Have you ever wondered what it means to fast? In Isaiah 58:6, the prophet offers us some valuable insight into the essence of true fasting.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”
In other words, genuine fasting goes beyond abstaining from food or specific activities; it involves actively seeking justice, liberation, and freedom for others.
Seeking Justice and Liberation
Isaiah’s words remind us that fasting is not simply about personal sacrifice; it is a powerful act of compassion and social action.
When we fast, we align our hearts with God’s heart for justice and mercy. It’s not enough to refrain from food; we must also actively work to “loose the chains of injustice” and “set the oppressed free.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)
True fasting involves being a voice for the voiceless and using our influence to bring about positive change.
Breaking Every Yoke
Isaiah’s call to “break every yoke” highlights the transformative power of true fasting. A yoke represents any form of bondage or oppression that weighs people down.
Through fasting, we can actively participate in breaking these “spiritual” yokes and bringing freedom to those who are bound.
Our fasting should be a catalyst for transformation, both in the lives of others and in our own hearts.
As you reflect on Isaiah 58:6, remember that true fasting is not merely an individualistic practice but an opportunity to make a difference in the world.
May your fasting be characterized by active love and genuine concern for those who are oppressed. Be an agent of change, breaking every yoke and bringing freedom to those who need it most.
Romans 8:34 offers us a powerful assurance and reminder of God’s unwavering love and care for us.
“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
This verse paints a beautiful picture of Christ’s role as our advocate and mediator before God.
When it says, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one,” it means that no accusation or condemnation can stand against us because Christ has already paid the price for our sins through His death and resurrection.
He triumphed over sin and death, and now, He sits at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. He stands as our defender, reminding us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
This verse is a source of great comfort and encouragement. It reminds us that even in our moments of weakness or when doubts arise, Christ is there, advocating for us.
He knows our struggles, our shortcomings, and our deepest needs. He intercedes for us, presenting our case before the Father, and assures us of His constant presence and support.
We can take solace in the fact that we have an advocate who loves us unconditionally and is actively working on our behalf.
In Matthew 6:6, we find Jesus’ teaching about the importance of prayer and the manner in which we should approach it.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
He encourages us to go into our private rooms, close the door, and pray to our Heavenly Father in secret. This verse reminds us of the significance of cultivating a personal and intimate relationship with God through prayer.
Jesus’ instruction to pray in secret is not about hiding our prayers from others, but rather about creating a sacred space where we can truly connect with God without distractions.
It is in these moments of solitude and vulnerability that we can pour out our hearts, share our deepest concerns, and seek God’s guidance.
This kind of prayer allows us to experience the presence of God in a profound way and strengthens our relationship with Him.
By emphasizing the private nature of prayer, Jesus highlights the authenticity and sincerity that should characterize our conversations with God. We are invited to come before Him with humility, honesty, and transparency, knowing that He sees and knows the depths of our hearts.
In this intimate exchange, we can find solace, encouragement, and the assurance that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers according to His will.
As you embrace the practice of private prayer, remember that it is not about performing or impressing others but about deepening your connection with God. In the quietness of your private space, freely express your thoughts, emotions, and desires to Him who loves you unconditionally.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
These words of Jesus remind us that we can come to God with anything and everything, and He will answer us.
Asking, seeking, and knocking require action on our part. It’s not enough to just sit back and wait for things to happen. We must take the initiative to come to God with our needs and desires, and trust that He will provide.
So, whatever you may be facing today, know that you can come to God in prayer and ask Him for help. Seek Him with all your heart and mind, and trust that He will guide you and lead you on the right path.
Have you ever felt the weight of a burden or faced a challenging situation where you needed prayer support and guidance?
In Matthew 18:19, Jesus shares a powerful promise when He says,
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
These words remind us of the power of united prayer and the assurance that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people.
Jesus emphasizes the significance of agreement in prayer, highlighting the importance of unity within the community of believers.
When we come together in agreement, our prayers become a powerful force, not because of our own abilities, but because we invite God to work in and through us.
As we navigate life’s challenges and seek God’s guidance, remember the promise Jesus gives us in Matthew 18:19; come together in unity, supporting one another in prayer and agreement.
Through this collective faith, we can experience the transformative power of God working in our lives, bringing healing, provision, and wisdom.
As we journey through life, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of the world around us. We are constantly bombarded with noise, distractions, and busyness, and it can be challenging to find a moment of peace. However, the psalmist reminds us to be still and know that God is God. (Psalm 46:10)
In our stillness, we can find a deep sense of peace and connection with our Creator. It is essential to take the time to quiet our minds and hearts and to focus on the presence of God in our lives. When we do this, we open ourselves up to receive the love, guidance, and wisdom that God wants to impart to us.
