The Christian Migrant Network

After the Fast, What Next? Honor God, Honor People

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT? HONOR GOD, HONOR PEOPLE
“So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.”
Matthew 13:57 (NKJV)
Brethren, we bless God for ushering us into a new month. It is indeed a blessing and an honor to be counted amongst the living in this new month. Today, we focus our attention on ‘Honor’, how to honor God and people around us. I have the perfect message for you from Pastor Jentezen Franklin for you to listen. In this sermon, Pastor Franklin teaches us the importance of honor and how to establish this principle in our hearts and in our homes, in order to receive the full reward of Christ!
Enjoy listening to it and from this month I want you to share with us your prayer requests and testimonies of what God is doing in your life. I will be happy to read messages from you to stand with you in prayers and thank God for the breakthroughs. Send them to the contacts below.
thechristianmigrant@gmail.com or WhatsApp Number +4915214997548
Shalom.

After the Fast, What Next? Give and Be Generous

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT? GIVE AND BE GENEROUS
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Who among us can out give God? Who among us can do what Abraham did for God to swear by Himself when he said in Genesis 22:16–18 (ESV) “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice”.
Many of us keep struggling financially because we see God’s hand to be too short to blesses us back when we give. Sometimes I ask myself, why do churches engage in auctioning during harvest or day-born group offerings on specific periods just to raise funds for projects in God’s house. We make Pastors and Priests suffer by begging us to give just for projects in God’s house. Interesting enough when we see others give and are being blessed by the Pastors or Priest we become jealous and begin to talk behind them. “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29).
In Acts 2:45 (NIV), we read that “They (believers) sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need”. And because they did this, God’s grace was so powerful at work in them all and there was no needy person among them (Acts 4:34). May God touch of hearts to be generous towards our family members, the church, and the needy in society.
Again, in Isaiah 58:3, the people ask God “Why have we fasted and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves and you have not noticed?” God respond to them in verse 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”. Have you ever experienced that anytime the Spirit of God prompts you to give or support someone and you don’t you turn to lose the money or spend it unwisely? Well, I have experienced that several times and sometimes I ask myself where did the money go.
A Pastor friend once shared with them that he was prompted by the Spirit of God to donate their flat screen television to another Pastor friend who needed it badly for ministry work. He said “when I told my wife about it she said no way, she also has to hear from God first”. My friend said he never spoke about it again until two weeks later when there was a heavy storm, and thunder struck the TV down. He said when they took it to the repairer, they noticed every component in it was burnt beyond repair. Psalm 62:10–12 (NKJV) tells us “If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them. God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work”.
Shalom.

After the Fast, What Next? Forgive and Let Go Offenses

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT? FORGIVE AND LET GO OFFENSES
“And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
Mark 11:25
On Wednesday, May 13, 1981, Mehmet Ali Agca pulled a gun and shot Pope John Paul II during a procession in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Italy. Though critically wounded, the Pope survived four gunshot wounds to his abdomen. Following the shooting, Pope John Paul II asked people to “pray for my brother…whom I have sincerely forgiven”.
The Pope visited Agca in a Rome prison on Dec. 27, 1983. Their meeting came two years after Agca was arrested for shooting the pontiff in St. Peter's Square. During the visit the Pope went with him a photographer and cameramen. His reason was “he wanted the image in that cell to be shown around a world filled with unforgiving hatreds, with hostile superpowers, and smaller, implacable fanaticism”.
In 2000, Italy pardoned Agca and returned him to his homeland, Turkey upon request by the Pope. He was further jailed in Turkey for other offenses and released from prison on January 18, 2010, after almost 29 years behind bars. In 2014 we are told Agca, visited John Paul II’s tomb and placed flowers on it. While in prison in 2007, Mehmet Ali Agca converted to Christianity.
Brethren, we have no idea what forgiveness can do to us and especially those who offend us. You have every right to hold on to that offense, oh yes, it’s a choice, but remember that God will also hold on to yours. I love the way The Message Bible puts Romans 12:20-21 “if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good”. Isn’t this lovely?
However, if you still choose to hold on to offenses, Jesus, in Matthew 12:44-45 tells the story of how a demon returns back to its former home with seven other demons much stronger than itself when it notices that the house is clean and unoccupied. In the same way unforgiveness opens the door for bitterness, envy, resentments, anger, rage and other deadly sins. Note that, during the fast we asked God to give us the grace to let go sins we have been holding on to. If God took away those burdens, then do not count them and continue to forgive anyone who offends you. As a child of God, you need to come to that level where offenses don’t get to you.
Shalom.

