It's interesting that I'm wrapping this all up on Valentine's Day...Love Day.
I called this Valentine's Day, "Love One Another" Day...because that's what God wants us to do. It's actually a commandment, not something that we are to take lightly.
With that being said, I want to go over these questions and reflect on this week and this journey with the Soul Fast.
From this day forward, how will you shine a little brighter? Describe what that might look like and the affect it could have on the people you encounter.
I will shine a little brighter by acknowledging more people, by continuing to look up into people's eyes when I speak and not being fearful of what's going on with them and seeing myself as God sees me instead of having fear that people will condemn me. I have to stop making it about me, because I cannot love others when I think selfishly instead of selflessly.
Change begins with one thought, one soul, one life at a time. What is the one thought you can adopt that could change everything? What will be the new story you tell as a result?
I have to do some more thought work into this. There has been so many things happening in my life and I'm trying to understand them so that I can build and it's taking some time to grasp it all. I guess, if anything I can start with Focus and focusing my thought life. When you set your affection on things above, what eternity has to do with it all, then you can make the best decisions. For example, I know that I am in my company to gain skills that I will need to use for the Kingdom, I know that I'm not going to be a leader forever no matter how far I rise up. I know that I need to be able to focus on everything in the business so that I can properly be an asset, but even more so for my team. I have slacked and I do not feel that I've been honorable in each and every meeting, but my heart and my desire is that I can get a hold of my ways and be disciplined and meet my obligations, and serve and love while on this assignment.
How can you start a conversation in your community--whether it is the workplace, church, neighborhood, or school--about living more authentically?
By telling others about this book and maybe even having a discussion group, where we can all get on one accord.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Day 39 - Uniting/Interdependence (Tiffany)
How deep is your sense of Interdependence?
I would say mine is very deep. I had a very insightful day today. I recognized when I missed others and had a chance to contribute to their lives...I also saw the areas that I am struggling with and that I will have to let go of some things in order to overcome some things that I'm still feeling some type a way about from my past. Overall, I think I did well today and my Father would say well done. I do think I could have done better, but compared to who I was before I was saved, compared to who I was ten years ago, compared to who I was five years ago and compared to who I was just a year ago...I have done well.Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Day 38 - Standing/Ethics (Tiffany)
"How you choose to extend God's Kingdom and distribute His power and love to the world is wide open and full of freedom."
"Where you take your stand and live out your destiny is determined by who God has called you to be. A 'king-and-a-priest' is called to a group of people, not a project, and certainly not the world. You will burn yourself out quickly if you try to be everything to everybody. Your thoughts and energy will be diluted."
Concept of Ethics: That which is motivated by pure, noble, and honorable intentions--an uprightness in choices, values, business dealings, and professional aspirations. What you choose to do with your money, how to handle it--whether generously or selfishly--is a good indication of personal ethics.
In bringing something to your attention, could God be requiring you to take a stand?
Absolutely! God brought to my attention the drastic difference between the suburban life and the inner city life and it frustrates me like crazy! It is a burden He has placed on my heart and the crazy thing is that I didn't want to have anything to do with the inner city when I was in High School, I wanted to get out and leave. I watched this video the other day and this young man shares my vision. I pray that God will divinely orchestrate that this gentleman and I can meet and we can begin to change our inner cities for the good in America!
"Where you take your stand and live out your destiny is determined by who God has called you to be. A 'king-and-a-priest' is called to a group of people, not a project, and certainly not the world. You will burn yourself out quickly if you try to be everything to everybody. Your thoughts and energy will be diluted."
Concept of Ethics: That which is motivated by pure, noble, and honorable intentions--an uprightness in choices, values, business dealings, and professional aspirations. What you choose to do with your money, how to handle it--whether generously or selfishly--is a good indication of personal ethics.
In bringing something to your attention, could God be requiring you to take a stand?
Absolutely! God brought to my attention the drastic difference between the suburban life and the inner city life and it frustrates me like crazy! It is a burden He has placed on my heart and the crazy thing is that I didn't want to have anything to do with the inner city when I was in High School, I wanted to get out and leave. I watched this video the other day and this young man shares my vision. I pray that God will divinely orchestrate that this gentleman and I can meet and we can begin to change our inner cities for the good in America!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Day 37 - Accepting/Tolerance (Tiffany)
How would you rate your capacity to tolerate unfavorable conditions? What does this say about your own degree of personal empowerment?
