It is almost over! I am so proud of everyone who has participated in the fast. You have taken the challenge and have risen to the occasion. I know God, who began a good work in you is doing more than you can imagine as we speak.

On my way to work the song, Overcome, by The Desperation Band, was on the radio. Too me, it felt like a theme song for this fast.

Take a few minutes to read the words of the song, download the song and make this song your prayer for the day.

Seated above, enthroned in the Father’s love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God’s only son perfect and spotless one
He never sinned, but suffered as if he did

Billy Joel sings a song called,”Angry Young Man.” The song tells the story of how anger controlled a young man through the course of his life. The rhythm of the song is amazing but the lyrics are extremely sad.

Anger has played a role in many lives. Anger is like a monster who roams in our heart that frightens everyone who gets in its path. Anger is a friend to no one, especially you.

Throughout this fast you may have recognized your patience is a little shorter. You may have recognized that things have irritated you a little more. You may have also felt like you have snapped at your children or spouse or co-workers a little too much. If this is the case God is wanting to deal with your anger.

How do we deal with our anger? In order for anger to be dealt with one most recognize the root of the problem. Take time today and ask God to reveal where this anger has come from. After recognizing the root of your anger take time asking God for forgiveness because of how you have allowed anger play a role in your life. Then forgive those who played a role in your anger. Finally, ask the Holy Spirit to replace your anger with love, joy, peace and patience.

The definition of wisdom is: knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. Think about that definition for a moment; knowledge of what is true and right.

Throughout this fast their have been questions for you to consider:
God, what are you showing me about your character?
God, what are you showing me about my character?
God, how do you want me to begin to embrace today’s Proverb in my life?
God, how can I love my neighbor as myself today?

Each of these questions deal with knowing God and allowing God to bring change in your life. As you go throughout your day ask God for wisdom to make right decisions that allow you to invite Him into your daily life. Think before you react today. Pray before you make a decision.

Remember,”Wisdom is the ability to listen to God and act upon it.”

During this fast our focus has been on “expectancy.” As a church we have gone on this journey with an expectancy that God will reveal Himself. Of course many have specific prayer requests that have to do with relationships, finances and even vocation. This is normal and for many very real requests.

On Sunday, Susie Wilson shared a testimony how in her moment of expectancy God revealed Himself in a different way. Like each of us Susie has some specific requests but the one request God answered was not on the list. God had met Susie in a deep childhood pain. One that took place when she was ten years old. Susie concluded her testimony sharing that it is God’s intension to deal with the place in us that God values most, the heart. She also said when God deals with our heart, the door is opened for God to do new things in our life.

I must conclude that I agree with Susie 100%. God is wanting to purify each of our hearts. The human heart to God is more valuable than silver or gold. Your heart is the most precious gift to God.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24

Over the years I have participated in a number of triathlons. A triathlon is a race that involves swimming, biking and running. Each event is a certain distance and the goal is to complete all three events.

As we head into the last week of the fast we are 2/3 complete. In relationship to a triathlon we are in the final event, the run. The run is always an interest part because there are so many mixed emotions. At this point the racer is exhausted from the two other events and they are also beginning to get a new burst of energy. The key to the run is to keep pace. Pace yourself so that your adrenaline doesn’t push you too hard or your exhaustion causes you to quit.

You are almost done so stay the course.

No one likes to be corrected. Our kids dislike it when we see them doing something they should not be doing and discipline them. We don’t like it when others point out areas in our life that need correction either.

Proverbs 13 highlights the importance of correcting our children. It also says in verse 1, ” a mocker refuses to listen to correction.” Lets ask ourself why we do not like to be corrected yet are quick to point out others faults?

In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus tells the parable of the speck of saw dust and the log of wood. In this parable Jesus confronts the sin of judging. He tells his listeners to not be concerned with the speck of sawdust, the little issue someone is dealing with. Be more concerned about the log of wood, major issue you are dealing with.

Do not fear correction. Allow God to reveal anything in your life that is keeping you from experiencing the fullness of life GOD has for you. Even more importantly when we correct our children it is because we love them. When God corrects you we are told in Hebrews 12:6, “For the LORD disciplines those he loves.”

Before you read this post take some time to read Proverbs 12. There are several verses that speak to the issue of lying: 17,19, 20 and 22. There is something about lying that troubles everyone. Lying is one of those offenses that has the ability to quickly ruin any relationship.

I remember when I was in Junior High and I was lying constantly to my parents. One day when my father caught me in a lie and confronted me. He told me that my constant lying has finally caused my relationship with him to be negatively affected. He told me that I was on the verge of ruining our relationship and he was having a hard time even wanting to be around me.

Ouch! Should a father say such things to his son? Unfortunately the truth hurts. My dad was right and I never realized the destructive power of lying until I got older.

Do you tell the truth or stretch the truth? Is it easier at work to be honest or cut corners?

Allow God today to deal with your heart. Ask God to reveal any areas in your life that you cheat or lie. As God reveals these areas simply ask for forgiveness and invite the Holy Spirit to lead you in a life filled with honesty.

There are more times then not that I feel as though God does not see me, know me or wants anything to do with me. The areas in my life that make me life this way are guilt, insecurity and desperation. It seems that the times that I struggle with this problem is when I am going through a difficult situation.

Hagar was a woman who was in a difficult situation. She had just been kicked out of Abraham’s camp by his other wife Sarah. She had no where to go and nothing to eat. As she ran away she cried out to God. To her amazement God had met her in her deepest time of despair.

During this time of fasting you may be questioning the purpose of this 21 day journey. You may also be wondering does God even see me or care what I am doing? The answer is simply “yes.” God sees you and knows every moment of your day. It says in Psalms that he knows when you go to bed and when you wake up.

Hold onto the truth of Scripture that God sees you just as clearly as he saw Hagar in her deep place of desperation.

This morning three of my kids were playing together. As they were asked to get ready for school one of them decided to grab the other. By that point the one started to cry and yell at them. The reason for their yelling was they did not want to be physically pulled by the other. At that point I stepped into their argument and separated the two.

As I was driving to work today I was convicted by the thought of how I treated one of my younger brothers. I know that the two of us had a conversation in the past where I apologized but this weight in my heart was still heavy. With that I called him and asked for his forgiveness. I told him how sorry I was and to see my kids do this makes me see how wrong it is.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel. Forgiveness is our door into the presence of God. Forgiveness is the only avenue which brings us into a relationship with Jesus that allows us to know him and make him known.

Is there anyone today that you need to ask for forgiveness? Who have you wronged and need to apologize to? As God reveals that individual to you simply call them and say, “I am sorry.”

Often I feel like it is my job to make sure everything in my life is perfect, in order and destined to succeed. It is part of my A-type personality. I do everything to make sure my “ducks” are in a row, dot my “i’s” and cross my “t’s.”

This has played a negative role in my personal journey of faith. The reason is because the only role I must play in my relationship with God is obedience. Obedience meaning I allow God to be the head of my life. Obedience meaning I position myself for God to lead me and shape my character. The problem that I and others can fall into is trying to appease God with the things I do and the success I attain.

When a person comes to faith in Christ one must remember that it is God who sought that person out. If it is God’s initiative than it is God’s responsibility to shape a persons character and guide them in the path He wants them to go. The responsibility of the believer is obedience to allow God to change their heart by listening to the changes He wants to make.

Allow today’s Proverb, Proverbs 9, to be a starting point to positioning yourself in obedience to know God and make Him known.