"It's because you are fasting to please yourselves." Isaiah 58:3b
Fasting, what a topic to start our week. Commentaries are written about it. Books are published on the subject. People have differing opinions on what fasting is and what fasting is not. Today's post is not to debate the subject. Scripture clearly tells us in Isaiah 58 the kind of fasting the Lord wants and the kind of fasting He does not want.
My mind quickly went to a New Testament scripture which points to the fallacy of the Israelites behavior.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
All that we do should point others to the Lord. The Israelites were demonstrating their fast. Literally, wearing sack-clothes and ashes. These typically were worn as a display of sorrow, grief, and repentance. When they were worn, everyone knew the purpose. The Lord accuses them of going through the motions, trying to being humble. The purpose of a fast is be more closely in touch with the Lord and to identify those areas of our live that don't reflect Him.
Jesus shares more insights on His expectations in Matthew's gospel.
Our display, if it were, should be for His splendor. The prophet speaks of such a display in Isaiah 61. When we fast to please the Lord, displaying His splendor will become as natural as breathing.
Jesus shares more insights on His expectations in Matthew's gospel.
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-4
Matthew 6:1-4
Our display, if it were, should be for His splendor. The prophet speaks of such a display in Isaiah 61. When we fast to please the Lord, displaying His splendor will become as natural as breathing.
7 Comments:
Wendy, very interesting to me that you would write on "Fasting" today. On the weekend I was reading some blogs, and one of them was Karen Ehman's. She wrote 3 posts, starting June 15th on fasting and how the Lord called her to go "cold turkey" from her Internet and the lessons she learned.
Further down in the Matthew 6 passage it says, "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." (vs.16-18) May we always adopt this spiritual discipline for the right reason and may we do it secretly and sincerely.
The verse that struck me today was "Among the living, we are like the dead." Isaiah 59:10
Is this verse convicting anyone other than me?
We can pour our life into so many things to provide a living, but is it providing a life? We can work so hard to live, that we don't actually get to live.
Dead. No longer showing any characteristics of life. Physically inactive. Not circulating or flowing. Not surviving in active use. Numb.
Does that describe anyone's existence?
At the end of a day...what have you done? Are you living? Really living? Or, are you going through the motions?
I heard the other day that life should not be an apology, but a statement. What statement is your life making? Mine is only a whisper right now. Needing to live out loud.
I personally don't feel like I'm accomplishing anything right now. At the close of each day I look back over the past hours and wonder...Lord, what have I done? A little cleaning and cooking. A little writing. A trip to visit my dad. Feeling lost and directionless, I want to have purpose and passion. I feel like life is passing me by. Other's are on grand pursuits, but among the living I am like the dead.
There was only One man who was born to die, yet look how He lived.
Needing more life in my living,
Joy
Good Morning!
Wendy, I loved your statement, "All that we do should point others to the Lord." That is going to be carried with me all day long!
Today, I was drawn to the beginning of chapter 59. I so badly want to be in His Will. Walking down His path, and doing what He desires,- not following my own agenda! I don't want anything to separate me from His voice.
59:1 ”Listen!” That word in itself got my attention! God loves us so much that He warns us about the actions that He does not want us to do. “it’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (59:2)
The last place I want to be is separated from God. How can I keep the wall of separation from dividing me from God?
1. Talk to Him daily about the sin on m heart.
2. Ask Him to show me the sin.
3. When He reveals any sin, confess it right away.
I have gotten in the habit of asking God every morning during my prayer time to show me, if there is any sin on my heart. Humbly, I seek Him in this area, because I know it’s there! In His goodness, eventually, he brings it to light. Sometimes it is something someone says; many times it is through a verse that I have memorized in earlier months. Sometimes I will choose a verse to memorize for a particular reason. But, the part that opens up with the sin, is another part of the verse! Then my heart is warmed as I remember His ways: “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine,” Isaiah 55:8.
Every time he reveals the sin to me I’m in awe all over again. That He would take the time for me! That He would be paying that much attention to me! As he speaks to me, I feel closer to Him in relationship. It’s that close-feeling relationship I’m after.
Dear Lord, I so badly want to live each day pleasing You. Thank you for warning me when there is sin on my heart. I do not want anything to block my prayers by causing you not to hear them. I want to walk in peace on your straight and narrow path; show me when I begin to take the crooked road! Thank you for always listening to me. Amen.
