Marcus Mecum

Marcus Mecum - Fasting For Your Future

December 29, 2024 | S25:E1

Leaving an eternal legacy through the wisdom and life-changing truths from God’s Word.

#Faith #BodyofChrist #Struggle #God'sWill #Work #Religion #Ministry #Parable #WordofGod #Future #inActive #Heaven #Death #BrokenHeart #Daniel9 #Fasting #MarcusMecum

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Marcus Mecum | Marcus Mecum - Fasting For Your Future | December 29, 2024

♪ ♪
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>> daniel 9,
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"then i set my face
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"then i set my face toward the lord god
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Toward the lord god to make request by prayer
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To make request by prayer and supplications,
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And supplications, with fasting,
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With fasting, sackcloth, and ashes."
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Sackcloth, and ashes." now drop to verse 23,
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Now drop to verse 23, of that same chapter
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I'm gonna skip a little bit
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I'm gonna skip a little bit but you'll know why
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But you'll know why in a minute.
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In a minute. "at the beginning of
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"at the beginning of your supplications
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Your supplications the command went out,
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The command went out, i have come to tell you,
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I have come to tell you, you are greatly beloved,"
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You are greatly beloved," everybody say,
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Everybody say, "greatly beloved."
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"greatly beloved." >> congregation: greatly
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>> congregation: greatly beloved.
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Beloved. >> the new century version says,
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>> the new century version says, "i love you very much."
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"i love you very much." i like that.
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I like that. "therefore consider the matter,
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"therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision."
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And understand the vision." now, let's drop down to --
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Now, let's drop down to -- or go to chapter 10:11.
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Or go to chapter 10:11. "and he said to me,
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"and he said to me, 'o daniel,
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'o daniel, man greatly beloved,'"
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Man greatly beloved,'" there it is again.
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There it is again. "daniel who i love very much
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"daniel who i love very much understand the words
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Understand the words that i speak to you,
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That i speak to you, and stand upright,
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And stand upright, for i have now
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For i have now been sent to you.'
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Been sent to you.' while he was speaking
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While he was speaking this word to me,
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This word to me, i stood trembling."
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I stood trembling." he's having an incredible
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He's having an incredible encounter with god.
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Encounter with god. and then he said to me,
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And then he said to me, 'do not fear, daniel,
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'do not fear, daniel, for from the first day
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For from the first day you set your heart
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You set your heart to understand,
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To understand, and humble yourself,"
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And humble yourself," that's where we're at today.
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That's where we're at today. it's the first day,
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It's the first day, we're setting our hearts,
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We're setting our hearts, were humbling ourselves.
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Were humbling ourselves. it says, "your words
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It says, "your words were heard,"
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Were heard," your prayers were heard,
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Your prayers were heard, "and i have come
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"and i have come because of your words.
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Because of your words. but the prince of
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But the prince of the kingdom of persia,"
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The kingdom of persia," speaking of a demonic spirit
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Speaking of a demonic spirit that reigned over
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That reigned over the area of persia.
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The area of persia. "withstood me twenty-one days;
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"withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, michael,
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And behold, michael, one of the chief princes,"
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One of the chief princes," this is one of
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This is one of god's warring angels,
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God's warring angels, micheal and gabriel
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Micheal and gabriel would be god's
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Would be god's top ranking warring angels.
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Top ranking warring angels. "'came to help,
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"'came to help, for i had been left alone
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For i had been left alone there with the kings of persia.
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There with the kings of persia. now i have come to make
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Now i have come to make you understand what will
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You understand what will happen to your people
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Happen to your people in the latter days,
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In the latter days, for the vision refers
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For the vision refers to many days yet to come.'
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To many days yet to come.' and when he had spoken
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And when he had spoken such words to me,
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Such words to me, i turned my face
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I turned my face toward the ground,
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Toward the ground, and i became speechless.
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And i became speechless. and suddenly,
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And suddenly, as one having
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As one having the likeness of
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The likeness of the son of men
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The son of men touched my lips;
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Touched my lips; then i opened my mouth
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Then i opened my mouth and i spoke, saying to him
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And i spoke, saying to him who stood before me,
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Who stood before me, 'my lord, because of the vision
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'my lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me,
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My sorrows have overwhelmed me, and i have retained no strength.
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And i have retained no strength. for how can this servant of
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For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord?
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My lord talk with you, my lord? as for me, no strength
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As for me, no strength remains in me now,
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Remains in me now, and no breath is left in me.'"
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And no breath is left in me.'" he's having such
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He's having such an encounter with god,
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An encounter with god, he doesn't even have
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He doesn't even have the strength to speak.
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The strength to speak. "and he said,
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"and he said, 'man greatly beloved,'"
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'man greatly beloved,'" there it is again.
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There it is again. "'you who i love very much,
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"'you who i love very much, fear not! peace to you;
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Fear not! peace to you; be strong.'
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Be strong.' so when he spoke to me
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So when he spoke to me i was strengthened,
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I was strengthened, and said, 'let my lord speak,
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And said, 'let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.'"
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For you have strengthened me.'" i wanna talk to you about
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I wanna talk to you about fasting for your future.
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Fasting for your future. fasting for your future.
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Fasting for your future. before we get there,
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To understand a little bit
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To understand a little bit about the daniel fast
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About the daniel fast in the book of daniel,
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In the book of daniel, the man that were reading,
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The man that were reading, and studying, and considering
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And studying, and considering as we enter this fast.
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As we enter this fast. if you could write a epitaph
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If you could write a epitaph for the life of daniel,
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For the life of daniel, it would be how he lived
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It would be how he lived godly in an ungodly culture.
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Godly in an ungodly culture. is there a more
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Is there a more relevant message?
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Relevant message? is there a more relevant
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Is there a more relevant individual to study
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Individual to study than daniel who had to remain
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Than daniel who had to remain godly in an ungodly world?
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Godly in an ungodly world? when you read the book
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When you read the book of daniel, like many people,
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Of daniel, like many people, they misunderstand that
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They misunderstand that the bible was not written
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The bible was not written chronologically.
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Chronologically. the bible -- or it was not
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The bible -- or it was not comprised chronologically
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Comprised chronologically or laid out chronology,
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Or laid out chronology, it was laid out in categories.
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It was laid out in categories. so, you would have
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So, you would have the first five books of
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The first five books of the old testament, the torah,
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The old testament, the torah, then you would go to
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Then you would go to the historical books,
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The historical books, then the poetic books,
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Then the poetic books, psalms and proverbs,
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Psalms and proverbs, song of solomon,
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Song of solomon, ecclesiastes.
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Ecclesiastes. then you would go to
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Then you would go to the major prophets,
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The major prophets, and then you would end
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And then you would end with the minor prophets.
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With the minor prophets. daniel is a major prophet.
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Daniel is a major prophet. i'm saying this for a reason.
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I'm saying this for a reason. the book of daniel is broken up
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The book of daniel is broken up into two sections.
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Into two sections. the first six chapters
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The first six chapters would deal with history,
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Would deal with history, the last 12 chapters are
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The last 12 chapters are prophetic in nature.
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Prophetic in nature. when it comes to
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When it comes to the book of daniel,
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When john the beloved
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When john the beloved is taken up to
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Is taken up to the third heaven
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The third heaven and is given a
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And is given a revelation that now,
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Revelation that now, the very last book of
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The very last book of your new testament
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Your new testament is john writing down
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Is john writing down what he saw
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What he saw and what he heard.
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And what he heard. he quotes daniel more than
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Any other book in the bible.
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Any other book in the bible. and so, in many ways,
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And so, in many ways, the same vision daniel had,
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The same vision daniel had, john the beloved is having.
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John the beloved is having. so, this is a critical message.
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So, this is a critical message. this is a critical individual
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This is a critical individual to look at concerning
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To look at concerning god's people and his
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God's people and his end time church.
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End time church. daniel would be
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Daniel would be one of the last books
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One of the last books of the old testament.
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Of the old testament. again, not in the way
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Again, not in the way it's laid out,
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It's laid out, but chronologically,
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But chronologically, it would be.
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It would be. the last book of
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The last book of your bible chronologically
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Your bible chronologically would not be malachi,
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Would not be malachi, malachi would be
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Malachi would be concurrent with nehemiah.
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Concurrent with nehemiah. remember nehemiah
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Remember nehemiah is the one that calls
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Is the one that calls the children of israel
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The children of israel out of babylon.
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Out of babylon. this is the second exodus.
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This is the second exodus. the first would be
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The first would be they're called out of egypt
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They're called out of egypt into the wilderness
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Into the wilderness after 400 years.
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After 400 years. the second would be
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The second would be they're called out of babylon
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They're called out of babylon after 70 years of captivity.
