Melinda Knight

CAN YOU SEE CLEARLY?

2015-05-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine read my post about getting my eyes checked and related to having glasses that haven't worked for years. She decided to have her eyes checked and found her glasses were totally wrong for her eyes.

It turned out, she got contact lenses and one eye alone now sees 75% better than before! Can you believe that? When she looked in the mirror, she saw herself for the first time in years. The funny thing is she had to remove some make-up because, with her blurred vision, she had been wearing too much!

This made me think about vision. Where do I suffer from blurred vision? How many of us are looking at life with blurred vision?

Many things cause blurred vision...

-Distractions pull our focus away from what is important.
-Busy schedules can slowly change our focus from vision to what is urgent or demanded of us.
-Spiritual dehydration: not getting a daily dose of the Word can cause vision drift.
-Success can cause us to let up on reaching for the vision.
-Not having priorities in place

"Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the law."(Proverbs 29:18) Without a clear vision, we will die inside. Our energy will be be zapped and our spiritual fervor will wane. I know, when I lose focus on the vision, I begin to work and work just to work. I start to treat life like a big to-do list and not the purposeful, God-given blessing it is.

When I began working out in the gym, I cut pictures from a magazine so I had a realistic vision of where I wanted to be. Now, I am training for a triathlon. It's a goal I can clearly see. I know when I have achieved it and what my daily routine needs to be for success.

When we read God's word and ask Him to bring the vision for our lives into focus, He does just that. He begins to show us glimpses of a strengthened marriage, a fulfilled life, obedient children and so on. The key is to make the time to seek Him, daily. He'll continue to show us the next step and equip us as we journey.

Begin to gain God's priorities (God, spouse, family, ministry and work). If you find yourself running around like a chicken with your head cut off or the tail is wagging the dog, begin to take control of your schedule. Don't allow your schedule control you.

When we do this, we thrive. Our passion is stirred, our purpose secure and our vision is clear.

REST A WHILE

2014-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mark 6:31, “And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while’." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.”

In an era where “hyper-tasking” is normal, it is easy to overlook the value of rest. Part of honoring God with your body is getting the appropriate rest. In this scripture, Christ recognized that the focus of His disciples had been serving and helping. He instructed them to find a quiet place to rest.
How do you find time to rest in the middle of a busy schedule? Find a place and make the time. Go to your big chair, your couch, your porch or stop by the river and sit near the bank, and just relax.

IF I SWALLOW A SEED, WILL A PLANT GROW?

2014-06-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

Did your mom ever tell you, "Don't swallow the seeds or a plant will grow in your stomach and start coming out of your ears?"

My mom did and when she did, she was usually talking about a watermelon seed.

I am sitting at my counter eating cherries and yep, I swallowed a seed. As ridiculous as the whole plant growing in your stomach thing sounds, it was the first thought that came to my head.

Were you ever told funny stories like that?

OUR PLACE

2014-05-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

Isn't this cool? I think someone actually stayed in it this weekend.

Jeff and I took a road trip, a few weeks ago. We took the time to drive through our old "stompin' grounds..."

During our four year stint in Ellensburg, we lived mainly in college housing. We were privileged to live on a 1,700 acre ranch for two of the four years. Here is a picture of the mobile home we lived. It was a great time! Jeff fed cows in the snow and I worked in a tanning salon. He was hot at night and I was cold!

Our home overlooked the mares with their babies. At night, there were no street or city lights shining. We looked at open skies full of stars. I remember having the youth over to our place and having fun on the ranch.

Thanking God for that season.

PROPELLED BY DESIRE

2014-05-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

I was out on the lake the other day and saw several ski boats and jet skis. Kids were screaming with joy, men were blowing off steam and all were enjoying the sun and speed. Just like a ski boat is propelled, our lives can be propelled. Propelled by desire. The opposite is true, as well. They can be paralyzed...paralyzed by fear.

