Tony Rapu

Author: Charles Iruobe

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The Courageous Fast

The Courageous Fast

PROPHECY Prepare For The Rain

This is what the Lord says: “Lift your eyes and see that which I am about to do. There have been days of strange warfare. There have been days of deep yearnings. There have been long seasons of pleading. But hear the sound of My abundance of rain. Prepare for the heavy rain. Let your hunger for what you hear come as intercession before Me. Birth the new day with Me. You have awaited My cloud to rise out of the sea. Now it will begin to arise. Do not allow the clouds of distraction and disappointment to say My cloud is not coming. Now is the time of My rain. Ask Me for the rain.”

 

THE WORD – Don’t Just Sit There; Do Something!

“Elisha said, “Listen! God’s word! The famine’s over. This time tomorrow food will be plentiful—a handful of meal for a shekel; two handfuls of grain for a shekel. The market at the city gate will be buzzing.” 2Kings 7:1 (MSG)

 

Israel was at war with its neighbor Syria. Samaria, the capital of Israel was under siege from the king of Syria. The siege led to a severe famine. Weeks turned into months. Food reserves ran out and people were starving to death. A donkey’s head and bird dung were selling at exorbitant prices. Things were so bad that people were turning to cannibalism to avoid death. It looked like God had abandoned Israel.

In the midst of the bleak situation, Elisha the prophet gives a word that the economy will pick up within 24 hours. And instead of famine, food will be sold at rock bottom prices. At the time Elisha spoke, there was no indication that anything could happen even within a year. There’s a coming new tomorrow was Elisha’s message. He was announcing a new day and prophesying access into new opportunities.

Four lepers sat at the gates of the city. Leprosy represented a hopeless condition and lepers were seen as outcasts. They were not there when Elisha spoke but destiny was calling out to them just as it calls to us today. They said “why sit here and die?”

To sit is to settle or to rest. They asked; “why live with this situation till we perish?” Then they took a decision that turned their lives around. They arose and moved towards the camp of the enemy not knowing what would befall them. They said; “what’s the worst that can happen? The enemy may kill us but we will die trying.” Let’s do something. Let’s go forward. Leprosy was not enough reason for them to sit and die.

Once they ventured into the unknown, away from the predictable and towards uncertainty, they discovered that God had already taken care of the enemy. The only thing awaiting them was a feast. As they marched through the night, God amplified the sound of their footsteps. The Syrian army heard what sounded like a mighty multitude of soldiers and fled. The lepers arrived at the enemy’s camp to find a great plunder of food, drinks, silver and gold. They returned to the city of Samaria as evangelists, spreading the good news of the mighty breakthrough to the people of Israel.

When a man or woman takes a step of faith, God rises to help them. When the lepers moved, it looked like a step in the wrong direction, but God had gone ahead of them. You never know what God has already done on your behalf until you arise. You may never experience God’s plans for you until you take that step of faith. No one saw the lepers’ march of faith. No one was on the road to cheer them on. But God used their faith to change their circumstances and that of a whole nation.

REFLECTION

Destiny holds a better tomorrow for anyone willing to move by faith today. When we march by faith, we march towards the dream of a new tomorrow.

 

SONG

♬The Anthem by William Murphy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x6PEmTNCw8&feature=youtu.be

 

FURTHER STUDY

2Kings 7:5-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Kings+7%3A5-11&version=NIV

Job 42:1-2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=job+42%3A1-2&version=NLT

Luke 1:37 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A37&version=NKJV

The Courageous Fast

BATTLING DEMONS OF DARKNESS

 

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me… Dan 10:12-13

Daniel had an encounter with an angel while praying about the future of his people. The dominant power ruling the region at the time was Persia. The angel tells Daniel that from the first day of his 21-day fast, God had sent him with answers to his prayer. However, he was delayed because he had to fight his way through the prince of Persia.

The prince of Persia was not a natural prince, he was a demonic prince. Daniel was unaware there was an invisible battle raging over the entire region. The demonic prince that stopped the angel was a territorial spirit assigned to supervise the satanic activities over the Persian empire. His intention was to stop the angel from getting through to Daniel. The angel was coming to announce the overthrow of the Persian empire and to reveal Israel’s future to Daniel.

