WHAT DID JESUS SAY ON TAX

Matthew 17:24-27;22:15, Mark 12; Luke 20, Jesus said, Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, to God what belongs to God. The Biblical accounts of Gospels in Capernaum said tax collectors of two drachma temple tax asked Peter if Jesus pays tax, he said He does. If Jesus paid taxes then what did Jesus teach His disciples? Matthew records two taxes  Jesus paid in Matthew 17:24-27; 22:15-22 temple tax and tax to government in Rome. People asked Jesus: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” It was a ploy to set a trap for Jesus. But He saw through their attempt to manipulate Him and falsely accuse Him of asking people not to pay. So obliged to pay the tax, Jesus paid His taxes with the coin from the mouth of a fish Peter caught. Tax collector cornered Peter and asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. Later in Matthew 17:2427 Jesus said to Peter at home, “Simon, does the kings collect taxes from their own children or from other people? Peter answered the others. And Jesus replied we don’t want to cause trouble go cast a net in the lake and the first fish you catch open mouth, and you will find a coin. Use coin to pay your taxes and mine.” Take it and give them for my tax and yours.”Jesus told the Pharisees and Herodians to give to Caesar things belong to Caesar in Mark 12. The issue is controversial as people disagree on how the government spends money. Some people feel angry because their needs are not met though they pay tax. The Bible example of Jesus to pay taxes again in Gospel of Matthew Mark and Luke are other account of the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus to find the reason to accuse him. In Matthew 22:15-22 Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Jesus to use His words against Him.Pharisees disciples with Herodians said “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are sincere so teach the way of God in truth. You are not influenced by men. Tell us, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus, knowing their evil intention said, “You hypocrites why are you trying to trap me? Show a coin for paying tax.” They brought him a denarius and He asked them, “Whose head inscription?” They said, “Caesar’s. Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God belongs to God.” When they heard this, they were amazed so they left him and went away.If Jesus refused ​to pay or He condemned Caesar they will accuse Jesus of inciting rebellion. People had no choice but to pay as Jesus also did. And Zachaeus a tax collector climbed a tree to see Jesus passing by. Impressed Jesus dined in his home during meal he decided to restore money he extorted by collecting taxes in Mark 2:13-17. In Psalm 24:1, The earth is the LORD’S and everything in it but life requires money to function, pay staff, provide services, resources, processing, printing costs, transporting goods. And maintaining the structures and repairs restoration, regeneration, grounds and gardens etc. Too numerous to list costs of services provided by the nations. Amazon, Google, Wealthy Offshore accounts do not pay tax proportionately fairly like others.Jesus and His disciples voluntarily gave to the Temple tax and state to set a good example. Taxes paid directly to local tax collectors who decided what people pay. Tax collectors paid by charging people more to earn money.  Levi, the apostle was the customs official in Capernaum taxed imports and exports as he liked. The Jews hated him because he worked for Rome and betrayed his countrymen.  Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector for the Jericho district notorious for taxes changed meeting Jesus of Nazareth.People are saying the tax exemption for Churches are unfair making mega rich pastors super wealthy multimillionaires Church members struggle to pay bills, food, mortgage, health insurance, fees or basic necessities of life. Private jets, mansions get bigger, fleet of cars longer but members poor. Its a major source of tension rich multi billionaires are state sponsored in extravagant lifestyles. Schools reduce hours, hospitals cut staff budget reduced. The churches use tithe, offerings, donations, for salaries wages, cost of projects, feed orphans, help poor under the radar, homeless, HIV, disaster flood victims, TV ministry, preaching, teaching Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, Evangelism etc. among wonderful work  of God. Admission fee puts people off so first time Benny Hinn was at NEC entry was free. Thousands turned up with no room for overflow solved crowd control next visit with ticket admission. Only a few people turned up venue was almost empty. God said nobody must enter HIS Presence empty handed so Jesus talked about the widow’s mite even poor give. In Exodus 23:15 God said, no one shall appear before ME empty-handed. Also in Exodus 34:20 God said no one must appear before ME empty-handed. Again in  Deuteronomy 16:16 God said do not appear before the LORD empty-handed.Gap between the rich and poor widens causing hunger and the stress, pressure, unemployment, lack, in deprived areas. No resources for disadvantaged so most public servants cannot get on the home ownership ladder. Many depend on the food banks despite their hard work and education. Zero hour job wastes time of trained staff without job or income. And the popular highly influential Christian leaders spew wrong ideas as ‘Christian Ideas.’ Don’t be misled…Study the bible yourself to know the truth of the Word of Christ. Read Bible as JesusFollowers and Christian’s. Some think Churches must follow Jesus’ example to provide fairly for the least in society too. So gap between rich and poor widens as many continue to suffer daily, starve and die in the most advance developed wealthy countries. Unfortunately a Class divide disproportionately allocate lion share to themselves as the world watches them flaunt it in their faces daily. 1 Timothy 6:10 says the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Craving more money is cause of all evil in doing so wander from true faith so pierce themselves with sorrow.A Christian family is fined taxes saying it is against God’s will to pay taxes. The  Christian family refused to pay income tax because its “against God’s will” but are ordered to pay more than A$2m tax (£1.1m $1.4m) to Australia’s tax office. It is Christian debate Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot and Fanny Alida Beerepoot of Tasmania do not pay income tax since 2011 as their religious right. Their farm was seized and sold by a local council in 2017 for not paying seven years of tax rates. Ms Beerepoot told the court: “We don’t own anything because it is God’s.” The siblings represented themselves in Supreme Court of Tasmania Wednesday, after did not pay $930,000 in income tax or other charges in 2017 ABC News said.Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot (left) and Fanny Alida Beerepoot (far right) seen here outside the court in Tasmania. Mr Beerepoot argued the law of God is the “supreme law of this land” and making people pay tax weakens dependency on God, leading to “curses… in the form of droughts and infertility.” “Transferring allegiance from God to Commonwealth means rebelling against God breaking first commandment,” he said, according to the public broadcaster. In judgement, Associate Justice Stephen Holt said he believed Beerepoots’ beliefs is genuinely held but there is no specific reference in Bible to support their argument. “In my view, Bible effectively said civil matters and law of God operate in two different spheres.” So the siblings ordered to pay sums of – Ms Beerepoot A$1.17m and Mr Beereport A$1.16m to cover income tax, administrative penalties and all interest charges” and costs in court documents. What do you think about various views?

BBC News excerpts reblogged & updated

• 18 July 2019
• Australia

DO TOYS DISTRACT FOCUS?

