Day 7: Write it Out
Reading for Today
Matthew 8:5–13 (NLT)
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
We started this year with the mantra, that it’s going to be B!G! We’re on day 7 of our fast and truth be told, I don’t know about you, I’m more convinced than ever that there is something B!G that’s about to happen! But let’s face it, it’s hard. It’s hard to keep on praying, it’s hard to deny flesh! But the truth of the matter is, we have to latch on to one key factor, WE HAVE TO BELIEVE GOD! When we approach him with undivided belief, we find ourselves entering a new place of intimacy. Belief leads to a level of intimacy, that’s unmatched and unparalleled.
Allow me to clarify what I’m communicating. When I say believed, I am not simply saying that God wants to be believed in, I’m saying God wants to be believed. Believing in the existence of God is where we start but not where we should end. Belief in a cosmic creator in my opinion is logical and not necessarily spiritual and has little to no practical impact on our life. The Bible says demons believe and they tremble. When I say God wants to be believed, I’m divulging that
God deeply desires that we believe that He is exactly who He says He is and He will do exactly what He says He will do. This type of belief is what the Bible calls faith.
The Centurion of Matthew 8 is a prime example of having the right kind of faith. We know he believed in God because he broke away from his regular schedule to pursue Jesus. Somewhere in his journey, he decided that Jesus was more than just a man. However, his faith didn’t stop there. After Belitung God, he also showed that h believed God. At the mere Words of Jesus he goes home expecting that things were exactly as promised. Here is the point,
Believing in God can bring you to Jesus, but believing God can bring you to your miracle.
We must believe in both the nature and ability of God!
Believing God moves us from theory to practice. It causes us to act like we already have what we have asked for.
Fasting Tip: Yesterday we started a journal to remember the things we are asking for. Today, there’s a new challenge, write down God’s resume. By doing this, it allows you to dig into a spirit of gratefulness which allows us to see yet another dimension of who He is.
Day 6: Try Jesus
Reading for Today
Mark 5:25-34 (NLT) A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
Some time ago I came down with a lingering cough. This was not your run of the mill cough as it lasted about 3 months! In my quest to get better I tried several things. First, I did nothing. I just waited to see if it would dissolve on its own. For some reason this is my default. I tend to hope that most situations will take care of themselves. When waiting didn’t work, I decided to try some over the counter medicine. You know, the generic stuff. I took what the bottle prescribed and hoped what worked for everyone else would work for me too. No luck. Next I tried a quick care center. My thought was that they would have seen my symptoms before and would prescribe me some stringer medicine. However, months later I still had the cough. Finally, after being stubborn for some time I set an appointment with my primary care doctor. After all, he had my records, he knew my history and he was best equipped to help me. It was no surprise that he knew exactly what to do to cure my cough.
Many times, we make the mistake of self-diagnosing our issues or allowing those who don’t know us well enough to offer their generic solutions to what ails us.
Whether you know it or not, untreated issues in your life can hold you back. The unhealed parts of your life can cause you to pull away from the right things and move closer to the wrong things. The woman in Mark 5 had experienced this too. She had spent so much on solutions that would never work. When we remain unhealed, we can waste several things.
Time- Something that should have last a week lasted more than a decade. This woman wrestled with her issue for more than 12 long years.
Money- The scripture says she spent ALL of her money on people who could not help her.
Energy- This woman had gone from place to place seeking help, only to find herself in a worse situation.
Finally, after many failures, she makes her way to Jesus and there she finds healing. Instantly,
Jesus healed the issue she brought to Him. Likewise, healing is available to you too.
As you walk through day 6, continue to pray through the places in your life where you need healing. When you come to Jesus in faith, He is ready and willing to heal you. While earthly things can offer us temporary comfort, lasting healing must come from above. If you would be willing to come to Jesus, He is faithful to meet you where you are and heal the broken places inside of you.
Fasting Tip: Start a journal to write your prayer list. Making a list helps you be reminded of what you are expecting from God.
