Daily Office Day 3 - Fast with Purpose...to overcome temptation

1 ) Silence, stillness, and centering before God (2min)

2) Scripture Reading – Matthew 4:1-11

 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

3) Devotional
Ask Christians to name a fast by a biblical character and most all probably think first of the supernatural fast of Jesus prior to his temptation.  In the spiritual strength of that prolonged fast, he was prepared to overcome a direct onslaught of temptation of Satan himself, the strongest he would face until Gethesmane.  It was also during that fast that he privately dedicated himself to the father for the public ministry he would begin soon thereafter.  There are times we struggle with temptation or we anticipate grappling with it, when we need extra spiritual strength to overcome it.  Often we face decisions that place unusual temptations before us.  Do we take a new job that will mean much more money but much less time with family?  In times of exceptional temptation, exceptional measures are required.  Fasting for the purpose of overcoming temptation and of renewing our dedication to God is a Christlike response.

4) Questions to Consider

Think about the areas in your life where you have been tempted in the past.   What areas in your life do you find yourself tempted today?    Are there lies behind those temptations you need to apply God’s truth to and overcome them?

 5) Prayer

Father God, help me in times of temptation.  Help me to hide your word deep within my heart so that I may apply truth in my walk.  Lord forgive me in times when I have given in to temptation, but grant me more courage and strength in the future, so that I may flee from those temptations.  When I am weak, I can be strong through the power of Christ.  Thank you for your presence in this time I have with you.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

*portions of today’s Daily Office have been taken from “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald S. Whitney

Daily Office Day 2 - Fast with Purpose...to minister to the needs of others

Daily Office Day 2

*Fast with Purpose…to minister to the needs of others

1 ) Silence, stillness, and centering before God (2min)

2) Scripture Reading – Isaiah 58:6-7

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

3) Devotional
Those who think the spiritual rhythms foster tendencies of introspection or independence should consider the above passage. In the most extensive passage in Scripture dealing exclusively with fasting, God emphasizes fasting for the purpose of meeting the needs of others. The people originally addressed in this section had complained to the Lord that they fasted and humbled themselves before Him, but He had not answered them. But the reason why He had not heard them was their disobedience. Their lives were in hypocritical contrast to their fasting and praying, “Yet on the day of your fasting,“ says the Lord in verses 3-4, “you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” Fasting cannot be compartmentalized from the rest of our lives. Spiritual rhythms do not stand alone. God will not bless the practice of any rhythm, including fasting, when we reject His Word regarding relationships with others. The kind of fasting that pleases God is one that results in concern for others and not just for ourselves.

4) Questions to Consider

How could you minister to the needs of others with the extra time or money fasting could provide?

Would you consider bringing a bag of non-perishable groceries to church this Sunday, so as a church we can help others? Click here for more information and for a suggested list of food donations

5) Prayer

LORD, give me wisdom on how to use either my time or money in order to help someone. May the results of fasting lead me to impact another in a way that is pleasing to you. Help me make good choices regarding my time and/or money to be bring glory to your name. Continue to lead me Lord Jesus. In Your Name, Amen.

*portions of today’s Daily Office have been taken from “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald S. Whitney