I would rate my capacity on a 1-10 scale as a 7 for my tolerance of unfavorable conditions. I have been through a lot of things over the past year and I've gone through them to make me stronger, but I cannot imagine myself 10 years ago going through them...I would see that I would have been whining and complaining a lot had I went through them then. At points when I began to say if people had to go through what I did, that was my way of complaining and I still hadn't found my strength in it all. Sometimes, I want things to be different RIGHT NOW, but I know that I'm still learning something and God is strengthening that personal empowerment within me through what I am going through and it will make me an even greater person. The Lord is definitely pushing me into a position of leadership no matter how much I may try to fight it, I see that He wants to develop these skills in me and that's why I've had to go through all the things I've been through.
How are you harnessing the power of tolerance to change the hearts and lives of those around you? In what small way might you show a little more tolerance?
I'm doing really well in this area, I've been able to talk with others and bring a sort of newness to the people I encounter. I don't look at their outward appearance and judge...I may have a preconceived notion, but I have to throw that out because I don't know what's going on in the inside of anyone! I don't know their story until they begin to open their mouths and tell me. I show my tolerance by allowing people to speak their own minds and what they feel inside, I'm not too quick to state my opinion or what I know to be true. I'm learning by listening to others.
I would rate my capacity on a 1-10 scale as a 7 for my tolerance of unfavorable conditions. I have been through a lot of things over the past year and I've gone through them to make me stronger, but I cannot imagine myself 10 years ago going through them...I would see that I would have been whining and complaining a lot had I went through them then. At points when I began to say if people had to go through what I did, that was my way of complaining and I still hadn't found my strength in it all. Sometimes, I want things to be different RIGHT NOW, but I know that I'm still learning something and God is strengthening that personal empowerment within me through what I am going through and it will make me an even greater person. The Lord is definitely pushing me into a position of leadership no matter how much I may try to fight it, I see that He wants to develop these skills in me and that's why I've had to go through all the things I've been through.
How are you harnessing the power of tolerance to change the hearts and lives of those around you? In what small way might you show a little more tolerance?
I'm doing really well in this area, I've been able to talk with others and bring a sort of newness to the people I encounter. I don't look at their outward appearance and judge...I may have a preconceived notion, but I have to throw that out because I don't know what's going on in the inside of anyone! I don't know their story until they begin to open their mouths and tell me. I show my tolerance by allowing people to speak their own minds and what they feel inside, I'm not too quick to state my opinion or what I know to be true. I'm learning by listening to others.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Day 36 - Dancing/Justice (Tiffany)
How might you be neglecting the weightier matters of justice and mercy?
I don't think of myself as neglecting the weightier matters of justice and mercy. One thing I know, I don't waste a lot of time fighting causes that are not part of my purpose. I know that I have a Kingdom assignment and that many times the Lord will draw me in to the behavior of someone so that I will intercede for that person because the person has an impact in the lives of many others. He also uses me to help guide those who have a calling on their lives to impact the lives of many but are having trouble making a decision and could end up forfeiting their call.
I think that sometimes I do neglect in this area, because I don't like the way the burden feels to tell someone about getting back on assignment if they have backslidden. I saw yesterday how someone came back to church, but I kept pointing this person out and they were really getting in their own way, because of church hurt. I felt terrible because I know that I was supposed to say something and I didn't. I don't really like to bring warnings to others and I think that's probably why I've steered clear of the book of Jeremiah so long. I've read parts, but I've never read the whole book. When I was about a year or two saved, I started reading it and I said to myself, that's not the book for me! Because Jeremiah sounded too much like me and the people he had to talk to sounded too much like the people that I would have to deal with. I wasn't trying to speak in that way!
I don't mind bringing a message of hope and love, but I admit when it's not so good news and to tell others that they need to get it together, I don't like doing it because there is a level of isolation that I have to go through in that. It's not about me, but that's the hardest part of my flesh that needs to die!
What can you begin doing today to "serve people" and make sure evil does not thrive unopposed?
