Take a break, eat some food and have a great week!
Merry Christmas!!!!
-Drew
Isaiah 9: 2-7
2The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
3You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
5For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Dec 18-20
Hello everyone,
This week I'll be dealing with a few of the nitty gritty specifics about fasting, we'll be looking at the Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How of fasting.
Who?
Everyone!!!!
Everyone needs food and everyone can make a choice to say 'no' to food and 'yes' to more of God. The Lord made a way so that anyone (no matter what situation or circumstance) and everyone could experience this specific style of communion with Him and its as simple as not eating.
What?
True biblical fasting is fasting food. There are many other good fasts such as fasting time, money, speech, the media etc... But in the context of biblical fasts and this tvvt fast group we fast food. A direct result of fasting food on a regular basis is entering a season of a "fasted lifestyle" where a believer will usually automatically eliminate many other distractions in their lives and focus on God in an increased way which would lead to them dealing with time, money, speech etc... and giving that over to God as well.
It is important to ask yourself and the Lord how you want to fast. Be realistic. Never fasting before then trying to do a 10 day water fast usually doesn't work very well. If you are new start off slow and eliminate a meal a day or certain foods. Getting down to just liquids and eventually just water is a good goal to set for yourself. The Lord gives grace and someone who is fasting needs to realize the grace that is given them and then contend for more!
Try not to be too religious about your fast. Fasting is an error free way to express our heart to God. If I eat during a fast I haven't sinned. Just thank the Lord for the grace given and the posture of your heart you've attained through His Spirit and keep fasting like nothing happened. Stay focused remembering that this is mostly for you and not God. He isn't more impressed when we fast for long periods of time compared to when we don't. He gives us fasting as a vehicle to get ourselves closer to Him, not the other way around.
Also the same muscle you flex when you say 'no' to food during a fast is the same muscle you flex when you say 'no' to sin. You will realize that God truly does build you up during an immense time of humility through simply not eating.
When?
Whenever you want.
One day a week is a good start. 3 days a week/joining this fast group is a great idea!
If you're feeling a burn to know God more then FAST! If you're still feeling it, FAST MORE!!
If you have to work during the day, fast in the evening. If you have to work during the evening fast during the day. Its that simple. Learning some of the practicals of not eating is done mostly by trial and error. Learning the practicals of communing with God is a heart posture and a choice to focus on Him. Put the 2 together and you've got a great equation to an amazing adventure with the Lord! (and you'll find that the 2 parts of the equation complement each other perfectly!!!)
Where?
Fasting in the closet and in the secret place.
Get away to your room. Go deep in your heart/mind with the Holy Spirit and the Word.
Set apart time to read the Bible and pray.
Have a focus. Even if its just one day pick a verse from the Bible and go deep in it the best way you can. Praying(speaking)/singing in tongues is also a great tool when fasting.
Set your heart before the Lord and give your fast to Him and He will use it no matter what you do BUT the more you set aside time for yourself (in the closet/secret place before Him), that's when you'll truly see the difference!!! Remember this is for you, take advantage of it!!!! The Lord will honor your fast and you will grow no matter the circumstance but I urge you to take it serious and draw away with Him.
Why?
The context of New Testament fasting and this tvvt fast is mourning for the Bridegroom. Longing to get our own hearts closer to Jesus' (Matt 9: 14,15). A result of this will be: heightened consecrated lifestyle, increased revelation of Him, revival, renewal, repentance, accountability, dreams, visions, visitations etc...
Having a focus to tackle issues in your own personal life is a good thing to do while fasting and the Lord will work through those issues so I'd encourage anyone to do that.
This fast team could have many members but we normally do not fast corporately as the church might fast to see a distinct change in situations or circumstances. We usually won't fast directly for revival or the in breaking of God in a city or nation (ex: The Call Nashville http://www.ihop.org/Group/Group.aspx?id=1000015986).