As the demonic prince of Persia battled the angel, God sends reinforcement in the person of Archangel Michael. Michael withstands the prince of Persia, and the angel escapes. Intense spiritual warfare was raging behind the scenes. The angel arrives at Daniel’s location, delivers his message from God and informs Daniel that on his return, he will still fight the prince of Persia. After that, he will battle another spiritual enemy called the prince of Greece. The prince of Greece was another of Satan’s mighty demonic princes who directed the satanic activities over Greece.

Shortly after, Persia was replaced by Greece as the next dominant world power. We don’t have full understanding of these things, but behind the scenes directing the affairs of nations are demonic spirits. It may be that there are princes that rule over nations and continents. It seems that events that play out in the earth have a corresponding activity in the spiritual realm. It seems like spiritual warfare rages behind the scene at every level of government.

The news we read about on a daily basis is not just a result of the actions of men, but also reflect the battles going on in the spirit. As Daniel prayed, God began to shift things in the realm of the spirit. God was using Daniel to bring about His will on the earth. We need to see that we are not powerless at all and our prayers are part of a great script being played out.

Like Daniel, we are called to be soldiers in the spiritual battle for the soul of the nation. Instability and agitation in the natural are sometimes the result of the intensity of warfare in the spirit. Daniel required 21 days of fasting to get the breakthrough. Warfare over the nation was fought in a real sense by Daniel in the place of prayer. Our prayers are more powerful than we think and resist the spiritual forces opposed to God’s will.

Be encouraged to stay in the place of prayer. As we wrestle in fasting and prayer, we will witness the release of the power of God with increased angelic activity. We will see God’s will unfold in our lives, our families, our church, our nation and our world.

 

SONG

♬Made A Way by Travis Greene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimVg0OMGvA

 

FURTHER STUDY

Dan.10:14-20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+10%3A14-20&version=NLT

Psalm 2:1-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+2%3A1-6&version=NKJV

Ephe 6:12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A12&version=NKJV

The Courageous Fast
The Courageous Fast

The Courageous Fast

PROPHECY – Wake Up The Warriors!

I hear the Lord say; Wake up the mighty men and women of war. Let them draw near and I will anoint their shields for war. This is a war for you to regain that which was lost. It is for you to take grounds that I have desired but you are yet to enter into. My anointing will bring healing, restoration, and a setting free of those taken captive. The enemy is at war but I anoint you because I have great and mighty victories designed for you. The territory I have designed will come to those who would be of good courage.  Set your mind to be an Army of Courage. My warriors will run towards the sound of battle. I will give you courage to thrive even in the intensity of conflict. Do not be discouraged by opposition or trouble. This is the time to know who you are, Who has sent you and understand the power of My kingdom that you represent. I call out a warrior generation. They will be provoked to action by the evil strongholds that hold men in bondage. They will not live for themselves but for My kingdom.

 

 

THE WORD – Fight For Your Family!

“Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.” 1 Samuel 30:19

 

Ziklag was David’s home while he was on the run from Saul. It was a little town on the outskirts of Philistine country. David and his men returned from a trip to see their town plundered. A band of Amalekite militants had raided the town and looted their homes. Their houses were set on fire and women and children kidnapped. How terribly devastating it was to the great warriors to discover they had no home nor family on their return.

 

This is a current strategy of the enemy to distress God’s soldiers. Manipulating the home front becomes an indirect means of manipulating the warriors of the kingdom. No warrior can retain his celebration of victory if he has come home to a devastating defeat. Sometimes, we return from war to meet another battle and our former victories only become meaningful when we get restoration on the home front.

 

Marriages are under intense pressure. There is a war raging in households across Christendom. Many children are growing up without godly principles upon which they can build their own future families. Children have easily become a target for these evil Amalekite forces.

 

In the midst of the confusion in Ziklag, David lifted his eyes to God and encouraged himself. This was one battle he could not afford to lose. Despite David encouraging himself in God, his men were still distressed about the loss of their wives and children.

