Praying And Fasting To Turn Vision Into Reality

To accomplish the God-given vision for the church, we will be fasting and praying the whole month of January. The God-given vision for the church is to go and make disciples of Christ, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all the things that Jesus commanded. God had a clear vision when He said, "Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). Jesus came into the world with a God-given vision to redeem and restore the damaged 'imago dei' – the image of God. We are going to follow the God-given vision to shape others into the likeness of Christ.

SHAPING INTO A GOD-GIVEN VISION
Our primary call is to be a faithful "Witness" of Christ. We pray and desire that every follower of Jesus will be a faithful witness. 

The first step to turn a God-given vision into reality is to get into spiritual shape, or to get back into spiritual shape. The main purpose of the church-wide Life Group studies on The Great Omission, by Dallas Willard, was to help the church get into spiritual shape as a faithful witness of Christ. Training is essential to get us into shape or to get back into shape. In our upcoming Life Group trimester, the SCFBC Senior Pastor, and the Family Life & Discipleship Pastor, will be training church members in the art of spiritual conversation.

Following a God-given vision is not for the faint of heart. Setting goals to accomplish a God-given vision is also not for the faint of heart. Like our New Year's resolutions, we get excited in the beginning, but our excitement eventually fades and wanes. We get distracted by so many other choices and turn our attention to the next new thing. A God-given vision requires patience. Busyness, frantic hurrying, and the expectation of quick returns are detrimental factors that prevent us from successfully reaching the goals we set. Be patient and allow God to work with you. He is not in a hurry.

SHAPING INTO GOD'S GOAL
In some way, we all go through the valley, fires, and floods, and so we must allow God to shape us until His vision becomes a reality. A God-given vision is not an unattainable vision. Divine and heavenly visions are given to us so that God's will here on earth is as it is in heaven. God trusts us with His vision. Prayer and fasting are great spiritual exercises that allow God to shape us into the shape of His goal. In his book, My Utmost for His Highest, the evangelist Oswald Chamber says, "Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision."

WHAT WE ARE FASTING AND PRAYING FOR
Fast and pray for these three (3) goals.
We cannot accomplish the God-given vision and our set of goals without God. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Enter into this time of fasting and praying as your response to what God has prepared for you. Turn the attitude of deprivation into feasting in the abundance of His provision.

Goal #1: That 40% of our regular church attendees will attend the "How To Share The Gospel" training course.

GOAL #2: That 25% of our regular church attendees will participate in all three of the following activities: Bible Study Life Groups, in Leading/Discipling others, and attending prayer events.

GOAL #3: That compared to last year, we will improve the health of the church over last year in at least 4 of the following areas:

1. Conversions
2. Baptisms
3. Connections 

   – 

   integrating 

   New Visitors 

   into the life of the church
   
4. Memberships
5. Giving
6. Life Group Attendees
7. Average Sunday Attendance at Worship Services
8. Serving Others

May this promise of Jesus guide and direct you as you fast and pray for the whole month of January 2019. 

Amen.