February 21, 2014: Heading Into the Wilderness...

Mark 2

Amplified Bible (AMP)

2 And Jesus having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house [probably Peter’s].

2 And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word.

3 Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men.

4 And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay.

5 And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God].

6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, holding a dialogue with themselves as they questioned in their hearts,

7 Why does this Man talk like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins [remove guilt, remit the penalty, and bestow righteousness instead] except God alone?

8 And at once Jesus, becoming fully aware in His spirit that they thus debated within themselves, said to them, Why do you argue (debate, reason) about all this in your hearts?

9 Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, Your sins are forgiven and put away, or to say, Rise, take up your sleeping pad or mat, and start walking about [and keep on walking]?

10 But that you may know positively and beyond a doubt that the Son of Man has right and authority and power on earth to forgive sins—He said to the paralyzed man,

11 I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home.

12 And he arose at once and picked up the sleeping pad or mat and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and recognized and praised and thanked God, saying, We have never seen anything like this before!

13 [Jesus] went out again along the seashore; and all the multitude kept gathering about Him, and He kept teaching them.

14 And as He was passing by, He saw Levi (Matthew) son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, Follow Me! [Be joined to Me as a disciple, side with My party!] And he arose and joined Him as His disciple and sided with His party and accompanied Him.

15 And as Jesus, together with His disciples, sat at table in his [Levi’s] house, many tax collectors and persons [definitely stained] with sin were dining with Him, for there were many who walked the same road (followed) with Him.

16 And the scribes [belonging to the party] of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with [those definitely known to be especially wicked] sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, Why does He eat and drink with tax collectors and [notorious] sinners?

17 And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, Those who are strong and well have no need of a physician, but those who are weak and sick; I came not to call the righteous ones to repentance, but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin).

18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were observing a fast; and [some people] came and asked Jesus, Why are John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fasting, but Your disciples are not doing so?

19 Jesus answered them, Can the wedding guests fast (abstain from food and drink) while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and they will fast in that day.

21 No one sews a patch of unshrunken (new) goods on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and the rent (tear) becomes bigger and worse [than it was before].

22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the bottles destroyed; but new wine is to be put in new (fresh) wineskins.

23 One Sabbath He was going along beside the fields of standing grain, and as they made their way, His disciples began to pick off the grains.

24 And the Pharisees said to Him, Look! Why are they doing what is not permitted or lawful on the Sabbath?

25 And He said to them, Have you never [even] read what David did when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were accompanying him?—

26 How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was the high priest, and ate the sacred loaves set forth [before God], which it is not permitted or lawful for any but the priests to eat, and [how he] also gave [them] to those who were with him?

27 And Jesus said to them, The Sabbath was made on account and for the sake of man, not man for the Sabbath;

28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.

So God is asking me to go into a 40 day period of wilderness training. Not sure what exactly I'm supposed to do. But these verses popped out at me today.

No one sews a patch of unshrunken (new) goods on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and the rent (tear) becomes bigger and worse [than it was before]. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the bottles destroyed; but new wine is to be put in new (fresh) wineskins.

I need to be made new. I still have some hurts that are not going away with time. I still have some crushing challenges that are not getting better with time. Sometimes I lie awake in the middle of the night feeling hopeless. God is moving all around me. I am seeing revival! And yet, I have a sadness. I am disappointed in myself. I have regrets I am not getting past. I am an old wineskin. Trying to be used by God. It's okay, but not ideal. I desire to get past this once and for all. 40 days in the wilderness (which I wrote about 2 days ago) is stuck in my mind. Jesus fasted for 40 days. I want to fast, but not necessarily food the whole time. I know a media fast will definitely be part of the plan. 

Here are some brainstorming ideas I'm coming up with:

Days 1 through 10: 

1. Media fast plus my regular weekly fast days 

2. 4 am - 6 am prayer and Bible Study every morning (which means 8:30 or 9 pm bedtime, ouch!)

Days 11 through 20: 

1. Media fast

2. 4 am - 6 am prayer and Bible Study

3. No flour or desserts plus my regular weekly fast days

Days 21 through 30: 

1. Continue numbers 1 and 2

2. Daniel Fast

3. 1 hour of listening to God from 12-1 pm each day

Days 31 through 37: 

1. All of the above

2. Take away carbs

Days 37 through 40: 

1. All of the above

2. Juice fast (eat 1-2 servings according to box directions of hot cereal right before bedtime.)

On Day 40, Family meal celebration in the evening. 

After the 40 day wilderness experience, I plan to continue the 4 - 6 am prayer schedule plus the one hour at noon listening to God schedule. This will be the lifestyle change I am excited about!

These are simply ideas.

I want to hear more ideas from anyone who'd like to email me at revivalridge7@gmail.com.

"Dear Jesus You are calling me. And I am saying Yes. I am notorious for starting a big change in my life and then falling flat on my face. But my past mistakes don't change the fact that You are calling me. And I am saying Yes. I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me. In Your Precious name, the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN."