Hey Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’ve been so encouraged to hear about God’s work in His people so far during this fast.  Sins are being brought into the light, burdens are being given over to Jesus, hard hearts are being softened, steps of obedience are happening… our God is purifying His people.  Let’s keep seeking our Savior!

 Jesus has been speaking to me about the purpose of our season of fasting.  While it’s good to deny ourselves and intentionally pursue God more than we normally would during the fast – just doing that is not all God wants.  The aim of fasting is to establish, through daily habits of seeking God, a closeness with Jesus that continues long after fasting is done.  Fasting is a tool to transform the rest of my life.

One of my goals this fast was to re-establish the practice of prayer journaling, a tool God has used greatly to help me grow in Him.  Through the fast, He is showing me that instead of “fitting it in sometime” I need to start my day in the Word, prayer and journaling because that is the pattern to keep after the fast.  My wife and I are looking for more time to pray and grow in spiritual oneness.  During the fast we’re trying to find the time that can be sustained during “normal life”.  Still working on that, and trusting God to establish in our marriage a grace-filled discipline of seeking the Lord together.

Psalm 40:6-8 speaks to what God is after in His children. 
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offering you did not require.  Then I said, “Here I am, I have come – it is written about in the scroll.   I desire to do your will, O my God;  your law is within my heart.” 

More than sacrifice and offerings (season of fasting), God desires servants who have His life-giving law within their hearts and desire nothing more than to continually do His will. 

May God bless your season of fasting by establishing in you holy desires and freeing habits of doing His will continually.

Seeking Jesus with you

- Luke