Motives for a fasted lifestyle

Matthew 6:14-18

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
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."

We have already learnt that fasting is one of the most important aspects of a Christian walk. In the scripture above, it is evident that Jesus expects us to live a fasted life. That alone tells us that there is a secrete in fasting. Jesus does not want us to waste our time and effort fasting without reaping the benefits. Our motive when fasting matter and Andrew has summarized it very well in the devotional of 4/07/12

http://www.awmi.net/devotion/jesus/mar_07

I have done a lot of fasting and I encounter many people who use fasting as a means of cleansing. Many isolate physical fasting from fasting for spiritual benefits, which neglects the soul. What I have learnt through experience is that you reap more when you combine the two because we are spirit with a soul, living in a body. A physical fast without renewing your mind with the Word of God does not produce lasting results. It is always best to feed your spirit and renew your mind as you train your flesh.

Even when cleansing, the main motive should be to honor God with my body and soul. In other words when I fast, my first and most important motive should be to humble myself before the Lord, get more sensitive to Him; sharpen my ear so that I may hear His Word and the voice of the Holy Spirit; hearken and do!!!!!! That really means let the Holy Spirit take over every area of my life. This brings my body under subjection to the Word and will of God.

As Andrew advises us, we should glorify and exalt Jesus in everything we do.

Please share your experience or concern on fasting.

Listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit

Psalms 119:105

Oh how we need to stay focused on the Word and be sensitive to the voice of God! He speaks to our hearts all the time and if we pay attention to our conscience we will not miss it. On Wed. 4/4/12 around 8 pm., I almost lost my life in the heavy rain as I drove from Jonesboro to Alpharetta. There was no sign of rain in Jonesboro before I left. But due to a warning in a small voice, I called my son in Alpharetta to check if it was raining over there; he said there was no sign of rain.

It normally takes me about 45 minutes so I set off to go (without checking the weather forecast for downtown). 20 minutes later, it was raining cats and dogs as I drove into Atlanta. It was so dark and raining so hard I could not see anything and it was dangerous to pull to the side. I kept on calling  on the name of Jesus and commanding the rain to subside as I drove blindly following the rear lights of the car ahead of me. This heavy rain contued for a good 40 minutes.

I praise God for His protection and love. If this warning had come from man, he would have said; "I warned you and you didn't listen." But not our compassionate Father. He kept me safe and surprisingly there were no accidents on the road. When I reached Alpharetta, it was dry and just cloudy.

God knows best. Everything He does, everything He says, is for our good because He loves us. We must learn to renew our minds so we may hear His voice more clearly and follow His instructions more closely. The lesson I learnt on Wednesday will last me a lifetime. It is vital that we practice listening and following the voice of God, even in what seems to be a small thing.

Please listen to Andrew Wommack on "Discover the keys to staying full of God" especially this week which is on hardness of heart.

http://www.awmi.net/tv/this_week

http://www.awmi.net/devotion/jesus/apr_06

Are you protecting your teeth?

Among the many things we take for granted in life the health of our teeth is high on the list. There are some very basic things we can do to promote the longevity of our teeth. Almost every one of us brushes her/his teeth daily but do you know that the frequency, when you brush them, what you eat and what you drink all have tremendous effect on the health of your teeth? In other words, a healthy lifestyle will take you a long way as far as your teeth are concerned.

1. Cleaning: brushing, flossing and rinsing
2. Nourishing; What are you eating? Processed foods are not recommended for haelthy teeth
3. Are you drinking good quality water? Soft drinks like sodas, most juices and carbonated water may  damage your teeth

Be of good courage

How exciting and uplifting that 2012 has been declared the year of fulfillment! Yet some of you are already discouraged due to past experiences. Don't you know that the enemy's attacks are designed to produce discouragement? Stay focused. We have a Word of encouragement from God in Isaiah 41:10. Be of good courage. What God has promised will come to pass. Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Remember delay does not mean denial. Give thanks and be patient, as you walk in faith.

The Word says; “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Look to Jesus in you. You don't have to look to yourself or to focus on the circumstances. Once you identify your vision, your goals and the steps to take, focus on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

Are you off track for your 2012 vision and goals?

