Day 41-Conclusion
What About Tomorrow
Philippians 2:10-16 (NLT) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Paul reminding us of the sacrifice Jesus made. This sacrifice did not begin with crucifixion but ended there. Jesus’ sacrifice began in eternity past when Jesus gave up His ‘divine privileges' to become human and go through the agonies we encounter culminating with His death in our place on the cross. All His sacrifices were to give glory to God the Father! Paul then says, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” One of the major goals of the 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting is self-discipline. The Holy Spirit wants us to follow God’s Word and leads us in that endeavor. However, it is challenging work to go against our human nature and serve God. The Apostle Paul gave us the example, Jesus, and the purpose, to bring Glory to God our Father!
Behavioral scientists tell us that if we do something for 40 days, we can break old habits and begin new ones. I pray that for you these 40 Days of Fasting and Prayer have allowed this transformation to begin. We Christians have a most blessed opportunity to provide truth and Godly living to a lost and increasingly rebellious culture. It is no longer a supposition that culture is rapidly moving away from God’s Word and God’s Purpose; it is statistically measurable.
We Christians have the potential to live as God planned so that we can give all the glory to God our Father, just like Jesus!
The Apostle Paul gave the following instruction to Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8a)
power – The Holy Spirit living in us.
love – The Holy Spirit enables us to love God and love the person immediately in front of us.
self-discipline – The Holy Spirit enables us to begin and complete the 40 Days of Fasting and Prayer.
Philippians 1:6 (CSB) I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is day 41! Let us continue the good work to God’s Glory!
Philippians 2:10-16 (NLT) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Paul reminding us of the sacrifice Jesus made. This sacrifice did not begin with crucifixion but ended there. Jesus’ sacrifice began in eternity past when Jesus gave up His ‘divine privileges' to become human and go through the agonies we encounter culminating with His death in our place on the cross. All His sacrifices were to give glory to God the Father! Paul then says, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” One of the major goals of the 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting is self-discipline. The Holy Spirit wants us to follow God’s Word and leads us in that endeavor. However, it is challenging work to go against our human nature and serve God. The Apostle Paul gave us the example, Jesus, and the purpose, to bring Glory to God our Father!
Behavioral scientists tell us that if we do something for 40 days, we can break old habits and begin new ones. I pray that for you these 40 Days of Fasting and Prayer have allowed this transformation to begin. We Christians have a most blessed opportunity to provide truth and Godly living to a lost and increasingly rebellious culture. It is no longer a supposition that culture is rapidly moving away from God’s Word and God’s Purpose; it is statistically measurable.
We Christians have the potential to live as God planned so that we can give all the glory to God our Father, just like Jesus!
The Apostle Paul gave the following instruction to Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8a)
power – The Holy Spirit living in us.
love – The Holy Spirit enables us to love God and love the person immediately in front of us.
self-discipline – The Holy Spirit enables us to begin and complete the 40 Days of Fasting and Prayer.
Philippians 1:6 (CSB) I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is day 41! Let us continue the good work to God’s Glory!
Posted in 40 Days - 2022