it happened again this morning.  My Bible talked to me.

Read it for yourself: Proverbs 9:6-9.

Here’s what struck me: it sounds so simple – but simple doesn’t mean easy!

You would think that any of us would appreciate receiving wisdom, correction & instruction, so we could learn, do better, be better.  Don’t we all want that?

Yet so often, when the correction, instruction or wisdom comes to us, we reject it because we think we know better.  (“Who does he think he is, telling me that?”)

Here’s my prayer: “Lord, forgive me.  Help me me humble enough to receive the correction, instruction & wisdom that You send my way, no matter who delivers it.”

Amen.

In yesterday’s reading of Matthew 15:21-28, I was struck again by the tenacity of the Canaanite woman.  As you’ll recall, when she came pleading for Jesus to have mercy on her demonized daughter, (a) Jesus ignored her; (b) the disciples wanted to ‘get rid’ of her because she bothered them; (c) Jesus informed them he was only interested in the Jews to whom He had been sent (not a Gentile like her); (d) He finally spoke to her, only to tell her it wouldn’t be right to answer her request, since she was a “dog” (in the eyes of the Jews).  But after all that, she said, “yes, Lord”.

I won’t ask how many of us would have still been in His Presence, because I know the answer.  In fact, I think we would have been justified to stomp off indignantly after being treated that way in our time of need.  But not her – she simply said ‘yes’ to the Lord.  Sort of reminds me of the first miracle Jesus ever performed, when He wasn’t even ‘ready’ to act, but His mother told the servants, “whatever He tells you to do, do it!”

My encouragement today is that whatever you hear from the Holy Spirit during this fast – do the ‘smart thing’ and just say “yes”.  You’ll be glad you did.

Today’s Prayer Focus:  this request was submitted from our Lisle Campus, but it certainly applies to each campus of CLC, so let’s all join in praying for the multiplication of families & leaders for every ministry.  Our worship director asked that we also pray specifically for multi-cultural growth at CLC, so let’s ask in faith that the multiplication of families & leaders will reflect our communities, too!

What are you hearing?  We fully expect that the Holy Spirit will speak to us during this time of fasting, and if you receive impressions from Him that you are willing to share, we’d love to hear from you.  You can simply leave a comment below, or send your ‘word’ to us here.  We also encourage you to share those thoughts on your campus FaceBook page, to encourage your fellow ‘fast-ers’, whether Tinley Park or Lisle or South Bend.

For today’s devotional from Awake 21, go here Awakening Devotional.

Just finished my devotions, and noticed something today I have to share – in the Bible reading chart that we’re using in 2012, there are readings from OT, NT, Psalms & Proverbs each day.

Today’s reading from Proverbs included chapter 3:3-4 (I’m using the English Standard Version for my devotions this year).  Our readings also included Genesis 24:49, and I couldn’t help but notice the phrases “steadfast love and faithfulness” repeated in both passages.  (Stuff like that always grabs my attention).

I don’t know about you, but the Proverbs mention of steadfast love & faithfulness caught my attention only because of it’s promise of favor & good success – but when I just read it in Proverbs, I didn’t really grasp what ‘steadfast love & faithfulness’ meant.  But when I saw it repeated in Genesis in the context of Abraham’s servant finding a wife for Isaac, it made sense: it’s another way of saying “obedience”.  When we show ‘steadfast love & faithfulness’ to the Lord, we obey Him.  It’s that simple.

And when we obey Him, He promises to give us ‘favor & good success’!  Selah.

I’m going to be a little more careful today to listen to His voice & obey Him – how about you?

Another nugget from my devotions: in Daniel 6, I am fascinated with the information we’re given about Daniel.  First, we learn that he excelled above other leaders because of his great ability (Daniel 6:2-3).  But as I’m learning, to truly succeed in life, it takes more than ability.  (Let’s face it: there are always people who have more natural talent than you or me – and when you reach a level of excellence, there’s always someone who’s better than you)

That’s why the next verse jumped out at me: when the ‘haters’ wanted to find fault (they always do, you know), they couldn’t find anything to criticize.  That in itself seems astonishing – but it’s still not what grabbed me.  It’s the next part of the verse that says Daniel was “always responsible”.

Selah.

Or maybe, ‘ouch’.

Always?

That’s huge.  And it’s not just one isolated verse either, as you notice as you continue reading: in verse 10 we’re told that after the King’s decree went into effect, Daniel knelt down as usual and prayed three times a day, just as he had always done.  (That’s what I call “consistent” – or ‘always responsible’!)

And later still, in verse 13, the haters didn’t just tattle to the King that Daniel was praying in spite of his decree, they said “he still prays to his God”!

I’ve said many times that faithfulness is the key to success in God’s kingdom, and I’ve talked about our ‘plodding’ ability that accounts for most of the blessing on CLC through the years, but I’ve got to tell you, I’m challenged by the “always responsible” tag put on Daniel by his critics.

Perhaps someone reading this is tempted today not to do what you know you should.  Maybe you’re tired of making the sacrifices, always being the one to initiate the hard conversation, weary of paying the bills when you’d rather splurge on yourself…..but my Bible is talking to me loud & clear that I need to be like Daniel and be “always responsible”.

I truly want that.  Don’t you?

My devotions last week were especially fruitful, as I heard the Lord several times.  Here’s what I gleaned from 1Peter 4:10 in the NLT, 1996 Edition from which I’m reading this year (unfortunately, it was revised in later editions):

“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.”

What jumped out at me is the implication that mismanagement on my part would cut off the flow of God’s generosity!

That’s really NOT new news; the Scripture teaches that in other places, such as the parable of the three servants, in Matthew 25:28-29.  To our human (carnal) minds, it doesn’t seem fair to take the little that someone has and given it to someone who already had more (kinda like robbing from the poor to give to the rich) – but it makes good sense in God’s economy: the person who has already demonstrated good stewardship of the gifts he has will likely put additional resources to good use, while the fellow who hid his gift doesn’t deserve to keep it!

SELAH.

SELAH some more!

What gifts has God given you that you aren’t fully utilizing?

I know this much, I don’t want Him to take anything away from me – I need every gifting He’s put in me, and then some!  And I sure don’t want to hinder the ‘flow’ of His generosity in my life.

