If there is one thing that we know from reading the scriptures is that when you spend time praying in tongues there is a building up, a power that occurs. 1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue EDIFIES himself…. and Jude 20 you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. When there is time in the Word of God Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word is…Alive and quick and powerful…and that life, quickness and power becomes apart of you and has been compressed into your spirit ready to be released.
I mentioned the above to introduce step number four which is “Minister”
Lets review real quick,
Step 1: Decide
Step 2: Consecrate
Step 3: Replace
Step 4: Minister
As you have followed the above steps you have just seen how a New Covenant fast is accomplished according to Matthew 6:16-18 and Matthew 9:14-17. Today I want to finish with taking the spiritual energy that has been produced and use it. You have received your reward and your focused time in God’s presence has produced a joy and strength that has you feeling like you could swing over hell on a corn stalk and spit in the devils eye, or storm the gates of hell with a water pistol, either way its time to act!
1. Minister to the Lord; Acts 13:2 is where I want us to wrap it up Its says in verse 2-3, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ vs3 Then, having fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” This is a great picture of the leaders of the church at this time taking time to get God’s direction on an issue and also to “minister” to the Lord.
What does it mean to “Minister to the Lord”? It means to come into His courts with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise (Psalms 100) and to just come to bless His name and give Him praise for all He has done. Not looking for anything or wanting anything just magnifying Him and lifting Him up.
2. Minister to Others; Colossians 3:16 describes this portion well and ends with, “singing grace in your hearts to the Lord” Any time the word grace is seen its a result of the focus of What God has done and given through love for us. Fasting produces an awareness of this and renews and energizes your spirit to minister to someone who is down or needs a word from the Lord. Don’t just run back to the food or television focus on the needs of others and what you can do for them. Stand with them in the prayer of agreement in an area they may be needing help or direction, pray for the sick, release the power of God in someone that is slipping in their faith in a certain area. You’ll see how strong and powerful and bold you are with out even thinking when you do. This is the result of spiritual focus and not flesh focus.
Thank you for taking time to read these past four blogs, I pray they have encouraged you and made you ready to have victory in any area of life through truth.