HOSEA: A LOVE STORY

  The man coming into town was certainly not afraid of crowds but the one he encountered now he simply preferred to steer clear of. He was well known and widely respected yet he walked today with a hint of dejection. Heading in a direction which would take him around this particular event it seemed his shoulders always felt heavier when he witnessed another one of his people selling themselves for whatever unfortunate reason.

However just as he was about to turn completely away from the heart wrenching scene, something, someone caught his eye. A bit of familiarity! What was it? He must, as much as he loathed the idea, step closer to see what it was that had arrested his attention.

He could hear the chant of the auctioneer and the coarse phrases he used as he described explicitly the benefit of purchasing this particular individual. His description of the men was no less crass than that of the women.

Where was that face Hosea had caught a glimpse of from across the square? The keepers herded the unfortunate people worse than cattle, often times snapping a whip to make a point though one was seldom used for it was sure to drastically reduce the price but it did serve its purpose of setting the slaves into motion. Somehow she had disappeared into the midst of the mayhem. He drew closer even though the sights and sounds, not to mention the scent of this place nauseated him. He was certain she would reappear sooner or later.

 He did not have to wait long. She must have been taken to an area in the back so she could be moved onto the auction block quickly for it was only a short time before she was shoved roughly out for all to see.

 Those who stood close to Hosea looked to him for just a moment as they heard the distinct sound of a gasp for air, an intake of breath which let them know he had surely been startled by what he saw. Their eyes quickly returned to the block though for they definitely did not want to miss this spectacle.

 Before them stood a woman, if one could call her that. She more closely resembled some animal. One noticed her hair first, It was certainly unkempt, the length and thickness of it only helping to make her look worse for it hung about her head and face matted in places and sticking up in others revealing the fact that it had not been washed or combed for quite some time.

 One could not see her face for she kept her head down as if terribly shamed. When the auctioneer, determined to get the best he could from this sorry specimen, took her chin in hand and forced the head up it was as though he wished he hadn’t. One noticed her eyes first; they were dark and sullen and seemed to speak loudly of perhaps the life she had lived.

 There were smudges on her face and Hosea wondered that the caretakers were not more meticulous in making sure at least that her face was clean. His heart lurched within him and his stomach became even sicker, as he realized this was not dirt or dust, but rather bruises, most likely put there by some abusive patron.

 She was robed in a simple straight garment and it was apparent that she was way too thin. As she groped to keep the scant cloth about her one could see upon her hands nails that were partly long, partly broken. Those that were long were filled with filth and more resembled claws or talons like one would see on a bird of prey.

 Hosea was forced to watch and listen as the auctioneer tried to convince the crowd that this would be a worthwhile purchase. The degrading remarks about her bodily potential cut him to the quick and when the man yanked up her arms causing the cloth to fall away from her body, exposing her for all to see, Hoseas’ heart could take no more and he was forced to turn his eyes aside.

 What was it that caused this man, a prophet of God to remain at this particular auction block even though he detested these events? His mind began to race back in time and he saw a beautiful young woman; her hair partially done up around her head with barrettes and babies breath while portions of it fell softly about her shoulders revealing the length and texture. Her face shone with exuberance and vitality giving her the look of one who had just adorned fresh makeup, yet her color was genuine. She was clothed in a beautiful gown, and one could see she was a woman to be desired right down to her dainty little feet which bore a beautiful pair of sandals.

 She was about to become his! Her name was Gomer. God had sent Hosea to find her. He was ridiculed and scorned by his peers and colleagues, for what man of God would go down to the house of a harlot and choose a prostitute to be his wife? But God had given him explicit instructions. This was to be a lesson for his people and Hosea was an obedient servant.

 She was only seventeen yet she was not innocent. Having been raised in this atmosphere she had learned well from example and had already began her trade. It had never occurred to her that she could be brought out of this lifestyle and taken into another. Yet here was this man, respected by all and he wanted her to be his bride! What an unexpected break for her!!!

 They were wed and she had been content for a season. She had born him a child and Hosea had called his name Jezreel for already he could see that his marriage was becoming scattered. She bore another child but this one was not recorded as his nor was the third and before long she was gone. The life of a prophet’s wife had been too dull and meaningless for her so she had returned to her old habitat and habits. At one point she had realized the life of a prostitute held nothing but hurt and degradation and had found her way back to Hosea but again she did not stay for long.

 Something about the old lifestyle and, the old habits kept drawing her back. It was as though she had a monkey on her back and she could not shake it off. Even though she had watched this lifestyle ruin her mother and others like her she continued on in this path of destruction.

