Well, another DF has past. I cannot believe three weeks has come and gone! God has been so good. He's taught me more than I could possibly have put into this blog, and more than I would want to! As I sign off until next time, I encourage you to participate in fasting experiences as God leads. You may just get more out of it than you bargained for. And God may reveal things that you never expected!
God, thank You for the opportunity to express how great and mighty you are through this blog. May the realizations that I had, the truth that was revealed, the excitement that arose all continue throughout this year. God, let 2011 be all about You, about seeking You, about pleasing You. Let this fast be just one step of obedience along my road to greater maturity. I love you and am appreciative for everything You've done throughout the fast. Amen!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Already??...and yet FINALLY!
It's already here...the final day of the DF. It feels like it just began and yet feels like I've been doing this forever! As you've seen through this blog, God's been working...and so has Satan. It's been a ridiculous emotional roller coaster throughout these three weeks. But, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I learned to be content! Even if I stay exactly where I am physically, financially, and in my career, I will be happy because it's what God wants for me! That doesn't mean that I'm not going to try to learn more, branch out, and better myself, but I'll not be constantly looking to what the future might hold or what I want rather than what I have. You know, I also learned that 'content' is good! In the past, I thought contentment was synonymous with "okay". But, no...contentment is joy! It means that I want for nothing...I will work toward more, but be thrilled with where I am! Seems contradictory, but it's totally not. If you're tired of longing for tomorrow, if you're tired of thinking you'll be happy if you can just get/be/do whatever, if you're tired of faking your smile...seek God! You'll find true joy, true peace, a true smile!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Devotion!
I just have to share this link to a devotion that was sent to me, written by a dear lady from our church. She is precious and has a heart for God and His people. It really spoke to me today and I hope it will speak to you too! http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Devotional.html?soid=1102723065138&aid=pbm4hZqooAM
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Day 18 2011
Today has been a good day. Prayer works :-) ...and so does ritalin, but that's a different story that I also attribute to prayer! But, what I really want to share is what a great Bible study we had last night!
We took a look at the Israelites in search of the Promised Land and how they complained despite all of God's provisions. We learned about the manna and quail and the reactions of the Israelites. The miracles became monuments and they abandoned the excitement, thankfulness, and contentment. Rather, they spent time grumbling and complaining about how they shouldn't have followed God, but stayed in Egypt. We were able to explore our own lives and see places where we were trading contentment for complaint. Even some things that we prayed for, we later complained about! We gave each to Him and resolved to focus on being thankful for all of those little and big things we take for granted.
God, thank You for revealing our grumbles and complaints. I am so sorry that I turn to this when I should really be thankful for every single thing You do and all that You are. Lord, I want to make you happy! Amen
We took a look at the Israelites in search of the Promised Land and how they complained despite all of God's provisions. We learned about the manna and quail and the reactions of the Israelites. The miracles became monuments and they abandoned the excitement, thankfulness, and contentment. Rather, they spent time grumbling and complaining about how they shouldn't have followed God, but stayed in Egypt. We were able to explore our own lives and see places where we were trading contentment for complaint. Even some things that we prayed for, we later complained about! We gave each to Him and resolved to focus on being thankful for all of those little and big things we take for granted.
God, thank You for revealing our grumbles and complaints. I am so sorry that I turn to this when I should really be thankful for every single thing You do and all that You are. Lord, I want to make you happy! Amen
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Day 15 2011
I hesitate as I begin this post. I don't want to reveal too much, but I want to tell it all, if that makes sense. Prior to beginning the fast, I knew exactly what I needed to fast for: what my focus should be. I found a scripture reference, wrote it in dry-erase marker on the bathroom mirror, and began praying about it, trusting God to work and move. I had no doubt, and still have no doubt, that the situation is completely in God's control and He is going to completely take care of it.
As I read various scriptures from devotions, blogs, Bible studies, and personal reading, I didn't necessarily get the same confirmation that I was hoping for. I didn't find that God was going to radically change circumstances and make bad things go away. Instead, I found scripture to support the fact that I should be content with my current situation. Not just content, but thankful. As you can tell from some previous posts, God's been working on my thankfulness a lot during this fasting time. I realized that in order for Him to take me where He wants me to be, I need to be happy with where I am (in all areas). It seems as though this is another revelation that I should've had long ago. It just goes to show you that you can truly have head knowledge of faith without heart knowledge...or perhaps it's that as you grow in Christ, you gain a deeper understanding. Either way, I'm thankful that God has revealed Himself to me and that I can shift my focus to contentment and thankfulness in all situations!
God, thank You for showing me that my motives were wrong. Thank You that I can be content in all situations, knowing that You are in control and that you have a perfect plan for me. I love You and look forward to all that You are going to do in this final week of the fast. Amen
As I read various scriptures from devotions, blogs, Bible studies, and personal reading, I didn't necessarily get the same confirmation that I was hoping for. I didn't find that God was going to radically change circumstances and make bad things go away. Instead, I found scripture to support the fact that I should be content with my current situation. Not just content, but thankful. As you can tell from some previous posts, God's been working on my thankfulness a lot during this fasting time. I realized that in order for Him to take me where He wants me to be, I need to be happy with where I am (in all areas). It seems as though this is another revelation that I should've had long ago. It just goes to show you that you can truly have head knowledge of faith without heart knowledge...or perhaps it's that as you grow in Christ, you gain a deeper understanding. Either way, I'm thankful that God has revealed Himself to me and that I can shift my focus to contentment and thankfulness in all situations!
God, thank You for showing me that my motives were wrong. Thank You that I can be content in all situations, knowing that You are in control and that you have a perfect plan for me. I love You and look forward to all that You are going to do in this final week of the fast. Amen
Even in the Night
I realized this morning that Satan is constantly at work...even in my dreams! Last night, I dreamed that I was cleaning out Paula Deen's refrigerator. All the food was still good, but they needed to make room for more so I was throwing it out...while I was on the Daniel Fast, so I literally couldn't sample a single morsel! Talk about torture! haha :-)
Thankfully, a trip to Paula Deen's house isn't in the works for me in the next week, so I should be good-to-go!
Thankfully, a trip to Paula Deen's house isn't in the works for me in the next week, so I should be good-to-go!
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