The fast is broken. It’s Sunday morning, January 23rd. 21 Days of fasting is complete. How do you feel? I don’t know about you but I feel great. Physically, mentally and spiritually I feel refreshed and revived. I started this fast with 2 simple goals in mind. I wanted to fast for the discipline to walk in the vision that God has given me. And I wanted to honor God for the New Year. I don’t know about you...but I feel the hand of God working in my life and I claim the authority, the blessings, the favor, the strength and the cross that comes by being a child of the King.
Let me also say, thank you. Thank you for the many of you who have joined me and The Breakthrough Project on the Daniel Fast. I pray that everyone has been renewed and revived as a result of this experience.
Now the time comes to break the fast. Breaking the fast is the most difficult period after the fast; it requires discipline and self-control. I encourage you, to ease back into a normal eating pattern. We have cleansed our body of a lot of toxins the past 21 days. Be easy on the grease, the caffeine and the sugar. Your body will thank you later for it. Also, remember that a single fast is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh in fillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. Therefore, breaking this fast is not the end; it is only the beginning to a season of fasting that I am challenging you and me to continue in 2011.
Here are my tips for breaking the fast:
1. Take the 2nd Step of Faith
The fast was only the first step. Now, it is time to take the second step. Whatever you were praying for --- expect God to do the supernatural in that situation (Hebrews 11:1).
2. Make Time with the Lord a Priority
- Don’t fall back into old habits and allow the busyness of life to thwart the benefits and the blessings that you have experienced the past 21 days.
- Make a commitment to daily periods of pray, study and mediation.
3. Make a Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle
- Do not overeat! Listen to your body. Discover the amount of food that your body needs to live a vibrant, healthy lifestyle.
I hope you have enjoyed my blogging these past 21 days. Stay tuned for future posts. Pray for me. I am praying for you.
All the best,
Rev. CAM
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Breakthrough Fast 2011 - Day 18, 19 and 20 “Write the Vision; Make it Plain”
I’m sorry I missed blogging Days 18 and 19. I have been a little busy balancing the responsibilities of family, work and preparing for the launch of The Breakthrough Fellowship on Sunday. Nevertheless, TGIF, my brothers and sisters! It’s Day 20 and I’m feeling good!
Today, my words of encouragement come from the prophet Habakkuk, “Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.” Habakkuk 2:2 As I wrote in the devotional guide, take today to write out some reflections of what God has spoken to you during this fast. What has God shown you about distractions? What have you learned about your relationship with God? How has God blessed you? How has God stretched you? Going forward...how should this period of fasting; prayer and personal reflection change your life?
Don’t skip this exercise. Writing down your visions and establishing clear goals is an important step in staying focus and establishing accountability once the fast is over.
Today, my words of encouragement come from the prophet Habakkuk, “Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.” Habakkuk 2:2 As I wrote in the devotional guide, take today to write out some reflections of what God has spoken to you during this fast. What has God shown you about distractions? What have you learned about your relationship with God? How has God blessed you? How has God stretched you? Going forward...how should this period of fasting; prayer and personal reflection change your life?
Don’t skip this exercise. Writing down your visions and establishing clear goals is an important step in staying focus and establishing accountability once the fast is over.
- WRITE the vision and make it plain. Be specific and make a verbal commitment to the Lord.
- VISUALIZE and PRAY what your life might be like if you do not pursue this vision? Then PRAY AGAIN for the strength and the discipline to make the vision come to fruition.
- Visualize yourself AFTER this vision HAS become your reality. How does it feel? What tangible benefits result from this vision?
- DECIDE ON THE FIRST STEP you can take to start yourself on your journey.
- After that, there's only more thing to do-MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Until tomorrow, be blessed!
20 Days of Fasting and 1 Day Left,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 2 Days!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Breakthrough Fast 2011 - Day 17 "I Will Be With You"
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God..."(Isaiah 43:2-3a)
Enough said.
Enough said.
17 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 5 Days!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Breakthrough Fast 2011 – Day 16 “How Are You Measuring Up?” - Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As I reflect on the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I am drawn to his definition of success: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy". In a culture that measures success by how much you make, where you live, what you own, where you worship, what you wear or who you associate with, Dr. King’s measurement of success mentions none of these. Instead, he asks the question, “Do you look at struggles and adversity and become impotent to the challenge? Or do you rise to their tests with faith and determination to meet them head on.”
