21-Day Daniel Fast to Easter
ABOUT THE FAST
Do you want to love Jesus more? Do you want to grow in your faith? Do you want to see breakthroughs in your life and in the lives of people you love?
Join us in the Daniel Fast. Fasting is a way to draw closer to God. His Word says when we draw closer to Him He will draw closer to us! Fasting is a spiritual discipline. When done for the purpose of knowing Jesus better, fasting clears our mind and body to be able to hear God speak more clearly. Imagine what God will do when His people fast and pray, seeking His will for our lives and for His church.
The Daniel Fast is a 21 day period where you eat plant-based meals that are nutritious, while setting aside other foods as an act of worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Instead of focusing on food, set aside time to talk to God at meal times. Please listen to Dr. Axe, a medical doctor who loves Jesus as he explains three imperatives for getting the most out of the Daniel Fast.
MORE RESOURCES
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Website with general information and food list - https://ultimatedanielfast.com/ultimate-daniel-fast-food-guidelines/
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Website with shopping list ·https://mycl.church/wp-content/uploads/cl-fast-dos-and-donts.pdf
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Free Daniel Fast e-book Cookbook - https://eastwoodtulsa.org/daniel-fast/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0PTKhrSe7wIVw9XACh3kbAA8EAAYASAAEgJn9vD_BwE
Devotionals by Pastor Sandy
Why Consider the Daniel Fast
Tuesday
March 9, 2021
Dear Friends,
In the wee hours of the morning a couple of weeks ago, I woke up around 3 am with the Cody Carnes song, "Let the Light In," running through my mind. As I laid there I began singing it in my heart. I had always sung that song as though it was written to the church, the people of God, about our corporate worship. Certainly that still applies, but it was not what I heard that morning.
Daniel Fast - Hearing from God
Friday
March 12, 2021
Dear Fasting Friend,
As we approach the beginning of our fasting journey, I want to share a couple of thoughts. I was asked, "How do you hear the voice of God?" That's a great question. I'm going to share four ways I have heard from God. The second question is, "How do I know it is God?
Daniel Fast Begins Today
Sunday
March 14, 2021
Dear Friends,
As we begin this fast my heart is so overwhelmed. God has spoken so much so fast this morning that I had to start writing down key words to try to keep up! … and I hadn’t even started to pray yet!!!!
The key verse for the GVC fast that God has laid on my heart is Ephesians 3:20. Check it out:
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Imagine what God is going to do when His church joins together to say, “God, we want You more than anything else!
Daniel Fast Day 2 Devotional
Monday
March 15, 2021
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace."
These words to the hymn penned by Helen Howarth Lemmel are such a fitting description of my thoughts as I reflect on the first day of the fast. As I started Day 2 this morning I am aware of a subtle shift that is already beginning to take place.
Tuesday, March 9th
Dear Friends,
In the wee hours of the morning a couple of weeks ago, I woke up around 3 am with the Cody Carnes song, "Let the Light In," running through my mind. As I laid there I began singing it in my heart. I had always sung that song as though it was written to the church, the people of God, about our corporate worship. Certainly that still applies, but it was not what I heard that morning.
When I got to the very repetitive part of the song, "Open up the windows, let the light in," God spoke to me a message that is very simple, yet for me was very profound. He is calling us individually to let the light in. Of course we've already let the light in, right? We love Jesus. We are part of His church. But in the repetitiveness of the song, I heard Jesus calling me to let Him shine His light in my heart, not just in a quick glance, but in to every crook, cranny, and dark space. I told God I thought I had done that. In the most loving voice, He told me that He is the healer.
He heals the broken places in people's lives that we have hidden, sometimes for so long we have forgotten they are there. Maybe we don't even realize they are there. Many of these dark places have been with us for so long we are unaware that they have become part of our identity, the reasons we subconsciously hold back from total surrender. They hold us back from knowing God in His fulness. They stop us from letting ourselves be honest and vulnerable with God and with people. But God who knows all about us knows what we really need. To quote another Carnes song, "my heart needs a surgeon, my soul needs a friend." In Christ we have both, the surgeon and the friend.
He has so much more for us than what we realize. That is why I am going to fast. I want to take my attention off of the ordinary way I see things and respond. I want to know the deeper truths of God. I want breakthrough in my life and in your life. I'm going to be praying for you during my fast. If you have special requests you want on that list, feel free to call, text, or email me. I also want to encourage you to join me in the Daniel Fast for 21 days beginning this Sunday. There is a reason why a spiritual fast is powerful. God meets people in the most simple ways of surrender. Surrendering our choices in what we eat for 21 days pales in comparison of Christ surrendering His life to die in our stead, paying the price for our freedom. I trust that this will be a powerful time when Jesus becomes more known and we realize how deeply we are loved.
Blessings,
Sandy
Friday, March 12th
Dear Fasting Friend,
As we approach the beginning of our fasting journey, I want to share a couple of thoughts. I was asked, "How do you hear the voice of God?" That's a great question. I'm going to share four ways I have heard from God. The second question is, "How do I know it is God?
God Speaks Through His Word: You can be reading a passage you have read a hundred times but all of a sudden something leaps off the page and goes directly into your heart. My life was changed as I read Philippians three one day and came across these words, "I want to KNOW Christ..." Those simple words by the Apostle Paul penetrated my heart and changed the direction of my life when the Holy Spirit applied them to me. God speaks through His Word. I can always learn things from His Word, but there are times when He speaks powerfully through His Word.
