The Breakthrough Fast 2012 Day 17 by Rev. Bernese Shaw - "The Power Within"

Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We are now on the backside, the last week of the Daniel Fast or/and the 18th day of the New Year. We have been able to sustain or maintain any and all problems that we have faced thus far in this New Year because of the power within us given to us by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. But through it all, do you believe that God can do anything in your life? Is there something that you are facing that makes you wonder if God is able to handle it for you? The scripture that has been read in our hearing tells us that there is nothing too hard for God. There are many examples in the Bible that show us the sovereignty of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For example the crossing of the red sea by the Israelites (Exodus 14: 21-22). The divine victory was rooted in a natural phenomenon; during a storm that the shallow waters were driven back by a strong east wind making it possible for the Israelites to cross on foot. In Job 42: 2 In the midst of all his trouble, trials and testing, Job said, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be withheld from You." It's one thing to believe in God's ability when all is well, but quite another when you have lost everything and your world is falling apart. But, Paul stated in Ephesians 3: 16-17 “I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love”. Our troubles can easily cause us to lose the larger picture about life. Daily routines and pressures can create doubts about our significance. And because we are bound in a world of time, it's easy to assume that difficulties such as sickness, conflict, loneliness, insecurity, unemployment, or fear will become a permanent state of affair. Sometimes, we have to tap into our inner strength and being in Jesus’ name and must remember that God is not simply near; He is here within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. Even when you feel far removed from God, God never leaves you. He is always with you, always willing to calm the storms of your life. God will calm your fears, answer your prayers, and restore your soul. All we have to do is pray and believe that God will do what He says He will do and we will accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine. Our God is a good God and He has empowered each and every one of us with grace, mercy and strength beyond our human comprehension/thinking. Psalm 128:3 says As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And, Philippians 4:13 says I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. So as we continue in the year of 2012 and the Daniel Fast my brothers and sisters, let us continue to walk in the light of Jesus remember what Jesus said in John 14: 15-17 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you; The Power Within. Therefore, my brothers and sisters if you are unsure of your next step, lean upon God's promises and lift your prayers to Him. Remember that God is your protector, God is your sustainer, and God is your provider. Open yourself to His heart, and trust Him to guide you. When you do, God will direct your steps, and you will receive His blessings today, tomorrow, and forever. Now to him by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Breakthrough Fast 2012 Day 12 "I Won't Complain"

It’s has been 7 days since I last blogged but rest assured, I have been praying for you. I have found that blogging everyday has been more challenging for me this year. First, I got sick before New Year’s Eve. That never helps. Second, unlike in years past, I have more on my plate this year. With the holidays, the sermons to prepare and preach, work responsibilities and the joys that come from being a husband and a father, I have been running for weeks at 110%. I thought I could push through the fatigue and the sickness but the body finally said, “no mas!” Even though I took a day off to recuperate, I’m still struggling a little bit with this cold. But I am reminded of the song, “I Won’t Complain.” I've had some good days. I've had some hills to climb. I've had some weary days. And some sleepless nights. But when I look around, And I think things over. All of my good days, Outweigh my bad days. I won't complain.

Sometimes the clouds are low

I can hardly see the road I ask the question Lord

Lord, why

Lord why

Why, why, why so much pain?

But the Lord knows what's best for me

Although my weary eyes

Oh they can't see

So I'll just say thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

I won't complain

And that's my advice for you today, despite all that you are going through, "don't complain." Focus on what you can control; not what you can't. Stay focus. Stay prayed up. For the bible says, they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Breakthrough Fast 2012 Day 5 “The Scale Doesn’t Lie”

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Can I Be Honest With You? After 5 days of fasting, I have to admit I expected to get on the scale tonight and see a change. In my mind at least, my clothes were getting looser. I had a little extra pep in my step. So...maybe I would see 5 pounds lost? Maybe 3 pounds lost; okay, how about 1 down lost? I step on the scale and look down... 2 pounds up! You have to be kidding me. Something must be wrong with this scale. Maybe if I take my shoes off. 2 pounds up! I see the problem. Let me take off my shirt and my socks. 2 pounds up! Something must be wrong with this scale. I am fasting. I am exercising. Well, I am not really exercising; but I have been running to the bathroom a lot. Does that count as exercise?