If Dr. King were alive, I believe he would ask us a series of questions: “Where do you stand on the eradication of poverty and support for affordable health care for everyone? Where do you stand on the proliferation of the sex trade and pornography that dominates the Internet? Where do you stand on war at home and abroad? Where do you stand on racism, religious tolerance and gender equity? Where do you stand on the sanctity of marriage and the role of prayer in schools? Where do you stand on protecting the environment over bigger profits and bigger companies? Where do you stand on quality education and the right for everyone to share in the American Dream? Where do you stand on justice, peace and love for people who look like you and for people who don’t?”
Life is full of challenges and controversies. Life will test each one of us; and each one of us will have the opportunity to be measured by Dr. King’s “measuring stick”. My question to you and to me, “How are you measuring up?”
Then he (Jesus) said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (Matthew 9:37, NIV)
16 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 6 Days!
If Dr. King were alive, I believe he would ask us a series of questions: “Where do you stand on the eradication of poverty and support for affordable health care for everyone? Where do you stand on the proliferation of the sex trade and pornography that dominates the Internet? Where do you stand on war at home and abroad? Where do you stand on racism, religious tolerance and gender equity? Where do you stand on the sanctity of marriage and the role of prayer in schools? Where do you stand on protecting the environment over bigger profits and bigger companies? Where do you stand on quality education and the right for everyone to share in the American Dream? Where do you stand on justice, peace and love for people who look like you and for people who don’t?”
Life is full of challenges and controversies. Life will test each one of us; and each one of us will have the opportunity to be measured by Dr. King’s “measuring stick”. My question to you and to me, “How are you measuring up?”
Then he (Jesus) said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (Matthew 9:37, NIV)
16 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 6 Days!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Breakthrough Fast 2011 – Day 15 “The Promise”
Congratulations! If you have been fasting and praying with me since January 2, we are on the home stretch. Two weeks completed and only 6 days left until we complete our mission! I don’t know about you but I am seeing clearer and am I feeling lighter than I did at the beginning of the year. I admit. I’m feeling lighter because I am not consuming certain foods and thankfully, I am enjoying the by-product of a slightly smaller waistline. And I admit. I am seeing clearer because I’m not blinded by my self-imposed caffeine and sugar fix. But more importantly, I’m seeing clearer and feeling lighter because this time of fasting, prayer and personal reflection has allowed me to reconnect with my creator.
While in prison, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NRSV) The New Living Translation says, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.”
My questions for you and me today: Over the past 15 days, have you called out to God? Or have you focused on the diet rather than your relationship with Christ? Have you listened for the voice of God or have you been too busy moaning about how hard the fast is or making excuses why you can’t find time to pray or read God’s word?
In these last 6 days, make a commitment to your relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have stumbled, if you have fallen off the wagon, make a commitment today to pray, fast and spend time in personal reflection. In these last 6 days, let’s call out to God with our whole heart. Let’s seek God’s face in praise for what God is doing in our lives. Let’s stop the excuses of why we can’t do this. Let’s not take this time for granted. If you call out to God, God promises to answer you. And when God does answer you, I believe God will reveal to you visions, meanings and “remarkable secrets” for your life that you cannot begin to fathom. Are you willing to step out on faith? Are you courageous enough to put God to the test? Are you willing to make that investment of time? What do you have to lose? Or is the problem, you are afraid of what you will gain.
My prayer and my hope is that you will call out to God. I am calling, “God, this is Charles...”
15 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 7 days!
While in prison, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NRSV) The New Living Translation says, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.”
My questions for you and me today: Over the past 15 days, have you called out to God? Or have you focused on the diet rather than your relationship with Christ? Have you listened for the voice of God or have you been too busy moaning about how hard the fast is or making excuses why you can’t find time to pray or read God’s word?