 Now here she stood on the auction block prepared to sell herself to the highest bidder for she had gone so low that she could no longer sustain herself by selling her body.

 Hosea knew he must look up, once again, for he could hear the auctioneer begin his chant. As he did so his eyes met hers and she recognized once more the love that this man had poured out upon her and continued to give to her even in her time of folly. She wanted to look away in shame but could not as she wondered how he could keep giving when she had given him so little in return?!

 Hosea had very little with which to make this purchase yet he was willing to give his all even though it was apparent these buyers were not particularly interested in this outcast. They felt she had been used up and would be of little good to them but Hosea knew that under the dirt and grim there was still a lovely lady with much potential. He put in his bid of fifteen pieces of silver and one and one-half homers of barley. The seller obviously felt he would surely get no better offer and so roughly shoved Gomer into Hoseas’ outstretched arms. She was now his again! He had taken her to himself in love at first and now redeemed her from this lowest state. Wrapping his warm cloak about her and taking her arm in his he walked away holding his head high paying no heed to those scoffers around him who felt surely he had paid much too high a price for this outcast.

 Even as Hoseas’ cloak covered Gomer’s cold and emaciated body so does God’s love cover us and his blood washes away all traces of sin when the world may consider us useless.

You may be wondering “Where am I? and “How did I get here?” But the question you really should be asking is “Is there a way out?”

THE ANSWER IS

YES! YES! YES!

Taken From the book of Hosea &

Isa 52:3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

THE PRINCE OF “PEACE”

This past week I began on Monday to contemplate and seek God as to what He would have me to share with His people on this Sunday before Christmas. Almost immediately my mind began to turn to those who are close friends as well as casual acquaintance that I had come across over the last few days that were filled with anxiety and some even seemingly despair; stressed out as to what the Christmas season held in store for them as well as the coming year.
I began also to think about the fact that statistics say that there are more suicides at this time of year than any other and that the money spent on sleeping pills, nerve pills and anti-depressants will literally sky-rocket.
In sadness and grief of spirit my thoughts came to the conclusion that we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, including those of us who are Christians, yet we have forgotten or fail to take into account the fact that one of the names given this one who was born would be “The Prince Of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
What is a Prince? He is first of all the son of one who walks in supreme authority thus this son carries that same authority with him. The writer of Colossians exhorts us to “let the peace of God “rule” our hearts” (Colossians 3:15). When one is ruled by another he is in complete submission to the same. This word “rule” means to direct, control, decide, or determine. Therefore if peace rules my heart I submit to the same letting that peace decide what direction I take and control my actions and attitudes.
Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee” (Isaiah 26:3) and Paul said, “The peace of God that passeth all understanding shall “keep” your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:7) The Greek word “keep” here means to guard and or to prevent “hostile invasion”. How often do we allow the enemy to invade our thoughts and minds and try to take possession of the same leaving us in a state of despair? This happens because we fail to let Peace be the guard of our soul (mind, will, and emotions).
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Why then do we allow our hearts and minds to be overcome with anxiety and fears, doubts and confusions, and frustrations that lead us to near despair?
And exactly what is peace? One word that comes to mind is tranquility. I think of a pool of water, cool to the touch, refreshing to him that is thirsty, and a haven to those who chose to sit on its banks and drink in the calmness that it brings to their spirit.
In this day which we live where folks are concerned about what is to happen in the future we would do well to consider that Isaiah said, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)
Peace can also be seen as the absence of fear and this is possibly the biggest one for most people. They receive Christ as their Saviour but He is not Lord of their life for he is not allowed to rule neither their hearts nor minds. They continue to want to hold on to that position themselves.
Granted this can be and is difficult at times and I was to be reminded of this lesson first hand one more time before I was allowed to teach it to my congregation that morning.
On Saturday as we were wrapping up the final rehearsal for the Christmas program presentation scheduled for the next evening, in the excitement of seeing it come together and one of the cast having had to leave before hand I decided to play his role; that having a part which called for an exit at a slight run. However my haste brought me unexpectedly and certainly unplanned literally to my knees, in particular the left one.
I continued with the last minute details and preparation although as the evening progressed I realized the limp that I had tried to hide to the others was becoming more and more pronounced. When we finally called it a night and got home it was quite a shock to find upon observation that my knee was swollen two and one half or three times its normal size. Although I am not one to by and large be shaken, this brought a gasp from my lips as I realized that I had done way more damage than I had dreamed.
I found my way to a chair fully intending to remain there until bedtime however a sudden burst of pain at a slight movement brought me to tears. This pain refused to leave and at the thought of what I could be facing my heart began to be overwhelmed within me. I felt Gods spirit began to tug at my heart to pull up these scriptures that I had been meditating on over the last few days.
He will keep me in peace, let peace “rule” your heart; He will give peace that passes understanding… These are things that can be easy to quote but difficult to abide by when literally the pain that is in ones body is more than one feels that he can bear. And adding insult to injury my mind raced madly as I realized that my husband was not going to be able to move me and we were definitely going to have to get me some help and an ambulance would put a real dent in our finances since we were not covered by insurance not to mention the cost of a hospital stay.
Although I could not say I was as “cool as a cucumber” I knew that God was in control of this situation and His peace would rule my heart. And this HE did. A bumpy ride to the hospital with ambulance attendants casting glances at each other concerning a blood pressure that was way too high and that brought back memories of the loss of a grandson a little over two years previous did nothing to alleviate the fears that tried to invade my heart.
No, I was not able to avoid the ambulance trip or the hospital visit however God did not promise us an absence of storms only that He would see us through them and that with peace if we will only let “The Prince of Peace” rule our hearts.
He spoke to the disciples and told them to cross over to the other side sending them right into the storm but this he did knowing that the plan He had for them would strengthen their faith. And when the storm arose He did not leave them alone but when they called out to Him He simply said, “PEACE BE STILL”. Were they calm during this chaos? No, the Bible said they cried out in fear but did he rail on them? No, he simply spoke to them, “Oh ye of little faith” and calmed them in their storm as well as calming the storm around them. (Mark 4:35-40)
How many of us belittle the disciples at this point? “How could they have doubted? Didn’t they remember the miracles he had just done right before their eyes? Yet how much has our Heavenly Father done for us and still we doubt and allow fear to overwhelm us instead of letting “peace” rule when troubles come our way?
Has everything concerning that fall I took been taken care of? Am I walking just fine now? Have the bills that were accrued during this incident been paid? No, no, and no! Is my heart at peace? Yes, yes, yes! How can that be? I have not been able to put any wait on this leg for days. I have had to learn to walk with crutches and watch my family work themselves overtime taking care of what I should be doing especially right here at Christmas. I will not be able to go back to work for quite some time and the doctors keep saying you need to see a specialist.
So how can I be at peace? I cannot tell you. Paul said it is a peace that passeth understanding. If I could understand how it works then it would not be His Peace. However I can tell you how this peace comes. It comes by following the words of Peter, “casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you”. (I Peter 5:7) and by crying out, “Lord be merciful and hide me under the shadow of thy wings until these calamities be past” (Psalm 57:1) and knowing that He will do just that.
May the God of Peace bless you and yours abundantly not just during this Christmas Season but throughout the coming year as you place your life in His hands and let him truly be the “Prince” of Peace that rules therein!

