Stay Strong!

Hi Everybody!

Well, here we are on the 25th day of our Bible reading/40 day fast. How is everybody doing? I'm sure it has been more challenging now that you are back in school and have busy schedules to compete with. But I want to encourage you to stay strong, and continue to make God's Word a priority in your daily life!

We have just past a critical point in this 40 day journey, and that was day 21...the three week mark. And why was this a critical point? Well, they say that it takes three weeks to form a habit, so if you've been diligent in reading your Word everyday, it should be starting to feel normal and habitual. Is anyone experiencing that? I know on the days I've missed it has felt strange, and I have been finding myself craving it! Praise God that He gives us hunger for His Word!

I really enjoyed reading Matthew straight through, and I was just amazed at all of the profound statements Jesus made, and boy did they cut to the heart! He had a way at making people very uncomfortable (and ticked off) everywhere he went! I love what he said to the sons of Zebedee's mom when she asked if her sons could sit at his right and left hands in heaven. Jesus said, "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" What he was asking was are you and your sons willing to suffer in this life in order to receive the eternal rewards I have for you? The idea of suffering for the advancement of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God is woven throughout the entire new Testament, and none of the disciples or Jesus himself were strangers to it.

So this is a topic I have been mulling over...suffering. Something we don't like to talk about or go through! I would love to hear what you guys are learning. We have a little over 2 weeks to go, and then we will all celebrate this journey at the Jesus Culture conference...Woohoo!!! Stay focused!

Michelle