Too many toys are bad for children as a study suggests that the children become distracted when they are surrounded by too many toys. This is what the parents have suspected all along. Children who have too many toys are more also easily distracted so do not enjoy that quality playtime with other children as the new study suggest. Researchers at University of Toledo in Ohio, US, recruited some 36 toddlers and invited them to play in a room for half an hour, with either four toys, or 16 toys. They found youngsters were far more creative when they had fewer toys to play with. And they played with each for twice as long, thinking up more uses for each toy and lengthening and expanding their games. The authors conclude parents, schools and nurseries should pack away most of their toys and just rotate a small number regularly, to help encourage the children to become more creative to improve the attention spans of the children. This study sought to determine if the number of toys in a toddlers’ environments influences their quality of play,” said the lead author Dr Carly Dauch in journalInfant Behaviour and Development.“The higher number of incidences of play in 16 toy condition did interfere with duration and depth of play. Other toys present created their external distractions. “During toddler years, children develop but not master, higher levels of control over attention. And their attention plus their play was disrupted by factors in an environment present with distractions. The results of the present study suggest an abundance of toys create distractions. But provided with fewer toys in their environments the toddlers engaged in longer periods of play with single toy allowing better focus to explore, play more creatively.”Getting rid of toys encourages children to read more or paint, says researchers. Britons spend more than £3 billion each year on toys and surveys shows that a typical child owns 238 toys in total but parents think they play with just the 12 ‘favourites’ on a daily basis making up just five per cent of their toys. It is not the first time research suggested that too many toys distract children. In the 1990s the German researchers, Elke Schubert and Rainer Strick conducted experiment where the toys were taken away from Munich nursery for three months. After a few weeks, the children re-adjusted and their play became far more creative and social. The published research of their findings in their book, called, The Toy-free Nursery. In another book, ClutterFree with Kids the author, Joshua Becker also argued fewer toys are better for children because a sparse playroom encourages creativity to help children develop attention span and to teach youngsters about taking care of their possessions. “A child will rarely learn to fully appreciate the toy in front of them when there countless options are still remaining on the shelf behind them,” he said. “When children have too many toys, they will naturally take less care of them. And they will not learn to value them if there is their replacement ready at hand. “Fewer toys causes these children to become more resourceful by solving problems with only materials at hand. And resourcefulness is a gift with unlimited practical uses in their futures.

The research is published in the journal Infant Behaviour and Development. The conflict of interest of the toy companies advertising children playing with many latest toys makes parents feel obliged to buy them for the children not to feel left out. Children display their toys online on social media to compare with each other including the addictive games that stop children learning, doing homework assignments later in college, university or focus at work. Lack attention span or focus from childhood affects the adults today unable concentrate for few hours to complete tasks at hand. Christmas is around and parents must not let a child manipulate them emotionally to buy a toy without teaching them first value of essential basic reading at level. Children can get a few educational toy to reward them to do exceptionally well in a field of academic achievement at school. The development steared towards a specific direction of any future career requires relevant toys to influence natural gifts, talents and abilities. Otherwise parents unintentionally make children victim of success by their ability to buy too many toys they can afford. Just because it is possible to buy things seen on the TV in adverts does not mean it enhances their specific development. Parent knows the children best, whether they are trained experts or not must help child learn not to depend only on school to learn. Early learning through practical play is now rapidly eroded by virtual reality keep children cocooned online. So important to carefully reflect before Christmas on piling up toys to “prove” your “love” of your children to the world overloading them with too many toys. Experience shows most children are just so happy playing with the box, not expensive toys boosting their parents ego. Millennium children are suffering from the lack of a social understanding or interaction due to isolated attachment to toys valued as more precious than engaging with each other. Time consumed worrying about their toy possessions makes them miss out on appreciating fellow human being as adults due to learned behaviour. The competition among children, teenagers over toys leads further to threats of the perceived anger of friends loving them only for their material possessions. The toys must not take over to babysit their children without adult supervision and input. One of the best ways to bond with children is play with them sometimes to help them value the adults in their lives.

Sarah Knapton, editor

5 DECEMBER 2017 • 5:48PM

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APOCALYPTIC DOOM CLOCK

Apocalyptic doomsday timeclock moved two minutes toward global nuclear war threats and conflicts. Doomsday clock is a metaphor for vulnerable catastrophes in the world as deemed to be. Concern grows about a possible nuclear war and the global threats pushing forward their symbolic Doomsday Clock by 30 seconds two minutes before midnight. A Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) said it had acted because the world was becoming “more dangerous.” The clock, created by the journal in 1947, is metaphor for how close mankind is to destroying the earth and some inhabitants in the process. An amalgamation of world events points to growth spurt surge of global tragedies. It is getting closest to apocalypse since 1953, the year the US and Soviet Union tested hydrogen bombs. Last year, the clock moved forward by 30 seconds by the Scientists. Behind decision was an announcement of move in Washington DC on Thursday, and the BAS said the decision “wasn’t easy” and said it was not based on a single factor. However, BAS President and CEO Rachel Bronson said “in that year’s discussions, nuclear issues took centre stage once again.”So the team of scientists singled out series of nuclear tests by North Korea. They dramatically escalated tensions on the Korean peninsula and led to a war of words between North Korea and the US. BAS referred to new US nuclear strategy and expected to call for more funding to expand the role of the country’s nuclear arsenal. Rising tension between Russia and West was also a contributing factor. It is interesting this major players in the Armaggedon war alliances have set up magazines of ammunitions all over the world in strategic locations causing the sporadic tensions of territory turf wars. Worst of all the suppliers of the guns or bombs selling trillions worth of armour are monitoring the outbreaks of wars in many countries. These alliances explode into major Armageddon conflict against God HIMSELF taking back nations from all these factions to establish Kingdom of God on earth through Jesus Christ.The “weakening of institutions” around the world in dealing with major global threats including climate changes were other major concerns the scientists said. They mentioned US President Donald Trump’s “unpredictability” pointing to his controversial tweets and statements. The doomsday Clock’s minute hand on the Doomsday Clock is the metaphor for how vulnerable to catastrophe in world is deemed to be. Media caption WATCH how the Doomsday Clock changed from 1947 up to last year. So symbolic device created by Bulletin of Atomic Scientists in 1947 founded, University of Chicago, 1945 by group of scientists who helped develop first atomic weapons has group including physicists and environmental scientists from around the world. They decide to adjust clock in consultation with their group’s Board of Sponsors including Nobel laureates. The threats compared to previous years show the rapid rate of simultaneously dangerous global events. When created in 1947, the clock’s hand stood at seven minutes to midnight but changed to more than 20 times from two minutes to midnight to 17 minutes before midnight in 1991. So during 1962 Cuban missile crisis it was considered by many analysts to be the closest the Cold War face-off between the US and the USSR came to escalating into a nuclear war the Doomsday Clock stood still at seven minutes to midnight.The BAS says: “The answers to seeming anomaly are that the Doomsday Clock captures trends and takes into account the capacity of leaders and societies to respond to crises with reasoned actions to prevent nuclear holocaust. “Cuban Missile Crisis, for all its potential and ultimate destruction lasted a few weeks; but lessons learnt quickly apparently show United States and the Soviet Union installed the first hotline between two capitals to improve communications. It negotiated 1963 test ban treaty, ending all atmospheric nuclear testing.” In fact, the Doomsday Clock was moved back to 12 minutes to midnight in 1963. What is interesting about this doomsday clock is it is direct fulfilment of the apocalyptic prophecy predicted in the Bible. It is in a timeline with Daniel’s 70 years sealed as a prophecy for endtime of the world. Precise timing depends on the various cataclysmic event unfolding concurrent with Book of Revelations and Ezekiel 38 among other Prophecies. Jesus warned the world about the events 3 thousand years ago in Matthew 24. The warnings are not exclusive private matter of past disciples or to only Israel. This events are recorded in the Bible including the stages of how it unfolds and methods used by God and mankind. The nations involved are named in the Bible and the consequences affect the whole world. There are times when you have such rapid-moving fires … no amount of planning is going to result in a perfect scenario, and that’s what we had to deal with here,” Honea told the Action News Network. In northern California, when Paradise was evacuated, the order set off a desperate exodus in which many motorists got stuck in gridlocked traffic and abandoned their vehicles to flee on foot. People reported seeing much of the community go up in flames, out of 22 homes only two survived fires including firemen’s homes lost and supermarkets, businesses, restaurants, schools and a retirement center. Paradise is about 180 miles north-east of San Francisco. Rural areas fared little better. The homes with propane tanks exploded in flames. ‘They were going off like bombs,’ said Karen Auday, who escaped to a nearby town. In Hollywood people suffered recurrent Biblical wild fires affecting celebraties’ paradise homes. The wild fire came so quickly residents had no time to gather medications or documents. Firefighters carried people from homes, put them in empty seats of the neighbours’ cars, said Carol Napoli, 74. Napoli left with friend, friend’s son and her mother in her 90s had to leave behind her oxygen tank too risky near fires. It was reported people sought refuge overnight in the church. A few minutes of news shows sudden tragedies, traumas, earthquakes, floods volcanoes, wildfires, flash floods, rivers in deserts due to climate changes. Seas and rivers are polluted by plastic waste damaging flora and fauna of natural beauty of the earth. Ozone damages the carbon cycle causing acid rains destroy crops, causes cancer in the animal food chain consumed by humans. The toxic chemicals sprayed to increase a hybrid genetic modified food with a synthetic  chemical fertilizers and pesticides are all accumulated damages. Hitech robots and machines replace humans jobs so billions unemployed through no fault of their own. Conglomeration of pressure on deprived families exploited by a few inner circles all add up to God’s Wrath to fastrack doomsday destructions. GOD unleashes destruction reconstruction in stages through earthquakes, volcanoes, natural disasters, wildfires, sinkholes, landslides, mudslides, tsunamis, capture attention of people to wake up and be prepared for Rapture. Though Jesus said, there will be trouble in the world God provides escape for eternal life to recreate perfect sinless world for those who believe. All who doubt, mock, are left behind to go through worse things yet to come. Jesus said the world has NEVER such evil before and will NEVER see such evil again after Armageddon. It is in Bible people will cause wars to cull populations while building the caves for themselves to hide in. But is biggest joke because nobody hides from God to any safe place beyond God’s reach. Scripture says there is nowhere to go to from HIS PRESENCE, if you go under the sea God is there, if you go above the skies God is there. It is time for a change of heart to examine yourself and seek God’s Mercy and Grace because these perilous times are getting worse. When God instructs HIS angels to increase damage to earth it will destroy one-third of the humans, one-third of trees, one-third of seas and rivers one-third of ships sink in the sea. Confusing climate patterns can distort perception to disorient people, animals, gadgets by 24/7 unusual light changes affecting navigation systems, weather changes of chem trails, fracking leaving whales trapped in shallow waters. Make personal choice to obey God to be in HIS Kingdom through HIS Son Jesus Christ. God is slow to anger, so does not want anyone to perish delaying HIS Wrath but releases these warning signs to alert people to pay attention before it is too late. So scientists confirm these events in the Bible predicted to unfold globally daily. It is decision time today to choose to believe God’s Word to be saved for an eternal life under Jesus Christ in Israel. 

