Day 13: Prayer and Fasting

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:19-20) *Some manuscripts add verse 21, But this kind of demon won’t leave except by prayer and fasting.

 Let’s put these verses in context. After the Transfiguration, at the foot of the mountain a desperate father came and knelt before Jesus. He begged Jesus to heal his son. The father suspect that his son had demon possesses. He reported to Jesus that he had asked His disciple to pray for his little boy but they were unable to help. Stop and reflect for awhile.

Why? The man goes to the representatives of Jesus but was utterly disappointed. Isn’t that what seemed to happen today? The disciples are like many Christians today – powerless. As I’m writing this, I’m fully aware that 3 fingers pointing at me. We are powerless! The truth is prayerlessness leads to powerlessness.

Having the appearance of religious – going to Church every Sunday, sing songs of praise & worship, having fellowship every week, wearing a big bling bling cross necklace covered with gold and silver etc. Is it wrong? No! But all this without faith in the Living God is useless. Wake up people. Pray for faith. Live a life of prayer. Jesus answered his disciples by saying, “You don’t have enough faith.”

Andrew Murray writes ‘In the spiritual world failure has only one cause: Lack of Faith.’ He continued, ‘Christ Jesus is our life and the life of our faith.’ After Jesus healed the boy, He gives a promise: “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Commentary explains that it is important to observe here that it is not the ‘amount’ of faith which brings the impossible within reach, but the power of God, which is available to even the ‘smallest’ faith. As I digest through the verses, I had a conclusion that his disciples had no faith at all. There was nothing smaller that a mustard seed. [Eugene H. Peterson paraphrases it as a ‘mere kernel of faith’.] Even that ‘amount’ is enough but His disciples had none. If our prayer is powerless, check our faith.

Prayer and Fasting

To have faith in the Lord, we must claimed it by prayer and with all possible – reinforced it by fasting. To be mature in the faith is only through prayer and fasting. In the beginning of Day 1 in this series, we had asked Jesus to teach us how to pray. So now, Lord, teach us to fast too. Prayer is reaching out for God and the unseen, while fasting is letting go of everything that can be seen and touch.

When I was joining the first National Service Training Programme 2003, I had a conversation with our camp commander who is a retired soldier for Tentera Darat Malaysia. He said that during war, soldier only carried what he need for the battle. Take only what is needed and free from unnecessary weight. This will enable soldier to combat easily. Just like fasting, “we are free from unnecessary weight so that we can easily capable to combating sin.” Thus, our prayer will be heard by God for sin will no more a hindrance for us.

Fasting is an important aspect of Christian spiritually. It usually involves abstaining from food (and possibly liquids) for a time to concentrate on prayer. When nothing holds you down, you can pray up to God. Faith in the Lord claimed by prayer and reinforced by fasting. That’s power! He promise that He will hear our prayer and ‘Nothing would be impossible’ if you have faith in Him.

Brothers and sisters keep praying and take time for fasting to let go of the unnecessary ‘weight’. Be a powerful Christian through prayer and fasting.

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Week 40: Confidence destroys fear.

When your confidence goes up, your competence goes up at the same time. (Zig Ziglar)

Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence. (Vince Lombardi)

Doing what is right will increase your confidence and destroy your fear. (Richard Angelus)

 One night I received a message from Wawa. She will be having a team presentation soon and asked me on how to gain confidence. With little time to thought things through, I give her some tips that might be helpful. But as I reflect on it later, I realized the fact that we cannot build confidence over night. All confidence is acquired. It must be developed. No one is born with confidence. It must be built one day at the time.

One of my greatest strengths (and also my greatest weaknesses) is having a fair amount of confidence. I once read that confidence can leads to two courses: It can lead to pride, which results in arrogance and boosting, or it can lead to inner assurance, which produces a healthy self-esteem. I hope that your confidence will produce a healthy self-esteem.

David J. Schwartz, Ph.D. in his must read book The Magic of Thinking Big, suggests 5 simple confidence-building exercises (explanations mine) that I had personally practice and passed the test of time that will surely increase (or build) your confidence. 

1)         Be a front seater. Sitting up front builds confidence. The reason most people (not all, but most) sit in the very back rows is because they are afraid to be noticeable - they are lack of confidence. The writer suggest you to sit as close to the front as you can, but I recommend you to sit at least somewhere in the middle onwards.

