Ah, the “promised land” —sounds peaceful and serene, doesn't it? Well, not exactly…..Canaan Land brought its own set of challenges to the Israelites. How much do you remember from the Bible? 1. What patriarch was promised the land of Canaan by God? 2. What two foods were said to flow in the land of Canaan? 3. What leader only saw Canaan from a distance, after leading the Israelites on a forty year journey there? 4. What disaster caused Jacob to send his sons from Canaan to Egypt? 5. What did the fearful Israelite spies who explored Canaan say they looked like compared to the giants they saw there?

Devotional: DAY1 Jesus was the perfect God-man. But even for Him, life was a struggle. Before He stepped out victorious from the tomb, He had to first endure weakness, temptation, betrayal, and physical death. In the Gospel writings, we find an amazing window into the reality of that struggle through the account of Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. By the time of this prayer, Jesus had already spent His life enduring human frailty for us. All that remained was for Him to accomplish the greatest act of love in human history— His death and judgment on the cross. Not only would He have to be beaten, insulted, and tortured, but also He would have to face the judgment of God for all the wickedness of humanity for all time. On the cross, He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Facing all of that, His prayer time in Gethsemane was a mighty struggle. The trial ahead was so difficult, Jesus—God in the flesh— pleaded for the Father to somehow let Him out of it. And in that moment, He wanted fellowship from His friends. The Word says He called His disciples near to say, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). Jesus just wanted His followers to unite with Him in prayer, to join with Him in what He was facing for their sakes. That moment opened the door to God’s heart. Prayer is a chance for us to connect with God regarding what He cares about. Just talk to God simply from your heart, and don’t forget to listen as well. Although the disciples missed their chance to share that experience with Jesus, we don’t have to miss our chance to connect with Him today. We can “watch” with Jesus daily, fulfilling His desire for unity with us. In the process, we will be filled with Him.

DAY 2 For God to increase your dependence on Him (John 5:19) DAY 3 For your fellowship with Jesus to grow (John 15:15) DAY 4 For the grace to begin praying all throughout your day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) DAY 6 5 For your heart to open to the needs of others (Philippians 2:4) DAY6 For poor, hungry, and disaster-stricken people around the world (Isaiah 58:6-7) DAY 7 For the Father’s direction on what else He might want to accomplish in your life through this devotion(Philippians 1:6)

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. —PSALM 63:1 Devotional: DAY1 David composed this Psalm when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Out there, he was far from familiar comforts—including readily available food and drink—and the everyday rhythms of life. This drove him towards God in desperation. He sought God with his whole being, because he could not find life elsewhere. When he did, David found that God’s presence brought true fulfillment. Centuries later, Jesus faced a similar experience. The Word says, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry” (Matthew 4:12). He faced hunger and want in the wilderness along with the most alluring temptations our common enemy could muster—and He did it willingly. He did it to obey God the Father and overcome all temptation for us. We can follow His example, relying on God and His Word for sustenance rather than the constant supply of food and busyness with which we often live daily. For many of us, heading into the wilderness—somewhere in nature free from distraction—is critical. It can help us cleanse our minds and hearts by focusing only on the input God brings. But for others, we have quiet spaces in our lives where we can meet with God. We just need to set aside the time, as we would for anything important to us. Fasting from food can also be helpful, because the hunger we feel can remind us of our need for God, teaching our soul to be hungry and to respond by seeking Him. The length of your fast is really between you and God, but the key is for it to be done with Him and for Him. Fast and feast on Jesus today!

DAY2 For the strength to endure hunger and lack as Jesus did (Philippians 4:13) DAY3 For your desire for God’s Word to increase (Matthew 4:4) DAY4 For the Spirit to use your hunger to remind you of your need for God (Psalm 63:1) DAY5 For God to give you time in the day to pursue fellowship with Him alone (Luke 5:16) DAY6 For the self-control to put fleshly desires to death so the Spirit can live (2 Timothy 1:7) DAY7 For God’s Spirit to fill you with satisfaction and joy that affects others (John 4:14)

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —MATTHEW 6:21 Devotional: DAY1 Jesus understands mankind better than anyone. And He taught much on money, giving, and God’s provision. He knows that people’s hearts are inextricably tied to their hands—that where their money goes shows what they value. That’s why Jesus urged the rich ruler to sell everything he had and give to the poor (Luke 18:18-30). It wasn’t because that was required for salvation. Jesus simply knew the man’s heart was tied to his possessions, and he had to give them away for his heart to be free to find its treasure in the kingdom of God. That’s the same reason our Lord said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Since the beginning, God has asked for mankind’s complete devotion, for us to love Him with all our hearts. After all, we were made for Him (Romans 11:36). So, when something demands our heart’s devotion as strongly and easily as money does, we must make a firm decision about where our treasure will be. Giving helps, whether it’s to a church, a friend in need, or people trapped in poverty around the world. In much the same way that physical fasting can train our spirits to hunger for God, physical giving can teach our hearts to be generous towards God and fully devoted to Him. But attitude is everything. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Our gifts please God when we give with glad hearts out of a genuine desire to love Him first. It may take discipline initially, as with any new habit, but God can take a willing heart and transform it. Sure enough, we’ll soon find our grip on our possessions loosening and our hands spreading out in surrender towards God. As we do, God’s love fills us to overflowing.

DAY2 For a revelation of the true state of your own heart concerning money (Psalm 139:23-24) DAY3 For a focus on heavenly things rather than things on earth (Colossians 3:1-2) DAY4 For the Spirit to lay on your heart a need that you can meet (Acts 2:44-45) DAY5 For God to give you joy in giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) DAY6 For giving to become a lifestyle for you through habits formed now (1 Timothy 6:18-19) DAY7 For faith in God’s provision for you as you open your hands in giving (Luke 6:38)