Monday, January 26, 2009

What We Do Not See

"Now Faith if being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
During my nine day fast, I had a wonderful revelation that was God inspired. I wanted to share this with all of you. You see, I had gone out to my rose bushes and pruned them all back. I had cut them down, knowing that they would eventually have new growth and pruning would produce more flowers. I knew that this process would take awhile and it would be months before I would see a new blossom. Then a few days later, in the middle of my fasting period, I was astonished at what I saw! I went outside to get my mail and there was a beautiful rosebud. "How could this be, when I just pruned?" I heard from deep within me, the Spirit whisper this answer. "You see with your human eyes and understand from your human wisdom but God is always working behind the scenes when you think things are not possible. God was working on this blossom for you and you did not even know it. Know that God is always working, even though you don't see it in your life. God will surprise you when you least expect it, just to show you that He is always with you." My eyes welled up with tears and I knew like in Hebrews 11:1, that I cannot only believe in what I see with my own eyes, but I need to have faith in what I cannot see. God truly spoke into my life that day!
Question: Are you in a situation right now, where you are thinking, where is God when I need Him? Why am I not seeing my prayers answered? Just have faith dear friends, and know that God is truly working behind the scenes for you.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Fasting Breakthrough

"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him-my Father's God, and I will exalt Him! Exodus 15:2
Here I am, on the second day of the Daniel Fast through my church, Hope Chapel West Oahu. I awoke this morning feeling like a sea slug! On my first day, it was not a pretty sight. By about 3 pm I was suffering from the lack of caffeine. I was tired and a headache had set in. It began to throb and then I laid down. When I awoke from a short nap, I was in a full blown migraine headache. I had nausea and began throwing up. I had to take my Excedrin Migraine tablet. By evening I was tired and just "hangin". I think it is the lack of caffeine in my system and my body is freaking out! Today, I am a little better but feeling tired and "fuzzy headed". I know that last night, I kept thinking about foods and how I miss some of the foods like coffee, meat, sugar...and then I realized...THAT IS WHAT FASTING IS ALL ABOUT! Oh yes, I sensed the Lord telling me, "How much are you truly seeking me? How much are you truly willing to give up? How important is this fast to you? Are you on a food diet or are you really seeking me by denying yourself?" Oh, that was BIG. It was a barrier I just climbed over. It was about dying to myself and to stop thing of me and the fast and now to SHIFT my focus on God. Then this morning as I was doing my devotions, Exodus 15:2 really spoke to me. God is telling me through His Word that HE is ENOUGH for me. He is my "strength" but also my song. How is that? Well, I saw it as God can get me through this fast but what I need to do is to focus on Him and stop looking at myself. I need to die to my physical self and focus more on HIM and I can do that through praising Him. So I went to my iPod with my worship music and began praising Him. I had forgotten to be praising Him in the middle of this food struggle. Now, with this verse, it takes me right to where I need to be and I realized how far off I was. I had slid down that spiritual path and had been focusing on me, food and getting from one meal to the next. Now I feel like I am back on the path and dusting myself off and now I am standing up and have a new beginning and focus for this fast. Now, through praise and worship, the fast and praying is starting to kick in and I can begin to get clarity. Praise God!
Question: When was the last time you have earnestly sought God through fasting and praying? What areas in your life do you need clarity? Join me for the next nine days in fasting and praying, using the Daniel fast. Check out the HCWO website for more details. Seek Him and you will find Him!