In these last 6 days, make a commitment to your relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have stumbled, if you have fallen off the wagon, make a commitment today to pray, fast and spend time in personal reflection. In these last 6 days, let’s call out to God with our whole heart. Let’s seek God’s face in praise for what God is doing in our lives. Let’s stop the excuses of why we can’t do this. Let’s not take this time for granted. If you call out to God, God promises to answer you. And when God does answer you, I believe God will reveal to you visions, meanings and “remarkable secrets” for your life that you cannot begin to fathom. Are you willing to step out on faith? Are you courageous enough to put God to the test? Are you willing to make that investment of time? What do you have to lose? Or is the problem, you are afraid of what you will gain.
My prayer and my hope is that you will call out to God. I am calling, “God, this is Charles...”
15 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 7 days!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Breakthrough Fast 2011 – Day 14 “Don’t Let Your Trials Hold You Down”
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything, (James 1:2-4)
We are living in challenging times. Job creation is anemic. Money is tight. Our cities and states are bankrupt. Racial and political tensions are simmering to the boiling point. Natural disasters are a daily occurrence. Our family lives are on edge from being over-programmed and over-stressed. Our schools are starting to look more like detention centers than environments for greater learning. And the citizens of the world are at war with each other and with themselves.
But despite it all, as believers we must remember we still have faith. My father-in-law taught me that faith means “Forsaking All I Trust Him”. Beloved, that is what you have to do in times like these. You have to trust God. Regardless of your present circumstances, God has a plan for you to prosper. And I don’t mean trust God out of emotion or because it sounds good. James, the half-brother of Jesus, said “consider it pure joy.” In other words, you know how God sustained you when others had written you off. You know that despite the attacks of your enemies, “You are still standing. You are still strong.” You know how God healed your body from sickness. You know that Jesus loves you for the bible tells you so. You don’t need anyone to tell you how good God is, you know it for yourself. That is why you are fasting and praising God. You know that your life is a living testimony to the goodness of God.
That's why despite the challenges that you are facing, don’t let your trials hold you down. For James speaks of two kinds of trails in this passage: (1) test from the outside, like jealousy, negative attitudes or meanness; and (2) test from the inside, like fear, doubt, temptations and addictions. James admits, and you know it for yourself, that life is full of trials. But the good news I bring, is that we serve a savior that specializes in overcoming trials...and his names is Jesus Christ. For 40 days, the Adversary tested him; but through faith, prayer and perseverance he overcame his trials and defeated the Adversary. If you and I don’t grow weary, if we are faithful, if we remember the goodness of God, if we develop perseverance in challenging times, we too can overcome our trials and WE TOO CAN WIN!
14 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 8 Days!
We are living in challenging times. Job creation is anemic. Money is tight. Our cities and states are bankrupt. Racial and political tensions are simmering to the boiling point. Natural disasters are a daily occurrence. Our family lives are on edge from being over-programmed and over-stressed. Our schools are starting to look more like detention centers than environments for greater learning. And the citizens of the world are at war with each other and with themselves.
But despite it all, as believers we must remember we still have faith. My father-in-law taught me that faith means “Forsaking All I Trust Him”. Beloved, that is what you have to do in times like these. You have to trust God. Regardless of your present circumstances, God has a plan for you to prosper. And I don’t mean trust God out of emotion or because it sounds good. James, the half-brother of Jesus, said “consider it pure joy.” In other words, you know how God sustained you when others had written you off. You know that despite the attacks of your enemies, “You are still standing. You are still strong.” You know how God healed your body from sickness. You know that Jesus loves you for the bible tells you so. You don’t need anyone to tell you how good God is, you know it for yourself. That is why you are fasting and praising God. You know that your life is a living testimony to the goodness of God.
That's why despite the challenges that you are facing, don’t let your trials hold you down. For James speaks of two kinds of trails in this passage: (1) test from the outside, like jealousy, negative attitudes or meanness; and (2) test from the inside, like fear, doubt, temptations and addictions. James admits, and you know it for yourself, that life is full of trials. But the good news I bring, is that we serve a savior that specializes in overcoming trials...and his names is Jesus Christ. For 40 days, the Adversary tested him; but through faith, prayer and perseverance he overcame his trials and defeated the Adversary. If you and I don’t grow weary, if we are faithful, if we remember the goodness of God, if we develop perseverance in challenging times, we too can overcome our trials and WE TOO CAN WIN!
