READ
Joel 2:12-17
CONSIDER
During this advent season, we have been journeying through the spiritual practices of the Sermon on the Mount. This week, Pastor Fabian will be guiding us through Joel 2:12-17 as we dive deeper into fasting.
One of the dangers of focusing on a spiritual practice is that we practice our faith but fail to focus on why we are doing so. Our passage in Joel calls us back to the heart behind worship (and in turn, fasting) as a call to turn to Christ and follow his ways.
In the busy season of advent, I pray that we can be a people who slow down and practice fasting so that we can experience a God who is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger & abounding in love.”
See you Sunday.
Pastor Tim Sreedharan
PRAY
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:12-13)
Lord, may we be a people who come before you in fasting and prayer, surrendering all of ourselves so that we may know your will and follow in your way, bringing you glory in all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
DIVING DEEPER
How can we live closer WITH God in our lives?
How are we being TRANSFORMED to be more like Christ?
How is the Holy Spirit empowering us to imitate Christ in what we DO this week?