December 14, 2014 | Surrender to God

Dear all, welcome to 'THE NATHAN REPORT'.
A beautiful day started with praise and worship, here is the playlist:

1) O come let us adore Him - Hymn

2) Angels we have heard on high - Hymn

3) That's why we praise Him - Tommy Walker 

4) O Holy Night - Hymn 

5) Here I am to worship - Tim Hughes

It is always good to hear songs of the season. Post worship, we had list of announcements. 
- Women's fellowship will be extended from one day in a month to 2 days in a month.
- Older women need to encourage younger women. Women's fellowship will be focused on "Disciplines of a Godly woman".
- 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month will be women's fellowship.

Today we will be talking about "Surrender to God".

Luke 1:11-35, "11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."

The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ's intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer. Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in the conversion of many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spake. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God's word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God's gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.

We have here an account of the mother of our Lord; though we are not to pray to her, yet we ought to praise God for her. Christ must be born miraculously. The angel's address means only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favoured of the Most High, to attain the honour Jewish mothers have so long desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary. The angel then assured her that she had found favour with God, and would become the mother of a son whose name she should call Jesus, the Son of the Highest, one in a nature and perfection with the Lord God. JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. Mary's reply to the angel was the language of faith and humble admiration, and she asked no sign for the confirming her faith. Without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, 1Ti 3:16. Christ's human nature must be produced so, as it was fit that should be which was to be taken into union with the Divine nature. And we must, as Mary here, guide our desires by the word of God. In all conflicts, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible; and as we read and hear his promises, let us turn them into prayers, Behold the willing servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word.

If we see this carefully, the angel of God appears to Zachariah and it appears to Mary after six months. Now where Zachariah was unsure resulting his muteness, Mary surrenders herself obediently to God and was blessed to bear a child who was going to save the world. 

There is a similarity in both cases:
1) Mary was troubled like Zachariah.
2) Like Zachariah, Mary also questioned.
3) Both them voiced their belief, "How can it be?" 

To be continued...

Image Source: http://www.majesticpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Surrender.jpg

December 7, 2014 | Spiritual Hunger | Fasting and Prayer

Dear all, welcome to THE NATHAN REPORT, your weekly Sunday sermon blog. We started off with this beautiful Praise and Worship session, below is the list:

1) O come let us adore Him - Hymn

2) Because He lives - Bill and Gloria Gaither

3) Prince of Peace - Michael W. Smith

4) Once again - Matt Redman

5) All to Jesus I surrender - Hymn

Post 'Praise & Worship" we had few announcements. Here is the list of announcements:

- There will be a special women's fellowship program on 13th December at 4:30 PM.

- Men's fellowship will be at 6:30 AM.

-  21 days Fasting and Prayer started on 24th November will go on till 14 December 2014. Church that Prays together,  moves ahead together.

As you all know that we are having a 21 days fasting and prayers, today we will be discussing about spiritual hunger and the power of prayer. 

Isaiah 58:3-4, "3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. 4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high."

A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These professors had shown sorrow on stated or occasioned fasts. But they indulged pride, covetousness, and malignant passions. To be liberal and merciful is more acceptable to God than mere fasting, which, without them, is vain and hypocritical. Many who seem humble in God's house, are hard at home, and harass their families. But no man's faith justifies, which does not work by love. Yet persons, families, neighbourhoods, churches, or nations, show repentance and sorrow for sin, by keeping a fast sincerely, and, from right motives, repenting, and doing good works. The heavy yoke of sin and oppression must be removed. As sin and sorrow dry the bones and weaken the strongest human constitution; so the duties of kindness and charity strengthen and refresh both body and mind. Those who do justly and love mercy, shall have the comfort, even in this world. Good works will bring the blessing of God, provided they are done from love to God and man, and wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit. 

The delight of verse 2 is false for it is an emotional mechanism for pressuring God into compliance with human wishes. When God refuses to be used, the people or the people offended, that their religion does not "work". Their unacknowledged attempt to gain advantage with God is exposed to their overbearing use of people: Obsess all your workers... hit with a wicked fist. God called his people to show humanity in their social life, but they are failing to do this.

Fasting is not a favor for God, but for our own spiritual health. Its not also not done to do good to our physical health, rather, for God.

Illustration: The late great Algerian Berber philosopher and theologian, Augustine (354 - 430) - early church father and Bishop of Hippo - once said, "Let my soul take refuge from the crowding turmoil of worldly thoughts beneath the shadow of Thy wings; let my heart, this sea of restless waves, find peace in Thee, O God." One of the most powerful forms of prayer is to rest back upon the Divine Presence of Almighty God; and, be lifted up by Him!

