It's been 3 days since the 21-day fast ended. I'm thankful to be chewing food again. Ha! :)
Just some final thoughts about this year's awakening journey ...
Having done this before, I knew going into it what I needed to do. The steps were familiar. This year's focus is not so much what I needed to do during the fast but what I intend to do AFTER.
There are some things I said I would do after. A plan. And I continue to do them. But there's something else.
Our pastor's prayer to increase our capacity has been stirring in my heart. Increasing our capacity to know God, to love Him and to serve Him.
And God is calling me to step out of my box and reach out. To influence more than the people inside my home and my homeschooling community. Especially people at church. Specifically other women. To come alongside them. To encourage. To be a helping hand. To build relationships.
I don't know what that looks like. It's a little intimidating. But I know He is calling me to step out in faith. And I know I don't need to know what that looks like. All He is asking is my obedience and faith.
My response then shall be, "Okay Lord, as You will."
Father God. Your ways are not my ways. Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Your plans are bigger and better than I can ever imagine. I long to do Your will. Help me to have a heart of obedience Lord. Make Your next plans for me clear. Help me to step out in faith. Amen.
Showing posts with label 21-day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 21-day. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Day 19: Hunger
I've never been so hungry in my life. The smell of food turns my stomach in a knot.
The Holy Spirit quickened my spirit the other day to remember those who are physically hungry on a daily basis. Unlike them, my hunger has an end. Their hunger is often times not by choice.
My heart cries ... What can I do Lord? Show me how I can help those who are hungry.
No doubt, I am physically hungry. But what's more important is that I should be spiritually hungry too.
Hungry for God's Word.
Hungry for the things that matter to Him.
Hungry to worship Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
And have the passion to show others how to be hungry for Him.
My inward desires going beyond myself. Stepping out of the box and reaching out to others who don't know God ... or those who are on the fence about Him.
My heart cries once more ... Lord, show me how to do just that. Allow me to show Your heart to others. Boldly. Confidently. Without reservation.
The Holy Spirit quickened my spirit the other day to remember those who are physically hungry on a daily basis. Unlike them, my hunger has an end. Their hunger is often times not by choice.
My heart cries ... What can I do Lord? Show me how I can help those who are hungry.
No doubt, I am physically hungry. But what's more important is that I should be spiritually hungry too.
Hungry for God's Word.
Hungry for the things that matter to Him.
Hungry to worship Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
And have the passion to show others how to be hungry for Him.
My inward desires going beyond myself. Stepping out of the box and reaching out to others who don't know God ... or those who are on the fence about Him.
My heart cries once more ... Lord, show me how to do just that. Allow me to show Your heart to others. Boldly. Confidently. Without reservation.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
(Matthew 5:6 ESV)
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Day 17: Intentionality Requires A Plan
"This will be your best year ever - IF it is your best year spiritually." - Stovall Weems
Intentionality requires a plan. Desired changes won't happen by chance.
Therefore, I intend to:
* Fast and pray on the first 3 days of every month
* Continue to seek God daily
* Facebook - extend fast to 40 days except for Pampered Chef duties; after 40 days, check once a day after school
* TV time - extend fast to 40 days; after 40 days, watch on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat only
* Read a book that's good for the soul
* Host a family from church every other month
* Host a giggle factory event every other month
Now the only thing left to do is to WORK the plan.
Faith without works is dead.
Intentionality requires a plan. Desired changes won't happen by chance.
Therefore, I intend to:
* Fast and pray on the first 3 days of every month
* Continue to seek God daily
* Facebook - extend fast to 40 days except for Pampered Chef duties; after 40 days, check once a day after school
* TV time - extend fast to 40 days; after 40 days, watch on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat only
* Read a book that's good for the soul
* Host a family from church every other month
* Host a giggle factory event every other month
Now the only thing left to do is to WORK the plan.
Faith without works is dead.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Day 15: My Final Week
Today marks a new territory for me.
For the final week of fasting, I am on a liquid only fast (juice, herbal tea, broth, shakes). This is by far the hardest week as far as hunger, and its only the first of 7 days. But I also believe that this week will be my most meaningful week - spiritually.
Questions to ponder.
Decisions to be made.
Plans to implement. Intentionality.
A life to be changed. Radically. And for the glory of God.
Lord, my life is in Your hands. Mold it and shape it as You wish. Grant me a new and undivided heart. May my life be a witness and a light that leads people back to You.
