Jan 9th 19 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Be Sure to Begin Your Fast With Repentance

The importance of beginning a Biblical fast with repentance cannot be overstated. If we continue fasting with unconfessed sin, God might not hear our plea. More importantly, because it grieves and quenches the Holy Spirit, sin can keep us from hearing God!  Unconfessed sin hinders our worship and prevents us from enjoying communion with our Heavenly Father during these three weeks. And it causes us... read more

Jan 8th 19 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Declaring Our Helplessness and Hope in God: A Little Motivation, Part Two

It can be challenging to keep your fast during the first few days. Your body and appetite are adjusting. You’re hungry, you crave comfort foods, and depending on the type of fast, your body may be weak. So it’s helpful to have a little extra motivation these first few days. It’s beneficial to be reminded of what actions you’re taking before God when you fast—and in turn, how... read more

Jan 7th 19 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day Two: A Little Motivation (Part One)

If you’re like me, the first day of your fast yesterday was tough. It seems like it’s more difficult to fast after the holidays, after eating unrestricted from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. No wonder! We’ve given King Stomach free reign over our appetite for six weeks! In light of this, I want offer a little bit of motivation. I want to remind you of a few things you’re doing... read more

Jan 6th 19 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Let’s Get Started: Helpful Tips and Information to Begin Pursuit 21

It’s finally here! Pursuit 21—twenty-one days of experiencing God through fasting and prayer—begins today! There is no better way to launch the new year than with a Biblical fast. Just as beginning our day with prayer sets the course for the rest of the day and affects anything that might happen, so beginning the year with a fast sets the course for the rest of the year. When we... read more

Jan 1st 19 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Pursuit 21: Launching the New Year Right

A new year has begun! Have you thought about the desires you have for the coming year? Perhaps there are things you’d like to see happen in your life personally … or in your family … or on your job. There is something you can do these first weeks of January that will set the course for what God does in your life all year long—something that will bring you closer to God and release... read more

Sep 26th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Resting in God’s Sovereign Rule: The Complete Series

Over the past few months, I’ve been talking about a vital truth we must remember in seasons of hardship: God is in control. When we grasp this truth, we not only survive, we thrive in seasons of suffering. I want you to do more than barely survive in your adversity. I want you to thrive! That’s why I wrote this series called “Resting in God’s Sovereign Rule.” Suffering and... read more

Sep 24th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Biblical Evidence: Scriptures About God’s Sovereign Rule (Sovereign Rule, Part 8)

God reigns supreme over the details of our lives. Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” No one outranks God. He rules independent of the control of any other being, even Satan. Absolutely no one has more control over the events of this world—over the events in your life and its best and worst circumstances—than God. “God has put... read more

Sep 10th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

His Purpose Prevails: God’s Control Over Sinful Acts (Sovereign Rule, Part 7)

Are you suffering because of the immoral actions of another? Do you question whether or not God has power over sinful acts? Whether He exercises authority over the atrocities perpetrated against us? Whether life’s injustices are random, meaningless occurrences or if there is order and purpose behind it all? When it comes to suffering, particularly that caused by sheer evil, we have a hard time fitting... read more

Aug 27th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

God Governs Hands-On, Using Even the Actions of Evil People for His Purpose (Sovereign Rule, Part 6)

In the previous post, we saw that God oversees people’s sinful actions while not being the source of them. He can allow events to take place, where evil plays a role — without being the source of the evil Himself. God does not originate everything He permits. He does not put evil in anyone’s heart. Such evil is the result of man’s innate evil desires and Satan’s fury. Even when suffering... read more

Aug 6th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Do God and Satan Alternate Shifts? (God’s Sovereign Rule, Part 5)

Do God and Satan alternate shifts controlling the world? It often seems like Satan has punched in as manager of the world, and God is never coming back from His break. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Psalm 103:19 establishes a foundational fact: “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom [his sovereignty] rules over all.” God is sovereign. As we saw in part one,... read more