UNDERSTANDING HOW TO FAST

Fasting: Spiritual Warfare Dynamite
© 1991-2004 Chris N. Simpson, Houston, Texas; All rights reserved.
Presented by http://www.newwineonline.com/

Fasting is spiritual warfare dynamite! Do you need dynamite in your life? Do you want more than just a“firecracker” type of power to resist sin and the devil? Well, there’s good news for you! The Lord has the dynamite you need to blast out those stubborn areas of sin and rebellion. Jesus said, “You shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit is come upon you...” (Acts 1:8)
The word “power” here in the Greek is dunamis. And from dunamis we get the words dynamic, dynamo, and dynamite. So when you receive the Holy Spirit, you receive dynamite power.
Fasting “lights the fuse” that sets off this dynamic power of the Holy Spirit in your everyday life. Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons of spiritual warfare that God has given to His people. Yet there’s very little teaching offered in this area. Most believers are quite unaware of the power and benefits found in the discipline of fasting.

Fasting: A Desperately Needed Teaching

A couple of years ago, I taught the basic principles of fasting on a radio show I hosted in Houston. That teaching generated a response unlike any other that I’d had on the air. People from all over called in asking for more information. Many shared that they’d never before been taught the practical benefits of fasting. I believe the reason for that is because fasting is a powerful spiritual warfare weapon. Satan seems to have done his homework in keeping believers from hearing these truths. However, the teaching of the New Testament assumes that fasting is already an important part of every believer’s life. While you won’t find a scripture directly telling you to fast, you can find Jesus saying:

“When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matt 6:17-18)

Do you see the point? Jesus didn’t say “if” you fast, He said “when!” Apparently, fasting is not
to be considered optional for the Christian life. In the ninth chapter of Luke we find a time when Jesus’ disciples were unable to cast a particularly ferocious demon out of a little child. The spirit would send the child into fits. (It was probably a demon that brought on epilepsy.) The disciples were quite embarrassed by their failure to deal with this demon.
When Jesus showed up on the scene, the child’s father then accused Him.
That same thing happens today. When you and I can’t (or won’t) do the works of Jesus, people tend to blame God. Later, after Jesus cast the demon out, the disciples asked Him, “Why couldn’t we do it?” Jesus replied, “Some demons don’t come out but by prayer and fasting.”
Let’s consider principles of fasting found in the Old Testament:

Fasting Gets God’s Attention

"After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on
Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, 'A vast army is coming against you from
Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in En Gedi.' Alarmed, Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord, and he proclaimed a FAST for all Judah." (2 Chron 20:1-3)

In this scene we see King Jehoshaphat besieged by Israel’s enemies: the Ammonites and the Moabites. These countries were prickly thorns in the side of Israel. In the nineteenth chapter of Genesis we find that Ammon and Moab were the children of an incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughters. As aresult, for generations they and their descendants were the plague of Israel. Jehoshaphat was understandably afraid. Israel was extremely outnumbered in chariots, horses and men. So what did he do?

He set himself to seek the Lord by proclaiming a fast throughout all the land. He understood something that believers desperately need to know in these days. He knew that fasting was the way to get God’s special attention during desperate times. In fact, fasting is the way to obtain God's special attention anytime! As the chapter goes on, God did indeed come through in a dramatic way to rescue His people from their enemies.

What was true then is true today. When you feel outnumbered by enemies all around; or when you, like Jehoshaphat, feel overwhelmed by fear, fasting is the answer. Do you know what fasting does? As you stop providing nourishment to your body, it weakens you. Jehoshaphat became weak because he understood that when you're weak, that's when you're strong. He knew he was weak, but he wasn’t weak enough. He and his people needed to get really weak and broken, so that God’s deliverance power would come and rescue them from their enemies.

Fasting: the Practical Way To Deny Yourself
Many believers today would like to have sufficient power in their lives to set others free from Satan’s power. But, in order to fight and win any battle of the Spirit, you must be willing to pay the price. Christ fasted often. He kept His walk fine tuned through the discipline of fasting. The Apostle Paul also tells us in his epistles that he fasted often.

