21 Day Fast Day 17
After today, there’s only 4 days to go. Time does fly by! The best reason for fasting is probably this: because Jesus set the example for us and told us to do it. It’s a discipline that helps us to draw closer to God. We can get so preoccupied with our own stuff that we can miss out on the real important things in life. The main one being a personal intimate relationship with God. The Spirit of God is always nudging us in that direction. I think most of the time it’s subtle. But other times it can come crashing in on us. Why? Because he’s molding us into the image of Christ. That’s our destiny. That’s his desire and it’s all because he loves us and created us in his image. He wants the best life for us and the best life we could ever possibly have is doing it with him.
When we’re going through difficult times, you can ask why, but really the best thing we can do is ask for help. Then rest in knowing that he is with us through the process and will act in the best, most fitting way to accomplish what we really need. We’re in good company! Read the following verses that describe the journey.
Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (This happened immediately after a high point in his life. He was just baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin, John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a Dove and then led him to fulfill his destiny and purpose. He had to go through this trial to prepare him for what was coming.)
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NIV)
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Peter 1:3-7 (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Love and blessings,
Pastor Ray
When we’re going through difficult times, you can ask why, but really the best thing we can do is ask for help. Then rest in knowing that he is with us through the process and will act in the best, most fitting way to accomplish what we really need. We’re in good company! Read the following verses that describe the journey.
Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (This happened immediately after a high point in his life. He was just baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin, John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a Dove and then led him to fulfill his destiny and purpose. He had to go through this trial to prepare him for what was coming.)
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NIV)
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Peter 1:3-7 (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Love and blessings,
Pastor Ray
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