Letter from the Bishop

Transcription

1 Letter from the Bishop E HEALER H C T RCH HU CHR IS T Child of God, XXIV I Petri II Welcome to the Year of Kingdom Focus! This year promises to be a year of Kingdom mobilization and movement. It is with sincere humility that I lead our congregation and ministry partners on our ANNUAL 21-Day Fast. Because there are many misconceptions regarding fasting, it is necessary that I define this all-important discipline. Fasting is a voluntary abstinence or restriction of food and/or activities for a specified period of time to devote ourselves to prayer and Bible study. It is a means of seeking God by denying the physical in order to focus on the spiritual. By definition, fasting is much more than abstaining from food. I often tell people that, fasting without praying and seeking God s Face simply means that we ve just skipped a meal! Despite what many have taught, our primary purpose for fasting is not to get something from God; it is to draw closer to Him. James 4:8 reads, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Therefore, our fast will contain various spiritual components that will compel us to grow closer to The Lord. There will be a weekly focus where we ll emphasize a particular area of prayer and /or spiritual enrichment. Our designated prayer times will be 6 a.m., 6 p.m., and 9 pm daily via conference call; 12 NOON via conference call on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Additionally, there will be corporate prayer at the church each Thursday, at 12 NOON, and each Saturday, 4am-6am, as outlined on the Fast Calendar. We will read through the book of Matthew by reading one chapter each day. The fast will begin on Thursday, January 11th and will end after our mid-week experience on Wednesday, January 31st. Our fast will be a Daniel Fast, which will become more stringent as the fast progresses. Every few days we ll take away a member of the food group until we re down to juices on the last day. We believe that our obedience to this schedule will result in ultimate purpose experiencing more of God s glory which will result in healing, deliverance, and breakthroughs in the lives of God s people! In closing, thanks for going on this three-week journey with me I m confident that you ll be glad you did. Christ the Healer s Annual 21-Day Fast Fasting Guide Bishop Calvin B. Lockett Sincerely, Calvin B. Lockett Senior Pastor Christ the Healer Church

2 Christ the Healer Church Fast Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturd ay Scriptural : The Purpose of Fasting Joel 1:14 (KJV) Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, January Corporate Prayer CTH Corporate Prayer CTH Corporate Prayer CTH Corporate Prayer (Wailing Women) Corporate Prayer (CTH Men) Corporate Prayer (Intercesso rs) 4am- Joel 2:12 (KJV) Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Joel 2:15 (KJV) Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 2 Chronicles 7:13 (KJV) If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Conference Call Prayer 6:00 am, 6:00pm, & 9:00 pm Conference Call 12:00 Noon Tuesday and Wednesday (Thursday s 12 Noon Prayer will be held at CTH) Dial in # (712) Access Code #

3 Questions about Fasting What kind of fast will we observe? We will observe a partial fast commonly known as a Daniel Fast based upon the fast that Daniel observed in Daniel 1. What is the fasting schedule? The fast will begin on Thursday, January 11 th and will go through our midweek experience on Wednesday, January 31 st. Because of the ease of which the fast will progress, we will fast for the entire 24-hour period each day. Who should or should not fast? All believers who are physically able (and medically cleared) to fast should do so periodically to bring their bodies into submission to the spirit of Christ. Anyone with physical or medical conditions that could be aggravated by fasting should consult their physician before participating in a fast. If you are medically unable to fast or abstain from the prescribed food/beverage, then find something else you enjoy doing and choose to fast from that television, social networking sites, etc. *Youth may choose to participate in a limited fast under supervision of parents or guardian. The limited fast includes selecting 1-3 days a week to participate in the prescribed Daniel fast and/or eliminating activities they enjoy during the specified time, such as social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), video games, television, cell phone usage (texting, phone conversations, etc.). During these times youth should seek God in prayer, listen to worship songs, join youth prayer groups, etc. *Youth under the age of 12 are not encouraged to participate. What if I have never fasted? God is pleased at our desire to want to connect with Him. We encourage you to step out on faith and if necessary, gradually build up to the specified time. Each week do at least 1-3 days of fasting by skipping a meal. Do not become discouraged if you feel tempted to eat outside the prescribed Daniel fast parameters; God will give you the strength to overcome your temptation. Ask the Lord to identify someone that can hold you accountable and encourage you during this journey. What do we do while we fast? While you are fasting, you are encouraged to spend focused time in reading the Word, praying, and listening to The Voice of God. Prayer and listening to God is just as important as abstaining from food. We encourage you to journal what you hear God speaking. While at work or doing your daily chores, utilize break times as times to focus and mediate on God. Throughout the fast, use this time for focused meditation on God s direction for you, your family and our church. What should I expect? A natural response to fasting and prayer is an increase in hunger. As a result, you may experience hunger pangs, headaches, bad breath, and strong odor from your body as you are eliminating toxins from your body. For this reason, please consider personal hygiene and take extra care of your body. It is perfectly normal that you experience these things therefore, breath mints are acceptable. What is the purpose of fasting? Because fasting and prayer is aimed at breaking the bonds of evil on a person s life, a loved one s life, or on a body of believers, including a family, church, or ministry, expect distractions from the enemy. The Bible tells us to, be alert and vigilant for your adversary the devil is seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) When fasting and praying, it is vital to be alert to the tricks & assaults of the enemy. This keeps you from reacting to the adversary instead of responding the way God desires. What are the benefits of fasting? Fasting... Þ helps to develop humility. Þ intensifies the power of prayer. Þ improves our worship of God. Þ removes doubt and unbelief. Þ make our witness bolder and stronger. Þ gives us mastery over the flesh. Þ helps us to break sinful habits. Þ enlarges our spiritual capacities. Þ rids the body of poisonous toxins. Þ helps us to develop patience Þ aids us in the prevention of disease Þ brings revival to our churches

