Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Daniel Fast - Days 6,7,8

When you have a problem where to you go?

Do you talk to your husband?

Talk to a friend?

Go to your Pastor?

Internalize the problem?

Do all of the above at one time or another?

Daniel was told that the king was going to kill all the 'wise men' in the country. The king had a disturbing dream and wanted someone to not only interpret the dream, but to tell them the dream.  The wise men told him that only God could tell dreams and the king got perturbed and ordered their death. When word got back to Daniel (who was a wise man) he immediately had his friends pray.  They sought the Lord until He revealed the dream, which was in the middle of night. Then Daniel praised God for revealing the answer. In the end he went to the king and told him the dream and the interpretation.

Lets recap:

1.) Daniel asked godly people to pray.

2.) They prayed diligently until the answer was given.

3.) They accepted the answer.

4.) They praised god for revealing the truth.

5.) Went and did what God said. 

That should be a model of what we do when we face a crisis. The king was not messing around, he had every intention of killing the wise men and Daniel knew it! Instead of going and trying to convince the king to change his mind, he sought the Only One that could possibly have the answer. Once the answer was revealed he did not question it, he went and faced the king. Can you imagine having that much confidence in what God says, knowing that lives (including your own) are in your hands?  I wonder if he went in trembling or if he went in with confidence? My guess is that he went in with confidence and boldness.

How about you?

Do you approach the Lord with boldness and confidence?

Are you so in tune to the the voice of the Lord that you know when and what He is speaking?

Are you surrounding yourself with godly people who can pray for you in your time of need?


Friday, March 11, 2011

The more I seek you/My Beloved (Day 5 - Daniel Fast )




I love both of these songs and they express my feelings completely.

Prayers for Japan

My prayers today are for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. 

Lord, my heart is grieved today. I'm saddened by the loss of life. I'm saddened for those who are grieving over their loved ones. I pray that You would give those who are searching for their loved ones grace and mercy. I pray for the workers who are digging out the rumble and searching for bodies, that you Lord would give them wisdom from on High. 

I know that nothing happens that does not first go through your hands, so God I know you are in control.  It is so hard to fathom all the destruction, pain, hurt, fear, and worry. But, You God are there, even in the midst of all the chaos.  I pray for that you would send those who know You to the area. I pray that through all of this madness, You would be found.  God nothing compares to knowing You, so I pray for revelation for those who are looking for You. We all want answers, and You are Only answer we need. 

Lord, I pray for the missionaries that are serving in the area. God please protect them with you mighty hand. I pray that they would be given strength, strength that is above what they ever experienced. I pray that they would be your hands and feet. That they would show the love the Christ in their serving.  

Even though it is hard to fathom, I trust in You. I pray Lord that as the world watches, that prayers would be lifted up and that You would do a mighty work.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.  

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Daniel Fast - Day 3 & 4

I'm posting day 3 & 4 together, because I did not have time to post last night.

As I am getting into this fast I find that I'm not really having time for the Lord. You know that one on One time that is essential to a fast.  I'm praying a lot more, but I'm really not digging into the Word like I intended to do. Why is that? 

One word... Busyness 

How can I possibly be too busy to sit with the King of King and Lord of Lords and read His Word? 

I don't know.

Before the fast, I was pretty diligent about seeking his face but since Monday it has been difficult.

Some would say that it's the enemy, but honestly I think it is just plain old self. 

I tend to be a tad bit rebellious (I know it's hard to believe) but it is true. When I have to do something I don't want to do it. 

When I don't have to do something then what do I do? 

I do it!!

The Lord is showing me little by little that my Spirit and my flesh are divided. They are warring with each other over what is right. 

If the flesh wins out then this fast will be for nothing, but if the Spirit wins out then it will be to God's glory! 

What do I want?

I want to eat whatever I want. 

I want to watch whatever I want.

I want to do whatever I want.

What does God want?

God wants all of me, not just a tiny part.

God wants me to come to Him and He will give me rest.

God wants me to cast my cares upon Him.

God wants me to be yoked with Him, doing His will.


" Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30

Reading that verse through quickly, one might determine that the yoke is 'mine' (the persons). However that would be false. Looking over it more closely the word "My" refers to Jesus/God, not self but Gods yoke. 

Does that mean God wants to burden us with His things? No! He wants us to take His yoke (His plans, purposes, callings, ect..) upon us and He will give us rest. 

It is not about self, it is all about God! 

The further I get in the fast, even though I still struggle, that is the main theme I am learning. 

I encourage you today to take Gods yoke upon you and allow Him to use you for His glory. It may not always be easy, but He promises to be there and to give you rest. 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Day 2

I would love to say that I woke up feeling great this morning and this 'fast' is easy, but that would be a lie. I woke up with a terrible headache! Though I'm allowing myself 2 cups of coffee a day, I have no doubt it was from lack of caffeine. As I sought the Lord, I thought the headache would subside but I was wrong. Then I started to feel sick, and since I had an important meeting for work I had to get it together. I ended up eating one piece of toast, some strawberries, and drinking some water with lemon. After a little while I felt much better and was able to proceed with the day.

After my meeting I bought a small coffee and a little tiny tub of cantaloupe. I had that for lunch. Believe it or not I felt really good today, once I got over the initial morning issues. Tonight I'm going grocery shopping, so I'll be prepared for the week. 

Since the fast is not about food, but about meeting with God I want to share a few things that I've learned:

* God wants all of me, not a small part in a compartment, but every single part.

* God wants me to 'wear a path to Him'. Not just go to Him when I need something, but to continually seek His face.

That is really it!! :o) Not a lot of words, but for me it is a lot of meat to chew on. 

Monday, March 7, 2011

Day 1

Today is the first day of my 21 day fast and wouldn't you know that I woke up in the middle of night starving! I never wake up hungry, but I guess that's how Satan wants to play it. I prayed for strength for the coming days. I prayed for my family. I prayed for my job. I prayed for my church. I prayed that God would search me and expose any area of sin, known or unknown, in my life.  

I have not had a chance to get to the grocery store, but I know I have some strawberries, oranges, lemons (for my water), and frozen vegetables. 

Strawberries sound good this morning, so I'll have some of them with lemon water. 

Once the weather clears up, I plan to go to the store. 

Sunday, March 6, 2011

21 Day Fast

Have you ever tried to run from something you know the Lord is calling you to do?

Have you ever tried really hard to ignore it?

I have, and I'm done.

I'm done ignoring the voice of the Lord.

I'm done second guessing.

I'm ready.

Ready for what?

Ready to fast for 21 days.

Not an all out fast, but a Daniel fast for at least the first week. Then I think it will a juice fast for a week and then back to a Daniel fast for the third. I'm not exactly sure of the details, but I know for a fact (or a fast, LOL) that I am finally stepping out and obeying the Lord.

My first week will be spent in prayer for my family.

My second week will be spent in prayer for my church and the church as a whole.

My third week has yet to be determined, but I am confident God will reveal it to me.

I have never fasted for more then a couple of days. It seems like the closer I get to my fasting date (tomorrow) the hungrier I become!

On the flip side of that, the closer I get to my fasting date the hungrier I become for the Word of God!

I am looking forward to it, in a weird kind of way.

If you think of me during the 21 days, please pray for me.

Pray that the Lord will give me strength.

Pray that the Lord will reveal things to me.

Pray that strongholds are broken.

Pray that refreshing will come.