Dethroning King Stomach-Cha. 2, "Fasting"

I could stop at the title of this chapter and be convicted! LOL!! Don't forget to GRAB your Bible and read the passages provided. It speaks louder than any words I can copy from this book. Whether or not you agree with every statement I've posted...we really haven't a leg to stand on when it comese to disagreeing with God's Word, right? ;)

Luke 4:1-2

...fasting means crucifying what I refer to as "King Stomach." And in case you don't know who King Stomach is, just move this book out of the way, look down, and introduce yourself.

Every year our entire congregation at Free Chapel participates in a twenty-one-day fast... Once you make the decision to fast, even if it's just for a day, God sees the desire of your heart. He will provide you with the grace to endure and see the breakthroughs you need come to pass. However, you will have to choose to dethrone that "dictator within."

Gen. 3:6

They (Adam and Eve) literally ate themselves out of house and home. They ate themselves out of the will of God for their lives. They ate themselves out of God's provision and plan for their lives and out of His magnificent presence.

Ezek. 16:49-50

...it is interesting to note that the inhabitants of those cities were not only guilty of homosexuality, according to the account in Genesis, but as we see here, they were also guilty of gluttony (fullness of food). Along with their other sins, their excessive loyalty to King Stomach carried them right into damnation!

Gen. 25:34

Esau sold his coveted birthright because of his allegiance to King Stomach. God had a plan, a destiny, a will for Esau's life, but his lust for food and instant gratification was more important.

Heb. 12:15-17

Num. 11:4-7, 18-20, 34

God heard their murmuring and complaining...He sent them quail in such a great abundance they stacked it two and a half feet deep! And they ate and ate, and while the meat was in their mouths, thousands of them died and were buried there...(vs 34) that place became known as Kibroth Hattaavah, which means "The Graves of Lusters," as a memorial to those who ate themselves right out of the Promised Land.

Matthew Henry wrote, "Those who are under the power of a carnal mind, will have their lusts fulfilled, though it be to the certain damage and ruin of their precious souls."

I want you to understand that there are some "promised lands" and some "promises" that God has for you...but some of them will never be realized as long as King Stomach rules your appetite and controls your life.

God wants to pour out supernatural blessings in our lives, but they will never be realized if we are not willing to seek Him in fasting and prayer.

God knows there is never a convenient time to fast.

In our busy lives there is always a holiday, birthday, office lunch, or something that creates a bump in the road, so we talk ourselves out of beginning a fast. My advise to you, just jump in and do it, and everything else will take care of itself! If you have never fasted before, just do it for one day and you will see what I mean.

The reason we fast corporately at Free Chapel at the beginning of every year is based on principles that have been adapted from Dr. Bob Rogers's book 101 Reasons to Fast. There are 3 reasons starting the year with a fast is a good practice. First, by doing so, you set the course for the rest of the year. Just as beginning your day with prayer sets the course for the rest of the day and covers anything that may happen, the same is true of beginning the year with a fast. You set the course for the entire year by what you do with those first few days of each New Year. You can carry that even further to give God teh first part of every day, the first day of every week, teh first portion of every dollar, and the first consideration in every decision.

Secondly, "Blessings will happen for you and your family throughout the year because you fasted in January." In fact, it was around Thanksgiving when I got the call to go to the bank. When I arrived, a man and his wife met me and said, "Here is a million dollars for the building program." I had forgotten about the fast we had done ten months prior, but God hadn't....

This third point is so powerful. When you fast at teh beginning of the year and pray, you release teh principle found in Matt. 6:33: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" If you seek Him first in the year, get ready for all these "things" to be added to your life throughout the rest of the year!

Have a great day!

Notes from Chapter 1-"Fasting" by Jentezen Franklin

Ever wonder about fasting? I've always been interested in knowing how or the right way to fast.
I do know from personal experience that the times I have fasted, have been some pretty incredible experiences and the closeness I felt is indescribable.

These are some of the things that I personally found interesting in Chapter 1. If you don't read the passages provided, the words posted will only be words of another human so I strongly suggest, Get out your Bible and READ THE SCRIPTURES!!!! I'd like to get feedback from those of you who might be reading these notes. Everything posted are quotes taken directly from the pages of this book written by J. Franklin.

Every assignment has a birthplace. When God has placed a dream inside you that only He can make possible, you need to fast and pray.

When i find myself growing dry spiritually, when I don't sense that cutting-edge anointing, or when I need a fresh encounter with God, fasting is the secret key that unlocks heaven's door and slams shut the gates of hell.

Since you are reading this book, you are probably not content to go through this year the way you went through last year. you know there's more. You know there is an assignment for your life. You know there are things that God desires to release in your life, and there is a genuine desperation for those things gripping your heart.

