Jan 12th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fresh Inspiration: Fasting Week Two From the Archives

Fresh inspiration and encouragement are waiting for you in the archives. Week two of the fasting archives contains fifty articles. I’ve listed them below and grouped them by day for your convenience. The content in these posts will guide and motivate you as you pray—and give you tips and direction that will help you keep your fast and get the most from it. This webpage will be an excellent... read more

Jan 11th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

In Good Company (Part Two): Fasting in the Early Church

Fasting was a vital part of the New Testament church, which practiced fasting both as individuals and as collective groups. Combined with prayer, fasting contributed to the growth, development, and power of the church. The Holy Spirit gave the direction and the power needed for effective ministry in the New Testament as a result of the believer’s prayer and fasting. God has not changed—when we... read more

Jan 10th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

In Good Company (Part One): Fasting, A Biblical Survey

Christians are often surprised to discover that fasting was prominent in the Bible. In all our study of the Bible, I don’t know how we could have missed this fact. It’s as if, while we read the Bible, our eyes momentarily went blind when we reached the parts about fasting. Perhaps our surprise is because of our preoccupation with entertainment—perhaps we’re spending less time... read more

Jan 8th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Perfect Solitude: Following Our Master’s Steps

Prayer is one of the most noted characteristics of Jesus’ life. Prayer marked His beginning — at His baptism it was “while He prayed” that “heaven opened” and the Holy Spirit descended (Lu.3:21-22). And prayer marked the end as well: As He took His final breaths in flesh, Jesus continued praying (Mt. 27:46; Lu 23:34,36). Prayer was a constant throughout his ministry. As the Gospels tell... read more

Jan 6th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

God Determines our Steps, Part Two: A Personal Photo Journey

In the previous post, I shared how God turned my plans for last year upside down through caring for my dad in his illness and hospitalizations. The change of plans affected everything, even Pursuit 21. I always like seeing faces of the people my friends tell me about. One friend of mine sends me pictures by text so that I can visualize who she is asking me to pray for. Several of you who know about my... read more

Jan 6th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

God Determines Our Steps, Part One: Plans Turned Upside Down

Seven months have passed, and not a word from me here. I haven’t been intentionally absent or rude. It’s just that last year was not the year I planned. Everything I envisioned for the year was turned upside down. Perhaps your year ended up the same way. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9, NLT Did you have plans for last year that got uprooted?... read more

Jan 5th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fresh Inspiration: Fasting Week One From the Archives

Fresh inspiration and encouragement are awaiting you in the archives as you fast. Week one of the archives alone contains over 60 articles. I’ve listed them below and grouped them by day for your convenience. (I’ll be posting a weekly archive list like this each week of the fast.) The content in these posts will guide and motivate you as you pray—and give you tips and direction that will... read more

Jan 5th 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Adventure Begins

The adventure begins! Today is the first day of Pursuit 21! We’re about to experience God in a powerful way as we give Him the first of our year through prayer and fasting. If you’re on this twenty-one day journey of pursuing Jesus through fasting and prayer, you’ve set yourself up to experience Him in a new, fresh way. These three weeks are going to rock your world for months and years to... read more

Jan 3rd 20 Posted by Natalie Nichols

New Year, New Decade: How to Launch it Right

Not only are we beginning a new year—we’re beginning a new decade! Would you like to launch your new year and new decade the right way—setting the course for blessed days and years to come? What desires do you have for the new year? And for the coming decade? What would you like to see take place by the end of this year? By the year 2030? Perhaps there are things you’d like to see... read more

Apr 20th 19 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Resurrection Ground: Your Sunday’s Coming

Are you experiencing a death of sorts this Easter? It could be the death of physical abilities, whether through illness, aging, or disability. The death of dreams. The death of a relationship. The death of an income source. The death of a career you thought you’d always have. To The Cross… If we’re following Jesus, we’ll find ourselves on a cross of some sort. Flesh crucified... read more