Backsliding is Real!

1 Corinthians 10:12 offers valuable advice regarding our faith--"Therefore let he who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."  There is a sad reality among the Christian church today that many Christians are falling away from the faith (i.e. backsliding).  The questions is: Why?  Is it because the pressure of doing right overcomes them?  Is it because they have no real Christian support system (i.e. church family, born-again friends, sound teaching, etc.)?  Is it because they have a misconception of what Christianity really is?  Here is an interesting question:  Is it because they have a hard time delineating between the lifestyles of people who profess to be Christians and those who don't.  Do they simply decide there's no real difference so the benefits of living their lives on their own terms outweigh the costs of being a hypocritical Christian?

Perhaps the answer is all of the above.  The reality however is we (those who sincerely care for wandering souls) must ask the Lord to show us how to become part of the solution.  First, I believe we must all take heed to 1 Corinthians 10:12 to ensure we don't become one of these "wandering souls."  That is the first part of the solution.  Secondly, I believe love helps to close the gate to backsliding.  In a Charisma magazine article, Dr. Michael Brown shares about the leader of a famous Christian group announcing his departure from the faith and his decision to embrace atheism.  It's a tragic story.  In his comments, the group leader essentially tells his audience he was looking for acceptance, not a set of hollow rules that are in no way rooted in relationship.  Friends, love produces genuine relationship.  People engaged in loving and healthy Christian relationships with believers are more likely to experience the very real love of Christ.  Once you have experienced His love in reality, it will be very hard to simply walk away and declare yourself one who denies His existence. Confessing Christ is the responsibility of a single individual.  However, love is the responsibility of the entire gathering of believers (what we call the church).  

Be aware that people are walking away from the faith every day.  Perhaps, by our love, the corporate church can prevent one or two "wandering souls."  Even one or two equates to much in the eyes of God.  Have an awesome love-filled day!

 

21-Day Corporate Fast - Day 12

Do Something New

Conventional wisdom says it takes 21 days to convert new behavior into a habit.  At the beginning of each year, many people begin their quest to establish new patterns and new habits.  This can be a good thing, but at the same time, it can simply become a practice in futility.  The key to establishing new behavior is to first develop a new perspective (or outlook) and realize new behavior is established by strength beyond yourself.  To that end, I want to suggest that we not simply try something new; instead, we should seek the ability to gain a new perspective and access to strength beyond ourselves.  This almost guarantees a new pattern of behavior will follow.  

In Romans 12:12, the Apostle Paul offers us great advice on how to gain new perspective.  He tells us we can gain a renewed perspective by "...renewing our mind." A renewed mind is the result of the daily practice of scripture reading and concentrated prayer.  Regarding strength, Job reminds us in Job 9:19 that "... He [GOD] is mighty!"  Friend, as we continue our fast, I encourage you to use your time to allow God to renew your perspective and offer you strength that is beyond your human ability.  Perhaps the real question is not how long it takes to develop new behavior, but whether we have the actual ingredients in place--new perspective and supernatural power.  

Saints, with that understanding of how to develop new behavior--let's go and do something new!

 

Amen!

In Him,

Bishop Izzard

21 Day Fast - Day 10

God wants your heart

I would like to share a short devotional thought as we walk through the 10^th day of our fast.  Most, if not all of us, would say “our heart belongs to God.”  However, as we enter this 10^th day, I encourage you to take time to examine the true state of your heart.  Sometimes, we can mistakenly believe God has our total affection when, in reality, our affections may be split among many things that occupy the intimate spaces of our heart.  In Joel 2:12, the prophet admonishes Judah to “…rend their hearts, and not their garments.”  This nation had spent their time in a posture of affection towards God (outwardly), but over time their hearts had begun to drift towards other gods and other objects of affection. 

I encourage you to fall in love with Him again if your heart has begun to drift.  Focus on directing all your affection towards Him.  This means, your greatest desire is to connect with Him intimately, despite the state of your life at any given moment. 

Blessings to you! 

Bishop James R. Izzard, Jr.

21-Day Corporate Fast - Day 9

The Power of Persistent Prayer

The Gospel of Luke offers a very compelling thought about the importance of us being persistent in prayer.  Luke 11:5-8 says—“And he said to them, “which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer from within and say, do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot  rise and give to you?  I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.”

One of the greatest tools the Lord has given us in our Christian walk is the tool of prayer.  However, this tool is like any other tool; it is not as effective unless it is used properly.  Persistence can be a very effective tool to use in prayer.  It is easy to become discouraged by a lack of results or when there seems to be a delay in answering our prayers.  However, Luke encourages us to be persistent.  I would add, we should also be patient.  Luke continues in 11:9-10—“…I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” This is an open invitation for us to go before the Lord with persistence and boldness as we make our requests known. 

Friend, I encourage you to fight discouragement and continue to persist in prayer.  God rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Don’t give up; rather; use this time of consecration to pray more earnestly that God will move on your behalf.  You may be surprised at the results.  Blessings!

In Him,

Bishop James R. Izzard, Jr.

21-Day Coporate Fast - Day 8

Happy Monday!

What a wonderful time we had in our Sunday Worship Encounter yesterday.  I trust it has helped you to begin day eight of the fast with as much determination as you have had during the first seven days.  Today’s thought is taken from Ephesians 3:20-“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”  Simply stated, this verse offers us hope for intervention from God.  There is a role we can play in this process of intervention however and I would like to briefly discuss this.

One word that rises to the surface of that passage is the word—expectation.  In the verse, the writer is reflecting upon the One who is able to exceed all we can “ask or think according to the power that worketh in us…”  Our expectation is the starting point of God’s intervention in our lives.  The comfort we have is the fact that He is One who can exceed our expectations.  With that in mind, I want to challenge you to raise your level of expectation as you continue through this fast.  Choose to not only view this as a time to pray and read scripture, but also see it as a time where God will send divine intervention in your life and circumstances.  Expectation places a pull (or demand) on your faith; it forces your faith to spring into action.  Therefore, you will do well to purpose in your heart to raise your level of expectation and look for clear evidence of God’s intervention in your life and those around you.

I look forward to hearing the great testimonies of how God has exceeded your greatest expectation through His divine intervention in your life.

In Him,

Bishop James R. Izzard, Jr.

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