Fasting as a hypocrite is wrong. Being hypocritical is a real danger when fasting. There are four reasons people fast, and all but one are false and hypocritical. People fast to gain a sense of God’s approval and of self-apporval. People fast to fulfill a religious act. People fast to gain religious recognition. People fast to genuinely meet God for some special purpose. Pride in fasting is not from God, but satan. You need not to murmur that how you have survived fasting or how many days you have fasted. It doesn't matters how you have fasted, what matters is the change of heart. There is no benefit in fasting if the heart is not changed. 

Illustration: I met someone who appeared to be a very humble individual. He always used to greet with "Praise the Lord, Pastor", "Praise God Pastor", "Bless me Pastor" etc. Few days back I saw him fighting and abusing with all his might. He was even willing to hit his opponent's head with a steel rod.

It doesn't matters what we do, but if there is no change in heart, and actions shows our real selves, that means there is a problem. The problem is that we are not spiritually hungry. Are you physically hungry or spiritually hungry? If you are physically hungry, is it taking your spiritual hunger down as well?

The psalmist, in Psalm 63:1, tells us: "A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness are happy. Righteousness is here put for all spiritual blessings. These are purchased for us by the righteousness of Christ, confirmed by the faithfulness of God. Our desires of spiritual blessings must be earnest. Though all desires for grace are not grace, yet such a desire as this, is a desire of God's own raising, and he will not forsake the work of his own hands.

We need to have a genuine compassion towards poor and needy. We need to have a desire to change. God's spirit is a very gentle spirit, it will never force you. We need to ask God and allow him to work in us. We need to be spiritually hungry and spiritually thirsty and always available to let God's spirit work in our lives. When spirit of God is in and with us, we are not alone, God is with us. Are you allowing God to work in your lives or are you working by yourselves?

Leviticus 16:29, "And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you." 

'Afflict' - This term expresses self denial and self mortification connected with fasting and prayer. By faith we put our hands upon the head of the offering; relying on Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, pleading his satisfaction, as that which alone is able to atone for our sins, and procure us a pardon. By repentance we afflict our souls; not only fasting for a time from the delights of the body, but inwardly sorrowing for sin, and living a life of self-denial, assuring ourselves, that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. By the atonement we obtain rest for our souls, and all the glorious liberties of the children of God. Sinner, get the blood of Christ effectually applied to thy soul, or else thou canst never look God in the face with any comfort or acceptance. Take this blood of Christ, apply it by faith, and see how it atones with God.

What kind of fast are you doing?

We need to fast that God orders when he needs us to. 

- Dividing your bread and giving to hungry and poor.

- Providing homes to homeless. 

- Providing clothing. 

Isaiah 58:4, "Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high."

Whenever we fast, satan is always looking forward to bring some kind of confusion which ends up in quarrels and fights. 

Illustration:

- Brother and sister of Moses stood against him.

- Strife came in. 

- Quarrels entered within them. 

We need to rely on God the way Moses relied on HIM. 

Even Miriam was struck with leprosy but healed at the prayer of Moses.

Illustration:

- Lot under the times and hold of Abraham was generously blessed. 

- They made good fruits (blessings) out of their land.

- Properties expanded and quarrels between servants began.

- Lot left.

- Lot's godly influence also left him.

We need to humble ourselves and bow down and seek forgiveness.

Fasting for recognition is wrong. It brings up several serious dangers that must be guarded against, such as the danger of feeling super-spiritual. Very few believers truly fast. So when we really fast, we must guard against a sense of super-spirituality and pride. Our confidence is to be in God, not in self. After a true genuine fast we must go forward depending on the strength of Christ and not our own energy and effort. After we have been through a true fast, and have really been in the presence of God, we are anxious to share it, especially to those who are closest to us. The best advice would be keep it between you and the Lord, and take what you have learned and apply it to your life, don’t try to apply it to someone else’s life. Fasting the wrong way has its reward. The reward will be the recognition and esteem of people, but that is all the reward you will receive. Are we seeking this reward or the rewards of heaven?

Fasting the right way has its reward. Fast in secret and God will reward us openly. God will honor the fast that is done the right way with the right motive. There are a lot of benefits to fasting. Fasting will keep you in God’s presence. Fasting will humble your soul before God. Fasting teaches our dependence upon God. Fasting demonstrates to God our seriousness before Him. It is time that take our relationship with God serious. Maybe there are some things that you have been praying about that just have not come to pass, it maybe that God wants to see how serious you are about it. Maybe you want to seek God in a deeper way and begin a fast, if you do keep it between you and God.