4 Journaling: Charting Out the Journey A Christian journal helps you preserve the thoughts, prayers and promises of God that come to you throughout the day. It can be as significant as your spiritual companion or your annual reminder of how God s promises have come to pass in your life. Whatever the reason, journaling is an important part of our Christian life. Many times we need to reflect on our circumstances to gain a clearer understanding of God's Will for us. Writing something down brings clarity to those thoughts. The wonderful thing about keeping a Christian journal is that you can write about anything that touches you while reading the s, fasting, and praying. That is exactly what you are asked to do during this fast and there are pages in this booklet set aside to start you on your journey of journaling for the year My 2018 Goals are Spiritual Personal In the space provided, respond to the following prompts: Bad habits I need to break Professional/Educational/Leadership Good habits I need to begin

5 The 21-Day Fast As we journey through this time of fasting and prayer, follow these day-by-day instructions. Day 1 January 11 th, 2018 Repentance 2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Day 2 January 12 th, 2018 Prioritize God before anything and everything else Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 1 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Eliminate all PORK from your diet. Walk/Run 1 mile Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 2 Eliminate all PORK from your diet. Walk/Run 1 mile

6 Day 3 January 13 th, 2018 Day 4 January 14 th, 2018 Walking in Unconditional Love Deliverance from Sexual Sins Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body. Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 3 Eliminate all BEEF and pork from your diet. Walk/Run 1 mile Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 4 Eliminate all BEEF and pork from your diet. Walk/Run 1 mile

7 Day 5 January 15 th, 2018 Marriages and Families Day 6 January 16 th, 2018 Deliverance from Sins of the Tongue Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Psalm 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 5 Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 6 Eliminate all BEEF and pork from your diet. Walk/Run 1 mile Eliminate all SWEETS beef, and pork from your diet. Walk/Run 1 mile

8 Day 7 January 17 th, 2018 Obedience Day 8 January 18 th, 2018 Our Government and Its Leadership Leviticus 18:4 (ESV) You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God. Romans 13:1 (ESV) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Isaiah 1: 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 7 Eliminate all SWEETS, beef, and pork from your diet. Walk/Run 1 mile Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 8 Eliminate all SWEETS, beef, and pork from your diet.

9 Day 9 January 19 th, 2018 Day 10 January 20 th, 2018 Salvation of the Lost Perseverance John 3:16 (ESV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 9 Eliminate all SEAFOOD (except fish), sweets, beef, and pork from your diet. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 10 Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Eliminate all SEAFOOD (except fish), sweets, beef, and pork from your diet.

10 Day 11 January 21 st, 2018 Financial Breakthrough Day 12 January 22 nd, 2018 Discernment Matthew 17:27 (CEV) But we don't want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to pay your taxes and mine." Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 1 Kings 3:9 (ESV) Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people? John 2:24 (CEV) But Jesus knew what was in their hearts, and he would not let them have power over him. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 11 Eliminate all SEAFOOD (INCLUDING fish), sweets, beef, and pork from your diet. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 12 Diet Restrictions Eliminate all SEAFOOD (INCLUDING fish), sweets, beef, and pork from your diet.

11 Day 13 January 23 rd, 2018 Day 14 January 24 th, 2018 Unity in the Body Prosperity in the lives of God s People Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 13 Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. Eliminate all CHICKEN, seafood, fish, sweets, beef, and pork from your diet. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (PLEASE READ) Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 14 Psalms 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Eliminate all CHICKEN, seafood, fish, sweets, beef, and pork from your diet.

12 Day 15 January 25 th, 2018 Day 16 January 26 th, 2018 Wisdom Productivity and Fruitfulness Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. John 15:8 (ESV) By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. Colossians 1:10 (ESV) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 15 Eliminate all TURKEY, fish, seafood, chicken, sweets, beef, and pork from your diet. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 16 Eliminate all TURKEY, fish, seafood, chicken, sweets, beef, and pork from your diet.

13 Day 17 January 27 th, 2018 Day 18 January 28 th, 2018 Worry-free Lives Healing Matthew 6:25 (CEV) I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 17 Philippians 4:6 (CEV) Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Eliminate all BREADS, turkey, fish, seafood, chicken, sweets, beef, and pork from your diet. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 18 Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. Eliminate all BREADS, turkey, fish, seafood, chicken, sweets, beef, and pork from your diet. Walk/Run 2 miles

14 Day 19 January 29 th, 2018 Deliverance Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one Psalms 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Day 20 January 30 th, 2018 Miracle-Working Power to come back to the church Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 19 Your diet should consist of FRUITS, VEGETABLES, JUICES, and WATER ONLY. Note: Fruit/Veggie Smoothies are acceptable Walk/Run 2 miles Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 20 Your diet should consist of FRUITS, VEGETABLES, JUICES, and WATER ONLY. Note: Fruit/Veggie Smoothies are acceptable Walk/Run 2 miles

15 Day 21 January 31 st, 2018 Manifestation of God s Power in our every-day lives Acts 5:14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. Acts 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Journaling: Remembering the Journey Now that you have completed the fast, reflect on your trials and triumphs as well as the journey as a whole. What have you gained and what were you able to release during this time of consecration and prayer? Reading Plan Matthew Chapter 21 Your diet should consist of FRUITS, VEGETABLES, JUICES, and WATER ONLY. Note: Fruit/Veggie Smoothies are acceptable Walk/Run 2 miles

16 RCH HU CHR IS T E HEALER H C T XXIV I Petri II