January 22, 2024

The theme of our fast, and perhaps the theme for this year, is “Pursue”. The Lord is calling us to press into Him and His presence, to go deeper in relationship with Him, and to go higher in our perspective, our position, and our purpose.

On January 1, Sako and I were in Japan when a massive earthquake hit an area that hasn’t had serious seismic activity before. I think there is a lot of significance to this and I’ll share about that at a later day, but we are definitely in a time of great shaking. But in the midst of the shaking, the shoreline moved 800 feet. Eight is “new beginning” and hundred is “whole. 2024 the Lord is bringing whole new beginnings! And like the disciples in the storm, our faith is going to be tested. As our boat is rocking in the waves and wind, Jesus is saying, “Come.” He’s calling us to pursue Him on the water. To operate in faith, you must remain focused on Jesus.

This past Thursday Holy Spirit asked me the question, “How far will you follow?” How deep will you go? How high will you go? Will you focus on Me, regardless what’s going on in the world?

During this week, let’s give the Lord all of our attention and let’s be intentional about examining anything in our lives that doesn’t line up with who He is and who we are. Let’s be intentional about shutting down the prince of the air and his corrupting communication. Turn off your social media, the news, movies, shows, and entertainment, and let’s put all of our attention on the Lord. Cut out at least one meal each day and dedicate that meal time to reading the Bible and praying. Give yourself clear guidelines, because very quickly the devil and/or your flesh are going to start probing those boundaries. “Are you really suppose to not eat? Are you sure you’re not suppose to watch that YouTube show? You are just being religious.” Tell those voices to be silent in the name of Jesus, and declare, “Here I come, Lord!”

This week each of us is also going to seek the Lord for a word and a scripture for 2024. As the Lord gives you your word and Bible verse, write them on your board. Next week, we’re going to take turns, each briefly sharing our word and our verse. Don’t stress out over your word. If for some reason you don’t get your word and verse by next Saturday, still come ready to hear. I guarantee you will have one by the time our meeting is over.

I expect that all of us are going to clearly hear from the Lord this week. I hope you’ll be extra aware of how you are interpreting what you hear. Make sure you pay extra attention to your view of the Lord and of yourself. We can receive a word but completely miss what the Lord is truly communicating because of a non-Kingdom bias. Use your time this week to sanctify your perspective. Words are only data until they’re interpreted through right relationship, and then they become holy knowledge. That right relationship is founded on a seed of faith.

How far will you follow?
Matt