Steve Caronna

Love One Another- John 13

Today is day 13 of our 21 day fast, and many of our hearts are changing as we practice saying "NO" to ourselves, our flesh, and our appetites, and YES to GOD! One of my prayers for Living Word during this fast is that we love one another to the point that it's appealing and contagious to others.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34, 35 NKJV)

A lot of time. energy, and money is being invested by the Church at large to reach unchurched people, and there's nothing wrong with that. We do it, too. Let's remember though that the most powerful evangelistic tool the Church has is the member's love for one another. Why? Because people want to be a part of something real for the long-term. They look into different Churches and ask themselves the question, "If I get involved with this Church and stay here a year, what will it be like and how will I be treated?"

My prayer is that we become even more selfless, compassionate, kind, and passionate, toward each other. Not only will that be better for us, but it will also be the most important thing we can do to impact those far from God.

Some Said It Thundered- John 12

"'Father, glorify Your name.' Then a voice came from heaven, saying, 'I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.' Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, An angel has spoken to Him. Jesus answered and said, 'This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.'" (John 12:28-30 NKJV)

A voice from heaven would be impressive to anyone. In fact, down right scary. But this Voice, The Voice Of The Father, was not for Jesus. It wasn't to validate or confirm to Jesus who He was, or to impress Him. That Voice was for the Father to glorify Himself in the eyes of those Jesus was ministering to.

I'm concerned about how many Christians chase the miraculous. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you've probably already picked up on that. I believe in miraculous signs. Not just that God CAN do them, but that He absolutely DOES do them,
powerfully, and often! We have seen miraculous things happen at Living Word, and will continue to see them!

So what's so disturbing about that, you ask? It's just that, as Christians, we should realize that miracles are not for the purpose of impressing us, but for the purpose of impressing those who are far away from God! Whenever there are miracle services in churches and stadiums, 98% of the people there are Christians! We want the reserved seats and the VIP treatment, while the lost are in the back, or even worse not in attendance at all so they can't judge for themselves if the miraculous signs are real.

Why wasn't the "Voice From Heaven" FOR Jesus? Because He already knew who He was, and Who His Father was, and what His Father could do. Heb. 11:1 in the Amplified Bible says that Faith perceives as real fact what is not yet revealed to our senses. In other words, we KNOW the promises of God are true, even if we don't see them happening yet.

No, Jesus didn't need the "Voice From Heaven", but He was there with people who did. By saying, "Father, glorify your name", it almost seems that Jesus "cued" His Father's response for the people who were there. Please realize that when there is an opportunity for people you know to see or experience the supernatural, we need to get them in on it!

Don't get me wrong, seeing and participating in the miraculous is amazing and fun! We never get tired of seeing and experiencing signs and wonders. The question I'm asking, however, is: do we as Christans actually NEED that for a "deeper walk with God"? If we do, we're not yet mature in our faith. It's ok if that's where you are, just don't stay there. Allow this fast to grow and mature you to the point that what YOU need in your spiritual life is the Presence of God and His Word...not His Miracles.

Fasting...The Strength To Persevere- John 11

At noon today we will be halfway through Living Word's 21 day fast! I am so proud of each of you, although I know you aren't fasting for me, but to be more in tune with God's Will and Purpose for your life. Many are fasting all 21 days, some are doing every other day, some are fasting according to the guidelines in Daniel, and some are adding "water only" days to the fast. However you are doing it, THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING! This morning we called a special prayer meeting of our staff to pray over your requests again, and it was a really powerful time. God hears and answers prayer!

"Now Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.'” John 11:21-23,32

Have you ever felt that IF Jesus had "been there", your situation would have turned out much better? IF Jesus had been at the doctor's appointment, the job interview, the parent-teacher meeting? Rest assured, IF you will continue to trust God in your situation, you will be fine, but more importantly God will get the most glory possible!

In the account we read in John 11 today, Jesus finds our that His friend Lazarus is sick, and He does nothing for two days...until Lazarus is dead! Then when Jesus finally does show up, Lazarus has been buried for four days. Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha still love Jesus, they just wish He had shown up a little earlier.

That's the way it is with so many of us: We still "love" Jesus, we just wish He had shown up earlier! NOW look at what we have to deal with! Keep in mind, however, that had Jesus shown up earlier and healed Lazarus, which would have still been amazing, the testimony and fame and glory that God would have gotten would have been minuscule compared to raising him from the dead!

What is it that God has NOT done in your life yet? Keep standing to the end. The VERY end. And the VERY end is not when WE'RE finished....the VERY END is when GOD'S finished!

Fasting And Hearing The Voice Of God- John 10

Hearing the Voice Of God is one of the areas that Christians seem to struggle with the most. Fasting sharpens our spiritual senses so that we can follow God as He leads us.