2)         Practice making eye contact. ‘It not only gives you confidence, it wins you confidence, too.’ This is why my eyes are big!

3)        Walk 25% faster. Psychologists tell us that we can actually change our attitudes by changing our posture and speed of movement. I never had seen anyone who walks like a snail and feel much confidence. [P.s: East Malaysian try to walks faster ya. West Malaysians walks slower a bit ya – just increase 25% from your normal walking pace okay.]

4)         Practice speaking up. ‘The more you speak up, the more you add to your confidence, and the easier it is to speak up the next time. Speak up. It’s confidence-building vitamin.’ I know that sometime people may laugh at your ideas or comments, I had been there, just ignore those looser. Speak up in order to learned but don’t speak something that obviously foolish.

5)         Smile big. Smile is excellent medicine for confidence deficiency. It doesn’t hurt. As a matter of fact, it makes you feel good and you will begin to radiate confidence. Smile! Smile! Smile!

As Christ follower, I believe that to have a total confidence that will never perish and will ensure a greater reward eternally is to have confidence in the Lord. This confidence doesn’t come from your physical circumstances such as how you look or what you achieve or any of the 5 practices above, but from inner assurance that God is by your side. For this I have only one practice to suggest:

1)         Have confidence in the Lord. Take comfort in Him, go to His promises in the Bible and your confidence in Him will grow stronger. The words of Prophet Jeremiah (17:7) said, “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” To have confidence in Lord is to have a genuine confidence indeed. Fear will not affect you anymore for your confidence is not depend on external circumstances but rather in His faithful promises.

Divine moments for Leaders comment on Confidence: The word for confidence is often translated in the Bible as boldness. With Jesus by our side, we can boldly step out in faith to do His work. We can have confidence that we can do anything within His will. Our ultimate confidence comes from trusting that God’s Word is true. Then we can endure any trials we face here on earth and be sure of all blessings that await us in heaven.

Remember: THINK BIG Confidence destroys fear. START SMALL by increasing your confidence one day at the time. GO DEEP One thing you must do to gain genuine confidence is to have confidence in the Lord.  

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More quotes (Added later)

The greater and more persistent your confidence in God, the more abundantly you will receive all that you ask. (St. Albert The Great)


Confidence as an outgoing act is directness and courage in meeting the facts of life, trusting them to bring instruction and support to a developing self. (John Dewey)


Confidence is a plant of slow growth. (English Proverbs)


Confidence begets confidence. (Latin Proverbs)

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Salt of the Earth

I remember watching my old-time favorite’s actor, Malaysia's most famous entertainer no other than late Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh a.k.a. Tan Sri Dr. P. Ramlee in his drama-comedy movie Ahmad Albab. I would like to highlight on the scene where Shawal (P.Ramlee) presented a gifts to his father-in-law, Mashood (acted by late AR Tompel), during his birthday.

At first, Syawal presents a packet of salt and a packet of sugar to his father-in-law. ‘What is this? Cheap presents!’ yelled Mashood. Then Mastura (acted by Saloma), Shawal’s wife explains that it represents their love for him. Mashood is angered by this, saying that love should be like jewels and gold. Then Mastura presents to her father meal she'd cooked for him. Mashood attempts to eat it but the food tastes bad, as it has been cooked without salt. Mastura explains that this is the meaning behind their present, for although salt is simple things, without it even the most delicious dish tastes bad.

Don’t you think that this scene is funny yet meaningful? Recently I read an article from IFES Praise & Prayer. I quote ‘Salt is brilliantly useful to give flavor, stop rot and even clear icy roads. But if the salt isn't there, or if nobody remembers how to use it what good can it do?’ John Stott once said: 'You can't blame meat for going rotten, that's what meat does. But you can blame salt for not being there!'

Jesus called out Christian to be the salt of the earth. If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. Life Application Study Bible comments: If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless… we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best in food. As Mastura concluded it, “Although salt is simple things, without it even the most delicious dish tastes bad.”

"Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose you saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage." (The Message by Eugene H. Peterson)

Remember: THINK BIG be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. START SMALL by affect others positively in your daily life. GO DEEP Jesus called you to be the salt of the earth.