God Speaks Through the Holy Spirit: In the book we have been reading by Jerry Cook, he gives the best description of how God speaks through the Holy Spirit that I have ever read. "I hesitate to say He spoke to me, lest you get the idea that I hear voices. When the Holy Spirit communicates with me, it is seldom, if ever, verbally. Instead, I experience a sudden awareness. It is like a hunch or impression, except that it comes from a unique conviction that marks it as being not of my own invention." (p. 84) That is how God speaks to me. It interrupts my thinking instead of coming through my reasoning. Sometimes it is life-altering. Much of the time it's baby steps in growth. Sometimes I don't know the depth of what He is saying at the time. He spoke to me earlier this week with something simple, or so I thought. I didn't realize He was preparing me for something I would need to know as the week progressed.
God Speaks Directly Through People: In the midst of Christian conversation, reading, study, or Christian music, God often speaks through people who love Him. I was listening to a Christian radio station the other day. A writer was explaining the meaning behind his new song. I don't remember the name of the writer or the song, but I do remember that what he said was that God wants us to believe His promises BEFORE He acts. God gently rebuked me, telling me that I don't trust His promises the way I should. I didn't feel beaten up, but I did feel corrected and loved. God often speaks through people who love Him.
God Speaks Indirectly Through People: God can use a person's words who has know idea that God is getting ready to take what was said and apply it to the heart of another person. I told you earlier that God spoke a truth to me this week through the Holy Spirit. The application of that truth for my life came days later. I was talking with a friend who doesn't have a relationship with Jesus yet. It wasn't a spiritual discussion. It wasn't even a serious discussion. I had laughingly made a comment. Her response was, "when things like that happen you ought to pay attention to them because there is probably truth in it." I can't even find words to really explain how her words spoke God's truth to my heart. But they did. It was like the seed of truth He had planted earlier in the week went from a seed to a might oak in just a moment. She had know idea and still has no idea how those simple words impacted me. But God spoke through her indirectly.
God Speaks in Circumstances: God can speak through a flat tire, a random act of kindness, a gentle rain... or any other way He sees fit.
How do I know it is God speaking?
Test the Message: By His Word To make sure I hear Him correctly, I always check it by His Word. I have had people tell me God spoke to them when I knew He didn't. What they were saying was a contradiction to His Word. God never contradicts His Word. So if I think God tells me to take this month's tithe and go buy a new sofa for my house I know that wasn't God. God's Word says to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. He wouldn't tell me to spend it on myself.
Examine the Fruit: When God speaks it is always for my good and His glory. God often calls me to do things I would never have thought to do on my own, but when I do them people are blessed and I grow to be more like Jesus.
Laying Down My Will: God frequently calls me to do things I don't want to do but would make me more like Him if I did them. These have become a no-brainer for me. God wants me to do something I don't want to do but it lines up with His Word and His will? Yep. That's Jesus talking!
I am anticipating us hearing powerful messages from God that will be life-changing as we draw nearer to Him during our time of fasting!
Blessings,
Sandy
Sunday, March 14th
Dear Friends,
As we begin this fast my heart is so overwhelmed. God has spoken so much so fast this morning that I had to start writing down key words to try to keep up! … and I hadn’t even started to pray yet!!!!
The key verse for the GVC fast that God has laid on my heart is Ephesians 3:20. Check it out:
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Imagine what God is going to do when His church joins together to say, “God, we want You more than anything else! I am so excited about what God is going to do in your life as you seek Him more diligently through sacrifice. And here’s the amazing thing, we grow personally through a corporate fast but it doesn’t stop with what God has for us personally. He is going to speak to us as a church, as well! His words give life! His words clarify purpose! His words break chains! God is raising up a prayer army to release His powerful acts! How amazing that we get to be a part of the work of Almighty God!
I was asked for help in where to begin to pray. That’s a good question! The form is not as important as the conversation. I put down ideas to get started but when God speaks or nudges me to change the plan, He is in control. We will talk about whatever He wants to talk about whenever He decides to speak about anything He chooses. I want to follow His lead. I would encourage you to do likewise.
In my first prayer time (before breakfast) I plan to use the ACTS model:
A is for Adoration of God… stopping to ponder and remember who God is, not just what He does. A quick search of the names of God is a great place to get started. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the end, He is Jehovah Jirah meaning our provider… and the list goes on.
C is for Confession… I’m going to pray Psalm 139:23, 24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
T is for Thanksgiving… Take time to thank the Lord for His blessings in your life, especially those you take for granted.
S is for supplication… (I’m not planning on praying the supplication prayers in the morning.)
Before lunch I plan to pray supplication prayers for the church:
Pray that God’s power will be released:
1. Pray that strongholds will be broken at GVC.
2. Pray that hearts will be changed.
3. Pray that God will transform our Worship of Him.
4. Pray that GVC will be a place overflowing with Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness.
And anything else He lays on your heart
Before Dinner I plan to pray supplication for my personal life:
(I will share my prayer list to give you ideas about how to form your own.)
Pray that God’s power will be released as you offer Him whatever priority you have set for your fast.
Monday, March 15th
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
These words to the hymn penned by Helen Howarth Lemmel are such a fitting description of my thoughts as I reflect on the first day of the fast. As I started Day 2 this morning I am aware of a subtle shift that is already beginning to take place. I wish there was a way to take, “before and after pictures,” of our hearts as we continue being very intentional about seeking God. There’s a lot going on in life that can make us anxious, even fearful. Yet, Jesus is perfect peace. The more we gaze at Him, the more His peace penetrates our hearts and brings that peace to us. No matter what is going on in our busy lives when we slow down long enough to seek Him we will find Him. And that is worth everything!