Gratitude, Fasting, and God's Divine Intervention

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Favor Through Fasting and Prayer

Fasting and prayer can turn situations in our favor, as seen in the story of the Israelites and Haman. When we seek God earnestly, He intervenes in our circumstances, bringing liberation and favor. This teaches us to trust in God's timing and His ability to change our situations for the better. Fasting and prayer are not just religious rituals but powerful tools that align us with God's will and open the door for His intervention. Just as the Israelites experienced deliverance from Haman's plot, we too can expect God to work mightily in our lives when we humble ourselves and seek Him through fasting and prayer. [18:56]

Esther 4:16 (ESV): "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you need God's intervention. Can you commit to a period of fasting and prayer, asking God to turn the situation in your favor?

Day 2: Empowerment to Resist Temptation

Fasting and prayer equip us to resist the devil and overcome temptations, just as Jesus did after His 40-day fast. This empowerment is crucial for our spiritual growth and victory over sin. It reminds us that spiritual disciplines strengthen our resolve and enable us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. By dedicating time to fasting and prayer, we build spiritual resilience and draw closer to God, who provides the strength we need to resist temptation and live a life that honors Him. [19:26]

Matthew 4:2-4 (ESV): "And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Reflection: Identify a specific temptation you struggle with. How can you incorporate fasting and prayer into your life to seek God's strength in overcoming this temptation?

Day 3: Seeking Divine Forgiveness and Mercy

The story of Nineveh illustrates that fasting and prayer can lead to God's forgiveness and averted punishment. When we humble ourselves and seek God's face, He is merciful and relents from bringing destruction. This encourages us to repent and seek God's mercy, knowing that He is compassionate and forgiving. Our sincere repentance and commitment to change can move the heart of God, leading to restoration and renewed hope in our lives. [22:22]

Jonah 3:5-10 (ESV): "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, 'By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.' When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need God's forgiveness. Can you set aside time for fasting and prayer, asking God for His mercy and committing to change?

Day 4: God Fights Our Battles

In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah experienced God's intervention in their battle. When we fast and pray, God takes over our battles, ensuring our victory. This reassures us that we are not alone in our struggles; God is our defender and will fight for us. By trusting in God's power and sovereignty, we can face our challenges with confidence, knowing that He is in control and will bring us through victoriously. [23:54]

2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (ESV): "And he said, 'Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem." Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.'"

Reflection: Think of a current battle or struggle you are facing. How can you trust God to fight this battle for you through fasting and prayer?

Day 5: The Power of Thanksgiving

Expressing gratitude to God is essential for our spiritual well-being. Knowing God is not enough; we must glorify and thank Him. Thanksgiving aligns our hearts with God's will and opens the door for His blessings. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's greatness, fostering a heart of worship and trust. By cultivating a habit of thanksgiving, we acknowledge God's goodness and faithfulness, which strengthens our faith and brings joy to our hearts. [29:51]

Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."

Reflection: Take a moment to list five things you are grateful for today. How can you incorporate a daily practice of thanksgiving into your life to draw closer to God?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gather to celebrate a Family, Friends, and Thanksgiving service, marking the beginning of the second half of the year. We thank God for His grace and mercy that has sustained us from January to June. Despite the challenges, God has kept us alive, and we are here to express our gratitude. We are reminded that after fasting and prayer, God can turn situations in our favor, just as He did for the Israelites against Haman. Fasting and prayer equip us to resist the devil and overcome temptations, as exemplified by Jesus after His 40-day fast. Additionally, fasting can lead to God's forgiveness and averted punishment, as seen in the story of Nineveh.

God also takes over our battles when we fast and pray, as demonstrated in 2 Chronicles 20, where Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were delivered from their enemies. We are encouraged to sing and praise God, trusting that He has already fought our battles. Fasting and prayer bring numerous blessings, including healing, deliverance, and divine intervention in our lives. We are urged to expect our own testimonies and to continue praising God for His mighty acts.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of glorifying and thanking God, as knowing Him is not enough. We must align our will with His and express our gratitude. Scriptures like Psalm 95, Psalm 150, and Romans 1:21 remind us to praise God for His greatness and mighty acts. We are assured that God will restore our fortunes, protect us, and load us with daily benefits. As we thank God, we claim His presence and speak forth our expectations, believing that He will make a way where there seems to be none.

Finally, we pray for every family represented, asking for God's protection, provision, and peace. We declare victory over our enemies and celebrate the breaking of shackles and chains. We conclude with a time of praise, worship, and fellowship, thanking God for His blessings and looking forward to more testimonies.

###

Key Takeaways

1. day fast. This empowerment is crucial for our spiritual growth and victory over sin. It reminds us that spiritual disciplines strengthen our resolve and enable us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. [19:26]
3. Divine Forgiveness and Mercy: The story of Nineveh illustrates that fasting and prayer can lead to God's forgiveness and averted punishment. When we humble ourselves and seek God's face, He is merciful and relents from bringing destruction. This encourages us to repent and seek God's mercy, knowing that He is compassionate and forgiving.

