What is Fasting?

"Christian fasting - what does the Bible say?"

Answer: Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4, 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “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.”

Happy Love & Friendship day...

I hope everyone had an amazing day with their families, friends, and loved ones. Love & friendship shouldn't have a day to be celebrated, but should be practiced every single moment of our lives. God has called all of us to love one another in the same way that we love ourselves...

Let's never forget that the greatest love of all is the love that God has given us. He loves us so much that you and I are here this very moment, even though we don't deserve it. Even though many of us have turned our backs on God, he has stood at our side at all times. That right there is true love. That even though we are ungrateful sometimes, he sent his son to die for us in the cross for our sins. Sins that we committed and we should pay the price for, not Him.

To remind us of that ultimate love, here are the lyrics to "Love Song" by Third Day... This song explains this concept of God's love better than I ever could.


I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done.
I've never climbed the highest mountain,
But I walked the hill of Calvary

Just to be with you, I will do anything
There's no price I would not pay no
Just to be with you, I would give everything
I would give my life away

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
All of those dreams are an empty motion
It can never be done
I've never swam the deepest ocean,
But I walked upon the raging sea

Just to be with you, I will do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I would give everything
I would give my life away

I know that you don't understand
the fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize
how much that I give you
But I promise, I would do it all again

Just to be with you, I've done everything
There's no price I did not pay
Just to be with you, I gave everything
Yes, I gave my life away
Just to be with you

To God, you are worth all this and more <3

And now after knowing all this, really think about that phrase that people tend to say all the time... "Jesus loves you"...

Have you lost your first love?

Post to come soon...

Convivio de Amor y Amistad...

All I have to say about our get-together is that it was a BLAST! Everyone enjoyed themselves... :) To God be all the Glory!

Please see our photo album to see pictures of this night!

Esta Noche...

Jovenes, los esperamos en el convivio de amistad. Habra mucha comida, musica, juegos, y otras sorpresas. Sera de maravilla. No te lo pierdas!

2.7.10 Juventud en Oración

Este domingo tuvimos nuestra primera oración unida con los jóvenes. Cada primer domingo del mes tendremos algo que llamaremos “Juventud en Oración”, donde todos los jóvenes y juveniles estarán invitados a llegar al templo temprano con nosotros y tener un tiempo de oración y meditación al Señor. Les damos gracias a todos los que nos apoyaron este domingo…

Invitation...

Convención de AJAIC

Les damos las gracias a todos los que hicieron lo posible llegar a la convención de AJAIC el 5 y 6 de Febrero. ¡Fue un servicio maravilloso! De verdad lo siento para los que se lo perdieron =P

Nuestra iglesia tuvo el honor de participar en el devovional...





Felicitamos a la nueva directiva de AJAIC 2010-2011. ¡Siguán adelante y sepan que cuentan con nosotros en todo momento!

Convention!

¡La convención y pre convención ya están por venir!

Hay que apoyar a AJAIC y estar allí… También, les queremos decir que Roca tiene el privilegio de dirigir el devociónal, ¡nos gustaría que estén allí para apoyar a nuestra iglesia!

Estaremos teniendo un “carpool” que saldrá de nuestra iglesia mañana a las 6:30, y el sábado a las 8:30. Si necesitas un ride y tienes a alguien que te pueda dejar en la iglesia, te podemos llevar al Templo Shalom.

Si no tienes a alguien que te lleve a la iglesia, yo puedo recogerte a las 5PM… Por favor de llamarme al (310)940-9263…


Necesito saber cuantos van a llegar al carpool, y cuantos pueden dar rides o necesitan rides. ¡No se pierdan su bendición!


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Pre-Convention and Convention are right around the corner!!!

Most importantly, let's support A.J.A.I.C. by being there... But also know that Roca has the priviledge to lead a devotional, so we would love for you to be there and support our church!

We will be leading a carpool that will meet at our church tomorrow (Friday) night at 6:30, and also Saturday morning at 8:30. If you need a ride, please have someone drop you off there and there will be people giving rides to Templo Shalom.

Can't find someone to drop you off at church? I am going to be leaving at 5PM tomorrow... So I can pick some of you up if you need me to. If you need someone to pick you up on Saturday, I can do so at 8AM. Please let me know as soon as possible! Call me or text at (310)940-9263.

I would like to know how many will be needing a ride at 6:30 and how many can give a ride... So that we can make sure everyone has a way to get there and recieve a great huge blessing!

Lucho Jacob...

La lectura de anoche fue algo muy especial. Es una historia que muchos conocen, pero realmente, no muchos hemos leído o estudiado.

Al leer, yo me preguntaba, que era tanto lo que Jacob desea que pasó por tanto sufrimiento y dolor al pelear con el ángel que seguramente lo venciera. ¿Que “bendición” deseaba? ¿Que crees tu?

¿Hay algo que tú deseas que estuvieras dispuesto a pasar por luchas y pruebas, algunas de ellas muy dolorosas, para recibirlo?

¡Danos tu opinión! ¿Crees que Jacob peleo con Dios mismo, con un hombre, o con un Ángel?