"Come NOW", says the Lord, "Let us reason together,"

My women's bible study this week is on Isaiah chapters 1 & 2, it is so rich in the history of Israel from about 700BC, and yet so current. The indictment that God makes towards Judah is relevant in modern America (and beyond).  It still astounds me though, the sure mercies, the tender mercies of our God. He calls out to even the most wretched with love and longing, pleading with us to come home, like the old hymn says; "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me, see on the portals he is watching and waiting, watching for you and for me; come home, come home, all who are broken come home.... dear sinner come  home"

Perhaps you have left your first love (and make no mistake, Jesus Christ should be and deserves to be your first love, your primary passion) and you are feeling the darkness has crept in to your own heart and soul, then hear the word of the Lord: Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though the be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

"Come now, no season  can be better. IF ye tardy till you're better, ye will never come at all. Come now; you may never have another warning; the heart may never be so tender as it is to-day. Come now; no other eyes may ever weep over you; no other heart m ay ever agonize for your salvation; Come now; it is God's time; tomorrow is the devil's time. Today if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, when your father's tempted Me and proved Me in the wilderness and say My works." Come now. Why delay to be happy? Would you put off your wedding-day? Will you postpone the hour when you are pardoned and delivered? Come now: the bowels of Jehovah yearn for YOU. The eye of your father sees you afar off, and he runs to meet you. Come now, the church is praying for you; these are revival times; ministers are more earnest." Spurgeon

"And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting."

I have been thinking allot lately about the topic of fasting. It is not a topic that you hear much about these days, but the bible has much to say about it: In Ezra, God's people fasted and sought the Lord for special protection from their enemies in an extraordinary battle. Esther fasted and prayed for 3 days and asked all of Israel to do the same, that she would have the opportunity to speak to the King on their behalf and save the nation. There are many other specific situations to which the idea of going without food for a time, in order to seek God's face and favor are given in the scriptures. Jesus taught his disciples on fasting many times, presupposing that they would practice fasting. He told them to not do it for the approval of men, but to seek God privately. Jesus even suggested that it would give them power over demons, that they had been powerless to cast out of a young boy in Matthew 17.

There are people gathering all across the USA to fast and pray and seek God on behalf of certain strongholds effecting our country and freedoms. I would urge you to consider this ancient practice, that the Lord's power be made manifest in your life. I would ask you to pray for me also, as I endeavor to seek the Lord for fresh wind and fresh fire. May GOD Most High, have His way in our lives, our families, our churches, our workplaces, our country and our world. It is all His anyway, but the usurper seems to be taking more ground daily. Let us go forth in HIS wonderful Name, into the enemies camp and take back what he has stolen from us. There are some wonderful books written on this subject as well, but I would simply encourage you to open up your bible and see what it says regarding fasting and prayer and then simply obey what the Spirit is speaking to your heart. Let us join together and seek God according to His Word and Will In Isaiah 58.