14 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 8 Days!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Breakthrough Fast 2011 – Day 12 and 13 “God is good!”
Good morning, everyone. TGIF! It has been a heck of a week. The kids have been out of school all week. We have experienced freezing temperatures, snow and ice in Atlanta. And I can’t believe I’m excited about 34 degree weather coming today. Despite it all, “God is good!”
I believe you have to remind yourself of this fact sometimes. In a culture of skepticism, it is easy to become cynical and jaded to the goodness of God. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “If God is so good, why does suffering exist like the floods in Australia and Brazil? If God is so good, if God is all-powerful, if God is all-knowing, why do innocent people get victimized like they did in the deadly shooting s in Arizona?” These are often troubling questions for believers and non-believers alike. But the reality is that suffering does exist. Famine does exist. Poverty does exist. And sin and evil do exist. Ever since the fall of humanity, we have been exposed to life’s harsh realities. This is why the writer to the Hebrews pens a central tenet for believers: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Beloved, we live in a time of need.
There are times I wish I could predict the next storm, the next tragedy or the next act of pain in order to save myself or someone from harm or danger. But thankfully, I cannot. I’m not sure I could handle that burden or am worthy of that responsibility. Thankfully, my ego is humble enough to know that there are some things I cannot do on my own nor can I solve on my own. However, there is someone who can handle it all...and his name is Jesus Christ.
The bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Jesus can handle our suffering and offer us peace in return. Jesus can handle our pain and offer us deliverance in return. Jesus can handle our sin and offer us salvation in return.
Truth be told, there are areas in my life that I am in need. But despite it all, God is good. It was Paul that wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) For despite the inconvenience of this week’s weather, God is good! All my kids are healthy. My heat is on. There is food in the refrigerator. And everyone has been together safe, sound and happy. God is good! Despite a challenging economy, I have a great job and my mortgage is paid. God is good! And despite the struggles of getting a fledgling ministry (The Breakthrough Project) off the ground, God has given me the vision, the stamina, the people, the resources and the encouragement to birth The Breakthrough Fellowship! For that I am grateful. And for that, I proclaim, God is good!
13 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 9 Days! God is good!
I believe you have to remind yourself of this fact sometimes. In a culture of skepticism, it is easy to become cynical and jaded to the goodness of God. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “If God is so good, why does suffering exist like the floods in Australia and Brazil? If God is so good, if God is all-powerful, if God is all-knowing, why do innocent people get victimized like they did in the deadly shooting s in Arizona?” These are often troubling questions for believers and non-believers alike. But the reality is that suffering does exist. Famine does exist. Poverty does exist. And sin and evil do exist. Ever since the fall of humanity, we have been exposed to life’s harsh realities. This is why the writer to the Hebrews pens a central tenet for believers: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Beloved, we live in a time of need.
There are times I wish I could predict the next storm, the next tragedy or the next act of pain in order to save myself or someone from harm or danger. But thankfully, I cannot. I’m not sure I could handle that burden or am worthy of that responsibility. Thankfully, my ego is humble enough to know that there are some things I cannot do on my own nor can I solve on my own. However, there is someone who can handle it all...and his name is Jesus Christ.
The bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Jesus can handle our suffering and offer us peace in return. Jesus can handle our pain and offer us deliverance in return. Jesus can handle our sin and offer us salvation in return.
Truth be told, there are areas in my life that I am in need. But despite it all, God is good. It was Paul that wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) For despite the inconvenience of this week’s weather, God is good! All my kids are healthy. My heat is on. There is food in the refrigerator. And everyone has been together safe, sound and happy. God is good! Despite a challenging economy, I have a great job and my mortgage is paid. God is good! And despite the struggles of getting a fledgling ministry (The Breakthrough Project) off the ground, God has given me the vision, the stamina, the people, the resources and the encouragement to birth The Breakthrough Fellowship! For that I am grateful. And for that, I proclaim, God is good!
13 Days of Fasting and Still Going Strong,
Rev. CAM
The Breakthrough Fellowship launches in 9 Days! God is good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
