“Let’s go!” Friday Fast - June 1
Joel Schmidgall
Jun 01, 2007 · 9:16 AMIs anyone else ready to go? I’m so excited for us to get to Uganda and build, build, build!!! One challenge we face in gearing up for a missions trip is that we can be so excited to get out of here, that we miss what God wants us to get out of here. “Here” is June 1 - August 16 in Washington DC. But more, it’s a time of preparation to seek God.
We see in Acts 2 an incredible move of God. The miracle of tongues of fire, filling with the Holy Spirit, speaking in other languages, supernatural boldness, and it goes on. Rewind to chapter 1 though. Jesus had rose from the dead and was preparing to go back to heaven, leaving the church in their hands. They had to be fired up! Ready to go on mission! Anticipating what God was going to do through them. But Jesus slows them down and reveals that they aren’t ready for the trip yet.
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
I believe God desires to work in us before we even set foot on Ugandan soil. Notice in Acts 2 that the 1st miracle happened before they left. People were saved before the disciples even left their home town!
As we fast and pray on Fridays for our trip, let’s realize that God has a miracle to do before we leave this place. Don’t settle for apathy, but take up the challenge to seek God and His work here and now.
Prayer Fuel: Read through the Book of Acts today or this week.
Michael
Jun 01, 2007 · 10:57 AM
I am fired up to go! Thanks for the reminder to slow down and seek God. I was reminded last night, and I’d like to share with y’all, that we are not going to Uganda just to build a home, but to build upon God’s Kingdom. Now THAT’S exciting news.
Rowdy Rebeca
Jun 01, 2007 · 11:01 AM
Lord, help us to come to be more aware of the motivations that we have for this trip so that we may be more aware of ourselves and eachother. Even if we ever feel that our motivations are partially selfish, Lord, help us to see the ways in which you have placed our desire for this experience in our hearts- and guide us to fulfill Your desires.
Amy
Jun 01, 2007 · 11:39 AM
I’m fasting gossip today and as usual it’s harder than I thought. You never realize how much you do something until you try to give it up. (I learned this the hard way last week when I was fasting celebrity news. Good thing Lindsay Lohan didn’t go to rehab on a Friday.) With gossip, I realize that even if it isn’t horrible or hurtful, if it’s not building people up, it can be tearing them down. I actually had an email response written and I thought ‘Would this person want me telling someone else this?’. The answer was of course no so I didn’t send it. I really should be doing this every day.
Jen
Jun 01, 2007 · 2:36 PM
Washington D.C.
Hi guys! You are all in my prayers as we fast today. Jo and I went to the National Geographic photo display last weekend. It was incredibly moving. The pictures had captions from the young photographers that told of their sad reality and need for hope and a future. All of this has led my prayers for Uganda to be for hope. There are so many in Uganda that need hope. You should all go to the photo exhibit at the National Geographic Museum!
jigglie jo
Jun 01, 2007 · 5:06 PM
Today is beautiful!! I’m praying for you all today.
I’m slowly reading through Acts, it’s rockin. I realize I seem to forget all the sad things and struggles among all the MIRACLES (sing it, or you don’t do it justice). It reminds me that there is hope in the hardest moments, so my prayers are also for hope.
Pam
Jun 01, 2007 · 5:44 PM
My prayers are with everyone today as we close in on our Friday fasting as well as with Gin who had the eye surgery today. I know that we are being prepared for a great (now and in the future) journey and I am happy to have all of you to share it with. Have a great weekend and thanks for your commitment to this mission. pp
David
Jun 01, 2007 · 6:39 PM
hi everybody,
hope all of your Fridays are treating you well…so as part of the Pentecost Fast that Pastor Mark kicked off last Sunday, i decided that i’d try to read all 28 chapters of Acts over these 10 days…and lo and behold, the first of the 3 chapters i read today just happened to be Acts 13 – in which, while the church at Antioch is praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit calls on Barnabas and Saul to go out and spread the word of God to Cyprus, Pisidia, and a whole host of other cities in the region…reading about how Barnabas and Saul first prayed and fasted before accomplishing all of the things that are chronicled in Acts 13 & 14 was extremely encouraging to me today and really helped put all of our preparation for this missions trip in perspective…i’m praying that the Spirit will speak to each and every one of us just as it did to Barnabas and Saul…
p.s. the following comes from The Quest Study Bible and was the side-column note that accompanied Acts 13:2-3…i hope you find it helpful as we go through both the Pentecost Fast and the Friday Fasts for our trip to Uganda:
Does fasting make prayer more effective? Scripture does not spell out what fasting does or how it works. It does, however, show that some people went without food as a spiritual discipline. These verses suggest two possible results of this discipline: (1) To prepare for ministry. Fasting symbolizes our self-sacrificing dedication to God’s purposes. (2) To separate ourselves from worldly concerns so we can better focus on our priorities, values and goals. Fasting helps us become more sensitive to God’s voice and direction.
