INTEGRITY
The Call of the Noble
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:37-39
What if your consecration and commitment to integrity and honor unto the Lord could shape the course of history? This is where it all begins – this our anchor, foundation, the cornerstone, the pillars to which all integrity and honor stands secure. Loving God with everything you are — with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. To belong to God is to belong to His heart. The way of integrity is the way of love, intimacy, honor, passion and sacrifice.
The purity of our love and devotion unto The Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit will determine the depth of our integrity and honor.
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. Integrity is possessing moral character, principle, virtue, decency, fairness, truthfulness and trustworthiness. Integrity is also defined as the state of being whole and undivided.
Honor is quality of high respect or esteem. It is a distinction of nobility, recognition, quality or effect. Honor is a life that fulfills, observes, keeps, obeys, heeds and follows. A man or a woman of honor embodies integrity and character.
King David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." " Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin."
Psalm 51:10, 1&2
Integrity and honor are two of the most vital keys that the church must recapture in this hour. In the last three decades, the Church has been riddled with scandal. We need radical healing and reformation. It is time that we all drill down deep into the core of our spirit and soul and weigh out the matter and the measures of these two sacred virtues. The world is in desperate need of the church to rediscover its glory, purity and nobility.
In today's church culture there is no shortage of conferences. There are conferences on practically everything you can imagine — the prophetic, the apostolic, the five-fold ministry, worship, the supernatural, evangelism, activating the gifts, church growth, ect. You get the point. My hope is that in this hour we would experience a strategic shift and focus on the weighty matter of personal integrity, purity, holiness and honor. Let's be honest, without this, we have nothing.
The Apostle Peter wrote, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it rst begin with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17).
It is no secret that sexual immorality and financial impropriety have wounded, hurt and offended so many lives in the Body of Christ. It is sobering and painfully obvious that for the most part the mockery from the world is warranted.
There is such great need for leaders and all believers to build lives of integrity, and to build an atmosphere and culture of honor that is genuine, transparent and truthful. The Holy Spirit cannot be fooled. He is the Spirit of Truth. His character and nature is to cleanse and purify. That is the Holy Spirit's ministry.
God Will Cleanse With Fire
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.'"
"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3:2&3 & 10-12
Whoa, the ax is laid at the roots. The Holy Spirit's ministry has intensity to it. You may or may not have been told the whole truth concerning the Holy Spirit. Many Christians can only relate to Jesus as the Lamb — gentle, loving, sensitive, meek and tender. But when it comes to encountering the power and fire of the Lion, they're not so sure about that. The Lion is fierce. His Spirit is fierce – meaning: aggressive, intense, burning, forceful, violent and powerful. Perhaps we need a new and fresh introduction to The Holy Spirit.
Sometimes Loving God Means Hating Evil
"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil..." Proverbs 8:13
I realize that no matter what I say here, I'm going to offend someone. That's not my objective. However, I have laid aside the fantasy that everyone is going to like me or applaud the message. I'm well acquainted with the sufferings that messengers must endure.
The fear of Lord is to hate evil. It's a strong word, and yet, it is a word we must embrace and receive. There can be no more passivity. I believe that until we hate sickness and disease robbing from lives, we will never cry out in prayer for God to use us in healing and miracles. Until we begin to hate poverty and lack stealing from lives, we will never cry out for God to use us to bring people into abundance and prosperity. Frankly, until we begin to hate the sin in our own lives, we will just go on tolerating it. Passivity must be given no place.
You may think, "Brian, that's really strong." Sickness and disease are evil. Poverty and lack are evil. Sin is evil. We can't go on tolerating what Jesus came to liberate us from. He came that we would have abundant life.
It has been said that, "What one generation tolerates, another will celebrate." Joseph Caryl, said, "According to the weight of the burden that grieves you, is the cry to God that comes from you." I wonder; are we grieved? Have we insulated our hearts and lives so much that we cannot stop and pause our lives and contemplate what the lack of integrity and honor has done to rob each generation and the consequence that has robbed God from pouring out the blessings He longed to give.
Be Holy
God says, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16
What if your consecration and commitment to integrity and honor unto the Lord could shape the course of history? It can and it will. Our integrity can empower the future. God is calling us as men and women, fathers and mothers to integrity. We cannot afford to be lazy in our high calling of God. We must teach our natural and spiritual children how to partner with the Holy Spirit and yield to His voice. We must train and equip them to be discerning, prayerful, powerful and supernatural. The years ahead of us demand a reformation generation. In all these matters, at the top of our list in loving God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength, must be a call to integrity, purity and honor.
Our children are a living message that we will send to a time and place we will never see. Those that God is preparing in this hour truly need the courageous and prophetic voices of spiritual fathers and mothers. Huldah, was a prophetess that gave prophetic hope and encouragement to young King Josiah as God prepared him to destroy the idols of his day. Her heart of mercy and compassion propelled Josiah to cleans the temple. (see 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34)
Mothers and fathers in the Lord; be courageous. This young generation needs you more than ever. Set the example, raise the standard, live with integrity and give this gift as your legacy.
Come Out From The World
You never influence and impact the world by trying to be like it. Decisions become easier when your will to please God outweighs your will to please the world. In 2 Corinthians chapter six, the Apostle Paul speaks openly concerning the call for our lives to be set apart and holy unto the Lord. This is a call to honor and to come out from the world.
