Nate Staton

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32

Today’s focus in the fast is that we would embody and embrace Ephesians 4:32. Right now in our world, everyone is pointing fingers. It’s Blue verses Red. Masks verses no masks. Vaccines verses anti vaccines. While we cant deny the rhetoric and circumstances at hand, as Christians, we are not given freedom to participate in the finger pointing and confusion of this culture.

Christians are the light of the world, we are a city on the hill. Right now, can anyone really say they want to be on the hill? Can the lost truly say they want to live in that city? I don’t say that in condemnation, but in genuine reflection. I also don’t say this so Christians become a people with no backbone in the Word. But this is a genuine pure unadulterated question.

The Lord says to be compassionate and forgiving in equal demonstration as Christ has forgiven us. Who aren’t you being compassionate with? Who am I judging for wearing a mask and no showing compassion to? Who am I judging for NOT wearing a mask and am showing no compassion to? I could go on, but, I feel enough feathers will be ruffled with that montage of questions. I know mine are.

There is a freeing truth of Christianity. That truth is I am dead to self but alive in Christ. This means I am free to get over myself (something I have been repenting of daily in 2020 if I’m being honest). We need each other. We need all the Jesus has equipped us with in each other for each other.

Please. Please. Bow down to the authority of Jesus Christ. Embrace this verse, and reflect His voice.

In this day and time, our physical awareness for danger and safety have been elevated to a whole new level. In striving to provide safe environments for ourselves and our families we have been wearing masks and staying six feet apart from others in fear of spreading a virus we know very little about. While we still gather together we are unable to physically be close to one another. We go in and out of any public area preparing the best we can for what ifs and emergencies. We cling to our children in fear they will be taken and sold. We do all we know to do. However, If you are like me, it doesn’t give you the peace and safety you are looking for. It may leave you feeling even more isolated and alone as we wonder what is to come in the future of our country and the world.

 The truth is no matter what we do or don’t do, we do not control what will happen here and how it may affect us. In this world we are guaranteed to have trouble. However, there is good news! This place is not our home. Our safety does not rest on the things we see here on earth. Our safe haven and peace come from the one who controls all things on earth. We can rest under His wing knowing that He who created the universe and all in it will not leave us nor forsake us. As a matter of fact, He walks with us. God made a way for us to have this peace and safety through His son Jesus! Our safety comes through grace by faith and the salvation of our souls eternally. That alone gives us peace. But it doesn’t stop there Jesus came so we would have life and life abundantly. If we listen to what He says we will dwell secure and will be at ease without dread of a disaster.

As we walk with Jesus we begin to see Him as our commander and chief, as He opens our eyes to the battle we are in.  However, the battle isn’t against each other. To put it plainly, it is against Satan. Jesus equips us with battle gear (Armor of God) and teaches us through His word how to fight the good fight of faith! He does all this so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Our job in the battle is to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or discouraged for the Lord our God is with us no matter where we go or what is happening. We can be confident we are safe in the hands of our creator and savior Jesus Christ.  We can rest in the truth that even though there is so much trouble in the world, He has overcome the world!

Can I challenge you to pray for God to give you this gift of salvation if you have not received it already!

Pray: Father I know I live in a dark and fallen world and there is nothing I can do to find safety here. You are the only way Jesus! Please forgive me for where I have failed as we all have sinned and fallen short of your glory! Come and live in me and I surrender my life to you Lord! Give all I need to serve you and fight this battle with you Lord! Help me walk in confidence in your unfailing love for me. Give me your peace Lord and help me live securely and safely in you.

Often times we think of weaknesses as liabilities or insufficiencies that we need to hide from others. The opposite is true in the Kingdom of God. Weaknesses are a magnet for His sufficiency and power to be made perfect in us.

Perhaps you can feel the pain of trying to hold it all together and make it through on your own strength. You can only plow like that for so long until you feel powerless and insufficient. I want to encourage you to expose your weaknesses to the Lord. Confess them, whatever they may be.

As you fast today, ask the Lord to reveal the weaknesses and to saturate them with his power and sufficiency. God can use the weak, it’s the proud and pious that aren’t much help in the Kingdom. Be weak, and let God be glorified in your life. His strength will shine, and you will feel his power and sufficiency .

To be one in today’s hyper divisive culture is not impossible. I believe we need to hear that, say that out loud, and read that over and over again. It is not impossible for God’s people to be one. Not at all.

A key to being one is understanding who’s voice has authority and who’s doesn’t. In the Kingdom of God, it is Jesus’ voice that matters. So long as all of His sheep bow down to His voice and we all move in obedience to His words, we have potential and possibility for unity.

What are some areas the Holy Spirit is speaking to you today to bow down to Jesus and die to self? Division in the flock usually means there is dirt in the ears of the sheep or arrogance and pride in their heart. Jesus can clean and redeem both. He waits today to knit hearts together and to give marching orders for all of His troops to march together in unison.

Jesus’ words aren’t up for debate or interpretation, they are to be obeyed in love to Him. Jesus says if you love me, you will obey my commands..Do you love Him? Check the fruit on your tree. Allow Him access to prune. A tree can’t prune itself.

As we continue to fast, today’s focus is for us to ask God to reveal sin in our lives. As He reveals, ask for forgiveness. What we are forgiven of, we are free of. When I’m free, I don’t wander back, I wonder forward.

What areas do you need freedom in today? What sin is Holy Spirit highlighting that He wants to free you from? Don’t you want to find victory this year over “that thing.” In Christ, you can!

As we start this year, I want to encourage you to join us in fasting and seeking the face and heart of God. Tomorrow, January 1 will be the first day of this fast.

While abstaining from food is a powerful means of fasting and has great Biblical support, there are other ways you can fast. Perhaps for you social media needs to go for 21 days as you seek God with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Maybe there is a certain food or food group you feel led to give up for 21 days. Whatever you are led to fast from, let’s fast and seek the Lord. FAST AS A BODY.

We fast at the beginning of each year to give God our first fruits of time, purpose, vision, goals, and as a demonstration of our desperate need for Him to lead us.

Almost every day on this website there will be a post with an area of focus for that day of the fast. For instance, tomorrows emphasis will be purity. There will be a video or written word with scripture to dwell on and seek the Lord on. So check this page out every day or stay connected on out Facebook page for links to each days focus of the fast.

“So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listen to our entreaty.” – Ezra 8:23