Fasting is the ultimate way to crucify your flesh. Jesus said that all who follow Him must take up their cross and deny themselves. Paul tells us repeatedly in the books of Galatians and Romans that we’re called to be crucified with Christ. Quite frankly, the most effective and practical way to be crucified is to fast: to periodically deny your flesh the basic sustenance of food.
Years ago, when I first learned about fasting, I didn’t like the concept at all, because I like to eat. In fact, I’ve inherited the metabolism from my dad’s side of the family where I can eat any amount of anything; junk food, ice cream, cake, you name it and I don’t gain or lose weight. My brothers aren’t like that. They have to constantly watch their weight and be careful about what and how much they eat. But I’ve been blessed (or cursed?) with a unique metabolism.
So, honestly, the idea of restraining or constricting my flesh from its appetite hasn’t appeal to me at all. However, over the years, I’ve come to understand the greater reward and greater power that’s available to me when I fast. Fasting weakens you physically, and thus opens you proportionally to the things of the spiritual realm. In fact, fasting actually sharpens your senses. Nothing clears the hazy clouds of the flesh better than fasting. Where before you experienced “partly cloudy” days in your spiritual life, fasting can bring about beautiful “blue sky” days. The apostle Paul tells us: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

The apostle Paul understood that self-denial was the only way to walk the Christian walk. He, too, had to learn to keep the passions, cravings and desires of the body in check. If he didn't, then he'd be disqualified from all of the things he earnestly desired. Jesus told His sleeping disciples in the garden, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Have you ever said to yourself, “Tomorrow morning I’m going to get up early and seek the Lord?” So, you
set your alarm clock for 5:00 a.m. And you go to bed excited, “Praise God, I’m going to do it. I’m actually going to get up early and spend time with God!” Then, before you know it, the alarm clock goes off! It’s 5:00 a.m. You open your eyes, look at the clock and...BINGO! That verse becomes REAL to you: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Your inner man is saying, “Arise, get up, your whole day will be different if you’ll meet with God this morning!” And you say, “Yea, O.K., just five more minutes - I know, I’ll pray here under the covers.” Have you ever done that? With your head on your pillow you say, “Yes, Lord, good morning God, praise your.... zzzzz.” I’m sorry, but that never works. I was talking to someone recently who told me, “I’m having difficulties with my quiet time. I get up early every morning, but I keep falling back to sleep.” I said, “Really, why is that? Do you take a shower? Do you get dressed?” “No,” he said, “I do it in my bed.” I told him, “No wonder you’re having a hard time.” Let me share with you a principle I’ve learned over the years. To the degree that you yield to the indulgences of your flesh, to that degree do you lose spiritual sensitivity and power. If you want to maintain spiritual sensitivity and anointing, you must learn the principle of self-crucifixion. And fasting is
the ultimate discipline of crucifixion. If you’re interested in fighting effective spiritual warfare, but are not operating in the principles of fasting, you’re going to be very disappointed! In fact, you’ll barely get off first base (spiritually) if you aren’t walking in these principles. Fasting is the most powerful weapon we have as believers. In fact, few things impress God more. Let’s look at an amazing story in the Old Testament:

Fasting Impresses God
"In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he
reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of the others before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the same sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him." (1 Kings 16:29-33)
Needless to say, Ahab was one bad king. He seemed to go out of his way to find things to do that would provoke the Lord. A few chapters later we read: "There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel." (1 Kings 21:25-26) Now look what happens. The prophet Elijah came to Ahab and pronounced severe judgment against him, to the effect that he would die a violent death and that all of his descendants would be cut off! Then in verse 27 we read: "When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and FASTED. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 'Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.'" (1 Kings 21:27-29) Can you believe this? Ahab was one of the most evil kings in the Old Testament: a vile worshipper of Satan. But when the God's Word came, he fasted. He humbled himself. He put teeth into his repentance.
And what happened? God was impressed! So impressed, in fact, that He delayed all judgment against Ahab until the next generation!

Fasting Puts Teeth Into Repentance
Have you ever said to God, “I’m sorry for what I did, Lord; I repent,” knowing full well that you’re going to do it again, probably within hours? Many believers have a “revolving door” relationship with God: “I’m sorry God, I’ll never do it again, never!” Then, they do it again. “Sorry, God - this time I really mean it!” Yet, after a while, they’re right back into the same old sin. Eventually, it’ll get to the point where you don’t even want to say “I repent,” knowing full well the shallowness of the words. Can you at all relate to what I’m talking about? Let me tell you, fasting lets God know that you’re serious about repentance. In fact, fasting will help break the cycle of sin. When Ahab fasted to show God that he meant business, God chose to grant him an extraordinary measure of mercy and grace. He’ll do the same for you once you put teeth into your repentance with fasting! The prophet Joel confirms this: "'Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with FASTING and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love...." (Joel 2:12-13)

Consider this next verse carefully. The prophet Samuel is admonishing the Jews to return to the ways of the Lord: "And Samuel said to the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." (1 Samuel 7:3)