Betty Miller

THE OUTCOME OF OBEDIENCE
Deuteronomy 28:1-14A few centuries before Christ a man named Alexander conquered almost all of the known world using military strength, cleverness and a bit of diplomacy. The story is told that Alexander and a small company of soldiers approached a strongly fortified walled city. Alexander, standing outside the walls, raised his voice and demanded to see the king. When the king arrived, Alexander insisted that the king surrender the city and its inhabitants to Alexander and his little band of fighting men.
The king laughed, “Why should I surrender to you? You can’t do us any harm!” But Alexander offered to give the king a demonstration. He ordered his men to line up single file and start marching. He marched them straight toward a sheer cliff. The townspeople gathered on the wall and watched in shocked silence as, one by one, Alexander’s soldiers marched without hesitation right off the cliff to their deaths! After ten soldiers died, Alexander ordered the rest of the men to return to his side. The townspeople and the king immediately surrendered to Alexander the Great. They realized that if a few men were actually willing to commit suicide at the command of this dynamic leader, then nothing could stop his eventual victory.

Are you willing to be as obedient to the ruler of the universe, Jesus Christ, as those soldiers were to Alexander? Are you as dedicated and committed? Think how much power Christ could have in our area with just a portion of such a commitment.
(James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 102-103.)
Someone once asked Dr. David Cho (pastor of largest church in the world )
What is the key to your great success? His reply was very simple “I pray and I obey”

The Outcome of Obedience to God will always bring blessing!

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalms 84:11

7 blessings that obedience to God will acquire for you:

#1) ACQUIRE THE FREEDOM:

In Acts 16:16-30 we read an account of the power of God demonstrated through Paul and Silas. They were slapped in jail for setting a demon-possessed lady free. She brought in a great deal of revenue to her owners by fortune telling.
With the demon gone, no more prophe-lying! Paul & Silas received a terrible beating for their act of kindness and were slammed into jail! So they got mad at God and everybody right! WRONG! Instead, they held a worship service in the middle of their suffering!