For the final week of fasting, I am on a liquid only fast (juice, herbal tea, broth, shakes). This is by far the hardest week as far as hunger, and its only the first of 7 days. But I also believe that this week will be my most meaningful week - spiritually.
Questions to ponder.
Decisions to be made.
Plans to implement. Intentionality.
A life to be changed. Radically. And for the glory of God.
Lord, my life is in Your hands. Mold it and shape it as You wish. Grant me a new and undivided heart. May my life be a witness and a light that leads people back to You.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Day 12: Pray to Listen
Today our devotional led us to a story in Acts 10. Two men who prayed on separate occasions, yet their prayers are undoubtedly connected. One man had a need which the other one met.
Coincidence? Hardly.
Our prayer time with the Lord goes beyond our self. We may use this time to send our petitions to heaven, but God, in His infinite ways, can use this time to meet the needs of other people.
Yes. Our prayer time can meet the needs of other people.
This is where being quiet and listening becomes important. Crucial really.
God may be asking us to do something for Him or He may reveal a truth about Him and His ways, as in Peter's case in Acts 10. The revelation to Peter of God's desire to save all men allowed Peter to deliver the Good News to a Gentile family. That wasn't what Peter was praying for at that time, but God used his prayer time to answer someone else's prayer.
It's so easy to forget to listen when we pray. Often our prayers are one-way. We don't give God a chance to speak, and we miss the opportunity to help answer someone else's prayer.
God connects prayers. It's up to us to listen in order for those connections to transpire.
Lord, help me to remember to give You a chance to speak during my prayer time. Allow me to be quiet and listen for Your leading and direction that may be for other people's benefit.
Coincidence? Hardly.
Our prayer time with the Lord goes beyond our self. We may use this time to send our petitions to heaven, but God, in His infinite ways, can use this time to meet the needs of other people.
Yes. Our prayer time can meet the needs of other people.
This is where being quiet and listening becomes important. Crucial really.
God may be asking us to do something for Him or He may reveal a truth about Him and His ways, as in Peter's case in Acts 10. The revelation to Peter of God's desire to save all men allowed Peter to deliver the Good News to a Gentile family. That wasn't what Peter was praying for at that time, but God used his prayer time to answer someone else's prayer.
It's so easy to forget to listen when we pray. Often our prayers are one-way. We don't give God a chance to speak, and we miss the opportunity to help answer someone else's prayer.
God connects prayers. It's up to us to listen in order for those connections to transpire.
Lord, help me to remember to give You a chance to speak during my prayer time. Allow me to be quiet and listen for Your leading and direction that may be for other people's benefit.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Day 11: On My Knees
As I study the book of Mark in my Community Bible Study class, I am struck by Jesus' prayer life. We are no stranger to his miracles and his love for all people. But I believe that Jesus' success in His ministry was a result of His prayers to God the Father.
Jesus recognized the importance of "breaking away" from His mission. To rest. To be strengthened. To be reaffirmed by the Father. He did not neglect to stay connected with God, the source of all power.
Even in His agony over His impending death on the cross, He prayed to God.
Even as He was hanging on the cross, He cried out.
Our 21-day devotional noted that "God does not want merely to answer our prayers; He wants to spend time with us to prepare us for the answer that will come."
Jesus' prayers prepared Him for what was to come. And He won the battle on His knees.
Lord, help me to follow in Jesus' footsteps and win battles on my knees. Help me to be prayerful and stay connected with You during trying times and also during joyful times. May You find me more often on my knees than doing Your "work".
Jesus recognized the importance of "breaking away" from His mission. To rest. To be strengthened. To be reaffirmed by the Father. He did not neglect to stay connected with God, the source of all power.
Even in His agony over His impending death on the cross, He prayed to God.
Even as He was hanging on the cross, He cried out.
Our 21-day devotional noted that "God does not want merely to answer our prayers; He wants to spend time with us to prepare us for the answer that will come."
Jesus' prayers prepared Him for what was to come. And He won the battle on His knees.
Lord, help me to follow in Jesus' footsteps and win battles on my knees. Help me to be prayerful and stay connected with You during trying times and also during joyful times. May You find me more often on my knees than doing Your "work".
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Day 10: Heart of Worship
The cry of my heart in this season of fasting and prayer.
"I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You Jesus"
Lord, may I return with the right heart of worship and make this year about You.
"I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You Jesus"
Lord, may I return with the right heart of worship and make this year about You.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Day 9: Be Intentional
Fasting is allowing me to be intentional with my relationship with God. He's my main focus ... daily seeking to meet Him and hear His voice.
