How Much Am I Worth?

Have you ever been told you are good for nothing? Have you ever been feeling so low that you look up to see the surface of the ground? (That is very low, indeed!) Many people all over the world—even in this room, may feel they are worthless or near worthless because of something someone said one time in their lives or something that was repeated over and over again…until they believed the lie.

And that is just what it was: a lie. You are so valuable. You have worth. You are important to God and He has great plans for you that are for your well-being.

Well, how much ARE we worth? When we total the monetary value of the elements in our bodies and the value of the average person's skin, we arrive at a net worth of $4.50.

This value is, however, subject to change, due to stock market fluctuations. Since the studies leading to this conclusion were conducted by the U.S. and by Japan respectively, it might be wise to consult the New York Stock Exchange and the Nikkei Index before deciding when to sell! The U.S. Bureau of Chemistry and Soils invested many a hard- earned tax dollar in calculating the chemical and mineral composition of the human body, which breaks down as follows:

65% Oxygen; 
18% Carbon
; 10% Hydrogen; 3% Nitrogen; 
1.5% Calcium; 
1% Phosphorous
; 0.35% Potassium
; 0.25% Sulfur; 
0.15% Sodium; 
0.15% Chlorine; 
0.05% Magnesium;
0.0004% Iron. 


Additionally, it was discovered that our bodies contain trace quantities of fluorine, silicon, manganese, zinc, copper, aluminum, and arsenic. Together, all of the above amounts to less than one dollar.

HOWEVER! The following is the price tag on the human body as based on a survey published in Wired magazine. It found that vital organs are no longer the most valuable body parts. Rather, bone marrow heads the list…priced at $23 million, based on 1,000 grams @ $23,000 per gram.

DNA can fetch $9.7 million, while extracting antibodies can bring $7.3 million. A lung is worth $116,400, a kidney $91,400 and a heart $57,000.

A women’s eggs are costlier than men's sperm. The survey found that a fertile woman could sell 32 egg cells over eight years for $224,000; however, for a man to earn the same amount, he would have to make 12 sperm donations a month for 20 years.

The prices are based on cost estimates taken from hospitals and insurance companies, and are based on projected prices only in the United States. Of course, the prices also assume that all these substances can be extracted from living tissue for sale.

Although this break down is illegal, unethical and in many cases also impossible, you should not feel like a million dollars anymore. You can feel like $45 million, instead!

I am convinced that if a child is told over and over again that they are subnormal, stupid, inferior, a nothing, over time—and a short time at that, they will believe it. If everyone here would tell one person in this room, THE SAME person, that they are so important to the growth of this Chapel, over time—a longer time—it might be believed. Might! One negative word hurts and does more harm than the good of a hundred praises.

THE EVENT:
Dr. Bob Smith (co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous) was the chapel speaker at a Christian school called Minnehaha Academy, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (date?). He was there for their annual Spiritual Emphasis Week. He spoke for 5 days on the theme, WHAT ARE YOU WORTH? In the privacy of the student’s hearts--they answered the question … not much. They truly meant it!

As teen-agers, the students had a very poor self-image. Perhaps it was (and still is) rather typical for teens and adults everywhere!

Dr. Smith kept asking his key question, WHAT ARE YOU WORTH? And the students kept answering in their hearts … not much.

During the week, he restated the question in relationship of their worth to their friends, to families, to themselves, and ultimately to the Lord. By the end of the week, they all knew something was taking place in all their hearts. All of a sudden, they truly believed that they were worth a lot to the Lord. The speaker built a strong biblical case to teach them … to persuade all of them … of their worth chiefly to Him. It was the beginning of a transformation in all of those who were there.

THE PROCESS:
Start in the Old Testament and continued through the New Testament, we can underscore truths that He stated about our person. We may have to continue to do the same throughout our life. For example (to mention but a few) . . .

_ He created me in His own image. Not garbage/not throw away..
_ He knows me and calls me by name, as He did with Abraham, Moses, Gideon and others.
_ He has given talents and gifts to me . . . just as He has determined. 1 Corinthians 12:11)
_ He has written my name on the palm of His Hand.(Isaiah 49:16)
_ He indwells me, since the day I invited Jesus into my life.
_ He tells me that I am a co-worker and joint-heir with Him.
_ He has a plan for my life.
_ He has convinced me that I MATTER TO HIM.

While reading Exodus we can be blessed to focus on this phrase that He spoke to Moses … I am pleased with you, in Exodus 33:17. What an amazing phrase for Moses to hear—really for any of us to hear!

Moses’ life was far from perfect yet God was pleased with him. What would cause God to say that? Perhaps God was pleased because Moses trusted God, as strongly stated in God’s Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11. There we can read these words … Without faith it is impossible to please God (11:6). It also says specifically that Moses … persevered because he saw Him who is invisible (11:27).

Many of us cannot imagine that God is pleased with us. But Moses heard God tell him that … He was pleased with Him. Before, we heard that God is pleased with us too, as we trust Him. So add these words to your memory bank … GOD IS PLEASED WITH ME.

Not with doing wrong or selfish things, but because He does!

THE RESULT:
Dr. Smith’s teaching quickly started the process of transformation in many lives. That process is continuing to this day. There is a book, TELLING YOURSELF THE TRUTH, by Dr. William Backus, which can be helpful. He writes that too often we allow our lives to be shaped by lies that we have believed, all orchestrated by Satan. Kids on the playground, or by teachers or even parents perhaps, spoke these hurtful words years ago. The most important things for us to believe about ourselves do not come from others. Not even from us. We must believe the Truths that God says about us. It is never too late for the transformation process to begin … and to continue.

What do we do with this ‘stuff’ we carry?

