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Fast Day 19: Fasting and Praying

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Fast Day 19: Fasting and Praying

195 Fast Day 19

Matthew 7
7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

As we enter day 19 of our fast I want to turn our attention to prayer. Praying and fasting are meant to be tied together. As you are praying and seeking God, the right thing to do is to ask God for something. Everyone fasts from something and for something. For most of us, it is for a variety of different things.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus tells us three actions which describe the way we are to pray. We are to ask, seek, and knock. The New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek language is deep and rich. The verb tense of a word is important to the meaning. “Ask, seek, and knock” are all in the present tense. This signifies that the action is continuous. Therefore, the literal translation would be that we are to continue asking, continue seeking, and continue knocking.

Through fasting we gain persistence. We are to persist praying for what we desire or need. Fasting causes you to be aware of your heart’s desire.

I am fasting from sweets and all carbs as well as late night news. We were at Disneyland recently. Sweets and carbs are prevalent at Disneyland and they were calling out my name. They were tempting me and seeking to allure me. Every time I felt tempted, I prayed and prayed for what I am hoping God will say yes to. This meant I prayed all day. At one point, I was simultaneously laughing and praying. There were a plethora of delectable things to eat.

I fast from late night news because it is how Pam and I always end our day. We have done this for years. The purpose of giving this up is so I will end each day more aware of what I am asking, seeking, and knocking on the door of heaven for.

My Abba, Father,
I pray for You to grant us our heart’s desire. I pray we will be celebrating during and at the end of the fast due to all of the wonderful blessings and answers we receive from you. As we do, we will give You the glory.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 18: The Proper Way to Fast, Part 5

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3,848 The Proper Way To Fast, Part 5

195: Fast Day 18

Isaiah 58
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
10 and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.

There is a right and wrong way to fast. In my previous posts, I differentiated between the two. Today, I will elaborate further so that we may gain a better understanding.

In verses 9-10 of Isaiah 58, God shares 4 key points to observe during our fast:

1) Remove the yoke.

I referred to this in an earlier post. God desires for you to take heed. During our fast, we need to seek the removal of anything which creates bondage in our lives. We are told to take action to remove it. If alcohol has kept you imprisoned, pour out the bottles and throw them away. If pornography has a hold on you cleanse your home, block or cancel channels. If debt, make a clear plan to get out.

2) Remove the pointing of the finger and the speaking of wickedness.

Pointing of the finger is the idea of judging or accusing others. No one likes an accusing judgmental finger pointed in their face. This gesture is demeaning and does not show love. Jesus clearly states, “Do not judge” yet Christians can be some of the most judgmental people on earth. Fasting correctly brings this to light and we are to remove it from our thoughts.

3) Give yourself to the hungry.

If you have not read yesterday’s blog, I want to encourage you to do so. God reiterates the need to freely give. When God mentions something twice, He does not want us to miss it. What He does not want us to miss is fasting is not about what you are giving up, but rather what you are giving.

4) Satisfy the desire of the afflicted.

When I fast, I change from being centered on myself to centered on others. I find the more time I spend in prayer, the more I care about others. I want the best for them. I desire to be used by God as He shows me the person who is afflicted and in pain. I want to show God’s love and care. I hope I am an answer to their prayers.

My Abba, Father,
On this day of the fast, I desire to see all bondage driven from my life. I praise You we live in a country driven by freedom. I praise You that those in bondage have the power to change through you. It may be a tough choice, but with Your help we can triumph.

On this day of the fast, I ask for forgiveness for times when I have pointed the finger, sat in the seat of the scoffer and spoken wicked words aimed at someone else. I do not know their heart. I know love hopes all things, believes all things, and endures all things. I need to truly love. When there is hurt, I need to care enough to go and share with them the issue. I need to believe in them and go with a desire to win my brother or sister back.

On this day of the fast, I want to give to those who do not have. I want to be an answer to prayer to the one who is in pain. I want to be a tool you use to show love and care. I want this for Your glory.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 17: The Proper Way To Fast, Part 4

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3,847 Fast Day 17: The Proper Way to Fast

195! Fast Day 17

Isaiah 58
Is it (referring to the fast) not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

On the 17th day of the fast, we should be experiencing God’s blessings. We should be drawing closer to God. I have had many answered prayers & have heard that others are experiencing the same. I am discerning the areas in my life that God wants to change.

