Our church just completed a 21-day fast. The fasting plan was structured so that the first
week called for fasting one day, the second week two days, and the third week three days.
When I sought guidance from the Lord, I felt led to fast for all 21 days from sun-up to
sundown. It had been many years since I last fasted, and my previous experience was a
single 24-hour fast. This new commitment seemed daunting, and I was unsure if I could
accomplish it. Nevertheless, I decided to try.

The fast proved to be quite difficult for me. Each day between 2 PM and 3 PM, I struggled
with the urge to give up. Despite these challenges, I completed the fast. On the first day,
severe weather forced me to cancel all my showings. I started the day praying, reading
scripture, journaling, listening to podcasts, and an audiobook. Eventually, I found myself
bored and needed to distract myself from thoughts of food. To keep busy, I cleaned for five
hours, tackling areas I usually overlook. Although I broke the fast about 30 minutes before
sundown that day, I resolved to try again the next day. From then on, I was successful,
though temptation persisted.

A passage from Mark 9:29 (NLV) stood out to me: "He said to them, 'The only way this kind
of demon is put out is by prayer and by going without food so you can pray better.'" Going
without food so you can pray better, first time I really paid attention to this. But it is a
byproduct of fasting. It helps you to remember, I’m not fasting just to be hungry, or to lose
weight, but to help draw me closer to God. To further develop my prayer life and give me
increased clarity about God and his leading in my life. These 21 days have shown me how
much I don’t like denying myself. I don’t like being uncomfortable in any area, and it shows
me how God speaks to me in those times. It’s been very enlightening to say the least. I
began taking everything to God, including matters I would not normally bring to Him, such
as working with clients, my interactions with others, and even daily routines. I noticed God
whispering to me about mundane things in profound ways.

One morning, instead of sitting in my usual chair to pray, I felt led to kneel. This change in
posture instantly shifted my attitude, making me more worshipful and reverent, and more
aware of God's authority over me. Worship flowed naturally, even though my back hurt;
kneeling helped me focus and direct my attention to worship.

This fast has brought significant changes in me: deeper intimacy with God, increased
clarity, heightened sensitivity to His voice, more dependence and surrender, greater
reliance on God rather than self-confidence, quicker obedience, improved recognition of
His voice, and more discipline in various areas of my life, such as eating, praying,
forgiveness, thoughtfulness, and thankfulness

This year, Pastor Aaron has challenged us to stop worrying, seek God first, and commit to developing a deeper prayer life as we prioritize our time with Him. As I stepped into this challenge, God placed a scripture on my heart—Psalm 46:10a: “Be still and know that I am God.”

In my readings, I came across the verse broken down like this:
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know
Be still
Be

I’ve been meditating on this progression, letting each line settle into my spirit. And this morning, I finally discovered what it truly means to be. After prayer and study, CeCe Winans “Goodness of God” began stirring in my heart. I played the song and immediately tears began to fall. I wept through the entire song—and even after it ended, the tears kept coming. When the crying finally stopped, I found myself unable to move. It felt like a holy emptying, a release I didn’t even know I needed. I had no words. No requests. No agenda. Just stillness.
In that moment, I sensed God whispering, “This is what it means to be.” To simply sit in His presence without striving, without performing, without asking—just being with Him.

Each day, I desire to know God more deeply, to hear His voice more clearly, and to follow it more faithfully. Normally, at the start of a new year, I set goals and map out plans. But this year is different. This year, instead of setting goals, I’m setting my intention to focus on the Lord. I am surrendering my goals, my dreams, and my timelines to His will. My priority is to listen for His voice.

This shift doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m a problem solver by nature. Present me with an issue, and I can come up with three different solutions before you finish explaining it. That ability has served me well, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But I feel the Lord is inviting me into a new way—one that doesn’t rely on my own knowledge, wisdom, intuition, or resources.
He’s asking me to let Him lead.

To trust His timing.
To allow Him to do things His way.
This year, I’m choosing surrender over striving. Stillness over stress. Presence over productivity. And in that sacred space of simply being, I’m discovering God in a deeper, more intimate way.

I invite you to join me on this journey of surrender. Let’s commit—together—to slowing down, seeking God first, and creating intentional space to simply be in His presence.
Take a moment today to pause.
Turn off the noise.
Breathe deeply.
Invite God into the stillness.
Then ask Him one simple question:
“Lord, what are You saying to me in this moment?”

From the book Everlasting Light-A Journey from Promise to Presence

An Advent Devotional by Carlos A. Zazueta with Charles R. Swindoll

 

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.

Stillness is more than the absence of sound. It is the gentle hush of an early morning, the steady rhythm of breathing, and the sacred quiet where God’s whisper can finally be heard. Amid the noise and rush of life, we discover peace as we intentionally quiet the heart to listen for His voice.

