Pastor Leo Colon’s Blogs

Beloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Today is day number fifteen (15)! You are really doing so well. The finish line is in sight and you can see victory from here. Our Late Archbishop McKinley use to say, “from here you have five (5) days and a wake up”. There are six days left. You are doing it, and you can make it. Hang in there. Do just today. Today I wanted to continue our look at the benefits of fasting. Let’s look at the text.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

One of the benefits of fasting is that God speaks. God will make some things clear and give direction. The direction may not be what we want to hear, but it is clear and it is the will of God. In this text leaders are praying for the growth and stability of the work. They are the new leadership of this church. They have hopes of rolling their sleeves up and getting to the business of the kingdom. In the midst of this they receive a word from God. We have no proof from the text at how they received the word. I could imagine there was some consternation with regard to the mandate for separation. What is evident, is that what they received was clear direction. One of the benefits of fasting is that you will receive clear direction. It may be what you were expecting. It may not. It will be clear. Beloved, fasting allows you to function with a clear understanding of what your purpose is. Think of it. You will not have to function wondering if you are doing what God wants you to do. Look for a word from God. Look for clarity. Seek it, and you will find it.

Remember, drink all the water you can. At the very least 8-10 glasses of water a day. It should be closer to a gallon if you can. I will be praying for you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Your Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
www.ihpfwc.org

Beloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Today is day number thirteen (13)! You are really doing this. Some of you thought there was no way you would get that far. God is amazing and he has kept you this far. Congratulations, you are doing very well. You hang in there. Your prayers are being heard. Today I want to encourage you that as you are fasting, there are benefits and privileges on this journey. Let’s look at the text.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

The church is at this point, in it’s infancy. The church in Antioch had new leaders and is the first place people were called Christians. Lots of pressure to say the least. Now according to the text once the leadership was settled, they ministered and they fasted. The word minister is :3008. leitourgeo, li-toorg-eh´-o; from 3011; to be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve): — minister. So they worshiped. Your worship is a key component and privilege to this warfare of fasting. Worship allows you to rehearse to God who he is. I make this distinction to showcase the difference between worship and praise. Praise is thanking God for what he has done for you. Worship is irrespective of what you have received from God, and announcing that he is God. In our relationships it work somewhat the same way. When my wife makes me some food, I will thank her for the food and let her know I really appreciated it. Suppose when she made me some food and serve me the food, I said to her “you are the only woman for me”. My comment was not based on what I received but on who and what she is. Worship takes the focus off of me and places my adoration on God. This is a benefit to me because it give me an opportunity to tell God that if I never understood all the benefits I receive from him, I still know that he is God. Take the time to get all the benefits of worship. Why? Because God pays attention to worship. There are benefits when you take the focus off of you and bestow your worship on God.

Next week we will talk about what one of those benefits are from this passage. Remember, just do today. Drink all the water you can. At the very least 8-10 glasses of water. It should closer to a gallon if you can. I will be praying for you, See you all tomorrow at church, and bring someone with you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Your Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

Beloved, Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Please allow me to apologize for missing a day. Pastor Dorothy and I attended the funeral of her Aunt and the demands of family was overwhelming. We certainly solicit your prayers.
Today is day number twelve (12). You are a giant. You are doing so well. Now think of it, there are less days in front of you than there are behind. You have gone pass the midpoint of this journey and the end is in sight. You are doing very well. Today, I just want to encourage you with the Word of God. You are seeking the LORD in prayer and fasting. Prayer is an essential part this journey and sometimes we feel that God may not hear us. Well, hear are some assurances. So many have asked the LORD to hear their prayer. Let’s look at some examples.

Psa. 4:1 ¶ Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Psa. 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psa. 17:1 ¶ Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Psa. 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Psa. 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
Psa. 61:1 ¶ Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
Psa. 64:1 ¶ Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Psa. 69:13 ¶ But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
Psa. 84:8 ¶ O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Psa. 102:1 ¶ Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
Psa. 143:1 ¶ Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
Is. 37:4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.

Some times we doubt. We don’t know if God hears us. We don’t see God’s answer from our questions. We don’t see God’s plan from our need. We don’t see God’s provision in our lack, but hear the Word of God. He hears you beloved. We must always hang in there to see his provisions, his plan and his answers for our lives. Listen to Holy Writ.

1Kings 9:3 And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
2Kings 19:4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
2Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
2Chr. 7:12 ¶ And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
2Chr. 30:27 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
Psa. 6:9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
Psa. 66:19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Is. 38:5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Acts 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Beloved, know this, God has heard your prayers and he will answer every supplication. You are not doing this in vain. God will answer your prayers and you will be what God has said you will be.

Remember, drink all the water you can. At least 8-10 glass of water a day. You are doing incredibly well. I will see you at church on Sunday. Remember bring someone with you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Beloved, today you have moved into a new phase in your 21 day journey. Today is day number 10. You have moved into double digit days on your journey. Congratulations to each and every one of you. That is awesome. Remember this is a process. You don’t have to be perfect, but you want to be committed.

