Week 2: 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting || Victory Church

Hey, today we are talking about something that people struggle with whenever a pastor talks about it in church, giving. All right, so I know there is rightfully a lot of suspicion in our hearts because broken people have done many broken things with money in the church. But here's the problem I've seen on the other side. I've seen a lot of people honestly hide, can I say this? They hide their greed behind those sorts of excuses. So let's take a step back during this fast and let's talk about why we give. So here's the truth. Giving began with God. I'm going to say it again. Giving began with God. Before you and I ever had anything to offer him, he gave and offered everything to us. He knew we could never earn it or deserve it or repay it. He knew we would never fully grasp the weight of it. But God looked at humanity, the fall in the garden, the brokenness that followed the chasm of separation that we couldn't fix. And he chose to give John 3, 16, his only son as the perfect sacrifice out of love to repair everything. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to give. Jesus willingly, sacrificially stepped away from heaven, away from glory to walk among us and ultimately, you know this, to brutally give his life so we could be redeemed and restored to the father. And that's where true giving begins. Hear me. Giving does not begin with our giving. Giving begins with God's giving. Not with our money, but with his sacrifice. Not with our obligation, but with his love. We give because he gave first.

Giving is an act of worship. It's a response, right, of obedience and gratitude for everything that God has done. And here's the beautiful part, okay? Our giving isn't about what God wants from us, because if you did not notice, he doesn't need anything from us. God's doing okay. Giving is about what God wants to do for us, in us, and through us. Because there's a freedom and a joy that we step into when we realize that everything we have was graciously given to us by God. Do you understand that? Everything you have was given to you by God. He's the provider. It's his anyways. And there's a deep trust that the Holy Spirit builds in us as we begin to see God show up as Jehovah Jireh, our provider, right? Our dad owns the cattle on a thousand hills, like the scriptures say, I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor their seed begging for bread, right? We get to give with confidence, knowing that as we give, God is using that to care for the world. And simultaneously, God will continue to meet every single one of our needs because he's our good father. And I promise you, if you haven't already experienced this, you cannot outgive God. So today, as you step into your time of prayer and fasting, pause and reflect on today's verse and then ask the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, are there places where I've been simply giving out of obligation instead of love? If so, bring me back to love in that place as my motivation. God, where are you inviting me to trust you more deeply? God, where can I give more generously as I move forward? If resistance rises up, invite God into that resistance, right? Bring your honest feelings to him.

Say this, this is an okay prayer. God, I honestly don't want to give. So talk to me about that. Why don't I want to give? Why don't I trust you in that area? Because really, truly, I want to be more like you in this area. You're a giver. And so I want to be a giver. So help me today. So let's do this. Let's bow our heads. Let's pray and invite God into this moment. Father, we thank you that you so love the world that you gave. And God, we don't want to just leave that in the Bible. We want to receive that truly into our lives. And so God, I thank you. We thank you that you've been so generous to us. And I pray that that would do something inside of us to cause us to be generous to you, to the world around us, to the people we love, and honestly, even to the people who will never be able to say thank you until we see them in heaven. And so God, if there's any area of greed, any area of suspicion, Any area of excuses, any area that we've been hiding in, God, expose it, just talk to us about it over these next few minutes. God, we commit this day to you, and I pray that in this time of prayer and fasting, God, we would actually exit this time in the most generous state of life we've ever been in. And may we never forget that we give because you gave first.

In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Amen. Amen, amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Alright. Amen. Yes. Amen. Amen. Goes on and on and on, da hamsa shalala. Yes, it won't close. Amen. There's something powerful that happens when we slow down, quiet the noise, and turn our attention back to the one who matters most, Jesus. As you step into today, I want to invite you to set your heart on him, on who he is and how he loves you. Jesus, fully God and fully man, stepped into our broken world and lived a life we couldn't and gave his own so we could come back to what God always wanted for us, to be loved by him and to love him in return and to reflect his love to the world around us. John the disciple who called himself the one Jesus loved saw that love up close. He watched Jesus care for people, speak truth with compassion, and lay his life down for us. Most of us know John 3, 16, but verses 17 and 18 also remind us that Jesus came not to condemn us, but to save us, to love us back into life. And because that matters, because we all have days where we miss it, I miss it, I'm sure

you miss it, days where we fall short with God or with people, scripture says, We've all sinned and fallen short, but Jesus' love is not conditional. His mercies are new every morning. He'll never turn his heart away from us. Jesus loved us first, and because he loved us first, we love him, and we love our neighbors as ourselves. Now, loving people is easy until, let's be real, it isn't, right? That includes the neighbor who takes the HOA a little too seriously, the coworker who rubs you the wrong way, or even the family member or friend who broke your trust. But with the Holy Spirit's help, you can love them too. And then there's that one person who can be the hardest to love sometimes, ourselves. Maybe you've been tolerated more than treasured. Maybe old shame still speaks a little too loud. Maybe wounds from your story make it hard to believe you're worth loving. Wherever you are today, know this. Jesus understands. He knows what you're carrying. He knows what you need. And he wants to meet you here, right here, and remind you of his love for you. And he wants to empower you through the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul prayed that we would be rooted and grounded in love,