Victoria Gentry
Jun 01, 2007 · 8:07 PM
I could not agree more with PJ’s comments he posted today re: “HERE.” God is definitely and quite obviously working “here” in my life. As suggested, I “prayerfully undertook” a reading of Humility, and now I’m not entirely glad I did! ; ) God’s lifting a veil right now! Today I fasted becoming frustrated and irritated, not just at minor annoyances, but all things, as well as fasted my agenda, meaning not to rush about my day. Last week it was ciggarettes (I’ve now quit). And before that - cursing. In each experience without doubt God is humbling me, really driving home that I CAN’T, HE CAN! And calling me to sacrifice my wants and desires for his glory. Just waiting for me to get it right I think! : ) I just keep going back to Murray’s quote on pg. 18 Just sums up best what I think He’s trying to get me ot embrace:
“Admit that there is nothing so natural to man, nothing so insidious and hidden from our sight, nothing so difficult and dangerous, as pride. And acknowledge that nothing but a very determined and persevering waiting on God will reveal how lacking we are in the grace of humility and how powerless we are to obtain what we seek. We must believe that when we are broken under a sense of pride and our inability to cast it out, Jesus Christ Himself will come to impart this gracce as a part of His wonderful life within us.”
Ginny Filer
Jun 03, 2007 · 4:37 PM
Thank you all for your prayers on Friday- the surgery went really well and I am AMAZED at how well I can see!! I am so grateful that God has gifted these talented doctors and created our bodies with such amazing healing capabilities- did you know the human cornea heals within 24-48 hours?! It is unreal.
I was going through the book of Acts and picked this as my memory verse for the day and it really helped me keep focus and stay prayerful throughout the day and the surgery:
“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy Spirit to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will give me wonderful joy in your presence.” Acts 2:25-28
I also love how God works in subtle ways to let you know He is there. The fact that we sang “Be Thou My Vision” in church today is no coincidence.....=)
Praying for you all as we prepare for all that God has in store for us “here” and “there”.
Victoria Gentry
Jun 04, 2007 · 1:31 PM
Hi All- As promised, here is the info I obtained on Visa requirements form the Ugandan Embassy. Both US and Canadiana citizens must meet the same requirements for obtaining a VISA. Requirements:
1. One filmed application form for each applicant. You can review the app at http://www.ugandaembassy.com/Forms/visa.pdf.
2. 2 Passport size photos
3. Must submit origional passport valid past the date of your expected Departure from Uganda.
4. Your International Inoculation Certificate against yellow fever.
5. Payment of $50
As you may recall, from our last meeting, PJ said someone ussually goes to the embassy to obtain all Visas so I odn’t htink you need ot worry about this just yet. Just wanted to let you know what you would be needing!
Average Adam
Jun 04, 2007 · 8:07 PM
Hiideee hoe all,
It helps reading your comments. Thank you. I am still trying to master this fasting thing. I struggle from frequently feeling I am not doing enough. But I think I am doing very well. I look forward learning from all of you throughout this trip. Your faithfulness is great to see. Like the “Rowdy” one I pray that my selfish motives do not take away from the good God is able to do with me.. God is pretty darn good!!
If anyone is doing the National Geographic thing And needs company this weekend or next let me know. IT will help motivate me if I have a friend.
Ginny Filer
Jun 06, 2007 · 2:12 PM
I’d be up for the National Geographic exhibit this weekend...let me know if you are still interested Adam, or anyone else that wants to join in the field trip!