Tag: Fasting

21-Day Fast (Day 16) Cloud of Witnesses

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The 11th chapter of Hebrews chronicles for us some very key figures of faith in the Old Testament summing them up by saying, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40.

As chapter 12 opens up, we find that the work of these dear saints is far from complete. While their earthly tabernacle has faded, their representation and observation is still taking place today.

Can I Get a Witness?

Overcoming monumental obstacles that included, trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth (Hebrews 11:36-38), The scripture tells us they received not the promise. But they have a vested interest in our success, because the scripture goes on to say, “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect (Hebrews 11:40).”

Many of the witnesses Hebrews refers to were bludgeoned to death, tortured, dismembered, disemboweled, burned at the stake, and sawn asunder. In my wild imagination I envision patriarchs of old peering through the portals of Heaven watching as you and I now battle the forces of spiritual wickedness in high places. All those precious souls watch with baited breath as you and I face the enemy on a new plain. The persecution we face is real, but the brutality is different. While theirs was a physical anguish, ours is mental, and at times physical, with the added intensity of an enemy that is not content to just destroy this earthly vessel of our body, but the devil wants to destroy our soul as well.

The Cheerleaders of Heaven

This may be taking it a bit too far, but I believe the likes of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are watching God’s grand design unfold, and are anxiously observing each battle we fight. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to think we have a cheering section in the prophets, and in our family members who have gone on before us shouting…”You can make it! Don’t stop fighting! The enemy isn’t as tough as you think he is! God will see you through this! Don’t give up child, the battle is yours!”

Praise the Lord! As much as it means to me to have a cloud of witnesses that want me to make it, and that I know I can make it with the grace of God, having Jesus as my hero is of far greater importance. Yes, I admire my grandparents and loved ones that have gone on to their reward because of their faithfulness in this life. But having Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, standing guard over my life is of the greatest comfort. Apostle Paul must have felt the same way because he said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” With the patriarchs of old cheering me on and the power of Jesus to see me through…I can’t lose!

How Do I Feel?

With day 16 well underway, I’m able to see the proverbial light at the end of this tunnel. My muscles have stopped aching, but I get tired very easily. Reading some material on fasting, they said that natural hunger will return. I’m honestly, not looking forward to that day. You may wonder why. Well, I feel like I’ve finally captured and caged a part of myself that has been literally running rampant my entire life. More on that subject in my final thoughts on the 21st day.

21-Day Fast (Day 15) ALL or Almost?

Scripture: Acts 26:26-29

For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

As Christians, we have more than likely heard some of the same rhetoric. We spend hours with individuals sharing the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ with our friends and families only to hear the dreaded words spoken…Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. At least Agrippa didn’t lead Paul on by professing to believe, and refusing to change his life and completely turn it over to God.

Almost

Almost can be defined as, “slightly short of; not quite; nearly: almost time to go; was almost asleep; had almost finished.” How many of us, reserve a section of our heart for the “almost-factor.” As if to say, “just in case this doesn’t work, I have an out!” God’s not looking for people who almost love Him, and almost serve Him, and are almost faithful to Him. Because almost making it to church – isn’t making it at all. Almost telling someone about the Love of Christ – isn’t telling them at all. Almost living for God – isn’t living for God at all. And, almost making it to Heaven isn’t going to get you there. The key is, following through!

Golf Swing 101

I do not profess to be an avid golfer. I’ve made several attempts at it only to get a few good shots that make me keep repeating the frustrating game all over again, thinking that perhaps I’ll actually get good at it one day. A vital ingredient to a healthy golf swing in addition to keeping your head down, is to ensure you follow through with your swing. Not following through, will get your ball “almost” to the green. Which by now you’ve learned is not getting to the green at all. You need a solid follow-through on your swing to ensure you gain the optimal distance and height on your ball. Failing to do so will result in golfing like “Yours Truly!”

Commitment

On a more serious note, we must follow through if we expect to make to the Kingdom! Empty promises, vows, and unfulfilled commitments are not only an embarrassment (or should be), but they’re outright lies. I know situations arise that may interfere with our commitment, but they should never prevent you from completing it. God didn’t give you a limit on how many times to keep trying, but almost fulfilling our duty as a Christian – isn’t fulfilling it at all. No matter how many times you fail remember the scripture, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me (Micah 7:8). The difference in people that get back up and try again, and people who wallow in self-pity and defeat? Provebs 24:16 – For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. So keep getting up. Keep trying.

In Closing

Don’t almost follow through with the commitment you’ve made to Christ. Matthew 10:22 tells us,”And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

How Do I Feel?

I feel blessed! Because I know, Christ didn’t almost die on the cross for me. He didn’t almost rise from the dead. And, He didn’t almost fill me with His Spirit…Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)

21-Day Fast (Day 14) Measuring Ourselves Part II

Scripture: Luke 18:10-14

10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13

13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

The Publican

Humbled at the mere thought of coming into the presence of God, the publican stood afar off. You can’t miss the anguish in this man. He pounds his chest, and wasn’t the least bit concerned with who was watching. A valuable lesson can learned here. Without God’s mercy, we are all lost and undone. Unlike the prideful Pharisee, the publican sought not to exalt himself, justify himself, or compare himself to anyone. People in the Pharisee’s position, thought that by their public displays of piety, they were demonstrating for people just how righteous they were, rather than pointing followers to the righteousness of God.

