Your Identity in Christ
In Christ I am a child of God secure in the truth that nothing can separate me from the love of God, regardless of what occurs in life around me.
Pondering Point
During Jesus’ temptation in the desert, the devil twice tried to use His identity against Him while in a weakened state: “If you are the Son of God…” It failed because Jesus was secure in His identity. It’s a good model for us: Know who we are and know whose we are.
Weakened state or not, one of the hardest things about any fast is denying ourselves something that our body or mind or emotions crave. Our desires are powerful. But isn't that the point of the fast: to “crucify the flesh” with its desires (Gal 5:24)? As a child of God we have an obligation to the Spirit, and are trying to keep the body from being in control (see Romans 8:12).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, while my flesh desires many things, my spirit desires to let You be Lord in my life, and to let You rule on the throne of my heart. Help me to live out of my identity as Your child, under the leadership and full influence of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 130:1-8
- Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
- Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy. - If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand? - But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you. - I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope. - I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning. - Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption. - He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Hebrews 2:17
For this reason [Jesus] had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
The Promise
Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Pondering Point
Ask yourself, am I keeping a list of wrongs against myself? If so, ask God (who is not keeping a record of your sins) about the validity and health of such practices.