What's GOD'S thoughts on FASTING??

Isaiah

Chapter 58

1Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

3Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

4Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

5Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

12And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

13If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

When Sorrow is something to be Thanking God!

1 Thessalonians 5:15-21

15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit. 20Despise not prophesyings. 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

My focus is verse 18

But to keep it in context I want to talk about all of it!

Render to no one evil for evil. God doesn't want us getting revenge. Imagine that line of though. It sure goes against what mankind typically thinks and does!

Romans 12:17-21

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

But also I want to share with you. All those evil things that are being done.. Be they to you.. Or be they to others.. YOU CAN MAKE THEM SOMETHING TO PRAISE GOD OVER! If the heart that's broken is yours.. then THANK GOD! Sounds hard.. Sounds impossible in some cases!

Let me give you an example..

My youngest son was sexually assaulted.
He didn't let us know for a long time.. 
But I Thank God that he has told us now.. 
I THANK GOD that now we can get him the help.
I THANK GOD because for so long he was wetting the bed, he was having nightmares.. and was chronically scared.

Part of me had thought he was just an overly sensitive child who was slightly a pansy..

I am a single mom.. I was worried I had been raising a boy who was overly feminized..

I praise God it was not me messing him up..
I HATE WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.. 
I have filed charges.. The police are involved.

But I praise God for giving me back my son. 
I THANK him for my son trusting me enough to let me know!

Is it a horrible dart the evil one shot into my home?? YOU BET YOUR SWEET BOOPY! 

But It hasn't destroyed us.
My God has still been with us.
My God was faithful to not give me more than I could endure.. And to be honest.. It's made me and my son's relationship stronger.
My son got to confide in me that he had thought God was mad at him, and he'd punished him with this horrible thing.

I told him GOD doesn't send evil to people.. 
God gave people free will and that evil man used his will to try to hurt my son.. It was a great evil.. But God's been faithful to us and just like the children of Israel going through the dessert.
God's been bringing manna and leading us like a pillar of fire and clouds by day..

Some would say it's impossible to maintain faith in God in this situation.. But my God hasn't let me down. I wouldn't have chosen this.. but I am not angry with him. As this revelation has
Proven he's with me even in the midst of a HUGE trial!

Our Attitude changes our homes GREATLY!

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Where did you go today to get your food??

If you had been required to drive 8 hours..

to get your husband his favorite kind of Steak would you have still gone and done it?

How about it ladies.. How far are you really willing to go?? To bring your families happiness?

Does your families needs and desires propel you to do great things..

Bring in great surprises..

Or are you kind of like.. Why should I?

Are you interested in going the extra mile.. Or just doing the bare minimum.

I have had to talk to myself face to face..

Like in the mirror..

Wagging my finger..

Giving myself the business because I really do tend to be the bare minimum type momma..

And I know that this mentality isn't doing me or my family any good..

And MOST IMPORTANTLY God isn't impressed!

One of these days like it or not each of us must answer to God for all our actions, thoughts and deeds.

And a "I just couldn't care less" attitude isn't going to be something we can rationalize away then..

Oh don't get me wrong.. I know it is so easy to fall into one.. It's just that I sure wish I could get rid of it once and for all..

However I do know one of the keys on how to get rid of it little by little day by day..

Here's the Verse!

And now here's the Prayer of our heart..

Dear Lord,

I pray for the energy to go above and beyond in my relationship with You and with my husband. I have a heart to serve and desire to be a blessing, but so often I justify my way out of going the extra mile. Please help me care more and give me the strength and motivation to love as You love. I pray that You remove laziness or tiredness or anything that keeps me from serving You and my husband well in Jesus’ name Amen!

All created beings have a purpose..

God created us.. And as the creator.. originator of our very existence 
He gets a right to say what our purpose is..

Men have a purpose..
Women have a purpose..

WHAT Per se is that purpose?

Well MAN was created in GOD'S IMAGE!

I know people say that means all mankind.. and to a point it is true.. But later on in scripture it talks about the first Adam and the last Adam..  

 



 You have only one right in life. And that is to find God's will and purpose for your life. Then sit securely and work actively right in the center of God's purpose and place for you. It is really the only way to find contentment. To be in the will of God is the highest honor given us. God has a specific purpose for each of His creatures. So, God then has a purpose for women.

Praise the Father, Praise the Son.. Raise your hands.... Fall on your knees!!

"In the darkness we were waiting

Without hope, without light

'Til from Heaven You came running

There was mercy in Your eyes

To fulfill the law and prophets

To a virgin came the word

From a throne of endless glory

To a cradle in the dirt

Praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, three in one

God of glory, Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

To reveal the kingdom coming

And to reconcile the lost

To redeem the whole creation

You did not despise the cross

For even in your suffering

You saw to the other side

Knowing this was our salvation

Jesus for our sake you died

Praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, three in one

God of glory, Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

And the morning that You rose

All of Heaven held its breath

'Til that stone was moved for good

For the Lamb had conquered death

And the dead rose from their tombs

And the angels stood in awe

For the souls of all who'd come

To the Father are restored

And the church of Christ was born

Then the Spirit lit the flame

Now this gospel truth of old

Shall not kneel, shall not faint

By His blood and in His name

In His freedom I am free

For the love of Jesus Christ

Who has resurrected me

Praise the Father, praise the Son

Praise the Spirit, three in one

God of glory, Majesty

Praise forever to the King of Kings

Praise forever to the King of Kings"

What Blessings aren't you seeing in your own life!

