21-Day Corporate Fast - Day Five

Greetings Friend!

For today’s thought, I would like to share the words of the prophet Jeremiah (29:11)—“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Now, keeping this verse in its proper context, it is spoken to Israel as they are experiencing the consequences of their sinfulness.  The prophet tells them after they have endured captivity for 70 years, they will experience freedom and redemption from it.  Having said that, I believe this verse still tells us something of the absolute merciful and compassionate nature of God.  Even though His covenant people had turned their back on Him, He somehow had “…thoughts of peace and not of evil…” towards them, thoughts “…to give them a future and a hope.”  Friend, be reminded, God thinks good thoughts towards you and has plan to give you “a future and a hope.”  

I challenge you during this fast to make it your aim to focus on His [good] thoughts towards you.  Focus on His thoughts to give you a future and a hope.  Certainly, He loves you more than you can comprehend.

I pray you will make it a great Day 5!

In Him,

Bishop James R. Izzard, Jr.

21 Day Coporate Fast - Day 4

Greetings and welcome to day four!

I’m happy to tell you that you are just about through the most difficult time of any fast, the first several days.  The first several days can be pretty tough because you are introducing your body to a different eating pattern and your mind to a different level of focus and solitude.  This can seem tough at first!  In his book called, “Fasting,” Jentezen Franklin devotes an entire chapter to discussing the importance of “dethroning king stomach.”  In essence, this is what we are doing when we begin to fast; we are re-taking control of our urges and impulses.  A tremendous benefit of taming our urges and impulses in the way we eat is the fact that this seems to spill over in every other area of our lives.  By engaging in the discipline of fasting, we are somehow able to gain better control over our tongue, our thoughts, our eyes, and other mediums through which we engage life.  So, I encourage you to hang in there; while it may require some good old fashioned discipline at first, it gets easier and it will yield results in many ways in your life.

As you pray and meditate today, consider these three principles which Franklin shares in his book to show us the far-reaching benefits of fasting at the start of the year: 1) Fasting in January sets the pace and course for the remainder of your year; 2) Your fasting now will result in blessings continuing to trickle into your life throughout the remainder of the year; and 3) Your fast helps to set in motion the principle of Matthew 6:33, wherein the Lord tells us that when we seek Him first, He will automatically add all the other things we need for a successful life. 

Friend, remain focused and vigilant.  Remember to not only speak to God in prayer, but also listen to Him in prayer.  Sometimes, we miss rich revelation because we fail to take time to simply be quiet during prayer and listen for the Holy Spirit to speak.  Finally, resist any urges to deviate from the goal even when the temptation to do so seems strong.   You’re a winner and together we will walk the road of divine victory.

In Him,

Bishop James R. Izzard, Jr.

21 Day Corporate Fast - Day Three

Welcome to Day Three!

I am trusting your fast is progressing nicely and you are finding time to talk to the Father and reading His Word to gain His perspective on your life.  During my time of devotion this morning, the Lord brought to my mind the value of belonging, totally, to the Father.  It forced me to focus on the beauty and bliss of knowing my life and all that I am is in His hands.  Friend, there are not greater hands to secure you than the hands of the Master.  No matter where life and its experiences take you, His hands are your perpetual security.  The scripture in Acts 17:28 reminds us—“for in Him we live and move and have our being…”  I believe that says it all!  

As you move into day three of this time of fasting and consecration, I encourage you to rest in the fact that you belong [completely] to Him.  Every aspect of your life is fully in His hands; therefore, you have full and eternal security.  I leave for your meditation today Psalm 139:1-18; these words assure us of the Master’s perfect knowledge of man and His intimate concern for you.  May your day be warm and productive.

In Him,

Bishop James Izzard, Jr.

21-day Corporate Fast - Day 2

Good morning Friends and Family!

I hope your first day out of the blocks was great and you are off to a great start for day two.  If you are like me, one of your most fervent desires is to live a life that is pleasing in the eyes of God.  Well, in Psalm 19, David provides the one of the most important secrets to living clean—our willingness to internalize the Word of God.  In a later division of Psalm (Psalm 119:9), David actually asks the question:  “how can a young man live clean?”  He then responds with the answer: “by taking heed to Your word.”  Friend, the most effective way to live clean is to internalize the Word of God.  We should read it, listen to it, study and dissect it, meditate on it, and live it.  It offers revelation we can find now where else.

As we navigate the second day of the fast, let us examine ourselves and make it our aim to live clean lives before the King. 

For your meditation, please consider David’s words in Psalm 19:7-10 and 14:  “The law of the Lord if perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether, more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb…let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength (rock) and Redeemer.”

In Him,

Bishop Izzard

21-day Corporate Fast - Day 1

Good evening Friend,

Proverbs 4:7 states, “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore, get wisdom.  And in all your getting, get understanding.”  One of the most precious benefits of fasting is the ability to gain both wisdom and understanding.  In a recent blog, Charisma Magazine described wisdom as the general knowledge of God’s ways, purposes and principles that we learn over time.  Eventually, with enough experience, we wisdom teaches us how to interpret God’s overall will for our lives.  On the other hand, understanding—which can also be interpreted as “revelation” is our ability to receive fresh insight into current situations we may face on a daily basis.  In essence, we see wisdom as more general knowledge, but we see revelation as specific knowledge to help us understand God’s plan in a given circumstance.  The writer of Proverbs tells us it’s important to have both! 

The truth is that many mature Christians possess wisdom, but we should all pray for ongoing revelation to know God’s divine thoughts for any given circumstance we may face.  It is my prayer and belief we will gain greater wisdom and revelation during our time of fasting over the next several weeks.  I encourage you, be focused and dedicated to seeking the face of God and simplifying your life during this season of fasting, and watch the Lord enlighten you with wisdom and revelation—such valuable gifts. 

Make it a great day and I leave you with the following scripture for meditation:  Ephesians 1:17-19—“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power towards us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…” 

Sincerely,

Bishop Izzard