The “foreign gods and the Ashtoreths” speak of the idols that may be lurking within a believer’s heart. The “Philistines” speak of the bondage’s that may be present as a result of those idols, such as: fear, gluttony, lust or other compulsive, driven activities. So, first, you must return to the Lord with all of your heart, and in so doing put away all the hidden idols within. The passage goes on: "So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. Then Samuel said, 'Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the Lord for you.' When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they FASTED and they confessed, 'We have sinned against the Lord.' And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah." (1 Samuel 7:4-6)

Here again we see the principle plainly laid out in the Word. The Jews saw their sin and bondage and desperately wanted to be free. So, what did they do? They put teeth in their repentance. It’s one thing to say, “Lord I will not sin again. I’m tired of it. I want to stop.” It’s another to prove what you say by denying yourself and choosing to enter a period of fasting! Sometimes, when I find myself particularly hard-headed in an area, I’ll pray, “Lord, nothing but water will
touch my lips for 24 hours to show you I’m serious about dealing with my sin.” I’ve found this to be quite powerful. Once, after struggling for some time with feelings of guilt and fear, my troubled thoughts were immediately stilled when I prayed to the Lord that way. If you'll do the same, you’ll be amazed at how quickly even a 24-hour fast will bring peace to your troubled soul.

Fasting Re-connects You
Fasting is a powerful re-connector with God. By denying yourself through fasting you’re showing Him that you love Him. Satan doesn’t want you to know anything about the discipline of fasting. In the fourth chapter of Luke, we find the devil suffering a humiliating defeat at the hand of Christ after He’d fasted forty days in the wilderness. So, obviously, the enemy certainly doesn’t want God’s people understanding and moving in this vital, spiritual weapon.
Unfortunately, however, most believers today are far more into “feasting” than “fasting.” The only difference between fasting and feasting is the letter “e.” There’s nothing wrong with feasting, mind you. Solomon says, “Whatever you do, do it with all your might!” When it’s time to feast, feast; but remember, when it’s time to fast, fast! Speaking of feasting, it's a fact that there’s no better way to break a compulsive problem with gluttony or over-eating than fasting. The same thing’s true with the compulsive drives of lust. A good fourteen to twenty-one day fast will bring marvelous victory in these areas, particularly if followed up with an intense
ministry of deliverance. At times I’ve heard folks say, “I’ve tried this diet and I’ve tried that diet and nothing seems to help me get my weight off!” Let me tell you about the ultimate diet - the fast! It’s the best diet you can find and pretty uncomplicated. Not only do you benefit physically, but spiritually as well. The degree to which you’re willing to deny yourself and take up the cross “of fasting,” to that degree will you experience liberty in areas of long-standing bondage. Freedom is not hard to find, it’s just that there’s a price to pay. In other words, you get what you pay for. That’s true in the world and it’s true in the spirit. That’s why Jesus told His disciples to “count the cost.” How about you? What are you willing to do? How much are you willing to deny yourself, even in the area of food, to be free?

Fasting Clears the Spiritual Air Around You
Have you ever woken up to a foggy morning? Few things are as depressing. You get in your car and drive down the road trying to get around in it. Everybody has their lights on. It’s terrible. But what happens? The sun slowly rises in the sky and gradually it burns the fog off. After a while the air is clear again and you can see where you’re going. You know, a lot of folks are that way spiritually. Their heads are ‘fog bound.’ They walk around with confusion and anxiety in their mind most of the time. You see, fasting is like the rising sun. It burns off that mental fog so that you can see clearly. Fasting has a way of clearing the ‘spiritual air’ around you so that you can more readily hear the Lord's voice when He speaks to you. In fact, before any major decision in your life or before any major purchase, it’s best to fast before the Lord -- then you're more likely to hear which way to go.

Fasting enhances your spiritual senses.

We all have the natural senses of feeling, sight, hearing, smell and taste. But did you know that they have their counterparts in the spirit? "Taste and see that the Lord is good," it says in the Psalms and, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says,” we’re told
in Revelations. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God,” and Paul speaks of, “The eyes of your understanding that will be enlightened.” We have spiritual counterparts to our natural senses. When you fast, your spiritual senses become sharper and you’re more able to perceive and grasp the things of the Lord. Fasting is the only way to go when you need clear guidance and direction in your life.

Fasting Releases God’s Anointing
Let’s look at another principle of fasting. In the book of Esther we find Queen Esther facing a momentous decision. The Jews were to be killed by the wicked Haman unless Esther interceded before the king for their lives. However, she risked death herself if she dared go in unto the king without permission. So what did she do? She told Mordecai, her uncle, to: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and FAST for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will FAST as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16) The story goes on to tell us that Esther was graciously admitted before the king and that he heard her requests for her people! Like Esther, few things will bring power to your times of intercession like fasting. Perhaps you’ve been praying for a lost relative or friend for years and have not seen anything happen. If
you'll begin to fast as well as pray you’re likely to be surprised at what will occur! There’s power in prayer when you fast. Fasting releases God’s anointing on whatever you do. In fact, fasting just may be the missing ingredient that’s needed to see those loved ones come to Christ!
In Daniel chapter ten, it’s recorded that Daniel sought the Lord for three weeks with a “pleasant foods” fast. As a result, his prayers and intercessions ascended quickly before the throne of God. In fact, because of his fast, demonic principalities that ruled over the Babylonian nation were overcome by the forces of God. The passage speaks of warfare in the heavenlies between Satan’s spirits and the angels of God. It was Daniel’s fasting that helped determine the ultimate outcome. Daniel was a man of great revelation, visions, signs and wonders. As a result of his extended fast, he received one of the most amazing chapters of revelation found in the entire Bible. One of the reasons Daniel moved in such power in the spirit is because he understood and operated in the principle of fasting.

There are at least thirty-five different references in Scripture where God moved supernaturally when His people came to Him with fasting. In this article we’ve looked at just a few. But, the pattern for all of the others is the same. If you want to experience God's power and hear His voice more clearly, here’s the key. Be willing to commit yourself to the discipline of fasting, and you’ll find a level of spiritual consecration that will not only deepen your Christian life, but will bring you the joys of the Spirit that you've always wanted but have never quite obtained. Now, let’s look at another principle of fasting found in the New Testament:

Fasting Breaks Self Indulgence
"The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the
husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer and FASTING. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." (1 Corinthians 7:4-5) There’s an important principle of fasting found in these passages concerning the marriage relationship. First of all, Paul instructs couples to not deprive one another in the marriage bed. Put another way, he’s saying don’t use your body as sexual blackmail. In any marriage, there are times when one or the other spouse will be tempted to get back at their partner by demanding certain concessions in return for sexual relations. Paul quite clearly condemns such behavior. He then says that sexual abstinence might be a very good thing at times when both partners agree to it and will spend the time together seeking the Lord in
fasting and prayer.

This illustrates a little known spiritual fact in marital unions. When couples intentionally refrain from having relations in order to spend time fasting together, the Holy Spirit can then come in to the relationship in a special way to expose and repair areas of hurt, mistrust and judgment. The fundamental fasting principle in this is that fasting breaks the trappings of self-indulgence and opens you to sensitivity and awareness of other’s needs. Many people tend to walk around with self-indulgent attitudes most of the time, like: “I want what I want when I want it.” However, when a couple agrees to fast and pray this way, they create an atmosphere of self-denial where the woman tends to feel more cherished and the man learns self-control.

Fasting Helps You Physically
Another benefit of fasting is that it will help you physically. It’s like leaving your car in the garage for afew days. Fasting gives your body a break. In fact, a fourteen to twenty-one day fast will often cleanse your digestive system from resident toxins and poisons. So much of the food we eat in our “instant, microwave culture” is loaded with all kinds of chemicals and junk. Have you ever read the ingredients on coffee sweetener or non-dairy creamer? How about those “instant” TV dinners? After a while, a lot of those chemicals tend to accumulate in your body and could possibly be the cause of many physical maladies. During a long fast the body will automatically cleanse itself of residual toxins and poisons that tend to accumulate within the human body. While you're fasting, your tongue may accumulate a white, fuzzy substance on the surface. Or, you may develop sores on the tongue and in other parts of your mouth. These symptoms indicate that, since you've halted your stomach's digestive system during the fast, your body is now naturally purging out the toxins and poisons within. When the tongue turns pink and clean, that means your body has been substantially cleansed. If this "toxin and poison cleansing" is true in the natural realm, it’s also true in the spiritual realm. When you fast, the toxins and poisons of the soul will come up as well: buried hurts, areas of bitterness, hidden
resentments, judgments, childhood bondage’s, inner vows, and things of the past will come to the surface when you spend time in fasting and prayer. Its always good to fast a few days before receiving prayer for the hurts and bondage’s of the past. That way, you won’t have to spend a lot of time trying to “dig up” what’s wrong with you. Instead, the fast allows the Holy Spirit the opportunity to bring to the light areas of bondage that He wants you to see and deal with.