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After 70 years of captivity. nehemiah would lead that exodus,
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Nehemiah would lead that exodus, go to jerusalem
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Go to jerusalem and rebuild the walls,
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And rebuild the walls, and rebuild the temple
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And rebuild the temple of the holy city.
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Of the holy city. the prophets that would be
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The prophets that would be concurrent with nehemiah
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Concurrent with nehemiah would be malachi,
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Would be malachi, haggai, and zechariah.
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Haggai, and zechariah. their assignment was to
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Their assignment was to encourage god's people
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Encourage god's people to not give up,
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To not give up, and to not quit,
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And to not quit, and to help them
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And to help them focus on the things that
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Focus on the things that would matter the most
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Would matter the most when it would come to
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When it would come to god's end time church.
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God's end time church. because then, you end
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Because then, you end and there's a 400-year
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And there's a 400-year silent period,
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Silent period, there's 4000 years where
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There's 4000 years where god chose to be silent.
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God chose to be silent. so, it's the end of
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So, it's the end of an era is my point.
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An era is my point. we're looking at
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We're looking at the end of an era,
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The end of an era, and this is why
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And this is why it's relevant to the days
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It's relevant to the days that we're living in.
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That we're living in. daniel had loved through a war,
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Daniel had loved through a war, and as a result,
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And as a result, he lived in exile
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He lived in exile for the rest of his life.
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For the rest of his life. nebuchadnezzar,
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Nebuchadnezzar, the king of babylon,
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The king of babylon, had defeated israel,
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Had defeated israel, and after the defeat,
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And after the defeat, daniel had survived,
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Daniel had survived, but at the age of 16,
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But at the age of 16, along with many other young men,
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Along with many other young men, he was taken into babylon,
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He was taken into babylon, into captivity where daniel
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Into captivity where daniel would live until he died
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Would live until he died at 90 plus years old.
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At 90 plus years old. so, he lived his entire
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So, he lived his entire life in babylon.
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Life in babylon. he never was able
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He never was able to get out of that.
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To get out of that. god never delivered
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God never delivered daniel from babylon.
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Daniel from babylon. his whole life was lived
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His whole life was lived in an ungodly culture.
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In an ungodly culture. this is why we're
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This is why we're looking at him,
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Looking at him, how do you live godly
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How do you live godly in an ungodly world?
00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:35.829
In an ungodly world? when you look around us
00:07:35.895 --> 00:07:37.397
When you look around us and you look at our world,
00:07:37.464 --> 00:07:39.666
And you look at our world, you are being inundated
00:07:39.732 --> 00:07:41.034
You are being inundated consistently with messages
00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:43.770
Consistently with messages that are going to try to
00:07:43.837 --> 00:07:44.604
That are going to try to rob you of what god is
00:07:44.671 --> 00:07:46.940
Rob you of what god is wanting to do in your
00:07:47.006 --> 00:07:48.107
Wanting to do in your life and in your heart.
00:07:48.174 --> 00:07:49.976
Life and in your heart. and daniel was not
00:07:50.043 --> 00:07:50.977
And daniel was not in babylon by choice.
00:07:51.044 --> 00:07:52.745
In babylon by choice. this was not his choice,
00:07:52.812 --> 00:07:54.214
This was not his choice, this was the result of past
00:07:54.280 --> 00:07:57.116
This was the result of past generation disobedience.
00:07:57.183 --> 00:07:59.519
Generation disobedience. and now, he's living
00:07:59.586 --> 00:08:01.020
And now, he's living in the consequence of that.
00:08:01.087 --> 00:08:02.689
In the consequence of that. like us, in many ways,
00:08:02.755 --> 00:08:04.424
Like us, in many ways, we have generations
00:08:04.491 --> 00:08:05.825
We have generations that have proceeded us
00:08:05.892 --> 00:08:07.026
That have proceeded us that abandoned god,
00:08:07.093 --> 00:08:08.461
That abandoned god, walked aways from god,
00:08:08.528 --> 00:08:10.096
Walked aways from god, allowed principles to
00:08:10.163 --> 00:08:11.264
Allowed principles to take root in our country,
00:08:11.331 --> 00:08:13.600
Take root in our country, and as a result,
00:08:13.666 --> 00:08:14.734
And as a result, here we are
00:08:14.801 --> 00:08:15.668
Here we are facing the compound interest
00:08:15.735 --> 00:08:17.971
Facing the compound interest of all of those evil investments
00:08:18.037 --> 00:08:20.874
Of all of those evil investments that have been made.
00:08:20.940 --> 00:08:21.407
That have been made. seemingly small at times.
00:08:21.474 --> 00:08:23.776
Seemingly small at times. seemingly little at times.
00:08:23.843 --> 00:08:25.812
Seemingly little at times. but just like in any
00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:28.248
But just like in any type of investment,
00:08:28.314 --> 00:08:29.716
Type of investment, you show up one day
00:08:29.782 --> 00:08:31.117
You show up one day and here we are saying,
00:08:31.184 --> 00:08:31.718
And here we are saying, "how did we get here?
00:08:31.784 --> 00:08:33.386
"how did we get here? it's happened so fast."
00:08:33.453 --> 00:08:34.888
It's happened so fast." for so many years
00:08:34.954 --> 00:08:36.523
For so many years it was little,
00:08:36.589 --> 00:08:37.257
It was little, it was small,
00:08:37.323 --> 00:08:38.024
It was small, it was a slow slide.
00:08:38.091 --> 00:08:40.360
It was a slow slide. but then all of a sudden,
00:08:40.426 --> 00:08:41.261
But then all of a sudden, boom, here we are.
00:08:41.327 --> 00:08:43.062
Boom, here we are. children, you know,
00:08:43.129 --> 00:08:45.698
Children, you know, being faced with government
00:08:45.765 --> 00:08:48.134
Being faced with government in many ways saying,
00:08:48.201 --> 00:08:50.003
In many ways saying, you know, we're going to,
00:08:50.069 --> 00:08:51.204
You know, we're going to, you know, cut off this,
00:08:51.271 --> 00:08:52.672
You know, cut off this, and we're going to change this.
00:08:52.739 --> 00:08:55.508
And we're going to change this. i mean, it's just
00:08:55.575 --> 00:08:56.409
I mean, it's just how did we get -- children?
00:08:56.476 --> 00:08:59.045
How did we get -- children? haven't they always been,
00:08:59.112 --> 00:09:01.514
Haven't they always been, kinda, leave them alone?
00:09:01.581 --> 00:09:03.650
Kinda, leave them alone? i'm not being a preacher,
00:09:03.716 --> 00:09:04.918
I'm not being a preacher, i'm just saying for --
00:09:04.984 --> 00:09:06.219
I'm just saying for -- how did you get here?
00:09:06.286 --> 00:09:07.654
How did you get here? how did we get in this kind --
00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:09.589
How did we get in this kind -- it's -- and how do you live
00:09:09.656 --> 00:09:10.823
It's -- and how do you live godly in it?
00:09:10.890 --> 00:09:12.692
Godly in it? how do you maintain
00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:13.526
How do you maintain convictions, and standards,
00:09:13.593 --> 00:09:14.961
Convictions, and standards, and not sound judgmental,
00:09:15.028 --> 00:09:16.396
And not sound judgmental, and not sound political.
00:09:16.462 --> 00:09:17.864
And not sound political. how do you just say,
00:09:17.931 --> 00:09:19.399
How do you just say, "god's word is his word,
00:09:19.465 --> 00:09:21.301
"god's word is his word, and i'm gonna honor it,
00:09:21.367 --> 00:09:22.502
And i'm gonna honor it, and i'm gonna seek it,
00:09:22.569 --> 00:09:23.570
And i'm gonna seek it, and i'm gonna hang on to it?"
00:09:23.636 --> 00:09:24.737
[applause]
00:09:25.038 --> 00:09:26.272
Well, daniel gives us that.
00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:29.642
Well, daniel gives us that. daniel faced
00:09:29.709 --> 00:09:30.443
Daniel faced assassination attempts
00:09:30.510 --> 00:09:31.711
Assassination attempts because of his standards.
00:09:31.778 --> 00:09:33.646
Because of his standards. enemies all around,
00:09:33.713 --> 00:09:34.914
Enemies all around, constant temptation to abandon
00:09:34.981 --> 00:09:37.450
Constant temptation to abandon his convictions and compromise.
00:09:37.517 --> 00:09:39.819
His convictions and compromise. just -- every time he turned
00:09:39.886 --> 00:09:41.821
Just -- every time he turned around just the world
00:09:41.888 --> 00:09:43.423
Around just the world was there saying, "come on.
