Jan 18th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 6: Expecting Anointing, Part Two

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing… You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” — Psalm 23:1,5 As I stated in Part One of this post, fasting prepares us for new anointing—for new things, new growth and expansion through the Holy Spirit. Anointing means to rub, pour or sprinkle on an oil; to consecrate or make sacred; to dedicate to the service of God. The Bible speaks... read more

Jan 18th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 5: Expecting Anointing, Part One

One day John the Baptist’s disciples questioned Jesus about fasting. They wanted to know why Jesus’ followers didn’t follow the Jewish custom of fasting. Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come... read more

Jan 16th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 4: The Hungry Handmaid of Faith

How is your appetite for God? Do you hunger for Him?  More than you do television? More than friends? More than food? In A Hunger for God, John Piper writes, “Half of Christian fasting is that our physical appetite is lost because our homesickness for God is so intense. The other half is that our homesickness for God is threatened because our physical appetites are so intense.” [i] Fasting is the... read more

Jan 15th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 3: Emptying Yourself of Pride

Fasting can be helpful to us in the process of being sanctified—the process of walking out our holiness with the help of the Spirit. How so? In The Primary Purpose of Fasting, we saw that the basic purpose of fasting is self-humbling. “I humbled myself with fasting…” (Psalm 35:13). In God’s Chosen Fast, Arthur Wallis writes, “If humility is the basic ingredient of true holiness,... read more

Jan 15th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 2: Dethroning King Stomach

If you’re like me, you wrestled with your appetite on day one of your fast. We’ve just come out of the holidays, used to splurging and eating without discipline. But we must not let our stomach be the ruler and king of our lives. We must dethrone it! [i] Just take a look at what has happened under the rule of “King Stomach,” as Jentezen Franklin accurately terms it in his book Fasting. Examine... read more

Jan 13th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 1: Washing and Preparing for a New Season

Fasting is a time of emptying – a time of washing and cleansing. The body is emptied of food and cleansed of toxins and poisons. Our lives are emptied of entertainment and normal routine. Fasting is also a time of preparation for new anointing. “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face…and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Mt... read more

Jan 11th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

How Should I Prepare for a Fast?

There are six steps to preparing for a Biblical fast: 1. Approach Your Fast With a Positive Attitude of Faith. Have the attitude that says, “It is God’s will for me to fast, and God will bless me when I fast according to His will.” By faith we can expect a reward. God will reward us in fasting if we seek Him in the right way and with the right motives. Jesus said, “But when you fast, put oil on... read more

Jan 9th 11 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Setting the Course for 2011

The Course: There is something you can do this month that will set the course for what God does in your life throughout 2011 — something that will bring you closer to God and release His wisdom, guidance and blessing in every area of your life. Corporately fasting in January is much the same precept as praying in the morning to establish the will of God for the entire day. If we will pray and seek... read more

Dec 20th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Pursuit 21: Setting the Course for 2011

Do you have deep longings for 2011 — things you want God to do in your life, a loved one’s life…on your job or in your ministry? There is something you can do next month that will set the course for what God does in your life throughout 2011 — something that will bring you closer to God and release His wisdom, guidance and blessing in every area of your life. Setting the... read more

Apr 8th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

National Revival in America: It Comes Down to You and Me

Praying for spiritual awakening in America is a broad, sweeping prayer. Ultimately, the awakening we desire on a national level must first be experienced in our lives on a personal level.  Corporate revival comes down to individual revival, to our spiritual walk – our personal repentance, submission, holiness and filling with the Holy Spirit’s power. It is not only hypocritical; it is counter... read more