I will pour out My Ruach [Hakodesh] upon all basar

Yoel 2^28 (3:1) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Ruach [Hakodesh] upon all basar; and your banim and your banot shall prophesy, your zekenim shall dream chalomot, your bochurim shall see chezyonot (visions): ^29 (3:2) And also upon the avadim and upon the shefachot in those days will I pour out My Ruach [Hakodesh, see Ac 2:1-42].

1. Yochanan 1:32
   And Yochanan gave solemn edut, I have seen the Ruach Hakodesh descending like a yonah out of Shomayim and remaining upon him. (YESHAYAH 11:2)
   Yochanan 1:31-33 (in Context) Yochanan 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Yochanan 1:33
   And I did not recognize him, but the One who sent me to give the mikveh mayim’s tevilah said to me, Upon whomever you see the Ruach Hakodesh descending and remaining, this is the One giving the tevilah in the Ruach Hakodesh. [YOEL 3:1 (2:28)]
   Yochanan 1:32-34 (in Context) Yochanan 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Yochanan 3:5
   In reply, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, Omein, omein, I say to you: unless someone is born of mayim (TEHILLIM 36:10 [9]) and Ruach Hakodesh [YECHEZEL 36:25-27; 37:14], he is not able to enter into the Malchut Hashem [Lk 17:21].
   Yochanan 3:4-6 (in Context) Yochanan 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Yochanan 3:6
   That which is born of basar is basar, and that which is born of the Ruach is ruach.
   Yochanan 3:5-7 (in Context) Yochanan 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Yochanan 3:8
   The ruach (wind, Spirit) blows where it wishes, and the sound of it you hear, but you do not have da’as of where it comes from and where it goes [KOHELET 11:5]; so it is with everyone having been born of the Ruach Hakodesh. [YECHEZKEL 37:9]
   Yochanan 3:7-9 (in Context) Yochanan 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Yochanan 3:34
   For he whom Hashem sent speaks the Divrei Hashem, for He gives the Ruach Hakodesh without measure. [YESHAYAH 42:1]
   Yochanan 3:33-35 (in Context) Yochanan 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. Yochanan 4:23
   But a sha’ah is coming, and now is, when those of the true avodas kodesh will worship HaAv in the Ruach Hakodesh and in Emes, for indeed [Elohim] HaAv is seeking such to worship Him.
   Yochanan 4:22-24 (in Context) Yochanan 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
8. Yochanan 4:24
   Hashem is Ruach (Spirit) and it is necessary for the ones worshiping Him to worship in Ruach and Emes. [Ezek 36:26-27; 37:14]
   Yochanan 4:23-25 (in Context) Yochanan 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Yochanan 6:63
   The Ruach Hakodesh is that which is making alive, the basar does not profit anything. The dvarim which I have spoken to you are as Ruach and they are as Chayyim (Life).
   Yochanan 6:62-64 (in Context) Yochanan 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
10. Yochanan 7:39
    But this he said about the Ruach Hakodesh which the ones having emunah (faith) in him were about to receive, for the Ruach Hakodesh had not yet been given, because he had not yet received kavod. [YOEL 2:28 (3:1)]
    Yochanan 7:38-40 (in Context) Yochanan 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Yochanan 14:17
    The Ruach HaEmes, which the Olam Hazeh is not able to receive, because it does not see Him nor have da’as of Him. But you have da’as of Him, because He remains with you and He will be in you.
    Yochanan 14:16-18 (in Context) Yochanan 14 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
12. Yochanan 14:26
    But the Melitz Yosher (Praklit, Advocate, Counselor, Helper in Court), the Ruach Hakodesh which HaAv will send b’Shem of me, He will teach you all things and will remind you of all things which I told you.
    Yochanan 14:25-27 (in Context) Yochanan 14 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
13. Yochanan 15:26
    But when the Melitz Yosher (Praklit, Advocate, Counselor, Helper in Court) comes, whom I will send to you from HaAv, the Ruach Hakodesh, the Ruach HaEmes, who proceeds from HaAv, that one will gives solemn edut (testimony) about me.
    Yochanan 15:25-27 (in Context) Yochanan 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. Yochanan 16:7
    But I tell HaEmes (the truth), it is better for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Melitz Yosher (Praklit, Advocate, Counselor, Helper in Court) will not come to you. But if go, I will send Him (the Ruach Hakodesh) to you.
    Yochanan 16:6-8 (in Context) Yochanan 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
15. Yochanan 16:13
    But when that One has come, the Ruach Hakodesh, the Ruach HaEmes, He will guide you in all truth. [TEHILLIM 25:5] For He will not speak on His own authority, but what things He will hear, He will speak, and the things that are to come He will announce to you.
    Yochanan 16:12-14 (in Context) Yochanan 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
16. Yochanan 20:22
    And having said this, Moshiach breathed on them and says to them, Receive the Ruach Hakodesh.
    Yochanan 20:21-23 (in Context) Yochanan 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 
17. Gevurot 1:2
    Until HaYom, when he made aliyah ascent to Shomayim, having given Moshiach’s mitzvot through the Ruach Hakodesh to the Shlichim whom he chose,
    Gevurot 1:1-3 (in Context) Gevurot 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
18. Gevurot 1:5
    "For Yochanan gave a tevilah of teshuva with a mikveh mayim, but you will receive a tevilah in the Ruach Hakodesh not many yamim from now." [YOEL 3:1;(2:28)]
    Gevurot 1:4-6 (in Context) Gevurot 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
19. Gevurot 1:8
    "But you will receive ko’ach when the Ruach Hakodesh has come upon you, and you all will be the Eidus (the Witness) of me, in Yerushalayim, and in all Yehudah, and Shomron and as far as ad ketzeh ha’aretz."
    Gevurot 1:7-9 (in Context) Gevurot 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 
20.  Gevurot 2:4
    And all were filled with the Ruach Hakodesh, and they began to speak in leshonot acherot as the Ruach Hakodesh was giving the utterance to them.
    Gevurot 2:3-5 (in Context) Gevurot 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
21. Gevurot 2:18
    ‘And upon My avadim and upon My shfakhot in BAYYAMIM HAHEMMAH ESHPOCH ES RUCHI ("in those days I will pour out my Ruach Hakodesh") and they will speak dvarim hanevu’ah:
    Gevurot 2:17-19 (in Context) Gevurot 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
22. Gevurot 2:33
    "Having been exalted to the right hand of Hashem and having received the havtachah of the Ruach Hakodesh from [Elohim] HaAv, Moshiach poured out this which you also see and hear.
    Gevurot 2:32-34 (in Context) Gevurot 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

