and Commitment My Personal Journal Through 21 Days of Spiritual Dedication

Transcription

1 My Personal Journal Through 21 Days of Spiritual Dedication and Commitment Use This Journal To Set some goals for this time of consecration Document your personal journey Record revelations and breakthroughs

2 What is a Daniel Fast? The concept of a Daniel fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14, But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you. Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see. So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. The background of the Daniel fast is that Daniel and his three friends had been deported to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians had conquered Judah (2 Kings 24:13-14). Daniel and his three friends were put into the Babylonian court servant training program. Part of the program was learning Babylonian customs, beliefs, laws, and practices. The eating habits of the Babylonians were not in complete agreement with the Mosaic law. As a result, Daniel asked if he and his three friends could be excused from eating the meat (which was likely sacrificed to Babylonian false gods and idols.) FURTHER SCRIPTURES ON FASTING 1 Kings 21:9 Isaiah 58:4 Matthew 6:16-18 Nehemiah 9:1 Isaiah 58:6 Matthew 9:15 Esther 4:3 & 16 Jeremiah 36:6 Mark 2:18 Esther 9:31 Jeremiah 36:9 Mark 9:29 Psalm 35:13 Daniel 9 Luke 2:37 Psalm 109:24 Joel 2:12 Acts 13:2 Isaiah 58:3 Matthew 4:2 Acts 14:23 1. Be Specific 7 Steps for observing a Daniel Fast: Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately. Daniel 1:8 a. The king s food was against Jewish dietary laws. b. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine. The king s food could have been offered up to idols/demons. 2. Fast as a spiritual commitment. The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. Daniel 1:8

3 3. Reflect inner desire by external discipline Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that are not good for health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health may be linked to any of the following factors: a. Your food choices. b. The level of your spiritual commitment, as reflected in constant prayer during the fast. c. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast ten days, don t stop on day nine. d. Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith in God. You want God to heal your body. Faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast. 4. Pray to see if sin has a role in your health or sickness. Read James 5:13-20 Healing and Healing Observations: Actions and attitude are important. James said, Are there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13 The sick person must call for the elders. James 5:14 Sin may be related to the cause of sickness. James 5:15 Lack of health or healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion. James 5:15 Lack of health or healing may be due to a sin of wrong consumption, i.e., poor diet, drugs, pornography, etc. Repentance is linked to health. James 5:16 Prayer alone may not gain healing, faith in God is the major factor. James 5:15, Fast as a statement of faith to others. Daniel was making a statement of faith when he asked for only vegetables to eat and water to drink, then dared the overseer to compare the appearance of the four sons of Israel with the young men who ate the king s food. 6. Learn the effects of the food you eat. Why are some foods good for us, and other foods not? What does certain food do to your body? If we really knew, there would likely be some things we would never eat again. 7. Yield all results to God. Daniel said, As you see fit, deal with your servants. Daniel 1:13

4 Remember... The Daniel Fast will lead to spiritual insight. To those four young men, God gave knowledge. Daniel 1:17 The Daniel Fast is longer than one day. These young men fasted for ten days. The Daniel Fast is a partial fast. They ate, but only vegetables and water. The Daniel Fast requires abstinence from sweets and junk foods, along with meat and dairy products. What to eat Whole Grains (Includes Whole Wheat Flour, Oats, Barley, Rice, etc.) Legumes (All Natural Beans, Lentils, Peas) All (Non-Processed) Vegetables, Fruits and Berries Seeds, Nuts and Sprouts Natural Liquids (Spring or Water, 100% All- Natural Fruit or Vegetable Juices) Healthy, Natural Oils (Olive, Peanut, Canola or Safflower) Natural Herbs/Seasonings/Spices *Honey, Agave Nectar, Stevia, Maple Syrup Soy-based products Baking Soda What to avoid Meat Dairy Products Fried Foods Carbonated Beverages Foods/Drinks Containing Preservatives or Additives Refined Sugar Products Man-made Sugar Substitutes White Flour Products Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products *Yeast Products Baking Powder *Fermented Products (Vinegar, Soy Sauce, etc.) * These foods may be enjoyed or avoided, based on personal conviction/choice. A Message from Pastor Ciociola: The Daniel fast is just one of many types of fasts mentioned in the Bible. When studying the scriptures, we first recognize the king s food was not compliant with God s dietary law established with the Israelites. Daniel s request was to only eat kosher. Daniel 1:8 says, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. He did not eat meat or drink wine, therefore on the Daniel fast, there is no meat or animal products. Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables (pulse) to eat and water to drink. (Daniel 1:12) In simple terms, the Hebrew word pulse is anything grown up from a seed. We would now express it as a vegetable diet. According to the traditions of scripture, no doubt Daniel was subject to seasonal fruits and vegetation on this special diet. If at all possible, drink filtered water on your Daniel fast. If you need to use any oil, your best options would be olive oil, peanut oil or safflower oil. Based on the scripture, it would appear that during the Daniel fast, one should avoid all refined sugar-related products.

