Happy New Years Eve Everyone!
If you haven’t joined our bible reading plan, January 1, 2024 is a great time to start. In fact, why not join us in all our practices this year? As you may know, our Virginia Beach community is slowly amassing a group of like-minded believers who are committed to growing in holiness. To this end, we have established five simple practices we’re committed to. You can read more about the practices in my recent post Rediscovering The Wheel, but here’s a quick summary.
SCRIPTURE: We share a common Bible reading schedule, usually one passage from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament each day.
PRAYER: We pray on our knees the first minute we get out of bed and the last minute before our head hits the pillow.
FASTING: Fasting is ritualized subtraction. We do it in different ways in different seasons in order to make space for God (e.g. internet fast on Sundays; Daniel Fast in January; special alms-giving in summer).
CHURCH: Make a commitment to go and physically worship with the body of believers at a local church every Sunday.
AUTHORITY: Begin to ask God for a trustworthy pastor, priest, or spiritual leader. Then approach that person and give them authority in your life.
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting (Jan. 7-27)
January is a special month, because it is also a time which many of us have devoted as a special season of prayer and fasting. From Sunday, January 7 through Saturday, January 27th, we’d like to invite you to join us for 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting. You don’t have to be super hard-core about. The idea is to choose a measurable fasting commitment which you will actually keep. Many will choose one or two habits to give up, which cost them something and drive them to prayer. For instance, coffee or social media. Our family and many others do a Daniel Fast, which is briefly described in the images below. Feel free to ask me about it if you have questions. Again, the point is to drive us to prayer: to make space in ourselves which only God can fill. And remember not to draw attention to your fasting outside the community of those joining you (and not to judge those who don’t join). These practices are for the secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
January Scripture Readings
The Scripture readings for this month are as follows. If you’re the analog type, you can access the reading plan here and print it out or bookmark it on your phone or computer. We also have a personalized plan on the Dwell app (FREE for you!), which automatically loads each new day’s Scriptures. You can read or listen right on the app. It’s pretty awesome. You have to create an account to get started, but once you’re in, it’s free thanks to VB Fellows footing the bill (we welcome your donations to help keep it going).
As you can see, we begin with Ruth (OT) and James (NT). Then, for the rest of the month, approximately when our special time of prayer and fasting falls, we will be reading Leviticus (OT) and Hebrews (NT). I know, Leviticus can be intimidating. But it’s more doable than you think. I’ve included some resources below from the Bible Project to help everyone get started. Plus, reading Leviticus and Hebrews together is a cool experience. The Book of Leviticus represents what Paul calls “a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ” (Col. 2:17; cf Hebrews 10:1). The Book of Hebrews makes clear exactly how Christ, our High Priest, has become the fulfillment of the shadows represented in Leviticus. It begins (epicly) like this…
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Hope you will consider joining us on this journey in the New Year. Feel free to share with friends and let me know if you have questions.
— Ross
P.S. If you haven’t yet, check out my latest movie review, Disney’s Wish: An Inverted Genie Story. And for more context on why we’re doing these strange spiritual practices, check out my post from last month Losing Our Religion.