Pastors' Blog

Del Cordero – Alegria Me Das

Why Fast?

“In Matthew 6, Jesus gave us specific direction on how to live as a child of God. That pattern addressed three specific duties of a Christian: Giving, Praying and Fasting. Jesus said, “When you give,” “when you pray,” “when you fast.” He made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of Christian life. I believe that when all three disciplines—giving, praying and fasting—are at work in your life, you release the complete power of God. It’s much like the lesson Jesus taught in Mark 4:8. When you pray, you release the thirty-fold return. Praying and giving releases sixty-fold blessing. But when you pray, give and fast, you will see a hundred-fold return!”

“I believe that many Christians fail to tap into one of the most powerful and rewarding spiritual reservoirs we have at our disposal—fasting. And it’s often because they don’t know much about this important command for Christ’s followers.”  -Pastor Jentezen Franklin

“If you’ve never fasted or want to know more about it, I want to cover the basics with you. Biblical fasting is giving up specific foods and drinks for a specified number of days. The type and length of the fast you choose is between you and God. We, at PCCC, are participating in a 21-day fast; at the beginning of the New Year. Fasting, prayer and reading God’s Word go hand in hand. When you fast, also pray for God’s purpose and plan for your life to be revealed. Fast and pray about every major decision in your life. Simply put, fasting is a way to conquer the physical and open the door to the supernatural in your life. When you deny your body, you feed your spirit and grow closer to the Lord.”

CFN Music & Kari Jobe – The More I Seek You

III. SING AN INSPIRED SONG

1. Inspiration is the answer to lack of creativity
   a) Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you – Quote from Dr. Noel Santiago: “Pray & tell Jesus to activate the Spirit of Innovation in you.” – Exodus 35:31
   b) Don’t depend on your own abilities – Zechariah 4:6
2. Inspiration is the breath of God
   a) The Breath is inside of you – Genesis 2:7
   b) What comes in, comes out – Luke 6:45
3. Sing from your innermost being
   a) The source of the song – John 7:38
   b) The intensity of the song – Romans 8:26

II. CROSS THE THRESHOLD OF YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE

1. From known to unknown
   a)     Every song represents an experience. The mind is a huge file full of data.
   b)     Don’t depend on the overhead projector or lyrics sheets
   c)     Sing a song that is brand new – Psalm 96:1
2. From intellectual to spiritual
   a)     Two Fountains: Mind and Spirit – 1 Corinthians 14:15
   b)     Sing a song that communicates the spiritual – 1 Corinthians 2:13
3. From structured to spontaneous
   a)     Too much structure and program will hinder a spontaneous song
   b)     Sing a song that comes out of an intimate place with Him
4. From shallow to deep
   a)     Empty words flow from a distracted mind – 1 Peter 1:13
   b)     Sing a significant song
             >Expand your vocabulary: Use a dictionary or a thesaurus
             >Use words that express deeper thoughts and feelings
5. From casual to intimate
   a)     Worship must draw  you closer in the relationship
   b)     Sing a song that expresses intimate thoughts, feelings and desires