 

As soon as David was encouraged and with faith at a new level, he knew it was time for action. He enquired of the Lord; “Shall I pursue?” God said “Pursue!” This was all David needed to hear. The word brought clarity as God reassured him; “You will surely overtake and recover everything.”

 

David immediately pursued the Amalekites, ambushed and attacked them furiously from morning till night.

David’s victory was perfect. Nothing was lost. He and his men got their families back. David successfully went to the camp of the enemy and recovered all that was stolen from him.

 

PLAN OF ACTION 

The enemy wants to delay and destroy marriages, scatter families and kill the destiny of our children. When the enemy strikes at us, we must be encouraged in God and take action to strike back courageously. Like David we have to vigorously engage the fight on the family front. Stand up for your family and children. Fight for your marriage. Fight for your future.

 

SONG

God is Fighting For Us by Darlene Zschech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVsRM55_jsE

 

FURTHER STUDY

Nehemiah 4:14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+4%3A14&version=NIV

Hebrews 12:12-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A12-13&version=NIV

1 Sam.30:1-20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+30%3A1-20&version=NIV

The Courageous Fast

TRANSITION OF POWER                                        

 

PROPHECY

I hear the Lord saying; a generation was born in the wilderness and another generation died in the wilderness. The generation born in the wilderness became a rising generation that crossed into My Promised Land. Yet, along with the generation that crossed, I preserved some from an earlier generation who carried My Spirit and My mantle and passed it on to the generation born in the wilderness. I will draw both together again; a new rising generation and an earlier generation with a different spirit, to form My emerging Army. I will bring a supernatural linking, binding and passing of mantles between both generations. I will bring about a transition of spiritual power. I will raise up a new administration. I will restore the prophetic and apostolic mantles upon My emerging Army. They shall be My light, My catalyst and My forerunners to usher in a new season. I will demonstrate My power in a new way. I will challenge established roles. I will bring a new and sweeping move of My Spirit upon My emerging Army. They will burn with a holy fire. I will ignite through them a revival of prayer, of holiness, of passion. They will not be bought by the lure of success or money and will be radically committed to Me.

 

THE WORD

Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions….” 1Sam.15:10-11

 

When Saul became king, He was God’s choice for the time. Though he was head and shoulders taller than everyone, Saul was humble. But by the end of his reign, things had gone radically wrong. God’s hand had clearly lifted off Saul. He had become a hysterical, spear-throwing king, attempting to murder David and his own son Jonathan.

 

Saul in his desperation visited a witch because he could no longer access the mind of God. Like Saul, we can begin with humility and gratitude to God but we can end up missing God and becoming resistant to His next move. Saul had abandoned any practice of waiting on God for direction. If we do not seek the Lord, we will resort to human wisdom and like Saul, we will be deceived by familiar spirits.

 

Saul should have accepted Goliath’s challenge. He was king and Israel’s tallest man. Instead, he offered his armor to the 17 year old shepherd boy. As God raises men and women whose hearts are tender like David, we must beware of becoming like Saul, a shadow of what we used to be, yet maintaining the visibility of a ‘head and shoulder’ stature and holding on to a mere title.

 

Rather than supporting and encouraging the man who would become king, Saul was overtaken by jealousy and wanted to destroy David. Yet, David had two opportunities to kill Saul but refused to hasten his own rise to the throne by taking Saul’s life.

 

Like David, in seasons of transition, we will have the opportunity to push things in what we consider to be the right direction. However, the spiritual man or woman must resist manipulating things in the flesh for their own gain. It was almost 15 years between the time David was anointed by Samuel and when he became king. When we walk with God, we have to understand that it is what is arising that He is protecting and not what is passing away. For God, the issue was not ending Saul’s reign, it was getting David ready.

 

TRANSITION

  • Requires courage.
  • An invitation to spend more time with God.
  • A time to release the past.
  • A time to embrace God’s new agenda.
  • A time of preparation for new things.

