Category Archives: Daniel Fast

Daniel Fast – Starting again and quiting

WHAT IS A FAST?

Isaiah 58 -THE FAST

Isaiah 58
:6 [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
:7 [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

WHY FAST?

I wrote about Isaiah 58 and Finding the Purpose on 1/7/2012.

I wrote about beginning the Daniel Fast with the world on 1/8/2012.

I wrote about starting the fast on my own on 1/1/2012

I have confessed my difficulty with going to food and TV shows to comfort me, or distract me in times of stress.
I have confessed my need to be set free from TV and food.
A quote that I have in my signature line explains my dilemma clearly:

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Running to food and/or TV/movies in times of stress is NOT running into the name of the Lord…the strong tower.

Prov 18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

I am not allowing the Lord to be my shepherd, and lead me beside still water, or allowing him to make me to lie down in green pastures – and that means, my soul is not restored! (Psalm 23)
I am NOT casting my cares upon the Lord – and maybe, it’s because I don’t believe that HE cares for my struggles?

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

It’s all about PRIDE!!! And Fasting is about humbling myself – putting my flesh into subjection so that I can be changed into the likeness of Christ.
I NEED HELP!

Here’s my promises:
Is 58:6 [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness,
(and)
to undo the heavy burdens,
and
to let the oppressed go free,
and
that ye break every yoke?

I NEED TO HAVE THESE BANDS BROKEN, THESE HEAVY YOKES BROKEN!!!
I have tried to get free of the comfort replacements for God – and I can’t do it on my own…I am oppressed – and I want to be set free!

Here is more of the promises:

Is 58:11 And the LORD will guide you continually
and
satisfy your desire in scorched places
and
make your bones strong;
and
you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
:12 And
your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
(and)
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
(and)
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
(and)
the restorer of streets to dwell in.

MY BONES STRONG!!!! I NEED THIS PROMISE TO BE FULFILLED IN MY LIFE!
There are places in my walk that are dry and scorched – the battle has been hard –
I need my bones to be strong…
A watered garden – in the midst of a drought – this will draw folks to me so that I can share Christ’s living water with them! It will also revive the dry bones in my life – and create an army’s worth of power against the kingdom of darkness.
Raise up foundation of many generations – both Jim and I have some Godly heritage, and I desire to raise up that legacy to God’s glory.
I don’t care for any accolades – but to be used as the repairer of the breach and the restorer of the streets – that is HUGE!

Is 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning,
and
thine health shall spring forth speedily:
and
thy righteousness shall go before thee;
(and)
the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.(rearguard)

I NEED THESE PROMISES IN MY LIFE!!!
I want my light to shine – Matthew 5:14
I need my health to spring forth!
Righteousness – a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ – I want this!
And the glory of the Lord being my rear guard – WOW!!!

Here is another promise:
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and
ye shall find rest unto your souls.
:30 For my yoke [is] easy,
and
my burden is light.

I have chosen Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior – I believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him!
Heb 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I want to diligently seek the Lord, I want to put off these yokes, have them broken from me, and put on the yoke of Jesus Christ, and learn of HIM!!!
For this reason, I will be starting this Daniel fast again…
NOT as part of the world wide 21 day fast promoted by many ministries
NOT as a diet – though I know that fasting does have health results
BUT TO DILIGENTLY SEEK MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST – AND TO LEARN OF HIM!

I will focus my prayers on the hungry, and the naked, the poor…I will seek the Lord as to how I can help and do things in these arenas…but mostly …I want to comit this temple to HIM, clean it out of the wickedness that has been allowed in, and fill it(me) with HIS word, HIS light, HIS love, so that I will shine – His light will shine through me into the world for His glory.

I am not participating in a Daniel Fast –
I am doing a Christi fast – I am seeking MY Lord – and it has NOTHING to do with Daniel!
This will be the last post about MY fast – any insights will show up on my blog, but not necessarily as ‘fasting’.

Thank you for reading!
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!

If you like The WildBerry Patch, follow me with the RSS feed.
Soon, we’ll have email subscription.

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

Daniel Fast – Day 3 – Storms

~I am not sharing these to get glory, I’m sharing these to encourage those that are participating in the Daniel Fast.
Bring the Rain

Yesterday’s blog was my heart crying out.
I gave up several things that I was ‘fasting’ – and I gave up on the fast.
I had my husband bring me “Wendy’s” with a large fry. Wendy’s fries are my ultimate comfort food.
I also gave up my fast from TV shows, and just sat and watched TV while I was in pain…

…but something happened…

NONE OF IT HAD ANY SATISFACTION TO ME!!!