Psalm 46 does not depict tranquil skies and peaceful streams. Instead, it speaks of earthquakes, crumbling mountains, and nations in uproar. Yet, right in the center of that chaos, God declares: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

This is not a passive suggestion. It is a divine invitation to cease striving and to remember the One who holds all things together. Stillness, then, is less about escape and more about surrender. It chooses trust even when everything around us shakes.

Several years ago, I entered a season marked by deep uncertainty. I sensed the Lord was leading me to step away from church planting—a ministry we deeply cherished but that had become unstainable for both my family and my health. In response, we prayed, we waited, and we pursued opportunities. Yet for months, there was only silence. No clear direction emerged. I began to question: Had I misunderstood God’s leading? Was He speaking at all?

Then came an unexpected invitation to interview at Dallas Theological Seminary. It was not the path I had envisioned, yet it felt like an open door placed before me. I accepted. While on campus, I confided in a friend about the silence and pressure I had been carrying. He listened, then spoke with quiet conviction: “Be still. Remember, God is in control.” In that moment, those familiar words became a fresh confirmation of the Shepherd’s voice—steady, guiding, and unmistakably leading me forward.

In the days that followed I began to practice stillness, both outwardly and deep within. Each morning, I sat in silence, not to demand answers but to acknowledge God’s presence. Gradually, the knots of fear loosened. I came to realize that God’s silence had been preparing me. That stillness became sacred ground. It taught me to release my urge to fix everything and to wait with open hands and a trusting heart.

Shortly, thereafter, an unplanned conversation opened a door I never expected: to return to serve full-time as lead pastor in the very ministry I had once left in obedience. This time I returned with peace, clarity, and a deep awareness of God’s perfect timing.

That season transformed me. I learned that God does not speak to rush us. He speaks to restore us. His direction often arrives in quiet places where trust takes root.

Psalm 46:10 reminds us that stillness is deliberate; we rest in the One who is sovereign. Stillness means shifting from control to surrender, from anxiety to assurance. It says, “God, even if I do not see the way forward, I trust that You do.”

Let stillness lead you into surrender, and in that surrender, watch God make a way!

Prayer

Father, quiet my heart and steady my thoughts. Help me rest in Your presence and trust Your perfect timing. Teach me to be still—outwardly and within—so I can hear Your voice above the noise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism of Faith states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” To glorify God--that’s worship! To enjoy Him forever—that’s the all-encompassing reward that includes these specific benefits:
 
Forgiveness-True worshipers recognize God’s holiness and accept His forgiveness (Romans 5:1: 1 John 1:9). Through worship they’re purified.
 
Guidance-Those who honor God will be given wisdom and will receive His guidance day by day (Psalm 25:4-12; Proverbs 1:7; 3:5-6).
 
Provision-Jesus said that God will meet our material needs if we give Him first place in our lives (Matt. 6:33; Psalm 23; 37:3-6).
 
Love-The love of God is experienced in the hearts of all those who are true worshipers (Psalm 63:3; John 14:21,23; Romans 5:5).
 
Power-To all who give God the glory He deserves, He enables them to do the things He requires of them (2Cor. 12:7-10; Eph.3:14-21; Phil, 4:13).
 
Protection- He faithfully watches over all who acknowledge Him, and He sustains them in all of life’s changing circumstances (Psalm 5:11-12; 1 Peter 1:5).
 
Glory- All true worshipers will one day be glorified.  They’ll inherit a new heaven and a new earth and join a company of believers and angels in perfect, uninterrupted worship (2 Peter 3:13; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 19:1-10)
 
For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear or read the word WORSHIP is music and singing, but the worship of God involves so much more than just these things.  Worship, the way the Bible portrays it, is orienting every aspect of our life toward expressing our loyalty and love for God. Sing if you must, but don’t forget the rest of your being.

What is faith? The New International Version (NIV) bible says, now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Heb. 11:1).
According to Webster, fate is the supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events. I’ve had bursitis in my right hip for several years. It would flare up and then not bother me for weeks. Last year it began to hurt all the time. I had it x-rayed and it showed mild arthritis.

I took PT, started going to the chiropractor, practiced yoga and exercised. About a month ago I decided to try acupuncture. Upon just feeling my hip, the acupuncturist said, “we’re going to try and save this hip”. I said, what??? I’ve never been told that before. I made an appointment with my orthopedic doctor for another x-ray to confirm what I was told by the acupuncturist. The x-ray proved that was not true. There was no change from last year to this year. But in between the time I heard the diagnosis of hip replacement and the new x-ray results, my
thinking shifted. I went down a path or not hopelessness, but helplessness. I was ready to have hip replacement, based on one man’s words. I slowed down exercising because I wanted to save what little cartilage I had left. Every movement was careful, and every pain exaggerated, because of one man’s words.