How ’bout you?  Are you managing well what God has gifted you to do?

I heard my Bible speak this morning….from an Old Testament prophet, in fact.

In Daniel 5 is the story of King Belshazzar (grandson of Nebuchadnezzar) having a drunken party and using the golden cups taken from the temple in Jerusalem to toast his idols, when all of a sudden the fingers of a hand appeared and began to write on the wall of the palace, “Mene, mene, Tekel, Parsin”.  No one understood the writing, but everyone was terrified by it, especially Belshazzar.

He offered significant gifts to anyone who could interpret the writing, and the story got interesting for me when Daniel the prophet told the king, “Keep your gifts or give them to someone else…” (Dan. 5:17)  In this day of so much abuse from politicians and corporate greed and even big-name ministers, it’s refreshing to hear from a man of God who isn’t in it for the personal rewards, but has a Word from God!  (I want to be that kind of man!)

Daniel then rehearsed the story of Nebuchadnezzar (verses 18-21), who had been incredibly great before being incredibly humbled by the hand of God (if you’re not familiar with the details, read Daniel 4:28-37) – but what got me was his conclusion in Daniel 5:22!

Someone smarter than me said that “those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.

Someone else has said that we Christians are “educated way beyond the level of our obedience”.

As I searched my own heart this morning, I ask you to search yours: what do you know that you aren’t acting on?  The “handwriting on the wall” is there for all of us – let’s be doers of the Word today!

Here’s the final devotion based on the “extra material” from last Sunday’s message at CLC.  I’m really thinking of doing this more often, IF you’re finding it helpful – so please leave your comments below.

For the final thought, please read Hebrews 13:8

That’s a simple verse, huh?

But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean we have it down.  Consider these thoughts with me:

• Potentially, Jesus is everything today that He’s ever been in the past or ever will be in the future.

• The obvious conclusion is that He can still do today anything that He’s done in Scripture: heal, deliver, set free, provide, dispel storms, bring peace, etc.

• In fact, all of those names of God that we’ve alluded to in this message from ‘Vintage Jesus’ are STILL in affect today: Jesus IS Jehovah-Rapha (the Lord my healer); Jehovah-Shalom (the Lord my peace); Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord my provider); Jehovah-Ra’ah (the Lord my shepherd); Jehovah-Tsidkenu (the Lord my righteousness); El Shaddai (the God who is more than enough)….well, you get my point.

• But (and this is a BIG but) – it’s only as true as our perception of Him!  If we see Him as our Healer, He is!  If we see Him as our Provider, He does!

So, one last time I ask, “how’s YOUR perception of Jesus”?  Has it changed in the last week as we have focused on Him?  Leave a comment below-

And whatever it takes, get to your nearest CLC campus this Sunday as we try something we’ve NEVER done before, to communicate as creatively as we possibly can, “Vintage Jesus: His Message”.  Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one!

Today’s devotion based on “extra material we couldn’t fit into last Sunday’s sermon” takes up exactly where yesterday’s left off, so if you haven’t read that post, I suggest you do so first.  Then read the very next verses in Matthew 15:32-39 in the Message paraphrase.

Consider these truths with me:

• Jesus wasn’t finished with them.  Or with you!  This may be the most important blog post I’ve ever written, because in my observation, too many believers settle into a routine after they have walked with the Lord for a time – where it seems like most of their experience with Him is in the past: “He saved me; He delivered me from stuff; He blessed my career or my marriage or my finances, and now I’ll just praise Him and go on with life.  I’ve even heard preachers say (and been guilty myself) – “if He never does another thing for me as long as I live, I’ve still got plenty of reasons to praise Him!”  And while I understand the sentiment, the fact remains: Jesus isn’t finished with you!

• In other words, no matter how much He’s already done in your life, there’s still MORE to come!  The incredible miracles of healing listed in the previous verses of this passage were spectacular, but verse 32 declares “Jesus wasn’t finished with them!”.  Pardon me while I say, Hallelujah!

• What else might He want to do for you?

• In this passage, we’re told that Jesus HURT for them.  After performing such unbelievable miracles of healing, He still ached for the people.  Why?  They hadn’t eaten anything, and He didn’t want them to go home hungry!  Are you tracking with me?  Every need you have is important to Jesus!  He may have saved you, delivered you from sin, filled you with the Holy Spirit, healed your body and blessed your marriage – but He’s STILL concerned about your daily needs!  (I feel like saying, I’m preaching better than you’re reading right now!)  Selah.

• You know the rest of the story.  He took the little they had to offer and multiplied it so that 4,000 men (plus women & children) were able to eat until they were satisfied, and still gathered up seven large baskets of food afterward.  They had more leftovers than they started with!  Why?  Because Jesus IS “El Shaddai”, the God who is more than enough!

Is your perception of Jesus changing as we focus on Him?  I’d love to hear from you below-

Oh, one last thing: it’s not too late to invite someone to be your guest for this weekend at any CLC campus when we pull out all the stops on the most creative presentation we’ve EVER tried – don’t miss “Vintage Jesus: His Message”!

Before I continue with these devotions based on ‘extra material’ that we couldn’t fit into last Sunday’s sermon (as promised here), I just want to URGE you to invite someone to be your guest this weekend, for the most creative approach we’ve EVER tried to communicate the gospel, as we look at “Vintage Jesus: His Message”.  Trust me, you don’t want to miss this!

Now for today’s devotion, please read Matthew 15:29-31 in The Message.

Gotta love Eugene Peterson’s language of the man on the street:

• Love the fact that “tons” of people came to visit Jesus – no doubt, each with their own perception of who He was & what He might do-

• Especially glad that his ‘visitors’ brought others with them: described here as the paraplegic, the blind, the maimed, the mute—all sorts of people in need!  I like that because (a) there are NO needs too big (or too small!) for Jesus (consider ‘parapalegic’ or ‘maimed’, and how we might view the likelihood of them being healed); and (b) because Jesus always welcomes all sorts of people in need!  May every CLC campus always attract people in need!  May we ever be a hospital for the broken instead of a museum for model Christians!

• (my favorite) Note that the visitors “more or less threw them down at Jesus’ feet, to see what we would do with them”!  How would you describe their perception of Jesus?  Non-committal: ‘Wait & see‘?  Skeptical: “Let’s see what you can do, big guy“? Or just sincerely questioning: ‘what will you do’?

