FASTING: Day 20- Turn Up The Heat in Your Spirit with Fasting!

Thank you to Jim Duffy, CEO & President of Refining Fire Chiles of San Diego, California, for the photo of the beautiful hot chiles he raises and markets.  Jim is "turning up the heat" by sharing the gospel through his business and the youth ministry he supports with it.  Go to http://www.refiningfirechiles.com/ and read his powerful story.  Blessings to you, Jim!


Country steak with gravy.  Garlic, mashed red potatoes.  Middle Eastern green beans over herbed rice.  Chocolate chip cookies.

No, this isn't fasting delirium kicking in.  It's what is sitting on my stove right now - hot, delicious and waiting to be enjoyed by my daughter, Ashton, who is on her way here after work to eat one of her favorite "Momma Meals". 

 A surprising thing happened as I cooked  for my precious girl.  After 20 days of not eating solid food (except for my one day of Daniel fasting when I had soup and celery and my Sam's Club near fainting ingestion of two strawberries and 8 pecans), I wasn't  tempted to set another plate and sit myself down to dine.  No one was more shocked than me. How can it be that a G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised in the South) chick like me would pass up her Momma's country steak recipe after not having real food for 20 days? I mean, not one bite, friends.  It sure smells good, and at this point of cooking, I would have at least had a bite of something just to make sure I had seasoned it right.  (You all do this when you cook, now, and you know it! ) But, somehow as I made this meal, it became an offering of love.  Not just for my daughter, but for my Jesus.

I had prayed that this fast would help me arrive at a new place of self-control in my life.  A place where nothing, not even a basic need to eat, would dominate my desire to please my Savior.  That day came today.  It was staring me in the face on my kitchen stove.  My own Mom's Signature Southern Meal.....country fried steak!  I wanted it, but I wanted to please the Lord more.  Eureka!  It was a new experience for me.  But, it isn't just an experience.  It is empowerment to allow the Holy Spirit to come and do His work in my life and the lives of those I am interceding for. 

Satan hammered away at me yesterday.  Down to my core.  Bringing up old issues.  Telling me to stop writing.  I don't have to be a gifted writer to share my testimony.  I am a sinner saved by grace with a story of redemption to tell in the best way I can.  I'm not worried about being a great writer.  Yes, I want to bring praise and excellence to anything I do for Jesus and I pray for ability as I write about my love for him.  But, I don't write to be known for my ability. He knows why I write.  I want to expose everyone to His awesome love and power.  Writing is one way I can do that.  Someone told me along time ago, that spoken words are beneficial for the moment, but the written word is forever there to minister to generations.  I like that.

I want hurting women to know that HE LOVES THEM and that their value has to be found only in Him and not what someone else thinks of you!  It doesn't matter where they are in their life.  Single Moms feeling lost and lonely with PB&J smeared faces looking up sweetly knowing Mommy will make the moon rise.  Widows looking at a desk full of bills and statements piling up that they have never had to deal with, while they grieve the loss of their Beloved.  Young women dealing with past issues of abuse wondering if they will ever be able to trust any man enough to become a wife.  Older women who feel the ache of disappointment and lost dreams.  Successful, professional women who have invested their lives in a career, who long for their arms to be filled with a warm, cooing bundle of baby love, thinking they have lost their chance for marriage, family and homemaking.

We all hurt.  But, in different ways.  Speak from where you are into the lives of others and see the healing it brings.  Nothing is more comforting than the supportive love of someone who has been through the same thing as you and has come through it successfully.  It brings hope.  Simply, just share the love you have found in Christ with others and let Him bring the harvest in their heart.  Our job is to sow the seed.  The Holy Spirit will give it root and fruit.  And someone else may harvest it.

If you have a testimony to the healing, redemptive power  in the Gospel of Jesus Christ,  do as Rev. 12:11 (yes, my life verse) says and "overcome evil by the blood of the Lamb and THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONIES".  However you are capapble of doing so......in word, song, writing, serving, loving, leading, teaching, comforting, edifying.....whatever God leads you to do.....just do.

In being "doers" of the Word, we will turn up the heat (Big Habanero Style) on the enemy of God by bringing restoration to the object of the Savior's delight, US!  "US" being all men and women, saved and unsaved.  Fasting puts pressure on Satan.  He will do whatever he can to keep you from walking in this discipline because he knows it means defeat for him.  The heat of fasting does two things: (1) It allows buried sins to come to the surface, where God can help us see them, repent  and bring us restoration (like purified silver); and (2) It breaks strongholds, bondage, and demonic attack off of us and the lives of those we pray for.