We need to realize where our strength comes from. The Sunday School answer is: Jesus. But, does that help you?

Not really my role model of a Believer’s life, but Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Roosevelt, once said: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” (You Learn by Living)

There is not doubt that hardships strengthen all of us. The best learners are the ones who have come through really great difficulty or even a tragedy and carry the depth of their experience with them. However, those who follow Christ, difficulties do much more than build our confidence. In fact, we tend to be stronger when we don’t feel confident or strong or even whole. Our eyes need to be off self. There are times it is not about growing stronger but knowing we are weak and that brings growth.

Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:, wrote about this thing he called his ‘thorn in the flesh,’ which he begged God to remove from his life. Then he wrote this: 9 But He said to me, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” NIV

Is your life going to give into the pain of failures and setbacks? Or is your life going to press on toward the mark He has set up for you? Christ being our example, He pressed on in knowing His Father both loved Him and that He would never forsake Him. Do you have that kind of confidence in Him that assures you of your worth to Him?

Listen: “I am pleased with you…”

You may need to cut yourself some slack and allow healing to happen. You might not be as bad as you had thought you were. He finds great worth in you. He died for you.

_________________________

Articles taken from Amy Simpson, Executive Director of Resources @ Christianity Today International, June 29, 2007
Lareau Lindquist, founder, Senior Associate, Barranabas International.
Dr. William Backus, Telling Yourself The Truth, Bethany House Publishers.
Web site: How Much Does the Human Body Worth?

８月３１日 Waiting for God

Been reading in the Psalm of late. Psalm 73 was a great help to me and I guess some of you would agree it helped you as well.
最近詩篇を読んでいますが詩篇７３編は私にとって大きな助けとなりました。皆さんにとっても助けになったと思います。

Today, I’d like to explore some more in detail from another Psalm. This time, it is Psalm 130. Let’s read it together. This was ‘called out’ as people came toward the Holy City of David, Jerusalem. It is called a Song of Ascents.
今日は、詩篇の他の箇所からもっと細かいことを探求してみましょう。では詩篇の１３０編をお開きください。皆さん一緒に読みましょう。これはダビデの聖なる都、エルサレムに向かう途中人々が叫び求めたことです。これは都のぼりの歌と呼ばれています。

1 Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD
主よ。深い淵から私はあなたを呼び求めます。
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
主よ、私の声を聞いてください。私の願いに耳を傾けてください。
3 If You, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
主よ、あなたがもし、不義に目を留められるなら、主よ、だれが御前に立ちえましょう。
4 But with You there is forgiveness;
therefore You are feared.
しかし、あなたが赦してくださるからこそあなたは人に恐れられます。
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in His word I put my hope
私は主を待ち望みます。私のたましいは、待ち望みます。
私は主のみことばを待ちます。
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
私のたましいは夜回りが夜明けを待つのにまさり、まことに、夜回りが夜明けを待つのにまさって、主を待ちます。
7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with Him is full redemption.
イスラエルよ。主を待て。
主には恵みがあり、豊かな贖いがある。
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
主はすべての不義からイスラエルを贖い出される。
~or~

一三○
１ ああ神様。 私は失意のどん底から、あなたの助けを叫び求めます。 ２「お願いですから、私の訴えを聞いて、助けてください。」
３,４もし、神様がいつまでも私たちの罪を心に留められるのでしたら、とうてい、この祈りも聞いてはいただけないでしょう。 しかし、恐れ多いことですが、神様は赦してくださるお方です。 ５だからこそ、お助けを信じつつ、期待をこめて待っているのです。 ６見張りの者が夜明けを待つよりも切実に、神様を待ち望んでいます。
７ イスラエルよ、神様を信じて希望を持ちなさい。 神様は恵み深く親切で、両腕いっぱいの祝福をかかえておいでになるからです。８神様は、罪の奴隷となったイスラエルを買い戻してくださいます。

We have been talking about Prayer and our working through the problems we might be facing with the answers or non answers we find in this arena.
最近、祈り、そして問題に直面したときに取る行動の祈りの答えがあるかどうかを見てきました。

Who is the one who can provide such help? Let’s look over this psalm and see how we can grow in a deeper knowledge with Him and in doing that, will drive our hearts to the One who made us.
そのような状況において誰が助けてくれるのでしょう？では詩篇を見ながら、より多くのことを知り成長し、私たちを造ってくださったお方に心を向けていきましょう。


WHAT I DO:
Cry- sometimes we call things unfair or say "poor me!"
私たちがすること
叫ぶ：不公平に対する憐れみ

# Psalm 17:1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.

詩篇１７：１　主よ、聞いてください、正しい訴えを。耳に留めてください、私の叫びを。耳に入れてください、欺きのくちびるからでない私の祈りを
# Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears.
詩篇１８：６ 私は苦しみの中に主を呼び求め、助けを求めてわが神に叫んだ。主はその宮で私の声を聞かれ、御前に助けを求めた私の叫びは、御耳に届いた。
# Psalm 22:2 O my God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer, by night, and am not silent.
詩篇２２：２　わが神。昼、私は呼びます。しかし、あなたはお答えになりません。夜も、私は黙っていられません。
Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.

詩篇３２：１７　彼らが叫ぶと主は聞いてくださる。

そして、彼らをそのすべての苦しみから救い出される。

Psalm 86:6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.
主よ。私の祈りを耳に入れ、私の願いの声を心に留めてください。
# Psalm 116:1 I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
詩篇１１６：１私はしゅを愛する。主は私の声、私の願いを聞いてくださるから。
# Psalm 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your Word.

