Jan 27th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

From the Archives: Fasting Day 16

    Fasting Day 16: Fasting Is … (Part 3) Fasting is one of the most powerful spiritual weapons believers can utilize. Below is a list of twenty-five quick definitions for fasting. Fasting is… 1. Fasting is telling God: I want You more than food. I want to be with You more than I want to spend time with other people or engage in other activities. “I want to be sanctified and... read more

Jan 27th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

More Quotes About Fasting

Sometimes a quote or excerpt from someone can impact us more than volumes of books on a topic. So I thought I would share more quotes this year in the event they inspire you as you fast. Martin Luther (German reformer who lived 1483 to 1546) [From a sermon on Matthew 4:1ff. in 1524] Of fasting I say this: it is right to fast frequently in order to subdue and control the body. For when the stomach is full,... read more

Jan 26th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Waiting Expectantly: Praying in Hope When Times Seem Hopeless

I’m sitting in my car in a small, quiet parking lot near an arboretum. I wanted to steal away and pray a few moments this afternoon. It’s cold (in the 30’s), so I’m drinking lots of hot herbal tea to stay warm. The main thing on my heart was praying and asking God what He wanted to say in today’s post. But first I had to pray through some major frustrations from the day and... read more

Jan 26th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

From the Archives: Fasting Day 15

    Fasting Day 15: Fasting is Waiting Fasting is waiting upon God, expressing confidence and hope in nothing around us except God Himself. He promises to bless those who wait for Him. ______________ Fasting is waiting — waiting on God. When King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast for all Judah, he prayed “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chron. 20:12). In a similar... read more

Jan 25th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

From the Archives: Fasting Day 14

    Fasting Day 14: For the Little Ones Today is the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Since that time, there have been approximately 55,772,015 abortions that have destroyed the lives of unborn children. There are more than 3,300 abortions daily and 137 abortions per hour every hour in the United States. Or to state it differently, an abortion is done about every 30... read more

Jan 24th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

From the Archives: Fasting Day 13

    Fasting Day 13: The Ezra Fast Are you facing a financial crisis? Concerned for your children? Experiencing a problem? Look to Ezra and the fast he called when leading the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem.  The Ezra fast and its Scriptural principles apply any time we are facing a financial crisis. Yet this isn’t the only time in which it is applicable. Although the scenarios to which it... read more

Jan 23rd 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Origin of Fasting: Reversing Cause and Effect

  In Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough, Elmer Towns writes, Most scholars believe that the practice of fasting began with the loss of appetite during times of great distress and duress. Hannah, who would later become the mother of Samuel, was so distressed about her barrenness that “she wept and did not eat” (1 Sam. 1:7). 1 In despair and grief, a person cried to God for an answer. Over... read more

Jan 22nd 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Reward Giver

This is a guest post by Angela Morgan. Please see below for more about Angela. The Lord woke me up out of a dead sleep today, and the Holy Spirit spoke His precious word to my heart saying, “Angela, without faith it is impossible to please me … but I am a Rewarder to those who diligently seek me.” So… I, of course, had to run to the Word and look it up. “But without faith... read more

Jan 21st 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Knowing God’s Will for Your Life: A Simple Equation

Is one of your causes for fasting to know God’s will for your life concerning a certain matter? Follow this equation and the will of God will find you: “Presentation plus transformation equals revelation.” ~ Adrian Rogers Presentation “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your... read more

Jan 20th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

“First Fruits of the New Year” by Jentezen Franklin

If you’re fasting and praying, you’re giving God the first of your year. You’re giving Him some of your first fruits! However, if you want to live a blessed life, there is another area in which you must be diligent to bring God the first. This message by Jentezen Franklin takes a look at this vital area—and what God says will happen when when we bring our first fruits to Him.... read more