John 4:32-34 | But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

Matthew 6:16-18 | “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, deepen our focus on you.

DAILY THOUGHT: FEASTING
When Jesus tells us to look joyful rather than gloomy when we fast, he is not asking us to pretend. He knows from his own times of fasting that, if we fast with God in mind, we will not really be sad. We will begin to have experiences of God’s presence and resources that will strengthen our faith. We will discover first-hand how God is able to sustain our souls and bodies with spiritual food that the world does not know about (see John 4:32, 34). Experiences like these will certainly not make us miserable! They will put a smile on our faces. This is why, as Dallas Willard writes, “Fasting unto our Lord is therefore feasting – feasting on him and on doing his will.”

DAILY PRACTICE:
Pray the daily prayer request. Think about this phrase for a few moments, “Fasting is feasting”. As you do this, share your thoughts and feelings with the Lord. Listen also to what he may say to you. Make a plan that you will go without one meal in the next twenty-four hours. Try not to inconvenience others with your request, for that will simply draw attention to what you are doing! Use this time to read some Scripture, to pray for others and to be aware of your desires as you abstain from food.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics. W

Matthew 6:16-18 | “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, deepen our focus on you.

DAILY THOUGHT: A CHRIST FOCUS
As followers of Jesus we are continually seeking to develop a “Christ focus”. One of the practical ways in which we do this is through the practice of fasting. To fast is to plan to go without food. We can do this in many different ways and degrees: by missing a meal on a particular day, by going without food for a day or two, or sometimes even planning to abstain from eating for a longer period of time. However we may decide to fast, we need to be clear about the purpose of this important spiritual practice. Fasting is never an end in itself. It is a means of grace towards an end. We fast in order to focus our hearts and minds on God in Jesus Christ so that we may live in faithful obedience.

DAILY PRACTICE:
Begin with the new prayer request for the week. Read the Bible passage for the week from Matthew 6:16–18. There are many points to consider in this passage and we will explore some of these during the week. What strikes you most in this passage? Speak about whatever it is with the Lord and take time also to listen to what the Lord may be saying to you. Share with him your own thoughts and feelings about the practice of fasting.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics. W

James 5:16 | Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Psalm 139:23-24 | Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Mark 1:14-15 | After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, help me to turn towards you.

DAILY THOUGHT: CONFESSION
Confession is very closely related to repentance. When we confess we let God and trusted others know about our failures and weaknesses. It is an activity that nourishes our experience of God’s grace and mercy, as well as our sense of being loved and accepted by those who walk with us along the pathway of repentance. In confession we let dear friends in Christ know who we really are. We lay down the burdens of pretending and hiding which use up so much of our energy. No wonder early followers of Christ were counselled, “Confess your faults to each other, and pray for each other, so you may be healed” (James 5:16). Confession can be one of the most healing things we ever do.

DAILY PRACTICE:
Pray the prayer request for the week. Read slowly today the words of the Psalm 139: 23–24. Then ask the Lord today to help you recognise where there is a gap between appearance and reality in your walk with God. Or to put it more simply, where do you sometimes pretend to be who you are not? Take time to come before the Lord and to confess whatever he reveals to you. Perhaps today you can also begin to think of some friend in Christ with whom you can become more honest about these gaps.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics. W

Mark 1:14-15 | After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, help me to turn towards you.

DAILY THOUGHT: THE PATHWAY OF REPENTANCE
We need to be clear that turning towards the Lord is never a once-off experience. Our conversion always continues. Hence we are invited to make repentance a daily way of life – a life-long process of turning toward God that happens one day at a time. As we do this, with the help of God’s grace, we find our minds and hearts being gradually renovated. We begin to think more and more with the mind of Christ and to love with the heart of Christ. This is why repentance must not only be understood as the doorway into our life with God; it is also the pathway along which we walk in the kingdom of God day by day.

DAILY PRACTICE:
Pray your daily prayer request. Put this question at the heart of your “desert space” time with God today: How do I need to turn towards God today? One helpful way to get practical about this question is to reflect on where in your daily life you often insist on your own way rather than follow God’s way. Allow your reflections to lead you into a time of confession and repentance with God. Know that as you do this you are deeply loved by God. Nothing can ever change this gospel fact.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics. W

Mark 1:14-15 | After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

DAILY PRAYER REQUEST: Lord, help me to turn towards you.

DAILY THOUGHT: THE DOORWAY OF REPENTANCE
The first invitation Jesus gives when he begins his ministry is “Repent”. From then on it is his most consistent message. Almost always, and in almost all situations, his advice to his followers is to repent. For Jesus repentance is the doorway into life with God. It is the only way to begin the journey. What does this repentance involve? At the very least, it means turning towards the Lord as honestly as we can and to begin living with the intention of learning how to follow him in our daily lives. We will think more about the meaning of this word tomorrow.

DAILY PRACTICE:
Pray the daily prayer request. Read slowly the biblical passage for the week (Mark1:14–15). Notice the content of the main message of Jesus. It was all about the availability of the kingdom of God to ordinary people like you and me. His gospel invites us to begin to live in this kingdom right now, wherever we are. Notice also that repentance is the doorway into this new life. Make a decision today that, every time you walk through a door, you will seek to be conscious about turning towards God.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics. W