Types and Lengths of Fasts
If you want to put teeth in your repentance, tell the Lord you’ll let nothing but water touch your lips for twenty-four hours. Do this when you feel stuck in a rebellious area in your life. This will prove to God that you mean business. If you’re seeking guidance or want to break minor strongholds and addictions, go on a three to ten day fast. If you want to break major strongholds like lust, gluttony, greed, tendencies of selfishness, or a backbiting tongue, plan to go on a fast from fourteen to twenty one days. In an extended fast like this, it takes a little over a week for things to start breaking loose inside. Don’t end the fast just as things are beginning to loosen up. Remember, the longer the fast the stronger the fast. Finally, a twenty-one day “pleasant foods fast” is often effective in dealing with different bondage’s, in guidance, etc. Since this fast is not as intense as some of the others, it takes longer for it to have effect. Not long ago a man came to see me who was having severe problems with compulsive masturbation. Nothing he did helped him get free from this bondage. When he came to my office, we spent some time in prayer — but nothing happened. The demon had too hard a grip on him. I then suggested he go on a fast and come back later. He told me that he was unable to do a juice fast. While I believed that he was able — only frightened at the idea of fasting — I told him, “That’s OK. I have a fast that will work for you.” I then instructed him to go on a twenty-one day “pleasant foods fast.” This
he felt that he could do. I told him, “Eat nothing sweet. Just eat what you have to eat. If you can, don’t salt your meat. Don’t eat anything that appeals to the flesh. You can eat a lot - but don't gorge. Also, avoid the Nestles bars, avoid the cokes.” Twenty-one days later he came back to my office. This time he was ready to be delivered. In fact, when the demon manifested it threw him across the room. The result was a glorious, powerful deliverance. We cast that thing out and he’s been free from that cursed compulsion to this day. Use Wisdom One final thing about fasting. When you go on one of the longer fasts, use wisdom when you come off of it. If you’re ending an extended fast of fourteen to twenty one days (particularly if it was a water fast),
drink juices and eat fruit in ever increasing amounts for a few days. This will allow your digestive system the time to adapt to the process of food assimilation after so many days of inactivity. It is very important that you DON'T eat any foods that are difficult to digest, and that you DON'T eat large portions immediately after the fast. Your digestive system needs time to "get up to speed" to handle the food amounts you were eating prior to the fast.

The same thing holds true even for the shorter fasts of five to ten days. Use wisdom in the "tapering off" period. Take one whole day after the fast and eat a moderate portion of fruit or a bowl of shredded wheat. Take a couple of days before you resume your normal eating pattern. However, you really don’t need to do this for a one-day fast, and hardly ever after a three-day fast, unless you’ve never fasted before.

One last note. It's also a good idea to "ease into" a fast before you start. Lay off meat and foods that are tougher to digest a couple of days before you begin the fast. Begin eating more vegetables and fruit. In doing this, you are gradually slowing down your digestive system and thus will make the tough "early part of the fast" easier to go through.

Types Of Fasts
Here are some specific guidelines concerning various types and lengths of fasts:
JUICE FAST: One glass of juice at mealtimes and plenty of water in between. Drink a “natural” juice without a lot of additives, sugar, etc.
WATER FAST:
a) For beginners, let your “water fast” be a number of days in the midst of a juice fast.
b) For a full water fast be sure to drink LOTS of water all day long, preferably "distilled" water.
PLEASANT FOODS FAST: Just as it says: choose something specific to avoid. Examples:
a) 21 days without sugar (or sugar substitutes)
b) 21 days with no snacks, deserts etc. between meals and a moderate portion at meals
c) Refrain from any spices (also sugar, salt, etc.) on foods
Lengths Of Fasts
1 DAY: puts “teeth” into your repentance (water only)
3-10 DAY: for seeking direction; clearing the spiritual air; breaking minor strongholds
14-21 DAY (or more): for breaking major strongholds (the longer the fast the stronger the fast)
21 DAY (Pleasant foods): for breaking minor strongholds; seeking greater intimacy and revelation

PROPHET'S FAST: After passing through the initial hunger stage (3 days or so) and weak stage (another 3 days or so), a prophet's fast continues until "real" hunger returns (anywhere between 25 and 40 days for the average person).

Benefits Of Fasting
 Enables you to hear God quickly and distinctly (Judges 20:26-28)
 Puts teeth into your repentance (Joel 2:12-13)
 Helps you regain self-control over unruly flesh (1 Cor 7:5)
 Helps you to endure and overcome temptations (Matt 4:2)
 Delivers you from the snares and traps of the enemy (Ezra 8:21-23, 31)
 Delivers you from deep rooted strongholds and bondages (1 Sam 7:3-14)
 Gives you spiritual power to cast out demons (Matt 17:20-21)
 Brings speedy relief when surrounded and outnumbered (2 Chronicles 20:3-30)
 Releases favor toward you from others (Esther 4:16-5:2) (Nehemiah 1:4, 2:6)
 Provides clear direction from the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2)
 Helps you discern a person’s character (Acts 14:23)
 Can avert God’s judgment (1 Kings 21:27-29) (Jonah 3:5-10)
 Releases prophetic revelation of things to come (Dan 10:3)
 Helps you live a long, healthy life (Luke 2:36-37) (Isaiah 58:6-8)