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

Just think of the blessing obedience brought! THEY WERE MADE FREE BY THEIR PRAISES TO GOD! Not only were they set free, but even the criminals around them were free! Captives were set free because of obedience! Verses 27-30 shows us that our obedience can win the lost!!

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Not only was the jailer saved, but his entire family were saved! WHY, BECAUSE OF OBEDIENCE!
Here is the command that they obeyed. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
THANKFULNESS IS A COMMAND TO BE OBEYED……. REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE OR TRIAL! We have to learn the power of thanksgiving to God.

#2) ACQUIRE THE FIRE:

THE FIRE OF THE HOLY GHOST CAME BY WAY OF OBEDIENCE
Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The fire of the Holy Spirit that fell that day fell upon the obedient believers, and is still spreading fire throughout the world!
Ac 5:32 “and we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

According to the Word of God, there are measures of the Spirit imparted to those who strive to obey God. The measure of God’s Spirit given to us is in direct connection to our obedience….
John 3:34 “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (another version states that the Spirit was given to Christ “without limitation” There has never been anyone ever come close to Christ’s obedience to the Father!

We have to learn to receive the Holy Spirit in its fullness, and live in its fullness daily and we do that by obeying God!

#3) ACQUIRE THE FAITH:

All of us are on different levels of faith. How many wants to move up another level in your faith walk with Christ? Our level of faith is directly connected to our obedience to God.

Matthew 8: 9 “For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”
Obedience is clearly a key to great faith. You want to have GREAT faith? OBEY GOD! Understanding and submitting ourselves to authority is imperative. It is crucial to our level of faith. Let’s look a little further.

1John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
The reason that our heart condemns us is because the law of God written on our heart reveals disobedience. God doesn’t condemn us. Our heart condemns us. It does not say that God condemns, it is our own heart. Thank God that He is greater than condemnation. He convicts us to bring us near to Him! The only reason you get under condemnation is because you didn’t respond to the conviction. Conviction is a good thing. Conviction is to the soul what pain is to our body. It’s an indication that something is wrong.
Jesus lived his earthly life and did great miracles BY FAITH. HE DEPENDED ON THE FATHER FOR EVERYTHING HE DID. The Scripture teaches that He had great confidence or GREAT FAITH in God.

Prayer & Fasting

Matthew 6:1-18 

3 things here that are written in the scriptures that are not merely mentioned, but they are spoken of as if there is no doubt that you will give to the needy. I want to look at each one briefly just for a moment.Jesus first spoke of the Pharisees’ giving to others. We must know that righteousness is not primarily a matter between a person and others, but between a person and God. So one’s act of righteousness should not be demonstrated before others for then his reward should come from them. The Pharisees made a great show of their giving to the needy . . . in the synagogues and on the streets, thinking this would prove how righteous they were. But the Lord said that in giving one should not even let his left hand know what his right hand is doing, that is, it should be so secret that the giver readily forgets what he gave. In this way he demonstrates true righteousness before God and not before people, so God in turn will reward him. One cannot be rewarded, as the Pharisees expected, by both man and God. Jesus then spoke about the practice of prayer, which the Pharisees loved to perform publicly. Rather than making prayer a matter between an individual and God, the Pharisees had turned it into an act to be seen by men—again, to demonstrate their righteousness which actually became as self-righteousness. Their prayers were directed not to God but to other men, and consisted of long, repetitive phrases. Jesus condemned this type of practice. Prayer should be addressed to the Heavenly Father, who is unseen; it is not “to be seen by men.” Jesus went on to present a model prayer for His disciples to follow. This prayer is commonly called “the Lord’s Prayer,” but it is actually “the disciples’ prayer.” This prayer, which is repeated by many Christians, contains elements that are important for all praying.
Matthew 17:14-21 When Jesus returned with Peter, James, and John they found the other disciples where a crowd had gathered because a man with an epileptic son had sought healing help from the nine disciples. They, however, had not been able to drive out the demon that possessed the boy and caused his epilepsy. The boy’s epilepsy had caused him much suffering and physical danger; the convulsions even caused him to fall uncontrollably into the fire and into the water. Jesus asked for the boy to be brought to Him, and He rebuked not only the disciples but also the entire crowd for their lack of faith. He immediately drove the demon out of the boy and he was restored and completely. When the disciples inquired why they had not been able to heal the boy, Jesus said their problem was their little faith. Even a small amount of faith, as small as a mustard seed, is adequate to move a huge mountain, assuming, of course, that the “move” is in God’s will. Nothing is impossible with God.

