Day 18: Living Inside Out
Continue to be open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit during this fast because the only cure for sin is to be cleansed and changed from the inside out. When it comes to the heart of man, what goes in also comes out.
That is why Jesus exposed the Pharisees for their pious religious front. He called them pretenders and hypocrites, saying, “You are like tombs that have been whitewashed, which look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything impure. Just so, you also outwardly seem to people to be just and upright but inside you are full of pretense and lawlessness and iniquity.”—Matthew 23:27-28
They looked the part. They played the role. They religiously went through the motions. But they spent much more attention creating the outward standard than they spent following the inward standard. What is on the inside will show on the outside. Think about it this way: When someone gets sick and nausea takes hold, that person doesn’t need training on how to make what is on the inside…come out. The body knows how to do that all by itself! When you have junk inside—junk comes out. But in like manner, when you have Jesus inside—Jesus comes out.
I think the longer that we serve the Lord the easier it can be to get caught up in the routine of religion. I have to fight that at times. I feel the pressure to be what I am expected to be outwardly even though I may feel totally drained inside. That is why we have to be careful not to put so much energy into keeping up the outward appearance that before long it’s just that—an exterior whitewashing to cover a withering interior. It is dangerous for a person or a ministry to be growing outwardly but shrinking in passion for Jesus inwardly.
If I sense my passion for Jesus beginning to fade, I fast. I can’t stress enough how fasting helps you regain the edge when you are growing dull. It immediately helps you get refocused on only those things that really matter, and cleanse yourself of the rest. Fasting helps you maintain the inward brokenness that allows God to make your outside match your inside. It’s living “inside out.” You don’t have to fake it on the outside when you are full of the Lord on the inside.
January 23, 2013 | Permalink29 Responses to Day 18: Living Inside Out
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Mrs. Smith says:
AMEN!!!!!!!!
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Titilia says:
Reminded once again to be careful of what we feed our spirit. The devil is so subtle that we have to always pray for a discerning spirit.
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mary says:
AMEN AMEN!!
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Paula says:
What truth! Too many of christians are caught up in the outward expression of what true christianity is, but it is just pure religion. I have been guilty of it myself. We know how to shout, lift up hands, say amen, and just look the part, but on the inside we are going through the motions. I know that what is on the inside eventually comes out. We cannot fake it when we are empty on the inside. We must continue to get filled with the Holy Spirit. We need Jesus more than anything else in this world. Fasting and prayer works!
Thank you Pastor Franklin for this timely message. I pray that God covers you and your family in the Blood of Jesus, and that He meets all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Paula
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Antoinette G. of Round Lake, IL says:
AMEN!!!!
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D says:
Thanks! This has been an incredible ride. I am beginning to see small changes in my daily life. I know that I have to be committed and continue to TRUST God…….I will see the BIG changes in my life! I Thank God for who he is…..A way maker, a deliver, a sweet smelling aroma. Thanks so much for this FAST and all the words of encouragement. It has been a blessing. When Praises go up……..blessings come down! Thank God that he looks at the heart. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and RENEW a steadfast spirit with me.” Psalms 51:10 In Jesus Name!! Amen
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Juju says:
My thought today is to be honest with God, do not be hypocritical, He knows you inside out! Obey God out of love, passion and trust but not out of duty, guilt or fear of punishment. Amen!!!
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stacey says:
Amen!
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Jenny says:
Amen!!!!!
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Michelle says:
Amen!!!
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Edith says:
Amen and amen!!
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This is an excellent reminder to me, that the Father sees ALL and knows ALL, inside and out! If there is less of me showing on the outside and more of Jesus, I’m on the right track! I don’t need to concern myself by what I see going on with others with regard to their walk. I just need to pray for them, that they too will become more like Jesus! And when I feel my edge becoming dull, I WILL FAST to remind myself of whom I serve and to “create in me a clean heart, renew in me a right spirit.” Drawing closer to God is my challenge and my goal. Thank you Pastor Franklin for this 2013 Fast. This is my 2nd year and I look forward to many more with your body of believers. Blessings to you always!
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Grace says:
Indeed Pastor indeed, what we feed ourselves in time of trouble or not will eventually come out. I strive to feed my self and my family with the word of God.
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Thank You Jesus!!! In me You have created a clean heart and a pure spirit!!! I look to You Lord, I look to You!!! My mind is stayed You!!! When I make a mistake You, in a very loving and caring way, will correct me!!! I stand corrected!!! I love You Lord with all my being even when I’m at my weakest!!! You lift me up when I am down and love me despite my shortcomings!!! You are the Greatest to me!!!!