00:09:43.489 --> 00:09:44.657
Was there saying, "come on. you don't have to
00:09:44.724 --> 00:09:45.291
You don't have to live like that,
00:09:45.358 --> 00:09:45.959
Live like that, you don't have to be
00:09:46.025 --> 00:09:47.327
You don't have to be that extreme."
00:09:47.393 --> 00:09:49.963
That extreme." but daniel,
00:09:50.029 --> 00:09:50.797
But daniel, though he's in babylon,
00:09:50.863 --> 00:09:52.365
Though he's in babylon, babylon never got in daniel.
00:09:52.432 --> 00:09:55.568
Babylon never got in daniel. constant attacks, but yet
00:09:55.635 --> 00:09:56.836
Constant attacks, but yet you don't see daniel
00:09:56.903 --> 00:09:58.538
You don't see daniel eaten up with revenge.
00:09:58.605 --> 00:10:01.307
Eaten up with revenge. you never see daniel
00:10:01.374 --> 00:10:02.675
You never see daniel even showing a hint of
00:10:02.742 --> 00:10:03.876
Even showing a hint of bitterness or unforgiveness.
00:10:03.943 --> 00:10:06.746
Bitterness or unforgiveness. odds stacked against him,
00:10:06.813 --> 00:10:09.182
Odds stacked against him, but yet he's not a victim,
00:10:09.248 --> 00:10:10.416
But yet he's not a victim, he's not insecure,
00:10:10.483 --> 00:10:11.384
He's not insecure, he's not inferior,
00:10:11.451 --> 00:10:12.418
He's not inferior, or he's not discouraged.
00:10:12.485 --> 00:10:14.520
Or he's not discouraged. daniel stayed faithful
00:10:14.587 --> 00:10:15.855
Daniel stayed faithful when everything externally
00:10:15.922 --> 00:10:17.757
When everything externally was against him.
00:10:17.824 --> 00:10:19.626
Was against him. and i love the fact
00:10:19.692 --> 00:10:20.627
And i love the fact that daniel goes to god
00:10:20.693 --> 00:10:21.961
That daniel goes to god because of the condition
00:10:22.028 --> 00:10:23.429
Because of the condition of the world that he's in,
00:10:23.496 --> 00:10:26.799
Of the world that he's in, the culture that he's in,
00:10:26.866 --> 00:10:28.635
The culture that he's in, the constant ungodliness
00:10:28.701 --> 00:10:30.303
The constant ungodliness that surrounded him,
00:10:30.370 --> 00:10:31.337
That surrounded him, the constant attacks.
00:10:31.404 --> 00:10:33.439
The constant attacks. and when he goes to god,
00:10:33.506 --> 00:10:34.741
And when he goes to god, god shows up
00:10:34.807 --> 00:10:36.109
God shows up and tells him three times,
00:10:36.175 --> 00:10:37.844
And tells him three times, "i love you very much.
00:10:37.910 --> 00:10:40.747
"i love you very much. i love you very much.
00:10:40.813 --> 00:10:43.316
I love you very much. i love you very much."
00:10:43.383 --> 00:10:45.918
I love you very much." so, it appears that
00:10:45.985 --> 00:10:46.753
So, it appears that there are situations
00:10:46.819 --> 00:10:47.920
There are situations and seasons we go through
00:10:47.987 --> 00:10:50.790
And seasons we go through that god knows he's not
00:10:50.857 --> 00:10:52.358
That god knows he's not going to take us out of those.
00:10:52.425 --> 00:10:55.361
Going to take us out of those. but you and i look at
00:10:55.428 --> 00:10:56.229
But you and i look at that and we say, "no.
00:10:56.295 --> 00:10:57.363
That and we say, "no. if god loved me,
00:10:57.430 --> 00:10:59.198
If god loved me, he would rescue me.
00:10:59.265 --> 00:11:01.000
He would rescue me. he would deliver me.
00:11:01.067 --> 00:11:02.835
He would deliver me. if you love me, god,
00:11:02.902 --> 00:11:04.170
If you love me, god, take this away from me.
00:11:04.237 --> 00:11:05.405
Take this away from me. take this pain,
00:11:05.471 --> 00:11:06.773
Take this pain, take this difficulty
00:11:06.839 --> 00:11:08.374
Take this difficulty away from me."
00:11:08.441 --> 00:11:09.208
Away from me." but there's another option
00:11:09.275 --> 00:11:10.243
But there's another option that god usually chooses,
00:11:10.309 --> 00:11:12.045
That god usually chooses, and that's, "i'm not gonna
00:11:12.111 --> 00:11:13.246
And that's, "i'm not gonna take you out of the struggle,
00:11:13.312 --> 00:11:14.647
Take you out of the struggle, however i will reassure you
00:11:14.714 --> 00:11:16.449
However i will reassure you of my love while
00:11:16.516 --> 00:11:17.817
Of my love while you're in the struggle."
00:11:17.884 --> 00:11:20.720
You're in the struggle." so, daniel is fasting
00:11:20.787 --> 00:11:21.821
So, daniel is fasting and praying,
00:11:21.888 --> 00:11:22.355
And praying, and god is reassuring
00:11:22.422 --> 00:11:23.890
And god is reassuring daniel that he loves him.
00:11:23.956 --> 00:11:26.192
Daniel that he loves him. and he's fasting not over
00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.894
And he's fasting not over what's happening right then,
00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:30.363
What's happening right then, but he's fasting over
00:11:30.430 --> 00:11:31.364
But he's fasting over his future in verse 14.
00:11:31.431 --> 00:11:33.566
His future in verse 14. and god gives him
00:11:33.633 --> 00:11:34.434
And god gives him a supernatural vision.
00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:36.703
A supernatural vision. and i believe there are
00:11:36.769 --> 00:11:37.804
And i believe there are several reasons to fast.
00:11:37.870 --> 00:11:39.305
Several reasons to fast. one of them, that we're
00:11:39.372 --> 00:11:40.473
One of them, that we're gonna talk about today,
00:11:40.540 --> 00:11:41.808
Gonna talk about today, which is for your future,
00:11:41.874 --> 00:11:43.976
Which is for your future, for your family's future,
00:11:44.043 --> 00:11:45.978
For your family's future, for the future of your dream,
00:11:46.045 --> 00:11:47.613
For the future of your dream, for the future of our nation,
00:11:47.680 --> 00:11:49.749
For the future of our nation, for the future
00:11:49.816 --> 00:11:50.616
For the future of our church.
00:11:50.683 --> 00:11:51.417
Of our church. fasting for our future.
00:11:51.484 --> 00:11:55.354
Fasting for our future. fasting is abstaining
00:11:55.421 --> 00:11:57.490
Fasting is abstaining for a spiritual purpose.
00:11:57.557 --> 00:11:58.591
For a spiritual purpose. for those of you who have
00:11:58.658 --> 00:11:59.325
For those of you who have been around for a while,
00:11:59.392 --> 00:12:00.660
Been around for a while, you understand that,
00:12:00.727 --> 00:12:01.561
You understand that, but some of you have never
00:12:01.627 --> 00:12:02.528
But some of you have never gone through 21 days
00:12:02.595 --> 00:12:04.197
Gone through 21 days of prayer and fasting.
00:12:04.263 --> 00:12:06.065
Of prayer and fasting. it's not about not eating.
00:12:06.132 --> 00:12:09.736
It's not about not eating. fasting is abstaining
00:12:09.802 --> 00:12:11.604
Fasting is abstaining for a spiritual purpose.
00:12:11.671 --> 00:12:13.272
For a spiritual purpose. that's why we're talking
00:12:13.339 --> 00:12:14.640
That's why we're talking about attaching yourself,
00:12:14.707 --> 00:12:17.844
About attaching yourself, attaching your faith
00:12:17.910 --> 00:12:19.412
Attaching your faith to the purpose.
00:12:19.479 --> 00:12:21.013
To the purpose. what purpose do you have
00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.282
What purpose do you have in this fast?
00:12:23.349 --> 00:12:24.383
In this fast? why are you pushing
00:12:24.450 --> 00:12:25.518
Why are you pushing your plate back?
00:12:25.585 --> 00:12:26.953
Your plate back? it's not because
00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:27.653
It's not because you don't want to eat.
00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:28.721
You don't want to eat. god's not looking
00:12:28.788 --> 00:12:29.655
God's not looking for your food, right?
00:12:29.722 --> 00:12:33.459
For your food, right? but god is trying to assist you
00:12:33.526 --> 00:12:36.896
But god is trying to assist you in the things that matter
00:12:36.963 --> 00:12:38.364
In the things that matter more than food.
00:12:38.431 --> 00:12:40.099
More than food. there are things in life
00:12:40.166 --> 00:12:41.300
There are things in life that matter way more than food,
00:12:41.367 --> 00:12:42.935
That matter way more than food, and you know this.
