Biblical Deliverance: The Jesus ModelSample

Are you ready for deliverance? Now, in yesterday's devotional, we learned how to become qualified for the deliverance ministry. Today, the question is... Are you ready? Remember, that the disciples were not handling their business while Jesus was away on the mountain top, which caused criticism and public mockery to the ministry. When we as individual followers of Jesus are not handling our spiritual business, we can bring scoffing to the Body of Christ as well. Towards the end of the story after the public embarrassment, the disciples gathered alone with Jesus to ask Him why they could not deliver the young boy. Let’s pick up the story here. “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Are you truly ready for the deliverance ministry? Do you see what Jesus was saying? Do you remember in the very beginning of the chapter where Jesus came from? He came from spending time with His Father. We can also conclude that on the mount, He was probably not eating (or He was fasting) as well while He was in His glorified state. Jesus, will never ask us to do anything He would not do Himself. The question Jesus is asking us in our own lives today is how is our spiritual devotion time with the Father? When was the last time you prayed and fasted together? Fasting should be a constant practice throughout the year for a true believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus teaches us this in Matthew 6:16 by saying, “When you fast…” Fasting is a very hard practice especially in the West because we love our food. We have so many fast food restaurants and convenient stores that allow us to feed our appetite. But we have to be careful because if you remember, Adam and Eve's appetite got them to disobey God and be thrown out of the Garden of Eden. Fasting simply means to close one's mouth . I know we have all different types of fasts out there, including the Daniel fast which is more of a consecration fast, but there are some moments where we should follow the ways of Jesus and separate from food for a time. ( Note : Please consult a physician if you have serious health issues before fasting.) Prayer along with fasting is a powerful tool against satan, his minions and the kingdom of darkness. When we fast, we are grieving over our own sin. Saying, “Lord, I am sorry and I repent for my sins.” Additionally, we seek the fear of the Lord which helps us revere God and keep His commandments. When we fast, we are also asking God to discipline our flesh, provide direction and guidance on a particular situation and are devoting more time to Him by getting rid of our current distractions (e.g., entertainment, television, social media, and even some people who are not good for us.) Lastly, prayer and fasting provides protection as seen in Ezra 8:21-23 and spiritual deliverance as we see in this story. Family, Jesus does not want us to be careless about our spiritual walk and devotion to our Heavenly Father. He wants to spend intimate time with you because He loves you. If you want to be successful in this fight against the enemy, please take this seriously and start following the commands of Jesus to add fasting while you pray. Prayer Father, prepare me for deliverance. I repent for being careless with my spiritual disciplines at times. Give me the strength to fast and pray and seek Your Face. I desire to be holy as You are Holy. Provide me the strength to remove all distractions out of my life so I can be about Your business. I love You. It’s in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.