For those of you on the Daniel Fast with us, by now you should be done with the headaches and ready to really start focusing in on the Lord. You might be asking yourself, "What is the purpose of fasting, anyway?"
Fasting is a spiritual act of worship, directed to the Lord. And like any act of true worship, the action changes us and enables us to be empowered. Here are five keys to consider during your fast:
1. Be specific about why you are fasting-
2. Make a spiritual commitment, not a physical one-
3. The outer discipline should reflect an inner desire-
4. It is a statement of faith for others-
5. Yield the results to God-
These 5 keys are also very applicable for those of you medically unable to particpate in the Daniel Fast, but are "fasting" something else in your life.
I am believing with everyone, that God will move mightily in your lives and meet all of your "needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus."
Don't forget to share your best Daniel Fast recipes with everyone by leaving them in the comment section. Also, if you're on Facebook, check out the group What I Ate On The Daniel Fast for encouragement, meal ideas, etc.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Daniel Fast Begins
We begin our 21 day Daniel Fast today. I hope you and your family are joining with Jennifer and I on the spiritual quest. Fasting when combined with prayer brings new power, destroys the enemies strongholds and allows us to enter into a deeper walk with God.
God has certain expectations of us as believers. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus names three areas that every Christian should do: "When you give (v. 2),... When you pray (v. 5), and ... When you fast (v. 16). He did not say "if" you do these, but "when you do."
So I am asking everyone to be involved in this years Daniel Fast. Don't forget to check the daily Scriptures on the side bar for inspiration and encouragement.
God has certain expectations of us as believers. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus names three areas that every Christian should do: "When you give (v. 2),... When you pray (v. 5), and ... When you fast (v. 16). He did not say "if" you do these, but "when you do."
So I am asking everyone to be involved in this years Daniel Fast. Don't forget to check the daily Scriptures on the side bar for inspiration and encouragement.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
And The People's Choice Award Goes To...
...Barabbas! Rome's Bad Boy. Mr. Rebellious. Did time in the 'pen. Probably had tatoos, a few piercings and rode a Harley. Think Oakland Raiders fan. An overall scary dude.
In John chapter 18, we witness Barabbas win The People's Choice Award, the King of the Jews being the only other nominee. The award presenter is none other than Pontius Pilate. Think spineless schmuck.
Jesus got the shaft.
The Jewish crowd chose Barabbas out of pure rebellion. It wasn't so much that they wanted Barabbas; but their hatred of Jesus had grown to such a level that they would have cried for anyone else to be released.
The crowd wanted no part of Jesus' teachings and claims. They had no intention of following a man who convicted them of sin. They took matters into their own hands.
This is the deceptiveness of sin. By rejecting the convictions of God in our lives, we deceive ourselves. We make Satan's job easy. When "we the people" ignore the Word, isolate ourselves from worship, and refuse to involve God in our choices, then just like the crowd that day, we are making The People's Choice not The Lord's Choice for our lives.
Stop living your life for YOU and choose to live it for the One who created you. It comes with a great award!
In John chapter 18, we witness Barabbas win The People's Choice Award, the King of the Jews being the only other nominee. The award presenter is none other than Pontius Pilate. Think spineless schmuck.
Jesus got the shaft.
The Jewish crowd chose Barabbas out of pure rebellion. It wasn't so much that they wanted Barabbas; but their hatred of Jesus had grown to such a level that they would have cried for anyone else to be released.
The crowd wanted no part of Jesus' teachings and claims. They had no intention of following a man who convicted them of sin. They took matters into their own hands.
This is the deceptiveness of sin. By rejecting the convictions of God in our lives, we deceive ourselves. We make Satan's job easy. When "we the people" ignore the Word, isolate ourselves from worship, and refuse to involve God in our choices, then just like the crowd that day, we are making The People's Choice not The Lord's Choice for our lives.
Stop living your life for YOU and choose to live it for the One who created you. It comes with a great award!
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Power of We
Throughout Scripture, we see multipled power in unity. When God's people come together and work for Kingdom causes (with Kingdom attitudes!), great things take place. This is the power of "we". This past Sunday our topic was, "What if we..."
1. ...Prayed every day?
2. ...Fasted once a week?
3. ...Tithed a tenth of our income?
4. ...Became involved in personal evangelism?
5. ...Attended church every week?
If everyone of us would personalize these five points, I believe we could see the power of God manifest in a powerful way in our church, and in our lives. These simple- but key- disciplines unlock the doorway to knowing God and hearing from Him. And when we know God's voice we can experience not only the joy of knowing Him, but the fruit of the obedient life.
Isn't it time to live God's way? To stay faithful in the small things? To strive towards a Kingdom Unity? It's through our faithfulness in these simple disciplines that we begin to see God's favor multiply our harvest. As we start this new year, let's focus on the Power of We.
1. ...Prayed every day?
2. ...Fasted once a week?
3. ...Tithed a tenth of our income?
4. ...Became involved in personal evangelism?
5. ...Attended church every week?
If everyone of us would personalize these five points, I believe we could see the power of God manifest in a powerful way in our church, and in our lives. These simple- but key- disciplines unlock the doorway to knowing God and hearing from Him. And when we know God's voice we can experience not only the joy of knowing Him, but the fruit of the obedient life.
Isn't it time to live God's way? To stay faithful in the small things? To strive towards a Kingdom Unity? It's through our faithfulness in these simple disciplines that we begin to see God's favor multiply our harvest. As we start this new year, let's focus on the Power of We.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
