Thank you for already laying the path before me. May you fill me with faith so I may not waiver or grumble while I wait for your plans to reveal. In Jesus Name, Amen. January 13, 2019 Theme: Faith in your timing Scripture of the Day: 1 Peter 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you

13 January 14, 2019 Theme: Do not be blinded by your troubles Scripture of the Day: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. My provider, my guide, my rock, my eternal Father, thank you. Your word reveals to me that, no matter what momentary troubles I face here on Earth, I will experience your eternal glory forever one day. Thank you for giving me something to look forward too. My faith is strong and unwavering. In Jesus Name, Amen. January 15, 2019 Theme: Unwavering Faith Scripture of the Day: 1 Peter 5:7-10 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the

14 God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. My Lord and Savior, your death was not in vain. Thank you for giving up your life for me so I can be saved from the sin that plagues this world. Remain near me, allowing the Holy Spirit to softly guide me in the opposite direction of evil. Keep my faith strong so I may not fall prey to worldly circumstances. Thank you for staying near. In Jesus Name, Amen. January 16, 2019 Theme: Believe and Receive Scripture of the Day: Mark 10:52 & Mark 11:24 Go, said Jesus, your faith has healed you. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Most giving God, thank you for the gift of prayer. Thank you for the very right to pray to you. Your word says all I have to do is ask and have faith, and it will be mine. Lord, I am asking. I have faith larger than a mustard seed. In Jesus Name, Amen.

15 Amen. January 17, 2019 Theme: Believe with all your heart Scripture of the Day: Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Heavenly Father with whom all things are possible, today I profess my faith in you with a heart full of belief. I put my entire trust in your plan for my life and the lives around me. I believe I will be saved. In Jesus Name, January 18, 2019

16 Theme: Check your faith Scripture of the Day: Matthew 17:20 He replied, Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Lord, there are times when my faith is so low. Some tasks seem to be too hard for me or out of my reach. Yet, your word tells me to just have a small amount of faith and I can do whatever I choose. Forgive me for times of wavering faith. Every day is a chance to do better. In Jesus Name, Amen. January 19, 2019 Theme: Professing my faith in Christ Scripture of the Day: Romans 10:17 The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God Jesus is my Master embracing, body and soul, God s work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That s it. You re not doing anything; you re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That s salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: God has set everything right between him and me!

17 Most Wonderful God above all gods! Thank you for your word! I use my tongue to proclaim my faith in you and I use my heart to believe that Jesus was sent to Earth to save me from my sins. I embrace you setting things right in my life so that I may live eternally with you. In Jesus Name, Amen. Theme: Believing in what we don t see Scripture of the Day: Hebrews 11:1-3 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It s our handle on what we can t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God s word, what we see created by what we don t see. Merciful God, I ask for mercy and grace as I live in a world where everything has proof. Through social media, television media, and all cell phone apps we are able to witness deception and lies meant to convince us of truth. But through your word, I know that you are the only truth. Even though I cannot see you, I feel you in my heart. Earth is the very evidence of your existence. Your word reminds me daily and keeps my faith strong in your promises. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen. (Take a moment and be quiet before God, How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture and or reading)? Our Future January 20, 2019

18 January 21, 2019 Theme: Seek God to receive his blessing Scripture of the Day: James 1:22-27 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. 12 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. God s Decree. I ll turn things around for you. I ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you God s Decree bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it. Father God in Heaven, thank you for being my protector and the author of my life. You already have it all mapped out for me to live out my future as you have planned and put it on my heart to desire. Lord, you also said that I must come to you, search for you, ao that I am able to live out those wonderful plans. Lord, here I am. In Jesus Name, amen. (Take a moment and be quiet before God, How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture and or reading)?

19 27-31Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, God has lost track of me. He doesn t care what happens to me? Don t you know anything? Haven t you been listening? God doesn t come and go. God lasts. He s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn t get tired out, doesn t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don t get tired, Gracious and giving God, there are times when I feel you have left me alone. Obstacles come in my way that seem too hard to overcome. But your word says that you will energize me and gives me wings like eagles. I pray for my future that I may soar over all of my troubles and land peacefully into my destiny. In Jesus Name, Amen. January 22, 2019 Theme: My future will soar Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 40:27-31 Morning Reflection

20 19When the disciples had Jesus off to themselves, they asked, Why couldn t we throw it out? 20 Because you re not yet taking God seriously, said Jesus. The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, Move! and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn t be able to tackle. Most powerful God, though you have made it clear I have the power to move mountains with just a small amount of faith, I often doubt those abilities. Please be a constant reminder of the power you embedded in me. In Jesus name, Amen. January 23, 2019 Theme: Small faith moves mountains Scripture of the Day: Matthew 17:19-20

21 January 24, 2019 Theme: All Glory to God for what he has done for us Scripture of the Day: Ephesians 2: Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It s God s gift from start to finish! We don t play the major role. If we did, we d probably go around bragging that we d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. (Take a moment and be quiet before God, How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture and or reading)? January 25, 2019 Theme: The Power that conquers Scripture of the Day: 1 John 5:4-5

22 4-5Every God-begotten people conquer the world s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. Dear God, help me to remember I am a Godbegotten person. I have the power to bring the world to its knees. Help me to never forget. In Jesus name, Amen. difficulties or frustrations have you encountered today? thanksgiving and gratitude (see the sample page if you January 26, 2019 Theme: He is my protection Scripture of the Day: Psalms 46: God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us. God, my protector, thank you for keeping watch over me. No matter what trouble or circumstance confronts me, I know I can stand tall in its midst because you will protect me. That doesn t mean I will never get hurt, but you will

23 keep a safe place for my soul. Thank you. In Jesus Name, Amen. January 27, 2019 Theme: Finding the courage Scripture of the Day: Deuteronomy 31:6 6 Be strong. Take courage. Don t be intimidated. Don t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He s right there with you. He won t let you down; he won t leave you. Most high God, you gave these words to Moses to give to Joshua, but today they are for me. Help me to be strong and courageous daily. Thank you for walking before me, creating a path and never leaving my side. In Jesus Name, Amen. (Take a moment and be quiet before God, How is God speaking to you, stirring your heart about today s scripture and or reading)?

24 of your life. 8-9Summing it all up, friends, I d say you ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Lord, if I don t say it enough, thank you! Thank you for being the one to take on my worries. I praise your holy name! In Jesus Name, Amen. January 28, 2019 Theme: Revel in the Lord Scripture of the Day: Philippians 4: Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! 6-7Don t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center

25 Lord, I stand in great anticipation for all the things you are doing for me, with me, to me and through me. May every good thing that is coming my way, happen according to your will. In Jesus Name, Amen. January 29, 2019 Theme: Your birth-day is coming! Scripture of the Day: Romans 8: That s why I don t think there s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it s not only around us; it s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. January 30, 2019 Theme: I m sticking with God Scripture of the Day: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

26 19-21I ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, and the poison I ve swallowed. I remember it all oh, how well I remember the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: 22-24God s loyal love couldn t have run out, his merciful love couldn t have dried up. They re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I m sticking with God (I say it over and over). difficulties or frustrations have you encountered today? After you have remembered your day turn the not so good and the good into an evening prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude (see the sample page if you He s all I ve got left. Father, no matter what this world comes up with, I m choosing to stay on your team. I m choosing to take all the trouble in your name because you ve told me that you have a plan to set all my paths straight. Thank you. In Jesus Name, Amen. Don t forget to breathe God has everything under control.