 

SONG

Spirit Break Out by William McDowell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOSLtqxD-bM

 

 

FURTHER STUDY

1Sam. 15:12-29 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Samuel+15%3A12-29&version=NIV

Daniel 2:21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+2%3A21&version=NIV

Deut 32:7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+32%3A7&version=NIV

The Courageous Fast
The Courageous Fast

The Courageous Fast

PROPHECY – Receive the War Mantle

This is what the Lord says; I am restoring the warrior mantle upon My sons and daughters after the order of the mighty men of David. I am raising for Myself an army of spiritual warriors. I will undergird you with strength. I will instill in you a spirit of boldness and courage. My warrior bride will break through the enemy lines and assault the gates of hell and take back what has been stolen from this generation. I will place on you my zeal and passion for My Kingdom. Do not shrink back. War with Me in the arena of prayer. War with Me in worship and declare My word with boldness. I will put perseverance inside of you. You will scatter the powers of darkness and break demonic rule over territories. Receive My mantle.

 

WORD – Don’t Fight Alone

“He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” Judges 16:20

 

Israel had been in distress before the birth of Samson. God sent an angel to announce his birth to his parents. His birth was not so much for their sake, but for Israel’s sake. Their son, Samson, was to be a deliverer and was called from his mother’s womb. As Samson grew, he experienced the power of God upon his life. But the power was not in his hair, neither was it in his muscles. It was not a physical fitness program that made Samson strong. It went beyond the physical. The power that came on Samson was because of his vow to God. Keeping his hair long was only a sign of his consecration. Samson’s supernatural strength was unmatched. No army or enemy was able to defeat him.

 

As long as Samson was obedient to his vow, God kept His part of the bargain. But Samson missed it. Seduction from Delilah weakened him to surrender the secret source of his strength. When Samson married Delilah, he sealed his downfall. Delilah was determined to ruin him. For Samson, the weakness in his heart was stronger than the strength in his body. Although he could strangle a lion, he couldn’t deal with his burning lust. He failed to see the real deadly Delilah.

 

Delilah wore Samson out, tricked him and cut his hair. The minute that happened, his strength left him. He had broken the vow. The anointing and power departed from him. Samson had disobeyed the mandate and failed in the assignment delivered to him. When his hair was clipped, Samson rose to fight but did not know the Lord had left him. He was too weak to defend himself. He had betrayed himself and God and he paid dearly for his sin.

 

Rather than kill him, the Philistines captured and plucked his eyes out. Blinded and without strength, he was taken to prison. Meanwhile, Delilah walked away with her cash prize from the Philistines.

 

One of Samson’s problems was that he walked all alone. He felt no need for others. Samson was completely isolated. We must fear isolation especially when surrounded by enemies. The enemy will attempt to separate you from others in order to destroy you. We need people to help keep us on the straight and narrow. Samson did not see the need for that kind of help.

 

REFLECTION

We need to be connected in a community where we can be on alert together for the dangers that surround us. God sends people to us to walk alongside us, encourage and strengthen us in our walk with him.

 

SONG

I Need You to Survive by Hezekiah Walker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMcJL_UDAvw

 

FURTHER STUDY

Eccle.4:11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+4%3A11&version=NIV

Heb.10:25 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A25&version=NIV

1 John 4:7-8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A7-8&version=NIV

The Courageous Fast

A NEW WAVE OF THE PROPHETIC                               

I hear the Spirit of God say that the events in the natural that prevail around you have the propensity to pull you away from the voice of My Spirit. Now is the time to set your mind on things above. I desire to pour out My Spirit and bring you into My dreams, visions and prophecies. Be strong and refuse to allow fear and panic take you out of the flow of My Spirit. Let Me guide you into accurate action in every situation. The times you live in will require you hear My specific direction and guidance. I possess knowledge and all understanding to help you navigate through the complexities that seek to overwhelm you. Seek My face and spend time with Me that I might reveal my heart to you.

 

WHO KNOWS?

