Prayer & Fasting

It's that time again! Our church does so many things together and one thing that is most looked forward to is fasting.

Sound strange? It's really not when you find out about all of the blessings that pore in as a result of drawing near to God.

You may say, "but I've never fasted" or "I don't even know what a fast is."  That's ok!  There is plenty of info out there on fasting.  Do a little research and jump in!  (I don't recommend you jump in to a total fast or if you have severe health issues. If you do, you should check with your doctor...after you pray.)

Even if you don't read anything else, watch any teachings or listen to any sermons on fasting, I highly recommend you look in the Bible to see what God says about fasting.  Fasting is mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Here are two examples:
OT: Isaiah 58:5-12  I love this! (Click the link. It will take you right to the Scriptures.)

NT: Matthew 6 Pay close attention to verses 2,3,5,7,16,17, & 18... ok ok... I like the whole entire chapter of Matthew 6!  It certainly won't hurt to read the whole thing!

The first verses (in my list) mention "when you give."  The middle verses mention "when you pray." And verses 17 on mention "when you fast."  We know that we should give to the poor, we know that we should pray, but many people don't realize that fasting brings great results as well!

Ok, enough talk.  Here are some more resources to get you started or to refresh your memory as to why you fast and what happens when you do.

Bill Winston Ministries has a great PDF eBook (free) that is only 8 pages long and covers all of the questions as to what, when, how, why, and what is the result of fasting.

Fasting eBook

Jentezen Franklin has some great sermons on fasting where he explains everything as well.  (This is some good preachin!)

Fasting Sermons

Daniel Fast Food List

I have posted my own testimony on YouTube about the result of a fast that God supernaturally told me to do.  The short of it is: He told me to do the Daniel Fast.  I didn't even know what that was.  Did some research and decided to do it.  2 weeks into it, I was healed of the face disfiguring disease "rosacea" that I had for 8 years.  To answer many people's question, NO!  It didn't and has never come back!

Praise the Lord!





Jentezen Franklin Sermon:




Blessings to you as you enter your fasting journey.  Please leave a comment if you have decided to fast.  I'd love to hear about your journey.

Rebooting My Life ~ Day 7

I FEEL wonderful!  This juice fast is invigorating.  I wonder what it is doing to the inside of me?

Link: Rebooting My Life Series

Today's juice:
2 carrots
1 granny smith apple
1 orange
1 lemon
1/3 bag cranberries
5 leaves of cabbage
1 thumb of ginger

The color turned out to be a dark orange and the flavor tart!  Pucker up!  I added 7 drops of stevia to counter the lemons and then it was perfect.

To be honest, I expected the effects of this fast to be more on the physical side.  That's not so.  I see some physical improvements but it seems as though I am experiencing more in the Spirit realm (Holy Spirit).  That's fine by me.  Looking at Isaiah 58, it seems that changes spiritually during a fast are inevitable.  It comes with the territory!

Physical changes:
More energy
Less appetite
A few inches off my body :)
Desire for smaller portions
No desire for sweets or breads

Spiritual changes:
Hearing very clearly from the Holy Spirit (Not just a "feeling" or "I think" but words)
Noticing His presence on an all day basis
Heightened discernment level
Receiving words of knowledge and words of wisdom for others (one of my gifts)
Very clear on my top spiritual gift as it's been confirmed several times
Hearing direction for my business and waiting to see God do what He said He would
Clearly receiving revelation in the Word

Hallelujah!  God is sooooo good!

I leave you with this video:

Rebooting My Life ~ Day 6

Matthew 6 says, "...when you pray..., ...when you give..., and ...when you fast..."
Isaiah 58 says, "...is this not the fast which I choose..."

Fasting is expected.  Fasting is a choice.  What you fast for is your choice.  How you fast is your choice.

This is day 6 of the fast I chose.  I chose to juice twice a day to get this temple, my body, in shape.  My spirit has been growing tremendously over the last few years and I've allowed it to leave my body behind.  Needless to say, my body has a lot of catching up to do.

