This is “The Problem-Solving Ezra Fast “.
♪ ♪
>> Welcome to a very special
edition of Kingdom Connection.
I’m coming to you from
the City of Jerusalem.
I’m going to be teaching
today on fasting,
so get your Bibles out
and get a notepad out.
You may be wondering,
well, where in the world
are you?
As you can see,
there’s a very old tree stump.
The base of an old tree.
One of the oldest trees.
The oldest pine tree
in the City of Jerusalem
once stood here,
and this is the trunk of it.
This is the stump of it
that is left.
In 1998, it broke,
and according to the legends
of Jerusalem,
there’s a book called,
“The Legends of Jerusalem”.
It is the oral tradition
that has been passed down
from generation to generation
that it was at this very spot,
Ezra, the prophet rewrote
the Torah, the five books
of the Old Testament
after Babylonian captivity.
He took a pen.
We know he did this,
and the question is
where did he do it,
and according to tradition,
he did it under this tree.
Sitting by this tree he wrote
for the people of Israel
the law, the five books
of Torah and passed it
to a new generation.
When he read it, by the way,
the Bible said that the people
were so in awe of having
the word of God back
after being in Babylonian
captivity that they stood
and one of the traditions,
and some of the traditional
churches to this day
is when the Bible is read,
people stand up.
I preached in churches
where people automatically
stand up at the reading
of the word.
That came from the teaching
in the Book of Ezra
where it said that he taught
all day and read the word
or the Torah
and the people stood.
So, I want to talk to you today
about an amazing passage
concerning fasting
found in Ezra 8.
Before I do,
I heard this amazing story
and looked it up,
and it was true,
and I want to give it to you.
Mount Vernon, Texas.
Drummond’s Bar
began construction
of the expansion of their bar
to increase business.
The local Baptist church
started a campaign to block
the bar from expanding
and being able to have
a bigger party, basically.
The church decided not only
to have a petition against
the expansion of the bar
in their community,
but they began to fast
and pray and as work progressed,
it didn’t stop it seemingly.
The fasting and prayer didn’t
work and right up to
the week of grand opening,
the grand opening,
they were fasting and praying,
and the week that it was
to have the grand opening,
lightning stuck it
and burned it to the ground.
Now, this is a true story.
After the bar burned
to the ground due
to the lightning strike,
the church folks began
to get a little braggadocious,
I guess you’d say,
and smug about the fact that
their prayers and fasting
had burned down the bar,
and they were kind of saying
that all over the community,
and they were talking about
the power of the prayer
and fasting.
And so, the bar owner
got upset about it
and sued the church
on the grounds that the church
was “ultimately responsible
for the demise of this building
either through direct
or indirect means.”
Well, in reply to this lawsuit,
the church denied
all responsibility
and any connection
to the building’s demise.
So, the Judge ran through
the accuser’s complaint.
He ran through
the church’s defense,
and he called the two together
in the court room,
and this is a true story.
I looked it up,
and he said, “Well,
I don’t know what I’m going
to do with this case.
It appears from the paperwork
we have a bar owner
who believes in the power
of fasting and prayer,
and we have an entire
congregation of the church
who does not.”
So, I don’t know about you,
but I want to proclaim
to a new generation that
I still believe in the power
of fasting and prayer.
The Muslims believe
in fasting and prayer.
The Buddhists believe
in fasting and prayer.
I wonder if there are
any Christians who still
believe in fasting and prayer?
Are there any congregations
and any churches
who still believe
in fasting and prayer?
Any pastors, any laity,
any businessmen, any moms,
any dads who still believe
in the power
of fasting and prayer?
Jesus fasted.
Moses fasted.
Elijah fasted.
Esther fasted.
Daniel fasted.
Peter fasted.
Paul fasted.
Nehemiah fasted.
John the Baptist fasted.
Jehoshaphat fasted.
Maybe it’s time for you
to decree, God,
open my eyes and show me
things I’ve never seen
through fasting and prayer,
and it brings me back
to the Book of Ezra.
It says in
the Book of Ezra 8:21,
“Therefore I proclaim to fast
there at the River Ahava.
We humbled ourselves before God
to seek Him in the right way
for us, for our little ones,
our children,
and all of our possessions,
and the hand of God was upon
all of those for good
who seek Him and His power
and His wrath is against
those who forsake Him.
So, we fasted and we entreated
our God for this,
and He answered our prayer.”
So, Ezra, as I mention
at the beginning
of this telecast,
the oral tradition is that
he wrote the Torah
after Babylonian captivity
right by this tree
that I’m standing by,
and so it’s a pretty amazing
thing when you understand
the power of that Ezra fast.
I want to talk about it
for just a moment.
You see, Ezra was faced
with a great, great challenge,
and that’s why he called
the people to a season
of fasting and prayer.
He had a great problem.
He had a great
crisis and challenge.
Are you facing a great
problem, a great challenge,
a great crisis,
and you can’t fix it
and you don’t have
the solution to?
This is when
the Bible teaches us,
we should seek God in fasting.
Every year we do
a 21-day fast,
and there are tens of thousands
of people who are joining us.
Maybe hundreds of thousands.
We have had up to a million
people come to us during
this month of fasting
and prayer,
and I believe that if you will
fast and prayer,
God will move like
He did for Ezra.
So, when He was facing
this great problem,
this tremendous challenge,
Ezra – – let me tell you
what it was.
It was a financial crisis
for him in a way in a good way.
Ezra had 7,500 pounds of gold.
He had 25 tons of silver,
and there were thieves
and robbers who were all along
the path that he had to take
these great resources to.
Imagine, 7,500 pounds of gold,
25 tons of silver,
and he knew that he was going
to be robbed
if God didn’t help him,
and the Bible said
he needed protection.
He needed God’s protection
to do what God had
called him to do.
He was taking the money back
to rebuild the temple,
and the resources
to rebuild the temple,
but he was faced with
a significant problem.
That’s what I heard
the Lord say.
He said I’m going to deal
in 2020 with significant
problems that people – –
these are not small issues.
These are big issues
and listen to what
Ezra 8:23 said;
“So, we fasted…”
And do you know what?
The Bible said God gave
Israel the solution.
He told them exactly
what to do.
He told them exactly
where to go.
He told them exactly
how to do it.
He went into detail
into how to carry it,
how to disguise it,
how to hide it from those
who would try to steal it.
When you fast and you pray,
God will give solutions
to problems that you
can’t fix and you can’t handle,
and the Scripture said that
God gave him as he fasted
and prayed a divine solution.
Step by step, God gave him
the solution.
I really want
to say that again.
Step by step.
I’m telling you what
happens when we fast,
and we pray is
God orders our steps.
God begins to direct our path.
I’m standing somewhere today
that I had no idea
I would be standing,
but I’ve been fasting
and praying for many,
many decades
these 21-day fasts.
I’ve done every year
for so many,
and I’m amazed when I look back
over my life at how God
step by step directed me
and gave me the step-by-step
solutions to the crisis
and the problems that we face.
I like what Ezra said.
He said, “God, we’re fasting,”
— and listen to this wording.
He said, “…to seek the
right way for us.”
Isn’t that a great thing
to be fasting for?
You and your family to say,
God, we’re fasting and praying
to seek the right way for us.
Lord, I do,
I do speak that
over our lives,
over this ministry
that I want to fast and pray
on this fast that
God would show us
the right way for us.
Man, what a word.
What a prayer to pray.
What a purpose to fast for.
And then he said,
“Not only for us,”
— listen to this:
“but for our children.”
When we fast,
it affects our children.
When we fast and pray,
it affects our sons
and our daughters
and our grandchildren
that God would give them
the right way for us.
Not just me,
but for my family,
for my church,
for your business;
the wisdom that you need
step-by-step solutions.
This is absolutely biblical
and right out of the Bible
direct results of Ezra’s fast
was God gave him step-by-step
solutions and directions
for him, not only him,
but watch, for his little ones
or his children
and his grandchildren,
and then he said,
“and for our resources.”
The problem-solving Ezra fast.
Have you got problems
you can’t solve?
That’s really the reason
he went on a fast.
God says decree
the problem-solving
Ezra fast step by step
solutions will come
when you fast, and you pray.
No attempt to escape problems
will work.
I’m not trying to get away
from the problem
’cause what you do
when you fast and you pray,
this is so important,
is you enlist
the Holy Spirit’s aid
in tackling the problems.
I’m not trying to get out
of the problems.
I’m saying, God,
give me your solutions
to the problems and give me
the Holy Spirit’s enlistment
and aid in tackling
the major problems,
major challenges.
You’ve got major challenges
in your marriage,
major challenges
with a new job,
major challenges
with friction in the business.
Maybe you’re a church
trying to buy land,
and you’re facing zoning issues
and relocating
and a building program.
These are the times
when we invoke the power
of God into our fast.
You see the problem,
and here’s the key.
Here’s what I wanted to get to.
When you fast and you pray,
it’s not that
the problem goes away,
but you see the problem
through God’s eyes.
