Day 65 of My 6th Bible Study Journey - 6 March 2026 reflections Part 6
Eight) Day 12 - Fasting clarifies what must be removed to receive what's next.
Scripture: Colossians 3:9-10 NLT
9 (Eph 4:22; 4:25) Do not lie one to another, since you have put off
the old nature with its deeds,
10 (Eph 2:10; 4:23-24; Ro 12:2) and have embraced the new nature,
which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created it,
[9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his
deeds;
[10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of him that created him:
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Spiritual growth doesn't drift toward renewal—it moves there by decision.
Paul's words are direct because the moment demands it: put off and put on.
This is not about trying harder; it’s about choosing differently. The old self
still shows up - not because it belongs, but because it's familiar. And what's
familiar can quietly shape what's next if it's not intentionally surrendered.
This is where fasting helps. Fasting removes the noise. It reveals what's
driving us beneath the surface - old desires, reactions, or identities that no
longer align with who Christ is forming us to be. Fasting doesn't make us
weak; it makes us honest. And honesty is the starting point of renewal.
The new self isn't something you create - it's someone you receive. Paul says
it is being renewed in the image of the Creator. That means God is reshaping
identity, not just behavior. He's realigning desire, not just discipline.
He's redirecting our lives, not just our schedules.
Here’s the tension: you can't put on the new while still clinging to the old.
Renewal requires release. But when you let go, something better fits. Over
time, what once felt unnatural - obedience, humility, trust - becomes your
default.
Fasting creates the margin where this exchange happens. What God reveals, He
intends to renew. What He asks you to remove, He replaces with something more
life-giving.
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Reflective Questions:
A. What has fasting revealed about the old patterns or identities I'm still
wearing that no longer align with who God says I am?
B. Where is God inviting me to intentionally put on the new – reshaping my
desires, decisions, or direction in this season?
Prayer Items:
Please pray for our Pre-Marriage and Marriage Ministry ...
A. Christ-Centered Foundations
Pray that couples - dating, engaged, and married - would build their
relationships on Christ, aligning expectations, values, and commitments with
God's design rather than cultural pressure or past patterns (Col. 2:6–7).
6 (Col 1:10; 1Th 4:1) As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk in Him,
7 (Eph 3:17; 2:20-22) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,
as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.
[6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
[7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
B. Healing, Honesty, and Emotional Health
Ask God to bring healing to past wounds, break unhealthy relational cycles,
and cultivate safe spaces where couples practice honesty, vulnerability,
and forgiveness (Ps. 147:3).
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
[3] He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
C. Unity, Communication, and Spiritual Intimacy
Pray that couples would grow in unity through healthy communication, mutual
submission, and shared spiritual rhythms - prayer, Scripture, and worship
shaping their life together (Eph. 4:2–3).
2 (Col 3:12-13; Ac 20:19) With all humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another in love,
3 be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
D. Marriage Ministry Team
Pray that God would raise up and call pre-marriage and marriage mentors.
That they would lead from lives of authenticity and integrity - listening
well, speaking with grace and truth, and relying on the Holy Spirit rather
than formulas or experience alone (2 Tim. 2:2).
2 (1Ti 1:18; 6:12) Share the things that you have heard from me
in the presence of many witnesses with faithful men who will be able
to teach others also.
[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
---
Author: Pastor Barry Regier, Marriage Ministry
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be faithful in Him.
Pray to the Lord: "GThank You, heavenly Father, for Your goodness
to me. Please help me to remember You today!"
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the purity of the Lord's Word.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the rewards of obedience.
Pray to the Lord and pray to rejoice in the Lord always.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
Pray for Yasin's safety and livelihood and especially for his faith
and continued courage to show Jesus.
Intercede for Somali believers who are active online, that they may
share the Good News in truth.
* Praise God for the openness that exists among the Somali people in
Somalia and around the world.
Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every community.
Pray that Kuwaiti Muslims will develop a deep hunger
for the spiritual truths contained in the Bible.
Please pray for our Pre-Marriage and Marriage Ministry ...
A. Christ-Centered Foundations
Pray that couples - dating, engaged, and married - would build their
relationships on Christ, aligning expectations, values, and commitments with
God's design rather than cultural pressure or past patterns (Col. 2:6–7).
6 (Col 1:10; 1Th 4:1) As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk in Him,
7 (Eph 3:17; 2:20-22) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,
as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.
[6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
[7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
B. Healing, Honesty, and Emotional Health
Ask God to bring healing to past wounds, break unhealthy relational cycles,
and cultivate safe spaces where couples practice honesty, vulnerability,
and forgiveness (Ps. 147:3).
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
[3] He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
C. Unity, Communication, and Spiritual Intimacy
Pray that couples would grow in unity through healthy communication, mutual
submission, and shared spiritual rhythms - prayer, Scripture, and worship
shaping their life together (Eph. 4:2–3).
2 (Col 3:12-13; Ac 20:19) With all humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another in love,
3 be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
D. Marriage Ministry Team
Pray that God would raise up and call pre-marriage and marriage mentors.
That they would lead from lives of authenticity and integrity - listening well,
speaking with grace and truth, and relying on the Holy Spirit rather
than formulas or experience alone (2 Tim. 2:2).
2 (1Ti 1:18; 6:12) Share the things that you have heard from me
in the presence of many witnesses with faithful men who will be able
to teach others also.
[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God