Praise God you did it!  Twenty one days of separation unto the Lord.  You should be really proud of yourself, especially if you have never done something like this before. I do want give a few words of advice when breaking your fast.  If you have been doing water and or juice only, be careful when adding solid food into your diet.  Stay away from greasy, white flour products and sugar for a few days.  Eat high fiber, fruits (non acid) vegetable and fish.  Small portions several times a day is best.  If you did a Daniel fast, my suggestion is to be careful with greasy foods.  That steak or hamburger may make your mouth water, but you will regret it later.

You have started some great prayer and reading habits that I want to encourage you to keep practicing.  You have survived without television and media, so pray about a balance when introducing them back into your schedule.  Ask yourself, what needs to stay in my routine that I have been practicing?

Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you.  But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

You have separated yourself unto the Lord and he has broken some strongholds and given you a new anointing.  Romans 12:1-2 in the Message Bible says, “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you:  So, don’t go back to what you have been set free from.

Proverbs 26:11  As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. If God removed some people that are not a great influence in your life, then stay away and stay free.

Perhaps you have been keeping a journal, don’t forget to go back and fill in when you receive your answers.   This journal will be a source of incredible strength and faith as time goes continue your journey.

I want to take a moment and thank you so much for letting me be a part of your time with the Lord each day.  I appreciate the opportunity to share what I believe the Holy Spirit has been speaking to us during our journey.  

May I conclude this blog with Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make His face shine upon you. And be gracious to you, The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”  

My prayer for you as we come to the closing days of this fast is that you have new vision.

Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision (understanding, revelation) the people cast off restraint: But happy is he who keeps the law.”

What used to be can no longer be.  It is time to look to the future and see what God is doing and join him in his work.  If we truly are going to accomplish anything for the Lord it is going to take sacrifice and vision.   Sacrifice requires me to stop looking at me and start looking to Him.  Vision requires me to see what God sees and to be broken by the things that break his heart.  There are people all around us who desperately need to meet Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.  They are in bondage and pain, turmoil and fear.  Many have no clue what to do.  I believe many are crying out for help and God is calling on us to be the answer.    During this fast, we have been given the choice whether we want to see with new eyes or not.   

As Saul traveled on the Damascus road in Acts 9, he was blinded by the Lord.  It was time for a new set of eyes.  He was blinded and led into the city.  Ananias is told by the Lord to go and pray for Saul who has now become Paul.  As Anianas prayed for Paul in verse 18, “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once: and he arose and was baptized.”

Paul then went to Arabia for several years.  You can find that in Galatians 1:17.  I believe the Lord took him to Arabia to minister to him and set him free.    You can only minister freedom to others to the level that you have been freed.   Perhaps there was tremendous deliverance from his past persecutions of the church. He grew up without a mother and was sent to Jerusalem at an early age to live with Gamaliel, a famous Jewish teacher.   Knowing Paul through the scriptures,   I am sure he would have spent much time in prayer and fasting while he was in Arabia.  When Paul returned as a transformed man, he immediately began preaching Christ. 

Paul was placed into ministry, not by man, but by the Holy Spirit after a leadership prayer and fasting meeting that he attended.  In Acts 13:2,” As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  Then, having fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them away.”   Paul’s ministry of signs and wonders was birthed at this church leaders prayer and fasting meeting.   Don’t ever take it lightly when leaders come together to pray and fast.  God will respond to faith. 

I can’t even begin to tell you about the doors that have opened for me because of prayer and fasting, or the messages and insights that I gained as I separated my self and prayed.  I would never consider laying hands on anyone for ministry unless I have spent time in prayer and fasting over it.  I am very cautious when giving prophetic words to individuals because I know I will give an account of every word one day.   Personally, I think the body of Christ has lost some of the fear of the Lord.  We have humanized God to the point that we have forgotten that He is supernatural. 

Oh, may the scales be removed from our eyes and may fresh vision come to all those who cry out for it. Lord grant It please!

