AND, Y’KNOW… THAT IS ENOUGH!

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I was in a conversation with a few members of my staff this morning. We were talking about the state of the world… trying to solve all the world’s problems I guess….not coming up with any good answers. It feels like parts of our world are burning down.

Photo by Anna Kester on Pexels.com

Then one of my assistant pastors said, “I was in prayer and meditation the other day and I got this word from God. God reminded me, ‘ You don’t belong here.’.”

That really encouraged me. I was reminded, in that moment, that I am not here to fix the world. The sense that this world is beyond fixing is correct. Peter said, “By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” 2 Pet. 3:7

That encouragement got me thinking about what God is doing in my circle of influence. Here, in little Winchendon, I am seeing a strengthening of community. I am seeing an increase of ingenuity, invention and encouragement. People are coming to Jesus. People are learning to pray. People are being discipled. Our little corner of the world is changing for good. I see a growing potential and opportunity.

So if I cannot change the whole world what am I doing here? I am here to be a witness to the TRUE HOPE OF THE WORLD within my circle of influence.

Jesus said, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

I am here as an ambassador of another Kingdom which is yet to come. Paul the Apostle said, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20

I am here to bring the comfort I have received to others. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Cor.. 1:3,4

I cannot change the whole world. I may not even be able to change any small part of it permanently, but I can tell people of a world that is not broken. I can tell them how to get there, and for the time I am here in this broken world I can bring comfort to the piece of the world I am dwelling in, even as it faces the fire that the rest of the world is being engulfed in.

AND Y’KNOW…THAT IS ENOUGH.

21 DAYS OF FASTING AND PRAYER 2026 MEDITATION 6

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HERE IS OUR AFTERNOON MEDITATION. AS WE SEEK TO CATCH UP WITH THE 21 DAYS OF MEDITATION, WE ARE ON DAY 12 OF OUR ANNUAL FAST FOR 2026. OUR CONGREGATIONAL MEDITATION IS IN THE BOOK OF 1 JOHN.

1 John 2:7-11

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

1 John 2:7-11 (Source: Equip the Called)Theme: The Old and New Commandment (Love)
1. The commandment to love one another is both old (from the beginning) and new (embodied in Christ).
2. Walking in love is walking in the light; hatred keeps you in darkness, stumbling aimlessly.
3. The true light is already shining, empowering you to live a life of love.

THINKING TIME:

  1. HOW IS LOVE DIFFERENT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW?
  2. HOW IS WALKING IN THE LIGHT DIFFERENT FROM WALKING IN THE DARK?
  3. HOW ARE YOU ALLOWING CHRIST TO SHINE HIS LIGHT IN AND THROUGH YOUR LIFE?

21 DAYS OF FASTING AND PRAYER MEDITATION 4

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I am feeling pretty good about this new rhythm God has established for me during this season of fasting and prayer. It seems like my time is being multiplied. It took a while to get this rhythm established but it seems to be going strong now. Here is our evening meditation.

1 John 2: 1, 2

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:1-2 (Source: Equip the Called)Theme: Jesus Our Advocate
1. When you fail, turn to Jesus, your advocate, who intercedes for you with the Father.
2. Christ is the atoning sacrifice (propitiation) for your sins, making a way for you to be right with God.
3. Strive for obedience, but rest in the grace that covers your shortcomings through Christ’s work

WHAT IS YOUR NORMAL REACTION TO FAILURE?

HOW DOES HAVING SOMEONE WHO WILL ALWAYS ADVOCATE MAKE YOU FEEL?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO REST IN GRACE?

21 DAYS OF FASTING AND PRAYER MEDITATION 3

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The day is moving on and it is time for us to do our afternoon devotion.

1 JOHN 1:8-10

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10 (Source: Precept Austin)Theme: Confession and Forgiveness
1. Denying your sin only deceives yourself; honesty is the path to spiritual health.
2. Confession is an act of humbling yourself, trusting in God’s promise to forgive and purify you from all unrighteousness.
3. God’s forgiveness is complete; once you confess, believe His promise and don’t take the sin back.

WHAT ARE SOME REASONS YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF DENYING YOUR SIN?

WHAT DOES COMPLETE FORGIVENESS FEEL LIKE TO YOU?

WHAT DOES THE WORD PURIFY MEAN TO YOU?