We are in the 7th day of our fast. I hope your soul is drinking deeply from the streams of God and if you are not experiencing anything at this point, keep fasting in faith. God has promised to reward openly those who fast in the proper way. I have had fasts where it seemed quite dry but then, after the fast, the swirl of God’s presence overtakes me.
#1 The Grace of Fasting
Let me recap the first week and give you clear and concise visionary points of agreeing prayer. I encourage you to pray these points daily throughout the fast.
Mark 1:12-13 Pray for the continuous release of the grace of fasting for yourself and those fasting around the world. Lord release the grace and power of The Jesus Fast.
#2 A Mass Beholding of the Lamb of God
John 1:29 Pray for a massive beholding of the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Pray for a worldwide Jesus movement where hundreds of thousands will be saved and healed. We are praying for 80 million souls and 200,000 full time missionaries to be sent from America. What about your nation?
#3 A Massive Fresh Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:1 We are praying as in the days of the book of Acts, Azusa street, and in the days of the Charismatic movement for another mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit to fall on the church worldwide. This alone will make the Church His mighty witness to Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world.
#4 The Scroll of Jesus Manifested in the Earth
Luke 4:18-21Pray Luke 4:18 into the earth that the Spirit that was on Jesus would rest mightily on the church worldwide. Let us believe for signs and wonders, healings for hearts and bodies, mass deliverance and global awakening.
This is where it gets exciting. I believe your life and future will be changed forever in this fast. Let’s follow the Master Faster into his own Jesus Fast. This coming week we will concentrate more on fasting for personal breakthrough and heart encounter with Jesus.
Blessings,
Lou Engle
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Lamb-of-God.jpg164308Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-03-09 10:56:212019-03-09 10:56:25Prayer and Fasting Recap
In Genesis 32:24-32 the Patriarch Jacob has an encounter with an Angel in which they find themselves in a wrestling match. Jacob says to his night time visitor, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing upon me.” And there you have it. Many times in our prayers we won’t persevere in prayer to breakthrough to the answer. Isaiah 64:7 states: “And no one calls on Your name and awakens and bestirs himself to take and keep hold of You…” In wrestling with God for our answer we are changed, and that’s God’s goal. Seeing our walk through life changed to look like Jesus is God’s ultimate desire for our lives.
I got behind on Lou Engle’s blogs so today I will send you 2 to catch you up. God bless you in your pursuit of God, and may your walk be changed forever.
“Billy Graham, I will not let you go!” Read 2 Kings 2.
Seventy years ago, Billy Graham pitched his tent in Los Angeles, and Jesus the evangelist was manifested through him and many others. In the course of his lifetime, Billy preached the Gospel to more than 215 million individuals, but I am convinced that his life was a down payment for a nameless and faceless generation to come that would fill stadiums across the whole earth. It is time for Billy Graham’s mantle to come on entire nations!
Years ago I received a word that I was to watch closely for the passing of Billy Graham. Earlier in 2018, in an extended season of fasting and prayer, I was reading about the mantle of Elijah passing to Elisha. Next to the passage, I wrote in big letters in my Bible: “Billy Graham I will not let you go until I get a double-portion of your mantle on the next generation.” What I did not know was that Graham would pass away in just ten days! When he passed, I knew that it was the moment we had been waiting for all these years. Seventy years were up! When Daniel understood that it was time, he set his face to fasting and prayer. We just held the Send with 59,000 praying for Billy Graham’s mantle. It is time to fast.
Fasting is the great era-shifter. Moses’ 40-Day fast shifted Israel into the era where the glory of God was made manifest. His fast released a double-portion on Joshua, whose name means “The Lord Saves.” Elijah’s 40-Day fast released a double-portion on Elisha, whose name means “God Saves.” John the Baptist’s lifestyle of fasting and even Jesus’ 40-Day Fast released the prototype, a double-portion Son, our Jesus, whose name means “The Lord Saves.”
I believe that this 40-Day fast can release a season of the double-portion Jesus Movement, through which the Lord will save prodigals, drug addicts, those held in bondage, and release Stadium Christianity into the earth!
Prayer Lord, we believe that the millions who heard Billy Graham’s preaching was just a down payment of what You are about to do. Loose a double-portion on the next generation! Release Stadium Christianity in America and all of the nations of the earth!
A New Scroll for the Nation
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:16-19)
In 1999, I prayed the prayer, “How can I turn America back to God?” It became the defining prayer of my entire life and birthed the movement of TheCall. That very night I had a dream where I was overwhelmed with the impossibility of seeing America turn back to God. In the dream, a scroll rolled down before me with the Scripture of Luke 1:17. When I woke up, I knew at that moment TheCall would be like a John-the-Baptist type movement that would prepare the way of the Lord. For the last two decades, we have gathered hundreds of thousands in fields, arenas, and stadiums to fast and pray, believing that it would lead to a moment where, like John the Baptist, we would declare, “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world!”
“This is a random picture taken by David Parks at The Send. Look at the time on the clock in the photo. We Prophesied The Send would release the Luke 4:18 scroll. The photo is a whisper that has become a roar in my heart.” It was last year on the Central Coast of California that a new scroll began to unfold. I heard the prophetic storyline of Paul Cain’s life and stadium vision that confirmed the transition I was feeling in my heart. At the end of Anna Cain’s life (Paul Cain’s mother), who was a prophetess in her own right, she told her son Paul that the Lord had one last prophetic word. She said that it would be the most important prophecy she would ever give to her son and the whole world. Then, she slipped into a coma. Weeks passed. Suddenly, one night Anna woke from the coma to say, “Paul, the Lord is going to release over your life and the Body of Christ across the world – Luke 4:18.” After prophesying, she slipped back into a coma and then passed away the next day. Mike Bickle, my friend, and leader of the International House of Prayer, who was there with Paul, noted that she passed on 4/18 at 4:18 PM.
When I heard this story, and as I now ponder the recent death of Paul Cain, I know that a new scroll is unfolding for my life and the nation. It is not just the Luke 1:17 scroll of TheCall. It is now also the Luke 4:18 scroll of Jesus. Coming out of the 40-Day Fast, Jesus entered Galilee “in the power of the spirit” (Luke 4:14). He then went to Nazareth and opened a new scroll for the whole nation -Luke 4:18. I believe that we are in the season of the great transition. We are in a moment where the scroll of Luke 4:18 could be opened up over the whole nation, and then it will be a Jesus Movement like we have never seen before.
Prayer Father, we thank you for 20 years of The Call and now thank you for The Send! Now let the scroll of Luke 4:18 roar throughout the earth. Raise up thousands of workers who have the spirit of the sovereign lord upon them to unleash the ministry of Jesus to the broken and the oppressed. Heal every manner of disease, sickness and mental oppression. Let joy erupt!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Send-418.jpg15362301Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-03-09 10:46:062019-03-09 10:46:10I Will Not Let You Go
“America and the rest of the world will before the end of the year 2000 experience a great spiritual awakening! And this revival will spark the greatest spiritual harvest in the history of the Church.” – Bill Bright, CO-FOUNDER OF CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST, INTERNATIONAL
…If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
In 1994, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, felt stirred to call a corporate 40-Day Fast for the whole nation. He was “impressed by the Spirit to pray that two million believers [would] humble themselves by seeking God in forty-day fasts.” The promise from God was the following: “America and the rest of the world will before the end of the year 2000 experience a great spiritual awakening! And this revival will spark the greatest spiritual harvest in the history of the Church.”
As a response, Bright gathered 600 major leaders from across ministries and denominations later that winter in Orlando to share the vision and launch the fast. Many leaders in the Body of Christ, including Billy Graham, endorsed this call to fast. Myself and others went on extended seasons of fasting and prayer, believing that this was a true word from God. Some estimate that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, went on forty-day fasts in that season.
Many would ask, “Where is the harvest?” because they equate great spiritual awakening with the harvest. But look again at what Bright predicted. His actual word was that awakening would lead to harvest. I believe a remarkable spiritual awakening did indeed begin before the year 2000 in the form of a global prayer movement. It was in 1999 that the International House of Prayer, Every Home for Christ, Burn 24/7 and even TheCall were all launched into their global purposes in prayer. I believe that the promised harvest is coming, and is now.
Twenty-five years later, we have come to The Send in Orlando, the very place where Bill Bright himself called the fast. I am convinced that another season of fasting has been launched out of Orlando. Can we believe in the culmination of 20 years of fasting and prayer for the greatest spiritual harvest in history?
