The Discovery
Like so many other, Christian, churches do the beginning of every
new year; our church, LaFayette Church of God has embarked into a season of 21
days of consecrated prayer and fasting. For me, the pastor; I feel that this
fast needs to be more than just doing without something. I believe it's about The Discovery that God wants to reveal to me and
anyone hungry enough to pursue it.
A confession, I love any story that leads to some sort of
discovery. I find myself intrigued with the process or the path that the story
line has to take. So the climax of the show, movie, or book becomes
evident through The Discovery. It
is almost as though a light bulb goes off. Now I don't confess to always
uncovering the clue's. Sometimes I have to watch, or read the entire story so
that I can see, The Discovery, through
the actor/author. Yes, I have certain things that I am asking God for in this
season of consecrated prayer and fasting. Although, I believe through this
time, He wants me to reDISCOVER Him! He wants me to realize that there are so
many things in my life, that don't have to be. There are frustrating, energy
draining, stressful things in my life that He wants to purge, through my
obedience.
As I have thought about various types of fast; a complete fast,
the Daniel fast (Daniel 10:3), a partial fast and even now - in current
society - a media fast. I have pondered the why. Why do we go without something
that we love? Or without something that brings us so much joy? One writer said, "Fasting is about the condition
of the heart, not the number of days." Maybe it could be continued to
say, neither what you do without. I feel that what you refrain from should be
accompanied by the attitude, mindset and condition of the heart; that He,
Jesus, will replace it with something so much greater!
Jeremiah 29:13, 'You will seek Me and find
Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'
Are you hungry
enough to seek Him? Though you may not see Him right now? Are you passionate
about The Discovery that awaits you, in Him? If so, it
takes your whole heart. Not part of it. Not only on good days. Not only on
Sunny ones. But, every day should be a day when you seek, search, and FIND! You
should always be discovering in Him. He is so much more than you have
seen. He's Greater than you have ever known. He wants to manifest Himself
in your life. Let Him!
Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to
me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend
your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow
to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
Today, as we continue this journey, be reminded the most important thing you can gain through this fast, is a closer relationship with your Lord. He wants you to Discover Him again!
Lord, help me on this journey to discover you like I have never known you before. Help me to see your greatness again. Help me to be more like you. Help me to see the things I sacrifice the next few days, mean nothing compared to the discovery I am going to find in You! I love you Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Be Blessed--
Josh Edwards
lead pastor
Kaye and I would be honored for you to join us, as our guest, at any of the Encounter Opportunities at our church; LaFayette Church of God (LaFayette, GA)
You can learn more about our church, listen to Encounter messages and financially support its ministry by visiting www.lafayettecog.org.
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