Fasting was instrumental in the early days of Paul’s conversion (Acts 9). He spent three complete days ensuring that his heart was totally aligned with the heart of God. If you were a fly on the wall during those three days of Paul’s life, what would you have learned? I bet you that you would have seen brokenness of the highest order. This man discovered that he had been 100 percent wrong in how he saw and related to God prior to encountering Jesus along the road to Damascus.
Had we been there, the deep sobs of brokenness probably would have emitted the sweetest aroma—the scent of repentance. This is exactly what Jesus smelled when the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-39) broke the alabaster jar of perfume and wiped his feet with it, as tears of repentance fell from her eyes. Repentance, according to an early church father by the name of Lactantius (A.D. 260-330), is a “recovery of one’s mind”—a return to a mind unperverted by sin. Like the repentant woman regained her spiritual sight, Paul gained a mind unperverted by sin.
The first two verses of Isaiah 58 rings loud and clear in my mind. God’s trumpet is blowing, as we are being urged to search our hearts for any sign of rebellion, hardness of heart towards God, or deep seated sin. The kind of sin that feels comfortable and appears socially acceptable, but to God, even this species of sin is a deal breaker concerning His miracles.
Over the course of this day of fasting I’m asking God to search the crevices of my heart so that I can become a new wineskin fit for the new wine of refreshing (Matt. 9:14-17). If you empty out the pockets of your life—the areas of disobedience—what do you think God would do for you? Or, what do you think God can do through you?
Post a personal story or tell us about someone that you personally know who became transformed when they truly repented of something that God considered a deal breaker concerning His blessings. How can you be motivated to take your repentance to a new level of brokenness?
Hello Everyone,
ReplyDeleteIf I were a fly on the wall during Paul’s time, one thing I would learn is that when/after God speaks to one about something, there must never be any pretense of ownership but rather do what He asks as we can see immediately after Paul regained sight, he went to work. He didn’t consider it his personal experience, he instead took the revelation and acted upon it, that’s the kind of obedience that I like to see in people. When the heart is examined, I believe that God would shower anyone with extravagant love if they allowed Him to cleanse their heart.
A while back when I was in culinary school, I learned the techniques of making stock. Stocks are used as base for any fine dining dish. As all the ingredients are brought to a boil – we had to keep on skimming the stock in order to remove all impurities that would surface, we had to repeat the process until all impurities were removed, the stock would then become clear and we would strain it for later use. It is the same process when we stay focused in prayer and fasting, God removes the impurities that surface while we’re in his presence. I have learned that obedience is better than sacrifice and more pleasing to Him than anything else because it’s a sign of respect.
I don’t have a personal testimony that I could share however I’ll use my surrounding as proxy for motivation because I do know for a fact that when believers repent, things change. I’m glad that we are in a new era, a new day; new prospect is being given to obedience of God’s command and that alone is enough to give me hope that as I remained faithful to Him, He will not deny me anything I have asked as Habakkuk would say, though the promise tarries, wait for it – that’s an order, I have to be obedient.
WH
for me repentance at a new level of brokenness would be hearing God, having the guts to respond not knowing how, where, when, why or what if?
ReplyDeletePastor:
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny you speak of brokenness because when I prayed this morning the spirit guided me to pray for just that. However, I was reluctant because the process of brokenness is not pretty or easy. Brokenness really humbles you because God reveals the “deal breakers” and might very well turn your life upside down. But the transition produces powerful results. God will free you from the very sin you struggled with for years; he will make you more focused, stronger and powerful in every aspect of your life. I know there is “stuff” God wants to work on in me so I put my reluctance aside faithfully knowing I’m going to be renewed, reformed and transformed--just like Paul.
Take My Life.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading today’s Blog I can’t seem to get this song out of me head. It perfectly captures the message so I thought to share it with you all. Download it now! :)
Take My Life Lyrics
Performed by- Micah Stampley
Free MP3 Download - "Take My Life"by Micah Stampley
Holiness (Holiness) is what I long for
Holiness (Holiness) is what I need
Holiness (Holiness) is what You want for me
Righteousness (Righteousness) is what I long for
Righteousness (Righteousness) is what I need (That's what I need)
Righteousness (Righteousness) is what You want for me
Chorus:
Take my Heart and mold it
Take my mind, transform it
Take my will, comform it
To Yours (to Yours) oh, Lord
Broken ness (Broken ness) is what I long for
Broken ness (Broken ness) is what I need (got to be broken)
Broken ness (Broken ness) is what You want for me (for me,)
Chorus:
Take my Heart and mold it
Take my mind, transform it
Take my will, comform it
To Yours (to Yours) oh, Lord (repeat chorus 3x's)
Holiness (Holiness) is what I long for
Holiness is what I know need (got to be Holy)
Holiness is what You want for me
I want to be Holy
(Is what You want for me)
Got to be Holy
(Is what You want for me)
Fade out
On this second day of fasting, God gave me a deeper understanding of repentance. The blood of Jesus only washes sins that are presented to the presence of God (light - 1 John 1:7). Hiding our sin, pretending its not there or justifying it does not set us free. True repentance tells God just as it is.
ReplyDeleteA few verses from 1 John 1 (NIV)
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
My heart cries out to the Lord for that tremendous breakthrough for the Body of Christ Church. Members, we all come together to make up the Body and when one or some of us are broken in any way, it affects the rest of the body. Many people live for many years at the same spiritual level, never growing or getting any closer to our Savior. Is this how we repay Him for giving His Life so we can be free?
ReplyDeleteCome on guys!! Let's get down on our knees throughout this time of prayer and fasting and ask God to wash away our sins, forgive us our trespasses, change our hearts, renew our minds, sanctify us. We need a closer and more intimate relationship with God. Let's move on from the milking stage in our spiritual walk to eating solid foods.
Hebrews 5:7-14 (NIV) says,
7.During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. 8. Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him..........
11. We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's Word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13.Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 6: 1-12
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2. instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. 3. And God permitting, we will do so.
4.It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5.who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6.if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.
Please read the rest of the chapter as the Spirit leads you to.
I started my time of prayer and fasting on January 3rd and so far the Holy Spirit keeps directing me to the Word for us to consistently seek God in every aspect of our lives, dig deeper, stop drinking milk and go on to solid foods. This is our Life Span for a rewarding and fulfilling spiritual growth and development.
May God continue to bless you all tremendously!!!!
This is the first time I have done a fast in over 10 years. It has taken me a long time to get to this place again...A place where I am willing to submit myself fully to the Lord. On Day 2 of the fast I am grateful for the opportunity to repent for my actions, emotions and behaviors. I interpret repentance as acknowledging human flaws and faults and being humbled by Gods ability to forgive and to help us change... I am new to this but I am grateful for the journey. I Surrender All
ReplyDeleteI thank God for this time of fasting and praying.
ReplyDeletePsalms 51 speaks to me when I think of the word repentance. I love this chapter of the Psalms because it is so simple: David did wrong, acknowledged his wrong and acknowledged that he did wrong against God and God alone, begged God for his forgiveness, and asked for a new heart and a renewed, loyal spirit.
I am fasting and praying for myself, and people like me, who still do those little things that don't seem sinful, but are sinful to God. This is my biggest struggle.
During this time of fasting I have been confronted with distrusting God, in spite of the countless times He has rescued me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I am so consumed with my current circumstances, I don't pray or seek a Word from the Lord.
I thank God for this time of fasting and praying. Now, I make time to turn my heart away from fear or worry toward God and His word.