Praying for you Wendy, for the Proverbs 31 Team, and for all of you blessed sisters traveling this weekend! Hugs, Lori - AZ
Some time ago our church had a series of speakers that were actually just “regular folk” from the roster of our membership. Well, I guess in my eyes, they were not “regular fol!.” They stood out because they were doing phenomenal things. They were serving God in big ways. They were living out God’s Will and at the same time, getting lots of TV recognition, etc. I was excited listening to them, thinking, wow, at one point in their life they were just like me; not doing much. Then, God placed a dream on their heart and they went for it! As I pray-walked, I began asking God to give me a purpose in my life! I felt like you Joy, I felt a bit like all I was doing was taking care of everyone else, and keeping a tidy house! (Ouch, I think that’s what we are meant to do! Less of me.) But, gradually, over time, God began to speak to me in volumes. I prayed this simple prayer everyday. Lord, What is my purpose in my life? He showed me in so many different ways what He desires from me. It's not to be famous. It's not to be necessarily in the lime-light doing something really important... but,
1. To be a witness for God. (Isai 44:8) and
2. To do what God created us to do:
To give Him Glory in everything that we do. (Isai 44:7)
He’s continuing to enlighten me on this which is amazing, because as he does it I’m so much more fulfilled just doing the little ordinary things. Taking care of my husbands needs, my kids, my extended family, my neighbors, my friends…He’s given me so much pleasure knowing that what I’m doing every single day puts a smile on His face. Maybe one day my daily activities may not be so mundane, maybe one day He’ll have me doing something else to bring Glory to Him. But, for the meantime He (and only God can do this!) is giving me so much pleasure as I serve those around me.
Dear Joy, you do this every single day. You my friend are precious in God's eyes. The secret is rejoicing before the LORD in everything we put our hands to.
Joy~as your beautiful hands made by God himself, type, you place beautiful words for all of us to read! You bring God's scriptures alive. You glorify Him everyday by diligently serving us with your writing and sharing the talent that God gave to you! You bless my day, dear friend!
Lori - AZ
Each morning, it is always a blessing to feast upon what each of you bring to the table.
Wendy, I enjoyed your comments on fasting. It is always good to be reminded that in "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God". One can take this and really run with it in depth...the way we talk, dress, take care of our family, etc. There is so much to think about here.
Joy, there is so much you are accomplishing right now. I enjoy your honesty in how you feel. I enjoy your input each morning as we read through the Bible and make it applicable to our lives. Your ministry to your family and friends is much bigger than you think.
Lori, I enjoy reading what you bring each morning, also. The more I yearn to grow into what God wants me to be...I feel there is always something lacking. You have inspired me to ask Him each day to reveal the sin in my life. I certainly want to break down any barriers between me and my God.
"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily!" by Zig Zigler .....lol, isn't that a hoot!
Thank you girls...all of you. You are always a breath of fresh air, an inspiration and great dose of motivation. I look forward to hearing from the rest of you today.
love,
nancy
I have to agree and empathize with all the posts this morning.
We just had an Christian Education Summit at our Church and our group leader said that if we connect every thing we with doing so for Jesus, even that which we call mundane, simple or daily routine we do so for God's glory. There is no such thing as an unimportant task.
She said in her church no wants to wash the communion linens so she takes them home to wash them... but as she does so...she thinks about what Communion actually represents and how her washing the linens is a part, a small part, but is what she is giving to it to bring Glory to God. The communion linens are ready for the next "supper".
As she does dishes, she continues, to see how water is connected to God in sacred ways...Noah's Ark and the rain, Baptism and the use of water and is able to do her daily dishes for the Glory of God.
I really liked those thoughts she shared...connecting all I do with Jesus and doing so for God's glory.
How many jobs do you do around the house that no one seems to notice as you serve your family.
How many jobs can you think of at Church that are done and we don't even know who is responsible for doing them they are just done quietly.
But in all that we do God knows... and really isn't that what is important.
There is so much value in both the quiet angels/saints and the loud angels/saints as long as the things being done are for God's glory and not our own.
Perhaps Joy God is calling you to stretch beyond your comfort zone...I judge you seem to feel it, you seem to know it. Anything you can think of holding you back? Praying for you that God's purpose for your life is revealed soon.
Am I right in judging our purpose changes and evolves as we grow in our relationship to Christ and what He teaches us on our faith journey that has both peaks and valleys? Also I judge our purpose changes as we move through each season in our life.
In my experience there seems to be that lull time inbetween seasons where we may feel alone and searching perhaps in the valley for that new purpose from God. For me it was most noticeable as my children moved into their season of young adulthood and I kept trying to keep them young. Or perhaps get out of the habit of doing for them the things they are now able to do for themselves.
I don't know about any of you but I sure feel I grow so much through those valley times.
It's not that I enjoy walking thru the valley, I just know now that there is always hope to get to the other side where His Son is shining brightly...and I begin to see growth in knowing the lessons learned.
If I may say Joy I judge you are on the cusp of breaking free and living! Words of encouragement for you as you continue seeking.
Love from Debbie in Illinois
I didn't even touch "fasting" in the last post! Probably because I link it to earthly things like weight loss. I love the taste of food and enjoy eating. It would be a real sacrifice for me to fast and do so for the Glory of God...for spiritual fasting and time with God. I am in need of prayers for changing my mind set, attitude, switching my physical hunger for a satisfying spiritual hunger for fasting.
Anyone else out there like me?...it's lonely as I type this confession of sorts.
I also wanted to share a God moment of sorts with you. I have had three major ones in a row that I will have to share with you all sometime. But yesterday my husband and I seemed to be majorly misunderstanding one another. It became frustraing to both of us as we misread each others statements. Mine for some reason was taken as a critizism of him when in actuality they were more of what I saw lacking in myself...and it happensed vice versa as well.
Well anyway we planned to visit one of our Church members in the Hospital who is very ready for HOME, her eternal home. As we visited with her as much as she was able and prayed with her, before we left, it became a very emotional moment for both my husband and I. You see this women is in the process of dying while her husband is in a nursering home not able to walk or hear very well. They have been married for 61 years. Both of them still have their minds. She was most conscious of the fact she was mixed up and confused at times...(I'm judging from the morphine perhaps to ease her pain.) but their bodies are not able to be there for one another physically. They both yearn for one antoher and wished they could serve one another in their times of need. She mentioned yesterday that here she thought he was going to heaven before her but it looks like she will get their first...and that she was ready to go. Dave and I both had tears as we walked out of her hospital room hand in hand.
As we walked to the car I looked at him and said it really doesn't matter...our disagreement we had before we came to visit. In the scheme of eternity and life here on earth with one another we get so out of shape about such little things. It was as if all of it had been stripped away and we were able to simply come to our "hearts sense" to say I love you inspite of our differences. They really just don't matter in the scheme of things.
Praying God's blessings upon all relationships out there...and remember what really matters as we look upon the Lord and eternity. It's not about us it's about Jesus!
Heavenly Father, I lift up Wendy and the leaders, other speakers, prayer warriors and participants in this coming weekends "She Speaks" Conference. I have never experienced it myself but am so desiring to. It sounds so very wonderful...a time of growth spiritually, emotionally and Your purposes realized. Enrich each of their lives with the presence of your Holy Spirit. May it be a weekend that lifts your spirit within and stirs the souls of all..even those of us who are at home or elsewhere desiring to be there. In Jesus name I pray Amen
Love from Debbie in Illinois again...LOL
If all of you sisters knew how you lift my heart every morning as I read first Wendy's devotional, then everyone else's comments! I don't post often, but read everyday. Joy, reading your comments today was like reading what I might have written. Then all of you encouraged her so much, and that encouraged my heart, too. I covet all of your prayers as I strive to grow in God's grace, and to find MY place in His will.
Reading with all of you this year, and reading all of your comments has been the highlight of my year...(well, and my 9 mo. old granddaughter who is already walking!)
The verse that some of you quoted is one that I have posted at our campground. "Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I Cor. 10:31. We have an alcohol-free campground and canoe rental, and I thought it was a very appropriate verse to have up. As people leave our campground, on the backside of our sign is "John 3:16" just the reference...hoping it will cause someone to dig out their dusty Bible and look it up. There are many quiet ways that you can witness without saying anything.
Everyone have a good night. Can't wait to read what everyone writes tomorrow. Some days...like today and on Saturdays, it is evening before I get to get on the computer, but I take my Bible with me to the campground so I can read if there are any quiet moments, and a number of people have commented about it.
Jan TN
Post a Comment
Home