Lust definition: a very strong sexual desire (for someone).
1 Corinthians 7:2-4
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
In life we know that sexual sin can cause us to stumble and fall according to the word of God. If we are in ignorance the enemy will take advantage of our momentary demonic influenced weakness (the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak). In order to control dangerous burning desires Paul urges us to marry than to burn. Marriage is honorable in the sight of the Most High. If you are experiencing lust filled demonic attacks leading you to perversion of ant sort via pornography, cheating on your spouse, etc., please seek help spiritually and mentally. Lust can literally destroy your whole life! Rebuke it, pray against it and seek help…live and not die.
Many are called but few are chosen…are you ready to answer your calling? Your given assignment must bring glory to God in the end. There are some who don’t heed the call and suffer the consequences. The Most High will surely send another but every now and then much like Jonah, after wasting precious time you will still have to go. Yes we are given choices and even second chances, it’s just better to get it done the first time around so you don’t delay your blessings. I too ran for some time waiting for clarity and wanting to hear a voice of authority telling me exactly what to do and how to do it.
Eventually I surrendered and now my increase is finally pouring in. Although I’m grateful I pushed back years of my life due to slothfulness and disobedience. What I’m suggesting to you today is that even if you don’t have all the details I can assure you that there is always a starting place. Move your feet with faith and the instructions will come. Ask our Savior for the right path to travel while doing the work of the LORD and you will be lead. With love and joy in your heart bring the sheep in to the Shepard, people you don’t even know yet are waiting on you. Be blessed!
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John Chapter 2:1-11(Water into Wine)
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Obeying the word of the Most High Power (God) and His Son the Messiah (Jesus) is a necessity for believers of the entire Bible. Life can be as simple as we make it because if we keep the commandments as our Creator has said through His Prophets, He will turn our captivity. Instead of being cursed, we will be blessed in all the works of our hands if we (Israel) will love righteousness and live the way that God has commanded. It is wise to choose life over death and good over evil! The Creator considers disobedience unlawful and evil, by obeying our Father in keeping laws, statutes and commandments we can bring blessing over the lives of ourselves and our children. Many of us are attached to the land of our captivity, our oppressors and their idols. We are told in the Bible not to be of the world but to just be in it….there is a difference, we have gotten attached and have adapted to the evils of this world. Mentally removing ourselves from “Babylon” and it’s “Daughter” can save our souls. Being separate/set apart (Holy) is what we were told and taught to achieve in order to represent our Power. In accomplishing being set apart is how we will be delivered and live “forever” in Heaven, which will be on earth (as it is in Heaven). God and His Son is perfect and we are supposed to run this race seeking to be perfect also. There is nothing you do that is not known and there is nothing you can do for Him to not love you! The Father will eventually destroy Babylon (the new Egypt) and if you are attached to it you will be destroyed also. Your sins can be pardoned and you can be delivered if you receive the truth, repent and separate from iniquity and idols. Renew your mind, be sober, have faith, hate evil, love your Brothers, do good, believe, have hope and patience. Create and maintain a relationship with your Father through prayer and fasting, knowing in your heart that Christ is interceding on your behalf so that you can live your best life in peace. Outsmart your enemies by turning them over to the Most High and remember that every member of the body is important, we’re too close to the end…seek God and live.
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when
your obedience is fulfilled.
FRUIT
Galatians 5:22-26 King James Version
(KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with
the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one
another, envying one another.
FLESH
Galatians 5:19-26 King James Version
(KJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:
of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
ARMOUR
Ephesians 6:10-20 King James Version
(KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I
may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may
speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not
spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my
people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their doings.
23 Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God
afar off?
24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see
him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in
my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that
prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their
dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have
forgotten my name for Baal.
Some of our favorite foods are forbidden by the laws of God. Most seafoods, pork and even certain birds and other beasts are unclean to biblical Israel and will be held against us if we choose to indulge in them. These verses are plain and clear on our dietary covenant…
Leviticus 11 King James Version (KJV)
11 And the Lord spake unto Moses and to Aaron,
saying unto them,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the
beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and
cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the
cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud,
but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not
the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not
the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be
clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to
you.