2 Tim 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power (strength, abundance) and of love (affection) and of a sound mind (self-control, discipline).”
Hebrews 13:6, “So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Fear paralyzes us into holding back on desire. For example, the fear of success. What will people say about my lifestyle change? What will I do with the attention? Will I be able to uphold this? God has created you for success and to fulfill the desires of your heart. You are equipped with the tools to handle everything that comes your way.

Fear of failure paralyzes, as well. The verse in 2 Timothy speaks clearly to this fear. It is not of God. When taken head on, God gives a great grace to overcome it.

As you go about your day, allow your desire to propel you.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2014-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all our amazing mothers!

FIT BITS

2014-05-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

The body has an amazing ability to adapt. When living an active lifestyle, I am sure you are like me and want to get the maximum benefits for the work you do. The Overload Principle is a key component to take into consideration with any exercise regime.

The Overload Principle is the application of demand or resistance that is greater than those encountered in normal life. Simply stated, it means that the body will adapt to the stress placed upon it. The more you do, the more you are capable of doing. In order to continue to see results, the body must have a gradual increase of demand or resistance.

This is how training works. The concept works both in cardiovascular and weight training. Cardiovascularly (aerobically), you must push your body to do more than it is used to. When this happens, the body will adapt by increasing its endurance in the heart, lungs and cardiovascular muscles. Thus, seeing increased capacity as well as efficiency. When training for a cardiovascular event, a gradual overload must be placed on the body.

In weight training, muscles adapt and grow when they are forced to overcome resistance they are not used to.

Here are some additional ways to “overload” the body:
-Increased resistance to stair climber, bicycle or other cardio machine
-Increase weight, time, incline or accelerated speed in running, bicycling or other cardio machine
-When weight training: increase weight, force, sets and repetitions

This increased overload can occur weekly or as determined by your trainer.

Remember, it is always important to warm up, use proper technique and cool down when exercising. Consult a physician prior to beginning any exercise program.

Thanks, Katy for requesting fitness nuggets. I'll do my best to keep them coming!

CHERRY TALLY

2014-04-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

Are they here yet??? I'm so ready to eat cherries.

11 THINGS I KNOW, NOW

2014-04-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last year on our anniversary, I received two dozen roses from Jeff. I remember when we first got married, we only afford for 1 rose for several years. Jeff used to say, "One day, you are going to get one rose for every year." What a sweetheart! This year I was blessed with two dozen!

Even though twenty-two years is a seemingly short amount of time compared to the very rare silver and gold anniversary couples, I want to share a few things I know, now.

1. I know when clothes are on the floor, their dirty and when their on the bed, their clean. I grew up a neat freak. After years of frustration with clothes spread about the house, Jeff and I came up with this system. It works great!

2. I know when things don't go my way, I go over Jeff's head. I must be a praying woman. Ephesians 6 tells us that this life is a spiritual battle, not a flesh and blood battle. I can give my opinion or perspective to Jeff but then I don't nag...I take it to God. If it is His will, He will surely cause Jeff to see the truth. But we all know our husbands are rarely wrong.

3. Jeremiah 9:20 says to let the women teach their daughters to wale or pray. I need to be passing on the legacy of prayer.

4. I know to speak to the king in my husband. Whatever man I speak to is the one who will grow.

5. I know the beauty on the inside is more important than the beauty on the outside. 1 Peter 3:1-7, we are daughters of Sarah. My husband must be able to trust my character. I cannot be easily angered with him. Why? Because the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. A woman with strong character is not weak but powerful enough to hold back her strength. For those has not yet found Christ...1 Peter 3:1 tells us that even if my husband does not serve Christ, my actions will be a witness to him. (Okay, that was totally free!)

6. I know I cannot deny the outward beauty. Paint the barn! It needs to be taken care of.

7. I know God is my source, not my husband. Emotionally, there is no one stable enough to fulfill my every need, dry every tear and mend every hurt. That is the job of a supernatural God Who wants to be that person for me.