00:12:43.002 --> 00:12:43.736
And you know this. whenever you get sick,
00:12:43.803 --> 00:12:45.138
Whenever you get sick, you immediately lose your
00:12:45.204 --> 00:12:46.172
You immediately lose your appetite because your body
00:12:46.239 --> 00:12:48.074
Appetite because your body is trying to heal itself
00:12:48.141 --> 00:12:50.243
Is trying to heal itself because your health
00:12:50.309 --> 00:12:51.644
Because your health matters more than food.
00:12:51.711 --> 00:12:54.747
Matters more than food. so, god has implemented
00:12:54.814 --> 00:12:57.483
So, god has implemented fasting to assist us
00:12:57.550 --> 00:13:00.720
Fasting to assist us in the areas that
00:13:00.787 --> 00:13:02.688
In the areas that we're missing something,
00:13:02.755 --> 00:13:04.123
We're missing something, we've lost something,
00:13:04.190 --> 00:13:05.525
We've lost something, there's something that's off
00:13:05.591 --> 00:13:06.959
There's something that's off in our life,
00:13:07.026 --> 00:13:07.827
In our life, and we're needing strength,
00:13:07.894 --> 00:13:08.961
And we're needing strength, and we're needing healing.
00:13:09.028 --> 00:13:10.663
And we're needing healing. and so, god gives us
00:13:10.730 --> 00:13:12.031
And so, god gives us the idea of fasting
00:13:12.098 --> 00:13:13.766
The idea of fasting as a result.
00:13:13.833 --> 00:13:15.168
As a result. abstaining for
00:13:15.234 --> 00:13:15.902
Abstaining for a spiritual purpose.
00:13:15.968 --> 00:13:17.703
A spiritual purpose. the most important reason
00:13:17.770 --> 00:13:19.772
The most important reason would be to draw closer
00:13:19.839 --> 00:13:20.873
Would be to draw closer to god in the fast.
00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:23.743
To god in the fast. joel 2:12 says,
00:13:23.810 --> 00:13:25.011
Joel 2:12 says, "turn to me with your whole
00:13:25.077 --> 00:13:26.779
"turn to me with your whole heart and with fasting."
00:13:26.846 --> 00:13:30.349
Heart and with fasting." the emphasis on heart,
00:13:30.416 --> 00:13:33.119
The emphasis on heart, not fasting.
00:13:33.186 --> 00:13:35.154
Not fasting. god is after your heart
00:13:35.221 --> 00:13:37.423
God is after your heart during this fast.
00:13:37.490 --> 00:13:39.258
During this fast. why?
00:13:39.325 --> 00:13:39.926
Why? because in many ways,
00:13:39.992 --> 00:13:41.561
Because in many ways, we're looking at our lives
00:13:41.627 --> 00:13:42.728
We're looking at our lives and we're saying,
00:13:42.795 --> 00:13:43.162
And we're saying, "there are parts of my life,
00:13:43.229 --> 00:13:44.263
"there are parts of my life, there are areas of my life
00:13:44.330 --> 00:13:45.298
There are areas of my life that are undone."
00:13:45.364 --> 00:13:47.934
That are undone." there are areas --
00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.168
There are areas -- what did the prophet say?
00:13:49.235 --> 00:13:50.870
What did the prophet say? that the angels took
00:13:50.937 --> 00:13:51.737
That the angels took the coals off the altar
00:13:51.804 --> 00:13:53.306
The coals off the altar and touched his lips,
00:13:53.372 --> 00:13:54.140
And touched his lips, and the bible says,
00:13:54.207 --> 00:13:55.141
And the bible says, the reason for that was
00:13:55.208 --> 00:13:56.175
The reason for that was he was undone.
00:13:56.242 --> 00:13:58.144
He was undone. so, every now and then,
00:13:58.211 --> 00:13:58.778
So, every now and then, you have to say,
00:13:58.845 --> 00:13:59.278
You have to say, "god, take the coals
00:13:59.345 --> 00:14:00.279
"god, take the coals off the altar of heaven,
00:14:00.346 --> 00:14:02.014
Off the altar of heaven, and touch my lips,
00:14:02.081 --> 00:14:03.216
And touch my lips, touch my mind,
00:14:03.282 --> 00:14:03.850
Touch my mind, touch me heart,
00:14:03.916 --> 00:14:04.984
Touch me heart, touch my marriage,
00:14:05.051 --> 00:14:05.685
Touch my marriage, touch my kids,
00:14:05.751 --> 00:14:06.719
Touch my kids, touch my church,
00:14:06.786 --> 00:14:07.687
Touch my church, touch -- why?
00:14:07.753 --> 00:14:09.355
Touch -- why? we are undone.
00:14:09.422 --> 00:14:10.923
[applause]
00:14:11.224 --> 00:14:14.861
Zechariah 7:4-5
00:14:15.828 --> 00:14:18.698
Gives the question,
00:14:18.798 --> 00:14:19.699
Gives the question, "did you fast for me?"
00:14:19.765 --> 00:14:22.869
"did you fast for me?" fasting is most
00:14:22.935 --> 00:14:24.737
Fasting is most importantly for him.
00:14:24.804 --> 00:14:27.139
Importantly for him. there are health benefits.
00:14:27.206 --> 00:14:28.507
There are real benefits
00:14:28.608 --> 00:14:31.043
There are real benefits depending on the kind
00:14:31.110 --> 00:14:31.777
Depending on the kind of fast you choose,
00:14:31.844 --> 00:14:33.079
Of fast you choose, but the goal is
00:14:33.145 --> 00:14:34.247
But the goal is did you fast for him?
00:14:34.313 --> 00:14:37.216
Did you fast for him? acts 13:2 says,
00:14:37.283 --> 00:14:38.551
Acts 13:2 says, "they fasted
00:14:38.618 --> 00:14:39.552
"they fasted and ministered
00:14:39.619 --> 00:14:40.653
And ministered to the lord."
00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.320
To the lord." so, you have to determine
00:14:41.387 --> 00:14:43.322
So, you have to determine to minister to the lord over
00:14:43.389 --> 00:14:45.124
To minister to the lord over the next 21 days.
00:14:45.191 --> 00:14:46.692
The next 21 days. because you're, at times,
00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.994
Because you're, at times, going to say, "this is dumb.
00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:50.329
Going to say, "this is dumb. why am i doing this?
00:14:50.396 --> 00:14:51.130
Why am i doing this? all i -- i'm hungry,
00:14:51.197 --> 00:14:52.431
All i -- i'm hungry, i just think about food
00:14:52.498 --> 00:14:53.299
I just think about food all the time."
00:14:53.366 --> 00:14:53.933
All the time." and when those thoughts come,
00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:56.435
And when those thoughts come, you have to, at that time, know
00:14:56.502 --> 00:14:58.471
You have to, at that time, know that you're ministering
00:14:58.537 --> 00:14:59.372
That you're ministering to the lord,
00:14:59.438 --> 00:15:00.006
To the lord, and you gotta turn your
00:15:00.072 --> 00:15:01.140
And you gotta turn your attention off of your belly,
00:15:01.207 --> 00:15:04.310
Attention off of your belly, and you gotta get your
00:15:04.377 --> 00:15:05.111
And you gotta get your attention on him and say,
00:15:05.177 --> 00:15:07.046
Attention on him and say, "god, i'm ministering
00:15:07.113 --> 00:15:08.014
"god, i'm ministering to you right now."
00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:09.949
To you right now." there's something about this
00:15:10.016 --> 00:15:11.617
There's something about this that every time i feel
00:15:11.684 --> 00:15:12.551
That every time i feel the hunger pain,
00:15:12.618 --> 00:15:14.020
The hunger pain, i'm gonna know
00:15:14.086 --> 00:15:14.820
I'm gonna know i'm doing it for you,
00:15:14.887 --> 00:15:15.821
I'm doing it for you, and it's going to
00:15:15.888 --> 00:15:17.423
And it's going to trigger in me,
00:15:17.490 --> 00:15:18.891
Trigger in me, "this is for him.
00:15:18.958 --> 00:15:20.426
"this is for him. i'm doing it for him.
00:15:20.493 --> 00:15:21.560
I'm doing it for him. i'm ministering to
00:15:21.627 --> 00:15:22.762
I'm ministering to god through this.
00:15:22.828 --> 00:15:24.230
God through this. i'm calling it time out
00:15:24.297 --> 00:15:25.531
I'm calling it time out on business as usual.
00:15:25.598 --> 00:15:27.133
On business as usual. i'm not gonna just go back to
00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:28.601
I'm not gonna just go back to the normal rhythms of life.
00:15:28.668 --> 00:15:30.503
The normal rhythms of life. i'm gonna change every
00:15:30.569 --> 00:15:32.138
I'm gonna change every rhythm i possibly can.
