Devotionals

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Matthew 6 :16,17,18
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The power in fasting and prayer has delivered nations , individuals, families and centuries of miracles. Jesus asked us not to put on the face of a fast for the world to acknowledge us but to fast in a fashion that allows us to walk in authority , strength , determination and victory.

Fasting should not be a sombre and sad countenance that brings us mans reward of pity and piety.It should be our secret weapon of warfare that is not carnal but a weapon of victory and deliverance. In times of fasting , one should be alive , joyful , singing , dancing and in a gleeful manner just like when one has a secret weapon against the enemy on the battle field. If two are going to war and one knows they possess a secret weapon that will not fail , that one will enter the war with a smile of triumph knowing that they have already won the battle . We as well when we enter the battle field we should already be wearing our smile of triumph as we have the most destructive weapon against the principalities and powers of darkness . We possess the expectant heart that is waiting upon the Lord , Most Holy one to deliver us in continued fasting and praying.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh . For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.We do not possess weapons of flesh and blood but they are mighty before God . Weapons that pull down , overthrow and utterly destroy strongholds , casting down imaginations , arguments , theories and reasonings and every high , proud and lofty thing that exhalts itself against the true knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought and purpose to the obedience of Christ , our Messiah , the Anointed one , our deliverer and Saviour.

When the storm is at its worst , look your best .Wear the best , walk with your head high , smile with the hope of Christ , laugh with the oil of joy .Walk with the presence of God . Bring an offering of worship to your king with a countenance of peace and tranquillity . Your appearance and day to day activity must not reflect the negate emotions you feel but release the aroma of the victory that is promised. Nothing is bigger than our God . Nothing is greater than our God . Nothing will prevail against our God. Do not allow the natural to dictate to the supernatural , it is not finished until God says it is.

Jesus’ instruction on how to look in times of fasting should be carried through even in times of difficulty. Everything happening around you and to you should not dampen you .There is no shadow in God’s presence. The world system has a saying“ Fake it till you make it “I can safely say , look it till you feel it. The emotions of our heart dictate to the pain we feel , the word settled in our heart must override what we see and feel to continue to believe . We must believe that all things work to the good of those who love the Lord , work to the good of those who wait . I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth .

Grasp the hand of the omnipotent one with perseverance , fasting and prayer. He will hear from his holy hill and deliver you .Sing a new song of praise even before the testimony . Look your best when the storm is at its worst , sing when you have no melody , smile when you need to cry , laugh when you are sad , walk when you feel like stumbling and dance when you feel like hiding.

God will establish your way ahead . Nature will prove to you that the eye of the storm is a region of calm weather right in the middle of a storm . Can you picture torrents of rain , thunder , cyclonic destruction , dark clouds,lightning and in the midst of that a region of calm weather.
That is what God expects from us as well , to be calm in the heart of the storm. Remember only when an olive is crushed will you get the oil. Let the storms of life crush you to bring out the oil of anointing and the oil of gladness.

Prayer for you
Father , in Jesus name , incline your ear to your people in their times of storms. Renew them , refresh them , touch them that they would look their best when the storm is at its worst. Establish their way ahead. Let them persevere with unimaginable strength , determination and your grace. As they wait upon you in fasting and praying , deliver them into the victory you have prepared for them.

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