Hello SUMites.  

We have a question for you:

We're compiling a collection of the best of the best of our articles as a resource for future readers, and we need your help.

Many of you have been reading along here for years. So, here's our question:

Do you have a favorite, stand-out article, or story, from our blog?

Is there an article that particularly helped you?

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Is there something from one of our books that particularly helped you?

Whatever it is, we'd love to hear it. So please, let us know in the comments, or drop us a line by email.

Many thanks

Ann, Lynn, Ian and team

SUMites, Ann here.

What a beautiful week the fast was. Thank you, LuAnn and Nickole, for leading us through it this year.

During the fast I had a little moment, while sitting on a beach. I was deliberately trying to not read books or engage in hobbies that week. So I simply sat. 

There I was, perched under a shady tree, watching Bryce swim in the ocean by himself. I then watched him walk across the dry and thirsty sand. As he crossed my vision, I thought:

He is my treasure. He is my commission. He is my job. 

And --

If I come to the end of my life and I've loved him well, I know that God will say to me 'well done good and faithful servant.'

Our spouses are like the treasure in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In that parable, a master gives different servants different amounts of money, then goes away hoping they will invest the money. When the master returns, two of the servants have invested the money and made a return. But one servant hadn't.

The master said to the ones who'd invested well: 

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:23, ESV)

to the other servant, however, he said this:

‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (v. 26-30)

The same goes for our marriages: This spouse of ours is a 'little' thing that we're asked to be faithful to God with. 

It's a big thing, really, but in terms of church activity and service it looks small. For, what we do in our marriage goes mostly unseen. It's not like we're going out preaching sermons, or healing the sick. We are simply asked to love another human being, and to quietly honor and cherish them: In their presence and behind their back too.

Like the parable of the talents, some people take care of their marriages well, and some don't.

So yes, this man is my responsibility. 

I feel I quite often don't do a great job at this. He doesn't always either. So we can have grace for each other and ourselves. But I guess all I'm thinking is that he's like a treasure that God has popped into my outstretched palm, and what kind of job am I going to do at it?

That's my thought for the day. 

How do we steward a SUM marriage well?

Are there other people in your life you've been asked to steward?

I look forward to seeing you in the comments!

Love,

Ann

By LuAnn Wendover and Nickole Meierotto

Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This past week has been an amazing time in the annual corporate fast. When Nickole and I were asked to lead it, I jumped at the opportunity without a whole lot of thought or prayer. I knew it was an honor as well as a big responsibility. However, I didn’t take it on without some trepidation next to the elation. In the meantime, Nickole expressed a need to take a little extra time in contemplative prayer, not because she wasn’t honored to be asked, but because she wanted to be sure she could handle all that would be expected of her.

I had hoped to do a 5-day water only fast. I was looking forward to writing a couple of pieces for the blog. And knew that this would be a stretching experience. I was right on the money with that one! Nickole did a liquid daytime fast, having dinner with her children at night.

I KNEW that this fast was supposed to be centered on abiding in Christ: in using this time of fasting and praying to rest in Him. Warfare in a Sum can be a daily part of our lives and usually is. Many times, we get worn out with constant battling. I was excited to learn what abiding during a fast would mean. I thought of abiding as simply resting but it is more than that…it can also mean enduring. And my word for the year was abiding!

The first two days of the fast were great. Some hunger but not uncontrollable. By the third day, I needed to hydrate and added a hydration pack to my morning water. It helped tremendously. But by day four I knew I needed to switch to a Daniel version for the remaining two days.  And so I did, without self-condemnation or recrimination. Fasting is a wonderful way to get closer to the Lord.

Nickole here. I didn’t know what I expected other than an opportunity to focus on my time with Abba during my fast. As I began the week jumping back into school routines, the Lord showed me that I have had an enduring habit of allowing myself to zone out and live life unintentionally, on autopilot. This revelation led to my word, Intentional. If I am to be sanctified for the Lord, I must be intentional, in everything…how convicting.

The Bible says to fast in secret. But in leading a corporate fast that is not possible, although the particulars of any fast should be spirit led and individual. Both Nickole and I had been holding a Wednesday fast and prayer for several years in the Sumite Sisters group, so we were used to posting for prayer requests and then praying together for the needs of the group. But leading a 5 day fast was a different experience for both of us. Eye opening and challenging.

As we reflected and wrapped up our corporate fast, we wanted to encourage those of you who fasted with us this year to remember to apply what was revealed to you during the fast. Too often we lose focus, return to our daily lives and get caught up in the repetitive day-to-day living. Let us be intentional in ALL we do…whether it’s washing the dishes, folding laundry, our outside jobs, or our recreation and amusement. To learn to be consecrated and connected to Christ 24/7 is truly a part of abiding in Him and being intentional in living for Him.