Prayer Father, we thank You for the legacy and the calling of Bill Bright. We thank You for 20 years of the prayer movement and Your faithfulness. We dare believe for the answer to these prayers and fasting. Lord, release the great spiritual harvest for the end of the age!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/harvest.jpg165305Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-03-07 13:42:242019-03-07 13:42:27Harvest is Coming!
For the last 18 years of TheCall, we have mobilized thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, to 40-Day fasts in key seasons of our nation, but it was in 2014, that God brought a man named Dean Briggs into my life. God knit our hearts together, and we began to dream together. We co-authored a book called The Jesus Fast, believing for the body of Christ worldwide to be thrust into 40-day seasons of fasting and prayer for a new harvest.
During the writing of The Jesus Fast, Dean and I had been traveling together in London. At the end of a long day, we were making our way back to our hotel. We arrived at the scene of cordoned-off police tape around the entrance. An undetonated WWII bomb had been discovered, and the area was declared unsafe while the bomb was being diffused and excavated. At that moment, my co-author Dean Briggs recalled a dream he had years earlier. The full dream is in the book The Jesus Fast, but in short:
In the dream, Dean was an engineer who was on a top-secret mission to detonate an atomic bomb. As he was making his way to the bomb, a fire breaks out, encircling the bomb and forcing everyone away. But in the dream, a friend who is like life-coach appears to him and declares, “Go to the fire, Dean! Go to the fire!” Finally, Dean dashes forward through the fire and detonates the atomic bomb. A massive mushroom cloud fills the whole sky, and suddenly, the entire sky fills with a message like the largest movie screen in history.
Around the planet, no one could escape the panoramic story of the Gospel told straight from God himself…the window of time to respond was now suddenly short. In the dream, Mike Bickle declares, “Everything is about to change, and we must be prepared! For this is the beginning of the billion soul harvest!” As the vision fades, Dean runs into a shell-shocked young man, who readily receives the gospel. He recalls that nearly all were willing to surrender to Christ. As the dream ends, signs and wonders are breaking out everywhere. Miracles of healing were everywhere! The anointing to save, heal and deliver was following even the simplest preaching of the Gospel.
Dean recalls waking up at 3:16 AM –John 3:16.
As Dean remembered the dream, we stumbled upon a pathway that gave way to a hidden entrance to our hotel. That street was called Engineer’s Way. We knew it was a sign and a confirmation –just like Dean was an engineer in the dream, God was confirming to us that this was His way for a worldwide Jesus Movement. Atomic power through prayer and fasting!
Prayer Lord, we ask that you would release a Jesus Fast for atomic power in the nations. We believe that You do not fasten our souls to dead-end visions. We believe You for a worldwide Jesus Movement!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Abomb.jpg168300Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-03-06 17:09:372019-03-06 17:09:40Atomic Power for the Harvest - Day 3
“As the Creator is greater than which he has created, so is the power wielded by the Christian through fasting and prayer greater than that wielded by the atomic scientist.” – Franklin Hall
I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. – Daniel 9:2 (ESV)
Twenty years ago, I was approached by a YWAM leader who asked me to help him call the whole world to a 40-Day Fast. I thought to myself, Lord, nobody knows who I am, but I’ve seen enough of your power. If this is you, have a prophet call me with a dream that I am flying a plane and dropping an atomic bomb. At the time I was reading a book that would be pivotal in my life: Atomic Power through Prayer and Fasting by Franklin Hall. That night, a prophet called me with that exact dream! I was flying a plane and dropping an atomic bomb! Whoa!
It was in 1946 that Franklin Hall released this booklet, and it began to fly across the world. It seemed as if for an entire season, the spirit and grace of fasting rested on the church. Reports of fasting from around the world began to come forth, with many testifying of God’s supernatural power and salvation. But I believe much more was happening. I am now convinced that a global season of fasting and prayer precipitated a worldwide harvest.
Within the following year, healing evangelists like Oral Roberts and T.L. Osborn launched their ministries w extended fasting. In 1949, Billy Graham began his first extended Tent Crusade in Los Angeles that birthed decades of stadium evangelism. At the same time, Bill Bright received the word to start Campus Crusade for Christ, sweeping the campuses of America and the world with the Gospel Message. The Jesus fast was bringing Jesus the evangelist.
I believe that we have come to a 70-year cycle of Franklin Hall’s book. It was more than a book. It was a sovereign call. When Daniel knew that it was time and that the 70 years were up, he set his face to birth the next era of redemptive history. I believe in these days we can birth Stadium Christianity and a Jesus Movement for the whole world.
Prayer Father, we believe we have come to Your appointed time. Loose the fast into the earth and impel your Body into the place of fasting and faith! Put Your Son on display for the whole earth! We pray for a double-portion fast for a double-portion Jesus Movement!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Daniel.jpg165250Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-03-05 08:20:472019-03-05 08:20:50The 70 Year Cycle - The Jesus Fast.
By God’s grace I am beginning the Jesus Fast with Lou Engle and others today. Our friends from Virginia came to visit and Jackie and I didn’t think it would be appropriate to be fasting while our friends were “feasting” celebrating my birthday. (duh?) All that said I will be sending you Lou Engle’s updates a few days behind when they were launched. May God stir our hearts to return to Him through prayer and seeking.
The Blueprint:In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan… Immediately the Spirit drove Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days. – Mark 1:9,12-13 (ESV)
“Before there was ever an original Jesus movement, there was an original Jesus fast.” – Lou Engle
“We have just come from The Send where tens of thousands in Camping World Stadium, released the sound of sending laborers into the harvest field. It was all initiated six years ago in Orlando when we declared that the Send gathering would be a Jordan river crossing moment where like when John released his ministry to Jesus we would enter into a new era of a Jesus Movement in America.”
On February 22, 2018, the day after Billy Graham died, a young man had the following dream: In the dream Billy Graham had died and left these words to be read after his passing: “I have hidden a treasure for those who seek to find. The treasure map is in The Book.” Knowing The Book to mean the Bible, I opened my Bible and immediately turned to a treasure map that read: “Go to the river. Find the strongest, most well-rooted tree. Take 40 steps east into the wilderness from the strongest tree. There dig.” So, I followed the instructions on the map: went to the river, found the strongest tree, took 40 steps eastward from the tree into the wilderness, and began digging. Six feet down I found a wooden treasure chest that was shaped like a coffin. In the chest was an endless number of sickles. I thought, “A man could spend his entire life giving away these sickles and would never give them all away!” Inscribed into the wood on the inside of the chest were the words, “The harvest is ripe. Equip the laborers.”
“We believe this is a present moment that must be seized. We have gone down to ‘the Jordan’ at The Send. As in the dream, we came to Jesus, the Strong Tree. But like when the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness we now gladly follow the Master 40 steps into 40 Days of Fasting in death to our flesh. This fast we believe will loose the sickles of evangelism to every believer for a global harvest.”
“He came out of the wilderness filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and those who sat in darkness saw a great light. Is Jesus now once again walking out this blueprint in the body of Christ for a new Jesus Movement? Be strong my friends. Life follows death! The fast becomes the festival of harvest .”
Prayer:Jesus, across the world, we release the grace of the Jesus Fast to unleash a world-wide Jesus Movement. Lord stir hearts for such a time as this! Let the whole Body set their face in this fast, believing for the manifestation of Jesus the Evangelist! Ekballo laborers!!
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Jesus-Fast.png169298Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-03-04 09:47:482019-03-04 09:47:50The Blue Print for the Jesus Fast
Luke 21:24“They will fall by the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).”
This Scripture is referring to the siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. in which the Temple was destroyed and the Jewish people were dispersed throughout the world. Jesus prophesied it along with an interesting twist near the end: “…Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).”
The term “Gentile” refers to the races, nations or as the Greek reads, “the ethos,” where we get our word “ethnic.” Jerusalem will be trodden down by the nations, or races. This simply means that Jerusalem would be treated with insult, contempt, devastation, and outrage. The signal that the times of the Gentiles or nations was coming to an end flashed forth like a warning light on the dash of your automobile when Israel was miraculously restored as a nation in 1948. Since that time Jews from around the world have been slowly returning to Israel, and emerging as a world power. In my opinion, a prophecy is yet to be fulfilled which will signal the closing of this prophetic chapter.
Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost refers to a prophecy that he declared was just beginning: Acts 2:16-21“But [instead] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [[a]telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions ([b]divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [[c]divinely suggested] dreams. 18 Yes, and on My menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy [[d]telling forth the divine counsels and [e]predicting future events pertaining especially to God’s kingdom]. 19 And I will show wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and smoking vapor; 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the obvious day of the Lord comes—that great and notable and conspicuous and renowned [day]. 21 And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [[f]invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord—Christ] shall be saved.
He states: “But instead this is the beginning of what was spoken through the prophet Joel.” We know this is only a partial fulfillment simply because the sun hasn’t been fully darkened, nor the moon turned fully to blood, because the obvious day of the Lord – that which is “great, and notable, and conspicuous, and renowned” – has yet to occur! In fact the salvation of 3000 souls in one day was just a warm up for the global harvest that is to occur in the Last Days. Consider the following diagram:
At the Wedding of Cana in John 2 Jesus prophesies the Final Outpouring of His Spirit: “This is wonderful stuff!” he said. “You’re different from most. Usually a host uses the best wine first, and afterwards, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, then he brings out the less expensive brands. But you have kept the best for the last!”Jn. 2:10 TLB
Jesus is saving the best “Wine of His Spirit” for the “Last Days” when His Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh that many may “call upon the Name of the Lord to be saved.” This will be the indicator that the Bridegroom is returning to gather His Bride – the Church – to Himself.
On the flight home from Nicaragua I began reading a book in which its authors referred to prolonged periods of fasting seeking God for more Power in ministry. As I thought about those in our church who have been attacked in various ways by the enemy it stirred up a burden I’ve been carrying for quite some time. As the Lord’s Shepherd I am expected to see His sheep healed and protected. Ezekiel 34:1-4And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the [spiritual] shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep.4 The diseased and weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the hurt and crippled you have not bandaged, those gone astray you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought to find, but with force and hardhearted harshness you have ruled them.
Thus I began to pray about going on another fast to seek the Lord for His power to deliver His people from the assaults of the enemy. As I prayed and sought the Lord I received Scripture directing me to fasting. One particular early morning hour I was awakened realizing that if I began my fast in February it would conflict with other events. I felt directed to fast near the first week in March. I can’t tell you how encouraged I was when I read the following: At The Send, we are calling every believer to take action. So far 16,656 have committed to fasting, 2,145 commitments to reaching High Schools, 1,878 committed to Universities, 4,134 committed to reaching their neighborhood. 482 have responded to the gospel. THE WAR ON INACTION HAS BEGUN,” the organization wrote in an Instagram post.” They are inviting believers to pray and fast for 40 Days from March 1 – April 9. The Fast is called the “Jesus Fast” which invites thousands of people around the world to pray seeking God for a worldwide manifestation of Jesus the Evangelist.
When I read the dates which had been assigned I knew it confirmed what I had been hearing. Whether you agree or not, we can both agree upon one thing: this is not the time for the Church to be slumbering. We can all agree that through President Trump’s election we have received a brief reprieve, but don’t roll over and sleep just yet. The battle is only beginning for the soul of this nation. God had mercy on us as a result of the saints who turned to Him in repentance and prayer. While we’ve been sighing sighs of relief the governments of the land have legislated to murder babies even up to full term, Even recently democrats blocked to deny medical attention to babies who survive abortions. A slippery slope of descent has occurred in our nation when owls, sea turtles, and eagles have more rights than children. Before pointing the accusing finger of blame upon our country’s legislators, the Church must withdraw its condemnation. You may ask, “Why?” when surely America deserves the wrath and judgment of God. All Christians must conceded to the truth of God’s Word which states: “Judgment begins with the House of God” (1 Pet. 4:17).Like Esther of the Bible we are being called upon to step up, standing in the gap on behalf of the people. Esther’s warning from her elder cousin, and adoptive father, still applies to us today: For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
For such a time as this God is calling upon His Church to once again pray and fast, demonstrating our humility and dependence upon God. For such a time as this will we pray about joining this fast with believers from around the world? For such a time as this would you pray that God would bring spiritual reformation to His Church, Christians would be awakened to pray, awakening would come to the lost – in and outside of the Church, and a resurgence of renewal, conviction, brokenness, godly sorrow, repentance and power would come to His people? For such a time as this would you pray that God would shut down the money-making industry of murdering babies as a form of birth control, and that men across America and the west would awaken to their responsibility to defend the weak, the mothers and children? Would you pray that men everywhere would begin to take their rightful places spiritually being positioned as husbands, fathers, and spiritual leaders in the church and world? Would you pray that once again that this nation would repent and turn to Jesus before the future of this great nation is forever destroyed?
God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah for 10 righteous. There are more than 10 righteous persons in this nation. But remember God still went looking for a Abraham to pray and intercede on behalf of the land. The Old Testament is filled with the warnings: Ezek. 22:30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Isa. 64:7And no one calls on Your name and awakens and bestirs himself to take and keep hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have delivered us into the [consuming] power of our iniquities. If you are believing that God is calling you to this fast consider the guidelines below. God bless you.
BASIC GUIDELINE TO FASTING AND PRAYER With this call to enter into extended fasting, we must prepare ourselves adequately so that the fast can honor God and fulfill its purpose. I want to share some thoughts from our own experiences to help and encourage you.
1. Seek medical advice if you are older or have health challenges
2. Fast and pray to humble yourself and purify your worship In Fasting we are not trying to get something from God; we are seeking to realign our hearts’ affections with His. We do holy violence to the “pleasures which wage war against the soul,” opening the way for a greater submission to the Holy Spirit. Lust is a perverse form of devotion. Fasting enables us to cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts from such idols.
3. Take time to pray and read the Word This may seem obvious, but busyness and distractions can keep you from devotions. Reading books with testimonies of victories gained through fasting will encourage you. Register at TheJesusFast.com to schedule your fast and receive encouragements by email.
4. Have a clear target for prayer focus Without a vision (a clear, prophetic prayer goal), the people perish. During a fast, I have four or five prayer goals I have clearly articulated. When I am not deeply motivated by a clear goal, I usually fast until break-fast! Write down your vision so you can run with it.
5. Do the fast with someone else Two are better than one! We encourage young people to talk this through with their parents before starting the fast. Parents and kids should consider fasting together.
6. Do not give in to condemnation if you fail The “to fast or not to fast” dilemma can be a major tool of the enemy. Even though you may fail several times, God always extends grace. Hit reset and resume right where you left off.
7. Husbands and wives, consider sexual abstinence for the sake of prayer (1 Corinthians 7:5)
8. Determine the length in advance of the fast, not after you start • A total fast is without water. This is extremely hard on the body. Do not go beyond three days. • A water-only fast is a very challenging but deeply spiritual experience. Many people can endure forty days on water alone, though this is dependent on one’s weight and metabolism. • A fruit and vegetable juice fast allows you to enter into fasting but still gives enough energy to function. Most people can do a forty-day juice fast. Out of consideration for their health and metabolism, I encourage teenagers to drink juice and protein drinks to sustain them.
9. Prepare physically Two days before your fast, limit your intake of food to fruit and vegetables. Fruit is a natural cleanser and easy to digest. Stop drinking coffee before the fast. Prepare yourself for mental discomforts such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. Expect physical discomforts. You may experience dizziness, headaches and different kinds of pains. The headaches are not necessarily a sign to stop fasting. Your body is working to cleanse itself of impurities.
10. Prepare for opposition On the first day of your fast, you can bet doughnuts will somehow show up at the office or in class. Your spouse (or mom) will suddenly be inspired to cook your favorite meals. Take this as encouragement from God to press ahead! Many times you may feel increased emotional tension at home. My fasts are just as difficult on my wife as they are on me. Satan tempted Jesus on His fast, and we must expect the same. Discouragement may come in like a flood, but recognize the source and take your stand upon the victory of Christ.
11. Fast in secret Do not boast about your fast, but do not go to extraordinary lengths to mask it when people inquire; if necessary, just let them know you will not be eating. The bigger deal you make of it, the more attention you draw. Be discreet, be transparent, then move humbly along.
12. Break the fast over several days with fruit juice and/or light soups On a light juice fast or a water fast, your digestive system shuts down. It can be dangerous if you eat too much too soon. Break such a fast gently with several days of diluted, nonacidic juice, then regular juice, followed by fruit and vegetables. When breaking one of my early water fasts, I ate too much too quickly and almost needed hospitalization. Be careful!
