Fasting for Wisdom

Wednesday early morning fasting schedule, 3/12/13.

Wednesday Early Morning 3/12/13 Fasting Schedule:

* Tuesday night, 9:30 pm:  Took 4 senna tabs with 2 bifidus bifobactirum  tabs.  The senna keeps the bowels moving which would otherwise stop moving during the fast.  The bifidus cultures keeps the intestional flora healthy.  This would be very dangerous as the system would become constipated from lack of solid food moving out the waste.   Then, the colon would reabsorbe the waste in the intestines, overburden the liver, and throw toxins into the blood.  This is what makes fasting difficult in this day and age.  So, probably the number 1 secret of successful fasting for the human body is to keep the toxins and waste moving through the bowels.

*  5:15 am: 1.5 cups hot water with 1 teaspoon red pepper sauce/ arbol and piquin peppers.  Cholula Hot Sauce.  The peppers rev up the metaboilsm, open up the cappilaries, which increases circulation.  This helps with the cleansing of the metabolic wastes.  Peppers release endorphins.   Endorphins are the natural, God given, feel good body compounds which increase a sense of well being.  We sure need that during a fast. 

* 6:15 am: 1.5 cups hot water with 1 teaspoon red pepper sauce.   Keeping hydrated with a degree of nutrition is probably the biggest key to successful fasting on a physical level.  (No plain water fasts, no fasting without liquids.  Our bodies do not have the vital health of past generations.  We are too unindated with environmental toxins, ie pesticides, pharmaceuticals, hormones, chemicals, etc. which were never present in generations of old.  God have mercy on us today.)  Crying out to God, prayer, is the #1 key to power.  Why?  Because in heaven is merciful.  He hears our hearts cry.  He commands us to COME BOLDLY BEFORE HIS THRONE OF GRACE  in our times of need.  All the time for that matter.  But I've found especially  when we are in great need, or desperate (like Queen Esther) , or undertaking a new work of the ministry it's mandatory.  Jesus, Paul, the Antioch Church, Ezra and Daniel all fasted at the critical junctures of undertaking a great work for the Kingdom of Heaven.  

* 6:30 large bowell movement which effectively cleans the bowel for a day or more of safe fasting.  And, I'm all set to go on a healthy fast.  Of course, the health to the human body is secondary, but mandatory. We can't make ourselves sick during fasting.  In fact, just the opposite, when a fast is done properly we can come away with a greater degree of physical well being and health.  Our body is the temple of the Holy spirit  and you and I and all humanity are under direct obligation to God, our Maker to care for these bodies the best we can.  It's called being faithful with the body Elohim has given to us.  To please Him, to be faithful is our highest ideal. 

* 6:45 am:  I wrote my fasting list for my goals and needs for this fast.  I asked God to help me and to answer these prayer.  I asked God, Jesus to move powerfully to bring justice to unjust situations, health to hurting bodies, salvations to lost souls, divine protection for loved ones,  and wisdom for me to move ahead in life with writing a book, and getting my house fixed up.  I'm praying fro specific people, needs, and situations.  Not in general.  Yes, mercy on America is always a priority, and the peace of Jerusalem is a command that we are to pray for.  Also, of course prayer for the KI Resident Study Program in New Zealand  and the new KI Study Center websight.  Seeking God on His throne of grace to help us in our time of need is primary.  Jesus is full of mercy, grace, and forgiveness.  He loves us, that is why we seek His face.  TO KNOW HIM is our highest ideal.

*7:15  1.5 cups hot water with 1 teaspoon pepper sauce.  Remember, keep hydrated.  Keep the liquids up on an hourly basis will keep you feeling good and the full.  Plus the blood will continue to be cleansed through the kidneys.  We're off to a good start. 

* 7:30 am: Praying in tongues and worship.  I personally like praying in tongues, because my spirit is praying, and my mind is bypassed.  So, God in heaven hears my prayers and supplications in the Spirit and my spirit is communicating directly with  my Saviors Spirit.  It's easy.  I also put on Christian worship music in my home at this time, makes it easy to rejoice in the Lord and keep focused on Him.  I can't stand to pump the spirit of the world into my home 24/7 with television, so I don't do tv.  Also, at this time I don't have internet at home.  I don't want to be distracted from God above by reading the news or surfing the web.  He honors that too.  He knows when a person seeks Him with all their heart.  And He likes it.

I'm Deeply Saddened

We Are Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)

Ephesus Turkey Today
(Image: turklandtravel.com)

Prayer and fasting.  I do see that prayer is a normal part of our lives as followers of the Way, Jesus, according to the Bible and the words of Jesus HImself. 

