Fasting Devotion Day 2
READ
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:21-23 NKJV
THINK
Can I be honest and just openly say that most of the time being a Christian isn’t easy! It almost seems sacrilegious to go there but we live as the light in a broken and dark world and it is not easy. The culture in which we minister is completely contrary to the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus and it is always trying to pull us into the ebb and flow of its values and priorities. I know that I’m often tempted to think that it must have been easier in biblical times. Yes we all know the early disciples had direct threats to their lives but they were surrounded by miracles. I often long for the certainty that I see them exemplify.
Thats why I absolutely love this passage. This small and simple passage is a reminder that even the big boys of the faith had to encourage themselves with truth that at times they did not feel. They stayed true to the calling of Christ and the mission in seasons both easy and challenging through their commitment to fasting and prayer. It was in these disciplines they were able to have the clarity of focus to continue fighting the fight even when the battle was hard. I know that many of you who are joining me in this 21 day commitment are walking through hurt, exhaustion, and a million other things. You may be tempted to quit the journey but echo the words of the early saints. “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
1. What is a real hurt that you are experiencing that you can more fully today hand over to Jesus? What does your healing look like and how will your healing impact the kingdom of heaven?
2. Who around you is hurting that you can be the healing of Christ in their life? God allows His saints to hurt not because He feels pleasure in their pain but by their pain is able to reach into the broken lives of others. How will you be a part of their healing?
PRAY
Today as you are praying take some time and journal. What hurts has God already healed you from? What wounds still exists around you? What things encourage you about your life and the world around you? What things do you see in the story around you that breaks your heart?
How do you play a part in what God is doing to heal?
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:21-23 NKJV
THINK
Can I be honest and just openly say that most of the time being a Christian isn’t easy! It almost seems sacrilegious to go there but we live as the light in a broken and dark world and it is not easy. The culture in which we minister is completely contrary to the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus and it is always trying to pull us into the ebb and flow of its values and priorities. I know that I’m often tempted to think that it must have been easier in biblical times. Yes we all know the early disciples had direct threats to their lives but they were surrounded by miracles. I often long for the certainty that I see them exemplify.
Thats why I absolutely love this passage. This small and simple passage is a reminder that even the big boys of the faith had to encourage themselves with truth that at times they did not feel. They stayed true to the calling of Christ and the mission in seasons both easy and challenging through their commitment to fasting and prayer. It was in these disciplines they were able to have the clarity of focus to continue fighting the fight even when the battle was hard. I know that many of you who are joining me in this 21 day commitment are walking through hurt, exhaustion, and a million other things. You may be tempted to quit the journey but echo the words of the early saints. “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
1. What is a real hurt that you are experiencing that you can more fully today hand over to Jesus? What does your healing look like and how will your healing impact the kingdom of heaven?
2. Who around you is hurting that you can be the healing of Christ in their life? God allows His saints to hurt not because He feels pleasure in their pain but by their pain is able to reach into the broken lives of others. How will you be a part of their healing?
PRAY
Today as you are praying take some time and journal. What hurts has God already healed you from? What wounds still exists around you? What things encourage you about your life and the world around you? What things do you see in the story around you that breaks your heart?
How do you play a part in what God is doing to heal?