A testimony and answer.
CELEBRATION
I visited family to celebrate beautiful new beginnings. We began festivities at a church in my cousin’s home town. For the first time in a long time, I attended a full service. The pastor spoke from Matthew 17:14-21. In this passage, the father of a young boy sought help from Jesus because the disciples could not heal his son from the demonic oppression he suffered.
In private, Jesus revealed that unbelief was one of two reasons his disciples could not cast out the spirit that afflicted the child. Jesus disclosed another crucial step for future success. In few words, he exposed that diversities and tiers exist spiritual in things. Plainly, Jesus said this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”.
Days prior to attending church, it came to my spirit to fast the first week in September. I tried and folded towards the end of the first day. God still met me in fragility. After hearing the same word at Sunday’s service, a second time scrolling socially, and a third time through a shared texted link; I knew the fast was a serious timely instruction from the Holy Spirit. I began the next day.
TESTIMONY
I’ll confess that my spirit was very heavy on the way to service that Sunday. God strengthened me on the way there. The depression I thought was gone visited yet again. The same old ‘spirit of heaviness’ I suffered with for most of life hovered. The moments were grievous and debilitating at times. Through it, I remembered Paul’s testimony in agony when God said,“My grace is sufficient for thee”.
The long commute to the event was the first time I had a chance to process several recent and unforeseen, traumatic events. On the ride to the church service, I fought through hopelessness. I yearned and prayed for a normal state of being. I pushed through suicidal ideation by speaking God’s promises . I’ve come too far to accept that this was “it”. Though I’m not where I was, I understood there was further to go.
When I arrived at the church I was met with loving words and warm embraces. I tried to hide and put on a brave face. Though I didn’t say a word about my struggle, the concerns of my heart were answered consecutively. It almost didn’t feel real. My cousin affirmed God’s love by saying, “God has not forgotten you” seemingly of the blue. Her timing was divine.
During the altar call, I hesitated silently. Before the moment passed, my cousin offered to walk me to the altar. She took my hand, brought me up front and stood with me for prayer.
A woman of God petitioned for me. She spoke my unshared struggles as she interceded. The power of the Holy Ghost was present and flowing. Her accuracy was evidence that God revealed private and sensitive matters to her. With the laying on of hands she began to pray, bind and cast out sufferings and oppression in the name of Jesus. By the Spirit of God she spoke life.
It was a day of deliverance in a safe space. Well into a tearful and vulnerable experience, I coughed and hurled. The woman of God held my hand and consoled me. When I stood up, I felt lighter. She confirmed a glow. By the grace of God, I experienced deep healing.
A LESSON IN FAST “FOOD”
Two days later while consecrating myself, I saw a Fresh Direct slogan that said, “Food that delivers you”. Ironically, the ad’s phrase applies to spiritual and natural things. Immediately, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” came to my spirit. This verse is Jesus’ response to the enemy’s temptation to satisfy his hunger while fasting in the wilderness in Matthew 4:3-4.
What’s deep is that the enemy tempted Jesus with something he knew was capable of doing at the wrong time. The adversary strove to persuade Jesus to undermine who he is by trying to “prove” who he is, while enticing him to misuse his gifts out of season. When Jesus resisted temptation with a slew of “it is written’s…”, while remaining in position, the enemy left. Jesus is our teacher and living example.
FACTS
We are often challenged in areas of capability. When we don’t know who God truly is, we are ignorant to who we are. We learn who God is through His word. We are anchored by relationship. If we are unaware of what God’s said, we risk defenselessness against the adversary in this life. When we are untaught, we are oblivious to our divine rights.
Fasting detoxifies and resets the body. God’s word washes and resets the mind from clutter. With prayer it empowers mind, heart and soul in faith. The Holy Spirit reminded me that God’s Living Word is food for the spirit. God’s Living Word is a defense, nourishment and strength for the soul.
Just as meals, water and vitamins are necessary for a health, energy and vitality; the same applies to God’s Living Word. It’s Living Water made to revive the soul. When the body is given the opportunity to rest and reset itself while fasting, it comes with physical and supernatural benefits .
The same Jesus that turned water into wine and multiplied the fishes and loaves understood that God’s word creates and precedes natural things. God’s word produced the Earth and every thing in it (Psalm 24:1). Life is born through the word of God that heals, liberates, rescues and provides. God’s word is the “food that delivers” us.
In this season, many of us are drawn to seek and find God in personal space. We have an opportunity to be made new. It’s time to be free from unbelief, oppression and depression. May we live in the goodness of God’s will. May we experience the power of God in real time. In Jesus name.m, Amen.
SOURCE REFERENCES
Jeremiah 29:13, Mark 9:23-25, John 2:1-11, John 10:10, Matthew 14:14-21, Psalm 24:1, John 1:1-3, Psalm 107:20, Psalm 34:22, Matthew 4:3-4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, James 4:7, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 17:14-21, Isaiah 58, Isaiah 61:3, Psalm 27:13, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Revelation 21:5, 1 John 2:27, Ephesians 5:17-18, John 4:14 , Romans 8:16-17, “God Provides”Bible Verses, Depression Symptoms, Crisis Lifeline, shared link for Fasting & Prayer Online, Heart, KOM timely prophetic message , biblegateway.com, mayoclinic.org., kingjamesbibleobline.org.
Glow to victory 
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