Nov 20-22

Here is a quick exhort for ya'll on fasting and how it applies to all of our lives this week:

Matt 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

So according to Jesus its a good thing that we mourn. What does this mourning look like? Why is it such a good thing that one would be blessed for mourning? Well lets look at another passage that might help shine some light into questions like these.

Matt 9: 14Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?"
15And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

In the context of this verse mourning is longing for more of Jesus. The disciples could not mourn for Jesus while He was with them but they would once He had left.
We all long for change. We all want 'something more' in our lives. Even if we are going hard for God throughout the days and weeks and years we still have a longing for more change and more breakthrough. We long for God's kingdom to come and for His will to be done!
We will not be satisfied until heaven comes down to earth and they are united and ultimate peace and revival take place on the earth. (Rev 21,22)

One way to mourn in context to Matt 5 i believe, is when a believer needs more of Jesus in their life. When he/she realizes that the business as usual way of living just won't cut it. Mourning comes from a place of getting with grips of the reality of Christianity and a love for Jesus. The more we have in this life the worse off we will be. Take a look a the rich young ruler, he had everything but yet he was so far from God he even turned Him down face to face. (Matt 19)
He must increase, I must decrease (Jn 3:30)
In everything I must give more to Jesus, and even though He might not be calling me to sell everything (in the natural) and follow Him right now He is asking for that from my heart. And i must be ready to do the same with all my earthly possessions and standings.
We will mourn because we want more of Him in whatever way that looks like in your own personal journey. And its a good thing because when we long for Jesus when we seek Him out and when we are troubled by the the lack of righteousness in our lives and in the circumstances around us He is pleased. He is pleased because its a sign that the 'Yes!' in our hearts towards Him is having an effect on our lives. He is pleased because we are saying 'Yes!' to Matt 5:48. And He now has the means to get us there.

So take a second this week and observe your walk with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit, 'God where am I in regards to mourning for the Son?' Tell Him that you want to 'kiss the Son' (Ps. 2) Or have Him kiss you with the kisses of His word (SOS 1:2)
Jesus said to those who have, more will be given and to those who don't have EVERYTHING will be taken away. (Matt 13:12) Our mourning is a good sign that we have something in the kingdom. Even though it looks like poverty on this side, and even though our hearts are feeling downcast and crushed its the complete opposite in the heavenly kingdom. For truly we are blessed! It means we are willing to give up more for Jesus. It means we are truly hurt and distressed with our lives and where we stand against sin. It means we will go long hours and even days without pleasures to seek after more of Jesus. And God will reward us for it.
This is love sickness. Fasting/mourning, not eating because i somehow NEED more of Jesus, and biblical this is one of the BEST ways to get it!! Reading the Word, Fasting and Praying.
Amen.