4. God Fights Our Battles: In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah experienced God's intervention in their battle. When we fast and pray, God takes over our battles, ensuring our victory. This reassures us that we are not alone in our struggles; God is our defender and will fight for us.

5. The Power of Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God is essential for our spiritual well-being. Knowing God is not enough; we must glorify and thank Him. Thanksgiving aligns our hearts with God's will and opens the door for His blessings. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's greatness, fostering a heart of worship and trust.

### [19:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:53] - Testimonies and Thanksgiving
[18:56] - God's Favor Through Fasting
[19:26] - Empowerment to Resist Temptation
[20:42] - Divine Forgiveness and Mercy
[23:31] - God Fights Our Battles
[25:52] - Expect Your Testimony
[27:38] - The Power of Thanksgiving
[31:01] - Daily Benefits from God
[33:15] - Victory Through Jesus
[34:43] - Healing and Restoration
[35:38] - Restoration of Fortunes
[37:27] - Claiming God's Promises
[41:36] - Praying for Families
[44:55] - Victory and Praise
[57:04] - Announcements and Fellowship
[58:27] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah do when they were faced with an attack from their enemies? ([23:31])
How did the people of Nineveh respond to Jonah's message from God? ([20:42])
According to Psalm 95:1-3, how are we encouraged to approach God in worship?
What are some of the blessings mentioned in the sermon that come from fasting and prayer? ([25:52])

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 illustrate God's intervention in our battles when we fast and pray? ([23:54])
What does the repentance of Nineveh teach us about God's mercy and forgiveness? ([22:22])
Why is it important to not only know God but also to glorify and thank Him, as mentioned in Romans 1:21? ([29:51])
How does expressing gratitude to God shift our focus from our problems to His greatness? ([27:38])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did you respond, and how might fasting and prayer have changed your approach? ([23:31])
In what ways can you incorporate fasting and prayer into your routine to seek God's intervention in your life? ([25:52])
Think about a situation where you need God's mercy. How can the story of Nineveh inspire you to seek forgiveness and change your ways? ([22:22])
How can you make thanksgiving a daily practice, especially in difficult times? What specific steps can you take to cultivate a heart of gratitude? ([27:38])
Identify a battle you are currently facing. How can you trust God to fight this battle for you, and what role does praise play in this process? ([23:54])
How can you align your will with God's and express your gratitude more intentionally in your daily life? ([29:51])
What are some practical ways you can share your testimonies of God's goodness with others to encourage and uplift them? ([25:52])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Whatever problem that you face or whatever challenge that confronts you, I'm here to announce to you, we serve a God who cares. He cares for you. He will not allow the enemy to swallow you. He will not allow the enemy to, you know, bite you. God will take care of your enemy. Amen." [25:19] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So, we who are born again, we are not dying again. Praise the Lord. Psalm, verse 21. But God will wound the head of his enemies. The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses. God will wound his enemies. Remember, the enemies of God are your enemies also." [32:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Let Satan know that you know that victory is yours. The devil has no power over your life. He has no power over your family. He has no power over your business. Victory is yours. Jesus has won the victory for you. Hallelujah." [44:55] (92 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Shackles have been broken, chains have dropped powerless, deliverances have taken place, healings have sprung forth in the name of Jesus. Where there was no way, God is making the way for you. He's letting springs come out of your wilderness in the name of Jesus. Springs of waters are flowing in your wilderness in the mighty name of Jesus. Because praise has proceeded from your mouth. Your enemies have been defeated. In the name of Jesus." [57:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Another thing that happens when you fast and pray is that God changes his mind about whatever punishment that was going to come to you. And Nineveh is a typical example. Nineveh is a place that, by the way, they were very successful. And God became angry at them when he read Jonah chapter 3." [20:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So God's anger was coming upon them. His wrath was coming upon you. He was about to punish them. And when God's anger comes, listen, and you don't do something to calm him down, it means you are finished. I would say it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Lord." [21:48] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So, when God says that he will restore the fortunes, fortunes are, you know, your treasures, things that belong to you that, you know, it seems destroyed, it seems taken, it seems stolen. God says he will restore them to you. Amen." [35:59] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You are thanking God because you believe He has given you victory. You are thanking God because you believe He has healed your sickness and diseases. You are thanking God because you believe He is the one that is preserved. He is the one that is preserved in your life and protecting you. You are thanking God because you believe that without Him you are nobody." [37:27] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So, because of you, wherever you go, people begin to smell God. Wherever you go, people begin to do what? You carry the fragrance of God. You are a carrier of God's presence." [34:12] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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