Weekday Devotionals - LuAnn

Joel 2:12 "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and with mourning;

 Pastor Pete in his sermon last week told us the reason we should fast is Divine Direction. That when we are out of a spiritual rhythm, we end up sick. When you are out of rhythm, your personal life can be a mess. This week he tells us that fasting should be for Repentance- a way for us to make a change in our life. As we fast, we will feel many hunger pains and those moments should be a prayer prompt to us. These prayer prompts, these hunger pains are reminders of what we may need to encourage deeper prayers and ask for repentance in our lives. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 explains how it can clear our mind and with Godly sorrow it can produce a person ready to serve with more clarity and readiness.  

We know that when we are in the midst of fasting, we are not alone in this journey. We have
intersession with others in our community going through the same thing. We, as a church, can help and be there for each other when we are experiencing the same pain. We must prepare for the fasting and what is to come. It will not be easy but we know that God will join us where we are and help us to remember we are in this together.  

Why we also need to fast is for Sanctification, the overcoming of the flesh. Most will not
experience a divine moment as they fast, but it’s the deep hunger in the prayers with the holy spirit that the changes come within our lives. We will feel in our fasting and prayers the power of God behind us as he is telling Satan – Get Away from here- You are a liar!

As read in Joel- are you turning to the Lord (for help) with all your heart as we fast this week?

PEACE-PRAYERS-LOVE
LuAnn Kleemeyer