13. Feel free to rest a lot and to continue to exercise
14. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not fast, PERIOD
15. Expect to hear God’s voice in the Word, dreams, visions, and revelations Daniel prepared himself to receive revelation through fasting (Daniel 10:1-3). Scripture also speaks of a fasting reward (Matthew 6:18). Expect God to fellowship and communicate with you in special ways.
16. Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it Do not listen to the lie that nothing is happening. It is my conviction that every fast done in faith will be rewarded.
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Luke 24:9-11And having returned from the tomb, they reported all these things [taken together] to the eleven apostles and to all the rest.Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who reported these things to the apostles.But these reports seemed to the men an idle tale (madness, feigned things, nonsense), and they did not believe the women.
From the Garden to the Crucifixion, from the Crucifixion to the Resurrection men seem to be lagging behind women. Eve met satan as tempter in the Garden. Where was Adam? Right there beside her not saying a word. At the cross of Christ’s crucifixion the women stood at the foot of Jesus’ cross, while the men – Jesus’ Disciples, except one, ran away and hid behind closed doors. At the resurrection the women got up early and went to the tomb, only to find Jesus resurrected from the dead. Where were the men? Back at home, behind closed doors. When the women came and reported Jesus had risen from the dead they thought the women were outside their minds. Why? They did not believe. From Adam, to the Disciples at Jesus’ Crucifixion, to His Resurrection, till now – men lag behind women in belief. Men lag behind women in action. Men lag behind women in follow through. What’s the solution?
Leonard Ravenhill:THERES NOTHING MORE transfiguring than prayer. People often ask, “Why do you insist on prayer so much?” The answer is very simple – because Jesus did. You could change the title of the Gospel according to St. Luke to the Gospel of Prayer. It’s the prayer life of Jesus. The other evangelists say that Jesus was in the Jordan and the Spirit descended on Him as a dove – Luke says it was while He was praying that the Spirit descended on Him. The other evangelists say that Jesus chose 12 disciples – Luke says it was after He spent a night in prayer that He chose 12 disciples. The other evangelists say that Jesus died on a cross – Luke says that even when He was dying Jesus was praying for those who persecuted Him. The other evangelists say Jesus went on a mount and He was transfigured – Luke says it was while He was praying that He was transfigured. There’s nothing more transfiguring than prayer. The Scriptures say that the disciples went to bed, but Jesus went to pray – as was His custom. It was His custom to pray. Now Jesus was the Son of God – He was definitely anointed for His ministry. If Jesus needed all that time in prayer, don’t you and I need time in prayer? If Jesus needed it in every crisis, don’t you and I need it in every crisis? The story goes that a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village saw an old man sitting by a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one of the visitors asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” Without looking up the old man replied, “No, only babies.” The greatest men were once babies. The greatest saints were once toddlers in the things of the Spirit.
Jesus, as a man never lagged behind anyone. He made the way for us to follow. But like Jesus’ disciples who chose to go to bed while He was transfigured with Light – are you sleeping in the “Light?” Are you sleeping in the Light – while the Lord is calling for us to fight? It’s time to seek the Lord to be transfigured by prayer, and His Presence. Will it cost you? Absolutely. Remember, it cost Jesus His life – what’s a little lost sleep?
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
A. W. Tozer prophesied years ago when he said: “Until self-effacing men return again to spiritual leadership, we may expect a progressive deterioration in the quality of popular Christianity year after year till we reach the point where the grieved Holy Spirit withdraws like the Shekinah from the temple.”
Oswald Chambers “A great many people do not pray because they do not feel any sense of need. The sign that the Holy Spirit is in us is that we realize that we are empty, not that we are full. We have a sense of absolute need. We come across people who try us, circumstances that are difficult, conditions that are perplexing, and all these things awaken a dumb sense of need, which is a sign that the Holy Spirit is there. If we are ever free from the sense of need, it is not because the Holy Spirit has satisfied us, but because we have been satisfied with as much as we have. ‘A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.’ A sense of need is one of the greatest benedictions because it keeps our life rightly related to Jesus Christ.”
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Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
1 Chronicles 15-16 records David’s desire to bring the Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of God’s Presence into Jerusalem, near his home. He wanted to have God as close to him as possible. I love David’s heart and passion for God and His Presence. I desire the same in my own life. In the reading of this narrative it is easy to overlook some powerful truths. 1 Chronicles 15:15 The Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses commanded by the word of the Lord. What’s the significance of this tiny passage? The shoulders of a man, Biblically are symbolic of government. In other words, what you are being governed by. When I was a kid I would watch Tom and Jerry cartoons. When someone was being tempted they would portray it with an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other. What that cartoon character surrendered to was what they were going to be governed by. When the priests lifted God’s Ark upon their shoulders they were lifting, or shouldering more responsibility than they understood. For God’s Ark, or the Ark of His Presence or Covenant symbolized so many things. It was a symbol of: Intimacy with God; God’s Voice; God’s Mercy; His Testimony; the Sword of the Spirit; the Holy Things or furnishings of the tabernacle or temple; God’s Leading and Direction; God’s Sanctuary; His Worship; His Power; the Future Reign of Christ; God’s Presence; God’s Throne, or Reign. This week we’ve been seeing all of the implications behind raising up the Fallen Tent of David. For us to truly raise this tent requires that we begin shouldering God’s Kingdom, and His Reign. When we do, all of the above begins to fill “David’s Tent.” Which in all reality is the Son of David’s Tent – Jesus. If you belong to Jesus you are His Tent; and if we are His Church, His Body, then we are also the Son of David’s Tent. Jesus said in John 12:32 And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself. When we are allowing intimacy with God; God’s Voice; God’s Mercy; His Testimony; the Sword of the Spirit; the Holy Things or furnishings of the tabernacle or temple; God’s Leading and Direction; God’s Sanctuary; His Worship; His Power; the Future Reign of Christ; God’s Presence; God’s Throne, or Reign – govern, rule and rest upon our shoulders then the Tent of David, the Son of David’s Tent, which ultimately is our tent – will be “lifted up.” Jesus will be drawing all people to Himself. Isn’t that what you want? Rev. 7:9 After this I looked and a vast host appeared which no one could count, [gathered out] of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
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1 Chronicles 16:1 “So they brought the ark of God and set it in the midst of the tent which David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.”
Two things you notice from this passage. First is that they brought the Ark, and second, who were the “they?” To understand the significance behind the first point you have to understand that the Ark was a symbol or shadow of something far greater than we can comprehend or understand. According to Hebrews 8:5 “[But these offer] service [merely] as a pattern and as a foreshadowing of [what has its true existence and reality in] the heavenly sanctuary. For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was warned by God, saying, See to it that you make it all [exactly] according to the copy (the model) which was shown to you on the mountain.”Then it says in Hebrews 9:2-5 “For a tabernacle (tent) was erected, in the outer division or compartment of which were the lampstand and the table with [its loaves of] the showbread set forth. [This portion] is called the Holy Place.3 But [inside] beyond the second curtain or veil, [there stood another] tabernacle [division] known as the Holy of Holies.4 It had the golden altar of incense and the ark (chest) of the covenant, covered over with wrought gold. This [ark] contained a golden jar which held the manna and the rod of Aaron that sprouted and the [two stone] slabs of the covenant [bearing the Ten Commandments].5 Above [the ark] and overshadowing the mercy seat were the representations of the cherubim [winged creatures which were the symbols] of glory. We cannot now go into detail about these things.” Hebrews 9:8 concludes by saying: “Seeing that that first [outer portion of the] tabernacle was a parable (a visible symbol or type or picture of the present age).” The Ark of the Covenant of God was a symbol of God’s throne, and His covenant with Israel. (There’s even more symbols imbedded in the manna and the Rod of Aaron but I will not get into that now). God’s throne is a symbol of His reign and rule over our hearts. When this is accomplished, God’s Kingdom has come through Jesus, the Spirit and the Word. When these have complete rule and reign over us God’s Kingdom and His Throne (His Ark) have manifested their reality in our shadowy lives. Thus David is bringing in God’s Kingdom, a symbol of Christ’s Kingdom, to rule and reign over Israel. The second thing that I want you to notice is the “they” of 1 Chronicle 16:1.“They” are the priests of Israel, who are made up of the men of Israel. There are several points I want to draw your attention to: (a) The priests were men. It was part of God’s divine order. (b) We are all now a priesthood before the Lord Jesus, as men and women of God. This isn’t an either or scenario but a both/and. God desires for the men to take their rightful place as spiritual leaders. Unfortunately many churches are filled with mostly women who believe that they need Jesus more than the other things that they have in their lives. In this day and hour God needs the men to arise and recapture what it means to be the man. Why is it that in many churches it seems that the only ones who appear to have a testimony of what God is doing in their lives is the women of the Church and not the men? Jezebel lives and has emasculated the men of our country, reducing their manhood to sports, hunting, fishing, entertainment, alcohol, and pornography. The men of Jesus’ Church can only arise to the fullness of who God has made them to be when Jesus has His rightful place on the throne of their hearts. When these two things take place, the Reign of God, and those who carry His reign in their hearts – then will the Tabernacle of David be raised across the land. Have mercy on us oh Lord.
