OUR DEVOTIONAL

Worship is essential to align our hearts with God’s heart. The heart of worship is to place the focus away from ourselves and the cares of life, to be absolutely consumed with Jesus. Fasting, prayer and worship is the gateway to help us focus and receive a breakthrough in our perspective. It’s amazing what we can hear when we discipline our “hangry” inner child by taking something away (food, media etc.). The reading of scripture becomes more vibrant; the Holy Spirit touches our heart in ways we cannot experience any other way but through fasting and worship; a love for God deepens in the core of our being.

Worshiping the Lord is giving Him all our attention and all our affection and expressing the truth of Who He is out of our mouth. This action builds our faith, releasing joy and fulfilment like nothing else can. This is what the believer in Jesus gets to experience in relationship with Him. He doesn’t need our praise for His ego, He knows we need to worship because that is what strengthens our relationship with Him. It is always about the relationship, not the performance.

Worship and fasting go hand in hand with prayer. Prayer is the mechanism to teach us how to worship. Fasting helps us listen, to learn to discern where He is working and where He wants us to come alongside Him and partner with Him. Barnabas and Saul were set apart for the service of God, they needed to be built up for the task God had for them. Notice they were set apart, they did not decide what they were going to do, they worshiped and fasted in relationship with God and through the depth of relationship they were prepared for the assignment God had for them. Then they went.

Many believers become zealous for God and want to help Him so much that they decide on their own what they are going to do for God. This is a grave mistake because this action sets them up for quick burn out when it gets hard. God equips those He calls. Through a growing relationship with God we are empowered and able to do what we could never do on our own.

If we want to see the power of God move in our lives as Barnabas and Saul, it is essential that we develop a love relationship with God, gain His perspective and move according to His purpose and plan. We must stay in obedient relationship with God. Worship and fasting help to make that possible.

FAMILY MOMENT
Set aside time during the day of fasting to pray a blessing over each one of your children or grandchildren. If you don’t have children pray a blessing over a family member, friend, spouse etc. Pray for:

1. God’s presence over their life
2. God to call them into his service
3. Speak scripture over each one by name (Genesis 1:22; Genesis 49:28; Deuteronomy 28:6; Psalm 1:1; 32:1; Isaiah 30:18; Romans 4:7; James 1:12; James 1:25; 1 Peter 3:14; Revelation 22:7)

PRAYER & REFLECTION

1. What do I need to do to adjust in my life/perspective in order to worship and fast to understand my God-given assignment?
2. How will I allow my church family support me in my assignment, and how have I let it be known that God has set me apart for His purposes within my church family?
3. In what ways am I willing to be held accountable within my church family?