I am asking you to consider fasting as a part of your walk with Christ on a regular basis.  Remember Ezra and Nehemiah of the Old Testament?  Both men of God who fasted for the repentence and return of their people to God.  God honored them both. He also met all their requests for provision and visions.  They are just God's people like us.  They were just born earlier.  Am I talking to an Ezra or a Nehemiah here today?  Who is willing to stand in the gap for others?

Love in Christ,
Karen

FASTING: DAY 19 - Letter to Satan

Blair Wingo of P4CM.COM.......
"Letter to Satan" by Blair Wingo

Please click on the link in red above. 

New message from a new generation of Christian soldiers.

Clear and simple.  Simple obedience.  No excuses. 

No flirting with the enemy.

She says it perfectly in a way  her generation will hear.

Every generation should hear.

Will you?   Will I?  I ask myself after listening to her poem, what do I need to be where Christ want's me to?  I ask God to strip me of whatever holds me back from being pure in obedience to Him. 

Jealousy?  Unforgiveness?  Pride?  Fear?  Impatience?   I think I can say yes to all of those being some part of my life.   I pray Lord, cleanse me of these sins that stand between You and me.

Treasuring You in Him,
Karen

FAST: DAY 18 - The "WHY'S" of my fast

This picture was taken in our Pittsburgh front yard at the height of Autumn spendor last year.   I'm so happy today becaucse  it  finally feels a bit like Autumn in Florida.  Just cool enough to peak it's face in the door and say "Hey". (That's Southern for hello) 

Fall is a reminder to me that though growth and maturity often come via pain and discomfort, they propel us forward  into rewarding changes.  And if we take time to stop and look, we will find amazing beauty from the process of change.  Beauty that was not there before.   Like the fire red and golden ambers of the leaves on our trees. 

 Now those leaves have fallen to the ground and our trees are barren.  Soon, Mr. Winter will come and those very branches, that once were adorned by the blaze of color above, will be veiled in frosty shimmer.  What appears to be loss, has once again brought about another form of beauty.

Fasting has been this for me. 

I am about to move to a new state to establish a new life.  A life that I prayed and fasted for in 2007.  God blessed my petition and obedience to His Word with the marriage to the Man of God He has called me to be in marriage covenant with, Ross.   Yes, I'm thrilled.  But, the challenges have and are still difficult.  Two homes to maintain and sell.  Five young adult children to guide through this blended family transition at the point they are entering adulthood.  College costs.  Nurturing our new mariage and getting to know each other better.  Total adjustment.  Unexpected illness. 

These were the "WHY'S" that I started with at the beginning of my fast.

They are still there, but as God leads me during this time of humbling myself in submission to Him alone, interceding for so many people, and just being in His presence, those "WHY'S" aren't what is motivating me to continue.  It's the change in me that holds me.  I'm not doing this for God and not for those reasons.

God's fast is turning the "green leaves" of my heart and soul into bright red, pumpkin orange, and golden amber.  Their beauty is bringing me joy and pleasure.  Soon, they will drop off, with branches waiting for God's first lovely snow and will be adorned for a different kind of beauty.   I am decreasing so God can increase within me.

This has now become my WHY.

Tomorrow, I want to talk about Isaiah 58.  Take a look at it and see what you think.

I'm feeling great, by the way.  No hunger.  Just drinking liquids.  Less fresh juice or anything that might start digestion really.  This is the way I will go in the future for other fastings too.  My thoughts are clear and I hear God without confusion.  It's not easy, but it's wonderful.  I am praying you will join me in a lifestyle of fasting and see what God might have for you and yours.

Treasured and Loved,
Karen

And miles to go before I sleep......and miles to go before I sleep.

My friend and sister in Christ, Priscilla, sent me an email to encourage me in my fasting.  Her words pierced my heart.  Priscilla is a very intelligent, well educated woman of God, a gifted intercessor and is not afraid to do battle with the enemy.  Her words reflect spirital combat experience and I do not take them lightly.  They are relevant to what I have been going through as I walk this path.  Thank you, Sweet P, for pouring your wisdom into my life.  I love you!