Measure Twice – Cut Once

The adage is true. We want to make certain our measurements are correct before we make unnecessary cuts. I’ve witnessed people who are “pros” who have found they incorrectly measured only to find they cut something unnecessarily too short. The Pharisees were that way. Foolishly measuring themselves by the status of others, they felt as long as they were doing more than anyone else, or behaved more righteously than anyone, this equated to being godly. They never measured correctly to begin with. The publican on the other hand, measure himself against the Holiness and Righteousness of God and realized, God’s mercy is always required for any of us to “make the cut!”

Paul told the Ephesians, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

If you want to measure yourself against anyone, do so against the Rule of God. He is always straight. He is always just. He is always true. He changes not…He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever.

In Closing

We see a stark contrast here between the prayers that are received and the ones that go ignored. Regardless of how long we’ve been serving God, it’s good to acquaint ourselves once in awhile with the message of the Pharisee and the publican. Both worshipped the same God, in the same church, and both were keenly aware of their responsibility to stay in touch with God. One got results, and the other did not. If you feel you’re prayer life has gone stagnant, maybe visit your prayer posture. Do your prayers measure up? Or, are you quick to point to your righteousness rather than God’s?

How Do I Feel?

Tired, but not overly hungry. Hunger pangs try to remind me that something is missing, but I use them as prompts to remind me to pray, rather than to eat. I have been drinking scads of water, but regardless I’m physically weak. Just one week left – so I have more behind me than I have in front of me…that’s almost true too even if you consider my belt line!

21-Day Fast (Day 13) Measuring Ourselves Part I

Scripture: Luke 18:10-14

   10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Pharisee

As we read this scripture we see a stark contrast between the Pharisee and the publican. It’s so important for us to visit this portion of Christ’s teaching as we are in the middle of a fast. I’ve observed in times past, with myself, and with others, that when going on fast, we can develop the tendency to come across self-righteous or “holier-than-thou.” As the Pharisee in this parable goes through the litany of things he feels makes him more righteous than everyone else, we find that he has set his standard for comparison quite low. You see, the Pharisee foolishly used others as a scale, or standard of measurement. In defense of his ministry Paul states to the Corinthians, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (II Corinthians 10:12).”

So, much like a bully does in school, the Pharisee would play off of the weaknesses of others in order to make HIM look better. Isaiah had it right a long time ago when he said, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away (Isaiah 64:6).” It’s not our righteousness that justifies us; it’s the Grace of God! Simply saying, “well, at least I’m not as bad as some people,” doesn’t make you righteous. That’s why there is but ONE that is righteous, and ONE standard by which all righteousness will be measured – God’s Righteousness!

In Closing

We’ll get to the publican tomorrow, but I wanted those that are fasting to know, be aware of the potential of coming across as if you are better than someone else just because you are…”Doing more than anyone else.”  Or, worse yet, “At least I’m not as bad as so-and-so!” Hint, Hint, wink, wink!

How Do I Feel?

I slipped a bit this weekend. I know, I know, I may have let some of you down, but I’m not doing this fast for acclaim. The very reason I slipped, is the very reason I need to continue the fast. You want me to tell how I slipped? Not gonna happen – I wouldn’t want to put you in peril of being like the Pharisee, comparing your fast to mine and saying…”well at least I didn’t bomb, like Mangold!”

That being said, my body doesn’t feel that great. Praise the Lord who has been my companion through the fatigue. I seriously could not do this without Him.

21-Day Fast (Day 12) Every Day is the Lord’s Day

Scripture: Revelation 1:9-11

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book…

Why Just Sunday?

As I pondered what to write today, on this the “Lord’s Day,” a thought occurred to me. I fully understand why we attend church and worship the Lord on Sunday. But, what I don’t understand is the thinking, that Sunday is the ONLY day in which we worship the Lord. Each day is a gift from the Lord. When the psalmist penned the words, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24), he was indiscriminate as to which day we should rejoice and be glad. Every day is a cause for celebration and rejoicing.

Everyday is the Lord’s Day 

It stands to reason then, that since the Lord made this day, each day IS the Lord’s Day and thus a day we can all be in His Spirit! Spirit-filled Christians have this experience afforded them EVERYDAY. We are admonished in Galatians 5:25, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. We ARE living in the Spirit and thus every DAY is an opportunity for us to, live in, abide in, rejoice in, be lead by, be comforted by, be encouraged by, the precious Spirit of the Lord!

How Do I Feel?

My muscles are weak, and my joints are aching slightly. My appetite is still very low for all things, although I do still have grumblings in my stomach. My mind feels clear though. I am scheduled to teach this morning and our class typically runs for an hour (a little less). This will take a great deal of effort, but I am not relying solely on my own strength…

Psalms 121:1-2

 1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.