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1 Chronicles 16:4 “He appointed Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord and to celebrate [by calling to mind], thanking and praising the Lord, the God of Israel”
Ministering to the Lord. Now there’s a concept that’s out of this world -literally and figuratively. Several months ago our church’s mother’s day out program offered a Thanksgiving service whose participants were ages 2-5 years old. Parents, grandparents, relatives and friends of the family packed the church sanctuary to get a glimpse of a child or children who were part of their family. I was as fascinated watching them as I was watching the children bumble through their lines and lyrics while lighting up the room with their innocence and joy. Following that service I was praying in that same sanctuary and I sensed the Lord say something to me. He said, “That’s what I do when you sing to Me.” Our worship, and our prayers cause God to light up with joy, expectation, and delight as we seek to draw near to Him. Now that’s ministering to the Lord. What’s fascinating is David posted priests to perform this task twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Why? David had glimpsed the millennial, or thousand year reign of Christ, when all nations would gather before Him to worship Him on earth. David was getting the priests “warmed up” for the return of their Messiah. This week I wanted us to seek to do this. To warm up, if you will, for the return of Jesus. Why not conclude our fast in seeking to minister to Him?
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2 Chronicles 15:12And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to yearn for Him with all their heart’s desire and with all their soul;
Where did they go to look for God? Many scholars suggest that the covenant that was birthed from this passage actually aided in the birthing of Pharisaism. How can something that began as a pure thing; an honest desire to seek after and pursue God, evolve into a movement that many of its adherents Jesus called “sons of hell?”
Several things the Lord has been surfacing for me during the last few weeks: being a little Christ, raising up the fallen Tent of David, and the Great Commission. As I was praying today I realized that there’s a thread that connects one with the other.
Little Christ – Acts 11:26“…and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. To be designated and characterized a “Christian” in New Testament times required that you be a disciple of Jesus. To be a disciple of Jesus implied that you were f-o-l-l-o-w-i-n-g…Jesus. When I first became a believer, surrendering my faith for salvation from hell and forgiveness of sins, I did not have an understanding that I was signing up to follow Jesus. Later I learned that this was “Christian-eze,” or code for being a Christian. In other words the question would go like this: “Are you a Christian, or Follower of Jesus?” One supposedly equated one with the other. If I had not been inoculated by religion and the tradition of my fathers, common sense would have begged the question, “How do you follow Jesus? Where’s He going? I can’t even hear or see Him? How am I to follow Him?” That would have been common sense – too much so. And there’s the problem: religion. Religion, man’s desire to cover his shame, fear, and nakedness with fig leaves of his own making – is what keeps us following these code words without really examining their meanings. Truth be known I wasn’t following Jesus. I was following what my traditions teachers and adherents said I should believe. Jesus called these kind of teachers “blind guides.” I’ve had a lot of “blind guides” in my life. Guides who were afraid to question the answers. Guides who encouraged the maddening march into the darkest of ditches. Guides who were threatened by the questions, and encouraged us to avoid them at all costs. Religions, traditions, and its teachers are designed to keep us in the dark, walking in circles, never discovering the way out into the Light of Reality. There’s the rub. Are you searching for reality or the comfort of the status quo? The assurances from blind teachers? The living, resurrected Jesus – is THE LIGHT! He is REALITY! Why do we settle in our search for more darkness and blindness? In your time of prayer and fasting ask these questions. Make sure you haven’t settled for reassuring blind guides, and more deafening, dulling, blinding darkness. One way to know for sure whether you have settled for the ditches of man’s religion, and traditions is by asking this simple question, “Are you becoming a little Christ?”
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Oswald Chambers reminds us of what should be happening as we seek God through fasting and prayer: our death. Jesus and the devil have one thing in common – they’re both out to kill us. Have you truly identified with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, and Lord? It’s all about control and our surrender of it.
Romans 6:4“…We were buried with Him…. that just as Christ was raised from the dead … even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
No one experiences complete sanctification without going through a “white funeral” — the burial of the old life…There must be a “white funeral,” a death with only one resurrection— a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing can defeat a life like this. It has oneness with God for only one purpose— to be a witness for Him…Have you really come to your last days?…Death means you stop being. You must agree with God and stop being the intensely striving kind of Christian you have been. We avoid the cemetery and continually refuse our own death…Has there been a point in your life which you now mark as your last day?…The moment of agreement depends on you.
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Mark 4:10, 34 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable… And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
Oswald Chambers has the following insights worth noting: Our Solitude with Him. Jesus doesn’t take us aside and explain things to us all the time; He explains things to us as we are able to understand them. The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls….We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We don’t even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. But Jesus will reveal to us everything we have held within ourselves before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage? We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God. The greatest curse in our spiritual life is pride…His Solitude with Us. When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship— when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us….His disciples constantly asked Him questions, and He constantly explained things to them, but they didn’t understand until after they received the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26)…..The sorrows and difficulties in the lives of others will be absolutely confusing to you. We think we understand another person’s struggle until God reveals the same shortcomings in our lives. There are vast areas of stubbornness and ignorance the Holy Spirit has to reveal in each of us, but it can only be done when Jesus gets us alone. Are we alone with Him now? Or are we more concerned with our own ideas, friendships, and cares for our bodies? Jesus cannot teach us anything until we quiet all our intellectual questions and get alone with Him.
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Isaiah 40:3A voice of one who cries: Prepare in the wilderness theway of the Lord [clear away the obstacles]; make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God!
I just wanted to let our church family know that of the 9 Affinity Groups six of the nine have been committed to. There are only three left: Central Asian Peoples, Sub-Saharan African Peoples, and Northern African and Middle Eastern Peoples. If God is leading you to commit to one of these areas please let me know.
Yesterday’s message we were challenged to prepare the Way of the Lord through prayer and fasting. Prepare the Way through clearing away the confusion. Prepare the way through clearing things that stand in the Way – Jesus being the Way. Prepare the Way by putting your house in order. Lastly we were challenged to prepare the Way through making a way – for the Way! This is done through choosing the fast: media, Daniel Fast (fruits, vegetables, nuts), or sleep, or all food and liquids. But remember its fasting and prayer. Your goal is not to go without food, or the media. You goal should be to turn or return to God, seeking His Presence.
Making a way – for the Way is done through Position yourself to meet with King Jesus. Daniel had a dedicated time of prayer 3x a day – morning, noon, and night. Do you have a dedicated time of prayer? Do you begin your day with time in the Word and prayer? Making a way – for the Way is done through Entering through God’s Gate(s): (Isa. 62:10Go through, go through the gates!) Before entering the gates you address them. Psalm 24:
Ps. 24:6-10 This is the generation [description] of those who seek Him [who inquire of and for Him and of necessity require Him], who seek Your face, [O God of] Jacob. Selah [pause, and think of that]! Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; yes, lift them up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is [He then] this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah [pause, and think of that]!
The generation of those who seek God’s face address the gates, and enter through them. We enter God’s Presence through the Holy Spirit. John 10:3-7The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about. So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.
The Watchman in Jesus’ parable is the Holy Spirit Who leads us to know Jesus, and Jesus is the Door He take us to and through. It is through and by the Spirit that we know Jesus: Jn. 15:26But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me. In other words the Holy Spirit gives us testimony regarding Who Jesus is so that we can know Jesus.