Miss Priscilla's Words of Wisdom to Me (and you!):
"In fasting, one turns up the HEAT.. to allow what is within to manifest..... one gets edgy, angry etc. As we see it manifesting and confess it as sin before the Lord it has to leave. This is part of the purifying process and MORE OF HIM and less of me.. In the MORE OF HIM and less of me is HIS FAITH is made manifest and mine is diminished. HIS faith is the faith that moves mountains..:) lp"


As I write this tonight, the Robert Frost poem below comes to mind.  It's how I feel about this fast.  I have "miles to go before I sleep".  I know the toughest days are just ahead, but I believe they will be what brings tremendous change.  God is allowing me to stop in the snowy woods of the evening in His presence that I might rest and be still long enough to hear His still small voice within my spirit.  Read this poem.  Then take a moment to close your eyes and think of the snowy scene Frost has painted for us.  Think of this time spent with Christ.  Invite Him to your starry evening and fellowship with Him.  After all, to find intimacy with anyone, you must spend quality time with them.  Are you in need of quality time with the Lord?  Try to set aside a moment this weekend just for you and Him.  Sweet Dreams to you all.....


Love in Him,
Karen

STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His House is in the village, though:

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely , dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

And miles to go before I sleep.

FASTING: Day 14 -

Hey Sweet Ones..... 


Pray for me today, please.  My body is filled with a resurgence of pain and inflammation from my RA and Fibromyalgia.  I can't use my hands enough to do my hair, (Terrible to let a good flat iron sit idle in my book), so I am really glad this isn't skype! Yes, I'm smiling. I thought this pain that has been slowly building each day was related to my lack or variance of nutrition, but as I am praying this morning, I believe it is an all out attack of the enemy because of my fast and this blog.  What nourishment I have had has all been good for me, so in the natural, my health issues should have gotten better with this fast.  But, the fast isnt' about that.  It's about breaking spiritual strongholds.  Enough said.


I hurt all over and I don't move very well today, but my spirit is not in despair.  I've been here before,  under far worse attack , and I can see he is just progressively going through his "Karen Attack Strategy" files.  Starts with one thing.  When that won't stop me, he takes up another.  Nothing new about his implementation plan , but still a harrassment.  That's what he is.  A harrassor.  A smoke and mirrors kind of player.  Illusions waiting to see if we bite and if we do, then he can bring the whole family of fallen angels with him for a feast at our expense.  (No, I'm not foaming at the mouth, so please don't worry)


Enter Jesus.  Jesus doesn't just even the score, he runs the ball down field to a  winning touchdown!  We are overcomers in Christ because he has already done the work of the cross for that purpose.  I admire theologians who can search the Scriptures and explain intricate teachings, time tables, and doctrines.  I'm not one of them and I doubt in my life time, God has slated me into that position.  I'm more of a bottom line, practical person.  Surely I like to decorate the bottom line and make it look and smell great.  I admit that.  To me, it's like icing on the cake (which, I might add is the real reason to eat cake at all!) 


What matters most to me (in this fast and my life) is that Jesus has put His plan into motion.  We goofed up and allowed Satan to steal life in the Garden from us.  He went to Eve.  God's creation of beauty because he was jealous and prideful.  She believed him. She and Adam took his bait. (This has to be the first couple with trust issues, pun intended)  They were cast away from God.  But, God's love was so great that He couldn't just let them go and suffer the fate He knew awaited Satan. 


So, yes, ENTER JESUS.  King of Kings.  Lord of Lords.  Lord of all!  Lord over Satan too.  The advocate for each of us before His Father.   We stand naked in our sin, without adorning apparel. Ashamed, knowing what we are left in our flesh.   But, He comes to us......offering a pure silk glowing robe to cover our naked sin.....because He loves and values us beyond measure.......and THIS is how HE presents US to His Father, Family.  In His royal garments!  Do you see yourself that way today?  Or are you looking in the mirror of regret and your own struggles?


When Satan send thoughts of worthlessness, shame or blame - remind Him  who you are in Christ by going to the Word of God and proclaiming it to Him.  This is what Christ did when Satan tempted him during his 40 Day Fast.  He didn't argue with him, but instead, just quoted God's Word. (I wish I could just quote anything I want to without Biblegateway.com, don't you?  That would sure help when doing a fast.)  Show Him the beautiful clothes of redemption Christ has purchased for you today with His own precious blood.  It's that same blood that Rev. 12:11 (my favorite verse) says will overcome him (Satan, evil) that will send him on his way.  He will return, but you will be armed.  "No weapon formed against you will prosper".