THE DESERT YEARS ARE OVER! START MOVING!

One early July morning, the watchman heard this: “You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough; turn to the north.” 

 (So, to north he and the ark will start moving...)

Deuteronomy 2

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Desert Years

2 “Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days.

² “And the Lord spoke to me, saying: ³ ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward. ⁴ And command the people, saying, “You are about to pass through the territory of your brethren, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore watch yourselves carefully. ⁵ Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. ⁶ You shall buy food from them with money, that you may eat; and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink.
⁷ “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.”’
⁸ “And when we passed beyond our brethren, the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir, away from the road of the plain, away from Elath and Ezion Geber, we turned and passed by way of the Wilderness of Moab. ⁹ Then the Lord said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab, nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’”
¹⁰ (The Emim had dwelt there in times past, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. ¹¹ They were also regarded as giants,^[a] like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim. ¹² The Horites formerly dwelt in Seir, but the descendants of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the Lord gave them.)
¹³ “‘Now rise and cross over the Valley of the Zered.’ So we crossed over the Valley of the Zered. ¹⁴ And the time we took to come from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the Lord had sworn to them. ¹⁵ For indeed the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp until they were consumed.
¹⁶ “So it was, when all the men of war had finally perished from among the people, ¹⁷ that the Lord spoke to me, saying: ¹⁸ ‘This day you are to cross over at Ar, the boundary of Moab. ¹⁹ And when you come near the people of Ammon, do not harass them or meddle with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’”
²⁰ (That was also regarded as a land of giants;^[b] giants formerly dwelt there. But the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, ²¹ a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, ²² just as He had done for the descendants of Esau, who dwelt in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They dispossessed them and dwelt in their place, even to this day. ²³ And the Avim, who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza—the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and dwelt in their place.)
²⁴ “‘Rise, take your journey, and cross over the River Arnon. Look, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to possess it, and engage him in battle. ²⁵ This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.’

King Sihon Defeated

²⁶ “And I sent messengers from the Wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying, ²⁷ ‘Let me pass through your land; I will keep strictly to the road, and I will turn neither to the right nor to the left. ²⁸ You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money, that I may drink; only let me pass through on foot, ²⁹ just as the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir and the Moabites who dwell in Ar did for me, until I cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord our God is giving us.’
³⁰ “But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as it is this day.
³¹ “And the Lord said to me, ‘See, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to possess it, that you may inherit his land.’ ³² Then Sihon and all his people came out against us to fight at Jahaz. ³³ And the Lord our God delivered him over to us; so we defeated him, his sons, and all his people. ³⁴ We took all his cities at that time, and we utterly destroyed the men, women, and little ones of every city; we left none remaining. ³⁵ We took only the livestock as plunder for ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we took. ³⁶ From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, as far as Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the Lord our God delivered all to us. ³⁷ Only you did not go near the land of the people of Ammon—anywhere along the River Jabbok, or to the cities of the mountains, or wherever the Lord our God had forbidden us.

