Last time I challenged you to do the Daniel fast for the entire forty days. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and afterward, was tempted by Satan (Matt 4:1-3; Luke 4:2). Moses fasted 40 days on Mount Horeb before he was given the Ten Commandments (Exo. 34:28-29). Elijah fasted for 40 days during a trip from the wilderness to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). But forty days has biblical significance beyond this.
The flood, which cleansed the earth of wickedness, lasted 40 days. Besides Moses fast, his life could be divided into three periods of forty: 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the desert, 40 years bringing the Israelites to the Promised Land. Jonah told Ninevah they had 40 days to repent or expect judgment from God. The people fasted (Jon 3:5).
It is interesting to note that pesticides are put on crops for forty days in order to destroy flies. If applied for less time, the next generation of flies lives. We read in Matt 12:24 that the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. Beelzebub means “lord of the flies.”
So how does this all relate to Forty Days for Life? Flies are just one of the animals the Bible uses to represent demons. Like the need for 40 days of pesticides, if we fast for forty days, we may help destroy the demons in our society which are destroying the unborn. Consider fasting for forty days to help destroy the “flies” in our city,
Franklin, Jentezen. “Fasting.” Charisma House, 2008. Chapter 5.
September 23, 2010
September 22, 2010
Let the trumpets sound!!!
The day of the Lord is here!
We have that blessed assurance that the victory already belongs to Christ.
Yet, the powers of darkness have not relinquished their hold in our temporal sphere.
They have not relinquished their hold of 320 Fulton.
So we must meet them head-on, face to the Son, with love in our hearts.
As you stand at 320 [persons with special needs may bring a chair, but they must neither obstruct the sidewalk nor infringe even one centimeter into the property of 320] ask the Lord to bathe the soil of your heart, to nourish it with the seeds of his Word, and ask that it bear fruit worthy of praise. Let YOUR light shine by allowing HIS light to shine in you as you peacefully pray for an end to abortion.
The imagery of land, soil, earth came strongly to mind as we gathered early this morning for the first prayers at 320. We prayed for all of you, dear readers, whether you stand at 320 or stand in solidarity from your living rooms, we prayed that the Lord would bless and protect you, that your heart would be the first place to heal.
320 Fulton is a plot of earth like any other, and we pray it return to mundane purposes once again. We pray that 320 become a nondescript office building where people do normal, everyday, non-perfidious activities like process mortgages or sell plastic pencaps, or whatever. That's how it looks to the average passerby.
But we know differently. What goes on at 320 is not mundane. It's a travesty. It's sinister, and it should frighten us were it not for that blessed assurance.
Jesus will reign here once more. Jesus will reign. My scripture verse this morning was from Isaiah:
"No more shall men call you 'forsaken' or your land 'desolate'
but you shall be called 'My Delight' and your land 'espoused'.
For the Lord delights in you, and makes your land his spouse."
The land in question isn't merely Israel, which was suffering after the Babylonian captivity from homesickness.
No, this land is the soil of your heart, dear reader, and the Lord wants to espouse your heart.
I thought of the plot of earth known as 320. I prayed this morning that the Lord would espouse this plot of earth, resurrect it, and claim it once again for His purposes.
We know it is not being used for His purposes- far from it!
So let's continue to pray for an end to abortion. Pray for an 'end' to 320, that a new life, a new city, a new espousal will take place here. Pray that the powers of darkness will be banished from this place. Another verse comes to mind, this time from Ephesians 6:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on
the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of
this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms.
For that armor-plating to happen, we must examine the soil in our own hearts. We cannot pray for healing to come to 320 if we have not accepted this healing within our own soul, within our own hearts. God must reign here, at the core of our being, in the solitude where there is no solitude, for God is with us there.
Have you nourished that soil with the Word?
Have you tended the secret recesses of your heart?
Today is the beginning of 40 days. You have plenty of time to begin the Beginning.
"Behold, I make all things new," says the Lord. Let it be ever so~
May the Lord delight in you, dear reader, and rest assured that I delight in you also. Peace!
We have that blessed assurance that the victory already belongs to Christ.
Yet, the powers of darkness have not relinquished their hold in our temporal sphere.
They have not relinquished their hold of 320 Fulton.
So we must meet them head-on, face to the Son, with love in our hearts.
As you stand at 320 [persons with special needs may bring a chair, but they must neither obstruct the sidewalk nor infringe even one centimeter into the property of 320] ask the Lord to bathe the soil of your heart, to nourish it with the seeds of his Word, and ask that it bear fruit worthy of praise. Let YOUR light shine by allowing HIS light to shine in you as you peacefully pray for an end to abortion.
