Passion week is here.
I cannot think of a more passionate figure in this world then our very own master, teacher & rabbi. Jesus continues to be more passionate then any man or woman who ever walked the earth. This week is where we dedicate ourselves to honoring & celebrating His passion for us. Jesus paid a price for our lives & I believe it is important to guard our hearts & to guard our passion for God.Passion week signifies the time Jesus spent in Jerusalem before His death, burial and resurrection. What I find interesting is that right when Jesus entered Jerusalem, His very first visit was to the temple. However, what took place there might be shocking & unexpected to some. We read about it in Matthew 21:12-13.“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it into a den of thieves.”
Why is this important?
-We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are God’s dwelling place. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
-The world is fighting for space in the temple. Satan is trying to occupy the valuable real-estate of our hearts & minds. If Satan can take our minds, he can alter our direction & destroy our future.
-Fasting & prayer serves Satan & the world an eviction notice – It’s time to get out!
3 Valuable Reasons to Fast with Passion:
1. Fasting is offensive. Fasting is a violent response to the world’s attempt at capturing our lives. Jesus certainly was not polite at changing the atmosphere of the temple. That is why fasting will shock your body & shock your spirit. I am sure there have been times where you have felt that struggle. Along this 21 day journey, you have had to fight many things. I am sure that you have found yourself in certain situations where you have had to take an offensive position against temptation & sin. Congratulations, the atmosphere is changing in you!
2. Fasting is defensive. Through the discipline of fasting, we can also set a guard around the ground we have reclaimed. Habits are broken, health & healing are restored, attitudes are renewed & our spirit is re-fired! Through fasting we breakaway from things we formerly gave permission to in our lives. Now we can continue to be free from the old in order to step into the new. Protect the ground you have gained!
3. Fasting is effective. Fasting gives us power & authority. Once we are emptied, we can be filled. We see this powerful truth in Jesus ministry. Immediately after Jesus cleansed the temple, he left the city and performed his first miracle. There is so much truth in this next scripture (please read Matt. 21:18-22) I do not have time to expound, but there is one truth I’d like you to see in Matthew 21:21,“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Power & authority is often the result of fasting & prayer. As we approach the Easter holiday, continue to stay strong. Spend this week studying Jesus’ time in Jerusalem & ask God to fill you with a fresh anointing. We need your fire & passion to accomplish the task.
Thank you, I love you.
Pastor
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April 18th, 2011 at 11:49 am
I’ve been following the events of Passion Week. It’s so alive to me! This Resurrection Sunday and Good Friday are going to be one of the most memorable for me to date.
Let’s finish strong ladies! 5 days to go. Pray, Read the Word, fast and Remember today’s challenge:
5 care calls!
April 18th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
I have also been reading a chapter a day in the book of John since we began our fast. There are 21 chapters and it has been awesome. It’s like a movie of Jesus’ life. What is so powerful it takes us right through the time before, during, and after his death! Jesus Lives!!
April 18th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Thank you Pastor for that word! Finishing Strong. Believing for the impossible!
April 18th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
That was a powerful Word… there’s just something about reading that really allows the Word to sink in… the lyrics to a song came to mind “Take this world from me, don’t need it anymore. I am finally free, my heart is spoken for” … Jesus is AMAZING!
April 18th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Wow, that really breaks it down and makes so much sense. We must die to our flesh.And inorder to do that we must deny the things that the flesh wants. When we do this we shall have the Victory!!!!
April 18th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
If u missed yesterday’s challenge “adopt a gang girl” I encourage you to still accomplish this challenge! It’s a must! Swap it out for any other challenge!
April 18th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Thank you for that word, Pastor Al. I have been reading the book of Luke, the events of Passion week, and feeling such an awe that Jesus loves us so much, how can we not love Him back. This has been a great time of growth for me.