The Christian Issues Network I recently saw the new film United 93. Though not a pleasant experience to view, this gripping and realistic film is a worthwhile one. About 15 minutes into the movie, I was not sure I wanted to relive this horrific day that is so permanently etched into our collective memories. Though painful, it was powerful to experience this fateful day from the perspective of the passengers on United 93. You wonder if you would have been frozen with fear, or more like some of the courageous passengers like Todd Beamer, who overpowered the terrorists and sacrificed their own lives in order to save many others. You again feel the outrage we all felt the day after this horrific and brazen attack on innocent Americans. After the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, I remember I was asked one question again and again. "Why did God allow this?" Some even suggested it was the "judgment of God." I don't agree with that. Jesus spoke about a "current news story" of His own day, in Luke 13:4-5. A tower had apparently collapsed in Jerusalem, crushing a group of eighteen men. Referring to that local headline, Jesus asked the rhetorical question, "'Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will also perish'" (NLT). Did these people who died fall under some special targeted justice of God? Did they get their comeuppance because they were all notorious rebels and God-haters, and judgment fell? No, Jesus was saying that the bottom line is that people die. And here was His point: "You'd better be careful, because you might die too! You too are a sinner, and this could happen to you as well. Those people weren't any worse or better than you!" Tragedies happen. Wars happen. Accidents happen. Illnesses happen. Cancer happens. We live in a broken, fallen world, and nobody's exempt. It could happen to me. I could get hit by a car or die in a plane crash or succumb to a heart attack-or have a tower fall on me. One out of one people on earth die! Enoch and Elijah may have dodged that final bullet, but besides these two, there are no exceptions. Lazarus may have been raised from the dead, but in a few years, he had to die all over again. This doesn't mean that God is unfair. It doesn't mean He has singled me or anybody else out for special judgment. If I die, it just means that it was my time to leave this earth. And that time will come for everybody. The Bible says, "It is appointed unto men once to die . . ." (Hebrews 9:27 KJV). One meaning of that word appointed in the original language is "reserved." You've got an advanced reservation for when you will leave this world for an eternal destination. There's a ticket with your name and time of your departure on it. That's not a gloomy, pessimistic view of life if you belong to Jesus Christ. If you're a Christian, that whole concept of inevitable death is flooded with hope! You know that when you pass from this life, you will step immediately into the majesty and radiance of the Lord's immediate presence, and live with Him forever. What's not to like about that? Paul told his friends in Philippi, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. . . . yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better" (Philippians 1:21, 22-23 NKJV). You would never hear that imprisoned apostle saying, "Well, if I've got to die, then I've got to die. Not much I can do about it anyway." No, to Paul, dying meant coming out ahead in the game! Stepping out of this life into the next was the best thing he could imagine. Being in the presence of the Lord Jesus wasn't just "better," it was "far better." The simple truth is that tragedies have wracked this planet since Adam and Eve were pushed out of the Garden of Eden, and they will continue until Jesus Christ returns to earth to set up His rule of righteousness. But God in His mercy can also take the tragedies of life and use them for our good and for His eternal glory. Nothing is wasted! Not one sigh, not one tear, not one groan in our spirit. In the book of Genesis is the dramatic story of Joseph. His wicked brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. But in what could have been the ultimate moment of payback, Joseph instead said, "'But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive'" (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). That means God can take the most evil deed and work in spite of it. And even work through it and in it. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (NKJV). This includes what we perceive as "good things" as well as "bad things." It's hard for us to understand how a bad thing could ultimately work for the good of anyone. In themselves, there's certainly nothing "good" about illness, car crashes, war casualties, or terrorist attacks. But God, in His infinite wisdom and love, somehow takes all the events of our lives - both good and bad - and blends them together ultimately for our good, the good He intends for our lives. Sometimes God can even use pain and suffering to get our attention to bring us to faith. The Psalmist wrote, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word" (Psalm 119:67 NKJV). C. S. Lewis, the Oxford scholar and author of The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world" (The Problem of Pain, 91). Sadly, for some of us, God has to use His "megaphone" in our lives. It's the only thing that will get our attention. I was a guest on Larry King Live a while back, and the discussion turned to the very topic I am addressing in this article. I told Larry King about a lady who had come to our church one Sunday morning after discovering she had breast cancer. She had seen our television program and wanted to find out how to get right in her relationship with God. The Lord had allowed this tragedy to get her attention. Larry interrupted me and asked, "How do you know it's not a crutch? I mean, I have breast cancer; I’ve got to pray to something." I responded, "Thank God for that crutch. Larry, He's not a crutch to me; He's a whole hospital." "the Christian Issues Network" (CIN) Christian Issues Digest Christian Issues Journal Todays Christian Issues A Christian Issues Log
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Thursday, March 17, 2011
CIN: Q&A with Greg Laurie Tragedies happen. Wars happen. Accidents happen. Illnesses happen. Cancer happens.