• Regardless what their perception may have been, I love the next sentence: “He healed them” (period).  That’s because Jesus is Jehovah-Rapha!
  

• Don’t overlook the results: “mutes speaking, the maimed healthy, the paraplegics walking around, the blind looking around“.  Selah.  Any one of those results today & we’d be on national news!  I’m really not so concerned that CLC become famous, but I would love to see the Name of Jesus exalted in that way, so I’m praying, “do it again, Lord”!

• Afterward, they let everyone around them know that God was “blazingly” alive among them.  Sounds right.  Can we genuinely let folks around us in on that secret?

May this whet your appetite for MORE of the demonstration of God’s Spirit in your life, and at CLC!  What’s your perception of Jesus now?

Last week I told you that we couldn’t fit into Sunday’s sermon everything we wanted to say, so here’s part 2 of the “extras”: start by reading Luke 13:10-17.

• Some of our issues aren’t ours at all; sometimes our issues are caused by the enemy.  What area of your life has the enemy crippled?  Your finances?  Your health?  Your relationships? In what ways are you not functioning as God intends, because of the enemies hindrance?

• Note the tender compassion of Jesus: He noticed her in the crowd.  He called her.  He spoke to her kindly (“dear woman”).  He proclaimed her healing.  He touched her.  And after 18 years of being bent double, she was instantly able to stand straight.

• (my favorite) “How“ she praised God.  (Don’t you wish you could see the video?)  Time-out.  I wonder if our worship matches our perception of Jesus?

• The critics: there will always be haters around, and sometimes they even get into positions of leadership.  If you listen to them, you’ll either not receive what Jesus offers you, or, if you do receive, you’ll lose it after they talk you out of it.  I love how Jesus called them out!

• Please note Jesus’ logic: it isn’t right for a child of God to be bound by Satan!  Selah.  It IS always right for a child of God to be set free!

When your perception of Jesus is right, your story will always end with rejoicing!  Remember: Jesus is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord my banner (of victory over the enemy!)

Enjoy the rest of your day, knowing that Jesus thinks you’re dear!  And if these devotions are helping, would you leave a comment below-

P.S.

As promised, here is a devotional thought we just didn’t have time for on Sunday: first, read John 4:46-53.

• note that the official perceived Jesus to be a Healer.  (It always starts with our perception of Him)  That’s obvious because after he heard, he went and asked Jesus to come heal his son.  What we believe about Jesus must translate into action.

• Love how the Message paraphrase points out: “Jesus put him off”.  Not sure I really believe Jesus ‘puts us off’, but I know that life/circumstances/enemy often do!  (Surely you’ve been ‘put off’, delayed in getting what you need.)

• But he wouldn’t be put off!  (That’ll preach!) Persistence is necessary if you’re to receive everything Jesus can do for you!

• Notice how simply his answer came: no fanfare, no bombastic sermonizing, no drama, not even laying on of hands.  Jesus simply spoke: “Go home. Your son lives.”  If you need something from Jesus today, keep in mind that Psalm 107:20 is still true!  (Look at it in the Message, too)

• (my favorite part) “The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home! Selah. (If you believe, act like it!)

• The healing had been released the very moment Jesus spoke it!

• As usual, Jesus had something greater in mind than just a healing: the household believed on Him!

What’s your perception of Jesus today?  What you see is what you’ll get!  If this idea of publishing “extra material” is helpful to you, let me know – perhaps we can do it more often.  Just leave your comments below-

And if your perception is important, so is your grasp of His message.  That’s why our creative team is going ALL-OUT this weekend, to communicate more effectively than we ever have before in the history of CLC, as we focus on “Vintage Jesus: His Message”.  Don’t miss it – and better yet, invite someone to be your guest!

This week’s verse is another good one to apply (aren’t they all!) -

Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Hope you’ll use that one this week-

Are you still memorizing Scripture with us?  I hope you’re finding it beneficial thus far – not just to increase your knowledge, but to apply to your daily life!

For sure, this week’s verse has application for all of us, every day – and it even fits the theme of our Mother’s Day message for tomorrow:

Proverbs 12:18 NLT

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Wow, hard to believe that MAY is almost here….where has 2011 gone?

Here’s our last verse to memorize in April (it follows immediately after last week’s verse):

“For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”  Rom 10:10 NLT

I’m writing this just minutes after my morning devotions, when something jumped off the page at me in 1Samuel 11.  Of course, this is the familiar story of David’s sin with Bathsheba.

What really grabbed my attention today was after the initial sin, when David was trying to ‘cover-up’ his sin by bringing Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, from the battlefield, in hopes that when the baby was born later, everyone would assume it was Uriah’s.  Of course, he hadn’t counted on Uriah’s integrity that caused him to refuse to sleep with his wife while his fellow soldiers were still in the trenches of battle.

Note verses 14-17, especially the last 6 words, “along with several other Israelite soldiers”.

Ever heard the military term, “collateral damage”?

Several Israeli families lost a loved one that day because of David’s sin.  Several wives suddenly became widows because of David’s poor choice.  Probably lots of children became orphans as a result of David’s decision.  Think of all the people affected….grieving, funerals, loss of income, the whole trajectory of their lives changed in a moment…..all because David wanted to cover up his mess.

I pray that each of us will consider the collateral damage that could result from our poor choices.  Selah.

Sir – while you’re looking at porn today, would you stop & think about the affect it may have later on your children……your wife…..your family?

Ma’am – before you entertain that flirtatious conversation with your office mate, would you stop to consider the possible collateral damage it could cause?

I’ve heard that secondhand smoke can be a cause of cancer just like taking in nicotine directly.  I wonder how many others we are damaging by our sin?

It sure made me think today.  I hope it will you, too.

If you didn’t make the Passover Seder last night, you missed it!

I hope you won’t miss the wonderful Celebration of the Resurrection – tonight at 6pm or tomorrow at 8, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.  We’re expecting BIG things from God!

Meanwhile, here’s the verse we’re memorizing this week:

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Rom 10:9 NLT

Amen? AMEN!