詩篇１１９：１４７　私は夜明け前に起きて叫び求めます。
私はあなたのことばを待ち望んでいます。

In the New Testament:

Luke 7:12-14 (NIV) As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, "Don't cry."
Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"

The lady was NOT calling out to the Lord: Did not even know He was there. She was in deep pain. Once this male was buried, all her life would change. She'd have nothing. Jesus saw the need and spoke His peace into it. "Don't cry!" Very hard to do when the floor has fallen in and there is no light AT ALL.

Tell me, are you carrying anything dead on your back...something that has died and you have not dealt with it? Maybe something you have not even asked Jesus' help with? You need to know that He sees your pain and hears the cry of your heart. Cry to Him. To cry is not to admit to failure, but to admit you need help. Jesus will answer and lift your burden after you give it to Him. (This does not mean you will never have problems...my no...the problems will be there but so will the Power of Christ IN you. He has promised to be there. You need to be open to His leading.)

# Luke 18:7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?

God is not like a man! A very big difference. He is able to deliver you!
神は人間とは違います。全くちがうのです。

Fear-of future, things that I can’t control or need to control--(out of my control!)
恐れ：将来に対するもの、また自分の力ではどうしようもないこと

Wait-for answers, things to finish so you can move on to the next thing to wait for, for the unexpected, second coming
待つ：答えを待つ、次のことに進む前に答えをまつ。

Place-as in setting things in order, giving up your right to certain things in order to move on.
場所：物事を順序よく計画する。事を進めるために自分の権利を捨てる。

I.E. Matt 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” As Peter Scazzero puts it: “Lord, help me to find safety in You as I embrace my vulnerability, humanity and limits. Provide grace for me to not pretend or lie or deny the pain of life, thus avoiding both reality and You. May I pay attention this day to the loss and grief around me, and be willing to wait for You in what often appears to be a “confusing in-between.” I place my hope in You, O Lord, and in Your unfailing love.”

He goes on to write from Matt 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Peter prays: “Lord, grant me grace today to wait on You. You know my tendency to get angry, frustrated, and impatient with others, myself, and my circumstances. Almighty God, help me to drop my defenses this day and be approachable, kind, merciful, non-defensive and appropriately assertive. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my Hope.” Ps 130:5

Waiting for God is like catching each rain drop in a typhoon. Who can do that and with what?
神さまを待つことは台風の中で雨粒をつかむことのようです。
誰が何のためにそんなことできるでしょうか？

HIS WORK:
神様がされること
Forgive _ His Main thing. His act on the Cross did it all. Jesus dies to being Mankind--all of us--to Himself. He paid the huge price to reconcile the world to Him. There was a gap.
赦す：神の主な働き。それはすべて十字架でなされました。イエス様は私たちと同じ人間になり十字架にかかりました。イエス様はこの世と神との和解のために大きな代価を支払われたのです。

No man could bridge it. No way was man able to! He was not made for that task. God provided a way: His Perfect Son. He took our place/our punishment when He was nailed to the Cross.
そのようなことは誰にも出来ないのです。イエス様はそれだけのために存在されたのではありません。神が完全なる御子を私たちが受ける裁きの代わりに十字架につけたのです。

That might produce guilt but what God is looking for is a willingness to ALLOW Him into your life--to BE your life, so that He can live in you and give you real life in His Name
このことは人々の心に罪責間をもたらすでしょう。しかし神さまは私たちが自ら進んで主をこころに迎えることを望んでいます。そして神が私たちの内に住み私たちに本物の人生を与えてくださるのです。

Redeem _ again, this is the Main thing of the Gospel. His blood for our sin. He ‘turned in’ His Blood as a payment worthy of the cost and penalty.
贖い：これが福音の中心です。イエス様の血は私たちの罪の身代わりに流されました。イエス様はその流された血潮を罪の代価とされたのです。

Hear _ THAT is what we wait for. That is what we long for. That He would hear us. Blessing is ours, He already had. He hears our heart cry when our world falls in. In our despair and in our pain, He hears. For I will put my trust in the One who can be trusted! In God, I trust.
　聞く：これは私たちが待っていることです。私たちがのぞんでいることです。神さまは私たちのことを聞いてくださっています。祝福は私たちのものです。神さまは私たちの心を叫びを聞いてくださいます。痛みや絶望の中にいるときに神さまは耳を傾けてくださいます。信頼することが出来る神に私は信頼します。神のみに信頼するのです。

Next week, we will celebrate the Lord's Table. Come ready to remember what He has done. It is not a sad time. Be ready to express your JOY!

Also, next week, service will start at 10:30!

May His Grace fill you as you seek to please Him.

Slippin' & Slidin' in Prayer

Looking at Psalm 73 with me...

Recently, I received a note from an ICCS alumni. She had asked for prayer as she has been seeking a life partner and there are not too many possible prospects around her area.

As she put it, “My desire for a husband and children grow exponentially each day. It feels terrible. I have met and had experiences with more jerks than I think is fair or possible. My faith regarding my ever getting married is at an all-time low. At this point, I feel that it would be easy for me to settle. Not to mention the pressure from family (parents) and friends to get married already. My younger sister is happily married with 2 kids--I won't even speak of the jealousy issues that I now contend with. Please pray for me. It is tough being a black woman in her 30’s with loads of education--there just seems to be NO eligible men anywhere. My choices ... seem(s) to be the following: an ex-con, a bisexual man, a married man, a criminal, an unbeliever, a playboy, or an all-around jerk. Help a sister, please Pastor Stan--what gives?”

She asks some good questions. Is she alone in this? I don’t think so. It is not only for Black single women in their 30s, but from a host of different people with some very deep and pressing question: i.e.: 

Does God answer prayer?

