“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So, Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:9-14 NIV)
This is one of my days that a lot is on my heart and my mind. I found it difficult to come up with something this morning. The infamous “writer’s block” was doing what it does with all the strength that it could muster. So, I took a walk down the hallway, went downstairs, and it was when I went down, God brought me up. How did He do it? He reminded me of something the Head of the Trustees at my church, one of our faithful and dependable saints, had sent me, something on fasting that Pope Francis wrote a few years ago, suggesting ways of fasting during the season of Lent. When I received it originally, my response was, “This is great!” Thank God that I did not delete it. I was moved this morning, right on time, to share his words with you. The Lord provided for me and as I pay it forward, He is providing for you! Consider his novel and beneficial suggestions for fasting during this season of Lent, regardless of your religious denomination or church affiliation.
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so that you can listen.
While my experience this morning is an example of the fact that the Lord will provide, even in what may seem like a minor situation to some, be assured that the Lord will provide for His people when they walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in the Lord to make a way. Yes, the proverbial, but truthful, actual “way out of no way.” Keep the faith my friend! Be blessed!
“He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” (Luke 12:31 The Living Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King