Thursday Devo
Fast 2023 - Day 2
Welcome to our week of fasting and prayer here at the City Church. Prayer is part of our DNA at The City. We believe it is a vital part of our Christian life. This story about Jesus teaching his disciples helps us see the value of prayer. It also helps us know the value of one way Jesus coaches his disciples to pray: prayer with fasting.
** We want to invite you to join us today at our staff prayer time from 2 pm - 3 pm in the worship center at the church!**
Scripture Reading:
Galatians 6:8
8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
Commentary:
The objective of a fast is to separate ourselves from the world and our selfish nature and draw closer to God. Fasting exposes the sinful nature in us and allows us to repent of that nature, which brings us closer to God.
In explaining Galatians 6:8, John Stott says: "Every time we allow our mind to harbor a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure fancy, wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh. Every time we linger in bad company whose insidious influence we know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature, every time we take a risk that strains our self-control we are sowing, sowing, sowing, to the flesh."
We make choices daily that either lead us to stronger or weaker faith. Giving into our selfish natures weakens our walk with God and weakens our Christian influence. When we invest in our spiritual nature, the opposite happens; we strengthen our capacity for hearing God's voice, which helps us walk in godliness and invariably gives us influence with others.
In explaining Galatians 6:8, John Stott says: "Every time we allow our mind to harbor a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure fancy, wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh. Every time we linger in bad company whose insidious influence we know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature, every time we take a risk that strains our self-control we are sowing, sowing, sowing, to the flesh."
We make choices daily that either lead us to stronger or weaker faith. Giving into our selfish natures weakens our walk with God and weakens our Christian influence. When we invest in our spiritual nature, the opposite happens; we strengthen our capacity for hearing God's voice, which helps us walk in godliness and invariably gives us influence with others.
Questions For Reflection:
1. What do I see in myself during this fast that needs correction? (attitudes, habits,
ways I give into my own selfishness)
2. How can I invest in godliness with my time and life to increase my influence for the Kingdom of God?
ways I give into my own selfishness)
2. How can I invest in godliness with my time and life to increase my influence for the Kingdom of God?
Prayer:
God, show me areas of my life that are led by selfishness. Please take these from me and help me to embrace your will in each area. I submit my heart to you, Lord. I pray the Holy Spirit would direct my life. Speak to me through God's Word. I want to listen to your wisdom, God. Please show me your ways!
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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