Throughout the New Testament you find where lack of faith hindered the work of God from going forth. Their problem would be lack of faith. But it would also be failing to seek the direction of God in the situation. What he was saying here is that His Word would be sufficient to produce the desired healing but the act of fasting would add great faith and an intimacy with the Lord through prayer. When prayer and fasting is combined, there is no limit to the works the disciples could accomplish, following His will. Something supernatural happens when you mix prayer and fasting together. You can multiply the effectiveness of prayer by disciplining our flesh to fast.Why should we fast? What is the purpose in fasting?
1. We fast in order to be in obedience to Jesus’ teaching. (Matt. 6:16-18)
2. We fast to demonstrate our dependence upon God. (James 4:10, 1Cor 9:24-27)
3. We fast to demonstrate repentance from sin (and to intercede for others who need to repent). (Jonah 3:5-10, Daniel 9, Nehemiah 1)
4. We fast to receive God’s wisdom and direction. (Acts 13:1-3, 14:21-23)
5. We fast to receive deliverance in times of crisis. (2Chronicles 20). Having the right tool, and knowing when to use it, is critical to the success of a building project. When a carpenter goes to build a building, he arrives, with a truck full and toolbox full of tools. He’s got an air compressor he can hook onto a nail gun which makes putting in nails a snap. He’s got a table saw, a circular saw, a “saws all”, a jigsaw. When he’s in the middle of his project, he knows from experience which tool to pull out and how to use it. On the other hand, my set of tools include one circular saw, a hand saw, a hammer,. Imagine if I were to try and do the job with just these few tools. It might be possible, but I’d waste a lot of time and effort. It would be silly. But imagine how silly it would be for the experienced carpenter, who possesses all the right tools, to leave them in his truck and pick up my tools and go to work. This would be ridiculous
This is exactly what the majority of Christians do when it comes to their prayer life. God has given each of us a powerful tool to use in order to increase our effectiveness in prayer, our spiritual power, and our ability to know God’s will, but most of the time we “leave it in the truck” and try to muddle through life on our own. What is this tool? Why should we fast? 1. We fast in obedience to Jesus’ teaching. (Matt. 6:16-18)

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives some foundational teaching about some activities that he assumes will be a part of the life of his followers. Matt. 6:2 “So when you give to the needy…” Jesus then follows this with instructions about how to give in the proper way. From reading this scripture, we can assume that if you’re a follower of Christ, you will give to the needy. No problem, we know this. Matt. 6:5 “And when you pray…” Jesus follows this with instructions about how to pray in the proper way. From reading this scripture we can assume that if you’re a follower of Christ, you will pray. No problem, this is normal.
Just a few sentences later, however, Jesus mentions a third discipline of the Christian life:

Matt. 6:16-18 “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

So from reading this scripture we can assume that if you’re a follower of Christ, you will fast. Wait a minute, isn’t that something for “religious fanatics”? Isn’t that a bit “legalistic”? No. Fasting is for everyone who follows Christ. It is a tool God has given us to increase our spiritual power and help us communicate more intimately with God. And if we don’t make use of it, we are not only going to be missing out on much of what God wants to do in and through us, we will be disobeying Jesus clear instructions. So we fast, at the most basic level, just because Jesus said so. But what good does it really do? What’s the point?

2. We fast to demonstrate our dependence upon God. (James 4:10)
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
There are many ways we can demonstrate our humility before God, but choosing to go without food for the sake of spiritual things is one of the more practical ways. When a person fasts, it will not be long before the tummy starts to say “feed me”. That physical urge to eat is a test when you’re fasting. Will you do what your flesh is urging you to do, or will you rely upon God for his strength? Fasting is a very tangible way to teach our minds and our bodies that we do not have to gratify the urges of our bodies. We CAN say “No” when our body calls for food. And when we do this, we demonstrate to God that we are his, and that we are more needful of his righteousness, of his power, of his wisdom, of His direction, than we actually need physical nourishment. We need more of HIM then we do food!

