When God calls us to step up, there's a cost. Nehemiah's story in the Bible shows us what it means to be a shepherd and have a shepherd's heart. It's not just about feeling bad for others, but about being moved to compassion and taking action. We need to see people the way Jesus sees them, with a sense of purpose and a plan. We need to care about the lost souls and the people we're serving, and be willing to make sacrifices to help them. Prayer and fasting can give us direction and invite God to take the lead. We need to come back to prayer and take action to move forward and do more for the kingdom of God. [... more]

When God calls us to step up, there's a cost involved, and it's not just about sacrificing a weekend or two. It's about being willing to give up our comfort, our security, and our status. Nehemiah's story in the Bible is a powerful example of what it means to be a shepherd and to have a shepherd's heart. It's about seeing people the way Jesus sees them, with compassion and love. We need to ask ourselves what moves us, what challenges us, and what motivates us to serve others. We need to be willing to pray and fast, not just to feel bad for others, but to be moved by their needs and to take action. We need to remember that God is still working, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, and that He has a plan for His people. We need to be the salt and the light in the world, and to seek His guidance and direction in all that we do. [... more]

Jesus teaches that true spirituality is not about external appearances, but about a deep relationship with God. He exposes the Pharisees' hypocrisy and shows that true joy and freedom come from embracing the new covenant and leaving behind old, restrictive traditions. [... more]

Building altars of righteousness is crucial for spiritual growth, and prayer and fasting are essential for rising above challenges and reaching God's presence. A remnant of God's people will be reserved, and God will send a revival to prove who's the real God and prophetess. This is a call to obedience, mercy, and standing against wickedness and false prophecy. [... more]

When trouble comes, getting heaven's attention is crucial. Mordecai's decision to follow God risked the lives of many, but his response is a wonderful example for us. We need to learn to pray and fast in faith, not in desperation, and understand that God specializes in taking us from a place of desperation to a place of hope and a future. We must also recognize that God will take care of us through any means He chooses, and when one means dries up, we should look to the Lord for our deliverance. [... more]

The early church's foundation for missions was rooted in worship, with a focus on prayer, fasting, and communication from the Holy Spirit. This context led to the birth of missionary enterprise, as seen in the first missionary journey of Paul. The church's worship-based leadership and prayer-focused culture enabled them to discern God's call and commission to go, resulting in the sending out of missionaries. [... more]

The Bible teaches that true life flows only from God, and that true satisfaction comes from Him, not from earthly things. Dr. Tony Evans explains how fasting can help us tap into the victory Christ has already secured for us, and how it can give us the power to face Satan in his own territory. [... more]

Fasting for justice involves more than just giving up food, it's about demonstrating sacrifice and making a positive impact on others. According to Dr. Tony Evans, true fasting is about being willing to do for others in public what we want God to do for us in private. This means being a conduit for God's blessing, not just a container, and making a difference in the lives of those around us. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans discusses the importance of intimacy with God, explaining that it's a dynamic closeness with the creator of the universe. He shares the story of Tantalus, who was punished with being in the vicinity of a blessing but unable to receive it, illustrating the need for intimacy in the Christian life. Dr. Evans also explores the concept of aloneness versus loneliness, and how fasting can help bridge the gap between the two. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains that God's will for you is always bigger than you could pull off on your own, and that you must be in God's presence to find your calling and fulfill your ministry. He discusses the importance of fasting and prayer in identifying and discerning your gifts and the best ways to use them. [... more]

Revival is when God breaks through the darkness of your life and says, let there be light. It's a call for spiritual renewal, where God comes into your dry spirit and gives you new life. Fasting is one way to get revival, by consecrating a fast and crying out to God, you can experience a fresh move of God, and God will leave you with blessings and new experiences of his spirit. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains that seeking God's guidance through fasting and prayer is essential for making decisions and navigating life's challenges. He shares biblical examples and principles for trusting God's will and relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance, emphasizing the importance of humility, faith, and prayer in our spiritual journey. [... more]

