Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. | Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)

Commit NOW to our annual 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting with our YpsiFree faith community in the NEW YEAR. Just as we take time to meet with our doctor for a thorough exam, with our financial consultant’s future planning, and even with an ophthalmologist for an eye exam, it is our annual communal opportunity to spend 21 Days in the NEW YEAR in concentrated and consecrated time with God.

Our theme this year is “be full of JOY” from Paul’s letter to the Philippians in Philippians 4:4-7. As we fast our felt needs and compulsions in these days, my prayer for each one in our community is found in the heart encouragement of Paul’s words… “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”

This is one of the virtues or characteristics of following Jesus with which we struggle. I find it rather interesting that in this passage Paul commands the Philippians to “be full of joy in the Lord”. How can Paul demand the Philippians or us to be full of joy? Joy is not based on your circumstances but is based on the truth found in the risen Jesus.

As WE follow Jesus into these 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, I am asking each of you to join me in asking the Lord to give us His joy as we take Paul’s admonition personally and communally to “be full of the joy of the Lord.” Below you will find the Scripture matched with every day through our fasting and prayer.

In and with Jesus,

Pastor Steve

 
 

LOVE GOD

Sunday, January 8            Philippians | Read and reflect on Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
 
Tuesday, January 10         Philippians 2:12-13 | Where is God working out your salvation?
 
Wednesday, January 11     Philippians 2:1-3 | Pray for like-mindedness with God and others.
 
Thursday, January 12         Philippians 3:7-14 | What gains need to be considered a loss for Jesus?
 
Friday, January 13              Philippians 4:8 | Think about Jesus and your salvation.
 

Saturday, January 14         Philippians 4:10-13 | Ask Jesus to be your contentment in an area of worry.

LOVE ALL PEOPLE
 
Sunday, January 15          Philippians | Read and reflect on Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
 
Monday, January 16.        Philippians 1:1-2 | Reflect that you are “God’s holy people” Paul is writing. 
 
Tuesday, January 17.        Philippians 2:3-4 | Who do you not value? Ask God for His heart.
 
Wednesday, January 18   Philippians 2:5-8 | How are your mind and heart with one another?
 
Thursday, January 19       Philippians 3:17-21 | Pray for perseverance for the community of faith.
 
Friday, January 20           Philippians 4:1-3 | Reconciliation is a fruit of loving Jesus. Do you need fruit?
 
Saturday, January 21       Philippians 4:21-22 | How’s the greeting going? Simple & loving.
FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER
 

Sunday, January 22         Philippians | read and reflect on Paul’s letter to the Philippians

Monday, January 23        Philippians 1:3-6 | Pray our partnership brings joy to us & others.

Tuesday, January 24.       Philippians 1:12-14 | Pray for brothers and sisters in chains.

Wednesday, January 25   Philippians 1:15-18 | Pray for and rejoice in Christ preached.

Thursday, January 26       Philippians 1:21-26 | Pray to stay on mission for Jesus.

Friday, January 27             Philippians 4:9 | What is needed to be practiced?

Saturday, January 28        Philippians 4:14-20 | How are you ‘sharing’ in others’ troubles?