WHERE'S THE BEEF?

During the 1980's, a well-known hamburger chain had a series of TV commercials that caught America's attention. Two lit­tle old ladies were shown at a competitor's franchise holding their burger, looking down at it, then at each other, and say­ing the words that made them famous, "WHERE'S THE BEEF?" Today this scenario seems to be repeating itself, but in a different setting. Many are going to Church and asking the same question from a spiritual standpoint, saying, "Where's the beef?"

The signs and wonders, dramatic conversion experiences, healings, miracles and Holy boldness of the believers the Bible speaks of seems to have shrunk today, while the size of the bun seems to have increased. Whatever happened to the first-century power demonstrated in the Book of Acts when the Name of Jesus was preached? We know that "Jesus is the same yesterday, to­day and forever" (Heb. 13:8). So Jesus hasn't changed. Which leaves us with only one other reasonable conclusion. We have. One minister told me, "I was born in the fires of Pentecost and I'm allergic to the smoke!" At first I thought this was a rather funny metaphor, and pictured myself in the fires of God with him, burning with the power of Pentecost. But then I became convicted, knowing that although I too had experienced that power at salvation, something had gone wrong since. I was now just living in the smoke. Oh I smelled like a Christian, had the Christian jargon and loved to talk about the Bible. Attending Bible study was something I looked for­ward to. As for witnessing my faith, yep, I was there, even leading one to Christ from time to time. But when it came to the truth of the matter I'd grown "lukewarm" in my relationship with Jesus. And the power of God had evaporated from my life.

This same minister who still had the power (both in the pulpit and out) demonstrated a lifestyle that showed me where I’d gone astray. His life was spent in prayer and fasting, constant study of the Word and a relationship with Jesus that resulted in compassion for God's sheep. He was a servant first, and thus was able to be a leader. I looked at my own life and thought about the last time I'd done "push-a-ways" from the dinner table with some fasting. It had been a while. As I reflected on my prayer life, it too had waned. It wasn't until I set time aside each morning and evening specifically for prayer alone with God did I realize how far I'd fallen.

At first, I thought it was just the devil fighting me, but eventually I realized it was my own flesh that was the problem. Fifteen minutes in prayer seemed like an eternity. I even timed myself the first several days and nights just to find out where I was spiritually. I was anemic at best! For the first few days I wanted to quit and return to my comfortable Christian lifestyle, simply attending Bible study, Sunday service, talking the talk and witnessing my bible knowledge to others. That was surely much easier than actually spending time alone with God, and denying myself the three meals a day I so deserved in America. But, the Holy Spirit had hooked me. Before long, spending time alone with God ceased being a labor, and once again became my love. And as Jesus returned to the center of my life, I found myself back in the center of Him. I was back in the fire, and the fire was back in me.

More Burger or More Bun?

"More burger or more bun?", is the question I now ask myself each day. There is certainly nothing wrong with the bread of re­ligious activity (I still attend church, look forward to Bible study and sharing my faith with others), but the life-changing power comes with the beef of the gospel in the midst of these activities. Jesus declared: "I have meat that ye know not of" (Jn. 4:32). His disciples didn't understand what he was talking about and began to speak to each other saying "Hath any man brought him aught to eat?" (vs. 33). Jesus then plainly told them, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me" (vs. 34). Then Jesus immediately began to speak about the harvest that is all around them:

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white for harvest" (In. 4:35).

On the heels of this brief teaching, a significant number of Samaritans believed on Jesus as the Messiah. "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him..." (Jn. 4:39). Jesus continued to preach, "And many more believed..." (vs. 41). What was so impactive about Jesus' preaching and teaching? He had the beef! "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Mt. 7:29). Jesus had the meat from above, whereas the scribes only possessed the bun of earthly religious activity. It could be stated another way, Jesus had relationship with the Father while the scribes had only a religion of do's and don'ts.

The Ministry of Jesus was confirmed with a lifestyle of holiness, the fruit of the Spirit and miraculous signs and wonders from the Father. Jesus had the beef in all that he said and did. "For he taught them as one having authority" (Mt. 7:29). "...for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (Jn. 3:2). "Even the unclean spirits obey him" (Mk. 1:27).

