Sunday, November 25, 2007

Fasting

Today, we begin a corporate fast for those of Victory Fellowship who desire to see the Lord manifest Himself in a greater way. James 4:8 says that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. We must make the first move.

From this time of fasting, let’s expect to receive from the Lord boldness to witness in a fresh way, and a greater manifestation of spiritual gifts in the body of Christ.

Below, I want to reprint what I wrote when the Lord impressed me to have us enter a corporate fast together. This is from November 15th:

During our worship time at our Wednesday night service, I believe the Lord spoke to me to call our church to a corporate fast. The purpose is for the Lord of the harvest to send us as laborers into the lives of unbelievers. And for boldness to come upon believers and for the Lord to manifest Himself in sign and wonders as He confirms the preached Word!

We’ll begin the fast after the mid-day meal on Sunday, November 25th and will conclude on Wednesday, November 28th, during the 7:00 PM service with communion together.

For fasting to be effective, we must spend the time in prayer and the Word that we would have been preparing food, cooking, eating, and cleaning up. Fast as much as you can. Some will only be able to once a day; others can fast the entire period. Be practical and do what you can. Kids must be fed, and business must go forward during the fast.

There have been prophecies from folk like Smith Wigglesworth, Lester Sumrall, and Kenneth Hagin that agree with the book of Joel that in the last days before Jesus’ return there would be a great moving of the Spirit. Though it’s been good, I don’t believe that we’ve seen the full manifestation of what God wants to do!

Notice Mark 16: 20: And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

I believe it’s time for us to expect and believe God for the BEST that He has for us in our day. Jesus could come back at any time, and it’s time to allow Him to do all He desires! The only thing holding Him back is us! We must believe, pray, and expect the Father to show Himself strong!

Don’t forget that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood! Satan opposes the purposes of God and would seek to keep the church sedate and comfortable so that won’t seek more. But it’s a bluff! The church of Jesus Christ is the only force on earth that has authority over Satan and his forces. He knows this and seeks to keep us from being aggressive! So let’s rise up on the offensive and believe God for salvations, healings, deliverances, and freedom for those around us who are bound.

I’m going to leave you today with these scriptures:

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:29-33). And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch (Acts 5:12).

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:12-14).

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