CIN: Q&A with McGee "Who are the Modern Representatives of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes?"
The Christian Issues Network with J. Vernon McGee Q: Who are the Modern Representatives of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes? A: Well, that's a matter of opinion. Personally, I think the counterpoint to the Pharisees is more or less our legalistic fundamentalists: Those that have made their own little ten commandments and are trying to pour everybody else into their mold and to push everybody else through their own little wicket gate. You've got to do it the way they do it or you're all wrong. They, I think, are the modern comparison to the Pharisees. To the most part, the Pharisees were fundamental as far as doctrine is concerned. Now the Sadducees, I think, correspond to what we speak of today as the modern liberal or the modernist, as he's commonly called. That's generally the vegetable variety that we think of in connection with the Sadducees. The Sadducees denied all of the supernatural, and they ruled out a great many things. So I would say that they correspond, if you please, to the modernist and liberal. Then the scribes. Who are they? Well, I personally do not know. You might apply it to preachers today - a group of preachers who are supposed to know the Word of God and maybe do know the letter of it, and yet they do not know the heart. They have no heart for it. The ministry can become a profession just like any other can. I think that's one of the grave dangers many of us have to fight. "the Christian Issues Network" (CIN) Christian Issues Digest Christian Issues Journal Todays Christian Issues A Christian Issues Log Articles by Thru the Bible
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LastCall: Charles Stanley "Hope deferred makes the heart sick"
The Last Call Devotions Network
"Legacy"
Glorifying the Lord is not limited to worshipping in church. In fact, praise ought to permeate the believer’s life. One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voice. We can either speak or sing our worship. Psalm writers put adoration into words and set their love to music. True worship also flows from the mouths of believers who are focused upon God’s attributes. They desire to honor Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised for the future. Genuine worship allows the Lord to fill our hearts and minds with His presence. But praising the Lord with wrong motives is an empty act. For example, if we’re lifting our hands and singing loud only because doing so feels good, then what we’re after is an emotional high. That kind of selfish “praise” falls far short of heaven. Our God is praised when we serve Him. People are created for the purpose of bringing glory and honor to His name. Therefore, nothing should limit our willingness to work for the King, particularly when we have a chance to share Him with others. Christ is honored when His followers speak boldly about His grace and His work—believers’ testimonies are an amazing form of praise that magnifies God’s name. Jesus Christ is worth more than any treasure this world offers. Loving Him and understanding what He’s done for you should be all the motivation you need to praise Him with your life. Don’t just sing; serve His kingdom and share the gospel. Help to make God’s throne room ring with worship.Devotionals by In Touch
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LastGenReport: News From NewsMax 17 Mar 11 "Libya Threatens Counterattack to Any Military Action "
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LastCall: Biblical Leadership: "Do you seek humility and battle against pride? (165-4)"
The Last Call Devotions Network
"Current"
Do you seek humility and battle against pride? (165-4)
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LastCall: Jon Courson “Boaz said, “I know you, Ruth. I’ve heard about you.”
The Last Call Devotions Network
"Legacy"
March 17 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:11-12 Boaz said, “I know you, Ruth. I’ve heard about you.”
The same is true of us. We fall before our Greater-than-Boaz and say, “Why have I found grace in Your sight?”
And He answers, “I know you.”
Romans 8 declares, “whom He did foreknow, He predestined; whom He predestined, He called; whom He called, He justified; whom He justified, He glorified.” It all begins with the foreknowledge of God. He says, “’I know you guys. I see your hearts. And I’m choosing you. I’m electing you. I’ve chosen to be gracious unto you.”
I can’t help but think of Nathanael . . .
When Philip came to him in John 1, saying he had found the Messiah, Nathanael cynically said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
“Come and see,” Philip said.
When Jesus later saw Nathanael coming, He said, “Behold an Israelite in whom there is no guile - one who is not easily tricked.”
I like that! Jesus could have condemned Nathanael for his cynicism. Instead, he commended him for his caution.
“How do you know me?” asked Nathanael.
“Before Philip came to you, I saw you sitting under the fig tree,” Jesus answered (see John 1:48).
The Lord sees us. The Lord knows us. And the Lord has chosen to show grace unto us. I don’t understand it. I don’t deserve it. But I am so grateful for it.
Good news, gang. The Lord does not condemn you. He commends you. He doesn’t focus on your sin. He hears your sigh. He hears your heart saying, “I want more of You, Lord. Even though I am a Moabite, even though I have problems, I want to be right in Your sight.” And He responds with grace.
| March 17 | ||
| And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. | ||
| Ruth 2:11-12 | ||
| Boaz said, “I know you, Ruth. I’ve heard about you.” The same is true of us. We fall before our Greater-than-Boaz and say, “Why have I found grace in Your sight?” And He answers, “I know you.” Romans 8 declares, “whom He did foreknow, He predestined; whom He predestined, He called; whom He called, He justified; whom He justified, He glorified.” It all begins with the foreknowledge of God. He says, “’I know you guys. I see your hearts. And I’m choosing you. I’m electing you. I’ve chosen to be gracious unto you.” I can’t help but think of Nathanael . . . When Philip came to him in John 1, saying he had found the Messiah, Nathanael cynically said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” “Come and see,” Philip said. When Jesus later saw Nathanael coming, He said, “Behold an Israelite in whom there is no guile - one who is not easily tricked.” I like that! Jesus could have condemned Nathanael for his cynicism. Instead, he commended him for his caution. “How do you know me?” asked Nathanael. “Before Philip came to you, I saw you sitting under the fig tree,” Jesus answered (see John 1:48). The Lord sees us. The Lord knows us. And the Lord has chosen to show grace unto us. I don’t understand it. I don’t deserve it. But I am so grateful for it. Good news, gang. The Lord does not condemn you. He commends you. He doesn’t focus on your sin. He hears your sigh. He hears your heart saying, “I want more of You, Lord. Even though I am a Moabite, even though I have problems, I want to be right in Your sight.” And He responds with grace. | ||
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Biblical Prophecy Today: Prophecy Q&A with Jack Kelley "Mandatory Church Attendance, Follow Up"
Prophecy Q&A
with
Jack Kelley
Thursday March 17 2011
Mandatory Church Attendance, Follow Up
Q. Re: Is Church Attendance Mandatory? In regards to mandatory presence in church, it may not be mandatory per say, but how do you view Hebrews 10:25 in the light of that?
A. It’s easy to confuse being in church with being the Church. Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Granted, attending a church service is one way to gather together in His name, but it’s by no means the only way. Bible studies, prayer meetings, small groups, and even informal discussions about some aspect of our faith can also meet the requirement. As evidence of this the Greek word for gather together in Matt. 18:20 is the root of the Greek word for assembly in Hebrews 10:25.
A growing number of people have determined that the intent of Hebrews 10:25, which is to encourage one another as we see the Day approaching, can be better achieved sometime other than during a church service. This is because the approaching Day is seldom mentioned in most churches, and even discussing it is discouraged in many.
Mandatory Church Attendance, Follow Up
Q. Re: Is Church Attendance Mandatory? In regards to mandatory presence in church, it may not be mandatory per say, but how do you view Hebrews 10:25 in the light of that?
A. It’s easy to confuse being in church with being the Church. Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Granted, attending a church service is one way to gather together in His name, but it’s by no means the only way. Bible studies, prayer meetings, small groups, and even informal discussions about some aspect of our faith can also meet the requirement. As evidence of this the Greek word for gather together in Matt. 18:20 is the root of the Greek word for assembly in Hebrews 10:25.
A growing number of people have determined that the intent of Hebrews 10:25, which is to encourage one another as we see the Day approaching, can be better achieved sometime other than during a church service. This is because the approaching Day is seldom mentioned in most churches, and even discussing it is discouraged in many.
Q. Re: Is Church Attendance Mandatory? In regards to mandatory presence in church, it may not be mandatory per say, but how do you view Hebrews 10:25 in the light of that?
A. It’s easy to confuse being in church with being the Church. Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Granted, attending a church service is one way to gather together in His name, but it’s by no means the only way. Bible studies, prayer meetings, small groups, and even informal discussions about some aspect of our faith can also meet the requirement. As evidence of this the Greek word for gather together in Matt. 18:20 is the root of the Greek word for assembly in Hebrews 10:25.
