September 17, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.” - Daniel 9:23
From his study of the Scriptures recorded in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Daniel learns that the Babylonian exile will last 70 years. He immediately responds by pouring out his heart to God; making supplication for the forgiveness and restoration of his captive people. At the very beginning of his pleas for mercy, a word goes out into the heavens. The angel Gabriel is dispatched to inform Daniel of the coming Messiah who will atone for sin and inaugurate everlasting righteousness.
From his study of the Scriptures recorded in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Daniel learns that the Babylonian exile will last 70 years. He immediately responds by pouring out his heart to God; making supplication for the forgiveness and restoration of his captive people. At the very beginning of his pleas for mercy, a word goes out into the heavens. The angel Gabriel is dispatched to inform Daniel of the coming Messiah who will atone for sin and inaugurate everlasting righteousness.
September 17, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” - Proverbs 4:23
If you Googled the phrase, “What is most important?” you’ll find a diversity of answers. Some say it’s making more money to enable them to do what they love most. Some say it’s being physically healthy or spending time with family, while others prioritize being happy or knowing their purpose. The list could be as long as there are people. What is most important to you?
If you Googled the phrase, “What is most important?” you’ll find a diversity of answers. Some say it’s making more money to enable them to do what they love most. Some say it’s being physically healthy or spending time with family, while others prioritize being happy or knowing their purpose. The list could be as long as there are people. What is most important to you?
September 16, 2014
Day Thirty-seven - Evening Devotional
You don’t usually think of a political fundraiser as beautiful and inspiring, but I was deeply encouraged to experience something of this recently. The featured candidate currently serves as a Democrat on the New York City Council and is running for New York State Senate. Ministry and business leaders, men and women of all backgrounds, including Caucasian, Latino, and African-American, filled the home where the fundraiser was held. These dynamic Christian leaders support this candidate not because he is Democrat, or Latino, or a man. They were not supporting him because he would do a favor for them or for people like them, or because of his likability (even though he is very likable). They support him because he demonstrates godly understanding of governmental responsibility.
September 16, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
When a mother sees that her child is seriously sick, she swoops him up and takes him to a doctor as soon as possible. She does this because she has faith in a couple of important details: She has faith that her assessment of the seriousness of her child’s illness is accurate. Also, she has faith that a medical doctor will genuinely seek to help her child and, quite possibly, will be able to help heal him.
This is what faith looks like for a mother with a sick child, which begs the question, what does faith look like for the Christian who desires for God to change a community or a nation?
This is what faith looks like for a mother with a sick child, which begs the question, what does faith look like for the Christian who desires for God to change a community or a nation?
September 15, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Have you ever watched a little baby eat? Picture the newborn baby nursing, or as a toddler experiencing new texture sensations with each incoming spoonful. At these stages, a child is dependent on mother and father for everything pertaining to sustenance and thriving. Individually, a fasting lifestyle teaches us to ‘eat’ like a child, as we learn to depend more poignantly on the Father. As a community, fasting opens us up to God’s Spirit.[1]
September 15, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
I recently watched an interview of a young woman, named Deborah Peters, who grew up in Nigeria. In 2011, when she was only 12, her father and brother were killed right in front of her by armed men from the terrorist group Boko Haram. Her father, a Christian pastor, was told by the men to renounce his faith. He refused and responded to the terrorists’ threat by quoting Matthew 10:32-33: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” They threatened him a second time, and, when he refused to deny Jesus, they shot him three times. They then turned and killed her brother, who was 14 at the time.
September 15, 2014
Can There be Good without God? Nate Otey '15 and Corinne Tu '13 Present Case for Necessity of Creator
"If we're going to have a discussion on ethics, let's be ethical in giving up our seats and moving forward so that others can sit," exhorted moderator Jordan Monge in Harvard's Science Center Auditorium C. Typically used for large science lecture courses and having a seat capacity of 350, Harvard students of all faith backgrounds (and no faith backgrounds) crowded into the auditorium, leaving it completely filled—including the entirety of the floor space and standing room in the back.