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy: and he healed them. And there followed him great multi­tudes of people..." (Mt. 4:23-25).

What Was The Secret Of Jesus’ Power?

What was the secret of Jesus' power? Was it because he was the Son of God? That certainly played a part, but aren't all who come to Jesus given authority to "become the sons of God?" "But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (In. 1:12). Moreover, Jesus himself gave this same miracle-working power to his disciples to use His name:

"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease" (Mt. 10: 1).

He commanded them to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give" (Mt. 10:8). And this they did with significant success, bringing the beef to the hungry people in need. "And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them" (Mk. 6:13). This same beefy authority was given by Jesus to the seventy: "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name" (Lk. 10: 17). Jesus responded by saying, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (vs. 19). Jesus also gave this beefy authority to you and me:

"And Jesus said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature...And these signs will follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover' (Mk. 16:15­-18).

Wherever the disciples went they carried the beef of the gospel with them. Even deacons were raised up to bring the meat with them when they preached:

"And Stephen, full of faith, and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people...and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke" (Acts 6:8).

Finally, the response the world had about these first-century believers was simply this: "These that have turned the world upside-down have come here too!" (Acts 17:6). It takes Heaven's power to accomp­lish such a feat! Peter's shadow healed the sick and cast out devils (Acts 5:14-16). Paul's handkerchiefs and aprons carried the power of Heaven to heal and cast out devils. The early Church had "more burger than bun!" So how do we get the power? "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off" (Acts 2:38-39).

Keys To Receive The Power

There are some basic biblical keys to receive the power of Heaven, to get more beef than bun. The first key is to believe. "For without faith it is impossible to please God, for those that come to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6). Believing the power is for today, and for you today, is the initial step to receiving it. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Regular study in the Word of God is our foundational key.

The second key is an intimate relationship with the Father through daily prayer, alone with God. Prayer not only changes things, but it also changes us. At first, it may be a struggle to spend time alone with God, and like me, you may even want to give up and return to religious activity. Press on until you pray through and meet Him face-to-face in your prayer closet. Then, prayer will become a refreshing experience and take on a whole new dimension. You will look forward to spending time alone with the Father. You may even take a break at work, not for coffee or a Twinkie, but to have some private prayer time prayer with the One you've again fallen in love with. The more time you spend alone with Him, the more His presence, character and power will begin to rub off on you. "But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Cor. 3:18).

The Secret Sauce of Fasting

The third key could be referred to as the “secret sauce” of fasting. This is what separates one burger from all the others. For example, the disciples were having difficulty casting a demon out of a boy one day. Jesus came on the scene and simply spoke a word to the evil spirit and immed­iately it came out of him. The boy was restored to his father, healed and delivered (see Mk. 9:22-27). The disciples wanted to know "why they couldn't cast the demon out" (vs. 28). Jesus then revealed the “secret sauce" of fasting:

Jesus replied, "This kind can come forth by nothing but PRAYER and FASTING" (Mk. 9:29KJV).

Certain miracles or deliverances can only occur through sacrificial Prayer and Fasting. Others occur simply by "believing and applying" what Jesus has commanded us to do in His Name. The follow­ing "growth pyramid" might better illustrate this.

Notice that there are three realms of harvest illustrated in this verse: the 30-fold, 60-fold and 100-fold. In the Parable of the Sower (Mt. 13:1-8, 18­ 23), Jesus taught that the seed (the Word) planted in "good soil" (the believer) resulted in three different harvests, some 30, some 60 and some 100-fold (see. vs. 8 & 23). How can the same seed, in the same soil produce three distinctly different harvests? The Book of Romans gives us some insight. In the twelfth chapter Paul speaks about what I refer to as Three Wills of God:

"But be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed through the renewing of your mind that ye may know what is that GOOD, and WELL­ PLEASING and PERFECT will of God" (Rom. 12:2).

Beneath the umbrella of God’s sovereign will, God has his good, well pleasing and perfect will. These could be compared to good, better and best. These tie in with the 30 (good), the 60 (better) and the 100-fold (best) harvest from the same soil. The soil is the believer (you and me)(see Mt. 13:23). How we nurture the seed sown into our lives has direct relation to the type of harvest that will result, 30, 60 or 100-fold. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (Js. 1:17). Since God is "no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34) there is evidence that God gives his "good gifts" to those who line up with his "good will" And He gives "perfect gifts" to those who step up to His “perfect will.” God doesn't withhold anything from anyone, but rather it appears we withhold blessings from ourselves.

