08.24.22 | Knowing Christ
Today, we will be utilizing our time of fasting and prayer to focus on our BREAD reading from Matthew 24.
In verse 4, Jesus’ response to the disciples’ question about the end times is “Watch out that no one deceives you.” In the context of this passage, Jesus is specifically telling his disciples not to be deceived by false prophets and others claiming to be the Messiah. We must spend time with Christ in order to truly know him, and for ourselves to not be deceived.
Using our four movements of FAST, spend time with Jesus today. Focus on learning who he really is and knowing him more deeply. Ask Jesus what new thing he wants you to know about him today. Pay specific attention to the words you are hearing and the tone in which they are being given. Remember – Jesus is always kind, gentle, and loving in his communication with you.
Here are the four movements of FAST:
- Focus: Find a quiet place to settle your mind and open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
- Adoration: Spend time honoring and exalting God, tell him what you appreciate about him. Contemplate on who he is and what he has done. You might even be able to get a sense of his presence with you.
- Speak: Commune with God, taking moments to both speak to him about what’s on your heart and to pause and listen for his voice. Use journals to write down what you hear him say. Ask simple follow up questions like, “is there anything else you’d like me to know about [fill in the topic]” to really get to the heart of what Jesus wants to communicate to you and what you want to say to him or plead for while you fast.
- Transform: Commit to taking active steps to change or address what the Lord revealed during your time of fasting.