Today let us revisit the text we looked at yesterday. Yesterday we talked briefly about the point that we do not want to be hypocrites. We want to behave in a way that Christ says is appropriate, for those of us who seek him. We are believers. Today let’s take another look at another part of this text.

NLT
Matt. 6:16 ¶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
Matt. 6:17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
Matt. 6:18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Hypocrites short change themselves by receiving the reward of men whom they are trying to impress. This reward, I assure you, at best, lacks the luster of any reward God can give to us. Here is the assurance the we receive from the word of God. Fasting produces rewards. There is the reward from Man, that is the result of showing man how pious you are. Which is nothing more than their assent that you are a pious person. This for me is worthless. Then there is the reward from our heavenly Father. Which reward do you want? I know I have made up my mind. I would much rather have the assurance of Holy Writ, which tells me he will never forsake those who seek him.

King James Version
Psa. 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

I would much rather have the reward of knowing that God who answers prayer, will hear my request and grant them.

King James Version
Job 6:8 ¶ Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

Beloved this is a goal worth reaching for. Who cares what man decides about me. I want to obtain the ear of God, and the assurance that he hears me, and can grant my request. Again I ask, which reward do you want? What is more important to you? If the reward of God is more important, then you are on your way to receiving your reward.

Hang in there. Just do today. Drink all the water you can. At the very least drink 8-10 glasses today. You are doing so well.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. Beloved, congratulations you are in day number 9. Wow!!!! You are doing what some thought you would never do, and God is keeping you through this whole thing. Praise the LORD for his keeping power. Remember, drink as much water as possible and make a point of making your request known to God. Also do not forget that it is important to get the toxins out of your body. Do a colonic, enema or take a laxative at least once a week if possible while doing this fast. It will help. Today I wanted to just share a quick word with you. It is a reminder for us all. Let’s look at the text.

NLT
Matt. 6:16 ¶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
Matt. 6:17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.
Matt. 6:18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Beloved, You are not a hypocrite, you are a believer. Don’t brag, you want your reward from God. Now let’s apply balance to this text. Jesus is not telling us to lie. If someone asks why you are not eating, tell them you are participating in a spiritual exercise. Who knows if God will not use that conversation as an opportunity for evangelism. The issue is for us not to walk around bragging or feigning sickness so that we would get notice for how Holy we are.

Remember, you are not a hypocrite, you are a believer.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

Today blog is a repost.

Beloved, grace and peace be unto you, from God our Father, and from the LORD Jesus Christ. Today is Day number 8! You are doing awesome, and you should really be proud of yourselves. There are some great rewards that await you all, and you should expect great things. I am excited by what God is about to do. Not just for me, but for you as well.
Today, I want to encourage you, but also to caution you about fasting. Fasting is not something that is man made. It is in fact, of God. Fasting is done with prayer, and with hope for the things we want from God. We must never forget that God requires us to seek him, but we do not want to do this in vain. God requires us to live a certain way even when we are fasting. I do not want to fast and find that I am wasting my time. My demeanor must conform to the will of God. Now I am not saying that any of you are not living according to God’s mandate, but a word to the wise is sufficient. I want my fasting to count for something and so do you, so look at this scripture and be encouraged.
NLT
Is. 58:3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!’ ‘I will tell you why! It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers.
Is. 58:4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.
Is. 58:5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
Is. 58:6 ¶ ‘No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn.
Is. 58:7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Is. 58:8 ¶ ‘If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
Is. 58:9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. ‘Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors!
Is. 58:10 Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.
Is. 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Is. 58:12 Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.
Beloved I want God to guide me, don’t you? I want God to water my life when I am dry, and keep me healthy. I want everything that God has for my protection, and I am praying that God would do the same for you. Don’t do the kind of fasting that gets you nowhere. Trust God, Obey God, and God will honor his side of the commitment.
Remember just fast for today, you are doing great. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Drink all the water you can, and pray. The LORD bless you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,

Leo Colon

pastor@ihpfwc.org

www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. You are on day six and that’s incredible. Think about it, many of you did not think you would get this far. You need to pat yourself on the back and thank God for his ability to keep you and take you where you did not think you could go. Beloved today I want to take a little time to encourage you. Fasting has many aspects to it. Many opportunities to hear from God will happen as a result of it. The thing you should know is that is primarily our weapon. Many times we fast to seek God. When we do, it can be a great opportunity to renounce your past and get right with him. In other words it is a great opportunity to make a statement about your faith. Let’s look at the text.

KJV
1Sam. 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
1Sam. 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
1Sam. 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

Israel was worshiping false gods and were judged by the prophet. The fast was an opportunity to corporately say to God, I want to get right with you. One of the myths that pervades in Christian living is that Christianity is for perfect people. It’s not, it is for people who understand they need God. You are on this journey to seek the LORD for some corporate and personal needs. Don’t forget to talk to God. Make the announcement, I will no longer follow what I used to follow. I will serve the LORD. This fast will focus you on the things of God. Make you aware of how much you need the LORD. Pray and confess to God the things you need forgiveness for. Make a vow, that this is a new day for you. This is not a vow of perfection, but a vow of diligence.
Know this, that as the prophet of IHP, I am praying for you all. As are your Pastors for which ever church you belong to. We are praying for you, that God will bless you by keeping his word. What a blessing to know that God keeps his word. Remember, he will not forsake those that seek him. Do it today.

