WR21 Fast - Day 8 - Real Living Ministries

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WR21 Fast - Day 8

WEEK TWO | Jesus Says Yes Through His Works and Words.

May 5, 2024 • Joy Chickonoski • John 2:23—3:36, John 1:1–36, Matthew 7:13–14, Hebrews 12:1–4

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DAY 8 - Today’s devotional was written by Joy, Co-Leader of RLM, and today’s reading is: John 2:23-3:36. Jesus says yes to Nicodemus, but he says no.

“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name as they observed His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew all people, and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in mankind.” [John 2:23-25 NASB20]

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews... Jesus responded and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus responded and said to Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel, and [yet] you do not understand these things? ... "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. …The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." [John 3:1, 3, 9-10, 16-19, 36 NASB20]

The beginning of this passage demonstrates the intentionality of Jesus to say “yes” even though He knew humanity from the beginning. Jesus accepted the plan of salvation knowing few would actually accept it (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus was not problem-solving when He accepted the cross. He wasn't focused on fixing what was wrong. Instead, “for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:1-4). Jesus had His eyes on those who would believe and it was worth it to Him to do it for the few. Essentially, what He was saying to Nicodemus is this: “You should be the one to know who I am, but you do not have your eyes on me. Instead you're trying to solve a problem.”

Like Nicodemus, many Christians are trying to solve the problem of getting to Heaven while still living life the way they want. He knew Jesus was who He said He was, but to believe would cost him too much. What deception humanity lives under! When our deeds are evil, we hide in darkness. When we focus on the Person of Jesus instead of solving a problem, we come out of darkness. We are not afraid to face our sin or relinquish control of our lives because Jesus is worth it! I am so glad He thinks we are too!

1. Like Nicodemus, are you asking God, “How can these things be?” Let Holy Spirit probe your heart to show you if you are still holding on to your own agenda instead of accepting His.

2. Do you have a problem with something God wants from you, or that you know the word of God requires of you? If you are struggling, give God your “yes” in this area and let Him change your “want to’s.” Ask Holy Spirit to comfort you with the truth. Write down your insights from Holy Spirit.

3. Write out your commitment to protect your “yes” with your “nos.” What do you need to say “no” to, so you can keep your “yes” to God?

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REMEMBER: Click the 'WR21 DETAILS' button for a list of the various ways we are fasting in preparation for Pentecost.

What is the WR21 Fast?

April 26, 2024

Curious what the WR21 Fast is? Then you're in the right place! Check out this short video from Joy to hear more about our upcoming 21-day Waiting Room Fast! Click on the WR21 button to get all the ways you can join us in this fast, and to say "yes, count me in"...let's do this together!

WR21 Fast - Day 1

April 28, 2024 • Joy Chickonoski • John 1:1–5, Genesis 1:1

DAY 1 - Today’s devotional was written by Joy, Co-Leader of RLM, and today's reading is: John 1:1-5, Jesus said yes, the world said no. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it. [John 1:1-5 NASB20] Welcome to the waiting room devotional. We will spend the next 21 days preparing our hearts for a personal pentecost by fasting the hectic/isolated lifestyle. So let's start at the beginning… This passage in John 1 was our theme verse in 2022, “Joy in His-story.” The Hebrew letter for the number two is bet and it means “covenant” or “habitation.” Jesus said “yes” to leaving all the glory of heaven, that was rightfully His, to come to earth and create habitation with humanity. Here is how it works, the number for God is one, aleph in Hebrew. It means “oneness.” In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God and with the Word (Jesus) was God. Then Genesis 1:1 continues this thought, “In the beginning… the Spirit hovered over the surface of the deep.” John echoes Genesis when he writes, “And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not grasp it.” God was one, then He formed two. Two worlds now existed. Jesus became flesh and inhabited our world, so our bridegroom can become one flesh with His bride. Aleph is a silent letter, while bet explodes with the frequency of habitation. God is unknown (the darkness does not grasp the light) until He becomes known in the hearts of those who, by faith, see the unseen. Jesus said “yes” to us and when we say “yes” to Him heaven comes to earth and God’s glory is revealed! This will be the theme of our waiting room fast and devotional. It is a time to step away from our hectic/isolated lifestyle to habitat with God, to waiting upon Him so He can shine His light into our darkness. This is a Kairos moment in time to quiet our hearts and focus our thoughts upon God. Then, we can know the unknown, see the unseen and encounter Jesus in the R.E.A.L. world. It is time for overflow…again. 1. Ask Holy Spirit how He desires you to engage this fast for the next 21 days. Write down what He tells you. 2. Write out your response to His invitation to engage Him. How are you going to take advantage of this Kairos moment that has been prepared for you? 3. Share your thoughts with your family or prayer partner so you can share in the advantages of accountability. -------------------------- REMEMBER: Click the 'WR21 DETAILS' button for a list of the various ways we are fasting in preparation for Pentecost.

WR21 Fast - Day 2

April 29, 2024 • Perry Chickonoski • John 1:35, Psalm 139:15–16, John 1:6–10

DAY 2 - Today’s devotional was written by Perry, Co-Leader of RLM, and today's reading is John 1:6-10, John saw the light and testified to the truth; he gave his yes. A man came, one sent from God, and his name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. [John 1:6-10 NASB20] In the Gospels, the Apostle John was quick to identify who Jesus was and who John the Baptist was. Jesus was the Light of the world; John was His witness and came to testify about the Light. John prepared the way and pointed the people to the Light. Jesus was and is the Light. As evidence of the Baptist’s commitment to his calling, just a few verses later in John 1:35 he was talking with two of his disciples and as he saw Jesus he declared: “Behold, the Lamb of God." Immediately, the two followed Jesus. One of them was Simon and the other was un-named, which is the pattern the Apostle John used when referring to himself. The Apostle John had a very unique perspective as he was first a disciple of both John the Baptist then a disciple of Jesus. Because he knew who John the Baptist was (the one who prepared the way), John immediately trusted the Baptist’s testimony and followed the One for whom the way was prepared. King David understood that his life had God-given purpose when he said in Psalm 139:15-16: "For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully formed in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my formless substance; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." We all have a divine destiny and God put us here on the earth for a specific reason. There is no big or small in God’s economy – each of our lives are woven into His grand design and we have purpose. There is truth to the poem by William Ross Wallace that says, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” Never dismiss your calling as small, insignificant or unimportant. We do not know the lives we touch in our everyday. Like John the Baptist and King David, perhaps you know the destiny for which you were put on this earth. Perhaps, you’ve never known the purpose for which you were born. Let’s take a moment to ponder the following: 1. Ask the Lord “Why have I been put on this earth?” (if you already know, great!) Take a moment to write down what Holy Spirit tells you. 2. How does that destiny advance the Kingdom of God? 3. Prayerfully consider your “yes” to the destiny the Father has given you. 4. Ask Holy Spirit to give you the next step in fulfilling that destiny and give it your full yes! -------------------------- REMEMBER: Click the 'WR21 DETAILS' button for a list of the various ways we are fasting in preparation for Pentecost.