Thursday, December 26, 2013

FIRST FRUITS FAST

First of all, I AM NOT A BIBLE SCHOLAR. I am ONLY a sinner saved by grace. I am not worthy of God's grace, mercy, love & blessings, but I am so thankful that He gives it to ALL who are willing to accept it. That being said, the last few years, Kevin & I have fasted for 21 days at the beginning of each year. This is called a First Fruits Fast because you are sacrificing and honoring God for a certain length of time at the beginning of the year or giving God your "first fruits" of the new year. 

I have always loved our New Year's tradition of fried pork chops and black eye peas (with lots of ham in them) on New Year's Day, so we usually begin our Fast on January 2. But as I was talking with God about our upcoming Fast this morning, I felt that He was urging me to begin ON January 1 and not wait until January 2. My flesh wants those fried pork chops and that ham in the black eye peas just one more time, but my Spirit knows that if God is prompting me to begin ON January 1 and not wait, I would be foolish to not listen and obey. So our Fast will be from January 1-21. 

There are many different ways to fast. My son did a 40 day nothing but liquids fast a few years ago. He normally does only liquid the first 3-7 days, then follows the Daniel Fast. I have friends that fast one meal a day or do not eat from sun up to sundown, etc. There are many different ways to fast. There is not a right way or wrong way to fast. It is all between you and God. I urge you to seek His guidance and direction before you fast. Kevin & I and a lot of our friends choose a Daniel Fast which is no meat, no bread & no sweets. 

Whatever you choose to do, don't overthink it and don't spend more time focusing on what you can and can not eat than you do spending time with God. So many people get so caught up thinking about the food that they lose focus of the whole reason to fast in the first place which is to draw closer to God, to experience His presence like never before and for those miracles that you need in your life. 

I am going to try to blog each day during our Fast. I will try to share scriptures and encouragement for you as well as the types of foods that Kevin & I are eating. If you have a specific need that you would like for us to pray about for you, please let me know. Kevin & I would be honored to pray for you. If you are fasting, I would like to ask that you pray for us as well. 

I am posting some links to some websites about fasting. We love Jentezen Franklin's Fasting Journal. One of these websites has some good information, but I personally don't agree with all of it. But, again, it is between you & God. There is not a right way or wrong way to fast. This website has recipes for desserts, muffins, etc. and personally, I don't want to do that while fasting. She is not using flour, but I feel that fasting is not supposed to be pleasant and comfortable. It is supposed to be a sacrifice. We still eat good food, but the closest we get to bread is corn tortillas and as far as sweets we only eat fruit for our sweets when fasting. We also eat fish a couple of times a week while fasting, but no other meat. We also eat lots of eggs. I noticed some websites say to not eat eggs. We both work fulltime and have to keep our energy up, so eating eggs and fish helps us. 


Many blessings, 

Lori 




2 comments:

  1. Lori, we also do a 21 day fast at the beginning of each year. It was during this time of fasting several years ago that God revealed my gluten intolerance. We usually do this fast to draw closer to Him, and it blew me away that I found physical healing also! What a wonderful Father we have! We will pray for you guys and please pray for us.

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    1. Tracey, it is amazing the things that He reveals to us through fasting and prayer. I know without a doubt that even though we have had an extremely difficult few years that if we had not fasted and prayed, we would not have made it through. The last few years the storms of life raged around us, the enemy did everything he could to destroy our faith, it was the most difficult times we have ever had & there were times we were tempted to give up. There were times that I was mad at God. I did not understand why He allowed all of these horrible things to happen to us all at one time. But, then His peace would wash over me & I could hear Him whisper "it's going to be ok. It will make sense when you get on the other side of these mountains" I am believing that 2014 is our year of blessings & favor. The past is behind us & great things are ahead of us. We will be holding you & your family up in prayer.

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