Fasting Part II

Biblical Fasting - Is there a proper method to fasting?Biblical fasting, unlike fasting for medical or health reasons, must be done with an attitude of seriousness and sincerity. When we fast, we willingly deprive the body of nourishment and the pleasurable taste of food. The body requires food for sustenance; therefore our hearts and minds must be totally focused and directed towards God so that He may be the full source of our strength during our period of fasting. Fasting must also be done in an attitude of humility. It is not necessary for others to know we are fasting; it is directed towards God. “But 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” (Matthew 6:17-18).

In addition to our attitudes towards God and our stance before man, our motives must also be correct. We should fast in order to further the building up of God’s kingdom by seeking to minister to others. The prophet Isaiah received from the Lord the acceptable motives for our fasts: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).

Fasts may last for varying lengths of time -- one day, three days, seven days, and more. We should prayerfully seek the Lord about the length of our fast. Fasting should have an object in mind; we should have a clear idea of the need and purpose. One of the most pressing reasons for Christian fasting may be revival -- “Will you not revive us again. . .” (Psalm 85:6).

Pastor Ben

Fasting!

Seems like every time I study or listen to podcast the theme of Fasting comes up... a biblical fast...
So what is fasting... its purpose and how can I get closer go God by doing it... well the bible declares in that a "biblical fast" is abstaining from food for Spiritual reasons....
I came across this article that I thought would help.... Here is Part I of a three part series on Fasting...

Biblical Fasting - Is fasting necessary for today’s Christian church?
Biblical fasting is a spiritual discipline which was encouraged by Jesus, Himself, while He was on earth. When questioned as to why the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist fasted while Jesus disciples did not, Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15). Jesus was indicating that fasting would become a necessity when, the bridegroom (Jesus) was taken away. While Jesus, who was God manifested in human form, was still on earth, His followers enjoyed a close fellowship and friendship with Him. Jesus bestowed power and authority on them to the extent that they had limited power to preach, heal the sick, and cast out devils. Similarly, when Jesus sent them out to minister to the populace, He instructed them to take few provisions. “Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one’” (Luke 22:35-36). Jesus was teaching that after His departure, the entire dynamic would change and the disciples would need a different type of preparation and provision.
Fasting was to be a vital part of this new preparation. The new covenant is based on the truth that we have received everything in Christ, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Nevertheless, we cooperate with the Spirit in the working out of our salvation with much prayer, meditation, and the study of God’s Word. In addition to all these spiritual practices, Christians should also employ the humbling discipline of fasting.

God Bless you
Remember I Love you
Pastor Ben

Men's Outreach " Need Prayer" Saturday

Hello all, what a great day we had so far... We put a prayer tent on the corner of Indiana and 70th with a sign that simply said.." Need Prayer" and God moved in a an amazing way... several people stopped by and asked for prayer. One person prayed to receive Christ today... Praise the Lord.

Here are some pics... God is Amazing and I am so privileged to serve Him

Pastor Ben

Journaling!

Been thinking about journaling lately... really sitting down and allowing the Lord to speak but taking some time to write down what the Lord has said...
see at times He speak so clear... I love it... but as human as I am... I forget... yes that's right... sometimes forget what God has said... so in prayer I have decided to begin journaling again...
what ever the Lord wants to speak... I will write down and refer to from time to time...
Here is an except for journaling...hope it blesses you...


Journaling - A Form of Worship-Journaling can be a form of worship. In solitude, we can explore the blessing of writing our hearts to God. We don't have to be professional writers, or even good writers - it's all about the passion for God in our hearts. Journals and letters are powerful tools for recording thoughts, prayers, fears and miracles in our lives. Writing our hearts to God is a fantastic compliment to our daily devotionals with Him.

Journaling - Seek God and Hear His Whispers---Journaling typically works best in a quiet place. Find a daily retreat and explore the power of meditative prayer and writing in your life. Learn to seek God's face during your alone times with Him. Through writing, learn to hear God's whispers in your life…

Reflect… Who are you? What is your background? What experiences brought you to this time and place in your life?

Release… What life changing mistakes have you made? Are there any buried mistakes in your life that still hold you back? Have you released your mistakes to God, so you can experience His true blessings for your life?

Surrender… What event or series of events in your life brought you to your knees? Where did you focus your thoughts and efforts during crisis? When did you turn it all over to God?

