God's Chosen Fast

"But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast." (Matthew 9:15)

Jesus taught about fasting.  And He said that we (His Disciples) would fast, yet most Christians have never fasted.  What is fasting? Simply put, not consuming food.  Many though have also applied it to anything that fulfills or satisfies the flesh, with the purpose to fill the Spirit in prayer and the word.  In the days of Jesus, the Pharisees would fast religiously and regularly in a ritualistic manner, and this did not please God. They fasted in order to appear to be holy to men, rather than to focus on God.  Here is some insight to what Jesus taught us about fasting. 

When we fast, we are not to appear to be fasting for the attention of man, but rather for the attention of God (Matthew 5:16-18).  The Lord does not want us to fast in the old religious ritualistic manner of the pharisees, but in the guiding and leading of the Holy Spirit.  This is illustrated in Matthew 9:26-17, with the new garment, which speaks of our righteousness in Christ through faith, and the Holy Spirit (Wine) in whom we are sealed for the day of redemption.  We are to fast in the spirit. When Jesus fasted He was led by the Spirit to do so (Matthew 4:1), Mark records that He was "driven" in the Spirit (Mark 1:12).  Jesus also taught us that fasting with prayer can make a powerful impact in the spiritual realm (Matthew 17:21). Finally we are called to do God's Chosen Fast (Isaiah 58).  Some will fast for days on just water. Some will fast for days with only juice. Some may fast one day without one meal. Another may eat only vegetables and fruits for many days.  Some may give up all Soda for 40 whole days.  Others may forsake all leaven for a period of time.  Some may give up music, surfing... I hope you get the picture.  As we as a church and youth group commit to prayer and fasting for the next 40 days, let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and do God's Chosen Fast, a fast that honors and brings glory to Him.

A great reading on the subject is "God's Chosen Fast," by Arthur Wallis. 

The Call California

The People Have Spoken!!!!

According to the Web Poll... A surprising win for "Where's The Butter?"!!!!

With 41% of the votes, here it is, "Where's the Butter!"

Mentor Video

Someone at the Sunday service video taped this and posted it on YouTube! If you missed Mentor.... I am sorry, hopefully this will help you get a small taste of how awesome it was!

Dead Plants or Dead People?

"But the LORD said, "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left - and much livestock?" (Jonah 4:10-11)

Jonah after a great ordeal went to Nineveh to share a message of repentance to a people so hard hearted that they would make furniture out of human leather... yes I said HUMAN leather, the skin of those they killed in battle or plundered.  They were so inhumane that no one, not even me, would want them to be saved and enjoy heaven.  But God still loved them the same.  He loved them as much as He loves you!

So as Jonah pouted and fretted over the repentance of Nineveh, and the fact that His beautiful plant of shade was now dead, God pointed out a very important point.  "Jonah you care about a plant more than you care about people!" Jonah was more concerned about his comfort rather than a group of 120,000 people who were made in the image of God!  All people, even the ones that get under your skin are made in God's image.  I was reminded today to share God's love, even if a person is in perpetual sin, even if they have wronged me, even if they seem to me to be lazy... For they all are created in God's image. He loves them the same. And as much as He wants you and me in heaven... HE WANTS THEM! Let us not be like Jonah allowing our own personal comfort zones to keep us from sharing this wonderful truth!

Big Bibles are the Bomb!

I showed this video Sunday, and some of you requested it, so here it is!

New Album...

Okay, if you don't know by now, one of my favorite musical artists is Josh Garrels... If you are cool with folk music with a hip-hop flare... HUH?... Ya it is pretty unique, but awesome and encouraging to the soul. Click here to check out His new album.  I just got it in the mail and I dig it... 

Dry Bones Live

This morning I read Isaiah 37... God had Isaiah prophesy concerning the nation of Israel, and how He would bring mighty miracle of reestablishing Israel as a nation.  As I read, I could not help but consider that God can bring to life the dead dry bones that are in everybody.  He along brings spiritual life and abundance. Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  I personally find myself going through dry seasons in my own spiritual journey, and was reminded this morning that it is God alone who brings life from death.  Even dead dry bones, He can give life to.  Have you been spiritually dry? Go to Jesus, be refreshed and immersed in the abundance of His life!