Sacred Season 2023

About Sacred Season

We look at the beginning of a new year as a time to start over. A time to wipe the slate clean from all our mistakes and do things better this year. We tend to focus mostly on our physical well-being. We try new diets, start exercising, and even try to act better in our everyday lives. The apostle Paul gives us a different perspective in 1 Corinthians Chapter 9. He says, “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified.” Paul's perspective is that we should train our bodies and keep our flesh under subjection not just for the purpose of physical benefits but mostly for the purpose of the spiritual benefit. When we exert control over our flesh, we allow the Spirit to step in to lead us. All too often we get comfortable following our flesh instead of the Holy Spirit within us. Fasting resets the leadership over our body. It takes the control away from the flesh he puts it firmly in the hands of the spirit. This is where we ought to live at all times, but none of us are perfect. So, we take these times to get back in tune with the will of God for our lives.

When we allow our flesh to control us, it leads us to destructive habits, destroyed relationships and a distance between us and our Father God. In the book of Joel, destruction was sweeping through the community. In Joel 2, God says to call a fast (v.15) and for the entire church (all ages) to come together in this without excuse, and He calls the leadership into a deeper time of prayer (v. 17). In Joel 2:18, it says the Lord was jealous or zealous for His people! Instead of the destruction that was sweeping through the land, God instead sent blessings to “satisfy them fully” (v.19) and to overflow their reserves (v. 24). He said he would repay the year that was stolen from them (V. 25) and they would have plenty (V.26).

This is where we must stand on the promises of God's word and take action to come back into alignment with him. Sacred Season is a time set aside to do just that. I believe God is ready to do amazing things in your lives. I also believe that when we fast and pray that God pours out his blessings on every part of our lives not just so we can have plenty, but so that his name can be lifted high (v. 27).

Lastly, in Joel, the Lord says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (V. 32). I believe as we draw closer to God, people will see a difference in our lives and will desire that same transformation in their lives

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