Of course I'm deeply saddened for the Body of Christ; us, the Evangelical Church in America today.  Why?  I'm saddened that prayer and fasting isn't made and recognized as  a top  priority. Especially considering it's extremely important function in the Bible.  This lost discipline is of up most importance as I've tried to point out in previous emails and my blog.  Could this be a reason for lack of power?   Jesus said:  "BUT THE DAYS  WILL COME... AND AT THAT TIME THEY WILL FAST." (Lk. 5:35a,c NASB)  That day has come.  It is time for us to obey our Lord.  Let us fast and pray like never before.

 I see all of us Evangelicals as Ephesus. (Rev. 2:1-7) Jesus walks among us.  We  shine and carry the Light of the Gospel of Christ.   We have it all....almost.  We have work, we have endurance. We don't tolerate evil, sin, nor false doctrine. We endure, we don't grow weary.  We give our all....   and yet.  So sad, how far we have fallen.  We've lost our First Love.  Our simple love and devotion to our Lord Jesus.  I know it saddens Him so much.  It would make Him happier if we simply worship Him more.  And, in addition, our love for each other has grown shallow and cold too, I'm sorry to say.   And that is why people are walking out of the churches in America.  That is why the finances of our ministries are being dried up by Jesus.  We can't afford to lack love any longer.  People's eternal soul's are being lost daily.  The harvest is ripe!

LET EVERYONE LISTEN TO WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES:  "TO EVERYONE WHO CONQUERS I (JESUS) WILL GIVE THE PRIVILEGE OF EATING FROM THE TREE OF LIFE THAT IS IN GOD'S PARADISE." (Rev. 2:7 ISV)

 We must return to  our First Love, Lord Jesus. I see prayer and fasting as one significant way to return to Him, intimate union, seeking His face.   Jesus says:  "COME UNTO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST." (Mt. 11:28)

I Needed A Miracle

I needed God.  I was desperate beyond human help.

The only reason I'm alive today is because my Mom cried out to Jesus all night long in prayer, night watchings, and fasting. 

 She begged the God of the universe to take terminal cancer off me. This was 20 years ago.  She asked Jesus to deliver me from death. Crying she lay curled up on the floor in her living room in a fetal position all night long. Begging God to heal me.  She told God she could not live if I died then.  She was right.  Jesus heard my Momma's cries.  He worked a miracle of mercy in me.  Jesus blew out the cancer.  He poured in me a 'living hope' when a man of God prayed for me.  In an instant, cancer blown out, life, and life eternal poured in. 

 This was a true miracle from Jesus, The Man or Mercy. 

Image: biltrix.com

  This was the beginning of an incredible journey with Jesus for me 20 years ago.  Life has never been the same.  Eternity has a whole new meaning to me.  Jesus had mercy on my family and I when He divinely healed me of terminal cancer in a moment.  For the last 20 years His wings of grace, God's goodness alone, has carried me.  Jesus has forgiven me unimaginable sins, as if they'd never happened.  

Jesus has instructed me to tell of His mercy, His grace, and His forgiveness. 

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 Unfathomable power  emanating through and from Him. Love, flowing like a mighty river of life in which we are immersed.  GOD IS LOVE. (John's Epistles)  IN HIM WE LIVE, AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. (Acts)  Mercy, grace, forgiveness unfathomable blown into the universe 2,000 years ago on the cross... forever, and ever, and ever.  For us who believe IN HIM IS LIFE, AND THIS LIFE IS THE LIGHT OF HUMANITY.  (John 1)

Fastings Often Blew Open the World

What was one of Paul's secrets of God's power? Fasting often: Jesus blew open the world to the Gospel of Grace.

(Image: dailyencouragement.wordpress)

 Why was his ministry so effective?    I see fasting as his major personal key.  He fasted at every important move.  All the time.  This is what he has to say through the Holy Spirit:

We read of his experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:27:  "IN LABOR AND TOIL, IN WATCHINGS OFTEN, IN HUNGER AND THIRST, IN FASTINGS OFTEN, IN COLD AND NAKEDNESS." Wow!  He was really qualified.  He suffered a lot for Jesus.  Look at what he did during his sufferings- fast.  We can learn that important lesson. By the way, fasting is never undertaken with out prayer.  Prayer is the key.  Add worship and you have a power packed day!!

These are some of the things Paul says verifies and empowers his ministry. 

(oneyearbibleblog.com)

He writes: "BUT IN EVERYTHING COMMENDING  OURSELVES AS SERVANTS OF GOD IN GREAT ENDURANCE, IN AFFLICTIONS, ..IN IMPRISONMENTS, ..IN WATCHINGS, IN FASTINGS; ..IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, IN SINCERE LOVE, IN THE WORD OF TRUTH, IN THE POWER OF GOD.."  (2 Corinthians 6:4-7 selected portions, WEB)   Sounds pretty exciting, huh?  Now we know some of the secrets of his power to spread the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus.  Paul suffered the loss of everything for the excellency, of knowing Jesus.  Knowing Jesus is the highest value on earth.  Humanities  greatest goal.

