by Chy Robins

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake,
I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong. 
                                                                                                 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I’ve been thinking about Samson a lot this week (Judges 16), and I think about how he’s typically depicted in movies and art - strong, muscular, and obviously with long hair. It’s always been curious to me though, that Delilah would repeatedly ask Samson to share the secret to his strength, if he looked like he drank protein shakes and hit the gym every day of the week. Why would one then wonder, where his strength came from? It seems kind of obvious.

But the scriptures actually do not describe Samson‘s appearance, apart from saying he had long hair. Some sources even argue that Samson probably was average size or scrawny. That, to me, makes sense. That explains why someone would want to know the secret to Samson’s power. The source of his strength wouldn’t be a mystery if he looked strong. The mystery would be if he didn’t have natural strength – if Samson looked weak, that would be a cause to wonder.

Now, times of fasting always bring me to 2 Corinthians 12. Paul talks about the thorn on his side that kept him in a position of weakness. Naturally, abstaining from any kinds of food will at the very least put you in a mood, and often leave you feeling tired, hungry, irritable, physically weak, and so on. Seasons of fasting don’t usually feel like powerful times in the natural sense. But how many testimonies have we heard of powerful experiences in the Spirit during these seasons? People are being delivered from lies, strongholds, sickness and generational sin. Some are receiving revelation and divine direction and strategy. Fasting gives way to power because our dependency on the Lord increases. God loves to demonstrate his power, and our weakness is the platform he chooses. In that place, he gets all the glory, because we have no reason to boast.

So in these last days of our 21-day fast, I encourage us all to lean in. You may be feeling lethargic today, unqualified, ill-equipped, or altogether imperfect. Take heart, He wants to meet us there. He wants to move in us, and through us, despite us. May we not run from what we are not, but look to Jesus and see who he is. May we not hide what we don’t have, but look to Jesus to see all he has. Take these moments of humbling and lean into the grace readily available to us.

by Jose Oyola


As we continue in the theme of power during this last week of fasting, I’m writing this devotional on the 2nd Inauguration of Donald Trump. Our democratic system gives the authority to its citizens to vote and give a candidate the power to be president.  This is not the case in many countries.  That being said, I think it’s important for us to look at how Jesus got his power in order to root out a few things that may be affecting us with our walk with him.  

First, Jesus was NOT living in a democracy in the first century. He didn't come into the world to run a campaign, ask money for it or make promises about future change.  He comes into the world already with the title King of the Jews. Math 2:2.  This is why he troubles King Herod and all of Jerusalem. V3.  He’s instantly a threat to the establishment because he doesn't need “the vote” from the people or some backroom deals to be King.  God has made him King…Psalm 2:6. The only proper response from us is to recognize this and worship him.  It's only our pride and the effect of our current context that allows us to think we have a say on who should be our king. We don’t crown Jesus…He’s already been crowned, exalted to the highest place of authority by the Father. Phil 2

Speaking of the Father, it’s very clear throughout the Gospels, that Jesus is clearly under the authority of the Father.  In essence, he’s only able to be King because of his submission to the Father. Jesus goes out of his way to let the people know that he’s not doing his own will, but the will of the father who sent him.  This posture of the heart of submission is key to power being released and bringing about whatever was needed at the time. (healing, deliverance)

Experiencing the power of God is directly related to our identity in Christ.  In several passages in the NT it is revealed that God has made us “Kings and Priests” through the blood of Jesus. It is part of his plan to establish his rule through us here on earth. We now have to embrace this and cooperate with him so he can cultivate a heart that is like Jesus.  A heart fully submitted to him, who follows what he says so that his power can move in and through us. When we say, we want to be like Jesus, we should aim for that kind of heart of obedience.  

One of my favorite examples in scripture is the story of the centurion soldier whose servant is sick. After requesting Jesus to come, he confesses that he’s not worthy for him to come to him but “just say the word and my servant will be healed, for I also am a man under authority having soldiers under me. And I say to this one go, and he goes and to another, come, and he comes and to my servant do this and he does it.” Math 8:9  In v10 it says that Jesus marveled at his faith and that he had not found such great faith in Israel.  The centurion recognized that Jesus was under authority AND his current occupation helped him see it and believe that if Jesus just said the word, his servant would be healed.  Have you ever thought that God may be using your current occupation to teach you about authority and power?  Remember his goal is make you walk in whose he’s made you to be…King and priest.  That means, nothing you are experiencing, especially your occupation (no matter what it is) is a waste.  He’s using it to bring about growth, fruitfulness in your life so that he can reveal his power.

Prayer points..
Pray that God 
Would help you not see his rule through a “Democratic lens”
That you would embrace your identity as King and Priest
That your eyes would be open to how he’s using your current occupation to bring about his rule in and through you

by Isaac Hubing

In the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul says that Christ sent him to “proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power” (1 Cor 1:17). What a wild concept - that eloquence and wisdom could take away from the power of the cross of Christ!

Lately, my reflections on the cross have surrounded not its cosmic grandeur, but how shockingly normal it would have been in its time. Criminals were crucified every day. Though it was certainly excruciatingly painful, and the death and resurrection of Jesus was the most important redemption moment in history, its outworking was (to the human eye) confusingly small. Ordinary. Regional, even. This was not near the level of a supreme court case or national news. One man died disgracefully at the hands of discreet political and religious corruption. And nobody stopped it. This is the foolishness of the cross: its littleness, its commonness, its global insignificance. 

Paul is clear that this is, somehow, exactly what makes Jesus’ death and resurrection so pervasively powerful. 

“For Jews demand signs, and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” (1:22-25)

Jesus’ death was, in a sense, ordinary. His resurrection, then, has redeemed all that is ordinary and small. “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” proclaims that our lives in the ordinary can be a powerful investment into the realization of God’s Kingdom. This is not built upon a rejection of responsibility, or apathy; it is a deep-rooted trusting of God’s power. As I go about my day as a college student learning to be faithful to the ordinary - trying to sleep well, encouraging a friend, being honest when someone asks “how are you?”, doing that reading I dreaded - I can be assured that though I am not exercising ‘powerful wisdom’ by the world’s standards, the power and wisdom of Christ is being worked out. 
 
Brothers and sisters, believe today that God is working and present in the ordinary. Yes, in the sense that you may receive a vision while doing something tedious - but also in the sense that washing your dishes may be received by God as a holy act of worship, and that he holds the sun and the stars and the freezing cold air, and every good thing, including your morning coffee, comes from his hands as a gift, and in him we live and move and have our being when we defrost our cars before work in the morning. For the one who belongs to Christ, nothing is outside of God. There is no waste, nothing to earn, and nothing to prove for the child of God. Receive and believe that the grace and power of God are with you as you live faithfully in the ordinary. The cross has spoken a better word of value and purpose to our foolish smallness.

Even if you have not received the breakthrough or answer that you have prayed for and expected this fast, be assured that the power of God is greater than we know or can understand. Your prayers and your fasting are not wasted. God is setting the captives free and making everything new - but in a timing and way that may seem like foolishness to us. 

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18)

by Angie Fotsis

The other day I was meditating on the reality of eternity.  I was trying to grasp the span of forever.  Numbers like 1,000, 10,000, 100,00, and even 1 million are numbers that my finite mind can understand.  I can imagine that many years, but when I enter into a billion or a trillion my ability to grasp them starts to fade.    As I increase to the multiplication of trillions and trillions of years and into forever I lose all comprehension.  