that we would truly grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is. And that's my prayer for you as you begin today. Because Jesus loved us first, we can love too. So as you spend time praying and fasting today, meditate on scripture and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through it. Remember, this is just an appetizer for the full course meal that God wants to have with you. So don't stop here. Press into this moment and let him take you deeper. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ Today, I want to lean into something really special. Something that interrupts our plans, challenges our comfort, and sometimes asks more of us than we want to give. I want to talk about serving. Every day during this fast, we've been looking at the life and the character of Jesus so that we can align our hearts with His. And when we look at Jesus, one of the clearest things we see is this, He came to serve. We live in a world where everyone is striving to be noticed, celebrated, and catered to. But Jesus, our King, stepped into our world and chose a completely different way. Mark 10.45 tells us, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Not to be served, but to serve. Jesus modeled humility from the very beginning. He knew exactly who He was, fully God and fully worthy of honor. Yet He kneeled down and washed the feet of His disciples. He slowed down for the hurting and made sure that the overlooked felt seen and loved. And while we were still sinners and not deserving, He served us by going to the cross, taking our place, and paying the price we could never pay. Because of that, serving isn't something we have to do, it's something we get to do. Serving becomes our way of saying, thank you, Lord. It's one of the clearest ways we look like Jesus. When we lay down our titles, our preferences, and comfort to be His hands and feet, the world gets to see His love. And here's the sweetest part. Jesus says that when we serve others, it's just as if we're serving Him.

And He is so worthy. So as you spend time in God's presence today, invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and guide you towards ways that you can serve others as an act of love for Him. [♪ music playing ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Before the world was ever formed, God was in community. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were showing us that it is not good to be alone. From the very beginning, God designed us to grow, to worship, and to walk alongside others. Y'all, community was His idea, and it's still a good one. See, in the garden, God saw that Adam needed a suitable helper, someone to partner with him, to be fruitful,

and to reflect the kind of love that Christ would later show His church. But when sin entered the world, that original plan was fractured, and Adam and Eve hid from God and turned on each other. And from that moment on, the enemy has been trying to convince us that God's plan for connection isn't good. But it is good, and through Jesus, that plan is being restored. His life, His sacrifice, and His victory over death make it possible for us to live in, to grow in, and to enjoy connection with God and others once again. And here's the thing, Jesus, He didn't just talk about community. He lived it. Clock that. He worshipped in the synagogue, He ate, He laughed, and He shared His life with others. He cultivated close friendships like Peter and James and John, showing us what healthy, intimate relationships look like. I get it. I know. Community isn't always easy. Can I be honest? Sometimes it's messy. Sometimes it disappoints us. And Jesus knows what that feels like, too.

In the garden, He wrestled in deep anguish while His closest friends fell asleep when all He asked them to do was pray. Even then, though, He forgave, He reconciled, and He continued to love. So if you've been hurt or let down by others, know this, Jesus, He truly understands. He's the perfect friend who will never let you down, even when others do. So as you reflect on today's devotional, take a moment to pause. Ask the Holy Spirit what He's saying to you about community, what it means to gather, to belong, and to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Because, I'll say it again, community was God's idea from the very beginning, and it's still a good one. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Music

Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Jesus walked with his disciples teaching them and forming them in community. But one day, he did something unexpected. He sent them out, two by two, into the neighborhoods and the towns around them. They were no longer just learners. They became participants in his mission, practicing in public what they had learned in private. Spiritual growth often begins in safe spaces like worship services or small groups or our own personal study. And these spaces are important. They form us. They deepen our understanding. They strengthen our faith. But growth truly takes root when it leaves the walls of comfort. Scattering is where learning meets action. It challenges us to step out and to engage with people that we might have never noticed and to trust God to work through us. Scattering is also sacred. It's where love moves from thought into action. It's where hope reaches the broken and where truth touches the searching. And the best part is that we're not alone. Jesus goes with us equipping and guiding and empowering every single step.