That’s what we’re saying,
open my eyes, Lord.
I’m looking at the same problem
like Ezra had a real
threat and problem,
but when he fasted
and he prayed,
he saw through God’s eyes
the solution step by step
to doing what
God had called him to do,
and when you fast on this fast,
the Lord is going to cause you
to see the problem
through His eyes,
and He’s going to give you
those step-by-step
instructions and directions
inviting God
into your problem.
That’s the Ezra fast.
And then the Bible said
“God granted him his request,”
and I love that phrase it said,
“and the hand of God
came upon us mightily.”
Oh, praise the Lord.
That’s happening when
I think about fasting,
I think about
what Leonard Ravenhill said.
Leonard Ravenhill said this.
He said, “The modern church
has moved a long way
from the early church.
The early church had
its upper room with fire.
The modern church
has a supper room with smoke.”
Sometimes you need
to just decree a fast.
If you’re tired of smoke,
if you’re tired of the form
of religion but no power,
no fire, no substance,
it’s time to declare a fast.
When I think about fasting
and history
and the early church,
mighty men of God
were used after they fasted.
John Wesley, the founder
of the Methodist church
said these words,
“When you seek God
with fasting added to prayer,
you cannot seek His face
in vain.”
Wow!
When you seek God with fasting
added with your prayer,
you cannot seek
His face in vain.
In other words,
He’s going to answer you.
He’s going to move
in your life.
John Calvin fasted and prayed,
and it’s a historical fact
that the whole town of Geneva
almost completely turned to God
when the man began
to fast and pray
and proclaim the Gospel.
Jonathan Edwards fasted
for 24 hours before he preached
“Sinners in the Hands
of an Angry God”,
and he read the sermon
word for word,
and it shook a continent,
and it brought revival
to the world.
Charles Finney,
who was a converted attorney,
said when he detected
a lack of the Holy Spirit,
he would set aside days
of fasting and prayer
for the anointing,
and it would always come.
Martin Luther, the Protestant
Reformation Revivalist
said these words
that he fasted and prayed,
and God gave him
the words to preach.
So, I’m saying to you
that fasting strengthens
our faith.
Fasting strengthens
our fervency
and in closing today,
I want to pray for you.
I want to encourage you
to join us on these 21 days
of fasting and prayer.
If you just joined
the telecast,
I told at the beginning
of this telecast that
according to legends
there’s a book called,
“The Legends of Jerusalem”,
and oral traditions that
have been passed down
for generations that
Ezra wrote the Torah
beside this tree.
I don’t know if he did.
I don’t know if he didn’t.
Nobody really does,
but what he wrote in Ezra 8
is remarkable.
He said, “We fasted,
and we prayed for us,
for our children,
and for our provisions
to be kept from robbers,
and God granted us our request,
and his hand come on us
heavily.”
Can I pray for you today?
Can I pray for your family?
Can I pray for your little ones?
I love the wording of that.
He used the words “little ones”.
We’re fasting and praying.
I am.
Not just for me now,
but for my children,
my five children,
my four grandchildren.
May the hand of the Lord
be on them and on your house.
Father, I just pray today
that as we’re fasting
and as we’re praying,
the same God that moved
on Ezra’s behalf for safety,
for protection,
for step-by-step solutions
to great challenges,
I thank you that you’re going
to move your hand
upon our families,
your hand upon our house,
your hand upon our children,
our little ones,
and thank you, Father,
for the provision that’s needed
for a brand-new year.
We look to you as our source,
and we thank you.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
I want to ask you something.
Do you want to start this year
off with a change?
Ask Jesus Christ
into you heart today.
This year doesn’t have to be
like last year.
What a difference He makes.
He transforms your life
when He comes in.
So, just say, Jesus,
I receive you.
Forgive me.
Cleanse me.
Help me.
Bless me in a new year.
And if you call on that name,
there’s power in that name
and ask Him.
Just say, Lord,
if you’re real, show me.
If you’re real, show me.
He likes a challenge.
He’s that kind of God.
I know He did for me.
It changed my life,
and I believe this year
God is going to open your eyes.
There’s a number on the screen
if you need prayer.
We’d love to pray for you.
And also, if you want
more material,
my announcer is going
to tell you about that.
We’re doing some amazing things
here in the Nation of Jerusalem,
and we’re so excited
about what God is doing,
and you can be a part
of this miracle.
Here’s my announcer
to tell you more.
[Fire Truck Sirens]
>> Fires caused by rockets
and incendiary balloons
from the Hamas terrorist
group are a constant threat
to the nation of Israel.