What I do gain, though, is a reverent awe in my spirit at the thought of such an existence.  All humanity is heading towards this – an unchanging FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER existence!  Through death, we step into a sealed eternal state - either in heaven or hell.  
 
Anna and I recently visited a friend of ours who is near the end of her life.  She is bedridden and barely speaking. We don’t know how much time she has left, but when we went to visit her we prayed for healing.  We asked the Lord to touch her body and restore her.  We know the Lord could heal her physically and that would be amazing, but ultimately, we wanted to see her experience spiritual healing.  Even if the Lord physically healed her, she would still face death again one day. 

While praying, I felt an overwhelming feeling come over me about how fragile life is. I looked her in the eyes and offered her the most powerful gift available to any human being – salvation through Jesus Christ.  I told her that she could have the assurance of where she would spend her forever if she placed her faith in Jesus Christ.  I read Rom 10:9 and felt her grip my hand tighter as tears rolled down her face.  At that moment, I knew it was only the power of God that had overcome death that could offer her hope and bring her comfort. She had heard the message before, but if she hadn’t yet accepted it, this was the ideal time to!  
 
When we talk about the power of God, we often associate it with the outward manifestations of His presence - healings, miracles, wonders etc. We definitely need to pray for these things, just as we did for our friend. However, any outward miracle is just an invitation to experience the greater miracle of life.

People can experience physical healing and witness the manifest power of God, but still remain enslaved to sin and death. I’ve seen people healed outwardly or experience the supernatural, and unfortunately it did not lead to salvation. A physical miracle or supernatural wonder doesn’t have the power in itself to transform our spiritual deadness. It only serves as the catalyst to receive the power of the gospel for eternal life!  And for that end, we should always continue to contend for the supernatural! 

One thing every person has in common is that they will face death, and most people are terrified by that thought. Yet, as believers, God has given us the hope of life to offer them. The ultimate source of power that we can wield in this life is the gospel message, which contains the hope of life from the dead! Jesus has conquered sin and death, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe in Him.

He has risen from the grave and is seated at the Father's right hand, interceding for those who will come to know Him.  Our proclamation of the gospel is one way Jesus’s prayers are answered on the earth. He has entrusted us with this powerful message that can change people's eternal destiny. The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). The message of the cross may seem like foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). As we share it, God's power works through it to bring new birth!

We cannot hold back from sharing this good news! We have the hope the world desperately needs. Our responsibility is to share it, and God will do His part. I pray that during this fast, Jesus will empower us to step out boldly and share the gospel!  

by Yesenia Menjivar

Have you ever recognized what occurs in worship when the focal point of the lyrics is solely the name of Jesus? 

As a mother of three (and one on the way), I often have an eventful home with my family. There’s never a dull moment. Play-time can get wild at times amongst my children, especially when they’re not directly under my range of sight. Play-time becomes survival of the fittest! Yet, often I notice how my kids respond when their father or I walk into the room in the middle of their entertainment. They stop all shenanigans and wait to hear from mom or dad. Whether it’s correction, redirection or affirmation. The atmosphere of the room changes.

In the same way during worship, when we focus solely on Jesus putting away all distractions; and in faith when we hear from the Lord, the atmosphere deeply changes. His presence alone brings forth life and begins a transformative work in us each time.           

For me, the power of God is so prominent in two accounts from the bible: The Creation and The Pentecost. In writing this devotional today I recognize a commonality. They both point to life and transformation through the Spirit.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said…” Genesis 1-2:1-4    

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like a roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” 
Acts 2:1-4 

Like our brothers and sisters that came before us, when the focal point of our lives is truly Jesus, we have access to the power of God that is manifested through the renewed and truly transformed mind, body and spirit (Romans 12:2). Jesus said, “Pick up your cross and follow me…” As we surrender our lives to Jesus allowing that sanctification process to take place and against all demonic opposition; we do begin to see circumstances change, battles won, illnesses healed, relationships restored, and miracles begin to unfold. Jesus doesn’t hold his power back from us. We may need to step out of a temporary mindset and into an eternal one. The power of Jesus on earth has eternal repercussions. 

So as the Lord continues to do something “new” in us during this fast according to God’s will; let us be encouraged and reminded as a body, that the Spirit not only hovers over us, but dwells within us. Less of us and more of him. Jesus is the manifested power of God. Those who faithfully surrender their lives to him, receive and see the power of the promise (Acts 1:8).  

by Carol Hubing

Today marks the half-way point of our 2025 fast, as we posture our hearts to pursue the manifest presence and power of God.  So in our devotionals, we are transitioning from the theme of presence to the theme of power. Although we may differentiate between these two themes mentally for the sake of giving them both our due attention, we should remind ourselves that in God’s actual nature, presence and power are not so easy to separate!
 
A couple months ago during one of our leadership meetings, the Lord spoke to us through our conversation and time of prayer that if we continue to pursue His manifest presence as a Body, that His power would become evident among us.  It was soon  after that gathering that the Lord highlighted Malachi 4:2 to me which reads:

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”

This verse is set towards the end of a series of written ‘disputes’ between God and His people, Israel, in attempts to expose their  idolatry, corruption and selfishness. He alerts  them of a coming time of purifying judgment that will consume the wicked from among His people. Sounds intense, but maybe also a little bit like our day!?  At the end of this prophecy He also reminds them that this time will also be a cause for joy for the faithful remnant who will experience the healing found in the ‘wings’ or ‘rays’ of a coming ‘Sun of Righteousness.’  In other words when the Sun, Jesus, comes onto the scene, we should also expect the supernatural reach of the rays of His power!

Similarly, both Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 12 speak of a river flowing from the sanctuary/throne (divine presence) bringing life and healing to everything they touch (supernatural power):

“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ez. 47 :12)

“Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:1-2)

The remarkable life-giving productivity that comes from God’s supernatural presence (represented by the waters) is meant to bring powerful healing, just as the anointing on Jesus’ life (and now ours) is to bring power to mend the brokenhearted and free the captives and prisoners (Isa. 61:1-3)

As some of you may know, almost 30 years ago now, Jeff’s and my life were greatly impacted by a supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit at a church in Pensacola, FL that would mark our lives forever. To try and begin to describe the atmosphere of God’s tangible manifest presence in a specific geographical location is difficult to say the least. It felt like a holy sci-fi movie in which an extra-terrestrial existence had collided with ours. He. Was. Near.

And along with this profound nearness (whether we were ready for it or not) came His power. In the same gathering one would be doubling over with a deep gut-wrenching feeling of conviction of sin with tears streaming down their face, while others would be cry-laughing with an overwhelming revelation of the Father’s love for them. Some would experience deliverance from addictions and demonic strongholds the minute they stepped onto the property, while others would be spontaneously healed from chronic physical ailments.

In those days our gatherings were at times ‘messy’ yet still beautiful, as the train of His robe would fill the temple (Isa. 6:1). This season of supernatural visitation convinced me that the most urgent need of the Church is to rediscover the pursuit of her  ‘One Thing’: the manifest presence of God among His people (Ps. 27:4). In asking for Him, we are asking for all the restorative power that He brings for us, and ultimately for the world around us. As we move forward to consider the power of God over these next few days, let’s continue to cry out for His manifest presence, remembering that in asking for the former, He can’t help but bring the latter.

by Alisha Garza

“Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the spirit for the test. The devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the test by fasting forty days and forty  nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the  devil took advantage of…” -Matthew 4:1-3 (The MSG)
 
I’ve been meditating on the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 since before the fast… something lately about the raw and rugged humanity of Jesus has been  gripping me in a fresh way. It was a little word in several different versions that stood  out to me.  