She asks again: "Thank you. I finally feel like someone told me the truth. Everyone keeps giving me the "I feel so sorry for you" look, the pats on the shoulder, the "he's out there" pep talk. Inside, I am doubting that he is one day and hopeful that he is on other days. Pastor Stan, if I ask God for something for so long and it does NOT happen..what does that mean? Doesn't God want me to have a husband? Why am I the one who has to wrestle with lust, loneliness, and more? And, my singleness keeps me in a tailspin about my faith and belief in God.

Am I now at 30 supposed to give up hope of having a husband?

Do I now go and join a convent?

Doesn't it say ask and you shall receive?"

I sent her Psalm 73 and other advise back to her. Could I share with you some of what I find to be true concerning prayer? ...not just for the single woman looking for a husband but also for any other person who asks God for something and all is silent.

The Psalmist sees the problem, doesn’t he? He sees that this God we worship here today is a GOOD GOD and that He is good to those who are pure in heart.  

He writes: 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

This man slips and almost lost his foothold on life. Ever do that? Slipping is natural in this world. ESP when the ground is wet or when the situation is dangerous. When there are difficult decisions to make.

This ‘slip’ he experiences is not a sinful practice he falls into. No, it is when he looks at the evil around him and envies them over his own life. When he takes his eyes off of Jesus. 

Remember that it is not about us! It is about Him.

She asks: Did I hear wrong? Is God punishing me?

First, once you ask for forgiveness, it is over.  He does not use that against you now.  It is over and forgiven.  

This also does not mean she is lost. It might mean that the MALE population out there are in a collective hole in the ground and need some major spiritual growth to get them to a place where they can hear and respond to God's calling for a Godly life-style. Don't let their lack of Heart for God drag you below their level.

Her confession of being married in three years sounds like someone was not hearing the voice of God on her behalf. Again, don't fall away because life has turned out harder than you were told it would be. (I wondered who told her she were going to be married? Was it in prayer, a fellow sister, from within her heart of hearts? Really, it does not matter so much were it came from--she believed it and now that the three-year mark is over, she doubts. Very normal.)

Our hopes and dreams and desires are all in one package, isn't it? We feel that if we please God, He will reward us. If we walk His Way, all will turn out grand. We can find verses to support that but reality and other verses show us that it is not about us. It is all about Him. What, in life, gives Him Glory? What puts things in His Eternal timetable? How does He gain? Sorry to say that some have been preaching that if we 'only believe' the BMW (husband, money, fame, health, clean skin...whatever) will be ours in Christ Jesus.

Really?

"All that we ask or think." ...in Christ Jesus. That is the rub! Again, we know that He does answer prayers but for somethings it never seems to happen! What is He doing with this request? Has He forgotten about it? (No, we know He doesn't forget.) Has the game plan changed? (No, He still wants us to walk in a way that brings Glory to His Name.) Are we fooling our hearts into thinking that all will be well with our life no matter what happens? You answer that.

She asks us to pray for her:

1. That God would strengthen my friendships and send me friends and Godly relationships in my area.

2. That God would give me a clear vision and that I would be obedient to that vision.

3. That God would send me a husband and/or help me to get understanding of my desire for a husband.

(Would you please pray for her and the many like her right now?  Thank you...)

The important thing is hard to remember: It is all about HIM! He is NOT toying with us! These are real issues..real hurts...real pain. And He cares!

Does my desires mean more to me than my relationship with God? Does He have His way in my life? Can I really be happy in my relationship with God dispute the surrounding situations?  Look at Proverbs 23:17-18.  Does this sound like you?

  
Two weeks ago, in the handout, David printed a short portion of Eric Liddell’s experience in an internment camp in China. Liddell is quoted: 

“Love is never glad when others go wrong. Love finds no pleasure in injustice, but rejoices in the truth. Love is always slow to expose, it knows how to be silent. Love is always eager to believe the best about a person. Love is full of hope, full of patient endurance; love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-8.

Well, is that true or not? If it is not true than throw Christian faith out the window and don’t even consider Faith in God.

In case you missed it, let’s look at the Psalm as a whole and see what Asaph faces...along with us...the truth about life and death!

Verses 1-2
This seems to be the case of God blessing those who trust in Him but the author doesn’t see it. The eyes of his heart is on himself. “ALL for them but not for ME.”

Verses 4-11 is what he sees:

… they have no struggles

… healthy bodies

… free from burdens

… no ills

… clothe themselves in violence

… callous hearts

… evil conceits

… malice

… threaten with oppression

… lie

… question God

… carefree

… yet increase in wealth

Verses 12-13: It sure seems to ME that there is a problem here. What about ME? I am good for nothing! For what purpose do I keep myself pure? It is in vain!

14-15: Asaph...

… keeps his heart pure

… keeps being innocence

… BUT plagued all day long

… punished every morning

It is: “I” this and “I” that. I see the pain in my own heart and it is ever before ME!

Yet,… then Asaph entered the sanctuary of God he understood their final destiny!

The big picture was revealed to him.

Now, his focus was centered on God. Now, he sees that these other people are the ones on slippery ground. They are the ones who will fall to their ruin.

He sees that ‘they’ are not really safe at all. He is! He is on the Rock. The Rock of his Salvation!

He sees that he once was acting like them. (21-22 & 4-11) Yet, the reality is found in the fact that he had always been in His sight...in His Hand...in His Love!  In His Care!

22-24: The reality is: 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 

Now, Asaph now realizes that reality is found in this relationship and that his prayers are being not only heard but also acted upon...even when there is no visible fact to support that. 
He realizes that he has The One in his heart!

