Fasting: Sharpening the Edge for 2015

We have determined to set aside 21 days to fast before the Lord. If Jesus fasted to complete/accomplish/fulfill God’s calling on His life while on earth, shouldn’t we fast for these same reasons? Fasting is a time to draw closer to God by denying our flesh and feeding our spirits.

This 2015, we are asking for God to sharpen our the edge of our spirits; “If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10)

“Fasting is a time to recover our edge, preparing the way for us to gain more strength and effectiveness through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than through the power of our own limited strength.” (Franklin, pp xiii-translated by Rhonda.

We are seeking God’s direction for our lives and the Ministry of Lovely Feet in 2015. We desire to be more in tune with His will and His voice. We are asking Him to clarify, confirm and articulate plans for 2015. We are also asking for strength and health. In the 50 days that we have been here, I (Rhonda) had a severe sinus infection; Ron has had his back go out and had a bad case of flu. We need strength, health and the favor of God and man to accomplish God’s calling on our lives here in Bolivia. We are asking for clearer revelation and discernment as we study God’s word. What are you seeking God for in 2015?

We are inviting you to join us in this 21-day journey through the dry desert of our flesh to experience the living waters of Christ’s spirit that dwells in us. The bread of life satisfies our hunger; the living waters satisfy our thirst.

The idea of the “Daniel Fast” comes from 2 incidents in the life of Daniel. The first in Daniel chapter 1 when Daniel and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego of Fiery Furnace fame) asked that they be permitted to eat only vegetables and drink only water so as not to defile themselves with the food of Babylon. At the end of 10 days they were healthier and heavier than those who ate all the choice food of the King. This is where the some of the substance of the “Daniel Fast” comes from.

The other incident is from Daniel chapter 10 when Daniel “ate no delicacies, no meat or wine” (Daniel 10:2) for three weeks. Daniel made this time of fasting in solidarity with his Hebrew brothers and sisters who where suffering. After this fast, Daniel received his most powerful vision from the Lord about conflict in heaven and on earth in the Last Days.

The Daniel Fast is not a law and it does not make us more holy than other people who choose not to fast. What it does is fills our body with good things made by God that are sufficient to nourish and sustain us. Those things most loved by our flesh (pop, fat, processed food, meat, CHEESE…) are abstained from and as our flesh is denied, our spirit is strengthened.   When we walk in the Spirit our spirit is stronger and our flesh is weakened.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Gal 5:16-17

We have separated our petitions to the Lord into four categories:

1. God Speaks to us:

• Discernment
• Revelation/Illumination of His Word
• Direction
• Wisdom

2. Fulfilling Plans

• When should Bible Institute classes start?
• Who should be part of the Ministerial Association?
• How should the Association be structured?
• How/What curriculum should be compiled?
• Spend 3 days a week in the Altiplano
• Building a church building in Calacachi
  • IF we should
  • How much does LFM do/give to project?
  • When?

3. Receiving Tools

• Need a car or 4×4 (we are VERY close to getting a car)
• Renting a building for Institute/church in Patacamaya
• Funds
  • Institute (100k to buy building, $300est a month to rent
  • 4×4 – Mitsubishi Montero (11k+)
  • General Materials

4. Personal

• Spanish mastery
• When do we start learning Aymara
• Health
• Friendships

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WILL BE PARTICIPATING WITH US IN THIS FAST! Email us at Ron@lovelyfeet.org or Rhonda@lovelyfeet.org or you can reply to this post. We want to pray for you as you will be praying for us.For contemplation and mediation during this time I (Rhonda) am reading “The Fasting Edge” by Jentzen Franklin and “The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast” by Kristen Feola.

Below are suggestions of foods to eat and foods to avoid. In addition to the dietary choices for this time, Ron and I will be fasting television in all forms (programs, movies, videos, etc).

TOMORROW, January 2^nd, WE BEGIN!

***********************

Foods to Eat

Fruits: fresh, frozen, dried, juiced

Vegetables: fresh, frozen, dried, juiced

Whole grains: amaranth, barley, brown rice, oats, quinoa, millet, whole wheat Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, nut butters.

Unleavened bread: whole grain breads made without yeast, sugars, or preservatives Legumes (canned or dried): black beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), great northern beans, kidney beans, lentils, pinto beans, split peas

Quality oils: canola, coconut, flaxseed, grapeseed, olive, peanut, sesame

Beverages: distilled water, filtered water, spring water – we are adding Hot Coca Tea to this list due to altitude issues

Other: herbs, spices, salt, pepper, seasonings, soy products, tofu
Foods to Avoid

Meat: beef, buffalo, llama, fish, lamb, pork, poultry

Dairy products: butter, cheese, cream, eggs, milk

Sweeteners: agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, cane juice, honey, molasses, raw sugar, granulated sugar, brown sugar, syrups, stevia

Leavened bread and yeast: any bread with yeast, baked goods, Ezekiel bread (contains yeast and honey)

Refined and processed food products: artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, preservatives, white flour, white rice

Deep-fried foods: corn chips, French fries, potato chips

Solid fats: lard, margarine, shortening

Beverages: alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, coffee, energy drinks, green tea, herbal

For some excellent recipes we recommend: “The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast” by Kristen Feola