The Word, Prayer and Fasting

The Word, Prayer and Fasting is the three-piece combo that will make our Burger complete with Bun, Beef and Secret Sauce in one! As the above Growth Pyramid illustrates the foundation level is easily accomplished through reading the word -OR- prayer. We might say this will keep us in the 30-fold realm with God. His good will. Whereas reading the word -AND- prayer will carry us up to the middle level in Christ, the 60-fold realm or the better (well-pleasing) will of the Father. But it takes all three: the Word, Prayer and Fasting to take us into the top realm where the special mir­acles begin to take place. Jesus then declared, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (Jn. 14:12). There's just no other way to have more beef than bun in God s kingdom, so that the Father’s perfect will might be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Jesus confirmed that fasting was the secret sauce on the Super Burger after his public baptism and being filled with the Holy Ghost:

"And Jesus BEING FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilder­ness. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing...and JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region" (Lk. 4:1, 2 & 14).

Notice that Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost after he came out of the waters of Baptism (vs. 1). Then he went on a long fast and was tried by the devil in the wilderness before being released in the power of the Spirit. "And in those days he did eat nothing... and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit" (vs. 2, 14). There's just something about "fasting" that releases the power of the Spirit in our lives. The Book of Acts records, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth WITH THE HOLY GHOST and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed with the devil" (Acts 10:38). Jesus had the Holy Ghost and Power! It takes both to rock a world. “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6). Fasting is the final key (and secret sauce) to our Super Burger from Heaven. Fasting may cost us more than religious activity, just as the beef is more costly than the bun. But it's worth the extra price we have to pay when all is said and done!

How Should I Fast?

How should you begin fasting? This question is answered differently for everyone. Ask God to show you for your individual situation and circumstances. Re­member, just as our prayer lives don't usually start out with hours alone with God, so our fasting experiences don't usually begin with 21 or 40 days either. Try an 18-hour fast the first time. Don't eat after 6PM and then break the fast at Noon the next day. The next time try 24 hours, going from 6PM to 6PM. From there try a day and a half, then two, or three, as the Spirit leads. (Be sure to drink plenty of water.) Just like jogging, running or any other physical exercise, we will find ourselves gaining endurance as we prac­tice. Fasting is no different in our spiritual lives.

The Old Testament has numerous examples of people who fasted. Some fasted only "until evening" (Judges 20: 26) and God gave them victory over their enemies. David fasted "seven days" before he got his answer from God (II Sam. 12:18). During the days of Esther the entire Jewish nation fasted "three days" and God gave them deliverance from their enemies (Esther 4:16). The Prophet Isaiah dedicates an entire Chapter to "right and wrong fasting" (see Isaiah Chapter 58). In the New Testament Jesus preached about fasting during his famous Sermon on the Mount, saying "when you fast" (Mt. 6:16). Notice he didn't say, "if," but "when." In fact, he grouped "fasting" in with "praying" and "giving" (see vs. 2-4 & 5-7), indicating fasting wouldn't be an option for believers, but part of the Christian experience.

There are several excellent books on fasting. One of the most significant books I've read on this subject is written by Derek Prince, entitled, "How to Fast Successfully" (76 pages), and can be obtained free for the asking from this ministry right now (while supplies last).

If You Really Want The Beef! It's Time to Pay the Price

f you really want the beef (and not just the bun), it's time to pay the price. How much beef are you presently experiencing in your life? Congregation? Ministry? Is the secret sauce present? If the answer is “yes”, then you (or someone else) are already paying the extra cost. If not, there's no better time than the present to begin. And God is probably calling you to the task. “And these signs will follow them who believe...” (Mk. 16:17-18). First, the breakthrough will come in your personal life. Then it will spill out unto others, as the power of Christ flows through you. And finally, it will ignite the rest of the con­gregation with God’s fire. Every great revival in history has started with just a few people who have been willing to pay the price for the beef (and secret sauce) of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Choose God’s Super Burger Deluxe. You’ll never eat (or fast) better!