Fasting is a way for us to discipline our bodies for the spiritual battles God needs us to fight. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul mentions this need of physical discipline in the spiritual battle: He compared this life to a race. 1Cor. 9:24-27 (NIV) 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. As an athlete will train their bodies for physical contests, fasting trains our spirits for spiritual battles. 3. We fast to demonstrate repentance from sin (and to intercede for others who need to repent). (Daniel 9:3-5, Jonah 3:5-10)In the book of Jonah, the story is told of the prophet Jonah receiving instructions to take a message to his arch-enemies the Ninevites. Jonah’s response is an incredible story, but I want to focus on what finally happened when Jonah got there and pronounced God’s coming judgment upon the people of Ninevah. Jonah 3:3-10 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh.… He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.” The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

God planned on wiping out these people, but when they turned to him with fervent prayers accompanied with fasting – God changed his mind and saved them! It is one thing to pray, “Lord I’m sorry for what I’ve done.” It is something else to deprive yourself of food and plead with God for him to have mercy upon you for the sins you’ve committed against him. Such a fast is called for in situations where you or I face a sin that constantly ensnares us. If we are willing to pay the price of fasting and praying, we can have deliverance from that sin. A decision to fast in such a situation demonstrates to God that we are truly serious about our repentance, and that we sincerely long for new life in that area. But sometimes fasting is necessary on behalf of others who need the mercy of God in their lives. In the books of Daniel and Nehemiah we can read about times when great men of God fasted and prayed for God to relent from his judgment upon the people of Judah. In Daniel 9 & Nehemiah 1—- During these times these men understand that God has every reason to bring judgment upon the people for their sin, yet they plead with him for mercy and to smile upon them once again. Likewise, there may be times when we will need to pull the tool of fasting out of our prayer toolbox in order to intercede for our nation, our community, our church, our group, our friends, or even people in our family. When it becomes apparent that our routine prayers for these situations are not having an effect – there is something we can do to “turn up the power” in our prayers – and that is to fast for these people or situations that so desperately need the touch of God. So we fast to demonstrate our dependence upon God and our intercession for other people. But there are more reasons in scripture why we should fast.

We fast to receive God’s wisdom and direction. (Acts 13:1-3, 14:21-23)
Acts 13:1-3 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Here the early church was blessed with prophets and teachers gifted with the ability to lead the church – but instead of relying upon their own gifts, we find the leaders of this church fasting and praying to God for wisdom about how to proceed as a church. It was only after they had paid the price of fasting and praying that God revealed to them what the next step was to be – that they should send Barnabas and Saul off as missionaries.
Then, in just the next chapter of the story, we’re told how it is that Saul (now called Paul) and Barnabas went about setting apart leaders in the fledgling churches that had been started.
Acts 14:21-23 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”They appointed elders in each church by prayer and fasting. By this I understand that they would have spent time fasting before making their decisions, seeking God’s wisdom as they fasted. But it also seems clear that they fasted in preparation for the time that they actually “committed them to the Lord”. By doing this, the Apostles demonstrated to God that they needed the power of the Holy Spirit to guide their decisions. They disciplined their bodies in order to hear more clearly from God and in order to set apart these new leaders with Spiritual power.When we need wisdom we should fast which will focus our minds upon whatever situation we’re praying about. Every time we desire food, we should pray for God to speak. Instead of sitting down to a meal, we get away with the Lord and ask him to reveal his will – and then we wait!5. We fast to receive deliverance in times of crisis. 2Chronicles 20). 2 Chronicles 20:1-14 “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” This expresses the heart of someone who is facing a crisis and endeavors to fast and pray for God to bring deliverance.When the diagnosis is bad news we focus on God! When our nation is at a crisis point like an election we focus on God! When our family is facing a crisis we focus on God! These are times for fasting. These are times to go beyond our normal routines of prayer, and determine that we need to have God’s intervention in our lives much more than we need food.David Yonggi Cho pastors the largest church in the world (believed to be the largest church in history) – over 700,000 members! He and his staff have such a belief in the power of prayer and fasting that they rarely counsel people. If someone comes to them with a great problem or urgent need, their standard answer is, “go to prayer mountain and fast and pray for three days”. If they return with the problem still unmet, they tell them to go and fast and pray for a week. (Then for ten days/then for forty days.) They do not think it possible that a person would ever return to them again and not have the problem resolved! It is important to note, however, that fasting is not a “magic” way to make our prayers get answered, or to somehow force God into answering our prayers a certain way. God cannot be coerced. We may still have to go through the difficult circumstance – but the more we are willing to fast and pray through the process, the more we will be rewarded with the power and the presence of God to strengthen us and give us faith for the journey.

I have also learned in my own times of fasting not to expect God to always show up and provide an immediate answer to the situation I am fasting about. Quite often the day progresses in quite an ordinary way. But I find, more often than not, that in the days following a day of fasting, I receive wisdom and help and strength and whatever it is I need to proceed.

God has given us a tool for our communication with him to become greater. It is not easy. How exactly it works I don’t know.. But for those who are willing to make it a regular part of their life, history shows that God will unleash power into their lives. So, the next time you need to demonstrate repentance, or intercede for someone who needs to repent, or if you need wisdom or deliverance from a crisis – I encourage you to make a commitment to God to fast and set amount of time – and discover what saints throughout the ages have discovered: fasting is a vital part of the Christian life.

