Author Archives: Nannette

About Nannette

Wife to The Sweetheart, Mom to the Fantastic Six, Nana to six of the cutest littles on the planet, Author, The Daniel Fast, A Devotional. UPCI ministers.

Fasting together: He cannot be absent in our story!

Fasting together: He cannot be absent in our story! Catch up on missed posts here!

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 KJV.

If you are familiar with the story of Esther and her cousin, Mordecai (Esther 2:7), you are aware that she was just an average young lady enjoying her normal life until Queen Vashti was kicked out of the palace for rebellion against the king. A new queen had to be found and Esther’s beauty landed her the part.

Soon, Mordecai overheard a plot by Haman, a man who was above all the princes in the king’s court, to destroy the Jewish people. Mordecai realized that Esther was the only hope they had of getting to the king and having the decree abolished.

Esther called for a fast.

We are all aware that the book of Esther never mentions God, no reference to Him, nothing whatsoever about Jehovah in the entire book. We assume they are serving Him, fasting to get His attention and praying along with the fasting.

But it is never mentioned.

I have always found that intriguing when the rest of the Bible is so full of the Almighty. Let us step outside of tradition, from what we have always been taught in Sunday School, and look at this story with a different set of eyes.

Why doesn’t Esther ever call on the Lord for help? Why doesn’t Mordecai refer to Him in any of his pleas to Esther?

We assume there was repentance; we assume there was prayer with the fasting because that is what we read with all of the other accounts in the Bible. But it is absent in this story.

Maybe the story of Esther is more of a lesson in what fasting is not because it cannot be absent in our story.

They had all of the right actions, the right motions, but God is not mentioned.

Yes, the Jewish people were spared from Haman’s despicable plan and he was destroyed in their place. God was protecting His chosen people. Esther and Mordecai could be called heroes for their brave actions to step in and put their lives on the line for the Jewish nation.

But we need to be careful when we fast that we do it for the right reasons, with a right spirit and a clean heart and God must be first and foremost in all we do!

Mordecai’s famous line, “…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” is a great example to us today. Truly, Esther was put in that position to be able to stand in the gap for the Jewish people. But whether she and her cousin Mordecai knew Jehovah remains to be seen since there is no indication or mention of His name in the entire book.

What will others say about us? Do we go to church, go through the Christian motions but have no relationship? What will the Lord say about us? He warns in the New Testament of that very thing when the people begin to list all of the things they had done in His name. His reply? “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:23 KJV.

Is He mentioned?

Let’s make sure as we begin to close out our Daniel Fasts that this is not our last fast! When we have daily communion with the Lord, learn to make prayer and fasting a regular part of our lives, we can draw ever closer to the One who answers those prayers.

Daniel Fast Recipe for Veggie Tacos!

1 large sweet potato, cubed

2½ cups spinach, fresh

¼ red onion, sliced very thin

1½ Tablespoon olive oil

½ teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon chili powder

Salt and Pepper

¼ teaspoon oregano

Juice from one lime

½ avocado, mashed (optional)

Toss the sweet potato with all of the spices. Add the sweet potatoes to heated oil and cook for 10-15 minutes until tender. Add spinach and cook about three minutes, until wilted. Serve in warm whole wheat tortillas, or wraps, with lime juice. You may also like adding the mashed avocado to your tortillas as a spread!

Don’t forget to grab your copy of The Daniel Fast Devotional! Good for any fast, it is a great, simple read with devotions for every day of a three week fast. Get yours on Amazon here!

The Daniel Fast: That their eyes would be opened

Moving right along with 31 Days of Fasting in January, we are almost there! You can read posts you have missed by clicking here.

We have discovered that prayer and fasting together have the power to tear down strongholds, to shake heaven and give us strength to overcome. Today, let’s look at Saul, who later became the great Apostle Paul. You can read the entire story here in Acts 9.

Saul was the biggest persecutor of the early Church. He didn’t just talk about his hatred of Christians, he literally had them hauled out of their homes and into the streets, beaten and then sent to prison! He showed no mercy. On the road to Damascus, he and those traveling with him were struck by a blinding light. The Lord asked him why he was persecuting Him and instructed Paul to go into the city where he would be told what to do.

It is not clear whether Saul (who was later called Paul) chose this particular fast or not. We will assume that he did. After an encounter like he had just experienced, who would feel like eating? He waits the three days. He cannot see. He isn’t eating, and he isn’t drinking.

We can be sure he is doing quite a bit of thinking.

“What is going on? What is going to happen to ME? I have been persecuting these people that are chosen of God for years and now I find out who HE really is. The Messiah! What is HE going to do with ME? Go into the city and wait? Wait, for what?”

Jesus did have plans for Saul. Without Saul, (here Jesus changes his name to Paul), we wouldn’t have 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Jesus had intentions for him to be the rocket that would help launch the Gospel around the world. As he stood before King Agrippa, Paul explained to him in detail what happened on that road so long ago.

“But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:16-18 KJV.

For this purpose: To open their eyes just as Paul’s eyes were opened.

We have the ability through prayer and fasting, to help open the eyes of those that are lost, those that are blinded by the darkness of this world, and help them to see the Light and the Truth that is in Jesus Christ.

God wants to deliver them from this darkness and bring them into His Kingdom.

That is where we come in. We must have a burden for souls, which only comes out of consistent prayer and fasting.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV.

Humbling ourselves, denying ourselves, realizing without Him we are nothing but with Him we are powerful and unstoppable…then He will heal our land! Prayer and fasting can set our friends, neighbors, and family free from the chains that have them bound so they can be like Paul: their eyes can be opened to see Truth and see who Jesus really is.

Be blessed as you fast unto the Lord. You are breaking chains in the spirit world and preparing yourself to be used in the Kingdom.

