Good Morning Church!
We welcome you all to the house of God on this beautiful day.
As you know we are observing a 21 days fasting, we will continue learning today in continuation with the Part-2 of a very important subject from last Sunday, “Fasting and Prayer!”
Illustration: Once a robber, at one of the dark evenings during lent season, was out to rob people. He found someone and removed his knife and asked the man, “Money or Life”? The man put his hand in his pocket and said that I have a candy to keep me charged during the day. The robber realised that the victim is a priest, so he said, “Father, you may leave.” However the priest offered his candy to the thief, to which thief responded, “Sorry, due to lent, I cannot eat anything.” Here we see two different attitudes. Someone who should not eat, is eating, and someone who is expected to eat is denying.
If we read new testament, fasting and praying is of utmost importance and was practiced thoroughly. As we are observing a 21 days fasting, we need to be very sincere in whatever we do. We can have a different attitude just like the robber or the priest, however if you allow Holy Spirit in your life, your life may be transformed. But, if you do not allow God’s gentle spirit to work in you, you may end up being tired and may not even experience a “T” of transformation in your life.
During fasting, we need to be humble and it is only God who can change your life. However, you need to be hungry first. Are you hungry for God? Do you have an appetite for God? The word of God says that if you are hungry, you need to come to God and search your hearts. And God will satisfy you!
The Psalmist proclaims that he is hungry for God and longs after Him many times in the word of God.
When we surrender to God, there is power. In order for God to move, we must surrender. As we move ahead during fasting and prayers, satan will definitely try to distract you, but you need to hold on and seek God’s strength to keep you and fight satan on your behalf.
Is there anything in your life that you need to surrender to God? Is there anything stopping? Call upon Jesus today itself and He will break the bondages from your life. Allign with God and listen to His voice.
Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.
Joel 1:14
The sorrow of the people is turned into repentance and humiliation before God. With all the marks of sorrow and shame, sin must be confessed and bewailed. A day is to be appointed for this purpose; a day in which people must be kept from their common employments, that they may more closely attend God’s services. When joy and gladness are cut off from God’s house, when serious godliness decays, and love waxes cold, then it is time to cry unto the Lord.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
Joel 2:12
There is no question but that if we truly repent for our sins, God can forgive them.
The primary focus for prayer is to seek guidance from God and make a place for us in the eyes of God.
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:1-3
What an assemblage was here! A group of committed people gathered in the name of God. In these names we see that the Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life; and zeal for his glory induces men to give up flattering connexions and prospects to promote his cause. It is by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that would hinder in it. Christ’s ministers are to be employed in Christ’s work, and, under the Spirit’s guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father. They are separated to take pains, and not to take state. A blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their present undertaking was sought for, and that they might be filled with the Holy Spirit in their work. Whatever means are used, or rules observed, the Holy Spirit alone can fit ministers for their important work, and call them to it.
Christ is the head of the Church! In the book of Revelation there are 7 churches mentioned. A local church is very important for your personal and spiritual growth. If you fast and prayer, God will answer your prayers.
Which path we are taking, only God knows. He knows your and my heart, even sometimes we do not understand our own heart. Any decision we make, we must consult with God. Sometimes we have to make life changing decisions. Times of fasting and prayering is a wonderful time to speak with God, especially during decision making. Physically we are hungry many times, but are you hungry spiritually? If not, you need to cry unto the Lord and seek His help.
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts 14:23
With this verse, you see the pattern? They (Paul & Barnabas) are establishing the elders. You need to establish a pattern of praying and fasting and establish our children as God fearing children. And this would be the greatest spiritual investment in the life of our children.
Sometime in our life, when we need guidance, we seek professionals, friends, colleagues for inputs. And all these inputs are based on their personal experiences. However, if we seek God’s face, He has capability to make us wise and direct us exceptionally well. So the best decision you can make during fasting and praying is to seek God’s face. May God bring a revelation in your lives that would convict your heart and help you understand His grace and mercies.
Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:16-17
Remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly. Drunkenness is a sin that never goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very provoking to God. The drunkard holds out to his family and to the world the sad spectacle of a sinner hardened beyond what is common, and hastening to perdition. When afflicted or weary, let us not seek to raise our spirits by strong drink, which is hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making sorrows more felt. But by fervent prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit, and to avoid whatever may grieve our gracious Comforter. All God’s people have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions, and for all things; being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency. God keeps believers from sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to another in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfil their duties to each other.
Before you make any decision, fast and pray!
Illustration: A renowned german theologean, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book “The Cost of Discipleship”, said, “Strict exercise of self-control is an essential feature of the Christian’s life.”
Throughout the word of God, there are several references encouraging fasting and praying, which were duly practiced back then. Here are few references:
– Esther 4:16
– Psalms 35:12-15
– Daniel 9 (whole chapter)
– Luke 2:36-38
– Acts 14:23
No matter how much you have made a mess in your life, God is more than able and He has authority to remove any kind of mess from your life. Come before God as He has chosen you. And trust that today is the day to seek His face as we observe 21 days of fasting and praying.
We thank you for joining us and we look forward to see you again next Sunday. God bless!