That really got me thinking how quickly our thoughts can get off track. We must fill my mind with the word of God. That is what counteracts all other voices. It transcends diagnosis or
pronouncements. From August 20 until September 9, I resigned to fate instead of walking by faith. During that period, doubts crept in, and I found myself questioning the outcome before it
was even determined. It was a powerful reminder of how easily external opinions can influence our mindset and decisions, especially when faced with uncertainty. It made me realize how easily we can let fear and uncertainty take hold when our faith is shaken.
I found myself questioning not only my physical abilities but the confidence I had in my own
judgment and hope for healing. In that moment, I had to remind myself to rely on faith, not the
unpredictable paths that fear or fate might suggest

Last week was full of difficulties in terms of business. I was keenly aware of my client’s neediness.  And I suppose they are always needy, but my patience was really tested. As a Realtor, I am used to guiding, coaching, counseling and catering to my client’s needs. So why, all the sudden, is this so taxing?

When I asked the Lord what was going on, he showed me through scripture that I have let the importance of my work crowd out my concern for human need.  I have made myself more important than the assignment God has given me. In a nutshell, it’s not them, it’s me. I’m fortunate to not only have a profession that I love, but it is also a mission that gives me purpose and great satisfaction. So, I had work to do.

My study took me to 2 Kings 6:1-7, where the unusual story about Elisha and the ax head is told. Elisha had a company of prophets, students who were under his tutelage, who asked to build a larger dwelling for the prophets.  Elisha agreed and they asked him to accompany them. As they were cutting down trees to build the structure, one of the prophet’s iron ax head fell into the water.  He was distressed because it was borrowed. Elisha asked him where it fell, and he threw a stick in the water, and the ax head emerged. This story showed how Elisha was concerned about his student’s concern. He didn’t get irritated or upset, he simply did what he could to help. This is what God requires of us. To do what we can, when we can, while we can.

This led me to Galatians 5:25 (NIV) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Keeping in step with the spirit is not something we do only in church or with other Christians.  It’s what we should strive to do every day throughout the day.  Particularly in our line of work, which most people spend more time doing than anything else.  We should be sensitive to where the spirit is leading us and follow.  We shouldn’t make it complicated or super spiritual.  It should be a natural part of our everyday lives. Listen for the spirit’s leading in your daily life and work, making kindness and spiritual attentiveness a natural, ongoing practice.

Ephesians 4:15-16NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does it work.

How can we grow more and more like Christ?  Some Christians don’t grow because they fear that any mistake or sin will destroy their witness for the Lord; they see their own weaknesses and realize that many unbelievers seem to have stronger character than they do.  So, they try to grow on their own and don’t make much progress.  But one reason Christ made the church is so that we can help each other grow and mature in our faith.  When we join with Christ, he forms us into a group united in purpose and in love for one another and for the Lord.  If one stumbles, the rest of the group picks that person up and helps him or her walk with God again.  If a person sins, he or she can find restoration through the church (Gal. 6:1) as the rest of the group continues to proclaim God’s truth.

Don’t try to live the Christian life alone.  Find a church that accepts you as you are but is committed to lovingly help you grow in your love for God and others and mature in your faith so that you become a more powerful witness for Christ.  As part of Christ’s body, you can reflect his character and carry out your special role in the work he has called the church to do.

Matthew 5:20 (NIV)-For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Righteousness means having a right love for God leading to a right relationship with him and others, producing right actions.  The Pharisees were exacting and scrupulous in their attempts to follow their laws.  They thought that was what they needed to do to please God. So how could Jesus reasonably call us to greater righteousness than theirs?  The Pharisees’ weakness was that they were content to obey the laws outwardly without allowing God to change their hearts (or attitudes).  They looked good and acted piously, but they were far from the kingdom of heaven.  God is concerned about our hearts as well as our deeds, because our hearts show where our real allegiance lies.

Jesus was saying that his listeners needed a different kind of righteousness altogether (out of love for God), not just a more intense version of the Pharisees’ obedience (which was mere legal compliance).  Our righteousness must (1) come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves; (2) be God-centered, not self-centered; (3) be based on reverence for God not approval from people; and (4) go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law.  

We should be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don’t see as about our actions that are seen by all.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Leaning has a sense of putting your whole weight on something, resting and trusting in that person or thing.  When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can’t trust anyone—even God. But God knows the best path for us. He is a better judge of what we need than we are! We must trust him completely in every choice we make.  We should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason, but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of others.

We must not be wise in our own eyes (Prov 3:7). We should listen to and accept correction from God’s word and wise counselors.  Bring your decisions to God in prayer, use the Bible as your guide, and then follow God’s leading.  He will make your paths straight by both guiding and protecting you.

To receive God’s guidance, said Solomon, we must submit to God in all our ways.  This means turning every area of life over to him. About a thousand years later, Jesus emphasized this same truth (Matt 6:33).

Examine your values and priorities.  What is important to you? Where is God on the list? In what areas have you failed to submit to him. In many areas of your life you may already submit to God, but the areas where you attempt to restrict or ignore his influence will cause you grief. If you make God a vital part of everything you do, he will guide you because you will be working to accomplish his purposes.