Hunger…

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;” (John 6:51)

What are you most hungry for? Where are your hungers and desires taking you? Whatever we are most hungry for will define our lives (You are what you eat!).  Hunger is as hunger does. Whatever we make time for in our lives is a good litmus test of what our true hungers and desires are.  I remember years ago thinking about prayer and fasting, and God told me that the day I wanted Him more than I wanted food, I would fast.

“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Now is the time to press in for more of Him. No other food will sustain us in these days.

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A “secret” about spiritual warfare…

There is a lot of talk about spiritual warfare these days (ie – warfare against demons and the kingdom of darkness).  And a lot of suggestions about how to wage spiritual war and what weapons to use.  I had a dream awhile back in which I am given a rifle that had two bullets in it — and in the dream, I am told that with these bullets I can hold off a lot of enemies.  The two bullets were humility and obedience.

Yes, things like targeted intercession and fasting can be very helpful in fighting against forces of darkness and extending the Kingdom of God — but we must never lose sight of how important and effective such “simple” (and profound) things as Godly character and obedience are.

Jesus, when He was referring to the devil, said “the ruler of the world is coming, and He has nothing in Me.” (John 14:30)  What He was saying is that there was no area of compromise in His heart or life that the enemy could use against Him.  And when we walk in humility and obedience to the Holy Spirit, our hearts are like strong towers that the enemy cannot penetrate.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:6-9)

LENT…

“The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” (Isaiah 35:1)

Looking for breakthrough?
Take time to withdraw from activity, media and noise,
and seek Him in a quiet, isolated place…

A killer prayer tip for the new year!

A lot of people and churches are freshly focusing
on prayer for the new year. 
Here’s a short little vid I made that could well be
the glorious breakthrough to your prayer life!

Just say “NO”!

 

So many distractions.  Can’t let “stuff” divert us from our inheritance and adventure in God.  Divine focus!  So important.  Sometimes you just gotta make the hard choices and say “NO” to electronica, entertainment, busy-ness, etc.  NO GUTS, NO GLORY!!!

Spiritual authority and spiritual food…

“This one comes out only by prayer and fasting…”  (Mark 9:29)

When Jesus cast out the demon — the demon His disciples couldn’t cast out — He said the above words.  But He didn’t actually stop to pray and fast at the scene of the deliverance.  That is because His life was FILLED with prayer, as well as regularly denying Himself various temporarily-satisfying things like food, as He chose to set ABIDING with His Father as His #1 priority.

“I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”  (John 4:32)

It was this abiding that released the power in that moment of deliverance.  And He was saying that we can walk in this same authority if we live the same way.

“He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;”  (John 15:5)

 

Passion and Discipline

Godly passion and Spirit-led discipline make beautiful music together!  It is like point and counterpoint in a glorious symphony.  There are days that emotions betray us, and on those days, the infrastructure of wise, faithful, biblical discipline helps carry us through many valleys.  Spiritual disciplines include regular prayer times and bible study, and times of fasting, solitude, silence (not speaking) and quiet (no noise or electronic distractions).

The Spiritual Discipline of EATING!!!

“But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about.'” (John 4:32)

“Then the angel said to me, ‘”Write this: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'” (Revelation 19:9)

By denying our natural appetites (through fasting), it can help redirect our appetites and passions away from the passing things of this world and towards a more eternal cuisine!  And this is important beyond imagining…because where a man’s greatest appetite is, there his heart will be also.  And where your heart is, there you will end up.

Lent = Invitation to Love

The Wilderness can be a place of surpassing Intimacy…