All You Need To Know About Fasting

The term ‘Fasting’ generally refers to a period of abstinence from food for the purpose of engaging in uninterrupted study, prayer and meditation with a clear objective and goal in focus. Why is Fasting Necessary? The scriptures are replete with numerous accounts of remarkable results and dramatic testimonies produced through Fasting. As Christians, Fasting is one of the godly exercises we should engage in regularly, with the promise of present and eternal benefits. The advantages are numerous, and here are a few: Through Fasting, we can improve our effectiveness in the things of the spirit. In simple terms, Fasting helps you to tame the flesh and lift the spirit. As Christians, we are required to walk in the spirit, always. This means to be spirit-controlled and not flesh-controlled. This is important because Rom 8:6 says “…to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” and also in John 6:63 our Lord Jesus said “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing….”.

So how does Fasting help you to tame the flesh and lift the spirit? One of the cravings of the body is food. It is a craving that is connected to the senses. When we fast, we deliberately abstain from food even though our body craves it. We resist the urge to eat thereby improving our mastery over the cravings of the body, and instead focus on activities that build the spirit. Of course, we could engage in activities that build our spirit without abstaining from food, but the abstinence from food adds a level of ‘seriousness‘ and ‘discipline‘to the exercise. Fasting helps to sharpen our ability to receive or hear from God. It is like raising a spiritual antenna to pick the finer signals of the Spirit’s communication. But how does this happen? When we Fast, abstinence from food is a key characteristic but that is not all. The Fasting exercise promotes focus and undivided attention to study and prayer. There should be a deliberate cessation of all unnecessary activity and a conscious increase in activities of that engage the spirit. This helps to unclutter the mind and remove the ‘noise’ or interference that often prevents the hearing of God’s voice. During a period of Fasting, many have received clear direction and heard the voice of God in a more distinct way than before. Fasting can be a vehicle to effect dramatic and urgent change in things that pertain to us or even in the circumstances of others around us. In James 5:17 (amp) the scriptures assure us that “….the earnest (heartfelt)…prayer of a righteous man makes power available (dynamic)….” which means power to effect changes, shift things, re-arrange things in the present or in the future can be produced by me – when I pray a certain way.  So how do I ensure my prayer is earnest and heartfelt. When you declare a Fast, you are raising the stakes. It is a declaration of seriousness and urgency in addressing the matter at hand. It helps you to be earnest in your prayers and certainly it will be heartfelt. Your heart is in it to the point that you are giving up eating to focus on the matter at hand. And when you pray like this, the results are guaranteed! FASTING THE RIGHT WAY! MAKING IT EFFECTIVE….. It is important to note that Fasting is not an effort to change God. When we fast, we are the ones that change and we are the beneficiaries of the Fast. Our Fasting does not change God for the scriptures say in Mal 3:6  “….I am the Lord, I change not…”  So with this in focus, here are steps that can make our Fasting more effective; Have a clear objective in focus – what are your expectations from this Fast? The period of Fasting must include regular intervals of prayer, study and meditation on the Word. Having a clear focus and expectation will help guide your prayer, study and meditation time. Minimize unnecessary activity or distractions during the Fasting period. Though  solitude may not always be achievable, strive to be ‘alone’ with the Spirit as much as possible. And while there is no single prescription for the length of a Fast, it should be sufficiently long to be effective. It ought to be long enough to span several normal eating periods. And you should be hungry at some point during the Fast. But this is not a reason to break it but rather to endure and continue! Remember, part of the training of the Fast is to curb the craving of the flesh and maintain focus on the spirit. WHO SHOULD FAST, AND WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO FAST? It is quite common for people to Fast when they are in dire need or in trouble, but you don’t need to be in trouble or in a messy situation to be compelled to Fast. We can Fast to improve our spiritual acumen, stay ahead of situations, make general improvements in our life and to prepare for a greater future. And while anyone can Fast at anytime, there are special times when the Spirit of God leads us to Fast. These are special Fasting sessions not to be missed because they bear an accuracy and grace that is unusual. The advantages of Fasting are numerous, and every Christian should benefit from it. What Fasting can do for you, may not be obtainable in any other way. And like many things in our Christian walk, the benefits come to you by doing. You may learn, read or even talk about Fasting – but that won’t bring the benefits. The benefits are realized when you do it.