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me very loudly over the last couple of weeks in preparation of my juicing.  While I am eating, He will say, "You're done."  or "Stop now." or "You're full now."  Things like that.  I will admit, I ignored Him a couple of times but I soon learned to listen carefully.  If I didn't listen, I suffered with a tummy that was too full and very uncomfortable.

That's not all He said.  He's been telling me other things as well, but that's not what this post is about.

On Saturday the ladies from church went to a craft show so I didn't have time to juice that day.  I did, however, eat one of my muffins that I made from juice pulp!  Talk about filling!  I ate a healthy dinner and had healthy snacks.

I've also noticed that my stomach must be shrinking.  My mom said that the Granny Smith apples may be causing that.  I guess they may have that effect on the body.  ....GOOD!

Sunday, which would have been day 5, I didn't have time to juice for obvious reasons.  My Sunday isn't like most people's as we have a ministry to concentrate on.  My time on Sundays is focused on practicing the presence of God (because He's always around us, we're just not always aware of it).  I must lead the people into worship and help them realize the presence of God.

I did eat healthy on Sunday for the most part.  I'm very proud of myself... to be honest!

So, here I am at day 6.  I've lost a couple of pounds and probably some inches.  Praise the Lord!  I feel healthier and more energetic.  The mere smell of the juice gives me energy!

I feel like my stomach is shrinking with the result of eating less.  Hallelujah!

My spiritual gift has been confirmed to me twice while I've been on this fast.  God is so good!

I'm hearing from the Holy Spirit often and His voice is very clear.

So, here is my juice from today:

The veggies and fruits that I used are in the pic at the top.  Because of the beet and the cranberries, it turned out very red.  LOVED this one!

My husband and I split the amount of juice that came out and it was a full cup for both of us.  Just imagine my body consuming all of those fruits and veggies in that top pic.  How awesome and concentrated!

1 bag of cranberries
1 beet
4 carrots
1 orange
1 lemon
1 yellow pepper
2 granny smith apples

I added 7 drops of stevia to mine to take away some of the tartness from the lemon.  Mmmmmm....

Did I tell you that God Is Sooo Good!!!!?

Rebooting My Life ~ Day 2

This post is part of my Rebooting My Life Series.  I won't be posting everyday, but to get me started on the right track, I'll post until I get too busy!  ;)

This morning's drink consisted of cranberries, oranges, Granny Smith apples, carrots, and a thumb of ginger.  I'll be honest, this was like drinking orange sherbet in a glass.  A bit too sweet for my taste this early in the day but my husband appreciated it.  He didn't appreciate the green drink from yesterday morning!  He said it was ...ok.

As soon as I smell the beautiful scents of the fruit and veggies going in, my senses are perked!  I instantly feel invigorated even before I drink one drop.  The ginger just sends my senses into a tizzy!  I love, love, love the smell of ginger!  So much so, I even bought a (natural) perfume from Macy's that is scented ginger!

After I drink the amazing juice drinks, I get an instant rush of God's goodness and feel like I can run a mile!  ...well... maybe once some of my fluff melts off.  Can't stand the "jiggle."  ;)  I guess now would be a good time to clean out the basement!

Are you inspired yet?  Sick and tired of being sick and tired?  Care to join me on my juicing?

My plan so far:
Juice for breakfast and lunch
Natural fruit smoothies, nuts, and bananas for snacks
Healthy dinner (only whole grain breads, no pastas, no sugars)



A lot of people "juice" or "fast" to draw close to the Lord or grow spiritually. I do fast 2-3 times a year for those reasons as well.  To be honest, God has had me on a spiritual growth plan constantly for about 4 1/2 years with very little down time. I think it started with my first fast.  The one that healed me!!!

My thought is, I take good care of my spirit.  I need to take better care of my body! Most of the world concentrates so much on their body that they neglect their spirit.  I am the opposite of that so it's time... past time... to take care of my temple.

You can watch my testimony of how God healed me of a disease through fasting:


God can heal you too!  Hallelujah!

Rebooting My Life Day 1

Ladies and gents, let me introduce to you the "mean green" juice!  This is the potent, power packed juice that  was consumed on "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead."

