"...And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18
“And when you
fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces
that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have
received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash
your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but
by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will
reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18
In Matthew 6, Jesus is
teaching what is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Hundreds of people were
seated on a hillside around Him. That day it was hot, humid and the people had
been sitting there for hours. Therefore, it is obvious that they were hungry. Even
though Jesus was informing them about the kingdom of God, he clearly saw that the
people were tired and hungry. Yet, He took that as a perfect opportunity to
explain to the crowd how food, material possessions, and earthly matters can
create distractions from God.
Fasting can be
extremely difficult. The whole idea of abstaining from food, social media,
coffee, or some other material possession that has value for a length of time
can take a short-term toll on your body. Yet, the long-term spiritual effects of
fasting surpass those immediate short-term discomforts. Consequently, the
immediate discomforts of fasting should not misconstrue the purpose of fasting.
The purpose of fasting is to refocus oneself on Christ and to eliminate
distractions in order to create an avenue of clear communication to God.
Needless to say, as a
Six78 ministry we would like to do that specifically during this time. We want Jesus to be the cornerstone of this ministry and for His
name to be magnified. He has already begun to move throughout this ministry in
a mighty way and we need His guidance and instruction as we take the next
steps. Continue to be in prayer for our team as we lead your children and keep
camp specifically in your prayers this week. As you fast, remember the purpose
of it and that the long-term spiritual effects will be much greater than any
discomfort you may be presently facing.
- Our volunteer
Pam Camacho - she has had stage 4 cancer and went in for a biopsy to
assess the growth of newly found lumps in her body. Lets pray for
the peace that surpasses all understanding to fill her life & those
around her as we lift her up before the throne of our Father! We serve a
mighty God & believe that "with God, all things are
possible" (Mark 10:27).
- Radical Jesus
Summer Camp (Six78 and HSM) - Everything comes together well and the
students have an encounter with God that will last the rest of their
lives.
- Scholarship
money for camp – We want students to go, but there is a cost
involved. So pray that we have enough money to send all the
students that need help financially to go.
- Pray for Bill
Talbert as he teaches Wednesday and Sean Fryer as he teaches this weekend
in Six78
Answered Prayers:
- Extra scholarship money came in to camp! There was a student we were going to have to say no to, but someone paid for a full scholarship that we were able to bless this student with. Keep praying that more comes in!
- This past weekend, over 50 students stood up during service asking God to give them faith like David had.
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