January 2, 2022
RHTYHM
Part 1: Rhythm of Prayer & Fasting
(Matthew 11:28-30 MSG) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
It’s About Time
(Luke 9:57-62 MSG) On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said. Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.” Jesus said to another, “Follow me.” He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.” Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!” Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.” Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”
- It’s time to ___________________________.
(Ecclesiastes 4:6 NI) Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
(Jeremiah 6:16 NIV) This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
- It’s time to __________ what I allow to
enter my __________________.
(1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV) “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
(Psalm 141:4 NLT) Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.
- It’s time to _________________________.
(Proverbs 20:4 NIV) Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
(Psalm 90:12 LB) Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.
Rhythm of Prayer & Fasting
_________ connects us to God.
__________ disconnects us from the world.
(Matthew 9:14-15) Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”
- Set your _________________.
(James 4:2-3 NIV) “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
2. Decide ____________ of fasting you will do.
(Joel 1:14 NIV) Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.
(Matthew 6:16-18 NIV) When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
3. Put to ____________________.
(Romans 8:13) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…
4. Make it a _______ thing not a _______ thing.
(Joel 2:12-13) “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God…