“For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry…”  

Did you catch it? It’s the small but powerful word—very. In the Message version above  it narrates his hunger as— extreme. Being a big fan of creative writing and all things  English, this, of course, includes adjectives! (I literally love looking up words in a  Thesaurus to find new words to describe things, is that strange?) At any rate, I started  to think about what Jesus must have felt like to be very hungry. How loud was his  stomach rumblings? Did he ever faint? While wandering through the desert heat, did he  ever fall asleep in prayer for lack of energy? I don’t know, it doesn’t say, but it does say  he was VERY HUNGRY.  

Let’s look at it in Luke 4 in the NLT:

“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was  led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty  days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry…”  

Here’s where my mind made an interesting yet simple connection. It says Jesus was  full of the Holy Spirit and yet, at the same time, he was very hungry. That’s striking. He  was full of the Spirit AND at the same time, he was hungry. I don’t mean to oversimplify this, but obviously, being human means we feel things. If we didn’t feel things, we  would be dead. Either that or encased in frozen carbonite like Han Solo. If you’re  reading this, you’re neither of those things. Maybe it’s just me but sometimes I think to  carry His presence or to be full of the Spirit, means separating our humanity out of the equation. It doesn’t. This is where it becomes absolutely critical to look at Jesus and  see how He lived out life as both God and man. How did he live full in the Holy Spirit  and get angry? (John 2, Matt. 21, Mark 11) How did he live in the Spirit and grieve  deeply? (John 11) How did he live full in the Spirit and celebrate? (John 2, Mark 14)  The life of Jesus is fascinating because he lived his humanity, not by excluding human  feelings or emotions, but living them in the presence and Person of the Spirit.  

I think more than anything, I’ve been getting wrecked again by the reality and truth that,  “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) He understands us better than anyone but He doesn’t excuse sin. When the ark of the Covenant fell off the cart and  Huzzah reaches out to catch it, he was struck dead! Yikes. Yes, Jesus understands but  He’s still holy and He calls us to, “be holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:16) “…And those  who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions  and desires. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.” (Gal  5:24-25)  

I’m not trying to be contradictory. I’m saying this to give us hope and encouragement.  This is really good news! We have a great high priest that has gone before us and  didn’t just tell us but showed us HOW TO LIVE AS HUMANS.  

After all, He was very hungry.  

by Ariana Hubing

Acts 3:19-20– 

“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.” NLT

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” NIV

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus…” ESV
____________________________________________________________________

These verses, so integral to the Good News, words that I have heard and read my whole life, stood out anew when I read them at the beginning of this fast. The Power and the Presence of God. It’s what we’re after. And here the Scriptures lay out again the beautiful way we have access to that Power and Presence.

NLT says, “he will again send you Jesus”. With the context of Peter’s speech during Pentecost, to the Jewish diaspora returned to Jerusalem for the celebration, it’s a beautiful promise. The Jesus that the Jewish people rejected and sent to the cross is not lost to them. They are not lost to God. In fact, this is His plan. All that is required of them—of us—is that they repent. They must see themselves as what they are: sinners.

I fear that I have an awful habit of thinking that the things going on inside my head are not sins unless they manifest somehow in the physical world. Maybe I’ve taken that “you can’t stop a bird from flying above you, but you can stop it from making a nest” idea too far. But coupled with this promise from God, that His presence comes with refreshment, I felt God point out the place where repentance sits. It comes first. I can’t expect God to reside, complacent, in my heart with the sin there. That’s not His speed and it never has been.

I know personally the power that confession and repentance wield. There is much to be said of communal and public confession, especially when it comes to eradicating shame. But for the purpose of this devotional, I want to remind us all of the power that comes from being brutally honest with yourself and with God. He works nonetheless, but He honors our efforts to discern where we are not surrendered or maintain strongholds of sin.

This might be a message for just me or maybe God put this on my heart for you, too. If you’re seeking something specific from God during this fast, He might want you to focus on something in your own heart first. He might be asking you to step away from that answer or direction you’re intent upon receiving and see what else He’s revealing to you. The Lord is so good! He can do far more than we ask or even imagine, and while I might think that this fast has one obvious goal, He’s writing a three-act masterpiece. When we’re focused on that one conclusion, we miss everything else. Repentance—baring your soul—is a Biblical way to assess your heart's motivations and surrender them to God once more. And thank you, Lord, for promising refreshment for our souls as a result of such soul searching! When we’re honest with where we stand, we have a more clear view of God’s desire for our lives. We acknowledge where we messed up, we confess that we can do no good thing apart from Him, we receive His grace, and we receive His steadfast, rejuvenating Presence. Amen!

by Maritza Eru

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
 
We all long to live more like Jesus as His followers, and the key to this transformation lies in God's presence. It is His presence that transforms, strengthens, and gives rest in ways nothing else can. However, there are times we go through our days without fully seeking God’s abiding presence. Scripture reminds us to seek first the Kingdom of God, making Him our priority above all else. But how do we seek Him? We pray to draw near, but how can we go deeper? One way is through fasting. By setting aside distractions, we create space for God's power to work within us, renewing our hearts and minds.

When we fast, we say no to hidden appetites that may control us, creating space to press into God’s Presence and heighten our spiritual sensitivity. This act makes us more aware of God's voice and opens our hearts to His transformative work. It breaks up the fallow ground in our hearts, exposing areas that may have hardened over
time. Each fast has revealed to me hidden parts of my heart that need softening, reminding me of how much I need His transformative abiding presence daily.

Smith Wigglesworth said this: "There are a thousand parts in my heart that need to be softened, a thousand times a day."

In God’s presence, we are transformed. He reveals our weaknesses and fills us with His grace, making us new despite our unworthiness, just as He did with Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5). When life feels overwhelming, His presence can become our hiding place to help revive us. Just as He promised Moses rest (Exodus 33:14), He offers us peace that surpasses understanding. This peace transforms us, providing strength amid life’s storms. When (not if) life’s storms arise, the remedy is always the same: more of Jesus and more of His presence.

We often long for clarity and direction. In God’s presence, we can find both. Maybe not in ways that we expect, but faith allows us to trust that God’s ways are higher and better than ours. This kind of leading by our great Shepherd helps transform us to lean not on our own understanding, but His.

What about His presence that helps us witness and encourage others? The Holy Spirit must fill us continually with power to do so boldly. Like Peter and John, we can move with courage and authority (Acts 4:13). That kind of power comes from His presence transforming us. I’ll add, it’s the only real fruit that will last beyond us.

God desires a close relationship with us, and through Jesus, we have access to Him at all times. Watching my 5-year-old delight in the presence of his earthly father reminds me of this truth. Uriah runs to his dad with unreserved joy, seeking attention, security, and love. How I long to be like my son, yearning for my Heavenly Father’s presence with the same eagerness and trust. Yet, so often, we settle for a life distant from God’s nearness. Fasting helps us realign our affections. By saying no to distractions, we create space to experience Him anew. In His presence, we rediscover joy, are deeply fulfilled, and find a closeness that transforms our hearts, renews our minds, and empowers us to reflect His love more fully.

His presence is His promise. He never leaves us, He won’t forsake us, even in the hardest moments. His faithfulness assures us of victory in every battle. Yes, a battle. If you aren't clued in just yet that we are in a spiritual war, just read Eph 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

 "We do not", it does not say “we did not”. God’s promising presence transforms us to stand firm in our faith knowing He has already won the battle.