Day 5: It's Gonna Happen
Reading for Today:
Genesis 22:14 (NLT) Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
Here we are, day 5 of the fast! Today may seem just a little harder than it’s been, but that’s ok! Trust the process and remember, it’s bigger than you! Just like the people we meet in today’s reading. We all have heard of Abraham. Personally, this is one of my favorite stories when it comes to the life of Abraham. By this point Abram has met God, left home, made mistakes but once again he’s back in the will of God. God comes to him and tells him in no uncertain terms, trust me enough to give me the one thing that you always wanted.
God told Abraham to take his son and sacrifice him on the mountain. Without hesitation or a second thought, Abraham packed up Isaac and headed to the mountain. Now I’ll be the first to admit that this was crazy scary! But imagine the amount of faith it took! The one thing Abraham asked God for, a son, he is now requesting of him. In my flesh, I know I would have questions. However, Abraham simply gathers his son and takes him up the mountain. It starts to get interesting…Isaac says to his father, I see the tools, but I don’t see the sacrifice. It seems without a second thought; Abraham replies to Isaac that God will provide. The thing I love is that Isaac has been exposed to God and to the process and he knows what is about to happen, but he never considers that he might be the process. Once they reach the mountain Abraham goes up the mountain with Isaac. PAUSE! The first principle we can raise here is the fact that he left behind anyone who could be a doubter and deter his process. The same is true for us as we journey through this fast. We have to be ok leaving behind those who can’t or won’t help us!
They (Abraham and Isaac) go up the mountain. Once they reach the top. Abraham ties his son up and places him on the altar. Now this is where I see major tension in the text. Most scholars agree that Isaac was not a little child at the time this happened. Isaac is believed to have been a teenager. Look at the faith that’s already been implanted in his life. Isaac allows his father to tie him up and place him on the altar. Here’s another principle for us, we have to be willing to not only sacrifice that which we deem to be important, we need to be willing to be the sacrifice! We can’t continue to say, it’s bigger than us, but still feel that everything has to revolve around us.
Abraham draws to kill his son when an angel stops him and provides him with a ram instead. In this place of surrender, the angel says to him because I know you fear God look and there was provided a sacrifice. The lesson for us here is to trust God no matter how ward it seems. No matter the cost, remember, in His time, He will provide. When fasting, you have to remember that our flesh is continually on the altar. It’s difficult but even in this, God is making a way. Today, let’s praise the God who always provides!
Fasting Tip: Today instead of dwelling on what’s lost or what’s missing, make a list of all that you are thankful for! Allow your gratitude to be your fuel.
Day 3: Take a Breather...
Take a Breather
Faith is Intentional
Reading for Today
Romans 10:17–21 (ESV)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel He says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Ephesians 3:11–12 (NLT)
This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
Hey Friend, welcome to day 3! Today Is a bit of a pivot day. Day 1 was a walk in the park, Day 2 was pretty good, by Day 3 you’re now feeling the effects. You’re “missing” the things that you’re fasting from. But it’s ok, know that it’s intentional! One thing we have to learn if we are to enjoy a fruitful faith walk is that God is intentional in everything that He does. If we expect to enjoy our life with God, we must be intentional. Imagine, so many of the things we have now, we have by happenstance or by chance. What would happen if we really committed ourselves to seeking God and to having His best for our lives?
By definition to be intentional means done on purpose; deliberate; calculated. In other words, to be intentional means that when you do that thing, you have thought about it, weighed the cost examined it and have fully committed to carry/walk that thing out. Our relationship with God is no different. We should not haphazardly approach a relationship with God with the idea that whatever happens happens. Instead we should set our hearts to seek Him, to know Him, to do that which pleases Him.
Here are a few practical ways that we can be intentional in our faith and relationship with God:
Plan time with God. – In modern society, we are slaves to busyness. In everything that we do, we have to make time to get alone and hear from God in order to determine our next step and to fill our spiritual tanks.
Spend Time in the Word and Prioritize Prayer – If we desire anything from God, we have to prioritize the conversation with Him. How do you know His will if you are not spending time speaking with Him about it?