A GOOD MORNING PROPHETIC MESSAGE

God says: I want you to bring your joys to Me and all of your sorrows too.
I want to share all things with you--your victories, your defeats,
your hopes and your dreams. Come to Me and bring them to Me. I want
you to desire Me on your bad days, as well as on your good ones. I
want you to run to Me, just as you are--I don't want you to try to
make yourself perfect before you run to Me. Let Me be the One to make
you perfect, as My Spirit works within you to transform you.



Do not hide your darkness, expose it. Do not sympathetically make excuses for it, confess it. Hate it. Renounce it. For as long as darkness remains in darkness, it rules you. But when you bring darkness out into the light, it becomes light. When you take your secret sins and boldly come unto the throne of God's grace and confess them, He cleanses you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). If you sin again, repent again. And again, until the habit of sin is broken within you.

Like the prospectors of old, you must stake your claim high in the kingdom of God, being ready to defend your rights to the "pure gold" of Heaven (Rev. 3:18). And as you pitch your tent at the throne of grace, something eternal will begin to glow in you, like hot coals on a furnace floor. And as you persist with the Almighty, the sacred fire of His presence will consume the wood, hay and stubble of your former ways.

Power such as Jesus had will reside in your innermost being. Angels will stand in awe, for your gold will be refined, your garments light and your life holy.

IS THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH TODAY PROPERLY STRUCTURED?

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Curiously, and without biblical support, this fivefold list of ordained ministries from Ephesians 4:11 has been split by the modern church into two lists.

I want to ask these two questions. Majority of Christians will fail this test.

• Question #1 — Which three of the Ephesians 4:11 ministries are mentioned most in the New Testament?

• Question #2 — Which two of those fivefold ministries are mentioned least in the New Testament?

The answers may shock you. They indicate how far out of balance the contemporary church has grown compared to the original church that Christ established on the earth.

• Answer to question #1:

• The word “apostle(s)” occurs 85 times in the New Testament.

• The word “prophet(s)” occurs over 150 times in the New Testament, about 20 of those occurrences referring distinctly to prophets in the Church Age.

• The word “teacher(s)” occurs 125 times in the New Testament.

• Answer to question #2:

• The word “evangelist(s)” occurs only 3 times in the New Testament.

• The word “pastor(s)” occurs precisely one (1) time in the entire New Testament! One time! (Ephesians 4:11)

Consider those numbers. The Bible speaks of New Testament apostles, prophets, or teachers a combined total of at least 200 times. Pastors and evangelists are mentioned a combined total of four times!

And yet the modern day church calls most ministers by the term “Pastor” and shies away from “apostles” and “prophets” like a horse avoiding a rattlesnake! Man’s prejudices, fears, or misinterpretations have deprived the Lord’s Church of the two foundational ministries — apostles and prophets — that He Himself placed on earth. The Church today, wherever it denies these two ministries, is improperly structured. Pastors, evangelists, and teachers alone cannot bring the church to maturity. They were never intended to. Jesus gave all five ministries for that purpose.

In the two sections that follow, we will examine the characteristics and work of prophets and apostles in the Church Age. Nowhere in Scripture is there a concise, precisely worded “job description” of these two offices. Therefore, I will offer to the reader overviews, or composites, of these two ministries in the New Testament. Of course, no individual apostle or prophet can be expected to fulfill every aspect of these descriptions. That level of perfection remains the privilege of the Lord Jesus Himself.

5. What are the biblical characteristics and ministry of apostles?

• Acts 2:4 They were filled with the Spirit.

• Acts 2:14-36 They preached the Word of God.

