'A NEW thing' or a 'REVIVAL' of the old? Which do you prefer?

In our city many churches and gatherings will initiate their 'programs' and get back into 'rituals' and 'traditions'. Some of our leaders will set the church on a fast . . .

Yes fast we must! Yes we must be encouraged and encourage others to 'fast and pray'. But be cautioned that Jesus taught us that it is first and foremost 'a private or secret matter'. Mat 6:16-18 "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. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 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.'
You should have this innate desire to fast as often as and when you need to. Fasting must be done at your own free will ~ where there is a WILL there is a WAY!

FASTING is a spiritual empowerment exercise exerted over our 'physical' (carnal/flesh) self. It is a gymnasium to build up the spirit man. Matthew 26:41 '"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." SPEAK life to your flesh in the power of the SPIRIT!

GO ON a individual fast for your spiritual; physical; social; material;financial needs. Yes we must start GOVERNING with DIVINE AUTHORITY our lives for alas; Are we not kings and priests unto Jehovah-God in Christ? Come on lets school our self in the college of the Holy Spirit of God. Prayer and Fasting is a module in the first semester! (Smile)

The church (not the organisation nor the building) must and should call up a corporate fast as and when the need arises . . . when we are drawing up strategies to equip the saints for the work of ministry to take our parts of the city . . . when we need God to set over our gathering the spiritual leadership and the servants that will SERVE the saints.

What we MUST NOT DO is be ritualistic in making 'fasting' something that is seasonal or programatic. We should press on to call for 'solemn assemblings' and 'corporate-fasts' through-out the year - Not only in January! Jesus in sacrificing His pre-existent God-life set us free from legalism and endowed us with grace and power to approach His Throne with boldness through the Holy Spirit. 'Ye that hath an ear let him listen to what the Spirit is saying' ~ You and I should have ears to listen to His 'still small voice'.

What we MUST NOT DO is think of the fast as a slimming exercise after the holiday season. Thats self-gratifying!!!!! Thats 'fleshly'!!!! It has no benefit to your spirit-man!!!!!

I personally encourage all of the saints in the City of Durban to fast for 'a new thing' and moreover that we will have the eyes to see what God is doing and be recruited to be a 'labourer together with God in such a time as this ~ the end of another aeon (age).

Isaiah 43 verse 16: "Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters, who brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick): 'Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise'. Amen.

Can I ask that we in our various gatherings ask God to DO a new THING ~ Just one THING with the Durban Church this year; as He pleases? We in Durban need to come together 'in one accord'

Bless You
Alec J Seekola