Post sermon, we had Holy Communion and a beautiful prayer session.

Do you feel a need of a renewal in your life? If yes, we encourage you all to pray with us this beautiful Psalm from 51:9-12.....

9 Hide your face from my sins,

    and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from your presence,

    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Amen!

We hope you enjoyed today's service. Have a blessed week, God bless! 

Image Source: http://selaradio.com/2014/08/02/pray/

November 30, 2014 | Mini Marathon of Fasting and Prayer

Good Morning and welcome to 'The Nathan Report'!

"Our God is with us and He is a Great and Mighty God, Amen!"

We started off with with Praise and Worship, here is the playlist:

1) Friend of God - Israel Houghton

2) My Savior Lives - New Life Church, Colorado

3) Shout Your Fame - Hillsong United 

4) Ascribe Greatness - Don Moen

5) God is Able - Hillsong United

Post Praise and Worship, we have few announcements. Here they are: 

1) Since you all know we will be fasting and praying for 21 days, a prayer schedule (booklet) is available so that Church as a body of Christ praying together focus on same prayers. 

2) This booklet is not only for 21 days, but can be used again next year. 

3) Church are seeking youth who are interested in mission work, please visit our church website for more information. 

Today we will be talking about "Mini Marathon of Fasting and Prayer".  A Bank organized a 21 km Marathon around 9 months back. Many people participated in it and ran for the cause. Each year, more than 200 NGOs participate in the event and raise funds for their respective organizations. Many participants use the event as a reason to give back to their society and the underprivileged. Our Christian life is like a marathon where the race is for the cause of God. 

How many of you want to have a fresh start? By fasting and praying you can always begin. You are not doing anything for Church or pastor or people. Jesus fasted for 40 days before he even started his ministry. He spent time in closeness with God.  

Fasting makes our heart more attentive to God. Amazing how much time you have on your hands if you’re not eating, preparing, cleaning up after supper, watching TV, or engaged in other fleshly endeavors. Most of us live to eat, few eat to live! When we get serious with God, He gets serious with us! Remember it’s not a command, it’s a choice, not a thing to look down your nose at others about if they don’t fast. Also don't fast like pharisees. Fast in a way no one knows. 

Matthew 6:17, "But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face."

Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Religious fasting is a duty required of the disciples of Christ, but it is not so much a duty itself, as a means to dispose us for other duties. Fasting is the humbling of the soul, Psalm 35:13; that is the inside of the duty; let that, therefore, be thy principal care, and as to the outside of it, covet not to let it be seen. God sees in secret, and will reward openly. 

Even today if you pray to seek the face of God, you will experience the power of God. The focus should remain on God, rather than oneself like most of us experience it very often. Its more of me in our life. 

Acts 13:2, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

God directed the Church because they fasted and prayed. 

Acts 14:23, "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."

Act 10:30, "And Cornelius said, Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing."

Illustration: I lost a ring at someone's home. The entire family was feeling bad about it and joined me in searching for the ring. The moved their furniture and other household items, but unable to find. They even thought they will give a new ring to me. Still, I was looking for the ring as it was my wedding ring and very close to me and no other ring can replace it. After two days, my children found the ring at our own home. 

We need to seek God this way. If you want to begin seeking God, start with fasting and prayer with complete focus on Him. We have ongoing 21 days of fasting and prayer, we can join from today. Many of us say, "It is tough to keep off from food", "It will be tough for 21 days" ... and many other reasons. However, there is a way and we need to trust in God. 

1) We need to begin the race

Proverbs 26:13, "The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”"

This proverbs focus of the Sluggard verses 13-15 present him as comically ludicrous in his laziness and verse 16 gives this portrait a twist by observing that the sluggard consider himself the paradigm of wisdom. The slothful man hates every thing that requires care and labor. But it is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties. This may be applied to a man slothful in the duties of religion.

To know whether or not we can fast and focus on God, we need to begin to understand whether we or we can not. In a race, whether or not you will win, you need to start atleast to estimate your capability.

2) Practice

Once you become a child of God, you need to run this race, but first thing is to begin.