"You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Satan? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."
Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty." Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
2 Corinthians 6:12-7:1
The call of our Father is to come out and be set apart from the world, and have no agreement with the spirit of this world. In all these questions we see the obvious answer — there is no agreement or union with the Spirit of God and the spirit of the world. We are called to be sons and daughters that honor the Lord and aim our lives at holiness.
Purity, integrity and holiness are not "old fashioned." Integrity and example matters greatly. The world is changed by your example. Your character is your life's unending message of hope to the world. When Paul wrote Timothy, he reminded him, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
Our character and integrity reveal the blooming person within. To grow and steward integrity, it is vital that you secure your personal vows and convictions unto The Lord and give no place for compromise.
Accountability starts with you. Leadership begins with leading yourself. You must practice and activate truth with yourself first. It is lofty and immature not to recognize that there is no exemption from sexual temptation. One of the keys to maintaining consistent victory is to fearlessly give oneself to men or women of uncommon character, who will guard and foster transparency and humility.
While many are working hard to manage their image, God is calling us to manage our integrity and character. It is time for you to place the highest value on building your community of covenant keeping friends. Perhaps God will use you to pioneer a team of winners that burn zealously for holiness. Together, we can prevail triumphantly.
Remember this, those who despise accountability and covenant faithfulness will reap the results of that in their lives. Those who love honor, loyalty and covenant faithfulness will be richly rewarded.
The Narrow Road & The Broad Road
After Jesus' unprecedented message from the "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew Chapters 5&6, He discusses two different responses to those who profess to be loyal to Him and His Word. We see this distinction from which He calls — the narrow way and the broad way.
Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall" (Matthew 7:13-27).
The distinction Jesus makes here is painfully clear. One had a true relationship with God, the other was deceived into believing he had a relationship with God, but didn't. Jesus tragically replies, "I never knew you." Real freedom and liberty is not liberty apart from Jesus' leadership and authority. Freedom in the kingdom of God is not a free-for-all. There is divine order and government in the kingdom of God. True liberty is liberation from sin, defilement and things that darken our hearts. There are a lot of people in the body of Christ who claim grace, yet desire "liberties" from Jesus' commands and restraints. They want His forgiveness, but they refuse to obey the call to responsibility and holiness. That's not a biblical Christianity. Jesus is making clear that there is a false road and true road — the broad way that leads to destruction or the narrow way that leads to life. He is not contrasting the Church and the world here in this message. He is speaking to those who profess loyalty, faithfulness and authenticity in their faith, but their self-deception has them headed for eternal destruction. It's remarkable the number of people who have grown up in church and have been effectively Christianized, professing to know God, but have never genuinely met Christ. It is terrifying to think that many souls could hear these words, "Depart from Me, I never knew you."
The narrow way must be the highest priority of your life — to know and love the heart of God. It is about true friendship and intimacy with the Lord. God knows those who have made Him the sole passion of their hearts, and those who just profess His name, but inwardly are not joined in relationship. The heart that walks the narrow way is fearfully aware of sin's defilement and it guards itself, so that it might be presented unto the Lord as a clean and honorable vessel. Such hearts are those which "fear The Lord and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7). The narrow road is the only road in New Testament Christianity. The travelers along the narrow way look for the grace that delivers them from sin and empowers them. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age..." (Titus 2:12). Those who travel the narrow road are those who work out their salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12,13). The narrow and loyal followers of The Master are those with sincerity, who consecrate their hearts and yield their lives unto The Lord's work within them, so that they may be holy and sanctified. Holiness is not old fashion, friend. The narrow way follower is not bound by restriction, but bound by love.
The broad road is a road of tolerance, compromise and has very few restrictions. It is a road of permissiveness in the grace of God. It's wide open for many opinions, ideologies and lifestyles. On the broad road, you can keep your carry-on luggage of immorality, a little drunkenness, some slander and gossip with a hint of defamation...a little porn and lust here and there with little regard for the warnings of The Holy Spirit or repentance. The travelers along the broad road are always looking for a grace that covers their indulgences and pleasures, because they believe God is aware of weakness, yet his grace pardons them. The preachers of the broad road use the Bible all the time for their indulgences, yet they bear no fruits of true repentance in denying the flesh and keeping to spiritual disciplines. Moses brought us the law; but Jesus came to bring grace and truth. (see John 1:17) There's the beautiful truth and the ugly truth — remember, it's a two-edged sword. Make no mistake, grace is beautiful, but if you abuse its beauty with lawlessness, you're in danger of hell fire. Without truth, there is a distorted message, promoting a certain confidence, which allows people to continue in compromise. Jesus said their destruction will be more terrifying than they can ever imagine when they stand face to face with Him. This must not be your story.
Today we have modern grace teachers who tell us that we don't need to repent of sins, as we are under His grace. Do not be deceived, friend. Grace comes as a beautiful and marvelous gift from the heart of our Father, to those who repent of their sins and long to live in pure union with God's heart (1 John 1:9). Grace will transform you. Grace is not an invitation to fall into sin. It's an invitation to fall in Love.
