Author's Note: Every day on the YWAP Fast Jan. 6-26, 2020 we’ll write about our experience as we respond to what God plants on our hearts during our extended time with Him.. Eventually the story will be chronicled into a book. “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Matthew 6:33 AMP
GOD SEES THE UNSEEN
God sees the skeletons in the darkest closets. He wants to put some flesh on the bones you've been hiding. God saw your last drink, He saw your last gambling trip to the casino. He saw the needle in your arms. He saw the last thing you stole from your neighbor. He saw the last pill you swallowed. He saw between the sheets when it wasn't who you're married to that you slept with. Just when you think nobody's looking, the unseen becomes visible to an invisible God.
He's not a voyeur, but He is a God of holiness and purity who wants the best for you. You feel the conviction in your gut and you know what's wrong. Forgiveness, grace and mercy are waiting for you if you'll only ask. He knows your struggles and challenges. He knows the trouble you have staying on the right path. His Bible is full of stories written about the lives of people who made many mistakes. Some left their struggles and went after the promises of God.
This is your day. In this moment now, ask God to help you go one minute without doing anything that's destructive to you or anybody else. Just one minute and then do another until you've done an hour. Pick up a Bible and read about what Jesus did when he struggled the night before he died. He asked God to take his suffering away, but he added that he would do what his Father wanted him to do. You've suffered some, but if you continue on a destructive path, your suffering will grow into a mountain of pain and disgrace.
Let this be the moment now that you turn the corner. Make a promise to God and write it down. Call somebody and tell them about your commitment. It may be hard to find somebody who believes in you because you've tried before and failed. God will not leave you alone if you trust Him. Take one step and then take another. Fill your first day with something positive. God believes in you. I believe in you. You are an overcomer who embraces challenges. Before long you will teach other people how you trusted God and became victorious over your struggles.
DAY TWENTY-ONE WORD
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ICB)
“The only temptations that you have are the temptations that all people have.
But you can trust God.
He will not let you be tempted more than you can stand.
But when you are tempted,
God will also give you a way to escape that temptation.
Then you will be able to stand it.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 (ICB)
“Do not be fooled:
“Bad friends will ruin good habits.”
James 4:7 (ICB)
“So give yourselves to God.
Stand against the devil, and the devil will run away from you.
1 Peter 5:10 (ICB)
“Yes, you will suffer for a short time.
But after that, God will make everything right.
He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling.
He is the God who gives all grace.
He called you to share in his glory in Christ.
That glory will continue forever.”
DAY TWENTY-ONE PRAYER
Thank you God for giving us courage. You made us brave to be able to withstand the temptations of this world. You've given us the spirit of perseverance. Even when we've fallen backward, you've picked us up and set us on solid ground to launch a new beginning. Thank you for our grace. Thank you for giving us so many chances. Help someone tonight take a step out of a bad situation. In Jesus name. Amen.
DAY TWENTY-ONE DEEP THOUGHTS
The first thing that comes to my mind in helping someone overcome addiction or bad habits is the Word of God.
God has a purpose for your heart. He wants to receive praise through you. All you have to do is try, and your Father in heaven will be proud of you.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (ICB)
“So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will give everyone the praise he should get.”
You do have to seek God, but He’s easily found. In your day of trouble, hide yourself in Him – that’s a truly secret place of peace.
Psalm 27:4-6 (AMP)
“One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
In His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.”
He's not a voyeur, but He is a God of holiness and purity who wants the best for you. You feel the conviction in your gut and you know what's wrong. Forgiveness, grace and mercy are waiting for you if you'll only ask. He knows your struggles and challenges. He knows the trouble you have staying on the right path. His Bible is full of stories written about the lives of people who made many mistakes. Some left their struggles and went after the promises of God.
This is your day. In this moment now, ask God to help you go one minute without doing anything that's destructive to you or anybody else. Just one minute and then do another until you've done an hour. Pick up a Bible and read about what Jesus did when he struggled the night before he died. He asked God to take his suffering away, but he added that he would do what his Father wanted him to do. You've suffered some, but if you continue on a destructive path, your suffering will grow into a mountain of pain and disgrace.
Let this be the moment now that you turn the corner. Make a promise to God and write it down. Call somebody and tell them about your commitment. It may be hard to find somebody who believes in you because you've tried before and failed. God will not leave you alone if you trust Him. Take one step and then take another. Fill your first day with something positive. God believes in you. I believe in you. You are an overcomer who embraces challenges. Before long you will teach other people how you trusted God and became victorious over your struggles.
DAY TWENTY-ONE WORD
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ICB)
“The only temptations that you have are the temptations that all people have.
But you can trust God.
He will not let you be tempted more than you can stand.
But when you are tempted,
God will also give you a way to escape that temptation.
Then you will be able to stand it.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 (ICB)
“Do not be fooled:
“Bad friends will ruin good habits.”
James 4:7 (ICB)
“So give yourselves to God.
Stand against the devil, and the devil will run away from you.
1 Peter 5:10 (ICB)
“Yes, you will suffer for a short time.
But after that, God will make everything right.
He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling.
He is the God who gives all grace.
He called you to share in his glory in Christ.
That glory will continue forever.”
DAY TWENTY-ONE PRAYER
Thank you God for giving us courage. You made us brave to be able to withstand the temptations of this world. You've given us the spirit of perseverance. Even when we've fallen backward, you've picked us up and set us on solid ground to launch a new beginning. Thank you for our grace. Thank you for giving us so many chances. Help someone tonight take a step out of a bad situation. In Jesus name. Amen.
DAY TWENTY-ONE DEEP THOUGHTS
The first thing that comes to my mind in helping someone overcome addiction or bad habits is the Word of God.
God has a purpose for your heart. He wants to receive praise through you. All you have to do is try, and your Father in heaven will be proud of you.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (ICB)
“So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will give everyone the praise he should get.”
You do have to seek God, but He’s easily found. In your day of trouble, hide yourself in Him – that’s a truly secret place of peace.
Psalm 27:4-6 (AMP)
“One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
In His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.”
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