Daniel Fast

Daniel 10:2-23 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. ³ All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

I am at a pivotal moment in ministry right now.  I feel drawn forward by a God given vision for church planting.  As i have taken my initial steps in faith, I have had to close some doors.  It wasn't easy, but change isn't always supposed to be easy.

I thank God that with the closed doors, new ones have opened.  I have met a very gracious and helpful coach named Eric.  The little time that I have shared with him thus far has been a blessing and very reassuring to me.  I look forward to some extended time with him next Sunday when Ariel and I visit his church.

As I have allowed God's spirit to guide me in the choices that I am currently making, I have felt led to a time of fasting. The fast is modeled after the Daniel fast.  For 21 days I will be eating fruits and vegetables and drinking only water.

So with that enters in my first dilemma and one of God's first answers in this part of my journey.  Coffee.  Daniel only drank water....and those of you who know me know that I practically live off coffee.  I started praying to God to see if he would allow me to have coffee on this fast. 

I looked in the mirror after one of my prayer sessions and immediately noticed the shirt that I was wearing.  It was a picture of Jesus on the cross and on the top it said "sacrifice". The answer I got was: fasting is about surrender, not compromise.  If Jesus can give me His all on the cross, the least I can do is give up on coffee.

While It wasn't the answer I wanted, it was the answer I needed.  Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

If you want to follow my journey in this fast, check back on my blog.  I will not update about the fast any further on facebook.