Every moment spent with Him on this side of eternity offers a glimpse of the joy awaiting us in heaven. His presence fills us with unwavering hope and strengthens our perseverance to endure and thrive. His presence transforms us to keep our eyes on things above and not on earthly things that are fading away.

My encouragement to us today is to use this devotional as a gentle nudge to pause and seek Him once more. Trust His promise to meet you—not in the way you may expect, but in a way that will transform you deeply. Whether in prayer, worship, or quiet reflection, surrender to Him again and invite His presence to work within you. Set your heart and affections on Him, the worthy Lamb who is our ultimate reward.

Here is a playlist to soak in during your fast.

by Jeff Hubing


In the late 1940s, A.W. Tozer was on an overnight train from Chicago to Texas when the illumination of the Holy Spirit enabled him to write one of the most significant spiritual classics of the last century, The Pursuit of God. He wrote all night and the rough draft was finished by the time he got off the train. If you haven’t read it, I urge you to pick it up at your earliest convenience and let its message soak into your soul! It is a prophetic critique of the busyness and hollowness of modern life, and an invitation to seek the Lord and find Him.

In the opening chapter, Tozer writes that “God is a person, and in the deep of His mighty nature He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves desires and suffers as any other person may. In making himself known to us He stays by the familiar pattern of personality. He communicates with us through the avenues of our minds, our wills and our emotions. The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion. This intercourse between God and the soul is known to us in conscious personal awareness.”

Tozer’s burden was that God’s presence among us should not be reduced to a doctrinal affirmation; rather, it should be the experienced truth of those who have a living and vibrant relationship with Christ. In other words, Christmas should never stop with a simple affirmation of what ‘happened’ – it should lead us forward into the consistent experiential reality that God is with us now, and every minute from now on.

How do we cultivate this experiential reality? First, we have to believe in it. This is what Tozer refers to as ‘conscious awareness’. This is not like a program that keeps running ‘behind the screen’ that we give a wink and a nod to while functionally ignoring it as we give our time and attention to other things. Conscious awareness is the process by which we repeatedly re-direct our gaze to the face of the Person of Christ, who is ever among us and ever prepared to help us know Him better. It is how we learn to concentrate on Him. That is not passive; it is the aggressive directing of our thoughts and affections to the Lord.

Then, we build on what we know, in pursuit of what we don’t yet know. Tozer called this “the soul’s paradox of love.” He says that being born again and entering God’s Kingdom is “not an end, but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart’s happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead. That is where we begin…but where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the awful and mysterious depths of the Triune God neither limit nor end.”

Psalm 34:8-10 urges us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” and promises that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” If we truly find God to be good in our lived experience, it will generate an appetite in us to know Him more. This invitation stands for us today. May we respond to it with courage and come to delight in the Person of God as our awareness of Him increases day by day.

by Natalie Maglaris

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and
be with you forever the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither
sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:16-17

Praise God for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, our helper, who
empowers us to live a life that glorifies Him. We first encounter the Holy Spirit through
scripture during the creation account, as described in Genesis 1:2 where the Spirit of
God was hovering over the face of the waters. And throughout the Old Testament, we
see God’s spirit manifested among men, but it is only after Jesus’ death and
resurrection that the Holy Spirit comes to dwell permanently within believers. In John
14:16 Jesus tells his disciples that He will ask the Father and He will give them another
Helper or paraklétos in Greek meaning Counselor and Advocate, to be with them
forever. In fact, later in in the gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples that He MUST
leave, so that He can send His Spirit to continue the work of God’s eternal plan (John
16:7). Jesus fulfills His promise, and we see the evidence of the Spirit’s work in the lives
of believers through the divine acts of regeneration and sanctification.

Have you marveled lately and truly sat with the reality that you were once
spiritually dead but are now alive in Christ? God's plan of reconciliation is breathtaking, and it included placing His Holy Spirit within you, so that intimacy with Him could be restored and you could be transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus.

When we are born again, we are sanctified, made holy in God’s sight.
Sanctification is both an instantaneous act and an ongoing process: we have been
sanctified, and we are continually being sanctified. You once walked in darkness, and
were enslaved to sin, but that is no longer who you are. Yet, you might wonder why you
still struggle with sin, maybe you’re wrestling with lustful thoughts, outbursts of anger, or
feelings of jealousy, which can leave you questioning and feeling defeated. But take
heart, brother or sister in Christ, for there is hope. You have a Helper who dwells within
you—the Holy Spirit. He will provide a way out of temptation, give you discernment,
convict you of your thoughts, strengthen you in your weakness, and lead you into all
truth. God knew you could not overcome sin on your own, so He graciously gave you
His Spirit to help you empower you. It is your responsibility to accept the help, to lean on
His spirit, yield to His guidance and trust that He who began a good work in you will
complete it. Take a moment to reflect on the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit, the One
who dwells within you, comforts you, guides you into truth, and empowers you to live for
God’s glory.

by Jose Oyola

It's day 3 of the fast…depending on your fast, this may be the hardest day to get through as you're starting to really feel some hunger pains. Be encouraged, your sacrifice certainly will pay off as you continue to seek him, prioritizing his presence.  Today’s devotional comes to us from this passage in Joshua 3:1-6.  Joshua, one of two spies that endured a 40 year wait is now the leader of the children of Israel. It's time to cross over into the land God has promised them but the Jordan river must be crossed.  Let’s read….

“Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan river, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”

5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”

So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.”

Here are some key points for us to reflect on ...as we (the leadership team) have prayed about this fast, the theme of God’s presence has come a number of times. The passage above mentions that it was time to “cross over” to take the next step in the journey of entering into God’s will.  We believe God is calling our community to “cross over” into greater christlikeness and to experience more of his awesome power!  “After 3 days” is a reminder that there usually is a waiting period before we get instructions/commands and even a revelation of what must be prioritized. (btw a lot of great things have happened after 3 days! :) ) The 1st century believers made the resurrection of Jesus the primary focus of their preaching!
 
The passage says “when you see the ark of the covenant and the priests bearing it, then you shall set out from the place and go after it”  The people were commanded to prioritize and go after the Ark. The Ark was the physical representation of the presence of God.  It contained the 10 commandments. It also reminds us that the priests “bear it”...in those times, there was only one tribe (Levi) that could do this.  Jesus made it possible for all of us to be priests! (1 Pet 2) to carry his presence wherever we go.  We also see that they had to keep their distance…thank God the veil has been torn in two and we now have access…We can be as close to HIM as we want to be! We can also rejoice that God is going to lead us into something new.

Finally, there’s the call & promise that follows it  “Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”  All fasting is directly connected to setting ourselves apart for the Lord with an expectation that HE is going to something powerful.

I pray that each of us would have a deep desire to prioritize his presence, embrace our identity, sanctify ourselves to position ourselves to experience his power!

by Anika Jones

And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” Exodus 33:15

Moses makes this statement after the children of Israel sinned against God. They were impatient as Moses was communing with God on the mountain and they had Aaron build them a golden calf. Let’s just say it was a hot mess. Read Exodus 32-33 for more. In his anger, the Lord told Moses that his presence would not go with them to the promised land because they were a stiff-necked people. Moses pleads with the Lord.  After all, what good is the promise if we don’t have his presence?

Moses was a man familiar with the presence of God. His experiences with God’s presence created a hunger for more. He remained in a place of humble desperation.