This fast (tvvt/Matt 9 Bridegroom fast) is very personal and intimate and it tackles the heart issues which then reflects outwardly as righteousness and a change in our personal lives which then will effects situations and circumstances.
When its all said and done I want to be more like God. Everything else will fall into place. (Matt 6:33)
How?
Numbers 6: 21
"This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the Lord according to his separation, in addition to what else he can afford; according to his vow which he takes, so he shall do according to the law of his separation."
I love using this verse for fasting, here is how I look at it:
My offering to God is my heart. From that comes a longing to touch Him in an increased way. From that comes fasting.
My separation is simple: Food.
What am I willing to afford: energy, time, degree of daily intake (ex: 1 meal a day/water) (My own personal goal is to get myself down to only water. But crazy grace or the right circumstances must be in place and I need to discern that for myself. There is a time and a season for different degrees of fasting (in the context of not eating) its important to shy away from a religious spirit.)
The vow that I take is how I decide I will fast for that specific fast. Even if its fasting for just one day I need to decide ahead of time how I will fast (physically/mentally/spiritually). Fasting=Focus.
Then once a vow is made I should try and follow through "I will do according to the law of my separation."
Read through Numbers 6. The Nazirite was an Old Testament fasted lifestyle that is still applicable today. Many of us are Nazarites at heart. We will tear our hearts and not our garments. (Joel 2:13) It doesn't matter what it looks like outside its your heart that counts. Get your heart in the right place before the Lord. Say 'Yes!' to fasting and go for it!!!! He will take you by the hand and lead you through it.
So that's it folks. Hope this helped.
There is one last thing I wanted to say and that is: Your flesh will rage during a fast. Stuff is going to come out of you that you never thought was there. No matter how long you've been fasting or how Holy you think you are... sin is in there and God is gunna get rid of it. I have personally dealt with a lot of self control issues in my own life in the context of fasting. This type of thing is usually more of a problem for girls/ girls in our generation and a lot of the time it manifests as eating disorders. Guys deal with the same issues but in different ways. For Guys and Girls it usually looks one of two ways: a decrease in eating after a fast or an increase in eating after a fast. Its important to take all of that before the Lord before/during/after a fast. Give it all to Him and tell Him you won't let fear get in the way of Love. Let the Holy Spirit minister to you and allow Him to guide you. What, when and how to eat before and after a fast is very important if you want to stay healthy. If you want in depth info on this e-mail me at
mewithoutdrew@gmail.com
I'll probably end up doing a post on that as well but till then,
Keep fit and have fun! Body break!
This week I'll be dealing with a few of the nitty gritty specifics about fasting, we'll be looking at the Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How of fasting.
Who?
Everyone!!!!
Everyone needs food and everyone can make a choice to say 'no' to food and 'yes' to more of God. The Lord made a way so that anyone (no matter what situation or circumstance) and everyone could experience this specific style of communion with Him and its as simple as not eating.
What?
True biblical fasting is fasting food. There are many other good fasts such as fasting time, money, speech, the media etc... But in the context of biblical fasts and this tvvt fast group we fast food. A direct result of fasting food on a regular basis is entering a season of a "fasted lifestyle" where a believer will usually automatically eliminate many other distractions in their lives and focus on God in an increased way which would lead to them dealing with time, money, speech etc... and giving that over to God as well.
It is important to ask yourself and the Lord how you want to fast. Be realistic. Never fasting before then trying to do a 10 day water fast usually doesn't work very well. If you are new start off slow and eliminate a meal a day or certain foods. Getting down to just liquids and eventually just water is a good goal to set for yourself. The Lord gives grace and someone who is fasting needs to realize the grace that is given them and then contend for more!
Try not to be too religious about your fast. Fasting is an error free way to express our heart to God. If I eat during a fast I haven't sinned. Just thank the Lord for the grace given and the posture of your heart you've attained through His Spirit and keep fasting like nothing happened. Stay focused remembering that this is mostly for you and not God. He isn't more impressed when we fast for long periods of time compared to when we don't. He gives us fasting as a vehicle to get ourselves closer to Him, not the other way around.
Also the same muscle you flex when you say 'no' to food during a fast is the same muscle you flex when you say 'no' to sin. You will realize that God truly does build you up during an immense time of humility through simply not eating.
When?
Whenever you want.
One day a week is a good start. 3 days a week/joining this fast group is a great idea!
If you're feeling a burn to know God more then FAST! If you're still feeling it, FAST MORE!!
If you have to work during the day, fast in the evening. If you have to work during the evening fast during the day. Its that simple. Learning some of the practicals of not eating is done mostly by trial and error. Learning the practicals of communing with God is a heart posture and a choice to focus on Him. Put the 2 together and you've got a great equation to an amazing adventure with the Lord! (and you'll find that the 2 parts of the equation complement each other perfectly!!!)
Where?
Fasting in the closet and in the secret place.
Get away to your room. Go deep in your heart/mind with the Holy Spirit and the Word.
Set apart time to read the Bible and pray.
Have a focus. Even if its just one day pick a verse from the Bible and go deep in it the best way you can. Praying(speaking)/singing in tongues is also a great tool when fasting.
Set your heart before the Lord and give your fast to Him and He will use it no matter what you do BUT the more you set aside time for yourself (in the closet/secret place before Him), that's when you'll truly see the difference!!! Remember this is for you, take advantage of it!!!! The Lord will honor your fast and you will grow no matter the circumstance but I urge you to take it serious and draw away with Him.
Why?
The context of New Testament fasting and this tvvt fast is mourning for the Bridegroom. Longing to get our own hearts closer to Jesus' (Matt 9: 14,15). A result of this will be: heightened consecrated lifestyle, increased revelation of Him, revival, renewal, repentance, accountability, dreams, visions, visitations etc...
Having a focus to tackle issues in your own personal life is a good thing to do while fasting and the Lord will work through those issues so I'd encourage anyone to do that.
This fast team could have many members but we normally do not fast corporately as the church might fast to see a distinct change in situations or circumstances. We usually won't fast directly for revival or the in breaking of God in a city or nation (ex: The Call Nashville http://www.ihop.org/Group/Group.aspx?id=1000015986).
This fast (tvvt/Matt 9 Bridegroom fast) is very personal and intimate and it tackles the heart issues which then reflects outwardly as righteousness and a change in our personal lives which then will effects situations and circumstances.
When its all said and done I want to be more like God. Everything else will fall into place. (Matt 6:33)
How?
Numbers 6: 21
"This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the Lord according to his separation, in addition to what else he can afford; according to his vow which he takes, so he shall do according to the law of his separation."
I love using this verse for fasting, here is how I look at it:
My offering to God is my heart. From that comes a longing to touch Him in an increased way. From that comes fasting.
My separation is simple: Food.
What am I willing to afford: energy, time, degree of daily intake (ex: 1 meal a day/water) (My own personal goal is to get myself down to only water. But crazy grace or the right circumstances must be in place and I need to discern that for myself. There is a time and a season for different degrees of fasting (in the context of not eating) its important to shy away from a religious spirit.)
The vow that I take is how I decide I will fast for that specific fast. Even if its fasting for just one day I need to decide ahead of time how I will fast (physically/mentally/spiritually). Fasting=Focus.
Then once a vow is made I should try and follow through "I will do according to the law of my separation."
Read through Numbers 6. The Nazirite was an Old Testament fasted lifestyle that is still applicable today. Many of us are Nazarites at heart. We will tear our hearts and not our garments. (Joel 2:13) It doesn't matter what it looks like outside its your heart that counts. Get your heart in the right place before the Lord. Say 'Yes!' to fasting and go for it!!!! He will take you by the hand and lead you through it.
So that's it folks. Hope this helped.
There is one last thing I wanted to say and that is: Your flesh will rage during a fast. Stuff is going to come out of you that you never thought was there. No matter how long you've been fasting or how Holy you think you are... sin is in there and God is gunna get rid of it. I have personally dealt with a lot of self control issues in my own life in the context of fasting. This type of thing is usually more of a problem for girls/ girls in our generation and a lot of the time it manifests as eating disorders. Guys deal with the same issues but in different ways. For Guys and Girls it usually looks one of two ways: a decrease in eating after a fast or an increase in eating after a fast. Its important to take all of that before the Lord before/during/after a fast. Give it all to Him and tell Him you won't let fear get in the way of Love. Let the Holy Spirit minister to you and allow Him to guide you. What, when and how to eat before and after a fast is very important if you want to stay healthy. If you want in depth info on this e-mail me at
mewithoutdrew@gmail.com
I'll probably end up doing a post on that as well but till then,
Keep fit and have fun! Body break!
er...
God Bless and keep that fire burning! Put on those wings and fly with the Lord higher and higher, fasting can help ya get there.
-Drew
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Dec 11-13
An oldie but a goody...
Isaiah 58 is going to give us the breakdown in regards to fasting. Here we go!
3'Why have we fasted and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?'
Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire,
And drive hard all your workers.
4"Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist
You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.
5"Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it for bowing one's head like a reed
And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed?
Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?
6"Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
7"Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8"Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am '
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
10And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
11"And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
K so these verses are pretty heavy and there is a lot of good content in there. One thing i want to highlight is that one of the main outcomes of a fast is that we get closer to God. There are various fasts that the Bible speaks of that do various things to the person and to God as we try to move our hearts and His while we fast. The main reason to fast which is mentioned in the NT (which I highlighted again a couple months ago) is fasting for the Bridegroom. We fast to put ourselves into voluntary weakness to get more of God in our lives. This fast in particular does not necessarily move Gods heart the way some OT fasts might (Joel 2, Daniel 10:3 are examples). Its for our hearts, for us to stir ourselves up to reach for more of God.
This is what i want to highlight this week in Isaiah 58. Each verse gives detail on how the fast brings about righteousness and holiness making someone more like God or actually bringing God closer to them in their lives. Look at verse 9.
9"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am '
This is what we want! this is why we fast! we fast to put ourselves in voluntary weakness saying "God have your way in my life! Make me perfect!(Matt 5:48) "Let me hear Your voice!" "Here is my heart and my focus, its You and I won't let anything get in the way of that, Not even food!"
One of the reasons why i fast is to heighten my focus on God for these 3 days. Look through Isaiah 58. Every result of each thing spoken of is more of God or of what God wants. This is revival. I want daily revival in my life. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done!" (Matt 6:10)
Daily breakthrough is something we need to be aiming at in our lives. Every day i need breakthrough with the Lord. Doesn't matter what area of my life or how significant. Daily breakthrough is needed! It will cause me to go deeper with God and learn who He is.
So i encourage you all to fast and pray and seek the Lords face during these 3 days. Ask Him to take you deeper in consecration and deeper in holiness. And then focus to actualy step forward to tackle areas in your life that hold you from that. (SOS 2:15) Don't let anything get in the way of the fruit that God will cause to grow from your heart! Grab that fav verse and study, meditate, sing and pray it. Read Isaiah 58, reflect on what these verses say. Seek righteousness and personal revival and breakthrough in your own life!
God Bless.
-Drew
Isaiah 58 is going to give us the breakdown in regards to fasting. Here we go!
3'Why have we fasted and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?'
Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire,
And drive hard all your workers.
4"Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist
You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.
5"Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it for bowing one's head like a reed
And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed?
Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?
6"Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
7"Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8"Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am '
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
10And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
11"And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
K so these verses are pretty heavy and there is a lot of good content in there. One thing i want to highlight is that one of the main outcomes of a fast is that we get closer to God. There are various fasts that the Bible speaks of that do various things to the person and to God as we try to move our hearts and His while we fast. The main reason to fast which is mentioned in the NT (which I highlighted again a couple months ago) is fasting for the Bridegroom. We fast to put ourselves into voluntary weakness to get more of God in our lives. This fast in particular does not necessarily move Gods heart the way some OT fasts might (Joel 2, Daniel 10:3 are examples). Its for our hearts, for us to stir ourselves up to reach for more of God.
This is what i want to highlight this week in Isaiah 58. Each verse gives detail on how the fast brings about righteousness and holiness making someone more like God or actually bringing God closer to them in their lives. Look at verse 9.
9"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am '
This is what we want! this is why we fast! we fast to put ourselves in voluntary weakness saying "God have your way in my life! Make me perfect!(Matt 5:48) "Let me hear Your voice!" "Here is my heart and my focus, its You and I won't let anything get in the way of that, Not even food!"
One of the reasons why i fast is to heighten my focus on God for these 3 days. Look through Isaiah 58. Every result of each thing spoken of is more of God or of what God wants. This is revival. I want daily revival in my life. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done!" (Matt 6:10)
Daily breakthrough is something we need to be aiming at in our lives. Every day i need breakthrough with the Lord. Doesn't matter what area of my life or how significant. Daily breakthrough is needed! It will cause me to go deeper with God and learn who He is.
So i encourage you all to fast and pray and seek the Lords face during these 3 days. Ask Him to take you deeper in consecration and deeper in holiness. And then focus to actualy step forward to tackle areas in your life that hold you from that. (SOS 2:15) Don't let anything get in the way of the fruit that God will cause to grow from your heart! Grab that fav verse and study, meditate, sing and pray it. Read Isaiah 58, reflect on what these verses say. Seek righteousness and personal revival and breakthrough in your own life!
God Bless.
-Drew
Monday, December 3, 2007
7 Day Fast
Hello...
Our HOP (Sanctuaryhop.com) has joined IHOP for the 7 day fast thats happening this week.
The funny thing about that is that I had a longing to go on an extensive fast even before I heard IHOP or the HOP im involved with was going on one. Other people who come to our prayer room also had plans to go on a 7 day fast without even knowing anyone else would be doing one as well so its clear that the Spirit is moving through the bride to unite us during this week of fasting.
When going on a fast like this its very important to have corporate and personal goals set before oneself on how they want to focus during the fast. I'm not going to mention anything corporate for TVVT but I will tell you what I am doing personally to help me engage with the Spirit and go deep in the Word to seek after the Father.
I will be studying Jn 17:21 all week long. This is my personal life verse. It was given to me from the Lord in a dream and I received very specific revelation concerning my calling which is centered around this verse from the Lord. So for my own personal growth I will go studying and praying and singing this verse throughout the fast. I'd encourage all of you who want to join to do something similar. It will obviously look differently from what I'm doing but a personal focus for a fast is a great idea!
So be blessed! Seek Him! Find Him!!!
-Drew
Our HOP (Sanctuaryhop.com) has joined IHOP for the 7 day fast thats happening this week.
The funny thing about that is that I had a longing to go on an extensive fast even before I heard IHOP or the HOP im involved with was going on one. Other people who come to our prayer room also had plans to go on a 7 day fast without even knowing anyone else would be doing one as well so its clear that the Spirit is moving through the bride to unite us during this week of fasting.
When going on a fast like this its very important to have corporate and personal goals set before oneself on how they want to focus during the fast. I'm not going to mention anything corporate for TVVT but I will tell you what I am doing personally to help me engage with the Spirit and go deep in the Word to seek after the Father.
I will be studying Jn 17:21 all week long. This is my personal life verse. It was given to me from the Lord in a dream and I received very specific revelation concerning my calling which is centered around this verse from the Lord. So for my own personal growth I will go studying and praying and singing this verse throughout the fast. I'd encourage all of you who want to join to do something similar. It will obviously look differently from what I'm doing but a personal focus for a fast is a great idea!
So be blessed! Seek Him! Find Him!!!
-Drew
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