Journal your thoughts. – One of the best things about writing in a journal is free therapy. Journaling gives you the opportunity to work out your thoughts and vent in a way that might not otherwise be possible. Ever feel that you’re in a rut or not quite sure what to say, start making a list of what you’re thankful for. By listing even the smallest of things, it allows you to see things differently.
Today realize your nearness to God, as well as your confidence to know that He’s got it all in control. Be intentional about pressing into His word and His presence and watch Him work things out.
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Fasting Tip: Be prepared. We know that hunger will come, plan ahead and have a healthy meal or fIlling snack with you at all times.
Day 2: Strength from Above
Reading for Today
Luke 4:1-4 (NLT) Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”
It’s day two of the fast and hopefully you’re still excited but now let’s get prepared for the effects of fasting to kick in any moment now. If you’ve fasted before or if this happens to be your first time fasting, know there is a way to handle those temptations when the flesh begins to grow fatigued.
An important part of fasting is Bible Reading. In order for fasting to be effective, you must replace your excluded items with the Word of God. This teaches us that the source of our strength does not come from external things like food or social media, but from God alone. I don’t know about you, but I often find myself in need of strength. Not strength for a workout, but strength to believe. Strength to keep going. Strength to love. Strength to hold my tongue. You name it, I need strength for it.
Jesus’ experience teaches us what it is like to depend on the Word of God for strength. Being led into the wilderness, full of the Holy Spirit, He was tempted by Satan for 40 days. During this temptation Satan seemed to have great hopes to convince Jesus to find strength in Himself and His own ability, but Jesus didn’t fall for it. He responded,
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’” [vs. 4]
And this is how you will be able to remain strong when you are tempted. We, too, have to know just like Jesus did that it is God alone who sustains us.
Like Jesus, you will face the temptation to depend on yourself more than you depend on God. When we choose to depend on self, we can make the mistake of getting ahead of God and walking into the very things He would lead us to avoid.
So how do we combat this basic nature of self-sufficiency? We lean on the Word of God. Fasting is the perfect opportunity to recalibrate your mind and spirit so that you see the amazing benefits of a deep, personal relationship with God.
Fasting Tip: Read before you act. As you begin to feel hunger or even temptation, be sure to read your Bible before you grab a meal. This will teach your flesh to respond to the Word of God.
Day 1: Come Away With Me…
Find the faith to approach God knowing that his greatest desire is relationship with you.
Come Away With Me…
Faith to Approach God
Reading for Today:
Hebrews 10:19–25 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Today is day one! Today, we are committed, we are energized, we are ready! One of the best things about the first day of a fast is there is this adrenaline rush that comes seemingly out of nowhere! There is a renewed sense of faith and bravery that seems to set in. Ultimately, we are reminded of the gift we have to be in communion with our heavenly father, the creator of all.
One of the keys to fasting is we must remember that the key to fasting is using this time to spend with God. Fasting is far more than just the denial of food. Failure to pray makes our fasting pointless. There are a number of reasons that we don’t pray, however it usually boils down to our feelings of unworthiness or lack. All that aside, God loves us so very much that He’s already made provision for us! In the book of Hebrews we find a verse for that!
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. – Hebrews 4:16
While writing to the Jews of the early church, Paul delivers a message that is extremely valuable to us today! The entire 4th chapter is loaded with gems for our sometimes-wandering hearts. But let’s zoom in just a little. He reminds us of the gift we have in Christ. Because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and died on the cross, we are able to approach God with assurance that He is listening, that He hears us and that He will respond!
Likewise in scripture, we are urged to come to God to seek Him. Consider this your invitation to draw near to God as He draws near to you. (James 4:8) In this time, set your intention to seek hard after the God who loves you! During this time, make sure you are journaling the things you are praying for and the responses you are hearing. Take time to review how you should respond and what your next steps are. Remember, God is faithful to his promises!
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. – Hebrews 10:23
Join us back tomorrow for day two!
“Fasting Tip: Make sure to increase your water intake to assist with hunger and the change in food intake.”