Today, I actually prayed with the household I'm in. There was a charge to pray given by a Pastor that's on my Facebook friends...I think the prayer turned out well and it's probably something God had wanted to happen a long time ago. I'm grateful that tonight was the first evening in doing it!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Week 8 - Sealing the Healing: The Cleansing Power of Love
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
| |||||||
Friday, February 7, 2014
Day 35 - Willing/Morality (Tiffany)
"What you do in this life is in direct proportion to your courage and ability to will, to set your eyes on a goal and head toward it."
I was really thinking about this concept of "will" yesterday as I was writing out affirmations. I thought to myself when I say, "I will" do this, does that mean that it actually happens, do I trust my own words when I say "I will" or am I bunch of talk. I watched this Mentorship DVD of Juanita Bynum where she instructed everyone to buy a Franklin Planner and she said the point of it is to write what we plan to do because if we don't even live by what we plan, how can others take us seriously when we don't even take ourselves seriously?
I used to buy planners every year and was always organizing, but after about a month or two I'd fall off. I wasn't committing to what I wrote in these planners. I wrote down what I will do, but I hardly followed what I wrote down.
I believe that as I've been journeying through this Soul Fast for the second time, I'm trying to be more authentic and integral with who I say I am. I don't want to LIE to myself. It's one thing to lie to others, but you're in some trouble when you are lying to yourself. You cannot get anywhere if you LIE to yourself.
"Success is a byproduct of what God wills for you...True success requires you to be willing to let go as you let God work out His will through you." ~ Cindy Trimm
I find it interesting that this book is taking me back to some inner things. I had many dreams recently about people in my life. I have a feeling that these dreams all have to deal with growth. I may have handled some relationships quite immaturely in the past. I really didn't know how to handle them, and I was still learning to grow myself, so how they were cut off were really inauthentic to who I really am. I can't live one way at home and another way in the world.
I think God is showing me this in my time of humility and living with someone else. I have been having a hard time because I want to be the true me, but because some of the things I'm dealing with financially make it hard to be who I am totally...but why do I feel like that is hindering me from being myself? Why can't I just be me...and state what I believe. I need to be all the way transparent so that I won't feel like I'm lying to myself...I can't move forward and help others if I feel like I'm lying to myself!
I was really thinking about this concept of "will" yesterday as I was writing out affirmations. I thought to myself when I say, "I will" do this, does that mean that it actually happens, do I trust my own words when I say "I will" or am I bunch of talk. I watched this Mentorship DVD of Juanita Bynum where she instructed everyone to buy a Franklin Planner and she said the point of it is to write what we plan to do because if we don't even live by what we plan, how can others take us seriously when we don't even take ourselves seriously?
I used to buy planners every year and was always organizing, but after about a month or two I'd fall off. I wasn't committing to what I wrote in these planners. I wrote down what I will do, but I hardly followed what I wrote down.
I believe that as I've been journeying through this Soul Fast for the second time, I'm trying to be more authentic and integral with who I say I am. I don't want to LIE to myself. It's one thing to lie to others, but you're in some trouble when you are lying to yourself. You cannot get anywhere if you LIE to yourself.
"Success is a byproduct of what God wills for you...True success requires you to be willing to let go as you let God work out His will through you." ~ Cindy Trimm
I find it interesting that this book is taking me back to some inner things. I had many dreams recently about people in my life. I have a feeling that these dreams all have to deal with growth. I may have handled some relationships quite immaturely in the past. I really didn't know how to handle them, and I was still learning to grow myself, so how they were cut off were really inauthentic to who I really am. I can't live one way at home and another way in the world.
I think God is showing me this in my time of humility and living with someone else. I have been having a hard time because I want to be the true me, but because some of the things I'm dealing with financially make it hard to be who I am totally...but why do I feel like that is hindering me from being myself? Why can't I just be me...and state what I believe. I need to be all the way transparent so that I won't feel like I'm lying to myself...I can't move forward and help others if I feel like I'm lying to myself!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Day 34 - Prioritizing/Temperance (Tiffany)
I think I'm getting pretty much on track with prioritizing and doing the things I'm supposed to be doing. Daily as I pay more attention to my purpose, my character and what needs work, what I need to confess to God and take to Him to help overcome, I see that it's helping me to change. The thing is that many times we have an issue with not even talking to God about areas that we need help in and we worry about them, and we never get anywhere, so it's best that when we recognize that we take it to God.
