Who's who list when it comes to fasting

Scripture has so much to say about prayer and fasting that I think we would do well to recapture this discipline of the Christian life. I am sure if you have been following my blog posts that statement is no surprise to you at this point. I will continue to make the case by pointing to some of the people in scripture of whom it is said they fasted. It reads like a who's who list of the faith, and many of these characters are people who's lives you have studied in great detail hoping to glean from their lives things that will point you toward increasing godliness. Yet you may have you overlooked the fact that fasting was a great part of the spiritual lives of the following according to scripture:

Moses the law giver (Deuteronomy 9:9)
David the king (Psalm 35:13)
Elijah the Prophet (1 Kings 19:8)
Ester the queen (Esther 4:16)
Daniel the seer (entered a partial fast Daniel 10:3)
Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:37)
Paul the apostle (Acts 9:9)

and last but certainly not least.....Jesus the Christ (Matthew 4:2)

This is not a total list. There are many more who could be named. But this is just a smattering.

Do we think that this is a list of people who would be good examples for us to follow? Of course the only perfect one on the list is Jesus, but certainly the scripture teaches us many valuable positive lessons from the lives of some of these other individuals. Why would we ignore a discipline then, that was a significant part of their spiritual lives?

More to come in future blog posts regarding fasting.

Only by prayer and fasting

Matthew 17:14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." 17 Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Okay folks let's get out of the shallow end of the spiritual pool. Time to swim out to the deep end. As I continue to make a biblical case for fasting on these blog posts, today I point your attention to this story recorded for us in the gospel of Matthew. A man brings his son to the disciples of Christ for healing. The son is obviously afflicted with something like epilepsy or as the father in this story describes it in the King James Version "he is a lunatic." The context of the story helps us clearly understand that this young man's condition was the result of demonic possession. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon. So Jesus comes behind them and does what they could not do, and the boy is healed. After the incident, the disciples inquire privately of Jesus, "Why could we not cast it out?"

Jesus' answer to this question provides some great insight into the role of fasting in the life of the believer. Jesus tells the disciples their lack of faith prevented them from casting out the demon.

The next thing Jesus does is He refutes a conclusion that could be easily drawn from His remarks. The disciples might have easily believed that Jesus was saying the amount of your faith is the key. Actually HE SAYS THE OPPOSITE!! Jesus says, it only requires the faith of a mustard seed. Wow, only the faith of a mustard seed? I would think to cast out a demon, it would require at least a dump truck load of faith, but you are saying Jesus, that it only requires the faith of a mustard seed? That is exactly what Jesus was saying.

Okay, I get it. So what was the missing ingredient for these disciples? Allow me to answer that. WHAT WAS MISSING FROM THE DISCIPLES WAS THE POWER AND ANOINTING OF GOD ON THEIR LIVES. What does it take to cast out a demon? Power...spiritual supernatural power.....accompanied by the faith of at least a mustard seed. I think most of us can handle the mustard seed faith part.....but where does the power of God come from? Glad you asked because Jesus answers the question for us.

"This kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting."

Where does the power and anointing of God come from? Prayer and fasting.....

So what do you want dear Christian. You want an average Christian life, or do you want the power of God resting on you? Apparently according to the words of Jesus, there are some things that you will never experience in the Christian life, and some things that you will never be able to do in the spiritual realm apart from prayer and fasting. The choice is yours.....you can experience all God has for you.....or you can settle for part of it. Go for all of it.....consider making prayer and fasting part of your Christian experience.

Stay tuned, more to come.

Prayer and fasting

In December I called the church to a season of fasting and prayer for the next three months. The season will come to an end in February.

I have had several inquiries about fasting since calling the church to a season of prayer and fasting. I have started to realize that people have not been exposed to it very much and that in large measure, most are unsure how it fits into the Christian walk. Many have expressed to me that they are not sure that it needs to be a regular part of their relationship with God. I therefore am going to spend some time writing about prayer and fasting on this blog as a matter of information.

Let me start by laying a foundation for the practice of the discipline of fasting. I must offer that I believe that this is sad, that there is a need to do this. It shows me how far we have drifted away from biblical Christianity in America. Please do not feel guilty if you have had a less than favorable attitude toward fasting. But please realize that if it is not a discipline that you have practiced or are really open to practicing, you are more a product of your culture than you may realize. It is indicative of the drift away from biblical Christianity that has been occurring for a long time in America. I have noticed the practice of fasting more when I have gone over seas on mission trips more than I have seen it mentioned or practiced in America. Many in the modern church particularly in America are not familiar with fasting, and are not convinced that it is something that they need to consider doing. In a culture that is dotted with shrines to the Golden Arches, and Pizza Temples on every street corner, fasting seems out of touch with the times. But it is a discipline that the Christian would do well to rediscover as a vital and useful part of their Christian experience and their walk with Christ.

I will begin making a case for fasting from the life and teachings of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Jesus said, "When you fast......" and then started to give instructions about what to do and what not to do when you are fasting. Notice that Christ did not say, "If you fast....", Jesus said, "When you fast..." Christ teaches on fasting as if it were a foregone conclusion that those who desire to follow God would practice it. It was such a part of their experience that Jesus makes no attempt to "make a case for fasting." Jesus fasted, this is very clear in the bible, and He just assumed that it was something that those who wanted to know the Father were going to do.

