Mountain Talk 2025

21 Days of Consecration

We are stating off the Year seeking God!

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

We want to help you as you seek God, so that we can better together learn to seek His kingdom.

We want to prepare ourselves for what God has for us this new Year.

So we are setting aside 21 days to seek God!

This is what we are planning on doing.

Starting this coming Friday and Saturday the 3rd and 4th we will begin with services that start at 6:30-8pm. In these services we will teach some practical ways to get closer to God and set you up for the following days. Then on January 23rd we will have a service closing the 21 days and sharing testimonies of how God has moved in our lives.

In these services we will worship and seek God for this year.

We are also encouraging you to fast. Fasting is a powerful tool God gives us to break through things we cannot in our own strength.

In Isaiah 58 God describes what kind of fasting pleases Him. So based off this chapter we believe God spoke to us to help the poor and those in need. So we are setting up a fund to help 2 local families in our community who are in need. We encourage you to give to help those in need.

Another Thing God has put on our hearts as the leadership of the church is that we want to help you grow or get closer to God in these 21 days.

Our relationship with God can be challenging and sometimes we hit plateaus that keep us from growing and drawing closer to God. And we know that if we seek His kingdom and His righteousness first all other things will be added.

So God does give us direction on how this works.

Are you in?

Let’s open our hearts to get ready to connect with His heart in all we do. Lets’ give and bless those in need and Let’s identify what stops us from seeking God’s heart for us.

If you want to give, this is how to give!

2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Lets pray.

First thing: Fasting

Why do we fast?

Because fasting is a proven way to get closer to God and learn His heart for us.

What is your need today? Where do you need to learn from God today? Is it for your Family, friends, work, finances, health, emotional, spiritual.

Through out the bible people fasted.

Ezra fasted for his nation to repent and turn back to the Lord, and they rebuilt the temple

Nehemiah fasted when he received bad news about his homeland while in another kingdom, and God showed favor to him and he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem

Esther fasted when the lives of her people where in danger and God delivered!

David, Isaiah, Jeremiah all fasted many a times

Daniel fasted to seek the Lord and receive an answer from God

Daniel’s King fasted and prayed that Daniels life would be spared in the den on lions , and Daniel’s life was spared!

The prophet Joel call the nation of Israel to fast and turn back to God!

Jesus fasted for 40 days before beginning His ministry, He also was tempted but did not sin. After that time He was ministered to by angels.

Anna had her prayers answered as she waited and fasted to see the messiah.

The centurion Cornelius Fasted and prayed and an angel appeared to him to send for Peter, shortly after Cornelius and His household were saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit

The primitive church prayed and fasted, and many were added to their numbers

The apostles fasted many times and they saw great signs and wonders.

If we are sincere in our fasting then fasting works!

It is a way to set ourselves aside, becoming empty to listen and learn from God!

You have not because you ask not!

Fasting is one of the most real ways to seek God. because it hurts to empty ourselves.

The majority of fasts in the bible didn’t only include not eating, but they also included prayers, weeping, ashes and sackcloth.

Fasting was not taken lightly.

There are things that will only happen through fasting!

Jesus once told His disciples that certain victories would only come through prayer and fasting.

So our objective in fasting is to draw closer to God, Not to consume ourselves with complicated dietary programs.

Fasting is to stop or remove certain things from our diets to create room for God in our lives.

Are there things that we should remove from our diets to help keep us closer to God.

If you have health conditions please consult with your doctor before starting a fast.

HOW TO BEGIN: 1. Start With a Clear Goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of your marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. 2. Preparing Spiritually. Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2). 3. Deciding What to Fast. The type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. It can also be media or busyness. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study. 4. What to Expect. When you fast, your body detoxifies and eliminates toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mindset on seeking God’s face. 5. How to End. Don’t overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks.

On another note about fasting, We have felt God directing us to meet the needs of those around us.

Isaiah 58 gives us clear instructions about fasting that brings with it a different spin.

You see God’s people were wondering why is it that God wasn’t answering their prayers and listening to their cries. and their fast.

