Day 19 of 21 Days

We’re hours away from reaching the finish line. This corporate time of fasting and prayer will then unleash a spiritual revival among God’s people. This will not be the end but only the beginning of something supernatural for your faith, your finances, your family, and your future. I know that physically you’re looking forward to the end of the fast but I beg of our be just as enthusiastic about what God is going to began to do in your life. I can’t say it enough but thank you fasting family and friends. Yesterday we ended chapter 18:38-40 as Pilate goes back outside to the Jews and told them, I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? They cried out again, Not this man, but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.

Jesus at the age of 33, as He hung on a cross, having paid the price for the world’s sins, He declared in verse 20 It is finished! Note, however, that He did not say, "I am finished!" This was not a cry of defeat, but a shout of victory. This is not a cry of pain, but a cry of power. In the original Greek text, this phrase is one word of ten letters – “Tetelestai” - which literally means: “It is finished, it stands finished, and it always will be finished.”

The word, “Tetelestai,” was a word with which the people of Jesus’ day were very familiar. Today, I want us to think of some common ways in which the word was used as we consider the significance of this cry from the cross.

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Artists.

When a painter had completed his work, he would step back and say, “Tetelestai”- it is finished!" Jesus came to give us a full portrayal of what God is like. He was God in the flesh, come to make Himself known to us (John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.)

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Servants.

A master would tell his servant to go and do something, and when the servant had completed the task, he would come back and say, “Tetelestai”- I have finished the work that you gave me to do."

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Priests.

The Jewish people had to bring their sacrifices to the priest to be examined before it was offered on the altar, because it was against the law to offer an imperfect sacrifice. After the priest had examined the sacrifice, he would used the Hebrew or Aramaic equivalent of the word Jesus spoke from the cross, “Tetelestai”- It is perfect." Jesus Christ, dying on the cross, was God’s perfect, faultless sacrifice: the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Merchants.

To merchants, “Tetelestai,” referred to the paying of a debt. If you purchased something, the merchant would take your money and then would give you a receipt of payment. The receipt would say, “Tetelestai”- paid in full."

As sinners we were in debt to God for an amount we could never pay, we were in need of someone to pay the debt for us. In Christ, God took it upon Himself to pay for us what we owed to Him, making it possible for us, through acceptance of the payment He has made on our behalf to receive a full pardon! No wonder the Bible refers to eternal life as a gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9)! Because it is a gift, it is free. But also because it is a gift, it must be received.

This would be a fantastic to pray the prayer of salvation, whether for the first time or the 1,000^th time. Just simple repeat these word in your heart, “Dear God, I admit that you’ve not been first place in my life and I’ve made a mess of my life. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and we buried and rose from the grave Sunday more for my sins. I invite Jesus into my life to be personal Lord and Savior. And I pledge the rest of my life to learning with it means to be your child. In Jesus’ Name Amen!

If you prayed that prayer congratulations your are NOW apart of God family. Now you should find a bible teaching church. We would be glad to help you… just visit our website at www.MyGreaterBethel.tv and email us or simply join us this Sunday.

Here’s an outline that will give you a deeper view of the 19^th Chapter of John’s Gospel.

• The Trial Before Pilate: 18:28-19:15 (Mat. 27:11-25; Mk. 15:1-15; Lk. 23:1-5, 13-25)
• The Crucifixion: 19:16-37 (Mat. 27:26-56; Mk. 15:16-41; Lk. 23:26-49)
• The Burial: 19:38-42 (Mat. 27:57-66; Mk. 15:42-47; Lk. 23:50-56)

Day 5 of 21 Days

Today is day 5 and you should be settling down in your fast. It should be becoming much easier. Headaches and cravings should begin to subside. Continue to utilize your prayer journal; concentrate on your own personal prayer time and place. During the 7am & 7pm prayer, focus corporately on needs for our entire church. i.e. church family, future, finances, favor, fruitfulness, and faithfulness.