As we go about our daily lives, we should remember to take moments of stillness to reconnect with God. Whether it is through prayer, meditation, or simply being in nature, we should seek out these opportunities to be still and know that God is God. By doing so, we will find that we are better equipped to face the challenges of life with grace and strength.
Let us take the psalmist’s words to heart and embrace the stillness that allows us to connect with our Creator. As we do so, we can rest in the knowledge that God is, and will be, exalted among the nations and in the earth.
We are pleased to announce that our Pray Upside Down – 15 Week Bible Study has officially been published by Abiding Line Publishing and is now officially available on Amazon.
We have updated all Scripture verses to the NASB (New American Standard Version) and added a few graphics, and made some slight modifications to the original lesson plan.
God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!
As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!
This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.
You will head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
You will search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
You will discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!
We frequently get perplexed in this crazy, upside down world.
The ramifications of sinful, power-hungry world leaders can be brutal, unloving, and harsh! Coupled with the unforeseen outbreaks of disease, famine, and death can quickly cause even the stoutest of individuals to lose heart.
Yet, even in the midst of these daunting circumstances, we are reminded that God is still here; we have not been abandoned. His plan of redemption is still unfolding even as we read these words today!
As the Scripture reveals, even though our heart and flesh fail; God is the strength of our heart, and He IS our Portion forever!
Take courage; lean into the arms of God; trust Him, and let His strength be yours today!
For many years I have been trying to put together a series of Bible Studies designed to help the Christian understand their true position in Christ.
Finally, I have set aside the time and put them altogether, The studies were born out of my own desire to understand the power of prayer, and how this meshes with our relationship to Jesus.
My experience in pastoral ministry took place in rural Pennsylvania; nestled in the mountains of Cameron County, the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
A small community with big problems
Like many small rural communities, the one my wife, Sherri and I served, had its fair share of problems. Having lived in the community for many years, we knew in detail the problems associated with the town; problems of drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide and sexual abuse. These issues were far more common than folks there care to admit.
As pastors in this community, we saw firsthand the hurt and pain the devil had inflicted upon the community, and we began earnestly to pray for the deliverance of this town.
For many years, every Sunday morning, Sherri and I would head to an overlook that provided a stunning view of our little town, and we would pray there.
On one particular occasion, I went alone and began praying over the town; what happened that day would change my life forever!
An encounter with God on the mountain
I stood where I could see the whole town and began praying against the powers and principalities that had been enslaving the people in my community.
Determined to see a breakthrough, I was passionately praying aloud, fists punching at the sky as if pounding on the devil himself!
It was then the most unexpected thing happened; the Lord seemed to draw near, I could sense His Presence, and while I was praying, He asked me a question. To the best of my recollection, here is how the conversation unfolded.
The Lord said to me; “Rock, what are you doing?”
I was somewhat taken aback, it seemed obvious to me what I was doing, so I answered the Lord; “I am praying.”
He said in the kindest way possible; “Why are you praying like that, punching at the sky?”
I was not sure what He was getting at, and I really did not know how to answer, so I responded; “This is how I do it.”
There was a pause, and then he asked me another question; “Rock, where are you?”
I am getting even more confused now, and all I could do was to say; “I’m here, Lord!” There was another pause, and then He rephrased the same question,
“Rock, spiritually where are you?”
I responded by saying, “I’m with you, Lord.” It was then that the Scripture from Ephesians 2:6(And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus) came rushing to my heart.
The Lord asked me again; “Rock, where are you?”
I responded; “I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms” What the Lord said next would forever change my life and ministry!
The Lord said to me; “Rock, stop praying with your fists pounding at the sky, as if you were fighting an enemy that you are in subjection to. Start praying from your true position in Me.
God taught me to pray Upside Down
Instead of praying with a down-side up mentality, pray from the up-side down; from the heavenly realm where you are seated; the battle is not over your head, but is under your feet.”
Wow, stunned by what had just taken place, I realized that much of my prayer life took place without recognizing the authority with which one could pray.
I learned that I do have authority and that I can pray expecting powerful answers. That day on the mountain changed everything!
It was out of this encounter with the Lord on that mountain, the idea of Praying Up-side Down and consequently the name of our ministry; Faith Up-side Down came to fruition.
The Faith Upside Down Bible Study Series will help you to understand the truth of who you are in Christ and you will discover the powerful position you have, and your prayer life will take on new passion and power!
It was early in my pastoral career; I was serving two small community churches about 16 miles apart. I received a call from a woman at one of the churches. The woman told me that a friend of a friend, heard of a family in the community, whose mother was in critical condition at a local hospital; and would I go see her.
New to ministry, and wanting to be a good pastor, I said that I would go. I put on my pastor suit, grabbed my Bible and headed to the hospital. I was ill prepared for what I was about to encounter.
