Devo Jan 4 and Fasting Guide & Recipes/Discounts

 Tuesday, January 4^th

Today’s Truth: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Point to Ponder: Paul wants to set the record straight when it comes to money and wealth. If the goal is to be rich for the sake of being rich that will lead to discontentment, but if the goal is to be wealthy to build his kingdom contentment will follow. 

Point to Pray: Dear Lord, help me not to be greedy but content. 
My Intentional View:

Fasting is a spiritual discipline used for increasing faith, sanctification, repentance, power, strength and hearing from God. (Esther 4:16; Isaiah 58; Joel 1:14; Acts 13:2&3; Acts 14:23)

Types of Fasting

There are at least two known fasts in the Bible.

1.   The Absolute Fast (Matthew 4:2)

This is a total fast, which includes complete refraining from food or drink for the duration of the fast. There will be periods of time when you can do absolute during the month of January

2.   The Partial Fast (Daniel 10:3)

This fast is from particular food or things that hinder our spiritual growth.

3.        The Daniel Fast

This is a biblically based partial fast. There are two anchoring scriptures for the Daniel Fast. In Daniel 1 the Prophet ate only vegetables (that would have included fruits) and drank only water. So from these scriptures we get two of the guidelines for the fast

 

NOTE: Fasting is not a diet or weight reduction plan. Consult your physician before you fast if you are any medications or required to eat for other health reasons (diabetics, etc).

BISHOP DUDLEY AND NEW LIFE CHURCH ADVISE ALL LIFE CHANGERS TO CONSIDER THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH NEEDS AND TO CONSULT WITH THEIR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO STARTING THIS OR ANY FAST.

 

How to Prepare for the Daniel Fast

Quiet Time: If you don't already have an established daily quiet time with the Lord, then this is an excellent opportunity to do so. Starting your day with God is a habit that will support your faith and growing intimacy with the Lord. During your Fast, be sure to set a daily time to come before the Lord, to study His Word and His ways.

How to Begin Spiritually:

Start with a clear personal goal in addition to our corporate goals. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible. Prepare spiritually by confessing your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4).

Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).

Scripture References for Fasting:

Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14

Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word: 1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2

Corporate Fasting: 1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37

What to Expect during the Fast:

When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. Spend time listening to praise and worship music. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face.

Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing. Whether you choose option 1 or 2, make it sacrificial for you. This fast is not about rules of eating this or that—it is about JUST DOING IT—just fasting for the purpose of drawing closer to God. May God greatly bless you as you fast!

Appendix C: Daniel Fast Option 1 Sample Meals; Shopping List; Meal Plan

OPTION 1 DANIEL FAST – Fruits and Vegetables and Water

OPTION 2 DANIEL FAST – Fruits, Vegetables, Water, Breads, Dairy, Pasta/Rice

 

Samples for OPTION 1

***Carbs (whole grains, beans, legumes) during breakfast and lunch help give the body energy for the day.  THESE ARE SAMPLE MEALS FOR OPTION 1

SAMPLE OPTION 1 Breakfasts-

1.      Oatmeal (whole grain oats, no added sugar)

2.     Fruit salad with chia pudding (See Pintrest for various chia pudding recipes)

3.     Sugar free granola and almond milk

4.     Banana and nut butter smoothie (use sliced or diced frozen bananas)

 

SAMPLE OPTION 1 Lunches-

1.      Curried lentils and sweet potatoes or Lentil stew.

2.     Roasted pepper and hummus lettuce wraps with brown rice

3.     Quinoa salad with tomato, cucumber, corn, cilantro, and lemon juice and oil Vinaigrette. Season with Kosher salt, pepper, and other herbs to taste.

4.     Chick pea curry with tomatoes and greens.

5.     Guacamole and seed chips (non-fried chips made with seeds, not flour).

6.     Whole baked sweet potatoes with almond butter and cinnamon.

 

SAMPLE OPTION 1 Dinners-

1.      Avocado, asparagus, cucumber salad with onion and herbs of choice. Season with Kosher salt and pepper or vinaigrette.

2.     Vegetable soup

3.     Baked Eggplant with, tomato, basil, garlic, marinara sauce.

4.     Spaghetti squash with pesto

SAMPLE OPTION 1 Snacks-

1.      Hummus (homemade or store bought)

2.     Seed chips

3.     Nuts (raw, unsalted)

4.     Rice cakes

5.     Apple “cookies” with nut butters and dried fruits.

6.     Trail mix (all natural, no candies or added sweeteners)

7.     Assorted berries

8.     Frozen grapes

9.     Grape tomatoes, celery, and carrots (with hummus).

10.  Baked zucchini chips

11.   Baked sweet potato chips

 

NOTE:  IF YOU ARE NOT DOING OPTION 1, then Option 2 includes pasta, dairy and bread.  Make adjustments as needed. 