The imagery of land, soil, earth came strongly to mind as we gathered early this morning for the first prayers at 320. We prayed for all of you, dear readers, whether you stand at 320 or stand in solidarity from your living rooms, we prayed that the Lord would bless and protect you, that your heart would be the first place to heal.
320 Fulton is a plot of earth like any other, and we pray it return to mundane purposes once again. We pray that 320 become a nondescript office building where people do normal, everyday, non-perfidious activities like process mortgages or sell plastic pencaps, or whatever. That's how it looks to the average passerby.
But we know differently. What goes on at 320 is not mundane. It's a travesty. It's sinister, and it should frighten us were it not for that blessed assurance.
Jesus will reign here once more. Jesus will reign. My scripture verse this morning was from Isaiah:
"No more shall men call you 'forsaken' or your land 'desolate'
but you shall be called 'My Delight' and your land 'espoused'.
For the Lord delights in you, and makes your land his spouse."
The land in question isn't merely Israel, which was suffering after the Babylonian captivity from homesickness.
No, this land is the soil of your heart, dear reader, and the Lord wants to espouse your heart.
I thought of the plot of earth known as 320. I prayed this morning that the Lord would espouse this plot of earth, resurrect it, and claim it once again for His purposes.
We know it is not being used for His purposes- far from it!
So let's continue to pray for an end to abortion. Pray for an 'end' to 320, that a new life, a new city, a new espousal will take place here. Pray that the powers of darkness will be banished from this place. Another verse comes to mind, this time from Ephesians 6:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on
the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of
this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms.
For that armor-plating to happen, we must examine the soil in our own hearts. We cannot pray for healing to come to 320 if we have not accepted this healing within our own soul, within our own hearts. God must reign here, at the core of our being, in the solitude where there is no solitude, for God is with us there.
Have you nourished that soil with the Word?
Have you tended the secret recesses of your heart?
Today is the beginning of 40 days. You have plenty of time to begin the Beginning.
"Behold, I make all things new," says the Lord. Let it be ever so~
May the Lord delight in you, dear reader, and rest assured that I delight in you also. Peace!
September 20, 2010
How to stand at 320
I'm not talking about keeping your toes off the grass or the driveway (you should).
I'm talking about how your heart should be as you stand.
Stand ready. Stand because you love. Most importantly-- stand because you are called.
Abbot Joseph, who publishes the Word Incarnate blog, explains:
"For if my people humble themselves...then I will hear from heaven."
I'm talking about how your heart should be as you stand.
Stand ready. Stand because you love. Most importantly-- stand because you are called.
Abbot Joseph, who publishes the Word Incarnate blog, explains:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, says the Scripture several times, and it is also the beginning of our understanding of who we are before God. It is not the fullness of understanding, since it does not yet convey the tenderness of God’s compassion and love. Yet it is essential that we have something of this holy fear in our experience of God, for if we don’t we will never truly understand or fully appreciate the mercy and love of God. If we only project upon God our own concept or experience of human compassion and love, we will never properly know God and hence will not relate to Him as He desires. It is only when we experience that standing-in-awe before the Holy One, the trembling awareness of our sinfulness and radical insufficiency before the Mysterium Tremendum that is the ineffable glory of the Divine Nature, that we can begin to grasp the magnitude of mercy and God’s limitless love, and the incomprehensible gift of God’s desire to enter into a personal relationship with us in love and joy.Do not stand in doubt of yourself or your reason for being there. Stand boldly, in humility.
There are many who believe in God’s transcendent glory but not in his desire for intimate communion with us. Two Iranian women who became Christians were recently put on trial and imprisoned simply for converting. One of their “blasphemies” was believing that the transcendent God actually spoke to them. The Muslim prosecutor bellowed: “It is impossible for God to do such a thing!” They replied: “So are you saying, then, that God is not Almighty?” The prosecutor changed his tactic and then said: “You are not worthy.” They responded: “It is up to God to decide whether or not we are worthy.” So it precisely because God is Almighty that He can lower Himself to speak with sinful creatures. And it is not for sinful creatures to decide their worthiness or unworthiness to stand before God. We come because He calls.
"For if my people humble themselves...then I will hear from heaven."
September 17, 2010
Praise God
We hear that phrase often enough. But do we heed the imperative?
We should praise God at all times. Praise Him in the morning, the evening, and just around suppertime, right?
Do we praise God when we feel low? When we've been wronged, or when we've done wrong? Or do we only praise God when good comes our way or we feel on top of our game? God should be praised no matter what else is going on in your life.
40DFL provides numerous opportunities for me to sit back and marvel anew at the glories God has gained for us.
The efforts put forth by such a multitude of people cause me to marvel.
The peace I feel in prayer causes me to marvel.
The kindness of strangers causes me to marvel.
God is so dear, so precious, like a child. That's how God came into the world: as a little miracle of cellular activity, forming the tiniest peep of a heart.
Did you know that God's heart was once the size of a single grain of sand, pulsing with a love greater than all the encompassed universe?
Isn't that marvelous?
I look forward to fasting with all of you. I look forward to praising God with all of you. I look forward to all the marvels that God has in store for us.
We should praise God at all times. Praise Him in the morning, the evening, and just around suppertime, right?
Do we praise God when we feel low? When we've been wronged, or when we've done wrong? Or do we only praise God when good comes our way or we feel on top of our game? God should be praised no matter what else is going on in your life.
40DFL provides numerous opportunities for me to sit back and marvel anew at the glories God has gained for us.
The efforts put forth by such a multitude of people cause me to marvel.
The peace I feel in prayer causes me to marvel.
The kindness of strangers causes me to marvel.
God is so dear, so precious, like a child. That's how God came into the world: as a little miracle of cellular activity, forming the tiniest peep of a heart.
Did you know that God's heart was once the size of a single grain of sand, pulsing with a love greater than all the encompassed universe?
Isn't that marvelous?
I look forward to fasting with all of you. I look forward to praising God with all of you. I look forward to all the marvels that God has in store for us.
September 15, 2010
40 Days is fast upon us
So the question no longer is, “Do I need to fast?’ but rather “How long should I fast?’ and ‘How should I fast?’ There are three types of fasts found in Scripture. There is an absolute fast. With this type of fast, you don’t have any food or water. Esther called the Jews to this type of fast before she approached the King about Haman’s plan to annihilate the Jews. (Esther 4-7) This type of fast should only be done with the approval of your doctor and with supervision.
A normal fast is when you go without any food for a length of time. Depending on the length of the fast, you can choose to add juice or broth to your water intake for more energy. We know that Paul fasted for three days and fourteen days. Peter fasted three days. These may have been normal fasts.
We know that Daniel did a partial fast twice. The first was ten days (Daniel 1). Daniel and his three friends did not eat the choice meats and sweets from the king’s table. They had only vegetables and water. Daniel did a second fast (Daniel 10), where once again he ate no sweets, no meat and no wine for three weeks. During this time he prayed. After the three weeks, his prayer was answered by an angel. There will be more information on the Daniel fast next time.
As you can see, the length of the fasts varied. There is no right or wrong length of time. Start with a fast from the time you get up until sunset or bedtime. Remember, the intent of the fast is what is important. Without prayer and reading the Bible, a fast is really just a low-cal diet.
The purpose of fasting with the 40 Days for Life vigil is to combine fasting with prayer to better focus on God. Think about how much time you can focus on God if you spend your lunch and dinner times praying instead of eating. Embrace this opportunity to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life.
Franklin, Jentezen. “Fasting.” Charisma House, 2008. Chapter 3.
A normal fast is when you go without any food for a length of time. Depending on the length of the fast, you can choose to add juice or broth to your water intake for more energy. We know that Paul fasted for three days and fourteen days. Peter fasted three days. These may have been normal fasts.
We know that Daniel did a partial fast twice. The first was ten days (Daniel 1). Daniel and his three friends did not eat the choice meats and sweets from the king’s table. They had only vegetables and water. Daniel did a second fast (Daniel 10), where once again he ate no sweets, no meat and no wine for three weeks. During this time he prayed. After the three weeks, his prayer was answered by an angel. There will be more information on the Daniel fast next time.
As you can see, the length of the fasts varied. There is no right or wrong length of time. Start with a fast from the time you get up until sunset or bedtime. Remember, the intent of the fast is what is important. Without prayer and reading the Bible, a fast is really just a low-cal diet.
The purpose of fasting with the 40 Days for Life vigil is to combine fasting with prayer to better focus on God. Think about how much time you can focus on God if you spend your lunch and dinner times praying instead of eating. Embrace this opportunity to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life.
Franklin, Jentezen. “Fasting.” Charisma House, 2008. Chapter 3.