Isaiah 58:7 states we are to give to the hungry and care for the homeless. To fast correctly, we should give to those in need.

God is generous. To be Godly we need to be generous. Christ gave everything for us. To be Christ like, we need to be givers. A fast demands that we give up something. In part, we give up something to ensure that others have more. God cares and we should care for others.

As a church family, I love how we all came together to fill our food pantry and bless The Hunger Project ministry. I also love when I get to be used by God to give to those in need. Every time I do, I sense the Holy Spirit move. Every time I give the more JOY I receive! Imagine the difference we could make if thousands of us gave to those in need out of a love for God.

My Abba, Father,
Please give me Your eyes to see and Your heart to care for those in need. Forgive me in times I have been selfish and blinded myself to their plight. Thank You for all You have blessed me with. Forgive me when I have not been a blessing to others. I want to show Your love and care for others. I want to be one You use to answer their prayers and needs. I want to be like You.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 16: The Proper Way To Fast, Part 3

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3,846 The Proper Way to Fast, Part 3

196: Fast Day 16

Isaiah 58
6 Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke?

We are fast-approaching the half way mark in our 40 Day Fast. Did you get it, “Fast” approaching?

When we fast properly, the unrighteousness in our lives becomes clear. The fast serves to open our eyes to things which are causing harm. We are to allow God to shine a light on what is holding us in bondage. This is what verse 6 is referring to. This could be relevant to any one of us. God’s desire is that we are not burdened, but free. We need to be set free. We need to witness this happening in the lives of others.

The fast God chooses is to loosen the bonds of wickedness. We need God to reveal any areas we are bound by wickedness. We often call these habits. We may refer to these attitudes and actions as “this is just the way I am.” We may buy the lie that there is nothing we can do about it and it will never change. In Galatians 5:1, we are told “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” We are not to be bound and God can set us free. A proper fast is one where we ask God to show us any areas where wickedness is keeping us in bondage. Through the fast, the bond can be broken. Then we pray for others to experience the same freedom.

The fast God chooses is to undo the band of the yoke. This speaks of any unhealthy relationships. The yoke was used to tie two animals together so they would work as a team. Are there any dysfunctional relationships that are harming you or others? Are you the issue? If so, God desires this time of fasting to reveal this to you and for you to be set free.

The yoke was also used to cause an animal to perform a task. The animal may be yoked to plow a field or grind at a millstone. If the yoke caused the animal harm God would not be for this. If you are yoked to something which is draining the life out of you, then God wants you to pray for a change.

The proper way of fasting includes praying for the oppressed to go free. If you are oppressed, God wants you to pray for yourself. He wants all of us to pray for eachother. We live in an unjust world and need to cry out to God for justice. We live in a cruel and evil world and whenever we fast we need to cry to God to intercede.

It is interesting to me that by giving up something during the fast, we go without. One day we will go without dysfunction, pain, bondage and oppression. We bind ourselves during the fast so that we may be free.

My Abba, Father,
I pray for freedom. I know we are not meant to be in bondage. We are meant to be free. I pray for freedom from habitual attitudes and actions that cause harm. I pray for whatever in life brings oppression. I pray for the dysfunctions which cause pain in relationships and keep them from being unhealthy. I pray for the tragedy of a world which has real forms of slavery and the evil which enhances this. I pray I will be free. I pray for the freedom of others. I pray I will be used to make a difference. I pray Crossroads will be used in way which is monumental.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 15: The Proper Way To Fast, Part 2

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3,845 The Proper Way to Fast, Part 2

196: Day 15 of the Fast

Isaiah 58
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?

On Day 15 of the fast we are observing the proper way to fast. I have shared previously, God has amazing promises for us if we fast and pray correctly. From my post yesterday, I defined the incorrect way to fast as becoming irritable because of what we are giving up.

Today we come to Isaiah 58:5. This verse can be easily misunderstood. Grasping the truth here is key to fasting and praying properly.

To interpret correctly, we must understand that God is asking rhetorical questions. The answer to each one is, no.