Praise… What victories have you experienced in your life? What blessings has God brought your way? Think about God's role in your life, and give Him thanks for all you have?

I Love you
Pastor Ben

Home Sweet Home

Finally made it back from Tucson... it was a long trip...over 1600 miles in the car... but I am so glad to be back here in Lubbock... I missed all of you.... Although I heard Pastor Terry did an Amazing job teaching on Wednesday... Praise the Lord...

Anyways.. the Conference was a Blast... I really believer the Lord spoke loud and clear...

looking forward to seeing what HE wants to do...
Here are some pics of the trip and will see you Sunday....

In & Out in Tucson....Really? YES

Guess what? we found a In & Out in Tucson... so after the teaching tonight we went and forced fed ourselves a hamburger... what a great time.... here are some pics enjoy...Double/Double Animal Style

Good Night from Tucson...

Pastor Ben

What's Happening in Tucson

Hello all... here is an update of our time in Tucson... The Pastor's conference is going great and we are having a blast... Here are some pics Ben and Mike at Casa MolinaCalvary Chapel Tucson Pastor's Conference... on a break...HerHere we are acting goofy...we took our own pic... Tucson beautiful weather and skyThis is a shot from Starbucks... Amazing

anyways will try and post tomorrow...

God Bless

Pastor Ben

Arrived in Tucson

Hey everyone, just arrived in Tucson ..actually late last night... but it is Monday morning and I thought I would update everyone on what's happening here...

Great morning in the Word then breakfast and now hanging out and " Suffering" for Jesus.. in this Hotel... (see pic)

Love you guys and will try to post later...

Josh Reading his Bible...

Hope you have a great day.... Conference starts here at 12:30pm



Pastor Ben

Please Pray for Micheal Sweet & Family

Hey everyone... please pray for the Sweet family. Kyle Rae Sweet, Micheal's wife went home to be with the Lord on Thursday March 5th.

Micheal Sweet was the front man for the 80's christian rock group called STRYPER... they were married over 23 yrs and have two older children...

Kyle Sweet was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 lost herbattle on 2009 - she is in the presence of Jesus

God Bless

Ben

Hearing God's Voice

Hello everyone.. this past week has had it's many challenges.. but one thing I truly desire it hear the voice of the Lord.. Not so much a audible voice but hearing what He has to say to me in my times of learning & growing - this week I found a excerpt on hearing God's voice.. enjoy

Hearing God's Voice - Are You Ready to Listen? Hearing God's voice is something we all long for-but did you know that it's not hard to do? In fact, God wants you to hear His voice! Hearing the voice of God is as natural as hearing your best friend talk to you. What's more, we can hear Him everyday. He speaks to us in the natural moments of life. Do you want to hear God's voice? Then you must be ready to listen.

Hearing God's Voice - Why Do You Want to Hear Him? Why do you want to hear God's voice? That may sound like a silly question, but motives are important in anything we do. The Bible says this about God's Word: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) Do you want to hear God's voice? If you do, it's possible you're hearing Him already, for He may be the one giving you the longing to hear Him.
Hearing God's Voice in the Bible - In his book Knowing God, J. I. Packer says, "God has spoken to man, and the Bible is His Word, given to us to make us wise unto salvation." The Bible itself declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). In another place, we read: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16). Do you want to hear God's voice? Then read the Bible. Find a good daily reading plan, and stick to it.
Hearing God's Voice through Prayer -When you want to have a conversation with someone, how do you begin? Do you stand in front of the person and hope they will talk to you? That might work, if the other person is outgoing enough, but usually we begin a conversation by opening our own mouths and talking, engaging the other person's attention. It's the same with God! He loves to hear us talk to Him, and it's in those moments that we prepare ourselves to hear the voice of God.
In an ordinary conversation, we speak, then listen for the response of the other person. It's the same with God! Once we've prepared our hearts to listen through prayer, we're more likely to hear the voice of God. Does He speak to us through an audible voice? Some claim He does, but usually that's not the case. We may not actually "hear" the voice of God, but He speaks to us in many ways. Here are some of them:
God speaks through His Word
God speaks through our thoughts
God speaks through conversations with others
God speaks through circumstances

God bless you.. and remember
I Love You.
Pastor Ben