After the Fast, What Next? Wait for God's Response

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT? WAIT FOR GOD’S RESPONSE
“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me.”
Acts 1:4 (ESV)
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) tells us, “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”. Waiting on the Lord, takes a lot of patience. Last year my wife got a job offer from another hospital to be their Manager in charge of operations. To me it was a good one, because the salary was at least much better than what she was earning at her current job. In addition, she had a good rapport with the CEO of the hospital because that was where our kids saw their pediatrician. We did all the background checks to ensure that the company was financially sound and the job was secured. However, Grace came back saying, Maurice, I don’t think I feel good about moving to this new job. I asked why, she said something within her doesn’t feel right. I tried to convince her that it was normal leaving your old company and starting all over at a new place. But she said, that isn’t the issue, I just don’t feel right in my spirit. In the end, she rejected the offer. I was disappointed, because she was the same person complaining each day about deteriorating standards and delay in payment of salaries at her job, but I had to let go.
God being so faithful, within two to three month later, she was recommended for another job opportunity. The position this time was for an Operations Director to a bigger hospital and this offer was twice bigger than the former. The interview went smoothly and the owners and board of directors all loved her. In fact, the CEO of the company called to checkup several time to ensure she had not changed her mind.
Brethren, it takes a lot of patience, courage and faith in God to say, ‘God, I will wait on you’. For example, consider a young lady or man waiting for the blessing of a marriage partner. The tendency to be promiscuous and even rush into wrong relationships is very high, if you do not seek the face of God diligently and wait on Him. In 1 Samuel 13:7-14, King Saul for fear of his men leaving the battle ground and also the delay by Samuel the Prophet, he decided to offer “the burnt offering and fellowship offerings”. Our bible tells us immediately when the offering was done, Samuel appeared and rebuked him. Saul lost the kingship of the kingdom of Israel from his household because of his disobedience.
Patience is a virtue which we all need to learn to grow by seeking God’s grace each day. Without it, we cannot ‘learn to wait’. The human self is always eager to move a step ahead of God, especially in this century of “fast things”. King Saul said “So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering” (1 Samuel 13:12). It can happen to any of us; you will feel like cutting corners to make extra money, take from your employer because you feel chattered, your friends are making it and you feel stagnant, etc. Brethren wait on God and continue to seek his face. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Therefore, learn to wait on God.
Shalom.

After the Fast, What Next? Be Thankful

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT? BE THANKFUL
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–22, 24 (ESV)
In verse 24 of the scripture we just read it says “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it”. Did God call you to fast? Did you obey this call? If your answer to these questions are ‘Yes’, then know that this verse is a promise for those who responded to His call. So, what happens next after the fast?
It is important to note that our breakthroughs might not all come at once, even though it is also possible that we can all experience it at the same time. Nothing is impossible for God. Like in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit filled all those who were in the Upper Room. However, what if I do not experience my breakthrough immediately, what do I do? Continue to be thankful. As Paul tells us in our scripture today; rejoice, continue praying and give thanks. Even for those who received or will receive their breakthroughs instantly or immediately after the fast, this same text applies to us. God is not done yet, therefore, you don’t want to ‘quench the Spirit’ which God has ignited in you. “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)).
Be led by the Spirit of God. If you feel the spirit leading you to continue with extra days of fasting, obey the Spirit. I recall in 2022 when I was challenged by the Spirit to join a 70-days corporate fast by Potter’s City in Ghana (which I had been avoiding for weeks). After the general fast, I was led to continue for some extra days which I obeyed. It was during that period that the gift of speaking in tongues was unleashed within me. I was so much on fire that I could spend hours before God’s presence; worshipping and praising Him, and not desire anything else. It took days before I felt calm. It was also around that same period that my wilderness journey started. My choices and decisions seemed unreasonable to people around me and they couldn’t help me but condemn me. “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25). God was up to something new in my life, and it was just my brother-in-law (who is a Pastor) and my sister – Monica, together with my wife’s auntie – Tina, who saw it and will call to encourage me in the Lord.
Brethren, keep thanking God even when you have not seen anything shift. “Blessed are those who have not seen, and have yet believed” (John 20:29). God might even take some of you to a different level in your spiritual life like He did to me before unleashing his blessing. Remember, precious metals like gold are tested by fire. Therefore, continue being thankful and praise Him anytime. Listen to gospel tunes to keep your spirit man on fire, read or pray the Psalms always and speak the promises of God daily over your life and the situation. Remember God’s promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:8).
Shalom.

After the Fast, What Next?

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT?
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written…”
Matthew 4:1–4 (ESV)
Naturally, after every fast you will be hungry and want to enjoy some of the good meals you missed. But please take it easy for health reasons. The bible says Jesus was hungry, therefore note that it is normal for us to feel very hungry. But, what kind of hunger was the bible referring to? It wasn’t clear, but we know the devil tempted Jesus with three things beginning with bread (food). Followed by spiritual pride and desire for power. Therefore, what do I do after a fast in order to resist the devil?
 