Consider also that Jesus' instructions on fasting were part of what we know as "The Sermon on the Mount". His teaching on fasting is in the context of His teaching on prayer, and giving. It is clear that there is an assumption that fasting, prayer, and giving are all disciplines that need to be practiced in the life of the believer, and therefore Jesus was teaching on them. Now I am not convinced that a single one of you reading this would deny that prayer and giving are two Christian disciplines that are vital elements to the walk of the believer. So let me ask this question, "Why would we exclude fasting when Jesus puts it on the same level in his teaching with prayer and giving?" I sincerely hope the answer is clear in your thinking.....the inescapable conclusion if we are going to be intellectually honest in regards to the teaching of Jesus is this: We should not exclude fasting, but should put it on par with praying and giving as disciplines of the Christian life because Jesus did.

More to come....I will talk in more detail in regards to Jesus' teaching on fasting, how we see fasting portrayed in the bible, what fasting is intended to accomplish in the life of believer, some practical considerations in regards to fasting, and much much more on the topic in future posts. Stay tuned.

Wisdom

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

One of the themes of the book of James chapter 3 is wisdom. He mentions two things in the verse that precede our focal passage for the day. He says points out that meekness accompanies true wisdom. James also mentions that wisdom has only one source....GOD!

Then in this verse he makes a connection that I am not sure we often make when we think about wisdom. He points out the relationship between certain qualities, (namely holiness, good attitude, good behavior, pleasant disposition) and wisdom from above. From above is a careful distinction that James is making. He is giving characteristics of the wisdom from above, that is, wisdom from God. If it does not possess these characteristics then it is not wisdom.

Let me unpack here what James is saying to us. If you see someone that is not holy they don't have wisdom from above. If you see someone that is not a peace maker but always stirring something up, they don't have the wisdom of God. If someone is not gentle, but instead they are harsh and mean, they do not have the wisdom of God. Unreasonable people do not have the wisdom of God and they always demand their own way no matter what (and get nasty, back biting, and gossipy when they don't get it). If someone is not full of mercy, but is quick to judge they don't have the wisdom of God. If someone is not faithful to God but is constantly wavering in their faith, they do not have the wisdom of God. If someone is hypocritical, they do not have the wisdom of God.

Now let's consider what someone is who has no wisdom? They are a fool. Strife stirring, mean, harsh, unreasonable, judgmental, self centered, nasty, gossipy, unfaithful people are fools. Don't be a fool. Learn to know wisdom.

Follow God no matter what the cost

Ruth 1:16 But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.

Elimilech and Naomi move from Bethlehem to Moab to avoid a great famine that hits the land. They have two sons Mahlon and Chilion. Their sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Elimilech dies. Then Mahlon and Chilion die. Naomi, having lost her husband and both her sons, makes the decision to move back to Bethlehem. Naomi encourages Ruth and Orpah to remain behind in Moab.  Perhaps, Naomi reasoned, they could find husbands among their people.....it would probably be difficult for Ruth and Orpah to find husbands in the land of Bethlehem being Moabite women. And after all, they are both still young with a lot of life in front of them. 

Orpah stays in Moab, but Ruth insists on going to Bethlehem with her mother in law. One of the motivating factors for Ruth, was that she recognized that the God she had worshiped being part of Naomi's family, the God of Israel, was the one true God. It was an unacceptable thought for her to return to a people who worshiped false gods. But to follow God by going with Naomi would not have been the most prudent economic decision for Ruth.

Ruth becomes an example for believers in that she followed God no matter what the cost. Too many believers make decisions based, not upon the will of God, but on whatever is going to produce the most positive outcome for their family financially.

There is no shame in financial prosperity, and the bible tells us that God delights in the prosperity of His people. However, if there ever comes a time in which following the direction that God wants you to go, comes into conflict with the best economic decision.......choose God's direction. Follow God, no matter what it costs you. By the way, I hear the rewards in heaven for sacrifices made here are pretty substantial.

Share the good news

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

We are sent by Jesus like lambs among wolves. We are chosen as His ambassadors as if He were pleading His case through us. We are given seed to scatter. We are laborers in His harvest. We are to use our feet to carry the good news to all who will listen. We are called to be witnesses unto Him in Jerusalem, Judea and all Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. All these are different ways the scriptures tell us that we are to share the gospel.

It is everywhere in the Word of God and yet some Christians still for some reason live their lives as if they bear no responsibility in this area. They view sharing a witness for Christ as if it is exclusively the activity of paid professionals or super spiritual types. It is the responsibility of every believer to be a witness for Christ.

When is the last time you shared?

Joy not burden

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

How do you experience your relationship with God? Is it burdensome for you to keep the commandments? If you experience obedience to God as something burdensome, something that you do out of a sense of obligation rather than something that is a source to you of deep abiding joy, your understanding needs to be tweaked a little.

