Fasting & Prayer 08.13.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday August 13, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book Isaiah. Please read Chapters 58-63 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2058-63&version=9

Today we will read and learn about true fasting; sin, confession, and redemption; the future glory of Jerusalem; the day of vengeance; and God's loving kindness toward Israel. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we need to really think about what we are praying to God and the steps we take in order to have our prayers answered.

Our prayers and fasting are effective only when our attitude and our relationship with others unconditionally expresses the mercy and love of God. God knows our real motives and intents when we fast and through Isaiah explains the incorrect and proper way in which to do so. "Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward." (Isaiah 58:4-8).

God reveals that fasting is not a way to impress the world of hpw religious they were, but a way to break free from the bondage of sins as well as seeking refuge when one is full of burdens or ill. Fasting brings us closer to God and helps us to put others before ourselves, we are to go about our day helping others and use the time when we are hungry to meditate on God's Word and prayer.

Jesus stood in the synagogue in Nazareth and read these words, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound (bruised);" (61:1 See Luke 4:18). He is the Promised Messiah, Son of David, the Savior, the Redeemer of the world. Unto Him the Spirit was given without measure and He is the anointed of God.

Like captive slaves, we are by nature in bondage to sin, to the flesh, and to the world. Christ has come to proclaim liberty and to break the chains of the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual captivity to all who will repent of their sin, be born again, and then follow Him as Lord of their lives.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed as the One anointed to preach Good Tidings (Isaiah 61:1). Jesus read this passage to the rulers of the synagogue (Luke 4:16-22) but stopped before the completion of the second verse, thus showing that, although He fulfilled the first part, the second part, the day of judgment was yet to be fulfilled.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Teach me to pray and if there is any evil in what I am asking please reveal it to me. Watch over me, guide me and help me to know Your Will for me. Give me peace and comfort and help me to stay faithful to learning Your Word and applying it to my walk here on earth. Lord, also help me to seek You in all that I do and to follow You as the Lord of my Life. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day!
God Bless,
Christina

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