21 Day Devotional
Below is all the entries for the 21 Day Devotional. The TC Staff made this devotional specifically for the Daniel Fast.
DAY 1
Monday, March 19, 2012
Read John chapter 1
“The Divine Self Expression of all that God is”
“In the beginning was the WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
- John 1: 1
Genesis’ “In the beginning…” refers to TIME. John’s “In the beginning…” refers to ETERNITY. Jesus is the Eternal Word. The Greek word for “Word” is Logos… which means speech, a voice, communication.
Hence, Jesus, the Word, is the “Divine self-expression of all that God is.”
In Revelation, Jesus refers to Himself as “Alpha and Omega… the First and the Last.” He is the letter A and the letter Z (English alphabet)… and everything in between. Jesus manifested God… He communicated God… He revealed God… and, He IS God.
Jesus = Son of Man
Christ = Son of God
Jesus Christ = KING!
As you begin your 21-day fast, remember Jesus is the Living and Eternal Word. He will “communicate” many things to you as you separate yourself unto Him.
Pray for:
God’s continued blessings over our Pastors Danny & Ruth de Leon
DAY 2
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Read John chapter 2
“The Joy of the Lord is your strength”
“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ”
- John 2: 3
Jesus’ first recorded miracle took place at a wedding ceremony in the village of Cana. Weddings were a big deal in the Jewish culture. After the ceremony, the couple would have an “open house” and would continue to celebrate for a week with family and friends. The grooms family was expected to provide all of the refreshments… including the wine.
To the Jewish people wine symbolized JOY. The Jewish rabbis had a saying, ‘Without wine there is no joy.” At the wedding in Cana their joy had run out! So Mary called on Jesus to provide wine… to restore JOY!
If your marriage has lost the joy… call on Jesus! He will restore your life, your marriage, your family with His “new wine.”
“The Joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10)
Pray for:
Our KidsChurch Leaders & Staff
DAY 3
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Read John chapter 3
“Rejoice with those who Rejoice”
“Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.”
-John 3: 29b NLT
John the Baptist’s disciples seemed to be a bit worried that more people were going to Jesus rather than him. John wasn’t worried though. He was secure with his role as the one to “prepare the way for HIM.” John was “filled with JOY” to see Jesus gain [more] followers.
Romans 12:15 says that we should “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
I’ve noticed that we seem to be drawn to those who are hurting, defeated, depressed or discouraged… and we should be; we should be compelled to approach them and minister to them… “mourn with them.” The problem is we don’t seem to be too motivated to “rejoice with those who rejoice!” We have a strong tendency to “mourn with those who mourn” but not to “rejoice with those who rejoice.”
When someone posts a sad or discouraging message on Facebook, they seem to receive MORE responses than a person who posts a “success” message, a joyful message. Why?
Whether if it’s because of jealousy, insecurity or envy, we need to ask the Lord to help us be more like John the Baptist and be “filled with joy” at other’s successes.
Do you know of someone that has had a recent “success?” Give them a call or facebook message and let them know that you are “rejoicing” with them.
Pray for:
Our Youth Leaders
DAY 4
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Read John chapter 4
“Streams of living water”
“but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
- John 4: 14
The “water” given by Jesus means spiritual life. To partake of this living water, one must “drink”. This act of drinking is a progressive or repeated drinking. Drinking the water of life requires regular communion with the source of the living water, Jesus Christ himself. We can’t continue to drink the water of life if we become detached from its source.
Do you feel detached? You can drink freely from the fountain of life, Jesus Christ!
Pray for:
Our T.C. Small Group Ministry and Leaders
DAY 5
Friday, March 23, 2012
Read John chapter 5
“Praise from the Father”
“How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?”
-John 5: 44
Those who have true saving faith we will not be motivated by the love of praise or esteem from other people. They will have as their goal to please the Father. Those who establish a habit of receiving glory from others make idols of themselves and place themselves outside God’s kingdom. To love the praise of other humans more than the praise of God is to disbelieve the gospel of Christ and make genuine faith impossible.
Take your eyes off of the audience, and place your eyes on Jesus… the author and finisher of our faith!
Pray for:
Our Pastoral Staff
DAY 6
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Read John chapter 6
“Bread of Life”
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of Life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.
-John 6:35
Why do you follow Jesus?
What if Jesus stopped providing for your needs – would you still follow him? What if Jesus stopped healing you of your sickness – would you still follow him?
In this chapter Jesus challenges the motives of the crowds that follow him. He lets them know that the only reason many follow him is because he has fed them (v.26). And because this prophet can feed them they plan to make him their king “by force” (v.15). How shallow and selfish these followers of Jesus!
But they remind me of many of Jesus’ followers today. They’re only around while Jesus is meeting their needs. Jesus wants more from his followers and that is why he introduces himself as the Bread of Life (v.35).