 

Appendix D:  Restaurant Guide & Meatless Recipes

Discounts Available to LifeChangers During January Fast:

1. China King - Hwy 50 O’Fallon - 10% Discount w/ LifeChanger Card

2. Papa Murphy’s Pizza - Hwy 50 O’Fallon - $2.00 off per Aaron

3. DINING WITH DIANNE!  LifeChanger Dianne Shelton will offer $4.00 off $20 or more worth of meal prep orders!  Meatless Meals …delicious meatless meals just for you!  Text her at 618-971-5803

 

Green Goddess Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

1 cup ice water                                      1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)

3/4 cup fresh spinach                            1 celery stalk, roughly chopped

1 kiwi, peeled and sliced                        1/2 green apple, cored, roughly chopped

1/2 green pear, cored, roughly chopped 8-10 ice cubes

1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped        1/2 avocado meat

DIRECTIONS

In a high-speed blender, place all ingredients in the order they are listed. You want to make sure the spinach is weighted down by all the other ingredients to ensure everything gets mixed without chunks of spinach leaves. Blend on high speed for about 45-60 seconds and enjoy in a tall glass. You can divide into 2 glasses or save half for later. When you're ready to drink the remaining juice (within 24 hours), throw in 6 ice cubes and re-blend.

 Spicy Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, quartered and sliced thin         3 medium cloves garlic, chopped

1-2 tsp minced fresh chili pepper                       2 tsp ground coriander

1 TBS dry mustard                                           5 cups + 1 TBS chicken or vegetable broth

2 TBS fresh lemon juice                                    2 medium-sized red potatoes cut 1/2 in. cubes

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes                                3 cups thinly sliced Savoy or green cabbage

salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat 1 TBS broth in a medium soup pot. Sauté sliced onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and minced chili pepper. Continue to sauté for another minute.  Stir in dried coriander and mustard. Add broth and the rest of ingredients except the cabbage, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 20 minutes, uncovered, or until potatoes are tender.  Add cabbage, and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Black Bean Chili

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped                                  1 medium bell pepper, diced to 1/4-inch pieces

1 TBS + 1-1/2 cups vegetable broth                  6 medium cloves garlic, chopped

4 cups or 2 15 oz cans black beans, drained        1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes (do not drain)           2 TBS ground cumin

2 TBS red chili powder                                     2 TBS dried oregano

1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen                     1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat 1 TBS broth in a medium size soup pot. Sauté onion and bell pepper in broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add garlic, cumin, and red chili powder and continue to sauté for another minute.  Add 1-1/2 cups broth and the rest of ingredients, except for the cilantro and corn. Simmer for another 20 minutes uncovered. Add corn and cook for another 2 minutes. Add chopped cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Breakfast Recipes

Easy High-protein Breakfast Stir-fry for the Daniel Fast

1 tablespoon olive oil                            1 medium onion, sliced

1/2 green pepper, chopped                    1 cup firm tofu, diced in bite-sized pieces

Fresh Italian herbs to taste

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add oil and heat for a couple minutes. Add the onions and green peppers and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Add tofu, garlic salt and Italian herbs. Continue to cook until vegetables are soft.  Makes two servings.

Granola

4 cups rolled oats                                  1 cup crushed almonds

½ cup whole grain flour                         1 tsp. cinnamon

¼ cup shredded coconut                        1 cup sunflower seeds

½ cup wheat germ or other whole grain bran

1 cup honey                                          1 cup pumpkin seeds

Mix all together and spread out on a non-stick cookie sheet. Bake 20 min. in a 250 degree preheated oven.  Stir and continue to bake another 20 min., stirring periodically to prevent burning. The granola should be lightly browned. Remove from oven and serve warm or cool thoroughly and store in tightly sealed container or plastic bags. Option: After the granola is cooled, add raisins or other organic, unsulphured dehydrated fruit.

Quick Tomato Sauce

This is an easy recipe for homemade tomato sauce that you can use as a base for vegetable casseroles, over 100% whole wheat pasta, or over brown rice.

2 tablespoons olive oil                                       1 medium yellow onion (chopped)

2 cans diced tomatoes (14.5 oz) (or fresh)           Salt to taste

1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped

Saute onions in heated oil over medium heat, cooking until soft. Add tomatoes (including juice) and salt.  Simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Add cilantro and simmer for 5 or 10 more minutes. Serve over pasta, rice or cooked vegetables.

 

Herb-Roasted Idaho Potato Fries

1-pound small baking potatoes                      2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp dried thyme                                       1/2 tsp dried rosemary

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Coat a heavy baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut each potato in half crosswise. Place the halves cut side down on the cutting board and cut each into 4 wedges. Place the potatoes in a mound on the prepared baking sheet. In a cup, mix the oil, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour over the potato wedges and toss to mix well. Spread the potatoes out on the sheet. Bake, stirring 2 or 3 times, until tender and lightly browned, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

 

Stir Fry Vegetables

1 red onion, sliced                                          3 stalks celery, thinly sliced

½ cup broccoli, chopped                                 1 bell pepper, sliced

1 tsp. sea salt                                                  3 carrots, peeled and sliced

½ cup cauliflower, chopped                            1 cup zucchini, thinly sliced

1 cup yellow squash, thinly sliced                 1 Tbsp. Oriental seasoning

Stir-fry all vegetables in 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil until tender. Add salt and seasoning. Serve alone or over brown rice.