It is estimated that 430 people were present at the fall semester debate hosted by Harvard College Faith and Action (HCFA) and Harvard Community Humanists, Atheists, and Agnostics (HCHAA). Harvard College Faith and Action is a leadership development ministry supported and resourced by Christian Union.
September 14, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
While praying the other day, I formed a mental picture of two young princes. One prince was eager to take up the sword, lusted after the throne, and scoffed at other rulers. The other prince relished the wisdom of his teachers, humbly knew his place, and valiantly took up the sword when the moment was right.
Which one would we prefer to be? The humble, valiant protagonist always wins the heart of the audience, but rarely are we actually that protagonist.
Which one would we prefer to be? The humble, valiant protagonist always wins the heart of the audience, but rarely are we actually that protagonist.
September 14, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
I’ve never been one to often tell people, “You deserve this!” It’s not because I think people should never be rewarded or take a break. It’s because I know the corners we cut, the dark thoughts and attitudes we harbor, and the not-so-proud moments that come even with hard work or achievement.
However, we often act like we do deserve certain things. Security, comfort, hope, and happiness are just a few of the things my heart often longs for. When I don’t get them, the inner turmoil I experience can look very similar to my 3-year old’s response to not getting another cupcake (as if that would have satisfied her deepest needs).
However, we often act like we do deserve certain things. Security, comfort, hope, and happiness are just a few of the things my heart often longs for. When I don’t get them, the inner turmoil I experience can look very similar to my 3-year old’s response to not getting another cupcake (as if that would have satisfied her deepest needs).
September 13, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
The term ‘needy’ has a decidedly negative connotation in our contemporary culture. The descriptor ‘just so needy!’ is a derogatory phrase for a person whose life exhibits excessive dependency and weakness. This negative association with the term ‘needy’ stems from the way we in the West place such high value on self-sufficiency and individual responsibility. Former Harvard philosopher John Rawls described the entire moral vision of the early Modern era as characterized by individual “autonomy and responsibility.” This rigorously individualistic spirit continues to this day.
September 13, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
When we think about the things we long to see for the Kingdom of God in our communities, our nation, and the world, we probably think first about prayer. And that’s a good thing! However, while we are right to prioritize prayer, there’s a chance we’re prioritizing it too highly. ‘What?’ You say, ‘Prioritize prayer too highly? What we need to do is pray more!’
Now, I completely agree that we should be praying more. My comment about prioritizing prayer too highly has nothing to do with quantities of prayer. So what do I mean by “prioritizing prayer too highly,” and how in the world could this kind of talk serve to increase prayer? I believe that if we would prioritize and esteem God’s promises higher than our prayers, our prayers would actually become more frequent and fervent.
Now, I completely agree that we should be praying more. My comment about prioritizing prayer too highly has nothing to do with quantities of prayer. So what do I mean by “prioritizing prayer too highly,” and how in the world could this kind of talk serve to increase prayer? I believe that if we would prioritize and esteem God’s promises higher than our prayers, our prayers would actually become more frequent and fervent.
September 12, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
In my previous devotional, I argued that the two “hinge” passages in Hebrews (4:14-16 and 10:19-25) together encapsulate the spirituality of this inspired sermon. Three central tasks are enumerated in these verses. First, we consider Jesus. Second, we draw near to God through Jesus. Third, we hold fast our confession of faith in Jesus. Mind. Heart. Practice.
This balanced paradigm is critical to implement in your own relationship with God, as most Christians tend to belong to one (or two) of three “personality types” with respect to their preferred, intuitive form of “spirituality.” All three of these personality types (and their respective spiritual “strategies”) are good and necessary, but, when one becomes so predominant as to take our focus away from others, they can become truncated and distorted.
This balanced paradigm is critical to implement in your own relationship with God, as most Christians tend to belong to one (or two) of three “personality types” with respect to their preferred, intuitive form of “spirituality.” All three of these personality types (and their respective spiritual “strategies”) are good and necessary, but, when one becomes so predominant as to take our focus away from others, they can become truncated and distorted.
September 12, 2014
Though Most People Stick to One Type of Prayer, But Real Fruit Can Be Found in Worship
As we finish up the fourth week of our prayer and fasting initiative, we have an opportunity to consider what we can do to be more effective in our prayer lives. When prayer is divided into its constituent components, five particular elements stand out as necessary for a well-balanced prayer system:September 12, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Many well-meaning Christians often feel somewhat paralyzed when they contemplate what it would look like to begin to take their faith more seriously, particularly with respect to daily spiritual disciplines. What should I actually do? What should my mind be focused on? What ought the aspirations of my heart be directed toward? How do regular devotional times transition naturally into the life of discipleship the rest of the day? The author of Hebrews offers a vision of following Jesus that is filled with both clarity and conviction.
September 11, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” - Romans 6:1-2
Prior to this point in the book of Romans, Paul has been preoccupied with setting forth an accurate view of the Gospel. In chapters 1-4, Paul labors to show that justification before God is based solely upon God’s grace and is accessed only through faith in Christ.
Prior to this point in the book of Romans, Paul has been preoccupied with setting forth an accurate view of the Gospel. In chapters 1-4, Paul labors to show that justification before God is based solely upon God’s grace and is accessed only through faith in Christ.
September 11, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” -1 Peter 2:4-5
The failure to grasp clearly our God-given identity and purpose is a formidable foe, one with the capacity to hinder and hamstring consistent growth and faithfulness. Therefore, as believers, we must understand our corporate identity.
The failure to grasp clearly our God-given identity and purpose is a formidable foe, one with the capacity to hinder and hamstring consistent growth and faithfulness. Therefore, as believers, we must understand our corporate identity.
September 10, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
For today’s devotional, I would like to share with you about the secret of prayer. In Matthew 6:1-6, Jesus talks about the importance of praying in secret. Dr. Leonard Ravenhill once said, “The secret of praying is praying in secret.” What was Jesus referring to? He was referring to the issue of sincerity. God wants you to come to Him with a sincere heart. In the Bronx, we would say, “You have to come real.” Come real before God.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-praying-in-secret-fernando
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-praying-in-secret-fernando
September 10, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Jesus gave a model of prayer in Matthew 6, because the disciples wanted to know how to really pray. The Lord’s Prayer was not meant to be simply memorized and recited. It was meant to be to a guideline and outline on how to pray.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-jesus-model-of-prayer
There are six parts to the Lord’s Prayer: Praise, Petition, Provision, Pardon, Power, and Praise.
Please enjoy this devotional video, or stream/download an audio version below, or scroll down to continue reading.
https://soundcloud.com/christianunion/a-jesus-model-of-prayer
There are six parts to the Lord’s Prayer: Praise, Petition, Provision, Pardon, Power, and Praise.
September 9, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” -2 Timothy 2:20-21
Working at one of the top schools in the world, I am constantly surrounded by incredibly gifted and hyper-competent people. For many of the students in this environment, their exceptional competence in their studies and extracurricular pursuits is central to their self-identity and their sense of self-worth. Being in an environment with so much giftedness can make people highly competitive or seriously discouraged.
Working at one of the top schools in the world, I am constantly surrounded by incredibly gifted and hyper-competent people. For many of the students in this environment, their exceptional competence in their studies and extracurricular pursuits is central to their self-identity and their sense of self-worth. Being in an environment with so much giftedness can make people highly competitive or seriously discouraged.
September 9, 2014
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12
When I was a teenager, my church went through a curriculum by Dr. Henry Blackaby called Experiencing God. I still remember vividly the cover of that course packet with a portrait of Moses as he looked back over his shoulder toward the burning bush where he received his calling from God.
When I was a teenager, my church went through a curriculum by Dr. Henry Blackaby called Experiencing God. I still remember vividly the cover of that course packet with a portrait of Moses as he looked back over his shoulder toward the burning bush where he received his calling from God.