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape…And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14

 

Esther was placed in the palace according to God’s plan to stop a genocide planned against the Jews. She was in the palace for a purpose. Many times we agonise about what God wants us to do and we spend too long trying to figure out where He wants us to be. We tend to live in the future, instead of allowing God to do something with our lives where we are now.

 

Even though it was not lawful for her to approach the king without permission, Esther said “if I perish, I perish.” Approaching the king without summons attracted a death penalty. Esther could have remained silent to protect herself from the impending genocide. Instead, she took a radical step of faith that took her out of obscurity into national prominence.

 

Sometimes, God’s will for our lives makes perfect sense and we have a clear picture and direction of what to do. Other times, His will for our lives unfolds as we take a risk. That we contend with difficulties does not mean God is not in the situation. On the contrary, the will of God may take us through serious challenges. God is searching for those who are willing to take a risk in order to fulfill His purposes and bring destruction to the cause of the enemy.

 

When Mordecai sent a message to Esther, he said. Who knows?’ It was a question. He knew as queen, Esther had an opportunity to petition the king. He knew God wanted to save the people. But he was not sure what Esther was supposed to do.

 

There will be times when you’ve gathered all the information, you’ve fasted and prayed and sought counsel, but you’re still not sure. Despite her preparation, Esther had to muster tremendous courage, break all protocol and approach the king. This was the beginning of deliverance for Israel.

 

YOUR NEXT BOLD STEP

Sometimes you have to go against common sense, against the advice of others, even against what you want to do, in order to follow God’s plan. Don’t be afraid to allow God determine the outcome of your next bold step.

 

SONG

♬I Give Myself Away by William McDowell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha3JbND1Sqg

 

FURTHER STUDY

Proverbs 3:5-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NIV

1Peter 1:6-7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1+%3A6-7&version=NLT

Daniel 3:16-18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+3%3A16-18&version=NIV

 

The Courageous Fast
The Courageous Fast

The Courageous Fast

WALK ON BY!                                                                           

But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” I Samuel 17:28

Eliab, David’s older brother was there the day the prophet Samuel paid a visit to their home in Bethlehem. He had come to inform Jesse, Eliab’s father, that God had sent him to anoint one of his sons as the next king of Israel. Jesse did not even consider David should at all be present. His oldest son, Eliab was an officer in Saul’s army and had the carriage and physical stature of a king. If God wanted a new king, then surely Eliab would be the man. Eliab himself as the first born son, was expecting Samuel to anoint him as the new king.

 

One look at Eliab, Samuel thought this must be the one, but God stopped Samuel. Do not look at his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the Lord does not see as man does.” Eliab faced rejection that day. The prophet passed him over, along with his younger brothers. Then Samuel discovered that Jesse had one more son and a messenger was sent to fetch David from the field. David was just a teenager and not old enough to join the army. He spent all his time singing songs and caring for their father’s sheep. Samuel then anointed David in the presence of his father and brothers.

 

Sometime later, Israel is facing the giant called Goliath. David arrives on the battle field with food for his brothers and hears Goliath’s taunts. He begins to publicly question why no one was taking up the challenge of fighting Goliath. This was when Eliab exploded in anger and lashed out with hurtful words.

 

We often have to deal with attacks from those closest to us. Eliab was still angry that it was David who was picked as king and not him. Attacking David publicly, he made it seem like David was being irresponsible, leaving their fathers’ sheep unattended. It was obviously a false accusation. Had David allowed fear and intimidation from Eliab to get the better of him, he would have backed down, run back home and never faced Goliath.

 

 

David would have loved to hear his brother say “I believe in you David. Go after Goliath”. What he got instead were his brother’s harsh words. But he didn’t let that deter him. He turned to someone else and asked the same question as to what would be given to the man who killed Goliath. He got the same answer. David was not looking for a different answer, he already knew the answer. He was asking to let Eliab know he was not intimidated by his outburst.

 

As David ignored his brother and moved on, so must we. We have to learn to move beyond the negative opinion of others.

 

TO DO

Never let the voice of your critics prevent you from doing what God has asked you to do.