8. I know I am my husband's only legitimate source for intimacy. 1 Corinthians 7: 3-5...read it! I must meet his intimate needs. I am the only person in the world who can meet those needs. If I am not meeting his needs, I am responsible for his temptation...Wow, that's a doozy!

9. I know my tongue is Jeff's source of encouragement. I don't need to tell him what he does wrong. I am not my husband's judge, God is. There is enough in life to deflate him. If I tear down my husband, I am tearing down what I want. I cannot affirm him enough. Even as I type, I am eating off of his blue plate. Why is it blue? Because he is my champion and I am his biggest fan!

10. I know we have different gifts but we are equal in person.

11. I know I am not subject to PMS and neither is he subject to its effects!

LOVE, ACCEPTED...ADOPTED

2014-04-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am reading my friend Kaia's story about a Russian adoption, she and her husband are in the middle of. I pray great grace and faith for them.

After 11 years of praying, believing and waiting each month to see if I was pregnant and having two adoptions fall through, I am so overwhelmed to think of our blessed daughter, Seven and all God brought us through.

I remember walking into the nursery, meeting this baby who didn't have a home and looking into those baby blue eyes. The agony, feeling as if we were on the 24th mile of a marathon, waiting to see if the birth-mother would change her mind. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Today. I am thinking of the decision God made when He sent us His only son. Did He know He would be beaten and bruised for me? Even if I rejected Him? Yes. Did He know I would need a home, to be accepted, loved...adopted (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:4-7)? Yes. He has been waiting. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Waiting for you and I. Loving, deeply moved with the though that we would become His child. Adopted. Wow!

I am so thankful.

I NEED MORE...

2014-04-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

"I need more toys and playgrounds in my life." That's what my friend told me yesterday. I love it! It is so easy to lose the laughter and the pursuit of fun. What part of Life says boring? Our experience? The news? The thought of math class? (Sorry, Mr. Baker.)

Jeff went river rafting awhile back. He is such a great example of determining your atmosphere. When He is playing, it's BIG play. He can be in the darkest circumstance yet always draws on God, the source of his joy. The source of his strength. Jeff is serious about life, God and people but every room is still his playground!

What one thing can you do today that will effect your atmosphere? Is it music, speaking positive, something creative? Do it. Determine your atmosphere.

Find your fun today.

DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF! part three

2014-04-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

Why don't we pray (cont.)?

As I mentioned earlier, this study on prayer comes from many different studies, books and wonderful men and women of God. These questions about prayer were asked by my pastor, Pastor Gini.

5. We do not see instant results or the results we want.
(Isa. 55:8-9), Romans 11:33-36, Ps. 37:3-8)

The Bible says if we want to be a disciple of Christ that we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. Saying no to ourselves and saying yes to Him daily. This is called spiritual maturity. His will becomes our will and as a result we become less and less demanding, asking for fewer things outside His will and more and more prayers get answered.

6. We have greater confidence in our ability to work things out on our own.
(1 Cor 10:12, Prov. 12:15, Romans 6:21, Eph. 5:6-10, James 1:22-25)

we are trained from a young age to make things happen, to figure things out and make a life for ourselves, on our own. In contrast, as we grow in God, the more we realize, the less we can do in ourselves. We can't do anything of eternal value apart from Him. Everyday we make an exchange, our weaknesses for His strength. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. This should take place in our daily prayers. Truly, we cannot do anything without Him.

7. We do not understand the significance of our investment in prayer.
(Ps. 133:1-3, Matt 18-16-20, Lev 26:7-8)

There is significance and value in our prayers. When we pray, we make an investment in eternity. However feeble, you will reap interest in your investment. It is not our efforts that create life. it is God's anointing and grace on those prayers. many times we feel inadequate, devalued, or the inability to speak the right words, but we will still reap interest from our prayers. We are a vehicle of the Holy Spirit. You are a vessel through which the prayer flows.

