King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Sunday, June 18, 2023
Chapters: PROVERBS 27-29
Study: Faith With Prayer and Fasting
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
The air conditioning decided to go out in the house so it has been an interesting to say the least as there are no part stores open on the weekend. It is as though every bit of air in the house gets sucked out and all the fans do is blow hot air around. Then last night I began to pray for God to cool the room down, and you know it actually felt cooler for a little while, then I lost my faith and it got hot again. You know, Jesus, had to constantly remind the disciples of their little faith, [Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?]
Now, Jesus also said that all we need is faith the size of a mustard see for God to move mountains, [Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.] So, it does not take a lot of faith in order to get God’s attention, we just need some faith. And I tell you what, it does not matter how strong our walk with Jesus is or how faithful we are to Him, we all have bouts where our faith. It is not as thought we lose faith in God, we just tend to lose faith in the situation changing. Jesus, also did say something else, [Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.]
You know, we really do not know what tomorrow will bring so instead of worrying about that we just need to focus on today. God, will take care of our every need as long as we believe that and trust that His timing is everything. The second we doubt that that is when affliction comes and we are left to wonder where God is. As we continue in the reading of Proverbs we find that a little chastening is better than being a fool or envious of others when things are not going our way.
[Proverbs 27:1-6 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? 5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.]
[but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.] Do you ever see how fools act when they do not get what they want? They are very destructive and really look like fools too when they destroy things. We have all gotten angry a time or two when we did not get something we wanted, we may have even done something foolish, but it does no good to dwell on it or become envious, we just need to move forward because God has better things waiting for us, [Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.]
I know it sounds like a contradiction to not boast of tomorrow and yet reach for tomorrow, but it really is not. We are to never lose hope of what is to come tomorrow, but we must live for today because we do not know if we will even have tomorrow. Jesus, could get the call from our Father that it is time for Him to come and get us, then all of our sorrows will be over. The key to getting what we need today is praying and actually waiting.
[Proverbs 27:18-20,23,26-27 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. 19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. 20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.]
[so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.] We do not like waiting for the things we have need of, but sometimes we do need to wait. Think about it, while man has made it possible that we can get fruit and vegetables at will through the grocery stores, God, did not design fruit and vegetables to be readily available on any given day. He designed them so that first, they be planted, then we wait from them to grow, bud and produce. God, knows what we need, when we need it, and what effort we need to make to get it. Never underestimate what patience can do, [Hebrews 10:35-36 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.]
Keep in mind that while God strives on making the impossible possible, faith with works is dead, if all we did was just sit there expecting God to do something, then God will not respect our prayers. Sometimes we need to make a little more of an effort than just praying to get God’s attention, it not only increases our faith, but lets Him know that we are trusting in Him for the answers. That is where fasting comes in. What is fasting?
[Isaiah 58:5-7 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?]
Fasting, is more than just abstaining from food for a time, in fact, it really has nothing to do with that at all. It is about taking our minds off of our own flesh for a while and turning them over to God. In fact Jesus, said this about fasting, [Matthew 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.]
When we fast we it needs to be for spiritual reasons, not for personal gratification, but for needs that only God can fill. I have fasted before when it was not for spiritual reasons and the only thing it did was make my situation worse. Perhaps we as Christians need to come together praying and fasting for spiritual reasons more often to see our nations turn back to God. If there is one thing Christians lack over the wicked it is their ability to support one another, but just image what power we would bring as we unite as one nation under God.
[Proverbs 28:1-6 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. 2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. 3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. 5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. 6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.]
[but such as keep the law contend with them.] Many Christians fight with each other, and that is why the devil messes with them so much, if he can get them fighting, then he can keep lost souls from finding Jesus. Nevertheless, if we want to see God move mountains, then we need to get together of this, [James 4:7-11 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.]
[but they that seek the LORD understand all things.] The wicked will never understand that what they are doing is wrong, but those who seek Christ understand that there is much more to life than just pleasing their flesh, [1 Peter 3:14-16 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.]
It really is in God’s will to give us the things we need and even our desires, but two things must happen. One; we must do it His way, and two; we must be willing to fight with faith for them. No one truly understands the mercy of God until you are at a point in your life that you have no other option, but to repent and turn to Jesus for help. Let me tell you, none of us are without sin, we need to be careful not to act like we have no sin at all because we are all guilty of something.
[Proverbs 28:13-18 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. 16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. 17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. 18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.]
[he shall fall himself into his own pit:] This reminds me of this passage, [Psalms 73:1-3,17 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.]
There is not one of us that has not had some kind of envy toward someone who lives as they please and never seems to suffer while we suffer, at least for a little while. While we may not see their suffering, they really do, in fact, they end up getting caught up in their own devices. You see, while God’s faithful will have some lapses of judgment from time to time and get caught up in their own devices, we will come out of it even more blessed than the suffering we faced because we turned to Jesus.
Proverbs 28:25-28 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. 26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. 28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.]
[but when they perish, the righteous increase.] The wicked may have what they want for a time, but it will not last, and they will not have God to turn to. The world will forever despise Jesus, and because we choose Him we can expect them to treat us the same way. You see, the reason Jesus is hated so much is that He exposes them for the sinful people they are, and since they refuse to repent, they not only rebel they retaliate by attacking faithful Christians. Let me tell you, we may be in danger of losing our lives for our faith, but every hair on our head is accounted for, and He will save us.
[Proverbs 29:1,10-13,16,18 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. 11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. 12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. 13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. 16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.]
[but the righteous shall see their fall.] The envious appear to be rich and successful, but have much less than we do. They are usually critical and judgmental about our accomplishments, but do not have much to show for themselves. The only reason they want us around is because we are the source of what they actually do have. Let me tell you, successes and accomplishments in this life happen because we had a vision that was the same as God’s, we reached for it, and we obtained it by faith, prayer, and fasting.
[Hebrews 6:17-19 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;]
[Where there is no vision,] When we have no vision we really do perish, life has no meaning, we lose the passion and strive we once had to keep going. Not one person, not even God, can change a persons situation until they have a little faith and do the work God wants us to do so that He can take care of the rest, [James 2:17-20 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?]
Today’s Prayer: God, You knew me before I was even thought of, You knew the things that I would be exposed to, the choices I would make, the failures, the shortcomings, and yet, You love me still the same. Thank You, For loving me and not giving up on me, and for Your promise to never leave nor forsake me through my faith in Your Son. You want us to trust You to provide us with everything we need and desire, and with that trust You give us much more than we can ever dream of. Part of giving us what we need and desire is having some faith, prayer, and fasting. Lord, I need You, I know I am nothing without You, and that everything I have comes from You. Forgive me where I failed You. Lead me and guide me, and give me Your power, wisdom, mercy, and grace to see it through. Let me be bold, truthful, faithful, always confessing any sin, and always be faithful to Your calling upon my life. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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