Native American Watch
Scriptural focus:
1. Fast from thinking and speaking negative, critical words or gossip. Speak life and blessing over others and ourselves. Our words can break the bonds of wickedness.
2. Be purposeful about ministering to the needy, the poor, the disenfranchised/homeless, and the drug addicted.
3. Ready ourselves to receive the blessings and promises of God's Word that come with being obedient to steps 1 and 2.
Isaiah 58:9 Look at Isaiah 58:10-12. A 40 day fast will strengthen us and our communities:
Be a part and see transformation grow in your community!
1. Fast from thinking and speaking negative, critical words or gossip. Speak life and blessing over others and ourselves. Our words can break the bonds of wickedness.
- Is 58: 6 “Is this not the fast that I have Chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness. To undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”
- Is 58:9b “If you take away the yoke from your midst. The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness.”
- Pro 18:21, “The power of death and life is in the tongue”
- Luke 6:45, “Not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what goes out.”
- Eph 4:29-32 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Col 3:8; Ps 39:1-4)
- James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.” Mt. 12:36
- Suggested action steps:
- Refuse condemnation, and receive conviction that releases you from old disqualifying thoughts or strongholds
- Repent for wrongful thinking or taking on curses towards yourself and feeding on them rather than on God's faithfulness (Psalm 37:3)
- Repent of word curses, or offenses towards others that keep strongholds of opinions against them. Rather, release and pray for those who persecute you and ask God to fill your heart with compassion. This releases you from the curse and places you under the blessing of God (Matthew 5:44). The issue is then placed into God's all knowing and wise hands. He is the judge, and deals with His children in wise and wonderful ways that will always bring life.
- Forgive your brother who has offended you or spoken words against you, chose to bless and not curse, Matthew 5:11
- Make a point of complimenting someone daily by acknowledging their value to your life...even those who are difficult or challenging in your life.
- Acknowledge and bless the giftings of those around you (you'd be surprised at the response!)
- Reconcile with God and man through action and seek renewed relationship where there has been brokenness..
- Refuse condemnation, and receive conviction that releases you from old disqualifying thoughts or strongholds
2. Be purposeful about ministering to the needy, the poor, the disenfranchised/homeless, and the drug addicted.
- Isaiah 58:7 “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh?”
- Isaiah 58:10 “If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul.”
- Compassion releases the healing power of Jesus: Mt. 14:14 “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” Mt. 14:14 (Mt. 15:32; Mk 1:41, 6:34; 8:2; Lu 10:33)
- Suggested action steps
- Take time to reach out to those in your sphere who you know are being challenged to listen or minister to them.
- Take interest in others. When in conversation with others, engage with them with active listening and ask them questions about themselves.
- Make efforts wherever possible to pray for and reconcile with your brother. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Matthew 5:11-12
- Ask God for strategy to reach the lost or meet needs of those around you.
- Actively pray for those needing healing and believe in faith for God to accomplish it.
3. Ready ourselves to receive the blessings and promises of God's Word that come with being obedient to steps 1 and 2.
- Is 58:8-9a “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of The Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am.”
- Is 58:11-12 “Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell in.”
- 2 Peter 1:4 NIV “And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
- Ps 1:1-4 (Ps 5, 37) “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
- Suggested action steps
- Meditate daily on His Word and apply it to your circumstances.
- Declare His Word over trials you are facing and do not give up until you see the answers manifest
- Allow the goodness of God to be your focus. Goodness of God leads to:
- Repentance: Romans 2:4
- His Glory: Exodus 33:19
- His Power: 2 Thessalonians 1:11
- Scriptures to review and align us with God's Word:
- Matthew 18:15-20
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
- Matthew 5:1-12
Isaiah 58:9 Look at Isaiah 58:10-12. A 40 day fast will strengthen us and our communities:
- We will call on the Lord and He will answer, Is 58:9a.
- "Your light will shine in the darkness" Isaiah 58:10
- Isaiah 58:11:
- The Lord will guide you continually
- He will satisfy your soul in drought
- Strengthen your bones
- Be like a watered garden and spring of water whose waters do not fail
- To renew covenant with God and with each other
- Strengthened alliances with other believers spanning family, local community, and international relations.
- And finally, Isaiah 58:12 promises, "Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In." Isaiah 58:10-12
Be a part and see transformation grow in your community!