1/18/08

DAY 12

Posted by David Weir

Fasting is humbling, but when we humble ourselves we can grow and change. As I was reading Isaiah 58 this morning I thought about how verse six promises that the bonds of wickedness will be loosed and heavy burdens will be lifted, and the oppressed will go free. I believe 2008 is a year of release for us as a church family to see the power of God manifested in our lives. That is what happens to a people who are willing to humble themselves and pray and seek the face of God.

James 4:1-10 (New King James Version)
1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Humility Cures Worldliness 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

I read somewhere that the Holy Spirit uses our fast to reveal our true spiritual condition. The subsequent brokenness and repentance results in change and victory in areas where we were being defeated. God looks throughout the whole earth for people like you! People who are tired of religion and hungry for relationship with Him.

John 4:23 (New King James Version)
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

God bless you and all our church family as we seek Him diligently together!

1 comments:

Billy Hopkins said...

As I read your blog today I am reminded that our fast reveals our true spiritual condition, I have found myself being focused on too many other things in life. As the fast began, I continually educated myself on "food labels." Going into the second week of the (Daniel)fast, I became disgusted with myself. I realized that I have spent so much time reading "food labels", and very little time reading the word. I found some very creative ways to avoid the food items that we have chosen to abstain from. Sugars, meats, dairy products, caffeine, sodas, fried foods etc., were just a few of the items that we are fasting. I began to notice that others wanted to "share" ideas of meals, or foods that they have discovered. All well and good, but I ran into that "spiritual condition" heart-check. I went to bed with a full stomach and feeling better physically. Spiritually, I realized, I was starving to death. So what...I can shop nutritionally better! So what...I realize that almost everything has sugar in the ingredients! Had I grown closer to my Saviour? NO! Had I had some answers to prayers that I have fasted for? YES! But I have I seen God move the way that I could have. Possibly not! I never want anyone to feel legalism in their fast. I really believe that it all has to be worked out between them and God. But may I suggest that although God has opened our eyes to our diet....don't become so manna conscious that we forget to seek God for the words that truly give life. Is my fast a sacrifice or is it just a modification of my diet? I believe that this next week I will know the focus of my attention. It will be solely on the One who satisfies me completely.