I love reading all of your postings. It shows me how the word of God is impacting you in a personal and therapeutic manner. Stay strong during this fast so that you can reap God’s rewards!
Verse three of Isaiah 58 poses a question that triggers an internal wrestling match. We must search our hearts to discover the main reason(s) why we are fasting. To discover your reason perhaps this question will be key: What’s the unmet cry of your heart during this season of your life? This question helps you to learn the power of reflection. You look back to see what’s missing from your life. This helps you to look ahead in prayer and fasting.
Fasting must have a clear direction…a target that you want God’s help in hitting or reaching. This is why the church always publishes its fasting (prayer) goals while encouraging you to identify your own personal reasons for fasting. I’m fasting for a whole host of things including the stimulation and improvement of our nation’s economy. On a personal note, I’m fasting for a greater anointing in my preaching and teaching. The kind of spiritual unction that is more engaging, effective, and transformational to the hearer. Only God can do this for me.
Is there someone in your life that seems unreachable? What do you think God could do if you add this person’s name to your “prayer hit list” during this fast? Topics like this will be the focus of our prayer time at the East Campus tonight @ 7:00 p.m.
Thanks Pastor for the prayer time this evening!
ReplyDeleteMy worship song for the day was "To God Be The Glory". I give God the glory for the discipline that he has help me maintain through these days of fasting. I have learned how to search my heart, quiet my steps and thoughts and seek God's will for my life (Eph. 5 17). My list of prayers for friends, family and commuity are many but my main focus is God's will professionally and spiritually. I need a Saul moment from Him.
ReplyDeletePastor Dave has made mention of 'new wineskins' and 'reflection', which brought one of my favorite verses to mind: Psalm 81:10 which says "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it".
ReplyDeleteDuring this time of fasting, I feel the Lord is saying to me - remember and reflect. Perhaps there still may be something from my "Egypt" that could be hindering me from receiving all that God has for me. The only way for God to fill me is by me emptying myself totally, thus making myself available to Him. Only then will the Lord give me a new wineskin to receive His new wine.
In Ruth 3:3 Naomi told Ruth to go and bathe in order to be acceptable to Boaz. She couldn't approach him looking and smelling like Moab, where she was from. Ruth needed to settle her past so it didn't sabotage her future. Likewise, I can't receive what God has for me now if I'm still contaminated by what I went through. Though not a physical bath it's a spiritual bath (fasting) that I need.
During this time of reflection may God continually reveal the cracks in my walls and repair them, so that one day I too can be used by God as a repairer of broken walls.
We can't alter our lives, but we can lay our lives on the altar. Be encouraged.
Today was the day for reflection and I realized that there are many areas of my life that needs spiritual healing. This time of prayer and fasting is supposed to result in both spiritual and personal breakthrough for all of us. While making my "hit list", and reflecting on the changes that must be done, I know that I, too, belong on that "hit list". I'm asking God to give me strength, courage, wisdom and understanding of His Word so I may be able to share my food with the hungry, satisfy the needs of the oppressed, and treat others with justice. Then God will answer me when I call.
ReplyDeleteWe are responsible for our own actions and will face the consequences for them. We must do good to all and for all. We help each other achieve our breakthrough by placing everyone on the "hit list".
Galations 6: 1-10 (NIV) says:
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2.Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3.If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4.Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else. 5.for each one should carry his own load. 6.Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good things with his instructor. 7.Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8.The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9.Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Gratification comes to those who don't give up. I pray that God gives us all the strength to persevere on this fast and not give up. We will sow to please the Spirit, and at the end, from the Spirit we will reap eternal life. The battle will be fought and we WILL win this war. Praise be to our God, the Father.
Pastor Dave:
ReplyDeleteThank you for this message. Prior to reading this blog I was vague about what I had believed God to do through this fast. Nonetheless, I just completed my list and now have better direction and I am confident my prayers will be more focused. I also have a “prayer hit list”. Thanks!