Proverbs 15:8, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight."

Matt. 21:22, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Even in your unbelief, ask God to help you and you will see the doubt dissipate.

Your prayers are necessary for God to move on the earth, your prayers are vital to your spiritual maturity your prayers are powerful for healing the sick and your prayers are effective in winning the pre-christian.

GOSSIP HIDES IN THE SHADOWS

2014-03-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

I heard Rory say, "Gossip hides in the shadows." Wow. That is so true. I believe when we confront it in love, it can no longer hide.

The key is "in love." Confrontation shouldn't be done to expose one person as wrong and another as light but to humbly reveal truth and give opportunity for change. Then, move on with forgiveness.

Really, the reason we gossip is because of insecurity. We feel (sometimes unknowingly) if we can expose someone else or cloud their identity, it will make us look better or give a common cause that binds us with someone.

DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF! part two

2014-03-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

It is time to begin our journey through victorious living and overcoming the enemy.
Check out Part One if you haven't read it already.

One of the ways we overcome the enemy, protect our stuff (I mean our life) and gain revalation and grace is through prayer. God has given us power in our prayer. God hears our prayer, He answers our prayer, He admonishes us to pray daily and He taught us how to pray.

If so then why don't we pray?

1. We do not feel worthy to ask God for anything.
(1 Timothy 2:1-3, 1 Peter 2:5, Ephesians 1:3-7)

It is not by our works that we are made worthy. Apart from Jesus, none of us are worthy. The Bible says "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." God sees us as spotless through the blood of His son, Jesus. Stand up and pray!

2. We are not sure that God really hears us when we pray.
(Ps. 10:17, Ps. 34:15, Ps. 145:18-10, Prov. 15:29)

The Lord hears us when we pray. As times, when it seems we cannot break through with our prayers or have few answers to our prayers. It could be the consequences of asking amiss. The Bible says, "you have not, because you ask not, then when you ask you ask amiss." When we pray, we must pray the will of God. How do we know His will? We read His word. it is His will. God hears our prayers, every one. He answers every one with either: yes, no, go or slow.

3. We do not know how to pray or feel we have anything to say to God.

(Jer. 33:3, Ps. 142:1-2, Matt 6:9-13)
This scripture in Matt is what we could call a "blueprint" to prayer. It is not a magical phrase but a model Jesus taught for daily prayer. As we get more proficient with this model, the less we need it. Daily prayer is self-centered. Praying for ourselves initially sounds selfish but the truth is, we need to pray more for ourselves, not less. As we pray about our attitudes, circumstances, thoughts, relationship, etc. we are changed and our heart is aligned with the will of God and our mind is renewed. We are free of personal burdens and wins so we can pray successfully pray for others. Unless we petition daily, we cannot be proficient in intercession for others. Unforgiveness and sin serve as blockages to our prayers. With unforgiveness and sin, God cannot hear us or answer prayer.

4. We fear we might become obligated to God not to sin.

(Eph 2:8-10, Heb. 12:28, Rom. 5:19-6:2)
We think that we must produce to be loved or accepted, therefore, if we pray and ask God for anything we are obligated to repay the debt or favor with religious activity. God doesn't want religious activity, He wants our whole life. God gave wholly to us when He gave His only Son. We didn't earn it. The same way, we ask by grace and He answers by grace. Grace is the ability and the desire to do the will of God. We define grace as God's enabling power but it is more than that. The definition implies God changing our heart so we want to do His will. That's the miracle!

SEEK WISE COUNSEL

2014-03-18T23:02:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 18:1, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment."
Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful..."

It's often difficult it is for us to seek counsel or feedback from others. Why is that? Is it because maybe we'll hear that someone doesn't like something about us? Maybe we don't want to hear we need to work on an area. I know there are many reasons.