 

 

SONG

♬I Know Who I Am by Sinach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frtZ4XfoXxM

 

 

FURTHER STUDY

I Sam. 17:20-37 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Samuel+17%3A20-37&version=NIV

Psalm 118:6-9 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A6-9&version=NLT

Proverbs 29:25 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+29%3A25&version=NLT

 

 

 

The Courageous Fast

WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE?                                

 

“See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps? Is the soil fertile or poor? Are there many trees…?” Numbers 13:18-20.

 

As the Israelites approached the borders of the Promised Land, they were unaware that God was setting their qualifying exams for them. And the examination was to separate the overcomers from the under-achievers. The Lord was about to make a separation between those who would languish in the wilderness and those who would move in to possess the Promised Land.

 

Moses sent out twelve of Israel’s men to do the assessment of the land. They were to assess the obstacles that would confront them when they finally entered the land. The point was that they were not to ignore the realities on ground, but appraise the actual situation as they saw it. They were to assess the quality of life in Canaan.

 

The men spent almost 6 weeks exploring the land. All of Israel, waited at the edge of the wilderness as the men did their reconnaissance. There was great anticipation of what God had in store for them. 40 days later, they returned and compiled their report. It was in two volumes. ‘Volume 1’ represented the facts and ‘Volume 2’ was their interpretations of the facts.

 

As far as the facts were concerned, all the spies were in agreement. The facts represented the reality. But when it came to interpretation, Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies, had their own take. They said, “Let us go immediately and take possession of the land. We can do it”. The other ten men said, Oh no, that would be suicidal. We saw giants in the land. We won’t be able to take them on. It would pose too much of a fatal risk”.

 

To further buttress their argument, they volunteered another piece of information. They said, We really felt small during the exploration. We felt like grasshoppers and even the inhabitants of the land also thought we were grasshoppers!”

 

It is one thing to have a perception of your own situation. But who told them the giants in Canaan thought they were grasshoppers? Did they ask them? Spies were sent out secretly. Did they conduct an opinion poll?

 

When the two versions were presented to the congregation, Joshua and Caleb were possibly waiting for the people to ask each party to defend their own interpretation. They were expecting a discussion on the basis for arriving at two different conclusions. Instead the congregation immediately took sides with the ten and adopted a negative and faulty report.

 

WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE?

Joshua and Caleb called the analysis of the ten men a rebellion. The crowd in turn wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb for their different perspective. It was at this point God decided that the entire nation would roam around the wilderness until they all dropped dead, as their punishment for believing the negative interpretation of the facts.

 

JOSHUA’S REPORT

Numbers 14: 6-10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+14%3A6-10&version=NIV

 

REFLECTION 

How am I interpreting the facts around me? My interpretation will determine the outcome of the examination.

 

SONG

♬ While I am waiting by Travis Greene https://youtu.be/E_6pQj3UOT0

 

FURTHER STUDY

Numbers 14:26-35 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+14%3A26-35&version=NLT

Hebrews 10:38 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A38&version=NIV

1 John 5:4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A4&version=NIV

 

 

The Courageous Fast
The Courageous Fast

The Courageous Fast

HOW SHOULD I VOTE?

“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds…” Exodus 18:21

One of the biggest concerns of Christians today, is who to vote for. Some are frustrated that God has not lined up the candidates they had hoped for. Others feel that the candidates of their choice do not really have a chance. Many feel that they will be forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. While some are “not just interested in politics”, others ask, “Will my vote really make a difference?” “Will it not be rigged?” “Might as well stay home”. Going by the sometimes palpable tension during the campaigns, a significant number have election anxiety, afraid of the outcome of the elections and violent reactions to the results. Yet some ask, “Where is God in this equation?” “Has he abandoned the nation to the rule of evil, corrupt men?”

We cannot deny that Government plays a significant role in the affairs of life. The actions of our leaders and the decisions made by Government, have a significant impact on the conditions we live in and will impact our families, churches, work place and policies in the nation. So as Christians, we should care about, and participate in the political process. Jesus said to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, which in a democracy includes voting.  So how do I vote?

