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As we continue our season of fasting together, I want to remind us of God’s purpose for us through fasting. Listen to Jesus’ words in Mark 7:15: “Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. If anyone has an ear to hear, he should listen!” In verses 20-23, Jesus continues to explain this mystery to His disciples by saying: “…What comes out of a person - that defiles him. For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, lewdness, stinginess, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

In our text today, the core problem of defilement is defined as what resides in the heart (things that come out), not things going into a person. Throughout Scripture, the heart refers to the center of one’s being, including the mind, emotions and will.

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."  Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.  So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.” - Acts 13:1-4  

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”  -1 Peter 4:7

I don’t know about you, but for me the pronouncement “the end is near” conjures up images of men with hand-lettered posters and megaphones emitting doomsday announcements from vans littered with judgment-themed Scripture verses slowly rolling down the street.  To be honest, it’s not my favorite Gospel-themed message.  Come to think of it, is it even Good News?

Introduction

A rich relationship with God necessitates a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness for all He is, has done, and is continually doing.  Every time a Christian sets aside time to pray and meditate on the Scriptures, thanksgiving needs to be part of the conversation with our amazing God.

Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.



https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-a-thankful-heart-and-a

Do you desire to be strong in God and His transformative power?  To live a godly life, persevering in your devotion to Christ?  To hear from God and to abide in Him fully?

Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.



https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-seeking-god-day-and-night

As American Christians, we recognize that even though it doesn't earn us salvation, time spent in prayer and Bible engagement is important for our spiritual strengthening and vitality.  I remember, as a young Christian, being encouraged to spend dedicated time every day in Bible reading and prayer, in addition to praying as I go about my day.  Some would even say these dedicated times are essential to maintaining a close walk with God and fulfilling His purposes.

We have all experienced the feeling of being lulled gently into an afternoon “food coma,” perhaps following the consumption of one too many Chipotle burritos. The experience itself might be thought a pleasant one—were it not for the person sitting across the table from you, now wondering just how closely you are listening to their story as your head bobs, eyelids closed.

Likewise, we have presumably all experienced not only such times of physical lethargy but also times of spiritual slumber: our view of God is hazy, and we’ve become desensitized to the movement of His Spirit. Not surprisingly, this is an issue we repeatedly find addressed in the pages of the New Testament.

What does it feel like to bite into a BLT sandwich? Or to craft a snowball with your bare hands? Or to cut your toe nails? In each case, it feels a certain way.

Okay, so what does it feel like to be a Christian, a follower of Christ? This, too, feels a certain way. Actually, it feels a lot of different ways at different times. But no doubt one of those ways is this: it feels like a struggle.

“…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” - Philemon 1:6

Fasting is a time of humbling ourselves before the Lord so that we might behold Him in His glory and satisfy our spiritual hunger instead of our physical one.  In the absence of the richness of food, fasting gives us greater understanding of the richness we have in Christ.  In the midst of fasting, perhaps sharing your faith is not the first thing that comes to mind as a means of greater intimacy with Christ, yet Paul includes this discipline as a means of gaining the “full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.”  There are a number of ways that sharing our faith can provide us with a greater understanding of our riches in Christ, just as fasting can do.