We make a way -for the Way through Writing God’s Word Upon Your Gates: The Gates of your mind, emotions, soul, spirit, and your body. Your body alone had several gates: eye gate, ear gate, mouth gate, gate of touch. God’s Word of God of necessity has to be central to your life. It must be written over everything you do! Written over everything you are: mind, emotion, soul, spirit, body = eyes, ears, mouth, and touch. (SeeDeut. 6:6-10)
We make a way – for the Way through entering His gates with the giving of thanks. Ps. 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
The Hebrew word for Thanksgiving is Todaw = which means “to extend the hand; to give thanks; to be giving. (See Eph. 5:18-20; Php. 4:6; Col. 2:6-7; 1 Thess. 5:18)/ and though being “thankful to Him,”Yadah = which means to “lift up your hands to Him.” Lastly we are to Enter His courts with Praise or Tehillah which is “singing a song of praise – especially spontaneously; standing in honor or respect (note: it can be the person or thing the person glories in); and shouting. NOTE:halal, as in Hallelu-JAH, is praise that is seen. But tehillah is praise that is heard! Praise is not only heard, but the idea is that we are louder for our God than we would be for ourselves.)
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If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.
A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians.
It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness.
I encourage you to join me in fasting and prayer again and again until we truly experience revival in our homes, our churches, our beloved nation, and throughout the world.
How To Experience and Maintain Personal Revival
Fasting & Prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life.
Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you. Make restitution where God leads.
Examine your motives in every word and deed. Ask the Lord to search and cleanse your heart daily.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your walk against complacency and mediocrity.
Praise and give thanks to God continually in all ways on all days, regardless of your circumstances.
Refuse to obey your carnal (worldy) nature (Galatians 5:16,17).
Surrender your life to Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Develop utter dependence on Him with total submission and humility.
Study the attributes of God.
Hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
Love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
Appropriate the continual fullness and control of the Holy Spirit by faith on the basis of God’s command (Ephesians 5:18) and promise (1 John 5:14,15).
Read, study, meditate on, and memorize God’s holy, inspired, inerrant Word daily (Colossians 3:16).
Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Fast and pray one 24-hour period each week. Prayerfully consider becoming one of the two million Christians who will fast for forty days before the end of the year 2000.
Seek to share Christ daily as a way of life.
Determine to live a holy, godly life of obedience and faith.
Start or join a home or church Bible study group that emphasizes revival and a holy life.
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The following is taken from Dr. Bill Bright, former Campus Crusade leader, who has fasted for 40 days or more:
How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success. By following these seven basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the Lord more meaningful and spiritually rewarding.
STEP 1: Set Your Objective
Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.
Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.
STEP 2: Make Your Commitment
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:
How long you will fast – one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.)
The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often).
What physical or social activities you will restrict.
How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s Word.
Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life’s pressures tempt you to abandon it.
STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually
The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:
Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.
Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).
Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).
Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).
Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).
STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.
Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.
Do not rush into your fast.
Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Fasting-and-Prayer.jpg173292Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-01-10 12:21:122019-01-10 12:21:12The Basics of Fasting
When Jesus was asked a question on the subject of fasting as recorded in Matthew 9, he answered in a way that God’s people should well understand. He used a wedding metaphor:
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.'” (Matt. 9:14-15)
The basic lesson of this metaphor is that fasting is like waiting for a wedding. Better yet, fasting is like the bride longing for the wedding and bringing it more quickly by that longing. It is asking the lover of your soul to come and make a holy visitation.
With this metaphor, Jesus explained that his disciples were not fasting at the time because he was with them. But when he would leave to go to heaven where he is now, note what he says will happen. Look at the last three words of verse 15: “they will fast.” Jesus expects Christians to fast.
Our Lord made that clear earlier in the gospel of Matthew. In the Sermon on the Mount, he gave instructions on a number of spiritual disciplines, saying “when you pray” or “when you give” in the assumption Christians will do these things. Then he said in Matthew 6:16-18, And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
In his book _Spiritual Disciplines, _Donald Whitney writes,
Until the ascended Bridegroom returns for His bride, fasting is a spiritual discipline His disciples will occasionally practice. This was the understanding of Christians in the book of Acts…and church history reports that since the days of the New Testament, the followers of Jesus have likewise engaged in fasting.”
The Lord wants you to experience communion with him in a way only prayer and fasting can bring. Fasting is not presented by him as something to bind you up in legalism, like the Pharisees practiced it. Rather, Jesus encouraged what John Piper captures simply with the title of his book on this subject – _Hunger for God. _In another of his writings, Piper quotes Jonathan Edwards who wrote,
Our hungerings and thirstings after God and Jesus Christ and after holiness can’t be too great for the value of these things, for they are things of infinite value… [Therefore] endeavor to promote spiritual appetites by laying yourself in the way of allurement… There is no such thing as excess in our taking of this spiritual food. There is no such virtue as temperance in spiritual feasting.” (John Piper, What Jesus Demands from the World, p. 90)
Jesus’s teachings on fasting can be summarized this way. Fasting is either a religious rite you feel compelled to do to be seen by men to feed your pride, or a spiritual discipline you desire to do to be seen by God who will feed your soul. The former expression represents salvation by works; the latter salvation by grace. The first is self-centered; the other is Christ-centered.
How would one go about fasting and prayer if it is an unfamiliar practice? Here are five guidelines.
First, get hungry! Though fasting is a Christian discipline that has been practiced throughout the history of the church, and is still prevalent in other parts of God’s kingdom in the world, in the West we are not accustomed to practicing it. Our comforts have lulled us to sleep in our spirituality. We do not hunger for God like we should and seek greater experiences of him. So our heart is not drawn to it.
But, listen to this. If you fast and pray for him, Jesus will come to you. As God has said, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Jesus told his church, “Behold, I stand and the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). That’s a promise! Fasting puts the heart and hunger needed in our praying.
**_Make a plan! _**Fasting will not happen without planning. If you are going to meet with someone, you must put it on your calendar. Or, to continue with Jesus’ metaphor, think of all the planning involved in a wedding. So if you want to meet with your bridegroom, set aside a day, the amount of time that day, and the location (make sure it is a quiet place) where you will fast and pray. Be sure not to schedule other activities that will interfere. This time should involve missing at least one meal. As far as possible, do not call attention to your fasting. Fasting in secret requires planning.
**_Change your diet! **A.W. Tozer said that the church “appears to have decided that if she cannot conquer the great god Entertainment — she may as well join forces with him and make what use she can of his powers…Religious entertainment is in many places rapidly crowding out the serious things of God.” _Part of the reason we need to fast in our modern age is to remove our hyper-connectivity to technology and the entertainment mindset it encourages. So do not use technical devices while fasting. Decide what you will read during the time – the psalms and devotional literature are good sources. Plan out what will you pray for and seek from God during this time. You are to be hungry for him! Will it be personal growth in an area of sanctification, victory over besetting sin, guidance and strength regarding a difficulty you are facing, wisdom in making a major decision, ministry plans for you or your congregation, or simply yet wonderfully just a deeper experience of God? Know what will be on the menu as you fast.
**_Build up to it! _**Because many of us are weak in the discipline of fasting, we need to be built up in this practice. Fasting is not one of those things you can just throw at yourself in one step. If you are wanting to build up a scrawny kid’s muscles, you don’t take him to the gym, put him under a 300-pound barbell, and tell him to start lifting. No, you start small and build up with repetition. In the same way, if you have not fasted before, consider missing at least one meal and set several hours aside for it rather than trying to do a multi-day fast. You cannot run if you cannot even crawl.
Finally, expect God’s visitation!_ _As stated above, if you fast as Jesus instructs, your Father will see and reward you with the great gift of his fuller presence through the Holy Spirit who dwells in you. The experience of others can encourage us in this regard.
David Brainerd was a missionary to the Native Americans in New Jersey during the first half of the eighteenth century. His short life (he lived to be only 29) has inspired many other missionaries, for he persevered despite great illness and discouragement. He was a man who sought after God. He wrote the following in his journal.
Monday****_, April 19, 1742. __I set apart this day for fasting, and prayer to God for his grace… In the forenoon, I felt the power of intercession for precious, immortal souls; for the advancement of the kingdom of my dear Lord and Saviour in the word; and withal, a most sweet resignation, and even consolation and joy in the thoughts of suffering hardships, distresses, and even death itself…I enjoyed great sweetness in communion with my dear Saviour. I think I never in my life felt such an entire weanedness from this world, and so much resigned to God in every thing. O that I may always live to and upon my blessed God! Amen, Amen. _
You see, as Brainerd makes clear, the expectation of fasting goes both ways. Jesus expects you to do it. And you can expect him to to visit with you when you do.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bride.jpg360480Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-01-09 05:28:412019-01-09 05:28:41Waiting for A Wedding
Genesis 22:9 “When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there; then he laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar on the wood.”
