http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.1326407570.html
GOD SEES THE HEART
Hello to my fasting family. I am so excited to connect with you today, Day 6. I know the audience of readers includes those who have been on the 21 day fasting journey from the beginning, some who jumped on board recently, some who feel you’ve failed because you stopped somewhere along the way, and possibly some who are reading today and haven’t even started the fast – perhaps just checking this fasting thing out. To every person reading, welcome.
Fasting is an amazing and wonderful element of the Christian walk. Our corporate 21 day fast is set at the beginning of the year as a driver to set the course for our entire year. I like to think of it as a foundation set in place. Deidre and I have participated in a fast every year for the last ten years or more, and we have seen the fruit of fasting in our lives. Fasting is one of the most powerful tools available for miracles and breakthroughs.
Fasting does not always make sense to the logical thinker. That is because fasting is a God-breathed announcement of Wisdom for our lives. In Proverbs chapter eight, we hear Wisdom calling. I can tell you the most prosperous paths I have taken have not come from logic; they have come from the call of Wisdom saying, “Walk this way.” Our bodies will say, “I see no point in not eating what I want.” But Wisdom will instruct, “Press on.” Wisdom is that voice that says, “There is a greater purpose at work! Don’t give up!” Proverbs 8:22 tells us that Wisdom was brought forth by the Lord as the first of His works, before His deeds of old. If God had Wisdom present as a necessary foundation for creation, we certainly must do the same. Wisdom tells us that He has “worthy things to say,” instruction to follow, straight paths that will guide us to blessing. He will guide us to durable riches, not financial only, but the enduring prosperity of life for you and your family. Wisdom says, “My fruit is better than fine gold.” I know to be true that heeding the voice of Wisdom to fast has yielded a great reward for my family, of greater value than anything we could desire.
As you fast today, know this: God sees your heart. I referenced several groups within the fasting audience. Whether you have been moving forward with great zeal, or whether you feel you’ve failed and missed the mark, or even if you haven’t joined the fast up to this point, GOD WILL SEE YOUR HEART THESE LAST TWELVE DAYS. Begin today with a new resolve that says, “I WILL listen to Wisdom as He says, ‘Make this a walk of simple faith – that if you seek God and surrender to Him during this time of fasting, He will be faithful to move on your behalf.’”
In closing I want to take one final look at Proverbs chapter eight. When Wisdom tells us He was with God in the beginning as He “set the heavens in place… gave the sea its boundary,” Wisdom says, “I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence.” How many have had a difficult and possibly devastating 2011, and long to be filled with delight again in your relationship with the Lord and in life in general? This is the FOUNDATION that will set that tone throughout 2011 as you give of yourself with the purpose of seeking God for a closer daily existence with Him. Remember, He sees your heart!
Looking forward to seeing many of you on Sunday!
What beautiful words to hear!! I have always found solace in the facts that no matter what or how I miss the mark. . . no matter what my shortcomings are, God sees my heart! I know beyond the shadow of doubt, that i have a pure a loving heart toward my Lord!! …I pray ‘Lord break my heart for what breaks yours.’ and He does!! My dream is to adopt children, even for a brief time, to fill them beyond what they could ever image, the love of our Lord Jesus Christ,…by the way I express love to them, not only by the words I speak. I have so much love to give, as I believe my Lord has given me the heart of my Savior, that I can barely contain it!! I
Delight! I am not sure if that describes what has happened to me in just these first 13 days of 2012. “God is Good” is not even a phrase that can describe it……Pele….Pele is probably one of the best words that I have learned from you Pastor Juan…Because it fits everything God has done and is going to do. Pele-too wonderful for words….ah yes that is a better description for the last 13 days or 4 days to be exact. Let me tell you what has happened.
I have to start a couple months back. (And Pastor Juan this is in addition to what my sister, Kathy, has already told you) Rich and I have survived on one income for the last 7+years. Through having my 3 kids and taking in 2 more we have just made it and sometimes made it by a hair financially. Three or more years ago I had realized that if we were going to make it I would need to find a job that was better than “a high school diploma is all that is required” job. I started attending online college courses for an associates in Medical Billing and Coding. Times have gotten tough and about 2 1/2 months ago I was offered a position by my sister’s current employer. This position was actually made for me so that I could get my foot in the door of the company. It paid $9 an hour and I was paid an extra hour a day for travel time. I had to travel an hour each way for five days. This job came at a great time. I knew that I could find a better paying job once I finished my degree in less then 6 months. I entered this new position with hopes of a permanent position which would give me access to what my degree was for. This would then build my experience up to find a job for my specific degree. This new job, however, would mean we would have to move into Pennsylvania; which wouldn’t be so far away but it would up root the kids from their school. Coming from a past of constant moving into new school districts I did not want this for my kids. But God opened a door and we were taking the step towards his will for us. To cut a story short. I started in on this 21 day prayer and fast on Monday. I made a list of things I was seeking answers for. On that list was a better position. In the back of my mind I was picturing a new position that wouldn’t require a move and it would be a good enough pay that I wouldn’t want to change jobs when I recieved my Associates degree. Well monday and tuesday I prayed through my list and spent time just loving on God and reading his word. I got a call from my sister saying her position had become open because she was offered a different position. She said that her boss wanted me for her replacement. There are a lot of people in our company and many would like a position in this office because of its location. But I knew that God knew my heart and my situation. I prayed on the way home that night. Of course I prayed your will be done; but in the back of my mind I kept saying” but I really would like this job…it would be perfect….we wouldn’t have to move….and even if the pay stayed the same I would still take the position until I got my degree and found a better position”. So like a little girl I prayed “Daddy I would really like this job…..”. That night I had my prayer time. When I told my husband of the possible position he prayed as well. My oldest daughter was even praying for her 21 days of prayer and fasting; she was praying that we wouldn’t have to move this summer like we had planned. The next day I go into work and find a message that my sister’s boss wanted to talk to me at 1pm. Oh boy that time didn’t come fast enough. I got the call and she said I have this position I would like to offer you. She told me the requirements…which I already knew and so wanted the job but I played it cool. She told me the hours which would allow me to be home for dinner with the kids. Then she says “I know you get payed $9 an hour now but I put in for a raise for you for up to $3 more an hour, that is if you accept the job.” Screaming in side with my eyes bulging out of my head…I answered cooly, “yes I really am interested in this position”. She welcomed me happily and said that we have to wait on the formalities but you can start on Monday. Now this is the part where I say “wait there’s more”. The job is located just 25 minutes from my house so we do not have to move and I went from earning minimum wage to $9 to a raise of $3 an hours in just 2 1/2 months time. Tell me that is not God. Tell me that my Daddy didn’t just give me the pony that I have always wanted……….And I found out today that I have finished all my courses and have graduated magna cum laude as of tomorrow 1/14/2012….and I actually thought I had 2 more courses to go.hahahahaha I received a job starting at a wage that is higher then the wage I would recieve with a job requiring my associates degree in Medical Billing and Coding. I recieved my job 2 days before I graduated. For the first time in my life I feel like I am where God wants me to be. It just fits right!
Hahaha! Love the testimony of what God is doing in your family! celebrating and rejoicing with you!
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR GOOD TEACHINGS AND ENCOURAGEMENT SO FAR AND THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE COMMENTS . I HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY ALL. LOVE YOU ALL CAROL