Day 15

Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 26:1-31:13, John 11:1-12:19, Psalm 117:1-118:18, Proverbs 15:22-26

At church last Sunday, Pastor Mark challenged everyone to fast on Wednesday (today). He says that we often wonder why God isn’t speaking to us when, in reality, we just aren’t listening.

Sometimes people wonder why their prayers are not answered. But if they don’t fulfill the responsibilities God has already given them, they should not be surprised when he does not give further guidance. – LAB

God doesn’t require fasting. However, by taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. I took the challenge, and fasted from food from last night until tonight. It was my first fast ever, and I’m honestly surprised that I lasted nearly 23 hours. I did allow myself juice, water, and tea, but no other food or liquid.

I prayed for many things during my fast, but I had two main points that I wanted to focus on. 1) Praying for Clayton Bell‘s new church that he is planting in Tampa and 2) that God would speak to me in a way I’ve never experienced.

My 2nd request hit me like a rock. I was sitting at my desk, and suddenly in my head, I thought, “I want God to plow me.” At first, I thought to myself, “Wow… that isn’t something that I should be thinking…” but then it dawned on me what it really meant. Between living in Texas for 6 years and living in Iowa for 7 years, I have a basic understanding of how farming works. When you plow a field, you prepare it for seeds… which then grows into food. So basically, you plow to prepare the field for greater things.

I seriously want God to do something huge in my life. It may not be something as big as planting a new church, but I want to have an affect on people. I want to help people find Christ. Am I the best candidate? Why not? Sure, I’ve had my share of sins. I’m not perfect, but nobody is.

How has God led you to this point? As you grow older, you will look back and see God’s involvement more clearly than you do now. – LAB

As I stated in my other blog at injekted.net:

I’ve seen what happens in my life when I pray and put my full faith in God, and also what happens when I don’t. And the latter is not a pretty sight. I have no clue what my future holds, but I believe that everything that happens in my life is happening to prepare me for greater things. God is my farmer, and I want Him to plow me.

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~ by kevin on July 15, 2009.