Footnotes:

1. Deuteronomy 2:11 Hebrew rephaim
2. Deuteronomy 2:20 Hebrew rephaim

and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

 Zechariah 7:5 “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?  Zechariah 7:4-6 (in Context) Zechariah 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations  

2 Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:2-4 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Ezra 8:21
[ Fasting and Prayer for Protection ] Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
Ezra 8:20-22 (in Context) Ezra 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
Ezra 8:22-24 (in Context) Ezra 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Ezra 9:5
At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.
Ezra 9:4-6 (in Context) Ezra 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Nehemiah 1:4
So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:3-5 (in Context) Nehemiah 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Nehemiah 9:1
[ The People Confess Their Sins ] Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads.
Nehemiah 9:1-3 (in Context) Nehemiah 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Esther 1:6
There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble.
Esther 1:5-7 (in Context) Esther 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Esther 4:3
And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther 4:2-4 (in Context) Esther 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Esther 4:16
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
Esther 4:15-17 (in Context) Esther 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Esther 9:31
to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their fasting and lamenting.
Esther 9:30-32 (in Context) Esther 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
 Psalm 35:13
But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.
Psalm 35:12-14 (in Context) Psalm 35 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Psalm 69:10
When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach.
Psalm 69:9-11 (in Context) Psalm 69 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Psalm 109:24
My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.
Psalm 109:23-25 (in Context) Psalm 109 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 58:1
[ Fasting that Pleases God ] “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.
Isaiah 58:1-3 (in Context) Isaiah 58 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 58:3
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
Isaiah 58:2-4 (in Context) Isaiah 58 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 58:4
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 58:3-5 (in Context) Isaiah 58 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 58:5
Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
Isaiah 58:4-6 (in Context) Isaiah 58 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 58:6
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:5-7 (in Context) Isaiah 58 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 
Jeremiah 14:12
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”
Jeremiah 14:11-13 (in Context) Jeremiah 14 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Jeremiah 36:6
You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the LORD, in the hearing of the people in the LORD’s house on the day of fasting. And you shall also read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities.
Jeremiah 36:5-7 (in Context) Jeremiah 36 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Jeremiah 36:9
Now it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 36:8-10 (in Context) Jeremiah 36 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 
 Daniel 6:18
[ Daniel Saved from the Lions ] Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.
Daniel 6:17-19 (in Context) Daniel 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Daniel 9:3
Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
Daniel 9:2-4 (in Context) Daniel 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Joel 1:14
Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.
Joel 1:13-15 (in Context) Joel 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Joel 2:12
[ A Call to Repentance ] “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
Joel 2:11-13 (in Context) Joel 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Joel 2:15
Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;
Joel 2:14-16 (in Context) Joel 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 
 Jonah 3:5
[ The People of Nineveh Believe ] So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.
Jonah 3:4-6 (in Context) Jonah 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Zechariah 7:1
[ Obedience Better than Fasting ] Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev,
Zechariah 7:1-3 (in Context) Zechariah 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Zechariah 7:3
and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”
Zechariah 7:2-4 (in Context) Zechariah 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Zechariah 8:19
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’
Zechariah 8:18-20 (in Context) Zechariah 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

watchman’s adventure: 2011 Yom Kippur (2)

The watchman completed his Yom Kippur feeling refreshed. A group of them decided to gather together and celebrated the last few hours of the fasting. Whilst he had an attack of severe headache around noontime, he felt rested and well after a nap. By the time they gathered together he was feeling well and ready to read the word of God with others.

What he had learned from this year’s fasting:

1. Fasting has to be a life style and not just on one day of the year to be effective. He will carry on fasting in various combinations of ways throughout the following year. It is natural and a way of life now (after he started his journey in the Holy Spirit almost three years ago).

2. He must clarify his motive and set goals before the fasting. Then fasting has his own meaning and value in depth and not just a copycat action.

3. Fasting with a meaningful spiritual purpose is supernatural and help overcome his physical weakness and limitations. He has gained more realistic understanding of Biblical truth in this action of faith.

4. Fasting with others of the same mind as led by the Holy Spirit and Word of God builds faith and strengthens his commitment to the course. Knowing that many others are doing this that particular day has widened his vision and perspectives in life.

5. The right goal motivates him to press on and not give in easily. This is a must for the serious follower who want to become disciple of Jesus Christ!

By the end of the fasting, he was given a bowl of chicken soup. It was delicious! After that he went home and had another liquid drink and felt contented. He was in no hurry to drink coffee or eat a solid meal. The body was no longer his master. His mind was busy chewing on precious revelations.

One wonderful healthy outcome is that he begins to like drinking plain water!

Will he do it again in Yom Kippur 2012? Only the Lord can tell. Meanwhile, he would encourage all watchmen to seriously consider making fasting a regular part of lifestyle too.

Fasting God wants (NT)

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose of fasting is to spend time before God and get to know God more. Jesus Himself fasted forty days and forty nights in preparation for His ministry on earth. He set an example for His disciples. He also presented God to us in His life on earth. Fasting and praying are an integral part of Christian life.


Jesus Fasted

Matthew 4:2 And when He (Jesus) had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

Jesus taught on fasting:

Do not deliberate show it externally; fasting is not for show to man; fasting is not for scoring points with God (no boasting please!)

Matthew 6:16-18 [ Fasting to Be Seen Only by God ] “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (wrong fasting is just for show to other men, not for God)

Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ (pride and boasting are detestable to God)

There is an appointed time and reason for fasting:

Fasting is for the Lord first

Mark 2:18-20 [ Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting ] The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.

