KaaGee Notes

  Devotional No matter how deep you are now, wade in deeper still. Don't worry about what's going to get wet. Don't stop at the point where you can keep your feet underneath you. Get swept away. What are you holding on to? What are your hesitations to living a more Spirit-led life of faith? What illusion of control are you clinging to? Go all in. Pray today that this fast will be just the beginning of a deeper relationship with God. Pray that He will continue to beckon you to dive in and let Him take complete control of your life. Ezekiel 47:1-12 The River From the Temple 47  The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.   2  He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the sou

  Devotional Are you considering continuing your fast or maybe beginning new habits of regular fasting? In this chapter, people are wondering if they should continue the fasting calendar they had kept and the Lord answers through Zechariah. Since Moses' time, God instituted a whole calendar of fasts and feasts. Both were designed to draw His people closer to Him. If drawing closer to God is your goal every day, both times of fasting and feasting can be holy to the Lord. Take time to allow God to speak to you about your fasting experience. Ask God to help you reflect on the ways your fast has softened your heart and influenced you to treat others differently. Zechariah 7 Justice and Mercy, Not Fasting 7  In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the  Lord  came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev.   2  The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek, together with their men, to entreat the  Lord   3  by asking the priests of the house o

  Devotional Do your heart and flesh feel faint? As you near the end of your fast, think of the marvelous joy of spending this one day in His courts. Praise Him for the ways you are growing and seeking Him more. No matter where you are, read this psalm out loud today as your prayer to God. Personalize it or add to it. Sing it loudly or just whisper. Psalm 84 [ a ] For the director of music. According to  gittith. [ b ]  Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. 1  How lovely is your dwelling place,      Lord  Almighty! 2  My soul yearns, even faints,      for the courts of the  Lord ; my heart and my flesh cry out      for the living God. 3  Even the sparrow has found a home,      and the swallow a nest for herself,      where she may have her young— a place near your altar,      Lord  Almighty, my King and my God. 4  Blessed are those who dwell in your house;      they are ever praising you. [ c ] 5  Blessed are those whose strength is in you,      whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6  As they

  Devotional Tear your hearts instead. You can finish strong by making sure you are weeping and mourning and tearing your heart open wide to allow God's power and presence to sweep across the landscape of your life. Tell God today that you are baring your heart before His mercy, compassion, and unfailing love. Ask Him to give you the courage to join His advancing army. Ask Him to open your eyes to dreams and visions. Joel 2:12-32 Rend Your Heart 12  “Even now,” declares the  Lord ,      “return to me with all your heart,      with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13  Rend your heart      and not your garments. Return to the  Lord  your God,      for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,      and he relents from sending calamity. 14  Who knows? He may turn and relent      and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings      for the  Lord  your God. 15  Blow the trumpet in Zion,      declare a holy fast,      call a sacred assembly.

  Devotional This is one of the most dazzling stories in the Bible. You can surely relate to the situation these three young men faced--when facts fly in the face of truth. The facts were that they had broken the law, the punishment was death, Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man in the world, the fire was hot enough to kill a nearby guard, there were plenty more guards to throw them in, and they were either going to bow or burn. Period. But the truth opposed those facts, and the truth was what the three men stood upon. The truth was that either their God was going to deliver them or they would willingly die in His service. The truth is that the Son of God walked with them through the flames. What facts are you facing that defy God's truth? Take the facts to God in prayer today and believe with the boldness that your God will be with you in the fire. Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue 3  King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide [ a ]  and set it up o

  Devotional The title of today's reading is A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God. It talks about seeking one thing. During this time of seeking, it's easy to focus on seeking things from God instead of just seeking God--to seek His hand and not His face. Think of the difference between approaching a king to kiss his hand and approaching a loving father to kiss his face. God is both our King and Father. He is capable of meeting your needs and answering your prayers. But He also loves you more deeply than you can ever know. When you seek His face, you end up in a much closer posture to Him. Pray today that you will seek God's face and get closer to Him than you ever have before.           Psalm 27 Of David. 1  The  Lord  is my light and my salvation—      whom shall I fear? The  Lord  is the stronghold of my life—      of whom shall I be afraid? 2  When the wicked advance against me      to devour [ a ]  me, it is my enemies and my foes      who will stumble and fall. 3  Though

  Devotional You're starting the third and final week of your fast. If you're fasting with a group, take time to reflect together and celebrate what God has begun. If you've been fasting alone, be sure to write down your experiences. Even though you may feel like you're in a groove now, for many this final week will be harder than the others. Ask God to search you and begin to shine a light on all the dark corners of your heart. Ask Him to use this last week to refine you and cleanse you. Psalm 51 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1  Have mercy on me, O God,      according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion      blot out my transgressions. 2  Wash away all my iniquity      and cleanse me from my sin. 3  For I know my transgressions,      and my sin is always before me. 4  Against you, you only, have I sinned      and done what is evil in your sight;

  Devotional Blessed are those who hunger... If you can relate to that, spend time meditating on this passage called the Beatitudes or Blessings. Make a point today to count your blessings. Keep a journal with you all day to write down the blessings that God brings to your mind. Pray to thank Him for the blessings, even the ones that come as a result of enduring hardships or trials. Matthew 5:1-14 Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount 5  Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,   2  and he began to teach them. The Beatitudes He said: 3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit,      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4  Blessed are those who mourn,      for they will be comforted. 5  Blessed are the meek,      for they will inherit the earth. 6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,      for they will be filled. 7  Blessed are the merciful,      for they will be shown mercy. 8  Blessed are the pure in heart,