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DAILY WORD....12/31/2007

Passage Revelation 22:1-21:

1THEN HE showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations.(A)
3There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service].(B)
4They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.(C)
5And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, and they shall reign [as kings] forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).
6And he [of the seven angels further] said to me, These statements are reliable (worthy of confidence) and genuine (true). And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His messenger (angel) to make known and exhibit to His servants what must soon come to pass.

Jesus Is Coming

7And behold, I am coming speedily. Blessed (happy and [a]to be envied) is he who observes and lays to heart and keeps the truths of the prophecy (the predictions, consolations, and warnings) contained in this [little] book.
8And I, John, am he who heard and witnessed these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell prostrate before the feet of the messenger (angel) who showed them to me, to worship him.
9But he said to me, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] a fellow servant along with yourself and with your brethren the prophets and with those who are mindful of and practice [the truths contained in] the messages of this book. Worship God!
10And he [further] told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time [b]when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near.
11He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still.(D)
12Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit.(E)
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all).(F)
14Blessed (happy and [c]to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city.(G)
15[But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating).
16I, Jesus, have sent My messenger (angel) to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches (assemblies). I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star.(H)
17The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need [d]of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost.(I)
18I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the [e]predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book.
19And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these [f]predictions relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.
20He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
21The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be [g]with all the saints (God's holy people, [h]those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!

TODAY'S RADIO BROADCAST A BIG SUCCESS

HEY WOW FAMILY,

WHAT A AWESOME RADIO BROADCAST! WE HAD AN AWESOME MORNING TODAY AND GOD IS GOOD! IF YOU WANT TO COME EXPERIENCE ANOTHER RADIO BROADCAST GET READY!

WE ARE GOING TO AIR ANOTHER BROADCAST IN THE NEW YEAR. JAN 12 & 26 2008 THESE ARE THE TWO DATES WE WILL BROADCAST.

JAN 12, 2008 @ 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM; (WE START @ 6:30 AM -8:30 AM) WE WILL BE HAVING A GUEST SPEAKER TO HELP US WITH OUR FINANCES IN THE NEW YEAR! INVITE, INVITE, INVITE. WE ARE SERIOUS WITH BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES IN YOUR LIFE! IT MAKES YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS PERSONAL!

THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER BROADCAST ON JAN 26 2008, FROM 6:30 AM -8:30 AM.
WE WILL BE UP IN THE WORD! ( A SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER WILL BE ANNOUNCED)

THIS WAS OUR SCRIPTURE TODAY AND IT WAS TRULY AWESOME YOU CAN
LISTEN TO THE BROADCAST, JUST CLICK THE LINK BELOW. ENJOY!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/WOW-GOSPEL-GROUP


LUKE 6:17-36

BLESSING & WOES
17And Jesus came down with them and took His stand on a level spot, with a great crowd of His disciples and a vast throng of people from all over Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to listen to Him and to be cured of their diseases--
18Even those who were disturbed and troubled with unclean spirits, and they were being healed [also].
19And all the multitude were seeking to touch Him, for healing power was all the while going forth from Him and curing them all [[a]saving them from severe illnesses or calamities].
20And solemnly lifting up His eyes on His disciples, He said: Blessed (happy--[b]with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition--and [c]to be envied) are you poor and [d]lowly and afflicted (destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor), for the kingdom of God is yours!
21Blessed (happy--[e]with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition--and [f]to be envied) are you who hunger and seek with eager desire now, for you shall be filled and completely satisfied! Blessed (happy--[g]with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition--and [h]to be envied) are you who weep and sob now, for you shall laugh!
22Blessed (happy--[i]with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition--and [j]to be envied) are you when people despise (hate) you, and when they exclude and excommunicate you [as disreputable] and revile and denounce you and defame and cast out and spurn your name as evil (wicked) on account of the Son of Man.
23Rejoice and be glad at such a time and exult and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is rich and great and strong and intense and abundant in heaven; for even so their forefathers treated the prophets.
24But woe to (alas for) you who are rich ([k]abounding in material resources), for you already are receiving your consolation (the solace and sense of strengthening and cheer that come from prosperity) and have taken and enjoyed your comfort in full [having nothing left to be awarded you].
25Woe to (alas for) you who are full now (completely filled, luxuriously gorged and satiated), for you shall hunger and suffer want! Woe to (alas for) you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep and wail!
26Woe to (alas for) you when everyone speaks fairly and handsomely of you and praises you, for even so their forefathers did to the false prophets.



