Our Call to Fasting

I've faced some big challenges lately. How about you? Are you in that camp with me? I know alot of Christians who are. My friends are losing their long time jobs unexpectingly. One family on my intercessors prayer chain has a toddler with a rare disease that neccessitates a life in and out of hospitals. Just keeping her alive is a huge task. The Dad lost his job and with the job, went the insurance. I can't imagine their stress level. Two income families are struggling to keep their homes and feed their families. Business owners are closing doors. A Godly family I pray for recently lost their missionary Mom of two school age children to cancer after a long hard struggle. Satan is busy, friends.

Across this nation and the globe, people are hurting. Both those who know Christ and those who don't. Many are doing all they can to serve the Lord, paying tithe, trusting, living in obedience and sacrifice. So, what do they do when these attacks come upon them? I would suggest they start with the knowledge that it IS an attack and not something that has happened by chance. Satan has a strategic plan to destroy every human being, every Christian, every church and the entire body of Christ. Ultimately, he plans for the destruction of all God has made. If this is not something you have given consideration to, please begin to do so right now. Yes, suffering is also a part of a believer's walk, but we must use discernment and seek God for wisdom to know if this is something He has sent for our growth or if it is Satanic oppression. Once you realize you are under seige by the enemy, it's time to go to God's Word and the power of His Holy Spirit for protection and His plan to over come evil. Evil is real. We must not mock it nor give it authority.

Jesus said we are to be the salt of the earth. The flavor that makes this life better and richer. So, how can we help "salt" the earth when we ourselves seem to be in need of enrichment or even rescue? What do we do when it seems the enemy is gaining ground and we are slipping beneath the waves. Christ gave us an answer. Well, He gave us many answers, but one seems to be His secret weapon.......FASTING.

There has been a resurgence and passion for fasting in the body of Christ since the late 1990's. One of the global leaders in this movement was the late Dr. Bill Bright, Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International. He was known as a leading authority on fasting in the modern church. I was blessed to know Dr. Bright and from both he and his amazing wife, Vonette, have learned much about walking with God and living a life of victory through Christ. It is his teaching on fasting that I follow today. You can find his guidelines at http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx. This is an excellent place to begin understanding the discipline of fasting and to make a plan to do so.

When Jesus was questioned by his disciples about their inability to cast out a demonic spirit. He said in Mark 9:29, “This kind can come out by NOTHING but prayer and fasting.” Wow, now that gives fasting some real teeth in our battle against evil, doesn't it? Pair that with Rev. 12:11 where He says, "And they overcame him (Satan), by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimonies" and you have a powerful force to stop the enemy from his plan. Christ has not left us without weapons to defeat Satan. But, it IS up to each believer to learn what those weapons are and pick them up to do battle against the devil. When you have a challenge or obstacle that just will not budget or a sin that continues in your life, your first line of spiritual warfare must be prayer and fasting. Don't leave fasting out if you really want results. Christ told us how powerful it is.

Dr. Bright wrote, "The enemy makes you a target because he knows that fasting is the most powerful of all Christian disciplines and that God may have something very special to show you as you wait upon Him and seek His face. Satan does not want you to grow in your faith, and will do anything from making you hungry and grumpy to bringing up trouble in your family or at work to stop you. Make prayer your shield against such attacks." Fasting needs to be considered with a sober mind and an understanding of what you are about to do from a spiritual perspective.

At the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I began a 40 day fast on Oct 13th. A month before, the Lord was speaking to me in prayer about going on a longer fast than my normal day or two each week. As my month progressed, a crisis occured with one of my children and I knew then why God was preparing me for this time of spiritual warfare. Being the planner and administrator I am at heart, I started nicely packaging my fasting goals, describing each one at present and the specific result I was seeking God for. I had it all wrapped up in perfect little fasting box ready to go! God has a sense of humor and I think He must smile when we continue to think we know what's ahead. I wonder if He grinned as He saw me write out my neat, tidy list and set out with enormous faith and great expectation. Not that He doesn't want us to have high expectations in faith, but most fasts end up being about our brokenness instead of grandious conclusions. The truth is that brokenness is where we needed to start in the first place. He can use a contrite, surrendered heart. I've learned fasting is very unpredictable and the best thing to do is follow God's leading as you walk through it. Surrender and denial of self is not just about giving up delicious food. It's about letting God be the driving force in our lives as opposed to anything else like food, sugar, sports, interests, money, other people and even our ministries.