25 Whom have I in heaven but You?

And earth has nothing I desire besides You.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

Now, I realize that He is my strength and my portion forever. How does our friend Ann put it: “He has given me all that I need…”

27 Those who are far from You will perish;

You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;

I will tell of all Your deeds.

Those who are far can, in some point in time, come close as well. It is always open and available for everyone. Just come to Him and He will come to you. As… I will tell of all Your deeds.

we pray and then...what happens?

So, OK, we pray. Then what happens when we pray? Forgiveness comes. Reconciliation happens. Changed hearts grow more aware. Changed lives. A different point of view. A new heart.

The Lord moves us into a place to reflect His Glory.

Psalm 93:1-5 The LORD reigns, He is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns Your House for endless days, O LORD.

Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Facing the truth about the Church today, one would find that there is a lack of Spiritual discipline. Leaders are falling into unrepentant sin one after the other. Churches are splinting because sin was not addressed nor was disobedience handled in a Biblical way.

Back in 1988, a magazine that was sent out from Moody Bible Institute reported by it’s then president Joseph M. Stowell, “I find myself asking, “Is there something within our system that tends to produce neatly packaged products looking for a place to fall?” (p. 4, May 1988, Moody Monthly).

Are we setting ourselves up for a fall i.e. Pride, greed, lust? I think so.

Well, there is something wrong with our system today. It is the same thing that has been a problem from the start. Spiritual Discipline is not being followed in our Churches.

The Lord moves us into a place to reflect His Glory.

Jesus had commissioned His Followers to go into ALL the world and make disciples. That included baptizing them and teaching them to obey ALL that He commanded them (Matt 28:18-20). Christians are rarely asked to follow such a commitment.

Something happens to the core of a person when the whole community lacks or wavers on COMMITMENT. They tend to loosen up on the INTEGRITY they have in their relationship with The Heavenly Father. (Integrity means to be wholehearted in our commitments to God and His requirements.) Not WORKS but LIFE! It is not enough to say: “I believe!” What do you believe and how do you live that belief system out—even within your own household?

We look at the life of Job who was “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8). Even after much personal turmoil & loss, he stuck to his integrity (2:3, 9; 27:5; 31:6). With all his heart, Job cried out to his God and said, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” (13:8).

There have been some in the Bible that do not give us such an example. Good old Abraham fell away from a Godly integrity when he fathered Ishmael by the slave girl Hagar. God called him back to a wholehearted trust in Genesis 17. He then recovered and his faith was made complete (James 2:21-22).

The Lord moves us into a place to reflect His Glory.

Peter fell away a few times. He denied his own Lord Jesus before the trial. Later Jesus restored him. He fell into sin later when he stopped eating with Gentiles. He feared some legalistic Jewish approval more than he feared God (Galatians 2:1-13). He was “not acting in line with the truth of the Gospel…” (14). He was restored and went on to finish the race well.

In Israel’s history, we see time and time again how they lost their integrity before God. (Numbers 32:11). They fell into unbelief and that plunged them into an epidemic of immorality, open idolatry and, finally, outright rebellion against God!


This did not happen over night. One thing fell that lead to another. Small issues at first that lead to more and more dismissal of what God wished for them. They—like us—allowed issues to take front row seat that should have been cut out of our thinking and life style long ago, be we lack integrity of heart.

In Hebrews 3:12, we find a warning: “see to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, un-believing heart that turns away from the living God.”

In our postmodern world today, Spiritual Discipline looks like an optional concern. It should not be because the Lord moves us into a place to reflect His Glory.

Dallas Willard wrote in Christianity Today/1980 “The best of current literature on discipline either states outright or assumes that the Christian may not be a discipline at all—even after a lifetime as a church member.” A Gallup poll uncovered “a self-centered kind of faith” among young believers …that is growing.

One of the areas that lack Church/Biblical integrity is found in the number of Churches that remain silent on the issues of separation and divorce on the grounds of incompatibility. When a church does speak to this issue with the voice of loving authority, troubled marriages are often healed. Even if they are not restored, the rest of the fellowship has the feeling of security and support in marital faithfulness by a church that does take a stand.

An old favorite of mine, Warren W. Wiersbe wrote in a book titled speaks to the heart of the issue in his questions: “The Integrity Crisis”“What’s been a mission on our local churches? Why have good people felt compelled to look for substitutes elsewhere.” “Let’s begin by noting a lack of authority in our churches. I mean by that, the absence of the Lordship of Jesus Christ over His ministries and His congregations” (p. 117) and I would add, over our families, too.

By getting back to the basis of the Faithfulness of God, we can see that when we look at the Tabernacle He had established, we can see that when man dishonored His Throne of Mercy in the middle of His people, Israel fell into moral ruin and into bondage to pagan lands. When His People returned to the Lord with all their hearts and served only Him, God delivered.

1 Samuel 2:30, God said, “Those who honor Me I will honor but those who despise Me will be disdained.”

Churches are splitting apart in alarming numbers. By one estimate, 10,000 churches in North America split every year. One missionary went to the field supported by seven churches, but four of these suffered such devastating splits that they could not continue their support. One church had only twenty people left in a three million dollar facility! A fifth supporting church was losing so many people following a split that their support was also in jeopardy.

Why?

Lack of Spiritual Power in the Prayer life of the Church!

Questions to ask yourself right now about you own Prayer Life:

1. Is prayer changing me? How or why no change?
2. Is Prayer making a difference in my life?
3. Is my prayer life bringing me closer to God?
4. Do I know God better now than I did a year ago?
5. Am I moving toward giving control of my life to God?
6. Do I consistently try to tune into His presence?
7. Are my prayers helping me deal with my own sense of self-worth?
8. Are my prayers helping me develop a more loving relationship with others?

