Fasting Day Fourthteen - Jan 31

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Praise the Lord! I made it! I wish I could said something to describe these last 14 days, but the only thing I can think of is WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! As the scripture states from Philippians..."I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST...". I have been truely blessed. May your fasting these last 14 days have shown you the power of Jesus Christ!

God Bless!

Fasting Day Thirteen - Jan 30

Acts 14:23

So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Day 13! Holy cow! I still can't believe I made it this far. I know for me, tomorrow is going to feel a little like Christmas. I can't wait! I hope God provided you little presents along the way as you fast during these 14 days.

God Bless!

Fast Day Twelve - Jan 29

Matthew 4:1-2

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

...afterwards He was hungry? Amen to that statement! After 12 Days of nothing but water and juice, a beef bullion cube taste pretty good right now. Kidding aside, I haven't really had any hunger pains or desire to just crab a rice cake or maybe tempted to eat the rest of something the boys have left behind. I guess when God turns your hunger from food to him...being full of the Holy Spirit is what you been wanting all along. May your hunger for God increase while you are fasting these last few days.

God Bless!

Fasting Day Eleven - Thu 1/28

Matthew 9:14-15

14Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast."

It seems like I am on automatic pilot right now. I am watching the Food Channel to test my endurance and so far...no problems at all. I did however picked up a few recipes I'd like to try later on. I pray your fasting over these last couple of weeks have been your recipe of getting closer to the Lord. Keep up the great work!

God Bless!

Daily Devotional--1/29/10

1 Timothy 2:8

8I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

• Where should we pray?
• How should we pray?
• "Lifting up holy hands" represents a life that's right with God.
• "Without anger or disputing" represents a life that's right with others.
• Can you lift holy hands or do you need to make something right with God or others?

Fast Day Ten - Jan 1/27

Isaiah 58:5

Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?

Day 10? Wow! 10 Days and counting. I had prayed in hopes of making day 3 or 4 and now its 10? Praise the Lord! I have not felt better in years. I have notice my hands get cold at night, but other than that...no problems. I pray that God warms your heart (and hands) as you continue your fast this week.

God Bless!

Daily Devotional--1/28/10

1 Timothy 2:3-7

3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

• What is good and acceptable in the sight of God?
• Who is the only mediator between God and man?
• What did Christ Jesus do for all mankind?
• This is why Paul was appointed to spread the gospel--In light of this what should we do?

Fasting Day Nine - 1/26

Matthew 6:16-18

"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. 18 "so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

9 Days and counting. Oh my, I can't believe it's been 9 days. I can almost smell those baked potatoes now. No complications to talk about. I have noticed this week, early in the morning, a little heartburn (maybe from the cranberry juice?) but nothing that bothers me. I pray that God cures whatever pain you may have as you continue your fasting this week.

God Bless!

Daily Devotional--1/27/10

1 Timothy 2:1-3

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

Romans 13:1-7

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Acts 5:28-29

²⁸"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."

²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!

• Who is everyone to be subject to?
• Who gives government leaders their authority?
• What happens to those who resist the authority?
• When is it okay to disobey civil authority?
• Pray asking for Godly wisdom for those in civil authority.

Bearing Your Cross

This was sent to me via email, and it does a great job of illustrating that God always has a plan for us. We might not always understand it, and we might desperately wish it were different. But even in the most difficult times in life, God's plan is at work.

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Fasting Day Eight - Jan 1/25

1 Corinthians 7:5

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Day Eight? It's all down hill from here. I praise God for giving me this opportunity. No complications, but I have notice during the evening time, fatigue is getting greater. I pray your fasting is giving you strength as you finish out this week.

God Bless

Daily Devotional--1/26/10

1 Timothy 2:1-2

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

• Who are we to pray for in verse 2?
• How are believers to live?
• In what ways can you lead a quiet and peaceable life?
• How could living this type of life lead those in authority to Christ?
• In what ways cna you adjust how you live to mirror a lifestyle like this?

Farming for Jesus on Facebook

I've been entertaining myself with the Farmville application on Facebook for quite some time now, but have recently started using it to spread the good news!