Oswald Chambers: This event is a picture of the mistake we make in thinking that the ultimate God wants of us is the sacrifice of death. What God wants is the sacrifice through death which enables us to do what Jesus did, that is, sacrifice our lives. Not— “Lord, I am ready to go with You…to death” (Luke 22:33). But— “I am willing to be identified with Your death so that I may sacrifice my life to God.”
We seem to think that God wants us to give up things! God purified Abraham from this error, and the same process is at work in our lives. God never tells us to give up things just for the sake of giving them up, but He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having, namely, life with Himself. It is a matter of loosening the bands that hold back our lives. Those bands are loosened immediately by identification with the death of Jesus. Then we enter into a relationship with God whereby we may sacrifice our lives to Him.
Precious Church family while you are praying about what to fast during our 21 day fast know that it’s not what you are giving up that matters to the Lord. Rather it is what you are in pursuit of. Are we giving those things up for the only ting worth having and that is Jesus Himself? The year of 2019 should be a year of pursuing Jesus. May God bless you with His Grace in this endeavor.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Abraham-and-Isaac.jpg168299Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2019-01-08 05:31:272019-01-08 05:31:27Is My Sacrifice Living?
One hundred years ago, in 1918, the name Lottie Moon was affixed to Southern Baptists’ annual Christmas offering for missions. It had been Lottie herself who first suggested a Christmas offering—thirty-one years before—in a letter she wrote from China where she spent four decades as a single woman devoting her life to the spread of the gospel.
In 2005 John Mark McMillan wrote and released the song, “How He Loves”and thousands were divided over one verse in the song: “So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,..” Awakening imaginations to the idea of kissing Jesus. How wrong and weird is that? Yet it shines light on something lurking just beneath the surface. That being our own perversions, lusts, wickedness and quite frankly evil. The paradox is exposed: on the one hand we love the idea of Jesus’ passionate love for us, yet on the other hand we hate that His love exposes the darkness in us. That hurts. It creates discomfort, making us feel bad about ourselves. Yet Scripture states: Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. Revelation 3:19
Ouch!!! None of that makes me get the “warm fuzzies.” Yet, in a “Me” centered culture people are often taken aback by any truth that seems to make them feel or look bad. They reason that a loving God would never make us feel bad about ourselves. Yet God’s Word, not our culture, reveals the higher truth: that from time to time, Jesus’ love and words are going to hurt and wound us deeply. “Those whom Jesus tenderly loves…He tells them their faults.”Though Jesus’ words have wounded me deeply at times, I rejoice that He loves me enough to bring it to my attention. (You should too) For without His correction, and wounding you can rest assured you do not really know Him. He is the TRUTH, and He is LOVE. Yet His LOVE does not take it’s direction from our cultures syrupy sweet version. Because He is LOVE He corrects, making us feel bad about ourselves. And that is the problem: SELF. The Bible teaches that our SELF hates God and the things of God.
Romans 8:7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.
Galatians 5:17 states: “For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
We need to be perfectly clear, God HATES sin, our sin nature, and everything associated with it. Sin is what crucified Jesus. Thus at times our SELF is going to be offended, rebuked, hurt, wounded, and even angry at God’s TRUTH. But remember: Faithful are the woundsofafriend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.Proverbs 27:6
Oswald Chambers, author of “My Utmost for His Highest,” writes: “We want the witness of the Spirit before we have done what God tells us to do…Why doesn’t God reveal Himself to you? He cannot. It is not that He will not, but He cannot, because YOU are in the way as long as you won’t abandon yourself to Him in total surrender…The Spirit of God witnesses to the redemption of our Lord, and to nothing else. He cannot witness to our reason.”
Remember this? “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”Isa. 53:4-6 We rejoice that this prophecy is about Jesus and how He was punished for our sin so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life. What is often overlooked is verse 10:“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin,…” It pleased the Lord to bruise Him??? Mull that offensive verse around in your mind and heart. It pleased the Lord to bruise Him in order to see our redemption and salvation. For my salvation and yours I am more than grateful that it pleased the Lord to have Jesus bruised for my sins. Praise God for His stripes and bruises. But we need to understand, it will also please the Lord to see our ego bruised, and our flesh crucified dead with Jesus’ crucifixion. That pleases the Lord and that is more than unpleasant – it makes me feel bad.
Lastly an odd verse pokes a hole in our cultural idea of love: KisstheSon, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.Ps. 2:12
This Messianic prophecy regarding Jesus would cause many to respond, “I would gladly kiss Jesus for all He has done for me. For that matter I would kiss His feet wetting them with my tears of gratitude and thanksgiving.” Yet there’s a side to kissing Jesus that you need to understand: “..out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,..” Rev. 1:16 AND Rev. 1:15 His feet glowed like burnished (bright) bronze as it is refined in a furnace,..”
Whether we stand to kiss the Son, or bow down to kiss His feet, our passion for Jesus, just like His passion for us, is going to hurt, and at times make us feel pretty bad. Yet on the other end of that “kiss” is Perfect Love… (and a Sword and Fire.) Can you pray: “Keep wounding me Lord Jesus that I might live again in perfect love freeing me from the SELF that hates You and is antagonistic towards You. Grace to kiss You again and again. May heaven meet my earth with a sloppy wet kiss and may I respond with similar passion.”
I trust that following last Sunday’s message everyone has had the opportunity to edit and rewrite their personal testimony. Until this week our challenges have been to see people the way God sees them, loving them from an eternal perspective. The other was to seek to obey the Lord in the area of sharing your faith. This Sunday we were challenged to not only write our testimony but to share our testimony. Remember the beginning line to open up the conversation regarding sharing your testimony? “I’m going through this class at church and they’ve asked us to share our personal story with two people who aren’t members of our church. Could I take 3 minutes of your time and read my story to you?” There aren’t too many people who will turn you down when you take this approach. So I encourage you, if you haven’t taken the time to share, to do so. Someone you love or care for may have been waiting for you to do so.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/testimony.jpg168300Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2018-10-16 14:47:382018-10-16 14:47:38Every Believer A Witness Testimonials
Pastor Chuck Smith: Life exists on two planes: the vertical and the horizontal. The vertical axis on which your life revolves is your relationship with God. The horizontal is your relationship with others. There is a fixed center point so that if the vertical axis is out of line, your life is doomed to become topsy turvy. People are always seeking to find the balance. Get the vertical axis correct, and the horizontal will automatically balance out. That is why it is significant that in the giving of the law, the first four commandments have to do with your relationship with God.
During these 10 Days of Awe it is important to examine ourselves in light of God’s Word and Spirit. The second commandment states: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Exodus 20:4
Very few Americans are in the practice of carving for themselves idols. In fact very few Americans are in the business of carving anything. What is similar is the process of making an idol and the lifestyles we live today. For someone to make an idol they had to pay a price, or make an investment. Whether they had to exert the effort to find a tree to chop down, sand, and carve, OR whether they made the idol out of some precious metal the results were determined by the investment. What do we invest in today? Investing involves putting money, time, effort, etc. in order to get an advantage. Very few invest in what really matters like their marriage, or their children. But we will invest in houses, cars, material possessions, education, jobs, cultural status, entertainment, outward appearances, keeping up with the Jone’s, drugs or alcohol, religion, sports, exercise, and animals. All of which are not bad in and of themselves but when these things become who we are, what we trust in, and center our lives around – then you’ve crossed the line into a form of self-destruction. Not only are you destroying your life but the lives of those you love.
You maybe surprised that I included religion in the list of investments. But remember religion with out a relationship with Jesus is what crucified Jesus. Religion is what resulted when Adam and Eve chose to be God; when they chose to reject God’s Word for satan’s lie. That agreement became an allegiance that resulted in their spiritual death. Remember Jesus stated: It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. John 6:63
Only the Holy Spirit can breathe life into God’s Words. Divorced or separated from God’s Spirit they simply become another idol, and some Christians and church goers worship it rather than knowing God through His Word. The Pharisees knew God’s Word better than anybody but Jesus called them “sons of hell.”
Romans 8:5-8 states: For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.
The balance between the vertical and horizontal is achieved when we get the vertical in order. When we place God first the other will be taken care of. Notice in the passage above that those who set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh are dead spiritually and the passage states that they hate God. On the other hand those who are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the Holy Spirit.