00:15:32.204 --> 00:15:33.906
Rhythm i possibly can. there are things
00:15:33.973 --> 00:15:34.340
There are things we've got to do,
00:15:34.407 --> 00:15:35.541
We've got to do, but outside of that,
00:15:35.608 --> 00:15:36.842
But outside of that, any other rhythm,
00:15:36.909 --> 00:15:37.977
Any other rhythm, i'm gonna call a time out
00:15:38.044 --> 00:15:41.113
I'm gonna call a time out because i have to have
00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:42.315
Because i have to have a course correction."
00:15:42.381 --> 00:15:44.016
A course correction." now, this is,
00:15:44.083 --> 00:15:45.251
Now, this is, for me personally,
00:15:45.318 --> 00:15:46.819
For me personally, i mentioned earlier
00:15:46.886 --> 00:15:47.753
I mentioned earlier that this is my 25th annual
00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:50.489
That this is my 25th annual 21 days of prayer
00:15:50.556 --> 00:15:51.390
21 days of prayer and fasting.
00:15:51.457 --> 00:15:53.159
And fasting. and every single time
00:15:53.225 --> 00:15:55.728
And every single time this time of year comes around,
00:15:55.795 --> 00:15:58.597
This time of year comes around, i can look back and say
00:15:58.664 --> 00:16:00.566
I can look back and say i've gotten off course.
00:16:00.633 --> 00:16:03.002
I've gotten off course. and i'm just gonna
00:16:03.069 --> 00:16:03.502
And i'm just gonna throw it out there,
00:16:03.569 --> 00:16:04.503
Throw it out there, if i get off course,
00:16:04.570 --> 00:16:07.273
If i get off course, i think that we might
00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:08.074
I think that we might all get off course,
00:16:08.140 --> 00:16:08.908
All get off course, 'cause this is my job,
00:16:08.975 --> 00:16:10.076
'cause this is my job, by the way,
00:16:10.142 --> 00:16:10.443
By the way, to stay on course.
00:16:10.509 --> 00:16:12.812
To stay on course. right?
00:16:12.878 --> 00:16:14.313
Right? and what happens is,
00:16:14.380 --> 00:16:15.214
And what happens is, because i've done it
00:16:15.281 --> 00:16:16.015
Because i've done it for so long
00:16:16.082 --> 00:16:16.549
For so long and because it's a rhythm,
00:16:16.615 --> 00:16:17.783
And because it's a rhythm, it's a pillar.
00:16:17.850 --> 00:16:20.319
It's a pillar. what i'll do is,
00:16:20.386 --> 00:16:21.087
What i'll do is, around the time we start
00:16:21.153 --> 00:16:22.321
Around the time we start getting through thanksgiving,
00:16:22.388 --> 00:16:24.857
Getting through thanksgiving, i start looking at my course
00:16:24.924 --> 00:16:30.730
I start looking at my course and i start thinking, "ah.
00:16:30.796 --> 00:16:34.633
And i start thinking, "ah. i'm not moving in
00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:35.968
I'm not moving in the direction i want to."
00:16:36.035 --> 00:16:38.738
The direction i want to." and i start positioning
00:16:38.804 --> 00:16:39.972
And i start positioning myself in december going
00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:43.409
Myself in december going into january for
00:16:43.476 --> 00:16:44.677
Into january for my course correction.
00:16:44.744 --> 00:16:45.945
My course correction. then over the next 21 days,
00:16:46.012 --> 00:16:48.147
Then over the next 21 days, the goal is to make
00:16:48.214 --> 00:16:49.048
The goal is to make those corrections.
00:16:49.115 --> 00:16:51.083
Those corrections. then the momentum
00:16:51.150 --> 00:16:52.018
Then the momentum of those 21 days
00:16:52.084 --> 00:16:53.052
Of those 21 days usually carries me
00:16:53.119 --> 00:16:55.187
Usually carries me for a week, a month,
00:16:55.254 --> 00:16:56.989
For a week, a month, two months, three months.
00:16:57.056 --> 00:16:57.923
Two months, three months. sometimes i correct things
00:16:57.990 --> 00:17:00.826
Sometimes i correct things during the fast
00:17:00.893 --> 00:17:01.627
During the fast and i never return
00:17:01.694 --> 00:17:03.429
And i never return to those things that before,
00:17:03.496 --> 00:17:04.964
To those things that before, were getting me off course.
00:17:05.031 --> 00:17:06.065
Were getting me off course. whatever they might have been.
00:17:06.132 --> 00:17:07.533
Whatever they might have been. lack of discipline,
00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:08.601
Lack of discipline, apathy, pain, heartbreak,
00:17:08.667 --> 00:17:12.805
Apathy, pain, heartbreak, the world, things of this world,
00:17:12.872 --> 00:17:15.207
The world, things of this world, my phone...
00:17:15.274 --> 00:17:16.342
[laughter]
00:17:16.742 --> 00:17:19.345
The romance novel
00:17:19.745 --> 00:17:20.913
The romance novel that you're reading,
00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.647
That you're reading, just course correction.
00:17:21.714 --> 00:17:24.950
Just course correction. i'm talking to the men about
00:17:25.017 --> 00:17:25.985
I'm talking to the men about the romance novel real quick.
00:17:26.052 --> 00:17:27.787
The romance novel real quick. course correction.
00:17:27.853 --> 00:17:32.792
Course correction. and this is what
00:17:32.858 --> 00:17:33.325
And this is what i want you to see.
00:17:33.392 --> 00:17:35.094
I want you to see. now that it's been 25 years,
00:17:35.161 --> 00:17:37.463
Now that it's been 25 years, if you were to add those
00:17:37.530 --> 00:17:39.532
If you were to add those seasons of preparation, fasting,
00:17:39.598 --> 00:17:41.934
Seasons of preparation, fasting, and the momentum of them,
00:17:42.001 --> 00:17:43.569
And the momentum of them, i've fasted for years
00:17:43.636 --> 00:17:45.504
I've fasted for years and years of my life.
00:17:45.571 --> 00:17:48.007
And years of my life. years of my life
00:17:48.074 --> 00:17:50.109
Years of my life have been spent fasting.
00:17:50.176 --> 00:17:53.913
Have been spent fasting. if i'll fast
00:17:53.979 --> 00:17:54.713
If i'll fast for the next 25 or 30,
00:17:54.780 --> 00:17:57.149
For the next 25 or 30, then i'll look back
00:17:57.216 --> 00:17:58.417
Then i'll look back over my life
00:17:58.484 --> 00:17:59.552
Over my life and i'll have years
00:17:59.618 --> 00:18:00.853
And i'll have years and years.
00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.655
And years. even if i couldn't fast --
00:18:02.721 --> 00:18:05.257
Even if i couldn't fast -- if i couldn't maintain
00:18:05.324 --> 00:18:06.192
If i couldn't maintain all of those things
00:18:06.258 --> 00:18:07.093
All of those things at all times,
00:18:07.159 --> 00:18:09.662
At all times, i have something in my life
00:18:09.728 --> 00:18:11.030
I have something in my life when i get off that corrects me.
00:18:11.097 --> 00:18:14.667
When i get off that corrects me. and i believe the reason
00:18:14.733 --> 00:18:16.068
And i believe the reason that i'm still
00:18:16.135 --> 00:18:17.336
That i'm still in ministry today,
00:18:17.403 --> 00:18:18.471
In ministry today, serving god today,
00:18:18.537 --> 00:18:19.672
Serving god today, in the way that i am,
00:18:19.738 --> 00:18:20.739
In the way that i am, focused in the way that i am,
00:18:20.806 --> 00:18:22.608
Focused in the way that i am, that this church is focused
00:18:22.675 --> 00:18:24.143
That this church is focused the way that we are
00:18:24.210 --> 00:18:25.478
The way that we are is because we know
00:18:25.544 --> 00:18:26.679
Is because we know how to course correct.
00:18:26.745 --> 00:18:29.515
How to course correct. we know you can't live
00:18:29.582 --> 00:18:30.783
We know you can't live on the mountain top spiritually,
00:18:30.850 --> 00:18:33.119
On the mountain top spiritually, but there are spiritual
00:18:33.185 --> 00:18:34.353
But there are spiritual disciplines that you can say
00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.754
Disciplines that you can say in an ungodly world,
00:18:35.821 --> 00:18:37.723
In an ungodly world, in a distracted world,
00:18:37.790 --> 00:18:39.725
In a distracted world, in a busy world,
00:18:39.792 --> 00:18:40.860
In a busy world, in a chaotic world,
00:18:40.926 --> 00:18:42.661
In a chaotic world, there is something that
00:18:42.728 --> 00:18:44.163
There is something that is god given that can
00:18:44.230 --> 00:18:45.698
Is god given that can course correct you.