The fast God has chosen is not meant for us to humble ourselves for a day. It is not meant for us to be walking around feeling as if we are so spiritual because we are in such pain over what we have given up. The fast God chooses is not for us to bow our heads like a reed. We are not to walk around magnifying how much we are hurting. We are not to look like a wilted reed that is drying up. We are not to mourn and cry because of what we do not have.

When Daniel fasted in Daniel chapter one, we are told at the end of his fast, he looked better than all the others who had been eating freely (Daniel 1:14-15).

Jesus warned about the wrong way to fast. His concern was for those who used the fast to put on a show; who walked around with a gloomy face and a “whoa is me” attitude. Look at what He says in Matthew 5…

Matthew 5
16 Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face
18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Jesus tells us the right way to fast is to celebrate. Anointing of the head is the idea of dressing up and looking our best. God wants us to live out the joy of the fast. We are to be so thrilled with the intimacy we are experiencing with God! This season of fasting is worth it.

Some wonder, is it okay to let others know we are fasting? The answer is: do not do it to put on a show. We may share with others if it will bring glory to God and will encourage others. If the purpose is to bring attention to ourselves, it would be wrong.

My Abba, Father,
May this season of fasting cause us to celebrate what we have and not what we do not have. May this time of fasting bring immense joy because we are closer to You. I pray we would not grieve over what we have given up. May this time of fasting increase our prayer and the intensity of our prayers. As we pray, may we know and understand the truth that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 14: The Proper Way To Fast

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3,844 How not to Fast

197: Fast Day 14

Isaiah 58
3 Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice? Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, And drive hard all your workers.
4 Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist. You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.

In my previous posts, I have observed the promises God has for us when we fast. All of His promises will be ours if we fast and pray correctly. How exactly do we fast correctly? Let us examine this. By examining how to fast properly, we are able to discern when our fast is impure.

Let’s delve into Isaiah 58.
The question is posed, “Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?”
The good news is this group of people knew their fast was not effective. It destroyed what they were hoping and praying for. When this happens we need to ask, “Why?”

First, they were seeking their own desires and not God’s. The fast was making them irritable. They would then act out. They would take it out on others. The fast was bringing contention, strife, and striking with a wicked fist.

When I was in Israel, I was talking with a Palestinian who was Muslim. He was telling me how much he hated Ramadan. This is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is a month of fasting. He denoted that people are clearly more irritable and unhappy. His take was that they are not enjoying the fast, but rather enduring it.

This is not how God wants us to fast. We are to celebrate growing closer to God. We are to REJOICE in the positive effects the fast brings. We are to seek God’s ways and not our own. This is the right way to fast.

My Abba, Father,
I pray I would not give into my careless nature during this season of fasting. I pray I would see the flesh exposed and overcome as I seek to live by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit. I pray I would have greater joy. I pray I would see why I want to praise You more. I pray I will be a delightful person to be around. I want to live Your way and not my own. I pray I will learn more than ever, that life is not about me.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 13: Restoring What Matters

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196! Fast Day 13

Isaiah 58
10 And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday.
11 And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

On Day 13 of the fast, we come to an intriguing promise found in verse 12. God reveals to us that we will be used by Him to bring restoration. This reminds us of the work of Nehemiah when he was used by God to restore the walls of the city of Jerusalem. This also reminds us of Zerubbabel and how He was used by God to build the Temple.

As we fast, we grow closer to God and become more focused on what truly matters. God will then use and empower us to rebuild what needs to be rebuilt; to fix what needs to be fixed. This could be your marriage. God wants it restored to the ancient foundations of His word and His ways. It could be your family. It could be the Church. We have witnessed God use the fast two years ago to call us to the vision of 24:7.

My Abba, Father,
I pray that as we fast, we will see what we need to see. May our focus be on your righteousness. May we know what matters. May we be guided and empowered by You to make a difference. Use us to restore what needs to be restored. I pray for restoration within families, marriages, careers, friendships, and our Church.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 12: Going Without, Without Missing Out

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3,842 Going Without, Without Missing Out

199: Day 12 of the Fast

Isaiah 58
10 And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday.
11 And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

Today I woke up energized. When we are fasting and praying this is what God desires for us. It is interesting how by giving up something (going without), we do not find ourselves missing out. We do miss what we are giving up. I am refraining from any carbs, sweets, or watching the evening news. Friday we hosted a dinner for our Elders and their wives and I made homemade bread. Cutting the hot bread was a temptation. Yet in giving it up, I was not missing out.

