Devotionals

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“He humbled himself? Was he not on earth always stripping off first one robe of honor and then another, till, naked. He was fastened to the cross, and there did he not empty out his inmost self, pouring out his life-blood, giving up for all of us, till they laid him penniless in a borrowed grave? How low was our dear Redeemer brought!”
—Charles H. Spurgeon

Day 32: Fasting Rejection

Jesus faced a great deal of rejection preceding his crucifixion. A biblical definition of rejection is understood as a form of disapproval, exclusion, or an act of not being accepted or valued. Jesus was rejected by the crowds when they chose to set Barabbas free over him; he was again rejected in a response the crowd had with Pilate, “Crucify him!”

Jews, Greeks, and Romans rejected Jesus; but it was the Romans who tortured him. A Roman flogging was brutal and many times the accused died even before they made it to a cross. Jesus endured the rejection, flogging, a brutal beating, and a crown of thorns embedded into his head…and he still walked to the cross for you and me. Nothing would stop him from fulfilling the Father’s plan to love the world (John 3:16).

Human rejection is hard for us, isn’t it? Jesus understands and we can identify with him. When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, his friends and family in the community were offended by him so they rejected him (Mat 13:57). It cost this community a great deal to reject the Savior even though they were ignorant of it at the time (Mat 13:58). Yet, God redirected that rejection and made Jesus the Redeemer and Giver of New Life.

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus told his disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me” (Luke 10:11). Rejection is a part of this fallen world and it is not going anywhere until Jesus destroys it once and for all. But God does not reject us; he loves us and has adopted us (Romans 8:15). When we think about all Jesus has done for us, his acceptance is enough.

So, today we fast rejection by praising God for redemption and new life!

John 19:38-42 NLT The Burial of Jesus
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for accepting and redeeming us as your children. We praise the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Thank you for redeeming us from empty living. The blood of Jesus has purchased our souls, so we can live in resurrection power. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“The miracles did just what Jesus had predicted. To those who chose to believe him, they gave even more reason to believe. But for those determined to deny him, the miracles made little difference. Some things just have to be believed to be seen.” —-Philip Yancey

Day 31: Fasting Mockery

The increasingly aggressive behavior in people is disturbing. Hostility is a behavior that is a result of anger that goes unchecked. I am incredibly weary of how mean, intolerant, and actually violent a person can be because they do not like what is happening in their lives. They may think they are standing for some “cause” or even for “the betterment of humanity,” but physically harming an innocent person or trashing their belongings reveals no virtue whatsoever.

Aggressive actions are birthed from deception and they produce rotten and unrighteous fruit that God abhors. God has set “the” moral order for creation and the justice of God cannot be mocked—people will harvest exactly what they plant (Gal 6:7). I cringe to think what will happen to people in this world based on their unacceptable actions that are simply unprovoked by the people whom they harm. I pray for their souls, because their deception is great and entirely egocentric—thinking only of self without regard to others.

Jesus is familiar with deceived contemptuous and disrespectful treatment—mockery. It may be a temptation to dismiss mockery as something innocent or even playful sarcasm. It is not. Mockery is a sin; a supreme sign of arrogance, pride, and unrighteousness. God will not dismiss a mocker; punishment and consequences will prevail. Remember, God’s final judgment will bring people into everlasting life or everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2). Believers must not enter into mockery at any level, so may God cleanse our hearts.

Here are a few examples of the mockers Jesus faced during his trials:
Anna’s officials: (John 18:22)
The Temple Guard slapped Jesus across the face

The chief priests, Sanhedrin, and their guards: (Mark 15:16-19)
Began mocking and beating Jesus
Spit in his face
Blindfolded him
Struck him with their fists

Herod and his soldiers (Luke 23:11)
Ridiculed and mocked Jesus
Dressed him in en elegant robe and sent him back to Pilate

Pilates soldiers: (Matthew 27:27-31)
Stripped Jesus
Flogged him
Put a scarlet robe on him
Twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head
Put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!”
Took the staff and struck him on the head again and again
Mocked him

Jesus endured great mockery in our place. He did it because he felt you and I were worth anything he had to suffer. He is the pure Savior of the world. Today, we fast mocking others and turn to bring tribute to the Lord.

