I had my laptop out yesterday and was using it for something else... can't remember what right now, and although I put my laptop back in its usual place, I forgot to grab my mouse and put it with it. So here I sat this morning, pulling my computer on to my lapdesk, and no mouse. So I look and I 'spy' the mouse on the bed. Do I really want to get up, out from under my blanket, to get the mouse? Well, I try to click on the left corner of the rectangle touchpad on the laptop and it won't work. I mean, I can use the touchpad for moving the mouse, but to click on the left corner to make my cursor stop, it won't work; hasn't for awhile, hence the mouse. So I 'struggle' to come out of my comfortable position to grab my mouse. As I do so, I remember I have a touch screen. What does that mean? I can just touch it and the cursor goes there. I don't need the mouse.... but because I don't usually like fingerprints all over my screen, I use it. And then I forget about the touch screen. Oh well. Now I have that knowledge in front of me and my mouse as well.
Yesterday was a very productive day, but not in the things I should have been doing. I did do work; I think I created about 15 or so meeting notices. But I also did a lot of baking of my cranberry pumpkin nut bread. I made more 'cupcakes' than I meant to, and not near as many mini loaves that I love to give away, but I got some of my baking done and out of the way. I will need to bake more; possibly this weekend. Get done the things I can that can go into the freezer. And no, I still didn't get the board minutes done. I even had prayed that God would help me get them done quickly. And I didn't even bring them up to start on them. Uh oh. I really do need to work on them today. I do have a couple requests for meetings I need to do as well, but I'll work those in.
Today I start the book 'Draw the Circle' by Mark Batterson again. This book really inspires me in my prayer life, and that is where I want to continuously grow. I had bought enough books for every one in our Bible study group, and on our last night I passed it out and challenged them to begin it today. Why today? Because 40 days from today is the end of the year, if I calculated right. 31 days in December; today is November 22nd, leaving (30-22 =8)... and then it is January 1. And then I suggested/challenged them to decide on a fast for 21 days in January, giving God the first fruits of the year, just like we give Him the first fruits of our tithe. I don't know about hubby, but I am thinking I will start on January 1. I'm still not sure; I may decide to start January 2nd. Just haven't made a decision on what specifically I will fast from. I would love to give up TV... but I don't think hubby could do it. Yes, I generally fast from foods... I need yet to determine what. I could do the Daniel fast - which is fruits and vegetables only. (It's still healthy; there are proteins in some vegetables. And it means preparing them without butter, without sauces, etc. Just use salt and pepper, and maybe 'white girl salsa on top of a baked potato) Or do my usual.... BBCD. Breads, Beef, Chocolate, Desserts. That hasn't proven to be real easy to follow either. I don't blame hubby, but he just can't/refuses do the fast I desire to do, and that's ok... but he also fusses at me about what I choose to fast sometimes, and although he says it is because he worries about I'm getting enough vitamins and minerals (seriously? with all this fat hanging on me?) but I feel it is more because he doesn't want to do the same as I do cause he likes his food. :-)
But I've found a way around some of it I think. I always buy V8 for him and he drinks one a day. One serving is (I think) 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. So - if I drink one of those a day, perhaps he won't give me so much flack if I cut out other things. I will need to be praying about what to give up and let God tell me what He wants me to do.
So what is the purpose of the fasting the first part of the year? It's giving back to God what is already His - the year is His... and just like we tithe our money to God, why not tithe our time back to Him as well? As you know, we have been doing this for some time now. It has sort of become ingrained within me now. I still want to do a 3 day fast each month in addition, but it doesn't take long for me to forget about my wanting to do that. Too many distractions of life.
In Matthew 6 Jesus gave us not only the Lord's Prayer, He also identified three things we are to do as His followers. He says within this chapter, 'when you pray', 'when you give', and 'when you fast'. And since I am sharing about fasting this morning as it is on my mind, I will use that scripture.
Matthew 6:16-18 (NKJV): "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Fasting should be done with a spirit of humbleness before Almighty God. Never should it be flaunted around to others that "I'm fasting, everyone, see how holy I am?" Yes, I can talk about it here, and I will share when I am fasting (at times), and usually what I am fasting for. Part of that is to hold myself accountable. Part of it is sharing what God is doing in my life. Sometimes it is humbling because God can reveal things that I need to confess and restore. Sometimes it is fulfilling in that I feel a closer walk with Him. Regardless of what I feel, or what I hope to feel, God's Word encourages me to fast and to draw near to Him, whether it is to seek His hand, or seek His face.
Since I am praying for revival in our nation, one thing I need to pray about is that the revival start in ME. Yes, ME. Until I lay it all down and cry out to God on behalf of my family, my friends, my country, and unless others with the same desire for revival do the same, revival may be slow in coming. I read articles all the time about people praying for revival. But it starts with one person praying for revival, joining all the others who are praying, and we wait to see what God will do. Keep praying, keep seeking, keep fasting. Sometimes God is just waiting on us to ask Him.
What is it in your life that you wish was different? Has life over the years caused you to quit praying, quit seeking? Have you given up all hope in answers to prayers, so you don't even try anymore? Maybe God is waiting for you to just sit with Him and talk with Him and ask Him what He wants to do for you. He has so much planned for each one of us, yet we figure we can get our life together all by ourselves, and we really can't. I'm living proof of that. I had made such a mess of my life that I thought God could never forgive me or accept me. But He proved me wrong. He not only forgave me, He accepted me with such a great love that I can never go back to what I was. And He will do that for you as well, if you will ask Him.
We're coming the end of the year.... if you need to set a goal... why not turn your life around by making the decision to (at least) seek Jesus this coming year and get your questions answered as to why you choose not to follow Him? Pick up a book or something that will remind you and will help you find the answers you are seeking. No matter what you have done, God still loves you and He will welcome you with open arms of love when you seek Him.
Give Him 5 minutes today. Sit here and pause everything. Seek Him. Ask Him whatever you want. He's listening. He's waiting. He loves you.
Blessings!
