Call For Fasting 3

Hello every one as we start this fast I felt lead to share some verses on fasting.

Matthew 6: 16-18 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Isiah 58:6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

Be strong during this fast, the enemy knows how powerful fasting is and will try to stop you by putting thoughts in your head of reasons to stop. Surround yourself in Gods presents with music and reading His word. Speak to God continuously He will answer. There is so much power in fasting it will change you God will give you an encounter with Him. Seek His answers and be sure you pray for others not just your self.

Job 42:10 - And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Marriages to pray for

Aju & Karen Ruth
Dan & Susan
Jacob and Lisa
Ray & Heather
Scott & Angie
BJ & Theresa
Dearlise & John
Allison & Shimon
Greg & Brandy
John & Marie
Scott & Crystal
Gary & Casandra Roberts
Tab & Span
Tamra & Teron Roberts

My excitement of what God is going to do is so high right now. I can't wait to see the testimonies. Be strong and remember we have all authority over the enemy make sure you let the enemy know that you know that.

God bless

 

[raven28690]

I agree.

This is by far the closest I have ever got to God in my whole life.

I use to put God in a medicine cabinet and only grabbed for him when things were bad but when things were good, I did things my way.

Read my bible every day now whereas before I only opened it when I would go to church. In the past I had only let God so far in but now Im trying to get as close as possible to him.

I paid a terrible price though to be were I am now and I know had I not reached out to God when all this happened, I would have been in a very dark place.

A lot of what Im doing now is new to me as I never considered myself a devoted Christian. More or less part time Christian described me.

Had a lot of issues that instead of turning to God, I turned to alcohol to drown my feelings. Never had any peace about myself nor was I ever satisfied or content.

I was looking for something that I had no idea what it was. Bought motorcycles and other materialistic items left and right looking for worldly happiness that kept alluding me.

It wasn't until all this happened and I turned to God that I finally felt the happiness that only God can give and his love and grace saved me twice. First from everlasting eternity in Hell because he died for me and 2nd because I was set on a dark path when this happened. I still struggle with my past and feelings that I harbor and I still make mistakes but I feel Im making progress to being the person Christ wants me to be.

Its a shame though I have threw so much of my life and time away. Had I felt the way about Christ the way I do now, I could have been so much more closer to him than where I am.



Wanted to share with everyone something I read earlier.

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Peace is possible in the midst of turmoil--it all depends on our focus. When we fix our minds on the Lord, we wont be shaken, no matter what the negative news of the day. We, who know Christ, have nothing to fear in the present, and everything to hope for in the future. We serve the God who controls time and eternity, and He never changes. He will keep us calm and full of peace, when we look to Him.

 

[allibear86]

Same here Raven. I've been through the ringer since i was a child. Going through sexual abuse by family members and a family friend. we moved to georgia, i still ended up getting raped by a dude that was a little older than me. I was overweight so i was always teased and made fun of at school so i never liked school growing up. Teenage years were worse as i started cutting myself. When i hit 20, i "lost my virginity", even though deep inside i didnt want it. then next the 2 years were nothing but promiscuity with both male and female partners. Until God put it in my heart to stop. So i did. I didnt start going to church or reading the Bible yet, i was just a believer. Then when i officially decided to stop doing what i was doing and just focused on myself, 2 months later, God sent me my husband through a mutual friend. I've seen his pictures before and always felt there was something about him even through pictures, and it was because he's the one i was supposed to be with. We hit it off. i tried to push him away but he stuck around anyway. We were together for 3 years when he proposed on a Christmas morning. he was the one who said we should start going to church so we went every sunday, but then i got a job that had me work sundays so we stopped. I only called on God when we really needed things. But now this happened. early last year, i was actually the spouse with a hard heart. I didnt treat my husband right because i didnt treat myself right. I never healed from all of my past and my confidence level was really low so i was always comparing myself to other females and my husband wanted me to see that he loved me how i was but i didnt believe him. Then that summer, he decided he wants a divorce because he couldnt deal with me anymore. Thats when i turned to God and asked Him to fix it. But He said He needs to fix me first. So i went to my job and asked my manager if i could have sundays off and she said of course. I started going to church, and let God in completely. It hurt to heal, but i was starting to. He even told me, before my husband left, that "he has to leave in order to come back". I heard it clear as day when He said that. And He said it multiple times. So now i can actually call myself a Christian, a true follower of Christ. I'm not perfect at it yet but I know I've made huge progress. Ive lost weight and even got a new hair cut....a bold hair cut at that LOL. But my husband sees the change and i know he loves it because this is what he was trying to get me to do for years and i didnt listen or care because my heart was hard and satan filled me with lies about myself and my past. But now satan is exposed for what he really is. I praise God for this new me. I praise Him for healing me. I didnt want kids before because of my own childhood but now i cant wait to have kids with my husband. That to me was the biggest healing. Now i am just waiting on the Lord to heal my husband as well. I know He will do it. I just get scared because of time. When will He bring my hubby home? I dont know, but i know He will. I have to keep having faith. I havent really spoken to my husband since the incident last weekend. But i have to believe God is working on him even though i dont see or hear anything. I praise Him in advance for it