A growing number of people have determined that the intent of Hebrews 10:25, which is to encourage one another as we see the Day approaching, can be better achieved sometime other than during a church service. This is because the approaching Day is seldom mentioned in most churches, and even discussing it is discouraged in many.
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Jewish Studies: All About Fast of Esther -On File
All About Fast of Esther
(on file)
Purim is the celebration of the story told in the Biblical book of Esther. In this story tov (good) and evil struggle as Yisrael faces extermination by the wicked man Haman. Haman plots to kill all the Hebrews, but this evil plan is stopped by Esther and her cousin Mordechai. Since that time Hebrews everywhere have celebrated this appointed time with joy and ruckus! On the day BEFORE the celebration of Purim a special fast is held. This fast, of food or water, is taken to commemorate the fasting of Esther and her maidens before she presented herself to the King. Ta’anit Esther fast isn’t specifically commanded in the Scriptures. It was established by the sages as a way to remember the efforts of Esther and the protection of YHWH.
Now understanding and celebrating the Fast of Esther is as easy as A,B,C…
A - All about the festival, a simple overview
B - Biblical references concerning the holy day
C - Celebration information on how to make the day special
A - All about the festival
Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays. It commemorates the book of Esther, a time when the Hebrew people living in Persia were saved from extermination. The Fast of Esther or “Ta’anit” is a new tradition that has sort of evolved concerning Purim.
The day before Purim is observed as a minor fast day.
Esther 9:3--Fasting is mentioned as having had a role in the victory
Participants can fast from sun up to sundown on this day as a reminder of three days of fasting that the Hebrew people did before Esther went before the King. (Read the story to know more about this.
One source sites that, “The 13th of Adar is also the anniversary of the day the fighting against the anti-Semitic forces occurred; Purim is the day the victorious Jews rested and celebrated. The 13th of Adar was then established as an annual fast day for every generation, known as The Fast of Esther. (Esther 9:31).”
Every year, on the 13th of Adar the Fast of Esther is observed in commemoration of the Fast observed by Mordechai and Esther and all Israel. This fast is held the day before Purim.
Over two thousand years ago, the enemies of the Hebrews had planned to subjugate and destroy them. The opposite, however, occurred and the Israelites ruled over their enemies. Read about this in the book of Ester.
The practice of fasting was observed by the people of Israel whenever they were faced by war. It has continued ever since.
In Hebrew this holy day is called “ta’anit Hadassah.”
The day before Purim is a fast day observed in commemoration of the 3 days of fasting by Esther, Mordechai and the entire Jewish community before Esther approached Achashverosh.
On the 13th of the first month Haman issued a decree for the annihilation of the Jews which was to take effect later that year. Mordecai after reading the decree proceeded to inform Esther and to encourage her to promptly plead the cause of her people before her husband the king.
Esther being concerned about approaching the king requested that all Jews present in the city fast for the following 3 days, she and her maids would also fast.
The fast begins at the break of dawn and ends after the Megillah (Book of Esther) is read that night.
If one is feeling weak, one may break the fast after nightfall, prior to Megillah reading.
Some people will get up before dawn and have an early morning breakfast and then fast the rest of the day.
“In Esther 4:16 agrees to see the king uninvited, and asks the Jewish People to fast for three days beforehand. Why did she call for a fast? Because a fast helps to lower the volume on our physical pursuits in order to focus more acutely on our spiritual selves. This facilitates the process of "teshuva" -- literally "return." We return to our essential state of purity. Esther called for a fast, knowing that through soul-searching the Jews would forge a spiritual connection necessary to make her mission successful. And it paid off!,” reads on unknown source.
This is not a fast of sadness. Rather, the purpose of the fast is elevation and inspiration.
The acceptance of this Fast of the 13th of Adar on the part of Israel for later generations is alluded to in the Scroll of Esther: 'And as they accepted upon themselves and upon their children, the matters of their fastings and their cry' (Esther 9).
The 13th of Adar is also mentioned in the Talmud as the day on which vengeance was executed (during the time of the Hasmoneans) against a tyrant who oppressed the land of Yehudah cruelly and arrogantly blasphemed the city of Elohim. The name of the tyrant was Nikanor and he fell by the hand of Yehudah, the son of Matityahu, on the 13th of Adar, which was hence celebrated as a festive day.
The Fast is called by the name of Esther because it was she who first requested the observance of a fast, of Mordechai: 'Go and gather all the Hebrews who are found in Shushan and fast over me, and do not eat and do not drink three days, night and day; and I and my maidens will also fast thus.'
The third chapter of Megillat Esther ends with the publication of Haman's decree to massacre the Hebrew people. The next chapter begins, "When Mordekhai learned all that had happened, Mordekhai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went through the city, crying out loudly and bitterly, until he came in front of the palace gate." The Talmud, in Ta'anit 22b, helps elucidate Mordekhai's motive: "The rabbis taught: When a city is surrounded by gentiles an individual may, in all such cases, afflict himself by fasting."
The fast is nevertheless not observed for a three-day period, as was the case with the original Fast, nor is it observed on the same date. Originally the Fast was observed by Esther and the entire people of Israel on the 14th, 15th and 16th of Aviv, immediately after Mordechai was informed of Haman's decree and of the letter of annihilation which Haman wrote on the 13th of Aviv. Our Fast however, is observed on the 13th of Adar, in memory of the Fast observed by Israel on the day of their mobilization for war against the enemies. The Fast is nevertheless called by the name of Esther since it was she who first proposed its observance. Some Jews in times past have fasted on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of Aviv.
This is a partial fast that begins at dawn ("Alot Hashachar") and ends after nightfall ("Tzait Hakochavim").
Some Orthodox Jews fast an additional three days; on Monday, Thursday and Monday after Purim. Others voluntarily fast the night as well as the day on the 13th of Adar, since the original three-day Fast was observed night and day.
If the 13th of Adar falls on Shabbat, the Fast is observed the preceding Thursday which is the eleventh of Adar.
Just as there is a day to celebrate before Purim there is also a day to celebrate after Purim. This is called "Shushan Purim." According to Megillat Esther, the fight against the anti-Semites in the walled capital city of Shushan, the city in which King Achashverosh lived, took a day longer than in the rural areas. The Jews in Shushan didn't get to rest and celebrate until the day after those in rural areas. In commemoration of this, Megillat Esther says that Purim is celebrated a day later in cities, on the day now known as "Shushan Purim." Our Sages decided that a "city" in this case means a city that had walls (whether they are still standing or not) at the time of Yahshua (Joshua - Moses' successor). For example, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) celebrates Purim on Shushan Purim.
“There are actually five minor fasts on the Jewish calendar. With one exception, these fasts were instituted by the Sages to commemorate some national tragedy. Three of these five fasts commemorate events leading to the downfall of the first commonwealth and the destruction of the first Temple, which is commemorated by the major fast of Tisha B'Av. Following is a list of minor fasts required by Jewish law, their dates, and the events they commemorate:
The Fast of Gedaliah, Tishri 3, commemorates the killing of the Jewish governor of Judah, a critical event in the downfall of the first commonwealth. The Fast of Tevet, Tevet 10, is the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. It has also been proclaimed a memorial day for the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust. The Fast of Esther, Adar 13, commemorates the three days that Esther fasted before approaching King Ahasuerus on behalf of the Jewish people. The fast is connected with Purim. If Adar 13 falls on a Friday or Saturday, it is moved to the preceding Thursday, because it cannot be moved forward a day (it would fall on Purim). The Fast of the Firstborn, Nissan 14, is a fast observed only by firstborn males, commemorating the fact that they were saved from the plague of the firstborn in Egypt. It is observed on the day preceding Passover.
The Fast of Tammuz, Tammuz 17, is the date when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, another major event leading up to the destruction of the First Temple,” says www.judaism101.com
The Talmud reminds us, "Whoever identifies himself with the suffering of the community will be deemed worthy to witness the deliverance of the community."
B - Biblical References
“Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,” Psalm 35:13
Now Mordekhai speaks to us: "Do not imagine that you, of all the Jews, will escape with your life by being in the king's palace. On the contrary, if you keep silent in this crisis, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another quarter, while you and your father's house will perish" (Esther 4:13-14).
Esth 9:21,22, “to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.”
Esther said, "Go, assemble all the Jews who live in Shushan, and fast in my behalf; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens will observe the same fast. Then I shall go to the king, though it is contrary to the law." Why do all of the Jews need to fast before Esther can approach the king? The Talmud teaches: "When the community is in trouble, a person should not say, ‘I will go to my home, and eat and drink, and enjoy myself.' If he does so, then to him will apply the verse, "And behold joy and gladness, eating meat and drinking wine, saying, 'Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die (Isaiah 22:13).’ And what does it say after this? ‘And the Lord of hosts revealed Himself to my ears: 'Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you until you die' (Isaiah 22:14)."
