The first couple of days of our Daniel fast have not been too bad. Other than trying to figure out what to eat. I don't believe I would have this much trouble if it was just me fasting... because I would just skip meals if I wasn't hungry. But, with hubby, he has to eat, and because he isn't eating meat of any kind, he feels like he isn't getting enough protein and stuff. Vegetables have protein too! It's been interesting. I think it is more that he needs substance, cause he frequently will ask what he can snack on. Last night I ended up fixing a salad with lots of things in it! He did use balsamic vinegar on it. And that is ok. I put red and yellow and green bell peppers in it, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, a few pinto beans, and even beets! I was comfortable and didn't even think about needing more food. He didn't say anything so guess it filled him up as well. Today is day 3 and I need to figure out something for lunch. So glad potatoes and beans/legumes are vegetables for that helps fill up the empty spaces!
I didn't take my cold medicine last night and woke up once coughing. I was still sleepy this morning, but told myself I wasn't going back to sleep. I can't get through everything I like to do in the mornings if I go back to sleep. What do I like to do? Read my Bible, of course. Then write out my prayers in my journal, do other reading. Going through the daily Fasting pages in a book. Each day is encouraging to keep on fasting and not give up. It is so easy to 'give up' or 'cheat'. I had to put all the cookies and candy I had out on the table in bags and move them out of my sight. Even with that, I know where they are... but I just tell myself "No, you love God more than you love these" - and that is true. His Word is my food.
Daniel and his friends, when they fasted unto the Lord, grew wise and were blessed with many things. As we stay away from meats (filled with additional things) and desserts (lots of sugar), I am hoping and praying I will notice a difference in energy, strength, and clarity of mind. I know I have had a dull headache - now mind you, I still let hubby bring me a cup of coffee in the mornings. It's 'his thing' that he likes to brag he does for me. I know I could give up coffee and caffeine; I have before. But it is better to let him 'pamper' me with a cup of coffee than it is to upset him by telling him not to. And I've stuck with one cup....even like yesterday when I really wanted one of my flavored coffees, but reminded myself I was fasting - and I could do without for 3 weeks. I will enjoy it more when I can have it.
My boss called me yesterday and asked me to officiate her father's memorial service at the assisted living where he has lived the past five years. He was the first one as it was brand new, so many, many people there know him. Of course I told her yes, and now I need to begin working on that. They haven't set a date for it yet, but I did tell her either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon would work for us. Happy to do it. Her dad, whom I met a few times and talked with, was an amazing man. Very intelligent and wise. He invested well, so I would not be surprised if my boss will entertain the idea of retiring within the next year or so, once everything is taken care of. Good for her. She has a supportive husband (who is retired) who encourages her to retire whenever she wants to. Nice.
I am wanting to do a study in Daniel. He was a wise man, captured as a youth and taken to Babylon, and yet he never turned away from believing in God. He did not defile himself with the things of the world and God gave him visions of the future. What if we did not defile ourselves with the things of the world but sought with our whole hearts the things of God?
You do know that God answers prayers... right? Sometimes I pray aright and He answers the way I want Him to, but sometimes, I pray out of my flesh, and those don't always get answered. My youngest son has been sober several days now.... and I praise God for that answer to prayer. He is standing firm in getting better, even to the point of refusing his best friend a place to stay because the friend drinks all the time.
God answers in times of stress ..... I prayed for our previous house to sell - and it sold within three weeks - much faster than I thought it would. We were able to purchase this house at a price we can afford. We are basically out of debt; another prayer answered. God has heard my prayers and seen my tears of the times I have cried out to Him for help with our finances. Hubby still does some things I don't agree with; I still purchase things I could probably do without from Amazon, but it isn't putting us in debt, which is what I prayed for. Oh the times I have prayed over our finances because he refused to help. A whole nother story.
God answers in prayers for healing - my daughter, for example. Numerous prayers and fasting were offered for her healing. So grateful to God for His answer. I can't imagine burying one of my children. I know my mother buried her oldest and youngest, but still.... I don't want to experience that. Other times I have prayed for healing of others - and God doesn't answer the way I want Him to. Did He not hear me? Yes, He did. Why didn't He give me what I asked for? Because I asked amiss. I asked of the flesh. He knows what happens in the big picture when He doesn't answer the way we request. Many times it will turn others to Him. And that is more important than our selfish prayers of healing. I still don't understand why He didn't do a miracle with my sister. I really prayed hard, and I really believed that He would heal her - and He chose not to. I don't understand, and I miss her. I miss our talks. But I know that He knows much better than I do why He allowed her to die and not be healed. Maybe when I get to heaven I will understand.
I Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NKJV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
If our prayers do not get answered, we are to still rejoice, for God is in control of all situations. He knows best for all things. Trust me, when things get tough at work, I am praying without ceasing because I have no clue what to do; I don't want to do it; and I need divine help just to complete some things. Ever have days like that - your 'don't want to' just 'don't want to'? Yeah, I have those. So what do I do in those times? I pray it through. I ask God to help me focus on one thing at a time, until I get things accomplished. That is the only way I can get through each day. With God's help.
Our God is in the answering prayer business.... but we are to pray with faith, believing that He will answer - not always the way we want Him to, but He will answer, and it will be in His timing.
So what are you praying for to happen. Many things you have prayed for have come to pass... it was in God's timing, not yours. Don't hold timing against God. He saw the big picture, you didn't. Don't turn your back on God because He didn't do something you demanded for Him to do. He was, and is, still God. He still sits on His throne. He is still there. He is still watching over you. He is still a forgiving God. All you have to do is ask for His forgiveness for deserting Him when you didn't get your way. Take a moment and do that. That guilty feeling you have? Give it up to Him. He will give you success and hope in all you do. Trust Him. Lean into Him. Get your family into church. Teach them about our loving Heavenly Father; Tell them about Jesus and His sacrifice for all of us. Do you want to be responsible for those you say you love... to go to hell because of your stubbornness in not serving the God of all creation? Something to think about.
Blessings!
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