A few months ago, the Lord showed up in such a powerful way in our united gathering. I am fully convinced that was not intended to be an isolated event. Being in the presence of the Lord should leave us wanting more. But like the children of Israel, it is so easy for us to forget and become intoxicated with the idols the world offers and yield to the temptation to pursue things that take us away from His presence. We become delusional and forget that He is the vine and we are the branches and unless we abide in Him and He in us, we can do nothing (John 15:5).  It is helpful to rehearse this truth and remain desperate for His presence. Fasting helps to cultivate a hunger for more, so let us continue to press in together and find encouragement, knowing He will respond.

by Sarah Oshinowo

It was 6:00am. Joy, my energetic 2 year old, came bursting into my room, slamming the door and climbing into my bed to cuddle.

            “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy...”
            “Yes, Joy...” I replied, my eyes still closed in a groggy attempt to wake up.
            “No, Mommy!! Look at my face!”

In the next moment, I heard the Spirit say: “My heart says of You, ‘Seek His face.’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.  ~Psalm 27:8

Have you been sensing the invitation to seek the face of Jesus in a fresh way lately? Maybe this invitation has felt like an unexpected jolt out of physical or spiritual slumber...or maybe it’s been a quiet, but undeniable pressing in your spirit to hide away in the secret place?

The writer of Psalm 27 was in the midst of a siege, desperately needing God to come through for him. Rather than asking God to remove the trial, he chose to ground himself in the presence of God. He understood that in doing so, he would be set upon a rock, to confidently wait to see the goodness of God in the land of the living.

The invitation in verse 8, in the original Hebrew words, is a beckoning to a diligent and earnest search for His favor and His presence in the midst of all that life brings our way. This search requires our agreement--our “yes”. And with that: surrender, active participation, a willing heart, diligence, discipline, teachability, humility, and patience.

One commentator writes:
By the very make of our own spirits He calls us to Himself. Our restlessness, our
yearnings, our movings about as aliens in the midst of things seen and visible, all these bid us turn to Him in whom alone our capacities can be satisfied, and the hunger of our souls appeased.  ~MacLaren Expositions of Holy Scripture

As we transition away from the holidays and begin this fast together, His invitation still stands. His presence is and will always be sufficient. Let’s enter in with Him and find Him faithful.

by Jose Oyola

During this season and especially this week, we have been walking through the weapons of our warfare. In 2 Cor 10:4 it states that they are "mighty in God" for the pulling down of strongholds. Praise God for that! Prayer, fasting, praise, worship are usually what comes to mind when we think of weapons at our disposal. Have you ever thought that mercy is one as well?

There's an interesting passage in 2 Kings 6:19:23. Elijah has just asked the Lord to open up his servant's eyes to see the chariots of fire and horses surrounding them and then prays that the Syrians who came to attack them be struck with blindness. Elijah's prayer is answered, and he leads the blinded Syrians to Samaria, where he prays again and their eyes are opened! Let's pick it up in verse 21.

Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set bread and water before them, so that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” So he provided a large feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Syrians did not come again into the land of Israel.

You notice the natural response by the king of Israel is to ask if he can kill his enemies. In the midst of being attacked this is the mindset or possible stronghold we are tempted to lean into...the "an eye for eye, tooth for a tooth" attitude taking matters in our own hands and getting payback. The godly mindset is found in Romans 12:19 where it says do not avenge yourselves but rather give place to wrath, for it is written "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" says the Lord.

Elijah instructs the king to set bread and water before them and provides a large feast! WOW! He literally is demonstrating Romans 12:20..."If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him a drink." I wonder how those Syrians felt by this act of mercy. I wonder if by doing so Elijah "heaped coals of fire on their heads" :). You see there are times when the weapon of mercy demonstrated through generosity is what is needed to awaken the conscience of those doing us harm. It's a weapon that can change the heart! In verse 23 we see that the raiders "came no more into the land of Israel.” There was an end of hostilities through this act of mercy! Hallelujah!

Jesus talks a lot about mercy...in Math 5:7 he says blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy and in v9 blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God. God uses the inevitable conflicts we face with people to help us obtain mercy, in order to be peacemakers. It is his way to ground us in our identity as sons and daughters. Our battles can bring great rewards if we are willing to surrender to his ways!

Prayer Points

1. If you find yourself looking to avenge yourself when attacked...pray Romans 12:19-20 over your life, that you'd be an example of this passage.

2. Pray that you'd see mercy is a path to be grounded in your identity in Christ!

by Yesenia Menjivar

“The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool (Acts 2:34-35).” When I think about this truth - flesh and blood do not come to mind in terms of an enemy. What does come to mind are the spiritual forces of evil that create spiritual warfare and havoc in our lives (Ephesians 6:12). There are three ways I can think of that individuals may perceive evil principalities and the enemy.

One way is to be ignorant against the power and darkness of this world. Therefore, we live our lives blind and oblivious to what is really happening in the spiritual realm. To be ignorant of anything is to lack awareness and knowledge. Whether a believer or unbeliever, the topic of pure evil in this world is not one that you bring to the dinner table. Accordingly, if it is unspoken and not identified it remains in the dark and has dominion over one’s life. Looking back, I can think about experiences in my own life where evil spiritual forces were influencers, yet disguised as normalcy. There was no gauge of evil doing in my life. A life unhindered. The more I lived for my happiness alone, the more power the enemy had over me.

The second way one may perceive dark rulers and principalities is to believe it exists, yet not regard Jesus. This is also the work of evil spiritual forces in one's life and can point to that “New Age” trap. I’m sure we can think about people in our lives with this mindset or that believe in some other feel-good concoction from this world. But Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He has unfailing love for us. Then and now. He reconciles us to our Father and redeems us from our sins. When we grab a hold of this truth, the enemy is not happy and will try to steal it (John 10:10). The bible doesn’t tell us we will be free of trouble, but he gives us peace because he has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Leading me to the third and transformative way we ought to view evil spirits and therefore spiritual warfare - be ready and steady. You see, there is a gauge for spiritual warfare, and it is the Holy Spirit. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit. Partnered with your faith and your trust in God, spiritual warfare is a means to victory for the glory to God. It is a means to victory because Jesus already won the ultimate victory. We know how the story already ends. Thus, be ready and steady to war in praise, worship, and prayer through it all. Because it is he who will sustain you and it is he who will make your enemies your footstool. When you are sensing from the Holy Spirit spiritual warfare in your life I challenge you to change your perspective. Beloved, fight your battles as a victor and not a victim.

There are historical war illustrations that give greater depth to the footstool symbolism. War tells of a time when enemies were captured and defeated, they would be at the mercy of their conqueror. The enemy would become the slave of the warrior by bowing down and allowing the victor to place their feet on the enemy’s back as a sign of victory. Humiliating their enemy and making them their footstool. My prayer is this, by the authority of Jesus Christ that has been bestowed upon you, fight warriors fight.

by Angie Fotsis

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil.” Eph. 6:11

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Romans 13:14

We are at war. We have a very real enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8) - “the prince of the power of the air” who is now powerfully working in those who do not know God. Within his sphere of authority, he has an assembly of rulers, cosmic powers, authorities, and demons (Eph 6:10-17) who oppose us. If that wasn’t enough, we are also at war with the world system and the flesh! The only hope we have in the midst of all this warfare is knowing that Jesus has vanquished all our enemies.

One of the main things at stake through the assaults of these defeated foes is the glory of God. God’s glory is the very thing the enemy has targeted since the beginning. What is God’s glory? Well, defining it fully is impossible because of how closely it’s tied to God Himself. But there are some insights we have into better understanding what God’s glory is. The word glory in Greek is doksa and in Hebrew kabo. Both of those terms convey God’s infinite, intrinsic worth; the real weight of who He is. God’s glory is His substance, the essence of His eternal being. God’s glory is the unveiling of Himself – the manifestation of His holiness. When God reveals Himself and His attributes, it is His glory being unveiled. In short, God’s glory is the unveiling of His Person.

