Seizing the moment

Mark 10:46-52

Jericho was a place of battle - First battle of children of Israel 

Jericho was a place of stronghold

Jericho was a place of curse

Jericho was a place of immorality

Jesus went in and came out... There was nothing of significant done by Jesus recorded in Jericho

Bartimaeus was sitting on the highway side. 

He was a blind beggar. He had two evident problem.

Blind : No light. No direction. Darkness. Confusion. Frustration. No VISION 

He was born with a problem...this was not by accident or coincidence

The one problem brought another problem

Beggar : Depending on others. On someone's hand. A low-class.

He was in the place of battle, stronghold & curse. He wanted to get out of his circumstances.

He didn't have an identity. He was known as the "son of Timaeus"

They knew him because of his dual problem

They labeled him

He heard of Jesus. Rom. 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God."

He cried out. Faith demands the spoken words. It demands declaration & confession.

Faith : Believe with your heart & speak out of your mouth

He cried out for mercy to the Son of David (Messiah, Son of God)

Mercy: Don't give me what I deserve, give me what I need. Give me what I don't deserve.

They charged him to be quiet...he called out even more 

YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER & LOUDER THAN THE VOICES OF OPPOSITION & PEOPLE'S OPINION.

YOUR VOICE OF FAITH MUST BE STRONGER THAN THE VOICE OF CRITICISM.

I won't let you go until I get your attention and get what I need

And Jesus stood still...

Your voice of faith attracts the attention of Jesus.

Your life goes & grows to the level of your faith in God!

Jesus commanded him to be called...

GOD will cause the very people who are criticizing, your opposition, those who put you down, to pick you up to "ARISE" - To take you to the next level...

He casts off his garment - his old identity 

He believed that if Jesus is calling me, then my life, my identity and my circumstances will change.

No more in the dark, blind, no direction, confusion, beggar...

Cast off by faith your old identity 

Cast off what people are saying about you

FAITH DEMANDS ACTIONS

" You may have done what people said you have done but you are not who people say you are! YOU ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE."

He knew what he wanted... He was focus. 

He had a desire and nothing would distract him from his destiny. 

He was physically blind but spirituality he had a vision... 

Prov. 29:18 "People perish without vision (revelation)"

FAITH is focus...perseveres...tenacity

FAITH has a vision

FAITH COMMANDS VICTORY

FAITH IS NOW... Now Faith!!! Heb. 11:1

Today is the day of salvation.

MY FAITH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE 

Jesus said: Your faith has made you whole (complete)

He followed Jesus in the way.

Prayer and Fasting

There are two ways of fasting: A Personal Fast (private fast) and a Joint-Corporate Fast.


When believers and a church joins together for a common purpose, we call it a corporate fast. 

Fasting is a spiritual dynamics that brings supernatural manifestation.

God rewards Fasting. God wants us to fast so that we are disciplined and are not controlled by our soul and flesh.

In the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, we are taught to humble ourselves before God. Fasting is one of the way that we humble ourselves to the Lord. Fasting doesn't work alone. Fasting has "twins" that aids it for better results and supernatural breakthroughs. We cannot just fast (not eating)...that would be a dieting! Spiritual Fasting is accompanied with something. We fast and PRAY. We fast and WORSHIP. We fast and PRAISE. We fast and REPENT. We fast and GIVE. We fast with THANKSGIVING. These are "power twins" to fasting. TOGETHER they produce results!

When we fast, we are seeking God's face for direction and instruction - it is a way of waiting upon the Lord.

Fasting brings discipline and deliverance.

 In 2 Chronicles 20: 3-5, King Jehoshaphat received a threatening message. Strong armies gathered together to battle against him. These armies had a reputation of destroying and wiping off any opponents. Jehoshaphat gathered the people together and proclaimed a time of fasting and seeking God.

Fasting takes your eyes off yourself and your circumstances 

and helps you to focus on God and His Word.

 (Read: 2 Chronicles 20:12)

As the sought the Lord, He gave them specific instruction and direction. Suddenly they knew what to do. They were no longer dependent on their strength and ability but they looked and leaned upon God. Our educational, physical, mental, financial strengths has limitation! But God is all-powerful!
Jehoshaphat and his people heard the voice and instruction of God because of prayer and fasting. They then moved into fasting and praise and the Lord caused a confusion in the enemy's camp and they enjoyed a great victory!

In 2 Chronicles 20:30, we see that Jehoshaphat and his people enjoyed peace and rest. This is because of prayer and fasting. How long will we be threatened with the same oppositions and words? It is time to enjoy peace and rest in security knowing we have overcome an enemy. Prayer and fasting brings complete deliverance from the enemy that constantly pursued us. It can break generational curses and bring freedom from spirits of familiarity.

Fasting and Prayer enables us to be dependent on the spirit and not the soul and flesh.

Fasting is associated with afflicting the soul (Isaiah 58: 5-14). The soul is the mind, emotions and will. Through fasting we can break addictions and bad habits. Whatever is controlling our mind and emotions...whatever is controlling us can be broken through the power of fasting and prayer.

Emotional eyes are blinded with tears

Fearful eyes are blinded with terror

Spiritual eyes are open with fasting and prayer

Natural fasting cleanses the body - Spiritual fasting (fasting according to God's Word and principles) cleanses the soul. Prayer and fasting helps us to make quality spiritual decision. It helps us to see life the way God sees.

In Acts 13, in the church at Antioch, they gathered together in worship and fasting. The Holy Spirit spoke and gave them divine appointment and instruction. Fasting and worship brings corporate growth in leadership. It provides spiritual guidance and assistance.