Now, don’t start with me. I know the fast is not about weight loss. The fast is about honoring God for the New Year and seeking God’s direction and vision. But, let’s be real. We all could afford to lose a few pounds after the holidays.What would they do on the Biggest Loser? What would Jillian say? I got it. THE LAST CHANCE WORKOUT! I forgot to do the LAST CHANCE WORKOUT...FLUSH! Feet on the scale...and it reads... +1! OMG!

Be Encouraged,

RevCAM

There is always tomorrow!

Breakthrough Fast 2012 Day 4 - "Don't Believe the Hype"

I know times are hard. I know the economy is still shaky. I know you are struggling to make a dollar out of sixteen cents. I know that the politics in Washington is toxic and I hear what the political pundits are saying about our President. I know it seems that our leaders are more interested in political posturing than putting people back to work, or making our community better or giving our children an opportunity for a quality education. I see the six o’clock news and I hear the sirens chasing the darkness down the streets. But I want to encourage you with the words of Public Enemy, “Don’t believe the hype.” Despite what your naysayers are saying; the sins of your past don’t have to be the sins of your future. Don’t believe the hype! Despite the negativity that is circling all around you; YOU CAN accomplish the things that God has put on our hearts. Don’t believe the hype! Despite Your past mistakes and struggles with money;YOU CAN be a saver, YOU CAN be a tither and YOU can be financially free. Don’t believe the hype! Despite what your old friends are saying, YOU CAN overcome Your addictions. Point to yourself and say with me, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Don’t misunderstand me;verse 13 is not a blank check to happiness. Paul is not saying that we can do anything we can dream up. If truth be told, I wish I could sing like Luther Vandross or drop lyrics like Jay-Z. Unfortunately, there are just some things God has just not blessed me to do. It doesn’t matter how good I think I sound in the shower, no matter how much I practice or wish upon a star, you will probably not see me win a Grammy for my musical skills. But I have learned to believe in what the old people use to say, “What God has for me is for me.” So tonight, I’m done with the negativity. I’m done with the comparisons. I’m done believing the hype of what I can’t do.

And that’s my counsel for you tonight, don’t waste another year beating yourself up for what you can’t do. Don’t waste another day being jealous over someone else’s success. Don’t waste another hour worried about what other people might think or what other people might say. For what God has for you, is for you!