Fasting Day Seven - 1/24

Matthew 17:20-21

So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to here,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

One week down down...one week to go! Praise the lord! I made it through week one! What an experience! I feel fine and look forward to the second week. No complications, but like a newborn, I do look forward to the day of having "solid" foods in the near future. I pray your fasting is giving you a rebirth of love and rejuvenation of the Holy Spirit!

God Bless!

Daily Devotional--1/25/10

1 Timothy 2:1

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—

1 Timothy 2:4

⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

• What instructions are given in this verse?
• Who are we to pray for?
• What should be the focus of our prayers for people?
• How does your attitude change as you pray for someone?
• In what ways can you exercise the instructions found in verse 1?

Fasting Day Six - Sat 1/23

Jeremiah 36:6

"You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the Lord, in the hearing of the people in the Lord's house on the day of fasting. And you shall also read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities."

6 Days...8 more to go! Praise the Lord for helping me make it through 6 days. This has truly been an experience I have never encountered. I feel great. Would I like to eat a steak? Absolutely! But through God's grace, I'm not hungry for food right now. I pray that God is giving you blessings as you continue your fasting. Keep up the great work!

God Bless

Fasting Day Five - Fri 1/22

Psalms 109:24

My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.

Praise the Lord! I made through the work week. Nobody got hurt and I'm feeling fine. I have notice every billboard, news ad and every commercial on television as it relates to FOOD. I mean, when I see a salt, my mouth starts watering. I pray you had a great week fasting and that God is feeding your spritual appetite and that you become full of the Holy Spirit. I pray your fasting continues this weekend and on to next week.

God Bless

Fasting Day Four - Thu 1/21

Psalms 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick. My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart.

Day four already? Can you believe it? Praise God for giving me the will power and stamina to make it this far. No complications yet, but I can tell you...my stomach is growling so loud, it sounds like two grizzly bears fighting in a thunderstorm. I pray your fasting this week eliminates your spritual growl and you find peace and joy through prayer and scripture these coming days.

God Bless

Daily Devotional--1/22/10

1 Timothy 1:17-19

¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

• What charge did Paul give Timothy?
• How can you hald the faith?
• How can you maintain a good conscience?
• What happens if you don't hold the faith?<

Fasting Day Three - Wed 1/20

1 Kings 19:8
So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountan of God.

Wow! I made it through day three. A small mircle in itself. No complications, just moving right along with my daily activity (making calls, e-mails, etc.). I have noticed, my toothpaste is starting to taste really, really good each night and I am brushing longer. I think it's God's way of telling us...we should appreciate the small things in life. Like the people we are with, the smells of the home and how reading a few scriptures a day can bring you closer to the Lord.

Have you notice the small things in your life while you are fasting this week? God Bless!

Daily Devotional--1/21/10

1 Timothy 1:16

¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Romans 10:9-10

⁹That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

• What two steps are described for salvation?
• After we believe that Jesus is who He proclaimed to be we must receive Him as our personal Savior. This salvation produces a changed life (like we see in Paul.)
  • What changes has Christ made in your life?
• Are there areas of your life that Christ is calling on you to adjust even now?
• What steps will you take to complete these adjustments?

Fasting Day Two - Tuesday 1/19

Exodus 24:18
"So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the convenant, the Ten Commandments."

Yeah! I made it to day two. No big deal...just drinking water and going to the...well...you know. Anyway, I know my prayer time has really improved during these few days and I am truely blessed for that and I pray your fasting has too. God Bless!

Daily Devotional--1/20/10

1 Timothy 1:15

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Romans 5:8

⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

• Who came into the world and why?
• Paul was fully convinced that salvation is linked solely to Christ and the message about him.
• Are you fully convinced and have you accepted Christ and His message; salvation?
• Who can you share this fact with today--that salvation is only found in Christ Jesus our Lord?

Fasting Day One - Mon 1/18

Zechariah 8:19
"Thus says the Lord of hosts:
The fast of the fourth month,
The fast of the fifth,
The fast of the seventh,
And the fast of the tenth,
Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts
For the house of Judah.
Therefore love truth and peace."

