Why Fast? Prepare for the Fast. Practical Tips

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2 Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Joel 1:14 Why Fast? As we begin the second half of 2015, let us take time to thank God for His faithfulness and seek Him in prayer. Fasting is a time to humble ourselves before God, listen to His voice, and realign ourselves to His will. As we consecrate ourselves as a church, we can expect God to move mightily in our midst. Let s continue to believe God for breakthrough and that we will honor Him in everything we do this year. Prepare for the Fast Maintain a thankful heart throughout the fast. Be prepared and open to receive direction from God. Prayerfully and thoughtfully fill out the prayer points page. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Practical Tips Commit to a type of fast. Do not decide on a day-to-day basis. Commit before the fast and be determined. Gradually prepare your body for the fast. Start eating smaller portions and meals before you begin your fast. Avoid food that is high in sugar and fat. Two days prior to the fast, eat raw fruit and vegetables only. Consult a physician if you need to.

3 Answered Prayers WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? Which of your prayers has God already answered in 2015? What are your 2015 highlights so far?

4 DAY1 Honor God in our Work 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. READ Proverbs 12:24 Proverbs 13:4 1 Corinthians 10:31 Ephesians 6:5-9 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 Colossians 3:23,24 We can honor God in our work when we serve diligently and heartily. God does not want us to be careless, lazy, or apathetic in what we do our work, studies, business, career, or in our service to other people. To work heartily means to work with enthusiasm, diligence, and cheerfulness. It means to work from our soul, so that whatever we do, we do it with a genuine attitude coming from our character. We do not serve to make a good impression on others or to put on a show. Though our jobs may be boring or mundane at times, God wants us to look at our work as an opportunity to honor and glorify Him. Since we are working for the Lord, not for people, we should always serve with eagerness and excellence. What a difference from trying to get by with as little effort as possible! With this perspective, no work is a heavy burden. We should always serve with eagerness and excellence. Whatever job God has called us to, He wants us to serve Him with it. Serving the Lord at work gives dignity to what we do. We may be studying, preparing a report, doing a sales call, or leading a business meeting; our Master, our President, our God, whom we ultimately serve, sees what we do and how we work. Therefore, we put our whole heart into our work so we can honor Him.

5 REFLECT How does the Bible compare the slothful and the sluggard with the diligent? What are the benefits of being diligent? Proverbs 12:24 Proverbs 13:4 How should we work and aspire to live? Ephesians 6:5-9 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 RESPOND What s one specific way you can honor God through your work? How can you work heartily and with excellence? Share this with your Victory group. Write one of your faith goals for your studies, work, career, or business. Pray that when you accomplish this goal, God would be glorified.

6 DAY2 Honor God in our Relationships READ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Ephesians 4:32 Ephesians 6:1-3 Philippians 2:1-11 Colossians 3:12-17 Hebrews 13:1-4 Romans 12:10 The Greek word for love (philadelphia) in this verse means the mutual, brotherly, and familial love. Christians are to love members of the family of God like they would their own physical families. And how should we show that reciprocal love to others? By outdoing one another in showing honor, respect, and kindness. This attitude stands in contrast to the world s way of putting and promoting one s self and advancement before others. As followers of Christ, we should give due recognition to other people instead of seeking glory for ourselves. We should not be envious or jealous of other people when they receive praise or recognition. Instead of outdoing others in selfish and self-promoting ways, the Apostle Paul says we should outdo one another in honoring fellow believers. We should outdo one another in honoring fellow believers. The Bible exhorts us to think of other people as better than ourselves. So whether it is our family, friends, classmates, officemates, or fellow believers, we can honor God in our relationships as we treat people with love, respect, kindness, and concern.

7 REFLECT What attitude should we forsake and what attitude should we have with regard to our relationships with others, according to Philippians 2:1-5? In what way should we treat others according to the Scriptures, so that we will bring honor and praise to God? Ephesians 4:32 Colossians 3:12-17 Hebrews 13:1-4 RESPOND Make a decision to honor your parents whether at home or in public. What can you start doing to honor them this week? How can you speak encouraging and kind words to those in your family, Victory group, and workplace this week? How can you outdo someone in showing honor?

8 DAY3 Honor God with our Good Deeds 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11,12 READ Psalm 37:1-6 Matthew 5:14-16 Galatians 6:9 1 Timothy 4:12 Titus 3:14 Hebrews 13:16 We are to honor God through our lifestyle because God is as concerned about our conduct as our conversation, and about our behavior as much as our beliefs. The Apostle Peter identifies Christians as sojourners temporary residents and foreigners in this world. People who have a different faith from ours normally observe how Christians behave. Because of our faith, we will be persecuted and spoken against. So Peter exhorts us to live properly among unbelievers so that even if they bring false accusations and do ill against us, they will see our exemplary lifestyle, which will honor God and we can lead them to God. We have heard the popular saying, Actions speak louder than words. This saying is especially true in our conduct as we live with non-christians. We can t preach to them if they do not see that we practice what we believe in. But if our conduct matches our faith, it will be easier to win others over. If our conduct matches our faith, it will be easier to win others over. Peter s advice sounds like what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 5:16:... let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

9 REFLECT Read Matthew 5: To what are Christ s followers compared? Why should we let our light shine before others? Why should we keep on doing good to other people? Hebrews 13:16 Galatians 6:9 Titus 3:14 RESPOND Who are you praying to preach the gospel to? What can you do to show him or her kindness this week? In what ways can you set a good example in your home, campus, office, or neighborhood so that other people can see the light and the love of Christ in your life?

10 Faith Goals what are you believing god for the rest of the year? What will you continue to pray for? Salvation Restoration of Relationships Financial Breakthrough Healing Personal Breakthrough Victory Group Growth

11 My prayer partner,, is believing God for... Salvation Restoration of Relationships Financial Breakthrough Healing Personal Breakthrough Victory Group Growth

12 SCHEDULE 1 Fasting Options Water only Liquid only One meal only Others: 2Fasting Options Water only Liquid only One meal only Others: Prayer meeting to attend: Prayer meeting to attend: 3 Fasting Options Water only Liquid only One meal only Others: Prayer meeting to attend: For prayer meeting schedules, visit victory.org.ph/fasting2015 victory.org.ph victoryph victoryph #fasting by VICTORY All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.