If you are going to live the true grace lifestyle, the abundant life that Christ gives, you must be sure that you deny fleshly lust. To be a disciple and authentic follower of Jesus, this is paramount. Jesus said, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able." Strive means to make every effort of commitment. Let me be clear, we do not strive to earn God's love or forgiveness. We don't pray and fast to motivate God to love us — of course not! Christianity is not a behavioral modification, self-improvement or sin management program. It's the indwelling of the Spirit of God that transforms a life from the inside out. His ministry is unparalleled. Grace is about covenant relationship. We strive to give meaningful effort to the relationship, just as a husband does in his marriage to his wife.
As a husband, I aim and strive to strengthen the commitment and devotion my wife and I have to one another, and our children. When someone makes no effort to invest in a relationship, love could be brought into question. Our striving is an expression of honor and devotion, making every effort to position our hearts in alignment with Him. Then His grace can empower us over sin. We must strive with zealous determination to deny sin at all times and give no place for the devil (Ephesians 4:27).
It is by no means a contradiction to strive courageously to enter the narrow gate, which Jesus said comes with difficulty and challenge, and to wear His yoke, which is easy and light. Jesus was warning His hearers of the yoke of the Pharisees, which was a burdensome and oppressive yoke of self-righteousness and legalistic law keeping. Many bible scholars have said that the Pharisees had added over 600 regulations, regarding what qualified as working on the Sabbath. That is a heavy burden! The Lord's yoke is light and easy to carry, because it is the yoke of repentance and faith, followed by a singular commitment to honor Him.
Frankly, the narrow road is hard on our flesh — to overcome and deny sin — as we take up our cross and die daily. The yoke of Jesus speaks of taking on lowliness of heart (true meekness). Jesus is inviting us into a lifestyle of dying to the things we must die to, so that we might experience His yoke of liberation.
This is the narrow way. It's not a popular message, but it's the only biblical message of true grace. Grace leads to real life and a vibrant heart. For those who fear the Lord and depart from evil, the promise remains true: ...it will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones (Proverbs 3:7&8). Striving to fully honor Jesus will lead to the abundant life, eternal reward and true encounters with The Lord. This is the fruit of true love.
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal; But I am pressing on, striving to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."
Philippians 3:12
As sons and daughters of God, it should be our daily aim and our lifelong pursuit to strive to honor the grace of our Father. Paul urged the church to "aim for perfection" (2 Corinthians 13:11). Dear friend, in our pursuit, let us remember these urgent and passionate words from Paul: "We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain" (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Honor, Humility & Holiness
A lifestyle of honor will be the pathway for opening doors for you and for others that you love — doors and opportunities that may have never been possible without honor. Honor will also open doors that look ridiculous to the natural eye, but remember, sometimes the door to the miraculous looks ridiculous on the outside. Don't be afraid to walk through the doors that honor creates.
Honor attracts the anointing. Humility sustains the anointing. Holiness protects the anointing. Cherish the anointing of The Holy Spirit in your life, and the Holy Spirit will honor and favor you in life. Our consciousness of His abiding presence within determines our level of consecration and integrity.
The Holy Spirit desires to identify to you the great value and purpose of others. It is worth taking risks for the sake of another's prophetic destiny. Abigail recognized God's calling upon King David and risked her life to see it come to pass. Her selflessness and honor opened the door for influence, and so can yours. Be aware of the prophetic destinies of those around you. Be courageous in order to pull out the greatness of others. Recognize that you have the power to bring solutions to the most difficult problems. Honor, humility and holiness are the real source to kingdom solutions. I like to say, "God is in the details" (see 1 Samuel 25:13-33).
A Lifestyle of Prayer & Fasting: The Key to Integrity
God never intended for us to be weak, timid or cowering. He desired for us to reveal His fierce love. That's why He placed the gift of His Spirit within us, so that we would become sons and daughters that are bold as lions. Keeping your integrity will make you bold and sharp. Your integrity will make you effective and give you longevity and quality of life and ministry.
Operating in the grace of God is not a fragile man's sport. It requires strength and intensity. Honoring the grace of God and keeping our integrity will cause us to stand in an hour when many are bowing low to the spirit of this age. God is calling you and I to stand. It's time to pray for courage, develop integrity and live responsibly.
The Holy Spirit never calls anyone into a "season" of fasting and prayer. He doesn't call anyone into a "season" of revival. However, the Holy Spirit does invite and calls us all into a "lifestyle" of fasting, prayer and unending revival. What we gain by fasting and prayer, we keep through fasting and prayer.
Fasting will keep you sharp and sharpen your integrity. A soldier is sharp. A soldier stays fit, alert, healthy and ready. They're not dull, casual nor complacent. A soldier is not asleep on their watch. The Apostle Paul said that we should live in such a way as a soldier because the days are evil. The enemy is hungry and lurking for an opportune moment of attack. Colossians 4:2 says, "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
A soldier is a watchman. Throughout all of Scripture you can see time and time again the method of fasting sharpens a life. Moses fasted. Elijah fasted forty days. Paul fasted fourteen days. Jesus fasted forty days. God wants us spiritually sharp and physically ready, fit and alert. Fasting will sharpen your spiritual perception and discernment. A lifestyle of fasting can keep you spiritually alert and far from apathy and mediocrity. When you fast and pray you are effectively being sharpened to the word of God in your spirit, your conscience and your moral compass. Now you have become a powerful weapon in the hand of God — a razor-sharp edge that is able to slash the enemy when you speak.