Moses’ father-in-law, in giving him direction, gives us a pattern of who we should choose as leaders. Choose candidates with a proven track record. Those who maintain a position that affirms freedom, righteousness, justice, truth and integrity. Look for those whose policies will promote the spread of the gospel.

While exercising our right to participate in the elections, as important as this is, it is not the most important election in our life time. God’s election of us by grace is much more important. Our choice to become Christians is more important. Let us not look too much to politicians to do what only God can do.

And what if our candidate does not win? Should we lose hope in the future of the country? As believers, it’s not our job to worry or yield to despair, nor should we become angry and spread hatred towards political figures.

Rather, we should focus our energies in praying for God’s will to be accomplished, regardless of who is elected. God is sovereign, still on His throne and in complete control of the election process. The Bible assures us that God has a plan and a purpose for all things. We must put our trust in God and not in human politicians. We vote and we pray for the leaders who emerge and trust God to use them for His own Glory.

What we do know is that no matter the outcome of the elections, the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church. God’s call and purpose for our lives will still unfold. Is it not such a wonderful thing; that no matter the outcome of the elections, Jesus will win!

 

PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord our ears cry out for Your mercy and a longing to see You heal our land.

 

SONG
♬You Are God by Nathaniel Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJMNagqzDVM

FURTHER STUDY

Isaiah 46:10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+46%3A10&version=NIV
Daniel 2:21-22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+2%3A20-21&version=NIV
1Tim.2:1-4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim.2%3A1-4&version=NIV
Romans 13:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A1&version=NIV

 

The Courageous Fast

FEARLESS DECISIONS                                            

 

“Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” Genesis12:13(NIV)

 

God told Abraham (then Abram) to get out of his country and promised to bless him with numerous descendants, with land, wealth and protection from his enemies. Abraham’s name would be great and through him the whole world will be blessed. Abraham departed Ur of the Chaldeans with his wife Sarah (then Sarai), and his initial journey took him to an area experiencing a famine. To escape the famine, he then migrated to Egypt. As he approached Egypt, Abraham began to have fears for his life. He suspected they would see Sarah’s beauty and kill him and take her. To protect himself, he concocted a plan with Sarah. She was to say she was his sister.

 

As Abraham became more fearful, he began to rely more on his wife for protection than on God. As soon as they arrived in Egypt, his fears materialized. The Egyptians saw Sarah’s great beauty and the king’s officials informed the king they had seen a beautiful woman he could have as wife. So the king sent a lavish gift to Abraham and took Sarah into the palace. Abraham accepted the gift of sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, silver and gold but lost his wife. Shortly after, God judged the king and his household and plagued the palace with terrible diseases. The king, somehow suspected it was because of Sarah, and summoned Abraham.

 

Why did you not tell us Sarah was your wife, you told me she was your sister”, he queried. He sent Abraham away, who took the gifts and fled Egypt with Sarah. Was this God’s perfect method in blessing Abraham? He endured the trauma of losing his wife for a season. Sarah herself was forced into a marriage she didn’t want and the king’s household was plagued with terrible diseases; all because Abraham made a foolish decision to call his wife his sister.

 

Life is really the sum total of the decisions we make. These decisions, whether good or bad, will often affect those around us. When we are led by the Spirit of God, and our decisions are motivated by faith, we open the door for God to work out His blessings and His promises in our lives. But when our decisions are fueled by fear and unbelief, the outcome opens the door to negative influences in our lives and may give the devil a foothold. The decisions borne out of fear make us live far beneath the best God has in store for us.

 

What are you contemplating today? What is fueling your decision? Fear of circumstance or faith in God? The future outcome will depend on one or the other.

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

My ears shall hear a word behind me, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever I turn to the right or whenever to the left.[1]

 

SONG

♬God I look to You by Jenn Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR5IoWH9OiI

 

FURTHER STUDY

Gen. 12:10-20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12%3A10-20&version=NLT

Prov. 10:22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+10%3A22&version=NKJV

Psalm 32:8-9 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+32%3A8-9&version=NLT

 

[1] Isaiah 30:21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+30%3A21&version=NKJV

The Courageous Fast