What we learn is only as meaningful as what we do with it. If we keep it to ourselves, we miss a beautiful part of the gospel. The part where we co-labor with Jesus and witness how lives are transformed by his love. So, as you meditate on today's scripture, ask the Holy Spirit where he may be sending you in this season. And trust him to equip you on the journey. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ justbask.com justbask.com justbask.com justbask.com justbask.com you As we continue our time of prayer and fasting I want to look at something. Jesus didn't just model. He commanded and that is rest. It's the one commandment that can sometimes feel like a great suggestion. Not a necessary practice. It sits right up there with not having idoles not murdering and not committing adultery. So if you keep nine out of ten commandments, not bad, right? Not quite. From the very beginning we see God model rest. The same God who spoke light and the galaxies into existence with a word. If anyone didn't need rest it would be him. Yet still in his infinite wisdom and power he rested and today he's calling us to do the same. Psalm 127 2 says in vain you rise early and stay up late toiling for food that brings you sorrow. For while you sleep the Lord provides for those he loves. I know we've all probably found ourselves guilty of burning out, striving, trying to make things happen in our own strength, and it always leaves us on empty. But look at that last part. While you sleep the Lord provides for those he loves. That is so encouraging. It's one of those verses that makes you suddenly aware of the tension you've been holding and it invites you to exhale, to relapse. Because even while you sleep the Lord is providing for you. But you know, it's not just the physical labor that God calls us to rest from. It's the mental labor too.

That kind that wears the soul thin. Jesus understands what the state of the world will do to our human heart. And I think that's why in Matthew 11 28 through 30 he says, Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. That word yoke refers to a wooden frame connecting two animals like oxen so that they could share the weight of a heavy load. It forced them to work side by side. And here's the truth. We are always yoked to something. Maybe you've been yoked to an unhealthy version of religious duties. One built purely on obligation and somewhere along the way. way, you forgot about the relationship with Jesus and it's leaving you dry and discouraged. Or maybe you've been yanked to real struggles in your finances. Maybe you have pain in your body. Or for some, you've been trying to doctor your broken heart and you're trying to navigate it all on your own. But Jesus is offering you a different partnership, not one that takes away the troubles this world brings, but one that lets you walk with Him, follow His lead, and actually experience rest, His rest, in the midst of the struggles. It allows Him to take the weight you're carrying and supernaturally give you peace so that you can continue running the race that He has called you to run. And as you walk with Him, step by step, you begin to learn to experience the kind of rest that allowed Jesus to be sound asleep in the middle of a storm. Remember, Jesus didn't just live from a place of rest and dependence on the Father, He's inviting you into it too. I hope this time of prayer and fasting has been such a blessing to your soul and has helped you experience more of Jesus's love for you. Today, I want us to slow down and talk about why we take every thought captive. In 2 Corinthians 10, 3-5, Paul tells us that even

though we live in this natural world, we don't fight with natural weapons. God has given us spiritual weapons with divine power to destroy strongholds, to tear down every argument and proud thought that sets itself against the knowledge of God, and to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Him. to Christ. Every day on this side of heaven, our flesh is at war with our spirit that has been made alive in Christ. So just like Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to bring every argument and prideful thought under the authority of Jesus, we are invited to do the same. But what does that actually look like? Well, Matthew 4 gives us an idea. Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. He fasts for 40 days and 40 nights. And after that, he's hungry. He's tired. And that's when the enemy shows up and tempts him three different times. Isn't that just like the devil? He always shows up a lot of times for us when we're weak and tired. Well, every single time, Jesus shows us what it means to take thoughts captive. He doesn't debate the devil. He doesn't entertain the lies. He meets every temptation with the word of God. Three temptations, three times, Jesus said, it is written, it is written, it is written.

You know why? Because he knew that where the mind goes, our lives will follow. The scriptures tell us that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. The things I think about and dwell on will set the course for my life. So we had better be careful with the thoughts coming into our minds. You know what, basically, we need to think about what we've been thinking about. Any thought that comes into our minds that doesn't line up with the word of God is a lie. Those thoughts, really lies, must be handcuffed, taken captive, and sent to jail. That means removed from our minds. If those thoughts, those lies, are allowed to dwell on our minds over time, they will become quote-unquote truths. That's right, truths. We can make a lie a truth. They're called ungodly beliefs, and they take root in our heart, and we will find ourselves going down a very wrong, painful path. But just like Jesus combated those temptations with the word, you and I have the scriptures, along with his power and authority, to resist the enemy, take our thoughts captives, and bring our hearts under submission to King Jesus.

So, as we continue in this time of prayer and fasting, setting our hearts back on Jesus and letting him lead the way, I invite you to ask Holy Spirit to search your heart today and to see what thoughts or ungodly beliefs have I been entertaining that don't align with you, Lord, or with your word. Take time today to sit with the Lord as you meditate on the scriptures, and let the Holy Spirit show you where prideful thoughts, fear, or lies have tried to take root in your heart. But don't just let them sit there. Follow Jesus' lead and intentionally replace them with his truth. God bless you. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ so

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