Matt. 6:1-18
Suggestion: Highlight, underline and/or circle in this passage these words..."When you give...When you pray...When you fast..."

What is fasting? I first want to clarify what fasting--biblical fasting- is NOT. Fasting is not merely going without food for a period of time. That is dieting--maybe even starving--but fasting IT IS NOT. (EMPHASIS MINE)

...biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.

Ps. 42:1-3, 7
Fasting brings one into a deeper, more intimate and powerful relationship with the Lord. "Deep calls unto deep". David was fasting. His hunger and thirst for God were greater than his natural desire for food. You will soon realize that fasting is a secret source of power that is overlooked by many.

Ecc. 4:12

When giving, praying and fasting are practiced together in the life of a believer, it creates a type of threefold cord that is not easily broken.

In the Beatitudes, specifically in Matt. 6, Jesus provided the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God. That pattern addressed 3 specific duties of a Christian: giving, praying and fasting. Jesus said, "When you give..." and "When you pray..." and "When you fast." HE made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of Christian life. As much attention should be given to fasting as is given to giving and to praying.

The three duties of every Christian are giving, praying and fasting.

What answers to prayer are not getting through? What bondages are not being broken because we fail to fast?

Matt. 17:20-21 (KJV)
...I think a lot of people stop at the part of this passage where it reads, "and nothing shall be impossible unto you." but Jesus didn't because He knew there was more---much more.

When you faithfully follow the three duties of a Christian, God rewards you openly.

If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why would He fast? How much more should fasting be a common practice in our lives?

Luke 5:34-35

According to the words of Jesus, it is the duty of every disciple and every believer to fast.

Jesus didn't expect His disciples to do something He hadn't done as well. 1 Pet. 2:21

Luke 6:40

Matt. 6: God delights in giving rewards...He says that when giving, praying and fasting are practiced in your life, He will "reward you openly."

An example of open reward can be found in Daniel...his fasting--ever partial fasting of certain foods--brought about the open reward of God, who blessed Daniel with wisdom beyond that of anyone else in that empire. In chapter 10 of Daniel, he ate no choice breads or meats and drank no wine for three weeks. His fast broke the power of the delayer and released the angels of God so that God's purposes could be revealed and served.

Do you desire to know God's will for your life, whom you should marry, or what you should do in a critical situation? Whether you desire to be closer to God or are in a need of great breakthroughs in your life, remember that nothing shall be impossible to you. Fasting is truly a secret source of power!

That's it for Chapter 1! Stay tuned...

Method of Study

Good Morning!

I've shared with some of my friends recently the method that Anne Graham Lotz has used while studying her Bible, for years. I implemented these steps in my Bible study time this morning and now I can see why she possesses such wisdom. Hopefully some will rub off on me! ;)

Get out a notebook OR type it on your computer which is what I did. You can always print it off and compile it in a notebook.

Here are the abbreviated steps she uses in case you too would like to try it out for yourself...

Step 1: Read God’s Word; a brief passage of scripture (one paragraph or so 2-8 verses).

Step 2: What does God's Word say? List the facts (no paraphrasing)
Make a verse-by-verse list of the outstanding facts, pinpointing the most obvious facts. Do not paraphrase or put His words into your own words but actually using words from the passage.

Step 3:What does God's Word mean? Learn the lessons.
Review the list of facts you just made and look for a lesson or spiritual principle to learn in each fact. Ask yourself, "What are the people in this passage doing or not doing that I should be or not be doing? Is there a command I should obey? A promise I should claim? A warning I should heed? An example I should follow?

Step 4: What does God's Word mean to me? Listen to His voice.
Take lessons or principles from step 3 and put them in the form of a question you could ask yourself, your spouse, your child, a friend, a neighbor or a coworker. Listen for God to speak to you personally through His Word.

Step 5: How will I respond to God's Word today? Live it out.
Listen to God speak to you personally through the passage. He may not speak to you through every verse, but He WILL speak. When He does, record the verse number, what it is He seems to be saying to you and your response to Him.

You can find her detailed instructions in most of her books but I thought this might help someone to get started.

Have a great day and don't forget to read, list, determine what it means, what is it saying to you personally and live it out!

OUCH!

Ever complained about anything? Ever complained about something more than once, twice or even a dozen times? How about constantly? Unfortunately, I have. Yes, I’ve confessed it and sought forgiveness and HE has been faithful and just… (1 John 1:9)

As I was going to bed, I thought I would grab one of my Bibles off my shelf, as my everyday Bible was downstairs. I wasn’t looking for a certain one but I remembered talking with some friends earlier in the week about the “fruit of the Spirit” when that particular Bible (NIV Fruit of the Spirit Bible) caught my attention.