Satan has used food to tempt mankind for thousands of years.   He has also used it to keep many in bondage; the cycle of addiction is heartbreaking.   It is the temptation of food that got us into this mess and fasting that will get us out.  In Genesis 3, we see that Satan tempts Eve by saying, “Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”  He was trying to get her to doubt God’s word.  She responds by misquoting God in verse 3.   God said nothing about touching the fruit.  Eve gives in, eats the fruit, Adam eats freely and thus sin begins its destructive path.

Just a side note:

God is a god of his word.  He is not a liar and when he says he is going to do something you can count on it.  Jesus followed through with his word, even when it cost him his life at the cross.   I believe that is how he wants us to be.  When we say we are going to do something, we do it, even if it’s difficult or inconvenient. 

Please stop and read Genesis 25:19-34.  I want to focus on verse 29-34.  Jacob whose name means deceiver is desperate for Esau’s birthright.   He uses a pot of stew to deceive Esau out of his birthright.  Just take a moment to really think about that. Esau gave up everything for a pot of stew.  Our distraction towards food, material things, power and prestige can cause us to loose significant spiritual blessings. Food got us into this mess and fasting will get us out.

 Let’s look at King David in 2 Samuel 11:1-11; take a moment to read these verses.  David uses food to try and deceive.   Uriah is fasting from pleasurable things because his men are out to war and he has been called home.  He does not eat any pleasurable food, he sleeps at the doorway of the king with the other men, and he does not enjoy his wife while he is on leave.   Because he is fasting, he is not tempted in verse 8 by the kings “gift of food”.   The gift of food was sent so that Uriah would be tempted to sleep with his wife and David’s sin would not be found out.  David may have commanded Uriah’s death, but God was in control of his destiny.  Don’t miss the fact that Uriah passed God’s test.  Our rewards are not earthly, but heavenly.

Be encouraged, we only have a few more days left.  Don’t give up your breakthrough is right around the corner.   

Come and See!

As John the Baptist reveals in John 1:23, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness…”  He was a voice for the Lord, as you and I are.    In the later chapter of John one, we see that Jesus had begun calling his disciples.  He says to two of them in verse 39, “Come, and you will see.”  Later on, we see Philip telling Nathanael in verse 46, “Come and see.”   Jesus was the example and Philip caught on quickly.  Philip had nothing to prove to the unbeliever, all he knew to do, was to say, come and see for yourself.   When we invite those around us to come and see, it is the Holy Spirit’s job to draw them to Jesus, and then Jesus will draw them to the Father.   My responsibility is to live a life yielded to the Holy Spirit and to fulfill the will of the Father.  As I am an example of Christ’s life to those around me, they will want to come and see.

The world around us is lost.  The depth of the depravity of man is heart breaking!  When we invite them to come and see they need to be able to see; to see that we are different.  Different from the world that surrounds them.   They need to encounter the power of the Holy Spirit.  I am not just referring to the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, but to the person of the Holy Spirit, to all aspects of who He is.  Galatians 5: 22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….”   Each of these manifestations of the Holy Spirit should be evident in the life of a believer.  We should be people who forgive and forgive often. 

One of our greatest responsibilities is to respect the authority that God has placed over us.  The lost should see that we are a people who desire to reconcile with each other because of our love for Christ.  If they see that, they will come and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.   As you pray today, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you several things:

Am I an example of Christ to those around me?           

Am I manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life?

Do I need to forgive anyone today?

Am I responding correctly to the authority God has placed in my life?

These are difficult questions, but when answered honestly, they will transform our life. Have a great prayer time today.  We have just a few days left!

Esther's uncle Mordecai hears of a plot to destroy the Jews.  In chapter 4 and verse 3, we see that Mordecai and the Jews are in great distress.  They are mourning, laying in sackcloth and fasting.   At the same time, Esther is in the palace, serving as the queen.