I'm on Day 8 of my fast. (I actually had to add a day because I started eating non-solid soup and it did not work for me, but God got me back on track after praying and bringing myself under submission to him) Let's me just say my first week was glorious! I felt closer to the Lord than I have in years. Enter Week Two. Brokenness arrived. God has this way of flipping the tables when we think we know what is best, does't he? I'm trying not to white knuckle anything during this time and just relax and let God have His way in me.

I'll keep you updated on the journey if you will check back as my fast progresses. I ask you to pray for me during this time. It started as a cake walk and it's turning into an infantry march right now and I don't know what lies ahead. I just know Who's in charge and who I will follow. Two things are emerging as I proceed.............how dependent I am on God to help me do this because my own will power is already gone........and also, that we are never at the mercy of the devil. God has defeated Him. But, He says we are to work out our own faith in fear and trembling. Tonight, I am tremblying. I need Him to steady me. But, I am certain of God's faithfulness and love and He will arrive and destroy the works of the enemy. I've asked Him to show me how "these kind only come out by prayer and fasting" through the deliverance of those I care about who are struggling. No matter what the outcome of this fast He has taken me on, it will not be in vain.

Praying for you too,
Karen Jantzi
The Treausred Life Coach

An Urgent Mission Field......America

I'm thinking about missions today. Alot of local churches have been featuring the selfless work of the missionaries they support and sharing the needs of the foreign peoples they serve. I applaud honoring all missionaries and know God has a special reward for them in His Kingdom.

I salute Christians like Larry and Frances Jones of Feed the Children (http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dotorg_homepage) and Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/) for reaching the farest corners of the globe to help children and families with food, clothing, water, homes, work and the Gospel. The body of Christ must be the support they need so they can be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. We can't all go, but we can all send them.

But, there is a mission field that is on my mind that I don't see as much talk about. It's our own lost and dying nation. As Diane Sawyer recently aired her TV special on the plight of the children of Appalachia, having spent two years in its making, we see extreme poverty and hardship right in our back doors. This is not to minimize the severe suffering many suffer just to survive another day in places like Africa, Haiti and war torn or developing countries in strife filled with impoverished, dying people.

I submit to you that poverty, famine, murder, crime, drugs, corruption, economic depression and oppression are all results of spiritual death. They are "fruits" of sin. What are the fruits of the Spirit of God? Galatians 5:22-23 says, " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. " Sounds a whole lot better than what sin brings to our world. As America has begun to turn its back on God, losing its fear of the Lord, murdering its unborn citizens, financing the murder of babies across the globe, offering tax dollars to support same sex marriage which is against the Word of God, becoming the borrower and not the lender, covering the sin of its leaders, calling "evil good and good evil" as was prophesied in Revelation...........America is now in a spiritual freefall, as it plummets to the depths of our own selfish, carnal desires.

So, how do we help heal the social and economic problems in our nation? We start at the source of the problem. The heart of men and women. Without corrupt, ungodly or immoral hearts leading the way, righteous living can come forth. We start by addressing the dying nature of our spirit man, within every human. When the spiritual life changes, the natural life changes.

We need missionaries to bring the truth of God's Word to our nation's leaders. Can you imagine an America that wouldn't tolerate abortion? We need to support and put Christian leaders in office and places of authority and always hold them accountable.......to God and to the nation. The Bible says the people suffer under the weight of a corrupt king. The people will suffer more in the future. They asked for a King, just like Israel did, and they have received one. The Chancelor of Germany has suggested that we form a global governing body to address world recession and put Obama at the helm. Christians would have to bury their head in the sand to not see that this is what the Word forewarned us would come in the last days. Its here in our time.

Our present economy is just one symptom. Liberal American voters, many professing Jesus as Lord, voted in a President who endorses ungodliness in almost every arena of our government and American society. Many stated that they were so angry over former President Bush's war policies and the handling of corrupt CEO's in the corporate landscape, that they wanted him and his kind out of office no matter who they put in place of him. They were persuaded by charm, skilled orations, good looks, frustration over present problems and traded a flawed adminstration for a totally ungodly, foolish one. Now, America has been changed radically. We were warned that "change" would come. And it has. But, it is not the "good change" that was promised. Or at least, the changes that have so rapidly taken place are not producing good.

A Song for America from Wintley Phipps......

Pittsburgh, PA
Photos Courtesy of Little Canvas Art and Tori Hinn

Our land will be healed when we fall on our faces before Almighty God, asking Him to forgive us for where we have failed and sinned and change our worldly ways. II Chronicles says He will then hear our prays and make our land whole. This song is my prayer for America and for each of you.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1KqI3PPPjw&feature=related


Have a wonderful weekend with the ones you love. Rest, play, pray and refresh yourself before a new work week of achievement begins.

