Week 3: 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting || Victory Church

Okay, take a breath because today we're going to pause on something that's incredibly important in our walk with Jesus, but also one of the hardest things to face in life, grief and mourning. The truth is we live in a world that's broken, a world where disappointment and loss and unexpected heartache are real and they strike at any given moment. And because of that, every one of us faces grief at some point, whether it's the loss of a loved one, a job, a friendship, or even the loss of a dream we once had. Grief touches all of us. And Jesus wasn't exempt from grief either. Scripture describes him as a man of sorrows who was familiar with grief. When he stepped into our story, he did not avoid the pain of this world. He entered it fully. That's what he chose to do. And we see that in the story of Lazarus. When Jesus saw Mary and the others weeping after Lazarus had died, he did not stand at a distance. He was moved deeply. He drew close and then Jesus wept. Even though he knew resurrection was right around the corner, he didn't rush anyone through their emotions. He did not tell them, stop crying. It's going to be okay. No, he met them right there in their grief. And that moment shows us something really important, that Jesus doesn't call us to pretend we're okay. He doesn't just skip past our sorrow. He sits with us in it. He understands it. He cares deeply. Jesus grieved, listen, because he knew that death and brokenness were never what he intended

for us. That wasn't in the original intent, right? And Jesus knew that the only way to right this wrong was to actually go to the cross and carry the weight of sin and suffering himself. So that one day, mourning would no longer have the final word. And because of his sacrifice, now we can grieve. But like Paul says, we don't grieve like those without hope. Death doesn't get the last say anymore because now Jesus has conquered it. Where, oh death, is your sting? But does that mean you should just ignore grief? No, Jesus doesn't want us to push it off or to stay strong, right? You know, act like he got it together. Act like a real Christian. No, Jesus actually invites us to bring our mourning to him, to be honest, to slow down, and to let him step into those tender places with compassion. And then he makes us a promise right there. Listen, if you've forgotten it, he makes us a promise that those who mourn will be comforted. The Bible actually uses the Greek word pentheo there. Blessed are those who pentheo, for they will be comforted. Pentheo is the deepest form of pain, of anguish, of outcry. You know, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, that's where he says, blessed are those who pentheo, blessed are those who mourn, for they'll be comforted. But listen, listen, he's also implying if you do not mourn, you will not be comforted. So he's saying don't keep it all in the inside. In fact, you actually have to get it out if you want to be healed. We will experience real supernatural comfort and peace on this side of heaven when we bring our grief to him. So today, as you spend time with the Holy Spirit, the one who is called our comforter, reflect on the verse of the day and then ask these questions. God, what pain or disappointment have I been holding onto?

Lord, what do you want to say to me about that hurt? And then right in that place, God, I receive your comfort. Let me just say it like this, guys. If all you have are tears today, that's okay. God can hear tears too. So let's pray. Father, I thank you that Jesus did not stand at a distance, but he drew near and he can sympathize with all of our weaknesses, including the weakness of crumbling when life hits us really hard. And I thank you, we thank you that we are never alone. You'll never leave us. You'll never forsake us. You do not stand at a distance when life hurts. But you actually invite us to stand at a distance when life hurts. us to bring that pain, that grief, that memory, that wound to you. And you say, blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. And so God, I pray an odd prayer for my friends today. God, that you would give us the gift of mourning, that you would give us the gift to be able to go to that place, invite you in it so that it could be healed. And I'm reminded even right now that when the disciples saw you after you rose from the dead, you still had the scars, but you were no longer bleeding. And so I pray for my friends today who may still be bleeding because of life, that as you step into that space and as you heal that place, you're actually going to turn that into a scar. Yeah, it happened. Yeah, there's a story to tell, but we're no longer bleeding because you gave us comfort. God, we receive your comfort. We thank you that you are the God of comfort. And we ask even right now, the Holy Spirit to come in and be our comfort in Jesus name. Amen. All right, so I was driving on a busy road and I went to use the brakes and then boom, they were gone. The car jerked to the side and I was going down the road around the speed limit-ish with no way to stop. Now, by the grace of God, instead of flipping out, peace began to overwhelm me. It made no sense at all. And everything did work out just fine. I was able to coast into a parking lot and I was able to avoid an accident. But looking

