1. The Ezra fast
Ezra 8:21-23

2. Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough By: Elmer Towns
THE EZRA FAST
Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough By: Elmer Towns

3. Ezra 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

4. Ezra 8:22
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.

5. Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.

6. THE EZRA FAST
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. (Job 14:1)

7. THE EZRA FAST
Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Job 5:6-7)

8. TOWN’S FRUSTRATION
Why me?
Why now?
Why this?

9. THREE WRONG ATTITUDES TOWARD PROBLEMS
You are unusual.
You are unspiritual.
God has forsaken you.

10. THREE PROBLEM SOLVING ATTITUDES
You cannot run from problems.
You cannot keep problems from happening.
You can solve your problems.

11. Ezra faced a problem

12. EZRA FACED A PROBLEM
PUT ON THE SPOT

13. EZRA FACED A PROBLEM
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. (Ezra 8:22)

14. EZRA FACED A PROBLEM
RISK OF THEFT

15. EZRA FACED A PROBLEM
In all there were: 25 tons of silver; 100 silver articles weighing 150 pounds; 7,500 pounds of gold. (Ezra 8:26 CEV)

16. FASTING ABOUT THE PROBLEM
EZRA FACED A PROBLEM
FASTING ABOUT THE PROBLEM

17. EZRA FACED A PROBLEM
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. (Ezra 8:23)

18. Prescription for the ezra fast

19. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Step 1: Choose Those to be Involved

20. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Step 1: Choose Those to be Involved Step 2: Share the Problem

21. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us. . . (Ezra 8:21)

22. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Step 1: Choose Those to be Involved Step 2: Share the Problem Step 3: Fast Seriously

23. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us. . . (Ezra 8:21)

24. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Step 1: Choose Those to be Involved Step 2: Share the Problem Step 3: Fast Seriously Step 4: Fast Before Attempting a Solution

25. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days. . .(Ezra 8:15)

26. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
He did not fast as he traveled.
He did not fast before they all gathered.
He did not try to solve the problem before fasting.

27. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Step 1: Choose Those to be Involved Step 2: Share the Problem Step 3: Fast Seriously Step 4: Fast Before Attempting a Solution Step 5: Fast on Site with Insight

28. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Step 1: Choose Those to be Involved Step 2: Share the Problem Step 3: Fast Seriously Step 4: Fast Before Attempting a Solution Step 5: Fast on Site with Insight Step 6: Fast for Step-by-Step Guidance

29. PRESCRIPTION FOR THE EZRA FAST
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us. . . (Ezra 8:21)

30. Principles to consider

31. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
THREE CAUSES OF PROBLEMS
CHANGE
DIFFERENCES
CIRCUMSTANCES

32. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK
How big is the problem?
Who is involved in the problem?
What does the larger group think about the problem?

33. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
THREE ATTITUDES TOWARD PROBLEMS
FUSS – Preach against sin
FIGHT – Organize to resist sin.
DIE – Fight sin to the death.

34. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
THREE PROBLEM-SOLVING EYES
Eyes to see the positive.
Eyes to see the people.
Eyes to see the facts.

35. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
STEP-BY-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING
Step 1: Get the Facts.
You make good decisions on good information.
You make bad decisions on bad information.
Without any information, you make lucky decisions.

36. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
STEP-BY-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING
Step 1: Get the Facts.
Step 2: Establish Biblical Principles

37. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
STEP-BY-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING
Step 1: Get the Facts.
Step 2: Establish Biblical Principles
Step 3: Evaluate the Facts.

38. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
STEP-BY-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS TO SOLVING A PROBLEM
Find the problem.
Define the problem.
Refine the problem.
Redefine the problem.

39. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
STEP-BY-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING
Step 1: Get the Facts.
Step 2: Establish Biblical Principles
Step 3: Evaluate the Facts.
Step 4: Determine Various Solutions.

40. PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER
STEP-BY-STEP PROBLEM SOLVING
Step 1: Get the Facts.
Step 2: Establish Biblical Principles
Step 3: Evaluate the Facts.
Step 4: Determine Various Solutions.
Step 5: Choose the Best Solution.