Introduction

The Nazarene Church doesn't necessarily push the idea of Lent, but it does believe in fasting. Jesus lived an example of the importance of this, and one of His biggest examples is found in Matthew 4:1-11. There is only one verse in this passage that mentions His fast, and it says "after fasting 40 days and nights He was hungry". How many of us can relate to that?!?

The biggest message of this fast of Jesus was the trial Satan's tempter brought Him through AFTER the 40 days. So while I want to track how my 40 days goes, giving up eating out at restaurants and fast food places, I am also in prayer for God's strength and protection after the fast so that I may not fall for the offers of this world.

Here is Jesus' story.

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
"'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." (Matthew 4:1-11 NIV)

With everything being so easy to obtain today, it is also easy to forget that what I have in Christ is plenty, it is actually more than sufficient. My hope is to learn more about contentment and selflessness in this journey. I am constantly coming up with reasons why eating out is more affordable, and use it to prove that I can handle taking care of myself on my own. God takes care of me, but what do I do to show Him gratitude and trust? My 40 day fast is 40 days of trusting in the plenty He provides: 40 Days of Plenty.

Wednesday, February 22. Day 1