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New to the Lent, A Closer Walk with God 40-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!

Take this time to enjoy a closer walk with God. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.

It’s Day 10 of the Lent, A Closer Walk with God 40-Day Devotion.

DEVOTION

Fasting has long been a practice for both spiritual and physical benefits by cultures around the world. At the time, the health benefits of fasting weren’t understood.  But the difficulties of the self-discipline required was. Paul’s words are about being in control.  About not letting the urges of your body rule over you.  Back during his time, the concept of fasting only held religious connotations.  But we have the benefit of modern knowledge and it turns out the practice has a ton of very real health benefits.  

Research shows that intermittent fasting can improve metabolic health, reduce inflammation, and support weight loss. improve blood sugar control, heart health, and enhanced brain function. Fasting can also boost the body's resilience by promoting a process we are just now starting to understand.’ It's called autophagy, a process where cells remove damaged components and regenerate healthier ones. This cellular renewal contributes to overall longevity and well-being. As we discipline our bodies through fasting, we not only draw closer to God but also experience profound physical rewards that can enhance our quality of life.

If you have never experienced the physical and spiritual benefits of a fast before, I encourage you to try it out.  The act of fasting involves more than just not eating.  Try replacing the time you would spend eating with personal growth activities.  Day one is tough.  Day two is easier.  By day 3, fasting seems like not that big of a deal at all. 

If you are healthy enough to try it out, follow Paul’s advice. But from personal experience I want to warn you that the first meal off of a longer fast needs to be small.  Trust me, don’t overdue your return to eating or you can have a real bad time.

PRAYER

Lord, give me strength - to fast! Help me to resist temptation as I set my focus on you. Let the thing I decide to set aside be a sacrifice pleasing to you as well, Father. Amen.

VERSE

Verse 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NIV)

Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.

AUTHOR

• Dave Hubbard

  Dave Hubbard grew up all over the world. His dad served in the military so his family moved around a lot. His grandparents lived in Bethany Beach and that made the Delmarva Peninsula the closest thing to a home he had ever known.

  After graduating from Philadelphia Biblical University with a BS in Biblical Theology and a BA in Business Administration, Dave moved up to the mountains of Pennsylvania with some college friends and started a youth group which grew and grew. It is currently a thriving church. But starting youth groups in small towns wasn’t exactly a cost effective way to live, so it was time for a change. Dave thought he wanted to be a corporate mergers and acquisitions manager which is why he pursued a business degree; but once he realized he didn’t like cities, or corporations, or wearing suits, or shaving, or really caring about money at all, he went a different direction and moved to Lewes and got an amazing dog named Neelix instead.

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