In Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV the Lord said — Forget the former things;    do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness    and streams in the wasteland.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines beginning as the first part or a rudimentary stage or period. Today’s featured scripture reminds us to not dwell in the past but instead be open to the new things God is preparing for us. Spring is a couple days away and often signifies new life, new hope, and new beginnings. 

What new beginning is God preparing for you? “Do you not perceive it?” Are you dwelling in the past instead of trusting God to lead you? Let’s face forward, step out in faith on the way in the wilderness God is preparing, and take hold of the new beginning.

Let’s pray. Dear merciful Father, thank You for making a way in the wilderness for me. Open my eyes to Your loving path and help me walk in faith toward Your new beginning for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Join us as we talk about new beginnings. Start by reading and meditating on the scriptures that will be featured this week. 

In Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV the Lord said — Forget the former things;    do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness    and streams in the wasteland.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

Isaiah 40:31 NIV — but those who hope in the Lord    will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;    they will run and not grow weary,    they will walk and not be faint.

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV — You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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Take time to set the scene for our week ahead on new beginnings by listening to the following songs.

Made New by Lincoln Brewster

More Of You by Colton Dixon

Break Every Chain by Jesus Culture

1 Peter 5:6 NIV — Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Take some time to read this article by Bible Gateway titled Why Should I Fast? 7 Examples of Fasting In the Bible.

How has God spoken to you this week about fasting? How will you respond? 

Let’s pray. Dear Father, thank You for the sacrifices made by Your Son Jesus Christ for me. Open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to receive Your individual message for me about fasting. Prepare me to receive Your will for me and may I respond as You would have me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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Philippians 3:10-11 MSG — I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Fasting can occur at any time, not just during the time of Lent. Years ago I applied and interviewed for a particular job. After several days passed without hearing the result of the interview, I felt led to pray and fast so I could clearly hear God’s direction. I chose to give up coffee. If you know me well you know how much I enjoy coffee so giving it up was a drastic measure, but isn’t that what a fast should be? Shouldn’t it be something that is a sacrifice and an act of self-denial? In the meantime, I decided when the fast was over I would invest in a coffee machine with a carafe instead of using one that used single serve pods. A friend had an extra pot she said I could have. The days seemed to move by slowly. I waited day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute and during the time that seemed to never end, I fasted and prayed. I decided to go ahead and pick up the coffee pot from my friend even though I knew I wouldn’t use it until I had an answer about the job and ended my fast. As I walked into my house with the coffee pot, I received the phone call informing me I didn’t get the job. What perfect timing God has when He answers prayers! I could have been heartbroken and devastated that I didn’t get the job, but instead I had peace. I have no doubt I was at peace because I had spent so much time talking to God about the job. As it turns out, because I took a chance on that job, I later was offered my current job. Go God!

Have you ever fasted? What did you fast and what were your reasons for fasting? Did you grow closer to God through your act of fasting? 

Let’s pray. Dear Father, thank You for the sacrifices made by Your Son Jesus Christ for me. Open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to receive Your individual message for me about fasting. Prepare me to receive Your will for me and may I respond as You would have me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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In Matthew 6:16-18 NIV Jesus said — When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Many denominations recognize today as Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent which is the 40 days leading to Easter and commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying before His ministry began. 

Have you ever fasted or have you ever considered fasting? Fasting is a time of self-denial. In the traditions of Lent, often people choose a food, habit, or attitude to fast over the 40 days. The idea is to allow the lack of items to be a time of reflection to draw you closer to Christ. In the past when I have fasted a food and have been tempted to partake of it, I take that moment to stop and pray. I ask God to help me to be mindful of Christ’s sacrifice for me and allow God to lead and direct my steps. As today’s featured scripture reminds us, when you fast, you should not let your time of denial become an outward time of sadness as to draw attention to yourself. Instead, allow your time of fasting to be a private time of reflection between you and your savior. 

Let’s pray. Dear Father, thank You for the sacrifices made by Your Son Jesus Christ for me. Open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to receive Your individual message for me about fasting. Prepare me to receive Your will for me and may I respond as You would have me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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Matthew 4 NIV

Are you familiar with Lent? No, I am not referring to the collection of particles you clean out of your dryer vent. I am referring to a tradition some religions practice. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and self-denial and is meant to commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by Satan. This week we will dive a little deeper into the practice of fasting. Take a moment to watch this short video by The Bible Project titled The Purpose of Fasting,

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, as we start this week exploring the concept of fasting, open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to receive Your individual message for me. Prepare me to receive Your will for me and may I respond as You would have me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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