Help & Hope from On High – Part 2

August 9, 2009 –  bk@kluth.org

 

Heb 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

 

WHY fast and pray?

1. Seek God’s protection in the journey Ezra 8:21-23

2. Seek God’s direction and victory Judges 20:25-28

3. Seek God’s freedom for hurting people  Isa 58:6

4. Seek God’s forgiveness Neh 9:1-2 1 John 1:9-10

 

5. Seek God’s blessing on spiritual leaders

Acts 13:2-3 While [the church in Antioch] were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 14:23-24 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

 

 

 

 

6. Seek God’s help in controlling your body

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Pr 13:25TLB The good man eats to live, while the evil man lives to eat.

Phil 3:18-20 There are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.

1 Cor 6:12-13 I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren't good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I'll refuse to if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can't easily stop when I want to. For instance, take the matter of eating. God has given us an appetite for food and stomachs to digest it. But that doesn't mean we should eat more than we need. Don't think of eating as important because someday God will do away with both stomachs and food.

 

 

 

 

7. Seek God’s victory over temptation

Matt 4:2-4 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

 

 

 

 

8. Seek God’s divine breakthrough

Neh 1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Est 4:15-17 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."  So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions.

 

 

 

 

3 ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK

1 – Take prayer sheet home and put in a key location.

2 – Abstain from something on Wednesday that will give you time for focused prayer (examples: eating, email, internet, TV, music, reading, break time).

3 – Set aside time over Wednesday lunch to pray and/or join with others in prayer in your workplace, neighborhood or at church.

SERMON CD's & CASSETTES are available on the lobby table after the service