8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye
not touch; they are unclean to you.
9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters:
whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers,
them shall ye eat.
10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in
the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in
the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not
eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that
shall be an abomination unto you.
13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination
among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle,
and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;
15 Every raven after his kind;
16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the
hawk after his kind,
17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing,
and the bat.
20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an
abomination unto you.
21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that
goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the
earth;
22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind,
and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the
grasshopper after his kind.
23 But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.
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24 And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the
carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.
25 And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall
wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
26 The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and
is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that
toucheth them shall be unclean.
27 And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of
beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their
carcase shall be unclean until the even.
28 And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his
clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you.
29 These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping
things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise
after his kind,
30 And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the
snail, and the mole.
31 These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever
doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.
32 And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth
fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or
skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be
put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be
cleansed.
33 And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth,
whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.
34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water
cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel
shall be unclean.
35 And every thing whereupon any part of their carcase
falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be
broken down: for they are unclean and shall be unclean unto you.
36 Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of
water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean.
37 And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed
which is to be sown, it shall be clean.
38 But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of
their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.
39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that
toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.
40 And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his
clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it
shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
41 And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth
shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
42 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon
all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep
upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
43 Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping
thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that
ye should be defiled thereby.
44 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore
sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye
defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the
earth.
45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of
the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
46 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of
every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that
creepeth upon the earth:
47 To make a difference between the unclean and the clean,
and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS!!! Many have come in the name of The Most High God but are false prophets and hypocrites. Not only that but when your Pastor tells you that you don’t have to keep the law/commandments when God says to keep them forever is a lie. When a “prophet” tells you you’re going to be “blessed” even though you know you’ve been sinning and the Father isn’t giving you anything anytime soon (except grace to keep you alive) is considered to be a FALSE PROPHET! Here are some other examples of true and false prophets/teachers…
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2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an
angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works.
Jeremiah 23:14-32 KJV
14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible
thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands
of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them
unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
15 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts
concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them
drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone
forth into all the land.
16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto
the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they
speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
17 They say still unto them that despise me,
The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one
that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon
you.
18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and
hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
19 Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in
fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the
wicked.
20 The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he
have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the
latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not
spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my
people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their doings.
23 Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God
afar off?
24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see
him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in
my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that
prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their
dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have
forgotten my name for Baal.
28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and
he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to
the wheat? saith the Lord.
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and
like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith
the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord,
that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams,
saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their
lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them:
therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.
Ezekiel 22:30 KJV
30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the
hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy
it: but I found none.
Matthew 23:29 KJV
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters
of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to
leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a
camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full
of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within
the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are
within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but
within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because
ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the
righteous,
30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we
would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the
children of them which killed the prophets.
32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape
the damnation of hell?
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men,
and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall
ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon
the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of
Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon
this generation.
Many of us believe that grace over-rules law but that is an incorrect belief system which is usually taught in Christianity. Although Paul made the statement about being under grace (Romans 6:15), please understand that he was assuming that the law was already being kept/followed! No law = No grace and it’s that simple…The Most High is not the Author of confusion and His burden is light. We are to keep His commandments and in doing so, grace and mercy will be given to you. At the end of the day let us all humble ourselves to remember that man does not override our Father in Heaven regardless of their status (God gives and He takes away). Pay attention to who is teaching you because lawless people are dangerous people.
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*Revelations 22:14 (KJV) Blessed are they that do his
commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in
through the gates into the city.*
Grace: that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech, good will, loving-kindness, favourof the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.
Mercy:kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help themof men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one’s self mercifulof God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christthe mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life.
Psalm 23 (KJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me
beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Matthew 9:13 (KJV)
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy,
and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.
2 Chronicles 30:9 (KJV)
9 For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and
your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that
they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is
gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return
unto him.
