I love when different things I’ve heard or read come together, fitting like a puzzle. As I sit here this evening just thinking, I see how our message at church yesterday, a message at a friends church and todays verse of the day on YouVersion app seem to all run together. The scripture for today is Isaiah 43:18-19, “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (NLT)
January is always fresh, providing a new start and a chance to part ways with any baggage from the past. Not that I personally have baggage, but I k now many who do. They would benefit from leaving old baggage and entering this journey of 2024 fresh and clean. I hope one day people can learn to forget the former things and watch God as He does a new thing in our lives. People get so hung up on problems that they can’t see past them.
Yesterday our sermon message at Central Church of God was titled, “What are you expecting?” In a nutshell: God has great plans for us, it rarely unfolds the way we think it should, but His ways are so much higher than our ways. He knows the beginning from the end. We can trust God with our issues and our lives. He knows what He’s doing. Trust Him. Check out the following scripture. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT.) Here’s another one to check out. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:28 (NLT). These are good scriptures to hide in your hearts. We can trust God. I will tell you His timing is different but He is always on time. Wait for it.
After church a friend sent me her Pastor’s sermon notes. We went to that church for many years and I like their tradition of having a 21 days of prayer and fasting. She told me that it was starting today in case I wonted to participate. I do! The sermon title was, “Praying the Word over the want.” Whew! That’s a strong message right there. All three times the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus came back with, “It is written. …“. Jesus speaks the Word. He comes back with scripture to put the enemy in his place. Hebrews 4 12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (NLT.) Jesus set an example for us to follow. Pray the Word of God!
Fasting is not a popular discipline today but the Bible does tell us to fast and pray. Fasting does not “strong arm” God into getting what you want. Rather it changes the individual that is fasting. It will change you. Dying to the desires of the flesh and saying, “Thy will be done”, is a sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord.
I know of several churches doing a fast right now. One in Fort Mill, one in Myrtle Beach and Free Chaple in Georgia. I got on Free Chaples website last night and saw a map representing people participating in their fast around the world. This warmed my heart to see people hungry for God and desiring to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. There is lots of religion in the world but not so much in the matter of relationship with Jesus. A relationship with Jesus is what changes everything. Relationships cost you something. No relationship is a one way thing. It involves time spent together. Time loving and listening. I’ve heard many people say they are busy or give some other lame excuse. Sorry people but there is 24 hours in a day. We can carve out some time to devote to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price for our salvation. He is worthy of our time, our hearts, our all. He loves us all so much. He gives us a free choice to choose Him. He already chose us.
Today marks day 1 of 21 days. I’d love for you to join me in this fasting journey. Let’s humble ourselves, pray and fast and watch as God does a new thing. If you read this and would like prayer, I’d love to pray for you. Leave a comment and I will lift you up to Jesus. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. God bless you all.
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