Here are a few Scriptural examples that help us understand the concept of His glory a little better:
-When Moses asked to see God’s glory, Exodus says that he saw His goodness. When God’s goodness was displayed to Moses it was equated to His glory being revealed.
-In Ezekiel when the glory left the temple, it was synonymous to the presence of God Himself` leaving.
-The heavens declare His glory (Psalm 19:1). That is to say they speak something of His
character and nature. When we see how beautiful creation is, we marvel at the One who did the creating. It displays His power and beauty.
- In Gen 3 the serpent’s attack against Adam and Eve involved marring the image of God in their eyes. The question “did God really?” was an assault at the character of God’s Person. The serpent was after the glory of God (who God really is). Is God really trustworthy like He says He is?
-John 1 points out that when Jesus came we beheld the glory of God. Jesus was the visible image of the invisible God. Full of grace and truth He unveiled God before our eyes. The Father was glorified (made known) through Him.

What does God’s glory have to do with warfare? Eventually, the whole earth will be covered in the glory of God (Hab. 2:14). This is what the gospel narrative is working towards – God’s glory filling everything. His desire is to be known. Until then, the devil and his minions are attempting to blind people’s eyes from Him. There is one BIG problem in their efforts to veil the masses from God’s glory, though. THE CROSS. Although the battle continues, the cosmic war for the attempt to thwart God’s glory was overcome at the cross. In Col 2:15, Paul proclaims, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” In coming against the plan of God by instigating the death of Christ on the cross, the powers of darkness unknowingly became the instruments in God’s hands to bring God ultimate glory. Jesus rose from the dead and is seated far above them and is now the HEAD of a new redeemed body who is also seated with Him in these heavenly places. By the authority of Christ, the Church can live victorious and glorify the Head.

Because of the cross, we as believers, now possess the hope of glory within us – the gift of the Spirit of Christ. As we behold God by the Spirit, we are transformed from glory to glory into His image – we are becoming more and more like Him in character. We are putting on Christ. God’s ultimate will in each of our lives is to be glorified in us and through us. As we spend time with Him, we get to know Him, become more like Him, and we make Him known. The enemy’s priority is to prevent God from being glorified in and through believers. He doesn’t want us to know God and he sure as heck doesn’t want us to look like him. He wants us looking more like ourselves than Jesus.

In Ephesians 6, Paul uses imagery of armor to show us how to protect ourselves against the devils schemes. He exhorts us to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and a prayerful life. These are components of our new self, created to be like God in holiness. We are to clothe ourselves with these realities. Even though Jesus gained the victory, there is an active involvement on our end. The way to stand firm in the victory is by embracing the cross in our lives/putting off the old man and clothing ourselves with the finished work of Christ. And when we are clothed with Christ, we unveil/glorify Him to the world.

The enemy tempts us with lies, attempts to undermine our self-worth and question our place in God, he wants to silence us in spreading the gospel, derail our faith through various life circumstances, attack our thought life with fears and anxieties, keep us from wielding the sword of the word, and desires to cut off our prayer life. BUT, we already possess everything we need for victory. The grace of God is available for godliness. When we go to God, He will divinely empower us to live victorious. The power lies in our union with Jesus. That’s why its of upmost importance to be spending time with Him in prayer and the Word. It is His glory that’s at stake and He has given us His Spirit to overcome.

God will be glorified in the end. That is written. He will reveal Himself and all will bow the knee. The earth will be covered with His glory. But, we have an opportunity now to make Him known through these human vessels. What an honor. This battle is beyond us. It is about God Himself. The enemy hates God. He will attempt to prevent us from bringing Him glory, but by the power of the Spirit we can stand firm in the finished work of the cross. If we begin to view every scene of life and the schemes of the devil as opportunities for glory, we will respond differently in this war. Just like the cross of Jesus, the attempts to derail us will end with God being lifted high and exalted.

by Sarah Oshinowo

Many years ago, after graduating college, I worked as a nanny and dog-sitter for a wealthy family living in a 5-story mansion on the Gold Coast in downtown Chicago. Needless to say, it was beautiful: dozens of TVs, in-suite bathrooms in every bedroom, closets the size of bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling artwork, an authentic zebra rug, a total home gym and theater, front and rear staircases, and, of course, an elevator from top to bottom floors. With a full-time housemaid, the house was always spotless! But one fact has boggled my mind all these years: in that vast, luxurious home, there was not one guestroom. I could not understand why, with all that wealth, nothing in the home prioritized intentional hospitality for friends or family.

In Tyrone’s sermon recently, we were exhorted “to make room.” The Oxford Dictionary defines this phrase: ”to move aside or move something aside to allow someone to enter or pass, or to clear space for something.” 

We “make room” every day when we make choices to intentionally set aside or clear the space of a lesser thing to welcome or replace it with what we deem more important. We clear our calendar and fill it with coffee with a friend, work meetings, phone calls, chores, kid sports, social engagements, and errands. We clear the table to sit down for dinner together. We put down our coffee to help a toddler get dressed. We turn off our phones to listen to a teenager open their heart. We tidy our homes to make room for guests. Jeff even tells the funny story of a mom who welcomed him and others into her home, then used a garden rake to clear the living room floor covered in toys to make room for them to sit comfortably!

We typically take the action of “making room” because there is a planned or sudden shift of priorities and values. This choice may even require self-sacrifice, obedience, devotion, submission, or love, but it’s all done purposefully. As we are encouraged this week to get our “households in order,” how are we “making room” for Jesus in the context of the riches we have been given? We may or may not have a luxurious home like I described above, but what riches DO we have, both in the spiritual and the natural?

• Homes
• Health
• Finances
• Time
• Marriages
• Singleness
• Children
• Jobs
• Education
• Spiritual gifts
• Talents

How are we “making room” for the Spirit to fill us and utilize these riches for His glory and our good in our current season? The wealth of the family I worked for (who were unbelievers) was stewarded in whatever way they pleased. As disciples of Jesus, our riches are not primarily intended for personal satisfaction, longevity, comfort, social status, or living our best life (though we may experience some related blessings). Everything on the list above belongs to Jesus and has been entrusted to us for a time, as we are under His loving Kingship and care. If we listen and then walk out His instructions about how to steward the riches we’ve been given, we will experience the blessing of it (James 1:23-25), as well as more of the fullness of Jesus in our lives (John 10:10). 

However, as in the Gold Coast mansion, how can He fill us if we are already full of so many other things? We must ask Him to clear the clutter of ungodly and unhealthy habits, mindsets, and even bondage. In my life, the Refiner’s Fire came against saying “yes” to everything and everyone. Too many physical belongings. Fear of man and circumstances. Unforgiveness. Overspending/Debt. Spiritual bondage. Believing lies about myself, God, and others. Distractions of social media. Savior mentality. Tending to children more than to marriage. Unhealthy professional ambition. Prioritizing the cares of this life over the quiet place with Jesus. The list goes on and is a work in progress! But being “shaken” in my life (Hebrews 12:27-28), getting free and emptied of these things is bringing me much joy and freedom, and by God’s grace, more of Jesus’ Kingdom purposes along the way.

This weekend, and in 2024, let’s “make room” for more of God and His purposes (Matthew 6:33). Fasting has been one tangible step in the right direction: stewarding the riches of our spirits and our bodies as unto the Lord because we KNOW that it is valuable, probably more valuable than we will ever realize this side of heaven. In what other area of your riches might the Spirit be prompting you “to make room” for Him?