I'm not going to let him prosper today.  Are you?

Love in Him,
Karen

Holding my daughter's hand as she waits on

a train that will take her to a new adventure.

Though the enemy has bent my hands from RA,

  he cannot stop them from showing God's love. 

To her children, a mother's touch says

"I will always love you".

(Photo by Victoria Hinn/Rhode Island School of Design)

EARLY THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS!

    The hands of God are sometimes
   human, used to offer a gentle
   nudge to bring people together.
 

    Photo courtesy of Victoria Hinn of the Rhode Island
     School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island

FASTING: Day 13 - Spiritual Attacks During Fasting - Is there a purpose for them?

"Why should Jesus be tempted at all? Because innocent faith is not strong faith. The Garden of Eden is illustration enough. Innocent faith may be pure, but it needs testing to be strong." - Dr. Ralph Wilson

I like and agree with this quote by Dr. Wilson. One of the hallmarks of a passionate believer is their desire for greater faith in Christ. Faith to believe for every day needs like doing well on a test or making the mortgage payment on time, as well as faith to believe for answers that it seems aren't within our human capability to solve such as healing of terminal illness, financial collapse, broken marriages, or prodigal children. And a faith that continues to grow. That growth comes with trials and opportunites to use our faith.

We look at a small child and think how cute she is, but we don't think of her having great strength. We might ask her to take a bowl of cherries to the table, but we would not ask her to move the refridgerator to the garage. She has not developed the strong muscles to do such a thing. But, we would ask our college age son who trains at the gym or works out, to move that fridge. We know he is prepared and capable of doing so because he has already lifted much weight by training in the gym to do so.

Untested faith is uncertain faith. Fasting and trials are actually a blessing because they allow us to gain greater, stronger, more productive, effective faith. Like working hard in the gym is required to build well sculpted, strong muscles, building faith is painful and requires time, willingness and trust in God to lift the heavy burdens that come with stress and trials to do the faith building. James 2:20 says,"Faith without works is dead". Our faith does not produce results unless it is put into action, according to this passage. The action builds our faith at the same time as we see God move and change circumstances. A result of faithful prayers and living.

I believe one of the reasons God allows the enemy to war against us during our time of fasting is so that our faith will increase. As we battle against the temptations and attacks of the devil during our fast (which is intended to wear us down so we give up the fast either in fear or exhaustion), we tend to have a greater resolve to fight because we have a personal sacrificial investment in our own faith. As in the case of motherhood, the pain pregnancy and childbirth requires gives motherhood even greater value to a woman. Not to say that women who adopt children cannot understand the sacrifice required to be a mom, but I do think enduring the physical pain of bringing a child into the world through your own body contributes to the passion every birth mother feels for her baby. I praise God for every woman that adopts a child and voluntarily becomes a mother. Her sacrifice is no less than that of a birthing Mom with the exception of the physical toll of childbirth. The human mind tends to associate past physical pain with events, time, places, and things. I cannot stand to use gray anywhere in my house, and especially not on the walls, because I associate it with the seven months of expecting that made me so ill (I lost over 35 lbs.) when the walls of my Toronto apartment were painted gray. I would have to lay in bed and stare at those walls all day. To this day, gray walls make me nauseous. But I also believe our human mind has the capacity to weigh the cost of entering into that pain again to determine if the result is worth the pain investment.

The pain of fasting isn't enjoyable at times, even though there are some benefits like clearer thinking, less preparation for meals and more initimacy with the Lord (of course!!!) I can attest to that today, as my body is not doing very well. In fact, I am going to move to a Daniel Fast as of tomorrow to prevent any complications that might occur long term with the type of juice fast I chose to begin with. I've worked through all that with God in the past 24 hours and I feel good about my decision. The fast is still on, but it has just had to change in implementation. Even so, I know at the end of this 40 Day time, the results will be worth the cost. After researching many testimonies of fasting, many Christians find that the result of their fast may not be immediately seen, but will come with time. I am asking God, if this is the case for me, that when the harvest comes, He will in some way encourage me by allowing me to know my fast was a part of the deliverance at hand.

Living Treasured in Christ,
Karen