Mordecai comes to Esther and tells her of his findings.  Esther 4:13-14, “And Mordecai told them to answer Esther, "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews.  For if you remain completely silent at this time relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish.  Yet who knows whether you have come to this kingdom for such a time as this?"  There are a few things that I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart.

The first is, what will happen if we continue to keep silent?  Will people perish because of my fear of being rejected?  Will God raise someone else up to do what I was called to do?  Will God give me a second change if I mess up?  I am not sure if you have ever asked yourself these questions, but I have.  I do not want to stand before the Lord, face to face, and have to explain why I did not obey.  I have often found myself in difficult situations in ministry.  I could have kept silent and risked missing God, or speak boldly and humbly, that which He had given me.  It hasn't been easy, but He never promised easy, he promised rewarding. 

Esther could have died entering the king's presence without being called.  She commands Israel to a three day fast and she and her maidservants would do the same.  God gave Esther not only favor, but boldness during that fast.   During the next three days God was lining up the miracle that the Jews believed for.   Esther musters up all the courage within her and goes before the king.  She believed the stories her uncle told her of a God who delivers his people.  He told her of King David, a man that won his battles not by fighting well, but believing well.  As the Spirit of God filled her heart with boldness, she went before her king and was granted her desire.  Not only would Israel be freed but the enemy (Haman) was destroyed.   They did not have to physically fight, no their victory came because they believed well!    Are you believing well today? 

Need direction, answers, and protection?  Then fast and pray!

Scripture for today is Ezra 8:21-23

Ezra was preparing to lead the remnant of Israel out of Babylonian captivity.  They had been held captive for seventy years, which meant an entire generation had passed.  This new generation of young people had never seen the temple of Jerusalem.   They had never experienced the presence of God like their forefathers had. 

Ezra could have led them with his talent or perhaps his charisma.  Maybe Israel would follow him because of his strength and stature.  However, Ezra knew he needed God.  I love that about him, he led after he had been with God.  Any of us can lead out of talent, charisma, ego, and abilities.  But like Ezra, we need to lead because we have been with God and called of God.   

In verse 22, we see that Ezra had boasted of God's mighty power and wrath against all who forsake Him.  How could he ask this king for escorts when he had bragged so mightily about his God?  So, he calls Israel to a fast, that they would humble themselves before God and seek his face.  They must see God move on their behalf and fasting was the key.  

Our talent, charisma, and strength will only take us so far and then we will fall.  We fast because we need to know the right direction for our lives.  It's not only physical direction that we need, but how about moral direction.   Our country has lost its moral compass and that has crept into the church. Have you lost your moral compass? Has complacency crept up on you?  

We also need physical direction in life. Are you out of work and needing God to open a door?  What about financial situations? Are you not sure what direction to go in a specific situation?  Are you having personality or relationship issues and not sure how to handle it?   Fasting and prayer is the answer.  Let's agree today in prayer for each other.  

Scripture for today is Luke 4:16-20

We have been looking at this chapter over the last few days.  We started with Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, experiencing warfare, and winning the battle over all temptation for us. I Corinthians 10:13 tells us, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

We have seen that angels are released after times of prayer and fasting.  These angelic hosts are created to minister to the heirs of salvation.  Today, I would like to show you that after tremendous warfare comes not only the release of angels but fresh anointing.  Let's look at verse 18 of Luke 4.  We see that following Jesus' battle with Satan in the wilderness comes a proclamation that ‘the Spirit of Lord is upon Me’.  Whenever we go to new levels in the Lord there are always new devils to confront.

As we battle and stand in faith, then fresh anointing is released. 

I have learned over the years, anyone who honestly has a vibrant, passionate relationship with the Holy Spirit has experienced tremendous trials and warfare in their lives.  It's through those times of pressing in and not giving up, that the Holy Spirit becomes more and more real and precious to us.  It's the anointing that breaks the yokes of bondage off of our lives and the lives of those we love.  That anointing is the weighty presence of the Holy Spirit.  So, Isaiah is really saying, without the presence of the Holy Spirit worship will be lifeless, the message powerless, and the fellowship strained. 