Fasting is one of the most powerful spiritual disciplines that you could ever participate in. One of the greatest benefits of fasting is it promotes intimacy with God. Charles Swindoll says it this way, “We have become a body of people who look more like a herd of cattle in a stampede than a flock of sheep that God has lead to still water and laid down in green pastures.”

Our devotional today is found in John chapter 5. Jesus is attending a Jewish feast in Jerusalem. The feast is not named but it was probably one of the three Feasts of Obligation: the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, or Pentecost. These were called Feasts of Obligations because every male Jew who lived within twenty miles of Jerusalem was required by law to attend them. It is significant that Jesus was seen attending the feast for two reason. (1) It gave Him an opportunity to reach a large number of people. Most of the people who attended the feast would be God-fearing people and have their minds on God; therefore, they would be more prepared for the gospel. (2) It gave Him an opportunity to teach people to be faithful to the worship of God. He, the Son of God Himself, was faithful.

I know that you’ve read it already but prayerfully read it once again using my outline as your guide and watch God open your eyes to the excitement of hearing God speak.

Scene 1: A picture of the world's desperate need (v.2-4).

Scene 2: A picture of Jesus' power to meet the world's need (v.5-9).

Scene 3: A picture of dead religion trying to meet the world's need (v.10-12).

Scene 4: A picture of the believer's responsibility (v.13-14).

Scene 5: A picture of the world rejecting God's Savior (v.15-16).

Jesus makes two claims in John 5:17 (ESV) But Jesus answered them, My Father is working until now and I am working. Claim one, God is my Father. Claim two, God and I are one.

Jesus claim of His possessed equality was backed up in verses 19-30 as He gave proof after proof which unequivocally verified His claim.

Proof 1: His obedience (v.19).

Proof 2: His great works (v.20).

Proof 3: His power to quicken and to give life, to raise up the dead (v.21).

Proof 4: His control over the whole judicial process (v.22-23).

Proof 5: His authority over man's destiny, to save men from death to life (v.24-25).

Proof 6: His energy of life, His self-existence (v.26).

Proof 7: His power to execute judgment (v.27).

Proof 8: His claim to be the Son of Man (v.27).

Proof 9: His power to resurrect all men from the grave (v.28-30).

After making His claim & backing it up with His proof, Jesus proceeds by calling witness after witness to testify of His authority.

Witness #1 The witness of Jesus Himself (v.31).

Witness # 2 The witness within: the Spirit (v.32).

Witness # 3 The witness of John the Baptist (v.33-35).

Witness # 4 The witness of miraculous works (v.36).

Witness # 5 The witness of God Himself (v.37-38).

Witness # 6 The witness of the Scriptures (v.39).

Day 4 of 21 Days

You've come to day four and you are getting stronger and what is before you is much much too important for you to even think about giving up and throwing in the towel. Let me encourage you with a quote from Dr. Charles Swindoll who says “As important and intriguing as divine depths. Might be, they defy discovery by the natural means of our minds. He [God] reserves these things for those whose hearts are completely His…for those who take the time to wait before Him. Only in that way can there be intimacy with the Almighty.”

Are you ready for a breakthrough unlike anything you’ve ever experience before? Then stay with it. Remember to continually pray because only God can provide you with the strength, both physically and emotionally, that you will need during these 21 days.