The Bible teaches that there is a correlation between fasting and healing. God desires our physical well-being, but also our spiritual health. Fasting can promote God's program and develop God's people. It is a way to trust in God's power and provision, and to seek His healing and guidance. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans discusses the importance of spiritual intimacy in marriage and how sexual fasting can help couples regain intimacy by sacrificing the physical for the spiritual, addressing the root causes of conflict and deepening their connection with God and each other. [... more]

Finding a suitable mate can be a challenging and frustrating experience, especially when natural processes are damaged by sin, circumstances, and secularism. Dr. Tony Evans emphasizes the importance of faith, fasting, and prayer in seeking God's will and guidance in relationships. He shares biblical examples and principles, highlighting the need for character, dignity, and spiritual maturity in finding a compatible partner. [... more]

A widow's story in 1 Kings serves as a powerful example of trusting in God's provision, even when faced with scarcity. Dr. Tony Evans teaches that when we act in faith and give to others, God will meet our needs in abundance, pressing down, shaking together, and running over. [... more]

God's instruction often clashes with human logic, testing our faith. Dr. Tony Evans teaches on the importance of trusting God's word, even when circumstances seem impractical, and how faith builds commitment and confidence when we act on God's promises. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans shares the story of Esther, who found the strength to risk her life for her people by fasting and praying, and how this can be applied to our own lives to overcome fear and access God's protection. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains how fasting can help lighten burdens and provide a breakthrough in life. He shares a biblical example from Nehemiah, who fasted and prayed to deal with the burden of broken walls and burned gates in Jerusalem. Dr. Evans emphasizes the importance of humility, confessing sin, and holding God accountable to His word. He also highlights the solution to burdens, which is God's intervention, and how it can lead to success and provision. [... more]

To achieve spiritual victory, one must have faith, not human prescription. Dr. Tony Evans explains that real deliverance begins when God becomes our only option, and how fasting and prayer can allow God's power to break through long-standing strongholds in our lives. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains that growing faith is key to understanding God's power and deliverance. He discusses how mountains in life, symbolizing difficulties, can be overcome by identifying the spiritual root and having great faith that operates even when the opposite occurs. [... more]

Fasting is a deliberate act of abstinence from physical gratification to achieve a spiritual goal, invoking God's presence in times of crisis. Dr. Tony Evans shares biblical teachings on the importance of fasting, prayer, and spiritual growth, highlighting its role in achieving spiritual victory and overcoming life's challenges. [... more]

When we allow resentment to consume our lives, it can become a stronghold that controls us, weighing us down with heavy burdens and oppressing us. However, God offers a way out through fasting and prayer, which can bring us freedom from the yoke of resentment, break the bands of wickedness, and lift the heavy burdens that we cannot bear. By getting rid of the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and vain speaking, we can experience a breakthrough and receive the rewards of victory, including the refreshment of freedom, the restoration of prayer, and the restoration of our relationship with God. [... more]

Jesus teaches his disciples about the barriers that prevent them from experiencing breakthroughs, including fear, tradition, unworthiness, deafness, lack of resources, blindness, and self-interest. He shows them that courage is the catalyst for breakthroughs, and that faith, prayer, and fasting are essential for overcoming these barriers and experiencing God's power. [... more]

Fasting is a powerful tool for spiritual growth, allowing individuals to receive God's guidance, experience supernatural provision, and overcome satanic attacks. By fasting, one can draw closer to Jesus, rekindle their passion for God, and become more sensitive to the spiritual realm. Fasting can also lead to prophetic dreams and visions, and ultimately, a deeper relationship with God. [... more]

Breaking free from the yoke of resentment requires a spiritual breakthrough, which can be achieved through fasting and prayer. The Bible teaches that fasting allows us to loose the bands of wickedness, lift burdens, and free ourselves from oppression. By removing the yoke of resentment, we can experience the refreshment of freedom, the restoration of prayer, and the rewards of victory. [... more]

Chip Ingram identifies five specific obstacles that prevent us from stepping into the impossible, including our traditions, unworthiness, deafness, lack of resources, and blindness. He shares powerful stories from the Gospel of Mark to show how Jesus deliberately taught his disciples to overcome each one, and emphasizes the importance of courage as the catalyst for breakthrough. [... more]