Last year, clock moved forward by 30 seconds.

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World

MONEY CHARMS TO BE RICH

 

Money charms to become rich is the trend some people use to get quick gratification in life. Love of money for vanity to buy material things is concept sold by capitalist as source of happiness and status. This idea affects people’s ego to compete so seen with latest gadgets, latest fashion, latest clothes, cars even if unemployed. Bondage yoke materialism puts some people under pressure to conform so accepted by peers in clicks or gangs. Mistake material possession is equal to value of life so lack of material things, “dehumanize” them so acquire it through dubious mean at cost of others. Its bizarre the least hard-working wants most expensive things due to jealousy and envy, laugh at those living humbly within their means. People perish for lack of knowledge. So paradigm shift to acquire wealth by any means necessary causes brilliant people to lose focus, not concentrate on skills, talents, abilities, to earn genuine honest income. Love of money for lust misguides some to look for such money sources instantly to fit into constantly changing trends. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “people be judged by CONTENTS OF THEIR CHARACTER” not by skin tone, class, race or fashion labels, price tags left on garments to show off brand. Martin Luther’s points out damage done to people not treated fairly. Some actively involved in money charm scams, due to pride, arrogance of entitled generation seeing themselves above “working class” reject physical normal jobs involving sweating or toil. So impatient want everything yesterday without knowing or understanding of principles of how long things take to be made and costs. Live in the moment, to be permanently high, enjoying life seen from their perspective as having fun. Its unrealistic pressure to own only latest constantly in fashion, cars, gadgets that lead to evil lifestyle bondage conscience obsessed to impress others to get Street credit. School textbook topics teach the capitalist model influencing young minds advertising sales contents shops calculate maths and English lessons etc. Compare old textbooks with classrooms disguised market generation shoppers. Money spending preoccupation has no ethics to save money, wait, earn enough to buy things NEEDED without instant loans or credit cards. Free access to money creates debt for people deluded by things of the world, grass is greener keeping up with Jones. Live this lifestyle for years but still empty because of void in heart. Look for fulfilment in wrong places, vulnerable to wiles of deception and entrapment into bondage. People struggling with self-worth taught to get self-worth from how much money they earn equals power. Grow up see others getting self-esteem from earning money. With lack of money, face life of struggle, end up feeling ashamed and humiliated for not enjoying the glamorous luxury lifestyle of others flaunted on TV and in newspapers. So see sophisticated luxury lifestyle of slavery and colonial masters enjoying wealth resources usurped copy lifestyle they cannot afford. Others feel they deserve to take back what the devil stole from them by exploitation resort to such methods. All wealth belongs to God so people are stewards entrusted with God’s wealth to provide for all. Do not seek vengeance on capitalists who dupe, hide billions, reward themselves in luxury. God owns all wealth so God’s business to deal with them, leave it for God Jehovah Jireh to provide for you in Jesus Name. Wealth will not save people as Jesus returns to judge they will throw wealth in caves trying to hide from God.  