A mentor once taught me: "Anything that is cutting-edge must be narrow by necessity." When we fast and pray, we are being sharpened and narrowed for effectiveness to destroy the powers of darkness and advance the kingdom of our God. The Holy Spirit wants you and I sharp and effective so our integrity can be enduring.
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is it discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Integrity and honor is a lifestyle. It's not a seasonal pursuit. It's a life-long continual pursuit for the heart of God and a perpetual life of revival advancing His kingdom in the earth. The pattern Jesus laid out in Matthew chapter six looks like this: He said, "when you give"..."when you pray"..."when you fast." Notice Jesus didn't say "if" you fast.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "...and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." The three fold cord of a believer's lifestyle is giving, praying and fasting. God desires for everyone of us to apprehend breakthroughs and victories in life. Disciplining our lifestyle to God's three-cord pattern will keep us focused and prepared in adversity, challenges and attack.
A lifestyle of prayer and fasting is your secret strength. Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34).
I love the interaction of Jesus and his disciples in this chapter. Their appetite was on one frequency and His was tuned into the Father's intensions. Jesus told his disciples He had food to eat that they didn't know about. From what I can tell, after studying deeply the Greek in this passage, Jesus wasn't hiding a Snickers or M&M's in His sash for extended ministry times to hold Himself over. As the disciples were trying to figure out who had brought Him food, He told them the secret - "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me; and to finish His work." Jesus was drawing strength and nourishment that sustained Him because His mission was to ful ll the Father's desires.
Nothing will nourish our lives like living in the will of God and accomplishing His purposes and desires. The will of God will feed you and sustain you — carrying you forward through any and all circumstances. Like Jesus, we too can tap into the secret resources and find the pleasure of doing the work of our Father will feed us. "...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
Intimacy with the Father can build up a storehouse of strength and power that can sustain us and keep us moving forward through any difficult situation, temptation or circumstance. We can draw forth from the intimacy that we share with Father that will feed us and others.
Appetite for Victory
"The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Matthew 4:3
Isn't it interesting, that the devil, of all things, tempted Jesus at the end of His fast trying to provoke Him to turn stones into bread? Of course we know that Jesus had the power to do so, however, don't miss this powerful and practical point — Jesus came to use His power to serve others, not Himself. Jesus was determined to finish His fast strong because he had an appetite for victory — our victory.
When Jesus returned from the wilderness in His 40 day fast, He immediately began to do "mighty miracles, healing all who are oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38). The enemy was scheming his very best to seduce Jesus to get focused on His own need, because He knew that Jesus was going to receive the power of the Holy Spirit that was going to change and transform the world.
The devil comes with an appetite for destruction only to steal, kill and destroy you. Make no mistake. The devil is after your integrity. Never let him have it. Jesus had an appetite for complete victory. He was looking ahead knowing His breakthrough would become our breakthrough and His triumph would become our triumph. I have learned, and I continue to learn, that our personal breakthroughs are not just about us. In God's wisdom, they are always connected to others. In fact, the anointing on our lives is not just for us, but it has always been about others being set free.
Perhaps one of the most profound characteristics about the resurrection power of God is that it has an appetite to bring to life that which is dead. Whatever His Glory touches, it will live. What if His Glory touched your city? Your region? Your marriage? Your dreams? Your finances?
In a lifestyle of prayer and fasting, our appetite for complete victory increases. Can you see yourself owing in the power of the Holy Spirit helping others to breakthrough into new realms of God's authority over the enemy?
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
A lifestyle of prayer and fasting prepares the way. Fasting is an extraordinary process that helps us to discover and confirm the will of God, for our lives. When you present your body as a "living sacrifice" you open your spirit up to hear the Lord's voice. Throughout many years, my wife and I have experienced time and again through fasting the discovery of the will of God and directional promptings and pieces of the prophetic puzzle for our family and ministry.
In fasting, you will prove and discover his good and perfect will for your life. The Apostle Paul was fasting when God called him and shared his divine assignment for his life (see Acts 9:7-9). The Apostle Peter was fasting in Joppa, sitting on a rooftop when God gave him a new and fresh revelation and called him to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10). Jesus was fasting forty days before he was launched into the most epic ministry that revealed to us what "on earth as it is in heaven" truly looks like.
Fasting prepares the way for God to give you strong integrity, fresh revelation, vision and clear purpose. That's what everyone is really hungry for. I have faith that you too will hear the voice of the Lord afresh, and receive direction and guidance. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock, and the doors will be open" (Matthew 7:7-8).
Examine Yourself
"Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart." Psalm 26:2
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
A lifestyle of prayer and fasting will always lead to integrity and honor. Fasting is a time where we stand before the Lord with integrity and we ask him to examine our hearts, our lives, motives and intentions. In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul tells us to make sure we "examine ourselves" before receiving the communion table of the Lord in the bread and the cup.
In Psalm 139, David says, "investigate my life." It is so important that when we pray and fast, we examine ourselves and we invite the Holy Spirit with His purifying fire and cleansing grace to remove anything from our lives that is not pleasing unto the Lord. There can be no passivity for sin. May we all have the courage to pray "investigate my heart" and "investigate my life" and make it clean. Our desire is clean hands and a pure hearts.
What if we decided that all we really want in life is to be a people after God's own heart? A pure heart. A pure pursuit. A pure reward. May this be our legacy.