Luke 2:37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Fasting breaks bondages and yokes and delivers a person from the control of Satan

Matthew 17:21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (In this case, Jesus referred to His disciples who want to heal and deliver others)

Fasting and praying are often linked and done together, leading to spiritual understanding and actions according to God’s will

Acts 10:30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Fasting can be done during crisis, when supernatural intervention from God is needed

Acts 27:9 [ Paul’s Warning Ignored ] Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,

Fasting is part and parcel of an apostle’s life

2 Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;

2 Corinthians 11:27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

THE FASTING GOD WANTS (OT)

FASTING AS DESCRIBED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

FASTING IS LINKED TO REPENTANCE

1 Samuel 7:6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the LORD. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the children ofIsrael at Mizpah.

Joel 2:12 [ A Call to Repentance ] “ Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “ Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;

Jonah 3:5 [ The People of Nineveh Believe ] So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Zechariah 7:1 [ Obedience Better than Fasting ] Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev,

Zechariah 7:3 and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”

Zechariah 7:5 “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?

FASTING IS LINKED TO MOURNING

1 Samuel 31:13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 2 Samuel 1:12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

A KING’S PLEADING WITH GOD (personal sin) 2 Samuel 12:16 [ The Death of David’s Son ] And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.2 Samuel 12:21-23 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

A QUEEN PLOTTING EVIL 1 Kings 21:9 She wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth with high honor among the people; 1 Kings 21:12 They proclaimed a fast, and seated Naboth with high honor among the people.

A KING HUMBLED BEFORE GOD (when condemned for his sin)1 Kings 21:27 So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.

A KING PLEADED BEFORE GOD (when faced with enemy attack) 2 Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

PREPARATION FOR A SACRED JOURNEY Ezra 8:21 [ Fasting and Prayer for Protection ] Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

REPENTANCE AND INTERCESSION (for nation and people)

Ezra 9:5 At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.

Nehemiah 1:4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 9:1 [ The People Confess Their Sins ] Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads.

Esther 4:3 And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Esther 4:16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

INTERCESSION & SUPPLICATION BEFORE GOD

Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.

Psalm 69:10 When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, That became my reproach.

Psalm 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.

WHAT GOD DOES NOT WANT FROM FASTING:

GOD DOES NOT WANT EXTERNAL PHYSICAL SHOW (whilst continuing to sin); GOD DOES NOT WANT FASTING WHICH IS SELF-CENTRED WITHOUT TRUE REVERANT FEAR OF GOD AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD:

Isaiah 58:3 ‘ Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “ In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Isaiah 58:5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD? Jeremiah 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”

Isaiah 58:4 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.

WHAT GOD REALLY WANTS FROM FASTING: BREKING BONDAGES

Isaiah 58:6 “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
Jeremiah 36:6 You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the LORD, in the hearing of the people in the LORD’s house on the day of fasting. And you shall also read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities.

EVEN AN ALIEN KING FASTS BEFORE GOD TO PLEAD FOR HIS PEOPLE (DANIEL)

Daniel 6:18 [ Daniel Saved from the Lions ] Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.

INTERCESSOR FASTS AND INTERCEDES FOR NATION

Daniel 9:3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Joel 1:14 Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.

APPOINTED TIME & PURPOSE FOR FASTING MUST BE FOLLOWED (Today, this means fast as led by the Holy Spirit and the word of God)

Esther 9:31 to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their fasting and lamenting.
Zechariah 8:19

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’

watchman’s adventure: 2011 Yom Kippur (1)

The watchman is half way through Yom Kippur. His last meal was 18 and half hour ago. He was still holding well in terms of energy. His last drink of water was 14 hours ago. He felt the discomfort in the mouth but it was still bearable. His last coffee intake was 30 hours ago and the abstinence makes him suffer physically. Lesson learned: Beware of coffee addiction! Take heed of good advice and cut coffee!

Here is a summary of what he has done so far during the first half of the day of atonement:

1. He has his pre-fast main meal early. The meal was mainly pasta with cheese, chicken meat, brocoli, potato and a chicken bone soup with onion and celery. He forgot to ask for less salt so he suffered a bit from having a higher level of sodium for his body to handle during the fasting.

2. At the start of Yom Kippur (following Jerusalem time), he gathered together with a group of Christians in worship, prayers and reading the word of God for three hours.

3. After the three hours of gathering, he and another believer were assigned the time slot of two hours to pray and intercede for Israel, reading the word of God too.

4. After that he drove home and had about 4 hours sleep and got up. The throat was uncomfortable as he was still having symptoms of a ‘cold’ which manifested just a few days ago. But he continued by faith and gurgled his mouth regularly with plain water. The withdrawal from caffeine was worse and he had to battle against his throbbing forehead.

5. He started to pray and read the word of God. He was led to read Malachi. He was led to repent for Christian churches and Christian parents instead of Israel. Why? Here are the verses that convicted his spirit as he started to stand in the gap as a watchman intercessor:

Malachi 1 Unworthy Sacrifices

6The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!

“But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’
7“You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.
“Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?[c]’
“You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. 8When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

9“Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

10 “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings. 11 But my name is honored[d] by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer[e]sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

12 “But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table. 13You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.