The Bible says in last days people will go to and fro in wrong places looking for happiness and enjoyment to feel good about themselves. People want an unrealistic virtual lifestyle not real life existence within God’s will and plans or purpose. Love of money is root of ALL evil as Bible says leading these innocent people to sell souls to spiritualists, witch doctors to get instant money. Money has conditions attached, destroy themselves or others initiated. Innocent people are victims in bondage as the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. So naive, greedy children lured into dark forces by a love of money not realising they get into evil satanism too late. So devil goes for best people’s destiny to destroy and disgrace the family. Ironically, families sacrifice to provide needs so lack nothing from a good home with loving parents, orphan, divorced, widows, poor given all family has. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is met beyond basic necessity so live in luxury but bored, restless seek illusion to have fun in wrong places, entangle lives with the forces beyond control. accompanied by nightmares, evil spirits follow them daily to torment them. Seek deliverance since they got more than they bargained for. Money charms continue working by demanding human sacrifice blood to keep potency or lose everything. They do not become rich or established with charmed money, spend it recklessly as instructed to buy clothes, shoes, drink, smoke, do drugs live a lustful lifestyle. Gain the whole world but lose their soul to devil tormenting them changing rules demand to control them gets worse and deeper in marine initiation meeting satan who gives assignment to kill loved ones and relatives for money. So money contaminates real money causing loss to genuine money mixed with money in bank saving through purchases. So evil spirit money in shops changed sends original money back into evil wallet. So empty coffers of hard-earned money people have. Necessary for good success by entrusting money into God’s HANDS to protect your finances in Jesus Name. Jesus warned there will be lawlessness lack of respect for parents, family in-laws without fear of offending people. The witchdoctor initiation controls their minds secret life is hidden from family members. Loved ones from good family targeted by friends who recruit initiate them. Quantification of the value of life lures people under pressure to destroy others to make satan happy with their pain. As pawns, realise their mistake so run to God for help after coming to their senses. Go down a destructive path, lose friends who died recognise they are next unless urgently delivered in Jesus Name. This time evil spirits fights and struggles with them not to seek help because evil spirits will be cast out. To denounce evil spirit seek deliverance from a deliverance church. Jesus came to destroy all works of devil to DELIVER people from all destruction. Find pastors who deliver you without charging money. Give thanks and Glory to God, Jesus Christ through Holy Spirit. Change sim card, delete online contacts porn sites, bad friends and live actively under deliverance pastor’s anointing. Divine cover of Spiritual father in Christ in church, read to study Bible, maintain deliverance living according to word of God in Jesus Christ Name. Praise God.

7000 PEOPLE DIDN’T BOW

7000 people of God did not bow to the idols imposed on Elijah’s nation forced to worship strange gods. God’s Remnant in face of adversity refused to bow to idols against God’s commands to serve only a Living God. Despite the pressure put on the prophets many remained loyal some in caves hidden from those persecuting them. On Mount Horeb in Israel in the dark cave sits the lonely prophet of God. This Godly elderly man, probably in his eighties felt all alone, completely given up on society. Forty days earlier, the prophet begged God to strike him dead. He was convinced, “This nation is too far gone. And the church is backslidden beyond repair. Every leader was puppet of the devil revival is simply impossible. There’s no hope Lord please take my life in 1 Kings 19:4. The saintly Elijah came to a despairing state hours after he won greatest victory of lifelong ministry. On Mount Carmel, Elijah faced 850 false prophets in a life-or-death showdown over whose God would prevail. Some 450 of these prophets served the pagan god Baal; the other 400 were priests of the idolatrous groves built by wicked Queen Jezebel. In a demonic ritual baal prophets danced and wailed, trying to awaken their god. The frenzy ended, the prophets lay bleeding profusely, totally exhausted. Elijah steps up on his turn so simply calls on the LORD and instantly supernatural fire fell from heaven. The engulfing blast of heat consumed the prophet’s sacrifice and twelve barrelfuls of water poured around it. It consumed the rocks on the altar. Awesome display of God’s almighty power. The false prophets trembled at the sight. And the backslidden Israelites who present all fell to their knees crying, “The LORD, HE is GOD the LORD HE is God in vrs. 18:39. Elijah the 850 false prophets so revival was back in Israel awakening Elijah had prayed for finally came or so he thought “This is God’s hour, the beginning of the renewal preached about so long.” Elijah so energized outran King Ahab’s chariot for twenty-five miles, back to the capital city, Jezreel. Thinking “Who can stand against what God has done today? This nation’s sensual, ungodly government must collapse with Jezebel’s next. She, racing back to her idolatrous father in Zidon. She’s heard about the fire from heaven so wants to escape Holy Ghost’s purge. The greatest moment in Israel’s history!” Elijah was convinced people would listen to him, determined to go straight to abandoned temple, to restore pure worship in Jezreel. But before he came near the city, he was accosted by a messenger from Jezebel. That the queen threatens, “the gods do to me and more also, if I make not his life as the life of one of them by tomorrow this time” in vrs 19:2. She told Elijah, “got one day to live, prophet before slayed the way slew idol priests.” Within twenty-four hours of incredible victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah is back in wilderness, trembling under a juniper tree, everything had backfired, overnight, all his hopes for the national renewal vanished. 