 

[raven28690]

God knows what and how to open our eyes.

All it takes is for us to confess with our mouths that he is Lord and ask him to forgive us of our sins. Its us who tend to cling onto our sins or past mistakes and wont let go but he forgives us the moment we ask if we truly repent of those sins. The past is exactly that. Nothing we can ever say or do will change that. God gives us the present though so its what we do now that is more important than what we have done or have been through.

You know allibear, I have always heard and been told that when God takes someone like what you have been through, He has a awesome purpose in mind for them.

I know from what you have described about your past, it is a very hurtful and painful past and my heart goes out you.

However reading the words that comes from the person you are today, God has already done some glorious things to and for you.

None of us are perfect nor will we ever be. There was only 1 person who walked this earth and was perfect and he was crucified for that.

Im far far from perfect. In fact the more I read the bible the more I see all my mistakes than anything Im doing right but I know God has me a work in progress.

I was the spouse with the hardheart aswell and didn't even know it.



God has brought each and everyone of us to this board for a reason. As the bible says, were 2 or more are gathered together in agreement, he is in the midst.

I also believe that God brought us all together for the purpose of uplifting and encouraging one another. I know you all have been a shining light for me when I tend to want to return to a darker period of my life and may God bless each and every one of you for being a light and encouragment.

 

[allibear86]

Aww same here Raven. You guys have been there for me in more ways than you know.Its comforting to know that there are people who are going through the same thing i am. God has brought us together because He knew we would need that daily support and encouragement to keep standing. It hurts but we have our Heavenly Father, Jesus our Savior and each other to lean on everyday. I thank God for you guys.

 

[allibear86]

Well the Lord surprised me today. I was crying out to Him this morning about everything with my husband. I asked God to forgive me and my husband for everything we did wrong in our marriage. I asked Him to make me a better Christian woman/wife. When i got quiet, because at that point all i could do was cry, I heard God speak to me. He said many things. But then He said "Clean up, Shimon is about to come over." I thought i heard wrong so i just continued to sit there for a few minutes. Then i grabbed my Bible because i was about to start reading. But then i realized i left my phone in the other room and went to get it. I picked my phone and saw that i had just missed my husband's call just a few minutes earlier. I called him back. he said that he will be in the area to get his hair cut and wanted to stop by for a few minutes after he was done. I said sure of course. We talked for few more minutes and then hung up. I praised God but was also nervous too because i didnt know what was going to happened. I cleaned up the rooms and changed my clothes and fixed my hair. 20 mins later he called and said he'll be at the house in 2 mins. I was so nervous. He arrived and greeted me. the dogs were so excited to him. He looked like a little kid playing with all of them with a big smile on his face. We talked about general things. Work, money, bills, etc. It was a nice little visit. Then it was time for him to leave. I usually walk him to his car but it was raining. I still attempted to walk him to his car. But he said to just wait by the door and he was just going to unlock his car. i waited and he came back. We spoke some more. He brought up the "inbox" incident. I apologized again. And he said dont even worry about. Its in the past now. He asked me about my car to make sure i got it serviced and i said yes. He said "Good, Allison." With such pride in his voice. It made my heart smile. Then we said our goodbyes. I watched him leave. It was bittersweet. I praised God for the visit. It was such a surprise. God hears our cries and gives us little blessings that will help us keep standing. these little blessings make the standing and fighting worth it. God did the same thing last night as well. I was with a friend and saw a couple kissing when we were walking from the park last night. I told my friend how much i missed my husband (she was the one who introduced us to each other). I started crying right there while we were walking to her car. I just silently reached out to God with my heart. 15 mins later, my husband texted me to check up on me. I silently praised God. He hears us. Thank You Lord!