How do you intend to move forward from this fast? How can you become more intentional in abiding in Christ?

By Nickole Meierotto

I might be dating myself, or maybe just letting out a bit of my weird, but do any of you remember DC Talk from back in the 90s (late 19^th century according to the kids these days)? I used to listen to the album “Free at Last” on repeat and one of my absolute favorite songs was ‘Luv is a Verb’. And while an incredibly fun song, “Luv is a Verb”  has a profound message that I didn’t truly understand in application until years later.

Love is action upon an unselfish, benevolent concern for another's well-being. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God’s action is the gift of His Son. The Bible also states in 1 John 4:19 “We love Him because He first loved us.” But what’s the action on our part? What do we have to give the God who created everything?

John seems to have the answers today. In chapter 14, verse 15, Jesus is speaking and says “If you love me, keep my commandments.” And….Action! But now I have more questions. How do we even arrive at the prospect of loving God, anyway? And how does that change my perception of that if-then command in verse 15?

Aside from my children, because they are a literal piece of me, therefore impossible to NOT love, I think the first step in arriving at love for someone is getting to know them. Once we get to know them, we begin to understand what behaviors speak "love" the loudest to them, and in order for them to know we love them, we begin to go out of our own way to do those things that will show our love the best. I believe that changes my perception of Jesus' words to "keep my commandments". I love Jesus, because I know Him. I know the sacrifice He made for me, and I see the unselfish, benevolent concern He has for me. Keeping His commandments becomes a desire to show God my love, rather than proving I can obey rules. Because I know Him and love Him, I want to act. I want to grow deeper in relationship with Him. I want to let the Holy Spirit influence, guide and direct me better. I want to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind. I want to love my neighbor as myself. I want those things because I know they are what He wants.

How do you define love? Has your definition of or approach to love changed as you grow deeper in your relationship with God?

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?' Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.' (Matthew 22:35-40)

Love

Nickole

By Nickole Meierotto

Are you a "why?" person? Do you know any "why?" people? Do you have a child in your life who is a "why?" child? I have to confess, I'm a "why?" person. It's more than likely one of my more annoying qualities…I just gotta understand WHY! I have a burning desire to understand the ins and outs of everything around me. If it's a problem to be solved, I will figure out why it's a problem and probably give you 5 solutions, but one of them will be the most effective or efficient solution. If I know why, I can help!! Which means I have another confession, I struggle with God's answer to my "why?"…because most of the time, His answer is "Nickole, I know you don't understand, but you will one day. Right now, the answer to your why is 'for My glory".

In a conversation with a friend, I mentioned that if someone didn't understand me 100%, but still acted in proper resolution to the problem, I would be completely satisfied with that response. And in my contemplations of the day and this week's fast, the Lord brought to mind 1 Samuel 15:22 "But Samuel replied: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." And then it hit me like a ton of bricks…God probably thinks that about me…all the time!! "Nickole, I know you don't understand, and I'm not revealing that to you right now, what I need you to do is to act on the knowledge and the mission I have given you!"

During our fast, we have prayed for the Lord's direction in our lives. We know His plans and purposes for us result in His glorification. We know God works all things, and I mean ALL THINGS, together for our good. We know He has plans to give us a hope and a future. We know God will order our steps. How do we walk out obedience to His direction in our lives in the day to day?

Do you have a particular answer that you struggle hearing from God? How do you respond in obedience?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11-12

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Love,

Nickole

By Nickole Meierotto

Have you ever found yourself on autopilot? You’re driving home or to work and suddenly you realize you’re there but don’t remember the trip? Or you’re in the middle of a task and then suddenly you’re done and have no recollection of completing the task?

Sometimes my life ends up on autopilot, both physically and spiritually. I get so engrossed in minding the house and the family, the dogmatic repetition of the day-to-day operations put me into autopilot, and I operate as if there is no other function, no other purpose for my life, skipping blindly from day to day, not realizing how I got from this day or week to the next. And sometimes, there are seasons like that, where it all feels like a blur, the kids are little and the needs of the family and the home seem to blend from start to finish, moving from one sleep deprived day to the next. And sometimes, it’s not. The times that it’s not are the times that I need to reset and refocus my life.

I KNOW that the primary purpose of my life is to glorify my Lord and King. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” How can I glorify God in everything I do, if I’m on autopilot? The simple answer…I can’t. If I’m not inviting Christ into my day to day operations, if my focus isn’t on the reason why I do what I do, I’m not able to glorify God in my efforts. Will the job get done? Sure. Will the kids be fed and sent off to school? Absolutely. Will I be getting the next phase of the project done today? You bet! But it’s the intentionality behind what I’m doing that either gives glory to or detracts from my Lord.

So the question is how can I prevent myself from winding up on autopilot? How can I be intentional with regard to my purpose in life? I believe this starts with understanding sanctification. Many times throughout the Bible, God tells the Israelites or his followers to sanctify or consecrate themselves. But what does that really mean and how can being sanctified keep me out of autopilot mode?

According to Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the generic or "non-spiritual" meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning", so a dishtowel is "sanctified" when drying off a plate or cup and an oven is "sanctified" when baking my husband's favorite oatmeal butterscotch cookies. Spiritually speaking, things are sanctified when operating in the purposes for which God intended. You or I are sanctified when we are living in accordance with God's intended plans and purposes for our lives.

How do I accomplish living in accordance with God's intended plan and purpose for me? What does intentionality look like through the lens of ongoing sanctification?

For me intentionality through ongoing sanctification looks like disciplines involving Scripture reading, prayer and fasting, cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, growing in grace and biblical wisdom, and above all abiding in Him, truly inviting God to do His work through me by being humble enough to understand that even the smallest task, when done for Christ, has kingdom significance.

Do you ever struggle with autopilot in your life?

What do you do to reorient your life around God's plans and purposes?

Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you (Joshua 3:5).

Nickole is a military spouse residing in North Carolina, a mother of 4 and recently became a grandmother. Between the family activities and homemaking, sewing, gardening, and random home projects, she's pressed to find a dull moment, but loves finding those still, small moments to connect with her Lord.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize. So run, that ye may obtain (1 Corinthians 9:24, KJV)

Fasting is hard.

A good question to ask yourself is this: Do I live to eat, or do I eat to live?

Part of our walk as followers of Christ is to discipline ourselves. Yet too often we fail to discipline ourselves for a variety of reasons. This is where the little foxes may creep in: those little sins that can create a space for the enemy to attack. We are creatures of flesh and spirit. What we feed on will affect both. Fasting is a time to take stock of where our frailties lie and then to repent and strengthen the breeches, those areas that have broken down or been weakened through disuse or neglect. 

Fasting reveals what needs to change if we are seeking a closer, more intimate walk with Jesus. Our life journey with Him is composed of times and seasons of change to reflect Him more and more in our attitudes, thoughts, and lifestyles. It's an amazing paradox that the more we surrender ourselves to Him, dying to our own plans and purposes, and coming alive to His, the more genuine our lives become. We were created for His plans and purposes (Ephesians 2:10). To find those plans and purposes, and to enter partnership with Him, is the absolute most fulfilling way to being alive in Him. Who would figure that dying to self is truly coming alive in Him!

Fasting can be hard. As the flesh screams out its wants and desires to be fed, we are faced with the challenge of holding out, of not giving in, of enduring and going the distance. I confess that fasting has become harder, not easier. You would think that after leading the fast group for the past few years, that it would have become easy and rote. But the opposite is true. It has become more difficult for me. I am asking the question: Why? Based on the answers, I intend to face it head on. So why do we fast if it is so hard? 

In our SUM group, first and foremost is the hope and desire to see our loved ones saved. We want to see our spouses come to know and love Jesus because we know that life with Him is the best way to live. It is the only way to heaven and eternity with Him. We know that this life is temporary. That life in this physical body is not meant to be forever. It is, in fact, quite short. I can attest to the truth that as we age, it goes faster and faster. So, we should live kingdom-minded, looking forward to the time when we are finished with this brief proving ground and able to move into our eternal destination with Jesus. 

We fast to set the tone for the coming year. We fast to see those mountains move in the lives of those we love. We fast because sometimes fasting is needed to cast out and break down those strongholds that have our loved ones held captive. We fast to break the strongholds in our own lives that hinder us from being all we can be in Jesus. We fast becuase we know it is a tool given to us to use for His purposes. And we fast to move closer to God. Fasting is a deliberate choice. A surrender to the one who loves us so much that He gave His all in suffering and death for our redemption and freedom.

Fasting allows us to discipline the flesh with its appetites. Jesus, who was God in the flesh, fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. If He needed it, we need it! So, I would like to encourage you, as you fast this week, to look for those broken-down places, or the weakened places. To spend time with Jesus in repentance and in repair. As you are abiding with Him this week, surrender your plans and purposes to His. Rest in His presence, allowing Holy Spirit to fill you with fresh oil. Draw close to Him knowing that His word says that when we draw close to Him, He also draws close to us.