It all begins with the gospel, and more specifically, your understanding of the gospel. Jesus died for your sins. That was not something that you deserved, it was an act of grace. Grace means unmerited favor. You now have unmerited (undeserved, unearned) favor with God. Favor with God was earned for you because of what Christ did at Calvary. HIS favor was credited to your account when you received Jesus! Jesus did this for you while you were yet a sinner! (see Romans 5:8) All these things will ultimately culminate in you spending all eternity with God in paradise!

A deep understanding of what I have shared in the previous paragraph produces one thing and one thing only: deeply felt gratitude. When you feel that gratitude toward God, it deepens your love for Him. That in turn makes obedience to Him a source of great joy for you deep in your soul.

Where are you in regards to your walk with God? Are you experiencing it as a burden, or is it a source of joy? If it is a burden, seek to deepen your understanding of the gospel. There you will find the key to permanent joy.

Be Spirit led

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

Paul is addressing the carnality of the Corinthian church. It was a huge issue for them that was causing lots of problems. I can testify 2000 years later carnality is still an issue in churches. Carnality is caused by people not being led by the Spirit. Reduce it to its basic element and that is what you have. We will be led by two things as Christians.....the Spirit, or ourselves. If we are not led by the Spirit we are led by our own desires. Our "self" can be broken down into three components:1) What we want 2) What we think 3) What we feel.

Self centered thinking is the hallmark characteristic of carnality. When we get carnal it is no longer about what God wants, it is about what we want. When we get carnal it is no longer about what God thinks, we act on what we think without consider God's thoughts. When we get carnal its about how we feel and what we feel like doing and not how God feels and what He wants us to do.

Let me share with you three steps to becoming a spiritual giant:
1) Ignore what you want, and accept the will of God.
2) Ignore what you think, find out what God thinks (if you don't already know search the scriptures or seek His face for wisdom).
3) Ignore how you feel and do the right thing regardless of how you feel.

If you practice these three steps in your life, you will walk with God in wisdom and power.

Remember folks, it is not about us....what we want, what we think, and what we feel....its about HIM.

The gift of the Messiah

I will give You for a covenant of the people. Isaiah 49:8

We all gave and received gifts during the Christmas season. More than likely, you received gifts that you do not really care for that much. You were certainly appreciative of the thought that went behind the gift, but the gift itself is of no use to you. You probably received a gift or two that was really what you wanted as well.

Isaiah reminds us that the Messiah was a gift. He is speaking writing the words of God the Father in Isaiah 49, so we are to understand the portion of Isaiah 49:8 above as a quote from God the Father Himself. The Father is telling Jesus the Christ that He is giving Him for the people.

We could ponder for an eternity of eternities the implications of this gift and never reach the bottom of that well. Christmas has come and gone, however pondering the wonders of the giving of Messiah is a yearlong pursuit, not exclusively a Christmas time activity. Consider what the great preacher of yesteryear Charles H. Spurgeon had to say about the implications of the gift of Messiah:

In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Consider that Word "God" and its infinity, and then meditate upon "perfect man" and all His beauty; for all that Christ, as God and man, ever had, or can have, is thine-out of pure free favour, passed over to thee to be thine entailed property forever. Our blessed Jesus, as God, is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Will it not console you to know that all these great and glorious attributes are altogether yours? Has He power? That power is yours to support and strengthen you, to overcome your enemies, and to preserve you even to the end. Has He love? Well, there is not a drop of love in His heart which is not yours; you may dive into the immense ocean of His love, and you may say of it all, "It is mine." Hath He justice? It may seem a stern attribute, but even that is yours, for He will by His justice see to it that all which is promised to you in the covenant of grace shall be most certainly secured to you. And all that He has as a perfect man is yours. As a perfect man the Father's delight was upon Him. He stood accepted by the Most High. O believer, God's acceptance of is thine acceptance."

All that is His, is yours......let that thought encourage your heart today.

Avoid spiritual pride, spiritual despair

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

In one phrase found in 2 Peter is our goal as believers. The new year provides a natural time to reflect upon where we have been and where we are going. I have been prayerfully thinking through that over the holidays from a personal stand point, and also from the stand point of the church. For me the two are intimately connected, because no church can rise higher than its leader. If I stop growing spiritually I can put a lid on the church. Its a sobering thought and a challenge to me personally to strive toward growth.

This verse reminds me that real Christian growth is inseparably connected to growing in the understanding of grace. Understanding grace is what really frees us up as believers to live obediently for Christ. A misunderstanding of grace leads to a performance based Christianity. A person who misunderstands grace is compelled to serve because they are trying to earn the favor of God. The result is either spiritual pride or despair. Spiritual pride results when such people perform well according to their own evaluation. People who fall into spiritual pride become like the Pharisees, thinking more highly of themselves than they ought, looking down on those that do not measure up to their exacting standards. On the other end of the spectrum is despair. Despair results in those who do not perform well. They feel like miserable failures and tend to give up all together on living for God. Both of these are extremes to be avoided, and an understanding of grace is what keeps us from spiritual pride and despair. It helps us to live out the command of Romans 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment,  

Seek to understand grace more.....It will set you free, and it will cause you to grow spiritually.