"If You Missed The Blessing"

Numbers 6:24-26

24. The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25. The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

What you believed about yourself when you were a child is likely what you believe today. In many ways, you may believe what you were told by your parents, friends, or bullies. You still carry invisible tattoos reading last to be picked, slow, stupid, or worthless.

On bad days, you'll believe what someone said when you were five. It doesn't matter if its true or not; you'll accept it as true even when the evidence suggests otherwise.

If no one has ever spoken a blessing into your life, consider this: before you were born, God knew your name, fit you together in your mother's womb, and called you a masterpiece.

Psalm 139:13-16 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

God created you for something only you can do. You'll sin, but God can forgive you. God will never abandon you. He has always loved you, and He still has a plan for you.

Don't pay attention to what others call you; pay attention to His call.

"A prayer"

God, whatever I may think on my worst days, whatever others may think about me, You loved me before I was even born, and you blessed me. Help me to always remember that.

Wisdom... What is wisdom?

Proverbs

Chapter 9

1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

There is a huge difference between GODLY wisdom and worldly wisdom!

James 3:15-17

15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

EARTHLY WISDOM=

Earthly-

EARTH'LY, a. Pertaining to the earth, or to this world.

Our earthly house of this tabernacle. 2 Cor.5.

1. Not heavenly; vile; mean,

This earthly load

Of death called life.

2. Belonging to our present state; as earthly objects; earthly residence.

3. Belonging to the earth or world; carnal; vile; as opposed to spiritual or heavenly.

Whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Phil.3.

4. Corporeal; not mental.

Sensual-

SENSUAL,

Pertaining to the senses, as distinct from the mind or soul.

Far as creation's ample range extends.

The scale of sensual, mental pow'rs ascends. Pope.

2. Consisting in sense, or depending on it; as sensual appetites, hunger, lust, &c.

3. Affecting the senses, or derived from them; as sensual pleasure or gratification. Hence,

4. In theology, carnal; pertaining to the flesh or body, in opposition to the spirit; not spiritual or holy; evil.

5. Devoted to the gratification of sense; given to the indulgence of the appetites; lewd; luxurious.

Devilish-

DEVILISH,

1. Partaking of the qualities of the devil; diabolical; very evil and mischievous; malicious; as a devilish scheme; devilish wickedness.

2. Having communication with the devil; pertaining to the devil.

3. Excessive; enormous; in a vulgar and ludicrous sense; as a devilish cheat.

devilishness

DEVILISHNESS, n. The qualities of the devil.

What kinds of things do you know automatically through these definitions are things YOU as a person of faith Shouldn't be doing!?

Our High Preist is always with us

 

WE CAN'T ALWAYS CHOOSE

THE MUSIC LIFE PLAYS FOR US

BUT WE CAN CHOOSE HOW WE REACT TO IT

PERSONALLY, I SAY DANCE BEFORE YOUR MASTER!

So often life has a kick to hand you..

I know it, I've lived it!

But I know my master is faithful!

I know Jesus is a high priest who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities!

Hebrews 4:15-16

15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Even on that day you've dropped 3 plates, the kids are yelling and the boss is mad at you. 

I understand how things get under your skin.
I understand how you get to the place where your emotions are all out of kilter..

Been there too.

God has never promised he'd get you out of trials.. He promised he'd be there with us in the midst of them!

And he does! He is..

I know momma's that mourn for their children
I know it's hard!! HARD.. hard stuff!

But they are safe in the Arms of Jesus. Especially the young children lost through illness, and miscarriage's. 

I know Husbands who miss their wives..

Hopefully if she was a saved woman..
She also is safe in the arms of Jesus.

But right now.. Jesus is also hugging YOU dear soul torn husband!

He's here within arms reach able to bless us and share his mercy and his grace and his uplifting arms! 

The Fear of the LORD is he beginning of Knowledge and Wisdom!

 Proverbs 1:7

 Let's look at verse 7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: 

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

There is so much wisdom and knowledge here that we're going to tear it apart and make a line by line disection..

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: 

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

God warns us.. That only by fearing him do we have the right spirit to gain knowledge...

Think of it this way.. Everyone has seen an angry and proud child.  One standing there arguing with whoever is correcting them.. One who will not hear..
WE ARE all like that!! We stand there daring God to accuse us of anything.. Daring him to tell us we are wrong.. 

Perfect example of this.. Look at Pharoh from Egypt when God simply wanted his people to go free to worship him..

GOD sent him a messenger and he hardened his heart. He decided it wasn't in his best interest to use the fear of the lord.. He decided to REBEL against God's will..

Not only that.. But Pharoh did make everyone else's life more miserable.. Because he wouldn't see.. He wouldn't hear.. He wouldn't learn..

Right back to that rebellious child example from above!

WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING..
Come when we seek GODLY THINGS.. Holy things..
And we can't do that without admitting that GOD'S ways are better than ours..
And ultimately that requires The Fear of the Lord!

How do you identify a fool? They reject the fear of the Lord.. 
The reject wisdom when offered to them.. They reject Instruction!

Which are you?

If you've been foolish.. YOU AREN'T ALONE.. And you don't have to keep choosing foolishness!

Here's how I am breaking the habit!!

When I do something foolish.. I write it down on a post it note.. fold it or crumple it up.. Put it into the jar.. And pray to God asking for forgiveness and asking him to help me be less foolish!!

Why?

Because I want to please my master!

I don't want to remain a fool..

I want to one day be counted as wise!