“Search me, God, and know my heart;
 test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
 and lead me in the way everlasting.”
~Psalm 139:23-24

by Sam Maglaris

Scripture says, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33). Peace, here, is synonymous with order. If we desire true, biblical peace in our homes, we must have order that comes from God. The Apostle Paul had much to say to the church in Corinth about the way they assembled. In 1 Corinthians 14, he presented solutions for the disorderly nature of their congregational gatherings. Believers were exercising the gifts of the Spirit in a chaotic fashion; there was no order. After Paul offered practical advice for doing things in an orderly way, he reminded the Corinthians of what God is like…a God of order (1 Cor 14:33). This means that God is particular about the way things are done…church gatherings, relationships, our personal life, and even our own homes! The New Testament authors had plenty to say about order in the home (Eph 5:22–6:9; Col 3:18–21; 1 Pet 3:1–7; 1 Cor 11:3), not only because it was relevant to the cultural context of their time, but that it reflected the very nature of God—a God of order. Order matters to God, so it should matter to us.

Our homes, for most of us, are a place of comfort, rest, and safety. Have you ever been on a vacation a little too long and all you can think about is being back home in your bed? Home is a place of familiarity, and for some of us, this could be detrimental. N.T. Wright says, “the home is where, for better or worse, we are most like ourselves.” Our homes are where the “Gospel rubber” meets the road. It is the location where our faith should be most actively put into practice; sadly, for some, it is the least. For faith to be put into action in our homes, it must operate within the parameters of order.

So what does it mean to have a home “in order” according to God? While the Scriptures don’t provide us with answers for every possible situation, I believe the basic instructions for order in the home provide us with a framework in which we can operate and give us the best possible chance to have a Gospel-centered home. This basic framework is three-pronged: submission, love, and obedience. Let’s lay out the framework.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands” (Eph 5:22–24). Wait a minute! Paul, a single man, is telling wives how they should live? The audacity! How could a man with no idea about what it was like being a wife, let alone a woman, tell a wife she needed to submit to her husband? Well, because on the road to Damascus, Paul encountered the one that lived a life of submission like no other. Paul remembered that Jesus was completely submitted to the will of the Father (Matt 26:39; John 6:38). Paul, and Peter for that matter, had the confidence to instruct wives to submit to their husbands because Jesus was the model (Eph 5:22; Col 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1).

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.  In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” (Eph 5:25–28). Paul instructed husbands to love their wives in the same sacrificial way that Christ loved the church. This love is characterized by understanding (1 Pet 3:7), honor (1 Pet 3:7), and gentleness (Col 3:19). The New Testament authors address the other half of the married couple to live out something that Jesus exemplified as well…love (John 3:16).

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise),” (Eph 6:1–2). Paul finishes his instructions for the family unit by addressing children. Once again, his instructions are calling members of a family to mirror the life of Jesus. Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father (Phil 2:8; Rom 5:19; Heb 5:8).

A life of submission, love, and obedience is not only for the wife, husband, or child, but for the single person as well. Singles, when you are at home, are you fully submitted to Jesus? Does what you engage yourself in at home reflect a life of love, submission, and obedience? When you are in the place (home) where you are the “rule-maker”, do you allow Jesus to take that title from you?

Maybe today you are realizing the lack of peace in your home. Perhaps there is a sense of confusion or a lack of purpose and direction. I urge you to look at the order in your home. Husbands, love your wives. Care for her, nurture her, cherish her, be gentle with her, live in such a way that she knows you would lay down your life for her and your family. Wives, submit to your husbands. Have his back, be there for him when times are tough, prefer him over yourself, live in such a way that he knows you will be right there next to him no matter what decision he makes. Children, obey your parents. Honor them with your words, obey them with your actions, live in such a way that they would be overfilled with joy as they think upon your life. Brothers and sisters, submit to Jesus when no one is around, obey Him even when no one can see, love Him when you’re home alone as if you were in a Sunday gathering. Over the years I’ve heard countless preachers allude to the idea of the church needing to live the gospel “outside the four walls of the church”. While this is true, many forget that we need to live the gospel WITHIN the four walls of our homes. Submission, love, and obedience…this is what should permeate from our homes, whether we are married or single. This is the kingdom blueprint for the home. This is the Jesus way.

by Jim Simantirakis

As we view the second theme in our fast, we can be reminded of some areas that speak on these matters in the Bible, in particular in the gospel of Matthew and Book of Acts.

Let’s begin by stating the truth.  First, God is a God of order.  Proper alignment is important to God.  And second, we need to stress the point that more often than not, we need assistance in our alignment.  We need to remember that God is our source, for everything!  It is through Him that we exist, and we need to know that God comes first.  Go no further than the first chapter in the Book of Genesis to see what God has done.  He is the author and finisher, He is the creator of all, He is the Alpha and Omega.

Given this focal point we can now rightly make a connection that God should be the focal point in our households.  When we choose to believe in God we are grafted into a new kingdom, a new people, a new priesthood, a new house.  Which again He is the main part of.

Acts 4:11-12
“Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

God is our cornerstone, it is through Him we lay foundations down, grow, and lean on.

When things feel out of order, He is the God who brings order.  He is the calm in the storm.  Our home can be our first place to show order.  And I’ll admit, for myself, this is not an easy task.  There have been and continue to be struggles and obstacles to get through in having a home that is properly aligned with God, but as chaotic as it might be at times, I know that I have access to a God that knows exactly what my family and I need, and that He is our refuge and help in the midst.  He is what we build on in our homes.  As long as He is the foundation, we can stand and reflect the goodness of God.  We are properly aligned.  God doesn’t need us to try and showcase the proper household, He needs us to surrender and submit to having Him in our households.  It starts with Him.  It gets better with Him.  It continues to grow with Him.

This is important because we also see in the gospel Matthew (12:25), that a house divided against itself cannot stand.  We see here that there are clear cut distinctions with God.  There are two sides, God and the Enemy; and being in the middle or grey areas with foundational pieces is not a place you want to be.  There is clear danger of the house falling apart.  Reference: Matthew 7:24-27 (Building on the Rock)

This will perhaps transition us into our warfare theme as well, but I’m reminded of an example of this in history during World War I.  During this war each opposing side had trenches built where they’d be stationed and had a large open land mass between them known as “No Man’s Land.”  This was an area of high risk and high casualty, filled with traps, bombs, gas, and enemy fire.  Little to no protection was provided for anyone trying to cross over their way alone.  The middle ground was treacherous.  It almost reminds me of when sheep go astray and Jesus goes after them.  Praise God for getting us through the valleys!

Let us continue to choose God, who provides for us, enables us, equips us, and guides us through any terrain.  Let us fight for Him to be present in our homes, communities, and lives.  To Him be the Glory!

by Jose Oyola

When we think about discipleship, many times we tend to focus on the cost (as we should) but it is also important to focus on the rewards.

As our sister Anika shared with us on Monday out of Math 19:29 "everyone who has given up houses, or brothers and sister or father or mother or children or property will a 100 times as much in return and will inherit eternal life."

This is one of the greatest promises related to becoming a disciple. It's also one of the hardest to believe. Most folks believe this is more tied to the future but in Mark 10:29-30 Jesus, restating the promise says we will receive a 100 fold return NOW in this time AND will inherit eternal life.

