LEARNINGS TO SHARE…

Day 3 –John chapter 3

I am sure you are having many experiences during this time of fasting.  I recommend you record your learnings through this experience in a journal or page in your Bible, or somewhere.  Remember, we are on a journey, and it has just begun…persevere…God is moving!

Stepping Into the Light

Nicodemus was a religious leader, a member of the group of Pharisees. He confessed to Jesus that they knew He had been sent by God. Although he knew the truth about Jesus, it’s apparent he was still searching for more answers, as he came looking to Jesus to question Him. In the cover of darkness, Nicodemus was drawn to the light of Jesus Christ.

“All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near for fear their sins will be exposed” John 3:20 (NLT)

Notice the first step to doing what is right is stepping into the light.  We become free from what holds us when we expose it to the light.  Often, we do not want to be in the spotlight. We feel exposed and vulnerable, but only in Jesus are we safe, and Jesus is the light. Whether it’s accepting Jesus for the first time, or perhaps confessing a hidden sin, when we choose to step into the light, an exchange takes place. We exchange our faults and our shame for the light of His mercy and grace. What is drawing you to the light of Christ?  Is there anything “hidden” in your life that Jesus is calling you to bring into the light? Is it your eating habits?  Is it some sort of immoral behavior?  Don’t be a Pharisee (hypocrite), hiding what is real.  Christ already knows, He just wants you to want Him.  His mercies are new and fresh every day.  Come to Him, step into “the” light.

Before we dive into our devotional today, let me take a minute and offer some helpful reminders and practical suggestions about our 21 day fast together….

            First, don’t be legalistic about it!!  if you start applying “law” to this experience then you remove the “relationship” out of it.  the idea is for us to grow in our relationships to the Lord, not our ability to abide by law!!

            Second, what do you do if you start feeling ill?  Well, don’t force yourself into sickness.  But if it is emotional “illness”, then don’t let your emotions control you, this might be one of the things God wants to change in you by this experience….seek Him…”seek and you will find”

Day 2 –  John chapter 2

“Zeal for your house will consume me” John 2:17 (NIV)

Zeal = Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance.

For some people, being passionate for God’s house is not a challenge. Why? Well, we all love our local church, which is a group of relationships by the way, because, “they” strengthen our relationship with God (relationships strengthening “the” relationship). It is an environment to hear a life-giving Word, worship collectively with other believers, and fellowship with great people. The church is helping to change your life, challenging you to be a better person, and renewing you every week. Who wouldn’t be enthusiastic about an environment like that? We all can be passionate about God’s House.  However, we must understand, not just mentally, but deep within us, that the word “house” is not limited to a structure. Paul refers to our bodies as “living temples” (I Corinthians 6:19) and the temple was God’s house, you and me!

That puts a different spin on this scripture and challenges us in an entirely different way. Let’s face it – it can be much harder to be zealous for people. People are imperfect; we are imperfect, you are imperfect. It’s difficult to be enthusiastic towards people who have problems and lives are all messed and when they don’t treat us the way we want to be treated.

What would the world look like if we were enthusiastically devoted to and tirelessly diligent in furthering God’s people? What would our communities or even our families look like if we were zealous about loving and preferring them? Today during prayer, let’s pray with passion for God’s people – His house, each other.

Welcome to these daily devotions to coinside with our church’s “Daniel Fast”. I am praying that God will do amazing things in our lives over the next 21 days and in our church as a whole as we grow closer to the Lord in our personal relationships with Him through our collective efforts to pray, fast, read the Gospel of John and connect with Him through these daily devotions. I am praying for you!!! Blessings…

Day 1 – to accompany our daily Bible reading from John chapter 1
Hungry in Spirit

It’s one thing to hunger for physical food; it’s another to be hungry in spirit. When we crave food, we can easily grab a snack or consume a meal that satisfies us now, as we live in the temporal. However, when we are hungry in spirit, we become desperate for more of God, His presence, and His power as we discover living for the eternal and supernatural. But how do we fuel and feed our spiritual hunger?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (NKJ)
The opening text of the Gospel of John introduces the Word as the source of life, our “source” of life. The Word was not only with God, it was God. The deepest hunger in our life is for Jesus Christ Himself, not should be, not ought to be, but IS.. In Jesus, we have the bread of life. He is the only one that can satisfy the true longings of our heart, your heart!
As the source of life, our “source” of life, God’s written Word is designed to fuel spiritual hunger. The Word brings strength, joy, hope, wisdom, contentment. He is a guide for our steps, a living and active source that searches and knows all things, a revealer of the character of God. He offers spiritual nourishment that only can fulfill the deepest cravings, your deepest cravings.
As we begin our 21 Days of Praying, Fasting, and Scripture reading, what are you hungry for? Stir up your spiritual appetite and feast on God, our Father, Jesus, our Lord, Spirit, our guide, through the, Word. Dig into the Scriptures, pray His Word aloud, and press into His presence.
Make sure to come here to the daily devotional of the book of John and may your spiritual hunger grow and be fed by Him, the Word…
I will post practical tips and helps for your fasting experience. We will be able to be united in a very unique way through this experience. I am praying for God to work in amazing ways in all of our lives. Here is a great site as a resource for your fasting….enjoy…
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/7-steps-to-fasting-and-prayer/index.aspx
Pastor Mike…