Isa. 58:1–14 – God told Isaiah to shout aloud with a voice like a trumpet and announce the sins of the nation. The people went to the temple, obeyed God’s laws, fasted, and appeared eager to seek the Lord; but their worship was only an outward show. Their hearts were far from God (Matt. 15:8–9). When we worship because it is the popular thing to do, not because it is the right thing to do, then our worship becomes hypocritical.The Jews were commanded to observe only one fast on the annual Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29–31), but they were permitted to fast personally if they wished. They complained that nobody seemed to notice what they were doing. Perhaps they were trying to “buy God’s blessing” by their fasting. Worshiping God involves more than observing an outward ritual; there must be an inward obedience and submission to the Lord (Matt. 6:16–18).If in my religious duties, I am doing what pleases me, and if doing it does not make me a better person, then I am wasting my time; and my worship is only sin. Fasting and fighting do not go together! Yet how many families walk piously out of church at the close of a Sunday worship service, get in the family car, and proceed to argue with each other all the way home!True fasting will lead to humility before God and ministry to others. We deprive ourselves so that we might share with others and do so to the glory of God. If we fast in order to get something for ourselves from God, instead of to become better people for the sake of others, then we have missed the meaning of worship. It delights the Lord when we delight in the Lord.

Prayer

Generic Prayers = Generic Results 

James 1:5, 6

There were two women who lived in the same town. One woman lived on the East Side of town in a brand new home. Two story Brick Victorian style house sitting on 5 acres of ground. Three car garage that housed a Lexus – a Mercedes coupe – and Cadillac SUV. She had two children and a husband. She worked in a large company and held a high position. She worked long days to make big money. Every morning when she Got up. She paused for a second and said “Lord I hate my job.” Went into the bathroom and prepared for her day. Came down to the kitchen where the children were bickering…..and her husband seem oblivious to it all as he read his paper. She whispered under her breath, “Lord why me” She screams a few commands and storms out the door. Her stomach churning her head pounding she gets in her Lexus…slams the door…. and backs out the drive. As she drives to work, a person cuts her off. She mutters, “Lord there are some jerks out here!” She arrives at work – totally stressed and ticked completely off. She gets to her office only to find her secretary has called off sick. “Lord, just let me get through the day.” After many meetings that totally frustrate and many persons who have gotten on her last nerve the work day concludes….the drive home ends…..her housekeeper has prepared dinner….she sits and begins consuming the food….watches the late night news….showers…lays down in bed….and closes her eyes and says “Lord, why is my life so hard.”

The second woman lived west of the tracks. In a small frame home in the middle of what is considered a rough neighborhood. She has five children….no husband….she holds two jobs to try to make ends meet….she uses public transportation or the famous foot travel known as walking. Every morning she rose at 5:00 a.m. kneeling down by her bed – “Lord thank you for another day. Thank you for my children. Keep them safe in the comings and goings. Lord, keep the drug dealers away. Keep the molesters away. Keep accidents away. Keep alcohol away. Keep their minds stayed on you. Keep them focused during class so that they may receive scholarships to attend college. Lord, thank you for this home….keep my lights on that I don’t have the money to pay for right now. Keep the landlord away until my child support check comes in the mail. Lord anoint my cabinets so that my children will not go hungry. Lord thank you for the jobs you have given me = and I will continue to give you the praise and honor by tithing and praying and worshipping you continuously. This I ask in Jesus name. AMEN!”

She gets up prepares for work. She goes into the kitchen to prepare breakfast “Thank you lord for the food in this pantry that you allow to nourish us” She scrambles some eggs and fries some potatoes. The children awaken to the smell of food – as they enter into the kitchen the woman closes her eyes and says “Lord thank you for the children…allow the anointing to be upon them”

When she leaves for her job…she says, “Father, keep me safe on my journey” as she waits for the bus and the woman next to her begins to curse her out…she closes her eyes and says “Lord allow your peace to reign” and the cursing woman goes away. She arrives on her job and the boss is ranting…she closes her eyes and whispers “Lord your will be done…just give me strength to endure” and the bosses words had no effect. After leaving her second job she had nothing to cook === she began thanking God for the neighbor who brought over some stew.

After dinner she read her bible with her children then prepared for bed. Before lying in her bed, she knelt and thanked God for all that had transpired during the day. Asked for safe passage through the night for her and her family. She thanked Him for allowing her lights to stay on and the landlord to stay away. She thanked Him for the child support check that was coming. And she laid down to sleep.