Because our Christianity is so unique, we must join together to make Christ our life! Our prayers can make Him preeminence (or have supremacy) on our fellowship so that the world will see in our praying community authentic Christianity that is like Christ Himself.

The Lord moves us into a place to reflect His Glory.

There will be a two week absence from the author. See you all after August 17!

Weapons of Mass ... Spiritual Power

Amazing weapons of mass destruction are all around us. Makes us feel open to much fear and a deep feeling of what can one person do? We hear of people stabbing people they do not even know who have a deep dissatisfaction with life. If one person wanted to do something, they might want to get a Bullet proof off-to-war suit, or a sure-fire proof suit. Maybe you are interested in not standing out in the crowd with a anti-bullet suit, so you can wear a go-to-the-office-bullet-proof overcoat and jacket or a special Jewish all-in-one gun for more of a personal defence mode.

On the web, you could get a Laser gun for only $1750 or buy plans for a Class IV Laser for $15.00 (light weight and hand held...just don’t trip!)

Or for the more than you ever need defense, the “Laser of Lead” ~ An Australian inventor has married ballistics with electronics and come up with a machine gun capable of firing 1 million rounds a minute.

Or maybe the Metal Storm Variable Lethality Law Enforcement (VLE) pistol is right for you. Light weight and shoots light. The web site did not report how to order it or the cost...

It gets to the point of when you need to ask: is it too big, too costly, too powerful, too dangerous or just plan wrong, if that is a concern for weapon makers...

Weapons of Mass --- Spirituality and Power

When it comes to the Christian life, we are told about putting on the armor of light.

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
ローマの信徒への手紙 / 13章 12節
夜は更け、日は近づいた。だから、闇の行いを脱ぎ捨てて光の武具を身に着けましょう。

or more armor from Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

エフェソの信徒への手紙 / 6章 /10-18

10: 最後に言う。主に依り頼み、その偉大な力によって強くなりなさい。11：悪魔の策略に対抗して立つことができるように、神の武具を身に着けなさい。12：わたしたちの戦いは、血肉を相手にするものではなく、支配と権威、暗闇の世界の支配者、天にいる悪の諸霊を相手にするものなのです。13：だから、邪悪な日によく抵抗し、すべてを成し遂げて、しっかりと立つことができるように、神の武具を身に着けなさい。14：立って、真理を帯として腰に締め、正義を胸当てとして着け、15：平和の福音を告げる準備を履物としなさい。16：なおその上に、信仰を盾として取りなさい。それによって、悪い者の放つ火の矢をことごとく消すことができるのです。17：また、救いを兜としてかぶり、霊の剣、すなわち神の言葉を取りなさい。18：どのような時にも、“霊”に助けられて祈り、願い求め、すべての聖なる者たちのために、絶えず目を覚まして根気よく祈り続けなさい。

For the past few weeks, we have talked about Prayer and Fasting. These, we said, have been part of the Believer’s arsenal for a long time. In fact, they are part of a group of weapons called Spiritual Disciplines. There may be a feeling of “Oh no, exercise, discipline, rules, list of “I HAVE TOs”! But, no. Spiritual Disciplines can be our friends.

Internal disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study.
External: Simplicity, Stewardship, Solitude, Submission, Service, and Evangelism.

To better handle these disciplines, we would need Jesus in our life.

Know that you are a sinner in need of a Savior...
Know that He has provided a way-through Jesus...
Know that He has made us to be alive with Him...
Know that His Way for you to Know Him is through Jesus...
Know that He died for you and offers you forgiveness in HIS Name...

Jesus said: I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one can come to the Father except through Me.

Now, grow in that relationship. How?? The Weapons of Mass Spirituality and Power.

Put on the armor He has for you. Let’s go through them one at a time and let’s see how it feels.

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

We are in a battle--no one is off the front lines. Some people are more front line than others..i.e. Martyrs see Voice Of the Martyrs @ Persecution.COM

We are all in the battle as the evil one is seeking us out.

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

John 17: 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Our role in this Walk of Faith is to be ready at all times to both defend the Faith and to make a stand for the faith. Paul gives us serious instructions to PUT IT ON!

The battle is real: Parents, put on the armor of faith so you can protect your children. Husbands: put on the Armor of God so you can defend your family.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

Holds up your spiritual stuff. Faith with Truth is powerful.

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

Guards the heart--center of emotion/faith/conscience/ Dealing with inner integrity!
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Only from the front. No reverse...no turning around...no turning back...forward into the battle.

The VICTORY has already been won at the Cross when Jesus died for you...in your place...He took your guilt on Him and paid the price for your freedom and forgiveness.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and

Guards the mind--Have this mind in you which is also in Christ Jesus--obedience.

A Believer does not have a dead mind. We don't stop thinking whe we believe in Jesus. Our mind become in tune with the One who made it. There is unity of heart and mind.

the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Don’t go anywhere without the Bible! It needs to be the center of any personal relationship! (As in dating...believer to believer is the Biblical way.) The Bible needs to be in the center of any working relationship. Read it often--over time, it will cause you to think His thoughts and effect your moods. Allow that to happen. Every one here today (or reading this blog) needs a mind change--about something in your life, believe me. The Word of God will direct your steps and guide you along Life’s Way of Faith.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

PROBLEM: Luke 11:22

But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.

If the armor you are using for protection IS NOT JESUS, you are not being protected. You need His Power, you need His Spirit, you need HIM!

KEEP THE ARMOR CLOSE TO YOU! Own it. Protect yourself. Give yourself to Him!

Fasting God's Fast

Today, we will have a Covered Dish after the service. Today, we will talk about Fasting because fasting is not always dealing with food.