Jesus, response to the devil in all three circumstances was “It is written…”. Are you still feeding on the word of God after the fast? If you are not, I beseech you to keep your focus in the word because God continues to speak to us through his written word (scriptures). He will reveal even much more things to you and you will become wiser in your choices. This is because many doors and opportunities will open, but it is not all opportunities or doors that you have to take. Remaining in His word will help you make the right choice and refuse the wrongful ones. Jesus resisted the devil only with the word of God.
You will be spiritually empowered after the fast. How then do you use this power and gifts God will endow you with to His glory? The gifts that God gives us are meant to serve and bless your neighbors and the church. If you don’t take care, pride might set in and you will begin to drift away from what God requires of you. Cloth yourself then with humility, like Jesus, as Paul described him in Philippians 2:5-6 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Jesus forgave sins, so forgive others and let go off all offenses. Jesus blessed people that came to him, so bless those who reach out to you especially your relatives (Isaiah 58: 7). I will encourage you to read again Isaiah 58 and know what God requires of us during and after our fast.
The desire for power. The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor to entice him. But Jesus again said, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’”. Service to mankind is services to God, and service to God is worship. Never lose focus of serving others at the workplace, community or neighborhood and the church environment. Serving people is a difficult task, but if you humble yourself, overlook all the negatives that comes with it, God will bless you abundantly. I have heard and seen people allow pride and the desire for power to drift them away from serving in God’s house. What didn’t the Pharisees and Sadducees do or say to Jesus? Did he abandon the job the father had given him? By now you should know that there are people who will not do the job and neither will they allow you also to do it? But the job needs to be done, so what do you do? “Obey God and leave all the consequences to him” says Dr. Charles Stanley.
Brethren, within this week, we will discuss other things expected of us after every fast.
Shalom and Peace to you.

THANKSGIVING AFTER THE FAST

SATURDAY ENCOUNTER WITH PROPHET JEFFREY MBROH

Day21_Reflection

DAY 21: PRAYER FOCUS
CHOOSING TO WORSHIP
"Serve the LORD with gladness!
      Come into his presence with singing!
      Know that the LORD, he is God!
      It is he who made us, and we are his;
      we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
      Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
      and his courts with praise!
      Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Psalm 100:2–4 (ESV)
As we bring our 21-days fasting and prayers to an end I like to quote from a man of God who said “if there are people who will always pray, there is also a God who is ready to always answer them”. You have started right this 2025 and you will see a shift in things. You have not just fasted and prayed, but your spirit man has been re-enkindled by the holy spirit. Therefore, I charge you with the words of St. Paul in Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”. Have faith and believe God for mighty things. “The Spirit-filled life is a life of faith. It started by faith and is maintained by faith from start to finish” – Dr. Charles Stanley.
Remember, fasting and prayers, go with giving. Let God speak to your heart and sow seeds in the life of the needy, a ministry, needy family members, and anyone God lays on your heart to bless. “The kind of fasting I want is this: remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.” (Isaiah 58:6-7). Sorry to say, but sometimes we live as if when we give all that we are will finish. Our God is a God of abundance and he promises never to leave you or forsake you. Do not gather for others to enjoy and insult you in addition, but bless others. Ecclesiastes 2:26 tells us “To one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task to gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God”. I believe you want to be the one enjoying what you have not gathered, so my friend trust God and give.
Don’t let the fire die out, continue praying, pray with your family, pray with your spouse and read the word of God each day. As parents we are raising families in an environment that is so polluted, and I want you to know that, it is only the grace of God that can form a circle of fire around your children when they step out. My mum started this life of prayer when she will always wake up early to have her personal devotion around 4am, then late wake us up to have a family devotion, and bless us before she went to work. Those prayers paid off and continues to pay. I am also doing it for my children every day praying and prophesying over their life and I encourage you to do the same. Our generation is fighting many things and we don’t know what is coming next, but one thing I believe is what God says in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”. They will go out with bad friends, but will always be saved from trouble.
There have been many times I have personally wandered away from the house of God, but in all, I kept coming back. I have a Christian brother in America who said he wandered away from God and tried to sell drugs, guns, and illegal stuff but nobody will buy from him. He didn’t understand why until one night he woke up and thought he overheard his mum talking to someone in her room, he opened the door slightly to peep and found her mum on her knees crying out to God fervently to deliver and save him. That was how his life turned around and he received Christ Jesus.
Pray and pray that there will be a revival first in your life, then your family and then this city. God is more than able to turn things around to favor his children if only we will have faith and believe him. Am not here to promise you the journey will be smooth always. You will go through tough moments, but hold on to the faith, trust God and do not shake. Stand your grounds and continue to repeat his promises to you each day to Him and he will give you and me victory. Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him…”. Trust God.
God richly bless you.
Shalom.

TCM 3RD FRIDAY PRAYER ROOM ENCOUNTER WITH PROPHET JONATHAN YEBOAH