Starting off the year right

Thu, Jan 23rd 2014, 10:38 AM

When God's people fast the belief is that the Holy Spirit can transform their lives as through fasting, a spiritual cleansing takes place. The fasting period provides a time of renewal during which Christians can meditate and get back in tune with God so that they can hear what he has to say to them.
After going through a grueling year, the membership at Calvary Deliverance Church began the year with a fast that lasted 26 days and which will conclude on Sunday, January 26 with the start of their three-day Breakthrough Healing and Deliverance Crusade, January 27-29 at the church located at East Street South and Malcolm Allotment. The crusade will be held under the theme "God Is Doing A New Thing".
"After going through a grueling year, you want to start the year off right, and the only way you can end right is if you start right, and so this is what we intended to do," said Pastor Mark Barrett one of the crusade's three speakers.
Calvary Deliverance Church's senior pastor James Newry and Elder Jason McPhee are also scheduled to speak during the crusade.
Barrett who will speak on the topic "God is doing a new thing, don't worry about your past," said the partial fasting he engaged in has done a lot of good things for him.
Besides his obvious weight loss, Barrett said fasting gave him a spiritual renewal and has allowed him to feel more in-tune with God.
The church members engaged in a series of prayer meetings during the fasting period as well, at time they used to pray and read together.
"You're reading the Word, you're meditating upon the Word, you're fasting and you're getting rid of all the toxins from your body, so there are many benefits to fasting," said the pastor.
Barrett who engaged in a partial fast -- ate one meal a day after 6 p.m., but drank water the rest of the day -- said fasting was easy for him to do.
He's been fasting at least once a year for the better part of 20 years after he joined the church. He said fasting is something he would advise anyone to do so that they can commune with God.
For those people who have never fasted before, he advises that they ease into it gradually.
"At first it was kind of difficult, but you grow into it and you just do it," he said.
"You can start gradually, and take incremental steps, and go on a four-hour fast where you don't eat anything and just drink liquids, and then you can extend it to a six-hour fast. Before you know it, you will be doing a half day fast and before you know it, a full day fast. But don't just go and try do it right away because you're just going to hurt yourself," he said.
Calvary members who suffer with diseases like diabetes, or who are on medication weren't encouraged to give up food during their fast. Barrett said they were encouraged to eat, but to fast from something they liked.
"If they enjoy watching television we encouraged them to fast from watching television during the period and to just read and meditate on the word, with the purpose to hear from God and see God move in an awesome way," he said.
As a lot of people are going through things and hurting, Barrett said fasting is a good way for them to hear what God is saying to them.
"People need help, people need guidance and they need direction, and you have to be in tune in order to know what God is saying to you and through you, and hence that's one of the reasons to fast," he said.
According to the pastor they are expecting God to do new things in the lives of their members and The Bahamas.
"In Isaiah, God says he is getting ready to do a new thing and he has made a way for you and not to worry about the things of the past."
Barrett said people should look forward rather than reflecting on the past, because God has told them that he will provide for them.
"People can recall the blessing, but don't let that be their central focus. People should get ready for what God is about to do for them," he said.
The pastor said the crusade is expected to be an "awesome" experience.
"I think people should come expecting something new ... a miracle, a blessing, to hear from God and to receive what God has to say to them concerning this period within their lives. And I believe there will be a spiritual renewal," said Barrett.
Out of a fast and going directly into a crusade, Barrett said is a good way to start off the year spiritually. He believes if people start good, they would end on a good note.
Newry, the church's senior pastor expects people to be open and receptive when they attend the crusade.
"Don't dwell on the past, its trials and disappoints. Forget those things that are behind. Be open and receptive, in this new year to receive the new things God has in store for you. Trust him, like you've never done before to make a way in your wilderness and bring forth streams in your wasteland," he said.
The Calvary Deliverance Church Sanctuary and Women's Choirs, Praise Team and a Junkanoo combo are also expected to perform during the crusade. Services commence at 7 p.m. nightly during the crusade.

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