Day 9 Reconciliation Fasting

Grace is a Gift

Today’s Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)

⁹To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

¹³"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

¹⁴"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Today’s Scripture Message

It is not Gods will that you measure up to a standard but live humbly within the measure you were provided, giving of the excess of that measure as a blessing to others knowing you are a vessel and residing in you is the spirit of His word and the essence of his presence guiding you peacefully & joyously beyond your expectation, but fully within His purpose for you. Live your life purposely in representation of the greatness of God that is You.

Thought for the Day:

“Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.” George Arliss

Goal for the Day:

Stop trying to earn what you have already been gifted, accept the gift and give one.

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(From Pastor Gregory Dickow’s – Fast From Wrong Thinking)

I’m Just Not a Strong Enough Christian

Today we’re fasting from the thought that says, “I’m just not a strong enough Christian.”

Who hasn’t thought that at times? Not strong enough to overcome the temptation you’re facing; not strong enough to keep going; not strong enough to make it through this economy or trials you're facing. Let's CHANGE IT TODAY:

1. Rejoice in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:5 (LB) says, "I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for his glory." When we are weak, that’s when God’s strength is activated.

2. Stop making promises to God. Not only does that wear you out, and frustrate you; but it's an insult to God’s grace. Christianity is not about the promises we make to God, but the promises He made to us. Look up 2 Peter 1:4. It's by the promises we live!

3. Wake up with the Holy Spirit! First thing in the morning, admit you’re weak (rather than waiting for life to beat you into admission!) Ask for His help. He’ll pray through you. (Romans 8:26)

4. Strength comes from the Word of God. Fill up on it. 1 John 2:13 says...you are strong because the Word abides in you—THEN you overcome the evil one.

5. See your weakness as an offering. Give it to God, He will use it and use you anyway, proving His greatness. You give God glory when your trust is in Him not in yourself.

6. You don’t have to look good. In your honest admission and trust, God opens the heavens and works in you from the inside out. (John 1:47, 51)

THINK IT & SAY IT:
God’s strength is working in me, even in my weakness. I stop trying to look good, and trust the Word of God to give me the strength I need. God is working in me, and He will finish what He started. I live by the promises of God, and by the Holy Spirit strengthening me today, in Jesus’ Name.