Ephesians 2:4-5 (KJV)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith
he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together
with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Isaiah 30:18 (KJV)
18 And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be
gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy
upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they
that wait for him.
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psalm 51 (KJV)
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from
my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever
before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil
in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear
when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother
conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the
hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou
hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine
iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right
spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy
spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me
with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall
be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my
salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth
thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:
thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a
contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the
walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of
righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they
offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Victory is the goal! “Well done my good and faithful servant” is what most of us long to hear at the end of the race. The finish line is not only set before us but there are many stumbling blocks along the way. We have to remember that this world was given to hasatan for a season and he is crafty, sneaky even. The Most High’s plan for you is to prosper and to live abundantly. If we carry the concerns of this world then we are already losing the race! Give your cares to the Heavenly Father because He cares for you and by no means does He want us worrying or depressed (not even stressed). Allow God to have the hard things that we have no to little power over, He is waiting for you to give Him permission and authority over every area of your life (which is not your own anyway). Submit, wear your armour, walk in the fruit of the spirit, repent, pray, watch and wait! You will witness the wonderful works of His hands right before your face. Be vigilant, be safe, be strong and forgive – to receive the fair favor our Father wants to give all of His children who love Him and keep His commandments (that He told us to keep FOREVER). Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV)
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1 Wherefore 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,
2 Looking 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.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of
them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will
not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Philippians 3:12 (KJV)
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:7-9 (KJV)
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
Matthew 24:13 (KJV)
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved.
Ephesians 6:14-17 (KJV)
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God:
Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and
every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This
is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of
me, saith the Lord.
Proverbs 8:19 (KJV)
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my
revenue than choice silver.
Psalm 42 (KJV)
42 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my
soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I
come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they
continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for
I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the
voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou
disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of
his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I
remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill
Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all
thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in
the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto
the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me?
why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me;
while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou
disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the
health of my countenance, and my God.
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Prayer and fasting is defined as voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. Prayer and fasting often go hand in hand, but this is not always the case. You can pray without fasting, and fast without prayer. It is when these two activities are combined and dedicated to God’s glory that they reach their full effectiveness. Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what you desire. Rather, it is simply forcing yourself to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, and wisdom you need.
Prayer and Fasting – What the Bible Says: The Old Testament law specifically required prayer and fasting for only one occasion, which was the Day of Atonement. This custom became known as “the day of fasting” (Jeremiah 36:6) or “the Fast” (Acts 27:9). Moses fasted during the 40 days and 40 nights he was on Mount Sinai receiving the law from God (Exodus 34:28). King Jehoshaphat called for a fast in all Israel when they were about to be attacked by the Moabites and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20:3). In response to Jonah’s preaching, the men of Nineveh fasted and put on sackcloth (Jonah 3:5). Prayer and fasting was often done in times of distress or trouble. David fasted when he learned that Saul and Jonathan had been killed (2 Samuel 1:12). Nehemiah had a time of prayer and fasting upon learning that Jerusalem was still in ruins (Nehemiah 1:4). Darius, the king of Persia, fasted all night after he was forced to put Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:18).
Prayer and Fasting – What Does it Accomplish?: Spending time in prayer and fasting is not automatically effective in accomplishing the desires of those who fast. Fasting or no fasting, God only promises to answer our prayers when we ask according to His will. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” In the prophet Isaiah’s time, the people grumbled that they had fasted, yet God did not answer in the way they wanted (Isaiah 58:3-4). Isaiah responded by proclaiming that the external show of fasting and prayer, without the proper heart attitude, was futile (Isaiah 58:5-9).
How can you know if you are praying and fasting according to God’s
will? Are you praying and fasting for things that honor and glorify God? Does
the Bible clearly reveal that it is God’s will for you? If we are asking for
something that is not honoring to God or not God’s will for our lives, God will
not give what we ask for, whether we fast or not. How can we know God’s
will? God promises to give us wisdom when we ask. James 1:5 tells us,
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to
all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
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