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.

Fighting Temptation while Fasting

Have you just started your fast? You can catch up on our 31 Days of Fasting in January here!

I’m giving a little encouragement to those who are fasting today. Let’s get out our sword, the Bible, and fight some temptation!  Any time you decide to draw closer to Jesus, long to be more like Him or desire to hear His voice in your life, the enemy is going to be right there taunting and doing everything in his power to cause you to fail.

eeyoreEven Jesus was tempted! But He didn’t walk around like Eeyore with his head hanging to the ground and mumbling, “Woe is me…nobody likes me, everybody hates me…” You get the picture.

So, how did Jesus fight temptation when He was fasting?

With the Word of God! 

You have the best weapon in your arsenal to fight temptation and that is your SWORD, the Word of God. Let’s look at some powerful scriptures today that you can pray as your own.

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 KJV.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIRV.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NIV.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV.

“And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13.

It doesn’t matter what type of resistance you are up against, what kind of temptations are coming your way. Maybe it is your favorite food or your morning coffee, sure, it is difficult to drive past your most loved coffee shop on the way to work; but that is what makes it a sacrifice. When the temptations come, quote the Word out loud and the enemy has to go because the Bible declares it.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.

There is so much power and authority in the Word of God; He has left it with us as a weapon against the enemy of our souls. Greater is HE that is in YOU than he that is in the world! So, whether your temptations are physical or spiritual, God is able to give you strength to overcome.

I’m sharing a recipe that is a win-win! Go to my post here on Overnight Oatmeal in a Jar! It is the best breakfast with so many variations and it is Daniel Fast friendly. Enjoy!

The Daniel Fast DevotionalIt’s never too late to purchase The Daniel Fast Devotional! It is such a help to you during ANY FAST. Twenty one devotions and three days of preparation devotions, you will be encouraged and learn about nearly every fast that took place in the Bible. The good and the bad! Yes, there were those whose fasting was NOT unto the Lord. You can click on any of these links and order from Amazon on the Kindle or paperback.

When others intercede

When others intercede

Fasting Together in JanuaryWhen others intercede. If you are just joining us, or just beginning your fast, you can catch up on our other posts in this series, 31 Days of Fasting in January, here!

Are you falling in love with the book of Daniel? This prophet is quite a guy. Just look at what others thought about him. “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him…” Daniel 6:3 KJV.

An excellent spirit was in him. He was loved, he was trusted, and he was preferred. Other translations say “…he proved himself more capable.”

The other administrators and officers were a little bit jealous and tried to find fault with him. They could find none. They decided they would try to trip him up concerning “…his God.”

They came up with a plan, and approached King Darius, asking him to make a declaration that if anyone prayed to someone, or something, other than the king for the next 30 days they would be thrown into the den of lions.

When Daniel heard of the decree, he did what he did EVERY day: at the time of prayer he opened his window toward Jerusalem and he prayed, three times a day, just as he had always done before the decree.

Immediately, the prayer police went running to King Darius and reminded him of the decree and informed him that one certain Daniel-the-Prophet was breaking the rules.

The king was extremely upset because he was so fond of Daniel, yet he had no choice but to follow through with the consequences because rules are rules and he was the king!

As soon as they put Daniel into the den of lions, the king’s faith went into action, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”

What a great example of faith from a man who didn’t even know the God of Daniel. He believed in Daniel and so he believed in his God.

(We could stop right here and dwell on that a moment! Do others trust you so much by the life you live that they also believe in your God??)

They sealed the den with a stone, the king put his seal on it and he headed back to his palace.

So, what did he do? He went to his palace and fasted all night long. He didn’t eat, he didn’t sleep and he did not listen to music!

When others intercede

See the variation of fasts? No food, no sleep and no social media!

Sorry, wrong century. No music, in the king’s situation.

The next morning he ran to the den and called for Daniel, “Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:20-22 KJV.

Delivered.

Saved.

Rescued by Almighty God.

Intercession was made for Daniel by a friend. Fasting, an all-night prayer meeting by the king, and David’s life was spared.

[Tweet “Is there power in fasting and prayer?”]

Day after day we are finding more and more wonderful stories in the Bible, true stories of encouragement and real testimonies of how God used ordinary people to change history.

Who do you need to intercede for today; to make a difference? Remember that fasting is a sacrifice of things that you enjoy and love. You are laying them down for a period of time to FOCUS more intently on Jesus, to draw closer to Him and be freed of distractions so you might hear HIS voice. If you aren’t spending time with Him during your fast then you have done nothing but altered your diet.

[Tweet “Fasting and Prayer must go together!”]

Praying for you that our God will continue to strengthen you, give you peace and answer your prayers according to His will for your life.

The Daniel Fast DevotionalThe Daniel Fast Devotional is a great tool for ANY FAST! Devotions for 21 days, if you choose to go that long, and recipes in each chapter if you are on the Daniel Fast. Get yours on Amazon today!

Fasting unto the Lord, Nannette

 

 

2017 Fasting in January – full list

31 Days of Fasting in January! Supporting those who are fasting in the month of January, we are blogging every day! Encouragement and Biblical comparisons for ANY FAST and recipes and clarity for those on The Daniel Fast. You can catch up on previous posts here!

 

Fasting together in January

Restoration through Fasting

Fasting changes ME

Drink your water!

No meats, no sweets, no treats, oh my!

Working for answered prayers

You have strengthened me!

What if my prayer isn’t answered?

Binding the Strong Man

Please stop judging the fast that another has chosen

Fasting: What’s in your heart?

Fighting Temptation While Fasting

Intercession from a Friend

Fasting for all the wrong reasons

 “Bear up the hands that hang down, by faith and prayer; support the tottering knees. Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down.” – John Wesley