Elijah who pours water on his sacrifice and still gets fire from heaven is forty days in mountain cave, alone.”So Elijah decided, “It’s all over if miraculous fire from heaven can’t motivate backslidden people, then nothing can.” The word of the Lord came to him, and HE said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?” in vrs. 19:9. God’s was saying, “What is it bothering you, Elijah? What’s your complaint? So suddenly prophet unburdened his pent-up heart: “I was jealous for the LORD God of hosts as children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down the altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” in 19:10. What Elijah said was true that God’s people in sad state, wickedness abounds in Israel. And true prophets maligned and words mocked. In spite of this, Elijah remained faithful, wholly given to God’s cause and prayed fervently for revival so wrongly thinks he alone carried LORD’s burden. Elijah, felt was the only sin-hating, God-fearing preacher left in nation.” Elijah was overcome by loneliness was saying, “LORD, if others are as zealous for you as I am, where are they? I don’t see anyone crying out against sin as I do.” The fact is, praying people often are loners few are great socializing mixers. Those who wrestle with the LORD in prayer share burden of HIS heart. They see as God Sees, able to discern the true condition of God’s people, sobered by all the flesh and foolishness seen in life. So it drives them to their faces, praying as Elijah did with broken heart of concern. If you’re a person of prayer, probably felt alone, as Elijah did. Perhaps you too mourn over your nation. Maybe you cry out, as Amos did, “LORD, don’t let me sit back in ease while such great bondage exists in your church.” You wonder, as Elijah did, “Where are the Godly leaders and brokenhearted shepherds? Where are those who believe in holiness not the fleshly methods? Felt like out-of-step fanatic. Please, Lord, bring fellowship with others who see things I’m seeing.” So Elijah, alone in cave overwhelmed by loneliness hears still, small voice asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?  in 1 Kings 19:13. Once more, Elijah replied, “I, even I only, am left and they seek my life, to take it away” in 19:14. This time God answered him, “You’re not alone, Elijah, you’ll meet my servant Hazael. I want you to anoint him king over Syria. There’s Godly Jehu, you are to anoint as king over Israel. There is young prophet Elisha who will serve beside you.” The LORD said to Elijah, “I have remaining in Israel seven thousand prophets all whose knees have not bowed unto Baal, and all whose mouths have not kissed him in vrs 19:18. God said, “I’ve got 7,000 hidden ones, men and women who haven’t given in to the spirit of this age. They’re growing in MY Spirit, they all share same burden as you.” These 7,000 includes 100 true prophets hidden in caves by Godly Obadiah the high-ranking governor who served in evil King Ahab’s household. He hid 100 prophets in two caves of fifty keeping them alive with bread and water. Elijah knows all Godly men and Micaiah Godly prophet Ahab jailed prophesying truth to him in 22:8. Elijah knows these but is overcome by loneliness of calling. The 7,000 Holy Remnant people God was preparing today for the Coming Chaos. God hides a remnant in this generation not bowed to idols of this age. The baal worship origin at Tower of Babel, under Nimrod was, “Let us make us a name” in Genesis 11:4. Babel built monument to human success or accomplishment had a top observatory, astrologers followed the heavenly bodies to reach the stars.” In Elijah’s day, baal worshippers got the success, fame and prosperity by kissing idol’s feet sought fulfillment in areas of materialism and sensuality. These baal worshippers were God’s chosen people, so backslidden worshippers of Jehovah. God’s people drawn to blatant idolatry, lusting after idol prosperity. They fled to Egypt, when they faced poverty, hunger and homelessness after Canaan was hit by famine. They saw the baal followers materially rich, reasoned we had plenty of food in Jerusalem bowing to idols and so ‘blessed’ successful without suffering. But ever since we stopped worshipping idols faced hardship so goes back to the burning incense making drink offerings to queen of heaven to get things wanted again in Jeremiah 44:16-19. God’s people fell under seduction of material gospel spirit of greed and covetousness grip so their lives center on wealth recognition. There’s nothing wrong with success if things done in God’s way by clinging to Christ, tithing, submitting to God’s will. But there was unholy mixture, people bowed to Jehovah because in fear of HIS judgment yet covet idol material things. The spirit of baal in nation’s image of pagan gods bronze statue of increasing prosperity, great wealth, fame, human achievement gods nation bow to. A man is considered successful if he amasses billions of money to live the rest of life in ease, obtains recognition, it doesn’t seem to matter if marriage fail, consorts with prostitutes or ruins people in their pursuit of fame, power and wealth still treated epitome of success by world’s standards multitudes strive for. Entire nation asks who wants to be millionaire longing to strike it rich. This concept of success crept into the Church. Seductive baal spirit at work multitudes, believers driven by urgent need to make it big. As a result swept into such expected lavish living and bottomless pits of debt. This spirit produced cockeye view of success similar to the world’s. When Pentecostal movement in Canada held a seminar for “successful pastors,” it stipulated only ministers with congregations of at least 1,000 people could come, large numbers was criterion for success. When at first started working with gangs and addicts in New York introduced to well-known evangelist conducting a crusade at local church shocked, “If you don’t make it by the time you’re fifty, you’ll never hit the big time, got five years left to make it so working on TV series as a last chance to reach the goal.” Was so dumbfounded. What did he mean by “making it”? Did he want some kind of fame? “Making it” meant having enough money to pay the electricity bill at Teen Challenge Center. Or, it meant finding another drug addict who wanted Jesus to deliver them. Too often measure success in ministry by how big a church is or how fat budget. If you ask average Christian to describe how God has blessed him, he’ll probably answer, “The LORD has given me a new car, a nice home, a good income.” At one time a person might have answered God blessed me with burden for prayer and a fresh vision for lost souls, renewed my hunger for salvation. Jesus describes the believers as lukewarm who hear the word but cares of world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts enter in, choke the word so unfruitful in Mark 4:18-19. So things interferes with walk with Jesus is sin if allowed to press into our hearts a drive for success, money or acclaim on knees before baal. Spiritual eyes will be opened and hearts grow hot so zealous for Jesus. In Bible temples of baal were packed so backslidden church was rife with unspeakable evil. That’s when the LORD boasted to Elijah of 7,000 who did not bow as 7,000 righteous saints. They resisted lust for fame and success so are wholly Mine.” We should be grateful to God for many great heroes of the faith: zealous prophets like Elijah, unbending prayer warriors like Daniel and mighty officials like Obadiah, men and women who did mighty exploits such as David and Deborah. I believe it’s right for us to study their examples to discern secrets of a Godly life. Elijah mocks and taunts if baal is god, daydreaming, using toilet, traveling or maybe asleep so wake him up. Despite Elijah’s sarcastic challenge it was evident their God was not alive. So many seek to emulate 7,000 unnamed, unknown servants who did not bow to baal. Hidden men and women of faith, rare and few. I believe the remnant God reserved for HIMSELF the Bible makes clear in all generations a small remnant stands true. In days of chaos, the church faces falling away of believers. And Paul writes at this present time the remnant is elected by grace in Romans 11:5. Jesus warns, “Enter in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in because the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few find it”in Matthew 7:13-14. Elijah’s prayers brought down fire from heaven by cries of 7,000 hidden praying God-lovers. They were in the underground meetings praying in fields serving alone in Ahab’s house, unknown to all but known to the LORD. Faithful in calling intercede, God heard them. Good  Success in God’s Eyes is to be totally fulfilled ministering to HIM. God’s Servants make it to share earthly security with the hungry, poor destitute and know the LORD approves ministry. The 100 prophets Obadiah hid lived an isolated existence in caves for three to four years in severe famine had no outside ministry, out of public’s view forgotten by most people, couldn’t share Elijah’s victory on Mount Carmel. God gave devoted servants precious gift of time, days, weeks, years to pray, study, grow, minister to the LORD. God was preparing them for the day when HE releases them to minister to HIS people. These men shepherd all who returned to God under Elijah’s ministry. Years ago the LORD blessed me with time gift pastoring the church, went into woods to preach to birds, trees, no plans, no agenda, no dreams. I only wanted to get to know God’s heart. I prayed daily seek the LORD ministering to HIM. I marked my Bible from cover to cover. Later, as a young, skinny, inexperienced preacher of  small congregation in Pennsylvania town, held services in buildings with tarpaper roof congregation of farmers and coal miners. Totally unknown, thanks to example of praying father and grandfather God made me a man of prayer so blessings experienced came from precious early times with the LORD. I was hidden not seen by anyone but God knew my address all along. I’d spent my time wisely. Today, I urge all young ministers to do the same. I hear from the young preachers desperate they can’t find a niche in ministry. My advice is, “Quit looking for ministry. Spend your time seeking God instead. HE knows where to find you. HE calls you when HE Sees you’re ready.” Forget what others are doing, seems bypassing you with grand works but no greater ministry than prayer. Success at God’s Throne ministering to the LORD praying for others is already success in HIS Eyes. All true ministry is birthed in prayer.”