The children of Israel had failed God miserably. Every time He blessed them with good things, they returned to Him evil things:

1. God gave them the Temple - they gave Him idol worship

2. God gave them truth - they lived and proclaimed a lie

3. God gave them His commands - they lived like they were suggestions.

4. God gave them wealth - they used it to abuse the poor

5. God gave them Himself - they gave Him nothing except rejection.

The children of Israel did not deserve to receive anything from God. Yet He still loved them and He earnestly wanted to help them change. Notice God’s Message: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"

God was not condemning them for their past, they could do nothing to change it. Instead God was holding out the hand of hope. He is in effect say-ing: Forget about your past -- I am giving you an opportunity to start over.

Illustration: One of our Church worship team drummer, who had to leave as he got a new job said that he he cannot play now since he lost practice. One of the marathon runner in Mumbai died recently. We must practice, we must not stop.

3) Discipline  

Illustration: Many of us are pet lovers. Lets us take a case of a pet dog. We feed him, pamper him and train him and he turns out to be a disciplined one. If we don't, he might not please his master very much. 

We need to discipline ourselves. When we say we need to get up early morning for Church, we must be mentally prepared. If we talk about alarming, the best alarm is our mind. If we are not steadfast in disciplining ourselves, then it can be little tough for us. 

1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Believers should be stedfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord's service, and obeying the Lord's commands. May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant.

The word in New Testament for Steadfast is pronounced as "hedraioi (ἑδραῖοι)", which literally means "Staying under consistency". Discipline yourself for these 21 days. Whenever there is a pressure, a person becomes consistent. Buy whenever we put our own efforts and allow Lord to be the main focus, we are disciplined. 

Illustration: In 1949, Jonas Salk wanted a cure for polio. He worked 16 hours a day, six days a week for five years and gave us the now-famous Salk Vaccine against polio. Jonas played to win. Before he found the cure that did work, he had 200 other attempts. Once asked, “How did it feel to fail 200 times before you found the correct vaccine? 

Jonas Said, “I never failed 200 times in my entire life, I just discovered 200 ways how not to vaccine for polio. It was a consistent discipline that lead Jonas to achieve his goal. We need to discipline ourselves. 

Philippians 4:13, " I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.

4) Motivation

Esther 4:12-17, "12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him."

Even though Esther had all the materials, facilities and comforts of the world, saying this she planned to begin fasting and praying. She knew that spiritual power comes from God in answer to prayer. When God’s people give themselves to fasting and praying the miraculous is made possible. At the end of three days the King received Esther and granted her request and made a way for the Jewish people to be saved. Let us all be strong in faith like Esther and be motivated and say "Lord, I want to do, what You want me to do."

5) Enthusiasm

We sometimes becomes very enthusiastic whenever we hear a good message in Church or maybe see a testimony, but later and slowly that fades away. We should be enthusiastic not because the Pastor said so, but need to do this with our own will. 

Philippians 3:13-14, "13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home, but by Christ as our Way. True believers, in seeking this assurance, as well as to glorify him, will seek more nearly to resemble his sufferings and death, by dying to sin, and by crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. In these things there is a great difference among real Christians, but all know something of them. Believers make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. If they differ from one another, and are not of the same judgment in lesser matters, yet they must not judge one another; while they all meet now in Christ, and hope to meet shortly in heaven. Let them join in all the great things in which they are agreed, and wait for further light as to lesser things wherein they differ. The enemies of the cross of Christ mind nothing but their sensual appetites. Sin is the sinner's shame, especially when gloried in. The way of those who mind earthly things, may seem pleasant, but death and hell are at the end of it. If we choose their way, we shall share their end. The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his Head and his home are, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is, there will his conversation be. There is glory kept for the bodies of the saints, in which they will appear at the resurrection. Then the body will be made glorious; not only raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe the power by which this change will be wrought. May we be always prepared for the coming of our Judge; looking to have our vile bodies changed by his Almighty power, and applying to him daily to new-create our souls unto holiness; to deliver us from our enemies, and to employ our bodies and souls as instruments of righteousness in his service. 

We need to be enthusiastic and understand there is a power in "Fasting and Prayer".

Let us all pray:

Dear Lord, thank you for this opportunity to live, where we have all the comforts and delicacies of the world. But as you know, we often get tempted and loose our focus from you dear God. We pray to seek your face and strength in our lives so that we overcome all the temptations of the world. Dear father, please help us begin this race, keep us disciplined, motivated and full of enthusiasm so that we do not  go astray from seeking your beautiful face. Be with us these 21 days and help us achieve our goal to focus constantly on you. Help us restart our lives and rejuvenate our souls. We want to be called the children of God and share our testimonies to many you don't even know about you. Lord, help us and bless us. With your most precious and gracious name, Jesus, we ask, Amen!

We hope you enjoyed today's service. We hope to see you all again next week. God Bless!

Image Source: http://weybridgechiro.co.uk/training-for-the-marathon/

November 23, 2014 | Fasting and Prayer

Dear All, welcome back to "The Nathan Report". I was away on vacations for two weeks, so accept my apology for absenteeism. This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.

We began with our weekly service with 'Praise and Worship', here is the playlist:

1) 10000 Reasons - Matt Redman

2) Your name is Holy - Brian Doerksen

3) Open the eyes of my heart Lord - Paul Baloche

4) Jesus is the Lord - Antioch Community Church

5) Hosanna (Holy Holy Holy) - Hosanna Music

It was a beautiful as well as an emotional worship. Post Praise and Worship, we have the list of following announcements:

- This Saturday 4:30 PM will be Women's fellowship. 

- 24th November - 14th December, Church will be involved in Fasting and Prayers. 

- Everyday between this period there will be a short prayer service between 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM. 

- Pastor will be visiting homes during this period, please contact Church website for more information by clicking here.

Today we will be talking about 'Fasting and Prayer'. 

Fasting and Prayer is a spiritual discipline and an essential thing in the life of the Church. If we go out, we will notice instead of fasting, we have fast food. It is made so quickly, as demand has increased in the market. We are not talking about food today, but this spiritual discipline. God is calling all of us for fasting and prayer.  There are people who have misunderstood what fasting is. 

Acts 13:2, While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

If we look closely to this verse, though there were recognized "prophets" in the church (verse 1), that did not guarantee  hat the Holy Spirit would speak to them apart from their spending such extended time in worship, fasting and prayer. "They" likely refers to the whole congregation at worship, although the five prophets may well have mediated the spirit's message. 

What an assemblage was here! In these names we see that the Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life; and zeal for his glory induces men to give up flattering connexions and prospects to promote his cause. It is by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that would hinder in it. Christ's ministers are to be employed in Christ's work, and, under the Spirit's guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father. They are separated to take pains, and not to take state. A blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their present undertaking was sought for, and that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. Whatever means are used, or rules observed, the Holy Spirit alone can fit ministers for their important work, and call them to it.

Nehemiah 1:4, "As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

No seeming repentance or amendment will benefit those who reject Him, for self-dependence proves them still unhumbled. All the names written in the book of life, are those of penitent sinners, not of self-righteous persons, who think they have no need of repentance. Fasting and prayer has power. We have forgotten it. We look at situation and say, "What are we going to do now?"

Matthew 4:1-2, "1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."

Acts 14:22, "Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."

- Martin Luther King spoke against compulsion in fasting though he was a man of fasting and prayer.

- John Calvin was a man of fasting and prayer. He once said, "Let us, therefore, forsake the vanity of the crowd and their false teachings and turn back to the word delivered to us from the beginning, "watching unto prayer" and continuing steadfast in fasting, beseeching fervently the all-seeing God "to lead us not into temptation, even as the Lord said, 'The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'"

- John Know was a man or prayer and fasting. In response to Knox’s imprecatory prayers, Mary Queen of Scots is reputed to have said: “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.”

Fasting can be a declaration of our dependency on God against the powers of evil. When people knock on His door, he will open. 

2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

When He manifests Himself as a consuming Fire to sinners, His people can rejoice in Him as their Light. Nay, they had reason to say, that God was good in this. It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, but the sacrifice in our stead, for which we should be very thankful. And whoever beholds with true faith, the Saviour agonizing and dying for man's sin, will, by that view, find his godly sorrow enlarged, his hatred of sin increased, his soul made more watchful, and his life more holy. Let us then stand in awe, and sin not. Let us fear the Lord's displeasure, hope in his mercy, and walk in his commandments.

I believe that most of us here share a deep desire to be more intimate, more devoted to God. But something gets in the way of that devotion. The desire we all have to give our hearts to Him is shared with a desire for things, yet, the weakness of our hunger for God is not because He is unsavory, as John Piper puts it, but because we keep ourselves stuffed with other things. In other words, we are so full on food & entertainment, that we have no appetite left for God.

Is there something wrong with food or moral entertainment? Of course not, but because these things are not bad, we often don’t realize that they can be to blame for our lack of hunger. You see, it is not our feasting with the wicked that typically robs us of our hunger for God but the constant nibbling at the table of the world that leaves us so full that we have no appetite left for God.

Fasting and prayer will remind you and makes you more and more hungry for God. 

John 4:34, "Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."

Why should we fast?
We must fast because this is the most powerful discipline of Christian life. At the same time, fasting is the most neglected Christian discipline. 

Illustration: Sometimes we cannot control our hunger. At times we cross a street and smell tasty food and become hungry. At times people get headache if they do not get tea or coffee.

Fasting can help us coming closer to our Lord. Fasting is that discipline which tries to recapture our hunger for God. It says to God, I am willing to forgo anything in order to be in your presence. Fasting provides an atmosphere whereby we are prepared to face up to the dulling effects of food and all those things which we continually nibble on. Some time after Moses watched the Lord part the Red Sea, he said to the Lord, “I want to see your glory”. My goodness, Moses, you saw the glory of the Lord when the Lord closed the waters, delivering you from the Egyptian armies! But for Moses, the only glory that He really wanted was to rest in the presence of God. It is with that heart, one that longs to bask in the presence of God, that we need to consider the biblical discipline of fasting.

Illustration: I was at Bandra court and someone informed me that the divorce rate has increased upto 5%.

What can we do? First we must dedicate ourselves to prayer and repentance. This disaster has not happened by itself; in some way all are responsible. Live-in relationships, contraception, abortion and divorce are plagues on our society and our Church. Repentance, prayer, fasting and family awareness are the cures. Nobody likes to talk about these things, but by our silence–our sin of omission–we make the problem worse. Jesus Christ came to heal us of our most serious disease–sin. The healing begins with obedience. Our sin began with disobedience; our healing begins with obedience.

Acts 13:1-3, "1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Acts 14:23, "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."

There are three types of fasting mentioned in the Bible:

1. Partial Fasting

Daniel 10:2-3, "2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks."

Daniel at the end was stronger and healthier than those eating what they wanted. In the partial fast you omit certain foods for a while, but not others. Just skipping a meal to spend time in prayer would be another example of a partial fast.

2. Normal Fasting

Though fasting is never commanded, Jesus assumed that the disciples would want to in order to see great things happen. But it’s not something a Christian has to do, but can choose to do, not many guidelines given in scripture about fasting, either! Normal fast is no food, only liquids like water, juice, etc. 

3. Absolute Fasting

Exodus 34:28, "So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments."

Acts 9:9, "And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank."

Esther 4:16, "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."

In an absolute fast one abstains from solid and liquid "foods" for example, fruit juices are foods. Nothing enters your mouth at all, can be done for a very short time. 

Isaiah 58:8, "Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard."

Jeremiah 30:17, "For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’"

A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These professors (as mentioned in Isaiah 58:8) )had shown sorrow on stated or occasioned fasts. But they indulged pride, covetousness, and malignant passions. To be liberal and merciful is more acceptable to God than mere fasting, which, without them, is vain and hypocritical. Many who seem humble in God's house, are hard at home, and harass their families. But no man's faith justifies, which does not work by love. Yet persons, families, neighbourhoods, churches, or nations, show repentance and sorrow for sin, by keeping a fast sincerely, and, from right motives, repenting, and doing good works. The heavy yoke of sin and oppression must be removed. As sin and sorrow dry the bones and weaken the strongest human constitution; so the duties of kindness and charity strengthen and refresh both body and mind. Those who do justly and love mercy, shall have the comfort, even in this world. Good works will bring the blessing of God, provided they are done from love to God and man, and wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 4:1-11, "1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,

    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,

    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God

    and him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him."

If you fast and pray seeking the face of God, not asking for anything else, just seeking His face, God of Heaven will hear us and He will heal us, our lives, our Church, our communities. 

Let us all pray:

Dear Lord, thank you for today and for our lives. We once again are back to your house and we know its just because you wanted us to be. Lord, we pray for our lives and we ask wisdom from you. During this period of 'Fasting and Prayer', guide us and fill us with your Holy Spirit, that our focus remain on you and not on tempting desires. Lord we are your children who makes mistakes and fall but we know you are the Lord of Lords and God of all and you know us better. Bless us and heal our broken hearts, broken bodies and broken soul and rejuvenate us with your blood spilled for us. Lord make us strong so that we walk the way you want us to walk. We pray for the Church to be led by your Spirit, that we may touch others and bring them to salvation. With your most precious name we ask. Amen!

We hope you enjoyed today's service. Join us for this period of fasting and prayers. God bless us all!

Image Source: http://livingwithdisability.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/43.jpg