John 19:28-37 NLT The Death of Jesus
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for taking the contempt and mockery upon yourself that was intended for us. We give you honor. May our lives be a tribute to your love working in us—a transformation only you could inspire in our souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“The triumph of grace is that we accept the humiliation of failure, which is indeed a triumph, a greater triumph than external success. In actual fact, the experience of failure in ministry teaches us in the long run how to do it, which is with complete dependence on God.” —-Thomas Keating

Day 30: Fasting Unrighteous Self-Confidence

Judas and Peter both betrayed Jesus, but in very different ways. Judas planned his betrayal while deceiving others; it stayed hidden in his heart for some time. Peter betrayed Jesus, because he was deceived about the power of his own sin nature. Remember, with great self-confidence, Peter pledged to give his life for Jesus. Yet…he, too, failed in his allegiance to Christ when fear began to constrict and squeeze like a serpent.

Every person, even believers, experience some measure of disillusionment. Oh, we think we know ourselves perfectly and how we would react in a certain situation, but when life starts pouring on traumatic pressure and fear starts rising in our hearts, the reality of what lies within comes out. Never forget Satan wants believers to leave the faith, so the sin nature rises to deny Christ verses willingly deny self.

Please listen when the Holy Spirit convicts you of areas in your life where you have internal deception before it is revealed. However, when we do fail it may seem like the worst thing that could ever happen, but Jesus has promised to use everything for our good (Ro 8:28). Even the things that are not good, will be used by God to make us more like Jesus when we call upon the name of the Lord. Praise God!

Two thieves were crucified with Jesus; one on either side. The one thief was entirely deceived and disillusioned about himself, so he died mocking God. The other thief realized his failure and begged for salvation. Jesus responded to the man who knew the Truth.

Today we will fast unrighteous self-confidence in the heart, because believers know we can be disillusioned about ourselves. We must put our confidence in Christ. Peter could not see his limitations, but Jesus did and warned him. Be real with yourself. Jesus sees what is in us, too, so we need to listen for his Voice of Truth.

John 19:17-27 NLT 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.

21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice [cast lots] for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.
25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the Voice of Truth we need each day, so we can remain faithful to your Word. Continue to search us, Lord, and know our hearts. Test us and know our anxious thoughts. See if there is disillusionment hiding within us. Lead us in righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.


“The final step on the way to holiness in Christ is then to completely abandon ourselves with confident joy to the apparent madness of the cross.” —-Thomas Merton

Day 29: Intimidation

The Torah teaches one witness is not enough to convict a person of sin or guilt; two witnesses are required as conclusive proof of reality. Jesus was tried by two religious leaders [Annas and Caiaphas], as well as by two military leaders [Pilate and Herod]. This is how they sought to prove Jesus committed crimes against God by blasphemy, as well as crimes against the state. Here is a chronological list of the charges:

Claiming to be “able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days” (Mat 26:61).
Speaking “blasphemy” because He believed Himself to be “the Messiah, the Son of God” (Mat 26:63-66).
Subverting the nation (Luke 23:2).
Opposing paying taxes to Caesar (Luke 23:2).
Claiming “to be a Messiah, a king” (Luke 23:2).
Stirring “up the people all over Judea by his teaching” (Luke 23:5).
Claiming to be the “Son of God” (John 9:7).
As a self-acclaimed king, opposing Caesar (John 19:12).

There was a great deal of misrepresentation and slander going on in these accusations; a manipulation of Christ’s words. However, Pilate—who was normally merciless—is unsettled about condemning Jesus. In the gospel of Matthew it is recorded, Pilate “knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy” (Mat 27:18). Yet, Pilate persisted in trying to intimidate Jesus with his position and power while the very presence and spiritual authority of Jesus unsettled Pilate. Jesus refused to walk in fear, so the intimidation did not work.

Today, we will fast intimidation tactics. Fear gives fuel to the intimidator—devil. Do you fear being misrepresented? Maybe you fear not being needed. Fear is a bully and we cannot give it power. Through prayer and obedience to the Word of God, we can resist and decrease our vulnerability to the work of intimidation. You can renounce the work of intimidation, so you are free to live in the Truth and share Christ’s victory.

John 19:7-16 NLT 7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”

8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”
11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”

13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”

15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!”

“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.
16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus away.

Prayer: Lord, today we fast intimidation, because we know it is birthed out of fear and a spirit of control. We renounce the work of evil and seek your help and protection to guard our vulnerability. You are our King, Jesus. We desire to live the Truth and share in your victory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“To love righteousness is to make it grow, not to avenge it…Throughout His life on earth, He resisted every impulse to work more rapidly for a lower good.”
—George MacDonald

Day 28: Fasting Reduction

We should never overlook the power of God’s name, because at the name of Jesus every knee in heaven and on earth will bow (Phil 2:9). We note this happening when the temple guards come to the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus, bring him to trial, and sentence him to death. When the guards say they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth and he responds, “I Am he” the crowd draws back and falls to the ground (John 18:6). Jesus and God are One in Nature and Name!

No one would have been able to lay a hand on Jesus unless he allowed it, friends. This is again another picture of the love of God for us. He was innocent, but willingly gave up his righteous life for sinners. Human beings know when they are in the presence of true righteousness even in a state of unbelief. The living Word of God holds the universe together, so giving his life for us was not an act of passivity but rather absolute and pure restraint—the cup of suffering for the highest good.

Today we will fast trying to reduce Jesus to fit within our level of thinking or ability to express. We can never accurately articulate the purity, power, and presence of Almighty God; for this reason we approach God with awe and a healthy fear. The Pharisees served God, but had not connected to his pure love. Therefore, they found Jesus guilty of weakness even though he could have commanded ten thousand angels to his side (Mat 26:53). There is nothing passive about Jesus—his restraint on our behalf is simply love-driven obedience. So, does reciprocal love drive our obedience to the Lord? What restraint do we practice?

John 19:1-6 NLT Jesus Sentenced to Death
1Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.
4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!”

6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

“Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.”

Prayer: Lord, please forgive us for trying to reduce you, your righteousness, and your omnipotence to fit within our finite, selfish, and sin-laden minds. Help us to understand and respond with gratitude as we think about the restraint you revealed on our behalf. Salvation came at a great cost for you, Lord. Continue to renew our minds in the Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“If every annoyance can be made to remind me to turn and grip Your hand and ask You, ‘What are you saying through this vexation?’ then I can turn life’s rough spots into Your vocabulary. If I can do that perfectly, nothing can defeat my soul.” —-Frank Laubach

Day 27: Fasting Discontentment

Life in this fallen world can leave us feeling like we are missing something important; like whatever we have accomplished or whatever we have accumulated is not enough. Judas must have felt that way, because as one of the first twelve disciples, Judas was given the power, the purse, and the purpose of God from the day he met Jesus. Yet, it was not enough to satisfy him; he stole from the mission purse and sought to highjack the sacrificial purpose of God. It is always the work of Satan to make people feel a measure of discontentment; in this way he lures people away from Christ and toward a spirit of worldliness—mentality that is focused more on the world than on Jesus.

Satan entered Judas and this disciple of Jesus became a betrayer. His discontentment overwhelmed his commitment to Truth. Judas ate at the table with Jesus; he allowed Jesus to wash his feet knowing he was going to betray the Lord. He believed lies. Discontentment is a spiritual problem that arises from greed, a desire for more, and a lack of Trust in God’s plan. Pride is a thief and discontentment is its manifestation! Pride is how Satan fell from heaven. Jesus is greater and Satan has no power over him.

Today, we will fast discontentment, because we know we can trust God’s plan. We will put on a spirit of gratitude, seek the guidance and wisdom of God, and guard our hearts from leaning toward worldliness. We must stay out of Satan’s playground.

John 18:33-40 NLT 33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him.
34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”
40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the challenge your Word has provided us today. We cast down the spirit of worldliness and the mentality of discontentment. We have all we need. If we need more, we will ask you to be our Provider. Thank you, Lord; we are grateful for your goodness each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“There are two absences of God. One is the absence that condemns us, the other is the absence that sanctifies us. In the absence that is condemnation, God ‘knows us not’ because we have put some other god in His place, and refuse to be known by Him. In the absence that sanctifies, God empties the soul of every concern that might stand between our face and His.” —Tomas Merton

Day 26: Fasting Comparison

Insecurity is a difficult emotion to deal with in our present culture. Many factors may play into a person feeling insecure: social comparisons, past experiences, trauma, societal pressure, etc. People want to be accepted and we HATE criticism even though it may be good for us. The fallen world constantly sends a false message to the minds of people, because the devil is a liar. God never created human beings to live feeling inadequate or unloved; so he commands us to get our security, value, and self-worth in Christ.

When we are facing the emotional pressure of insecurity, we may feel vulnerable, uncertain, or lack confidence which may lead to the additional feelings of rejection, anxiety, or even judgment from others. It’s a slippery slope of lies the enemy tries to feed us. Out of any of those feelings, the temptation comes to compare ourselves. Mistake! We live for Jesus and his true perception of reality; not the reality according to the world.

Today, we fast comparison. I imagine some of the disciples struggled with insecurity, a lack of confidence, or perhaps rejection, when Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to go forward with him to Gethsemane, but left the other eight behind. Jesus treasures every human being, so he treasures and desires companionship with you. The Pharisees compared themselves to the temporal world and in the process they did not see the holiness of Christ or the truth about their hearts. When we look in the mirror, may we be more interested in seeing the character of Christ growing in us rather than comparing ourselves to other fallen human beings.

John 18:28-32 NLT Jesus’ Trial before Pilate
28 Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. 29 So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?”
30 “We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted.
31 “Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them.
“Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied. 32 (This fulfilled Jesus’ prediction about the way he would die.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for making each one of us unique in your nature. You do not compare us, so we should not compare ourselves to anyone else. Instead, help us to judge our lives by your glorious standard. As we do, please provide mercy, restore our sense of self-worth, and fill us with confidence to do the things you call us to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“What matters is participating in the reality of God and the world in Jesus Christ today, and in doing so in such a way that I never experience the reality of God without the reality of the world, nor the reality of the world without the reality of God.”
—-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Day 25: Fasting Denial
According to Scripture, humanity’s story with God began in the Garden of Eden—an unspoiled place. This Garden was a gift from God to humanity. It was a place of abundant natural beauty, because God created it. But, instead of caring for it and honoring the boundaries God put into place, humanity spoiled it with disobedience and an unholy focus on self—sin. Denying the flesh is not pleasurable. When we demand our own way, we must face the authority of Truth and pay the consequences for our sin.

The Father sent his Son, to die for the sins of the world, so we could live in the unspoiled Kingdom realm of heaven. Jesus faced tremendous anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed for himself, his disciples, and future believers because he would obediently and unselfishly lay down his life for us (John 17). When Jesus prayed, he asked the Father if there was another way to provide salvation (John 17:6). However, the answer was already written, “Jesus is the Way…” (John 14:6).

I suppose each one of us have prayed and asked God to take a situation away so we would not have to drink of it, “Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me” (Matt 26:39). But life happens and God calls us to a place of surrender, “Not my will but your’s Lord.” We press on and endure the pain in our souls.

Today, we fast denial; we must be honest with God and stop hiding our sinful nature, because the Truth has the final authority. Jesus faced his emotions; however, he surrendered to the Father’s will and remained faithful with his commitment. Peter denied knowing Jesus and his work of salvation. We must not.

John 18:25-27 NLT Peter’s Second and Third Denials
25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”

26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching us more about denying our flesh, today. We know you require honesty in the inner places of our hearts. Holy Spirit, please keep us in the will of the Father as we honor our commitment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“There is no one-size-fits-all crucifixion. Jesus said each one of us must pick up our own cross, and pick it up each day. For some, martyrdom might be fame. For some, martyrdom might be anonymity. Regardless of what it is, first followers ask daily, “Lord what is my cross today, and where shall I carry it?” —Leonard Sweet

Day 24: Fasting Self-Direction

I’m sure the disciples had no idea why Jesus told them they would desert him, because they believed they would remain loyal to him. But Jesus knows all things; he knows we all must experience the transitioning of our sinful nature to become spiritually mature. Transforming our hearts is the goal of Father God.

Following his teaching to the disciples about abiding in the Vine and the impartation of the Holy Spirit, Jesus make the announcement that he is going away. Therefore, he promises to leave them with heavenly peace of mind and heart (Jo 14:27). Then, Jesus tells the disciples, “Come [Gk. egeiro; a command that means ‘arise’ or “come to life”] let’s be going [from here]” (Jo 14:31). Jesus was telling the disciples they had a transition awaiting them; a shift of direction for their lives. Jesus was heading to the cross…his disciples were heading to a cross, too.

Jesus gave his life as a redemption sacrifice for our sin; he died in our place so we could be reconciled with Father God. However, we will have to pick up our cross of self-denial to deal with our sinful nature. We must deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily, and follow wherever Jesus leads us (Luke 9:23).

To deny [Gk.translated from aparneomai] ourselves means to “claim no knowledge or relationship to.” It’s also the word used in Scripture for what Peter did when asked if he knew Jesus. So, in life we either deny ourselves or we deny Jesus. A choice of leadership must be made and our souls are sticky with selfish desires.

The high priest and temple guards denied Jesus as a leader, so they took measures to silence him. There is no middle ground for us either. We will deny self or Jesus. So, today we fast self-direction—the cross is about committing to the leadership of Christ.

John 18:19-24 NLT The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. 20 Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. 21 Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.”
22 Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded.

23 Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?”

24 Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for taking us on this transformation journey where we are learning more about the power of denying ourselves and releasing the leadership of our lives to you. Holy Spirit, please help us every day to deny our selfish tendencies by choosing to live the Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God.  Self cannot satisfy self.  We must hunger for God.

This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God.  Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.

“God’s mercy is greater than our sins. There is an awareness of sin that does not lead to God but rather to self-preoccupation. Our temptation is to be so impressed by our sins and failings and so overwhelmed by our lack of generosity that we get stuck in a paralyzing guilt. It is the guilt that says, ‘I am too sinful to deserve God’s mercy.’It is the guilt that leads to introspection instead of directing our eyes to God. It is the guilt that has become an idol and therefore a form of pride. Lent is the time to break down this idol and to direct our attention to our Loving Lord.” —-Henri Nouwen

Day 23: Fasting Guilt and Fear

At the Last Supper, Jesus was aware of Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the knowledge his disciples would desert him in his time of need. Yet, he washed their feet, anyway. Jesus understood the emotions sin would leave within his followers. Let’s not forget, Jesus was fully human and fully divine and acquainted with our grief, our guilt, our pain, and our fears.

We all have hidden weaknesses. I know we tend to focus on the divinity of Christ, but he was also a human being who had to sort through his feelings, too. Maybe washing the feet of the disciples helped Jesus wash away his emotions as he faced the cross.

Today, we fast guilt and fear as we seek to remember the humanity of Jesus. We must resist having a wrong perspective of our Savior. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Heb 4:15). Give God your guilt and fear, you have no need of it and it only hinders your fellowship with Christ. “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love (1 John 4:18).

John 18:15-18 NLT Peter’s First Denial
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?”
“No,” he said, “I am not.”
18 Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Word that helps us understand our weaknesses and limitations. Rather than make our guilt an idol that robs us, we choose to come to you and ask for a cleansing only you can bring our lives. Refresh us, Lord, and help us serve you based on your great love for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.