I had to add a few drops of stevia to mine to balance out the tartness, but mmmm mmmm!  I will ashamedly say that was more GREEN than I have consumed in a while!  It was even a little hard to choke down as I'm not used to drinking that large of quantity, especially in a short amount of time. I guess you are supposed to drink it within 5-7 minutes so that it doesn't become "old."

Want the recipe?  It's in this video:

Rebooting My Life!

Definition of "reboot" ~  To turn (a computer or operating system) off and then on again; restart.

My dear friend Jen at the blog "Beautiful Mess" has helped me to step out and do what the Lord told me to.  What is that?  Juice. 

At one time in my life I had a disease on my face and God told me to do the Daniel Fast.  I did it and was healed in two weeks.  The disease has NEVER come back.  You can read about that here:  Rosacea Cure, Rosacea, Daniel Fast.

(The pic to the right is similar to what my face looked like without makeup. My hubs said mine was actually worse.)

I have heard that voice again, that soft, whispering voice of God.  This time He told me to juice.  It just so happens that my friend has recently done some juicing and I decided to take a look at what inspired her and go from there.

Our family sat down together last night and watched "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead."  The website has the trailer that you can watch and recipes!  Mmmmm... I can't wait.

In the past, we've watched shows like "Super Size Me" and "Food Inc."  Those movies show what's wrong with our food and how people get fat, sick, and tired by eating them.  Fat Sick and Nearly Dead is quite the opposite of those shows and is very refreshing!

Needless to say, I've heard from God, I've been inspired, I've done my homework, and now it's time for ACTION!

So the question remains; why did God tell me to do a juice fast?  Who knows!  I'll probably find out midstream or when I am finished.  Could it be to get rid of about 40 pounds of fluff?  Probably.  Could it be to boost my immune system?  Probably.  Could it be to give me more energy?  Probably.  Could it be to ward off disease?  Probably!

Amen and hallelujah!  God is sooooo good to ME!  

I KNOW He wants good things for me.
I KNOW He wants me healed.
I KNOW He has blessed me and continues to do so everyday!

Thank You Jesus!

Rebooting My Life ~ Day 1




photo credit: Food Thinkers via photopin cc
photo 2 credit
photo 3: Copyright 2012 Janet Powers

Wow! What a Ride ~Fasting

We have been fasting again and just ended it last night.  We celebrated by going to Red Robin for burgers. I kept it kinda healthy by getting lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese. Wink wink.

Our boys were soooo happy to be out to eat as a family again.  They missed it.  Not only that, but sitting down to dinner as a family and all eating the same meal is something that they always miss during a fast.

I think that is awesome!  21 days of eating in a different way causes our teen boys to miss our table time.  That just goes to prove that kids like routine, and they like dinner at the table as a family.

If you haven't tried fasting, I want to encourage you to do so.  Not only will it cleanse your body of unwanted... crud... that has built up over many, many years, but it will take you on the Spiritual ride of your life!

After all, when you fast, you are in obedience to Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha-Mashiach).  Matthew chapter 6 says, "when you give" "when you pray" and "when you fast."


Here is a sermon series that will help you get on your path to fasting:

Very excited about fasting!

Have you ever done a fast?  Now is the time!  Join thousands and thousands of people and churches all across our country in fasting for 21 days.  Our church has already started but many will be starting on Sunday.

Here is some info to help you get started:

Daniel Fast Verses ~  The Daniel Fast is found in Daniel chapter 10.  Basically, we eat nothing man-made. Only fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, and brown rice for 21 days.

We start the fast by watching the fasting sermons by Pastor Jentezen Franklin and then take communion.  

Here is one sermon:  Jentezen Franklin Fasting Sermon.  The rest are in the sidebar of this video.

In Matthew chapter 6 you will notice that several verses start with "when you give" "when you pray" and then "when you fast."  God expects us to fast.  It is a cleanse for our Spirit and our body.  Fasting draws God's attention and opens us up to His wondrous miracles and blessings. Read about what fasting does in Isaiah chapter 58.  It really is amazing!  Jentezen talks about that chapter as well.

Here is some more info on the Daniel Fast.  

This one looks GREAT!  It has some info in it as well as recipes.  Daniel Fast PDF

Here is a free cookbook ~  It looks like it has some good stuff in it.

If you decide to do this, I have plenty of quick, get-me-by type of food ideas.

I can't wait to hear about the miracles that God is doing in your life!

Sick and tired of being sick and tired

Do those words sound familiar to you?  In recent days, I felt similar.  I wasn't sick but I sure was tired.  As a matter of fact, I went through many months struggling with fatigue.

There was a time when I would struggle to get past 1:00 in the afternoon.  If I didn't get a nap by 3PM, I wasn't sure I could make it through the rest of the day.

I was growing fatter and fatter.  I was at largest weight/size I had ever been other than in pregnancy.  I was feeling miserable ~  down-right sluggish ~ fatigued ~ fat.

Through it all, my husband love me.  He was attracted to me no matter my size.  But I wasn't.  I felt terrible and ugly most of the time.

"So, what gives?" you say.  Good question.  God spoke to me.  I knew, that I knew, that I needed to fast again.  I knew that God was calling me to a 2 week fast.

This fast was different.  It loosed some things in my life and one of those things was energy!  I have an abundance of energy.  I am eating healthy and even after the fast, I am losing inches and weight!  I am NOT on a diet.  I do eat things that dieters wouldn't eat but I don't pig out on them nor eat them often.

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired or overweight?  


photo credit 1
photo credit 2

Fasting ~ Part 3

Fasting Part 2
Fasting Part 1

There are several benefits to fasting, especially total food fasting and doing the Daniel Fast.  (Daniel Fast Food List PDF)

Read full (Microsoft Word) article here:  Why Do the "Daniel Fast"

1.  Fasting supercharges our efforts to accomplish God’s purposes2.  Fasting helps develop a spiritual hunger for God. 3.  Fasting can help revitalize an area of our spiritual life that seems sluggish and resistant the change God desires to see in us as followers of Christ.4.  Fasting promotes a disciplined lifestyle, one that is more conducive to living a life of spiritual purity before God. 5.  The closely-related discipline of prayer is enhanced 6.  Fasting has physical benefits as well. 7.  “Corporate” or church-wide fasts can also be a time of detoxification for a congregation.  

• Since finishing my last fast, benefits are still lingering.  
• I am more hungry for God and even more "on fire" than I was before.  
• I have a better sense of discipline in my life.  (Who doesn't need more of that?)
• I've maintained my weight loss and am continuing to lose.
• I have waaaaaaayyyy more energy.
• Because of these benefits, I am getting a lot more done.  

You don't need more hours in the day!  
You need to fast!
You don't need energy drinks!
You need to fast!
You don't need anit-lazy pills!
You need to fast!
You don't need unnecessary medications!
You need to fast!
You don't need to be a BEGGAR in God's Kingdom!
You need to fast!

Where there's a will, there's a way!

Determination!  That's what it was.  I had the determination that my body is going to be fit, healthy, and lookin good for my 40th birthday!  I was already on a good roll after the recent fast and still losing weight, but I desperately needed  to start exercising!

That is how my body works.  If I want to shed those pounds, eating healthy is great, but I HAVE to exercise.  It doesn't have to be strenuous.  Just do SOMETHING and my body will respond in a great way.

I got up feeling wonderful; that is one lasting benefit of fasting.  In the morning there is a renewed energy, a youthfulness.  It is really refreshing.  I decided that I have GOT to exercise, but I don't want to walk alone.  Confession time... I don't have any friends.  I have acquaintances, plenty of them. I thought about it for a minute and decided that Joyce Meyer would be a GREAT friend to walk with.  After all, I know her very well from watching her on TV several days a week! Wink wink...

I asked Double Espresso (12) if he knew where his MP3 player was.  I had downloaded some of Joyce's pod casts onto it; that would be perfect!  The answer came back "no."  My husband suggested that I use my phone to get on her website and listen.  I tried that and it didn't work.

Ok, now I was gettin frustrated.  I was determined that I was going to train my brain while I train my body!  Then a thought came into my mind, "YouTube!"  Yes, Espresso (14 4/5) is always using my phone to watch YouTube videos.  So I clicked around, found Joyce Meyer on YouTube, and pressed play.  It loaded up great.  I was set or so I thought.  It wasn't loud enough to hear and walk outside.

Ok, now what do I do?  I thought about headphones.  Espresso has a pair that look like Princess Lea's side buns.  No, can't very well walk with those!  I do have SOME dignity!  Double Espresso has a pair that you stick inside your ears, so the search began.  We looked high and low.  Finally, in a bin in his room he found a pair that was all tangled up with 2 other thing-a-ma-jigs.

Determination rose up within me again.  I can do this; I'm a MOM!  I finally got them untangled, plugged them in, grabbed the fat dog, pressed play, and off we went.

Where there is a will, there is a way.  I was determined to get this body into shape.  I am going to get my youth back before it is too late and I pass over the 40 year hump!

Sometimes we have to put a lot of effort into getting what we want.  When we stir up the determination within us, and finally come to the point of victory, the reward is so much greater than if it were handed to us on a silver platter.  When we work hard at something and then accomplish it, it just feels good!

What are you working hard at?  What is that thing that's been hanging over your head that you need to do?  Stir it up!  Stir up the determination within yourself, set your mind to it and with Jesus, accomplish it!  He is a great partner.  He is great inspiration and He rewards a disciplined, obedient life!

Ok, my calves totally don't look like that...yet!   photo credit

Fasting ~ Part 2~ Awesome Resources

Resources:  
Fasting by Jentezen Franklin with DVD (Video at bottom of post)
Fasting PDF by Desiring God.org
Fasting Information PDF by IHOP, (Great tips for preparing your physical body)
FREE Daniel Fast Cookbook by saintjohn.net (Great recipes)
FREE small Bible study on Fasting PDF by getgreaterlife.org
Long study on Fasting PDF: Atomic Power with God by shiloabooks.com (very informative)

Ok now.  Let's get down to business.

What is fasting?  
From Wikepedia:

"Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day (24 hours), or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive, limiting particular foods or substance. The fast may also be intermittent in nature (see: Intermittent fasting). Fasting practices may preclude sexual and other activities as well as food."

Simply put, fasting is abstaining from some or all food.  In these modern days, if a person is just learning to fast, there are other things that they could fast before fasting food.  Sort of a ramping up.  I know people who have fasted TV, internet, secular music, FaceBook, sugar, video games, and junk food just to name a few.

Why should a Christian fast?  
Well, why should a Christian pray?  Why should a Christian give?  Check this out.

Matthew 6:2, 5, 16

“So when you give to the poor..."
“When you pray..."
“Whenever you fast..."

The Bible says, when you give, when you pray, and when you fast.  It doesn't say when you give, when you pray, IF you fast!  Most of my life, that has been the teaching that has been implied.  Praying is essential, fasting is optional.  Not true!  Those words in Matthew were Jesus' words!  They were straight from our Lord Himself.  Amen?

Here is a VERY powerful fasting sermon by Jentezen Franklin.  If you are serious about learning to fast, the resources in this post will help you tremendously.

Fasting ~ Our Story

I wrote about fasting a while ago and told you my story.  I was healed from a disease that I had for 8 years!  It was the worst it had ever been and 2 weeks into the "Daniel Fast" I was healed!

You can read my other fasting posts and my healing story here:  21 Day Daniel Fast

My husband and I have been fasting for a few years now.  I have done the Daniel Fast or something similar about 5 times.  My husband has done the Daniel Fast, one week of no food, and now two weeks with no food, just juice.

Most of our church is fasting right now.  We are doing a 2 week fast for Spiritual growth.  For the first time our boys have decided to fast.  Espresso (almost 15) is fasting TV and video games.  Double Espresso (12 1/2) is fasting junk food, sweets, TV, and video games.

We couldn't be prouder of our boys.  They are going to be Spiritual giants someday!

Stay tuned for the SKINNY on fasting!  

Fasting

Ending my 21 day fast tonight.  I'm thinking about ending it with this giant burger!  :)

Just kidding.  I have to admit, a small slice of this would be very FUN to eat!

Are you ending a fast today?  How are you celebrating?