12/12/2019 - WRONG MOTIVES REMAIN UNANSWERED

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Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. Isaiah 58:4

If we fast for strife and debate, we miss the target. We must live in such a way that the insubordinate feel bad when they see that God is our Lord. We need to fast as Esther asked the Jews to do so when the Jews were almost killed by the evil Haman. We must live in peace with everyone if it is up to us.

When we move out of divine guidance, we fall into a pit of suffering. He who loves the Lord must strive and resist the enemy, because the Father is pleased to see us in peace, bearing witness to our faith, and loving people. Now if we enter into strife and debates, we will not give God the honor of delivering us from the persecutors.

It is not fitting for the servants of the Most High to contend or be a cause for scandal (2 Timothy 2:24). We must comply with the laws of the country in which we live, and this will shame those who like to speak bad of the Master’s work. We often preach better with behavior than with words. Let the Lord defend you!

Fasting should not be done to overcome the devil, because Jesus has already done that. To fast is to spiritually prepare ourselves for battle: to take possession of the blessings won by Christ. Nor is it necessary to force God to give us what He claims to be ours. We must make the declaration of ownership and enjoy what has been provided. God honors those who honor Him!

Fasting is not an act that seeks to harm those who harm us. On the contrary, if we understand the act of giving gifts to those who turn against us, we will have divine help. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this century, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Our consecration must be aimed at setting free and not hurting others!

Following the Lord’s directions, we overcome the evils sent against our lives. We are heard in heaven when we pray according to God’s Word. In doing so, we receive the Holy Spirit´s guidance and we do not stumble or fail. Nothing from the enemy will strike us!

It´s good to obey the Creator´s Manual! In this blessed Book, He put everything we need to reach the goal: please Him in everything. Be a true servant and you will be rewarded by Jesus. He is good and shows no partiality.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares