Tag: fasting

Sometimes worship is a battle

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Before we start looking at today’s devotional, can I just let you know that I have the privilege of guest blogging over on  MumsKidsJesus today.

Reflections based on Matthew 4:1–11.

‘Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

We are told here that Jesus had just fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and that He was hungry. What understatement! Then Satan came to tempt him with things to ease his discomfort. If Satan used this method with Jesus he will certainly try it with us! Sometimes our everyday worship is simply about standing strong against our enemy, refusing to give in to temptation.

Look how Satan even used scripture to try to catch Jesus out, but Jesus was able to quote portions back at him. It is important that we know our Bibles well enough that we aren’t swayed by false teaching or other enemy lies. We also need to make sure we are equipped for battle. Not long ago I was challenged about the fact that I spend time each morning choosing what to wear, but often forget about ‘dressing’ my spirit. I now try to consciously ‘put on’ fruits of the spirit such as love, joy, peace, etc (see Galatians 5:22). I also realised I had stopped putting on the armour of God too, so try to make it part of my daily morning worship by reading through Ephesians 6 and visualising putting on the armour.

pexels-photo-104764We are also called to join with our fellow believers to be a united army. As a worship leader I am always intrigued by the fact that it was the musicians who led out the army procession. 2 Chronicles 20:21: ‘Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever”’. Worship can truly be our battle cry – and an important way to fuel our faith during seasons of attack.

Meditation: Read Ephesians 6:10–18 and imagine putting on each part of the armour so that you are equipped for the day.

 

 

Fasting: why do I bother with it?

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The rumble of my stomach, the light wooziness I’m feeling in my head, the need for mints while I drink endless water and tea…

That’s right, I’m fasting.

 No, I’m not super holy and yes, I do struggle with it.

I’ve tried to build fasting into my life regularly over the last few years but today it feels particularly difficult. It may be due to the amount of exercise I did last night, general tiredness, feeling a little under the weather…

Whatever the reasons it feels hard today. But, let’s face it, fasting is hard. And I think that’s part of the point – it isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s about focusing our attention; using that time that we would normally be eating to come before God.

Now that in itself can be quite a challenge. I have skipped breakfast, but I certainly didn’t have time to pour out my heart in prayer to God while making sure the kids got ready for school. It’s now, after the school run, that I have a bit of space and that I can focus on coming before Him.

Fasting is one of those strange disciplines isn’t it? We are under grace, so we don’t have to do it, but, if we look at what Jesus said about fasting He referred to ‘when you fast’ rather than ‘if’, which means He expected it to be a part of the disciples’ lives.

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