Breakthrough Fast 2012 Day 3 "A New Me" by Rev Bernese Shaw

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2012 is a new year with all of the old problems left behind in 2011. The old person, before we knew the Lord has been left behind. The new person is when you have given yourself to the Lord. So is there a difference between the old you and the new and improved version? There should be! And that difference should be noticeable not only to you but also to others. The scripture that was read teaches us that when we welcome Christ into our hearts, we become new creations through him. Our challenge today on the Daniel Fast is to pray for forgiveness and opening of our hearts and souls to the teaching of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then the Lord will fill our hearts. He will bless our endeavors and He will transform our lives. As we go to the Lord in prayer today, let us pray for the transformation of our souls to become new creations in him. Lord, we pray this morning that all of the old stuff be left behind in 2011 and we pray that 2012 will reveal the creation of a new us. This is the day to pray for us to be cleansed by the Holy Spirit. This is the day to ask forgiveness of all of our hidden transgressions. This is the day to pray “Lord when I look at myself in the mirror that I see a new me so others can see a new me in your image. Lord this is the day that if I doubted your grace and mercy in helping me to talk, walk, and behave as your child, please purge my heart and soul to get rid of all the doubts, of all the unbelieves, of anything that stands between you and me”. My brothers and sisters whether you are on the Daniel Fast this morning or not this is the day and this is the beginning of a new year to become a new person in the Lord. The Adversary wants us to be fearful and not believing in the grace and mercy that God will make a change in us. Hebrews 4:16 says "Let us draw near with confidence (boldness) to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." This morning because we have become a "new me" and we belong to Christ, we can pray with authority and trust that the Father will answer our prayers. We will never accomplish what God wants us to do such as live holy lives or spread the gospels until we put our confidence in the One who was, in the One who is and in the One who is to come, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So from our focus scripture this morning Christ was put to death, bore the burden of our sins that we might be acquitted - forgiven of our sins. Because of this He has reconciled (Webster's Dictionary defined reconciled as to restore a friendship after an estrangement) us with the Father (Christ in death has borne the consequences of our sin and thus had reconciled us to God). An old hymn sings oh the blood that makes me white as snow, oh the blood that was shed for me way back on Calvary, the blood that gives me strength from day to day it will never lose its pow'r. It reaches to the highest mountain it flows to the lowest valley; the blood that gives me strength from day to day, it will never lose its pow'r. So my brothers and sisters this morning because the blood was shed for us today we can sing that we have become a "New Me" through the blood of Jesus that was shed. Amen. Amen. Amen

Breakthrough Fast 2012 - Day 2 "The Well is Just Dry"

Hear my cry, O’ God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call you, I call as my
heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61: 1-4

I was talking with my wife a few minutes ago and lamented, “I just don’t have anything inspirational to say tonight.” She lovingly looked at me and said, “That’s life... sometimes the well is just dry.”

That describes how I feel tonight. The 3AM and 4AM wake-up calls to put together the fasting booklet and write sermons for the holiday services have taken their toll. Tonight, I’m tired. My head is congested. My throat is sore. My eyes are itchy. I miss my coffee and my chocolate chip cookies. My kids won’t go to bed. And the only thing that seems to be working is my stomach; unfortunately, it is purging itself of 2011’s excesses. Ugh!

I know tomorrow will be better. But tonight, it is what it is.

Be Encouraged,
RevCAM

Breakthrough Fast 2012 - Day 1 "The Call to Fast"

When you practice some appetite-denying discipline (fasting) to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well. Matthew 6:16-18, The Message translation

It is estimated that thousands of Christians around the world will start the 2012 New Year with prayer and fasting. Many will join their church family in corporate fasting and others will enter the fast as part of their personal spiritual devotion. Starting TODAY, January 2, 2012, I invite you to join me and The Breakthrough Fellowship on a 21-day fast (The Daniel Fast) to seek God and honor God for the New Year.

The theme for The Breakthrough Fast 2012 is --- Let’s Make it Count!

With all the responsibilities and deadlines we face each day; it is easy to get caught up in the monotony of life, put blinders on and stop living life to its fullest. I was talking with someone the other day and I asked, “How are you doing?” He responded sarcastically, “Just living the dream.” That saddened me; for I believe God wants so much more for us than going through the motions. God wants you to thrive! It was Jesus that said “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

I believe fasting and prayer are two of the most powerful weapons that Believers have to fight the blahs of life. Over the next 21 days, I will be blogging about my spiritual journey, sharing stories from others and providing helpful tips and recipes to assist you in the fast. I encourage you to read along daily with me and share it with a friend. Better yet, send me an email and share your story. You can follow me on Twitter (charlesmaxell), Facebook or access my blog via our website below.

As you fast, pray for God’s direction and guidance. Pray for the discipline to walk in the vision God has given you. Life is not a dress rehearsal...Let’s Make it Count!

Blessings,
RevCAM

Email me your stories or Daniel Fast recipes: revcam@thebreakthroughproject.org

Website: www.thebreakthroughfellowship.org

Follow me on Twitter: charlesmaxell