“Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?” Isaiah 58:5

This is from my personal journal entry from 2/15/2013. I thought I would share this and I hope and pray that it will affect someone who may need to hear this. Please feel free to share as you see fit.

This morning I awoke as usual around 330am for prayer, reading, studying, or whatever needs to be done. Today as I sit here writting, I realize that my words are mere vanity and dung and waste if I myself and those who may read this are not affected, not just on the surface of emotions only, but to the very soul by the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh to be drawn closer to the Lord of Glory Himself and His very heart, to be drawn unto tears of deep contrition, humility and concern for lost souls and a persecuted peoples.

Just yesterday I came across these words by C.H. Spurgeon and I could not help but concur in my spirit. He said, “I do not know when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross.” I thought to myself, “Oh  Lord, where have my tears gone? Where is the well-spring of flowing waters of my eyes been hiding? Where has true humily been working it’s way with me as of late?” How easily distracted in wordly things we can become. I praise God this day that He was merciful and gracious to draw me this day into His tears of fellowship. Once again, He has given me a taste of His concern for my soul and those lost in selfish pleasures of this fallen world.

A little over a year ago I was writting a small chapter for a new book that I was working on. In the midst of the chapter I commented about the coming lent and fasting season that literally millions upon millions of people will partake. While writting, a part of Isaiah 58 came screaming to mind. As I think about all that is happening in our season of life and this generation of people, Isaiah 58 has once again come to mind. Not only has it come to mind for me, but for many others as well. Because of this, I have decided to include part of Chapter 6, “Killing Sin“, in this post and to encourage you to grow in the true love and concern of Jesus Christ. I would also encourage you to listen to Carter Conlon’s(Pastor of Times Square Church in NY) message from Febuary 10, 2013 entitled, “A Remarkable Day for People Without Hope.”

Below is a portion from my book, “Realities of a True Christian.” You can get your FREE PDF copy of the book by visiting, www.Time2Stand.com/books. May you be blessed.

“Lent is again soon approaching. The idea that this is a fast unto God is an abomination.

“Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? (we don’t even do this) Will you call this a fast? Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”God desires that you kill your sin, deny your worldly thinking, actually live piously and set all your sights upon Him. “To the one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”What good am I referring to in this chapter? Is it not the killing of worldly passions and desires? “For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led of the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”Reality of true conversion is that a war is being waged in every area of one’s own life – again to varying degrees and in varying seasons.

“The corruption that dwelleth in us is the body of sin, consisting of many parts and members, as a body. This is the root to which the axe must be laid. We must not only cease from the acts of sin (this may be done through the influences of outward restraints, or other inducements), but we must get the vicious habits and inclinations weakened and destroyed; not only cast away the idols of iniquity out of the heart. The actual transgression is certainly in a great measure prevented by the crucifying and killing of the original corruption. It is the body of sin that sways the sceptre, wields the iron rod; destroy this, and the yoke is broken. We must be dead indeed unto sin.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary, pg. 324, Vol. 6

Have you set out on this work? Does a reality of piety reside upon your life? Can you say, “I have died to sin?” What does your daily expenditures look like? What does your vacations look like? Are these things pleasing to the Lord? Do the things that you do edify the body, edify the soul and point you (and others) to Christ? Do you hate the sin you once loved?

Reality is not always easy to grasp.”

Below are some verses that the Lord is having me to ponder in regards to the aforementioned. May He use these in your life as well.

- Micah 6:8

- 2 Chonicles 7:14

- Ezekiel 16:49-50

- Matthew 22:34-46

- Isaiah 1:12-17

May the Lord do a wonderful and powerful work of godliness and piety and good works of kindness in your life.

Jeremy Strang