Why do I fast?  Because I want to hear God more clearly.  It’s not something I can admit I do often, but I believe I should.  Some may look at fasting as a challenge or an opportunity to lose weight, which are not the right intentions, but done with the right intentions you’re bound to see God work in your life in ways you may never thought possible.  It’s a voluntary action to which one, usually fast food, as in scripture usually describes as “choice food,” and instead eat vegetables and drink water only, or totally abstain from food altogether but free to drink all the water you deem necessary.  If you feel led to fast something other than food, as I have done before and will from time to time apply to my fasting practices, that’s totally between you and the Holy Spirit.

I’m not one to get all political on what you should and shouldn’t fast, or if you should fast gluten or not, this is between you and God.  Your sacrifice to Him.  Now if you haven’t fasted before… maybe take baby steps.  Fast one meal a day.  I have some friends that go the whole 40 days with only water.  I’m looking forward to a 40 day fast starting this Monday January 15, 2018.  If you’d like to join please contact me and I’ll give you more info and the team of friends that are on this journey as well.  We actually are scattered all over the states and have conference calls on certain nights.

One very important aspect to fasting is not to make it known to everyone.  Yes, I may be blogging about it now, but this is also an invitation and encouragement to do so.  It’s not to gain the opportunity to brag or status of achievement.  This  is about your relationship becoming more intimate with Christ and focusing on the nitty gritty.

Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)

¹⁶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair^[a] and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Fasting is a discipline that Jesus demonstrated from time to time.  It’s a time of denying our fleshly desires and hone in on our spiritual connection with God.  It’s also a time of preparation of what is about to unfold in one’s life.  In the following two scripture we have Jesus’s 40 days of fasting, and Daniels, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah tasty vegetable diet.  I’ve recorded an audio version of each story for you convenience.

Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)

The Temptation of Jesus

“4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ² For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

³ During that time the devil^[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone,

 but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶ and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’^[d]”

⁸ Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

¹⁰ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

¹¹ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”

Daniel 1 (NLT)

Daniel 1 (NIV)

Daniel’s Training in Babylon

“1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. ² And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia^[a] and put in the treasure house of his god.

³ Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— ⁴ young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.^[b] 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and winefrom the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

⁶ Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. ⁷ The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

⁸ But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. ⁹ Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, ¹⁰ but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your^[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

¹¹ Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah,¹² “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” ¹⁴ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

¹⁵ At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. ¹⁶ So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

¹⁷ To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

¹⁸ At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. ²⁰ In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

²¹ And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.”

 

I encourage and challenge you to examine your life and seek God out if He is calling you to fast.  Is your busy life and excuses getting in the way of your prayer life?  Are gadgets and media consuming your time?  Maybe addictions and temptations consuming you?  Is there a big decision that you must overcome?  A big next step, opportunity or responsibility coming your way?  Why not live by Jesus’s and Daniels example.  Give up these pleasures of your life for just awhile and get serious with God.  No excuse is good enough not to fit God in.  He will speak to you and lead you, but if your attention is divided, what is it to Him unless we show him the same genuine love we know He has for us?

John 14:1-4

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions;^[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.^[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

A simple scriptural song about Jesus’ love for us, promises that He has gone to prepare a place for us and will indeed come back again.  A truth of hope, a reminder that though this world is full of darkness and many troubles, what awaits ahead is a place of eternal peace.

Lately I’ve been troubled by people living a lifestyle of sin.  It’s a natural tendency to be turned off by their wickedness and walk the other way (sometimes I want to walk away from myself due to my own sin.)  But the other part of me wants to go up and shake them declaring… don’t you know there’s a place of hope and love far better than this world?  That there’s a God that loves you enough to forget about your past and give you a purposeful life?  It’s the freedom I have in the Spirit that moves my soul.

I’ve grown up being worried about what other people thought about my faithfulness to God.  I worried how they’d view me, as we all want to be accepted.  Now that I live in a city where sin is more rampant, I’m asking for wisdom to be an influence to others I come into contact with and to encourage and build up other believers.  I’ve always had a shy side, but I sense inside that my spirit is about to expose another portion that hasn’t been manifested before.  As if it’s been locked away, but at the same time has slowly been brewing and is waiting for the right time to burst forth.  In what way?  Only God Knows.  There’s no doubt you will indeed feel different and perhaps ‘out of place,’ on this earth.  I know I do, even among other Christians I feel very different… why is that?  I’m still praying for the answer.  Maybe I have a unique mission/calling that I find it hard to relate to others, but indeed God has a unique mission for us all does He not? (short tangent.)

Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

       I don’t want to be hated but I also want to store up those rewards/treasures in heaven.  When you think about what God has to offer, and that indeed what we experience here on earth will soon come to pass, is there any excuse to not face the troubles that come with living for Christ?  Times I’ve been more consumed with trying to live a comfortable life and giving all the excuses to why I’m not as effective, and that it would only change if God gave me what I needed… But that’s just an excuse.  Is it to much to find alternate ways to serve God, to bless others?  I’m glad God didn’t give excuses to why He couldn’t come save us for our sins.  Phew!

God’s love comes with consequences.  If we desire to be His true children, and love Him, we will do what it takes to be obedient.  Even if it means making sacrifices and/or being ridiculed, which is what most fear.

John 14:23-26 (NLT)

²³ Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. ²⁴ Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. ²⁵ I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. ²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Even those who say they love God, don’t really love Him unless they do what He says.  Going to church on Sunday and doing whatever you want through the week isn’t what He asked.  He asked to live a life fully committed to Him.  In doing so we get to take part in His promises and look forward to that mansion in Heaven.  So really, if our heart is focused on what is here on earth, then that’s where you really want to be… But if it’s focused on spending a life of eternity in Heaven with Christ, then that’s where you shall be also.

Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

No matter what, you can’t please everyone, especially living for the Most High God, don’t be surprised when people hate you because of Him.  It’s one of the consequences of His love.

Profound Thought Moment

Among all the religions, Christians are indeed hated because the name of Jesus is powerful. We are #1 on the enemies target list.  Take this perspective.  The law of God is naturally written on our hearts whether a person has heard of God or not. He has made Himself known through creation and in our hearts.

Romans 1:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (HCSB)

¹¹ He has made everything appropriate^[a] in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts,^[b] but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.

 The Conflict

Romans 8:7-8 (NLT)

⁷ For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. ⁸ That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Four scriptures, two showing that instinctively we know God’s existence is real and two showing that our flesh is in conflict with the truth that lies within us.  The point of bringing this up, again is that people will hate you because of Christ.  Why aren’t other religious persecuted as much as Christians?  Because they serve false gods, gods that don’t exist, gods that are only the figment of one’s imagination.  How can the body be in conflict with which isn’t?  Due to sin,the body is in rebellion to the truth.  This is why Christ came to condemn sin in the flesh.  For that those who do believe and turn from sin will have a spiritual connection with God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

The Wisdom of God

¹⁸ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

      Being said, people naturally are turned off by those who stand for truth.  They follow the desires of their natural sin, which is rebellion towards righteousness and self seeking in it’s own fleshly desires.  This is a blind fold to all those who do not believe and keep believing and living in the lies.  Think about all the wars and executions of the past years.  Countries that won’t allow Christianity to thrive but allow other religions.  It’s because their sinful nature knows what’s the truth.

Not all is lost knowing that most of the world will hate us because of our stance with Christ.  I often hear people say that God is on their side…. I understand what you’re trying to say, but God doesn’t take sides… you have to choose His side or the other guy’s side… (the devil guy.)

Again God’s love has consequences.  As shared earlier Matthew 5:12 mentions that great is our reward in heaven because of the persecutions that we face.  No matter what obstacle or trials we face, we have the assurance that God can use it to our good.

Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

I know through my life’s challenges and moving from one place to another, meeting new people and leaving friends behind, God has shaped me in ways I never thought would have been possible through all the good and bad things I endured.  I’m able to speak from experience and authority because of these dealings in my life.  To know that God has a way to totally flip Satan’s intention is a gift in itself.

1 John 4:16 (NLT)

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

Trust in His love.  It doesn’t say only trust God when things are good.  We are to plainly trust in His love through the course of our entire life on earth, because Heaven is waiting for us.  We will face oppression by others who don’t take God at His Word and those who twist God’s Word to their own liking.  But understand this.  There is an enemy at work behind the scenes.  He doesn’t care about you or me.  But yet people are ignorant to his existence and easily fall victim to his plans.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

“Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Just knowing that one day I will be united with Christ, brings much joy to my heart.  It’s best to focus on such things that are positive.  We have one life here on earth.  It’s like a taking a test… just a very long enduring one.  A test to show God where our heart truly is at.  So while you are still on this earth, don’t lose hope, but consider it an opportunity to pass your test, and to let go of all the mistakes and sins that may have or are hindering you.  Turn to truth, doing so brings much freedom, love, joy and peace to your soul.  Live as if you are serving Christ Himself.  Indeed how we treat others says a lot about who we really are.  Love, it’s the best thing to have.  God’s love is not a cheesy card you find at a store, a valentines gift or physical attraction.  It’s an unconditional understanding love.  It’s sacrificial.

John 15:13 (NLT)

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Live in Truth, Live in Freedom, Learn of God’s Love & Consequences!

Philippians 4: (HCSB)

⁸ Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.

John 8:32 (NKJV)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.“

Get Pass the Mirror and Do the Do!

I used to get excited about the new years eve night… sometimes watching the New York City ball drop… but nowadays, unless it’s spent with friends and family, it’s just another night.   How ever there are things I desire to do differently.  But like most I have fallen short of my own goals.. I heard a sports reporter on ESPN once say “I hope your problems last as long as your new year’s resolutions.”  A comedian also said his resolution was to lose 15 lbs…. few months later he has 25 lbs to go!  Isn’t that how it usually goes? Funny, but so true.

I’ve done the whole, hey I’m going to lose a certain amount of weight, learn something new and basically do everything different.  The thing is we often lose sight of the ‘DO.’  Because of this, I decided if I can’t keep a goal during the year, what difference is it going to make for the new year?  I have to commit myself to the discipline that’s required of me no matter what time of the year it is.

Tonight the word ‘mirror’ came to my mind as I awaited for God’s direction on what to post now that the new year is upon us.  Mirror is something we all use at some point in the day, especially those that like to fancy themselves from head to toe.  It’s as if people forget what they look like.  It reminded me of this particular scripture tonight on this last day of 2017.

James 1:21-27 (NKJV)

Doers—Not Hearers Only

²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

²⁶ If anyone among you^[a] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Resolutions and our walk with Christ go hand in hand.  It’s the old saying “you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?”  Are you willing to do the ‘DO?’  The definition of Do means to: perform, execute, accomplish, to put forth, to bring about effect, to render, to deal with, fix, clean, arrange and/or move.  What we have to decide is if our ‘DO’ is going to be of good or harm.  If we stay committed… just then we may not even think of starting a new years resolution, because doing would already be in our nature.  For those that have accomplish this or know what it’s like, great, more power to ya, keep going and root on everyone else.  However I’m pretty sure there’s certain areas in all of our lives that could use change.

Do or Do Not!

“Do or do not, there is no try, ” are the famous words of Star Wars character Jedi Master Yoda.  Naturally we want to succeed, but usually our goals have no serious emphasis behind them, our commitments usually lack the reality and sincerity.  Think about it, people have more stories of how their resolutions failed than have succeeded.  We constantly have a negative story to tell and look back on.  In the long run, if this trend continues can have a negative effect on how we think about ourselves.  As I mentioned earlier, I pretty much gave up on the whole resolution thing because I started feeling like a failure.  Life does happen and certain things may keep up from doing things exactly the way we have hoped…or am I just making another excuse to why I think I can’t?

What’s the point? 

As believers in Christ, all things will fall into place if we fully commit our ways to Him.  However, we should never make a vow to God if we’re not serious about it.  You ever tell God that you would do whatever He ask of you?  Have you seriously thought about the what your actually committing to or the consequences of not doing what you said you would do?  God doesn’t want broken promises.  He wants you to be real with Him, as much as you want Him to be real in your life.  But He can only be real if you are going to be the doer that your called to be.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (NLT)

Approaching God with Care

5 ^[a]As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. ^2 [b]Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.

³ Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.

⁴ When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. ⁵ It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. ⁶ Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.

⁷ Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.

The last thing I want is to make a bunch of promises not actually follow through with them.  I want to feed the poor, I want to give shelter and clothing to the homeless, I desire to make a difference in the lives of others.  I need to have my want’s become “This is what I ‘DO.’ Our Savior deserves our upmost highest respect, to be our first priority.

Replace the Distractions with the DO!

Mark 4:19 (NLT)

¹⁹ but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

       My common mistake is to keep doing what I normally do and add to my schedule of the new things I want to achieve… this can lead to big errors.  My distractions have got to go.  Whatever eats up our time needs to be sacrificed.  I’ve learned it’s best to have a game plan, it’s best to plan ahead and write it down how it’s going to work… ideally that is.  I think most people think they either have to go big or go home.  From experience… it’s okay to take baby steps in the right direction.  This certainly helps you pay attention to detail and build that strong foundation as you continue to progress.  God’s not in a rush, no need for us to be either.  Just like a tree doesn’t produce fruit over the course of one day, neither do we.  It has to be nurtured, watered and pruned.

How about this year we mean what we say and say what we mean?  Let’s not delay.

Matthew 5:37 (NKJV)

³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.