How many of you have ever missed a meal? How about not eating for a day because of sickness? Is there anyone here that has gone without food for a week because of lack of money to buy food? Is there anyone here who has purposely stopped eating because you wanted to loose weight?
皆さんは食事を取れなかったときがありますか？
または病気で食べれなかったことはありますか？この中でお金がなくて一週間ほど、食事が出来なかったことがある人いますか？また、減量したくて食事を取らなかった人はいますか？

Have you ever fasted? Missed one meal? Two meals? Three meals? Two days? Four days? A week long fast? One month? 40 days?

Let’s answer what a fast is. One man wrote that fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines.
断食をしたことはありますか？一食だけでしたか？二食でしたか？それとも三食ですか？二日ですか？一週間ですか？一ヶ月ですか？４０日ですか？
では断食とは何でしょうか？ある人は断食とは霊的訓練の中で一番強力なものだと言っています。

I would think there is a more powerful one but it goes along with fasting and that is what? Prayer. Through the twin disciplines of fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can change and transform your life and your life’s direction.

Fasting has not been on the “I want to do this” list for a long time.
私は断食とあるものが一緒になるともっと力強いものとなると思います。それは祈りです。断食と祈りを通して、聖霊は皆さんの生活とその方向性を変えてくださるのです。
断食はやりたいことリストにはないと思います。

Fasting had been part of the believer’s arsenal for a long time. Over the years, I have seen real evidence of God’s pleasure in those who exercise Fasting and Prayer together.
断食は信者の武器の一部となってきました。ここ何年間、私は断食と祈りの中で神さまの喜びを見ました。

I believe that these two tools, if you will, when put under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in light of the Scriptures in seeking God’s heart--not His hand--our churches, our families, our communities, our nation and yes, even our world will see a huge difference. “If My People who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray...I will hear from Heaven and will heal their land.”
私は断食と祈りを通して、聖霊に導かれ、御言葉の光の中で、神の御手ではなく、心を求めるなら、教会、コミュニティ、国、世界までもが変わると信じます。

Our land needs a touch of God. So do our families. We are all in turmoil and in need of healing in our relationships with each other and with God.

This discipline has been listed in many books today as being one of many.
この地は神さまに触れられることが必要です。私たちの家族にも必要です。私たち全ては混乱の中にいるので、人間関係、また神さまの関係において癒しが必要です。

Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Don Whitney and Kent Hughes and others have listed them out in book they had written to help restore this discipline as a regular part of the Christian Walk of Faith.

Internal disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study.
External: Simplicity, Stewardship, Solitude, Submission, Service, and Evangelism.
リチャード　フォスター、ダラス　ウィラード、ドン　ホィットニー、ケント　ヒューズはクリスチャンの信仰の歩みなどについて本を出しました。　内側の訓練として黙想、祈り、断食、勉強があります。
外側の訓練は純真さ、管理義務、世を捨てる、従順、奉仕、伝道などがあります。

We are reminded

"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASBⅠ
１テモテ４：７－８の御言葉が思い出されます。

敬虔のために自分を鍛錬しなさい。
肉体の鍛錬もいくらかは有益ですが、今のいのちと未来のいのちが約束されている敬虔は全てに有益です。

Fasting has been a forgotten road for the follower of Christ maybe because it had some bad press. Someone did it and died. Some world leaders did it but they were not Christian so why should we? No time. I don’t HAVE to do it because Jesus does not command us to do it.
断食はクリスチャンに忘れられてしまっています。悪い印象があるのかも知れません。断食をして死んだ人がいる。クリスチャンでない世界的リーダーがしているからしない。時間がない。イエス様が命令していないから。

That last statement is a true one YET Jesus does say: “When you fast…” Matt 6:16-18 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
確かに命令はされていませんが、聖書にはこう書いてあります。
マタイ６：１６－１８

To borrow from Dallas Willard, fasting in its purest form is nothing more than a confirmation of our “utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance” beyond all other things. (The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives).
ダラス　ウィラードの言葉を借りて言いますが、純真な断食とは生活の前面において神を探し求め、完全に神に信頼することを確認するものなのです。

As though it was something one does without being told to do it---the ‘YOU UNDERSTOOD’ in a sentence. “____ sit down!” How about; “____ pray.”

Where does Fasting first start? With Moses. He did a long one: 40 days! That has come to be called “A Divinely directed fast” as it is way hard and LONG. Only a few in the Bible, we are told, did such a long fast. It is not the length of the fast that counts. It is your attitude. Your heart condition.

I want to humble myself and deny myself for His Sake.

Could be fasting from anything: Food, drink, smoking, sex, TV, chocolate, but not fasting from things that are sin, like fasting from stealing, lying, killing, swearing. We would just need not do those things.
断食は強制されてするものではありません。断食はいつ始まったのでしょうか？モーセからです。彼は４０日断食をしました。それは「神に導かれた断食」と言われ、長く苦しいものでした。聖書の数箇所にこのような断食のことが書かれています。断食は長くやればいいという訳ではありません。皆さんの態度、また心のあり方によるのです。神さまのために自分を捨て、へりくだりたいという思いが必要です。
断食は何にでも当てはまります。食べ物、飲み物、タバコ、セックス、テレビ、チョコレート。しかし、盗み、うそ、殺し、呪いなどの
罪はそれには当てはまりません。


In the Old Testament, we find that fasting was part of the Day of Atonement celebration.

Leviticus 16:29-30 gives us the set up. "This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves [fast] and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you-because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins."

旧約聖書の中で、あがないの日の祭りで断食をしたと書いてあります。
レビ記１６：２９－３０

Part of the whole package of being a member of the Hebrew Family. Just one day each year, for this particular fast.

