Week 1: Hope

Recipes:

  • Chicken Pot Pie
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies

Find the full devotional and recipes HERE.


Devotional:


What is fasting? I think the modern Christian church often feels unfamiliar and even uncomfortable with the topic of fasting. For many people, the practice seems steeped in legalism and fear. However, we see the Israelites, the disciples, and even Jesus himself fasting – and we know that Christ came to fulfill the law and abolish fear.

 

In the Bible, the prophets speak of “the day of the Lord” approaching as a fearsome, wrathful judgement for all people. But God, in his rich mercy, calls to us. 


“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

Joel 2:12-13  


We are called to “rend our hearts” through prayer and fasting - which literally means to violently tear into two. I don’t know about you, but I’m not over here jumping up and down excited about that… What a picture though! God is rich in mercy and love. He will be gracious towards us when we come contritely before him.

 

Fasting is an external expression of an internal reality. Our reality is that Christ came once into this broken world as a tiny baby – and He is coming again! In fasting, we repent in our hearts, confess our sin, and turn away from it in a tangible way.

 

As we remember the coming of Christ and anticipate his coming again, let us commit to a personal time of fasting as the Spirit leads each of us individually. If you would like to read more about fasting, you can read this article.

WEEK 2: PEACE

Recipes:

  • Homemade Chili
  • French Bread

Find the full devotional and recipes HERE.


Devotional:


WHY DO WE FAST? We see many reasons in scripture that God’s people fasted - for protection, for provision, in confession of sin, for the salvation of people, in the face of real fear, and for guard against temptation – just to name a few. Interestingly, God made us with a need for food in order to survive. When we go without sustenance, we feel deep hunger pains that cause us to yearn for something to eat. I do not think it is a coincidence that Jesus says, “I am the BREAD OF LIFE; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) These hunger pains that we feel when we abstain from food remind us of the yearning in our spirit for God to fill every empty part of our souls. In his book “Prayer, Fasting, and the Pursuit of God”, David Platt writes, “As we fast and pray, we remember that we can trust in the all-satisfying, all-sufficient goodness of the Father.” Friend, God is so much more satisfying and good than anything we could taste, touch, see, hear, or do. Let’s press into Him this advent season and ask Him to fill us until we overflow.


This week, as you spend time fasting and feasting, meditate on these scriptures. Set your hearts toward the message the angels proclaimed to the shepherds and the truth of the true satisfaction that comes only through Jesus.


Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:35


“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27


As we remember the coming of Christ and anticipate his coming again, let us commit to a personal time of fasting as the Spirit leads each of us individually. If you would like to read more about fasting, you can read this article.

WEEK 3: Joy

Come back soon for more!

WEEK 4: love

Come back soon for more!