Have You Done All To Stand?
Hey Friends,
Let me ask you a very important question: Have you done all to stand? In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul lays out the spiritual armor for us to wear. If we wear it, we need to know we have done ALL we can do to “stand firm.”
So, in the spirit of this week’s blogs and the questions we are asking, let me ask you another: are you spending any time fasting? Most believers do not fast, so can they say they have done all? The answer is no. If we fail to fast then we are missing a huge piece of our spiritual disciplines and this one opens the door to many things.
I challenge you to read Isaiah chapter 58 to see if we are fasting like the Lord wants. If we do, there are 22 promises He will fulfill! Let me list a few for you:
1. Freedom
2. No more oppression
3. We will share
4. Our light will shine
5. We will experience healing
6. Protection by our Father
7. Answered prayer
This is a coveted list that people petition God for daily, and yet few fast. Can you explain that to me? Some don’t know, to be sure. Some don’t want to. So, do we want food more than God? Fasting opens up a door for God to move like no other.
Have we done all we can to stand if we have not fasted? I think not! The father of lies does not want us to fast because when we do, the Lord breaks oppressions.
I challenge you to set aside some time for fasting. I am going to call FPC to fast for seven days leading up to Sacred Storm and Easter weekend. We can see hundreds saved – I am sure of it! If we choose not to fast, can we say we have done all we can do to stand?
Look around – it is time to seek the Lord.
Love you,
Pastor Chris
6 Comments
Wow. With love, I say I’m not enjoying your blog this morning……because I am guilty.
I don’t know why we have to be reminded of what we are called to do. Are we really “seeking” God and his plans if we aren’t fully commited to the disciplines….if we ignore the disciplines until we are reminded of what is expected of us? I have witnessed God’s answer to prayers in amazing ways this past year, and some not answered. I’m excited to witness the miracles to come. Thank you Pastor!
Why don’t people read and respond to these blogs?
I can only imagine because the underlying tone is always focused on what we are not doing right. A church the size of FP in the technological age that we are in today with people seeking God like no other time and there are no responses to these threads.
Why? In my opinion people come to be uplifted and encoraged to go through there day living for God, not constantly told what they are doing wrong.
I don’t know, I guess you try to scare people into doing more, similar to the way some will try to scare people into salvation.
Greg,
I’ll speak for myself… When I don’t feel like I have a substantive contribution to make on Chris’ blog, I don’t post. I sympathize with your disappointment for a lack of consistent lively discussion. I often check the blog multiple times during the day hoping for comments from folks. I will attempt to be more open and transparent on topics on this blog and I encourage others to do the same… whether it’s uncertainties, testimonials, differences of opinion, whatever.
As far as “uplifted and encouraged” goes… I don’t know exactly what you mean, so I’m going to say where I think I agree with you. Challenging people to grow can be done in an uplifting and encouraging way. Sometimes, Chris’ posts can bash the attitudes of a “typical churchgoer.” While this “bashing” is often warranted and makes a point, too much “bashing” is more critical than encouraging. I’d say that typically Chris’ posts are more encouraging than critical.
Also, folks typically don’t like to be challenged and don’t like to admit shortcomings. Fortunately, Chris will always push to challenge us and to face our shortcomings.
Andy Kercher.
Following up to my previous post……well said Andy. Greg, I think it does deepend on what you are looking for. If you are always looking for someone to uplift you and tell you that you are doing great, then you won’t necessarily find that here. It isn’t about us, it is about HIM (Christ). I don’t always post, because I don’t feel like I need to be heard. However, I more often than not, find myself challenged by Pastor’s blogs. That to me IS encouraging. It is my goal to grow spiritually and walk closer to Christ. If I’m not seeking daily to grow spiritually, then I am not making it about HIM. Pastor has been charged by Christ to lead, and I think a good leader does challenge us to improve (help us see the full potential of a walk with Christ). I think it is also safe to say that Pastor consistently challenges himself as well. Have a blessed week.
One last thought I had while working in the C-Zone…
The LIT conference is coming April 29th. The blog is a resource for us currently and for those new folks coming to the conference. Satan would love to see the blog die off and become lackluster. I’m sure that this blog has been a blessing for all of us or we wouldn’t bother coming here.
Let’s speak up, participate, and make discussion vibrant. The blog does not solely depend on Chris. If leaders-in-training cannot speak up in a blog, I don’t know who can. I’ve been lazy about the blog lately; I recommit to it. Let’s go.
Andy Kercher.
Wow! I just have to comment today, and like Andy, I have been lax in responding to these blogs, and will in the future correct that. I have been to numerous churches in the past…looking for one to grow in, and there are plenty of them out there that will “back-pat” you continually, eager to stroke the bottomless ego, but alas, with no spiritual challenges, no works, no presence of the Holy Spirit. If all you are looking for is to be given to, not giving out, then Faith Promise is most likely not your cup of tea. It reminds me of a statement Pastor made, something along the lines of “if your feelings are hurt a lot, then there is too much of ‘you’ in your life.” Worship is not in a building or a place or a person, it’s in your heart. If we pray and truly, humbly, ask God for His guidance, that is such an encouragement and uplifting experience in itself, a simple blog pales in comparison, at least for me. Nothing can substitute in encouraging you more than talking and communing with the Holy Spirit. As Pastor says, just a thought.