FIRST CHURCH Elder Dr. Ralph A. Martino, Sr., Senior Pastor FROM DELIVERANCE TO DESTINY A 21 Day Love Fast for GOD

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1 FIRST CHURCH Elder Dr. Ralph A. Martino, Sr., Senior Pastor FROM DELIVERANCE TO DESTINY A 21 Day Love Fast for GOD Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Isaiah 58:5-8 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Psalm 42:1 From January 2-22, 2018, we invite you to join us in A 21 Day Love Fast for GOD. Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST showed us how to love unconditionally (John 3:16 - KJV) and shared that HIS kind of love would become the distinguishing mark of HIS disciples (John 13:35- KJV). If we are honest, sometimes we have taken our personal love relationship with JESUS for granted and have placed it on the backburner because of our relationships with other people, other activities, and our own selfish desires. During this fast, we will purpose in our hearts to demonstrate our love for our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST by increasing our time of praying, reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of GOD. We will be fasting from anything that distracts us like social media, shopping, talking on the phone, watching television, eating food and/or anything which normally keep us from spending quality time with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Instead of staying on the phone or on social media all day for personal reasons, we can spend that extra time with the LORD and participate on the FC War Room Pray Line. Instead of eating, we can use that grocery money to feed the homeless, donate an offering, volunteer with a First Church Ministry, or purchase a meal for someone who is sick and shut-in. Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words] (1 John 3:18 AMP). In Matthew 6:16-18 and Matthew 9:15, JESUS taught about fasting regularly which was also practiced by the early church in Acts 13:2. Additionally, the fast that is pleasing unto the LORD is found in Isaiah 58:5-8. Please pray and ask our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST what type of fast that HE wants you to do. Please join us by fasting, reading the Scripture of the day, participating on The First Church War Room Prayer Line, and increasing your personal prayer time with the LORD. If the LORD is leading you to fast from food, a suggested fasting schedule is listed below. GOD BLESS YOU! 1. Day #1 - January 2, 2018 a. Fasting - 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Water only; After 6:00 p.m. Vegetables, Fruit & Water b. Scripture Isaiah 58:5-8 (KJV): Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. 1

2 c. Scripture Psalm 42:1 (KJV): As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. d. Scripture John 3:16 (KJV): For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 2. Day #2 - January 3, 2018 b. Scripture Luke 18:18-25 (KJV): And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. c. Scripture - Psalm 119:97 (KJV): O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. d. Scripture John 15:9 (KJV): As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. e. Scripture - 1 John 2:15 (KJV): Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 3. Day #3 - January 4, 2018 b. Scripture John 13:34-38 (KJV): A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. c. Scripture Exodus 32:4-6 (KJV): And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. d. Scripture Mark 12:30 (KJV): And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 2

3 e. Scripture - 1 Samuel 1:5 (KJV): But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 4. Day #4 - January 5, 2018 b. Scripture 1 Corinthians 13 (KJV): Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. c. Scripture - John 14:15: If ye love me, keep my commandments. d. Scripture - Judges 16:4 (KJV): And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5. Day #5 - January 6, 2018 b. Scripture Proverbs 13:24 (KJV): He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. c. Scripture Hebrews 12:5-11 (KJV): And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. d. Scripture 1 Samuel 3:13 (KJV): for I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth, because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 3

4 6. Day #6 - January 7, 2018 b. Scripture Romans 8:35-39 (KJV): Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 7. Day #7 - January 8, 2018 b. Scripture Matthew 5:38-42 (KJV): Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. c. Scripture Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV): But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 8. Day #8 - January 9, 2018 a. Fasting - 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Water only; After 6:00 p.m. Vegetables, Fruit & Water b. Scripture Matthew 24:12 (KJV): And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. c. Scripture - John 15:16 (KJV): Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 9. Day #9 - January 10, 2018 b. Scripture Matthew 10:42 (KJV): And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. c. Scripture - Matthew 25:35-36, (KJV): For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 4

5 d. Scripture Luke 6:37 (KJV): Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. 10. Day #10 - January 11, 2018 a. Fasting- All Day: Vegetables, Fruit & Water b. Scripture: Matthew 9:5-6 (KJV): For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. c. Scripture 2 Kings 5:20 (KJV): But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. d. Scripture - 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (KJV): But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. e. Scripture - Ephesians 5:2 (KJV): And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. 11. Day #11 - January 12, 2018 b. Scripture John 5:30: I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. c. Scripture Song of Solomon 8:7 (ERV): A flood cannot put out love. Rivers cannot drown love. Would people despise a man for giving everything he owns for love? d. Scripture - Genesis 29:20, 30 (KJV): And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. e. Scripture - 1 John 2:15 (KJV): Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 12. Day #12 - January 13, 2018 b. Scripture Luke 10:27-37 (KJV): And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a 5

6 certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 13. Day #13 - January 14, 2018 b. Scripture Luke 15:20-24 (KJV): And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 14. Day #14 - January 15, 2018 b. Scripture John 14:21 (KJV): He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. c. Scripture Acts 17:28 (KJV): For in him we live, and move, and have our being. 15. Day #15 - January 16, 2018 a. Fasting - 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Water only; After 6:00 p.m. Vegetables, Fruit & Water b. Scripture - Philemon 1:5 (KJV): Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints: c. Scripture - Matthew 26:7-13 (KJV): There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 6

7 d. Scripture 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV): But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 16. Day #16 - January 17, 2018 b. Scripture Ephesians 2:4 (KJV): But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, c. Scripture Romans 5:3-4 (AMP): And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. d. Scripture - Exodus 2:3 (KJV): And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. e. Scripture - Esther 2:7 (KJV): And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. f. Scripture - Esther 2:11 (KJV): And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. 17. Day #17 - January 18, 2018 b. Scripture Romans 12:17 (KJV): Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. c. Scripture - Acts 16:33 (KJV): And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. d. Scripture 23:39-43 Luke 23:39-43 (KJV): And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. e. Scripture - Hebrews 13:1 (KJV): Let brotherly love continue. 7

8 18. Day #18 -January 19, 2018 b. Scripture Acts 12:21-23 (KJV): And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. c. Scripture - Exodus 20:3 (KJV): Thou shalt have no other gods before me. d. Scripture - Galatians 5:13 (KJV): For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. e. Scripture 1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP): But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved]. 19. Day #19 - January 20, 2018 b. Scripture John 21:15-17 (KJV): So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. c. Scripture 1 Corinthians 2:9: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 20. Day #20 -January 21, 2018 b. Scripture John 15:17 (KJV): These things I command you, that ye love one another. c. Scripture 1 John 4:8 (KJV): He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 21. Day #21 - January 22, 2018 a. Fasting - 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Water only; After 6:00 p.m. Vegetables, Fruit & Water b. Scripture Luke 8:15 (KJV): But that on the good ground are they that, in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience. c. Scripture John 5:19-20: Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 8

9 d. Scripture Hebrews 6:10 (AMP): For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God s people), as you do. FIRST CHURCH ELDER DR. RALPH A. MARTINO, SR., SENIOR PASTOR One Church / Two Locations First Church - DC First Church - PGC 1219 Hamlin St., NE Regal Hyattsville Royale Theatre Washington, DC America Boulevard (202) Hyattsville, MD Sunday Service: 11:15 a.m. Sunday Services: 8:30 a.m.* *EXCEPT First Sundays: Both services are at First Church DC 8:30 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Mobile APP: FIRST firstchurchwash 9