I was going to turn and read 1st thru 3rd John as I made reference to it in a conversation I had with a friend of mine over dinner tonight. As I was flipping through, making my way to the back of the Bible, a page caught my attention with this in BIG and bold letters… “JESUS SPEAKS OUT on the Fruit of the Spirit: S E L F – C O N T R O L.” I’ll admit, I lack a lot of this in my eating, lack of exercise (none to be quiet honest), discipline in keeping my opinions to myself sometimes, in the way I respond and/or react in certain situations, in relationships, and I’ll just stop with these as this list could go on for a LONG time, I’m sad to say.

As it captured my attention I focused on some of the verses listed but when I came to a certain one, I tried to remember what I had read in the close of Anne Graham Lotz’ book this morning and the method she has used for years to study scriptures. When I began to slow down and really see what this verse was saying, phrase by phrase, something occurred to me, actually more than one thing and I’d like to share it with you in hopes that if you answered yes to any of the first few questions I asked you at the beginning, it might help put things in perspective. It FLAT WORE ME OUT personally, and I got myself some much-needed correction. "He disciplines those He loves…"(Heb. 12:6)


Mark 14:36 (NIV)
“Abba, Father,” [Jesus] said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup ---PUT ON THE BREAKS. Slow down and read it again. Before I finished reading just this much, knowing where this particular scripture was going as I’m sure you do…I had to STOP and sit a minute when I got to the part, “Take this cup”. Jesus, calling on His Abba, His Daddy, His Father, knowing undoubtedly, that everything is possible for HIM. Here’s what, “Take this cup” said to me…


Take the taste of death, take from me the innocent blood I’m going to shed for people who hate me, who will scorn and mock me, take this cup filled with the unmerciful and undeserving beatings that I’ll receive, take the crown of thorns that will be bent into my scalp, take from me the nails that will be driven through my hands and feet, take from me the sword that will pierce my side, take from me the six hours that I will hang, my body aching with excruciating pain, unclothed, while insults are being hurled at me, and take the pain I’ll feel for having to leave my mother and my friends as I look at them from the cross that I am pinned upon and the sadness I’ll feel as I stare at a lost and dying world who denies YOU.

The verse doesn’t stop there…it goes on to say…”Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Regardless of all that HE went through and all that HE so willingly gave and did for us, it was HIS Father’s will that Jesus sought to do.

I hardly think I have reason to complain about anything. Unfortunately, I’m sure I will again because of the flesh that I am. I pray that I will remember that I had to spring up from my bed before I could go to sleep and write about this and the fact that Jesus didn’t complain. He simply asked, “take this cup from me” yet surrendered to the will of His Father for me, for you, for all of us. Do we really have anything worth complaining about? If our circumstances were as HIS was at the time HE prayed this, then maybe?

A note that was in this Bible reads like this, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did (1 John 2:6). And how did Jesus walk? He gave up every right to walk in his own selfish direction. He walked paths that pleased His Father, paths that led to destinations that made all of heaven rejoice…”

Father, thank You for your sweet discipline, Your gentle ways, Your Word and how it speaks to correct and teach us (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Thank You for taking my place and loving me enough to do so. I love You and I long to do YOUR will. Help me to remember that any discomfort that I may experience along the way, pales in comparison to what You went through because of Your unfailing love for me. In Jesus’ Name!

Graduation Speech

Hello to anyone who may run across this blog. I think I had a few faithful readers until I stopped blogging but I thought I'd post another one in case someone might run across it.

Mr. Matlock, Mrs. Danko, Honored Guests, Fellow Students Good Evening, What an incredible evening this is for me. I have dreamed of this very opportunity more times than I can even count. Until now, I’ve always felt that this would never happen, but because someone felt the need to make GED classes available both morning and evening, along with a self-less sacrifice to take the time to care, this event would not be a reality. Mrs. Hutchinson, your encouragement and belief in my ability to see this thing through is overwhelming. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Until recently, I have never been a “goal setter.” The reason being, I was too afraid of failing at one. The majority of my life I have always felt inferior to others because of my lack of education. This started very early on due to the fact that I walked away from High School my Junior year. Education was never stressed as very important in my home, nor was it in the homes of my parents. I am the youngest of eight siblings and not one of us completed High School. However, four of us have gone on to get our GED’s. I had been out of school for nearly 2 years when my husband encouraged me to take a Biblical study certification course through Liberty University. For some reason, I was under the impression that you had to have a GED in order to take this 1-2 year program. I later found out that it wasn’t necessary but I had already committed to attaining the GED. Rick told me that he supported me and that however long it took for me to attain it, he would stand by me and do what he could to help me. On September 19, 2008, one day before my sons birthday, I set a goal. It was my goal to achieve my GED by the end of the year, 2008. In exactly 3 months, a few days before my daughter's birthday, Dec. 19, 2008, I had taken the last of my tests. I left the classroom that day thinking that I would have to retake this one in particular and that I would not reach the first goal I had set. Through tears and just assuming, I called Mrs. Hutchinson to tell her I would have to retake it and that I would be bringing my workbook back to her and begin studying for retesting after the first of the year. Shortly afterward, she called to tell me that she had the results and that I had passed my GED. I was done, I had finished, it was over! I went straight to her classroom, threw my arms around her and thanked her repeatedly for helping someone like me. She makes me want to be one of those people who go beyond the call of duty, reach out to the community and be an encouragement to those who feel like I have for so many years, unqualified, unimportant, a failure. E. Joseph Cossman once said, “Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.” I’m so glad that I didn’t let the obstacle of doubt overtake the view of the goal I set for myself. Not only did I attain my GED, I am more confident because I now have options. I no longer have to hold back tears through College commercials because I now qualify. If it were not for the GED program offered at Virginia High School, I would still be living in defeat. If you personally know someone who is too afraid to try, remind them of this quote that I just recently ran across that says, “The only real failure in life is the failure to try.” As I stand before you tonight, robed in cap and gown, you are looking at someone who has always dreamed of wearing this attire and attending her very own graduation ceremony. Here I am today, fulfilling a life-long dream at age 44. This opportunity is one that I cannot keep to myself and I shall never be too proud to speak out to encourage others to pursue their dreams of attaining a GED if and when given the opportunity. With this being a life-long dream of mine, I now have the confidence to pursue other things, since this dream is now a reality. I’m a proven fact that you are never too old. I still don’t know exactly what I want to be when I grow up, but I do want to be an example to my husband, children, grandchildren, and others as well, to never give up on their dreams. I hope my personal story will be one of encouragement to many. To those who are under the sound of my voice that are struggling with the lack of determination to pursue your GED, and as my final quote of the night, remember, “I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ.” I have been extremely blessed with good jobs since the age of 15. I’ve been able to quickly learn what was expected of me in any and every job that God has blessed me with. I’ve even been called an over-achiever more than once but the honor and self-respect that this diploma has afforded me is worth more than I can explain with words. I want to thank God, my husband, children and friends for their love, support and prayers during the time that it took me to accomplish this achievement. Thank you and I love you. Was it difficult? Sure it was. Were there moments I doubted? Certainly. Was it worth it? Absolutely!!! Thank you, and May God bless you. Thursday, May 28, 2009

Pleasant Surprise!

Today while sitting in my office, trying to remember how to add others to my Bloglines, I had a very pleasant surprise. One of the guys that used to be on staff at HF snuck in on me and it was great to see him AND to actually get to chat for a few. He and his wife are such a beautiful young couple with three small children. He's one of those guys who you are always glad to see and can always bring a smile to your face.

The point of this post...drop in on someone you haven't seen in a while and pick up where you left off, even if you only have a few minutes. You just might make their day, just like Tim did mine!

C-ya,
Kim

Just Remembered

After reading a friend's blog today, I remembered that I actually have a "blog" somewhere out there. I used to be somewhat faithful in writing but NOT recently. My last post was in 2008 about Job.

Just to catch the two or three of you up that actually read the blog...

I have a new grandson, born 12/24/08-Dawson T. Fields, born to my son David and his wife Jennifer. My oldest grandson is now 4 years old. They both are such a joy! I'm still employed with Highlands. This year's New Year resolution is that I kneel in prayer EVERY day this year. So far, so good. I've also been faithful to keep a "diary/journal" this year, which was last years goal.

I just recently went through, "Lord Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days" Bible study and am THRILLED about the Precept Upon Precept (PUP) study beginning next Monday night called, "The Covenant", both of which are studies written by one of my heroes, Kay Arthur.

I'm looking forward to doing some serious camping this summer and enjoying our family.

I finally finished writing a study called, "Let's Eat" earlier this year, that I began in 2007. It's going in another notebook with the other stuff I've written, on a shelf. Who knows, one day, my kids might come across it when I'm gone and be proud that I wrote it. Writing is an outlet for me but the frustration comes after because I'm always wondering, "Why did you bother doing all this work?" I have a tendency to do the outline, research and even homework assignments. I really don't have that much free time but it seems I can't do one without the other. It's okay, I have fun while compiling all the information and it definitely teaches me stuff I haven't a clue about.

I'm still asking God to change my life, make me more like HIM and seeking for HIS will to be done in my life. I know, HE definitely has HIS work cut out for him but just recently I ran across a verse that was so refreshing and offered such hope. Heb. 10:14- "because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Whew! He's working on and with me every day and for that, I'm so thankful!

I hope to be back on here before next year.

Blessings all!
Kim