40 HOLY DAYS

CELEBRATION

Click HERE for Celebration Video Introduction
(for webpage version click HERE)

Week Six

Holy Land

Day 37

Day Thirty-Seven Devotions:

MORNING MEDITATION

AFTERNOON DEVOTION

EVENING PRAYER

MORNING MEDITATION

Morning Meditation: "I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they have obeyed Your Word. Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. For I gave them the words You gave Me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And glory has come to Me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name - the name You gave Me - so that they may be one as We are one." - John 17:6-11

God revealed His glory in His creative work, and He manifested His glory in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The sacrificial work of the eternal Son of God, which brought glory to the Father, would mean eternal life for all who would come to believe in Him. Our redeemed lives bring glory to the Father and the Son, and we are to continually bring them glory while we remain in the world. Let us consider that the only honor Jesus received in the world was among His disciples. May we be so moved by the privilege of being enlisted in the ranks of the redeemed, that everything we do would be for His honor and the glory of His name. "...do all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31b). Jesus died to save us and to consecrate us as priests for God's service. The moment we were saved we were set apart to God; and our faithful Bridegroom has provided all that we need to live a holy life and be a faithful Bride who serves as His witnesses in the world. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3). Our purpose in this world is to bring glory to God (our purpose is the same as Jesus' was, because we are one with Him). "To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Philippians 4:20).

As believers, we are not of this world, ours is a holy land; and the world hates us, just as it hated Jesus first (John 15:18); because we don't conform to its systems and practices, rather we conform to Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). God gave us the precious gift of His Son to save us, and gave us His Word to sanctify us, so we can live holy lives to the glory of God. "...so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:10-11). We are under divine protection - our Lord is always interceding for us (Romans 8:34) - He has made us overcomers of the conflict and corruption of the world (Let us not forget that the Father always answers the prayers of His Son (John 11:41-42); this should encourage us every time we pray in His name). We are also under divine orders to bear the light of His holiness in the world. God is holy and He hates sin, but because He is a compassionate and merciful God He makes us holy who are His and keeps us from sin, and then He leaves us as lights in this dark world so more might believe; and He is glorified through us, over and over again. "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 4:15). Holy Spirit, make us skillful scholars and physicians of Your Holy Word so we can speak the words of life that will bring healing to the world. Continue in Your sanctifying work in our lives, and transform us into useful vessels who will bring glory and honor to God. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"I am coming to You now,

but I say these things while I am still in the world,

so that they may have the full measure of My joy with them.

I have given them Your word and they world has hated them,

for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

My prayer is not that You take them out of the world

but that You protect them from the evil one.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

As You have sent Me into the world,

I have sent them into the world.

For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."

(John 17:13-19)

AFTERNOON DEVOTION

Afternoon Devotion: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:12-15

God is the God of love and peace. The basis for all our peace is found in Jesus Christ. He came to bring peace between men and God, and peace among men. When trials come upon us and the storms of life roll in, we can experience unshakeable peace standing on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal" (Isaiah 26:3-4). He alone offers us a deep and lasting peace. In Him we have complete certainty and comfort in a world of utter chaos and confusion. "The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace" (Psalm 29:11).

Because we are united into one body, we are called to live in peace with one another. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).   Peace is the strength of society. The peace, or "shalom," that comes only from the Lord, is a state of rightness, security and well-being. This peace doesn't mean an absence of war or hostility, although rest from enemies was often part of God's blessings for obedience; it is the fullness of life enjoyed in complete security that comes from being in a right relationship with God. "I will grant peace to the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid" (Leviticus 26:6). When Christ is allowed to rule and reign in our lives and in our land, we experience wholeness and well-being. It is a peace the world longs for, but that can only be found in fellowship with God; the peace that comes from having ones sins forgiven and being in a right and restored relationship with Holy God. Jesus Christ offers us this very real and present peace, and He calls us to live in peace with one another. "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19). Peace is a bond of the church, and we are called to build one another up and to live in unity by doing the things that lead to peace, rather than being bitter and quarrelsome and sowing seeds of division and discord. The Lord has made us His reconcilers on this earth, sowing seeds of peace, so we can lead many to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Ultimately, the Lord will return to establish His universal kingdom of peace when He comes to fulfill His covenant, and all creation will experience the peace and harmony it has been waiting for (Romans 8:20-22). Holy Spirit, sanctify us through and through. May our whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; and help us to be peacemakers who sow in peace so we can raise a harvest of righteousness and bring glory to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen (1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 3:17b)



"Endure hardship as a discipline;

God is treating you as sons.

For what son is not disciplined by his father?

If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline),

then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined

us and we respected them for it.

How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;

but God disciplines us for our good that we may share in His holiness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace

for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

"Make level paths for your feet,"

so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy;

without holiness no one will see the Lord."

(Hebrews 12:7-14)

EVENING PRAYER

Evening Prayer of Thanksgiving: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." - Colossians 3:16-17

"Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -

think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received

or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.

And the God of peace will be with you."

(Philippians 4:4-9)

***For information about the final two days of prayer and intercession click on "The Day of Atonement - The Day of Intercession" and "Day 40 The Wedding Feast" links below.

Devotional provided by Trumpet and Torch Ministries

Quick Links...

40 Holy Days Devotional Journey
The Family Foundation 40 Days for Marriage
40 Days for Marriage Video
On Holy Ground - A Prayer for the Journey
The #1 Question About Fasting? (Fasting 101)
The Garden of God (video message on fasting)
A Glimpse of His Glory (video)
Shepherds After My Own Heart (video message for pastors)
E-mail Archive (If you have missed any emails)
40 HOLY Days Section I - COVENANT
40 HOLY Days Section II - CONSUMMATION

October 4th, 2014 - The Day of Atonement - The Great Day of Intercession - make plans now for your congregation to unite at the end of our journey in one day of corporate prayer and fasting to intercede for our nation on the Day of Atonement. Click HERE for information on the Day of Intercession.

October 5th, 2014 - Day 40 The Wedding Feast - A day of celebration for the Bride of Christ as we rebuild the prayer altar to become a house of prayer for all nations in a day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem and in prayer for pastors across the nation who will be speaking the Truth in love as they deliver God's Word on Marriage on Pulpit Freedom Sunday. Click HERE for information on the Wedding Feast.

Contact:

Trumpet and Torch Ministries
40 Holy Days Devotional Prayer & Fasting e-mail journey
www.trumpetandtorch.org
info@trumpetandtorch.org

The Family Foundation
40 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance for Marriage
www.familyfoundation.org/40daysformarriage
Roger@familyfoundation.org