Reference no: EM134019981

Problem

Scripture for Reflection Joel 2:12-13 12 "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Luke 4:1-2 1And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. Background Information Well, if the study of the Scriptures and prayer is lacking among many followers of Jesus. Our next means of grace, fasting, is even more lacking. One writer said that "fasting is a physical exclamation point at the end of the sentences: "I need you! I want you! I long for you! You are my treasure! I want more of you! Oh, for the day when you would return! Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!" Fasting has a positive expression of, "Lord, I want more of You in my heart even as I have less food in my stomach." Fasting also has a negative context of exposing idols of my heart. Idols are anything that you turn to satisfy and secure you other than God. Idols come in a variety of shapes and sizes. To expose idols of your heart, think about the things that you medicate with food: fears, lusts, anger, depression or maybe it is something else for you. In this devotional, you will read chapter 6 in The Means of Grace book and learn about fasting. You will reflect on and respond to the discussion questions on the threaded discussion line. As with all devotionals, please pray that God opens the eyes of your heart as you learn about another means of grace, hungering for God alone. Blessings. Prayer: Father, in my time of fasting, I pray my soul inwardly exalts with lively thoughts about what You are doing for me and what You are doing in this world. Please lift me above the frowns and fears of this life. Help me taste Your heavenly joy. Please help me by the Holy Spirit to give myself to You with my whole heart. Father, help me to place all of my cares and concerns in Your great and gracious hands. Father, remind me that in Jesus, I lack nothing. Please turn this time of fasting into fervent prayer, a humble heart, and a passion for You and Your people. Please teach me at this time what it means to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Your precious Son. In Jesus' name, Amen Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to: Articulate ethical, Christ-like attitudes, values, and worldview in your professional behavior in your chosen field. (ILO 1) Analyze and synthesize leadership principles related to your chosen field. (ILO 6) Resources Bible Textbook: The Means of Grace, by Andrew C. Thompson Instructions Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade. Read chapter 6, "Fasting," of the text, The Means of Grace, by Andrew C. Thompson Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following discussion prompts. Your responses should be meaningful and thorough to all aspects of the prompts and include APA style in-text citations and references to the text and other course materials or external sources as appropriate: Have you ever thought about how much fasting shows up in the Bible - both in the Old and New Testaments? Get the instant assignment help. Why don't we focus more on Scripture passages about fasting? In Wesleyan teaching, we find fasting linked to other spiritual practices like prayer and works of mercy. How might we take our spiritual lives more seriously if we incorporate fasting into them? Do you fast? What is your practice of fasting like? Did you have a spiritual mentor who helped you understand how to fast, or did you develop the practice on your own?