Today I was talking with Brayden Poovey and he mentioned the difference between Mormons and Christians. He observed that the Mormons seemed happier and more appealing than the Christians. We bounced around ideas as to why this was so. Ultimately we tracked it down to the Romans 8:5-8 passage. Christians and church goers settle for religion. Mormons are ignorant of the Truth and as the old adage states: Ignorance is bliss. Paul stated that knowledge puffs up. (1 Cor. 8:1) This is evident in Pharisaism and exemplified in American Christianity Sunday after Sunday. In Colossians 2:1 Paul states that he is deeply concerned for the Colossians and Laodiceans. Why? See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah). Col. 2:8
Four things: philosophy, intellectualism, vain deceit, and human tradition – were what caused Paul to be concerned. Why? Because these investments were causing them to drift away from knowing Jesus. Thirty years later the results of their choices are sobering and all too familiar with the modern day church: Revelation 3:14-17And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusty and faithful and true Witness, the Origin and Beginning and Author of God’s creation:I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
The consequences and results were catastrophic. They had become lukewarm in their passion towards Jesus; they made Jesus sick; they were poor in the things of the Spirit; spiritually blind; and spiritually naked – and they didn’t know it. The final disaster? Revelation 3:20Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.
They were having their traditional, intellectual pursuits while leaving Jesus out of their worship. They were so blind spiritually that they didn’t even notice that Jesus wasn’t even in church. Worse than their blindness they had quit hearing the “still, small Voice of the Spirit.” Tradition and intellectualism had made them spiritually dull unable to hear and recognize Jesus’ Voice.
Are there any graven images, and investments that have cut you off from knowing Jesus? Now that is something we can all confess and repent of.
There was an old song from the band Chicago Transit Authority back in 1969 titled, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” There’s a line in the lyrics that says: “People runnin’ everywhere, Don’t know where to go, Don’t know where I am, Can’t see past the next step, Don’t have time to think past the last mile, Have no time to look around, Just run around, run around and think why”
I bet if people from 1969 were to visit our world that they would think our life is a blur in comparison. Which begs the question, “Do you have time to know what time it is?” According to God – that is?
The Jewish new year began at sundown, Sunday night and went through sundown Tuesday night. Thus today marks a countdown in what the Jewish people called the “Days of Awe.” You may be tempted to ask, “What business does a Christian have with things that are Jewish?” Do you mean other than Jesus, the 12 Disciples, and the Bible? Obviously there are a whole lot of things we are already doing “business” with. Yet there is still one more thing that many Christians ignore because, mistakenly, they believe that it was done away with the Law. What in particular am I referring to? Why I am referring to God’s Calendar. God’s calendar is portrayed in His holy days. The holy days being Passover, Pentecost, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Hanukah.
IN the beginning God created time and you can rest assured that He intended that events on earth should reflect heavenly realities. The Apostle Paul stated that the events that God put on the Jewish calendar were to be to us as a tutor (Gal. 3:24). In fact he stated that they were a “shadow” of things that were to come or occur (Col. 2:16-17). In Lev. 23:2 God calls the feasts of Israel, His calendared items, His “appointed times.”
From today through sundown September 18 the Jewish people observe a time of fasting, confession of sin, and repentance. Thus you have ten days of seeking God through recognizing your sins, asking for forgiveness and grace to repent. It was more than a New Year’s resolution. It was to be a complete life change.
As I arose early this morning to pray and seek the Lord I pondered why there were 10 days. I wondered how many objects were used to worship God in the Tabernacle and I realized if you count the door (there was only one way in and out of the Tabernacle) that there were only 7. Wanting to ignore the obvious I kept hoping there was something that seemed deeper, but when it was all said and done I could only come up with the 10 Commandments. Then it hit me: “What if I took one commandment for each day, meditating on it, using it to prompt me in my confession?”
The first commandment is “You shall have no other gods before me.” That didn’t hit me that hard until the Spirit of God stirred up Jesus’ teaching on this matter. In Matt. 22:37-38 “And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.” When I lined my life up against that passage I realized I did have other “gods.” They were things that I loved more than God. Things I had given my whole heart, soul and mind to. Even as I type this I realize that there are some more sins I need to confess. Because even when something is good, like loving my wife or children, I can place them above God. I’ve had times in my life where I loved the martial arts, exercise, scuba diving, and entertainment more than I did God. Also when you think about it, “what is a god?” A god can be anything I place or put my trust in. In fact a god can be anything I serve. What we serve and trust above God, is a god.
God give us these calendared reminders because He knows we all have a tendency to drift off course, especially when our center isn’t His Word and Spirit but our selves. So I wanted to take this time to invite you to join me in seeking God, making an appointment to get on His calendar. Who knows what might happen. Jesus was born according to God’s calendar, crucified according to God’s calendar, raised from the dead on God’s calendar, and His Spirit was poured out on God’s calendar. Guess what else? He’s coming back on God’s calendar. Get on God’s calendar and possibly while you are participating Jesus will show up and you will experience Him in ways you never imagined.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Days-of-Awe.jpg600800Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2018-09-12 09:07:572018-09-12 09:07:57Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
It is my great pleasure to introduce a new staff member to Bethany Church: Lincoln Lawing has accepted an invitation to work with our youth part-time beginning September 5. His efforts will be focused primarily on Wednesday evening ministry with youth until the new year when he completes a prior ministry commitment with another church. Please be in prayer for Lincoln and his family as they begin their transition process.
This new ministry assignment will enable John David to apply his gifts and talents in the areas of worship, technology and assisting the pastor with various responsibilities associated with administration. Please continue to lift up John David and our youth in prayer.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Pastor Robert, by phone or email.
https://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/image1.jpeg749750Robert Shawhttps://mybethany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/bethany_logo_FULL-copy.pngRobert Shaw2018-08-14 10:43:502018-08-14 10:43:50New Staff Member Coming Soon!
Colossians 2:6-7 “So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Today Jackie’s heart and mine overflow with thankfulness as we think on how God has blessed us with the staff, leadership and people of Bethany Church. Thank you so much for remembering our anniversary, the card and the gift that you presented. We love you and it may sound crazy – but we like you too. (I’v heard people say, “I may have to love you, but I don’t have to like you.”)
I don’t know what the future holds for Bethany, but it appears that the Lord is preparing us for a visitation. Though He loves visiting with us but is goal is to dwell with us forever. So our assignment on earth is to establish a resting place whose foundation is LOVE. I’m of the opinion that you have been doing a pretty good job in the love department. So may I say from Jackie and I, “Thank you for accepting that assignment, loving Jesus, loving one another, and loving us.”
It all reminds me of a story I read years ago: There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read: “Pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need”.
Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didnt work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find.
Let’s keep priming the pump at our “little shack” Bethany through choosing the water of praise, worship, thanksgiving, prayer, service, and obedience centered in His Love and we will not only have enough to satisfy our needs, but there will be extra to go around. God’s Spirit is more than a pump – He is a Mighty River! God bless you guys.
1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, ….without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], ….lifting up holy hands.
People are having face lifts, neck lifts, chin lifts, forehead lifts, mid-face lifts, eye lid lifts, lower face lifts, mini face lifts, to their bodies. But what about Christ’s Body? What would happen if we began focusing on a prayer lift? Following yesterday’s service Sister Linda Stalls had a wonderful idea: EDIFY!
Edify means to encourage, build up, comfort, or LIFT UP. Historically the Latin noun aedes, means “house” or “temple,” and at it’s root is the word aedificare, a verb meaning “to erect a house.” Generations of speakers built on that meaning, and by the Late Latin period, the verb had gained the figurative sense of “to instruct or improve spiritually.” The word eventually passed through Anglo-French before Middle English speakers adopted it as edify during the 14th century.
Linda’s challenge?“Choose one person, from our body, to pray for this week.Ask Holy Spirit what He would have you say to that person to bring spiritual edification.Keep notes as to what you feel Holy Spirithas given you.It could be a word, a smile, a sentence, scriptures, a song, a psalm or whatever would come to your mind when you are praying. When we meet together on Sunday, share that edification with them. Doing this week to weekwill give us opportunity for Holy Spirit to build up our body through His Spirit working through us. Let’s EDIFY!!”
In taking Linda’s challenge we will be lifting up the Lord’s House – His Body, His Church (that’s you and I). Jesus promises that when we lift Him up He will draw all people to Himself. John 12:32. Isn’t that what we want to see? Jesus in and through us – through His Church. Let’s take Linda’s challenge beginning “Operation Up Lift” and raise up our hearts, voices and hands to the Lord in Prayer asking for words, scriptures, smiles, cards, sentences, songs, psalms, and other creative ways that would and could express the love of the Father to a member of our church body.