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Be encouraged and encourage others

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

 Life can be so discouraging at times. I was talking to a young student when he said that, ‘Life in campus is boring.’ I looked around. At first I wasn’t convince what he just complained. When I asked what do you mean? He further explained that nobody really want to be his friend. “There are times when I need someone for support, they just not there for me. Whenever I try to communicate with them about my problems or when I'm in my darkest moment in life, they would tell me to shut up and continue doing their own things... I’m giving up...”

There are many people around us that need some encouragement. Sometime you yourself may long for someone to come beside you to encourage and strengthen you. Encouragement gives you the courage to go on. It inspires you with the hope that you can make a difference.

The greatest example of Encouragement Giver is God Himself. His Word brings comfort to many people who trust Him in difficulties and when facing challenges. Being Christ followers doesn’t mean that we will not experience hurt, pain and discouraging moments. In fact, we will. But God had promise that He will encourage us through His Word with comfort, hope and strength.

Be encouraged and encourage others. Dear readers, sometime - most of the time, God will use you to empower others. Your small gesture of encouragement may change people’s life. John C. Maxwell writes about What You Need to Know to Encourage People;

People are insecure… give them confidence.

People like to feel special… sincerely compliment them.

People are looking for a better tomorrow… show them hope.

People need to be understood… listen to them.

People lack directions… navigate for them.

People are selfish… speak to their needs first.

People get downhearted… encourage them.

People want to be associated with success… help them win.

People desire meaningful relationships… provide community.

People seek models to follow… be an example.

Remember; THINK BIG God is the Ultimate Encourager. Therefore, we ought to do the same. START SMALL It doesn’t have to take super ability or skill to encourage others. It takes a sincere heart that want to add value to others. GO DEEP Your encouragements may change people’s life and almost always will change yours too.

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Day 12: The Secret of Believing Prayer

“And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. (Mark 11:22-23)

Have faith in God. He is the Author and the Perfecter of our faith, the Giver of our faith. Without faith, it is impossible for us to pray with such confidence ‘does not doubt in his heart’. The Bible defines ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.’ (Hebrews 11:1)

Have faith in God. Faith is the basic condition of all our relationship with God. Faith in God means that we are willing to trust Him. Trusting Him for Who He says He is and will keep His promises of answering our prayer. Andrew Murray writes, ‘Have faith in God, the Living God. Let faith focus on God more than on the living promised, because it is His love, His power, His living presence that will awaken and work the faith.’

RBC Ministries in Jesus’ Blueprint for Prayer puts it this way, “Sometimes when we pray we concentrate on the gift in God’s hand and ignore the hand of God Himself. We pray fervently for the new job, or for the return of health. When we gain the prize, we are delighted. And then we have little more to do with God. God’s hand serves only as a way to pay the rent, heal the sickness, or get through the crisis. After the need has been met, the hand itself means little to us.”

Let it not be so to you my friend. Have faith in God in our prayer offer more than receiving His gifts. He offers us Himself. The best reward in prayer is the reward of communicating and communing with the God of the universe. Have faith in God.

The object of our prayer is the Living God. They key is faith. The requirement is to believe. 

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Don't fear the giant

I hold you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God. And I say to you “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

 God’s people were on the verge of entering the Promised Land. Before they moved to Canaan, Moses, their leader, under the direction of God, chose one man from each tribe and sends them as spies into the Promised Land, Canaan. 12 spies were selected. Their tasks were to check out some specific things; if the land was fertile, whether the cities were protected, how many people lived there, and what the fruit was like.

When they returned forty days later, 10 spies told Moses in a fearful and hopelessness tone, ‘… the people living there are powerful… and… and… and their towns are large and fortified… we even saw giants there…’ (Based on Numbers 13:1-29)
Maybe the 10 spies’ fear came when they focus on the giants that seemed more frightening and immediate than God’s promise. Fear is real. Fear can paralyze us. Fear can distort our view of reality. 

