fasting – PAOLOPUNZALAN.COM

THE STARTING POINT OF AUTHENTIC TRANSFORMATION

As we start the fast today globally in Every Nation, I read Day Zero in our Prayer and Fasting Guide (download here). But since it’s also Day 1 here in Manila, I will read Day 1 as well.

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I remember in the old house we were in, my wife and I had a problem with the faucet in our bathroom. Because the water flow was so slow, to be able to brush your teeth, we had to wait about a minute for the cup to be filled. We endured this for several weeks until we got a plumber to help us with our faucet. In 10 minutes, he figured out the problem thus a cup could be filled in 3 seconds instead of a minute.

What you tolerate, you will never change.

I’ve heard that many times on different occasions. What you will allow to continue in your life, you will never see changes. God desires to sanctify and change us into the image and likeness of God. But if we stay stuck in our ways, we won’t be able to move forward.

The Bible says in Matthew 22:19 that “you are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Change happens all the time. But genuine and lasting change in the life of a person can only happen when God does it. By His power and the power of His Word, we are transformed.

The starting point is with the gospel. We can try to write 10 steps to change or 7 stages to transformation but if they don’t start with an understanding of what God has been done for us rather than what we can do for God, then we only find ourselves frustrated as with many of our New Year’s resolutions.

Jesus became flesh.
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life.
Jesus was crucified.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose from the dead.
Jesus is coming back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The Scriptures declare that Jesus is Savior and Lord. (Acts 2:36)
And the power of God is the gospel for through it, many are saved. (Romans 1:16)

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Watch Pastor Jim Laffoon as he explains further …

RANDOM THOUGHTS: ONE NAME. FIVE WORDS. TWENTY ONE DAYS.

ONE NAME.

Jesus. That’s the only name we desire to exalt.
It is in His name that we can find all we would ever need and desire – Savior, Provider, Lord, Master, Forgiver… our All in All.

FIVE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.

1. CONTEND AGAINST.

The greater the breakthrough, the greater the warfare.
We are to contend in the Spirit without ceasing.

2. CONTEND WITH.

When we don’t fight as a family, we can’t win. We need to learn to fight as a family, fight not as a wrestler but as a centurion, arm in arm with fellow warriors. If we fight alone, we’re dead. If we fight together, we win.

3. CLEANSING.

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

We want to be fit for the Master’s use. Repentance, turning and humility are keys to seeing this come to pass.

4. DELIVERANCE.

God will release people for His greater glory.
We’ve been seeing people set free from past hurts, sinful patterns, and emotional trauma.
Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

John 8:35 says that a servant doesn’t remain in the house forever, but a son does. A servant does the will of the Master because it is his duty but a son does the will of his Father because it is his delight.

5. SPIRITUAL POWER.

A greater move of the Spirit means greater opposition.

To see all that God is wanting to accomplish, it has to be birthed not in the physical but spiritual.

Jim Laffoon: “As this new building finishes, know that you are not just building a building but birthing a new era.”

We see the spirit of evangelism rise, prophetic prayer get activated and intercession/praying in the Spirit operate in a greater measure.

We are in an exciting season of our church.

Watch and see what God is going to do to a people surrendered to His love, will and leading.

“Nearness is a gift. Closeness is a daily choice.” (Jim Laffoon)
21 DAYS.

We sense that God is calling the leadership to a season of prayer and fasting. Starting July 10 – 31, pastors and leaders will be on a Daniel fast.

If you feel God is calling you to join us, go jump in with us whether for a week or 2 or whole 3 weeks.

The greatest breakthrough in fasting is not an answer to our prayer but the presence of God Himself.

Exciting times are up ahead.

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INFORMATION ON DANIEL FAST BELOW:

http://www.gotquestions.org/Daniel-fast.html

http://daniel-fast.com/draw-closer-god/

http://daniel-fast.com/aboutthefast-2/

http://www.ultimatedanielfast.com/ultimate-daniel-fast-about-the-daniel-fast/

FASTING IN BITE SIZES

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This week has been an amazing week of prayer, fasting and seeking God.

I’d like to share with you thoughts I got either from the Word, speakers during the prayer meeting or personal reflection.

Here they are…

The Holy Spirit enables us to speak the Word with great boldness. – CJ Nunag

You are enabled by the Word of God and empowered by the Spirit of God. – CJ Nunag

Speak the Word not out of fear but out of faith. – CJ Nunag

To love another is to seek their highest good. – Peter Tan-Chi

If we want to pray for the body of Christ, lets pray that we will all be Christ-like. – Peter Tan-Chi

If we align our prayers with God’s kingdom purposes, then we have the assurance that our prayers will be answered. – Manny Carlos

Prayer enables us to walk into doors of opportunity. – Manny Carlos

Prayer makes us sensitive to the leading of God. – Manny Carlos

On reaching next gen: It’s not a quick fix but it’s thinking long term. – Joseph Bonifacio

On reaching next generation: It’s not acting like a kid but building relationships. – Joseph Bonifacio

God is a Multi generational God. – Joseph Bonifacio

“Sometimes, it’s not adversity but prosperity that makes us forget God.” – Nixon Ng

Refuse to lose. Jesus has won the victory!

It is the wisest thing to trust the plan of the One who knows your past, your present and your future. – Juray Mora

God has a plan for our breakthroughs. The question is if we are willing to work with His plans. – Juray Mora

God’s breakthroughs in our lives do not come by chance. They are planned by God. – Juray mora

The goodness is not dependent on our timing. – Juray Mora

You cannot pay for the blessings of God because none of it we actually deserve.- Juray Mora

Your trust will only be as strong as your knowledge of His goodness. – Juray Mora

God’s plan, God’s will, God’s Word always works. It never fails. – Juray Mora

Your breakthrough depends on the Word of God and the Will of God. – Paul Chase

God does not ask you to do the impossible. All He asks is for you to BELIEVE. – Paul Chase

Jesus will heal you not because you gave your life to Christ. He will heal because He gave His life for you. – Paul Chase

Don’t allow the past failures to steal your future expectations. – Paul Chase

If you hesitate to ask the unbelievable, you’ll hesitate to believe the miraculous. – Paul Chase

“Don’t pray prayers you can answer “- Paul Chase

“EVEN IF GOD DOESN’T ANSWER…”

Testimonies from the recent Prayer and Fasting keep coming in.

Here’s one which is probably in my top 3 most favorite Prayer and Fasting testimonies shared by Noemi.

Why fast? More than praying for things to happen, it was an encounter with God. All of a sudden my lifestyle changed. I have finally finished the New Testament, which given my Bible reading pace, I would have for 6 months. My eyes were opened to people other than myself. I began to see prayer requests in the hearts of others without them telling me.

My prayer started to sound like an intimate conversation with God – like I was talking to a long-time friend. His words speak to me like no other. I appreciated the things that I have and realized that I don’t lack a thing. I was going through something personal at the moment butI was filled with peace – the kind that the world cannot give.

Why fast? Because to deny yourself of a pleasure in its simplest form (food) for a greater purpose is to see who God really is in His greatest splendor. When we draw near to Him, He will make Himself known.

With all that I gained from those 7 days, I will never be on the losing end even if God doesn’t answer my 10 faith goals. I am already a winner in every sense of the word.

“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

PF D5

Wow it’s 1-11-11. Cool date.

Today’s was a long day. Full of meetings. His grace was sufficient.

Lots of great stuff today.

Met about “Strong” series. Message no. 2 on the way. Message no. 1 here.

Great to meet with men (metro manila pastors) who are passionate for God and His kingdom.

Afternoon staff meeting was good. Every department positioned for a great year… by His grace.

Good ‘passionate’ discussion on certain things. I’m thankful for men who will say what they feel is the right thing to do and are not just “YES” men.

Prayed for a guy who is believing God for restoration of marriage.

Lord, I pray for all the marriages represented. Heal, restore, strengthen.

Prayed for the nation tonight. Awesome.

P Manny shared a powerful message. “Don’t have a grasshopper mentality.”

“How you see yourself is how others will see you.” – Manny Carlos. This principle was taken from Num 13:33 which says, “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

We cry out for this nation. Lord, heal our land. Heal us, your people.

PF D4

Need to stay open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Praying for the nations tonight. Ps 2 – Ask and I will give the nations to you.

Rest day.

Praying for future church plant in Paranaque.

Lots of distractions but will keep my eyes on Jesus.

They say after day 3, it gets easier. I’ve heard that many times in the past years. I still have to wait for that to happen to me.

Weakness before God. When I am weak, He is strong.

More toxins coming out… physically and spiritually.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Cor. 12:9, NLT)

PF D3

Random thoughts on Prayer and Fasting Day 3 (PF D3)

PF D1 and PF D2 here.

Gunk coming out. I’m not just talking about toxins.

Stuff in my heart that needs to rectified, changed, adjusted.

My wife showed me things I need to adjust in my personal life, leadership in the home and life in general.

Hurts when that happens. But pruning is necessary.

Fasting is good. Brings out the best… and the worst in us so that God can move.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

PF D2

Random thoughts on PF D2 (Prayer and Fasting Day 2)

PF D1 HERE.

Still feeling strong. A bit of weakness.

When I am weak, His strength is made perfect.

Learned from Nathan’s blog. Find it HERE.

Thankful for my family.

Thankful for Nathan who is growing in his faith leaps and bounds.

Thankful for Janina who is a blessing to us and our relatives. Loves to bless people with her singing.

Thankful for Ryan who is such a clown. Always brings joy to us. Makes us laugh.

Thankful for Joaquin. Just his mere ‘cuteness’ blesses us.

Thankful for my wife, Jenn, who is God fearing, prayerful, thoughtful, patient, understanding… my best friend.

So many things to thank God for.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chron. 16:34)

PF D1

PF D1 (Prayer and Fasting Day 1) Random Thoughts

Strong.

Excited for the new year.

Need to just stay focused on Him. Not His hand but His face.

Felt a question asked in my heart, “If I don’t answer any of your prayers…

if I don’t give you any of the breakthroughs you are believing for, will you still TRUST me?”

Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Ps. 105:4 (KJV)

STILL A MIRACLE WORKING GOD

We kicked off our 7 day prayer and fasting last night with our WORSHIP NIGHT.

Carlos started off with the verse, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

It became a celebration from beginning to end. A celebration of God’s faithfulness. A celebration of His goodness. A celebration of hope for the coming year.

We prayed for people God to move and He did. Here’s a lady who shared what she experienced last night.

hello ptr paolo,

just wanted to share…

i would have wanted to raise my hand to share while you were going around earlier during worship night, for the healing right after prayer. but i had some quite a number in the list, was thinking it would be long to enumerate.

1st, i had migraine. after the prayer, it felt so light, like my head was ballooning.

2nd, i came with backpain. right after, i felt like my back was being lifted and stretched and i didnt feel the pain anymore.

3rd, i had grumbling tummy mid of the worship night. i was already hungry. after the prayer, i didnt feel full but it wasnt hungry either.

it was just amazing! one of the best worship nights. just keeps on getting better & better!!! and oh by the way, my first to speak in tongues too. and ptr joey is right, when you cannot contain it, it simply overflows!

B.T.