A Little Bit of Encouragement

     I thank God for what He has been doing in my life! He has definitely been blessing me in many ways! I wanted to share with you today a bit of encouragement that God laid on my heart last week. It was a Tuesday morning. I didn't wake up feeling discouraged but I wasn't necessarily full of joy either. As I forced myself out of bed and started my daily routine I began to just say "Thank You God" over and over because I was genuinely thankful in my heart. As I began to give thanks to God my mood began to change and it was like my spirit was awakened by my praise. I should mention that this Tuesday was also one of the consecration/fasting days at my church where we fast til 3pm. In addition, I usually work for the majority of the day. Needless to say, some days are better than others. So again, as I began to praise God, my praise led me to speak encouragement over myself. I felt so alive and excited. The words came pouring out as God continued to drop things in my spirit. Here is what God encouraged me with:

      I wasn't reluctant to fast this Tuesday morning but I also wasn't taking it as seriously as I felt I should on this particular day. As I gave thanks to God it was as if this light bulb switched and I had reached another level of understanding. When we pray and fast we should do so with expectancy. When we fast, we are consecrating our bodies to God. Dying to our flesh so that we may increase in our spirit. If we know what God's Word says about fasting and about asking and receiving then why would I turn down my plate without expecting a blessing from God? In 2 Chronicles 20:3, Jehoshaphat wanted to seek more of God so he fasted and also declared that all of Judah fast with him. Nehemiah 9:1-3 talks about how the children of Israel fasted. They separated themselves from all strangers, confessed their sins, read the Word, and worshiped God. In Ezra 8:21, Ezra proclaimed a fast so that the people would afflict themselves before God to seek of Him a right way for them to follow. Matthew 7:7-8 tells us to ask and then we will receive and that everyone that asks receives.
   
     On multiple occasions, I have heard people say "If you're just not eating, then that's not fasting, it's dieting". I believe this is true. If you don't fast with a purpose then why are you fasting?? Fast with an expectancy for God to show up in your life and do as He promised! Be intentional when you do anything for the Lord. You should have expectation because He is just and He wants to pour out on you. You have to have believe and receive what He has for you. He came so that we could have life abundantly and He said that whatever we ask in His name that He would do it. Pray with expectancy!

     Another topic God gave me was about using what He has given us for good. I remember thanking God for the breath that He has given me. Then I started to internalize the fact that He gave me breath and that led me to think about how we don't always use the things God gives us for good. I started to think about how, like any other gift can be used for good and bad, the gift of the breath He gave us can be used for bad. When we speak discouragement over people's lives then we are using the gift for bad. Why would I use what God gave me for bad? He gave me breath so why would I use it to discourage myself instead of speaking life over myself? Why would I use the breath He gave me to talk about other people and make negative comments? Let's use this gift God gave us to edify one another and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ!

     I encourage you to pray, fast, read the Word, and anything else you may do to edify yourself and glorify God with expectancy and intention. Don't let another day of fasting go by without your heart and mind being in the right place. Don't speak another prayer without actually believing that God will do as He promised. He loves you and has so much that He wants to bestow upon you. God Bless You!