September 09, 2010
No time like the present
Yesterday we saw that Jesus is our example. Since He fasted, we know we should fast. He fasted for forty days; Daniel did a partial fast for three weeks. You may be thinking that there is no way you could ever fast that long. You don’t have to. If you’ve never fasted before, fast for a meal or for a day to start. What is important to God is your intent and attempt.
Consider this: The first sin involved food. Eve was tempted in the Garden and ate the fruit. By doing so, Eve changed God’s entire plan for her and Adam and mankind. Adam and Eve gave up walking in the Garden with God forever for a piece of fruit. Esau sold his birthright (the special blessing given to the firstborn) to Jacob for bread and lentil stew. He changed the entire plan God had for his life for the immediate gratification of one meal.
When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they complained about having only manna to eat. God answered by sending quail. We read in Numbers 11:31 that there was quail three feet high, as far as a person could walk in a day. That’s a lot of quail. Some of the Israelites ate so much quail that they died and were buried right there. In verse 34 it says that the place became known as Kibroth Hattaava, which means The Graves of Lusters. These people missed out on God’s plan for the Promised Land for meat.
I believe God gives us these examples for two reasons. One is to point out that we can choose Him more or we can choose earthly things more. The other reason is to show us how carnal we are. Is God in control or is our stomach in control! There is never a good time to start fasting. There is always a holiday or birthday or something to celebrate. We can so easily talk ourselves into starting next week.
But don’t. Set a time to fast during the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil.
Franklin, Jentezen. “Fasting.” Charisma House, 2008. Chapter 2.
Consider this: The first sin involved food. Eve was tempted in the Garden and ate the fruit. By doing so, Eve changed God’s entire plan for her and Adam and mankind. Adam and Eve gave up walking in the Garden with God forever for a piece of fruit. Esau sold his birthright (the special blessing given to the firstborn) to Jacob for bread and lentil stew. He changed the entire plan God had for his life for the immediate gratification of one meal.
When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they complained about having only manna to eat. God answered by sending quail. We read in Numbers 11:31 that there was quail three feet high, as far as a person could walk in a day. That’s a lot of quail. Some of the Israelites ate so much quail that they died and were buried right there. In verse 34 it says that the place became known as Kibroth Hattaava, which means The Graves of Lusters. These people missed out on God’s plan for the Promised Land for meat.
I believe God gives us these examples for two reasons. One is to point out that we can choose Him more or we can choose earthly things more. The other reason is to show us how carnal we are. Is God in control or is our stomach in control! There is never a good time to start fasting. There is always a holiday or birthday or something to celebrate. We can so easily talk ourselves into starting next week.
But don’t. Set a time to fast during the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil.
Franklin, Jentezen. “Fasting.” Charisma House, 2008. Chapter 2.
August 27, 2010
A multitude
Here’s the rundown on the fall 40 Days for Life campaign:
http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
...if you count the heavenly host, that's quite a force to be reckoned with!
- 238 locations (the most ever!)
- 46 US states
- 6 Canadian provinces
- Australia, Denmark, Northern Ireland
- Many new cities … including London, England!
http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
...if you count the heavenly host, that's quite a force to be reckoned with!
A movement of LOVE
If you ever desire to know what it was like to be a part of the early church as described in the Acts of Apostles, then sign up to be vigil coordinator of your local 40 Days campaign.
I gotta tell ya, it has done my little heart good to see the Body of Christ in such a tangible manifestation.
Dear reader, we are already victors, if only because we have each other. No matter what obstacle we face, we have each other, and that's about all we need.
The communion of Christ is a beautiful thing to behold, and seeing my brothers and sisters from all parts of this city, God's city, uniting in their resolve to uphold core principles in such a peaceful and loving way...it doesn't get much better. I am honored to stand with all of you, I truly am.
Let's not forget that we are not alone. For starters, I have an aunt in Lansing who is in solidarity with us. The Dominican Sisters at Marywood are joining us in prayer. My parents in the Detroit area have a sign in their yard. Let's not forget the people who are homebound and praying with us.
And, of course, let's not forget the most important Three who are standing with us: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are always standing by us, and if we admit them into our hearts, they are with us more deeply than we can comprehend.
Every hour you stand at 320, every meal you forsake (or whichever fast God chose for you), every time you ask the Lord to bless the children who perish, you stand with a crowd. A huge crowd. A very, very huge crowd. Let that just blow your mind for a second...
...yeah. It's huge.
We are going to be victorious because God is good, and what happens at 320 saddens Him. Yet, God does not want only a few to be victorious. He wants your heart, dear reader, to join in the cause, and your neighbor's heart, and many more hearts besides.
