Christian Community Fellowship Northside Daily Word

So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. Ezra 8:23 KJV We may understand the general concept of fasting, but let us focus for a moment on the word "intreated" from this text. Used in this verse, to entreat (current spelling) means to seek God with fervor. Fervor means to seek God with dedication, zeal, and commitment. This is the heart of fasting. In the Old Testament times, the preparation of food was an extremely time consuming task that involved the slaughtering of an animal, gathering crops and fuel for fires, carrying water from wells and the list goes on. To abstain from eating freed up a great deal of time. This free time was used to seek the Lord. Could it be that there are more beneficial ways to fast in this day and age? Our meals today are easily prepared or purchased and they don't take up a lot of time. So, a fast from these modern meals only frees a little time. Although the submission of the body is an added element of fasting

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:41 KJV A cup of water is such a small sacrifice and yet it seen and rewarded by God. So many of us Christians believe we have little or nothing to offer. Yet the gospel of Mark encourages us that there is no gift too small to be effective in the kingdom of God. Whether it's an encouraging letter, a quick text, an invite to lunch or even just opening a door for someone. These are not small acts of service in God's eyes. Knowing this should encourage us to do two things. First, we should look for ways to "give a cup of water" to those around us. We should identify the needs of those around us so that we can meet them. What might be a small gesture for you, could make a life changing difference for someone else. Secondly, we should be on the lookout for those who serve us in small ways and extend our appreciation to the

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV When we think of iron we think of something being very strong and sturdy. In order for that piece of iron to be sharpened, something else has to be very strong, sturdy, dependable and reliable. We have to ask God to send someone into our lives that can help us be strong in our faith. Ask God to help you find someone who is strong in their belief and knows the Lord. There are many things and people that can sharpen us. We can be sharpened through our teachers, spouses, pastors, mentors and friends. When we sharpen one another, we have to talk and listen to each other. We also should humble ourselves to follow and be led by others that have been divinely assigned to help develop and sharpen us. That sharpening will allow us to be able to help develop/sharpen others. Let's ask God to send people into our lives who will walk with us and help us sharpen each other. Today's Devotional written by Sister Takiela

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:34 NIV Like most people, through the years I have experienced being hurt and mistreated. As a follower of Christ, more than one ugly text has been sent to my phone. Struggling to forgive at times, I find it helpful to visualize myself kneeling at the foot of Jesus on the cross. I see myself there unable to stop the scene and aware that my sin put Christ on the cross. Then I imagine my offender kneeling next to me and instantly I become aware of what it cost Jesus to forgive me. This gained perspective has allowed me to offer forgiveness to my fellow human. While on the cross, the Lord identified Himself with sinners, criminals and pagans. As two thieves received justice and soldiers ignorantly gambled for His clothes, Jesus observed the scene. His overwhelming response was to ask His Father to forgive them.  Though He was beaten, crucified and mocked, J

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. ”  Luke 22:32 NASB Jesus knew Peter would need to hold fast to the Word of God, rather than what his eyes could see, because the trials Peter would be facing would surely be a time of severe testing. Jesus wanted Peter to strengthen his faith and determination. Peter needed to hold fast and be solid in faith. So Jesus, the Son of God, prayed specifically that Peter's faith would not fail. When we show that our faith does not waver, it encourages others to believe what they know, rather than what they see. This was the case with Peter. Peter was converted and his way of seeing tribulation fell in line with God's purpose. He would be able to lead others to that same conversion from fear to faith. We must understand that we are children of God and servants of the Lord Jesus. This is the faith to which we are called. Jesus intercedes for us that we may be able to

All by itself the soil produces grain. First the stalk comes up. Then the head appears. Finally, the full grain appears in the head. Mark 4:28 NIRV The 'root' gets it down on the inside of you. When it comes to the roots, that is where a thing begins to grow. It has life, gets stronger and gives nutrients. Things start to take place. Victory, healing and relief come when we get connected to the root. We need a root system in place in our daily plans. What are you holding onto or feeding everyday? You cannot take the Word of God and turn it into your circumstance. You have to take your circumstance to the Word of God. God is the 'root' to help solve the problems that our daily walk may bring. God is our strong tower. Let us allow God to handle the soil in our lives and watch our lives flourish. The root is where it all begins. Today's Devotional is written by Takiela Harris.

Look straight ahead and fix your eyes in what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT The devil is constantly busy, always working on distracting us from focusing on Jesus and the path He has set before us. There are a lot of distractions today, such as your career, social media, friends, politics, the economy, and family matters, amongst others. While these distractions are genuine and valid, the devil can still use them to shift our attention, so that we barely have time to focus on the Lord. The enemy keeps our attention on our problems and everything else happening around us. In this way we lose focus on Jesus, the maker of all things and the only one that can turn every bad situation around. As the book Proverbs advises, look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you, as what lies ahead can be your dreams and aspirations, gifts, talent, or the mi