One prays generic prayers and the other prays with specifics. One prays out of pity – the other prays with power! Listen to me…when you pray a prayer that is generic in content, such as…Lord send me a financial blessing….Lord bless me and my family…..Lord give me a new job. Well, $50.00 when you needed $5000.00 will make you mad. A blessing can be just allowing you to wake up….and a new job might mean Mickey “D’s” if you don’t ask for something in particular. Somebody in here today is going through something….and your thought is “well, God is all powerful and all knowing so he already knows what I want.” Well just like any parent…he is simply waiting for you to ask him for what it is you need. When your child wants a pair of tennis shoes – he or she ask you – and if they don’t tell you what type and you buy the wrong brand – your response would be “well you didn’t say so.”  Well, God is saying the same thing to us when we pray generic prayers and complain about the generic results….Prayer is communicating with God! Communication is the key. It is the opening of the door or window of our blessings. The releasing factor of the grace he bestows upon us. Prayer is a mandate and yet a privilege. But a prayer without particulars is impotent. A prayer that is weightless is useless.

A generic prayer gives generic results!

In order for your prayer to have substance you must first get to know him. Isaiah 55:6 tells us to seek him – in other words we must find ourselves in his presence. Do things that are pleasing to him. Because if we don’t know him – how could we be confident enough to believe His word, “ask and it will be given – seek and you will find – knock and the door shall be open”. If we don’t know God – how could we be confident enough in our petitions to believe that if we go to him he will answer! Once we get to know him we must watch and pray as Matthew 26:41 says….meaning don’t allow our sinful nature to block the blessing God is trying to give. We must pray for the empowerment of the Holy Ghost so that we may withstand temptation. So that our prayers are not petty but powerful. So that our prayers are not meek but mighty. So that we don’t pray generic prayers to receive generic results.For once you commune and fellowship and you now know him. We can be bold enough in our prayers to believe Philippians 4:6 that we don’t have to worry about a thing – but simply be in prayer – but in order not to be fearful – our prayers must be purposeful.

A generic prayer is also one done without faith or trust or hope. You know – “Lord please take away this desire to smoke this cigarette or eat that extra pie or cheat on this test or talk back to my mom or dad or hit that crack pipe but in the back of your mind you are thinking I wonder if they really are going to increase the price of cigarettes or If I can get away with cheating on this test – or what remark will get the desired reaction out of mom and dad or what time my crack head partner is coming by. These things nullify the prayer.

If your prayer is not sincere or earnest it is generic!

You know just like some generic medications don’t do the job well generic prayers don’t get the job done. You know how some generic clothes wash out in the laundry…well, generic prayer gives washed out results! But when you are confident in whose you are and you believe that because he said anybody who calls upon the Lord shall be saved. And because you are saved you are now reconnected into the family. And because you are a part of the family, and your daddy is rich and your big brother is the one who rescued you – it should not be difficult to believe that since all things come from Him – all you got to do is ask!

Generic prayers cause one to become disillusioned, whereas powerful prayers allows us to shout!

“Why should I feel discouraged! Why should the shadows come. Why should my heart feel lonely. And long for my heavenly home. I don’t have to because Jesus is my portion – and he is a constant friend to me. And since his eye is on a sparrow……providing for its needs, then I know for a fact that my needs are provided for because He watches over me!

So after we pray a prayer of power for that job that allows us to attend church on Sunday morning – we can sing because we are happy. After we pray that prayer of power for the Lord to keep our sons and daughters safe from harm – our mind are at peace so we can sing because we are free. Because we pray a prayer of power to a God that sits high but looks down low with a great faithfulness – we can say His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me! Generic prayer – so many people wonder why their prayers go unanswered. Well, examine the type of prayer. Examine the context of the prayer.

Self edifying prayers are generic.

Prayers for the demise of others are generic prayers. Prayers for selfish reasons are generic prayer. But when you pray to God purposefully – thanking him first for what he has already done. When you pray to God faithfully – asking for forgiveness of the sins you have committed. When you pray to God trusting – that he can do anything but fail. When you pray to God believing – that he is an on time God. When you pray to God in earnest – recognizing him as the great I am! Then generic results will not be the reaction to the action of your prayer.

Imagine if Jesus while hanging on the cross didn’t say forgive them father for they know not what they do….but instead said well Dad…maybe you can forgive the ones down here who kinda stood up for me if you want to, but if you don’t – I understand! He would have nullified our salvation. But He taught us how to pray and he instructed us to do so with faith. But if you ask in generic terms you will get generic results. 

So ask what you will of the father. I promise you it will not be in vain.