ACCEPTABLE FASTING AND PRAYER 1

6 “NO, THIS IS THE KIND OF FASTING I WANT: FREE THOSE WHO ARE WRONGLY IMPRISONED;
lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
7 SHARE YOUR FOOD WITH THE HUNGRY, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 THEN WHEN YOU CALL, THE LORD WILL ANSWER. ‘YES, I AM HERE,’ HE WILL QUICKLY REPLY. “REMOVE THE HEAVY YOKE OF OPPRESSION. STOP POINTING YOUR FINGER AND SPREADING VICIOUS RUMOURS!"
Isaiah 58:6–9 (NLT)

14 WHAT DOES IT PROFIT, MY BRETHREN, IF SOMEONE SAYS HE HAS FAITH BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, WHAT DOES IT PROFIT?
17 THUS ALSO FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS, IS DEAD."
James 2:14–17 (NKJV)

• You cannot deceive God In your worship, that is, in your relationship with Him.

• Faith without work is dead (James 2:20-22,24). God in the book of Isaiah was telling the Israelites what to do to make their fastings acceptable.
• Living right cannot be separated from salvation. It is true that believers are not saved by their good deeds or works but good works cannot be put aside completely. Believers are saved to live right—to do good works: "FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM" (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV).
• Some have taught that the way a believer lives does not matter, what matters most is the salvation of his or her soul, being born-again. But this statement is far from the truth!
• If you claimed to be a believer in Christ, It should show in the way you live your life (Titus 1:16). There are faith actions required by God from a believer to keep the flow of whatever the blessing on the person's life.

• Some of the things God mentioned in the Bible passage, the book of Isaiah, are: oppression of the poor, being dubious, taking advantage of others, and the likes.

• A life lives with the things mentioned in text of this message and some other vices would move or push God far away from a believer.
• When your motives are wrong, there would be a hitch or unsteadiness or faltering in your relationship with God.
  It is nowadays you see a professed believer living in sin with a barefaced impudence, no remorse whatsoever.
• The issue is, the fear of God is not found in the lives of those who live such a life. They live in deceit, wanting to impress others and God. If you succeeded in impressing others but God was not impressed, you would still not get your needs met.
• God would honour a believer's fasting and praying If he or she lives right. Fasting is a Sacrifice that is usually rewarded by God, but If the motives are wrong, there would not be the expected results (Isaiah 58:3,4).
• God rhetorically asked If that was the fasting He required or expected from the Israelites: "YOU HUMBLE YOURSELVES BY GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF PENANCE, BOWING YOUR HEADS LIKE REEDS BENDING IN THE WIND. YOU DRESS IN BURLAP AND COVER YOURSELVES WITH ASHES. IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL FASTING? DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS WILL PLEASE THE LORD?" (Isaiah 58:5 NLT).

• The fast chosen by God, or the acceptable fast in God's sight (Isaiah 58:6-9).

I. The fast chosen by God would be (Isaiah 58:6):
a. To loose the bond of wickedness or the bond of darkness (Luke 4:18,19).
b. To undo the heavy burden (Nehemiah 5:10-12).
c. It would be for the deliverance of the oppressed. To let them go free.
d. To break every yoke or chain.

II. It also would be (Isaiah 58:7):
a. To share your bread, food, with the hungry (Matthew 25:34-36).
b. To bring the poor who are cast out, or those who wander about, into your house and take care of them (James 2:14-17).
c. To cover the naked. That you should not hide from those you supposed to help (1 John 3:16-18).

• The points mentioned or highlighted above are the things emphasized by Apostle James in his epistle. He talks about work, that without works, or actions, or deeds, faith is not complete.

• We are not saved because of our good works: "WHO HAS SAVED US AND CALLED US WITH A HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR [good] WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE WHICH WAS GIVEN TO US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE TIME BEGAN" (2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV).
• But we are saved to do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). You cannot claim to be fasting, seeking God's face in prayer, and be oppressing others.
• Some wanted to believe that once you are born-again, that is all that matters, It does not matter even If you lived a carefree life. But, the truth is, the life you live after being saved matters to God.
• You will not be living in sin, oppressing others and being callous, saying, It does not matter. Such a thing matters in sight of God!
• The fear of God in your heart would move you to desire to live for God, to please Him, and do His Will (2 Corinthians 5:15).

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
• Whatever is not planted in your body that might be working against your health is cursed and uprooted completely in Jesus' name.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!