The Daniel Fast – Useful, But Not Same as Biblical Fasting The author of the ‘Daniel Fast’ created a term by linking a name and a word from the Bible. This term, Daniel Fast, misleads readers. How? It leads them to think that a dietary choice Daniel made during a period of mourning qualified as a typical fast. The term …
Fasting, Calling, and Managing the Naaman Complex
Fasting? Fasting? Why? Do I desire a close personal connection with God? Do I desire a relationship with my Lord like no other I experience? A fasting day dedicated to seeking a close connection with God and a greater understanding of my need for Him provides a perfect time to reflect upon my calling and the condition of our relationship. …
How Often Should I Pray? The Value of Persistence in Prayer: Prayer V
How often should I pray? God heard me the first time, didn’t he? Yes. So why do I need to ask again? And again? Persistence in Prayer is Important. Why? 1. Persistence in prayer, coming to God over the same question or problem and reading his word, will cause ancillary distractions and personal deception to drop off and fade away. …
Virgin Birth: First Mystery and Miracle: Matthew 1
The Virgin Birth the First Miracle and Mystery of Jesus, but Genealogy Full of Miraculous Matthew presents the virgin birth as the first miracle of Jesus life. A study of the stories of his genealogy will reveal many interesting personalities and backgrounds. Many “respectable people” through the centuries put forth great effort in highlighting only the honorable parts of their …
Prayer II: Believing is Seeing
Believing is Seeing Counter-intuitive to Seeing is Believing? Believing is seeing seems counter-intuitive. Prayer requires belief at least a little at first to get started. In Food in God’s Place (out of print for now), Anna learns that belief requires an act of the will, a choice, a choice that she can reinforce with power from the Holy Spirit. Further, …
Prayer: What is Your Concept of God?
What is my concept of God? What is my concept of God? This foundational question is the first of a series of postings on prayer. For effective prayer, I need a true, spiritually healthy concept of God. My concept of God frames how I think of him, how he works, how he views the world, and how he views me. …
Am I Earnest?
Am I Earnest? ‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’ Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) He rewards those who earnestly seek him? The root origin of earnest implies a pledge and serious intent. This earnestness means I must oppose a …
Forgive in Advance
This section about “forgive in advance” is from Chapter 3: Forgive of Food in God’s Place. (Currently out of publication. If you would like notification of when it will be republished, follow on Twitter and let me know.) “As you grow, I want you to embrace a way of thinking about yourself and others that enables you to jump over …