Treasure Hunt

Right now I find myself in a cave of sorts but I am wanting to stay until my fast is complete. Why would I want to be anywhere else that would distract me from following hard after God

Psa 63:8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

As the deer panteth after the water brooks so my soul panteth after thee. I have come to learn to love the desert where I thirst for just a mere drop of God's presence. I have enjoyed the mountain top experiences and used to fear the valley but now I want to stay in the valley until I am complete. I refuse to come down from the mount of God until I have been remade. The cave may be a lonely place but at least there I am never alone.

How much more will I enjoy the pleasures of life and the victory of conquering when I have been fully recharged by my Maker. Life, riches and honor are meaningless unless I am fully immersed in Him. He goes before me and He is my riches.

I think I have finally come to understand in heart not just out of the respect of my words, how locking in with God is finding riches. I can honestly say with a right heart that I have always put God first and secondly desired to be wealthy. But now I don't have to look any further, I have found wealth. I found Him. I know I have been saved for over 25 years and have preached the gospel to multitudes. God has used me to save, deliver and send out many disciples but for the first time in my life, I can say that all I need is Jesus plus nothing.



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The Whisper of God

Note: Click on the highlighted words and sentences to see the scripture reference.

Historically, people have fasted during times of crisis and great opposition. Elijah found himself in the wilderness running from his persecutor, Jezebel. He was at a point of such hopelessness and depression that he became suicidal. During that time, God led him to a cave in Mount Horeb for forty days and forty nights without food. One would think that fasting would be an exhilarating experience as it is for some but for Elijah it was a lonely and depressing time in his life.

Sometimes it happens that way but many times fasting happens during times of darkness and despair. When a person denies the cravings, addictions and appetites of the flesh, it causes the spiritual senses to become more acute. Since God speaks in a small still voice, it only stands to reason that one would need to have their spiritual ears waxed clean. When God wants to warn his beloved of pending danger, he whispers. He appears in a dream in the quiet of the night. He tells secrets to his servants and those that fear him.

Secrets are always revealed under extreme conditions of seclusion and privacy. A top secret communication has to be encrypted just in case the enemy get his hands on it. That is why God speaks so silently in such a low frequency below the radar of the god of this world (Kosmos; the world's governmental system of life) who is also known as the prince of the power of the air. Satan has a certain authority over the air waves where television, radio, microwaves and human thoughts are transmitted. God has a plan and he cannot have Satan and his cohorts intercepting valuable intel.

God promises to bless his people and to elevate them to places of power and wealth. That being the case, we must have some special advantage in business that others don't have. Israel is a great example of how God has blessed them with business and military technology that remains a mystery to their enemies. Think about it, how is it possible that such a small nation surrounded by geographically large and horrible enemies bent on their destruction could possibly survive.

Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old

God speaks in parables and dark sayings. What does that mean? A parable is a story with a secret message so that only the select could understand. A dark saying is the same thing. It is a message that is not easily understood by just anyone. It is God's encrypted message to his chosen ones. If you want to know which direction to take when you are at a crossroads in life, shut in before God and tune up your spiritual senses so that you can tune in to his secret voice.

If you have enemies all around you and it seems like things are caving in on you run to the secret place of God; the cave in the mountains. If you are needing a cutting edge secret so that you can have an advantage on the market or if you want to know where the next best investment of time and money is at, then draw from the one who has the hidden riches in secret places

Isa 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

During this time of fasting, I ask you to stay focused on the fact that we are attempting to walk by faith and not by sight. We are tasting the goodness of God and not the tastiness of food. We want to hear the voice of God and not the common voices of men and demons that we are used to hearing and being led by everyday. We want to touch God and not go by our own feelings. We are going to deny the delightful smell of meat as it is being cooked instead we will become that sacrifice that God smells as sweet to his nostrils.

Php 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.

I pray for the faithful who will heed the sound of the shofar during these times, that you would prosper beyond your ability to imagine.




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There Is Life After Death

Isaiah 58: 1-3

Fasting is about denying the flesh. The judgment of God requires a sacrifice. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 10:18). Everyone stands before God guilty (Romans 3:19) and we either pay the penalty or find a scapegoat.

Thank God that Jesus Christ became the sacrificial lamb that taketh away the sins of the world. We also become a sacrifice unto God but not by physical death but by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and denying the flesh as our worship unto him.

Without afflicting ourselves and denying ourselves we seem to fall short in entering into the holy mountain of God and encounter him face to face. Only then can we truly bring him the praise of our lips which God calls our sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15)

Daniel said this, “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2, 3

During this fast we will deny ourselves of "pleasant foods" as Daniel did. No meat, dairy products, sugar, cafeinne, white flour, leavened bread and while we are at it we might as well throw out the television and the movie theatre for the duration of the fast.