• Acts 3:1-8 They healed the sick.

• Acts 4:1-12 They were persecuted.

• Acts 5:1-11 They pronounced God’s judgment.

• Acts 5:12 They worked signs and wonders.

• Acts 5:42 They taught and preached Jesus Christ.

• Acts 6:1-6 They ordained deacons.

• Acts 8:14-17 They laid their hands on others to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 8 and later chapters. They founded and/or strengthened new churches.

• Acts 9:36-43 They raised the dead.

• Acts 10 They preached to the Gentiles.

• Acts 12:1-11 They were martyred, persecuted, and sometimes delivered.

• Acts 13:4 They were sent by the Holy Spirit (the root of the word “apostle” means “sent”).

• Acts 13:11 They pronounce a curse.

• Acts 14:21-22 They confirmed disciples in their faith.

• Acts 14:23 They ordained elders.

• Acts 15:1-21 They settled doctrinal disputations.

• Acts 16:18 They cast out demons.

• Acts 19:22 They sent forth other ministering men.

• Acts 20-28 list further ministries that apostles performed.

• 1 Corinthians 3:10 They were wise master builders. They laid spiritual foundations.

• 1 Corinthians 4:14-15 The apostle Paul warned his “sons” in the faith.

• 1 Corinthians 7:1 They counseled and answered the saints’ questions.

• 1 Corinthians 11:34 They set churches in order.

• 2 Corinthians 11:28 Paul exercised “care of all the churches.”

• 2 Corinthians 13:10 They used their authority for edification.

• Ephesians 2:20 Apostles are part of the foundation of the church.

• Ephesians 3:3-5 They received revelation from God.

• Ephesians 4:11-12 They perfected the saints.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE: TRUE STORY OF SALVATION & MARRIAGE

This is how Brother R.W. Schambach narrated it:

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Some time ago, when I was in Seattle, Washington, I preached a message about Lazarus. The Bible says that Lazarus had been in the grave four days when Jesus finally came. Although it seemed as if He had arrived too late, He was right on time. He is never too late. In other words, it's never too late for a miracle.

Sometimes we put time limits on God. Mary and Martha were limited in their faith. They said to Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (John 11:21, 32). They had forgotten that Jesus was Christ, the Son of God - Emmanuel: God with us. They had forgotten that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. They didnt know that Jesus had intentionally waited. He wanted His followers to witness His miraculous power.

We should never try to figure out Gods timetables. He is always on time. It's never too late.

After the service, a woman came to me and shoved a piece of paper into my hand.

She said, "Now I dare you to say it's not too late."

Do you know what the paper was? A divorce paper, a final decree. She has just received it from the judge. It was final. The husband was gone.

She looked me right in the eye and said again, "Now, I dare you to say it's not too late."

So I smiled and took her dare and said, "It's not too late."

She said, "What about that paper?'

I said, "You are looking at the wrong paper. My paper says, What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:6) This is what I believe. How long have you been married?"

She told me they had been married for twenty-seven years and have five children.

I said, "That man has no business leaving you."

I laid hands on her and said, "Holy Ghost, bring that rascal to his senses and save him. Don't bring him back home the way he is. Lord, save him and fill him with the Holy Ghost."

I looked at the woman and said, "God home and get ready for your husband. He is coming."

Of course, that was easy for me to say. I was leaving town. I am an evangelist. I can hit them and run. But in all honesty, I believed what I had said. My wife and I drove from Seattle to Philadelphia. When we got to Philly, I had a letter, from that woman, waiting for me.

I opened it and the first lines said, "Dear Brother Schambach, God is never too late! God got a hold of that rascal, saved him, and filled him with the Holy Ghost. The Lord brought him back home and we got married all over again!"

That is the powerful aspect of faith. Take a stand of faith and say, "Devil, you are a liar. I am going to believe God for a miracle because He is going to turn this situation around." Speak faith. Speak to that mountain and that mountain has to obey your words. That is how you will experience the power of faith.

