Hi Friends, I hope you are enjoying a fresh start to the new year. I know many of us are expectant and making adjustments to make room for what the Lord desires to do in this season.
We stand on the precipice of our Lord and King coming to sweep us away into His arms forever. And it's a perfect time to consider our faith journey and seize opportunities to deepen our trust in Him. Many of us are entering a time of prayer and fasting, and it's a beautiful way to kindle the flame of our hearts.
It's a time to fix our gaze firmly on the eternal and allow any residue of the world to be burnt away. As we abide in the Lover of our souls, continually seeking His face and listening to the Spirit's promptings, we are thereby comforted, strengthened, and conformed to the image of Christ in this sacred space. As we walk in these appointed times, we slow down and ensure our affections are appropriately and securely placed in the One who deserves honor and to remain enthroned in our hearts. Prayer and fasting is a time of holiness where we are forever transformed.
Meditation |
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6
There is a fast that reigns throughout eternity, and beloved, we have entered it when we receive Jesus. We now turn from the fleeting to feast on the Substance. We have entered a lifestyle of decrease, that He would increase in every facet of our lives. In this fast, we lack no good thing because the Father has delighted in providing Himself the Lamb as the sacrifice.
As a result, each time we slip away to be with Him, this way is one where the atmosphere shifts, bondages are loosened, captives are set free, and Heaven is manifested on earth through His people. May those choosing to begin this year through prayer and fasting delight in launching out into the deep in full anticipation of the catch. From this moment, may we rest in the One who has sealed our victory and, in doing so fast, the deeper things that bring Him glory.
In this season, we seek the continual fast of the deeper things, which include but are not limited to:
Fast Addition (abstain from adding anything to the finished work of Jesus)
Fast Anxiety
Fast Autonomy
Fast Bitterness
Fast Chatter/Noise/Nonsense
Fast Comparison
Fast Complacency
Fast Discontentment
Fast Disobedience
Fast Doubt
Fast Fear
Fast Gossip
Fast Hesitation
Fast Hurriedness
Fast Idolatry
Fast Ignorance
Fast Indifference
Fast Isolation
Fast Pride
Fast Religiousness (ex., formulas instead of intimacy)
Fast Self-righteousness
Fast Timidity
Fast Unbelief
Fast Worry
It's not an ordinary fast but an extraordinary one because we've been transferred out of darkness into His marvelous light. As we live set apart unto Him, we are instruments for His glory, a living epistle of love before humanity.
Therefore, “Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Live close to the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect understanding of His love to us, are among the best tests of growth in grace.” Excerpt From Morning and Evening,
Charles Spurgeon.
Prayer |
Abba Father, You love us so. We are grateful for the blessing of Your presence. Help us to walk in the true riches that are only given in Christ and truly see Him as the very Substance and sustainer of Life. May we live as mature, fully surrendered to the Spirit, and enjoy every promise in Christ. For all good and perfect gifts are provided through Your hand. May we decrease and Jesus increase each day. Amen 🙏🏾.
