The church started it 21-Day Fast today 23 March 2009. Once again we [together with my wife] will be observing the 'Daniel fast' for this period.
Fasting is the voluntary denial of our meals with the purpose of seeking God. The fast helps us to focus on the Lord Jesus, instead of on our daily demands that grab our attention.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline, taught both in the Old and New Testatament. Jesus said in Matthew 6 : 16 "when you fast" and not " If you fast ", teaches us that fasting is part of our spiritual devotion. Jesus Himself fasted (Luke 4 : 1-2)
3 reasons why we fast and pray :
a) It brings a greater intimacy with Jesus and a deeper enthusiasm to live for Him.
b) It reveals our true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance and a transformed
life.
c) It helps us to discipline our human cravings and desires in life.
4 benefits of prayer and fasting :
a) It sensitizes our spiritual faculties to obey what God is doing in our life.
b) It increases our faith as the Holy Spirit quickens God's Word in our heart.
c) It delivers us from every form of bondages and transforms us to be more like Chriist.
d) It empowers us to serve Him as we humble ourselves to be use for His glory.
You are free to fast however the Holy Spirit leads you, and as your heart so desires for Him.
Total Fast
A fast of three days without food and water. It must be done not more than three consecutive days and with the advice of your doctor.
Partial Fast
Abstinence from food but with water. The time frame is of individual's commitment before the Lord. It can be 12 hours, from 7 am to 7 pm or a shorter period from 8 am to 6 pm, breaking for dinner. The number of days is also up to the individual's desires before the Lord.
Selective Fast
Abstinence from meat and other delicacies, and take only a small portion of vegetables and fruits. Some take various kinds of fluids, such as soya bean, broth or fruit juices for long extended fast, like Daniel.
One Meal Fast
It is a sacrifice of one full meal a day like lunch or dinner.
Besides fasting from food, fast from things that distract such as TV, movies, Internet, computer games; including careless words.
According to ELMER L. TOWNS in his book FASTING FOR SPIRITUAL BREAK THROUGH there are at least nine types of fast in the bible.
1. The Disciple's Fast
Purpose : "To loose the bands of wickedness" (Isa. 58:6) - freeing ourselves and others from addictions to sin.
2. The Ezra Fast
Purpose : To "undo the heavy burdens" (Isa. 58:6) - to solve problems, inviting the Holy Spirit's aid in lifting loads and overcoming barriers that keep ourselves and our loved ones from walking joyfully with the Lord.
3. The Samuel Fast
Purpose : "To let the oppressed (physically and spiritually) go free" (Isa. 58:6) - for revival and soul winning, to identify with people everywhere enslaved literally or by sin and to pray to be used of God to bring people out of the kingdom of darkness and into God's marvelous light.
4. The Elijah Fast
Purpose : "To break every yoke" (Isa. 58:6) - conquering the mental and emotional problems that would control our lives, and returning the control to the Lord.
5. The Widow's Fast
Purpose : "To share [our] bread with the hungry" and to care for the poor (Isa. 58:7) - to meet the humanitarian needs of others.
6. The Saint Paul Fast
Purpose : To allow God's "light [to] break forth like the morning" (Isa. 58:8) bringing clearer perspective and insight as we make crucial decisions.
7. The Daniel Fast
Purpose : So "thine health shall spring forth" (Isa. 58:8) - to gain a healthier life or for healing.
8. The John the Baptist Fast
Purpose : That "your righteousness shall go before you" (Isa.58:8) - that our testimonies and influence for Jesus will be enhanced before others.
9. The Esther Fast
Purpose : That "the glory of the Lord" will protect us from the evil one (Isa. 58:8)
HAPPY FASTING AND DO NOT FORGET TO PRAY WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE FREE TIME WHILE FASTING.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Into another stage of life
Last few days were anxious moments for most students after studying and preparing for their examinations like SPM and STPM.
The STPM and SPM results came out on the 10th and 12th of March respectively. Some scored straights A's while others were not so 'lucky'. Some shout for joy while others shout in exasperation. Some cried tears of joy, some cried tears of disappointment.
Well my daughter also went to collect her result after many months of preparation and studying. When we reached the school at 10-00 am, there were already a group of students crowding in front of the alloted classroom. A few teachers approached us and started congratulating us for the good results that my daughter obtained. When my daughter collected her results slip, she was very happy as the Lord had granted the desire of her heart - straight As for all the 10 subjects. ALL GLORY TO THE LORD !
Just as the Psalmist David says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37 : 4
The STPM and SPM results came out on the 10th and 12th of March respectively. Some scored straights A's while others were not so 'lucky'. Some shout for joy while others shout in exasperation. Some cried tears of joy, some cried tears of disappointment.
Well my daughter also went to collect her result after many months of preparation and studying. When we reached the school at 10-00 am, there were already a group of students crowding in front of the alloted classroom. A few teachers approached us and started congratulating us for the good results that my daughter obtained. When my daughter collected her results slip, she was very happy as the Lord had granted the desire of her heart - straight As for all the 10 subjects. ALL GLORY TO THE LORD !
Just as the Psalmist David says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37 : 4
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Everyone receives but not everyone gives
There is good in this world - indeed, there is good. And there is kindness, wisdom and generosity to go with it. When you lump all these God-given virtues together, you get philanthropy - in a nutshell.
Last year, investment guru Warren Buffet pledged more than US$30 billion [RM111 billion] to five foundation starting in the year 2009. The exact percentage of what he will give away is 85% of his Berkshire Hathaway stocks. Whilst the amount is unprecedented in the history of philanthropy anywhere in the world, it is his philosophy about giving that is admirable. Nothing to do with money being a root of all evil but everything to do with it being the route to do good.
Buffet echoes the legendary Andrew Carnegie (1835 - 1919), the late steel magnate who was also a famous philanthropist, that money which comes from society should be returned to society. This brings to mind a quote from J. Herman Blake : Philanthropy is not a matter of the rich helping a non-rich; it's the community extending itself out to the community.
Thus we are talking beyond building orphanages, shelters and food aid for the poor. It's sharing one's wealth with the masses.
Sharing as opposed to hoarding - something we all can and should unlearn in today's materialistic world. It is really up to us to prioritise that which we want to share and the extent of it. It could be money, time or our knowledge and skills with people who need them. Again not necessarily only with the poor.
Luke Chapter 6 verse 38 -- Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This articles is taken from "Teatime Reflections" by Lauren Lim
Last year, investment guru Warren Buffet pledged more than US$30 billion [RM111 billion] to five foundation starting in the year 2009. The exact percentage of what he will give away is 85% of his Berkshire Hathaway stocks. Whilst the amount is unprecedented in the history of philanthropy anywhere in the world, it is his philosophy about giving that is admirable. Nothing to do with money being a root of all evil but everything to do with it being the route to do good.
Buffet echoes the legendary Andrew Carnegie (1835 - 1919), the late steel magnate who was also a famous philanthropist, that money which comes from society should be returned to society. This brings to mind a quote from J. Herman Blake : Philanthropy is not a matter of the rich helping a non-rich; it's the community extending itself out to the community.
Thus we are talking beyond building orphanages, shelters and food aid for the poor. It's sharing one's wealth with the masses.
Sharing as opposed to hoarding - something we all can and should unlearn in today's materialistic world. It is really up to us to prioritise that which we want to share and the extent of it. It could be money, time or our knowledge and skills with people who need them. Again not necessarily only with the poor.
Luke Chapter 6 verse 38 -- Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This articles is taken from "Teatime Reflections" by Lauren Lim
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