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of Yahweh will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and Yahweh will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I,” Isaiah 58:6-9
The entire chapter of Isaiah 58
“Even now,” declares Yahweh, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to Yahweh your Elohim, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for Yahweh your Elohim. Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber,” Joel 2:14-16
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly,” Matthew 16:6-8.
"And I set my face unto YHWH Elohim, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the YHWH my Elohim, and made my confession, and said, O YHWH, the great and dreadful Elohim, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from the precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land," Daniel 9:3-6; see entire chapter).
"..... The children of Israel were assembled with fasting .... and the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins ....." (Neh 9:1-2).
There are over 30 positive examples, commands, and instructions in Scripture about fasting.
Judges 20:26--Israel fasted for victory in war.
1 Sam. 1:6-7--Hannah fasted for a son
1 Sam. 7:6--Israel fasted in repentance
1 Sam. 31:13--Men of Jabeshgilead fasted in mourning for Saul
2 Sam. 1:12--David and his men fasted in mourning for Saul, Jonathan, and the fallen of Israel
2 Sam. 12--David fasted for mercy upon his child
1 Kings 21:27--Ahab fasted for mercy
2 Chron. 20:3--Jehoshaphat and Israel fasted for help and protection
Ezra 8:21-23--Ezra and the people fasted for help and protection
Nehemiah 1:4--Nehemiah fasted in mourning and for help upon Jerusalem
Nehemiah 9:1,2--Israel fasting in mourning and repentance
Esther 4:16--Esther and friends fasted for victory
Esther 9:3--Fasting is mentioned as having had a role in the victory
Psalm 35:13,14--Fasting in prayer and mourning
Psalm 69: 10,11--Fasting in prayer and mourning
Isaiah 58:6-8--The fast which pleases God
Jeremiah 36:9--Israel fasted for mercy
Joel 1:14; 2:12,15--YHWH commanded fasting and repentance
Jonah 3:5--The Ninevites fasted in repentance for mercy
Daniel 9:3--Daniel fasted for wisdom
Matthew 4:2—Y’shua fasted when tempted in the wilderness
Matthew 6:17-18—Y’shua promised that the Father would bless fasting
Matthew 9:14-15—Y’shua said his disciples would fast
Matthew 17:21--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic strongholds
Mark 9:29--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic powers
Luke 2:37--Fasting was part of Anna's service to YHWH
Acts 13:2--Fasting was part of the ministry of the workers at Antioch
Acts 13:3--Ordination was accompanied by fasting
Acts 14:23--Ordination was accompanied by fasting
1 Cor. 7:5--Fasting and prayer is the only proper reason for abstinence from the marital relationship
2 Cor. 6:5--Fasting was one way Paul approved himself as a minister
2 Cor. 11:27--Paul fasted often
C - Celebration Information
A few short prayers or liturgy for a Ta’anit Esther service include:
May YHWH who blessed Esther with the strength and courage to challenge plots of evil and desecration,
Steel our own resolve to foil the abuse of power where gender is a tool of oppression.
Sustain our effort to return the captives who have been sold into bondage.
May we dismantle the structures of desperation that render us vulnerable to capture and exploitation.
May we create conditions for families and communities to embrace each other lovingly, and enable healthy sustenance for all, that we may live lives that affirm our fullest human dignity, women and men, girls and boys.
Tavo l’fanekha enkat asir, k’godel zro’akha; hoter bnei t’mutah.
May the cry of the captive come before You, according to the greatness of Your power; release those who are appointed to die. [Psalms 79:11]
Joy and gladness shall we attain, sorrow and misery shall flee.
Barukh Ata YHWH, Elo-heinu Melekh Ha’Olam Matir Asurim.
Blessed are You YHWH, Sovereign of the Universe, who frees captives.
May the Shekhina, Divine Presence, dwell among all people at every table in every heart.
It is recommended to cut down on caffeine and sugar before fasting and also to break the fast with light foods. Perhaps you could break the fast with some good matzah ball soup or break the fast with some breakfast!
Don't appear downcast when you fast or boast about how long the fast has been. Fasting is not for show but to afflict your soul so that your Father in heaven will answer your prayer. There are many ways to fast. You can fast by drinking only water or you can fast by drinking water and just enough juice to keep up your strength so that you can do your work. You can fast one meal, two meals, or the whole day. Spend as much time in prayer, reading the Word and meditation as possible. It is important to draw greatly on the strength of the YHWH during your fast.
