PREPARATION TIME

Every now and then we all need a revival. Lord knows I need one in this season of my life.  Life circumstances gave me a beating last year and although I am on the other side of it - it left me with some pretty significant battle scars and woulds that need to be tended to. 

I thank God for restoring joy in my life, but recognize that in order for me to continue to heal, I must put in the work on my physical, mental and spiritual self.  To live the full life of abundance God has promised requires action on my part.  I’m sure many of you can relate.

Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert and spent 40 days in a time preparation, enduring temptation by satan. After that time he began to preach, gather disciples and perform miracles:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:1-11

Just as Jesus did during his 40 days of temptation, let us directly respond to satan with the Word of God. What a perfect time for us to enter into a season of 40 days of reflection and instruction to allow ourselves to be prepared and equipped for whatever God has for us. It is a perfect opportunity for us to fully commit to renewing our mind, body and spirit.  

Jesus fasted for those 40 days. I know the most common fast is that of food, but I encourage you to choose something, whether it be food, social media, television, etc. that is distracting or tempting you to stray form the narrow road and eliminate it. Use the time you would normally spend on that thing and redirect that focus on to God. Be ready to receive from Him everything you need.

Starting Wednesday, February 26, extending through April 9, I will be walking through a devotional entitled, “40 Days on the Narrow Road” by Dr. Barry Settle. I love the title of this devotional as it reminded me that the goal is to stay on the narrow road.  If I’m honest, when the storms of life rage, I sometimes find myself veering off mighty close to the edge of the road.  This is where satan would have us stay, but God makes all things new. He can and will restore the joy of our salvation, providing a course correction back to the narrow road He would have us travel on.

God can perform the miracle of resurrection in our lives at any time, but let’s use this time to jump start our journey together as we are led by God, our creator and our father.  It is my desire that this 40 day period will strengthen us as we seek to walk on the narrow road that leads to Christ. 

The devotional is available HERE on Amazon kindle book and HERE amazon paperback book.

Each day we will read the devotional, pray for understanding and instruction and journal our thoughts, prayers and lessons learned for the day. Journaling is the tool that allowed me to reclaim my joy in Christ. You can read all about it (here) - hyperlink journaling to joy. 

Praying that during this time God resurrects the things in your life that should be living and thriving but that are currently dead.