Mount Carmel in Israel is like long ridge running from north-west to south-east, approximately 20 miles long. Nazareth, is about 9 miles away from the foothills of the mountain by Galilee. Aerial view of Mount Carmel is west from the east showing a rugged plateau. And an aerial photo of present day Mount Carmel, with the city of Haifa. All true ministry is birthed in prayer.” Are you among the 7,000 who haven’t bowed? All through Bible, the number seven is equated with God’s eternal purpose. The number of 7,000 God quoted to Elijah denotes those who make up HIS remnant. People God sets aside for HIMSELF can be 7000 or 7 million, wholly given to HIM. The characteristics of these remnants are: three defining marks:

1. An unchangeable commitment to cling to the LORD. The Remnant believer made the single-minded choice to swim against tide of evil. The 7,000 in Elijah’s day stayed true in spite of Israel’s great falling away. Their society had gone mad with sensuality, family members or friends moved toward idolatry. In spite of powerful seductions of the age, the 7,000 able to stand against the tide, endured shame, deprivation and persecution, with no Bibles, preaching or fellowship with outsiders. The more vile their society, the more righteous they grew. Elijah knew the masses were doubled-minded, wanting measure of God and world. He confronted them, saying, “How long will you hop between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow HIM if its baal, follow him in 1 Kings 18:21). Have you made your stand for Jesus? Maybe you’re afraid to break away from old crowd. You want Christ, but want some part of old life. I tell you, it won’t work. You’ll only get sucked back into your old ways. You can’t witness to sinners if you are drinking like them or laughing at their dirty stories. Paul warns, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing”s in 2 Corinthians 6:17. At some point, you make commitment, declaring, “I don’t care what others say or do. I am the LORD’s. And I won’t give in to the wicked spirit of this age.”
2. A willingness to identify with poor.  Society’s trend is to associate with rich and successful, align yourself with suffering class. Like Obadiah, you may have measure of success or stature. Although a Godly man and governor in Jezebel’s house he determined to fear God alone. And he proved his heart was with poor by taking care of those 100 ragged, suffering prophets. Thank God for all believers who successfully Bless ministry by generous gifts yet love to identify with needs of the poor. God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise or weak things of world to confound things mighty; base things of the world; things despised, God chose so no flesh should GLORY in HIS PRESENCE in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. Many wealthy people in church of Jesus Christ are so few because Jesus said, Its hard for those with riches to enter into the Kingdom of God in Luke 18:24. It’s because few wealthy people willing to identify with despised of the world God has called and chosen. Several wealthy visitors enjoyed worship services at Times Square Church but didn’t want friends to know they attend there. Our services included too many poor, too many ethnics, too many unexpected things going on. Those people chose to attend more socially accepted churches. I think of dear woman in our church who passes out evangelistic tracts near offices. She speaks broken English, and doesn’t dress in latest styles. I met her on the street as the LORD prompted me to give her a small offering. When she saw the money in my hand, smiled and said, “Oh, no, I’ll bring my tithes tomorrow.” She thought I was reminding her to pay her tithe! Here, she already is doing LORD’s work, uppermost in her mind was to be at church to pay her tithe. She quickly added, “The LORD has kept me, pastor.” She is numbered among God’s remnant, and she probably doesn’t know it. I’ve overheard several well-dressed visitors to our church remark, “That woman gives a bad impression of the church. She’s poorly dressed, and she can hardly speak English.” I say to them, “If you want to be part of God’s holy remnant, you’d better want to be in this woman’s company here on earth. Otherwise, Jesus says you won’t be allowed to be with her in glory is already shining star here.”
3. A reliance on hope. The 7,000 in Elijah’s time endured because of hope in coming day of deliverance. Today, the church’s blessed hope is the soon return of Jesus. With one trumpet blast, all wickedness will end. Our Lord will do away with all killings, all blatant perversions, all ethnic genocide. We evangelize, minister and work while it’s still day, all the while, live in the hope King Jesus is Coming. He’s bringing a new world with Him, where He’ll rule from His ETERNAL Throne. So does the three marks characterize you as part of God’s holy remnant? If so, God boast in Godgiven heart to focus wholly on God as HIS!”

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SEVEN THOUSAND DID NOT BOW

A Message On God’s Hidden Remnant

David Wilkerson

April 23, 2001

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BEWARE MARRIED/RICHMEN

Beware men do not choose wife based on beauty and physical appearance only. Look beyond outer beauty into inner heart and seek God’s help to choose Godly wife in Jesus Name. If you have problems right from onset of the relationship from dating, courtship, engagement, wedding, barrenness, low sperm count, business collapse problem after another since meeting spouse you are under serious spiritual attack. And contending with spiritual husband and spiritual wife against physical marriage. Both partners may not realise spiritual husband and wife covenant in you from family working against you. And do not accuse and blame each other but rather seek deliverance immediately in Jesus Name to save you. Do not go to consult idol shrine or witch doctors because this makes problems worse. They dupe you, take all your money, you end up in debt, frustration, suicidal thoughts of a divorce spiritual spouse wants. Do not dismiss spiritual marriage as a delusion because the family initiates children in covenant ceremony dedicating the child to shrine demons. Those spirits entered and married them so are possessive, jealous and angry with a person taking away their wife from them. This is why they attack and destroy the marriages to send back the wife or husband to them. To ordinary human eyes a ritual bath or potion, perfumes, handkerchief, nail or hair cuts, incisions means a ‘protection’ from evil eyes. The truth is its initiation ritual connection’s kingdom of darkness strategy used for destruction.

Ignorance is a reason out of fear people run to the evil spirits causing problems to finish them. The evil spirit’s goal is make them have serial marriages and futile relationships with children to attack their family. This is the marriage initiated by psychics or fortune tellers, the spirit behind it is demons not Holy Spirit from God. They display pictures of Jesus to fool and seem spiritual but God warns against going to seek fortune tellers and necromancers for divination, marriage, future plans concerning your future life. It lasts for a short season but destruction starts unawares causing the fight affecting all relationship problems. God is author and finished of marriage so seek God if you want to marry and be faithful to your Godly spouse to protect your life for good success in life. As the devil roams about looking for people to target to ruin and kill through flirting or illicit affairs to disgrace victims. There is a real kingdom of darkness working against unsuspecting victims who are rich or married to destroy marriages to fight Godly homes. Some who are rich very proud of material wealth do not value God or Honour Him as the source of blessing. So think they made wealth themselves forgetting God is OWNER of all resources on earth show off so don’t respect their wives. Think that having numerous girlfriends or flashy cars is the sign of power. Do not realise they fall into human trafficking traps sets by devil to lure and destroy them. They see these physically beautiful women or handsome men but really sleeping with snakes and demons collecting their sperm and their riches through contact with agents of the devil into the marine world. Many rich men including politicians disgraced, fell due to seduction spirits sent with evil eye to lure them and ruin their progress. Most prostitutes seek strength and favour to attract rich clients through witchcraft. A minder takes to witch doctor invoke the spells, charms, sexy dressing, beads and perfumes, drinks, cigarettes and ensure exclusive regular customer is rich client under their spell. So a married man will fight at home with his wife so can never have intercourse with her again.