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sathya anantharaman says:
oh what a word… thank you Lord, for never giving up on me or my house… today I sat, totally losing it… I meant just I was at my wits end… everything has been going hay ward.. my husband, who is the bread winner (i am on ssdi due to work injury and unless God shows up in our finances and work we r doomed) but God opened a door for my hubby to go to work and then comes the attack …he pulls his back and he’s diabetic and they put him on a steroid but it still hurts badly, not able to work that easily (he’s a mortician). now God is our healer, and i say this because my husband is still a practicing hindu… now that”s why i lost it… BUT GOD IN HIS MERCY AND HIS GRACE CONFIRMS THAT HE CARES AND HE LOVES ME THROUGH HIS WORD AND HIS SERVANT .. PSALM 23:5/ 1 PETER 5:7/ ROMANS 12:3 / 2 KINGS 19;20 WOW AND HE STRENGTHENS MY HEART , MY MIND AND MY SOUL psalm 103 i praise the Lord, for I john 4:4 /mathew18:18 yes so i pray and believe and i receive Declaring psalm 107:20 and acts 16:31/joshua 24:15.. in Jesus ” name amen
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Vickie says:
How good it is when Christ dwell in our heart so richly allowing Him by His Holy Spirit to lead and guide each step of over lives. it will be so obvious that what is on the inside is what is going to manifest on the outside. Thanks be to God Almighty for His glorious life and the work of the Holy Spirit in us Amen
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Bret says:
This meditation is so timely for me that I have heard this same message no less than four times today from four different sources. God is telling me something. Thank you, Pastor Franklin, for calling Christians back to fast.
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talithakoumi1 says:
Amen!
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guibithja says:
Thank you God to draw me closer to you so that JESUS will be seen in my life everywhere I’m going.During our fasting and prayers, Oh Lord,please continue to renew us as more as you want to be seen in the outdoor.Let us bring JESUS and your Kingdom alover the world so that change will take place, peace,blessing,favors and grace will take place.We want to bring Divine Kingdom in this earth. We believe in what Daddy is doing inside out of us in Jesus Name.ALLELUAH.
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guibithja says:
Isaiah 41:10-15
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish 12 Though you search for your enemies,you will not find them.Those who wage war against youwill be as nothing at all.13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;I will help you.14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,little Israel, do not fear,for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
THANK MY GOD, ONLY YOU CAN DO THIS TO OUR LIVES SO THAT THE WORLD WILL SEE JESUS IN OUR INSIDE OUT,MIRACLES WILL HAPPEN,GRACE WILL BE GIVEN.GLORY TO ALMIGHTY GOD. -
Christine says:
Let us give God permission to cleanse us on the inside, which will automatically show on the outside. When we humble ourselves and let brokenness take place, this will give God room to work on our inside. When we are clean on the inside, nothing evil will come out. Only Gods best will show.
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Reshan says:
This is my first ever official fast. Its probably the hardest physical, mental and spiritual challenge iv ever done but its also the best experience in God iv ever had. God has moved mightily in our lives and the Holy Spirit’s partnership when you pray is just mind blowing. You may be tired and just completely out of it but when it comes oh gosh, you know it! This is my first and certainly not my last fast. Thank you Ps Franklin for your teaching and encouragement in the area of fasting. You are truly a blessing to the body of Christ in America and around the World. God Bless YOU!
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Mrs. Chapa says:
Thank God for these encouraging blog posts. I’m praying for Free Chapel and everyone coming together for the fast. Stay in faith and don’t give up!!
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Bev says:
I am very thankful for this fast. In recent months the light of Christ was no longer shining in me. I would look at myself in the mirror, and say, what happened to you? I looked sad, and I felt sad. But after we started the fast, and the Lord started dealing with me about the sin in my life, and I confessed and started getting rid of the junk in my heart, then His light came back into my eyes again. I look in the mirror now and actually see Jesus’ love in my eyes. Amazing!
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monmamea says:
As soon as I started my fasting, that is the first thing my Lord convicted me with. Woe unto me with unclean heart! Fasting really makes you humble and totally in awe of Our Almighty.
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Alejandrina says:
Amen to that pastor!!!
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Val says:
And I cry Lord “Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer”
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elizabeth says:
But the things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and those things defile a man.
Mathew 15:18
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…Psalm 51:10
I thank God for this fast gone is the clutter I am so focus on the things of God. May he fill each of us we unspeakable joy today…. Amen ,amen