Sometimes it's difficult because we are distracted by a lot of things that are happening. I read something interesting yesterday, it was called the "Beginner's Mind"...I suppose it has something to do with Zen or whatever, but it makes a lot of sense. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in an expert's mind, there are few. It is a state of total freshness where you experience everything anew in each moment. It is a direct route to creative confidence. There are no expectations, no fixed view of yourself, no preconceived ideas about what you are going to create...your mind is open and receptive.
I think that many of us need to get to a "beginner's mind" when we feel ourselves overwhelmed with everything that must be done. If we clear the slate of EVERYTHING...then we can start back at one.
Colossians 3:1-3 (AMP)
If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
When we set our mind/affection on what's above, on Christ, on God's Kingdom, then we can prioritize our life.
"The highest priority on your list must always be staying connected to the Presence of God and listening to His still, small voice" - Cindy Trimm
Examine your life. Where might the enemy have a foothold in the door of your soul causing you to stumble in some area?
I think that a foothold has been caused in my thought-life, because of my external circumstance, I'm still not living truly how I would be living if I had my own place. I'm still allowing a fear to be over me, and I need to break through past that fear for it has no dominion or power over me, only that which I allow. I think that when I break past this fear and I take dominion over it, that my life will change totally and completely and I will fly.
What can you do to "clean house" in order to make sure you are "temperate in all things?" What might your little "excesses" say to others about you?
I really need to chop down those inferior places inside of myself and begin to move in courage, boldness and with the confidence that God is putting on the inside of me. It's there, but the Holy Spirit is now filling me to the point of overflow, in this reservoir, I have something to give to others, but I need to empty myself of all insecurities so that they won't spill on to others that I am helping.
Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and contentment, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know. - Charles Kingsley
Sometimes it's difficult because we are distracted by a lot of things that are happening. I read something interesting yesterday, it was called the "Beginner's Mind"...I suppose it has something to do with Zen or whatever, but it makes a lot of sense. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in an expert's mind, there are few. It is a state of total freshness where you experience everything anew in each moment. It is a direct route to creative confidence. There are no expectations, no fixed view of yourself, no preconceived ideas about what you are going to create...your mind is open and receptive.
I think that many of us need to get to a "beginner's mind" when we feel ourselves overwhelmed with everything that must be done. If we clear the slate of EVERYTHING...then we can start back at one.
Colossians 3:1-3 (AMP)
If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
When we set our mind/affection on what's above, on Christ, on God's Kingdom, then we can prioritize our life.
"The highest priority on your list must always be staying connected to the Presence of God and listening to His still, small voice" - Cindy Trimm
Examine your life. Where might the enemy have a foothold in the door of your soul causing you to stumble in some area?
I think that a foothold has been caused in my thought-life, because of my external circumstance, I'm still not living truly how I would be living if I had my own place. I'm still allowing a fear to be over me, and I need to break through past that fear for it has no dominion or power over me, only that which I allow. I think that when I break past this fear and I take dominion over it, that my life will change totally and completely and I will fly.
What can you do to "clean house" in order to make sure you are "temperate in all things?" What might your little "excesses" say to others about you?
I really need to chop down those inferior places inside of myself and begin to move in courage, boldness and with the confidence that God is putting on the inside of me. It's there, but the Holy Spirit is now filling me to the point of overflow, in this reservoir, I have something to give to others, but I need to empty myself of all insecurities so that they won't spill on to others that I am helping.
Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and contentment, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know. - Charles Kingsley
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Day 33 - Continuing/Credibility (Tiffany)
Consciously strive to create credibility.
I believe that I am taking my time to do this daily. It is a work in progress, but I have seen the consistency in myself. Most of it has to do with my own thought-life. I don't really end up in places unless I've decided to be there. Last week I made a decision to cut something in my life that I was struggling with wondering if it was bringing me any value. I think I finally got an understanding of it all tonight. Don't chase anything. What I have to offer is valuable and those who miss out on it...it's their loss.
What is your promise to the world?
I'm available to use my gifts, talents and abilities to help you to find the fulfillment you need to get ahead and press toward the mark. However, I will not waste energy nor time on those who want to play around in my life...Ain't nobody got no time for that!