 

[raven28690]

Praise God allibear. That is so good to hear and I am truly very happy for you.

Im sure you saw a breakthrough there aswell that we were talking about a few msg's back.

 

[Mariposa101]

Praise to God!!! Allibear, that's huge! We always knew God was moving, and after waiting for a breakthrough, I'm so glad you have a praise report. Thank you for sharing!!!

Your testimony is a reminder to us all that God is near the brokenhearted. He is close to us when we are at our lowest. He hears us crying out to him, when we have the most humility.



...It's a reminder I need to renew my own hope today.



While, I am so thankful for the peace the Lord has given me over the last few weeks, I am starting to get anxious again.

It's been over two weeks with no contact at all from my husband. To be honest, I wonder what his situation is like with the other woman, and although it's been EASIER to cope with lately, I still miss him very much. On the other hand, I'm getting so tired of waiting and hoping for our relationship to be mended & restored. I haven't been praying as often as I used to, and I just want to feel happy & excited about life again. Selfishly, that means I have the option of moving on and pressing forward without my husband. I also have a lot of pressure to make some uncomfortable decisions soon. I have bill collectors, creditors, and some other conflicts waiting to be addressed. I meet with an attorney tomorrow, and I'm scared, anxious, and sad...



I am praying for God to show me favor, give me guidance, and move through the right people. I'm praying for doors to open and the right opportunities to appear. I'm praying to make the right choices. And, most of all, I'm praying for the Holy Spirit to stir in my husband and to turn his heart.

 

[raven28690]

Mariposa,

Do what God wants you to do and He will have your back in what ever it is He has you do.

Is it hard? You bet. I have been in the same place that you are right now for awhile now. I haven't had any contact with my wife in over a month.

Yes, I would love nothing more than to feel happy and excited about life again and would love nothing more than to get this mess out of my head however Im sticking to what God wants from me and I know that what ever the outcome, he will have my back and be with me and I will be in his will.

My problem was that I took my focus off God and focused on what was going on around me.

Remember when Peter took his eyes off Jesus while walking to Jesus on the water, he thought he was going to drown.



When worry sets in it is the Devil trying to get a foothold in our lives.

I Believe all the bad that has happened to us is because we have gathered together here and taking a stand in what we know God wants and Satan despises us for it.

Not sure what anyone else's feelings and thoughts were but I didn't expect it to be this hard when we started. Well, I'm already here now and have went this far so Satan is gonna have to like it or lump it because Im not quitting.

I have been so far down that I had to look up to see the bottom. The only way to go from here is up.

 

[allibear86]

Raven, yes i did. Thank you so much!



Mariposa i'm so sorry. The Holy Spirit is with your husband talking to him all the time. Even if your husband is choosing to ignore Him, He is still there speaking to his heart everyday. I am still praying for every single one of our spouses. God is working, even when we cant see it. I had no idea that i was going to see my husband today but look what God did. God is working on our spouses all the time. As long as we keep praying, God will keep working. I also have days that i dont feel like praying, so instead i just talk to God like He is an old friend. I talk to Him about everything; how i feel, my ups, my downs, my fears, how much i miss my husband, my job, my finances, my parents, everything...

I'm also sure that God will guide you to make the right decisions about everything. I'm sorry your under so much pressure. But just trust God. He will bring you through as long as you let Him.

 

[allibear86]

Amen Raven!! We have all come too far to quit. God never said it was going to be easy. Think of it this way, the deeper God digs, the more it hurts, and lower we get pulled down. But the lower we get pulled down, is the higher and further we go when we are catapulted. God is going to restore these marriages. Its hard and He knows it. But He put it in our hearts to stand for our spouses and our marriages. He knew that we would be the ones to pray for our spouses. I know that i personally dont have anybody else praying for me and my husband (other than you guys of course). I dont think his parents, family or friends are praying for him or our marriage. But i know that i am. God knew that I would love my husband so much to actually pray for him despite him leaving me and wanting a divorce, i still love him very much and i am very much in love with him. Even more than i was when he was here. I cant wait to show him this love and i cant wait for the Lord to bring him back so that he can receive this love. God is turning our spouses' hearts around. Some people dont hear from the prodigals for YEARS....but the Lord brings them back suddenly...out of nowhere....without warning. He can do it and He will do it. Lets not lose heart. We are probably closer than we think to our miracles....