BLOG TAKEN FROM: My newest book, "BOLD AS LIONS" The Future Belongs To The Righteous
Released: January 2018
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:37-39
What if your consecration and commitment to integrity and honor unto the Lord could shape the course of history? This is where it all begins – this our anchor, foundation, the cornerstone, the pillars to which all integrity and honor stands secure. Loving God with everything you are — with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. To belong to God is to belong to His heart. The way of integrity is the way of love, intimacy, honor, passion and sacrifice.
The purity of our love and devotion unto The Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit will determine the depth of our integrity and honor.
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. Integrity is possessing moral character, principle, virtue, decency, fairness, truthfulness and trustworthiness. Integrity is also defined as the state of being whole and undivided.
Honor is quality of high respect or esteem. It is a distinction of nobility, recognition, quality or effect. Honor is a life that fulfills, observes, keeps, obeys, heeds and follows. A man or a woman of honor embodies integrity and character.
King David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." " Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin."
Psalm 51:10, 1&2
Integrity and honor are two of the most vital keys that the church must recapture in this hour. In the last three decades, the Church has been riddled with scandal. We need radical healing and reformation. It is time that we all drill down deep into the core of our spirit and soul and weigh out the matter and the measures of these two sacred virtues. The world is in desperate need of the church to rediscover its glory, purity and nobility.
In today's church culture there is no shortage of conferences. There are conferences on practically everything you can imagine — the prophetic, the apostolic, the five-fold ministry, worship, the supernatural, evangelism, activating the gifts, church growth, ect. You get the point. My hope is that in this hour we would experience a strategic shift and focus on the weighty matter of personal integrity, purity, holiness and honor. Let's be honest, without this, we have nothing.
The Apostle Peter wrote, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it rst begin with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17).
It is no secret that sexual immorality and financial impropriety have wounded, hurt and offended so many lives in the Body of Christ. It is sobering and painfully obvious that for the most part the mockery from the world is warranted.
There is such great need for leaders and all believers to build lives of integrity, and to build an atmosphere and culture of honor that is genuine, transparent and truthful. The Holy Spirit cannot be fooled. He is the Spirit of Truth. His character and nature is to cleanse and purify. That is the Holy Spirit's ministry.
God Will Cleanse With Fire
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.'"
"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3:2&3 & 10-12
Whoa, the ax is laid at the roots. The Holy Spirit's ministry has intensity to it. You may or may not have been told the whole truth concerning the Holy Spirit. Many Christians can only relate to Jesus as the Lamb — gentle, loving, sensitive, meek and tender. But when it comes to encountering the power and fire of the Lion, they're not so sure about that. The Lion is fierce. His Spirit is fierce – meaning: aggressive, intense, burning, forceful, violent and powerful. Perhaps we need a new and fresh introduction to The Holy Spirit.
Sometimes Loving God Means Hating Evil
"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil..." Proverbs 8:13
I realize that no matter what I say here, I'm going to offend someone. That's not my objective. However, I have laid aside the fantasy that everyone is going to like me or applaud the message. I'm well acquainted with the sufferings that messengers must endure.
The fear of Lord is to hate evil. It's a strong word, and yet, it is a word we must embrace and receive. There can be no more passivity. I believe that until we hate sickness and disease robbing from lives, we will never cry out in prayer for God to use us in healing and miracles. Until we begin to hate poverty and lack stealing from lives, we will never cry out for God to use us to bring people into abundance and prosperity. Frankly, until we begin to hate the sin in our own lives, we will just go on tolerating it. Passivity must be given no place.
You may think, "Brian, that's really strong." Sickness and disease are evil. Poverty and lack are evil. Sin is evil. We can't go on tolerating what Jesus came to liberate us from. He came that we would have abundant life.
It has been said that, "What one generation tolerates, another will celebrate." Joseph Caryl, said, "According to the weight of the burden that grieves you, is the cry to God that comes from you." I wonder; are we grieved? Have we insulated our hearts and lives so much that we cannot stop and pause our lives and contemplate what the lack of integrity and honor has done to rob each generation and the consequence that has robbed God from pouring out the blessings He longed to give.
Be Holy
God says, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16
What if your consecration and commitment to integrity and honor unto the Lord could shape the course of history? It can and it will. Our integrity can empower the future. God is calling us as men and women, fathers and mothers to integrity. We cannot afford to be lazy in our high calling of God. We must teach our natural and spiritual children how to partner with the Holy Spirit and yield to His voice. We must train and equip them to be discerning, prayerful, powerful and supernatural. The years ahead of us demand a reformation generation. In all these matters, at the top of our list in loving God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength, must be a call to integrity, purity and honor.
Our children are a living message that we will send to a time and place we will never see. Those that God is preparing in this hour truly need the courageous and prophetic voices of spiritual fathers and mothers. Huldah, was a prophetess that gave prophetic hope and encouragement to young King Josiah as God prepared him to destroy the idols of his day. Her heart of mercy and compassion propelled Josiah to cleans the temple. (see 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34)
Mothers and fathers in the Lord; be courageous. This young generation needs you more than ever. Set the example, raise the standard, live with integrity and give this gift as your legacy.
Come Out From The World
You never influence and impact the world by trying to be like it. Decisions become easier when your will to please God outweighs your will to please the world. In 2 Corinthians chapter six, the Apostle Paul speaks openly concerning the call for our lives to be set apart and holy unto the Lord. This is a call to honor and to come out from the world.
"You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Satan? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."
Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty." Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
2 Corinthians 6:12-7:1
The call of our Father is to come out and be set apart from the world, and have no agreement with the spirit of this world. In all these questions we see the obvious answer — there is no agreement or union with the Spirit of God and the spirit of the world. We are called to be sons and daughters that honor the Lord and aim our lives at holiness.
Purity, integrity and holiness are not "old fashioned." Integrity and example matters greatly. The world is changed by your example. Your character is your life's unending message of hope to the world. When Paul wrote Timothy, he reminded him, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
Our character and integrity reveal the blooming person within. To grow and steward integrity, it is vital that you secure your personal vows and convictions unto The Lord and give no place for compromise.
Accountability starts with you. Leadership begins with leading yourself. You must practice and activate truth with yourself first. It is lofty and immature not to recognize that there is no exemption from sexual temptation. One of the keys to maintaining consistent victory is to fearlessly give oneself to men or women of uncommon character, who will guard and foster transparency and humility.
While many are working hard to manage their image, God is calling us to manage our integrity and character. It is time for you to place the highest value on building your community of covenant keeping friends. Perhaps God will use you to pioneer a team of winners that burn zealously for holiness. Together, we can prevail triumphantly.
Remember this, those who despise accountability and covenant faithfulness will reap the results of that in their lives. Those who love honor, loyalty and covenant faithfulness will be richly rewarded.
The Narrow Road & The Broad Road
After Jesus' unprecedented message from the "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew Chapters 5&6, He discusses two different responses to those who profess to be loyal to Him and His Word. We see this distinction from which He calls — the narrow way and the broad way.
Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall" (Matthew 7:13-27).
The distinction Jesus makes here is painfully clear. One had a true relationship with God, the other was deceived into believing he had a relationship with God, but didn't. Jesus tragically replies, "I never knew you." Real freedom and liberty is not liberty apart from Jesus' leadership and authority. Freedom in the kingdom of God is not a free-for-all. There is divine order and government in the kingdom of God. True liberty is liberation from sin, defilement and things that darken our hearts. There are a lot of people in the body of Christ who claim grace, yet desire "liberties" from Jesus' commands and restraints. They want His forgiveness, but they refuse to obey the call to responsibility and holiness. That's not a biblical Christianity. Jesus is making clear that there is a false road and true road — the broad way that leads to destruction or the narrow way that leads to life. He is not contrasting the Church and the world here in this message. He is speaking to those who profess loyalty, faithfulness and authenticity in their faith, but their self-deception has them headed for eternal destruction. It's remarkable the number of people who have grown up in church and have been effectively Christianized, professing to know God, but have never genuinely met Christ. It is terrifying to think that many souls could hear these words, "Depart from Me, I never knew you."
The narrow way must be the highest priority of your life — to know and love the heart of God. It is about true friendship and intimacy with the Lord. God knows those who have made Him the sole passion of their hearts, and those who just profess His name, but inwardly are not joined in relationship. The heart that walks the narrow way is fearfully aware of sin's defilement and it guards itself, so that it might be presented unto the Lord as a clean and honorable vessel. Such hearts are those which "fear The Lord and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7). The narrow road is the only road in New Testament Christianity. The travelers along the narrow way look for the grace that delivers them from sin and empowers them. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age..." (Titus 2:12). Those who travel the narrow road are those who work out their salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12,13). The narrow and loyal followers of The Master are those with sincerity, who consecrate their hearts and yield their lives unto The Lord's work within them, so that they may be holy and sanctified. Holiness is not old fashion, friend. The narrow way follower is not bound by restriction, but bound by love.
The broad road is a road of tolerance, compromise and has very few restrictions. It is a road of permissiveness in the grace of God. It's wide open for many opinions, ideologies and lifestyles. On the broad road, you can keep your carry-on luggage of immorality, a little drunkenness, some slander and gossip with a hint of defamation...a little porn and lust here and there with little regard for the warnings of The Holy Spirit or repentance. The travelers along the broad road are always looking for a grace that covers their indulgences and pleasures, because they believe God is aware of weakness, yet his grace pardons them. The preachers of the broad road use the Bible all the time for their indulgences, yet they bear no fruits of true repentance in denying the flesh and keeping to spiritual disciplines. Moses brought us the law; but Jesus came to bring grace and truth. (see John 1:17) There's the beautiful truth and the ugly truth — remember, it's a two-edged sword. Make no mistake, grace is beautiful, but if you abuse its beauty with lawlessness, you're in danger of hell fire. Without truth, there is a distorted message, promoting a certain confidence, which allows people to continue in compromise. Jesus said their destruction will be more terrifying than they can ever imagine when they stand face to face with Him. This must not be your story.
Today we have modern grace teachers who tell us that we don't need to repent of sins, as we are under His grace. Do not be deceived, friend. Grace comes as a beautiful and marvelous gift from the heart of our Father, to those who repent of their sins and long to live in pure union with God's heart (1 John 1:9). Grace will transform you. Grace is not an invitation to fall into sin. It's an invitation to fall in Love.
If you are going to live the true grace lifestyle, the abundant life that Christ gives, you must be sure that you deny fleshly lust. To be a disciple and authentic follower of Jesus, this is paramount. Jesus said, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able." Strive means to make every effort of commitment. Let me be clear, we do not strive to earn God's love or forgiveness. We don't pray and fast to motivate God to love us — of course not! Christianity is not a behavioral modification, self-improvement or sin management program. It's the indwelling of the Spirit of God that transforms a life from the inside out. His ministry is unparalleled. Grace is about covenant relationship. We strive to give meaningful effort to the relationship, just as a husband does in his marriage to his wife.