++++++++++++++++

THE END

Note: One of the things that I have noted with Brother Schambach, he is straight to the point in prayer request to the Lord, short on words and somewhat crude in speaking..but based on many miracle testimonys I have read coming from his revivals when he speaks over someone and lays on hands..it happens...boom, just like when Jesus commanded things done.

But, you can see that Brother Schambach does not mess around, he prophesies to the situation, declares it and commands it, yet he does it in supplication to God. This is the faith of the man...and Jerry Savelle said, he is a great man of God and what makes him such a great man of God is that he is a great man of faith!

+++++++++++++++++

Here is what you have to say over your husband or wife that have strayed away:

               "Holy Ghost, bring that rascal, ______, to his/her senses and save him/her.

                                  Don't bring him/her back home the way he/she is.

                             Lord, save _______ and fill him/her with the Holy Ghost!

                                             In the Name of Jesus, Amen!"

                                                                God Bless

HE TALKS TO ME...THAT'S IMPRESSIVE!

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life(John 6:63).

The word used by Jesus for “words” in our opening verse is the Greek word “rhema.” He said, “… the rhema that I speak UNTO YOU, they are spirit and they are life.” “Rhema” is God’s Word for you; His personal Word to you in the NOW! It’s a definite word to a definite person, for a definite purpose and at a definite time. Notice Jesus didn’t say, “The words I speak to everybody, they are spirit and they are life”; He’s very specific; He says “the words that I speak unto YOU!” He’s talking to you.

There’s something exciting and beautiful about how God deals with His children; He relates with you uniquely and specifically as though you’re the only one on the face of the earth. So when you hear or study His Word, especially in the Epistles, personalize it, for He’s talking to you. The Greek word is “katalambano” which means “to take hold of something and make it personal to you”; “to arrest and take possession of!” So when you hear God’s Word, arrest and take possession of it; apprehend it and make it yours; take a hold of it and make it personal to you! That’s exactly what God wants us to do with His Word.

When His Word comes to you, don’t say, “He’s talking to us.” No! He’s talking to YOU! Apprehend and personalize that Word. Jesus said something powerful about this in John 15:7, that once you’ve apprehended His Word, that is, taken a hold of it and allowed it to dwell in you, you can ask what you will and it shall be done unto you: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
What Jesus is saying here is that when you personalize the Word and make it yours, then you can ask anything you want, and even if it doesn’t exist, it’ll be created for
you! Glory to God!

OBEY SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS!

The Bible says that Obedience is better than sacrifice and Spiritual instructions are there to act as a guide in our every day to day lives.

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).

Never neglect the instructions given to your by your spiritual heads (Pastors) because in obeying the instructions are your great rewards. Always heed to instructions, don't be a like a goat who stubbornly prefers to go left when he is being pulled in the right direction. Be like the sheep, that is always humble and always willing to follow instructions and go to any direction the shepherd wills.

If your Pastor says" Attend church services", always do as he has instructed you to, remember it's not him that is giving you that instruction; he is only doing so under the unction and authority of the Holy Spirit. Never be too proud to follow instructions, never find yourself asking questions on the reason you must obey spiritual instructions.

Remember, in obeying instructions are your life and all those who live according to it, will eat the fruit thereof.

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2010 THE YEAR OF THE GREATER LIGHT