"And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:4, 5 NKJV)

One of the worst things you can do while fasting is listen for "voices". Many cults and weird Christian doctrines were birthed out of an individual fasting and listening for voices in their head.

The main way that they Holy Spirit speaks to believers is through His Word, the Bible. if you really want to know the Will Of God and hear His voice, become a student of His Word. Otherwise, without a knowledge of His Word, how do you know that any "voice" that you hear is from Him?

There are those times, however, that the answer you need may not be specifically in the Bible. For example: "Do I take position #1 or position #2? Do I marry Bill, or George? Should I move to Seattle, or LA?

There are 3 different voices that each Christian has to deal with. First there is the "Voice Of God", when we KNOW for certain that the Holy Spirit is speaking to us about a certain issue. We could look anyone right in the eye and say, "I know I have heard from God!" Secondly, there is the voice of satan. Of course, if we discern THAT voice, we're not going to follow it.

Here in John 10, Jesus alerts us to a third voice, the voice of the "stranger". This is an inner voice that we're not sure where it's coming from...it could be God, but we're not really sure. 98% of the voices we hear in our head are this type. Jesus said that His Children RUN from that voice, the voice of a stranger. The voice of a stranger is the voice that you can't identify for sure. God knows your name, address, phone number, where you are at all times, He even knows the number of hairs on your head! (Luke 12:7) So when He wants to get your attention, you'll KNOW it! Until then, be content to be a faithful servant, let Him speak to you through His Word, and let this fast sharpen your ability to hear and obey!

Don't Put It Off!- John 9

One of the saddest things that could happen in the life of any believer is to come to the end of your life and realize that you have not fulfilled God's calling on your life. Many believe that they will live to be 70, 80, even 90 years old or more, and have plenty of time. BUT...what happens if Jesus returns before then? Next month? Next year? It really could happen, you know. And then, the opportunity is lost.

"We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work."-John 9:4 (NLT)

Fasting propels us toward our destiny by training us to say NO to what is good (and food IS good!) so that we can say YES to what is best. We need to learn not to settle for those things which are temporary, even in our earthly life, but rather plan for our life to effect others for eternity.

Don't settle for a half-hearted life with God: a mediocre prayer life, Bible study life, Church life, job, or family life. Life is too short for that! Use this fasting opportunity to make up your mind that you're going to focus on the plan and purpose of God for you, and for your Church.

If you do, you won't regret it. If you don't, you just might.

Fasting Will Help Us Tame Our Tongues!- John 8

There is no one reading this who hasn't gotten into trouble by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person. Sometimes, what we said was deliberate and calculated, but then found out later that out facts were wrong, but it was an honest mistake. When we get into trouble, however, is when we can't/don't control what we say.

James 3:2 says: "Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way."(NLT)

In John 8, we have a great account of Jesus actually wanting to say something to the Pharisees, but holds His tongue: “Who are you?” they demanded. Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” (John 8:25, 26 NLT)

This is fascinating! Here we see the tension between Jesus as a man and Jesus as The Son Of God. He actually has something in His Thoughts that He COULD say, but makes the calculated decision to say what His Father has instructed Him to say instead! Now if JESUS had to do that, how much more do WE need to!

We have been practicing saying NO to our bodies and fleshly appetites by fasting for 9 days so far...only 12 more days to go! For most of us, it hasn't been easy. It isn't supposed to be. The reason we struggle with this is because WE HAVE LET THE FLESH RULE FOR TOO LONG! Nowhere is that more evident that in our ability or inability to control what we say. So keep on choosing on purpose to fast, no matter how loudly your flesh speaks to you. Remember: you're becoming sharper spiritually so that you can fulfill God's ultimate purpose for your life, and we as His Church can fulfill His Purposes in the earth!

So proud of each of you!

Fasting And The Holy Spirit- John 7

I have mentioned numerous times in preparation for fasting that our "spiritual senses" would be sharpened. What do I mean by that?

“'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."- John 7:37-39

When a person makes a decision to follow Christ, God the Holy Spirit then moves in to indwell that new believer. When that believer is then baptized in the Holy Spirit, he or she is "immersed" or as the Greek puts it, "waterlogged" with His Presence and Power. When we then fast, our spiritual senses become very keen, and we become even more in tune with Him. By "with Him", I again mean the Holy Spirit.

Some Christians are under the misconception that it's the presence of Jesus that we sense at a Church service or in our prayer closet, or that when we make a decision to follow Christ, that we are "asking Jesus into our hearts". Actually, the Bible says that Jesus is seated at the Right Hand of the Father making intercession for us(Heb.1:3,7:25), and that on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as the indwelling Presence Of God in His Church.

