"When You Fast," Not, If You Fast

"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance...."  (Matthew 6:16a)

During the early days of the charismatic renewal we heard a lot about "the early Church," and how we should be more like that Church.  Well, one thing they did regularly was to fast twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays.  I wonder what would have happened in the "renewal" if the Church would have taken this seriously.

Jesus does say, "Do not fast."  He said, "When you fast," and, when you do, don't do it the way many religious folk do, viz., "Look at me, how spiritual I am."  He then added, "Assuredly I say to you, they have their reward."  I call you and me today to aspire to the "reward" in Jesus Christ, the "reward" which comes from a walk of obedience.  In the "physical" sense, "the Bridegroom is taken away....Then they will fast."  Of course, "Jesus Christ is in you", but we do not see Him now in His Glorious Resurrected Body; hence, "....then they will fast." 

I have decided to add Friday to my regular fast day of Wednesday in view of world events and the coming US Election.  Now what I do is if someone wants to have breakfast or lunch on one of those days, I usually accept the invitation.  I simply take one of the other days of the week to keep the two day fast schedule. 

Not everything which the Pharisees and Sadducees did was hypocritical and without the "sanction" of the Godhead, e.g., prayer, fasting, giving alms.  These spiritual graces are ours also.  Will you join me in 2020?  Maybe the Church will obtain 2020 vision.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with David, "When you said, 'Seek My Face,' my heart said to You, 'Your Face, Lord, do I seek.'"  Amen.

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I am praying about how we could fast and pray during this coming, world-changing year.  Perhaps we could have a conference-call prayer time together on each of the fast days.  "Selah."

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

No Reason To Be "Troubled"

"When Herod the king hear this, he was troubled ('disturbed, agitated'), and all Jerusalem with him."  (Matthew 2:3)

I pray this new year finds you new.  In Jesus Christ new just keeps getting newer.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  Notice, "....have passed.., have become...."  The past is past; the new is, can we say it?-- always new.  Maybe instead of always looking man's concept of "new," we should "look for," accept, and walk in the Eternal.

But to our text.  I wondered today why "....all Jerusalem..," was, "agitated."  Of course, Herod didn't want a rival.  But, "all Jerusalem...."?  Weren't there those in Jerusalem who knew the Psalms and the Prophets?  Or was it like so many today who when what was only ethereal to them is finally seen as the Reality, they aren't so sure if this is what they were really expecting or wanted.

While there will always be "surprises" in life, there is a very real sense in which world events should not surprise the person who not only reads the Bible but believes/accepts the Bible.  There will be "new" events this coming year, events which will be a surprise to many, expected by some, and, there will be many different reactions to these events.  But, "troubled, disturbed, agitate," should not be in us.  The Words of Jesus in John 14 are akin to the Words He spoke in the Prophets, and they should be our guiding life style and reaction to everything, "And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come, you may believe"--------not, "troubled, disturbed, agitated."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray the world events will never leave me, "disturbed, troubled...."   Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Sorry For The Holiday Intrusion

I know the last thing you probably wanted or expected on New Year's Day was another email from me.  Today's Proverb text, however, for some reason, really, really impacted me today; ergo:

"....for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple (i.e., 'a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil,' sort of like me), knowledge and discretion to the young-- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

What a precise, direct, life-changing Word which reveals the primacy of, "the Words of God," in our daily sojourn.  Sermons, okay, counseling, okay, teaching, okay.  But they in no way equal or surpass this glorious, wonderful description of the, "God-Breathed," Words in our lives.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Ponders By Talking To Himself"

"Blessed is the man (whose)...delight is in the Law (Words) of the Lord, and in His Law (Words) he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1)

I noticed again this time that the margin in the NKJV says of, "meditates": "he ponders by talking to himself."  This sounds like craziness to the Western mindset, but to me as a follower of Jesus Christ, a follower of Him Who lives in me, it is the very, "power of God."

The Hebrew Word for, "meditate," affirms the margin notes.  It means, "utter, speak, muse."  For me, it is musing, (thinking, considering) and, speaking His Words.  This is a reason that I pray allowed the Scriptures, Jesus' Words, Jesus' "thoughts."  Though I do pray "other ways," I have just never found a better way of praying than, "....talking to himself," Jesus' Very Words.

I must admit that the first thought this time was, "If what we call blessing is not rooted in, "....but his delight is in the Law of the Lord", then it is dangerously close to a counterfeit "blessing."  Whether it be health, finances, "favor," whatever, the blessed person is only the person who has his "delighter" right.

What about you as you face a "New Year?"  Of all your blessings, are the, "Words of God," at the top, the center, the foundation of your blessings?  If so, this will be not only a "Happy New Year," but a blessed New Year.

Father, in Jesus' Name, Your Words were not always my, "delight."  But I so thank You that by Your mercy and grace You have brought me to that.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2