Stop for awhile, What are your fears that had been holding you down? Maybe it’s the fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of criticism. Fear of loss of love of someone. Fear of old age. Fear of death. Fear of facing your giants in life. Fear had been dominated you life and therefore, you can be identify with the 10 spies when they said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’ (v.31)
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My father was a strong man. He worked in a rough construction area. Cement, bricks and woods were his favorite ingredients. Hammer, nails and drilling machines were his tools. Can you imagine how strong he was? I can because I see, feel, and testing his muscles that day. I told my friends in my village that they cannot mess up with me because my father can squeeze them easily. Like squeezing Ubi Kayu, I warned them.
Whenever I saw my father’s arms, I feel save. I feel confidence. Fear was miles away. I know those arms will protect me from physical dangers - enemies, and his strong muscles were his valid proof.
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Maybe that was why Caleb told the people with confidence voice saying, ‘Let’s go at once to take the land, we can certainly conquer it!’ (v.30) He had seen God’s arms all this while. He had experienced how God had kept His people faithfully since the day they moving out from Egypt. Maybe Caleb remembered clearly that God had promised that the people would conquer the land.

The giants in your path may appear more powerful than God, who promises to deliver you. But never lose hope in the assurance of His promises. On that day, only Caleb and Joshua were stand alone. They remembered that their Father in Heaven is stronger than those giants. His arms overshadow their fear. His muscles make them confidence in Him. In the end, those who had not trusted Him were not entering the Promise Land except Caleb and Joshua and younger generations of Israelites.

Soon or later, you’ll have to face your fear. You’ll meet your giants in every area of your life. Take heart. Never lose hope. Remember His promises. Remember His muscles. Remember His faithfulness. Don’t let the size of your giants reduce the size of your God!




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Day 11: The Faith that Takes

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

 This is one of the most misunderstood or rather one of the most misquoted verse in the Bible. Some books that I read will deduct the ‘whatever you ask in prayer’ and placed it with ‘whatever you want’. Take out the ‘Have faith in God…’ (v.22) from Jesus’s words and placed it with ‘Have faith in yourself’. And it became a well-receive philosophy of life: Have faith in yourself. Whatever you want, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Does it sound nice to hear? Does it easier for our mind to swallow? Does it go smooth in our modern life where god is a Sunday deity that needs to be entertained? It makes we feel in charge. I bet the whole world will convert to Christianity if Jesus preached this kind of sermon. But he doesn’t. He said that this can only be done only through prayer. But prayer seems so odd to do because unless prayer is entirely self-talk then other than that is totally crazy.

Someone texting me last night at hour 23:59:30 just before I finished my favorite cup of Nescafe coffee:

“(read till end). Hello. It’s Me, Jesus. I will be handling your problems today. I will be in control and will carry your burdens so your problems will be handled. Enjoy your day and know you are blessed. My child you are never alone. If you deny me on Earth, I will deny you in Heaven. If you’re not ashamed of me send to 15 including me. Watch what happens in thirty minutes! Be honest and send this to anyone who made you smile…”  

This is nonsense. Kneeling had been replaced by texting. Prayers had been replaced by chain of messages. It shows that the world is desperate for blessing. The world is hunger for miracles.  The world is in fear. People are afraid. They have ‘mountains’ in their life. They have burden that need to be remove. We are desperate. We need help. We need someone to gives the blessing. We need Father to provide all this. We need Mediator to communicate all this. But we are afraid to ask in prayer, afraid to seek His Providences in our need... afraid to knock on Heaven’s door.

“…whatever you ask in prayer…” requires faith in God. (We will look this through on Day 12) Andrew Murray writes ‘It is the ear which has heard God says what He will do and the eyes which has seen Him doing it. Therefore, where there is true faith it is impossible for the answer no to come.’ When we afraid to ask, we have invite fear to come. Faith is the opposite of fear. To pray we need faith, to have faith we need to pray. Prayer is the source of faith power. Start praying and God will give you faith. And once faith had been received, you’ll automatically want to pray. It’s a mystery, I know, but it’s the truth.

“…believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Believe is the key to received. This kind of ‘believe’ is not out of nothing. It is the kind of believe that is generated by faith in God. Give thanks before we see our prayer is answered.

This kind of prayer is not supposed that every prayer that we prayed will be received just like the way we like it to be. New Bible Commentary by IVP press comments: "Jesus was ‘thinking God’s thoughts after him’ and willing his Father’s will.” To know the will of God, we need to pray in faith. Once He reveals his thoughts, you will pray Father’s will be done and it will be yours. This is the kind of faith that takes. Do not afraid to ask, seek and knock. No more texting, start kneeling. No more chain of messages, start praying.

Have faith in God. Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Related Link, Click title to Read:  
Week 36: Faith - It cannot move mountain, but He can.
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