One thing is for sure, I will not be able to do this out of my own strength and will power. My spirit may be willing, but my flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Distractions will come. Life will happen.
However, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) and "the Spirit helps us in our weakness" (Romans 8:26a).
Yes Lord. I will rest on those promises.
But what happens after the fast? Will life go back "as usual"?
It's easy to go back into the routine of things. I start eating normal, and I return to the same activities before the fast. I know this from experience -- I was in this same boat a year ago. Next thing I know, I am far from Him (again) and I'm just going through the motions.
But how will this year be any different? What do I need to remember?
I must remain intentional.
It's no secret. It's no gimmick. It's a daily choice ... to walk towards Him or away from Him. To seek Him or hide from Him.
To live a life of passion for God requires a daily commitment. It's not "life as usual."
To live a life of passion for God requires a daily commitment. It's not "life as usual."
One thing is for sure, I will not be able to do this out of my own strength and will power. My spirit may be willing, but my flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Distractions will come. Life will happen.
However, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) and "the Spirit helps us in our weakness" (Romans 8:26a).
Yes Lord. I will rest on those promises.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Day 7: Focusing on God's Goodness
I am a perfectionist at heart. I can get bogged down with the details. Rules matter to me. And these attributes easily spill over into my life as a Christ-follower.
Attributes that may seem harmless and insignificant. It may even seem useful and important. Going to church. Reading your Bible. Prayer. Bible studies. Ministries. Serving. Those are all good things. Right?
Not if they become a source of pride or condemnation. Yes! Because perfectionists thrive on tasks and performance.
But I forget that salvation is free!
"For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Today's reading in our 21-day fasting points us to focus on God's goodness, rather than an inward focus on our own works and performance.
"The way we love God more is by focusing on His love for us. You will live more holy on accident by focusing on the goodness of God than you will by focusing in all the 'thou shalts' and the 'thou shalt nots.'"
Walking in grace.
And we can see other people through the same filter of grace. Our spouses. Our children. Our friends.
How incredibly freeing is that? Knowing that God loves me because of who He is and not if I obey Him perfectly. And that I can love others for who they are because God loves them.
Because of His goodness, we can live a life of peace and joy. By believing and not achieving.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Day 6: Watch and Pray
"Watch and pray," Jesus tells His disciples as He enters into prayer at Gethsemane. Jesus even gave them a reason why, "so that you will not fall into temptation." (Matthew 26:41)
He told them to be ready or they will crumble under pressure. He found them sleeping at least three times. And when the pressure came, they fled ... they failed the test.
Watching requires being awake, paying attention, being in tune with God.
And watching goes hand in hand with prayer.
We pray for the Holy Spirit to fill us, so that we may do things out of His power and not our own efforts, for "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Matthew 26:41). We must allow the Spirit to lead us to do the things that are pleasing to God. Left to our own, we mess up ... we fail, just like the apostles did when they abandoned Jesus at His arrest. To be led by the Spirit is to yield to the Spirit ... to surrender.
Watch and Pray.
Be awake and Be filled with the Spirit. Two crucial responses. Our victory to win daily battles depends on it.
He told them to be ready or they will crumble under pressure. He found them sleeping at least three times. And when the pressure came, they fled ... they failed the test.
Watching requires being awake, paying attention, being in tune with God.
And watching goes hand in hand with prayer.
We pray for the Holy Spirit to fill us, so that we may do things out of His power and not our own efforts, for "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Matthew 26:41). We must allow the Spirit to lead us to do the things that are pleasing to God. Left to our own, we mess up ... we fail, just like the apostles did when they abandoned Jesus at His arrest. To be led by the Spirit is to yield to the Spirit ... to surrender.
Watch and Pray.
Be awake and Be filled with the Spirit. Two crucial responses. Our victory to win daily battles depends on it.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Day 5: A Quote
I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.
- John Newton
Thank you Lord for the life that you gave me through Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you that You see me from a state of grace, allowing me to be truly transformed.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Day 4: A Prayer
Abba Father, I humbly come before You and surrender.
I desire to be filled up by You alone. Empty me of everything and anything that is not of You. Empty me of pride, selfishness, ambition, self-sufficiency, complacency. Strip me of all these things that are keeping me from You. Wash me of all that are hindering my walk with You and preventing me from a life that is in alignment with Your will for my life.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
And when I am filled, may my life be poured out for others. Use me Lord as Your vessel to bless those around me.
Increase my capacity to know You, to love You and to serve You. Father, I want to be emptied, filled up and poured out for Your glory. Amen.
