June 13, 2017
Reflections on Cultivating Humility
Christian Union invites you to take part in supporting this ministry through both fasting and prayer.
As we invite the Lord to change the nation, we first give attention to our own hearts. Fasting has fallen out of fashion among many in the Western church, which is a tragedy given its ability to help humble the one who fasts, attracting the presence of God through the filling of the Holy Spirit.
The following is a brief overview of scriptural fasting, and the strong rationale for seeking to develop deeper humility through this until-recent-times typical Christian practice.
God alone rules the universe, and strongly opposes all who seek to usurp His role. It was because of pride, the desire to be like the Most High, that Satan was thrown out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-20).
Peter makes plain God's opposition to the arrogant: "God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).
Arrogance is repellent to God and He doesn't want anything to do with it. Pride repulses God and, just as powerfully, humility delights Him and attracts His presence.
Fasting is not the only thing in the Christian life that contributes toward the development of humility, but it is vital to the Christian life and should be practiced regularly by those who seek after God.
There are countless examples in the Scriptures of devout men and women humbling themselves before God with fasting:
- Moses fasted for 40 days and then another 40 days
- Elijah fasted for 40 days
- Nehemiah fasted for 120 days
- Mordecai, Esther and thousands of Jews in the Persian Empire fasted for 70 days, and some went without both food and water for 3 days of that fast
- Ezra fasted
- John the Baptist fasted
- Anna the prophetess fasted
- the Apostles and first elders fasted
- All Christians in the first-century church
Fasting is not the only thing in the Christian life that contributes toward the development of humility, but it is vital to the Christian life!
Fasting, simply put, is going without food and perhaps liquids, for a definitive period of time to humble oneself before God. It is sometimes accompanied by mourning and grieving.
When fasting is mentioned in the Bible, it usually meant going without food during the day and then eating only in the evening, unless the Scriptures specifically say otherwise. For instance, Moses' fast was without food or water— a supernatural fast that should only be undertaken if a person has received a direct revelation from God.
Many Christians around the world fast regularly, and so did many in church history. We know from a first century document called the Didache that it was the regular practice of Christians in the first century to fast every Wednesday and Friday until 3 p.m. This was the universal practice of first-century Christians. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism in the 18th century, believed in the necessity of fasting so powerfully that he would not ordain anyone to the ministry who did not fast every Wednesday and Friday.
The first-century Christians fasted because Jesus expected them to fast. When Jesus was directly asked about fasting, He explained there was no need for His disciples to fast when He was still with them, but there would be need to fast when He left (Matthew 9:14-15). Jesus even gives instructions about how to fast: Christians should do it in a way that does not bring attention to themselves (Matthew 6:16-18).
Note how the verses say "when you fast" not "if you fast." It was never suggested that Christians should not fast; rather, their fasting should be in stark contrast to the way the Pharisees fasted.
Fasting helps develop humility and a longing after God because the lack of food causes you to recognize your humanity and need for God for everything in life. Because of this, fasting helps increase fervency in prayer, which has a powerful impact on God.
It's important to keep in mind, of course, that God cannot be controlled by any human being and fasting does not assure an automatic response from God.
God answers prayer according to His sovereign will, which is sometimes beyond our immediate comprehension. God gives what He knows is best for you. He is not obligated to answer your prayer, in the specific terms you request, just because you fast.
However, the Scriptures make plain that fasting and humility sway God and incline Him to draw near when otherwise He might not have. He has made clear to humanity what delights Him and under what circumstances He is likely to draw near.
Of course, fasting is not a panacea for pride, because a person can be very proud even though he fasts. This was the problem of the Pharisees. They fasted regularly, as they should have, but were still proud and self righteous.
If a person is determined to be arrogant, fasting will not help him, but for the man or woman truly seeking to humble himself before the Lord, fasting is an important and necessary part of the Christian life.
With these reflections in mind, consider incorporating regular set days for fasting, as well as special times in response to great prayer concerns. The Lord knows we often come to Him with mixed motives, but don't let it hinder you from growing in this area. Confess any tendancy toward pride as you learn to fast, and invite Him to cultivate the humility He desires.
Thank you for joining Christian Union in seeking God. May the Lord bless you richly as you willingly humble yourself before Him.
June 13, 2017
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June 13, 2017
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Consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed eget mi vestibulum sem aliquam condimentum. Quisque et justo nec ante tincidunt mollis. Fusce a congue lorem, a malesuada nulla. Vestibulum ultrices ante a ligula sodales, nec aliquet orci euismod. Sed fringilla metus non lorem rhoncus, in maximus tortor consequat. Integer sagittis urna vitae tellus commodo ornare.Nullam euismod libero eget quam dapibus hendrerit. Nunc dictum justo id nisi consequat auctor. Nulla sit amet elit lectus. Praesent sed fringilla eros, id cursus lacus. Integer eget neque non lacus commodo gravida. Proin pulvinar interdum nisl. Vestibulum hendrerit elit a nibh pretium malesuada. Etiam at quam egestas, volutpat mi pulvinar, eleifend mi. Ut lorem nisi, ultrices egestas aliquam bibendum, molestie gravida nisi.
Morbi vel leo nec nulla sollicitudin mattis. Suspendisse potenti. Proin semper ac sapien eget dignissim. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nulla posuere id turpis a interdum. Donec lacinia sagittis diam quis gravida. Aenean rhoncus imperdiet tristique. Praesent feugiat ullamcorper ligula vel bibendum. Praesent viverra nisi ac pulvinar hendrerit. Morbi commodo semper nisi eget egestas. Donec vestibulum imperdiet luctus. Ut pulvinar luctus urna, blandit rutrum justo. Nunc finibus erat sem, et molestie lectus accumsan ut.
June 13, 2017
Morbi vel leo nec nulla sollicitudin mattis. Suspendisse potenti. Proin semper ac sapien eget dignissim. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nulla posuere id turpis a interdum. Donec lacinia sagittis diam quis gravida. Aenean rhoncus imperdiet tristique.
June 12, 2017
Morbi vel leo nec nulla sollicitudin mattis. Suspendisse potenti. Proin semper ac sapien eget dignissim. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nulla posuere id turpis a interdum. Donec lacinia sagittis diam quis gravida. Aenean rhoncus imperdiet tristique.
June 11, 2017
Morbi vel leo nec nulla sollicitudin mattis. Suspendisse potenti. Proin semper ac sapien eget dignissim. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Nulla posuere id turpis a interdum. Donec lacinia sagittis diam quis gravida. Aenean rhoncus imperdiet tristique.
June 3, 2017
This talk by Don Weiss was given at Harvard’s leadership lecture series. (42:09)
June 3, 2017
This talk on Jeremiah 32, from Harvard’s leadership lecture series, was given by Ministry Fellow Teal McGarvey. (35:06)
June 1, 2017
The biweekly eNewsletter from Christian Union
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
— Psalm 119:105
May 30, 2017
Meet Barrett Block, Class of 2017, the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. Studying Scripture in depth, and spending regular one-on-one time going deeper with a Christian Union ministry fellow, prompted Barrett to consider how his life could better reflect his faith in Christ.
May 30, 2017
Christian Union Celebrates Fifteen Years of Ministry
On Saturday night, April 8, Christian Union celebrated its 15th anniversary with a huge cake served to all the attendees of its Nexus Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut.Approximately 250 students from some of the leading universities in the United States joined marketplace professionals and Christian Union's faculty and staff for a sweet time of jubilation and thankfulness to the grace of God.
May 30, 2017
Harvard Law Student Will Work in JAG Corps
by Tom CampisiGregory Escobar, a third-year student at Harvard Law School and a member of Christian Union's ministry, is ready for deployment.
Escobar will graduate in May and has accepted a position with the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps as a staff officer in the United States Navy. It's a law career and a calling.
"One of the big reasons I am in the military is that I believe, as Christians, we are called to serve," Escobar said.
May 25, 2017
Dear Partners in Prayer for Cornell,
For our prayer letter for May, we’d like to share with you three different stories of answered prayers. This update is a little longer, but do read to the end!
For our prayer letter for May, we’d like to share with you three different stories of answered prayers. This update is a little longer, but do read to the end!
May 25, 2017
Friends,
By God’s grace, we have officially finished up our third year of ministry here at Brown University. As you read this, students are traveling across the world to visit family and friends, beginning internships, continuing studying and enjoying the rest that the summer months bring.
May 25, 2017
Greetings,
By God’s grace, we have just completed another semester here at Columbia. While it was a difficult year in some ways, it was still a fruitful time of ministry. A few days before the writing of this newsletter, Columbia had its graduation ceremony. We were able to greet and celebrate with many of our graduating seniors’ parents, and prayerfully sendoff seniors out into the brave new world of adulthood.
May 25, 2017
Dear friends and partners,
As we wrap up this year of ministry, we do so with praise to God for his faithfulness, kindness, goodness, and grace to us. We have had a rich and full year with the Princeton students, and we count it a blessing to share some highlights with you – our ministry partners through prayer and generous giving.
As we wrap up this year of ministry, we do so with praise to God for his faithfulness, kindness, goodness, and grace to us. We have had a rich and full year with the Princeton students, and we count it a blessing to share some highlights with you – our ministry partners through prayer and generous giving.
May 25, 2017
Dear Friends and Family,
As the rhythms of studying and assignments crescendo at the end of the Spring Quarter, our students face the reality that freshmen year has been not just new friends and fun experiences—it’s also a lot of hard work! Through this, we are grateful for the incredible start the Lord has given us this inaugural year with Christian Union Caritas -- Christian Union's ministry to students at Stanford. Our original freshmen guys’ Bible Course is thriving and connecting deeper with one another and with God. Also this quarter, we have launched a women’s Bible Course led by Garrett’s wife, Susan.
As the rhythms of studying and assignments crescendo at the end of the Spring Quarter, our students face the reality that freshmen year has been not just new friends and fun experiences—it’s also a lot of hard work! Through this, we are grateful for the incredible start the Lord has given us this inaugural year with Christian Union Caritas -- Christian Union's ministry to students at Stanford. Our original freshmen guys’ Bible Course is thriving and connecting deeper with one another and with God. Also this quarter, we have launched a women’s Bible Course led by Garrett’s wife, Susan.
May 25, 2017
Dear Partners in Prayer,
Another academic year is behind us and we are so grateful for your prayers and support! We could not do the work that we do without your generous support! Thank you!
May 25, 2017
Vaclav Havel, in his essay Politics, Morality, and Civility, shares his thoughts on how society is established to produce a flourishing culture. Having come out of a dark period of communist rule that chose many of the tools and structures of a democratic system and turned them to other ends Havel knew well that structures ultimately rest on something much more fundamental. They rest on morality – our understanding of good and evil, and the willingness to pursue that which is good. Havel calls “living in truth”.
May 17, 2017
The biweekly eNewsletter from Christian Union
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
— Ephesians 4:15