Personal fasting builds personal spiritual strength and Godly character

Corporate fasting builds corporate spiritual strength and unity 

Fasting produce revival!

Make a commitment to fast for 7days.
Ask God to lead you (Matt. 6: 9-15).
Know the purpose, plan and length of your fast - write it down.
Make a promise to God and keep your fast for the intended time.

At Christian Family Church International, MAURITIUS, we have declared a seven days fast for

·         ·         Divine direction

·         ·         Open heaven

·         ·         Divine favor

·         ·         Spiritual and Financial Breakthroughs

·         ·         Peace and security of God 

As a church, we stand in unity, pray and confess:

·         We repent of our ways and seek God's face.

·         We declare that we depend on God's grace and leadership.

·         We declare that the Holy Spirit is our guide and leads us into our God-given destiny.

·         We declare that our church in united.

·         We declare that we have divine direction.

·         We declare we have the wisdom of God.

·         We declare that the Christian Family Church Int. Mauritius will have land and building in the vicinity of Port Louis.

·         We declare that all our churches will grow and be successful in Jesus' name.

·         We declare that we are a people that are strong in the power of His might.

·         We declare that we are victorious.

·         We declare that we have all finances to do the work of the ministry.

·         We declare that we have the victory in Jesus' name.

·         We declare that no harm will come to our dwelling in Jesus' name.

I will be tweeting about fasting for seven days between Monday 11th to Sunday 17th. Follow and be blessed.

Pray, pray, pray

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Luke 11: 1

The disciples asked to be teach them to pray. They did not ask "Lord, teach us how to do miracles, or how to walk on water or raise the dead"

The supernatural manifests as a result of prayer. 

Prayer in communion and intimacy with God. Prayer is a dialogue. We speak to God and God speaks to us. Through prayer, we connect our spirit, soul and body to God.

Prayer should be first and foremost personal - my time alone with God - then congregational - our time with God.

Matt. 26: 36-44

Jesus encouraged His disciples to join in prayer with Him.

Jesus dealt with depression and discouragement by prayer.

Jesus dealt with sorrow through prayer

Jesus expected His disciples to join Him in prayer

Jesus saw THEM asleep and spoke to PETER (verse 40): " What could you not WATCH and PRAY "with me" one hour?"

Jesus never forced His disciples to pray (verse 43-44)

Jesus repeated the same words in His prayer

Jesus revealed that the way to deal with temptation is through prayer

Matt. 21: 13 

Jesus said: " My house shall be called a house of prayer"

In the book of Acts of the Apostles, 

they continued as Jesus instructed and taught:

Acts 1: 14

They ALL continued with one accord in prayer including the women and the mother of Jesus.

Acts 2: 41-42

After the preaching of Peter, there were 3000 new converts, that:

1. Gladly received the Word

2. Were baptized

3. Continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine

4. Fellowship

5. Breaking of bread - Holy Communion

6. And in prayers

Acts 3:1

Although the church was growing, Peter and John went up together at the HOUR OF PRAYER

MIRACLES, SINGS AND WONDERS FOLLOW PRAYER

Acts 4: 24

After a testimony, they lifted up their voice with one accord in prayer...

Acts 4:31 

...and when they had prayed, the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and with spoke the Word with boldness

Acts 9: 10-12

Once Paul was converted (saw the light), one of the first thing that he did was to PRAY

Acts 10: 2-3

Cornelius was a man of prayer...because of prayer, he had a Godly vision and favor from God

Acts 10: 9-11, 13

Peter spent time praying and saw the same vision and heard a voice from heaven

Acts 12: 1,5, 12

Peter persecuted in prison...But the church prayer! 

Prayer brought deliverance!

Acts 13: 1-3

The church prayed and God spoke and sent people out on missions and church plants

We should continue in prayer...Prayer brings results and a supernatural manifestation.

God open doors

 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." 

Rev. 3:6-8

When God opens door, no man or devil can shut. This demonstrate the sovereignty of God!

It's a spiritual door granting us access to a new level, new dimension, promotion, increase...

Three things that church believed in and held on to:

1. The Word of Jesus Christ

They held onto the Revelation about The Word. 

As a disciple of Jesus, they kept the Word (John 8:36)

2. Not denied the name of Jesus

The Lordship of Jesus. Evidently Jesus was their Lord and the one they worshipped.

Today there is not a spirit of anti-god but anti-Christ 

There is only ONE way to God - Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6)

3. The patience of Jesus

Perseverance & patience (as Jesus) in times of adversity

God allows us to go through certain things. 

At times He provides a "Escape" (deliverance) route and at times He allows us to "Endure" (discipline)

Doors:

Doors can be PULLED (spiritual attraction) towards you or can be PUSHED (spiritual effort).

Communion with God through prayer and the Word help us to know and discern the doors which God opens. Prayer is the PULLING and the PUSHING in the spiritual realm. 

Faith in the Word of God - Faith in the name of Jesus and the power twins of Faith and Patience (perseverance) takes us through every circumstances in life.

Faith opens the door and patience (perseverance) keeps the door open!

Different types of doors:

A) Door of revelation and instruction - Rev. 4:1

B) Doors of faith - 1 Cor. 16:9

C) Doors of utterance - Col. 4:3

D) Doors of ministry - 2 Cor. 2:12

E) Doors of opportunity - Rev. 3:6-8

3 ways to know an OPEN DOOR is from God:

The Door that God Opens Will Never Contradict His Word

The Door that God Opens Will be Accompanied by Confirmation 

The Door God Opens Will Require You to Depend on Him