This was His reply to them:

Isaiah 58:1–12 NKJV

“Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord? “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

So this text has led us to start a fund to help two local families that are in need. We are looking to remove the oppression from those who are oppressed and suffering in need around us. We understand here that unless we have a heart of love and compassion for those around us our fast will be in vain. So we want to become a generous church that gives and blesses those in need.

We want to have the heart of Jesus for our city.

John 17:20–23 NKJV

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Lets pray and set our hearts to be united with the heart of God!

Ok let’s talk mountains. Mountains are things that stop us in our walk with God and rob us from our peace.

We are gonna call these mountains.

Step 1

Identify your Mountain

Identify what area you need to grow or change in?

For example: For us as a church our building is one of our needs. Because of how old it is, major upgrades will need to take place. We can’t find insurance because its not up to code.

Another example can be a Poverty Mindset, How much does money have control or power over your life? When you don’t have it, how do you respond? When you do have it how do you spend it? How does it affect your emotional life and your walk. How much does it affect your behaviour?How generous are we, and when we loose money do we panic. are we scared… how does it make us feel when money isn’t there?

Our response to life expose our mountains.

I have observed two types of believers. Those who use the “ I am Already Saved by God’s Grace and all things have been made new, so I am good” Or the “I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and don’t need anything else as long as I stay positive all things will work out”

Offense unforgiveness - peace

Have visual aids about the mountains.

Name 3 or 4 mountains

how many folks are confident that they can hear from God

The end result is how to get closer to God

How do you get closer to God?

To be able to hear His voice regularly

do you have a quiet time with God? Are we focused, what do we need to remove to be able to hear from God

Business… Martha always busy and occupied

the mountain between God and Man…

Are you Saved! Have you made Jesus the Lord and Saviour of your life.

How do you know something is a mountain in your personal life?

How to identify a mountain?

A mountain causes you to loose your peace, Joy, Things that make you feel Hurt, shame , envy anger, guilty and fear. We are afraid of something happening to us or affecting us.

These are symptoms of things that block us.

It affects your emotions and your actions.

I have lost my peace, my joy,

Lost your love,

Fruit of the Spirit.

Feel like giving up.

you are not aware of them until you run into them.

When our emotions or behaviors go against the heart of God for them that is when we know we are dealing with mountains.

A mountain is a tormenting spirit. - oh I just lost my cool, I just cussed someone out..

How are you speaking? your tone of voice your language… what is your self talk like. What is coming out of your mouth, observe how you react when things don’t go your way? How do you react when people hurt you?

Pay attention this month to how you are behaving?

Observe your feelings, and thought life.

Our measure is Christ…

The Full measure of Christ. — the fruit of the spirit… are we full of love?

How do you speak to the mountain…

In Jesus name… You are going down.

Ask for God’s help.

How did this get into my life?

What lie am I believing that is giving this mountain power over my life?

What doors and windows am I leaving open in my life

For example: I do not forgive quickly, I want people to love me, I want people to accept me..

Beliefs that are not in line with God. I believe that I am the tail …

Bad thinking

We need to Identify the mountain, and how it grew into what it is today.

It takes time and our partnership with God to bring these mountains down.

speak to the mountain… speak to yourself… the mountain of anger… generational mountains.

Once we identify our mountain… we must bring in the word of truth into the situation.

We want to be more like Jesus. What does He say about it?

Give examples of what it is, what it looks like and how to overcome it..

The Holy Spirit will convict us of what our mountain is.

Some mountains you cannot overcome alone.

How to adjust our life to be more like Christ?

How to Speak to the anger.

Renounce

Spend time asking God How did this get into my life. What is the root I need to address with your grace.

Tear down, demolish every stronghold and everything that exalts itself above the knowledge of God. Bring it into obedience…

Repeat the truth over and over and over again…

our belief system is built in us through repetition.

Repetition causes it to become real

Now live it. Now it is real in you. Living in victory!

Engaged and sharing your victories with others.

There are different levels of freedom…

it gets better and better as it goes on.

Reflection, Gratitude, and confidence for moving the next mountain…