14 “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!
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Watchman’s comments:
The Lord is not just talking about offering material things here. God is Spirit. He is looking for worshippers who worship in spirit and in truth. He is looking for prayers and intercessions which will be gathered as sweet incense in heaven. He is looking for royal priests and holy nation, a special people for His kingdom. He demands spiritual quality and in exact specification according to His heavenly pattern, as given in His Word – the plumb-line of God.

Action: Let us search our hearts and see if we are quality offerings ourselves. Is my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, in accordance to the perfect will of God? Romans 12:1-2

watchman’s adventure: A day before Yom Kippur

The watchman has decided to keep Yom Kippur – day of atonement (full fast of food and water for 25 hours from Sundown to Sundown following Jerusalem’s time) this year. He has prepared his heart and spirit for the past two weeks and now the day will arrive soon. On this eve he carries out the following:

1. Set goal for the day of fast and repentance, as a watchman standing in the gap. His Goal: to seek God and intercede for Israel before God.

2. Ask and listen to the Holy Spirit on how to spend the next day. Activities: Fast, repent, read and proclaim God’s words.

3. Prepare himself in his body: He has two main meals to stock up on protein, carb., fibre and plenty of water. (During the previous year’s Yom Kippur, he had a hard time when he fasted water as well as food. Fasting water was very tough for him!)

4. Prepare himself in his soul and spirit: He rests before the Lord, reads the word of God, prays, and receives guidance from the Holy Spirit. Aligning himself with the Lord prepares him to enter the spiritual realm the following day.

Some of the Bible books and chapters he will read and proclaim as led by the Holy Spirit on the following day are as follows:
whole book of Hebrews ; whole book of Matthews; psalm 141-150 ; Isaiah 42-66 ; Ezekiel 33-48; Micah; parts of Jeremiah; Lamentations.

Why does he want to do the Yom Kippur observation? He asks. The answer is he believes the calling and choosing of Christians is linked to that of the returning of the elect (the Israelite people) to God as prophesied in the Bible. He has firm conviction in his spirit that the time is near and all Christians watchmen should arise and stand now for the fulfilment of the word of God.

O watchman, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
___________________
Zechariah 4:14 (NKJV)

14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (Both the Jews and the Gentiles Christians)

More ‘spiritual’ information on Yom Kippur

More information on Yom Kippur -spiritual aspect (as expressed by those who practise) as follows:

Quote: ” Introduction -Yom Kippur is the spiritual pinnacle of the Days of Awe. On this day, God moves from the throne of Justice (where God was metaphorically “seated” for Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment) to the throne of Compassion. As we approach God on Yom Kippur, it is with the conviction that our sincere prayers will be heard and our sincere repentance accepted. For this reason, there is a Hasidic tradition that Yom Kippur, or Yom Hakippurim, should be K’Purim, as joyous as Purim.”

Inui Nefesh (Afflicting the Body) and Spiritual Rebirth

quote:”The most well-known characteristic of Yom Kippur is that it is a day of fasting. This fasting is actually part of a larger framework created by the rabbis called inui nefesh, the afflictions of the body. There are five things that we are prohibited from doing on Yom Kippur: washing, eating, drinking, having sex, and wearing leather. On Yom Kippur we refrain from activities, like eating, taking care of our bodies and making love, that affirm life. In addition, it is customary in some communities on Yom Kippur to wear a kittel, a shroud – the garment worn by Jews when they are buried. Finally, at the end of the Yom Kippur service, we recite the sh’ma, the words that are supposed to be the last ones on our lips before we die. On Yom Kippur, the peak of the period of self-transformation and teshuva (turning), we symbolize the death of our old selves and a spiritual rebirth as a new, pure soul. ” unquote

Quote: ” Torah Readings -The Torah reading for Yom Kippur morning is Leviticus 16, the account of how the sacrificial service was conducted on Yom Kippur by Aaron, the High Priest. The haftarah is Isaiah 57:14 – 58:14, a passage chosen because it discusses the true purpose of fasting. God seeks only the fast that will inspire us to begin to act with more justice and mercy, that will lead us to take greater care of those in need in our society. The Torah reading for Yom Kippur afternoon is Leviticus 18, which describes prohibited marriages and illicit sexual relationships. Some communities choose to read Leviticus 17, the “Holiness Code” in place of the traditional reading. The haftarah is the book of Jonah.”

(internet information from: The Abraham Joshua Heschel School)

Watchman's Adventure: Preparing for Yom Kippur's Fast

The watchman learned from last year’s experience that the most difficult part is not drinking water. He can stand the not eating part but needs to really fortify against dehydration. He is one of those who do not take much plain water. So the tips here are very relevant to him.

Here is a number of useful excerpts from various sources on how to prepare for this year’s Yom Kippur Fasting.

Tips for Yom Kippur Fasting Don’t make it any more difficult than it has to be; fasting is easier if you prepare your body in advance; there are things you can do to ease your fast after it has started. Above all, set goals before you start. Why do you want to fast? What motivates you to do so?

One of the primary and best-known observances of Yom Kippur is fasting. The purpose of fasting is to “afflict your soul,” a means of repenting. For some people, fasting is easy; for others, it is more difficult. But there is no particular merit in making this fast any more difficult than it has to be. Here are a few tips that have helped in the past.

