My Portion Forever - Day 10

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength[a] of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:26

For two days I felt like dropping out. Not because I am battling or thinking no breakthrough will come, NO, it's because my flesh wants to take over. The enemy parades everything that nice before me and I want to jump at the opportunity.
I have to remind myself that I cannot give up now. I've come this far to turn back now!!! OH NO!
I will keep on going until the end. My portion is waiting for me. My breakthrough is near, I can feel it.
I will do what David when everything was against him. "...but David encouraged himself in the Lord." 1 Samuel 30:6

In His Love
Leslene

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The Flood - Day 9

"Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,for I hide myself in you." Psalm 143:9

This is the scripture I will continuously quote when the enemy comes in like a flood. At this moment this is what I have to do and trust that God will deliver me.
It's day 9 and the enemy is not happy. Fasting is not easy, it's not suppose to be easy. If it were easy, I don't think the enemy will even try to bother you.
Scripture says; "...When the enemy come in like a flood..." Isaiah 59:19
So, the enemy will try everything to stop the vow you made with God. Be brave, stand firm and do not fall back into a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
The stronger you are in your commitment towards this fast, the stronger the enemy will come in.
Keep calling on God, keep praying and don't stop.

PRAYER:
Lord, honestly, I feel so weak with this old thing the enemy is throwing at me. Please help me Lord. I need You so much. I don't want to give up. You are Lord of my life and no other god will rule me. I love You, Lord. In Jesus name. Amen!

In His Love
Leslene
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The World and I - Day 8

"Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches."(Psalm 73:12)

Wow, isn't that true. Everyday, you come across ungodly people who prospers in everything they do. Does it mean the world system is faster? I think it is. They don't allow themselves to wait. They make it happen, and it doesn't matter how they make it happen. But where do they en up, they end up tired, they end up anxious because whatever they rushing towards doesn't last long.
We don't have to do that when we're in Christ. We are taught that He takes care of it all, and we don't have to do things the easy way. If He says that, then we don't have to worry about the wicked that prospers so quickly.
When we do things God's way, we won't be in trouble. "They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men." (Psalm 73:5)
Allow this fast to teach you how to stay close to God. When the day of judgement is here, we will know where our destination is.
"Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:"
(Ecclesiastes 8:12)

God is for you, especially when you give every selfish nature back to Hi to deal with.

PRAYER:
Thank you Lord for Your word says: "....Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelation 1:5). I am loved and so grateful. In Jesus name. Amen!
In His Love
Leslene
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Enjoyment of Life - Day 7

"I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun."
Ecclesiates 8:15

Today is a big day for me. The whole family are on our way to a picnic. I packed in nice goodies for them. Breakfast, lunch and not to mention all the sweet stuff.
It's so tempting, but I am strong. I know this will be a huge challenge for me to contain myself from getting moody or hungry because of what I see in their plates today. God is saying to this morning; "Enjoy life with those who are merry. Life cannot stop because of one person who decides to fast."
When temptation comes in the form of a picnic, count it all joy because, you are part of a people who wants to enjoy life with each other.
Be strong and enjoy life.

PRAYER:
Lord, You know my heart. You know my weaknesses on day such as this. Help me TODAY Lord to be strong and to know what the purpose of this fast is. In Jesus name. Amen!
In His Love
Leslene
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Rest - Day 6

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake." Psalms 23:2-3

Rest is, "and anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:19), which keeps us from being tossed around on the sea of circumstances. It's not just the feeling of ease we get from a vacation or relaxation or a sound sleep at night; true rest is a place inside ourselves where we can be still and know that He is God, no matter what appears to be happening around us.
Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
He instructs us not allow our hearts to be troubled but to resist it by deciding to rest in Him.
We must say, "God, I choose this day to enter into the rest You have for me. Show me how."