God’s Fast is described in Isa 58:1-10　ヘブル人として生まれたのなら断食はつきものです。一年に一度断食をしました。イザヤ５８：１－１０

1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

Not only Moses ‘did it’ but also David, Daniel, Esther, Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah), and the People of Israel ‘did it’. Fasting was a sign of either mourning, joy, national needs, part of worship, soon coming death or to keep life.
モーセだけではなくダビデ、ダニエル、エスター、シャデラク、メシャク、アブデネゴやイスラエルの人々も断食をしました。
断食は悲しみ、喜び、国の必要のため、礼拝の一部などの現れでした。

There are warnings for doing fasting wrongly:

Zech 7:5-6 "Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?' "

間違った断食を警告している箇所があります。ゼカリヤ７：５－６

There are the right reasons as well. Right after these passages are from Zechariah 7:9-10,

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'"

正しい断食もあります。　ゼカリヤ７：９－１０

God was looking for justice and mercy not a fad of not eating--trying to only deal with the outside and not the real heart issues.

Zechariah 8:19- deals with a better way... This is what the LORD Almighty says: "The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace."
神は一時的に食事を絶つ外面だけではなく、正義と憐れみを求めておられたのです。ゼカリヤ８：１９

Along with the God’s Fast, one would find joy. One would find peace. One would find glad occasions.

In the New Testament, we find that Jesus fasted regularly, as did The 12, Paul, the early church. Not a problem, as fasting is found in the Early Church and beyond.
神さまとの断食は喜び、平安、嬉しい出来事を見出します。
新約聖書にはイエス様が定期的に断食をしたと書いてあります。
十二弟子やパウロ、また初代教会も断食をしました。

A few cautions: We must not see this fasting thing as something that by itself impresses God as with Isa. 58 –to love and to do justice. And we must not see fasting as something that forces God to grant our requests in --

Ps. 35:13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

断食について、いくつかの注意点があります。断食は神さまによい印象を与えるためのものではありません。イザヤ５８章
それは愛し、正義を行うためのものです。また、断食は私たちの願いをかなえてもらうために、神さまを無理強いするためのものでもありません。詩篇３５：１３

1. • Dallas Willard - Fasting’s “role in prayer is not to earn the right to an answer," – it’s to increase our hunger for God and conform our will to His.　ダラス　ウィラード：断食のいのりは正しい答えを得るためのものではない。神に対する飢え渇きを増し、神の意思と一致することである。
   
2. • Scott McKnight- from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, The Bible never describes fasting as a technique for spiritual benefit – it is always the heart broken before God that brings benefit. Fasting is just something broken people do because their bodies don’t need food as much as they need God. “It is not so much a discipline as it is a potential environment for all the disciplines.”　スコット　マックナイト（トリニティーエバンジェリカル　ディビィニティースクール）は聖書は断食が霊的な益のためにするものだと決して言っていない。断食は傷ついた人々が食べ物よりも神が必要だと言っているようなものである。訓練というより、訓練を受ける人のための環境である。

Reasons for planning your fast are two-fold...
The first is physical. Throughout your fast, you may feel somewhat weaker than normal. During the first few days, you may feel tired and irritable. Lightening your workload and cutting down on strenuous exercise would be a very good idea to maintain your health and your morale.
断食には二つの理由があります。
一つ目の理由：断食するといつもより、力が出ません。
２,３日断食をすると、疲れたり、イライラしたりします。
仕事量や過激な運動を減らすのは健康やモラルを保つのに役立つでしょう。

The second reason is spiritual. Fasting is not just denying yourself food. It is exchanging the needs of the physical body for those of the spiritual. Long times of prayer and reading God's Word will be very essential if you are to enter into a more intimate communion with God to maintain your fast to its completion. While fasting, if you dissipate your energy on numerous errands or busy-work to the neglect of spending special time with God, you will starve both physically and spiritually. You will find yourself becoming discouraged and frustrated with your fast instead of being benefited and uplifted and blessed. I don't want that to happen to you.
二つ目の理由は霊的のためです。
断食はただ食事を絶つだけではありません。
それは肉体的な必要と霊的な必要を取り替えるものです。
長い祈りと御言葉を読むことで神さまのより親密な関係の中に入ることができるのです。
断食をしている間、仕事や用事が忙しくエネルギーが消耗したり、神さまとの時間が持てないのなら、霊的にも肉体的にも飢え渇いてしまいます。祝福や益になり高められるのではなく、断食に対し、落胆し挫折してしまうでしょう。みなさんにそんな風になって欲しくありません。
• • Fasting aids daily denying ourselves and following Jesus (Luke 9:23-NIV)

"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

or in the Message:

"Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow Me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self.”　断食の日々自分をすて、イエス様に従うことを助けるものです。（ルカ９：２３

Much thanks goes to Sister C.T.-San for this translation!!

PRAY AGAIN!

Prayer comes in many forms and at many times it changes to fit the situation. When you are in need, the tone changes. When you are in joy, your tone will follow that line.

Luke 18:1~8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow

1 Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'
6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

Lady searching for the coin. The Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-10 (New International Version)

8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Man finding the treasure of great worth and buying the field.
Matthew 13:44-45 (NIV)
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearls

44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.

Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all the rest will be added unto you…
Matthew 6:32-34 (New International Version)

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

1. Evidence of Effective Prayer

a. Peace: Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

b. Power: James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

c. Holy Spirit Lead: Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

2. Reality of Effective Prayer

a. Prayer has Purpose: Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

b. Prayer has Power: Matthew 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven."

c. Prayer gives us Great Possibilities: 1 John 5:14~15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.

Next week: Fasting God's Fast