The podcast discusses the significance of the tenth day of the tenth month in the Jewish tradition, specifically the fast day commemorating the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The hosts explore the theme of wasted opportunity, highlighting instances where God's people failed to seize opportunities for spiritual growth and redemption, including the translation of the Torah into Greek. They emphasize the importance of repentance, introspection, and return to God, and encourage listeners to seize the opportunities God gives them, just as the Jewish people are doing in their tradition of fasting and seeking God's favor. [... more]

Investing can be a spiritual practice that aligns our portfolios and hearts with God's purposes. By adopting spiritual disciplines like gratitude, review, and repentance, investors can move from just analysis to discernment and invite God into their financial decisions. [... more]

Abraham is considered the father of the Christian faith, but Muslims also claim him as their spiritual father, believing he surrendered to God and became the first Muslim. However, the Bible teaches that Abraham's faith was in the promise of God, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and that true faith involves giving glory to God and trusting in His promises. [... more]

The importance of redeeming time and using it wisely is emphasized, as every day is a gift from God that cannot be reclaimed. The Bible teaches believers to make the most of their time, and Pastor Lutzer shares practical advice on how to prioritize spiritual growth and avoid wasting time on non-essential activities. [... more]

Consistent, intense, and strategic prayer is a vital aspect of spiritual warfare, allowing believers to withstand and overcome demonic influence. The Bible teaches that prayer has a direct impact on spiritual warfare, and that intercessory prayer is a powerful weapon in the fight against evil. By praying for others and for the message of the gospel, believers can experience deliverance and power in their lives. [... more]

Jesus teaches that there are two conditions for real spiritual power: total surrender and earnest, unrelenting prayer. He explains that Satan is a strong man who guards his house, but Jesus is the stronger man who overpowers him and takes his plunder. Jesus emphasizes that neutrality toward him is not an option, and that freedom only comes from giving oneself fully to him. [... more]

Fasting is a time of abstinence from food to give ourselves to prayer and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and it can be helpful in dealing with sin, seeking God's guidance, and experiencing protection and deliverance. When we fast, we bring our desires under control, our mind becomes sharp, and we are able to see things from God's perspective, making wise and godly decisions. Fasting is not about persuading God to do something He doesn't want to do, but about seeking His guidance and direction in our lives. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains that faith is the bridge to the supernatural, and unbelief can stop God's work in one's life. He shares a story about a father whose son was possessed by a demon, and how Jesus healed the boy when the disciples failed. Dr. Evans emphasizes the importance of living faith, which is full of spiritual life, and how it can move mountains and overcome deep spiritual problems. [... more]

Fasting is abstaining from something desirable to draw closer to God and suppress the flesh. It's not a command, but a means to discover God's will by silencing carnal impulses. Fasting can be for a set period, and its duration is not as important as the commitment to it. The goal is discipline, not impressing God, and it's not the only way to draw close to Him. [... more]

Christians can be foolish, and habitual folly is not a virtue. Proverbs offer wisdom for sound decision-making, and fasting is a means to draw closer to God and suppress the flesh. The Bible teaches that wisdom is gained by being around mature believers and that fools can be made, not born. [... more]

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, and fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs offer useful and accurate generalizations on how things usually work, providing valuable insights for the Christian life. However, stubbornness, hard-heartedness, and self-will can hinder one's ability to apply these principles, leading to consequences. It is essential to cultivate a love of learning, discretion, and understanding to navigate life's challenges and make wise decisions. [... more]

The HMS Jersey, a British warship, was converted into a floating prison during the Revolutionary War, where over 1,000 American prisoners of war died due to disease, starvation, and brutal treatment. The ship's commander, Sproat, used the vessel for psychological warfare, and the prisoners were subjected to inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, lack of food and water, and torture. The story of the ghost ship of Brooklyn is a testament to the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. [... more]

When we fast, we humble ourselves before God, seeking a deeper connection and understanding of His will. Fasting can bring about spiritual breakthroughs, healing miracles, and a greater sense of purpose in our lives. By depriving ourselves of worldly distractions, we create space for God's presence to manifest in our lives, leading to a more intimate relationship with Him. [... more]