Is it time?

Everything in life has its time, when you are waiting for God’s plans for you to happen often times it is either because he is testing you patience and how much faith you have in him.

But when you try and make his plans happen before their time, it will not work: Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

It can be hard sometimes to know exactly when God’ plans are suppose to happen. He will tell you when it is time, but it is up to you to be patient and trust in him.

Every now and then I struggle with discerning when God’ plans for me, and the ministry are going to happen, and a few times I almost led the ministry astray, because of foolishly trying to make his plans happen in my own strength or understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

The Bible says not to lean on your own understanding but even that is difficult sometimes because your mind will often argue with your spirit man, especially when Gods plan doesn’t make sense.

But something you must always remember is your spirit man is never wrong and when your mind argues with your spirit man it is always the Devil trying to separate you from God, so that his plan can fail.

If you trust in the Lord and in his plans, lay aside your pride, and let your spirit man be first instead of your own understanding. Then Gods plans for you will succeed, and you will prosper.

Psalm 125:1 Like Mount Zion are they who trust in the LORD, unshakable, forever enduring.

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Trust in him and you will not be put to shame. Do not rely on your own strength, but say, ‘Lord in my weakness may your glory be seen.’

Fasting

Fasting is something I finally was able to experience; the first thing everyone has to know about fasting is that it’s not about you, it is about God and the time you spend with Him.

You don’t just choose what your going to stay away from, God tells you what He needs you to avoid until your fast is over.

That means you cannot just choose the one thing u rarely do and say that is what your going to fast. God usually chooses the one thing you can’t stand to give up.

For me it was the Internet, I had spent so much time Online that I almost forgot my Real Life goals and purposes. The most important was that I had forgotten to spend time with God.

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some, or all food, drink, or both for a period of time.

An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day (24 hours), or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive, limiting particular foods or substance. The fast may also be intermittent in nature (see: Intermittent fasting). Fasting practices may preclude sexual and other activities as well as food.

In a physiological context, fasting may refer to (1) the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight, and (2) to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting, and some diagnostic tests are used to determine a fasting state. For example, a person is assumed to be fasting after 8–12 hours. Metabolic changes toward the fasting state begin after absorption of a meal (typically 3–5 hours after a meal); "post-absorptive state" is synonymous with this usage, in contrast to the "post-prandial" state of ongoing digestion. A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting (from 8–72 hours depending on age) conducted under observation for investigation of a problem, usually hypoglycemia. Finally, health professionals of most cultures, throughout history, have recommended extended fasting as therapy for various conditions from ancient to modern.

When Followers of the Lord fast, they are suppose to put aside their worldly ways (things that have been put before God) and spend as much time with God as they can, so that he can tell them all that he needs to tell them.

In Joel 2:12 it says, “That is why the LORD says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

It isn’t easy to fast, one reason being it is very hard giving up what you are so accustom to doing. But the main reason is because the Devil will try and stop you from fasting by tempting you at certain moments when you are most vulnerable.

I was tempted to use my phone to get online; it took a lot of prayer and God’s strength not to get online.

Don’t be ashamed if you feel tempted to walk astray from your fast, even Jesus was tempted.

If you read Matthew 4:1-11 it has the full story of Jesus being tempted during his fast.

And now the last thing you should know is, do not fast to make other people like you, respect or adore you more, because that is not what fasting is for.

Matthew 6:16-18

"When you fast, don't make yourselves look sad. The hypocrites do that. Don't be like the hypocrites. They make their faces look strange to show people that they are fasting. I tell you the truth; those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you fast, make yourself look nice. Wash your face. Then people will not know that you are fasting. But your Father that you cannot see will see you. Your Father sees the things that are done in secret. And he will reward you."

We do not pursue the spiritual disciplines to gain us notoriety and respect. They are of value when we offer them to God and go about our daily routine as if nothing were different, except our character. Our character is to be transformed to be more like our Father in Heaven. A fast to God is not about looking like we're fasting on the outside, but that we're being transformed on the inside. That transformation will show itself over time, and in the meantime, the fruit of fasting will be its own reward.

Be on Gaurd!

Has someone ever told/asked you: “You have left a door open to something evil”

“Have you left a door open for the enemy to attack?”

If you have and don’t now what it means, let me explain it to you; when you do something that is not right in God’s eyes, basically anything that your ‘conscience’ tells you is wrong and you do it anyway, then that will open doors to the enemy.

Because the Devil loves it when you disobey God he will wait patiently for you to mess up and when you do he will attack.

INVITATION.

This means that we actually invite him into our lives to set up a stronghold. Whenever, we seek knowledge, or power from the supernatural other than through God, we are giving the enemy an invitation to come into our souls and set up a stronghold. This usually happens when we rebel against God, or authorities over us.

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king" (I Samuel 15:23).

Whenever, a Believer seeks a psychic, or looks to a horoscope for answers, he is vulnerable to the enemy entering into his life. I know of a Christian young man who rebelled against his father and got involved in Satanism. It can even be dangerous going to a "fortune teller" at a church Halloween Party. Solomon gives us a grave warning,

"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" (Proverbs 6:27).

TEMPTATION.

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14). Remember what happened to David. "And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (II Samuel 11:2). It is like what may happen to the man who is going through marriage difficulties. In the midst of the difficulties, a younger and more attractive woman than his wife happens to show up on the scene and opens the door to adultery through flirtation.

IMAGINATION.

(Romans 1:21). "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). A man can in his imagination undress a beautiful woman in his mind, but Jesus warns us about doing so. "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

FEAR, WORRY, or ANXIETY.

We see this clearly in the life of Job. Although Job didn't sin with his actions, or by cursing God. He opened the door to the enemy through "fear". He offered sacrifices for his sons just in case they might have sinned, he had many guards for his possessions, and he was afraid of losing his health. "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came" (Job 3:25-26). Basically, he was saying that he did what was right, but knew it wouldn't do any good anyway. In contrast, Peter states, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:7-8). We have the option either to cast all our cares upon the Lord, or face the roaring lion and he will devour our lives as he roars. He is not toothless as some well meaning preachers have advocated.

This is why it’s important to put on your FULL ARMOR OF GOD!!!

Each piece protects something: The Helmet of Salvation protects your mind from sinning. The Breastplate of Righteousness protects your heart from fear, unforgiveness and offences and keeps you obedient. The Waist belt of Truth of course reveals to you all truth. The Shoes of Peace help you in your walk to follow his lead through the word. The Shield of Faith guards you from the attacks of the enemy, it helps you to stay strong in your faith. And last but not least The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word, it helps you to fight back with the word not your emotions.