Treasured in Christ,
Karen

Honoring Lone Grove Oklahoma.....True Overcomers of the Storm!

Today I have already written here about the storms of life and how we prepare for them. More importantly, that God is with us THROUGH the storm.

My good friend, Jan from Kansas, a gifted Christian writer and woman of God, sent me this video today. How perfect is God's timing! This youtube.com slideshow is about the strong and courageous people of Lone Grove, Oklahoma, who's community was ripped apart by a devasting tornado.

Please take a moment and watch this inspiring video and keep the people of Lone Grove in your prayers. May God bless them all for their faith in God, the strength of their spirits and their love for one another. Also, if anyone knows how the church can be of help to this community, please comment and share that with us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJC8boupaOo


Treasured in Him,
Karen

Abiding in God's Care During Life's Storms

As a life long Florida resident, storms are just a part of our lives. We know they will come and we have learned to be prepared for them. No one likes to experience the stress storms bring, but there are some beneficial elements to passing through them. The words "passing through" being paramount, as it implies one has made it through the storm and not been destroyed. Coming out of the storm alive with as little damage as possible is the point of making critical preparations ahead of time. Most Floridians take storms in stride. They respect the powerful forces of nature, but I don't think they feel they are at their mercy because they have learned what they can do to "weather" the storm (pun intended) and come out fine.

What are the steps we take to prepare for storms?
(1) We are aware of the world around us so we are informed the storm is approaching. Proverbs 27:12 says, "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."
(2) We determine our storm plan and what we will do to keep ourselves safe i.e. boarding up windows, securing outdoor furniture, putting boats in dry storage, a route for evacuation if needed, personal contact information.
(3) We make a list of equipment and supplies we will need to get through the storm such as food,water, medical supplies, radios, power generators, and batteries.
(4) When the storm approaches, we are ready. We secure our position and wait it out. We have done all that we can to combat the storm and now we must have courage and watch it pass.

The storms of our personal lives are no different. We know they will come. God does not say He will shield us from the storms, but that He will pass through them with us. He will carry us to safety "under the shadow of His wing". We are tucked safely next to the down covered underwing, which is covered by the massive, protective outer wings that absorb the wind, rain and sun. But, in order to find that protection, we must have "prepared" our place of safety by choosing to give our lives to Christ and living according to His Word and ways. His protection is there for all of those who follow Him. We also prepare for those storms too by making God our source for all things. We study His Word, hide it in our hearts, exercise authority over our inheritance in Him, and place our trust and faith in His unfailing love. As we have equipped ourselves to weather the storm under His care, we know in the end, He is in control and He will never leave us.

But, not all His children will accept His place of safety. Though His Holy Spirit will woo us to Him, the final choice is stil ours. He will not force us to accept His blessings and protection because He has given us free will. The natural consequences of disobedience can bring the angry winds of storms in our lives. Sometimes, it seems we even ignite them on purpose by our own rebellion. Yet, without fail, when the clouds begin to darken, and the thunderstorms of life roll in, most of us seem to run to Him. He is a forgiving God. Yet a just one. I believe His heart of love longs to accept all of humanity, but His justice can only offer it to those who will believe on His Son and accept His plan of salvation and eternal life. They are the ones who will find safe haven during life's storms.

He is my "storm preparation" plan. I know when the winds howl and the rain is pounding on those strong outer wings of His, I will be nested safetly on the down and covered by His grace. I have been a witness to His protection many times in my life. Years ago, I was given a beautiful little gazebo for my birthday. It was my place of refuge and prayer. It sat on a little high knowl in my back yard and even on the hottest days, a slight breeze would blow through it. During some difficult times in my life when I passed through the "storms" of illness, divorce, death of family and persecution, I found peace in my place of prayer. I always prayed that God would protect my "Sweet Hour of Prayer" gazebo as we went through many storms and hurricanes. And He honored that petition. Huge limbs would fall all around my prayerful abode. Trees came down. But in many years of storms, my little gazebo remained untouched. After the fierce Hurricane Francias, we went outside to access how much damage we had sustained in the yard and house. I could hardly believe my eyes when I spied a can of soda sitting perfectly in place on the gazebo railing. It had made it through the hurricane untouched. Even more amazing was when I went to pick it up, it was EMPTY! Yes, empty! Through a category 4 hurricane, this empty can of soda was not moved. God reminded me at that moment how He honors His promises to His people. I had covered my little prayer refuge in petitions for safety and took authority in His name that nothing would happen to it and HE had honored it. It built my faith that you could not imagine!

Where do you find yourself today when you are facing a storm? Have you given Him permission to be your protector, your Savior, your Deliverer from the storm? He desires to be that for you. He is only a prayer away. John 3:18-21 says this, 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."

Jesus is offering us freedom from our own sin, but we must step up and receive that gift. He wants to be our rescuer in the Storm and He has provided the means to be that to each of us........if we choose it. I don't want to be alone in the storm. Its not a wise decision. Especially if I am responsible for the welfare of those I love too. My decision to allow Christ to shield me will also help them to make that decision as well. My prayer for you today is that you will wisely choose to make Him Lord of your life and be hidden "in the shadow of His wing".

Love to all of you......

Living The Treasured Life,
Karen
www.treasuredwomannetwork.org

The Gifts of Patience.......

For most of my life, I've been a very impatient person. My impatience wasn't manifested in being rude or abrupt with others, but more so in being anxious and a perfectionist with myself. I remember being a child on Christmas Eve and letting the anticipation of a morning filled with presents cause me to be upset to my stomach and unable to sleep until the wee hours. It's just my nature to be this way.

Like most believers, I've asked God to give me patience. The old adage within the church is "be careful what you pray for, as God might actually give you it to you". To exercise patience, one must have an application or situation in which to do so. Well, I seem to have been given my fair share of them. Sometimes I would truly rest in God's grace and provision, but in the end, I always ran to the line and picked up my anxiety and worry once again. I didn't like that about myself and my walk in Christ. I knew I needed to grow beyond that if God was going to do something in my ministry helping women. I have found that its the experience of failures and victories that God has used to help others in their own journey to the cross and growing more like Him.

In February 2007, I began to believe and trust God for a Christian husband. He would be the man my heart desired. I did as His Word instructs in Habakkuk and "wrote the vision on tablets". My tablet came from Staples. It was nonetheless my declaration of faith that God would surely bless me with this man if I delighted myself in Him and prayed to make sure it was His will for me. So, I prayed and fasted, asking God for permission to seek this in my life. I felt the release to pray for a husband and took a stand in faith that day. It was through this Godly man He chose for me that I have finally learned to be a patient be liver. In fact, it has been the process of our courtship that has required me to learn patience. It was not always pleasant, as dying to self never is. I had to exercise my new fruit of patience and trust God when fear would come upon me. It was through daily releasing everything in my life back to the Lord that I learned to rest and trust. Patience was the by product of that trust.

What are the gifts of having patience? Well, logically, the first and most obvious gift is that in the end, you get what you have waited for! Hebrew 12:1-3 says "run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith ... For consider Him that endured ... lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Patience lets us finish the race and collect the prize no matter what that prize is. In this case, Jesus is talking about the gift of eternal life through salvation.

For me, the most noticeable gift of patience has been the rest and peace I have found once I give up my need to hurry up the plan of God. In my search for patience, I have found the only true path to obtain this fruit of the Spirt the Word admonishes us to obtain, is to trust fully in Christ and relax knowing He is in control. It's the answer to impatience across the board. My fiancee, Ross, taught me what it means to exhibit and seek the rewards of remaining patient. He's the most patient human I have ever encountered. My emotional nature causes me to be more reactive. His more reserved, calm demeanor lends itself to abiding patiently. His strength in this area has helped me with my weakness.

The unsaved world is also given a gift from our patience by seeing the work of God in time. Seeing Christians have faith and wait in patient trust is evidence that we believe in the power of our Savior. That in itself should motivate Christians to trust patiently in the Lord more, as it would build a testimony to the faithfulness of God for them to witness. Patience rewarded then becomes one's testimony and as we know reading in Rev. 12: 11, the power of our testimony overcomes evil. This could even be seen as a form of spiritual warfare and a tool God will use to win others to Himself. It brings glory to God and brings hope that something outside of ourselves is truly at work on our behalf. It speaks to the great love God has for us and how available it is to ordinary folks who will dare to trust Him with their lives.

Believers are to seek the fruits of the Spirit of God. They are to be characteristics we endeavor to achieve in our Christian life. Patience is something I wish I had learned earlier in my life, but am grateful God chose to teach me through my courtship in my journey to marriage. You don't have to wait for your Christian Prince Charming to teach you though, no matter if it was wonderful to realize that the man God had chosen for me was very capable of being the spiritual head of our household and encouraging me to grow in Christ. Don't wait to seek the fruits of the Spirit. Set it as a goal today, so that you might begin to enjoy their rewards in your daily life! Embrace the beauty of patience in your life. I'm glad I did.

Living The Treasured Life,
Karen

The Treasures in My Life............