My Bible reading yesterday really got me thinking-

It was 2Samuel 5:1-2 that really grabbed me, and specifically the part about David being the one who “really led the forces of Israel” (even though Saul was king).

I’ve heard John Maxwell’s teaching about “positional” leadership being the lowest form of leadership – where people are only following you because your position requires it of them.  And Chris & I will also be sharing his teachings from the “360 Degree Leader” (how you can have influence no matter where you are on the organizational flow chart) next month when we meet with pastors and key leaders in Russia.

But that’s not where my mind went in 2Samuel 5:1-2.  I couldn’t help but wonder who is really leading me (or you)? In other words, we may say: “Jesus is my Lord”, but WHO is really in charge?  We may think that we’re under a certain pastor or ministry director, but are they really leading us?

To put it another way (and to quote John Maxwell again) – “if we’re thinking we’re leading, but no one is following, we’re just taking a walk” – so wouldn’t it also be true that if we’re not really following, then someone/something else is leading us?

WHO is really leading you? WHO are you truly following?

Apple?  Da Bulls?  The Almighty Dollar? Hollywood? Your boyfriend?  Your wife?  Your pastor?  Or Jesus?

Selah.

We’re just 8 days away from a wonderful EASTER celebration at CLC – hope you’re inviting friends and family to join you!

Meanwhile, here’s a verse to commit to memory this week – it’s the verse immediately after last week’s:

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”  Prov 3:6 NLT

We pastor’s sometimes say to each other, “now, that’ll preach!” – and this verse will!  More importantly, it will work when you’re unsure of which way to go.  Let’s get it in our heart & mind this week-

Here’s another great verse to put into practice, so hopefully memorizing will help us get it from our head to our actions:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Prov 3:5 NLT

Happy memorizing!

We’re already 3 months into our Scripture memorization – how are you doing?  I hope you’re finding that it’s worth the effort!

Here’s our verse for this week:

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh words stirs up anger.”  Prov 15:1 NKJV

Let’s PRACTICE that one this week – that’s even more important than memorizing!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted from my own devotions, but one morning this week I read the familiar story of Gideon, who happens to be one of my favorite Bible characters.

What jumped out at me was Judges 6:14, and here’s why:

• “Go with the strength you have” seems to be what God always wants, contrary to what I want.  I tend to think I need more strength when facing a difficult challenge.  God says I should use what I already have.  Sometimes I think I need someone else’s strength when facing an especially tough situation.  God says I should use the strength I have.  Selah.

• Lest you think this is an encouragement to take confidence in our flesh and try to do it all ourselves, if you read the verse again, I think God defined or clarified the ‘strength’ Gideon already had with these words, “I am sending you”. That is, the commission is the source of our strength.  As a pastor, I face stuff all the time that I don’t feel like I have the strength or the wisdom or the experience or the ability to handle (these past several weeks would be a prime example) – but according to the Lord, the strength I need to do what He’s called me to do is that HE is with me!

I don’t know if any of you needed that, but I sure did.

Love it when my Bible talks to me-

This weekend marks our 21st anniversary at CLC, and we’re celebrating with special guest, Tim Ross, from the Potter’s House in Dallas (Bishop T.D. Jakes). Sure hope you join us tomorrow in Tinley Park for the PAR-TAY!

Meanwhile, here’s the verse we’re memorizing together this week:

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Isa 26:3 NLT

We’re almost to double-digits on our way to hiding God’s Word in our heart, and you’re going to like this week’s verse for sure:

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  Heb 11:6 NLT

Are you hanging in there with us in memorizing Scripture?

Each week seems better than the week before!  Here’s the verse we’re committing to memory this week: Can I get a witness?

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.  Jonah 2:8 NIV

It’s already the 7th week since we began memorizing Scripture!  I hope you’re finding benefit from the verses you’ve already committed to memory.

Here’s our verse for this week, and it’s a great one to commit to life, not just memory:

The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.  Col 3:15 GNT

As our daily reading continued through the book of Numbers, I was particularly struck by the story of Balaam.  He reminds me too much of myself (and you!) Notice the similarities, and weep:

• Num. 22:9 (As soon as I read it, I could hear the echo of my pastor’s voice saying, “How many of you know that when God asks you a question, He’s not looking for information?)

• After that subtle warning, God was a little more direct in verse 12…..yet a few verses later, Balaam was still looking for a loophole!  No wonder verse 22 records God’s response.

• Then comes the hilarious-yet-sobering description of Balaam and his donkey in verses 21-33.  (As someone smarter than me has pointed out, it was quite a role reversal, as the donkey talked and the prophet ‘nayed’ in v. 30)

• The part that really jumped out at me, though, was verse 29, as I had to ask myself, “how many times have I let my wounded pride make me do things that I would never have done otherwise?”. Selah – wouldn’t it be better to look like a fool, than act like one? But then I thought about all the times I have stubbornly persisted in my own way, and I didn’t feel so critical of Balaam anymore.

Hope you’re getting as much out of Numbers as I am.  Any insights you want to share below?

Not numbers as in 1, 2, 3…..numbers as in the 4th book of the Old Testament, which is where our daily reading has been of late.

I’ve noticed some very interesting stuff that I seem to have forgotten from previous year’s readings – like:

• Numbers 16:2-3 tells the all-too-common story of a group who resisted/rejected God’s authority, while verse 4 reminded me of our recent lesson about humility.  But I had forgotten how foolishly people can act, as in Num. 16:12-14 and the danger of falling in with the wrong people, as in 16:19, when you hear how God responds in verses 20-21.  (Yikes!  Makes me wonder how I could ever fall into the same kind of trap!) In fact, after reading verse 32, I decided I don’t even want to stand near folks who aren’t walking under authority!

• The real mind-blower for me came a few chapters later, at how quickly we forget! Notice the attitude of the people in Num. 20:3 (I’m saying we shouldn’t even stand near ‘em, but these folks were identifying them as “brothers”!) No wonder Moses assumed his favorite position again in verse 6.

• Finally, I heard again the danger of impatience when I read Num. 21:4-5, which reminded me that my impatience leads to grumbling & complaining, which leads to stuff I’d rather not experience (verse 6).  Of course, I can’t close without noticing verses 8-9…..so simple, it sounds too good to be true……just like the grace of God for us.  Amazing!