I feel very pressed to pray for a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit upon the body of Christ.  Let's pray and agree that God will move as we cry out to him. Let's agree in prayer for a habitation and not a visitation of the Holy Spirit.   Breakthrough is just a prayer away!

In Luke 4 we see that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for a time of prayer and fasting.  Satan appeared and the temptations of Christ began.  Matthew records the same event in Christ’s life, yet he takes it a step further.

Matthew 4:11 tells us, “ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”  As I said yesterday, Jesus was physically exhausted from enduring the attack of Satan and the lack of nutrition from fasting.  The Father extends his mighty right hand and angels appear to minister to Jesus.   Hebrews 1:14 inquires, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”   The word angel in the Greek is angelos-meaning, “to deliver a message”.  In the New Testament the meaning of this word leans towards “a spiritual messenger from the Lord sent to Earth to execute His purposes and to make them known to men.”  Angels reside in the midst of believers, especially during our corporate times of prayer.  We may not see them, but they are present to execute God’s will. 

Hebrews 9: 25 reminds us that Jesus lives to make intercession on our behalf.  Our prayers come before Christ, who intercedes on our behalf before the Father, the Father responds, and angels are sent into the heavenly atmosphere to do warfare on behalf of our prayers.  Daniel experienced this very thing in Daniel 10.   I especially want you to be encouraged by verse 12, “Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.’”  I love this verse! God heard Daniel on day one and the angel was sent in response to his prayers.    I also love Isaiah 65:24, “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”  Oh church, we have angels all around, working behind the scenes on our behalf, and on those we are praying and fasting for.  Prayer and fasting together release warrior angels into the heavenlies to fight, direct, and fulfill the will of the Father. 

Keep praying, and let’s make some war in the heavenlies! 

Today’s Scripture reading is Luke 4: 1-15

When you fast you are opening yourself up to the spirit realm.  That realm consists of both good and evil.  It’s important to be careful when listening to voices during a fast.  Satan will attempt everything he can to keep you from completing this fasting and prayer time.  Don’t give up, victory is on the way!

 Please stop and read Luke 4 if you haven’t already.

We read that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.  Of course, Satan was waiting for him.  Jesus wasn’t caught off guard when Satan appeared.  He wasn’t fearful either.  Scripture says he was filled with the Holy Spirit.  He had already purposed in his heart to do the will of the Father.  He began to fast because he knew this confrontation was about eternity.  He had to win this victory, so that you and I could live free from the temptations set before him. 

His fast consisted of forty days of water only, and hours of endless intimacy with the Father in prayer, not to mention the relentless warfare with Satan.  The desert days were dry, hot, and dusty, while the nights were dark, damp, and chilling.   Satan would appear periodically to tempt him.  At first, he threw the lust of the flesh at him.  Would Jesus give in?  Satan pressed harder and fought dirtier.  As Jesus stood against him, Satan dug in deeper and went after him with the lust of the eyes.  I can hear Satan now, tempting and bulling Jesus with everything within him.  His mind was growing weary of the battle and his body getting tired from lack of nutrition.  Satan tries his last attempt to bring Jesus down.  He tempts him with pride. Don’t let anyone kid you, Jesus was at war here; this wasn’t a walk in the park.   He was determined not to give in, regardless of how fierce the warfare was.   Perhaps each of our faces came before him as he prayed for strength to complete the task at hand.  Did you get that?  Perhaps your face came before him as he cried out to the Father for strength.   Love empowered him to go on.   If he had to do it just for you, he would have.   That’s how much he loves you.   The battle has been won, and you and I have inherited the benefits of the victory!! 

 Press on today, for your prayers are reaching the throne room on behalf of so many others.  Your prayers are bringing eternity into the hearts of those who otherwise would never hear the gospel of truth.   Your prayers are setting the captive free today, the drug addict loosed, the marriage restored and the wounded heart healed.  Yes, His power and your prayers!!  

