I'm so thankful for what God is doing in my life during this season. I have been able to notice growth in my walk and especially in how I interact with God.
Each year in January my church begins its 21 day Corporate Fast. This is our time of consecration where we are putting our flesh in submission by eliminating certain foods, media and social aspects of our lives that might distract or pull our attention away from God. I am grateful for the 21 days that I spent this year because I was able to focus on my spiritual growth. Unfortunately, some years it becomes more about the food that I cannot eat and finding foods to fill me up when that hunger pain hits. This year I was able to pull closer to God when I felt those pangs. I found so much joy in being able to complete my 21 days of Bible reading to add to my quiet time with God.
Those 21 days were necessary to remind me of the importance of seeking out that daily time to spend with God. Too often we can allow the distractions of our daily schedule to draw us away from the most important relationship that we have. I understand more now, that I need to be in God's presence daily. I cannot go a day without taking the time to spend with Him. As I've stated before in other blogs, when I do skip a day, I notice the difference! I do not ever want to be walking around in my flesh because I know it can do some damage. I want to be Spirit-led. In order to be Spirit-led I have to allow my ears to be adjusted so that I can recognize His voice.
One of the biggest questions I had this past year was on the clarity of God's voice. I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't confusing my voice, with God, or the enemy's (but we'll save that discussion for later, that's for another blog!). That's why it is so important to work on your relationship with God, so that you can recognize His voice.
I believe that God truly does want to have a relationship with us. I looked back at the notes that I took on the 4th of February, which was the 18th day of the fast. We read about the will of God. Something that stood out to me from John 14: "Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father." As a believer, I desire to do works that show who my Father is. I want to have the confidence that if there is something that I need to pray about, that since I have a relationship with God that He will honor my prayer and move on my behalf.
Something else that stood out to me, found in John 15: "Remain in Him and He will remain in you! Those who remain in Him will produce much fruit. You didn't choose him, He chose you. He appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, in Jesus' name. You are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you." Remember, that these are my notes based off of the New Living Translation. I thought this chapter had so much encouragement for the believer. The first part reminds us that He wants a relationship with us! He says to remain in Him!! That requires work and dedication to spend time with Him. Then, He goes on to say that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us. He chose us, to go and produce fruit. So, that let's us know again that we have work to do. He didn't save us from eternity in Hell to stay here on Earth and look cute! We have to go to work spreading this Gospel and sharing with those who are walking around dead, and yes literally, because they have not been born again. Last but not least, He gives us comfort. He says that He has chosen us to come out of the world, and it's okay if they hate you (that's scripture!); so, don't become discouraged if they do not want to hear what you have to say or they persecute you for believing in Jesus. Without a strong relationship with Him, we will find that we are weak and possibly not even producing the fruit and completing the work that He has called us to.
If you feel that you have slacked in this area, don't become discouraged. Set apart some time to spend with Him. It's important that you search the scriptures for yourself and you begin to listen for God as He speaks to you through the promptings of His, Holy Spirit. I promise you won't regret taking out this time to spend with Him.
Be Encouraged,
God's Servant
Each year in January my church begins its 21 day Corporate Fast. This is our time of consecration where we are putting our flesh in submission by eliminating certain foods, media and social aspects of our lives that might distract or pull our attention away from God. I am grateful for the 21 days that I spent this year because I was able to focus on my spiritual growth. Unfortunately, some years it becomes more about the food that I cannot eat and finding foods to fill me up when that hunger pain hits. This year I was able to pull closer to God when I felt those pangs. I found so much joy in being able to complete my 21 days of Bible reading to add to my quiet time with God.
Those 21 days were necessary to remind me of the importance of seeking out that daily time to spend with God. Too often we can allow the distractions of our daily schedule to draw us away from the most important relationship that we have. I understand more now, that I need to be in God's presence daily. I cannot go a day without taking the time to spend with Him. As I've stated before in other blogs, when I do skip a day, I notice the difference! I do not ever want to be walking around in my flesh because I know it can do some damage. I want to be Spirit-led. In order to be Spirit-led I have to allow my ears to be adjusted so that I can recognize His voice.
One of the biggest questions I had this past year was on the clarity of God's voice. I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't confusing my voice, with God, or the enemy's (but we'll save that discussion for later, that's for another blog!). That's why it is so important to work on your relationship with God, so that you can recognize His voice.
I believe that God truly does want to have a relationship with us. I looked back at the notes that I took on the 4th of February, which was the 18th day of the fast. We read about the will of God. Something that stood out to me from John 14: "Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father." As a believer, I desire to do works that show who my Father is. I want to have the confidence that if there is something that I need to pray about, that since I have a relationship with God that He will honor my prayer and move on my behalf.
Something else that stood out to me, found in John 15: "Remain in Him and He will remain in you! Those who remain in Him will produce much fruit. You didn't choose him, He chose you. He appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, in Jesus' name. You are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you." Remember, that these are my notes based off of the New Living Translation. I thought this chapter had so much encouragement for the believer. The first part reminds us that He wants a relationship with us! He says to remain in Him!! That requires work and dedication to spend time with Him. Then, He goes on to say that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us. He chose us, to go and produce fruit. So, that let's us know again that we have work to do. He didn't save us from eternity in Hell to stay here on Earth and look cute! We have to go to work spreading this Gospel and sharing with those who are walking around dead, and yes literally, because they have not been born again. Last but not least, He gives us comfort. He says that He has chosen us to come out of the world, and it's okay if they hate you (that's scripture!); so, don't become discouraged if they do not want to hear what you have to say or they persecute you for believing in Jesus. Without a strong relationship with Him, we will find that we are weak and possibly not even producing the fruit and completing the work that He has called us to.
If you feel that you have slacked in this area, don't become discouraged. Set apart some time to spend with Him. It's important that you search the scriptures for yourself and you begin to listen for God as He speaks to you through the promptings of His, Holy Spirit. I promise you won't regret taking out this time to spend with Him.
Be Encouraged,
God's Servant