Whether it's parenting, career, relationship, spiritual or natural areas, we can learn from others' perspectives and experiences. The Bible tells us that we are blessed not when we walk with the ungodly but when we seek counsel from the wise. Blessed, not cursed. It also admonishes us to not isolate ourselves.

As a pastor and life coach, I am here to listen and give a Biblical perspective. God has called and anointed me to do this. It seems so simple but have you heard the line, "You can't see the forest while standing in the trees?" Sometimes we just need an outside perspective.

I have made the decision that instead of trying to work things out on my own, I am going to seek wisdom from my pastors, life coach and wise counsel around me. After all, we are doing life together aren't we?

DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF! part one

2014-03-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

God has been asking me to write this series of posts and I am finally saying..."UNCLE, I'll write!"

I absolutely love it when God asks me to do something but let me tell you what I hate. I hate it when the devil messes with people's stuff (when I say stuff I mean life). I hate it when a person doesn't know how to stop the devil from messing with their stuff and when a person doesn't know how to prevent the devil from messing with their stuff. I hate it when a person says the devil is messing in their stuff but it is really because of disobedience on their part. Get the drift (as my mom would say)?

I have heard several stories of people feeling the devil has messed with their stuff, family or friends in the past month. Too many. My blood doesn't boil when my things get messed with but when it comes to those I care about...that gets me fired up! Enough is enough! I am going to begin a series on the power of prayer and the authority given to us by Jesus Christ. We are going to talk about the stuff the keeps the devil from rootin' around where he doesn't belong.

We are going to walk through...
-Why People Don't Pray
-How to Pray
-The Authority Given to us
-Types of prayer
-Other benefits of prayer
-Plus further insights I have to share

Listen, I cannot begin to scratch the surface nor do I profess to know everything there is to know about prayer. I am just going to highlight some key areas and lead us both down a journey in gaining wisdom, refreshing our knowledge and/or just plain stomping on the enemy's head!

We're going to tell the devil, "DON'T MESS WITH MY STUFF!" Not only that, we are going to release God to work in our lives in a powerful way. Because, I don't want to spend my time giving recognition to the devil; rather, I want to talk about all God has done for us and the amazing power and keys He has provided us in order to live the John 10:10 abundant life which is our inheritance!

Prayer is hope in God, not optimism. There are many optimistic people without a prayer life. You are not putting hope in spirituality or chants but in the Almighty, the Abba Father, the Mighty God.

It is not about our faith in our prayer but our faith in God.

The will of God is always done in Heaven. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He said, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." Prayer becomes the umbilical cord to God's will. You can experience in your house what's going on in Heaven.

Psalm 115:16, "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's, but the earth He has given (assigned) to the children of men."

God has given dominion of the earth to us. He did it and He won't take it back. He has chosen to work through man, not independent of man. Your prayers are important and crucial to the hand of God moving on the earth.

Pastors, in my life have taught me a lot on prayer. I LOVE to pray. Everything I do and everything that happens at The Rock is birthed and sustained through prayer. It is through prayer, we received grace.

Here are some scriptures to get us started...
Proverbs 15:8, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight."

Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seek finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Matthew 21:22, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Luke 18:1, "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart."

1 John 3:22, "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

On overload yet? Good! We haven't even started! Let God overwhelm you with His goodness, hope, faith, joy and so much more. Just this once, let go of what you THINK you're gonna experience and Let God surprise and surpass it all. He's just that kind of God.

I pray that through our journey, God reveals to you the power and importance you hold in His kingdom.

I'll see you in part two...

Jill Weekend Is Coming!

2014-03-04T19:49:00.000-08:00

Friday, 6:30-8:30,

Jill Tea Party

Jill’s of all ages

Bring a tea party dish to share

This year’s biggest Tea Party is complete with friends, finger food and lots of fun for all ages. Bring your favorite finger or tea party food to share.

Interested in being a "table host" for the evening? Contact Malinda at mcampbell@trclife.com for more information.