How about you?  Are you hearing anything in Numbers?

How’s it going?  How many verses have you ‘hidden’ in your heart in 2011?

Here’s our verse for this week:
Great peace have those who love Your law,  And nothing causes them to stumble. Psa 119:165 NKJV

Haven’t posted from my devotions in a while…..(partially because Leviticus hasn’t been speaking to me!), but I heard the Lord loud and clear this week in Numbers 14, and specifically in verse 9.

What jumps out at me is the two exhortations that seem to be parallel:

• don’t rebel against the Lord
• don’t be afraid of the people

As I pondered that verse, it seems to me that whenever I’m afraid to do what God has told me (whether I’m fearing people, or imagined circumstances or future obstacles of any sort), I am rebelling against the Lord – since He obviously knew about the people, circumstances and obstacles when He gave me the instructions in the first place!

Selah.

Maybe this one is ‘just for me’, but in my time with the Lord, I’m concluding that IF I have a word from Him, I dare not let anything else interfere with my obedience, lest I be guilty of rebellion.  Could that be what ‘lordship’ is all about?

Does this resonate with you?  Anybody want to expand this thought or offer some examples?  If so, leave your comments below-

Here we go again; a new week and a new verse to learn:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10 NLT

happy memorizing!

I hope you’re still memorizing Scripture with me….I must admit, it’s challenging; but the rewards are great!

Here’s the verse for this week, and it’s a great truth:
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2Cor 1:20 NIV

The fast/feast is over, but my Bible is still talking to me!

A few days ago I was reading the prescribed chapters for that day in our daily reading chart when I couldn’t help but notice a repetitive phrase.  Actually to call it ‘repetitive’ is an understatement, because 15 times in 2 chapters it appears.

I’m talking about Exodus 39:1, 7, 21, 26, 31, 32, 43 and 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32 where 15 times we’re told that they did “just as the Lord had commanded Moses”.

That’s significant just because the Holy Spirit inspired those words to be repeated so many times (2Tim 3:16; 2Pet. 1:20-21).

But it’s even more significant in light of what came next, after God’s people carefully obeyed everything He commanded them: Exodus 40:34-35.

If we want to experience the glorious Presence of the Lord (and I do!), then it sounds like we need to do everything just as the Lord has commanded.

Selah.

How are you doing so far with our Scripture-memorizing project?  Whether you’re in for one per week, or one per month, there’s a great benefit from hiding God’s Word in our heart!

Here’s the verse for this next week:

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.   Phil 4:19 NKJV

In case you’re interested, our previous verses were:

week one:  Romans 8:28

week two: Philippians 2:13

Happy memorizing!

We did it….we made it to the last day of our fast!  (If you stumbled somewhere along the way, don’t beat yourself up – God honors EVERY sacrifice we make for Him, and I’m thankful that you joined us in unity with some sort of fast!)

What has God done for you during this time?  Have you truly feasted on the things of God?  Do you sense that you’re closer to Him now than when we began? I’d love to hear from you, either in the ‘comments’ below, or perhaps by sharing tonight in our Encounter service (5pm at the Tinley Park campus; check with your campus pastor for your schedule)

Here’s my final thought from my S.O.A.P. time:

I’ve been calling it ‘perseverance’; Jesus calls it ‘faith’!

That’s the conclusion I came to after reading the familiar story in Matthew 15:21-28.  Imagine:

• she was ignored (not even a word in response to her request)

• then she was said to be a nuisance (she’s ‘bothering’ us)

• next she was flatly refused (I wasn’t sent to Gentiles)

• finally, she was insulted (called a ‘dog’)

Yet in spite of all of that, she kept coming back…..and worshiped as she came!  She even agreed with Jesus about not giving children’s bread to dogs – yet she was still expecting!  That’s when He said, “Woman, your faith is great!”

I would have said, “you are persistent” OR “you are so determined” OR “you just don’t give up, do you” - but Jesus looked through her actions and saw faith!

This fast has caused me to think about perseverance a lot – but it’s ending with a new understanding that it’s not just perseverance; it’s faith that will be rewarded if I don’t give up!

I hope you’ll share some of the things you’re hearing from the Lord below-

How’d you do this week with Romans 8:28?

Here’s our new verse for this next week: Philippians 2:13, which says:

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Happy memorizing!

We’re in the final days of our fast, and I’m pressing in even more – hope you are, too – so we can finish strong!

Here are some random things that stood out to me in my Bible reading lately:

• Exodus 12:38 – had you ever noticed that many non-Israelites went with them when they left Egypt?  I pray that our lives could be so attractive that non-believers would want to ‘go with us’!

• Exodus 16:16-20 – the translation I’m using even adds, “of course” in verse 20, “But, of course, some of them didn’t listen…”. The ‘of course’ rings true in my experience, but I still wonder, why?  Why is it that we often just don’t listen to what God has said? Notice verses 26-27 of the same chapter, where they didn’t listen again (gotta wonder if it was the same people!). And again, in Exodus 17:2, where my Bible says, “once more the people grumbled and complained…”.

All in all, it’s not a flattering picture of our human nature: we grumble; we complain; we don’t do what God tells us; we do what He tells us not to do.  But all of it reminds me of 2 wonderful truths:

1.  We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10) – not because of what we do, but in spite of it!

2.  As we deny our fleshly nature (like fasting!), we can become more like Him, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight! (1John 3:22)

As this fast draws to a close, I don’t want to revert to living according to my human nature, but I DO want to please Him more and more!  (And that makes me think the fast is working!) It’s also the subject of our memory verse for this next week, Phil. 2:13.

Anything the Lord is speaking to you that you can share with us below?

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

God said something to Pharaoh (of all people) that really struck me this week: Exodus 9:15-16

Now, it’s certainly true of you & me, as He said to Pharaoh, “I could have killed you by now” – after all, He is God who gives all of us life & breath. And I’m sure it’s good for us to remember that, especially since we sometimes think we’re immortal.  But that’s not what got my attention today.

What got my attention was the second statement: “I have let you live for this reason — that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the earth.”

So, without stretching Scripture too far out of context, I’ve concluded that I’m still alive on this earth for two good reasons – (1) to see God’s power at work in my life (so I can be a witness), and (2) to make Jesus famous!