When I arrived to the hospital, I asked for the room number of the ailing mother. I approached the room with a great deal of anxiety; not knowing what to expect.
The door was open, so I gently entered the room, standing in the doorway. I saw about 8 people in the room, and an elderly woman in the hospital bed. She was on life support; a respirator was helping her breathe; I could tell she was not long for this world.
When the family in the room turned to see who I was, they recognized I was a preacher; two of the teenage granddaughters, burst into tears and ran out of the room past me. The rest of the family just looked at me, not saying a word.
I began to stammer a bit, as I struggled for something to say. I told them that a friend of a friend of theirs had mentioned to a friend of mine, the situation regarding their mother and I thought I should come . . . awkward silence ensued!
As I stood there, in that tongue-tied, odd moment of indecision, the Lord took action; the power went out to the entire hospital! The room went dark for about 30 seconds; which seemed like an eternity.
The magnetic doors to all the rooms slammed shut; the poor woman on the ventilator began to choke and gasp for air, alarms were going off and the family in the room began to panic!
The whole power outage was short lived, but it created quite a stir; the nurses came bursting into the room, caring for the elderly woman; resetting the alarms and making sure she stabilized.
When the pandemonium calmed down; I whispered, “Lord, You don’t ever have to do that again . . . I know what I need to do and why I am here.”
I went to the bedside of the woman and I took her hand. I could not tell if she could hear me or not; she never once opened her eyes. I told her that I was a pastor who came to pray for her. I began to tell her how much Jesus loved her, and that she needed to trust in Him right now.
I shared a little more about Jesus, and then I asked if she was trusting in Jesus right now; at that instant, she gripped my hand hard, an indication to me that she heard everything I was saying, and that she was indeed trusting in Him.
I told her that if Jesus comes to her soon, that it is all right to go to Him. I said a prayer for her, and then quietly left the room.
The next afternoon, Jesus came to receive her and she went quietly with Him.
The family, none of whom attended any church, called me to see if I would do the funeral for their mom, since I knew her. I graciously accepted the request with honor. I began the funeral service by telling the very same story, I just told you!
God helps us in our walk with Him, going to extraordinary steps, to getting our attention. He got mine that day, and reminded me that I am on a mission to let people know, sick or not, that He is near, He loves them, and wants them to follow Him . . . It is that simple!
The recent senseless destruction leveled against a gentle Christian congregation has left our nation stunned. Tremendous questions that are difficult to answer emerge?
Why would God allow this to happen?
What motivates a person to be so full of hate that they would do such a thing?
The tragic way that death comes; whether at the hands of a lone deranged lunatic, or a band of Isis fighters, causes us to recoil. The level of hatred and evil is intense today, and according to Jesus, will be on the increase.
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold . . .”(Matthew 24:12 New International Version)
When these questions come to mind, we find the answers are fleeting. So, the Christian responds by doing what they have been instructed by their God to do, and that is to pray.
We call out to God asking Him those questions; we call out to God for extra grace to forgive those who would harm us. We call out to God on behalf of those who have suffered heart-wrenching loss. We call out to God!
Our public, prayerful response, often brings a swift and heartless rebuke from people who have no faith, no God, and no hope.
We are mocked on account of our faith, our prayers, and our forgiving heart. Pundits take to the stage and scoff at our backward, silly ways. They shout out
“Where is your God?” Where was He when the man came and shot up the church? Where is your God now?
Those who are faithful to Christ know exactly where God was and what He is doing. He is on a mission to redeem a broken and fallen world. We know that those who have come to Jesus by faith are redeemed, rescued and brought into the family of God.
These rescued ones have been given everlasting life and at the moment of death are immediately in the presence of God Himself.
So, what are we to do about the ugly attacks on our Christian character and our foolish praying to an unseen God? I have seen dozens of Christians take to Facebook and other social media platforms and they enter into a debate; trying to reason with those who would mock them. It is really quite unfruitful to do this.
I have witnessed some Christians become defensive and rude, even getting crude in statements to those who would condemn their faith.
Jesus reveals how we should react when we are mocked and ridiculed on account of following Him, and it is quite different than what I see taking place today.
Jesus said something amazing about this . . .
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(Matthew 5:11-12)
The word Greek word “agalliaō” which we translate rejoice, literally means to “jump for joy.” So when in the course of your journey with Jesus, you are being degraded by a mocker, a hater, or a persecutor, you ought not to feel awful about it; but rather you might consider jumping high and clicking your heels! Go on . . . dance a little!
Go ahead and shout “Praise the Lord” go on and celebrate, because according to Jesus your reward is outstanding!
Persecution, while not pleasant at the time, reveals to whom you truly belong!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