As a husband, I aim and strive to strengthen the commitment and devotion my wife and I have to one another, and our children. When someone makes no effort to invest in a relationship, love could be brought into question. Our striving is an expression of honor and devotion, making every effort to position our hearts in alignment with Him. Then His grace can empower us over sin. We must strive with zealous determination to deny sin at all times and give no place for the devil (Ephesians 4:27).
It is by no means a contradiction to strive courageously to enter the narrow gate, which Jesus said comes with difficulty and challenge, and to wear His yoke, which is easy and light. Jesus was warning His hearers of the yoke of the Pharisees, which was a burdensome and oppressive yoke of self-righteousness and legalistic law keeping. Many bible scholars have said that the Pharisees had added over 600 regulations, regarding what qualified as working on the Sabbath. That is a heavy burden! The Lord's yoke is light and easy to carry, because it is the yoke of repentance and faith, followed by a singular commitment to honor Him.
Frankly, the narrow road is hard on our flesh — to overcome and deny sin — as we take up our cross and die daily. The yoke of Jesus speaks of taking on lowliness of heart (true meekness). Jesus is inviting us into a lifestyle of dying to the things we must die to, so that we might experience His yoke of liberation.
This is the narrow way. It's not a popular message, but it's the only biblical message of true grace. Grace leads to real life and a vibrant heart. For those who fear the Lord and depart from evil, the promise remains true: ...it will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones (Proverbs 3:7&8). Striving to fully honor Jesus will lead to the abundant life, eternal reward and true encounters with The Lord. This is the fruit of true love.
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal; But I am pressing on, striving to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."
Philippians 3:12
As sons and daughters of God, it should be our daily aim and our lifelong pursuit to strive to honor the grace of our Father. Paul urged the church to "aim for perfection" (2 Corinthians 13:11). Dear friend, in our pursuit, let us remember these urgent and passionate words from Paul: "We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain" (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Honor, Humility & Holiness
A lifestyle of honor will be the pathway for opening doors for you and for others that you love — doors and opportunities that may have never been possible without honor. Honor will also open doors that look ridiculous to the natural eye, but remember, sometimes the door to the miraculous looks ridiculous on the outside. Don't be afraid to walk through the doors that honor creates.
Honor attracts the anointing. Humility sustains the anointing. Holiness protects the anointing. Cherish the anointing of The Holy Spirit in your life, and the Holy Spirit will honor and favor you in life. Our consciousness of His abiding presence within determines our level of consecration and integrity.
The Holy Spirit desires to identify to you the great value and purpose of others. It is worth taking risks for the sake of another's prophetic destiny. Abigail recognized God's calling upon King David and risked her life to see it come to pass. Her selflessness and honor opened the door for influence, and so can yours. Be aware of the prophetic destinies of those around you. Be courageous in order to pull out the greatness of others. Recognize that you have the power to bring solutions to the most difficult problems. Honor, humility and holiness are the real source to kingdom solutions. I like to say, "God is in the details" (see 1 Samuel 25:13-33).
A Lifestyle of Prayer & Fasting: The Key to Integrity
God never intended for us to be weak, timid or cowering. He desired for us to reveal His fierce love. That's why He placed the gift of His Spirit within us, so that we would become sons and daughters that are bold as lions. Keeping your integrity will make you bold and sharp. Your integrity will make you effective and give you longevity and quality of life and ministry.
Operating in the grace of God is not a fragile man's sport. It requires strength and intensity. Honoring the grace of God and keeping our integrity will cause us to stand in an hour when many are bowing low to the spirit of this age. God is calling you and I to stand. It's time to pray for courage, develop integrity and live responsibly.
The Holy Spirit never calls anyone into a "season" of fasting and prayer. He doesn't call anyone into a "season" of revival. However, the Holy Spirit does invite and calls us all into a "lifestyle" of fasting, prayer and unending revival. What we gain by fasting and prayer, we keep through fasting and prayer.
Fasting will keep you sharp and sharpen your integrity. A soldier is sharp. A soldier stays fit, alert, healthy and ready. They're not dull, casual nor complacent. A soldier is not asleep on their watch. The Apostle Paul said that we should live in such a way as a soldier because the days are evil. The enemy is hungry and lurking for an opportune moment of attack. Colossians 4:2 says, "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
A soldier is a watchman. Throughout all of Scripture you can see time and time again the method of fasting sharpens a life. Moses fasted. Elijah fasted forty days. Paul fasted fourteen days. Jesus fasted forty days. God wants us spiritually sharp and physically ready, fit and alert. Fasting will sharpen your spiritual perception and discernment. A lifestyle of fasting can keep you spiritually alert and far from apathy and mediocrity. When you fast and pray you are effectively being sharpened to the word of God in your spirit, your conscience and your moral compass. Now you have become a powerful weapon in the hand of God — a razor-sharp edge that is able to slash the enemy when you speak.
A mentor once taught me: "Anything that is cutting-edge must be narrow by necessity." When we fast and pray, we are being sharpened and narrowed for effectiveness to destroy the powers of darkness and advance the kingdom of our God. The Holy Spirit wants you and I sharp and effective so our integrity can be enduring.
