Day 21 – January 22, 2023
“Little is Much!” 
Luke 21:1-4 - And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
 
Congratulations on participating in 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer! If you are reading this blog, you probably in some way joined us at Hope Chapel on this journey. Think about it - you gave God the first fruits at the beginning of this 2023 year. To some, that may not seem like a big deal. But I believe with all my heart it is a big, big deal to God!  Everywhere in Scripture when people give God their first fruits with the right heart, He is moved toward them.

In this key passage, people are giving their money to the treasury. Jesus points out a widow. Although she gives a mere two mites (in today’s terms, that’s about ¼ of a cent), Jesus pays close attention. The rich folks give out of their extra, but she gives more than them all; she has given ALL of her livelihood. Jesus is moved!

Remember this truth: little is a lot when God is blessed by it and blesses it. God is not concerned with the amount and the performance. He doesn’t measure things the same way we humans do. It’s the heart’s condition that Jesus is after, not a religious checklist. So maybe you fasted all 21 days in some way. That’s great. Or maybe you fasted one meal and it took you 21 days to achieve that. That’s awesome.

Through the years, there have been moments when God has moved in my life in powerful ways. I look back and I have to give God the glory because I truly believe He honored the prayer and fasting that was offered to Him. So please don’t forget this time you gave the Lord in 2023. Mark it down!  In faith, I believe you will look back and praise God for His blessings too.

I’ve enjoyed spending this time with you each day. May God be exalted in 2023. This may be the year the Lord raptures His Church!!!

Praise God!
Pastor Brian Rabon

Day 20 - January 21, 2023
“Breakthrough” 
Matthew 6:17–18 - But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
 
I think sometimes we have the wrong expectations about the results of our praying and fasting. We expect God ‘to do it’ during the fast. And sometimes He does.

As you know, our building project is coming to an end. A big need arose from the City of Kannapolis regarding their easement and roadwork requirements. A $201,500 need. I got this news the same week we started the 21 day prayer and fasting. I was shocked and overwhelmed. I knew we were fasting and I asked the Intercessors to pray about an unspoken request. Yesterday, I received a call that the church received a grant for $201,500.  Praise God. The Lord answered fast.

But then there are things I have prayed and fasted about in the last 21 days that He has not answered YET. Many times our breakthroughs are not fast. And I have learned that this is the case a lot of the time. With that being said, we hang on to the words of Jesus in His sermon on the mount. That is, every time we fast with the right heart (in secret), HE SEES IT. HE WILL REWARD US OPENLY.

So don’t get discouraged if your answer is not given immediately. God’s timing is perfect. Satan wants you to doubt and not believe. But trust in the words of Jesus and don’t forget Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Trust in Jesus,
Pastor Brian Rabon

Day 19 of 21 – January 20, 2023
“The Spirit Works”
Romans 8:26-28 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
 
If you are looking for a job, one thing your potential employer will not know about you is your work ethic. Sure, you may have an impressive resumé, have notable references and even give the right answers in the job interview, but it is not until they see your work over time that they can know whether you get things done.

The Holy Spirit gets things done! And He’s been doing so for a long time! In just these three verses, He helps, makes intercession, searches hearts, and keeps us present before God.

The Spirit works on our behalf for us. He works through spiritual disciplines (that is, the practice of training people to obey) such as Fasting and Praying.  The Spirit works to help us become Jesus’ disciples. The Spirit of God works even when we do not realize He is. And it is for our good.

We have the Holy Spirit perfectly working alongside us, and then there is us. We mess up. If we are honest, we have probably had more failures than successes. Truth is we are going to experience both in life. But to know that I have sincerely given it to God with praying and fasting takes the intense pressure of the burden of failure away. In fact, the failures, the successes, the good, the bad and the ugly (ALL of me) belongs to Him.

I have learned over the last twenty years that the Holy Spirit operating through these spiritual disciplines helps me to better live with the good and the bad. I am thankful He just keeps working in and with me. But one and the same Spirit works all these things - 1 Corinthians 12:11 

I made mention in last Sunday’s message that “prayer doesn’t just change things, it changes me.” That is exactly what God wants to do in our lives. He is changing us and making us more and more dependent on HIM.

So, as we near the end of this 21-day journey, trust that God’s Spirit is working to change you to be more like Jesus and live in peace, knowing He has it all under control. As a mentor tells me often, “Just love God and He will take care of the rest.”

He’s working it out for our good,
Pastor Brian Rabon

Day 18 – January 19, 2023
“Packing Heat”
2 Chronicles 20:1,3 –4,15,17 - The people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord…Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you’…
 
OK, I admit it – I like Westerns, action movies and just about any show which has bad guys versus good guys! The most exciting part is usually that big fight in the end. With courage and effective artillery, the heroes of the story finally defeat the villains.

Maybe that’s why I like reading the Old Testament...and the New Testament. Time and time again, we see people just like us, who are not perfect and often have fear, but with the Lord on their side, great victories are won!

King Jehoshaphat was informed that the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites were coming to fight him and his monarchy. He was understandably scared, so he prayed to God and ordered a nationwide fast. “The country of Judah united in seeking God’s help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to God.” And what did our God do? He took care of it even while His people were praising Him! The bad guys killed each other in confusion. Not even one remained alive. God’s peoples’ fasting with prayer became a spiritual weapon.
 
There’s an expression that says “Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight” because that knife can be virtually useless against a gun. Well, I’d like to change that to “Don’t bring a worry or fear to a fasting and praying fight” because your distress will fall virtually useless. Whatever hardship or trial you are facing right now, anxiety doesn’t have to win.  Our time of Fasting can remind us of God's protection, provision, and help.

With the fire of the Holy Spirit filled inside us believers, we truly are PACKING HEAT against Satan. “Fasting is a weapon used to respond to the present and future attacks of the evil one.” (Today’s reading from the fasting guide, p. 52)  Be encouraged – our spiritual weapon of fasting and praying is not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ -  2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

No, every battle may not be as easy as Jehoshaphat’s ended up being, but with the Holy Spirit living in us, Jesus Christ interceding for us, and our Father God listening to us, that foul villain will be defeated.

Fight the good fight,
Pastor Brian Rabon