The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: Did Paul teach fasting? We see it in the 4-Gospels and the book of Acts but not in Paul's writing. Can you show me what I don't see or explain somehow? Is the fast also part of the Church actions or just for Jews? REPLY: What I am about to write is my view and standing in regard to fasting. Judge it according to your faith and conviction. Paul’s ministry focus is primarily on faith in Christ, the gospel, and living by the Spirit. Fasting is not a central theme in his teachings; thus, I believe the specifics of fasting are left to an individual's conviction and context. If you look at Paul's writings, the only time he mentions fasting is in these 3-verses, 1Cor 7:5   Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 2Cor 6:5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 2C...

  In order to understand this statement, one must first understand that the Bible deals with two programs throughout its pages. The first is prophecy by means of Israel in order to restore earth, and the second is mystery by means of Paul, and the Body of Christ, in order to restore the heavens. Now, keep this in mind as we now tackle the question. In Matthew 6, Jesus had just finished teaching the Olivet sermon. The whole sermon has its context in the Millennial Kingdom. In actual fact, it can be seen as the constitution of the Kingdom and how Jesus will eventually execute His rule, according to these precepts and principles revealed in His sermon. After this teaching the disciples ask Him how they should pray. The content of the prayer concerns the period of time known as the Tribulation. If you recite the prayer in the context of a Jew living through the Tribulation, it will make a lot of sense; asking for ‘daily’ bread, for strength to forgive, for protection from evil and for ...

Let me start by saying right off the bat that God is all wise and all powerful and in His power and wisdom He will respond to a believers prayers in the way He chooses is best. So, we cannot discount or discredit miraculous answers to prayer today, HOWEVER, it is not the 'norm' for this to happen! Why not? Well as with everything in the Bible, one must recognize which dispensation we are in because this determines the modus operandi (the system of operation, the program, or the administration) in which God chooses to work today. In the Kingdom program (for Israel), God dispensed out a very difference doctrine (set of conditions) than what He is dispensing out today in the Grace program (for the Gentiles). In short, where the Kingdom ways were focused on the external, the way of Grace puts focus on the internal. For Israel, God showed Himself in the physical (incarnate) and with might miracles and wonders (1Cor.1:22), but for us, God works not by sight but by faith (2Cor.5:7). N...

What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?   This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37-38; Rom.16:25-26) Prayer The risen Christ revealed to Paul that prayer would no longer be based on the Law covenant agreements made with Israel. Prayer would change as we moved from Israel's dispensation to the Body of Christ. Let's have a look at what the Word reveals.   Matt 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  How many of us have prayed this prayer and it hasn't happened? There's a reason why it hasn't happened.  It belongs to the Kingdom ...

There are many persons that use the Lord's prayer as a template for their prayers. This of course is fine if you take its structure as an example and start with affirmations and worship, then pray about your needs and ask for provision, protection, and strength in your daily walk. It is not a good idea to pray the prayer word for word however. Why not? It is because the words within this prayer example are connected to the Jewish Kingdom program and is not relevant for you and I today. Let's first start by looking at the prayer example that Jesus taught his disciples,  Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come , Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors . 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Now let's...

One cannot deny that the change in dispensation from Prophecy to Mystery altered the entire lifestyle of the believer. When Paul started revealing the mystery doctrine, his teachings were quite literally the flip-side of a coin from the Kingdom message. God's new economy was grace, through the finished cross work of Jesus Christ.  Because of the new life and relationship we have through Christ, the rules for living had to be rewritten. It was God who revealed to Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom.11:13), a whole new way of life (Eph.3:1-7), which radically changed the pattern of living (1 Tim.1:16) from the former dispensation of law. Out of the many lifestyle changes, such as observances, forgiveness, works, baptism, and purpose, to name but a few, prayer was one of these where its practice and characteristics changed dramatically. Let's focus on prayer to provide some insight into the differences, as opposed to prayer in the previous dispensation.  The risen Christ revea...

Fasting is synonymous with intercessory prayer, and prayer warriors typically testify that fasting weakens the flesh and heightens the spiritual senses. Is this biblically true or is this just a noble mindset?  Before I get into the scriptures, I do want to say that for us in the grace dispensation,  fasting is a  personal  choice and not a biblical instruction.  Paul (our apostle, Romans 11:13), does not explicitly instruct us to fast. His only reference is a personal instruction found in 1 Cor.7:5. See more in the footnote *. The person who chooses to fast must understand that it is more for their own purposes; to focus themselves, to buffet their flesh, or to remind them of their cause. Fasting has no spiritual purpose today. It cannot influence God, it cannot make your prayers more effective, it cannot manipulate the outcomes. So, if you choose to fast, know that it's real purpose is more for your personal sake than it is for your prayer sake. It's more to k...