Posted by Bryan | Comments Off

21 Days Devotional – Day 21!

John 21:  Have You Any Food?

“But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” John 21:4-5 NKJV

In John 21, their Lord had been crucified and Peter, along with some of the other disciples had gone back to fishing. This is what they knew best prior to Jesus’ ministry. Sometimes we get impatient, waiting for something we know God has promised. We go back to what we were good at, only to find it’s just not the same.

When you have tried everything and when you have no options left. When you’ve fished all night and caught nothing. When you say Jesus, I have nothing, it is in that place where we come to the end of ourselves and begin to discover Him. Like the disciples, we too find Jesus waiting on the shore. Not only waiting but also with fish on the fire. Jesus is always waiting for us with just what we need—no matter where we’ve been, no matter what we’ve done. What a good God we serve.

Devotions provided by awake21.org

Read More

Posted by Bryan | Comments Off

21 Days Devotional – Day 20

John 20: On the Move

It was a tender, yet revelatory moment. Mary Magdalene had been weeping outside the empty tomb where Jesus once laid. When Jesus posed the question to her of whom she was seeking, Mary mistakenly took him for the gardener and cried out her quest to find Jesus’ body. He called out her name and Mary immediately recognized him, saying “Rabboni!”

Mary had experienced a powerful encounter with Jesus. But He didn’t want her to stop there.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” John 20:17 (NKJV)

Mary still wanted to hold onto Him. But Jesus spurred Mary on and commissioned her to share with the disciples about His ascension. Jesus had not yet risen with God – He was still on the move.

During our 21 days of prayer and fasting, most of us have experienced moments when we’ve caught a fresh revelation of Jesus. Overwhelmed by a fresh sense of His grace or faithfulness, realizing anew the power of His resurrection, or witnessing an eye-opening miracle firsthand.

But what will you do with this powerful discovery? How will you tell others about your encounter?

Please leave a comment here and share your personal testimonies. Even as the prayer and fasting concludes, God is still on the move!

Devotions provided by awake21.org

Read More

Posted by Bryan | Comments Off

Breaking a fast

This Saturday at sundown marks the official end of our 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting. As we draw to a close of this time of fasting, I thought it would be good to share some words of wisdom about how to end your fast.

• Some are joining me on these last few days without solid food. Some have even been without solid food for a while. Whether you are fasting sweets, caffeine, meat or all solid food don’t go hog wild on Saturday evening. Introduce those things gradually. If have been without solid food for a while, you could damage your body by immediately resuming your regular diet. You can find some very useful tips about how to break a fast here.
• Some of the things we gave up never become a regular part of our life again. Or their impact will be much less.
• Don’t stop praying just because your 21 days are up! You will never live an overcoming life just fasting and praying for three weeks. Prayer must be a lifestyle.
• You may find that when your fast is finished that you experience temptation. Jesus did after His 40 day fast. But, like Jesus, we are strongest after our time of separating ourselves to God. Victory is here!
• How powerful is a Daniel Fast? In Daniel 10, we read of the Angel of the Lord revealing himself to Daniel. He said God had heard his prayer on the first day but he had been battling to get to him. For 21 days, he had been at war to get the message of God to Daniel. God even sent Michael as to help! I’m pretty sure Daniel would say there is power in this kind of fast.

I am so proud of everyone who has participated in this season with us. God sees our desire for Him growing. He has heard our prayers. Isaiah 58 is about to be our story!

Read More

Posted by Bryan | Comments Off

21 Days Devotional – Day 19

John 19: Right vs. Right

Sometimes we have the “right” to do something, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the “right” thing to do.

We might have the “right” to enjoy the money we earn, but the “right” thing to do is to give to others. Sometimes what’s right for you may not be what’s best for others. What’s “right” is what would bring honor to God.

Jesus understood the scope of his rights and what would honor God:

“…Don’t you realize I have the power to release you or crucify you?’ (Pilate speaking) Then Jesus said, ‘You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above’ …” John 19:10-11 NLT

We know Jesus had the power to immediately put a stop to everything… if He wanted. But what we see here is a picture of total surrender and submission to authority by Jesus.

Jesus had the right to call down ten thousand angels, but he chose to do what was right for God’s children. Jesus came to fulfill the will of the Father, and knowing that this suffering and His crucifixion was the only way the plan of salvation could be accomplished, “He gave up His divine privileges” (Philippians 2:7). He didn’t stop it all just because He could; He was looking at the bigger picture, God’s greater purposes.

What greater purpose or will do you think God is calling you to? What rights might you have to surrender to step into this call? Choose what is right.

Devotions provided by awake21.org

Read More

Posted by Bryan | Comments Off

21 Days Devotional – Day 18

John 18: Hearing from God

Prayer provides us an opportunity to seek God and invite His power and presence in our lives. Yet it demands that we come to God with authenticity. We call it “getting real” with Him. There is a place in prayer that we all come to – the line of truth – truthfulness within ourselves and truthfulness with God. At this place, the decision is simple – are we willing to stand with truth or hide from it? Are we willing to place everything on the altar and invite His inspection or shut our ears to His still, small voice?

Jesus answered Pilate’s questioning of His kingship with these words “everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37). In other words, we too will listen to him (openly invite and receive His Word into our lives) when we take the side of truth. This is the place of raw authenticity with God. This is the place where real change happens.

As you seek God with honesty, draw closer to this place of wholehearted truthfulness with Him. It is there He will speak… it is there you will hear.

Devotions provided by awake21.org

Read More