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Friday, March 13, 2009
The Hidden Fast
"When you fast, don't make yourselves look sad. The
hypocrites do that. Don't be like the hypocrites. They make
their faces look strange to show people that they are
fasting. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have
their full reward. So when you fast, make yourself look nice.
Wash your face. Then people will not know that you are
fasting. But your Father that you cannot see will see you.
Your Father sees the things that are done in secret. And he
will reward you."
-- Matthew 6:16-18 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
We do not pursue the spiritual disciplines to gain us notoriety and
respect. They are of value when we offer them to God and go about our
daily routine as if nothing were different, except our character. Our
character is to be transformed to be more like our Father in Heaven. A
fast to God is not about looking like we're fasting on the outside, but
that we're being transformed on the inside. That transformation will
show itself over time, and in the meantime, the fruit of fasting will
be its own reward.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Loving Father, I recognize that every good thing I have comes from you.
Thank you for being so generous. I especially enjoy the food you
provide for me each day. As I fast, please help me to base that fasting
in the thankfulness for all you have done for me and please use it to
form in me more of your character than I had yesterday. In Jesus' name
I pray. Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0313-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+6:16-18&sr=1&t=erv
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