Everybody’s body is different, and everybody reacts differently to fasting. These tips may or may not work for you. Above all else, you should listen to your own body and do those things that tend to make you less hungry while avoiding things that tend to make you more hungry.

A Week Before Yom Kippur: You can ease your fast by preparing your body about a week before the fast.

Taper Off Addictive or Habitual Substances

Starting on the day after Rosh Hashanah, taper off of the following:

■Coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages

■Refined sugar and candy, especially chocolate

■Cigarettes, cigars and pipes

■Anything else that you eat habitually or compulsively, that you long for when you can’t have it

Sudden deprivation of any of the above can cause withdrawal symptoms that will make it harder to fast. If you taper off of these things about a week before the fast, you will find that your withdrawal symptoms are not as severe.

Vary Your Meal Schedule

Keep in mind that for most well-fed Americans (and others for that matter), the “hunger” that you feel at meal times is simply a result of your body preparing itself to receive food at the expected time. If you always eat lunch at precisely 12:30 and dinner at precisely 6 PM, your body will start preparing to digest at those times. That is what most people think of as “hunger.” If you vary your meal schedule, you will find that it eases your feelings of hunger at meal times.

Drink Plenty of Water

The need for water is much greater than the need for food (as the watchman has found out personally last year’s Yom Kippur) and if you are like most Americans, you don’t drink enough water under ordinary circumstances. During the last few days before Yom Kippur, make sure you drink plenty of water, so you do not risk becoming dehydrated during your fast.

The Meal Before

Your last meal before Yom Kippur should be chosen carefully.

Don’t Overeat

Some people seem to think that they can “make up for” not eating on Yom Kippur by having a big meal the night before. This is a very bad idea, and actually makes it harder to fast. Have you ever noticed how you feel particularly hungry the morning after a large meal? Eat a normal sized meal.

Eat Foods That Are Easy To Digest

Don’t eat anything that will sit in your stomach like a rock, give you heartburn or leave you feeling hungry. Think of foods that don’t leave you feeling hungry the morning after.

Get Plenty of Protein and Complex Carbohydrates

These are the foods that will stick with you during the next day and give you the long-term energy you need.

During Yom Kippur

Even after the fast has started, there are things you can do to ease your fast.

Go to a place of worship/prayer Aside from the fact that you’re supposed to be there praying and repenting anyway, this will actually make it easier to fast. Being with people who are also fasting, will make it easier for you to fast. Most importantly you will find that when you focus on the matters of God, your spiritual man rises and your body’s craving subsides. Live by the Spirit and not the flesh! The watchman has found that the presence of God makes him forget about food and the Bible verse “man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” is real!

Don’t Talk About Food or Hunger

Talking about your hunger will only focus your attention on it and make it harder to fast. Don’t talk about or think about what you are going to eat after the fast. You should also avoid being around people who are talking about these things. Be with people who are spiritual and Spirit-led.

Take a Nap in the Afternoon

During the break between services in the afternoon. Have you ever noticed that full feeling that you have when you wake up from an afternoon nap? Do not exert yourselves much physically. For those who do not nap, reading God’s Word and meditating on His Word as led by the Holy Spirit will refresh you.


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Two Weeks Before the Fast: Kick Your Bad Habits

Caffeine: For caffeine addicts, going without any caffeine on Yom Kippur can make the fast particularly challenging. Caffeine is technically an addictive drug, causing a chemical dependency that can trigger unpleasant withdrawal symptoms (headaches, fatigue, nausea, poor-motor skills, irritability, inability to concentrate, etc.) that compound the ordinary physical challenges of fasting. If you have a caffeine habit, it is best to prepare yourself for a caffeine free Yom Kippur several weeks in advance. Beginning at least two weeks before the holiday slowly reduce your caffeine consumption with the goal of stopping your caffeine intake 3-4 days before Yom Kippur. If you drink two cups of coffee a day, start by reducing this to one cup, then after a few days switch to half-caffeine before switching to decaf. This way you’ll experience the withdrawal more gradually and hopefully be through the worst withdrawal symptoms before the actual day. Be sure to drink plenty of water during this time and get extra rest if you need to. You may even consider quitting altogether after the fast to avoid this problem in the future.

Fatty/Sugary/Salty Foods: Generally these are the foods people crave during a fast, by reducing or eliminating these types of foods in the weeks before you’ll help to reduce cravings during the fast.

Hydrate: While a healthy adult can generally survive for weeks without food, dehydration can set in within a few days. It’s no surprise then that most of the discomfort of fasting is caused by lack of water not the lack of food. To help reduce the effects of dehydration during a fast it is critical to properly hydrate beforehand. Most of us do not drink enough water in our normal day-to-day routines, so it is even more critical to begin hydrating in the week before the fast. Generally an adult at rest should be drinking about half their body weight in ounces of water per day (i.e. A 150 lb. man should be getting 75 ounces of water per day, or about 9.5 cups of water). The best source for hydration is water, though fluids can be obtained from a variety of sources. Beware caffeinated beverages and soft drinks though, caffeine actually causes your body to use more water, and so caffeinated beverages and soft drinks do not have the same hydrating power as an equivalent amount of water and can actually contribute to dehydration.

