Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Doubt
Organzing the Inside – Day 301 Where is Your Faith When the Storm is Raging?
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. 24The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” Luke 8:22-25 (NLT)
Have you feared the worst when God told you to do something? Although you knew it was the Lord who told you to do this, somehow when the storm came you began to doubt. You looked at the winds, and the waves which represent all the opposition you’ve been experiencing, and have almost given in to the fear. Your mind is telling you to give up. Your head is suggesting that you never heard from God to begin with. You’ve often thought it sure would be easier to just give up and forget about it.
Jesus told His disciples the plan. The scriptures point out that He was specific about what they were to do. He said they were going to the other side of the lake. Jesus was with them the entire time, but the disciples forgot all about what the Lord said in the midst of the storm. In fact, what He said no longer mattered, because they were preoccupied with the storm. In frantic fear about all that was happening around them they spoke in unbelief and cried out, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
Do not doubt if God has told you what He wanted. When God tells you where to go, you should have absolute certainty that you will reach your destination. The Lord’s objectives will be met. He never suggested that the disciples should try to see if perhaps they could get to the other side. Jesus told them, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
7 Things You Need To Know To Get Through The Storm
When God gives you something to do, eventually opposition will come, but you can have total peace.
1. Know where your faith is. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. 2 Chronicles 20:20c (NLT)
2. The Lord is with you and He will never leave you alone. So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
3. When the storm is raging and calamity seems inevitable, you will not fail because you have the Word of the Lord. He will uphold you and give you complete victory. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
4. Even if you stand completely alone you and God together are the majority. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31(NIV)
5. Never cry out in unbelief, but ask for what you need (in faith) according to His will. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT) The LORD will work out his plans for my life–for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Psalm 138:8 (NLT)
6. You can make your mind obey and submit to what you know is God’s will. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
7. You have the peace of God. Don’t get distracted by confusion and opposition. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
Here’s a different look at this scripture, nice article.
- When the Storms of Life are Raging (dreamprayact.com)
Organizing the Inside – Day 263 How To Organize and Prepare For Fasting
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh? 8Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9Then shall you call, and the LORD shall answer; you shall cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness; Isaiah 58:6-9
Who: The bible does give many accounts of corporate fasts. (2 Chronicles 20:3, Jonah 3:7) I would encourage you to commit your part in a corporate fast to the Lord. Make certain that this is the fast for you. If God wants your participation, then He will speak to your heart. God won’t guilt you into fasting just because the Pastor said so and not even because it sounds like a good idea. If you are on board with what God is leading this particular group of people to do than great. If not, For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. Romans 14:23b (NLT)
What: Fasting is serious business. You should not arbitrarily proclaim a spiritual fast as something to do to be more spiritual. If the fast is not ordained by God you probably won’t last until the end anyway. View fasting as something more than a tradition or ritual and enter into it with purpose, reverence and humility; otherwise you will likely give in to your flesh and not last until the end. The world fast for strife and debate; they call it a hunger strike. As believers we don’t fast to prove a point or to make our voice heard by political officials. We fast to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free, to break every yoke of bondage. I do believe it is possible to have strong faith in one area and not have faith in another area. Therefore, it’s important to be specific about what you are fasting for.
When: You will know when to fast according to how the Holy Spirit is leading you. When there is a hard thing in your life, and you know that your doubt and unbelief is affecting your faith, this is likely a great time to proclaim a fast. But no one can tell you when to fast except the Holy Spirit. Unless it is a corporate fast and even then you want to know God is speaking to you to fast. Give your fast a start and end time as well as a specific purpose. Take your fast before the Lord and proclaim it before Him.
Some fast from sun up to sun down. Some fast for several days consecutively or for longer. Another method is to fast from sun up to sun down, but over the course of days. When fasting, you will reach a point where food is no longer a concern or preoccupation. Generally, the most difficult part of a fast is likely the first few days because your body is craving food. You must push past this point and then you will begin to sense the spirit man getting stronger and the hunger and constant thoughts about food will subside.
How: There are several ways of fasting. No food only water, no food or water and no food and natural juices. The point is to deny your body of food; essentially to deny your flesh. However, some modified versions of fasting abstain from other things like television or sweets. (read Daniel 10) You know the things that your flesh tends to want; be led by God in what you should fast.
The end of the fast is as important as the beginning and middle. I suggest you never come off an extended fast quickly and abruptly. Be prayerful, and ease back into your normal food routine. Otherwise, you may make yourself very ill. If after seven days of no food you decide to raid the fridge and eat everything imaginable, you will pay severely.
Additionally if you are on medication or have health concerns about fasting, exercise wisdom. Consult with your physician and more importantly, consult with the Lord. God knows your heart and He will show you exactly what to do about fasting.
Make sure you don’t give up one thing, only to take up another. For example you may be prone to eat out of boredom, but after giving up food you take up television, this will make your fast ineffective.
Consider having communion as the last and first meals of your fast, marking the beginning and ending. There is nothing in the bible (that I’m aware of) that says you can’t have communion at home or on your own. Surely God will lead you; you only need to ask Him for guidance.
Be certain that you don’t appear to be fasting, this is a private matter and no one else needs to know. 16And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)
Finally, the only exception is if you are married you’ll need to gain agreement with your spouse before proclaiming a fast. The married woman is subject to her own husband and during your fast you will abstain from normal relations therefore it’s a good idea not to suddenly spring it on him. (read Numbers 30:10-15 and 1 Corinthians 7:5)
As mentioned in yesterday’s post. It’s important to take heed to what you do and say when you are fasting. This is a time of consecration and hanging out in your usual places (while nothing sinful of course) won’t support your efforts to set yourself aside.
In conclusion, fasting is something I believe is very personal between you and the Lord. These are only guidelines and suggestions to help you organize yourself for a fast. This was not meant to be an in-depth study on fasting. The information I share on this post and any other is mostly out of my own personal experience and walk with God. My heart’s desire is to inspire you and me and encourage us both to deepen our relationship with Jesus by working on organizing ourselves from the inside out.
Related articles yesterday’s post
- Organizing the Inside – Day 262 Lord, Help My Unbelief (lizmason.wordpress.com)
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 