The power of the Gospel's spread through out the world was birthed in fasting. 
Acts 13:2,3

In the church in Antioch there were prophets and teachers... 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 HANDS ON THEM AND SENT THEM OUT. (ESV) Notice how corporate fasting, praying, and worshiping Jesus was practiced in Antioch.  The rest is history.  Would to God that we could do that today.  That's taking Jesus seriously.  They knew the secret of power! Notice that prophets as well as teachers are part of the Body of Christ then, and still are today.  Notice that the Holy Spirit speaks, and He still does today!  JESUS, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.

We can learn a lot from Paul's example.  We can also say: TO LIVE IS CHRIST (TO LIVE FOR HIM), TO DIE IS GAIN (HEY, THAT'S EVEN BETTER, HEAVEN) Paul's Epistles.

Sid

 James is Jesus half  brother.  He instructs us in James 1:22  BUT BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOURSELVES.  (James 1:22 ESV)  So, let's do it!  Let's get some prayer power going.  Let's add some fasting.  How bout it?

Mystery of Fasting, Freedom, and Mercy

To me, a great mystery is revealed in the Prophet Isaiah 

The Great Isaiah Scroll
(Image: bible-researcher.com)

Chapter 58:1-7 of Isaiah explains great mysteries of how God sees fasting.  It seems to me that our God wants us to be generous; giving financially and fulfilling the needs of the poor, helping our relatives in need. And some how, in some way it adds to our fasting and prayer power.  God likes it.

Fasting and mercy is a great Biblical secret of healing, answered prayer, and a blessed life.  By the way, it's understood that fasting and prayer is a means to connect even more profoundly with God in serious circumstances of life.   Jesus of Nazareth is The Man of Mercy. 

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.... Let's read what  God  Himself has to say:    "WILL YOU CALL THIS A FAST, AND A DAY ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD?  IS NOT THIS THE FAST THAT I CHOSE; TO LOOSE THE BOUNDS OF WICKEDNESS, AND UNDO THE STRAPS OF THE YOKE, TO LET THE OPPRESSED GO FREE, AND TO BREAK EVERY YOKE."  (Is. 58:5b,6 ESV)  When we find ourselves or our loved ones bound by wickedness, under a yoke, and oppressed in this world fasting has incredible power to break that yoke, or bondage off of us, or our loved one in need.  So, always add fasting to your prayers.  God is mighty to save, Jesus sets the captives free.  And don't stop praying.

 Who would have thought  that a generous and giving heart, willing to share, would be so significant to the Almighty Father.  

(Image: lookinguntojesus.net)

Jesus is kind and merciful  and giving to us.  He wants us to give also. God goes on about fasting:  IS IT NOT TO SHARE YOUR BREAD WITH THE HUNGRY, AND BRING THE HOMELESS POOR INTO YOUR HOUSE; WHEN YOU SEE THE NAKED, COVER HIM, AND DO NOT HIDE YOURSELF FROM YOUR OWN FLESH? (v.7)  One commentary states:  "This passage indicates that the acceptable fast is not merely abstinence from food or water but a decision to fully obey God's commands but a decision to fully care for the poor and oppressed." (Wikipedia)  

 Why is it that God equates the two together?  Because He likes mercy. HE HAS SHOW YOU, O MORTAL WHAT IS GOOD.  AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU?  TO ACT JUSTLY, TO LOVE MERCY, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD." (Mica 6:8) God requires mercy of mankind.  That's a prerequisite to the power of fasting. Jesus says:  "BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL RECEIVE MERCY." (Sermon on the Mount)

What's the bottom line of fasting?   Merciful actions in life.  Unimaginable!  Super health, super answers to prayer from God above.  God reveals this:  "THEN SHALL YOUR LIGHT BREAK FORTH LIKE THE DAWN, AND YOUR HEALING SHALL SPRING FORTH SPEEDILY.  YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL GO BEFORE YOU AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE YOUR REAR GUARD.  THEN YOU SHALL CALL, AND THE LORD WILL ANSWER; YOU SHALL CRY AND HE WILL SAY, "HERE I AM."  (v. 8,9a)

Here are God's conditions  for super healthy fasting:  IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE YOKE FROM YOUR MIDST, THE POINTING OF THE FINGER, AND SPEAKING WICKEDNESS.  IF YOU POUR YOURSELF OUT TO THE HUNGRY AND SATISFY THE DESIRE OF THE AFFLICTED, THEN SHALL YOUR LIGHT RISE IN THE DARKNESS AND YOUR GLOOM BE AS THE NOON DAY.  AND THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU CONTINUALLY AND SATISFY YOUR DESIRE IN SCORCHED PLACES,AND MAKE YOUR BONES STRONG; AND YOU WILL BE LIKE A WATERED GARDEN, LIKE A SPRING OF WATER, WHOSE WATERS DO NOT FAIL. (Is. 58:9b-11 ESV)

Let us consider these wonderful fasting and health secrets of the Bible.  We've included the they mystery of mercy concerning fasting to God.  HE IS A REWARDER OF THOSE WHO SEEK HIM. (Hebrews 11:6b)    God bless you.