back at that moment, I began to see. that no matter the circumstance, Jesus is right there with me. It's just like when Jesus was talking to the disciples in John 16. He was giving them a long list of some of the rough times that they were about to face, not to bump them out, but as he said in verse 33, I'm telling you these things so that in me, you may have peace. In this world, you're gonna have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. And today, you could be going through some craziness that goes way beyond losing brakes on the highway. But regardless of what we face, Jesus offers peace that passes all understanding. The kind of peace that doesn't even make sense. So let's take a few moments. Let's invite his presence in, because in the presence of Jesus, that's where peace is found. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Today in our time of prayer and fasting, I want to remind us of something we get to have no matter what we face, hope. Not because everything works out quickly and not because we always feel strong, but because the God we belong to calls himself the God of hope. Romans 15, 13 says, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hope doesn't start with us trying to fake it or push through. It starts with who God is. In fact, the Bible doesn't hide the fact that holding onto hope can be a struggle. In the book of Psalms, we see people wrestling with discouragement, talking to their own souls,

crying out to God and refusing to let their hearts drift. In Psalm 42, David tells himself, Why are you downcast, O my soul? Hope is near. God. That encourages me because it means struggling to have hope isn't a sign that something is wrong. It's a normal part of following Jesus. But scripture also shows us something else. Jesus himself walked this path too. Hebrews 12 2 says, tell us that for the joy set before him he endured the cross. Jesus faced pain, betrayal, rejection, and still he held on to hope. Not because the moment felt easy, but because he looked beyond that moment and trusted what his father had promised on the other side. That's hope. Not denial, not pretending the hurt wasn't real, but choosing to believe that God's future is good regardless of what's happening in our present. And because Jesus held on to hope and trusted his father's heart, we can too. So as we talk about hope today, we're not talking about positive thinking or ignoring reality. We're talking about looking beyond the moment because we trust the one who holds our future. And you know the beautiful part? When God gives hope, it's not just for us. It spills into everyday life and reaches people who really need it. So as you pray today's scripture, ask Holy Spirit to fill you again with his hope. I hope this time of prayer and fasting has been drawing you closer to God in ways you didn't even know you needed. As we keep focusing on Jesus throughout this time, I want to take a moment today to talk to you about something that's at the center of our walk with Him—why we have faith. Faith is a big deal to God. Scripture even tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please Him. So before we talk about why we have faith, let's back up and focus on what faith actually is. Hebrews 11 verse 1 says, Faith is the reality of what we hope for and the proof of what we do not see.

The word proof comes from a Greek word that means making a case—it's like presenting evidence. And here's the case we get to make as believers. Because Jesus is faithful, we can put our faith in Him. This is the same kind of faith Abraham had walked in when he left everything familiar, not knowing where he was going to receive the inheritance God had promised. It's the faith Noah had when he started building the ark before rain was even a thing. It's the faith Sarah held onto when she believed that God who promised her a baby long after it was even humanly possible for her to give birth. It's the faith the Israelites had when they stepped into the Red Sea, trusting that God would get them on the other side. And there's so many more stories we can see God's faithfulness in the lives of others. So what does it mean for you and I today? See, just like every person we read about in the Hall of Faith, you and I can put our trust in Jesus, the one who is the author and perfecter of our faith. You don't have to bet on your own strength. You don't have to map out your own victory. You can place your faith on the one who never fails you. And as true as those words are, I realize that maybe you felt let down by God. Maybe you feel like putting your faith in him is a scary and unpredictable thing. I think that's how a lot of disciples felt, especially Thomas after Jesus was crucified. In fact, even after hearing that Jesus was alive, Thomas said, unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my fingers where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. You see, Thomas' faith had hit an all-time low. So if that's you, I want you to know that just like Jesus held space for Thomas' brutal honesty, you can be honest with him as well. He's big enough to carry our disappointments and our doubts. He wants to meet you in it, but he doesn't want to leave you there. He will carry you through it and show you in a very special and specific way that you

can really trust him. So take today to fix your eyes on Jesus, bring him your doubts, your questions, your fears, and just like Thomas did, let him meet you right where you are. Ask him to grow your faith, and then step forward in trust, not because you have all the answers, but because he is faithful. Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music

Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music As we continue our time of prayer and fasting, I want us to lean into this question today. Why do we have joy? Before we answer that, let's step back for a moment and talk about what joy really is. We know the world has a definition of joy. The world tells us that joy is simply a feeling, a sense of pleasure or happiness. But as believers, our joy is rooted in something far deeper than our circumstances or our emotions. Our joy is found in Jesus. Here's my definition of joy. Joy is a deep inner confidence and a calm delight that flows from abiding in Jesus, enabling us to stand firm in every circumstance. Joyful Christians are rooted

in who Jesus is, not what life does. And I don't know about you, but that's really good news for me, especially because we live in this crazy world filled with trouble, uncertainty, and disappointment. And I've had my fair share of them. Because life can be hard. Come on, it can be hard at times. Maybe you right now, maybe you're facing some dark storms that the enemy meant to wipe you out. Maybe you're walking through one right now. God knows where you're at. I just want to encourage you today that He's with you and He is committed to helping you get through this dark season. Lean into Him. His joy is your strength. Paul said this to the church of Philippi. He said in Philippians 3, whatever happens, think about those words, whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, he said. And I do it to safeguard your faith. To safeguard your faith, Paul said. He wrote that from a prison cell in Philippi. Paul's situation did not look good, yet he was encouraging the church then and us today that no matter what comes our way, choose to rejoice in the Lord. I'm telling you guys, the enemy will throw everything at you to get you to quit and to walk away from God. Sadly, many people have, but not you in Jesus' name. Let's look at another guy,

Habakkuk, where he wrote this when he was going through a difficult season. Habakkuk chapter 3, he says this, even though the fig trees have no blossoms and there are no grapes on the vines, even though the olive crops fail and the fields lie empty and barren, even though the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, he says this, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. Come on. Habakkuk was going through tough stuff and yet he chose to still rejoice in the God of his salvation. So you gotta make sure you're rejoicing in the right thing. You don't wanna get a bad report to rejoice in the diagnosis. or a layoff at the job. You don't rejoice in the layoff. You don't rejoice in the loss of a family member. Of course not. We rejoice in the Lord because he's our strength and he will get us through that season. His joy gives me an inner confidence and a calm that my father is with me and that he's got me. But also his joy will give you and I the strength to get through that painful season. You know what that means? That means that you and I could be struggling today and still have joy. How's that possible? Struggle but joyful.

By abiding in Jesus. By spending time with the Lord. That's how we keep our joy. By getting in the Lord's presence daily. Because I remind you that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and it comes from abiding in Jesus. Joy is something that you and I were designed to experience in the good times and the bad times. But it's not something that we can manufacture on our own. No, it's only found by abiding in Jesus. That's why it's a fruit of the Holy Spirit. And if we don't spend intentional time with the Lord in his word, in prayer, and in worship, not only will we feel distant from God, but we will be joyless. Jesus said this in John chapter 15 starting at verse four. Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me, Jesus says. He says I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit. For without me you can do nothing. These things I have said to you that my joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full. Come on. This 21 day fast is the perfect time to deepen your relationship with Jesus. And not only that, for some of you to get your joy back.

And I'm praying through these 21 days of seeking God at a greater level, that your fire for Jesus will burn stronger than ever, your hunger for his word and his presence will continue to grow, and that no matter what is thrown at you in this year, you will choose to rejoice in the Lord. In this new year, let the Holy Spirit help you produce the fruit of joy so you can behold Jesus like never before. And by abiding in him, you experience his confidence and the calmness that comes from him through whatever the ups and downs of life throw at you. Listen, the joy of the Lord is your strength. He's with you, he's for you, and he's got you. Have a great year. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪

BGM As we spend time in prayer and fasting today, I want us to look at a topic that isn't always easy, but it's always worth it, and it's made possible through Christ—forgiveness. Ephesians 4.32 says, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. That verse tells us something very important. Before anyone had ever wronged us and needed our forgiveness, we sinned against God and needed His forgiveness. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is one beautiful love story of God moving toward people who could not fix themselves, cancelling debt, restoring relationship, and offering mercy again and again. And here's the heart of it—we forgive not because it always feels easy, but because God has already forgiven us first. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 18 about a king who cancelled an unthinkable debt for his servant. Yet, after being forgiven, that same servant demanded a repayment from someone who owed him very little. The king wasn't just upset with his harshness. It grieved his heart to know that the servant forgot the grace he had received. You see, forgiveness isn't God overlooking sin. It's God revealing his heart. And he invites us to live from that same heart. Forgiveness isn't simple or easy. Sometimes it happens naturally, but other times it takes intentionality, prayer, honesty, and returning to God again and again. Now, some of you may be thinking, I hear what you're saying, but you don't know what they did to me. Listen, I get it. But forgiveness isn't pretending it never happened or that you weren't hurt. It doesn't mean that you don't deserve justice, and it also doesn't always mean reconciliation or that they should have the same access to you as before. Forgiveness is releasing the debt and entrusting the matter to God because he is a merciful and just God. Now, we see Jesus modeling this perfectly as he hung on the cross. He was abandoned, betrayed, mistreated, wounded, and he still prayed, Father, forgive them. Not because they deserved it, but because forgiveness is his nature. And here's the beautiful thing. When we forgive others, we give them a glimpse into the mercy of God. Our forgiveness becomes a living expression of the forgiveness we've received. Forgiveness frees our hearts from being weighed down by bitterness. It helps us heal and a clear space for joy and peace to move in despite what we've experienced. And it makes room for the Holy Spirit to lead us and move through us as his witnesses to the world around us. And came to say Hi, I'm Rachel. I've got good news for you, our God reigns. If life feels a little heavy, if your world feels a little out of control or even if your soul just feels a little stuck, let me remind you today that our God is not out of control. Our God still reigns. And here's what I've learned. We live in a world overflowing with bad news after bad report after bad things happening and you don't have to scroll far to find it.

Just check your timeline, your inbox, or maybe even your bank account. But the gospel, the good news is not just a feel good moment or an emotional escape hatch on the airplane of life. It's actually the eternal truth that shifts everything. See, the Greek word for gospel is euangelion. And back in the day when the kingdom won a war, messengers would come sprinting into the town saying euangelion, euangelion. What he was doing was making an announcement of victory, declaring the war is over. The enemy is defeated. We're safe now and we have the victory. And that, that is what we carry. That is the confidence that we walk in, that the war is over. The enemy is defeated. We're safe now and we have the victory. Now I just want to pause for a moment because I don't want you just to hear this. I want you to go ahead and say that with me right now. Say it with me. Say the war is over. The enemy is defeated. We're safe now and we have the victory. See, this gospel isn't just theology. It's actually your new reality. Because of Jesus, the war over your soul is over. It is finished. It is done. Sin has lost. Sin for all and death has been defeated. This means you're not just saved, you're sent. So how do we share this good news? Here's a rhythm that I wanna give you

so that you can remember how to walk this out. There's just a few things that I wanna give you. Number one, speak. What this means is that you're to share your story. See, nobody can tell your story like you can tell your story. What God has done in your life is unique to you. But this is what I wanna challenge you with. Your breakthrough could be someone else's bridge to belief. I like to say it like this. Your testimony is your receipt that God is real. What this means is that when you know what God has done for you, you can show up in the assurance that he is real to you and you wanna share that goodness to somebody else. The second thing that I want you to do is you can show, which means simply to live with kindness. See, we have too many grumpy Christians walking around not being affected by the gospel, but you have an opportunity to show the goodness of God because the loudest sermon you'll ever preach is how you treat other people. The third thing is that we need to seek. This means that we go and pray for people. We look for people and have an opportunity to now partner with them in the things that they may need that God only can answer. Because hearts may say no to your invitation to maybe come to church or to do something else, but they cannot outrun your intercession.

The fourth thing I want us to be able to do is to send. This means now invite people into God's presence. Maybe it's inviting them to come to church with you. Maybe it's inviting them to come into the confines of a small group where they feel safe and connected. And then five, step. This simply means just start somewhere. Start where you find yourself because obedience isn't about perfection, it's all about movement. So as you pause and reflect today, let the Holy Spirit remind you of this. You are forgiven, you are redeemed, and you are recommissioned. But you're not just a receiver of the gospel, you're a carrier of the good news. So I wanna challenge you today. As Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1.8, you will be my witnesses. Let me say that again and emphasize, you will be my witnesses. It was a command and not a suggestion. And what I found is that too many of us take what was a command as a suggestion or as something optional from God. I wanna encourage you to let the joy of your salvation become the story of your life. And may the fruit of Christ's victory in you become the door that leads someone else all the way home. It's so good.

So good. It's so good. Thanks, Jesus. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

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