As I was typing this post, my wife gave me the news of two long-time pastor friends, one of whom had been diagnosed with cancer and the other who just suffered a heart attack – both of whom don’t have a good prognosis – and it was just another reminder that my days on earth are limited.  (By the way, regardless of your age or health, so are yours).

But I want to spend the rest of my days seeing God’s power and making Jesus famous!

Selah.

I hope you’ll share something the Lord is showing you during this ‘feast’ – it will encourage others-

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

Still feasting? Boy, I am – S.O.A.P. is really helping me get more out of my Bible reading these days!

This time it started with God repeatedly saying (in the translation I’m using), “you can be sure…”:

Exodus 3:7-8 – “you can be sure…”

• I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt
• I have heard their cries for deliverance
• I am aware of their suffering
• SO I have come to rescue them and lead them out!

Exodus 3:16-17 – “you can be sure…”

• I am watching over you
• I have seen what is happening to you
• I PROMISE to rescue you from the oppression
• I WILL lead you to the land

Exodus 6:5-8 – “you can be sure…”

• I have heard the groans of the people of Israel
• I have remembered my covenant with them
• THEREFORE, I will free you from your slavery
• I WILL redeem you with mighty power
• I WILL make you my own special people
• I WILL be your God
• I WILL bring you into the land

I don’t know what all of that does for you, but I know what it did for the Israelites in Exodus 4:31, (in the translation I’m using), “And when they realized that the Lord had seen their misery and was deeply concerned for them, they all bowed their heads and worshiped.”

That’s what I’m doing today, too.

Anything the Lord is showing you that you’d like to share below, to encourage others?

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

Jesus spoke to me today.

Well, it was out of His written Word….but it might as well have been in person.

What He said is found in Matthew 13:10-17.  What really stood out to me was the part about “they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand” (v13)

Gulp.

That could me.

Or you.

Or both of us.

I know I don’t want to be guilty, and I doubt you do either.

So what’s the solution.  How can we insure that when we look, we really see & when we hear, we really listen and understand?

The reason for this condition, according to Jesus, is verse 15 (note the connecting word, ‘for‘) – a hardened heart.

I can’t take the time in this post to prove it, but let me tell you that my previous study indicates that a ‘hardened heart’ in Scripture is a synonym for ‘forgetting what God has done for you’.  When we fail to remember what He’s done for us in the past, the Bible says our heart is hard.

So the answer, at least in my part, is for me to be thankful for what God has already done, which keeps my heart tender and open so that I really hear and I really see and understand.

What past blessings are you thankful for today?  Would you mind sharing with us below, to encourage others today-

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

This really is my final observation from the life of Joseph, I promise.  (but I’m still feasting!)

Notice Genesis 50:14-18 and then think about what you read.

The reason it stood out to me is how like us Joseph’s brothers were.  Even though Joseph had told them repeatedly that it was not them that sent him into slavery, but GOD, who sent him ahead to preserve their lives – making it obvious that he had forgiven them and only wanted to bless them……they still had a ‘relapse’ and got into fear that caused them to beg for his forgiveness and identify themselves as his slaves rather than his brothers.

Does that sound like anyone you know?  (Maybe even the person who looked at you in the mirror this morning?)

Notice Joseph’s response in Gen. 50:19-21.  As Joseph is what theologians call a ‘type’ of Jesus Christ, I hope you’ll hear the Lord in those verses, saying “Don’t be afraid of me.  I will take care of you”.  For sure, if you hear HIM, He is still speaking “very kindly”, “reassuring” us!

He doesn’t even chastise us for needing the reassurance.  But how much better for us to walk in the confidence that He has already forgiven us for ALL our sins, and that His will for us is good (see Jeremiah 29:11).  Don’t doubt it.  Don’t be afraid.  Walk in the sure knowledge of forgiveness today!

What is the Lord showing you during your times in the Word?  Please share with us, to encourage others-

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

We’ve entered the final week of our fast…..are you thankful? I hope it’s not just ‘glad it’s almost over’, but that you’re also thankful for what this time of feasting is doing for your spiritual growth!

Genesis 48:15 stood out in my reading recently – really, just a phrase, “the God who has been my shepherd all my life”.

As I reflected, I can say that with Jacob, and I’ll bet you can, too – if you really think about it.

He has watched over me, even when I wasn’t aware He was watching.  He has provided for me in countless ways – some small & some large – sometimes in natural ways and sometimes in supernatural ways.  But He’s always been faithful.

Say it with me: “the Lord is my shepherd.  I shall not want.”

And He’s been MY shepherd all my life – even before I knew Him, He was caring for me.  Can you look back and see how He was watching over your life, even before you were born-again?

Finally, the wonderful truth is that He’s NOT going to stop now.  Feast today on the knowledge that your Shepherd is still watching over you, today and every day.

What is the Lord showing you during this feast?  Please share it with us below-

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

I spoke too soon.  I did get more from the story of Joseph.  (If you haven’t guessed, I’m using my blog to record my own S.O.A.P. time during this fast – hope you’re finding similar benefits by observing & applying Scripture as well!)

Here’s what stood out to me today – Genesis 47:18-26, and particularly the perspective of the Egyptians in verse 25.  Here’s why:

• I don’t think any of us like paying higher taxes.  When our state recently approved a 67% increase, I grumbled about it (like a lot of other folks)

• All my life, I’ve heard some Christians object to tithing on various grounds (“it’s Old Testament”; “we’re under grace”; “we can’t afford to tithe”; etc, etc, etc).

• But these Egyptians, when faced with a 20% deduction of their gross income, exclaimed, “You have saved our lives!  May it please you, sir, to let us be Pharaoh’s servants”

It seems to me that the difference between complaining or trying to find a loophole, or being thankful for the privilege is all a matter of perspective.  The Egyptians knew that they were die without Joseph’s plan.  Do we think we can make it without God’s plan for our lives?

As we worship today, I’m going to be extra-thankful for the privilege of honoring God with the first tenth of my income.  Selah.

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

OK, this should be my last post from the life of Joseph – I’ve really been feasting there this week!  (By the way, don’t you love Genesis 45:24 where he called after his brothers when they left to go get their father, ‘Don’t quarrel along the way!’ – love how Scripture paints the whole picture like that – sounds just like something I’d do!)