00:18:45.764 --> 00:18:47.133
Course correct you. so, at the end of your life
00:18:47.199 --> 00:18:49.034
So, at the end of your life even though you get off
00:18:49.101 --> 00:18:50.136
Even though you get off every now and then,
00:18:50.202 --> 00:18:51.370
Every now and then, the fast is coming
00:18:51.437 --> 00:18:52.238
The fast is coming and it gets you back on course.
00:18:52.304 --> 00:18:56.709
And it gets you back on course. it is absolutely impossible
00:18:56.775 --> 00:18:59.645
It is absolutely impossible to fast and not draw
00:18:59.712 --> 00:19:02.047
To fast and not draw closer to god.
00:19:02.114 --> 00:19:03.682
Closer to god. every time i fast,
00:19:03.749 --> 00:19:05.951
Every time i fast, i draw closer to him,
00:19:06.018 --> 00:19:07.453
I draw closer to him, every time.
00:19:07.520 --> 00:19:11.457
Every time. that's why it's called
00:19:11.524 --> 00:19:12.291
That's why it's called fasting and prayer,
00:19:12.358 --> 00:19:16.695
Fasting and prayer, not fasting and scrolling
00:19:16.762 --> 00:19:17.796
Not fasting and scrolling on your phone.
00:19:17.863 --> 00:19:20.266
On your phone. not fasting and becoming
00:19:20.332 --> 00:19:21.700
Not fasting and becoming a workaholic to not
00:19:21.767 --> 00:19:22.868
A workaholic to not think about food.
00:19:22.935 --> 00:19:27.306
Think about food. malachi begins by rebuking
00:19:27.373 --> 00:19:31.110
Malachi begins by rebuking the priest for many reasons.
00:19:31.177 --> 00:19:34.180
The priest for many reasons. but the theme was,
00:19:34.246 --> 00:19:35.147
But the theme was, "are you fasting for me?"
00:19:35.214 --> 00:19:39.952
"are you fasting for me?" fifty five verses,
00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:41.520
Fifty five verses, forty seven of those
00:19:41.587 --> 00:19:43.155
Forty seven of those god speaking himself,
00:19:43.222 --> 00:19:44.757
God speaking himself, 85% of the book of malachi,
00:19:44.823 --> 00:19:46.458
85% of the book of malachi, god himself is speaking,
00:19:46.525 --> 00:19:48.994
God himself is speaking, and he's saying,
00:19:49.061 --> 00:19:49.762
And he's saying, "are you fasting for me?
00:19:49.828 --> 00:19:52.831
"are you fasting for me? are you doing it for me?"
00:19:52.898 --> 00:19:54.166
Are you doing it for me?" motive matters with
00:19:54.233 --> 00:19:55.734
Motive matters with spiritual disciplines.
00:19:55.801 --> 00:19:57.536
Spiritual disciplines. if not, it becomes legalistic,
00:19:57.603 --> 00:19:59.605
If not, it becomes legalistic, if not, it becomes
00:19:59.672 --> 00:20:00.272
If not, it becomes a heavy burden.
00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:02.374
A heavy burden. "are you fasting for me?"
00:20:02.441 --> 00:20:04.143
He said.
00:20:04.243 --> 00:20:04.877
He said. and then he said,
00:20:04.944 --> 00:20:05.511
And then he said, "if you'll return to me,
00:20:05.578 --> 00:20:07.713
"if you'll return to me, i'll return to you."
00:20:07.780 --> 00:20:09.748
I'll return to you." so, instead of beating
00:20:09.815 --> 00:20:10.649
So, instead of beating yourself up over the past year,
00:20:10.716 --> 00:20:14.186
Yourself up over the past year, he's just saying,
00:20:14.253 --> 00:20:14.753
He's just saying, "if you'll return to me,
00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:16.222
I'll return to you,
00:20:16.322 --> 00:20:17.590
I'll return to you, we'll course correct,
00:20:17.656 --> 00:20:18.424
We'll course correct, and we'll move forward
00:20:18.490 --> 00:20:19.558
And we'll move forward into the future."
00:20:19.625 --> 00:20:20.893
Into the future." so, we're fasting
00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.094
So, we're fasting for our future.
00:20:22.161 --> 00:20:24.363
For our future. daniel is fasting
00:20:24.430 --> 00:20:26.332
Daniel is fasting because he needs
00:20:26.398 --> 00:20:26.966
Because he needs a vision for the future.
00:20:27.032 --> 00:20:28.834
A vision for the future. he needs purpose,
00:20:28.901 --> 00:20:29.768
He needs purpose, he needs direction.
00:20:29.835 --> 00:20:31.003
He needs direction. and sometimes,
00:20:31.070 --> 00:20:32.004
And sometimes, i lack direction.
00:20:32.071 --> 00:20:33.839
I lack direction. sometimes i lack clarity
00:20:33.906 --> 00:20:35.908
Sometimes i lack clarity on what exactly does
00:20:35.975 --> 00:20:37.509
On what exactly does my future look like.
00:20:37.576 --> 00:20:38.777
My future look like. and like daniel fasted,
00:20:38.844 --> 00:20:40.946
And like daniel fasted, i need to fast,
00:20:41.013 --> 00:20:42.214
I need to fast, you need to fast
00:20:42.281 --> 00:20:43.415
You need to fast so god can give us
00:20:43.482 --> 00:20:44.583
So god can give us a clear message and vision
00:20:44.650 --> 00:20:46.852
A clear message and vision for our future.
00:20:46.919 --> 00:20:48.721
For our future. i'm encouraging this church
00:20:48.787 --> 00:20:50.756
I'm encouraging this church and all who are a part of
00:20:50.823 --> 00:20:52.391
And all who are a part of this ministry in whatever way,
00:20:52.458 --> 00:20:54.193
This ministry in whatever way, to fast for our future.
00:20:54.260 --> 00:20:58.564
To fast for our future. every time you look at someone
00:20:58.631 --> 00:20:59.832
Every time you look at someone who fasts and prays,
00:20:59.898 --> 00:21:01.000
Who fasts and prays, you immediately see it followed
00:21:01.066 --> 00:21:02.868
You immediately see it followed by divine direction
00:21:02.935 --> 00:21:04.637
By divine direction in some way or another.
00:21:04.703 --> 00:21:06.538
In some way or another. and this begins,
00:21:06.605 --> 00:21:08.440
And this begins, not just with daniel,
00:21:08.507 --> 00:21:09.508
Not just with daniel, but we see this played out
00:21:09.575 --> 00:21:11.510
But we see this played out with jesus in matthew 4.
00:21:11.577 --> 00:21:13.979
With jesus in matthew 4. he was led to
00:21:14.046 --> 00:21:15.080
He was led to fast for his future.
00:21:15.147 --> 00:21:18.083
Fast for his future. and interestingly enough,
00:21:18.150 --> 00:21:19.251
And interestingly enough, like daniel, he faced
00:21:19.318 --> 00:21:20.452
Like daniel, he faced incredible attacks
00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.887
Incredible attacks from the enemy before
00:21:21.954 --> 00:21:23.622
From the enemy before he would move into his future.
00:21:23.689 --> 00:21:25.524
He would move into his future. so, if you've been
00:21:25.591 --> 00:21:26.125
So, if you've been under a demonic attack
00:21:26.191 --> 00:21:27.926
Under a demonic attack in your life,
00:21:27.993 --> 00:21:29.361
In your life, fasting is one of the ways
00:21:29.428 --> 00:21:30.929
Fasting is one of the ways you learn how to
00:21:30.996 --> 00:21:31.864
You learn how to overcome the attack,
00:21:31.930 --> 00:21:33.732
Overcome the attack, how to endure the assault
00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:35.734
How to endure the assault and the opposition
00:21:35.801 --> 00:21:36.869
And the opposition that are coming against you.
00:21:36.935 --> 00:21:38.771
That are coming against you. but it's not just fasting alone,
00:21:38.837 --> 00:21:41.674
But it's not just fasting alone, it's fasting and praying,
00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.742
It's fasting and praying, it's fasting and seeking god.
00:21:43.809 --> 00:21:46.111
It's fasting and seeking god. without that, it's a diet
00:21:46.178 --> 00:21:48.580
Without that, it's a diet that has health benefits,
00:21:48.647 --> 00:21:50.115
That has health benefits, but it is not powerful
00:21:50.182 --> 00:21:51.483
But it is not powerful in any way, at all to
00:21:51.550 --> 00:21:53.419
In any way, at all to your spiritual wellbeing.
