{Day 17}: Offering a Living Sacrifice

Word prompt: OFFER

Today is the second day of my two-day retreat. 

Today, I am making a public declaration of my faith in front of fellow believers, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Take my life a living sacrifice

Knowing it's the least that I can do

Make my life a living sacrifice

Holy and acceptable to You

{Day 7}: No Greater Love

Today's word prompt: LOVE

What I Learned From Fasting

I participated in the three-day fasting of one of the churches I'm attending to.  It's probably a spur of the moment decision, with no clear cut reason or guideline why I'm doing it, except that I know now it is not an option, but rather one of the disciplines of a good Christian.  So I went with it, with not even any particular thing in mind for personal breakthroughs and with no preparations whatsoever.  I just wanted to experience being with God.  And I just made do with what I can manage, with a little discomfort.

I skipped afternoon snack and dinner, and my favorite morning brew.  I'm just new to this so I haven't gone to full fasting yet.  It's kind of hard to do that also when you're working in the office.  But anyway, what's important is I realize I am doing this not as a form of sacrifice, but as an act of obedience.  That has made all the difference.  

What have I gleaned so far as I go on my last day of fasting?  I have learned:

Blessings by Laura Story

First time I heard this song, I fell in love with it.  Maybe because it's a song of comfort.  And in this world, who doesn't need to be comforted when you're going through something difficult, right?  I'm a person who doesn't easily open up to people about my troubles.  I'm more of an introvert.  I usually would try to sort things out by myself, particularly in those confusing times.  And yes, prayer helps a lot.  When you bring it up to God, somehow the load doesn't seem to press heavily on you anymore.  When you pray, it changes your perspective.  That's why they say prayer is not really for God, because He has everything already.  We pray because it is one of our soul's greatest needs...to connect to Him. Prayer does not change God, but it changes us in the process.

Worship Changes the Heart

I'm sure that there were times when you've felt so down, like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.  And there were times that you feel that weight crushing you.  Or there could be times that you are so upset maybe with people or at circumstances.  Sometimes, we cry, sometimes we respond with anger or self pity or we succumb to depression.

And during those times, I am most sure we could use a good shoulder to cry on, ears to listen to our rants, a wise counsel from someone we look up to, or simply someone to hold your hand.  But what if you find yourself alone?  And you find that whatever you're going through is just too much.  What do you do?

Sometimes, it helps to take yourself out of the situation...to zoom out for a while.  A change in perspective helps.  It's not easy but for me, I find that music helps to "take me out" of the situation for a while...worship music in particular.  And don't they say that you have to learn to praise Him at all times?  

I would admit that listening to music would have been the last thing on my mind when I am upset or angry.  Still, one time, I tried it and worshiping and praising Him did change how I saw things.  It cleared my fogged mind and eased my troubled heart.  It gave me a reason to be thankful for....grateful for His goodness.  True worship does that...and it reminds us that we have a God who is indeed bigger than all of the world's problems...and He loves us.

Worship changes the heart in so many ways.  It takes away our focus from our pains and shifts it to Him.  When we are focused on Him, there will always be that assurance and strength to face whatever life throws at us.  

This is a nice song that I'd like to share with you. His love is really amazing.  Have a blessed weekend!