Prescription Medication: Should you fast If you take any prescription medications (or have any health conditions that fasting may impact or worsen)? You would need to ask your doctor for answers.


Day before the Fast: Final Preparation

Stay On Target: All of the steps taken to prepare in the week or two leading up to the fast should still be followed the day before:

■Avoid caffeine, alcohol and salty foods that will worsen the effects of not drinking and contribute to dehydration.

■Drink sufficient water. Stocking up on extra water will help stave off the effects of dehydration during the fast.

Eat Normal Sized Meals: While being well hydrated will help stave off the effects of dehydration, over eating will not stave off the effects of hunger and may make you more uncomfortable. The excess fluids needed for your body to process large meals may also lead to dehydration.

Focus on Complex Carbs: Complex carbohydrates like those found in pasta, breads, rice, fruits, vegetables, and beans (legumes) are best for maintaining your body’s muscle energy levels during the fast. This is why runners stock up on pasta the night before a marathon, but your body will get a similar benefit prior to a fast. In addition carbohydrates help your body absorb water more efficiently, so eating carbs will aid in staying hydrated during the fast. Proteins and fats do not have this same hydration benefit. Whole-grain products and fruits/vegetables that are high in fiber are best, as these will not only provide energy but are slower to digest and will keep you feeling fuller the longest.


Yom Kippur Pre-Fast Menus and Recipes

Meal of Cessation

Jews traditionally eat a Meal of Cessation – called Seudat Mafseket - before the Yom Kippur fast. A family may eat a meat meal for lunch, and then eat a hi-carb dairy dinner directly before the fast. The meat menu includes low-salt vegetable soup, breaded chicken, potatoes and dessert. The dairy menu includes egg souffle, whole wheat bagels with various spreads and fruit salad.

Yom Kippur Post-Fast Menu and Recipes

At the end of Yom Kippur, Jews traditionally share a joyful Break Fast meal with family and friends. The Yom Kippur Break Fast is generally a festive breakfast menu consisting of foods such as eggs, cheese, bread.

________________Lastly, be watchful and prayerful. Continue to stay in the presence of the Lord.

Two Prophets' Shana Tova Greetings

Zechariah 12:10-14

10 “Then I will pour out a Spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on Me Whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only Son. They will grieve bitterly for Him as for a firstborn Son who has died. 11 The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.

12 “All Israel will mourn, each clan by itself, and with the husbands separate from their wives. The clan of David will mourn alone, as will the clan of Nathan, 13 the clan of Levi, and the clan of Shimei. 14 Each of the surviving clans from Judah will mourn separately, and with the husbands separate from their wives.

Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed our message?

To whom has the Lord revealed His powerful arm?

2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,

like a root in dry ground.

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance,

nothing to attract us to Him.

3 He was despised and rejected—

a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way.

He was despised, and we did not care.


4 Yet it was our weaknesses He carried;

it was our sorrows[a] that weighed Him down.

And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God,

a punishment for His own sins!

5 But He was pierced for our rebellion,

crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole.

He was whipped so we could be healed.

6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.

We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

Yet the Lord laid on Him

the sins of us all.


7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,

yet He never said a word.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.

And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,

He did not open His mouth.

8 Unjustly condemned,

He was led away.

No one cared that He died without descendants,

that His life was cut short in midstream.

But He was struck down

for the rebellion of my people.

9 He had done no wrong

and had never deceived anyone.

But He was buried like a criminal;

He was put in a rich man’s grave.


10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Him

and cause Him grief.

Yet when His life is made an offering for sin,

He will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands.

11 When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish,

He will be satisfied.

And because of His experience,

my righteous servant will make it possible

for many to be counted righteous,

for He will bear all their sins.

12 I will give Him the honors of a victorious soldier,

because He exposed Himself to death.

He was counted among the rebels.

He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Watchman’s adventure: The Holy Spirit confirmed thrice!

The watchman was told a prophecy of his next assignment. He asked for confirmation. When he first heard it he thought it would require a miracle to accomplish it. But he was looking at the physical world and his natural resources then.

However he said he would be willing to go when his is fully equipped to do so. Then to his surprise things started moving very fast, with more visions, dreams and confirmations showing the intensified moving of the Holy Spirit. He discovered that his gifts were being sharpened and multiplied supernaturally.

Yesterday he received a final confirmation which indeed meant the Lord is serious about keeping His Word.

It started with a vision someone saw several years ago at his late mother’s funeral. The vision showed his mother very young with five small kids all facing one direction looking at an unfamiliar scenery. Two kids were wearing helmets on their heads.

Next was a discovery that the scenery actually exists in a region and there is a name to it.

After that there was a prophecy that he and four others will go there one day.

After that there was another geographical vision showing the place where one of the others will be going to stay within that region. But there was no name to that place.

Two weeks ago the watchman and the intercessor who saw the vision decided to search the internet maps to identify the exact location. When they came across a map, the intercessor recognized the exact spot and asked the watchman the name as she could not read the language. So the watchman took note of that name. After that they stopped looking as he was told by the Lord that He will provide the place and all resources when he sends them.