Monday February 7 2011

Today we are back in Joshua 1 and I would like for you to read verses 10-18. 

Yesterday, we saw that the Lord told his chosen people to prepare to cross over the Jordan and enter into the promise that they had waited so long for.  But, there is a great lesson here that I believe the Lord wants us to learn.  In verse 12, we see that Joshua spoke to 2 ½ of the tribes and told them that they were going to stay on this side of the Jordan.  They were NOT going to live in the promise land. Oh, they will have to go in and fight the battle, but they would return to this side of the Jordan and reside.  That amazes me because they are required to fight for the promise land, but they will not enjoy the promise.  I believe that there are a lot of Christians fighting the fight, but loosing the battle.  

Let’s look at Numbers chapter 32 to find the answer. Take a moment and read Numbers 32:1-18.  These 2 ½ tribes had a great deal of livestock and when they saw that the land on this side of the Jordan was good, they begged Moses to give them this land.  They became greedy along with becoming fearful of loosing their “stuff”.  Settling became easier!   They weren’t sure what the other side of Jordan was like. Would it be fertile for farming?  Would there be enough land for their livestock?  “What if” can be a dangerous start to a statement.  They settled for something good and not God’s best.  Compromise is a dangerous decision.

They had such a tight grip on their stuff they couldn’t see beyond it.  They were paralyzed with fear that they might loose something if they were to let go and trust God. Entering the promise land was no longer the goal, keeping their livestock became their obsession. 

What are you holding on to today? What’s keeping you from God’s best?  If you compromise to get it, you will not enjoy it.  If you compromise to keep it, it will destroy you.  Let it go, God has so much more for you! 

Today I feel led to share out of Joshua 1:10-13, “Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'" To the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.” 

One aspect of what I hear the Lord saying is to, “prepare to cross over”.  What is it that you believe Him to do through this fast?  Did you write it down? I sense the Lord saying, “Tell them to prepare for it.”  I am not talking about an emotional, goose bump, feeling that you think God is doing something.  I am talking about that inner small still voice that is a calm assurance, that it’s time for a new thing.   This word is being confirmed all around you, through preaching, verses, and counsel. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”  Whatever the lies are that have held you back from moving forward, it’s time to let them go.  You are more than the sum of what has been spoken over you.  You were created for so much more than this. Maybe it’s time to write all that stuff down that has been said over you, like those things which you have been holding on to, and then make a nice fire in the fireplace. Burn them once and for all!  For the Lord promises to make beauty out of ashes, Isaiah 61:3.   He will make beauty out of your ashes, and He will also give you the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.  He is Able!

Tomorrow, I will share with you what the word to the Reubenites, Gadites and the tribe of Manasseh was, but for now, press on!

One week and you are doing fantastic!  A few of you are still having some headaches; you may still be releasing toxins from your body.  Keep drinking plenty of water and they will eventually be flushed out of your system.  Others have shared that you can’t find the quiet time to enter in, be careful it might just be the enemy robbing your time.  When something is important to us we always seem to find the time.  Remember, the key is to pray, and by adding fasting to our prayers, we are adding the fuel to the fire. Several have shared of wonderful breakthroughs where God has supernaturally intervened. He is moving on our behalf!  Perhaps you have not seen any results yet.  Maybe the breakthroughs haven’t happened. Please be encouraged, I promise He is hearing and moving on your behalf.  So, press on to the mark!

Scripture:  Isaiah 58:6-12

I want to encourage you to meditate on these verses for the next few days.   Studying these scriptures will bring knowledge of them, while memorizing will bring recall, but I want to encourage you to meditate because that will bring transformation.  Allow the Holy Spirit to speak a revelation of these verses to you.  The Lord says in verse 6, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen:  To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free?  And that you break every yoke?”  Oh hear the Word of the Lord, “this is the fast that the Lord has chosen”.  If He has chosen this time for us to separate ourselves unto Him, then He is making and preparing the heavens on our behalf.  

Isaiah 10:27, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”  The Holy Spirit is moving on our behalf, and it is His presence that will destroy the strongholds.  You and I do not have to do anything to make it happen.  The battle belongs to the Lord and He is going to do it. Let go of control!! Rest and trust Him!  

I love verse 8 and 9 because we see that the Lord continues to say, “The glory of Lord shall be your rear guard.  Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer.  You shall cry and He will say, “Here I am.”   Keep pressing in, even if you are in the midst of a battle, it’s only Satan trying to discourage you and get you to give up.  But greater is He that is in us then He that is in this world, I John 4:4.

Matthew 6:5-13 

Verse 13, “….For yours is the kingdom  and the power and the glory forever..”  Yes, God is sharing his kingdom, power and glory with you and I.  2 Timothy 4:18, “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”   We are a spirit being, who has a soul and lives in this body.  We were created for eternity.  We were created for so much more than this earth.  Heaven is our eternal home, and nothing on this earth will ever satisfy us, not when eternity is in our hearts.  The last thing Jesus emphasizes to his disciples is, don’t get caught up with the earth, you are not going to be here for  very long. Heaven is our home.  We should long for Christ’s return.  

Revelation 3:12  We are given a new name in heaven.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 21:21   Description of heaven

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Revelation 21:4    No tears, sorrow, death or pain in heaven

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. I believe Jesus brings everything into perspective as He closes out His teaching time with the disciples.  Peace be still loved ones, and know that He is God.  

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Today we are putting on our boxing gloves.  Are you ready?

If you are new to this blog, we have been studying the above verses.  We are on the 6th of 7 principles of prayer. Today we are looking at verse 13, “deliver us from the evil one.”  This is where we exercise our delegated authority over Satan.  In Job 1:10, Satan says to the Lord, “Have you not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?”  The fact that Job had a hedge around his family and possessions tells me that Satan wanted to steal or destroy what Job had.  John 10:10 tells us, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy whatever he can from the believer.  I don’t know about you, but that just makes me Holy Ghost stirred up!  Speak that hedge of protection around your loved ones and your possessions, and know that Jesus came to give us abundant life. 

When you fast, you are opening yourself up to the spirit realm which contains both good and evil.  Be aware, just because you are fasting, Satan is not going to let up, nor, is every voice that you hear that of the Holy Spirit.  If you are sensing the Holy Spirit speaking to you, write it down, be patient, it is not your job to bring it to pass, but God’s. 

 Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give you the power to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”   The word power here in the Greek; exousia: meaning, delegated authority.  Jesus says I have delegated my authority to you over all the enemy.  When I am putting on a conference and I delegate authority to someone on the team, I expect them to use that authority to accomplish the task.

Matthew 18:18-20, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”  That is why it is really important to get involved in corporate prayer.  Corporate prayer is when a group of believers gather together to agree with one another over specific needs.  You can find the times we are meeting during these 21 Days on the website or in the weekly bulletin. 

I John 4:4 tells us, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in this world.”  Greater is the Holy Spirit that dwells in our mortal bodies than Satan who is the prince of the power of the air, Eph 2.  We are on the winning side.  We might get bumped and bruised but we are more than conquerors, Rom 8: 37.

Take authority in your prayers.  It’s not prideful or arrogant to be authoritative in prayer; it is obedience.  Take time to agree in prayer with another believer or come to prayer meeting so we can agree with you.  Stand firm!

Praise God!  We are at day 5 and I pray at this point you are gaining momentum and there is a spark igniting a fire and passion within you. If not, don’t be discouraged,  keep with it.  Hebrews 11: 6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  I promise, He will show up!!! 

Scripture reading: Matt 6:5-13

So, let’s look at our fifth aspect of our pattern to prayer; God’s forgiveness and the ability to forgive others.  Today’s lesson will be split into three parts. Here we go!