At first you will feel like you are dying but after a short time, you will discover something new and refreshing in your health and in your walk with God. You will experience God's righteousness come upon you and new level of grace.

Yes, you will discover that there is life after death; the death of your flesh and the renewal of your spirit man.

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Who Will Take Responsibility?

Everyone is playing the blame game and pointing fingers everywhere. Has the judgment of God come down because of the brokers at Wall Street. Or maybe it was a well planned out conspiracy by the Federal Reserve. Could it have been the bankers that extended credit to unqualified buyers and took advantage of the Federal National Mortgage Association which promised to insure these ghost loans. I know, let's blame the consumers who borrowed beyond their means and catapulted a foreclosure frenzy. Yes, everyone has to take some part in the responsibility.

Joel called the people he was addressing, drunkards in chapter 1, verse 5. A few verses down in verse 13-14, he says that the meat offering and the drink offering has been cut off from the house of the Lord and calls for a solemn assembly with the elders to sanctify themselves and declare a fast. He tells them to cry, lament, howl and lie all night in sackcloth.

Did you know that giving in churches is down during this recession. Why is that? Aren't we supposed to live by a heavenly economy where moth and rust does not destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal? I wonder if the people were even taught that the greatest return on money comes from investing with tithes, offerings and alms. Were there any voices crying from the pulpit warning God's people about storing up treasures on this earth? The prophets seemed to have been silent and now many churches are hurting financially. Maybe now, the ministers of the land will begin to cry out and once again depend on heaven and not the things of this world.

I find it interesting that the priests, ministers and elders were called on to reverse the curse upon their nation by fasting, weeping and praying. The same people that have the power to bless and to curse; the heirs of Abraham have been given the possession of the gates (places of power); the followers of Jesus who were given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven in order to bind (restrict) and to loose (permit); the saints who have been given authority to be the head and not the tail, above ONLY and not beneath. We are the believers that fell asleep at the wheel. We partook of the delicacies of Babylon and here we are today. The power to prosper a nation lies in the bosom of the Church. That's right, we are the salt and the light. It only takes a little bit of salt and a little light bulb to affect the whole.

In Joel, chapter 2, verse 12-14, God elaborates on the fast that he requires. He said, "Turn to me with all you heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning. And rend your heart and not your garments , and turn unto the Lord you God." The call is one of repentance from the heart. In other words, God is saying, "Take responsibility."

Joel 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar...

Read the rest of the chapter and you will see that God promised to restore everything that the locust, cankerworm, palmerworm and caterpillar had eaten. He promised to restore joy and security. He promised to replenish the storehouses abundantly with wheat, wine and oil so that they would have plenty and be satisfied.

I for one, have decided to repent with a heart of true brokenness. I am going to start this New Year by consecrating myself before a just and merciful God who is moved by the sacrifices of his beloved. I call on Christians all over the world to join forces and let us rend our hearts before our King. Let us howl and weep and stand in the gap; between the porch and the altar. We have the power so let's use it and intercede for the people of the earth.

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Approved Foods

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon

All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.

All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.

All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.

All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.

Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast

All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.

All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Read the Label

Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.

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A Call To Fast

It is the beginning of the New Year and we are faced with a few giants that must be conquered. The global economy is in shambles and the hearts of the leaders that govern this chaotic marketplace are failing. Many have committed suicide and others tremble not only because they have lost their luxury gods but because they are guilty of creating the credit crisis, mortgage meltdown and trading fiasco.

At the heart of this sudden downturn are the churches of Jesus Christ and its responsibility in all of this. Judgment must first begin at the house of God. Why is that you might ask? Well, after all we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are the little beacon of hope that has in times past and once again has turned the world upside down and in this case we need to turn it right side up.

Could it be that we have fallen asleep at the wheel and the enemy has crept in? Maybe the watchman on the wall and the keeper of the gate has been preoccupied with other things and the enemy has gone below the radar and taken possession of the keys.

We must look to God's word and see what Joel the prophet says.

Joel 1: 4-7 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.

He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.

That's right, the palmerworm, the cankerworm, the locust and the caterpiller has eaten everything up and we cannot stand idly by and let it define us nor destroy us. Our first response needs to be to CRY OUT and say, "Abba Father." If my people which are called by my name shall HUMBLE themselves and pray... Humility is admitting that you can't do it on your own and you need God's divine help.

Joel 1:8-12 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD's ministers, mourn.

The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

And to whom do you suppose he is making this call to? It is the ministers and the priests of God

Joel 1:13 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

So I am now going to sound the shofar and call a solemn assembly and a fast and show God our desperate need for him to heal our land. We can’t just keep saying that we need him but we have got to show it in deed and that is what this fast is about. Let us sanctify ourselves for 21 days. We will deny ourselves of television, movies, meats, sugars and dairy products.

Joel 1:14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD

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