We cannot do the work on our own. We cannot change ourselves. But we can surrender. And in that surrender, He will do the work. He will do as he promised: to complete the work He begins in us.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6, KJV)

Love,

LuAnn

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7 KJV).

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (John 15:4 KJV).

As we begin our fast today, let us firmly take hold of the horns of the altar. Let us examine our hearts and allow Holy Spirit to minister to those areas that need deliverance, healing, and His grace. We have spent the past year contending for our spouses and for our families and communities. Let this fast be one of purging the old and sealing the plans for this next year. Examine and release.
Today chose to abide in his presence receiving all that He has for you. HIS PLANS FOR GOOD. HIS DIRECTION AND PURPOSES FOR OUR LIVES.

As we reflect on His character, His goodness, and His mercy let us lift our hands and voices in prayer. Worship Him. Glorify Him. Cry out to Him with all the love in your heart for Him. And then rest...rest in His presence in silence and peace, his shalom peace that surpasses our understanding. His peace that heals and quiets our restless minds and souls. His presence that fills us with joy. His joy that is our strength. Let today be a day of staying under his wings. Not asking for anything other than Him. Abiding in Him and allowing Him to abide in us.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1 KJV).

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4 KJV).

SUMites, how do you view abiding?

Love,

LuAnn

By LuAnn Wendover

Why do we fast?

What are the benefits?

We fast for several reasons but the most important one is to get close to Jesus. We live in a world full of distractions. There is constant noise always pulling at us. Things to do, places to be, so much emphasis on the going and doing. It is easy to lose focus on the number one thing in our lives as Christ followers - we need to seek Him, sit with Him, and serve Him.

FASTING ALLOWS US TO PUT ASIDE THE DISTRACTIONS OF THE WORLD, OUR FLESH, THE NOISE AND PULL OF THE WORLD, AND OUR DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES AS SPOUSES, PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, EMPLOYEES OR EMPLOYERS, AND ALL THE OTHER MYRIAD HATS WE WEAR IN OUR LIVES.

FASTING allows us to 'deny our flesh' with its demands, to take that time of feeding the physical and use it to feed our spirits through our relationship with our high priest and coming king and bridegroom. Most of us live in countries where many have an abundance of material things.  We live in comfort. Fasting is a good reminder to our flesh that it is not in control and a great reminder to us of how much we allow our flesh to dictate how we live. Fasting brings out the screaming, demanding fleshly sides of our beings. Fasting is the opportunity to say: 'No! Not today!' Today I choose to listen to my spirit, to focus on the voice of Jesus, our Lord. Today we are seeking the better things: His presence, His guidance, His rest.

Whether we can see it or not, fasting moves mountains in our lives. Mountains like disbelief, temptations, disobedience, striving, discontent to name a few. When we focus on Jesus, we are fed and filled with Him. We hear more clearly, see better, and can release those things hindering us in our lives. As Sumites, we need this.

We are mostly in a posture of war.

We war daily for our spouse's salvation.

We war for our children, both small and grown.

We war for our marriages to reflect our love and hope in Christ for repentance, restoration, renewal.

We war for ourselves as we battle to be that example of Christ Jesus in our homes, our families, and our communities.

We war, we grapple, we learn to armor up daily, and to fight the good fight. We endure.

So what should our corporate SUM fast look like this year in 2025?

It should be a time of reflection. A look back on the past year. Are there any losses? What needs to be laid at His feet and left there? Do we need to repent? Are there any breaches in our walls that need to be repaired? Do we need to forgive and make amends? Where were the victories? Have I given Him praise and thanked Him for moving in my life and meeting my needs? Have I thanked Him for forward movement? For delivering positive change and growth in me and my spouse?

This fast should be a time of resting in Him. We need to look at Jesus: see his beauty, His love for us, and this dying world. It should be a rest that leads to renewal in us. It should be a refilling, a topping off of His strength and His joy, His love, patience, forbearance and all those other fruits of the Christ-centered life.

It should be a time of quiet. Listening for His words of direction, strength, purpose and guidance for us individually and as a corporate body of believers. It should be a time of restoration and peace as we shelter under His wings to rest in Him. To receive and give our love to Him, find solace in Him, receive from Him. Glory in His presence.

I think we will find this year's fast to be quite different for each one of us.

Looking forward to hearing the coming testimonies from this fast.

Love,

LuAnn

LuAnn Wendover is from Milan, NY. She has been a member of the SUM community for several years now, and will be leading our corporate fast from Monday to Friday next week. Join us!