Laying a solid foundation initially is preparation for what lies ahead. As a community of believers, we are reordering our schedules to make room for the Lord as we pursue Him with the very intentional disciplines.   So often our minds can be distracted which results in an unhealthy soul that gives place to unwise decisions. Paul the apostle says,  for those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  ROMANS 8:5 - 6 (NLT)

The intent of FOCUS 2023 is to fix our mind on truth, while moving us forward in our pursuit of renewal. FOCUS 2023 is composed of three components: reading, prayer, and fasting. They are crucial disciplines of any disciple of Christ.
 
What better way to stay on track than to be surrounded with a community of fellow believers? Accountability helps us stay the course and develops the necessary disciplines of reading, prayer and fasting.  Therefore, you are asked to either join or lead a small group of no more than 3.  Your group will touch base through the week.  

YOUR SMALL GROUP will focus on a simple agenda:  
•  How are you doing on your daily reading plan and the day's devotion from Bob Sorge’s  book RESET?  •  Has anything stuck or benefited you from the reading?
•  A time of prayer for one another .

ALL SMALL GROUPS will gather on Zoom for a time of reflection and fellowship on Thursday during FOCUS 2023.

LETS’ POINT 2023 IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

It's impossible to grow in your Christian walk without feeding on a daily dose of spiritual nourishment.  The Bible clearly identifies that source of nourishment as the Bread of Life which is the Word of God. The link below provides a simple daily reading plan that will allow you to completely read through the Bible in one year.

To assist in laying down the essential building blocks for an effective and sustained prayer life, Bob Sorge’s book RESET has been selected.  Take the 20/20 challenge—devote 20 minutes a day to prayer for 20 days.  Discover the delight of an abiding relationship with Jesus and launch a prayer habit that will continue to grow all your days. You can purchase your copy at Guest Central this Sunday or during church office hours for a discounted price of $10 while supplies last.

The goal of fasting is to draw us nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. If there is something you’ve been praying for, working to overcome, or seeking God’s wisdom on, fasting is a perfect way to quiet all the noise and tune in to what God has to say.

The Bible is full of examples of the power of fasting and prayer. In Judges 20, after facing terrible defeat, the Israelites fasted and asked God for guidance ahead of their next battle—which they won! In Daniel 10, Daniel fasted before receiving a vision from God. And in Matthew 4, before Jesus began His ministry, He fasted 40 days.

How should I fast? The best way to get started is to pray and ask the Lord for wisdom on how you should fast. Maybe you need to refrain from indulging in desserts, take a break from social media, or pause Netflix for three weeks. Once you’ve determined how you will fast, stick to it and watch how God moves in your life! If you decide to commit to a dietary fast, be sure to drink plenty of water and please consult your doctor before making any significant changes.

Below are links to encourage you in your fast.