February 13, 2018 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Getting Out of Jail

I see so many of my Christian friends—those that are still in jail. Yes, they are in bondage either to themselves or to Satan. They have no freedom and are “carried about by an evil wind” that blows across their lives. They want and like being a Christian but that have kept some behavioral traits of past lifestyles. They are ‘luke-warm’, both Godly and worldly at the same time.

It is sad to see them without joy and in constant turmoil in their daily activities. God does have a remedy for this style of ‘jail-time’. Jesus was sent “To bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). Wouldn’t you like to be ‘really free’? I have a Biblical remedy for you.

In Isaiah 58 God talks about fasting, “Is not this the fast I have chosen? To lose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens and to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke (bondage)?”

I want you to do a new type of fasting this month or any month (it’s not a call to fast without food) a ‘spiritual fast’— a fast to find freedom! A spiritual fast can be without food at times but it is only a fast of saying ‘NO’. (Theological note: One cannot fast [a fast without food] unless God calls you to such a fast—at least for 40 days. Anyone can fast for a day or even a couple of weeks without food but a 40 day fast—no way—unless God calls you to such a fast. When Jesus fasted it was the Spirit of God that drove Him to fast 40 days in the desert without food or water.)

In a ‘spiritual fast’ God is asking us to say ‘NO’. Ask yourself, “Are you in any type of bondage?” Does fear dominate your life? Or, how about anger? Is it jealousy, a lifestyle trait, spending money, doubt or shyness?” It can be anything that stops the best God has to offer from producing fruit in your life. A ‘spiritual fast’ can help you.

For 40 days (or any lengthy number of days) challenge that flaw in the character that has placed you in jail. Any behavior that binds you, which you do not have freedom over. For 40 days just say “no” to the behavior. Begin your ‘spiritual fast’ by praying and asking God to keep you and strength to say no—just like Jesus, as He said no to Satan when Satan told Him to jump to the ground from a top of a building but Jesus said, “No, do not tempt God in doing evil.” You can do this, and make sure you quote this Scripture when you pray each day or time of temptation:

Matthew 4: 6-7 Then the devil takes him up into the holy city, and sets him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And said to him, If you be the Son of God, cast yourself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you: and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God."

God wants us free and a ‘spiritual fast’ will bring freedom to your life. Take on just one aspect of your life at a time. If it is anger that dominates your life do not try to say No to every time you get angry about but just one aspect of your anger. Maybe it’s anger when someone gets in your way when you are driving—so every time you usually get angry just say “no”—relax and tell Satan, “Not today—not this time!” Do this for 40 days—declare a ‘spiritual fast’ as unto the Lord. You will be set free and your freedom in Christ of this aspect of anger will come to you on eagle’s wings, as bright as the morning sun. As Jesus said “no” so can you—declare a spiritual fast and fast as unto the Lord with Jesus at your side. Remember, a ‘spiritual fast’ is not saying ‘no to food’ but ‘no to that behavior’ that you are in bondage too. Once God gives you freedom from that aspect of your behavior, then you can tackle another aspect of your anger—another ‘Spiritual Fast’ for 40 days of saying “No!”

If you would like to know about a ‘Spiritual Fasting’ and saying ‘No’, email me. I want you free in Christ and victorious over any and all kinds of behavior bondage.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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