In 2021 alone,
over 4,425 rockets have
been fired into Israel.
When these attacks are launched,
they cause massive fires
that threaten lives,
damage homes and businesses,
and also burn through large
areas of crops and farmland.
Remote places, like Eshkol,
the region in Israel closest
to the Gaza Strip,
are often left fighting
these fires on their own.
That is why Jentezen Franklin
Media Ministries has remained
committed to provided comfort
with grace to these
Jewish people in need.
Our latest initiative
is to provide fire stations,
fire trucks, and equipment
for the volunteer fire fighters
to protect their towns
and families.
By building a local fire
station and providing
the proper equipment,
we are easing the fear
and threat of the damage
that these fires cause.
When you give your
best gift today,
there is a blessing
waiting on you found
in Genesis 12:3,
“I will bless those
who bless you,
and I will curse him
who curses you.”
You can be a part
of the blessing today.
Israel is under constant attack
and your support today
matters more than ever.
These desperate Jewish families
urgently need your help.
Call now or go online today.
♪ ♪
>> Today, if you’re searching,
if you in a brand new year
are ready for change
and ready to surrender,
and ready for the Lordship
of Jesus in your life
it’s the greatest decision
you can ever make.
The best life you’ll ever live
is living for Jesus Christ.
And today I want to encourage
you as you’re
listening to me right now,
just to open your heart.
If you feel that tug
and you need to
get right with God
say, “Jesus, save me,
cleanse me, forgive me.
I receive it
in your name, Lord.
I know you’re the forgiver,
the cleanser,
the One who heals broken lives
and I call on you, Jesus.”
Say those words,
“I call on you, Jesus.”
We believe that when you
turn to Jesus,
He pronounces healing
physically, spiritually,
emotionally, mentally,
relationally, in your life.
But you have to pursue Him
and the wisdom of God’s word.
That’s why we’ve prepared
this special website
that is free of charge
that you can go on and start
and 21-day journey
to a change in your life
that you never dreamed
could happen.
This will help you in
your new walk with the Lord.
Our ministry just started
our annual 21-day fast
and I know that sounds heavy
if you’ve never been around
church or any of that,
but I promise you,
it’s a partial fast.
We explain it all,
and it’s one of the most
encouraging, joyful times
as we seek the Lord together
in prayer and fasting
and calling on God
and giving Him the New Year.
And so today, as thousands
of people around the globe
are joining us to seek God
on this fast
at the beginning of a new year
momentum is building.
And if you haven’t joined us
it’s not too late.
Just go online and say
“I’m with you.
I’m gonna join and jump in.”
And we’ll teach you how to do it
I’ll be your fasting coach.
And we’ve got all kinds
of devotionals and daily things
that will help you become
intimate and deep in your
relationship with God.
Once you’ve experienced
a glimpse of the power
of fasting
and its amazing rewards
and the blessings that
follow when we seek God,
it changes your
entire perspective.
And I wanna strongly urge
you to join us.
I know that it’s a little
overwhelming sometimes to think
about doing without sweets
or if you’re doing
the Daniel Fast,
doing without meat
and doing without sugar
and doing without bread,
but think of how healthy
that is for you physically,
and even how much more
healthy spiritually
it is when you say,
God, I’m pushing back
from the table
and I’m gonna spend
extra time in your word.
We wanna help encourage you
to learn how to seek God.
The blessings are only found
if you seek God.
We have so many resources
available on our website,
so check it out today.
♪ ♪
>> ♪ I worship you ♪
♪ Almighty God ♪
♪ There is none like You ♪
♪ I worship You ♪
♪ Oh Prince of Peace ♪
♪ That is what I long to do ♪
♪ I give You praise ♪
♪ For You are ♪
♪ My righteousness ♪
♪ Oh, yes You are ♪
♪ Yes You are ♪
♪ I worship You ♪
♪ Almighty God ♪
♪ There is none like You ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I give You praise ♪
♪ For You are ♪
♪ My righteousness ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I worship You ♪
♪ Almighty God ♪
♪ There is none like You ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I worship you ♪
♪ Almighty God ♪
♪ There is none like You ♪
♪ I worship You ♪
♪ Oh Prince of Peace ♪
♪ That is what I long to do ♪
♪ I give You praise ♪
♪ For You are ♪
♪ My righteousness ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I worship You ♪
♪ Almighty God ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
>> We hope you’ve enjoyed
this teaching
by Jentezen Franklin,
and thank you for
your continued support
of this ministry.
Your prayers
and financial support
make these programs possible.
♪ ♪