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The most recent articles, videos, blog entries, and more that have been added to ChristianUnion.org.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
One of my husband’s college friends posted on Facebook: “Does anyone in the D.C. area have a suit I can borrow, I am going to a meeting with President Obama.” We assumed he found one, even one that fit, because the next Facebook post was a picture with him and the President. We are a casual society; whether going to the opera in jeans or showing up to class in sweatpants, we don’t think our clothes represent our respect for a person or institution. But does the casual nature of our society influence our approach toward God?
In Exodus 19, the Israelites have been brought out of slavery and have come to Mount Sinai to worship and meet with their Deliverer. Verses 10-13 give instructions for this meeting: Moses is to consecrate the people, then they are to wash their garments and wait three days. Peter Enns explains consecration throughout Exodus is the “act of setting apart for special service to God. This fits well with the notion of Israel’s being a ‘holy nation’ and ‘kingdom of priests’ (19:6): They are set apart for God’s service.” They are about to meet the King of angel armies, something no other nation has ever done, and it’s clear preparation is involved. It is not a casual meeting, but a meeting with gravitas. They are to prepare themselves and wait until the King is ready to receive them.
In Exodus 19, the Israelites have been brought out of slavery and have come to Mount Sinai to worship and meet with their Deliverer. Verses 10-13 give instructions for this meeting: Moses is to consecrate the people, then they are to wash their garments and wait three days. Peter Enns explains consecration throughout Exodus is the “act of setting apart for special service to God. This fits well with the notion of Israel’s being a ‘holy nation’ and ‘kingdom of priests’ (19:6): They are set apart for God’s service.” They are about to meet the King of angel armies, something no other nation has ever done, and it’s clear preparation is involved. It is not a casual meeting, but a meeting with gravitas. They are to prepare themselves and wait until the King is ready to receive them.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Overview
Athens in Paul’s time was no longer a politically important city. Greece had given way to Rome, and its political influence had declined through the centuries. It was, however, still the intellectual center of the world. This city was heir to the great philosophers who set the standards and patterns of thought: Socrates, Plato, Epicurus, and Pericles.
After hearing about Athens all his life Paul, the academic and now the apostle, is finally there -- a city intellectually and culturally sophisticated but morally decadent and spiritually dead -- in spite of having, according to some accounts, up to 30,000 statues of gods. No wonder they had a statue to “the unknown god!”
Athens in Paul’s time was no longer a politically important city. Greece had given way to Rome, and its political influence had declined through the centuries. It was, however, still the intellectual center of the world. This city was heir to the great philosophers who set the standards and patterns of thought: Socrates, Plato, Epicurus, and Pericles.
After hearing about Athens all his life Paul, the academic and now the apostle, is finally there -- a city intellectually and culturally sophisticated but morally decadent and spiritually dead -- in spite of having, according to some accounts, up to 30,000 statues of gods. No wonder they had a statue to “the unknown god!”
Day Fourteen - Morning Devotional
At Christian Union, prayer is the leading edge of our work. It is the linchpin of “a seeking God lifestyle,” a rhythm of life that includes fasting, reading the Scriptures, and gathering with others to do the same. Today, I draw our attention to another of these principles: perseverance. God’s desire is to reward those who seek Him day after day, week after week, and in all seasons of life (Luke 11:1-13, 18:1-8; Hebrews 11:6).
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-persevere-in-exile-protim
However, if we are honest, our prayers are episodic and perseverance can feel far from us. After all, our culture conditions us to detest it. It reminds us that “on demand” and “same-day shipping” aren’t merely consumer preferences, but taglines for our entire way of life. After all, anything worth having is worth having immediately…without perseverance.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-persevere-in-exile-protim
However, if we are honest, our prayers are episodic and perseverance can feel far from us. After all, our culture conditions us to detest it. It reminds us that “on demand” and “same-day shipping” aren’t merely consumer preferences, but taglines for our entire way of life. After all, anything worth having is worth having immediately…without perseverance.
So, the problem is obvious. A lifestyle of frequent and fervent prayer is not an easy endeavor, yet everything around us tells us that it ought to be.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days…’” - Luke 5:34
If we have never experienced what typically are the collective symptoms diagnosable as an eating disorder, then at the very least, we have certainly experienced the effects of being in a culture that is preoccupied with food, body image, and control. Within Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard College, when a student takes the initiative to call a fast, it’s become quite common for a fellow student or two to inquire whether fasting is a good idea for them, considering they formerly struggled, or now occasionally or regularly struggle with a preoccupation with food. These students genuinely want to experience God through fasting but feel that their motives are “tainted” or that fasting might trigger the urge to engage in further maladaptive restrictions. There is no one-size-fits all solution to this very real struggle, but, often, I’ll direct the student to the point of fasting.
If we have never experienced what typically are the collective symptoms diagnosable as an eating disorder, then at the very least, we have certainly experienced the effects of being in a culture that is preoccupied with food, body image, and control. Within Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard College, when a student takes the initiative to call a fast, it’s become quite common for a fellow student or two to inquire whether fasting is a good idea for them, considering they formerly struggled, or now occasionally or regularly struggle with a preoccupation with food. These students genuinely want to experience God through fasting but feel that their motives are “tainted” or that fasting might trigger the urge to engage in further maladaptive restrictions. There is no one-size-fits all solution to this very real struggle, but, often, I’ll direct the student to the point of fasting.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
- James 5:14-15
If the foundation of our faith is based upon the imitation of the Suffering and Triumphant Servant, Jesus Christ, and the tenor of the Scriptures is repeatedly one of grace in suffering for the people of God, what does seeking God look like in the midst of tremendous pain?
- James 5:14-15
If the foundation of our faith is based upon the imitation of the Suffering and Triumphant Servant, Jesus Christ, and the tenor of the Scriptures is repeatedly one of grace in suffering for the people of God, what does seeking God look like in the midst of tremendous pain?
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“And the king said, ‘Hang him on that.’ So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated. “ - Esther 7:10
He was blindfolded; he couldn’t see anything. But what he heard and felt terrified him. His head was spinning with what had overtaken him. The plan had seemed to come together better than he had ever dreamt. He had planned things out meticulously.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-the-fall-of-evil-jim-black
Things had fallen into place beautifully. Not only was King Xerxes going to exterminate his enemies—the Hebrews—but there was hope that one particular Jew would get his comeuppance. The arrogant Jew, Mordecai, was going to see that he should have been more…respectful.
He was blindfolded; he couldn’t see anything. But what he heard and felt terrified him. His head was spinning with what had overtaken him. The plan had seemed to come together better than he had ever dreamt. He had planned things out meticulously.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-the-fall-of-evil-jim-black
Things had fallen into place beautifully. Not only was King Xerxes going to exterminate his enemies—the Hebrews—but there was hope that one particular Jew would get his comeuppance. The arrogant Jew, Mordecai, was going to see that he should have been more…respectful.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:16
She’d been in turmoil for days. Her stomach was in knots. Her family and friends were in despair…they were on the verge of genocide. An evil man had desired the annihilation of all the Hebrew people; through political cunning, he had legislated a governmental policy of ethnic cleansing. For the time being she was safe, but none of her dearest relations were.
Their world was about to end.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-courageous-fasting-jim-black
She’d been in turmoil for days. Her stomach was in knots. Her family and friends were in despair…they were on the verge of genocide. An evil man had desired the annihilation of all the Hebrew people; through political cunning, he had legislated a governmental policy of ethnic cleansing. For the time being she was safe, but none of her dearest relations were.
Their world was about to end.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-courageous-fasting-jim-black
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7
What is the result of the last post’s description of a lifestyle encompassed by expectant, petitionary prayer and thanksgiving? A promise! It is a “peace” that “guards” hearts and minds as they remain fixed on Jesus Christ. Not only “a” peace, but His peace. And not only His peace, but His peace which transcends all understanding!
What is the result of the last post’s description of a lifestyle encompassed by expectant, petitionary prayer and thanksgiving? A promise! It is a “peace” that “guards” hearts and minds as they remain fixed on Jesus Christ. Not only “a” peace, but His peace. And not only His peace, but His peace which transcends all understanding!
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - Philippians 4:6
Philippians 4:6 is one of the most well-known and certainly most quoted passages in Philippians. And no wonder since in a modern day, anxiety-prone society we find God’s very real alternative to experiencing anxiety in just a few short verses. While there is no doubt that these verses are applicable to our lives today, it appears that they were also applicable to the Philippians as well.
Philippians 4:6 is one of the most well-known and certainly most quoted passages in Philippians. And no wonder since in a modern day, anxiety-prone society we find God’s very real alternative to experiencing anxiety in just a few short verses. While there is no doubt that these verses are applicable to our lives today, it appears that they were also applicable to the Philippians as well.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
We live in a world where many view suffering as the primary indicator you are doing something wrong. “You made a bad decision.” “You should have tried harder or prepared more." Even when we view suffering through the lens of Christian faith, we hear similar reverberations. “You don’t have enough faith.” “God must be judging you.” While those are at times absolutely true, they can discredit the oft-neglected reason we suffer—for the good purposes of God. Are we not called to persevere? Are we not called to fight against the affliction of this present life?
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