NT24 FastSample

Day 14 by Dawn Martin, Pastoral Care Coordinator of UPPERROOM Dallas Today’s Reading: Galatians & Ephesians “I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ, but they only kept hearing, ‘The man who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.’ And they were glorifying God because of me.” (Galatians 2:22-24) Fasting is about allowing a piece of us to die so that Christ may live. This passage is a beautiful picture of people allowing their right to be offended to die. It is a beautiful picture of forgiveness! I remember asking Jesus once, “Why Saul or Paul?” I heard Him whisper "Because the persecuted church asked me to bless him." Matthew 5:43-48, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” popped into my spirit. Here in Galatians, Paul is referring to those he persecuted and shares their ability to praise God for their answered prayers. How powerful would it be if every person who persecuted us became like Paul because of our prayers of blessings? Would our hearts celebrate their transformation and promotion, or would we hold onto bitterness and judgment? Prayer: Jesus, as I allow my flesh to die during this fast, let my entitlement to offense and unforgiveness crawl up on the altar as a beautiful sacrifice to You. Jesus, help me bless and celebrate those You transform, no matter their former transgressions. Amen.