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The Appetite

 Today is day 2 of our monthly fast, and we're continuing our study of  nutrition  in relation to our spiritual walk. We began with a nutritional assessment of our spiritual journey. And with that knowledge let's address the core of our not so nutritionally dense choices.  For example let's think about physical nutrition for a moment. All foods are permissible, in that the body is capable of digesting different foods. Yet not all foods are nutritiously dense and beneficial to our overall health. Some foods are recommended for daily consumption, others we should have on occasion and some foods omission is best all together. Now let's jump back into the spiritual sphere. Consider some of your main desires, coping mechanisms or things you have noticed you gravitate to in times of despair, crisis, frustration and the like. Would you consider them nutritiously dense. As in are these choices helping to pattern you after the heart of God? Our appetites will always deceive u...
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What am I consuming?

Today is day 1 of our monthly fast, and next month's theme is nutrition. Nutrition plays a vital role in the cellular energy of every human being and is essential to the bodies functionality and living an optimal life. This knowledge then begs the question of how can someone apply this physical concept of nutrition in a spiritual sense. To begin the same way nutrition is the source of energy for each human, the Word of God is our spiritual nutritional source. 1 Peter 2:2 reads  "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." Consider the dependency of a newborn child. They expect every need to be supplied by their parent. Their only responsibility is to consume milk that they may grow.  The Word of  God is a vital component in our spiritual growth and development. Even in the midst of difficulty it should inform our heart posture. Job in the midst of his despair said " I have not departed f...
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 Today is day 3 of our fast and we're concluding our study of next month's theme  intentional. Yesterday we focused on reframing our thoughts about God and His will for our lives. Today let us center in on the importance of routine when living intentionally. Routines are a major part of our day whether we enjoy them or not. From going to work, cooking a meal, taking a shower, driving, shopping, etc. A routine is essential to maintaining a structured intentional life.  Throughout scripture we see the people of God follow certain routines. Primarily in the Old Testament there were times of fasting, prayer, and gathering that the Israelites observed. The observation of these spiritual disciplines are integral to living intentional lives that honor God.  In the book of Daniel, we read that Daniel kept his established routine with God even when he knew it could potentially cost him his life. The king during this time enforced a statute that was instigated by the satraps t...
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Intentional Reframe

 Today is day 2 of our monthly fast. Yesterday we focused on growing in our knowledge of God. Today let us focus on allowing the Word of God to inform our perspective of Him in place of our own preconceived notions.  The book of Jonah exemplifies a man in disagreement with the plan of God. God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and preach against it for they were walking in sin. Jonah inst ead " ran  away from the  Lord  and headed for Tarshish . He went down to Joppa,  where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the  Lord ." (Jonah 1:2) This seems intense. God gives a command and instead of obeying, Jonah runs away because He does not agree with the plan of God . Maybe we don't run from God physically, but how often do we respond to God out of our misconceived perception, and ultimately operate in disobedience.  Jonah got swallowed by a fish, and spent 3 days in the belly of the f...
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Knowledge Rooted In Pursuit

Today is day 1 of our monthly fast and next month's theme is  intentional . Being intentional means to approach a task or experience on purpose . There is thought and planning that proceeds action when we operate intentionally. Many people can attest to desiring intention in relationships. When intention is exemplified and received by the recipient it denotes their value to the giver.  As believers we are called to intentionally pursue God. Our pursuit of God is imperative to our spiritual sustainability and it anchors our hope and joy in Him. As a result of pursuit we become more knowledgeable about our Heavenly Father, our faith is actualized and our hope is anchored in Him.  The book of Hosea is written to exemplify the relationship God desired with His people Israel who constantly went astray and committed idolatry,  "for  the land commits flagrant harlotry,  forsaking the  Lord ."  (Hosea 1:2) Important to note that Israel often fulfilled the...
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What Makes It Sustainable

 Today is day 3 of our monthly fast, and we're concluding our study on listen. We began with a posture of repentance, and made the distinction between hearing and actually listening. Let's explore the importance of sustainability in our walk with the Lord. If you have grown up in church, or attended church for some time, you have been privy to many messages about the truth of God, His goodness, grace, mercy and redemptive power. And these are all very compelling facts about God that should propagate actionable change and surrender in the lives of his children.  But what happens when what we hear or rather listen to does not change our course of action? If we can challenge ourselves to discover the root of our lack of desire, or intention towards God, we can begin the heart change that is imperative to serving Him in Spirit and Truth.    “Hear then the parable of the sower.     When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it,...
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Hearing versus Listening

 Today is day 2 of our monthly fast, and we're continuing our study of listen .  I've heard it said that there is a difference between hearing and listening. Both include the ear, but one compels action or retrieval of information for a later time.  Are you a good listener? How do you measure your listening skills? Is it measured through your ability to carry out an action or your ability to repeat what was communicated to you? As we look through scripture there is evidence of both. Scripture denotes listening to God is evidenced by our obedience.   Isaiah prayed " For from days of old   they have not heard or perceived by ear, n or has the eye seen a God besides You, w ho acts in behalf of the one who  waits for Him."(Isaiah 64: 4) In the above passage Isaiah distinguishes between hearing and perception. This is important, for "perceived by the ear" in Hebrew is azan which means to hear, listen, to be obedient, harken . Isaiah is essentially say...
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