• Continue to drink lots of water
• Chew on some sugar free gum or breath mints
• Pray for encouragement and strength
• Listen as you pray
• Journal, Journal, Journal what your feeling and hearing from God
• You will become more emotional in your quiet time but that’s great let yourself go
• Avoid smells and other temptations
• Days 3 and 4 will be the toughest days of the Fast
• Headaches will sometimes occur at this stage
• Your body is beginning rid itself of toxins

Just a note about John chapter 4 since this is day 4. Jesus makes his way to the town of Samaria [the Samarians and the Jews had no dealing the matter goes so deep that any respectable Jew wouldn’t be caught in Samaria] but not our Jesus he always went where he was needed. The Bible makes it clear that this wasn’t an accidental meeting but an divine appointment, verse 4 says “and he had to pass through Samaria,” another translation says “He must need to go through Samaria.” Which explains verse 31-34 after the disciple came back for shopping for food they offed Jesus a sandwich and Jesus said “I have food to eat that you don’t’ know about. So the disciples said to one another, Has anyone brought him something to eat? Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” Jesus was driven to go through Samaria for the sake of His mission. Okay, I can’t hold it any long here’s the shout…Jesus didn’t allow what others thought about this woman her color, culture or creed. He came to Samaria to bless her and when He gets ready to bless you nothing can stop him. No matter where you might been spiritually or physically. No matter how bad you've mess-up and others have given-up...Jesus will come and see about you. She needed Jesus. The others in that area needed Jesus.

She came to Jacob’s well seeking physical only to leave discovering eternal living water. Jesus told her that living water is the only water that will quench thirst. If you are spiritually thirst you can’t satisfy it with physical water. Spiritually our hearts thirst for purpose, meaning, significance, satisfaction, fulfillment and so many other things and we seek to quench that thirst with cars, cash, clothes, power, position, and possessions. That only responds like salt water, they only make you crave for more.

Jesus offered the Samaritan woman living water and she showed an intriguing interest but before she could ever have the living water there was some matters that had to be straighten out first.

• There was the matter of wickedness vs. 16-18
• There was the matter of worship vs. 19-24
• There was the matter of wonderful Messiah vs. 25-26
• There was the matter of witness vs. 39-42

Have a great study. Remember to pray corporately for our entire church family @7am & 7pm, be prayerfully all day as you approach meal as well as feeling a few hunger pains, have your quiet time, music, prayer, word, prayer, and journal, journal, journal. Nothing is impossible if we agree!!!!!

Day 3 of 21 Days

Congratulations you’ve made it to day 3 and we are looking at that famous chapter 3 of John’s Gospel. Nicodemus is introduced early in this chapter as a man of position, power, prestige and possessions; he was an important man, possibly a ruler of the Jews, a member of the Sanhedrin, a leading official or a high ranking leader. He apparently was wealthy because he spend a great deal of money on the burial of Jesus (note John 19:39ff) after being silent at the trail of Jesus, saying nothing to defend Jesus, but boldly stepping forward after the Lord’s death.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night apparently fearful of what others would say who opposed Jesus to asked Jesus if he was really who he claimed to be the Messiah. Here’s what I love about Jesus, He saw through what Nicodemus WANTED to know and saw what he NEEDED to know. Jesus saw through the position, power, prestige and possessions and saw what was important was for Nicodemus to be changed: changed spiritually, changed within and changed completely – to undergo such a spiritual change that it could only be described as “being born again.”

Why was this so important? Because Jesus said in John 3:5 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Three time in this short chapter Jesus said “you must be born again,” verses 3, 5 & 7. The word “must” (dei) means absolute necessity, an imperative.

Let me stop here and invite you to pray this prayer with me “Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. I believe that you died on the cross on Friday & rose from the grave Sunday for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and my heart to be my personal Lord and Savior. I pledge the rest of my day to learn what it means to be your child. In Your Name I pray. Amen!

If you sincerely prayed that prayer, let me be the first to congratulate you on being saved.

John 3:16-17 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Let me share one more very important passage in this chapter that sometimes gets over looked. John the Baptist has been ministering preparing the way for Jesus, calling people to repentance and baptizing. People began to flock from John to Jesus. This decline in John’s popularity offered John’s haters an opportunity to attack John but I love how John stood strong knowing who he was and what he was called to do. John share a very insightful thought verse 30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” During the next 19 days this is God desire for each of us to declare, decree and demonstrate to allow Jesus to increase as we decrease. So let get to it!