Let’s start with the fact that God has forgiven us.   When we came to Christ for salvation, we were forgiven.  As we become disciples, it’s our daily choices that hinder our relationship with the Lord and limit the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Sin is any choice that I make that is not in line with the Word or will of God.  I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  The word “confess” here means to come into agreement with God.  We are to agree with God what sin is.  If the Lord calls something sin, then it is sin, whether you feel like it is sin or not. Forgiveness is a daily discipline that we must walk in to stay free.  During the fast, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that you need to confess, and then accept His forgiveness. 

Part 2 of today’s lesson is extending forgiveness. Here is a definition that I have used in teaching as well as in counseling.  Forgiveness is an act of the will, done in faith before God, where we give up our right to hold another accountable for the wrong they have done us.  So let’s look at that a little closer.  Forgiveness is a choice and it does not have anything to do with feelings.  Once we choose to forgive, then our feelings of anger, rejection and frustration will eventually dissipate because of our obedience.  Forgiveness is done in faith, meaning we trust God in the situation.  He knows how to work all the messy details out, we don’t need to be in control of the outcome, we just need to trust Him.  In totally surrendering our life to Christ, we gave up having rights and turned them over to Him.  We have no rights and no one owes us anything.  Who do you need to forgive today?  Whose face or name is coming to mind?  Praise the Lord, it’s time to let go, forgive and live free! If you find that you need further help with forgiveness please stop by the chapel.  I have placed some information on the table to help you further. 

Part 3 is found in Matthew 6:17, ‘But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,” Lastly, Jesus tells us to wash our face and anoint ourselves. This refers to our lesson today, washing away the dirt from our lives.  He then tells us to anoint our heads.  Once we are clean it’s time for fresh anointing.  Fathers, I encourage you, during your family devotions, take time to anoint your family and pray.  If you are single, have a friend pray for you.  Even better yet, come to church tonight and have an elder anoint you and pray fresh fire in your life.  See you at church!

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Today we are learning about the fourth step of the pattern of prayer:  Verse 11 states, “give us”; this speaks of God’s provision. Jesus told us to pray daily, asking Him to supply our needs.  Ex 2:23 tells us, “During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.”  God responded to the cry of His people, and He responded by raising up Moses and using him to deliver them from the bondage and slavery of Egypt.  Did you get that?  God raised up a man in response to their cry.  He didn’t smite Pharoah and loose the people.  He used a man to bring about the desired result. Perhaps He is raising you up (man or woman) to be the answer to a cry from someone’s heart. Who or what are you groaning and crying out for during this fast?  Cry out, groan from within, because your Father who is able to do something about your situation is listening. 

We can spend our time whining about something, or use the same amount of energy and pray about it.  While Israel was in the wilderness, the Lord met their need by sending manna daily to them.  The instruction in Exodus 16 was to eat it each day and to not carry any over to the next day.  We need a fresh word, a fresh touch and a fresh anointing every day.  Yesterday’s manna (word and anointing) will not work for today.  2 Chronicles 7:14, “ if my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”

Be encouraged.  God desires to give you good gifts. The enemy is the one who tells us that the situation will never change, that it will always be like this.  Satan deceives by making you believe that God can’t or will not do it.  I want to remind you that He is more than able.  Eph 3:20, “ Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.”  He is Able.  The word “able” means achieving power in the Greek language.  God has the power to achieve whatever is necessary for your miracle.

Habakkuk 2:2-3, “Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.  For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”  I want to encourage you to get a journal just for these 21 days. Each day write what you are asking of the Lord, and then write what He is speaking to you. As He instructed Habakkuk, make it clear, so that you will be able to follow it after the fast.  Perhaps, during the fast you want to study a specific section of scripture or a certain book of the bible.  I have chosen the book of John.  John has 21 chapters, so it’s a chapter a day. I ask the Lord to reveal a verse to me each day.  I write it on sticky note. I meditate on that verse throughout the day. I have learned that studying the word brings information; memorizing the word brings recall, but meditating on the word brings transformation.  A transformed life is what I am desperate for.  “Less of me, and my selfishness, and more of Christ and his anointing!”  

