The beginning of a New Year is a great time to plan. God is "Plan A" at YWAP. We look to Him for direction in our Ministry. Our desire is know His will in growing the Ministry and help young people become Christ-centered role models who mentor the younger generation. We begin each year with a 21 Day Fast. Today (1-2-17) is Day One of our Fast. We invite you to join us in our journey to greater intimacy with God.
The picture above shows a Gila Woodpecker perched outside a nest in a Saguaro Cactus. The Saguaro Cactus only grows about one inch per year. They can grow up to sixty feet tall and live up to 200 years. There was one cactus that lived to be approximately 300 years old and was nicknamed "Grandpa." The cactus can grow many arms or remain as a "spear." They will grow flowers in the spring that may produce seeds. The flowers have to be pollinated before the seeds can reproduce more cacti.
Woodpeckers will peck a hole in the Saguaro and excavate a deep cavity as it takes the flesh right out of the cactus. The Saguaro then secretes a resinous sap called lignin. The wound in the cactus becomes calloused and hardens into a smooth, waterproof boot. The process takes about a year to complete and the bird returns to raise a young family.
Life is like a Saguaro. Wounds come from people. Sometimes we're used for their personal gain. Where we live can be like a dry desert, all heat and no rain. Needles or thorns in our sides never seem to stop piercing our best intentions. God knows about pain, loneliness and abuse. He let His son be wounded on a cross and his blood flowed freely like the resinous sap of the Saguaro. Brokenness removes the flesh of the world and creates a greater capacity to love.
Fasting is a way to get closer to God. My hunger and thirst for God causes me to ignore the hunger and thirst in my body. I'm basically saying that I don't need anything but God for my sustenance. Yes, you eventually do need to eat. Our bodies are not meant to do without fuel for extended periods of time. But to take time out, and focus on God is spiritually nourishing. I want the full measure of God within my spirit. For everything there is a season;
A time for loss and a time for gain
A time to eat and a time to refrain.
A time for pleasure and a time to abstain.
A time for drought and a time for spiritual rain.
The picture above shows a Gila Woodpecker perched outside a nest in a Saguaro Cactus. The Saguaro Cactus only grows about one inch per year. They can grow up to sixty feet tall and live up to 200 years. There was one cactus that lived to be approximately 300 years old and was nicknamed "Grandpa." The cactus can grow many arms or remain as a "spear." They will grow flowers in the spring that may produce seeds. The flowers have to be pollinated before the seeds can reproduce more cacti.
Woodpeckers will peck a hole in the Saguaro and excavate a deep cavity as it takes the flesh right out of the cactus. The Saguaro then secretes a resinous sap called lignin. The wound in the cactus becomes calloused and hardens into a smooth, waterproof boot. The process takes about a year to complete and the bird returns to raise a young family.
Life is like a Saguaro. Wounds come from people. Sometimes we're used for their personal gain. Where we live can be like a dry desert, all heat and no rain. Needles or thorns in our sides never seem to stop piercing our best intentions. God knows about pain, loneliness and abuse. He let His son be wounded on a cross and his blood flowed freely like the resinous sap of the Saguaro. Brokenness removes the flesh of the world and creates a greater capacity to love.
Fasting is a way to get closer to God. My hunger and thirst for God causes me to ignore the hunger and thirst in my body. I'm basically saying that I don't need anything but God for my sustenance. Yes, you eventually do need to eat. Our bodies are not meant to do without fuel for extended periods of time. But to take time out, and focus on God is spiritually nourishing. I want the full measure of God within my spirit. For everything there is a season;
A time for loss and a time for gain
A time to eat and a time to refrain.
A time for pleasure and a time to abstain.
A time for drought and a time for spiritual rain.
DAY ONE WORD
Daniel 10 The Message
In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was made plain to Daniel, whose Babylonian name was Belteshazzar. The message was true. It dealt with a big war. He understood the message, the understanding coming by revelation:
2-3 “During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up.
4-6 “On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris. I looked up and to my surprise saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body was hard and glistening, as if sculpted from a precious stone, his face radiant, his eyes bright and penetrating like torches, his arms and feet glistening like polished bronze, and his voice, deep and resonant, sounded like a huge choir of voices.
7-8 “I, Daniel, was the only one to see this. The men who were with me, although they didn’t see it, were overcome with fear and ran off and hid, fearing the worst. Left alone after the appearance, abandoned by my friends, I went weak in the knees, the blood drained from my face.