God tells us that when we fast and pray correctly, He will give strength to our bones and we will be like a well-watered garden. There is a physical benefit to the fast. God brings strength to us. God brings vitality to us. We feel this deep down in our bones. We should also feel this deep down in our spirit. Being a well-watered garden is a reference to peace and beauty. Jesus would go to the garden of Gethsemane to pray and find peace. That garden is beautiful and vibrant to this day. As we fast, we are going to our Gethsemane.

My Abba, Father,
I pray for us to find our energy and vitality from You. For those who are fasting for an answer concerning health, may you bring healing. For those who are seeking peace, may they have peace and joy added to them. For those who need strength to go on, may they be energized and find themselves leaping with joy. As we fast may we meet in the garden with You as Jesus did.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 11: Satisfy Our Desires In The Scorched Places

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3,841 Satisfy Our Desire In The Scorched Places

198: Fast Day 11

Isaiah 58
10 And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday.
11 And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

As I begin this 11th day of our fast, I am sensing God in a deeper and more intimate way. I was talking with our Elders and their wives last night. They are sensing God in the same way.

As God draws us closer to Him, we begin to find something which can only be understood and experienced if we know Him. We are satisfied regardless of our circumstances.

In Isaiah 58:11 we are told if we fast and pray correctly, God will “satisfy our desire in the scorched places.” This is amazing. When I am close to God and in tune with Him, I can be in a place of devastation and still be satisfied. Do not miss, the scorched place will make us aware of what we desire most and then God will satisfy that desire. He may use it to magnify the desire. He is going to satisfy our desires in a way beyond what we could have ever imagined.

This promise reminds us of two other passages of scripture. In Psalm 37:4, we are told if we trust in God, He will give us the desire of our hearts. In Romans 8:28, we are told God causes all things to work together for good if we love Him and live our lives according to His purpose.

If the scorched place leads to the fulfillment of our heart’s desire, it is a testament of our miraculous God. We move from a place of sorrow to gladness. This happens as we fast, pray, and draw closer to God.

My Abba, Father,
I pray for all of us to grow closer to You and go deeper with You. I pray for those who are in the scorched place; a place where they have suffered loss and heartbreak. It is a place where hope is lost. As we fast and pray together, I ask that they will find You giving them their heart’s desire. I know that in the scorched place, the desire intensifies. Therefore, when You fulfill their desire, it will be even more beautiful.

I pray You would fill me and all of us with Your Holy Spirit as we gather together tonight. I pray for the day when we fill every seat in every service.

Love,
Chuck

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Fast Day 10: God’s Guidance

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3,840 Continually Guide You…

198: Fast Day 10

Isaiah 58
10 And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday.
11 And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

As day 10 of the fast has come, we are a quarter way through. I am seeing and experiencing things which I know are from God; things which were not happening before. They are now occurring in powerful ways.

Remember, there are three sections of promises from God regarding fasting and praying found in Isaiah 58. Each begin with the word “then.”

In the third, “then” section, we find God promising to continually guide us.
God has a plan and purpose for your life. God has made all physical matter and He has made us to matter. One of the great joys of life is to be doing what you are made to do and being who you are made to be.

As we Fast, we become more in tune with God. We also draw closer to Him, so we are more intimate. This leads to Him guiding us. He not only guides, but continually guides.

I am hoping you are sensing God’s leading and are more aware of God’s will for your life. I want you to know He will more than likely unveil this as a step by step process.

Here are some passages to read if you want to contemplate this more:
Prov. 3:5-7, Jeremiah 10:23-24, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 73:24, Romans 8:14

My Abba, Father,
I desire to know Your will & to have You lead my life. It is also the desire of my Church family. I ask for You to show us Your way. For those who need direction, may they find it. For those who need wisdom, may they be filled with it. I pray you show us the steps we are to take. I love living life with You.

Love,

Chuck

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