Don’t forget to grab your copy of The Daniel Fast Devotional! Good for any fast, it is a great, simple read with devotions for every day of a three week fast. Get yours on Amazon here!

Why does the lion roar?

Why does the lion roar? Winding down our 31 days of Fasting Together! You can read any missed posts here. Be blessed!

“Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim? Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey?” Amos 3:4 NLT.

God has given Satan permission to rule on Earth until He comes again for His Bride. Since that time, there has been a constant struggle for good and evil. Satan, the slanderer, was cast out of heaven after he revolted, wanting more power, authority and control; He wanted to be like God. He took one third of the angels with him in the fall and has been trying to increase his army for centuries by stalking and devouring his prey.

The lion roamed freely in the Middle East when Peter warned us to “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). Today, we are most familiar with a lion that we see in a concrete jungle. He is subdued, maybe even tame, just sitting around waiting for something to happen. It was not so in Peter’s day. He used the analogy of the lion as a comparison to the devil for good reason.

Spiritual warfare is real; it is active and alive just as much today as it was thousands of years ago. Satan is still vying for that #1 position and he wants to destroy anyone who follows Jesus Christ, his archenemy.

Lions are a unique breed. A pride of lions typically includes about five females and two males and their young. Lion prides that have plenty of food available to them have no trouble being territorial. They will go along and mark their space with their own bodily fluids and also by roaring. The male prides are by nature the most vocal whereas the females and young cubs are usually silent. Each male has its own distinctive sound.

“We know that we are of God and the whole world is in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19).

The roar of a lion exudes power. Even though they might look a little comical trying to pull off a giant roar there seems to be a feeling of great accomplishment to the perpetrator when he exhales his cry of muscle. Does that sound familiar? Satan’s biggest weapon is intimidation and fear yet he can only go as far as the Lord will allow him.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19.
To answer the question in Amos 3:4: Does a lion roar without a victim? No, he will not unless he can see it and has it in his grip. He will roar when he first spots the creature, leaving it paralyzed with fear. It would, under normal circumstances, perhaps be swift enough to escape but the terrifying sound of a lions’ roar renders it helpless. He then will roar over his catch, usually inviting others to enjoy the take with him.

The devil is much the same way. He prowls, looking for opportunity to sneak up on us, catching us when we are most vulnerable and then pounces quickly for the attack. Satan means adversary, or enemy. He is just like a lion circling his prey, hoping to catch one straggler that is weak and has left the security of the Shepherd. He wants to intimidate! The color of a lion’s coat is a natural disguise, they blend into their surroundings and even though they can weigh up to 500 pounds and be ten feet long, they are still nearly invisible.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.” Luke 22:31. Jesus knew the enemy was prowling after Peter, looking for an opportunity to trip him up. He fell asleep when he should have been praying. He jumps up and hastily cuts off the ear of Malchus and then he ultimately denies his Lord. Peter was being stalked. He was being hunted!

Satan also wants to accuse us of past wrongs or bring guilt upon us to make us think we have not been forgiven. That kind of guilt is not from God and will keep us from believing in the grace and mercy of the Lord. This is where Satan uses his hunting ability to its fullest advantage. He knows that those who do not pray, who have become complacent, are easy prey.

The lion will roar at any time of the night but most usually just before the sun comes up. The air is thinner and the sound would travel further. Sometimes, if conditions are right, the lion can be heard roaring miles away. Our archenemy is just as stealth in his attacks. So many of our fears come upon us at night when we are alone and vulnerable.

He doesn’t destroy right away but to those that may have dropped back a little from the herd he attacks first. He may cause great pain by pinning down his victim and inflicting wounds of doubt, fear and overwhelming failure.

Understand how very real spiritual warfare is. Author and pastor, A.W. Tozer knew this. He had visited Africa many times, maybe even living in lion country. He remarked once after a difficult trial in his life this: “But I will tell you something – it is a delightful thing when you know that you are close enough to the adversary that you can hear him roar! Too many Christians never get into “lion country” at all!”

He makes it all sound glamorous. He didn’t mean it that way at all. He was saying that because spiritual warfare exists, and it will not be going away any time soon, we, as children of God, should not be afraid of our enemy if we are in relationship with Jesus Christ. He overcame death, hell and the grave! We also can overcome any situation that presents itself if we know Him.

If you aren’t doing anything for God, you do not pose a threat to the devil. If you do not pray, fast, witness in your walk and talk, you do not give Satan anything to be concerned about. Maybe you aren’t even on his target list because he already has you right where he wants you. Complacent, satisfied with the status quo, maybe a little smug thinking you can handle things all alone.

Friend, this is so dangerous! We must recognize the works of the enemy of our souls! “…so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11.

 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”  2 Corinthians 2:3-6.

The weapons that God has given us are more powerful than the roar of any lion! They are divinely powerful to destroy fortresses. Powerful enough to destroy  speculations (rumors, gossip) and every arrogant or proud argument raised up against the knowledge of God. In the Holy Ghost, we are able to take every thought captive. Every thought! And the last line is so important. We are ready to punish all disobedience. When? When our obedience is complete.

Let us resolve to be on guard against the wiles of the devil and his schemes. Praying every day and fasting on a regular basis , pouring ourselves into the Word and living in an atmosphere of praise will bring victory and overcoming power. Greater is HE that is in YOU than he that is in the world!

How are you coming along with your fasting? Be sure and pick up a paperback or Kindle copy of The Daniel Fast – A Devotional! With 21 days of devotions depicting actual Biblical fasts and how they relate to us today, it is a valuable resource to have handy for years to come. Also includes recipes for each day of the fast and three days of preparation devotions and information on fasting! Available now on Amazon!

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