#blessed
I believe that I am taking my time to do this daily. It is a work in progress, but I have seen the consistency in myself. Most of it has to do with my own thought-life. I don't really end up in places unless I've decided to be there. Last week I made a decision to cut something in my life that I was struggling with wondering if it was bringing me any value. I think I finally got an understanding of it all tonight. Don't chase anything. What I have to offer is valuable and those who miss out on it...it's their loss.
What is your promise to the world?
I'm available to use my gifts, talents and abilities to help you to find the fulfillment you need to get ahead and press toward the mark. However, I will not waste energy nor time on those who want to play around in my life...Ain't nobody got no time for that!
#blessed
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Day 32 - Partnering/Loyalty (Tiffany)
"You need to surround yourself with people of understanding to help draw out what God has planted deep within your soul to do, to see what you might miss, and to help you stay in touch with reality--not allowing yourself to be tricked into only seeing what you want to see." - Cindy Trimm
"Choose wisely who you join yourself with, because research has proven that even people three degrees removed from you can have some influence on your happiness, health habits, and in other life-directing areas" - Cindy Trimm
"Choose traveling companions with whom you can laugh. Laughter is the best medicine, washing your body and soul with feel-good chemicals--a true stress buster!" - Cindy Trimm
"The degree to which you show yourself loyal to God-faithful, obedient, and God-fearing--will determine to what extent you are able to live authentically." - Cindy Trimm
How is God's loyalty working in and through your life?
--God has always been there. When I have backslided, He was still there, when I wasn't sure He existed...or even didn't even believe He did, He was still there keeping me alive. When I found it hard to trust Him, He didn't get mad at me and impatient with me, He long-suffered...so the fact that He is still being patient with me as I'm trying to get this relationship thing with Him right, by realizing that all the idol-worship that I've done in my life was just wasted time, Nobody can compare to Him and His love. Knowing that He's always had my back, I can attempt this with others, but I cannot say it's going to be easy. I'm just getting over some insecurities and I don't want my loyalty to be in vain...sometimes we can be loyal but it's because we're looking for something in return instead of being selfless like Christ!
"Choose wisely who you join yourself with, because research has proven that even people three degrees removed from you can have some influence on your happiness, health habits, and in other life-directing areas" - Cindy Trimm
"Choose traveling companions with whom you can laugh. Laughter is the best medicine, washing your body and soul with feel-good chemicals--a true stress buster!" - Cindy Trimm
"The degree to which you show yourself loyal to God-faithful, obedient, and God-fearing--will determine to what extent you are able to live authentically." - Cindy Trimm
How is God's loyalty working in and through your life?
--God has always been there. When I have backslided, He was still there, when I wasn't sure He existed...or even didn't even believe He did, He was still there keeping me alive. When I found it hard to trust Him, He didn't get mad at me and impatient with me, He long-suffered...so the fact that He is still being patient with me as I'm trying to get this relationship thing with Him right, by realizing that all the idol-worship that I've done in my life was just wasted time, Nobody can compare to Him and His love. Knowing that He's always had my back, I can attempt this with others, but I cannot say it's going to be easy. I'm just getting over some insecurities and I don't want my loyalty to be in vain...sometimes we can be loyal but it's because we're looking for something in return instead of being selfless like Christ!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Day 31 - Helping/Respect (Tiffany)
Too Often There is More Talk Than Action
"Just taking the next step of what you already know to do increases productivity and your ability to make things happen, impacting your thoughts with a rise in self-esteem and a constructive outlook on life." David Allen"The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has published numerous studies that show helping someone else actually changes your body chemistry" WOW! This is why I like the team I've become a part of. I can help others in their health and at the same time I'm around a community of people who are reaching for greatness by encouraging one another and we are working on ourselves and our character!
I knew it was something that I found here that I hadn't found anywhere else. I found my LOVE in Jesus Christ, but this group of individuals are helping me to take my life to the next level, by being a servant to those that I get to help change not only their physical health, but help them as their mental and emotional health changes. It's wonderful!
What one thing can you do today to honor someone?
--Take a stand for someone less fortunate if someone speaks against them
To what degree do you command respect? Are you a leader others look up to beacause you are respectful-as in full of respect?
