2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
As a new year begins, many people make new years resolutions or a list of things they want to change in the new year. Of course there is nothing wrong with that. I have dreams for 2010. We all have dreams. It is important, though, that we line up those ambitions with the Word of God and make sure we put Him first.
One way to start the new year off putting Him first is fasting. Every year my parents ask us to pray about what we will sacrifice so we can pray for this new year and focus on God. It's not easy, but it is so worth it because we always see God's hands at work.
One summer we were all excited about going on vacation with some lifetime friends. Well the finances for it weren't quite there. So my parents told us what was needed and told us to pray that God would provide. He had many times before so we leaned on what He had done for us. My parents also said that they felt like they were supposed to fast and asked us to pray about doing the same. So we all fasted and also prayed that God would make a way for us to go on this trip. Well God, being the loving Father He is, sent an anonymous gift in the mail.
Fasting isn't necessarily not eating, but giving up something that is hard to give up (for me that is reading). It is simple giving our hearts and minds to go so he can work in us and speak to us. So we are doing a 21 day fast to start off the year. And, yes, I am giving up reading. It's hard, but I become so much closer to God in this time.
I challenge you to give up something(it doesn't matter how long) you might put before God. Or not even put before Him, but maybe distracts you from spending time with Him.
What better way to start off the year than sacrificing something important to you for Jesus?
One way to start the new year off putting Him first is fasting. Every year my parents ask us to pray about what we will sacrifice so we can pray for this new year and focus on God. It's not easy, but it is so worth it because we always see God's hands at work.
One summer we were all excited about going on vacation with some lifetime friends. Well the finances for it weren't quite there. So my parents told us what was needed and told us to pray that God would provide. He had many times before so we leaned on what He had done for us. My parents also said that they felt like they were supposed to fast and asked us to pray about doing the same. So we all fasted and also prayed that God would make a way for us to go on this trip. Well God, being the loving Father He is, sent an anonymous gift in the mail.
Fasting isn't necessarily not eating, but giving up something that is hard to give up (for me that is reading). It is simple giving our hearts and minds to go so he can work in us and speak to us. So we are doing a 21 day fast to start off the year. And, yes, I am giving up reading. It's hard, but I become so much closer to God in this time.
I challenge you to give up something(it doesn't matter how long) you might put before God. Or not even put before Him, but maybe distracts you from spending time with Him.
What better way to start off the year than sacrificing something important to you for Jesus?
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