He knew that bread only lasts for a day but the true bread lasts for an eternity! Believing in Jesus means eating His flesh as bread and drinking His blood (symbolically of course). We must take him into our heart and allow him into our lives so that he might become a part of us and sustain us.
Is Jesus simply your provider? Why don’t you allow Him to become your sustainer today?
Pray for:
Our Worship Leaders and Worship Teams
DAY 7
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Read John chapter 7
“Drink the Living Waters”
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.”
-John 7: 37-38
Jesus rarely shouted. But on this day he needed to cry out to the crowds who were surrounded by unbelief. No one seemed to believe in him. In this chapter, we get a picture of the unbelief that Jesus had to live with. Everyone seemed to doubt the fact that the messiah was now in their midst. It started with his own family. “Hey man, if you want to make a name for yourself, you got to get out of the country and go to the big city!” His own brothers were poking fun at him because they honestly did not believe in him. (vv.2-5)
Later he’s at the Temple in Jerusalem teaching and what do some say about him? “He’s nothing but a fraud, deceiving the people.” (v.12) And the Jewish leaders took their disbelief to a whole different level. Their disbelief had become hate and now hate had consumed them and they started making plans to kill him! (v.25)
So as Jesus shouted to the crowds that day, offering them a drink of living water he was facing a wall of unbelief. This wall ran from his home to the public square! Be it didn’t stop him because in those same crowds there were a few that did believe. And it would be those few that would drink deeply of that living water! But read the scripture closely (v.38). It’s not just about drinking, it’s also about flowing. You and I will also face a wall of disbelief in this world. Allow those rivers of living water (vv.38-39) to flow into the hearts and lives that so desperately need Him. And please understand that some may resist, but don’t give up…just let the river flow!
Pray for:
Our Champion of Faith Leadership Team
DAY 8
Monday, March 26, 2012
Read John chapter 8
“The Offering Box”
“Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the Temple area, near the room where the Temple offerings were kept. But no one arrested him, because the right time for him had not yet come.”
-John 8:20
I wondered why John would let us know where Jesus was at when he was teaching that day. He was in a very public and busy area of the temple near where the offerings were kept. In 2Kings 12:9 it tells us where the offering box was located on the right side just as one entered the temple of the Lord. I’m sure some left offerings and some didn’t.
Imagine with me, Jesus is standing just inside your front door when you arrive home from work, school, the movies, or church, do you see him (standing) at your offering box? Do you just pass by or do you stop an offer him thanks for answering your prayers, getting a job, that raise, your families’ health etc?
Take some time to reflect about your offering box is it empty or is it full?
Pray for:
God’s Protection on our T.C. Families
DAY 9
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Read John chapter 9
“Sight Restored”
“They (neighbors) asked, ‘What happened? How did you get your sight?’ He answered, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. Then he told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went there and washed. And then I could see.’”
-John 9: 10-11
The man born blind didn’t know his life was going to change that day when he got up. It was just like any other day. But, that day [John 9:3] was planned and for a good reason. As his day went along he heard many voices, but there was one who’s he will always remember: The one who gave him SIGHT and changed his LIFE. A lot happened after that life changing moment (read v 13-34) In v35 Jesus finds him and asks him “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” – v38 The man says “Lord, I believe” and he worships him.
Do you need your SIGHT restored? Do you want a LIFE changing day? Jesus can find you too, all you have to do is BELIEVE and you too can say……..
“I was blind but now I see”.
Pray for:
Continued blessings on our T.C. Married Couples
DAY 10
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Read John chapter 10
“The Shepherd’s Voice”
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- Just as the father knows me and I know the father- and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
- John 10: 14-15
He is our God, the one we lay down our all for. He is the Lover of our soul. Just as His word says, that we are His sheep; we know Him and He knows us. Therefore, we should dwell more in Him. We need to believe He is the Father and trust in Him giving Him all our worries and giving Him our circumstances; trusting Him with our life because there is always a way through Him.
Jesus laid down His life for us so that in turn, we may have eternal life. It’s time we follow Him more, giving our whole life to him because He is worthy of our praise.
Have you forgotten the voice of your shepherd? Do you recognize his voice? Take time to listen .
Pray for:
Continued Strength for all Single Parents
DAY 11
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Read John chapter 11
“Resurrect”
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
- John 11:25-26
This is a powerful declaration made by Christ; a declaration that no sane mortal could ever accomplish or dare to say. From it, we see Christ’s omniscience and transcending power. It is only Him who can call the dead from its grave, give life to those who are spiritually dead, and create a new existence for those who believe.
Resurrection literally means to “stand up, rise” and in the Old Testament, it meant “live” or awake”. God is not only interested in resurrecting your bodies, He wants to resurrect (awaken, rise) you life here and now. He wants to impart His Spirit within you and give you a new heart (Jer. 31:31-33). He wants to resurrect a vision within you and give you a new purpose in life. As Christ asked Martha, I also ask you, “Do you believe this?” If so, there is one step you need to take first. Before there can ever be a resurrection, there needs to be a death. Jesus said. “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Matt. 16:25. Remember, you do not die to God rather you live in God.
Will you allow God to create you anew? If so, renounce all before Him and allow Him to resurrect a better you.
Pray for:
God’s Divine Protection over our Children
DAY 12
Friday, March 30, 2012
Read John chapter 12
“Death to self”
“I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harvest of new lives.”
-John 12:24
Yesterday we learned how Christ is interested in resurrecting a new you and how there must be a death first. We continue with why there needs to be a death.
In the Scripture above, Christ is the Kernel of wheat that fell to the earth and died for us. In doing so, He now reaps a harvest of souls that now go where He is. Dying is represented by what is being sown. When you sow your life, you are dying to self and you are allowing a new life to break forth. This is a biblical principle that Christ Himself displayed and one that we must follow. If we ourselves wish to enhance God’s Kingdom with souls, we must die to ourselves (sow) and serve people (the harvest).
This principle is one you can also apply in every area of your life. Sow a seed of: kindness, love, patience, money and once you sow, always expect a harvest that is more than that which was sown!
Look at an area of your life that needs a little more sowing. Can you sow a little more love into your children? As a leader, are you serving those under you? Have you been faithful with your tithing? You can’t expect to reap what has yet to be sown.
Pray for:
God’s Presence in our Homes
DAY 13
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Read John chapter 13
“Love Prescribed”
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
- John 13:34-35
This is not the first time we hear Jesus command them to love. Jesus had already commanded them to, “…love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mat. 22:39). There is now a new feature to His command. He not only commands them to love one another but he asks that they love each other as He has already loved them, and that they love one another in the light of His coming great Sacrifice.
This is the test of true discipleship. Our sacrificial type of love for one another will witness to those outside our circle of believers. Through our actions and interactions we will tell if we are true followers of Christ.
Let us love one another as Christ has already loved us.
Pray for:
Healing of any & all father wounds
DAY 14
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Read John chapter 14
“Divine Peace”
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let you hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
-John 14:27
Here we see Christ begin to close his conversation at the supper table with His disciples, but this is no ordinary farewell. This is a “peace” farewell elevated. It is not merely a hope for peace upon a friend but an impartation of His Peace upon those He loves. As the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) and through His Sacrifice we have untroubled and complete peace with God. We therefore have nothing to fear.
The temptation is to seek our peace and find solutions to our troubles in the World. But Jesus reminds us, the World has nothing to offer and what it does offer will not bring true peace. In the midst of His suffering on the Cross, Jesus had peace. This is the peace that He has given us for our times of suffering and trouble.
Let us look to Christ for His peace, the peace that can never be taken away.
Pray for:
God’s blessing for all Mothers
DAY 15
Monday, April 2, 2012
Read John chapter 15
“N.O.T.W.”
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
- John 15:18-19
We are not of this world. No one knew this better than the Disciples of Jesus and the early Church. They would experience persecution, strife, death and separation from their loved ones. Loving Jesus, serving Him and spreading the Gospel would cost them everything.
In our society, we’re not used to giving up many of our comforts. We even create new technology so that we may even be more comfortable. Persecution, strife or threat of death because of our faith may seem, for the most of us, a far away thought or possibility.
The danger is that all of our comforts may bring us to have a “comfortable” relationship with the World. However, this will not make us effective witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the purpose that we are called to, which is to reach those that are lost without Him.
Examine your heart today. Are you N.O.T.W.?
Pray for:
God’s Prosperity over our Cities
DAY 16
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Read John chapter 16
“No Fear”
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
- John 16:33
Throughout John 16, Jesus is telling his disciples not to fear the problems of our world. He is telling them not to fear not having Jesus here with them on Earth, for they can speak to the Father directly and he will answer their prayer because they speak Jesus’ name. In the last verse of this chapter, Jesus states, “You will have many trials and sorrows”.
Many of us forget that living through God does not grant us this perfect and easy life. Living through God makes things harder most of the time. The enemy is more prone to attack us, make us feel like our God is nothing.
In these times, when the enemy is on us and is pushing us, all we have to do is remember our God is greater. Our God put the devil where he is and all the devil can do is try to make us doubt. But remember if our God is for us who can ever stop us. Nothing.!