If we look at it from a farmer's perspective, it's definitely easier to grasp. He plants seed on a soil prepared to receive it and has an expectation for a great return. In the same way, God has given us his word, specifically what he requires for discipleship. As we humble ourselves and obey his words, we now have an expectation of a return in this time.

Jesus also says that "a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher and a servant like his master" Math 10:24-25. Another great reward is becoming like him. David in Psalm 17:15 says "I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness" David had a revelation about the goodness of God and wanted to be like him. Discipleship is the path of looking like him.

Questions for reflection and prayer
1. Do you believe God will keep his promise of 100 fold return in this time?

2. Do you understand that loving him above our possessions, earthly relationships positions us to receive more of those very things?

3. Is the reward of becoming like him "enough" for you?

by Natalie Maglaris

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”. 2 Timothy 2:1-2

As followers of Christ, we are not only called to be disciples; we are called to make them. The life of Timothy in the bible is a perfect example. We first hear about Timothy in the book of Acts, where Paul meets him in Lystra on his second missionary journey. Amongst the believers there, Timothy was known to be a reputable man. Paul must have seen something special in Timothy because immediately he takes him under his wing. Paul describes Timothy as a man of sincere faith (2 Timothy 1:5). We learn that this authentic faith that Timothy possessed was passed down to him from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. His mother was a Jewish convert and father was Greek. Not much is known about his father, but we see that it was the lives of his grandmother and mother that greatly influenced this man’s faith. They were intentional in laying down a foundation in God and, from childhood, made sure Timothy was taught the holy scriptures. His knowledge and wisdom of the Torah helped lead him to salvation in Jesus Christ.

The relationship between Paul and Timothy is a beautiful demonstration of what discipleship looks like. Paul invited Timothy into his life, and he equipped him for the work of the gospel. Paul empowered Timothy and helped him to find his identity in Christ. When Paul saw weaknesses in Timothy, he challenged him. Paul refers to Timothy throughout his writings as “son”, “brother,” and “co-worker”. Timothy wasn’t just an assignment. Paul loved Timothy and took on the role as a spiritual father.

From Timothy’s life, we can learn that if we want to mature in the faith, we need to first be a disciple and then we are to disciple others.

Who is your Paul? This person should be a mature believer in Christ, who can teach you how to live your life according to the scriptures.

Who is your Timothy? Who are you closely walking life with and being intentional, teaching them what it looks like to follow Christ?

Brothers and sisters, it is through discipleship we grow in our relationship with God. Discipleship is not optional. Jesus said, go therefore and make disciples...

by Anika Jones

Kingdom discipleship will cost us EVERYTHING- Jesus’ words, not mine. This discipleship thing may sound good rolling off the tongue, but do we really understand what we signed up for? I love how direct Jesus is about this matter.

Luke 14:25-33
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Pause and reread the above passage aloud. Jesus did not mince His words, did He?

Jesus wasn’t saying that we should literally hate our family members or even ourselves. However, if we want to be His disciples, Jesus and His kingdom should be our highest priority, nothing else should occupy a space that only He deserves. Our love and submission to Christ trumps everything else. To be sure, there is a cost to following Jesus, and it is one we should consider. We cannot deny that these strong words from Jesus have practical implications in our relationships with others and the way we live.

At first glance, the enemy’s discipleship package is more appealing than the way of Jesus. The world tells us we are to love ourselves, live our best lives, follow our dreams and if it feels good to you, then do it! It tells us we deserve comfort and happiness and encourages us to go to great lengths to achieve it. Then here comes Jesus, saying that if we want to be His disciples, we must die to ourselves and pick up our cross and follow Him. Jesus’ original audience understood the gravity of what He was saying about carrying their cross.  In his bible commentary, Craig Keener states, “a condemned criminal would “carry the cross” out to the site of the upright stake where he would be crucified, usually amid a jeering mob. No one would choose this fate for oneself, but Jesus calls true disciples to choose it and thus to hate their own lives by comparison with their devotion to him” (Keener, 2014, p. 219).

As disciples, we must embrace the way of the cross as Jesus did (Philippians 2). Disciples don’t reject God amid suffering, instead we cling to Him with such hope knowing that death leads to life (John 12:22-26).  We don't keep our gaze on what we have to give up, holding on tightly to the things of the world. We instead set our minds on things that are above, knowing that we have died, and our life is hidden in Christ with God (Colossians 3:1--3).  We joyfully surrender because we know Jesus as King!  (Daniel 7:13-14)

I love knowing that though Jesus is calling us to give up all, we can be joyful and encouraged because of His promise in “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life” Matthew 19:19. What blessed hope we have!

Below are a few questions for reflection and prayer.

1.Have we counted the cost for being a disciple of Jesus? What is our tone toward God when we go through suffering?

2. Look at our future goals, our schedules, our priorities, our thought life, how we spend our money, etc. Is Jesus and His kingdom our highest priority in these areas?

3. What is our response when the requirements of being a disciple of Jesus come into conflict with the people and things we love?

4. Read and meditate on the highlighted scriptures.

Repent if needed and let us receive the grace that is available for us to be true disciples of Jesus!

Check out this video update about our upcoming sabbatical!

Saints of God! May the Lord bless you today!

We had such a sweet time yesterday at our picnic, and it was a blessing to see folks connecting from all of our house churches over food and fun. This note's purpose is to help clarify our vision for our upcoming church sabbatical from July 17 - August 12.

What does it mean that the "church is on sabbatical"?

First of all, it does not mean that we are "closing the church" or that there won't be anyone available to talk with or provide you with spiritual care and support. We as a leadership team are committed to you and will be available to connect in various ways throughout the sabbatical.

What it does mean is that we, as elders, have been so stirred by our own experience of rest and disrupting our normal rhythms of ministry that we believe it will be very healthy for everyone in our community to get a taste of it.

So, for about 4 weeks, we'll be suspending all of our "official" Cross Culture gatherings, services, small groups, prayer meetings, Bible studies and the like. House churches won't be meeting on Sundays and all other CCC ministry meetings will be "on pause" until we return in mid-August.

This kind of 'break' is especially valuable for those among us who have been leading, facilitating and hosting such gatherings. It will provide them with a period of rest from their work and will promote renewal and rejuvenation as they'll be able to prayerfully consider the vision of the Lord for them moving forward.

But, it also benefits everyone else, who will have the open space to breathe deeply and listen carefully for the voice of the Lord in their own lives, the lives of their families and communities.


Wait, isn't this "unbiblical"? Doesn't Hebrews 10:25 say that we should not "neglect meeting together"?

In fact, we want everything we do to be "biblical." And, we believe that the concept and practice of sabbath rest is rooted in the story of Scripture -- being first mentioned all the way back in Genesis 2! So, our church sabbatical is undertaken in that spirit of faith and hope...that even while we rest, God continues to work on our behalf.

Also, even though our "formal gatherings" are on pause, we don't want to discourage you at all from meeting up with folks in our community. You're free to do so whenever and however you like! You have the invitation to be led by the Spirit in terms of organizing times of fellowship, prayer, meals or recreation with others. For example, you can...

• Use your Sundays to have meals with folks from our community
• Open your home at some point for fellowship or prayer
• Take a "field trip" to another church in our region to support and worship together with them
• Invite some folks over to watch Jesus Revolution and pray for revival!

The key is that you find your own pace as individuals and families during this time, and that you be sure to take time to sit before the Lord to hear His heart and purpose for you.

In the next note I will also include some resources that might help you as you prepare for and enter into this period of rest.

We're available any time if you have questions or want more information about this. We love you!

-Jeff, for the elders