Abide Christian Meditation - Spiritual Discipline: Fasting

0:00In times like these, we all need a word of encouragement. From Pastor and Best Selling Author, Max Lucato, comes the Max Lucato Encouraging Word Podcast with over 40 years of ministry and more than 145 million books sold in 50 languages. Max shares the greatest story ever told. The living savior who brings hope for a lifetime through rich, biblical insight, heartfelt storytelling. You'll be reminded that God is always near, always for you and always in you. Listen to the Max Lucato Encouraging Word Podcast where hope meets your day. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Abide's daily Christian meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation is brought to you by our partners at LifeAudio. If you go to LifeAudio.com, you will find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network. They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more head over to LifeAudio.com now. And remember, you can have full access to our Meditations Commercial Free. Just text Abide to 22433 for 25% off.

1:00Now, receive his peace as we meditate and abide in Christ. Welcome to this Abide meditation. I'm Tyler. God invites you to bring every part of yourself to him, your heart, your mind, and even your body. During a time of national disaster, the prophet Joel called God's people to repent and return to the Lord. Joel said, yet even now declares the Lord. Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger

2:04and a bounding instead fast love. And he relents over disaster. Joel calls God's people to fast as they return to the Lord. Fasting is the spiritual discipline of going without something for a time in order to lean more fully on God. You might choose to give up a meal or a beloved beverage or TV or social media. Fasting is giving up something good in order to practice craving something better. God's presence. Fasting is a part of repentance and it's also a part of a normal spiritual life. Return to me.

3:07Perhaps these are God's words to you too. How will you respond? If you have struggled with eating disorders or control issues, you need to be careful when practicing fasting. You should probably fast from something other than food. Ask God to grant you wisdom as you seek to practice this spiritual discipline. Pray with me. God, I want to want you more. I want to return to you with my whole heart. Give me discipline. Teach me to crave you and to depend on you alone.

4:09Thank you for your everlasting mercy. In Jesus' name, I pray Amen. As you take a deep breath in, notice the desires you're feeling now. Are you thirsty? Hungry? Are your fingers eaching to pick up the phone and check your messages? Offer those desires to God, knowing that only He can truly satisfy. Turn your heart toward Him, breathing in His presence, and breathing out, surrendering your desires for anything else.

5:10We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Consider the ways you have looked to temporary things of earth for the satisfaction that can only be found in Christ. Confess your sins and your sins. Confess your sins and your sins. Confess your sins to the Lord, knowing that He is always ready to forgive. God's mercies are new every morning. You are forgiven and called a child of God

6:12and nothing can ever separate you from God's love. Let's pray. Almighty God, thank you for calling me to return to you. And for inviting me to give you my emotions and my body as well as my mind. Thank you for your mercy and compassion and your unfailing love. Help me to learn to fast well and to desire you more than anything else. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Today, consider what you might give up so that you'll be better able to taste the sweetness of God's presence.

7:14Until next time, may you abide in Christ. Amen.