5 During the time of your Daniel fast, it s not all about the food. This fast is designed to bring us into surrender to the perfect will of God for our individual lives as well as for our church. During the time of the Daniel fast, you should concentrate on seeking God and taking out the trash. The Daniel fast is not just some new twist on the subject of dieting. Do a spiritual inventory during this time: What TV programs are you watching? How much time are you surfing the internet? What books are you filling your mind with? Are you glorifying God in your mind, in your spirit as well as in your body? During your fast, you need to keep your priorities straight. #1: God Prayer and Bible study. #2: Family. #3: Church and community. What kind of junk is in the trunk? Envy, strife, anger, jealousy, lust, pride, laziness, depression, hostility. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) Let s dump the junk. Don t deceive yourself, but truly search yourself and ask the Holy Spirit for His assistance. Seek the fruit of the Spirit to be developed in your life. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) As a result of their dedication to seeking the Lord and disciplining their flesh, here is what is recorded in Daniel 1:17, As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. And when we fast, we should keep in mind the scripture in Isaiah 58:6-10: Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, Here I am. If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. So if we fast with faith and the right attitude, we can expect good things to happen spiritually and physically.

6 Along with the guideline of foods to enjoy (See Page 4), it is also recommended that during the time of your Daniel fast that you supplement your intake with a vitamin supplement. And drink plenty of water. Recommended: 8 glasses per day. If you have any kind of medical condition for which you are being treated, please consult your physician before beginning any fast. What I m Expecting from God During this Time of Consecration...

7 Day 1 January 8 th Theme: The Power of God is working in my life. Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 2 January 9 th Theme: I will believe God for increase. Scripture: Psalm 115:14-16

8 Day 3 January 10 th Theme: I believe God for greater strength. Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10 Day 4 January 11 th Theme: God is meeting all of my needs. Scripture: Psalm 34:10 21 Days: The Daniel Fast

9 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 5 January 12 th Theme: I will walk in the love of God and express God s love to others. Scripture: John 15:9-17 Day 6 January 13 th Theme: I will persevere until I see total victory. Scripture: Isaiah 54:17

10 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 7 January 14 th Theme: I will trust God s Word to give me direction and guidance. Scripture: Proverbs 6:22 Day 8 January 15 th Theme: I am believing God for good things to happen in my family. Scripture: Psalm 112:1-3

11 Day 9 January 16 th Theme: I will walk in God s Promises. Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 10 January 17 th Theme: I will seek God s will until I know it and then declare it daily. Scripture: Romans 8:27

12 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 11 January 18 th Theme: I will seek to live by God s principles for Divine health. Scripture: Jeremiah 17:14 Day 12 January 19 th Theme: I will not worry I will trust that God is in control. Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

13 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 13 January 20 th Theme: God will not hold any good thing from my life. Scripture: Psalm 84:11 Day 14 January 21 st Theme: I will speak words of peace in every problem in my life. Scripture: Isaiah 26:3

14 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 15 January 22 nd Theme: I will voice God s planted desires in my heart unto Him. Scripture: Psalm 37:4 Day 16 January 23 rd Theme: I will make knowing God the highest priority in my life. Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14

15 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 17 January 24 th Theme: I believe God is breaking all generational curses in my family. Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 Day 18 January 25 th Theme: I am special and beloved in God s eyes. Scripture: Zechariah 2:8

16 Day 19 January 26 th Theme: I will walk in God s mercy and rejoice. Scripture: Psalm 13:5 Day 20 January 27 th Theme: I will be bold for God. Scripture: Proverbs 28:1 21 Days: The Daniel Fast

17 21 Days: The Daniel Fast Day 21 January 28 th Theme: I am trusting God for the salvation of all of my loved ones. Scripture: Joshua 24:15 What God has revealed to me in the past 21 Days...

18 What God has revealed to me in the past 21 Days (continued)

19 Michael A. Ciociola, Lead Pastor 2620 Colusa Hwy Yuba City, CA