2010: The Year of The Greater Light…Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Loveworld News Agency, In the midst of the harsh economic meltdown that has defied solutions, demystified financial eggheads and made economic pundits look ordinary; the renowned televangelist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has declared 2010 the year of the greater light. Pastor Chris spoke at the traditional 31st Night service inside the 30 thousand capacity LoveWorld Convocation arena before a vociferous crowd of devotees and visitors who thronged the auditorium to hear this man whose words and prophesies have become the answer to life’s questions. As early as 4pm local time, the LoveWorld convocation arena was seething with an expectant crowd, outside the gate; security was tight but well organized. At 11.24, the man sent from God, walked into the auditorium and the crowd let off in rapturous jubilation. Pastor Chris had set the tone for the night earlier when he posited that the coming year would be a great one “This is a great year coming” he said. He took his opening scripture from Genesis Chapter 1:16 … “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night…” Pastor Chris was in his element, throwing uncommon illumination on scripture after scripture, Pastor Chris explained that the greater light is in Zion and that light is the Lords presence. The teaching Priest our time, declared that in 2010, no contrary circumstance will stand because the greater light will eliminate every disease for “they that dwell in Zion shall not say I am sick” After the message the auditorium became charged, while some blasted away in tongues others simply sat still to take in the full unction of the message for the now. Popular Gospel minister EBEN put it succinctly “ Greater Light; all I see is increase, with greater light there is a better way to do what you do…if you have never moved forward before there is a place called forward, if you are doing well, there is a place called forward, this year is going to be awesome” And Deaconess Eleanor Adaralegbe posits “it’s a time of dominion, we will take charge, we will see with greater light. The message has come at the time that we need it, the world is waiting and the message that we have received is the message for the now. The glory that will shine through us this year will be awesome, the steps that we will take will be supernatural not natural” And the morning of the 1st of January 2010 was the first day of the year of greater light as we wait with birthed breath to receive the stupendous testimonies and victories that 2010 delivered at 11.55pm December 31st, 2009

ARE YOU AN EARTH RESIDENT?

Have you ever heard of the book called Rhapsody of Realities?

If you haven't, then you are probably not an earthling. I mean you don't reside here on earth with us. Maybe you live on some other kind of planet. Rhapsody of Realities, popularly called "RoR" is making waves everywhere!

This is one book that I have seen change the lives of diverse people all over the planet. This book is actually what we call "A Daily Devotional." A daily devotional is a kind of book that you can read anytime of the day to give you insight into truths, into realities, into facts that can help change the course and direction of your life. BUT for best results, people who have been using it have found out that its best in the morning hours when you read it and apply its settings and configurations into your body and soul systems.

RoR is a publication of the Holy Spirit for these end times and days through His anointed and chosen minister, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. It is in [over] 60 languages of the world and still counting. I am talking of Afrikaans, Italian, French, German, Hispanic, Yoruba, Zulu, Arabic, Hindi, Cantonese, Gujarathi, Mandarin, and on and on and on!

It is filled with words of such immense power right out of the scriptures. The beauty of it all is that some people all over the world are committed to ensuring that more and more people get it free. It is not a freeware but some people are paying for it from the bottom of their hearts in joy with their hard earned money. I see this kind of thing and I am inspired! I am inspired to want to join their bandwagon. I am inspired reading their testimonies of success and the beauty of God in their lives.

Pastor Chris, thank you for this beautiful book. You and your partners are a wonder to the world.

Apostle Of The World

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has impacted this world in no little great measure. He has brought light to the eyes of many and I am proud to be associated with him.I listen and watch critics and liars alike say a lot of damaging things about this man whose only passion is to see the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ reach the ends of the earth. This is a man who has made up his mind to carry out the great commission on every available platform.

Critics, if you are out there and reading this, or if you are out there and you are planning to join the bandwagons of people who criticise and lie about this Man of God, why not take a good look at your own life and ask yourself, "What am I doing with my life? What positive thing am I conributing to the life of other human beings like myself?"

You may dislike Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's guts, you may dislike his programs, you may hate his crowd-pulling powers, but he is definitely leaving a mark on this world that cannot be erased. When the history of this world is being re-written, his name and impact will definitely surface, BUT what about yours? What would you be remembered for? Would you even be remembered at all? Rather than lie about a minister of the gospel, why not improve your own life. When I feel like criticising someone, I always advise myself to think otherwise and it has helped in shaping my life.

Pastor Chris, I love you, I am your greatest biggest number one fan. Please keep up the good work, and kindly accept my condolences on the passing on to glory of your Father on Saturday 11th October, 2008.