Day 1 - Daily Devotional - January 5, 2025 - Bethel Church Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Day 1 – Daily Devotional – January 5, 2025 – Here We Go!

READ 

Isa 58:6-8  “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?   Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” 

EXAMINE 

Hello, dear people of Bethel.  Today, we’re starting out on a great adventure once again; a 21 day fast! Don’t let the length intimidate you. Instead, seek the Lord as to what He would have you to do to participate in this. When you look at the opening words of the above scripture passage, you’ll see it’s an invitation. We realize with families and various health needs, there’s going to be a great variance as to how each person will choose to respond to this invitation. For some of you, the Lord will indeed lead you to go without food for 21 days. For others, it will maybe be to fast 1 meal per week.  For others, maybe it’ll be certain “types” of food to fast from. And for still others, your fasting may be social media, gaming, Pinterest, or endless hours of FaceBook scrolling. The key ISN’T starving yourself; it’s our willing and humble obedience to the time invitation and direction the Holy Spirit is speaking to us during this time.

APPLY 

Once you get a sense of the direction the Lord has personally for you, endeavor to carry that out. If you’re successful in that, wonderful. If for whatever reason you can’t accomplish that, please don’t be hard on yourself or ‘throw in the towel.” Instead, like learning to ride a bike, get up and try again. The key is our willing heart.

PRAY 

Take a moment to pray for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and direction as to what YOU should do to participate in this fast.  Ask for “listening ears” and a tender heart of obedience. Remember, you’re under no obligation whatsoever to participate in this fast. We simply want to present the opportunity for you.