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is it discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Integrity and honor is a lifestyle. It's not a seasonal pursuit. It's a life-long continual pursuit for the heart of God and a perpetual life of revival advancing His kingdom in the earth. The pattern Jesus laid out in Matthew chapter six looks like this: He said, "when you give"..."when you pray"..."when you fast." Notice Jesus didn't say "if" you fast.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "...and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." The three fold cord of a believer's lifestyle is giving, praying and fasting. God desires for everyone of us to apprehend breakthroughs and victories in life. Disciplining our lifestyle to God's three-cord pattern will keep us focused and prepared in adversity, challenges and attack.
A lifestyle of prayer and fasting is your secret strength. Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34).
I love the interaction of Jesus and his disciples in this chapter. Their appetite was on one frequency and His was tuned into the Father's intensions. Jesus told his disciples He had food to eat that they didn't know about. From what I can tell, after studying deeply the Greek in this passage, Jesus wasn't hiding a Snickers or M&M's in His sash for extended ministry times to hold Himself over. As the disciples were trying to figure out who had brought Him food, He told them the secret - "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me; and to finish His work." Jesus was drawing strength and nourishment that sustained Him because His mission was to ful ll the Father's desires.
Nothing will nourish our lives like living in the will of God and accomplishing His purposes and desires. The will of God will feed you and sustain you — carrying you forward through any and all circumstances. Like Jesus, we too can tap into the secret resources and find the pleasure of doing the work of our Father will feed us. "...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
Intimacy with the Father can build up a storehouse of strength and power that can sustain us and keep us moving forward through any difficult situation, temptation or circumstance. We can draw forth from the intimacy that we share with Father that will feed us and others.
Appetite for Victory
"The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Matthew 4:3
Isn't it interesting, that the devil, of all things, tempted Jesus at the end of His fast trying to provoke Him to turn stones into bread? Of course we know that Jesus had the power to do so, however, don't miss this powerful and practical point — Jesus came to use His power to serve others, not Himself. Jesus was determined to finish His fast strong because he had an appetite for victory — our victory.
When Jesus returned from the wilderness in His 40 day fast, He immediately began to do "mighty miracles, healing all who are oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38). The enemy was scheming his very best to seduce Jesus to get focused on His own need, because He knew that Jesus was going to receive the power of the Holy Spirit that was going to change and transform the world.
The devil comes with an appetite for destruction only to steal, kill and destroy you. Make no mistake. The devil is after your integrity. Never let him have it. Jesus had an appetite for complete victory. He was looking ahead knowing His breakthrough would become our breakthrough and His triumph would become our triumph. I have learned, and I continue to learn, that our personal breakthroughs are not just about us. In God's wisdom, they are always connected to others. In fact, the anointing on our lives is not just for us, but it has always been about others being set free.
Perhaps one of the most profound characteristics about the resurrection power of God is that it has an appetite to bring to life that which is dead. Whatever His Glory touches, it will live. What if His Glory touched your city? Your region? Your marriage? Your dreams? Your finances?
In a lifestyle of prayer and fasting, our appetite for complete victory increases. Can you see yourself owing in the power of the Holy Spirit helping others to breakthrough into new realms of God's authority over the enemy?
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
A lifestyle of prayer and fasting prepares the way. Fasting is an extraordinary process that helps us to discover and confirm the will of God, for our lives. When you present your body as a "living sacrifice" you open your spirit up to hear the Lord's voice. Throughout many years, my wife and I have experienced time and again through fasting the discovery of the will of God and directional promptings and pieces of the prophetic puzzle for our family and ministry.
In fasting, you will prove and discover his good and perfect will for your life. The Apostle Paul was fasting when God called him and shared his divine assignment for his life (see Acts 9:7-9). The Apostle Peter was fasting in Joppa, sitting on a rooftop when God gave him a new and fresh revelation and called him to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10). Jesus was fasting forty days before he was launched into the most epic ministry that revealed to us what "on earth as it is in heaven" truly looks like.
Fasting prepares the way for God to give you strong integrity, fresh revelation, vision and clear purpose. That's what everyone is really hungry for. I have faith that you too will hear the voice of the Lord afresh, and receive direction and guidance. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock, and the doors will be open" (Matthew 7:7-8).
Examine Yourself
"Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart." Psalm 26:2
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
A lifestyle of prayer and fasting will always lead to integrity and honor. Fasting is a time where we stand before the Lord with integrity and we ask him to examine our hearts, our lives, motives and intentions. In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul tells us to make sure we "examine ourselves" before receiving the communion table of the Lord in the bread and the cup.
In Psalm 139, David says, "investigate my life." It is so important that when we pray and fast, we examine ourselves and we invite the Holy Spirit with His purifying fire and cleansing grace to remove anything from our lives that is not pleasing unto the Lord. There can be no passivity for sin. May we all have the courage to pray "investigate my heart" and "investigate my life" and make it clean. Our desire is clean hands and a pure hearts.
What if we decided that all we really want in life is to be a people after God's own heart? A pure heart. A pure pursuit. A pure reward. May this be our legacy.
BLOG TAKEN FROM: My newest book, "BOLD AS LIONS" The Future Belongs To The Righteous
Released: January 2018
Posted in Brian Gibbs
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