The hamburger was just blah in my mouth.
The fries were just salty warmth in my mouth.
The shows that I had previously enjoyed were just noise in my head.

My flesh was weak, but God strengthened my spirit!

Two verses that are very important to me are:

Is 41:10 Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Is 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

But today, this is my passage from the Lord:

Isaiah 40:27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.
:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.

THESE VERSES PRECEDE MY LIFE VERSE!

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

I am praying to be set free from the things that hold be back, that poison my attempts to be Christlike.
The first day of this fast, my flesh gave up – but God, by the Holy Spirit, took the pleasure out of those things.
I have heard of Him doing that for drug addicts, smokers and such – but I never thought he would do it for me.

I am humbled.
I am convicted by:

Is 40:29 -He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.

Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I know that verse is referring to ‘things’ needed – but I needed strength to go on.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I have always seen this as ADDING strength to me….and yesterday, I was without strength.

Is 40:29 and to [them that have] no might he increaseth strength.

I prayed – oh yes, I prayed…and there was a time in my life where I would have quit, in a very ugly manner.
But this time, there was NO thought of quitting…just praying, and confessing that I had no strength.

Ps 30:5 For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.
Ps 30: 11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
:12 To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Why is there darkness in the world?
So we can desire the LIGHT!
Why is there sadness in the world?
So we can appreciate JOY!
Why are there wars in the world?
So we can desire the Prince of PEACE!

My signature verse is….

Ps 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

the next verse is:

Ps 63:8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
A nod back to the verses in Isaiah.

It reminds me thaqt God will never leave me nor forsake me….

Heb 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

And that ties it all back to BOLDNESS.
I have been snared by things that are preventing me from being the Christian God wants me to be.
I have been snared by cowardice and fear.

Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

God is FOR me – Whom shall I fear? What shall I fear? Why shall I fear?

Ps 42:11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

I have a life that causes some people to ask why – and I love this song as an answer, an answer that I need to remember:

~Thanks to me dear friend, June Stephens, for helping me find this song again!

Daniel Fast – Beginning the 21 days

Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on Me!

I have chosen to join with the multitude that is praying together for these 21 days, and participate in The Daniel Fast.

Churches are having prayer meetings.
People are giving up things.

You Version OnLine Bible has a 21 day fast Bible Study plan.

And I don’t normally join in with the multitude.
Even in joining in, my focus is personal.

On the Daniel Fast web page, Susan Gregory says this:

“The Daniel Fast teaches us to deny our “selves” and instead put our spirit in control over our flesh. As you plan your meals and eat your food, keep in mind that the definition of a fast is to deny food for a spiritual purpose.”

In my 100 Spiritual Steps blog, I wrote about change.

I want to change…I want this time to change me – rearrange me – I want the potter to mold this clay into the vessel of HIS choice.

I have prayers that I have prayed before for which I would like to see the answers manifested here on earth. But that is NOT my purpose.

I am not fasting to MOVE GOD.
I don’t believe that we CAN MOVE GOD – it just may seem so, because WE HAVE MOVED CLOSER to God, and can understand His point of view better!
I WANT TO MOVE CLOSER TO GOD!!!

So, in my journal, I’m not going to be talking about food, about menus, or about recipes.
It’s all on the website for The Daniel Fast.
I’m not going to be talking about a diet.

In my journal, I’m going to be talking about my change – and it may run parallel with my 100 Spiritual Walking Steps blog.

Heavenly Father,

I come before you on this day, January 8, 2012, and give you my food for my body to be fed in my spirit and soul.
I give you the comfort of contentment in my stomach in order to hunger and thirst for righteousness in my heart and spirit.
I give you my mind, that it would not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing, through the washing of the water of the Word.

Lord, take me in your hands, as the potter, and break me, and mold me into that vessel for YOUR glory, not mine.
Lord, I give you the talents that YOU have given me, and I confess my sin in keeping them hidden, ans I pray that my light would be set on the top of the hill – and that YOU would be able to use the gifts you placed in me, in order that I would be able to walk in the good works that YOU ordained for me from before I was born.

I am YOUR workmanship, created in Christ for good works.
I am YOUR vessel, YOUR handmaiden, and as Mary said –

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”

Today, the first day of this fast, I lift up me – to be changed.
In the name of Jesus Christ, in Whom all things are possible,
Amen

Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on Me!
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!

If you like The WildBerry Patch, follow me with the RSS feed.
Soon, we’ll have email subscription.