9-10 “I heard his voice. At the sound of it I fainted, fell flat on the ground, face in the dirt. A hand touched me and pulled me to my hands and knees.
11 “‘Daniel,’ he said, ‘man of quality, listen carefully to my message. And get up on your feet. Stand at attention. I’ve been sent to bring you news.’
“When he had said this, I stood up, but I was still shaking.
12-14 “‘Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. And now I’m here to help you understand what will eventually happen to your people. The vision has to do with what’s ahead.’
15-17 “While he was saying all this, I looked at the ground and said nothing. Then I was surprised by something like a human hand that touched my lips. I opened my mouth and started talking to the messenger: ‘When I saw you, master, I was terror-stricken. My knees turned to water. I couldn’t move. How can I, a lowly servant, speak to you, my master? I’m paralyzed. I can hardly breathe!’
18-19 “Then this humanlike figure touched me again and gave me strength. He said, ‘Don’t be afraid, friend. Peace. Everything is going to be all right. Take courage. Be strong.’
“Even as he spoke, courage surged up within me. I said, ‘Go ahead, let my master speak. You’ve given me courage.’
20-21 “He said, ‘Do you know why I’ve come here to you? I now have to go back to fight against the angel-prince of Persia, and when I get him out of the way, the angel-prince of Greece will arrive. But first let me tell you what’s written in The True Book. No one helps me in my fight against these beings except Michael, your angel-prince.’”
In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was made plain to Daniel, whose Babylonian name was Belteshazzar. The message was true. It dealt with a big war. He understood the message, the understanding coming by revelation:
2-3 “During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up.
4-6 “On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris. I looked up and to my surprise saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body was hard and glistening, as if sculpted from a precious stone, his face radiant, his eyes bright and penetrating like torches, his arms and feet glistening like polished bronze, and his voice, deep and resonant, sounded like a huge choir of voices.
7-8 “I, Daniel, was the only one to see this. The men who were with me, although they didn’t see it, were overcome with fear and ran off and hid, fearing the worst. Left alone after the appearance, abandoned by my friends, I went weak in the knees, the blood drained from my face.
9-10 “I heard his voice. At the sound of it I fainted, fell flat on the ground, face in the dirt. A hand touched me and pulled me to my hands and knees.
11 “‘Daniel,’ he said, ‘man of quality, listen carefully to my message. And get up on your feet. Stand at attention. I’ve been sent to bring you news.’
“When he had said this, I stood up, but I was still shaking.
12-14 “‘Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. And now I’m here to help you understand what will eventually happen to your people. The vision has to do with what’s ahead.’
15-17 “While he was saying all this, I looked at the ground and said nothing. Then I was surprised by something like a human hand that touched my lips. I opened my mouth and started talking to the messenger: ‘When I saw you, master, I was terror-stricken. My knees turned to water. I couldn’t move. How can I, a lowly servant, speak to you, my master? I’m paralyzed. I can hardly breathe!’
18-19 “Then this humanlike figure touched me again and gave me strength. He said, ‘Don’t be afraid, friend. Peace. Everything is going to be all right. Take courage. Be strong.’
“Even as he spoke, courage surged up within me. I said, ‘Go ahead, let my master speak. You’ve given me courage.’
20-21 “He said, ‘Do you know why I’ve come here to you? I now have to go back to fight against the angel-prince of Persia, and when I get him out of the way, the angel-prince of Greece will arrive. But first let me tell you what’s written in The True Book. No one helps me in my fight against these beings except Michael, your angel-prince.’”
DAY ONE PRAYER
God, we thank you for a New Year. We know that we can begin everyday with You as Your mercies are new each morning. Give us our daily bread as we cut back on our food in search of more of You. Our desire is to follow Your way without losing time or lives to destruction. Bring us unity in doing what is right, being compassionate and walking humbly before You. Help us to focus on kindness and mercy in teaching children about loving their neighbors. There are too many loudmouths claiming superiority without becoming servants. Give us a word for the year that will define our "Plan A." In Jesus name. Amen.
day one deep thoughts
- Have you asked God for direction in your business or personal life?
- What are you willing to sacrifice for a greater gain?
- Have you asked God to help you let go of old wounds and secrete forgiveness?
- Recall to mind a victory that God has given you and express gratitude to Him.
Jesus loves you and so do we. (See you tomorrow!)
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