I desire to be filled up by You alone. Empty me of everything and anything that is not of You. Empty me of pride, selfishness, ambition, self-sufficiency, complacency. Strip me of all these things that are keeping me from You. Wash me of all that are hindering my walk with You and preventing me from a life that is in alignment with Your will for my life.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
And when I am filled, may my life be poured out for others. Use me Lord as Your vessel to bless those around me.
Increase my capacity to know You, to love You and to serve You. Father, I want to be emptied, filled up and poured out for Your glory. Amen.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Day 3: Believing God for the Impossible
I want to believe God for the impossible.
I want to have faith that truly believes in miracles.
We are on the brink of foreclosure with our home. It's been 2 years since we made a mortgage payment. After going through a bankruptcy, we have been discharged of this debt. Despite the fact that we know we cannot afford this house, we want to stay put ... to keep growing our roots down in one place.
I remember praying for this house when we were on the market to buy. God blessed us with this home that met our needs. I know that He doesn't promise to keep us here. For God has bigger and better plans, and it may not include staying in this house. Nevertheless ...
I want to believe God for the impossible.
I want to have faith that truly believes in miracles.
And He has been faithful more ways than I can ever imagine when it comes to keeping us here. It was early 2009 when we first started worrying about losing our house. We were able to modify our loan and reduced our monthly payment by $1000. Then filing for bankruptcy two years later delayed the foreclosure proceedings when we defaulted on our loan. If you add up the years, that's almost 4 years ago ... and we are still here. If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is. And we are so very thankful. Still ...
I want to believe God for the impossible.
I want to have faith that truly believes in miracles.
God says in His Word,
He says nothing will be impossible because with Him, all things are possible. But it is only when we have faith to believe that we can pray with confidence and know that "nothing will be impossible."
So, do I have that kind of faith? A faith that has no doubts or fear of what God can do. Do I pray with complete confidence to the God who created all?
God, help me with my unbelief. Remove all doubts in all corners of my heart. Replace it with Your truth and Your promises.
There it is. Don't limit God. Expect.
God, strengthen my heart to fully believe You for the impossible. And to have the kind of faith that truly believes in miracles. I will wait expectantly. But not as I will, Lord, but as You will.
I want to have faith that truly believes in miracles.
We are on the brink of foreclosure with our home. It's been 2 years since we made a mortgage payment. After going through a bankruptcy, we have been discharged of this debt. Despite the fact that we know we cannot afford this house, we want to stay put ... to keep growing our roots down in one place.
I remember praying for this house when we were on the market to buy. God blessed us with this home that met our needs. I know that He doesn't promise to keep us here. For God has bigger and better plans, and it may not include staying in this house. Nevertheless ...
I want to believe God for the impossible.
I want to have faith that truly believes in miracles.
And He has been faithful more ways than I can ever imagine when it comes to keeping us here. It was early 2009 when we first started worrying about losing our house. We were able to modify our loan and reduced our monthly payment by $1000. Then filing for bankruptcy two years later delayed the foreclosure proceedings when we defaulted on our loan. If you add up the years, that's almost 4 years ago ... and we are still here. If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is. And we are so very thankful. Still ...
I want to believe God for the impossible.
I want to have faith that truly believes in miracles.
God says in His Word,
"If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you." (Matt 17:18)
He says nothing will be impossible because with Him, all things are possible. But it is only when we have faith to believe that we can pray with confidence and know that "nothing will be impossible."
So, do I have that kind of faith? A faith that has no doubts or fear of what God can do. Do I pray with complete confidence to the God who created all?
God, help me with my unbelief. Remove all doubts in all corners of my heart. Replace it with Your truth and Your promises.
Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect ... "above all that we ask or think." - Andrew Murray
There it is. Don't limit God. Expect.
God, strengthen my heart to fully believe You for the impossible. And to have the kind of faith that truly believes in miracles. I will wait expectantly. But not as I will, Lord, but as You will.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Day 2: Hearing God Speak
I'm at a point in my life where I have a hard time hearing God's voice. I can barely remember what He sounds like. All I hear is static.
I am desperate to once again hear Him. Loud and clear.
But in order to hear God speak means I have to be tuned in. Dialed in. Walking in His ways. Praying. Reading His Word. Walking within His frequency.
But I am nowhere near God's frequency. And I know I have to change. Adjust. Remove distractions. Create a space for God to fill. Get un-busy. Get quiet. Set aside a time and a place to meet with the Lord. For I know that He moves towards us when we move towards Him (James 4:8).
