"When you pray, pray first for the Holy Spirit because when you have the Holy Spirit, you have everything."        - Medjugorje April 4, 1985

"You have forgotten that through prayer and fasting you can avert wars and suspend the laws of nature."       - Medjugorje Dec. 2, 1982

On Tuesday the most widely studied gospel passage in the world was nothing short of spectacular.

The scene portrays two people whose behavior and experiences seem like they were taken from the experiences of many believers in 2023.

First we see a church official who has done nothing to support Jesus but when the bureaucrat is in need, suddenly we see this skeptic on his knees in front of our Savior, begging for miracles.

Smack in the middle of that story, there is a seeming sidebar interruption. In transit to help the church official’s daughter we see an unnamed woman thrust herself upon our Savior, uninvited.  She seems to be the face of so many believers today.

Portrayed alone and despondent, the healthcare system has drained this woman of savings and sapped her health, leaving her in worse physical shape after following the expensive doctors’ treatments. Now seemingly irreparably harmed from trusting medicine, this woman places her trust instead in Jesus and the outcome is epic.

There is a common thread between these two individuals who on the surface are such different characters.  Both believed in Jesus’ love and mercy for them and in His unique ability to perform miracles.  Consider this extraordinary scene:

MARK 5:21-43

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja'irus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well." 29And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?" 31And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, `Who touched me?'" 32And he looked around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease." 35While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Tal'itha cu'mi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43And he strictly charged them that no one should know this and told them to give her something to eat.

 Hollywood could not have come up with a more dramatic script.

As you pointed out to us however, Hollywood did recently try or more accurately, it tried to unlock the awe and wonder of this passage through its portrayal of the scene in The Chosen in this episode…

For those who have not seen it, The Chosen is having a significant impact on the lives of many. This study on the life of Jesus has been viewed by over 300 million people.  What was just a little whisper that many scoffed at, but one believed in, has become like the mustard seed in its growth.

It is free to view, and we think you will find it inspirational and enjoyable. If you are looking for a series to watch with your family, this could be a good choice and expect that despite initial groans and complaints, resistance may wane after a few episodes given the experiences of others.  Here is a link to their site from which you can download their ap for free to view on your phone or PC. https://new.thechosen.tv/

 Perhaps this weekend on the Sabbath while not shopping, not dining out, not doing housework, not doing office work, (remember scriptures write more about the command of not working on the Sabbath than all other commands combined) you may fill some of your free time with some of the Chosen … or perhaps let us suggest some great programming on TBN.

Also, without coincidence, today TBN kicks off the celebration of its 50^th anniversary bringing the gospel to the world with part one of a documentary on their history…

Like the success of The Chosen, TBN is a story of trusting the Spirit’s gentle whisper even when it seems crazy.  

50 years later TBN has a claim to millions of conversions across every continent on planet earth. We think it is very beneficial for believers to study case stories of successes and TBN’s rise from a shoestring budget to world leader has the watermark of what happens when believers step out in faith and trust the Spirit.  Those crazy whispers can have the biggest impact.

In summary, thank you again for fasting with us today as 1^st century Christians wrote all believers are obligated to do each Wednesday and Friday.  

Like a seed sewn years ago birthing TBN or in more recent years that gave birth to The Chosen, the seed you sew by fasting today, just today, will be a success story that heaven will rejoice in – for all of entity.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Why We Fast – Our Core Fasting Intentions

1) For the Holy Spirit to reign down upon America renewing our land as the Christian, capitalist meritocracy we were founded to be.

2) For the protection of our police, firefighters, military and their families from harm and that the Lord bless their courageous generosity on our behalf one hundredfold.

3) For the protection of the families who fast with us, and for God’s blessings of abundance upon them and that true to His word, we will be able to witness that He prospered us in famine.

Would you like to learn more about fasting?

We maintain a repository of ideas and information we have learned over the last decade while fasting weekly for America. From scientific studies on the benefits of fasting, to the differences between intermittent dieting vs intermittent fasting, to scriptural references regarding the power of fasting to the history of first century Christians who stated believers are obligated to fast weekly, we hope you will find numerous insights with our free resource located here.

Together let us also implore Heaven while fasting for intentions you have highlighted:

4) For Mike Lindell who is putting himself on the front lines suing over the election fraud that has taken place and for all of the warriors who are stepping up around the nation to fight for the gospel – May The Father cover them in the blood of our savior,  protect them and their families from evil and bring victory to their endeavors.

5) For priests, ministers and all who aspire to lead others to the Lord, that the Holy Spirit will reign down upon them as at Pentecost filling them to overflowing with an understanding of what the Lord wants, courage and the desire to preach what He would have them preach and protection and strength from all evil that comes against them. 

6) For the Americans jailed after January 6th who were admitted to the Capitol building by the police, and who were not found to have destroyed any property at the capitol yet who have been held captive ever since on our own soil - That God's Spirit will move quickly to bring justice back to this land by freeing them while enlightening Americans how to bring God's justice back to our nation.

7) For young Megan who has an incurable liver condition @ Duke Hospital - Asking the Divine Physician for a complete healing.

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