Cliff Veal
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Plants often find purchase and nourishment in adverse, barren conditions. We need to be the
same. We live in an adverse, difficult environment; perilous times.
This is Satan’s world, and his grip on the world is tightening. Yet humanity is largely ignorant of it. This society has no interest in doing things God’s way. It presents appealing material wealth in the midst of abject moral decline. Humanity is deceived and adrift; an evil and adulterous generation. Yet God loves not only those who worship Him in sincerity and truth, but also ALL humanity which does not! It is HIS creation. He knows exactly what is going on, and what will happen in the future. A lot of people will die as a consequence of their
rejection of God – by their own hand and God’s. This doesn’t negate God’s unchanging love.
In this environment, we are actively pursuing a different way. But we can be deceived… by Satan’s subtle
influence, or by our own carnal reasoning. So we fast in order to humble ourselves, to draw close to
God, to demonstrate our earnest intent to seek Him, and to obtain a repentant mindset. It is a spiritual
process, aided by a physical tool.
Stay focused on the goal. Satan will use anything to distract us from God’s work with us; Even things that appear good and wholesome. We need to be disciplined and attentive, using the tools God has provided. The fruits of the spirit should abound in us; our goal is not mere sufficiency. Make your election sure. This world supplies physical, moral, and spiritual junk food.
We seek good spiritual nourishment. So we have to work hard to find it, and be prepared to pay a
premium to obtain it. Create an environment conducive to this purpose. Filter what you take in.
Practice the fundamentals of study, prayer, fasting, and meditation. When we put forth the effort,
obtain a repentant mind, and ask for God to feed us, He will.
God tests us and tries us and proves us through much tribulation. But he will provide the strength necessary to withstand them, as long as we do our part. Stay close to God, you will make it. God wants us to prosper. Trials are a blessing, insofar as they accomplish His purpose for us; i.e. justifying us, aligning us with Him. His blessings will “overtake us” if we “harken” to His word. Prosper in adversity.