Yesterday he heard from another one of the other four that he had received an opening to go to a place and live there, and he casually mentioned a place name (unaware of the above mentioned map findings and earlier vision of the location). To the watchman’s amazement, the place name is exactly the name of the location he and the other intercessor identified on the map which matched her vision.

To his further amazement when he looked up the description of that location he found that it was exactly as required for weather, food, and ease of adjustment to living!

The Lord is an awesome God!

(The watchman admits he will have no excuse not to obey when the times comes.)

watchman’s Adventure: meaning of the roof top dream revealed

The watchman knew that his roof top dream still needs to be interpreted as he could not find peace when he sought the Lord today. So he asked the Lord what it means. Then he was told to read Isaiah 22 carefully. So he obeyed. Indeed he was given this passage yesterday but he did not read it. He merely glanced at the verse which described people went up the roof.

When he read the passage carefully and completely he understood what the Lord was saying to him. The description of the people on the roof, continuing to feast on meat and drink wine, dance and play, not showing any remorse, not weeping and mourning in sorrow for their sins, depending on their own military strength instead of returning to enquire of the Lord and seek the Lord’s help etc. were exactly what was displayed in the dream!

It was so real and frightening. So he repented for his own omission to be alert immediately after that dream and asked the Lord what it meant and started interceding instantly and faithfully. He knew now he was supposed to do the intercessor job and yet he was so busily engrossed over something else.

The lesson he learns is that for a watchman intercessor the first thing the Lord wants is that he pays attention to the Lord’s message and intercedes for others’ needs without delay. He is not to assume that the dream is related to himself and put it aside. Today after his session he relaxed and looked out of his window and admired the beautiful leaves. But he was told to close his eyes and when he obeyed he saw a colorless bleak scene. The message was, “Watchman, be alert as this is how the real world looks, in the unseen!”

___________________________

PRAYER FOR ISRAEL

The nation of Israel is under prolonged drought. The following is an excerpt from a source: ” Fresh water supply has reduced in size by 25 percent in the last five years. Israel has created innovative solutions to combat the consequences of the drought. For example, Feinerman attests that 50 percent of the water that Israel uses for agricultural purposes, which above another other use demands the most water, is recycled water. This percentage is far above that of any other country in the world. Other techniques Israel uses to compensate for the lack of fresh water include desalination and conservation. “

Here is ANOTHER EXCERPT from another source on praying for the water crisis in Israel:

Quote “ November 18th was declared by the Chief Rabbi to be a day of prayer and fasting for rain which is desperately needed in Israel. The prayers brought together the Ashkenazai and Sepphardic leaders as they agreed to repent for the sins of the people in not following the Lord.

But the land which you go to possess� drinks water of the rain of heaven: a land which LORD your God desires. The eyes of LORD your God are always upon it� and it shall come to pass, if you hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you this day, to love LORD your God, to serve Him with all your heart and� soul, that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season� Deuteronomy 11:11-14a

Lord, although according to the above verses, You could withhold the water from this nation, yet we stand in the gap asking for mercy. We plead with You to send Your rain in abundance this winter season. You promised to even create new water sources. We ask that You do just that so that You will receive the glory.

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none�, I LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, the dry land springs of water� That they may see, and know, consider, and understand together, that the hand of LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:17-20

Reveal to us if there is something specific You would have us pray concerning this issue. We trust in You alone to provide for Your people whom You have brought home.” (unquote)

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Isaiah 22


A Message about Jerusalem

1 This message came to me concerning Jerusalem—the Valley of Vision[a]: What is happening?

Why is everyone running to the rooftops?

2 The whole city is in a terrible uproar.

What do I see in this reveling city?

Bodies are lying everywhere,


killed not in battle but by famine and disease.

3 All your leaders have fled.

They surrendered without resistance.

The people tried to slip away,

but they were captured, too.

4 That’s why I said, “Leave me alone to weep;

do not try to comfort me.

Let me cry for my people

as I watch them being destroyed.”

5 Oh, what a day of crushing defeat!

What a day of confusion and terror

brought by the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,

upon the Valley of Vision!

The walls of Jerusalem have been broken,

and cries of death echo from the mountainsides.

6 Elamites are the archers,

with their chariots and charioteers.

The men of Kir hold up the shields.

7 Chariots fill your beautiful valleys,

and charioteers storm your gates.

8 Judah’s defenses have been stripped away.

You run to the armory[b] for your weapons.

9 You inspect the breaks in the walls of Jerusalem.[c]

You store up water in the lower pool.

10 You survey the houses and tear some down

for stone to strengthen the walls.

11 Between the city walls, you build a reservoir

for water from the old pool.

But you never ask for help from the One who did all this.


You never considered the One who planned this long ago.

12 At that time the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,

called you to weep and mourn.


He told you to shave your heads in sorrow for your sins


and to wear clothes of burlap to show your remorse.


13 But instead, you dance and play;


you slaughter cattle and kill sheep.

You feast on meat and drink wine.

You say, “Let’s feast and drink,

for tomorrow we die!”

14 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has revealed this to me: “Till the day you die, you will never be forgiven for this sin.” That is the judgment of the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.