Saturday, 10am-1pm

Jill’s Closet (clothing exchange)

Ages youth through adult

Shop for Free!

Enjoy FREE shopping with friends! From now until 5/11, donate your treasured items at the Jill booth during service or office hours. Then grab your friends and join us to shop our collective closet. *Donations not required to shop.

GOD GOES!

2014-02-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

Ps 139:7, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

Do you remember the doll that was out quite a while back, My Buddy? If you do, I am sure you remember the slogan…”Wherever I go, he goes…My Buddy and Me!” Simple as it seems, it is just that way with God. In Psalms, David talks about the fact that there is nowhere we can go to escape God’s presence. His grace, His power, His Spirit is available to us, always.

So, the next time you are in a shaky situation, you feel alone or you are in unfamiliar territory, remember God is with you. It is just a fact. Whether you think you feel Him or not, He is there.

Usually, when I feel like distant from God, it is a result of something in my life. In those times, I rid myself of distractions and seek the Lord in prayer and reading His word. I remember a time when that feeling was because I hadn't been obedient to the last thing He had directed me to do. I went back and did that thing and moved on.

God loves us. He provided a way for us to be in close relationship with Him. That way is through His Son, Jesus. Because of that ultimate gift, we have a way...every time.

Wherever you go, God goes!

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

2014-02-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. "

GO HAWKS!!!

2014-02-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

All In. SuperBowl Champs!

LISA BEVERE!

2014-01-27T13:21:00.000-08:00

Recalling another amazing Jill Weekend at The Rock Church!

"Spending our freedom to help others" is a phrase Lisa Bevere engraved on my in 2009. After knowing and being honored with her husband John, her word, life and heart melted me to the core. Jeff and I eagerly await further connection with their lives and ministry.

It was wonderful to connect with so many of our friends from around the "Great Northwest!" I enjoyed hearing your testimonies and experiencing God with you.

I was blessed by the word brought from all those who spoke. SUE BOCHARDT...I am still pumped you won the week's stay in Hawaii!!! I was screaming...couldn't contain myself!

Ladies, I am honored to pastor such an amazing host of women who are sold out and going hard after all God has! Your hospitality is strong. You always show up, in true Rock Church style, ready for God to move in your life and that of your sister. You even jumped in to volunteer where you saw a need. Your support of me was so sincere and felt. Thank you! I am amazed by you!

Let's make every 2014 Jill experience one for the history books!

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AND POWERFUL FAST, PART V

2014-01-10T05:27:00.000-08:00

Breaking your fast:

Take it from experience, don't go to Skippers for the all-you-can-eat buffet or greasy fast-food!

Understand that while you fast, your intestines and stomach shrink. It is important to not stuff your face. Introducing solid food right away can cause a serious stomach ache or worse.

Break a fast with vegetables, either steamed or raw. Eat lightly. Stop before you feel full.

Even a 3-day fast requires reasonable precautions. It is wise to start with a little soup - something thin and nourishing such as vegetable broth made from onion, celery, potatoes, and carrots - and fresh fruits.

In terms of resuming exercise, start slowly.

Fasting is a tremendous weapon and a source of power to every believer. God not only delivered Jehosaphat and many others due to fasting and prayer but annihilated their enemy and prospered His people.
In the book of Joel the Lord said, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions…(Joel 2:28-29). God was going to pour out revival – afterward. He was revealing His will for His people-afterward. After what? After a fast. His promise to them was to pour out revival and blessings on the land.

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AND POWERFUL, PART IV

2014-01-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

Nutrition:

Continue to take daily vitamins.

If you are beginning a juice fast, avoid juices with high-acid content, (ex. orange or tomato juice).

The best juices are fresh carrot, grape, celery, apple, cabbage, or beet. "green drinks" made from green leafy vegetables because they are excellent "de-toxifiers."

Fruit juices are "cleansers" and are best taken in the morning.

I suggest not taking products containing protein or fat, such as milk or soy-based drinks. These products will restart the digestion cycle and you will again feel hunger pangs.

How to make your experience the best it can be:

Prayer and fasting must always go together.

Arrange special time each day with God. Satan will do everything he can to pull you away from this time.

Do not become so caught up in praying for yourself and others that you forget about simply reverencing and praising God. True spiritual fasting focuses on God.

Do not be disappointed if you do not have a “mountaintop experience”. Many people who have successfully completed extended fasts tell of feeling a nearness to God that they have never felt before, but others have sought His face with no report of outward results. Be assured, God honors our commitment to pray and fast.

Your motive in fasting must be to glorify God, not to have an emotional experience, and not to attain personal happiness. With that, He will bless your time in a very special way

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AND POWERFUL FAST, PART III

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How to manage your schedule while fasting:

2-fold reason for schedule adjustments…1st is physical. Throughout the fast, you may feel somewhat weaker than normal. During the first few days, you may feel tired and irritable.

You may want to lighten your workload and exercise routine.

If you engage in strenuous physical labor, you may wish to fast only one or more days of the week, limiting yourself to partial fasting. You may look to the weekends for fasting.

In the morning you may feel like you are on top of the world, but by evening you may be wrestling with the flesh-sorely tempted to raid the refrigerator and counting how many more days are left in your fast. To counteract temptations like these, take extra time with to spend with God. Step outside for a walk and talk to the Lord as you go. In the process, keep on sipping water or juice all day.

Fasting is not just denying yourself food. It is exchanging the needs of the physical body for those of the 2nd reason for adjusting, spiritual. If you dissipate energy on numerous errands or busy-work to the neglect of spending time with God, you will starve both physically and spiritually.

What to tell friends, co-workers and loved ones:

“I have other plans for lunch today.”

Christians should be satisfied when you answer that you are fasting today.

Don’t try to keep it a secret…allow your Christian friends to support you and pray for you during the fast.

If friends and family express concern for your health, ease their fears by telling them that you will stop fasting the moment you feel you are harming your body or if the Lord leads you to end your fast.

There is usually no reason for telling strangers or casual acquaintances that you are fasting. If you do, they may subject you to a lot of questions that you may not want to answer.

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AND POWERFUL FAST, PART II

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How to fast safely:

God never did the extraordinary with people that did the usual. We are responsible to take our relationship with Jesus further. WE must stir ourselves up in the Lord, as David did and fast and pray.

Fasting is about the condition of the heart, not the number of days…start slowly. Fast for one meal a day, one day a week, one week a month, a partial fast or even a Daniel fast (Refraining from foods one might otherwise enjoy. Daniel refrained from the King's delicacies, ate vegetables and drank water).

Fasting is about denying yourself of something you would usually do in order to focus purposely on the Lord. Some people should not do a dietary fast, it just does not work because of medical reasons, pregnancy, lactating, etc. Everyone certainly can give up TV, Internet, Books, hobbies, ect. for a certain time period; something that means something to you. A chosen fast is just that: giving up something in your life to create a void that you fill by spending time with God.

In any fast, the believer should pray and discern which things they will and will not partake of.

How to prepare yourself spiritually:

Examine your heart and detect any unconfessed sin. Ps.66:16-20 tells us God requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers.

Confess any obvious and less obvious sins. Some less obvious sins may be: selfishness, unwillingness to share your faith, not spending enough time in the word and in prayer, poor relationship with your spouse, pastor, etc.

Develop a daily habit of heart-examination and continue throughout your fast.

Make a list of clarity you are seeking or goals for your fast.

How to prepare yourself physically:

Speak to a doctor, if necessary.

You will find it helpful to begin by eating smaller meals before you abstain altogether (this will trigger your mind, stomach and appetite that less food is acceptable). Resist the urge to have that “last big feast” before the fast.

Prepare your body by cutting out sugars and caffeine the day or two before. This will help avoid headaches.

Drink lots of water