Over time, spiritual trash has built up in my soul. Complacency. Busyness. Outright disobedience. I am so bombarded by the things of this world that there's no room for Him to speak into my life. TV, movies, social media, games and even sleep has taken more precedence.
Tuning in to His frequency will not occur unless these trash are taken out first.
It starts by carving out a time to meet Him. Setting aside time to fast and pray. Removing those daily distractions. Making Him the priority every single day.
And that is what this 21-day journey is all about. To find my way back to Him. To draw near to Him more than I have been.
And when He does speak, I hope that my response will be "Yes Lord ... as You will!"
Lord, thank you that You are a patient and a forgiving God. I pray that I gain back the sensitivity to the things that matter to You. Help me to tune in again to Your frequency.
I am desperate to once again hear Him. Loud and clear.
But in order to hear God speak means I have to be tuned in. Dialed in. Walking in His ways. Praying. Reading His Word. Walking within His frequency.
But I am nowhere near God's frequency. And I know I have to change. Adjust. Remove distractions. Create a space for God to fill. Get un-busy. Get quiet. Set aside a time and a place to meet with the Lord. For I know that He moves towards us when we move towards Him (James 4:8).
Over time, spiritual trash has built up in my soul. Complacency. Busyness. Outright disobedience. I am so bombarded by the things of this world that there's no room for Him to speak into my life. TV, movies, social media, games and even sleep has taken more precedence.
Tuning in to His frequency will not occur unless these trash are taken out first.
It starts by carving out a time to meet Him. Setting aside time to fast and pray. Removing those daily distractions. Making Him the priority every single day.
And that is what this 21-day journey is all about. To find my way back to Him. To draw near to Him more than I have been.
And when He does speak, I hope that my response will be "Yes Lord ... as You will!"
Lord, thank you that You are a patient and a forgiving God. I pray that I gain back the sensitivity to the things that matter to You. Help me to tune in again to Your frequency.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Day 1: Be awakened!
In this life, there are two ways to live according to Psalm 1. The way of the righteous or the way of the wicked. We can walk in the way of the righteous and be blessed, or walk in the way of the wicked and perish.
Who doesn't want to be blessed? And who in their right mind wants to perish? The choice seems simple enough. And that's where most people are tripped up - in the simplicity of the calling.
To be righteous doesn't mean perfection. It means delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on them day and night (Psalm 1:2). If we want to know specifically how to live in the way of the righteous - to have a guide book in this journey called life, there's only one place to look -- His Word. And as we discover and follow His ways, we will be blessed, and in all that we do, we will prosper.
The question then becomes ... is my delight in the law of the Lord or is my delight in the offerings of this world?
As I search my heart at this very moment, I am not confident that I am walking entirely in the ways of the righteous. I have allowed the offerings of this world to distract me. Less time in the Word. Less time in prayer. Less time in communion with God. I feel like I have been asleep.
But I choose not to dwell here. Choose not to stay asleep. I long for that fire to be ignited again. To be awakened. But I do have to remember this:
I can no longer be complacent with my walk with the Lord. It is a daily walk -- choosing to stay awake in Him.
Lord, forgive me for falling asleep. Help me to stir up the fires in my heart for You. Use these next 21 days to speak to my heart. May my heart stay ablaze for all that You have for me in my lifetime.
Who doesn't want to be blessed? And who in their right mind wants to perish? The choice seems simple enough. And that's where most people are tripped up - in the simplicity of the calling.
To be righteous doesn't mean perfection. It means delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on them day and night (Psalm 1:2). If we want to know specifically how to live in the way of the righteous - to have a guide book in this journey called life, there's only one place to look -- His Word. And as we discover and follow His ways, we will be blessed, and in all that we do, we will prosper.
The question then becomes ... is my delight in the law of the Lord or is my delight in the offerings of this world?
As I search my heart at this very moment, I am not confident that I am walking entirely in the ways of the righteous. I have allowed the offerings of this world to distract me. Less time in the Word. Less time in prayer. Less time in communion with God. I feel like I have been asleep.
But I choose not to dwell here. Choose not to stay asleep. I long for that fire to be ignited again. To be awakened. But I do have to remember this:
The tendency of fire is to go out; watch the fire on the altar of your heart. Anyone who has tended a fireplace fire knows that it needs to be stirred up occasionally. - William Booth
I can no longer be complacent with my walk with the Lord. It is a daily walk -- choosing to stay awake in Him.