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

Daniel Fast – Day 3-6 – Finding the purpose

Isaiah 58 -THE FAST

Isaiah 58
:6 [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
:7 [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

This chapter goes back and forth with If this, THEN that….

:9b If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
:a 10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

THEN

9a: Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
10b :10b then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

And such a promise!

Is 58:11 And the LORD will guide you continually
and
satisfy your desire in scorched places
and
make your bones strong;
and
you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
:12 And
your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
(and)
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
(and)
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
(and)
the restorer of streets to dwell in.

I am not taking this fast seriously…I’ve been treating it like a ‘NEW WAY TO EAT’
I ‘say’ I want to set the captives free – but do I do what it takes to be heard and taken seriously as an intercessor before the Lord?
I ‘say’ I want to stand in the gap – but do I do what it takes to do so?

I see the key in Is 58:3:
‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.

A Daniel fast is pretty easy, as far as fasting goes.
You can eat all the fruits and veggies and nuts you want!
No hunger pains….”not to hide yourself from your own flesh”

Matt 5:6 Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Do I HUNGER AND THRIST after righteousness? Can I even suffer a little discomfort in my flesh for my spirit to grow? With what do I want to be filled?
In the next chapter of Isaiah – the prophet says this:

Is 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

What is the filling that I desire?
What is the comfort that I desire?
God promises this:

Is 49:8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee:
and
I will preserve thee,
and
give thee for a covenant of the people,
(and)
to establish the earth,
(and)
to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
:9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves.
They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places.

Is 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth;
and
break forth into singing, O mountains:
for the LORD hath comforted his people,
and
will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Committing to a Daniel fast is more than just changing my eating habits.
Committing to a Daniel fast is to be taken seriously.

Am I willing to give up pleasures to focus on the oppressed, those in bondage, those in need?
Am I willing to have a fasting mentality – focusing my whole life on the Lord God and HIS will and concerns?
Do I care enough about those in need, any need, to give up something that will cause me to look at MY FLESH and say “lay down and humble yourself before the mighty God”?

I am convicted – cut to the quick –
and
I pray that my heart, mind, and spirit will be prepared to join those participating in THE Daniel Fast – and Fasting for Food this year.
AND
I pray that I will have a heart that is so burdened with the causes of the oppressed – that it won’t be my diet that changes – but rather MY LIFE!
I love this Hymn – though it’s very hard to find it in an upbeat version!

FYI – I am not broadcasting this fast in order to obtain praise of men – I am sharing my journal to help others that may be participating in this fast.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!

Or follow me with the RSS feed.

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

DF – day 2 – Fair?

I am disabled right now, because I cannot get up and move around and make my own food for the Daniel Fast.

Most folks that are doing the fast are starting this coming Sunday – and are preparing this week. I didn’t get preparations made, because I was preparing for surgery. So, if I am ‘sacrificing’ food, shouldn’t I be the one sacrificing the time to prepare this special allowed food? Is it really a fair fast if I CAN’T choose to eat anything other than what I’m given?

I don’t know about that, but what I do know is that I am sitting here craving ice cream, wanting to make excuses for Jim to buy me some Wendy’s burgers so my leg will heal, and saying I’ve been through so much, I really should treat myself.

WAIT!!!
That is how I got to be 250 pounds…with weight bearing damage to my malformed ankles and knees.
That is how this temple of the Lord became inefficient in doing things FOR the Lord.
That is how my energy levels dropped, and diabetes took over, and blood work messed up.

Maybe the first part of this fast is to NOT mention my cravings…but to REALLY take them down, alone, me and GOD.
Maybe the first part of this fast is to SET THIS PERSON FREE from the bondage of all the cravings, so that I can be focused to pray for the freedom of others.

It’s worth thinking about!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!

Or follow me with the RSS feed.

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

DF day 1 – New Year!

Today is a new day.
Today is the first day of the rest of my life.
Today I start the Daniel Fast.

Isaiah 58 – this is the fast
:6 [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
:7 [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

There is so much in this chapter….
I want to lose the bands of wickedness from off of my family…Jim, myself, and my children.
I want to undo the heavy burdens of familial sickness and wounds, and set the captives free!

And I want my light to break forth as the morning(by the morning star – Jesus), and my health to spring forth…and I want to walk in righteousness, and be rewarded by God’s glory!

I want this chapter of scripture to be released into my family and my life.

I need to review what came out of last year’s time of fasting…and seek the Lord to continue to move towards Christ likeness.

Strengthen me, O Lord, to glorify You in my body – to make this temple a place for You to dwell within.
Make me, a sanctuary

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest