Jonathan Gallo

Tag: spiritual formation

  • What is “the sabbath”

    What is “the sabbath”

    One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

    Mark 2:23-27

    God is the first to rest and declare rest essential (Genesis 2:2-3).  So essential that it becomes a top ten “must do” for the nation of Israel (Exodus 20:8-11).  When they experience calamity because it’s not a priority (Nehemiah 13:18) their leaders begin to enforce it through thirty-nine prohibitions (Mishnah Tractate Shabbat 7:2).  In this passage, Jesus and his disciples are confronted by the Pharisees because “threshing” is one of those no-no’s.

    Jesus reminds the leaders that the idea of Sabbath rest was given by God for our benefit.  They had seen Sabbath through the lens of a God who responds in anger – “if you don’t keep the Sabbath, God will not be happy.”  Jesus presents them an image of God who created Sabbath with loving motives – “Sabbath is made to meet the needs of people.”

    Intentional rest is a statement of faith in God. That we are limited and that He is in control as our creator, provider, sustainer.  That as much as we were created to work what He has given us – we were also created to stop and enjoy it too.  That we require rest to be refreshed, rejuvenated and recharged.

    As one prone to work, I am learning to trust God more and rest because it’s how He designed me to operate in perfect balance.  It means I have to stop doing things and cut things out of my calendar.  I’d encourage you to consider how you might too.

  • How to Hear the Voice of God

    How to Hear the Voice of God

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

    Joh 10:27

    God is more anxious to talk to us than we are interested in listening to Him.  He is always talking.  We simply need to tune in and become aware of His voice.  There is a process that we can take to become aware of Him speaking in our life.

    1. The Word To Mind

    Joh 14:26 ESV But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

    The first step is to become familiar with the Bible.  As you read the Bible, God will speak to you.  The promise here is that the Holy Spirit in believers will bring to our mind the words that God has spoken and explain to us what it means.

    Since God transcends time and space, when He speaks, His words are always in the present.  You see, the Bible is a record, not of what God spoke (past) but what He is speaking (now) and what He will speak (future).  When you read the Bible you are reading God’s thoughts.  As you live your life, and spend time in the Bible, you will find that God’s word will begin to come to mind without you even trying to remember it.

    Application – if you want to hear the voice of God

    • Hear the words that God has already spoken…and recorded in His word.
    • God will bring those words to you to remind you

    God’s word

    • Helps you judge the words that you hear God speaking to you.
    • You will be able to differentiate between your subconscious mind speaking and the heart of God.
    • It will help refine what you hear and know what to do with it.

    2. Inner Nudge

    The second step in hearing God’s voice is to become aware of Spirit of God nudging the centre of your heart.  Spirit to spirit you will at times be inclined towards a certain action.  That action will mirror a spiritual decision that reflects the nature of the Spirit of God in you – not your natural “spiritual” direction.

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:22-25 KJV

    The nudge may be also a desire to operate in a spiritual way.  As you become aware about how the Holy Spirit wants to give others spiritual gifts through you, you will have the inner nudge to do things like pray for sickness, offer encouragement, etc. (see 1 Corinthians 12 & 14)

    1Co 14:3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

    3. Internal Whisper

    1Ki 19:9-13 KJV And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? (10) And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. (11) And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: (12) And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (13) And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

    The final step is to become aware of the regular quiet voice of God in your life.  God speaking to your mind through your spirit.  You speaking back to Him through your spirit.  You being able to distinguish His voice from any other voice.  You recognizing a voice that is not from yourself.  You responding in obedience and over time the impression of that voice becomes more and more distinguished.

    Realize, that getting to this point may take some time (1 Samuel 3).  Your spirit flows from the centre of your abdomen.  As you recognize its’ flowing, you will hear God more and more.

    Joh 7:38 ESV Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

    Joh 7:38 KJV He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

    How To Start?

    • Get into the word
    • Quiet your mind (very important)
    • Listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to you from your heart….
    • Write what you hear…(Jer 30, Hab 2:2)
    • Examine what you hear…distinguish voices…

    4. Words Externally

    Isa 30:19-21 ESV For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. (20) And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. (21) And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

    The audible voice of God is very rare but does happen on occasion.

    Factors that Determine Voice of God

    1 – Obedience Level / Sin

    Mic 3:5-8 ESV Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths. (6) Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; (7) the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God. (8) But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

    2 – Trust     

    Pro 11:13-14 KJV A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. (14) Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

    Psa 25:14 KJV The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

    Pro 3:32 ESV for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

  • Fasting: what is it, how to

    Fasting: what is it, how to

    Introduction

    Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God. – Andrew Murray

    Do you have a hunger for God? If we don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because we have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or even increase, our soul’s appetite for God. Between the dangers of self-denial and self-indulgence is the path of pleasant pain called fasting. – John Piper

    A fast is not a hunger strike. Fasting submits to God’s commands. A hunger strike makes God submit to our demands. – Ed Cole

    By fasting, the body learns to obey the soul; by praying the soul learns to command the body. – William Secure

    Did you know that Jesus spoke more about fasting and prayer than “the Lord’s supper” and “baptism”? If you are thinking about setting some time aside to fast and pray the next few pages have been designed for you.

    What is the ultimate purpose of prayer and fasting?

    1. To draw us closer to the heart of God.
    Ultimately God wishes to be more active in our lives that we allow Him to. Fasting is the “affliction of the soul” to become more spiritually sensitive. It’s a posture of humility that declares to God our total reliance on Him. It’s a sign of a return to God (Joel 2:12) that starts with the release of sin and declares whole hearted dependency and devotion. (See the section – Spiritual Preparation.)

    2. To see God’s glory at work in our lives
    The Biblical pattern that we find during and after periods of fasting and prayer is a supernatural encounter with God that transforms our lives. Here are some Biblical examples of people who fasted and prayed. Daniel received supernatural insight into the scriptures. Jesus promised his disciples greater insight into the supernatural with greater authority over demons (Mt 17:21). Nineveh saw the mercy of God in their city as God withheld judgment. David found peace at the death of his son (2 Sam 12). The Children of Israel became aware of their own sin and repented (Neh 9:1-3).

    Prayer & Fasting

    • Does not help obtain “spiritual credit” from God.
    • Is not a hunger strike to force God to do something you want him to. He doesnot contradict his own character and word.
    • Does not cause God to ignore our disobedience. See the section – SpiritualPreparation

     When Should I Fast?

    Prayer and fasting is a voluntary activity. In the OT law, there was only one mandatory day of fasting – the day of atonement. In the NT, while fasting is assumed (Mt 6:16) as a normal spiritual activity of Christ’s followers – the “when” is left up to the individual.

    The pattern we do see is that fasting and prayer usually centers around a desire:

    • For healing 2Sa 12:16-23; Ps 35:11-13
    • For direction 2 Chron 20:3, 10; Acts 13:2; Acts 14:23
    • For supernatural insight Daniel 10
    • For protection or breakthrough in difficult situation – Jud 20:26; 2 Chron 20:23; Es 4:3
    • In seeking God’s mercy for judgement of personal or national sin 1Ki 21:17-29; Jonah 3:4-10; Da 9:3-5; Neh 9:1-3

    Fasting is not an activity that requires you to stop carrying out life’s responsibilities. Fasting doesn’t mean you stop going to work, cleaning your home, taking care of your children, or giving attention to your relationships. On the contrary, Jesus actually commanded that we continue with life’s activities during periods of fasting (Mt 6:16-18). This is also the pattern also supported by 1 Samuel 14:24 and Acts 27:33.

    How Do I Fast?

    Ultimately it is important that you are led by the Holy Spirit and common sense as you determine the type of fast that you will participate in. It is important to remember that the purpose of fasting is not simply to remove something but to replace the time that you spend on that activity – in prayer and seeking God’s face.

    Determine the length of your fast …

    • One meal (Dan 6:18)
    • One day (Judg 20:26; 1Sa 14:24; 2Sa 1:12; 3:35)
    • Three days (Esth 4:16)
    • Seven days (1Sam 31:13; 2Sam 12:16-18)
    • Three weeks (Daniel 10)
    • Up to Forty Days (Exod 34:28; Deut 9:9; 1Ki 19:8; Mt 4:2; Lk 4:2)

    Determine the type of your fast

    • An absolute fast (no water or food)
    • A liquid fast (no solid foods)
    • A vegetarian / removal of pleasure foods – fast (Daniel 10:3)
    • Removal of regular life activity such as (television, a hobby, sex(only if marriage partner agrees – 1 Cor 7:5), etc.

    Before you do choose, also consider the section Physical Preparation. In some cases it is important that you obtain medical advice before proceeding. If your job requires strenuous physical activity, it may be wise to limit fasting to the weekends only. It is also wise to make sure that you are fasting during a period where you will be with extended family and face the temptation to eat (ie// thanks giving).

    In the same way that medical experts ask us to prepare our bodies before certain medical procedures are performed, I have found it so helpful to prepare both spiritually and physically before I enter into a fast. Preparation ensures that you get the most from your time with God.

    How do I prepare physically? 

    It is important that you begin by preparing your body to fast. Here are some keys.

    1. Medical Clearance: make sure that you understand what you are physically able to fast. You many need to get a physical exam and the advice of your doctor first. The following type of people should never fast without medical supervision: pregnant, nursing, physically underweight, prone to eating or behavioral disorders; those who have been diagnosed with tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, heart disease, diabetes, a blood sugar disorder or have chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, or other important organs; individuals on any type of medication.

    2. Reduce Caffeine Intake: It’s often suggested to eliminate coffee and caffeinated teas from your diet at least a week or two ahead of the beginning of longer fasts. It usually takes at least a week for your system to “withdraw” and be free of headaches and other symptoms associated with caffeine elimination. It is hard to fast and pray during the period your body is detoxifying.

    3. Don’t neglect sleep. Make sure that you go into your fasting period, alert and ready to hear God.

    4. Develop “fasting” muscle. If you are looking to do a longer fast, it is always wise to work your way up by first completing several shorter fasts first. You will be able to better tell how to both start and end a fast.

    5. If you are planning a longer fast, some suggest it important to first wean your food intake requirements down through smaller meals and then “raw only” meals – rather than going in “cold turkey” and gorging yourself ahead of time.

    How should I prepare Spiritually?

    The Bible teaches that God always responds to believers prayers whose hearts are pure before Him. Unconfessed sin(Psalm 66:16-20), marital strife(1 Pet 3:7), unrepentant living(Isaiah 58), and unforgiveness(Mat 6:15), prevents God from hearing and answering prayer

    As you prepare to seek God, ensure that your heart is right before Him, confess any sin that you might have, purpose to change sin in your life, set your relationships in order, and forgive those who have offended you.

    Realize that these will be the primary areas that the Holy Spirit will work to convict you of during any fast.

    During the Fast

    Here are some tips for walking through a fast.

    • Reduce head noise: eliminate television, radio, outside work computer-internet, cell phone use that will get you thinking, discouraged, or fully distracted from what you are doing.
    • Schedule: plan what you are going to do when. It will help you stay on track.
    • During extended fasts eliminate unnecessary physical exertion. Your body needs to be resting.
    • Drink plenty of liquids – water and juice. Water will help your body as it begins to naturally detoxify itself and juice will help you maintain a good blood sugar level.

    Breaking a Fast

    While shorter fasts are easier to break, prolonged fasts require wisdom and a gradual return to normal eating patterns. Often it is wise to begin with protein and vitamin enriched liquids, to move on to raw foods, then cooked vegetables, and finally to meat over a period of a few days.

    If you are planning a prolonged liquid only fast, ensure that you have obtained the proper medical clearance and are under continual medical supervision throughout and during your post fast routine.

    Scriptures to Consider

    Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9-18; Ezra 8:21-23; 10:6; Nehemiah 1:4; Esther 4:16; Job 33:19,20; Psalm 69:10, 102:4; Isaiah 58:6; Daniel 9:3,20-23, 10:3; Joel 2:15; 2 Samuel 12:16,17; Matthew 4:2; 6:16, 9:15; Acts 13:3, 14:23; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:27,28; Jonah 3:5,10