Such men become pawns in the marine kingdom unaware of the sources of the problems. A constant fight ensures, his wife “smells badly” to him due to charm against his marriage. The sperm is used in the marine kingdom to make slippers sold so all wearing it becomes initiated. A spiritual world exists beyond physical reality controlled by devil and demons. It is wise to pray everyday over family, food, clothes, material wealth bought as it may look ordinary and harmless but is lethal to harm people. Cover yourself and your family, business, home, wealth with BLOOD of Jesus. Be careful of types of drama or games watched influencing the mind and planting seed of seduction or rebellion against God Almighty. You may think you are exercising your free will or choice but evil spirits behind the scenes are spiritual wickedness in high places the Bible warned about. End time prophecies reveals satan is empowered to recruit rebellious people to kingdom of darkness to self destruct. So the real solution is entrust yourself and family under the protection of Almighty God. A belief in God in Christ is not pick and mix religion you fancy and live as you like. Your very life depends on God to save and deliver you in Jesus Name to preserve you in rapture alive to heaven and in the eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Be encouraged to seek pastors who help poor in troubled times to deliver, help you. A young soldier and treasurer in the army met a woman who used his sperm to charm and seduced him of the amount of N2:5million naira. As payday was due he squandered the salaries of the soldiers but came to his senses and was desperate so wanted to kill himself. Thank God he went to church, problem revealed by God to prophet Jeremiah. So people helped to payoff 2:5 million debt through the intervention of the Colonel in the army. He was given N2:1million for him and family to recover his losses. All these due to his adultery in search of pleasure. He learnt his lesson too so gone back to his wife and his 3 children after the mistress duped him. Vanity of vanity is the unstable spirit lurking in a person searching in vain for happiness outside God. The devil had set places to deceive people to think they are having innocent fun. Only to realise addicted to sex, pornography or substance abuse. The women or men used are victims because money earned by seduction is not allowed to be shared with loved ones, family, charity, church or support good causes. It is exclusively for vanity to buy houses for prostitution clothes to dress seductively, do make up and hair, drink expensive alcohol, to smoke and destroy themselves too. If they give the money to family or good causes giver and receiver die. You know now why such rich relatives cannot help you. So despite luring the wealthy rich married men have nothing to show for it after paying minder who lured and sent them into prostitution. End up with nothing but sickness, HIV, poor health or death. The devil is real so beware and seek the Face of God Almigthy to supply all your needs according God’s riches in heaven by Christ Jesus. Most victims are part of occult kingdom set up to produce such children who grow up to continue cycle of serving the devil unawares. So need serious deliverance to overcome the evil spirits invoked in them from birth that is destroying their lives to be set free as new creation in Jesus Name. So remain faithful in the Kingdom of God, serving God in Christ in Jesus Name in Spirit in Truth daily to the Glory of God.

GOOD & EVIL FAST IN BIBLE

Bible verses on fasting help decide the kind of fast and purpose of fast. In Luke 4:2-4 Jesus Fasted and Prayed 2 for forty days and was then tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days so was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God then turn stones into bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written man shall not live bread alone.’ Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29 in the Bible evil spirits of that kind is only driven out by prayer and fasting. Power of prayer and fasting enables intense time of prayer with God to focus more to seek the Face of God to become more empowered and receive God’s direction to take action. Except by prayer, answers and miracles from God are unattainable, hindered by spiritual wickedness in high places. Fasting is a Biblical normal part of Christian life in obedience for God to hear and answer prayer when HE wants to do so. People fast for various reasons in Bible, based on circumstances God is sought after. Prayer for breakthrough breaks barrier through power of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring. Fasting is part of God’s warfare strategy to defeat the demons of rebellion, pride, witchcraft, poverty and lack. When evil witchcraft spiritual attacks unfold God’s POWER manifest to destroy it in the Mighty Name of Jesus. The evil curses and witchcraft spells are broken and removed in the Name of Jesus to get solution to live in peace and experience healing from God in Jesus Name. Before starting a fast if you have any health or medical problems check with a doctor if on medication. A person starting fast, if first time, especially the young children fast half a day drinking water or fruit juice praying from 6am-12 noon is more than enough for God to answer prayer. If there are no health problems the next level is a full day fasting with water or fruit juice, to help the body to cope with withdrawal of food. If prayer or fasting lasts for three days it is wise to drink water or fruit juice to ensure the body is healthy and coping well. Jesus the Son of God’s body lasted without food for 40 days. An ordinary human body must be careful because the body lasts from two days to a week without liquids but the person’s health, weather and individual physical activity levels help determine how long a person lasts without water. Estimating how long bodies do without food or water tends to depend on weeks worth of reserve energy from food in the body already. Water regulates body temperature, digestion, waste disposal, hydration, 7 days is the maximum limit the body can cope. God’s General Robert Liardon once said, if prayer and fasting is not heard or answered by God within three days something is seriously wrong so join prayer agreement with matured mentor prayer warriors to deal with the root of persistent problem. If one defeat a thousand and two defeat ten thousand then to see value of corporate prayer in Jesus Name. Stop fasting immediately to seek deliverance and Godly direction to overcome challenges. Never start a dry fast without water and food more than three days unless trained Biblically first to know and understand the reasons for fasting. Do not fast for 7 days without any water or fruit unless you are under the authority and guidance of seasoned pastor among other believers for help or support. Do not copy people bragging of fasting: 10, 14, 21, 40, 70 days to think God will answer your prayer too. There is special reason long fasting is required in group fasting for the religious rituals. Children or sick people must never be forced to fast because you fast on behalf of family. The Bible allows intercession prayer on behalf of family household so everyone cannot be forced to partake in it before God HEARS. A personal prayer Jesus says, go into private closet to pray so God will hear to openly reward you.  

Matthew 6:16-18 Fast in Secret

16 “When you fast, do not look sad like hypocrites to disfigure faces to show others you are fasting. Truly I tell you, you will not receive reward from God. 17  When you fast put oil on your head, wash your face 18 so it’s not obvious to others you are fasting, but only Father Goprayerssecret prayers to reward you.

Luke 18:1-12 Persistent Prayer

1 Jesus told his disciples this parable to show them they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: In a certain town was a judge who did not fear God or cared what people thought. 3 There was a widow in town who kept going to him to plea, ‘Grant me justice against enemy’ 4 “For some time he refused but finally said to himself, ‘though I don’t fear God or care what people think 5 because this widow keeps bothering me I will see to it she gets justice, so she won’t bother me’ ”6 The LORD said, “Listen to what an unjust judge says. 7 If so will God not bring justice for HIS chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will HE keep put them off? 8 I tell you, HE will see they get justice quickly. So when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” 9 Those confident of their own righteousness look down on everyone. Jesus told a parable: 10 “Two men went to temple to pray, a Pharisee and a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed: ‘God, I thank you I am not like others, robbers, evildoers, adulterers or like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give tenth of all that I get.’ An attitude of repentance and humility is essential for God’s intervention to fast:

1. To prepare for ministry. Jesus spent 40 days and nights in wilderness fasting and praying before He did God’s work on earth. He spent time alone preparing for His Father’s work in Matthew 4:1-17; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-14.

2. To seek God’s wisdom. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for elders of the churches before committing them to the Lord for His service in Acts 14:23.

3. To show grief. Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed when he learned Jerusalem’s walls broke down, leaving the Israelites vulnerable and disgraced in Nehemiah 1:1-4.
4. To seek deliverance or protection. Ezra declared corporate fast and prayed for safe journey for Israelites as they travelled 900 miles to Jerusalem from Babylon in Ezra 8:21-23.

5. To repent. After Jonah’s judgements against Nineveh city, the king covered himself with sackcloth and sat in the dust with people to fast and pray for 40 days. In Jonah 3:10, “God saw how they turned from their evil ways so forgave

6. To gain victory. After losing 40,000 men in battle in two days, the Israelites cried to God for help. In Judges 20:26 the people went to Bethel, “sat weeping before the Lord.” They “fasted that day until evening.” The next day the Lord gave them victory over the Benjamites.

7. To worship God. Luke 2:37 says that 84 year old prophetess Anna never left temple but worshiped God night and day, fasting and praying, devoted to God and fasting expressing love for God.
Despite biblical examples throughout.