Why is this important? Because the Holy Spirit is a real Person, the Third Person of the Godhead, and lives with and in each believer! Ignoring Him grieves Him, and His Ability to move and work in our lives is severely hampered. If you haven't actually spoken directly to Him, stop, take a moment, and say, "Hello Holy Spirit!" As you spend more time in prayer during the fast, allow yourself to sense His comforting and strengthening Presence. Don't bring your requests to Him...He has been given to you to help you pray to your Heavenly Father in Jesus' Name

The Bread Of Life- John 6

Church, I am so proud of all of you for participating in Living Word's 21 day fast for 2012! Week one is behind us, and today we begin week 2! I can sense the power of God moving all over our Church, and in the lives of individuals. Testimonies of lives and circumstances changing are already beginning! Thank you to everyone who came to Sunday night worship and prayer service last night to use your faith and help us pray over the hundreds of requests we received yesterday. Remember: "All of the spiritual power inside each person in the room is released when we pray together!"

Also, a BIG thank you to Bill Randall for his teaching on fasting last night. If you don't have his excellent book on fasting, be sure to pick it up in the bookstore. If you want to know more about Bill's campaign for congress in the 13th district, you can check him out at randallforcongress.com.

Do we seek Jesus because He gives us our "bread", or because He IS our "Bread"?

"And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. Jesus answered them and said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him. I am the Bread Of Life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

In reflecting on our 21 day fast, let me again ask this question: Do we seek Jesus because He gives us our "bread", or because He IS our "Bread"? Whan a person is truly "in faith" they have come to the point where they already know that God will provide for them. That faith then releases them to pursue Him instead of His Stuff. Let's spend some extra time seeking HIM today instead of what He can give us.

Fasting For A Firm Foundation- Luke 6

Have you ever made a "mistake", only to find out that it seemed to be God pointing you in a direction that you wouldn't have gone in on your own? That just happened to me.

I just discovered as I began this post that the Scripture I read on Saturday was LUKE 6 instead of JOHN 6! I was SO excited about blogging today because of the nugget I found in Luke (that I thought was John), that I'm going to share it anyway! My weekend has been really busy and productive, but I apologize for neglecting the blog for two days. I'll catch everything up today.

"But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” -Luke 6:46-49

According to this Scripture, obedience to God's will, plan, and purpose is the foundation we are to build our lives upon. Not our talents, or our giftedness. Talents and gifts have been given for the purpose of our obedience, but we are not to build the foundation of our lives on those by themselves. I see quite often, however, Christian lives, families, and ministries built upon what we know how to do, rather than what HE KNOWS HOW TO DO BY USING US.

Fasting, the practice of saying NO to food, builds in us the ability to say YES to God when He directs us. One could say that fasting builds up our foundation of obedience to God so that we don't build the spiritual foundation of our lives on what we can do, but on what HE can do.

What can I say about the services yesterday? Amazing. A grossly overused word...but still...amazing. As we brought our prayer requests before God yesterday and the whole Church prayed, the presence of the Holy Spirit was tangible. Not only were the worship teams hot, but there's nothing like the sound of hundreds of people praying over the prayer requests of the Church. I preached live at the South campus for the 4th week in a row and I really love the Spirit there. AND THEN...back to North campus and 21 people made decisions to follow Christ!

Fasting And The Will Of God- John 5:30

I'm convinced that the reason many don't experience the true, full will of God in their lives is that they just can't bring themselves to OBEY Him. In John 5:30 Jesus says, "...I do not seek my own will, but the will of the Father who sent me."

Jesus, God in the flesh, sought the will of His Father instead of seeking His own will. If Jesus the Son Of God had to do that, HOW MUCH MORE do we need to seek His Will more than our own? Once we have discerned His will, what then? Can we actually DO what we know is the Will Of God? So often, the answer is, "NO", we just can't bring ourselves to forgive THAT person, go to THAT country, give THAT offering, visit THAT person,...and the list goes on and on.

The most effective way to tune ourselves up to walk in obedience is to fast. Saying "no" to your flesh teaches you a basic skill that EVERY Christian needs throughout our lives. The Christian life is made up of 90% exchanging our will for His, and most of us just aren't good at that when WE don't want to do it. Submission to God is never proven in the situations that we already want to do God's will, but rather it is proven in those situations where, if we're really honest, we just DON'T WANT TO OBEY! I mean, wouldn't it be awesome if we always saw eye-to-eye with God? The truth is, however, that most of the time our carnal nature will never agree with God's will. This is why we must crucify that old nature. If we don't, it will rule us and we'll NEVER experience the fullness of what God has for us, and never walk in the place of total obedience.

This is day 5 of our 21 day fast. By now you have had some practice and experience saying no to yourself. And later on down the road, when it counts, you'll be glad you cultivated that ability! Who knows what great adventure God has just aroung the corner! For many Christians though, life is not a great adventure with God because they haven't developed the ability to say no to themselves and yes to God.

We've set aside 21 days to fix just that.