Praise the Lord! I made it through day one. So far, no complications...just hungry! So hungry, I could lick the bottom of a empty marshmellow bag right now! But I'm doing fine. Each day, I will highlight a passage that relates to fasting.

God Bless!

David

Daily Devotional--1/19/10

1 Timothy 1:14

¹⁴The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Acts 26:1-11

¹⁴¹Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: ²"King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, ³and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

⁴"The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. ⁵They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. ⁶And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. ⁷This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. ⁸Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

⁹"I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ¹¹Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Romans 3:23

²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

• How undeserving was Paul to receive salvation?
• How undeserving are we to receive salvation?
• Pray expressing to the Lord your thankfulness for bringing you salvation.

Daily Devotional--1/18/10

This week's daily devotionals will come from 1 Timothy 1:12-17

1 Timothy 1:12-13

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. ¹³Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

• Where does the srength come from to live the Christian life?
• What kind of man was Paul before he believed in Christ?
• What kind of person were you before you believed in Christ?
• Pray thanking the Lord for the strength He has given you to be faithful

Daily Devotional--1/13/10

1 Timothy 1:1-7

¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

²To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

³As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. ⁵The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. ⁷They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

• In verse 3 Paul charges/commands Timoth to confront false doctrine. What is the purpose of this command? What does this command produce?
• What are the marks of a true believer? What are the marks of those that believe false doctrine?
• How can the qualities in verse 5 help you maneuver through a situation in your life?
• Which of the qualities in verse 5 do you need to work on or would most like to develop more in your life?

Daily Devotional--1/12/10

1 Timothy 1:1-4

¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

²To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

³As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith.

Galatians 1:6-9

⁶I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! ⁹As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

• What were the apparent problems at the church in Ephesus?
• What was Paul telling Timothy to do about these problems?
• Why do you think it’s so important that right doctrine be taught? What strong words are used about those that teach/preach another gospel?
• What are some things you can do this week to be more faithful to the Gospel of Christ?

Daily Devotional--1/11/10

1 Timothy 1:1-2

¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

²To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

• To whom was Paul writing the letter?
• How did Paul address Timothy?
• Paul mentored Timothy in the faith. Who are the people who have encouraged you in your faith? Who have you encouraged?
• What were the benefits of the mentoring relationships you have had?
• What would be a next step you could take to assist someone new in the faith?
• In what areas can you place yourself to be encouraged to grow spiritually?

Daily Devotional--1/8/10

2 Timothy 2:2

2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

• Timothy was to take what he learned from Paul and teach it to other faithful men who would in turn pass it on to the next generation. In this process who are the people that have impacted your life for Christ?
• Pray thanking God for the influence these people have had on your life.
• Who are the people you are attempting to impact for Christ?
• Pray thanking God for this opportunity and for a renewed commitment to influence these people for the cause of Christ.

Daily Devotional--1/7/10

2 Timothy 1:13-14

13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

2 Timothy 1:7-8, 12

• The Scriptures and the doctrine it teaches are “sound words”. In what ways can you hold fast to these?
• As a Christian what is the “good thing” that has been committed to us?
• Why was Paul not ashamed?
• What would happen in your life if you lived in the spirit of “power, love and self-discipline”?

Daily Devotional--1/6/10

1 Timothy 6:20-21

20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.

• What is Timothy to guard?
• What was Timothy to avoid?
• What happened to those that didn’t avoid these things?
• What can you do to guard the treasure that has been entrusted to you?
• What godless chatter or opposing views do you need to turn away from?

Daily Devotional--1/5/10

1 Timothy 1:18-20

18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

• What is Paul charging Timothy to do?
• In what ways can you “wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience”?
• What happened to those who rejected and blasphemed?
• How did Paul finish his life?
• What was waiting for him as he finished?
• In what ways can you; fight the good fight? Finish the race? Keep the faith?

Daily Devotional--1/4/10

1 Timothy 1:8-11

8We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9We also know that lawis made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

1 Corinthians 15:1-3

1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

• What was committed or entrusted to Paul?
• What did Paul declare?
• How did they respond to the gospel?
• Sound Christian doctrine refers to that which is healthy and wholesome and produces spiritual life and growth. What steps can you take today to pursue and declare sound Christian doctrine?