00:21:53.485 --> 00:21:55.654
Your spiritual wellbeing. when daniel fasted,
00:21:55.721 --> 00:21:56.922
When daniel fasted, the angels said,
00:21:56.989 --> 00:21:57.723
The angels said, "there's been a battle
00:21:57.790 --> 00:21:58.924
"there's been a battle over your prayer."
00:21:58.991 --> 00:22:00.225
Over your prayer." some of you have been like,
00:22:00.292 --> 00:22:00.959
Some of you have been like, "i've been praying,
00:22:01.026 --> 00:22:02.428
"i've been praying, i don't see a breakthrough."
00:22:02.494 --> 00:22:04.663
I don't see a breakthrough." well, that's because there
00:22:04.730 --> 00:22:05.798
Well, that's because there might be a battle
00:22:05.864 --> 00:22:07.466
Might be a battle over your prayers.
00:22:07.533 --> 00:22:09.034
Over your prayers. the battle was so
00:22:09.101 --> 00:22:09.702
The battle was so fierce for daniel
00:22:09.768 --> 00:22:10.836
Fierce for daniel that god had to send two
00:22:10.903 --> 00:22:11.937
That god had to send two of his warring angels to help
00:22:12.004 --> 00:22:14.440
Of his warring angels to help fight for daniel's prayers.
00:22:14.506 --> 00:22:17.776
Fight for daniel's prayers. so, if you've been under attack
00:22:17.843 --> 00:22:20.179
So, if you've been under attack and you've lost hope,
00:22:20.245 --> 00:22:21.914
And you've lost hope, or you don't see how
00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.082
Or you don't see how somethings gonna ever change.
00:22:23.148 --> 00:22:24.950
Somethings gonna ever change. in your mind,
00:22:25.017 --> 00:22:25.718
In your mind, it is what it is.
00:22:25.784 --> 00:22:27.219
It is what it is. why even think about it,
00:22:27.286 --> 00:22:28.754
Why even think about it, talk about, or pray
00:22:28.821 --> 00:22:29.922
Talk about, or pray about it anymore?
00:22:29.988 --> 00:22:31.256
About it anymore? and you're looking at your life
00:22:31.323 --> 00:22:32.491
And you're looking at your life and you think, "man, it's just
00:22:32.558 --> 00:22:33.325
And you think, "man, it's just been a fight every step of
00:22:33.392 --> 00:22:35.194
Been a fight every step of the way just to get here."
00:22:35.260 --> 00:22:36.929
The way just to get here." and when that happens,
00:22:36.995 --> 00:22:38.364
And when that happens, your spiritual disciplines
00:22:38.430 --> 00:22:39.732
Your spiritual disciplines begin to fall back.
00:22:39.798 --> 00:22:41.400
Begin to fall back. why?
00:22:41.467 --> 00:22:41.967
Why? because you're numb.
00:22:42.034 --> 00:22:43.669
Because you're numb. you're just barely living
00:22:43.736 --> 00:22:45.137
You're just barely living 'cause you've just been
00:22:45.204 --> 00:22:45.637
'cause you've just been hit so hard by the enemy
00:22:45.704 --> 00:22:48.107
Hit so hard by the enemy in an area or multiple
00:22:48.173 --> 00:22:49.775
In an area or multiple areas of your life.
00:22:49.842 --> 00:22:50.476
Areas of your life. you just grow numb spiritually.
00:22:50.542 --> 00:22:53.379
You just grow numb spiritually. and so, this is where
00:22:53.445 --> 00:22:54.847
And so, this is where you make a decision to fast.
00:22:54.913 --> 00:22:57.182
You make a decision to fast. if you don't fast,
00:22:57.249 --> 00:22:58.817
If you don't fast, then dread for your
00:22:58.884 --> 00:23:00.219
Then dread for your future comes to you.
00:23:00.285 --> 00:23:02.154
Future comes to you. you start dreading it.
00:23:02.221 --> 00:23:03.322
You start dreading it. dreading tomorrow,
00:23:03.389 --> 00:23:04.156
Dreading tomorrow, dreading 2025,
00:23:04.223 --> 00:23:05.557
Dreading 2025, there's no excitement,
00:23:05.624 --> 00:23:06.392
There's no excitement, there's no passion,
00:23:06.458 --> 00:23:07.326
There's no passion, there's no joy,
00:23:07.393 --> 00:23:08.894
There's no joy, there's no hope.
00:23:08.961 --> 00:23:09.928
There's no hope. and so, you have to get
00:23:09.995 --> 00:23:11.230
And so, you have to get to the point where you say,
00:23:11.296 --> 00:23:12.131
To the point where you say, "i'm under spiritual attack
00:23:12.197 --> 00:23:13.966
"i'm under spiritual attack so i'm going to fast."
00:23:14.032 --> 00:23:16.568
So i'm going to fast." now, when you fast,
00:23:16.635 --> 00:23:17.870
Now, when you fast, you're not fighting.
00:23:17.936 --> 00:23:19.171
You're not fighting. when you fast, you're resting.
00:23:19.238 --> 00:23:21.273
When you fast, you're resting. you're surrendering.
00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.541
You're surrendering. emotionally, physically,
00:23:22.608 --> 00:23:24.076
Emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually,
00:23:24.143 --> 00:23:25.911
Mentally, and spiritually, you're inviting the power of god
00:23:25.978 --> 00:23:28.046
You're inviting the power of god to enter and accompany
00:23:28.113 --> 00:23:30.082
To enter and accompany the attacks that you're facing.
00:23:30.149 --> 00:23:32.251
>> i'm trusting that
00:23:32.751 --> 00:23:33.419
>> i'm trusting that that message spoke to each
00:23:33.485 --> 00:23:34.520
That message spoke to each and every one of you today.
00:23:34.586 --> 00:23:36.188
And every one of you today. and i just wanna
00:23:36.255 --> 00:23:36.822
And i just wanna say thank you
00:23:36.889 --> 00:23:37.489
Say thank you from the bottom of my heart
00:23:37.556 --> 00:23:39.491
From the bottom of my heart for your watching,
00:23:39.558 --> 00:23:40.559
For your watching, praying, and supporting
00:23:40.626 --> 00:23:41.894
Praying, and supporting this ministry.
00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.661
This ministry. we're here for you as well.
00:23:42.728 --> 00:23:43.962
Whatever you might be facing,
00:23:44.062 --> 00:23:45.197
Whatever you might be facing, we want you to know
00:23:45.264 --> 00:23:45.898
We want you to know we're here to pray
00:23:45.964 --> 00:23:47.199
We're here to pray and believe god with each
00:23:47.266 --> 00:23:48.233
And believe god with each and every one of you.
00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:50.102
And every one of you. we're so new to the tv world
00:23:50.169 --> 00:23:51.270
We're so new to the tv world but we're not new
00:23:51.336 --> 00:23:52.237
But we're not new to what it looks like
00:23:52.304 --> 00:23:53.338
To what it looks like to be a soul winning church.
00:23:53.405 --> 00:23:54.706
To be a soul winning church. for over 20 years
00:23:54.773 --> 00:23:55.974
With four locations across
00:23:56.074 --> 00:23:57.042
The cincinnati area,
00:23:57.109 --> 00:23:58.644
That's what we've done.
00:23:58.710 --> 00:23:59.645
We've simply focused
00:23:59.711 --> 00:24:00.979
On reaching hurting people.
00:24:01.046 --> 00:24:03.048
And we believe that god's
00:24:03.148 --> 00:24:04.216
And we believe that god's opened a tv door for us
00:24:04.283 --> 00:24:05.651
Opened a tv door for us for the same reason,
00:24:05.717 --> 00:24:06.785
For the same reason, to simply wrap our arms around
00:24:06.852 --> 00:24:08.387
To simply wrap our arms around even more people
00:24:08.454 --> 00:24:09.621
Even more people who are hurting,
00:24:09.688 --> 00:24:10.355
Who are hurting, afraid, lonely, and in need.
00:24:10.422 --> 00:24:13.392
Afraid, lonely, and in need. and so, what i've been saying in
00:24:13.459 --> 00:24:15.027
And so, what i've been saying in my own heart and asking god is,
00:24:15.093 --> 00:24:16.795
My own heart and asking god is, "help raise up people all over
00:24:16.862 --> 00:24:18.997
"help raise up people all over the world who see this program
00:24:19.064 --> 00:24:21.033
The world who see this program and they wanna partner
00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.867
With us to be the hands
00:24:21.967 --> 00:24:23.535
With us to be the hands and the feet of jesus."
00:24:23.602 --> 00:24:24.903
And the feet of jesus." and if you're watching
00:24:24.970 --> 00:24:25.971
And if you're watching and god's been nudging your
00:24:26.038 --> 00:24:26.939
And god's been nudging your heart to partner with us,
00:24:27.005 --> 00:24:28.640
Heart to partner with us, i just challenge you,
00:24:28.707 --> 00:24:29.908
I just challenge you, give god your yes.