1 Corinthians 7:5 Spouse Agrees

Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent for a time if devoting yourselves to prayer. Come together again so that satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1 Samuel 7:7 Fighting Battles

Philistines heard Israel assembled at Mizpah when rulers of Philistine came to attack them. Israelites were afraid because of the Philistines so fasted.

2 Samuel 1:12 During Grieving

They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and son Jonathan, for the army of the LORD and for the nation of Israel fallen by the sword.

Acts 13:2 Choosing The Leaders

In worshiping the LORD and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work God called them.”

Acts 14:23 Appointing Elders

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in each church with prayer and fasting, committed them to the LORD, in whom they had put their trust.

Daniel 10:3 God’s Intervention

I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

Esther 4:16 Seeking God Favour

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast too. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Exodus 34:28 Seek God’s Face

Moses was with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water and wrote on tablets the words of covenant Ten Commandments.

Joel 2:12 During Repentance

The LORD, “said return with all your heart with fasting, weeping, mourning.”

Luke 18:12 Godly Duty To Fast

Fast twice a week give tenth of asset.

Nehemiah 1:4 For Intercession

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For days, mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Psalm 69:10 Personal Prayer

10 I weep and fast and endure scorn.

Psalm 35:13-14 God’s Healing

13 When they were ill I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. If my prayers return to me unanswered, 14 I go about mourning as though for friend or brother. I bow my head in grief like weeping for my mother.

Joel 2:12-13 God’s Forgiveness

12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for HE is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and HE relents from sending calamity.

Acts 13:3-4 To Go On A Mission

3 After they fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them and sent them off. 4 The two went on their way with Holy Spirit to Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus.

Daniel 9:3-5 To Return to God

3 I turned to the LORD God and pleaded with HIM in prayer, petition, fasting in sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to LORD God and confessed: “LORD the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant of love with those who love HIM and keep HIS commandments, 5 we sinned, done wrong, been wicked, rebelled so turned away from your commands and laws.

2 Samuel 12:15-17 To Save Lives

15 Nathan went home, the LORD struck the child Uriah’s wife had with David so he became ill. 16 David pleads with God for the child. He fasted, spent nights in sackcloth on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and did not eat any food with them.

1 Kings 21:25-27 Godly Humility

Ahab sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26 He behaved in vilest manner by going after idols like Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel. 27 Ahab heard God’s words from prophet Elijah, tore his clothes, put on sackcloth fasted, lay in sackcloth and went around humbly.

Ezra 8:21-23 For Travel Mercy

21 By Ahava river, I proclaimed a fast, to humble ourselves before God and ask HIM for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22  I did not ask the king for soldiers and his horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on all those who look to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God on this, and he answered our prayer.

Jonah 3:5-9 To Stop God’s Anger

5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh he rose from throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may relent with compassion turn from his fierce anger so we will not perish.”

Isaiah 58:3-7 Be Kind to People

3 ‘Why did we fast,’ they say and not yet seen result? We humbled ourselves, did you notice?’ “On the day of fasting, you do as you please, exploit your workers. 4 Your fast ends in fighting, strife and in striking others with wicked fists. And so cannot fast that way and expect your voice to be heard by God. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast day acceptable to the LORD? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose chains of injustice to untie the cords of the yoke, to set oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry to provide poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Despite the biblical examples throughout Scripture, the wicked people fast too, using fear, ignorance or rebellion to compel others to indulge in evil actions. Jezebel used a witchcraft magic to influence people to cast mind bending spells to manipulate people to join her to attack Naboth. Like going to native witchdoctors, Baal idol worshippers to fast three days to attack Naboth to kill him for his family land king Ahab coveted after murder. It is necessary to know unbelievers fast to their gods to dedicate themselves and to celebrate their feasts. Spiritualists and a new age meditation fast to cleanse their body and thoughts. Medical treatments requires people to abstain from food for long hours for better access to organs to check in details the damaged tissues. It is used to help some medications work better in the body. Therefore the motive and purpose of a fast is very important before starting fast. It’s good to build up and prepare body well fed in advance if going to fast for a long time. Combining prayer and fasting with deliverance is the best way to achieve best results. It is not the length of days of fasting that is a condition for receiving answer. It is the attitude of repentance, humility, Mercy, Grace, lamentations, Kindness, Favour of God that touches God’s heart to hear and forgive people. God decides time to help in HIS Own way it’s not starvation that forces God to answer prayer. If its starvation that caused God to answer prayer the hungriest people all over the would be most blessed. In addition, the fast must be accompanied by realistic practical solutions available it is not by torturing the flesh that brings miracles. You get closer to God through the Name and the BLOOD of Jesus if a born-again Christian believer. Deliverance through a deeper matured deliverance minister is necessary in extreme cases to be free from demons causing family problems. Some cases need God’s wisdom, support from friends and family and the right organisations. In the western world the resources available can help without a fast. Fasting is for spiritual growth and devotion as well as God’s intervention. Help must be sought through available means spiritually, physically to ensure emotional well-being of those fasting. The devil comes to steal, kill to destroy so check your heart about motives and purpose of your fast. Fasting or praying to covet another person’s spouse, break marriage to marry partner, fast to take another’s property as in Naboth’s case is witchcraft in 1 Kings 21:12. To proclaim fast to take Naboth’s asset is greed, envy and jealousy. Jezebel’s plot got what she wanted from a fast but God ALMIGHTY judged them immediately. In the Bible in Acts 23:12-35 people plot to kill Paul the next morning. Some Jews vowed by oath not to eat or drink until they kill Paul. The fanatics want to kill Paul for believing in resurrection, angels, Holy Spirit did not like his teachings in the Bible. A group of more than forty Jews vowed to kill Paul but he managed to escape on a tip off from his sister’s son. They lied Paul is troublemaker, stirs up riots among Jews all over the world as a ringleader of Nazarene sect to desecrate temple seized him. Agrippa examined him to  learnt truth about false charges against him. The other Jews joined in accusation asserting lies were true. The governor let Paul speak but accusers did not find him arguing with anyone at the temple, stirred crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in city did not prove charges made. Admits he worshipped God of ancestors, follows of way of laws written in prophets with hope in God as the men in resurrection of the righteous and wicked, his conscience clear before God and man. Paul is sent to Rome after two years so lived and preached until his death during Nero’s rule. Attacks by evil fast makes people hungry, angry and violent so seems to get away with it but years later God judges the bloodlust damage caused to others. You may not later like what you fasted and prayed for. Let God’s words guide you in Spirit and in Truth in Jesus Name to supply all your needs from heaven. Do speak to people despite fasting for God uses human beings to answer prayer or needs in Jesus Name. God will not come down personally physically in front of you to give you the miracles. So speak to people as God may reveal your needs in advance to them to provide your needs through them. Use practical wisdom so not let shame or embarrassment cause you to hide in isolation overwhelmed by fear or frustration in anger against God yet fasting. Its good to fast appropriately as Bible requires but not to ‘crucify’ the flesh recklessly in the Name of God. Fasting alone is not enough in satanic cult deliverance so needs God’s prophet to cast that demon out in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Some problems need Spiritual Father in the LORD to guide and support you. So don’t in silence seek help in Jesus Name. GLORY to God.