WHICH "ONE WAY" IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO?
"Fasting is the denial of something to make more room for God." Someone who goes 40 days without food just for bragging rights and recognition will become skin and bones swollen with pride. God is not interested in man's vain glory.
In Daniel 10:2-3 we read: "In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled." My wife and I are following what some would call a "Daniel Fast." Mostly fruits and vegetables without our normal pleasantries of sweets and snacks. I also will go without food on three separate days. I'm adding extra time in prayer and in Bible Study. I'm reading the New Testament every 30 days and the Bible in a year.
At the beginning of each year, I ask God how He would have me study His Word. I also ask Him for a word to help me focus on the area in which He wants me to grow or enlarge. You need to have your own relationship with the Holy Spirit. What area of your life could use a sharpened focus?
DAY TWO WORD
Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast; tell my people of their sins! 2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and are so delighted to hear the reading of my laws—just as though they would obey them—just as though they don’t despise the commandments of their God! How anxious they are to worship correctly; oh, how they love the Temple services!
3 “We have fasted before you,” they say. “Why aren’t you impressed? Why don’t you see our sacrifices? Why don’t you hear our prayers? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!” I’ll tell you why! Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting, and you keep right on oppressing your workers. 4 Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5 Is this what I want—this doing of penance and bowing like reeds in the wind, putting on sackcloth and covering yourselves with ashes? Is this what you call fasting?
6 No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn. 7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don’t hide from relatives who need your help.
DAY TWO PRAYER
God, i'm praying for swollen people.
Folks whose arms and legs are swollen - causing them pain.
Heal them, relieve them, give them a new mercy this morning.
We cast all of their swollenness upon you Jesus.
I also pray for folks with egos swollen by pride.
Their swollenness is a manhole cover on the sewer of haughtiness.
I've been there God, it's a lonely place.
Bring them to the surface of your love.
Remove their swollen pride, no matter the cost.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
+++++
"There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.
Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law,
“Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?”
When they refused to answer,
Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away."
Luke 14:2-4
DAY TWO DEEP THOUGHTS
- Ask God why He knew you before He formed you in your mother's womb. (Jeremiah 1:5)
- Ask God to show you how He will establish the work of your hands. (Psalm 90:17)
- Ask God to guide you in the way you should go. (Psalm 32:8)
- Ask god to help you plan your new year. (Jeremiah 21:11)