Right now my Bible read-through group is in Ezekiel. A passage stood out to me near the beginning – Ezekiel 3:1-21. This is during the time of captivity in Babylon, and God is using Ezekiel to speak on His behalf. Here’s what it says:
And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel- not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house." And he said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says,' whether they listen or fail to listen."
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound—May the glory of the Lord be praised in his dwelling place! - the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River.
And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days-overwhelmed.
At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
"Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself."
God asked Ezekiel to do a difficult task. God knew it would not be easy. For a week Ezekiel was immobile in his feelings. I believe God allowed Ezekiel this time to think of all He had said. Time to get mentally prepared, spiritually prepared- maybe a little pouting and freaking out time- but that time had to come to an end. God then came back and laid it all out. Ezekiel if you don’t do this, you will be held accountable – now get crackin’.
I think there are times God gives us some leeway in doing what He has requested, but many times He asks for immediate action. It doesn’t necessarily mean you will be the bearer of intense news like Ezekiel, it is often the opposite. Recently I felt like I needed to go say hello, give a hug and some kind words to someone at church who I don’t know very well. She started to cry. We parted and I knew God was asking me to go back and pray with her. My response? “No, I don’t want her to cry anymore. No, I lost my chance. I should have done it when I was there…blah, blah, blah”. All lies and excuses. I stood on the side on the church feeling overwhelmed, struggling. Mild in comparison to Ezekiel’s call, I know! But I was experiencing a mild panic attack. I mustered up my courage and went to pray with her. I am so glad. I felt God’s approval and boy it was awesome. And I made a friend!
Like in this case, I want to take more action for God. As one of my favorite songs says:
I'm not ashamed to let you know
I want this light in me to show
I'm not ashamed to speak the name of Jesus Christ.
Gotta love Newsboys!
I want to take a stand. I want to hand that cold soda to Mr. UPS at my front door and say, “God Bless You”, not “Here ya go, stay cool”. I’m not risking being embarrassed – I am risking that person’s soul and being held accountable for him or her.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Give me a boldness for You. Where fear, doubt and embarrassment have taken root – dig it out. Fill me with strength, confidence, and boldness. Give me the words to say, for I am to be your light to the world and a fisher of men. Give me opportunities to tell others about you. Fill me with Your peace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
As I promised earlier, here is some information on fasting. My good friend Noelani put this together and has allowed me to share it with you for our BIG day tomorrow. I say BIG because, as a much loved pastor of mine has said, "COME EXPECTING!" And oh boy, can I say that I am expecting big things from God tomorrow??
Now, on to an explanation of prayer and fasting:
Why
Fasting is abstinence from something (usually food) in order to seek the Lord in prayer, often for clarity on a particular issue, healing for yourself or someone else, and/or breakthrough for an individual or group. Our Lord Jesus taught said "When you fast," not "If you fast." Indeed, sin entered the world over food. Adam and Eve lost their innocence over an apple, and Esau lost his birthright over a pot of stew. Self-denial and restraint are wonderful spiritual disciplines for us personally, and corporately as a church family. As Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."
How
1. First, decide what kind of fast the Lord is calling you to do. A "total fast" consists of water or perhaps other liquids, but no solid food. A "Daniel fast" is fruits and vegetables. A "partial fast" may involve skipping one or two meals, while a "denial fast" means you will abstain from eating certain specific foods such as sweets, or something you normally enjoy. You might also be led to deny yourself television, computer time or reading material other than the Bible.
2. After you've determined how long and what you're fasting from, replace the time that would be spent preparing and eating the food (or the time that would be spent on the computer or in front of the television) in prayer and in the Word. You will be amazed at the revelation that comes when your mind is not distracted with food or food preparation.
3. If you cannot have an inordinately quiet day alone in prayer and in the Word (for example, if you're on the job), then consider skipping breakfast and lunch, and spending those two chunks of time in prayer and in the Word. But if you are able to clear your calendar of other obligations, I strongly encourage you to seek His face, and keep phone and computer time to a minimum. If you still need to prepare meals for other family members, try to keep them simple.
Thanks Lani! Very well said. Now see? It is quite simple, and not something we need to approach with trepidation.
I am looking forward to hearing of how God has worked in your life and the lives around you because you have taken this stand. Pretty Please, would you contact me via email, text, phone call, FB, blog, snail mail, telegraph, morse code - ok fine you get the idea. Any way, please contact me and let me know what God has done!!
Much Love to you all,
Rach
Now, on to an explanation of prayer and fasting:
Why
Fasting is abstinence from something (usually food) in order to seek the Lord in prayer, often for clarity on a particular issue, healing for yourself or someone else, and/or breakthrough for an individual or group. Our Lord Jesus taught said "When you fast," not "If you fast." Indeed, sin entered the world over food. Adam and Eve lost their innocence over an apple, and Esau lost his birthright over a pot of stew. Self-denial and restraint are wonderful spiritual disciplines for us personally, and corporately as a church family. As Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."
How
1. First, decide what kind of fast the Lord is calling you to do. A "total fast" consists of water or perhaps other liquids, but no solid food. A "Daniel fast" is fruits and vegetables. A "partial fast" may involve skipping one or two meals, while a "denial fast" means you will abstain from eating certain specific foods such as sweets, or something you normally enjoy. You might also be led to deny yourself television, computer time or reading material other than the Bible.
2. After you've determined how long and what you're fasting from, replace the time that would be spent preparing and eating the food (or the time that would be spent on the computer or in front of the television) in prayer and in the Word. You will be amazed at the revelation that comes when your mind is not distracted with food or food preparation.
3. If you cannot have an inordinately quiet day alone in prayer and in the Word (for example, if you're on the job), then consider skipping breakfast and lunch, and spending those two chunks of time in prayer and in the Word. But if you are able to clear your calendar of other obligations, I strongly encourage you to seek His face, and keep phone and computer time to a minimum. If you still need to prepare meals for other family members, try to keep them simple.
Thanks Lani! Very well said. Now see? It is quite simple, and not something we need to approach with trepidation.
I am looking forward to hearing of how God has worked in your life and the lives around you because you have taken this stand. Pretty Please, would you contact me via email, text, phone call, FB, blog, snail mail, telegraph, morse code - ok fine you get the idea. Any way, please contact me and let me know what God has done!!
Much Love to you all,
Rach
It's almost tomorrow! :)
Good Morning!
I decided to post Family Fasting Day for Marriages on Facebook. I've never created an event before, so we'll see how THAT goes.
Ya know, fasting can be intimidating if you arent't familiar with it. Rest assured, as something created by our Heavenly Father it is nothing to cause fear or doubt. Remember, we can do ALL things through Christ who strenthens us, yeah? Many of us think, a day of fasting...I have to starve all day? No, no :) There are different types of fasting - you can fast as you feel led. As a nursing mom I don't completely fast food. For one day I will say goodbye to coffee (GASP!), sweets (a big weakness of mine) tv, cleaning (an obsession at times). Fasting from cleaning may seem like cheating, but cleaning is one of those things that can be an idol for me. Later today I will post some info on fasting that I think you will find helpful. It comes from a very reliable source, someone I consider a spiritual mentor - Thanks Noelani! :)
Until then...
I decided to post Family Fasting Day for Marriages on Facebook. I've never created an event before, so we'll see how THAT goes.
Ya know, fasting can be intimidating if you arent't familiar with it. Rest assured, as something created by our Heavenly Father it is nothing to cause fear or doubt. Remember, we can do ALL things through Christ who strenthens us, yeah? Many of us think, a day of fasting...I have to starve all day? No, no :) There are different types of fasting - you can fast as you feel led. As a nursing mom I don't completely fast food. For one day I will say goodbye to coffee (GASP!), sweets (a big weakness of mine) tv, cleaning (an obsession at times). Fasting from cleaning may seem like cheating, but cleaning is one of those things that can be an idol for me. Later today I will post some info on fasting that I think you will find helpful. It comes from a very reliable source, someone I consider a spiritual mentor - Thanks Noelani! :)
Until then...
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Rally the troops! Family Fasting Day for Marriage ~ Tuesday, July 28th
This past week has been one of THOSE weeks. You all know what I am talking about. Everything was wrong and none of it was MY fault. A week where I allowed the enemy to spoon feed me lies, and I gobbled them right up like choice delicacies. Lies about myself, my husband and marriage, my child and family - you name it, it was there glaring at me in all its inadequacies.
Hebrews 2:1 say this, "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." I bring this up as an introduction to our Family Fasting Day for Marriage. You see, God gave me this scripture several years ago when my husband and I were going through a tough time. God gently but firmly told me to do something. "Ok, ok, I will", was my response. I did not respond - not immediately, and still not months after He asked. Enter Hebrews 2:1 - "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." Oops. Yet, in my stubborn humanness I again did not react immediately, but the Lord's request was at the forefront of my mind as I struggled with obedience. It was a blatant attack of Satan's which God allowed me to see that woke me up and put me into action. Once I did what God had been asking, I saw a change in my husband, in my marriage, in ME.
God has given us many truths, and one is to pray without ceasing - that includes continual prayer for our marriages. How many of us have seen the difference in our marriage when we are in constant communication for our spouse and marital relationship? I know I have. And there will be times we do not see an answer to prayer in the physical world, but we can not see what is being done in the spiritual kingdom. If this is you right now, please do not lose heart! Today my Pastor referenced Luke 18:1. The verse says this, " Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Continue to pray, even in those times, and as your sister in Christ I encourage you - do not give up! Jesus spoke these words into existence, hold on to them in times you feel hopeless. For when we are weak, HE IS STRONG.
Last week I came across the verse in Hebrews again and the second part stood out to me - "or we may drift from it." I don't want to drift from God, or my spouse but I allow it to happen at times. Distractions and interferences are all around us, begging to take the places that God, our marriage and spouse should hold. Every one of us is susceptible because every one of us is human. At the beginning of the year, I felt impressed that it was a year God was asking me to pray for marriages - for love and passion, for forgiveness and protection. We know that the enemy is out to destroy us. Marriages are a prime target and that is where I am asking us to focus for Tuesday, July 28th. We are calling it a Family Fasting Day because we are that - one family in Jesus Christ, one that needs to stand together in agreement for our marriages.If you choose to join in fasting and praying this day, please pray for your marriage, marriages in your family, within your community of friends and church - wherever God leads your heart.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are a good God, that you hear us and want the best for us. As we come together and stand for what you have created, we ask for Your protection on us. We lift up our marriages to You God, and ask that You would breathe Your life into each one. Touch each husband and wife, renew our love for one another. Let our actions speak louder than our words. Help us to show our spouse the mercy and grace that You have shown to us. Where there is unforgiveness, replace that with a compassionate, forgiving heart for we all fall at times. Reveal to us areas where we need a change of heart. Protect our marriage from the enemy and from ourselves. Help us to make wise decisions that lead to a deeper commitment to our spouse and to You, Lord. Open our eyes to unhealthy habits or relationships with the potential to harm our marriages. Place a blood line around our marriages. Thank you Lord for the breakthrough You will bring, for the renewing You are going to do for our marriages God! Nothing is too big or beyond Your healing touch. Bless each husband and wife as they commit their relationships to You. We praise You Lord, for Your love endures forever.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Please feel free to forward this - where two or more are in agreement, the Lord is there! I look forward to standing with you Tuesday, July 28th, and fighting for our marriages.
Much love to you all,
Rachel Duarte
Hebrews 2:1 say this, "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." I bring this up as an introduction to our Family Fasting Day for Marriage. You see, God gave me this scripture several years ago when my husband and I were going through a tough time. God gently but firmly told me to do something. "Ok, ok, I will", was my response. I did not respond - not immediately, and still not months after He asked. Enter Hebrews 2:1 - "So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." Oops. Yet, in my stubborn humanness I again did not react immediately, but the Lord's request was at the forefront of my mind as I struggled with obedience. It was a blatant attack of Satan's which God allowed me to see that woke me up and put me into action. Once I did what God had been asking, I saw a change in my husband, in my marriage, in ME.
God has given us many truths, and one is to pray without ceasing - that includes continual prayer for our marriages. How many of us have seen the difference in our marriage when we are in constant communication for our spouse and marital relationship? I know I have. And there will be times we do not see an answer to prayer in the physical world, but we can not see what is being done in the spiritual kingdom. If this is you right now, please do not lose heart! Today my Pastor referenced Luke 18:1. The verse says this, " Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Continue to pray, even in those times, and as your sister in Christ I encourage you - do not give up! Jesus spoke these words into existence, hold on to them in times you feel hopeless. For when we are weak, HE IS STRONG.
Last week I came across the verse in Hebrews again and the second part stood out to me - "or we may drift from it." I don't want to drift from God, or my spouse but I allow it to happen at times. Distractions and interferences are all around us, begging to take the places that God, our marriage and spouse should hold. Every one of us is susceptible because every one of us is human. At the beginning of the year, I felt impressed that it was a year God was asking me to pray for marriages - for love and passion, for forgiveness and protection. We know that the enemy is out to destroy us. Marriages are a prime target and that is where I am asking us to focus for Tuesday, July 28th. We are calling it a Family Fasting Day because we are that - one family in Jesus Christ, one that needs to stand together in agreement for our marriages.If you choose to join in fasting and praying this day, please pray for your marriage, marriages in your family, within your community of friends and church - wherever God leads your heart.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are a good God, that you hear us and want the best for us. As we come together and stand for what you have created, we ask for Your protection on us. We lift up our marriages to You God, and ask that You would breathe Your life into each one. Touch each husband and wife, renew our love for one another. Let our actions speak louder than our words. Help us to show our spouse the mercy and grace that You have shown to us. Where there is unforgiveness, replace that with a compassionate, forgiving heart for we all fall at times. Reveal to us areas where we need a change of heart. Protect our marriage from the enemy and from ourselves. Help us to make wise decisions that lead to a deeper commitment to our spouse and to You, Lord. Open our eyes to unhealthy habits or relationships with the potential to harm our marriages. Place a blood line around our marriages. Thank you Lord for the breakthrough You will bring, for the renewing You are going to do for our marriages God! Nothing is too big or beyond Your healing touch. Bless each husband and wife as they commit their relationships to You. We praise You Lord, for Your love endures forever.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Please feel free to forward this - where two or more are in agreement, the Lord is there! I look forward to standing with you Tuesday, July 28th, and fighting for our marriages.
Much love to you all,
Rachel Duarte
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