Do you have an aunt in Lansing? or have you asked your parents to hang the sign in their yard? have you chatted up any women religious lately? have you invited someone in the hospital to pray with us?
The harvest is ready, and the laborers few. Let's be amazed at what a simple, sincere invitation can effect in the lives of those around us. After all, it seems to have worked back in the day when the early church was nascent and Grand Rapids wasn't even a twinkle in America's proverbial eye.
Jesus, help us abide in your heart as one people united for life!
I gotta tell ya, it has done my little heart good to see the Body of Christ in such a tangible manifestation.
Dear reader, we are already victors, if only because we have each other. No matter what obstacle we face, we have each other, and that's about all we need.
The communion of Christ is a beautiful thing to behold, and seeing my brothers and sisters from all parts of this city, God's city, uniting in their resolve to uphold core principles in such a peaceful and loving way...it doesn't get much better. I am honored to stand with all of you, I truly am.
Let's not forget that we are not alone. For starters, I have an aunt in Lansing who is in solidarity with us. The Dominican Sisters at Marywood are joining us in prayer. My parents in the Detroit area have a sign in their yard. Let's not forget the people who are homebound and praying with us.
And, of course, let's not forget the most important Three who are standing with us: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are always standing by us, and if we admit them into our hearts, they are with us more deeply than we can comprehend.
Every hour you stand at 320, every meal you forsake (or whichever fast God chose for you), every time you ask the Lord to bless the children who perish, you stand with a crowd. A huge crowd. A very, very huge crowd. Let that just blow your mind for a second...
...yeah. It's huge.
We are going to be victorious because God is good, and what happens at 320 saddens Him. Yet, God does not want only a few to be victorious. He wants your heart, dear reader, to join in the cause, and your neighbor's heart, and many more hearts besides.
Do you have an aunt in Lansing? or have you asked your parents to hang the sign in their yard? have you chatted up any women religious lately? have you invited someone in the hospital to pray with us?
The harvest is ready, and the laborers few. Let's be amazed at what a simple, sincere invitation can effect in the lives of those around us. After all, it seems to have worked back in the day when the early church was nascent and Grand Rapids wasn't even a twinkle in America's proverbial eye.
Jesus, help us abide in your heart as one people united for life!
August 20, 2010
320 Fulton
We are not praying in the abstract for 40 days.
We are praying at a particular place. 320 is a plot of earth unlike other properties in Grand Rapids. On some property, books are sold; on other properties, children learn to read; still other properties publish books. On church property, the Word of God is read and understood. In that Word, we find the following:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land." 2Chr 7:14
Heal their land...
...not just any land, but a particular and inconspicuous patch of land at 320 E. Fulton Street.
For this inconspicuous place does not go unnoticed by the JUST: those of us who recognize that abortion, though legal, ends a human life, brings untold sorrow upon the mother, and robs us all of our dignity.
This land cries out for healing, even as this nation cries out for healing.
Likewise, our hearts cry out for healing: turn from their wicked ways...
...whose wicked ways, dear readers?
None other than mine and yours. Abortion does not happen in the abstract.
We must humble ourselves and search our hearts:
Have I offended human dignity today?
Have I done less than God asks of me today?
Have I failed to recognize Christ in any other person today?
Ahh, yes, the timber. Pluck it out, dear reader.
Until we have done the hard work of humility, we dare not stand at 320 E. Fulton or any place and claim to be His people.
We are praying at a particular place. 320 is a plot of earth unlike other properties in Grand Rapids. On some property, books are sold; on other properties, children learn to read; still other properties publish books. On church property, the Word of God is read and understood. In that Word, we find the following:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land." 2Chr 7:14
Heal their land...
...not just any land, but a particular and inconspicuous patch of land at 320 E. Fulton Street.
For this inconspicuous place does not go unnoticed by the JUST: those of us who recognize that abortion, though legal, ends a human life, brings untold sorrow upon the mother, and robs us all of our dignity.
This land cries out for healing, even as this nation cries out for healing.
Likewise, our hearts cry out for healing: turn from their wicked ways...
...whose wicked ways, dear readers?
None other than mine and yours. Abortion does not happen in the abstract.
We must humble ourselves and search our hearts:
Have I offended human dignity today?
Have I done less than God asks of me today?
Have I failed to recognize Christ in any other person today?
Ahh, yes, the timber. Pluck it out, dear reader.
Until we have done the hard work of humility, we dare not stand at 320 E. Fulton or any place and claim to be His people.
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