--Sometimes I feel that people do look up to me, but not consistently and it's because I haven't been consistent...I've been double-minded and uncommitted. When I can truly change those things about myself, I know that I will become a better leader and others will follow.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Week 7 - The Power of Doing: God's Chosen Fast (Cindy Trimm)
WEEK SEVEN - The Power of Doing: God’s Chosen Fast
Throughout the past weeks, we have talked about what can entangle our souls and create toxins in our minds; we’ve explored the nature of the soul, the properties of thought, the importance of identity, and the power of words. But as we come to the end of our 40 Day Soul F ast campaign, I want to emphasize th at above what we think or say, is what we do.At the epicenter of what Jesus came to teach humanity was the healing power of love. It governed all He d id and was the divine force by which He operated. Jesus was moved by love, led by love, empowered by love, endured the cross by love, and by love was resurrected to intercede on our behalf — continually driven by love — at the right hand of Love itself, for “G od is love” (1 John 4:8,16).
Everything Jesus did was infused with the love of God.
He demonstrated how we are to walk in the same kind of love. He filled us with His very own Spirit to lead us in the ways of love and empower us with an ever - increasing capacity to love.
We are told in Corinthians that without love we are nothing. Paul wrote, “though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowled ge, and though I have all faith . . . but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).
It doesn’t matter how much you pray, worship, or discipline yourself if you are not walking in the love of God. What you do can clutter your soul as much as what you think or say. Your behaviors are just as toxic to your soul as your thoughts.
The purpose of a soul fast is to cleanse your heart and mind of toxic thoughts, words , and actions, because everything you say and do is a result of what is in your heart. Not only that, but your every word and deed -- attitude and behavior — either further po llutes or purifies not only your own soul, but also the world around you.
This is why God was so adamant about the childre n of Israel rightly understanding the purpose and requirements of His “chosen fast.” He reprimanded Israel through the prophet Isaiah because they fasted in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons. In Isaiah 58:6, God asked , “Is this the kind of fast I hav e chosen?” He challenged them for their fasting of food and their showy self - denial, when He would rather they cleanse their lives of selfishness, self - promotion, pride, and greed.
God wants His people to purify their hearts, not their intestines.
The purpose of fasting in the life of the believer is to take “self” off the throne and allow God’s love to reign there instead.
The practice of self - denial should be evidenced by putting the needs of others before our own, not gossiping, complaining, or blame - shifting, not indulging ourselves in sinful behaviors, not abusing people or taking advantage of them, but by making ourselves available not only to the needy but also to our own families.
Take a moment to meditate on what God calls Hi s “chosen fast” from Isaiah 58:2 -12 (NLT):
They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to lear n all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impresse d? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord? “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you . Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. “Then your sal vation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly r eply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as brigh t as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well - watered garden, like an ever - flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities . Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
Isaiah is telling us, as Paul told the Galatians, “faith works through love” (Galatians 5:6). James told us that if faith “does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)” (James 2:17 AMP). In speaking of the great Father of Faith, Abraham, James wrote, “his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete” (James 2:22 NLT).
Jesus shed new light on what it means to “fulfill the law” and live righteously when He said, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37 - 40 NKJV).
This is what we have come to know as “The Law of Love.”
Think about God’s Chosen Fast in light of 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13 MSG :
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creak ing of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love d oesn't want what it doesn't ha ve. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
In other words, if we don’t walk in the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22), then the gifts of the Spirit are of no use (see 1 Corinthians 12). God seeks to develop our character, not our charisma. Go d wants us to grow in godliness — or God - likeness — becoming more and more like Him.
Peter gave us a step - by - step strategy for growing in love, and therefore God - likeness, from a small seed of faith. Listen to how he explains the process:
By his divine power, God has given us everything we nee d for living a godly life ... We have received all of t his by coming to know him ... 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. 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, and knowledge with self - control, and self - control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. (2 Peter 1:3 - 9 NLT)
This is how we prosper our souls. And as our souls prosper , we will live in health and prosper in every other way . (See 3 John 2 AMP)
What is the fruit in your life from having gotten all of the junk out of your soul?
What evidence would you expect to see after having cleansed your mind from toxic thoughts and your soul from debilitating attachments?
•What is different about you as a result of the 40 Day Soul Fast?
•How does a life lived from a detoxed soul look--and how will you keep it that way?
Isaiah 58:6 - 8 MSG:
This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed; cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)