Remember, drink as much water as you can. Use your prayer lists and take time away from everything and pray. You are doing well. I am in awe of what God is doing through you.

Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Beloved, today is day number five and you are doing awesome. Congratulations, you are seeking the LORD and he will not forsake you. Remember to use your prayer list and pray for those things you seek from the LORD with aforethought. You are not praying without a strategy. Drink all the water you can, at least 8 to 10 glasses of water today. Today we welcome my friend, brother and colleague in the gospel, Pastor Maurice Johnson as a guest blogger. He wrote for us last year and has graciously consented to write to us again. Please join me in thanking Pastor Johnson for his ministry and friendship, as we also welcome and acknowledge the Beth-Car Fellowship Church who are also on their 21-day fast.
I must tell you, today’s blog is for me, a miracle. We both wrote our blogs on yesterday and did not consult each other as to what we were writing about. Yet God moved on both of us to write about Matthew 17:20,21. God often does that and it helps us to know that God is really trying to get his purpose made known to us by confirming it in such a miraculous way. So I am posting this as confirmation of his word and purpose, for us, on this fast. Enjoy!!!

Live Life On Purpose, and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org

Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Once again, we are subjecting ourselves to the mandate of Holy Writ, which to fast and pray. In Matthew’s gospel chapter 17 verse 21 Jesus says, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” The response of Christ is given to a certain man who had just experience disappointment from the disciples who themselves must have been quite embarrassed. The disciples had just experienced failure on a very personal level; they had been given an opportunity to activate the lessons received in their academic discourse with Christ. The scriptures states, “a certain man” came to Christ’s disciples with a need described in verses 15 and 16, “Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.” The man’s complaint is clear, “they could not cure (therapeuo – to serve, do service, to heal, cure, restore to health) him” hence his condition persisted. Jesus teaches his disciples that certain miraculous occurrences will only manifest themselves when our devotion to the Lord has brought us to a place of affinity or closeness to him and spiritual things. The spirit that possessed the child was strong and furious, it infected more than a just simple mental, emotion, spiritual or public discomfort; it threatens his very existence.

Note the man describes to Christ without embarrassment the issue at hand; it is not superficial or trivial, his son’s life is on the line. Many of you are on the fast and consecration because you are facing strong and furious spirits that threaten your walk in Christ. The journey you have undertaken is to a spiritual imperative that will create a platform for the miraculous in your life. Like the man, rebuke the shame, be specific, in your request; steal away with Jesus so that past failures or seemly-unanswered prayers that you have previously prayed may be given attention by the Lord. Be STONG and COURAGEOUS, the high place cannot remain when we on regular bases devote ourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus assures us of this in the face of the enemy, the Lord’s response is regardless of the enemy’s strength and nature, intimate and sincere devotion to him causes this kind to goeth out.

May The LORD Richly Bless You,
Maurice Johnson
Senior Pastor
Beth-Car Fellowship Church

Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Congratulations, you are already on day three of your journey. We need to praise the LORD, this is awesome. You are using a lethal weapon in your arsenal and you are doing well.
While we are starting our journey, let’s make sure we get the best out of this effort. The purpose for fasting is to petition the LORD for important issues. This effort of seeking God can be overwhelming. Take comfort, for the LORD has promised those of us who seek him that he will not forsake us. Let’s look at the text.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Psa. 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.

King James Version
Psa. 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

No one fasts for twenty-one days because there is nothing else to do. We do this because we believe that God hears the petitions of those who seek him. What this text assures us is that we do not trust God in vain. David tells us, that those of us who know his name, also trust him. We believe God and take him at his word. Because of this trust we engage in fasting to seek the LORD. While you are fasting you are also praying and seeking God for answers, for direction and for a closer walk with the LORD. Well here is some good news for you today. “God has not forsaken them that seek him”. In the NLT the phrase is written this way, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.

As you seek the LORD in this fast, be confident in this, he will not abandon you. You are not alone, you have help and God is with you. Because God is with you, you can operate with confidence. Set goals and reach them. Do not be timid. Go after that which you seek. Live Life on Purpose and Not By Mistake. Expect God to be in the midst of you and you will succeed.

Now think, what have you not tried because the thought of it is overwhelming? What were you afraid to try? What good thing have you held back on, because you felt like you could not go through this on your own?

Go after it beloved. You are not alone. The LORD hast not forsaken them that seek him. Be a seeker, and trust in the LORD.

Remember, just do today. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Drink all the water you can and pray. Also remember, Prophetess Sandra Manning of Dabar Bethel Worship Center will be with us at IHP on Sunday @ 4:00 PM. You do not want to miss this. Make a point of being there. Bring someone with you. Seriously, you do not want to miss this.

Live Life on Purpose, and Not By Mistake,
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon
pastor@ihpfwc.org
http://www.ihpfwc.org