But for today’s devotional, I was really impressed by the fact that when Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, after 13 years of slavery, including several in a prison, he told his brothers, not once or twice, but four times that it really wasn’t them, but GOD who had sent him to Egypt (Gen. 45:5, 7, 8 – the translation I’m reading says it twice in verse 5, “God did it.  He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.”)

Repetition is one of God’s ways to get our attention.  I wonder if He’s saying to us today that the circumstances that we find ourselves in, even the ones we don’t understand, are all part of His plan for our lives, ala Romans 8:28.  If we believe that, it will explain a lot of the unexplainable events in our lives – God is simply working some things out that will ultimately be for my good – and for the good of others!

In fact, (drumroll, please) I want to reinforce that by making Romans 8:28 our first memory verse for those of you who will be memorizing Scripture with me this year.

We’ll put it on our webpage today as well, and it will remain there until next Saturday when we receive the next verse of the week – here it is again, printed out for you:

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

Still feasting on the life of Joseph in Genesis!  Here’s what jumped out at me this time: Genesis 44:16, particularly when Judah exclaimed to Joseph, “God is punishing us for our sins.”

Have you ever felt that way?

I hope not.  But I suspect so.  Here’s the New Testament truth about that commonly-held idea: God is NOT punishing you for your sins! Scripture is very clear that He DID punish Jesus for your sins – and Jesus took ALL of that on your behalf! (Psalm 103:9-11; Col. 2:12-14; Heb 9:27-28; 1Pet. 3:18)

I recently heard a new angle on John 12:32 – when Jesus said that if he was lifted up on the cross, he would draw all men unto himself – the word ‘men’ is in italics in the KJV, which signifies that the word was not in the original manuscript, but the translators provided it to try to clarify the meaning.  Andrew Wommack said he thinks it was missing for a reason – that Jesus was actually saying he would draw all judgment to himself, since that was the topic at hand.  Whether that interpretation of the verse is valid or not, I can’t say – but this much I know – the principle is true: Jesus took ALL of God’s judgment on our behalf at the Cross!

I hope you’ll feast today on the knowledge that God is not punishing you for your sins – now or ever, if you place your trust in Jesus as your Savior!  As the old hymn said, Jesus paid it all!

What truth is the Lord showing you during this fast?  Please share with us below-

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

Today is the half-way point in our fast, and I really am feasting on the story of Joseph this week (hope you’re reading thru the Bible with me this year!). In my reading yesterday, Gen. 42:21 really stood out and the translation I’m using was even more graphic: “We saw his terror and anguish and heard his pleadings…”.  Keep in mind this had happened 20 years earlier, but it was still uppermost in their memories.

As I reflected on those words, it occurred to me how short-sighted we often are – especially when we’re going thru hard times.  My encouragement today is just this: IT’S NOT OVER! In Joseph’s case, it would be 13 years of difficulty – serving as a slave, being lied about, locked-up as a prisoner, forgotten – but eventually, God brought him to a high place of honor, just as He had promised.  Why do we (I) sometimes think that it will be any different for us?

Bishop T.D. Jakes once told a huge crowd of pastors who had gathered for a minister’s conference at his church, as they admired the overflowing parking lots, the beauty of the sanctuary and the thousands of worshippers gathered at The Potter’s House, “you see the glory, but you don’t know the story!”

I hope the next time I’m dealing with setbacks or heartache or difficulties that I won’t be so short-sighted, but that I can realize, this is just part of the story on my way to the glory!

A few verses later in the same chapter, Jacob cried out in Gen. 42:36, “everything is going against me”…but it wasn’t.  It was actually the beginning stages of God restoring his favorite son to him, AND preserving the life of his entire family (and the nation of Israel).  But in the moment, he couldn’t see that it was just part of the story on his way to the glory.

Selah.

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

Something else that stood out to me in my devotions on Monday – it’s actually a re-occurring ‘theme’ that I’ve been noticing, perhaps for the first time, in my reading this year, and it came up again yesterday.  Please notice Matthew 11:25-26 and 12:18.

The reoccurring theme has to do with pleasing God and it stood out to me in Gen. 8:21, Gen. 39:3-5, and Gen. 33:10 (my translation says “it’s like seeing the smile of God!”. Of course, that idea is also found in the Aaronic blessing that I speak over CLC every Sunday (I use the NKJV wording, but the NLT for Numbers 6:25 has it)

I think this time of fasting is working this in me, but I want to put a smile on God’s face! And the verses from Monday’s devotion says one of the things that pleases Him is revealing truth to the childlike. Children can put a smile on your face when nothing else can!

Let’s be childlike today, in His Presence.  Let’s put a smile on God’s face by pleasing Him as we continue ‘feasting’ on the things of God!

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

I was blown-away yesterday as I looked through the Connection cards from Sunday and saw how many CLCers accepted the challenge to grow in the Word by reading & meditating & memorizing & praying – I’m prophesying that this will do more to help us GROW spiritually than all the conferences or revival services we’ve ever had! Thank you for getting into the Word daily!

In my devotional time yesterday, I was struck by the concept of favor with man, as these verses stood out to me: Genesis 39:2-4, 6, 21, 23 and 41:38-41.  Notice, it was his relationship/favor with God that was so obvious that it gave him favor with people!

I’m hungry for the meats & sweets I’m doing without on this fast, but when I read those verses today, I became even more hungry for my relationship with the Lord to be obvious to people around me. I want FAVOR with people that results directly from my favor with God – don’t you?

I pray that you’ll grow closer to Him today……and that it will show to those around you.

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

Boy, am I getting tired of fruits & veggies only. Ok, just had to vent for a moment.  What I’m NOT tired of is hearing from the Lord and feasting on the things of God during this 21-day season.

In my devotions this weekend, a few things stood out for me:

• In Genesis 37:2,4 I noticed another reason why Joseph’s brothers hated him – he was a tattler. Now, I know Joseph was an incredible young man in Scripture, with no mention of faults or failings – but I’d never seen this before.  (I don’t know that there’s a deep spiritual truth here, but I do know that no one likes others to ‘tattle’ – so take that for whatever it’s worth!)

• More importantly, in Genesis 35:11-12 I noticed that God told Jacob again what He had promised before – having made the same promise repeatedly to his grandfather (Gen. 12:7; Gen. 17:8) and to his father (Gen. 26:3) before him.  At first I wondered why God would repeat Himself like that…..but then I concluded that (1) He wants the promise to be personal with each of us; and (2) that He knows how often our faith wanes, so He reminds us of His promises in order to help us persevere to receive them.

I’m curious: has God reminded you of any promises during this ‘feast’? If so, would you be willing to share them below, so we can all take courage together?

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

I think being in church today will make the fasting easier.  Amazing how addicted we can get to certain foods, isn’t it?

Genesis 32:11-12 really stood out in my devotions this week, and I believe it will help someone reading this.  Did you notice that Jacob said, “I am afraid…”, and then, in the very next breath, “but you promised me…”!

That’s the real deal.  Sometimes we are afraid.  Even as believers.  We may fear job loss, or cancer, or any number of other issues.  That’s ok, momentarily.  But instead of dwelling on what it is that we fear, let’s make sure our second thought is, “but you promised me”! The promises of God are more important than our fears.  His promises are BIGGER than our fears.

How ’bout this: what if, the next time fear whispers to you, you find a promise in God’s Word to silence it? That’s another one of the benefits of growing in the Word, which is/was our topic today at every CLC campus.  The more of His Word we get into our heart, the more equipped we are to handle the fears that come our way.

Does this help?  Why not share below what the Lord is doing in you during this fast?

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

Is it getting easier for you? I hope so.  More importantly, I hope you’re finding what the Awake 21 guide calls, your fasting “zone”.  I’d never heard that term before, but on my day off work this week, I ate in a way that ‘legally’ complied with a Daniel fast, but I sensed later that it wasn’t good for me – it did seem to get me ‘out of my zone’.  Lesson learned!

Yesterday in my devotions, I was struck by the wording of Genesis 31:42 in the translation I’m using, where Jacob told his father-in-law, “except for the grace of God – the God of my grandfather Abraham, the awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac – you would have sent me off without a penny to my name. Later in verse 53 we’re told he took an oath “before the awesome God of his father”.

We use the word ‘awesome’ so much these days that we’ve diluted it’s actual meaning, which is to “inspire awe” and awe is defined as “an overwhelming feeling of wonder”. Selah.

When was the last time you were overwhelmed with a sense of wonder at God’s goodness to you?  Or awed by something He did?

More importantly, as we are feasting on the things of God during this fast, can we pray for eyes & ears to see & hear just how awesome He truly is, not in the everyday use of the word, but in the true awe-inspiring reality of seeing Him work in our lives.  No more of the mundane, ho-hum, take-for-granted routine I sometimes slip into.  I want to be blown-away, mouth-wide-open, eyes big in my relationship with Him!

How about you?

P.S.  Don’t dare miss this Sunday at any CLC campus – we’re going to demonstrate one way we can GROW!

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

I shared this Wednesday night in that awesome prayer gathering in Tinley Park (still can’t get over the attendance AND the anointing that was released!), but perhaps it will still be encouraging as you begin the 5th day of our fast:

• Genesis 28:13-15 is what God said to Jacob in a dream – notice the seven times God said, “I WILL”. Why should it ever be difficult for us to think He’ll do good for us, too?  Let’s accept the fact that we, just like Jacob, are walking in His favor, and He will do for us everything He has promised!  Feast on that today!

• Matthew 8:13 reveals a principle of Scripture: what we believe, happens!

Put those two passages together (as was my devotional reading one day this week), and it seems to me that when we believe God’s promises and His favor upon our lives, it happens! (The promises are fulfilled and we walk in favor!)

Selah.

Happy feasting Friday-

P.S.  Don’t dare miss this Sunday at any CLC campus – we’re going to demonstrate one way we can GROW!

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

The worst is over!

At least in my experience with a ‘normal’ Biblical fast (meaning no food at all, just water), the first 3 days are always the most difficult in terms of headaches, fatigue, etc., as our body de-toxes.  Honestly, as I’ve been doing a combination of juices and Daniel fast this week, I’m not experiencing much of any of that, and I definitely have the energy that was sometimes lacking in normal fasting.  All I’m trying to say is, ‘congratulations – you’ve made it through the most difficult part and it gets better from here!’

In my devotional time this week, the Lord spoke to me from Matthew 17:21, as the translation I’m using read, “Not all people who sound religious are really godly.”

That made me think: you can be religious or you can be godly, but they’re not the same thing.

What do you want from your fasting today?  For that matter, what do you want from these 21 days of fasting? I’m not interested in fasting for ‘religious’ purposes, but I’m sincerely wanting to become more ‘godly’ as a result of this fast.

How about you?

Let’s allow our time together with the Lord to make us a little bit more like Him…..a little bit more godly today.  (see 2Cor 3:17-18)

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.

It’s only the 3rd day of our fast, but I want to encourage you to persevere. As I was reading in my devotional time yesterday, I noticed (for the first time ever) that Isaac was married for 20 years before his sons were born (Gen. 25:20, 26).

The reason that stood out to me is because Gen. 25:21 makes it clear that those twin boys were a direct result of Isaac’s prayers – but I can’t believe that he waited 19 years after marriage to start praying.  Although Scripture doesn’t tell us when he first began pleading with the Lord, I’ve got to believe he had been praying for 8 or 10 or 15 years for his wife to conceive.  Persevere!

I also sensed that God is speaking to us (at CLC-TP, at least) about conceiving during this fast.  It was more than a coincidence that Pastor Jim (for no apparent reason) talked about it Sunday morning, and Chris sensed on her way to church that the Lord was going to answer prayer for married couples who want to have children (we’re going to pray for them specifically during our Prayer Gathering tomorrow night), and then in my devotions I’m drawn to this story from the life of Isaac.  Here’s what I’m believing: some things are going to be ‘conceived’ in us during this fast that will be ‘birthed’ later this year!

Does that ring true with what you’re hearing from the Lord?  What are YOU praying would be birthed in you this year? Leave a comment below about your experience thus far, as together we ‘feast’ on the things of God-

If you’re in the Tinley Park area, don’t forget tonight’s special Prayer Gathering at 7:30pm!

To read a devotional from Awake21, click here.