The Most Beautiful Words Ever Spoken About Fasting

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah.  God Himself tells us how to fast.  Fasting to please Him. (Isaiah 58)

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We can read God's own words on the benefits of fasting that pleases God: 

 "THEN YOUR LIGHT WILL BREAK FORTH LIKE THE DAWN; AND YOUR HEALING WILL QUICKLY APPEAR; THEN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL GO BEFORE YOU, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD WILL BE YOUR REAR GUARD.  THEN YOU WILL CALL, AND THE LORD WILL ANSWER; YOU WILL CRY FOR HELP AND HE WILL SAY, HERE I AM." (Isaiah 58:8,9)   

When I've fasted and prayed for others I have seen miracles of healing take place beyond my wildest expectations.

Also, on a supernatural level Jesus pours His healing power into us and others when we consistently ask Him.  Fasting works on a physical level to restore our health too.  And, when we need direction on what health modalities we need, we can trust God to guide us in answer to prayer and fasting  too.

Powerful Answers To Prayer

 I've had extremely successful, powerful answers to prayer and intimacy with Jesus during my 20 years experience of fasting.  Twice I've been on 40 day fasts. Moses, Jesus, and Elijah too are recorded as undertaking 40 day fasts.  What power was released.

(testimoniesofheavenandhell.com)

 Jesus withstood the onslaught of the devils temptations during His 40 day fast.  The only Human Being who would not cow tow to Satan and sin was Jesus.  He secured our freedom from sin and death when He died on the cross for our sins.  He conquered death for us.  He rose again the third day just as God had foretold in the Sacred Scriptures, our bibles.  He purchased our souls for God so that we will have the right to enter heaven.  Not because we are good enough.  But that Jesus was good enough.  So we enter through Him.  This is called "imputed righteousness."  What's the secret?  How do we get to heaven?  Peter says:  AND EVERYONE WHO CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD (JESUS) WILL BE SAVED. (Acts 2:21)

Jesus our Lord has instructed us to fast.  He expects it of us.  This is what He said when He walked the earth 2,000 years ago.  "BUT SOMEDAY THE  GROOM  WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM , AND THEN THEY WILL FAST." (Mark 2:20 NLT)  The groom is Jesus, He was taken away from us at the ascension.  You see, Jesus, our Master simply expects us to fast.  We must be obedient.  If we love Him, He says we will obey Him. (Jn. 14:15)  Fasting is not optional.

One 40 day fast literally blew me away!  Intimacy with the Trinity was literally out of this world.  I saw th glory of God ans the One Who sits on the throne a lot  like John on Patmos saw Him in Revelation 4,5. Once a week 24 hour fasts are a piece of cake.  The early church used to practice fasting twice a week.  They were effective for Christ, spreading the gospel.

3 day fasts are important  when power or answered prayer is desperately needed.  

(Image: catholicinbrooklyn.blogspot)

We can trust our God in heaven.  Jesus flows His mercy to us,His grace carries us, and His forgiveness wipes away our past, our mistakes, our unrighteousness. I praise Him.  His love is unfathomable, a powerful river we're all immersed in, that is us Christians.  Those of us who follow Jesus.  21 day fasts are sometimes mandatory when great need is seen.  Example:  Mercy on America. Daniel fasted 21 days when he saw read from Jeremiah that it was time for Jerusalem to be reinhabited.   7 and 10 day fasts are also important.  I'm not saying this to brag, just the opposite, this is important instruction for the times we are entering.  Missler says that tough times are right on the horizon.  So, in my personal opinion, fasting and prayer is mandatory in these last days, perilous times.

Prayer and fasting is nothing new.  We are simply obeying our Master, and returning to our Biblical roots. I guess you'd call spiritual disciplines.  But its fun, the rewards are great.

 Here is Jesus instructions for our fastings:  "THEN WHEN YOU FAST DON'T LOOK LIKE THOSE MISERABLE PLAY ACTORS!  FOR THEY DELIBERATELY DISFIGURE THEIR FACES SO THAT PEOPLE MAY SEE THEY ARE FASTING.  BELIEVE ME, THEY HAVE HAD ALL THEIR REWARD.  NO, WHEN YOU FAST, BRUSH YOUR HAIR, AND WASH YOUR FACE SO THAT NOBODY KNOWS YOU ARE FASTING- LET IT BE A SECRET BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR FATHER.  AND YOUR FATHER WHO KNOWS ALL SECRETS WILL REWARD YOU."  (Mt. 6:16-18 Phillips)