Lord, forgive me for falling asleep. Help me to stir up the fires in my heart for You. Use these next 21 days to speak to my heart. May my heart stay ablaze for all that You have for me in my lifetime.
My Awakening Journey
Today is Day 1 of our corporate fast with our church body. It's a 21-day journey to awaken our souls -- to draw near to God and ignite our spiritual fervor. This will be my second year participating in this fast.
My fasting plan is this:
1st week - Cut out processed carbs
2nd week - Cut out carbs and meat
3rd week - Be on a liquid fast only (water, juices, shakes, broths)
My goals during this time of fasting and prayer is to draw nearer to the Lord. To hear His voice again and to create spaces for Him - to increase my capacity to receive His blessings and plans for my life. I am believing God for 2 things this year. To allow us to stay in our current home against all odds. To guide and direct the next steps for my brother and my mom after my brother graduates high school.
This blog will serve as my jourmal to document my journey.
My fasting plan is this:
1st week - Cut out processed carbs
2nd week - Cut out carbs and meat
3rd week - Be on a liquid fast only (water, juices, shakes, broths)
My goals during this time of fasting and prayer is to draw nearer to the Lord. To hear His voice again and to create spaces for Him - to increase my capacity to receive His blessings and plans for my life. I am believing God for 2 things this year. To allow us to stay in our current home against all odds. To guide and direct the next steps for my brother and my mom after my brother graduates high school.
This blog will serve as my jourmal to document my journey.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Day 19: Lord, Change Me
Last night at our church prayer meeting, there was a shift with regards to what I was believing God for during this season of fast.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV)
God is the only one who can change circumstances and change people's hearts. I can plant the seeds, but He does the growing. My prayer then became ... "change ME, Lord!" ... and all that I am praying to God for will be added to me.
My life would become my most powerful witness to my husband, my children and to all those around me. It was no longer my cause to change them. It's up to God to grow and change them. If I seek God and His righteousness, He will fulfill the desires of my heart.
"The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it. (Isaiah 41:17-20 NIV)
Isaiash showed me that God does the doing for His glory. He will make a way. He is the One that answers.
My changed life is for His glory. My obedience is for His glory.
Change me Lord for Your glory.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Day 13: Cultivating Spiritual Hunger
How do we cultivate a spiritual hunger in this electronic age? Where our minds are easily crowded by the readily available forms of entertainment and social connections?
According to S. Weems, "Fasting is a means of disconnecting from the distractions of daily life and consciously choosing to bring God into greater focus. Giving up physical nourishment is the first step in engaging that process."
But in our day-to-day, we also nourish our souls by "reading, talking, socializing, playing, and entertainment. When our souls are full of those things, we don't often hunger for God." So it's also important to "draw away from the crowd and lay aside for a season the activities we use to nourish our souls. Instead let's enter a state of spiritual hunger, a craving for righteousness."
Even Jesus disconnected from the world to fast and pray (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 4:12-13, Luke 4:1-2). It only seems right that there are times when we should also pull away from the things of the world to focus on God and create a space for the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives.
Lord, I desire for Your voice to be audible in my life, to cultivate a spiritual hunger for You alone. May the things of this world be secondary to You O God. May You become the center and the focus, for I surrender my life to You. Amen.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Day 12: Prayers that Prevail
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16)
What makes a prayer prevail according to James 5:16?
Righteous. Effective. Fervent.
"Righteous prayer is based not on our own righteousness but on the righteousness of Jesus. Effective prayer is based not on our own authority but on the authority of the Word of God. Fervent prayer is based not on our own comforts or preferences but on the purpose of glorifying God." (Awakening, Weems)
We approach the throne of God boldly in prayer, not because of our righteous deeds or good works, but because of what Jesus has done on the cross that makes us righteous and perfected in God's eyes. Hence we are to pray in the name of Jesus, for His powerful name is made available for us to use.
Our prayers are effective when they align according to the will of God in our lives ... His perfect plans and not ours. And we discover His will for us in His Word, true and living Words of God.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7 NIV)
Lastly, our prayers are fervent when the focus of our prayers is not for our relief or happiness but to ultimately glorify God. The spotlight needs to be on Him and not on us. We were created so that God can be glorified in and through us. We are His vessels to reveal who He is in the world around us, and to be His hands and feet to show others His great love.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
Lord, I pray that my prayer life be righteous, effective and fervent. May I approach your throne of grace boldly in the name of Jesus, with petitions that align with Your plans and glorify You whether or not those prayers are answered.
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