2023

A year of more 2022 was a year of open doors, for both the church and for us individually. The year of open doors was carried through yielded hearts and yielded minds. For 2023 we believe God is saying that it is the “Year of More.” This year we’re going to be going deep and wide. 2 “Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. 3 You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities. 4 Don’t be afraid – you’re not going to be embarrassed. Don’t hold back – you’re not going to come up short. You’ll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory. Isaiah 54:2-4 MSG Deeper in Him There is always more to experience with God. Words can’t describe how complex and multifaceted He is. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present, but He’s also personal and cares about the smallest details of your life. Only through an ever-growing relationship will get to know the depth of His personality and character. As a church the ways we are going to actively grow deeper in Him is through: The Gospel journey (life in 6 words) Bible challenge (Beginning 30 January) 3 day fasts & Encounter Nights (throughout the year) Wider in influence The Great Commission is about living as followers of Christ so that we get to make disciples—not as a numbers game or obligation, but as a natural byproduct of our relationship with God and others. Yes, the Great Commission is a global task. But it begins at home in our own household, our neighborhood, and our community. In other words, lifestyle evangelism—a lifestyle of revealing Christ in us—can become a beacon of hope for those in our corner of the large world. Destiny Group Faith Risk Challenges Destiny groups are about activating people in their faith and moving people into their next step with God. This means we must challenge ourselves to build our faith. That is why we have faith challenges. These are the activities that will challenge but also build our faith.  In the year of more we need to #StepUp And Jesus said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you cannot have any life in you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you appropriate His life and the saving merit of His blood]. John 6:53 AMPC 55 For My flesh is true and genuine food, and My blood is true and genuine drink. 56 He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood dwells continually in Me, and I [in like manner dwell continually] in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me. John 6:55-57 AMPC 60 When His disciples heard this, many of them said, This is a hard and difficult and strange saying (an offensive and unbearable message). Who can stand to hear it? [Who can be expected to listen to such teaching?] 61 But Jesus, knowing within Himself that His disciples were complaining and protesting and grumbling about it, said to them: Is this a stumbling block and an offense to you? [Does this upset and displease and shock and scandalize you?] 62 What then [will be your reaction] if you should see the Son of Man ascending to [the place] where He was before? John 6:60-62 AMPC 66 After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him. 67 Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?] 68 Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life. 69 And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God. John 6: 66-69 AMPC The year of more is year of promise, process, and pain. 

Fast 2023 objective God will set the direction of our lives and church to equip and enable us to fulfil the great commission. Consecration means to make or declare sacred (connected to God); dedicate formally to a religious purpose.  What is fasting? Setting one’s self apart from the normal routines of daily life by abstaining from food for a specific period of time for spiritual purpose.  Biblical fasting is abstaining from food. If you’re used to a routine of “three square meals a day,” going without food as a spiritual practice may sound strange. Some Christians use the word “fast” when abstaining from pleasures besides food, like TV, internet etc. You might know people who have gone on a “social media fast” or a “screen fast” for spiritual reasons. Essentially, we are putting aside all the things that are hindering our relationship with God. We are denying our flesh so that we can sow into the spirit. Fasting is a dynamic and powerful spiritual tool that can be used to renew our relationship with God.  Why do we fast? Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:2 NKJV “And when you pray, you shall not be like the [a]hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:5 NKJV “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the [a]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:16 NKJV Fasting is not… Biblical fasting is not a hunger strike between you and God. It can be easy to think of fasting as a way to add an extra oomph to your prayers. But biblical fasting isn’t so much about how God responds to your prayers: it’s more about how you bring your prayers to Him. Fasting is not to meant to twist God’s arm. There is power in fasting when it is accompanied by prayer.  Preparing for your fast Before you undertake a fast, there are several things to consider and a few you should do to prepare. Decide what type of fast you will do and for how long. Prayerfully make this decision upon God’s leading. As we, New Season Church, begin to prepare for our 14 day consecration, we urge you to be intentional in planning your fast this week. Types of fasts Daniel fast Dry fast Liquid fast Attitude of fasting Joyful No boastful 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair[a] and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 NLT And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. Daniel 2:22 NLT

God wants to go deeper with you and so how do we do that? It’s all about the power of first. We need to understand that there is something very powerful about doing things first and about prioritizing. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6: 33 NIV He will give you everything you need, so here’s the power. First, when we put God first, when we seek God first. And living righteous, living according to His precepts, His priorities, His ways of doing things, His principles, He will give us everything we need. We want to encourage you to implement the power of first in your life.  Question: What is first in your life? Make sure that you’re prioritizing God first, and as you do that, you’re going to set yourself up for a great 2023.  Putting God First First of the day: Seek God O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NKJV Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 NKJV So, the first thing of the day, the first priority of the day, is to seek God to spend time with Him to read His word to pray.  First of the week: Worship Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Acts 20:7 NKJV And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 NLT Ensure that you spend the first day of the week in the House of the Lord, amongst people that are worshipping God. First of the month: Tithe And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30 NKJV Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV Honoring the Lord with your wealth means earning, using and holding wealth in such a way as to show the world that He is the most important factor in reality. First of the year: Fast Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14 NIV 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others 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. Matthew 6:17-18 NIV The Word encourages us to fast regularly. We need to have some kind of a regular routine of fasting in our lives. And then in addition to that regular routine, whatever that might look like, to periodically set aside a concentrated amount of time, maybe more than your regular routine, to seek the Lord at specific times.