Today, we are back in Matthew 6:5-13

Here is the second thing that we can learn from the disciple’s prayer pattern:

 “Hallowed be thy Name”.  This speaks of God’s Presence.  We are to enter His presence through praise, worship, and adoration.

 During my daily time with the Lord, I will often start with a few worship songs.  This helps me focus on the Lord. Once you take your thoughts captive and recognize who you are meeting with, then the praise can begin.  That is why we will have live music at all of our prayer meetings.  Praise ushers in the presence of God, and His presence pushes back the enemy.  Praise isn’t about me, it’s about Him.  Moses stood in amazement at the presence of God, and immediately took off his sandals.  Gideon fell on his face. Joseph was speechless and Mary was obedient.  We respond to His presence by humbling ourselves before him, no distractions, just an absolute focus on him.  The cares and concerns of this world will dissipate, and resting in him is absolutely peaceful. His presence will change the atmosphere of wherever He is. 

 Consider this:  When was the last time that you felt the weighty presence of God on you?  You know, that place where nothing matters and your faith explodes within you, and you have not a concern in the world?  If it’s been a while, I would like to encourage you to fast and pray with us.  Not just fast, because that’s a diet, but spend that time seeking your Heavenly Father who loves you enough to send his only son for your redemption. He wants you and He is calling you back to Him, because He misses that precious time alone with you. 

 I am often asked questions about prayer.  Maybe you have asked these types of questions yourself.  “Where do I start?  How do I pray to someone you can’t see?  I don’t know if I am praying right!   After a while I don’t know what to say, I run out of words.”  They are all good questions, and I believe they have probably been asked for centuries.  Did you know that the only thing that the disciples ever asked Jesus to teach them was to pray?  They didn’t ask to be taught how to cast out demons, how do win souls, or raise money for a building project.  No, they just asked one simple - but profound question: Teach us how to pray. 

 This week we will be studying Matthew 6. Matthew 6 is often referred to as, The Lord’s Prayer, but it is really the disciple’s prayer.  It was a teaching tool that Jesus used to address the seven major topics that represent human need, and gave the disciples a pattern to their prayer life.   We too can use this as a pattern to help us learn to pray.  Take a minute to read Matthew 6: 5-13.  “In this manner, therefore, pray.” Was as in verse 9, did you read it?

 First, Jesus begins by helping us see our need for paternal care, “Our Father”.  When we pray, the first thing we must realize is that all of our needs are met by our faithful loving Father.  We might think that it is our boss or the company that we work for that provides for us, but it is the Lord.  During this difficult economy I think many are coming to the conclusion that if it were not for God, where would we be?  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  For God so loved that he gave.  God loves us and wants to bless us, he wants us to prosper.  He is always listening for our voice.  In Isaiah 65:24, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” 

 Part of our spiritual and emotional growth process is to experience God through different attributes. If you have never been sick you will not see him as your Healer.  If you have never been in bondage, you will never know him as your Deliverer.  If you have never been financially challenged, you will never know him as your Provider.  It is all about getting to know God, step by step, line upon line, and precept upon precept. Isaiah 28:10.

 We have to come into his presence and recognize who he is and take our thoughts captive. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.  I might not think or feel that he is who he says he is but the word is clear and I must battle my stinkin’ thinking.  He is the Breath of Life, My Hightower, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jehovah God, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the Great Physician, the Small Still Voice and the Roaring Thunder.  He is God, man, Messiah, Prince of Peace, Author and Finisher of my Faith, my Shield, Defender, Deliverer and soon coming King.  Must I say more...?

 So here is a recap of today:  God is who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do.  He wants to do for me, but I must choose to rely on Him.  By reading the Word, I will be able to replace the truth with the lies that I believe.  Here’s a thought for the day: Do I see Him as my provider and protector?

Are you a believer or a disciple?