4 Hours - You CAN Do It!


Luke 22:54-62 Unfailing Mercy

I am constantly amazed and humbles at how many times the Lord forgives me for my mess-ups! Yes, there was a time that I “moved away from God” in an attempt to ‘do it on my own’ – well, that did not work out so well for me! Yet, really, it sort of did. That is what actually brought me back and made me see just how much mercy, forgiveness, and grace our loving heavenly Father has for us/me!!

Better than ANY earthy example of love! He truly will NOT ever leave us, nor forget us!! NEVER! No conditions, no rules, no long lectures… just plain and simple acceptance and forgiveness!

Today, as I read this passage from My Daily Bread from last year, another verse jumped out at me: Matthew 16:24 (Mark 8:34 & Luke 9:23) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Which then lead me to realize that no matter what we go through WITH Jesus, it is WAY better than anything we go through without Him!! Yes, lessons learned sometimes are quite painful, yet we are not actually destroyed by the things that happen, when we are walking with Jesus! According to 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” this is some pretty comforting words. Better than words!! This is a promise!! Yup, another promise we can put in our log of verses to pray back to God when the going gets tough!

Today, how about us ‘fasting’ for a portion of the day, where we let go of doing or getting anything for ourselves. Denying our desires and look to God for what His desire is. Let us set an alarm for 4 hours, this is ¼ of your waking hours in the day. Pray about the things that keep tripping you up. Ask Jesus to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you in the things to “let go of” – and then when you are ‘fasting’ don’t let those things creep in. Really – it’s only 4 hours now – you can do this!! We will do it together! I’m praying for you to become aware of the things that the Lord wants you to let go of. Then I pray for perseverance and determination in you to do it!! Four hours – you CAN do it!!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jesus Calling May 25

Image
Jesus Calling May 25 th    Perfect! Just like it is - nothing more to add to it - it fits perfectly in my life today!! Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) For the  Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Psalm 34:19 (NLT) The righteous person faces many troubles, but the  Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Read more

How To Be Rich...In Good Works

Image
1 Timothy‬ ‭6:17-19 “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."      What an amazing passage!! Even if we are not rich by our standards or the worlds...we CAN be 'rich in good works'! Being generous isn't always about money. It can be time, conversation, love, kindness... Remember, when we 'do to the least of these' we are doing it to/for Jesus. Today, you have the opportunity to 'experience true life' - you do!! How? By being ready, on the alert, to help, share, do good for someone else. Some people may look alright on the outside, ...
Read more

What Does Twilight Look Like To You

Image
Isaiah 21:4 (NIV) My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me. This chapter contains prophecies against  Babylon ,  Edom  and  Arabia . However, this verse jumped out at me for a different reason. First of all, I had a bit of an MEF (mind’s eye flash) of sitting on a porch overlooking the vast sky towards a big open space. Watching the sun set. Actually sitting there anticipating the setting sun and all of the colors that will be painted across the sky at twilight. How amazing and beautiful the sky becomes each and every night, as God uses it to create a magnificent canvas of art for us to enjoy! I am absolutely amazed each time I see His wonderful sunsets! Then the MEF changed. These verses reminded me of the times I have lost loved ones. How that beautiful night sky became a symbol of the fear, yes even horror of the night to come. The beauty might as well have turned to ashes at that moment ...
Read more

How To Avoid Meaningless Conversations

Image
1 Timothy‬ ‭1:4-5 “Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith."      Have you ever had a conversation with someone that feels like 'it's SO off track' or that leads to a debate of things that just 'don't feel right'? LISTEN to that Red Flag from the Holy Spirit! Excuse yourself, and walk away! Why? Because the enemy uses these crazy opinions & topics to dance around in your head and thoughts for days, weeks, even months ahead. Being a part of a conversation that gets so derailed from truth, is NOT good for anyone! If you cannot bring it back to truth, giving God glory - then leave.      For me, when people start telling colorful, inappropriate jokes, if I can...
Read more