You are not alone. Can you imagine a whole month off 2012 is already gone? How are you getting on with your resolution for 2012?

Some of the questions flooding my mind are: What have I done so far? What does God want me to do now? What do I want to do for the rest of my life? After some self searching and spending more time in the Word, and listening to the Holy Spirit, my pressing passion to be healthy and to help others maintain a healthy lifestyle is still on the fore front. I must admit though, I have been a bit lax; absorbed in other things, procrastinating, while taking for granted the vision God gave me! And how costly this can be in time and energy! The good news is that you can start once again.
God might have given you a different vision, completely unlike mine. That is alright since each of us is unique. We have diverse assignments and different visions and passions. But remember, living a healthy lifestyle and protecting your health is one of the basic requirements for achieving your vision. A sick body and a sick mind will not bring out your best.

And though your spiritman is whole (if born again), you have a soul and you live in a body. In order to maximize your health, your soul needs to consistently align with your spirit as you put your body under subjection to the Word of God, .

Roman 12:1-2. If you are to accomplish what God wants you to do or what you want to do for the rest of your life, regardless of your passion, some of the goals you set should focus on feeding your spirit with the Word of God daily because it is only your spirit that directly communicates with God. This will help you to:

• Renew your mind so that it may line up with your healthy, well fed spirit 
• Be a good steward as put your body under subjection to the Word and will of God
• To glorify God with your soul and body

Investing time to plan for your health will take you a long way to accomplishing your life’s assignment. The secrete of your future is hidden in your daily routine. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to lead and guide you through life, dwells in you. 1 Cor. 6:19-20

If you have any challenges or advice regarding vision and goals for 2012, please share them with us.

Protection is better than cure verses prevention is better than cure

The most asked question from my readers and friends is “Why didn't you call your book "Prevention is better than cure? After all it is a more familiar saying than protection is better than cure.”
First and farmost, I believe that my assignment is "protection rather than prevention". As we examine the 4 main differences between protection and prevention we find that:

Protection is proactive while prevention is reactive.
Protection preserves what you have or focuses on what you want and prevention fights against and focuses on what you don’t want.
Protection is positive but prevention is negative.
Protection focuses on health but prevention focuses on sickness and disease

Though there is nothing wrong with prevention prevention, always remember, whatever you focus on is what you get. You are what you think. Proverbs 23:7 says: “For as he thinks in his heart so is he.” Job said that what he feared most had come to pass.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” Amplified

Our loving Father wants us to focus on the truth, the good things He has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are advised to think and speak the truth. God’s Word is the truth. It is life and health. This is what Jesus came to give us and that is what we should focus on; His protection for our health, spirit soul and body.
Focus on your health. Thank God for it.
Prevention calls for too much effort. while protection is from God Himself. Our part is to walk in fath and enjoy His grace and mercy.

We are more than conquerors through Christ

Colosians 2:13-15


Satan has no power. He exists but his powers were stripped off him by Jesus Christ our Lord. His powers were overcome. He was made a spectacle,  like a stuffed animal in a museum. He still exists but powerless. If we know this truth, we won’t allow him to feed us on his lies or deceive us into failure. Satan is like a bully. Bullies don’t have guts. They just try to intimidate and make others think they are strong and powerful.

When we study the Bible we see how he was defeated. Read Colosians and see how Jesus defeated and made him a spectacle. Jesus is sufficient for us. In Him we have everything. In him we are more than conquerors.
However, if you submit to Satan he will play his games on you. If you stand up to him in the Word he will flee.
He has no power about anything unless you give it to him. We give him credit that he doesn't deserve. Yes, there is a battle but the war was won and the battle is not the one you think. Most Christians think the battle is out there, but the battle is in your mind. See Eph. 6:10-17 and James 4:7 “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.” Many of us do the opposite and thus give Satan the tools he needs!

Is there an area in your life you have let Satan dominate? Remember, Satan is not in charge of the situation, you are. Mark 11:23 Check your communication. Who are you talking to? What are you saying about the situation? What are you meditating on? Eph. 6:10-18

More at  http://www.awmi.net/tv/this_week