iBelin

Seeing Myself

// March 30th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

What are you known for?

This fast has been great and it’s been painful. Of course, missing out on the food I love has been a challenge, but more painful has been how God has showed me myself during the fast. I’ve seen many things about myself that I just don’t like. All that ain’t your business, but I’ll share one thing:

I was hyper-critical and used to make very caustic and harsh comments about things done wrong and the people who committed the errors. I had great fun with this, I thought. Friends and family and others who just kinda know me, know that if some blunder occurred at some event that they could catch my eye and I would be right there with the right expression to show horror, dismay or disbelief. I can catch an error! There is a lot wrong with this.

I had allowed my eyes and my ears to become attuned to mistakes and mishaps. I looked for what was wrong rather than what was right. This hurt me and denied me inspiration and enjoyment and information I could have had. It also has served to make me known for catching the wrong stuff. Eeeeesh!

Honestly, the most painful part of realizing this about myself is knowing that it really is all about my insecurities, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of ignorance… FEAR PERIOD! Focusing on the wrong someone else does is really just to occupy your time so you won’t have to think about your own mess.

Now, I am focusing on the good. And there is a LOT to focus on. I want to be known for praise instead of criticism.

Psalm 91: a Daily Declaration

// March 13th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High
I abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I say of the LORD,
He is my refuge and my fortress:my God; in him I trust.
Surely he delivers me from the snare of the fowler,
and from the deadly pestilence.
He covers me with his feathers,
and under his wings I trust: his truth is my shield and buckler.
I am not afraid of the terror by night;
nor for the arrow that flies by day;
nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness;
nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at my side,
and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come near me!
Only with my eyes shall I behold
and see the reward of the wicked.
Because I have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
even the Most High, my habitation;
therefore shall no evil befall me,
neither shall any plague come near my dwelling.
For God has given His angels charge over me,
to keep me in all my ways.
They shall bear me up in their hands,
lest I dash my foot against a stone.
I tread upon the lion and adder:
the young lion and the dragon I trample under my feet.
God says, “Because you love me, therefore will I deliver you:
I will set you on high, because you have known my name.
You call upon me, and I answer you:
I am with you in trouble; I deliver you, and I honor you.
With long life will I satisfy you,
and show you my salvation.”

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD CONCERNING ME. AMEN!

Abiding in the Vine: Fasting and Prayer

// March 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The promise of God in Christ Jesus is this: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 – but read the whole passage)

An amazing promise and very true! But what is “abiding”?

It is to dwell constantly in the secret place of the Most High (Psalm 91:1).

It is to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

It is to have a sing a song in your heart to God at all times (Ephesians 5:19)

It is to write the Word of God on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 7:2-3; Psalm 119:16)

It is some more stuff too…

Abiding is just what we are right now: learning or strengthening ourselves through fasting and prayer. This Lenten Fast is not an event that will pass, nor an experience that we will merely have; but, it is an entrance into a life of continual abiding in God, a pathway into the deeper things of God, a seat in the Presence of God.

OK! So much for the lofty language, here’s the deal:

We’ve got to pray openly and honestly. Admit to God when you don’t feel like it or when the tv or someone is pulling you in another direction. Hey, we all have that wandering inclination and God is big enough to handle it. Just ask for more strength and discipline to be constant in prayer.

Remember, this is a practice. Just because it is the right thing to do doesn’t mean that it will happen for us overnight. Just keep being committed to the practice of prayer.

God’s faithfulness to us is our shield and armor! (Psalm 91:4) God knows we can be wishy-washy. That’s what grace is for!

So, take it easy on yourself. God loves you and wants you to reach where you’re trying to go… in Him.

Love, Joy & Peace

// March 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

God is moving in powerful ways during this Lenten Fast and we give Him Praise and Glory! By the time this Lenten Fast is over, our lives should be filled with Love, Joy and Peace!

Remember, the Fast should change your routine. If you are going about your regular routine merely with a change in diet, you are not fasting, you are on a diet! Fasting should change our routine. The Lenten Fast is to refocus us on the things of God. We should expect to be different when this time of fasting is over and not just physically…

By the time this fast is over, we should have created an atmosphere in our lives, our homes, our churches in which God is pleased to dwell.

By the time this Lenten Fast is over, we should have created such an atmosphere in prayer that miracles become daily events in our lives.

By the time this Lenten Fast is over, we should have prayed the yoke of bondage off of our sisters and brothers.

Yes, by the time this Lenten Fast is over, we should have walked through the doorway of Kingdom Living! All this is accomplished through prayer and fasting. So, do not get weary and do not take lightly this fast we have committed to God. Divine opportunities are waiting all around us for us to seize them in fasting and in prayer.

Remember, the fast is to the Lord. The fast should cause us to redirect our focus, our attention. It should more regularly direct us to your prayer closets because fasting and prayer go hand in hand. Prayer is our Priority! and not just during the course of this Lenten fast, but in life. We’ve got to make every effort to ensure we add more and more time with God in prayer and meditation each and everyday for this is where we find LOVE, JOY and PEACE!

Fasting is to abstain from food with spiritual purposes in mind. Our purposes are many:

we are seeking to grow even closer to God

to see the Gifts of the Holy Spirit fully operating the Body of Christ

to experience the Fruit of the Holy Spirit being born out in the lives of the people of God

to break the power of the enemy over our lives and the lives of those around us

to scatter the plans of the enemy

to gain more spiritual power

to wrestle ourselves away from unhealthy attachments

to see the Kingdom of God grow exponentially

to experience good physical, mental and spiritual health

to walk in miracles

to transform our minds

ultimately, to live our lives in ways pleasing to God

(add yours to the list in the comments section below…)

All our purposes will be fulfilled by the Power of God through fasting and prayer! Don’t waiver in unbelief. God is true to His Word! AND DON’T STOP PRAYING BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE ANSWER OR BECAUSE YOU DON’T FEEL ANYTHING. God moves in God’s time. And, be assured, whether you feel anything or not, God is listening!

When we join prayer with fasting, we will notice changes in us when we pause to meditate and to reflect. Some things (and some people…) will become less appealing while other more edifying things and activities and relationships will become more appealing. This is a (super-)natural effect of fasting and prayer. Celebrate this!

I’ll stop now, suffice it to say, you are going to get out of this experience what you put into it.

Love, Joy and Peace