We are on day eleven of our 21 day fast.  Since we are through the hardest part I have learned a few lessons about fasting, especially an extended fast.

• The first 3 days are the hardest.  Our bodies are used to so much trash that we put into them.  When you take it away, it screams.  The headaches, hunger pains and withdrawals are tough because our body is used to them.  In so many ways we are addicted to food and caffiene.  If you can make it 3 days, you can make it! 
• Disciplining the body is good!  I am finding that if I can discipline myself in what I eat, I can discipline myself in other areas.  The more I dedicate myself to not eat much, I find it easier to discipline my prayer life and study of His Word.
• Sensing God’s direction is easier.  There is something about an extended fast that raises out spiritual perception.  Not during the first three days but in the middle of a fast, it seems easier to connect with the heart of God.  The longer you fast, the more awareness you have of God’s hand in your life.

These are just a few things I have been learning on this extended fast.  Keep it up and press closer toward Christ!

Recently on the Desiring God blog, John Piper shared some ways to pray for our children.  In the world we live in today, our children need our continued prayers.  He are Piper’s suggested prayers:

“That Jesus will call them and no one will hinder them from coming.

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-15)

That they will respond in faith to Jesus’ faithful, persistent call.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

That they will experience sanctification through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and will increasingly desire to fulfill the greatest commandments.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

That they will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

That their thoughts will be pure.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

That their hearts will be stirred to give generously to the Lord’s work.

All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord. (Exodus 35:29)

That when the time is right, they will GO!

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

When Jesus spoke to His followers, He did not hide the intent of His message.  He wasn’t afraid to lose half-hearted followers.  Why?  Because Jesus knew He offered something to believe in.  Something to sell out to.

He spoke a parable to His disciples in Matthew 13 that offered a picture of what He expects:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure in the field.  Jesus relays that if you don’t own the field where that treasure is, you must sell all and buy that field.  The essence of what Christ is saying is that what He offers is worth selling out for.  Too often in today’s Christianity, we want the best of both worlds.  We want to have the field, but get it without giving up everything.  Many people today, seek to have eternal life, without giving their whole life to Christ.

Jesus expects us to sell out our lives to Him.  To lay down our own ambitions and agendas and to take up His cross and follow Him.  Why do we fail at this?  Because it is not easy.  Jesus said we must count the cost of following Him.  It costs something, but He guarantees us an abundance of blessings if we follow Him whole-heartedly.  If we give up our lives, He gives us His life back.  What a trade!

On Mondays we usually take a drive out into the countryside.  We drove to Eureka Springs and captured a couple of pics of the White River off of Highway 62. 

Yesterday as I read Matthew 10 a verse of Scripture stuck out to me.  Verse 7-8, “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Jesus instructs His disciples to go and preach the message, to heal the sick, raise the dead and perform miracles.  Jesus equips them to proclaim.  God’s  intention for us is the same to go and we must go.  The interesting part that stuck out to me was when Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” 

As preachers, we often use this verse to receive the offering.  “Freely you have received, freely give to the Lord in this offering.”  But note the context in which Jesus uses this saying.  We have received salvation so we should proclaim salvation.  Take that a step further, Jesus in essence is saying that He has freely given us His power to preach, heal, raise the dead and perform miracles; so freely we must give.  Freely we should use that power to touch others. 

I believe that power is available for all of us, we just need to act.  We need to proclaim and pray for the sick.  We must walk in His miracle power.  Freely you have received His power, freely give.  Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  We have received power that we might be witnesses…we must give it away.

When we had children 12 years apart I thought we would escape the sibling rivalry.  I was naive!  It amazes me how much Josh and Hannah bicker between the two of them.  He irritates her, she irritates him.  I must say, however, that Hannah always seems to have the upper hand.

Last night, we were watching Snow White, one of Hannah’s favorite movies.  In one of the singing scenes, Dopey is playing the drums.  Without missing a beat, Hannah points at the TV and proclaims, “Josh is playing drums.”  I didn’t think Hannah could think of something like that at 2 years old.  I am nervous about how she will be as she gets older:)

Sibling Rivalries are nothing new.  They have been happening since Cain and Abel.  There was Joseph and his brothers.  Jacob and Esau.  Many more throughout the history of man.  This will never be changed until we get to Heaven.  Oh how sweet that will be!

I just read this piercing quote but H.A. Ironside.

“No one who really wants to count for God can afford to play at Christianity.” – H.A. Ironside

So are you counting for God or playing around?

At times, most people struggle with doubt.  It is a part of the Christian life and if we are honest it is a common part of struggles of faith. 

The Between Worlds Blog highlights some help for those strugling with doubts:

1. Concentrate on the historical fact of the cross.
2. Do not seek refuge or advice with those who would shame you for doubting as if they never did.
3. Pray. Or, more specifically, hurl yourself at God.
4. Re-focus your doubts toward your own failings and inability. Doubt yourself, in other words.
5. Read your Bible. More specifically, meditate on Scriptural promises related to your area of doubt.
   written by Jared Wilson