00:24:29.975 --> 00:24:31.410
Give god your yes. sow into his work.
00:24:31.477 --> 00:24:32.411
Sow into his work. know that you're
00:24:32.478 --> 00:24:33.111
Know that you're not giving to men,
00:24:33.178 --> 00:24:34.279
Not giving to men, you're not giving to me,
00:24:34.346 --> 00:24:35.180
You're not giving to me, you're not giving to a person,
00:24:35.247 --> 00:24:36.248
You're not giving to a person, you're not giving to salaries.
00:24:36.315 --> 00:24:37.649
You're not giving to salaries. that's not how we do it.
00:24:37.716 --> 00:24:38.917
That's not how we do it. 100%, that's our word to you,
00:24:38.984 --> 00:24:41.520
100%, that's our word to you, goes to continue to expand
00:24:41.587 --> 00:24:43.455
Goes to continue to expand preaching the gospel
00:24:43.522 --> 00:24:44.690
Preaching the gospel and sending help
00:24:44.756 --> 00:24:45.757
And sending help to those who are hurting.
00:24:45.824 --> 00:24:46.825
To those who are hurting. thank you for praying.
00:24:46.892 --> 00:24:48.160
>> your giving
00:24:48.827 --> 00:24:49.328
Is rebuilding lives
00:24:49.428 --> 00:24:50.529
Through our partnership
00:24:50.629 --> 00:24:51.763
With the dream center
00:24:51.864 --> 00:24:52.898
And fairhaven rescue mission.
00:24:52.998 --> 00:24:54.733
The dream center
00:24:54.833 --> 00:24:55.434
Is a beacon of hope
00:24:55.534 --> 00:24:56.602
In los angeles and beyond,
00:24:56.702 --> 00:24:58.570
Breaking the cycles
00:24:58.670 --> 00:24:59.671
Of homelessness, hunger,
00:24:59.771 --> 00:25:01.206
And addiction through
00:25:01.306 --> 00:25:02.407
Residential and community
00:25:02.508 --> 00:25:03.942
Outreach programs.
00:25:04.042 --> 00:25:06.011
Fairhaven rescue mission,
00:25:06.111 --> 00:25:07.179
Like the dream center,
00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.413
Is christ centered with
00:25:08.514 --> 00:25:09.581
A mission to provide shelter
00:25:09.681 --> 00:25:11.083
And recovery services,
00:25:11.183 --> 00:25:12.684
Plus a life-changing ministry
00:25:12.784 --> 00:25:14.553
To the lost but not forgotten.
00:25:14.653 --> 00:25:17.289
♪ ♪
00:25:17.556 --> 00:25:21.460
>> i just wonder if god
00:25:22.194 --> 00:25:22.895
>> i just wonder if god can take us back to this,
00:25:22.961 --> 00:25:25.831
Can take us back to this, you know, i mean to this.
00:25:25.898 --> 00:25:26.899
You know, i mean to this. 'cause you can, you know,
00:25:26.965 --> 00:25:28.233
'cause you can, you know, you can get all this stuff
00:25:28.300 --> 00:25:30.469
You can get all this stuff and -- but it really is empty.
00:25:30.536 --> 00:25:32.704
And -- but it really is empty. >> oh.
00:25:32.771 --> 00:25:33.405
>> oh. >> you know, it really is
00:25:33.472 --> 00:25:34.740
>> you know, it really is without him there,
00:25:34.806 --> 00:25:37.175
Without him there, david said, "restore to me
00:25:37.242 --> 00:25:39.177
David said, "restore to me the joy of my salvation."
00:25:39.244 --> 00:25:41.513
The joy of my salvation." it wasn't, you know,
00:25:41.580 --> 00:25:42.548
It wasn't, you know, "restore to me," you know,
00:25:42.614 --> 00:25:44.716
"restore to me," you know, "the feeling of the moment
00:25:44.783 --> 00:25:45.951
"the feeling of the moment that i held goliath's
00:25:46.018 --> 00:25:47.419
That i held goliath's head in my hand."
00:25:47.486 --> 00:25:48.720
Head in my hand." you know, "restore to me
00:25:48.787 --> 00:25:49.588
You know, "restore to me the moment that i heard
00:25:49.655 --> 00:25:50.656
The moment that i heard the people shouting,"
00:25:50.722 --> 00:25:51.957
The people shouting," you know, saul has thousands.
00:25:52.024 --> 00:25:53.091
You know, saul has thousands. david said -- he --
00:25:53.158 --> 00:25:55.260
David said -- he -- because even in those shouts
00:25:55.327 --> 00:25:57.829
Because even in those shouts or even in those victories,
00:25:57.896 --> 00:26:01.066
Or even in those victories, if you don't have that joy
00:26:01.133 --> 00:26:03.669
If you don't have that joy of when i first got saved,
00:26:03.735 --> 00:26:05.904
Of when i first got saved, i first came to know him,
00:26:05.971 --> 00:26:07.639
I first came to know him, i first realized, you know,
00:26:07.706 --> 00:26:11.209
I first realized, you know, that he loved me and that
00:26:11.276 --> 00:26:12.210
That he loved me and that he had a plan for me
00:26:12.277 --> 00:26:13.779
He had a plan for me and a purpose for me,
00:26:13.845 --> 00:26:15.180
And a purpose for me, even though nothing else
00:26:15.247 --> 00:26:15.781
Even though nothing else in the world said i should.
00:26:15.847 --> 00:26:17.950
In the world said i should. but he did, and he affirmed.
00:26:18.016 --> 00:26:18.951
But he did, and he affirmed. and the purity of it, the...
00:26:19.017 --> 00:26:22.521
And the purity of it, the... >> that's right.
00:26:22.588 --> 00:26:22.955
>> that's right. >> you know, i talked about
00:26:23.021 --> 00:26:23.755
>> you know, i talked about this week about how jesus said
00:26:23.822 --> 00:26:26.458
This week about how jesus said that the first shall be last
00:26:26.525 --> 00:26:27.826
That the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
00:26:27.893 --> 00:26:29.394
And the last shall be first. and to me, when i read it,
00:26:29.461 --> 00:26:30.963
And to me, when i read it, it was just the image
00:26:31.029 --> 00:26:32.097
It was just the image of we're always,
00:26:32.164 --> 00:26:33.365
Of we're always, if you're reaching for
00:26:33.432 --> 00:26:34.299
If you're reaching for something, the world's saying,
00:26:34.366 --> 00:26:35.834
Something, the world's saying, "reach for first."
00:26:35.901 --> 00:26:38.170
"reach for first." and jesus said, "hey, stop.
00:26:38.236 --> 00:26:40.305
And jesus said, "hey, stop. reach for last.
00:26:40.372 --> 00:26:41.006
Reach for last. just keep going back
00:26:41.073 --> 00:26:42.140
Just keep going back to being a servant,
00:26:42.207 --> 00:26:42.975
To being a servant, keep going back to
00:26:43.041 --> 00:26:44.676
Keep going back to these type of things.
00:26:44.743 --> 00:26:46.445
These type of things. just praying,
00:26:46.511 --> 00:26:47.245
Just praying, seeking god, loving god."
00:26:47.312 --> 00:26:48.914
Seeking god, loving god." >> that last part of
00:26:48.981 --> 00:26:50.482
>> that last part of the prayer of jabez says,
00:26:50.549 --> 00:26:51.750
The prayer of jabez says, "and keep me from evil."
00:26:51.817 --> 00:26:54.753
"and keep me from evil." that one, that one
00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:56.688
That one, that one is so strong, too.
00:26:56.755 --> 00:26:58.790
Is so strong, too. "bless me indeed,
00:26:58.857 --> 00:26:59.891
"bless me indeed, enlarge my territory,
00:26:59.958 --> 00:27:01.460
Enlarge my territory, let your hand be upon me."
00:27:01.526 --> 00:27:03.762
Let your hand be upon me." and so -- and then he said,
00:27:03.829 --> 00:27:05.897
And so -- and then he said, "keep me from evil."
00:27:05.964 --> 00:27:07.466
"keep me from evil." and god granted him his request.
00:27:07.532 --> 00:27:09.034
>> ♪ open the eyes ♪
00:27:10.369 --> 00:27:12.004
♪ of my heart lord ♪
00:27:12.070 --> 00:27:15.874
♪ open the eyes ♪
00:27:15.941 --> 00:27:17.676
♪ of my heart ♪
00:27:17.743 --> 00:27:20.078
♪ i want to see you ♪
00:27:20.145 --> 00:27:25.717

Marcus Mecum - Fasting For Your Future

December 29, 2024 | S25:E1

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