LOVE FOR ENEMIES
27But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [[l]in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred,
28Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God's blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].
29To the one who strikes you on the [m]jaw or cheek, offer the other [n]jaw or cheek also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold your undergarment as well.
30Give away to everyone who begs of you [who is [o]in want of necessities], and of him who takes away from you your goods, do not demand or require them back again.
31And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.
32If you [merely] love those who love you, what [p]quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even [q]the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).
33And if you are kind and good and do favors to and benefit those who are kind and good and do favors to and benefit you, what [r]quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even [s]the preeminently sinful do the same.
34And if you lend money [t]at interest to those from whom you hope to receive, what [u]quality of credit and thanks is that to you? Even notorious sinners lend money [v]at interest to sinners, so as to recover as much again.
35But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors [w]so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but [x]considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.
36So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].

Test the Spirits /God's Love and Ours

1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
God's Love and Ours
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD

Passage 2 Timothy 2:14-26:
14Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers.
15Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

16But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.

17And their teaching [will devour; it] will eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18Who have missed the mark and swerved from the truth by arguing that the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some.

19But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.(A)

20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].

21So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

22Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.

24And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.

25He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],

26And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.

QUALITY IS JOB 1

Passage Galatians 6:1-18:

Galatians 6
1 BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.
2Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and [a]troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete [b]what is lacking [in your obedience to it].
3For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.
4But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [[c]in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.
5For every person will have to bear ([d]be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [[e]little] load [f][of oppressive faults].
6Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support].
7Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked [g]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and [h]that only is what he will reap.
8For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
10So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[i]morally] to all people [not only [j]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
11See with what large letters I am writing with my own hand. [[k]Mark carefully these closing words of mine.]
12Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
13For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised in order that they may glory in your flesh (your subjection to external rites).
14But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!
15For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah].
16Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle], even upon the [true] Israel of God!(A)
17From now on let no person trouble me [by [l]making it necessary for me to vindicate my apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions--these testify to His ownership of me]!
18The grace (spiritual favor, blessing) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) be with your spirit, brethren. Amen (so be it).

Not Only Christmas Day

Dear Family & Friends,

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! As well as to come together as family! We here at the Austin household want to take this time to wish all the saints and the body of our Lord a very Merry ChrisTmas and a blessed New Year!

Please take the time to read this awesome poem and remember the TRUE meaning of ChrisTmas!

No Limits No Boundaries!

The Austin Family!

Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer

Not only on Christmas Day

But until I see You face to face

May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus

I ever hope to be,

Resting in Your loving arms

Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child

In wisdom daily learning,

May I ever seek to know

You With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful

Let me follow in Your light,

Meek and bold, humble and strong

Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer

And stand for truth alone,

Knowing that Your kingdom

Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice

Though great may be the cost,

Mindful how You rescued me

From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior

The babe, the child, the Son,

May my life forever speak

Of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices

And celebrates Your birth,

I treasure You, the greatest gift

Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words

That welcomed home Your Son,

"Come, good and faithful servant,"

Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others

Who will join with me in praise

Because I lived for Jesus Christ

Not only Christmas Day

-- Mary Fairchild--

DAILY WORD....12/24/07

Passage 1 Timothy 4:1-16: AMP
1 Timothy 4

1BUT THE [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,

2Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized),

3Who forbid people to marry and [teach them] to abstain from [certain kinds of] foods which

God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have [an increasingly clear] knowledge of the truth.

4For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.

5For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.

6If you lay all these instructions before the brethren, you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed.

7But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers' tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit].

8For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

9This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody.

10With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] [a]suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him).
11Continue to command these things and to teach them.

12Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

13Till I come, devote yourself to [public and private] reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine.

14Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].

15Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.

16Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

DO YOU KNOW THE COST?

Passage Luke 14:25-35: NLT (New Living Translation)

The Cost of Being a Disciple
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

DAILY WORD....12/21/07

The days of thy mourning shall be ended.In the world ye shall have tribulation. The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Isa. 60:20. John 16:33. Rom. 8:22,23. 2 Cor. 5:4. Rev. 7:14-17

Passage Revelation 7:14-17: AMP

14I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation (persecution), and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.(A)
15For this reason they are [now] before the [very] throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple); and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence.
16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any [a]scorching heat.(B)
17For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.(C)

YOU SAY ~~GOD SAYS~~ BIBLE VERSES

"It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)


"I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

"I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)


"I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)
"I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

"I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

"It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )

"I can't forgive myself" God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

"I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

"I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

"I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

"I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

"I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

DAILY WORD....

