Tuesday, January 4th
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.