Pray for:
God’s Divine Favor in our lives
DAY 17
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Read John chapter 17
“True Unity”
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one, as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
-John 17:21
Jesus stated while at Lazarus’ tomb that he had no need to express prayer, because he is one with God in his whole life, the union true prayer expresses. Yet in Chapter 17, Jesus prays his most extensive and loving prayer he ever prayed while on Earth. In verse 21 he prays that himself, God, and us will all be one, that way the world will see us and see God.
We have always said in Church that we are supposed to look different, hold ourselves differently. That way everyone else in the world will look at us and say “there is something different about that person.” Jesus states it here that this is what he wants us to do. He wants us to live our life differently and be so in peace with God that people on the street will look at us and wonder where our peace comes from.
And when they ask, we can say it comes from God. By showing our true peace, and our ultimate love of God, others will begin to see God through us. And as Christians it is our job to minister so how can we minister if people can’t even see God through us? Remember Jesus is in God, God is in Jesus, and lastly they are both in us. What else in this world matters?
Pray for:
The Finances of our Church
DAY 18
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Read John chapter 18
“Who is this Christ”
Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me?
-John 18:34
Identity: The book of John has a recurring question that prompts us to action. It is the questions of Jesus’ identity. Up until now it has been his disciples, the mob and the Jewish religious leaders that have been contending with his identity. Then comes Pilot, asking Jesus if he is the king of the Jews and Jesus challenges him by asking him “[a]re you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me?”
Pilot had listened to the charges that the Jewish religious leaders brought against Jesus, but Jesus challenges him to go deeper and come to his own conclusions about Him.
Is Christ a long chain of clichés you repeat or do you know who he truly is? Are you full of church-isms or Christ’s Word? In Pilot’s case, scripture makes it clear that he could tell who Christ was, an innocent man with authority, but Pilot chose to ignore the conclusion of truth he reached to save his own neck. In our day to day life who do we listen to regarding Christ? Who do we say Christ is? Your answer holds the key to how you live your life.
Pray for:
For God to provide Jobs for those unemployed
DAY 19
Friday, April 6, 2012
Read John chapter 19
“Giving up control”
Jesus answered, You would not have any power or authority whatsoever against (over) Me if it were not given you from above.
- John 19:11
Obedience: Jesus’ final day on earth had been prepared by a culmination of prayer and fasting. There is a marked difference between the Jesus we see before Pilot and the Jesus that had hours before been contending in prayer before the Father asking him to have the cup pass from him. What led to this change? The change came when he submitted himself in obedience to the Father’s will.
When we submit and crucify our wills it allows us to walk in the Lord’s authority and power. We try to carry and juggle our lives struggles but it’s when we give up control that we become effective. Don’t burden yourself with all of life’s problems, have a meeting with the Lord and humbly ask him to forgive you for trying to be in control, then lay all your burdens at his feet. Knowing he was going to meet death face to face in just a few hours Christ expressed no worry-his only concern was to complete the purpose he had been sent for. If anything, the Jesus we see crucified is one that knows he is about to defeat death and sin and set you and I free to choose to obey him when the opportunity presented itself.
Pray for:
Financial Prosperity in our Homes
DAY 20
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Read John chapter 20
“He Called Her by Her Name”
“They have taken MY Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, not realizing that it was Jesus. He asked her “woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for? Thinking it was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her. “Mary”.
- John 20: 13-15
Mary called him MY Lord, which was on a personal level. He in turn called her by her name, Mary. This shows us that we need to make our relationship with Him very PERSONAL and INTIMATE.
A sheep always knows his Shepherd’s voice and we are His sheep and He is our Shepherd. We should know His voice. The Bible says “the Lord is our Shepherd.” How many of us have been so busy to hear His Voice, or do not have that intimate relationship with Him to recognize who it is when he speaks? Lord means Master, is He your Master today?
Let us pray that we may draw so close to Him as we ask Him for direction in our lives, and as He gently speaks, we will know without a shadow of a doubt that it is Him, and we can say “Yes Lord, I am listening”. He will know our name just as he knew Mary’s.
Pray for:
God’s Prosperity in our Country
DAY 21
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Read John chapter 21
“Visible Faith”
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
- John 21:10, 11
Did God convey a message in the number of fish? Does it matter? After all, the disciples already recognized Jesus.
John 21: 6-7 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loves said to Peter, “It is the Lord”.
Jesus already had fish on the fire. He didn’t need any of theirs.
John 21:9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
They took the time to count those fish, even in the midst of their excitement over the presence of the Christ!
John 21:7b As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
Jesus simply confirmed to them what they already knew.
John 21:12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
If we have asked Jesus into our life, we know He is the Lord, but sometimes it is nice to have a little “visible faith.” Jesus knows this and He gives it freely.
“Lord, please encourage what we know in our hearts
with a little visible faith today. Amen”
Pray for:
That we may be Good Stewards of all that God has given us