He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.That we should be holy and without blame before him in love.God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you, ... to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Eph. 1:4. 2 Thess. 2:13,14. Rom. 8:29,30. 1 Pet. 1:2. Ezek. 36:26. 1 Thess. 4:7.

THE WORD FOR TODAY!

Passage Habakkuk 2:1-4:

1 [OH, I know, I have been rash to talk out plainly this way to God!] I will [in my thinking] stand upon my post of observation and station myself on the tower or fortress, and will watch to see what He will say within me and what answer I will make [as His mouthpiece] to the perplexities of my complaint against Him.

2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.(A)

4 Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall [a]live by his faith and in his faithfulness.(B)

Passage Habakkuk 3:16-19

16 I heard and my [whole inner self] trembled; my lips quivered at the sound. Rottenness enters into my bones and under me [down to my feet]; I tremble. I will wait quietly for the day of trouble and distress when there shall come up against [my] people him who is about to invade and oppress them.

17 Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls,

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!(A)

19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments.

AN AWESOME TIME........

What an incredible weekend! We had an awesome time in GOD and fellowship was incredible with Minister Bernard Cheeks! We laughed and we cried, we lived and we died to those things that were of the flesh!

The WOW Gospel Group Ministry got together to celebrate a new beginning with Minister Bernard Cheeks and the POP Ministry and we ALL realize we have a WHOLE lot of work to do!

The weekend started out with Lady J and Kimberly and myself having breakfast in Hampton Virginia at the famous Tommy’s and what a time we had! Then we got settled at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Suffolk Virgina and began to prepare to meet.

We then met up with the group with Lillian (Light Bulb) Marcel (Healer) Minister Brenda (Bea Bea) Sharee (Marcel's Daughter) Lorenzo & Shelby. What a time what a time; we had food catered in by the Holy Ghost and enjoyed steak & crab cakes.....wow we had SURF & TURF.

This was a time that we broke bread and fellowship. Then we went to a Christmas Party with our Pastor (Apostle Jessie Debraux) for our first lady (Evangelist Dorothy Debraux) was to bring the message. It was a awesome time to learn about Jesus and to uplift his name! Minister Bernard was touched by the children and their praise dances and how they worship!

But I tell you that Sunday Morning was AWESOME for we went to New Life Deliverance Evangelistic Church and received a true word from GOD!

THANK YOU LADY J

We again give thanks unto the LORD for He is GOOD! We thank you Lady J for being who you are in the LORD! Thank you for being the flavor and syrup for the WOW GOSPEL GROUP! We love you and thanks for an AWESOME TIME in the word!

We love you and to GOD BE THE GLORY!

Growing in Faith
Passage 2 Peter 1:3-11:
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters,[c] work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

THANKS SISTER LILLIAN aka LIGHT BULB

Another awesome few days last week! We have heard from the voice of GOD and we thank Sister Lillian for letting GOD use her in a powerful way! The power of the word for me was out of Acts 4:1-18. Study it out and see if GOD speaks to you TODAY! Again sister Lillian thanks for letting GOD use you! Be blessed

Acts 4:1-18

1 AND WHILE they [Peter and John] were talking to the people, the high priests and the military commander of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 Being vexed and indignant through and through because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in [the case of] Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 So they laid hands on them (arrested them) and put them in prison until the following day, for it was already evening.
4 But many of those who heard the message believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus as the Christ). And their number grew and came to about 5,000.
5 Then on the following day, their magistrates and elders and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem,
6 Including Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and all others who belonged to the high priestly relationship.
7 And they set the men in their midst and repeatedly demanded, By what sort of power or by what kind of authority did [such people as] you do this [healing]?
8 Then Peter, [because he was] filled with [and controlled by] the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and members of the council (the Sanhedrin),
9 If we are being put on trial [here] today and examined concerning a good deed done to benefit a feeble (helpless) cripple, by what means this man has been restored to health,
10 Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body.
11 This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone].(A)
12 And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
14 And since they saw the man who had been cured standing there beside them, they could not contradict the fact or say anything in opposition.
15 But having ordered [the prisoners] to go aside out of the council [chamber], they conferred (debated) among themselves,
16 Saying, What are we to do with these men? For that an extraordinary miracle has been performed by (through) them is plain to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But in order that it may not spread further among the people and the nation, let us warn and forbid them with a stern threat to speak any more to anyone in this name [or about this Person].
18 [So] they summoned them and imperatively instructed them not to converse in any way or teach at all in or about the name of Jesus.