“Should We Fast”

Thursday, August 22, 2019

The Bible has many things in which we are commanded to do. From the expressions of worship and relationships to other people and how frequently we should pray. when it comes to fasting, there is no place in scripture where the believer is instructed to pray.

The words “whenever you fast” found in Matthew 6:16 shows that Jesus expected his followers to practice such discipline. There are many examples in the Bible of people who abstain from certain things in order to get close to God.

It is important to know that fasting does not change God’s mind or speed up his answers to our request. Fasting helps us focus our attention on God alone. This will enabled us to listen and worship God wholeheartedly. Let us focus on God today.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 6:5

Fasting of the body is food for the soul,” (John Chrysostom).

“A heavenly Place: The new Jerusalem”

Thursday, August 21.

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea,” (Revelation 21:1).

Jesus told his followers he would go and prepare a place for them (John 14:3). Years later, the apostle was given a vision of the place Christ talked about. The sight was beyond human description, but John managed to put the vision into writing. We see that in Revelation 21: 9-27, Revelation 22:1-5.

John saw the brilliance of God’s glory radiating from the structure of the New Jerusalem. The gate was made of pearls and the streets of transparent gold. In Revelation 22, we are told that the throne of God was there, and the Lamb, and the servants will see his face. What a wonderful promise!

Though it is difficult to imagine to describe the physical structure of the New Jerusalem, let us rejoice over the fact that certain things will be absent from this new city: pains, fears, sickness, violence, mourning or death. Let us focus on the glorious heavenly future.

Memory verse: John 14:3

“Living for God’s glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives,” (Rick Warren).

“A God of Patience”

Tuesday, August 20.

The way god reacts to sin may be a puzzle for many of us. Why doesn’t God react by punishing us immediately when we transgress his ways? We can find this answer in 2 Peter 3. In verse 9 it tells us that the Lord is patient so all people have the opportunity to repent.

As humans, we want God to respond immediately when people do wrong. When Jonah went to Nineveh, he wanted the people to repent. They did, and God still forgive them. The prophet complained to God. He wanted god to destroy them (Jonah 4:2). Jonah was angry with God despite being shown divine mercy.

We ought to be thankful to God for being a patient God.

Memory verse: Jonah 4:2

“Let us forgive each other, only then can we live in peace,” (Leo N. Tolstoy).

“The Riches of God’s Grace”

Wednesday, August 7.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…,” (Ephesians 1:7-8).

In life, we all come through a season where we yearned for something better. This tells us that God has planted eternity in ou hearts, where we yearn for a better life with him.

What we yearn for in life is found in the Scriptures above. It is God’s lavish grace. Whatever we long for, God provides eternal life for us by forgiving our sins. No matter whatever goes on around us, we can never doubt our eternal security. God loves us and will provide for us. God will provide a glorious future for us and an inheritance.

Memory verse: Matthew 6:10.

“God’s grace is sufficient for those that believe and trust him to the end,” E’yen Gardner