So many people ask me how I keep my personal passion for God burning so hot all the time. I tell them its very simple; there are three things you must do: Read the Word of God, and pray and fast on a regular schedule. The Word of God is so clear on how we are to keep the fire of personal daily revival going.
Lets start off with Mark 1:35, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Before the day even got started the Son of God knew the importance of being ready to face the day and all it had for Him. Your early morning prayer time lets you connect with God first thing in the morning without you waking up late and rushing around. Honestly if you start your day rushed, you’re rushed all day. So wake up early and start your day as Jesus did with the Father.
Psalm 119:9-11 says, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”
When we have the Word of God hidden in our heart, it will guide us in all our ways, its truly a light unto our path. The Word says people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge. The book of Proverbs is all about knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Get into the Word and remember John 1:1, which says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Or Matthew 6:6, which says: “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” When we have a dedicated time to spend with God the word declares he is already there in the Secret place waiting for us. How exciting is that!
The King of the universe wants to meet with me on a regular basis. I don’t know about you but that makes me feel really important. That makes me feel like He wants to invest in my life and really has a plan and a purpose for me. Here are some good scriptures that encourage me to meet with God daily. Remember Acts 3:20, “Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.” This means I can have a daily time of refreshing for the Lord? Yes please sign me up for that. And don’t forget Psalms 37:7, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” When we wait on the Lord he will act and he speak to us.
In Matthew 6:18, Jesus warns “That your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” When we fast we are saying to God we want to draw closer to you Lord. I personally take every meal time that I would skip and spend that time with God in reading and prayer.
If you really want to know where a huge portion of your time goes, it’s eating. We spend so much time and money and it. This is why in Isaiah 58—the fasting chapter in the Bible—says a fast means to abstain from food. It’s the No. 1 thing the flesh cries out for.
When we fast, our heart and mind turns back toward God at a greater measure. Consider Ecclesiates 10:10, which says, “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength, but wisdom brings success!” When we feel our lives getting dull, it’s time to fast and regain our Focus with God.
Finally, meditate on Psalm 119:107: “I am greatly afflicted; revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.”
When we read the Word of God, spend time in prayer and fast, God will keep us and, if necessary, he will put us back on the right track. And fasting will help you like the Word says in Psalms 119:37: “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.”
When you have a daily time with God, it makes life work! Read. Pray. Fast.
Joe Joe Dawson is the president of Burn Texarkana Revival center and House of Prayer. Pastor Dawson also serves as staff evangelist for First Assembly of God in Texarkana, Texas, where he also is now the Tribe College/young adult pastor. Burn Texarkana has one revival/awakening service a month at First Assembly and also has Burn on the Road meetings in neighboring cites monthly. There are four Burn Texarkana prayer meetings each week! Joe is married to the love of his life, Autumn, and together they have three kids: Malachi, Judah and Ezra.
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