This morning on day 5, I feel unsettled within me. I feel tired, anxious, and moody. It's only day 5 and today I feel worried and wonder how I will feel on the days that still lie ahead, BUT I do realize, it's not of God. The enemy wants me to give up, but God says something else. He is teaching me about His "Rest"
I will not be anxious and keep going. God has a plan. I will rest in Him.
When we rest in Him, He reveals all that stands in our way. Resting is "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) and learning to be content no matter what the circumstance (Phil. 4:11) - not being necessarily delighted with those circumstances but being able to say, "God is in charge. I have prayed about it. He knows my need. I am obeying to the best of my knowledge. I can rest."
In His Love
Leslene

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Still Committed - Day 5

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." 2 Timothy 1: 12

I have a relationship with my Father and I am not ashamed to say it. This is day 5 and I am happy to say that I will stay committed. Early this morning I had to be at Labor Department and the wait seemed endless. You think you never gonna see the inside of the place all because they take their own sweet time, and not to mention with what belongs to me.
You give your time in order for you to receive what's yours and yes it will take time to get to you. Because you are committed, you will be rewarded.
Through prayer and fasting, you learn patience, you learn how to have peace, you learn how to trust fully in God - that when your possessions are in the hands of others, you trust that God is busy on your behalf.
Stay committed to the covenant you have with God.
In His Love
Leslene

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His Faithfulness - Day 4

"Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel." Jeremiah 18:6b

We can surely trust God as we allow Him to shape us. When we draw up that contract or let me say; when we decide on a fast, we give God permission to shape us like the potter shapes the clay. Fasting is NOT easy. Besides hunger, we face other challenges, but guess what? God remains FAITHFUL when we fail, or when we decide to give up.
It is so important that we tell God why we are fasting. What we expect from the fast and that we will be faithful in our prayers.
With this fast, I laid my daughter before God. I asked Him for a matric pass. I know she did her best during the end exam and I wanted her to see her results as her best. God showed me that all things are possible. He showed me His faithfulness because my daughter was faithful during her studies. She passed... All glory to God. This however won't stop me from continuing the fast. I makes me want to keep going and trust God for the other requests I have made known to Him. I believe He will come through.
Let's remain faithful always, and allow the Potter to shape and mold us.
PRAYER
"Lord, I have decided to give everything I have over to You. I give You permission to mold me. I have tried to do things on my own, "But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You are our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand."(Isaiah 64:8). do what need to be done, remove everything that is not of You and show me what faithfulness really is. Amen!"
In His Love
Leslene
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Praise God IT IS... Day 3

"Yes, I have loved you with an unfailing love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt." Jeremiah 31:3-4

I feel God's love all around me and I fully accept it and today more than ever, I am persuaded that neither death, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.(Romans 8:38-39)
I will never doubt His love ever again. We are on day 3 and I am strong. I will make it. Lord, may Your unfailing LOVE be my comfort. (Psalm 119:76)
In His Love
Leslene

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I'm Weary - Day 2

"I, the Lord, said to Israel: You have become weary, but not from worshiping me." Isaiah 43:22

You have fasted many times before and it didn't turn out they way you wanted. You got tired because you don't get the proper nutrition. You feel tired and it makes you not want to take that quiet time and pray, instead you sleep.
The enemy wants to stop you from the ultimate purpose. When you feel tired, tell God why you fasting. Tell God what the purpose is.
He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." Mark 9:29
God is aware that you are weary, but not of worshiping Him, then you wouldn't have decided to fast again. Fasting is worshiping Him, because you know only He can deliver you from the battles.
This is your second day, and just like He carried you through your first day(yesterday), He will do the same today. Expect that breakthrough and keep on worshiping God.
In His Love
Leslene
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He Still Remembered - Day 1

"Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled against Him by their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cries; and for their sake He remembered His covenant." Psalm 106:43-45

This is the first day of the 21 day fast and God reminded me this morning that I will fail, may it be in my thoughts, my attitude, and many others things, but I must remember why Christ died for me. I must remember why I'm fasting, because He remembers His covenant.
PRAYER
"Lord, I pray that you will deliver me from anything that binds me. Enable me to recognize every work of the evil one in my life, and strengthen me to stand strong against it. Thank You that when I feel the death grip of mine in circumstances, You hear my cry for freedom and answer. Set me free Jesus from anything that keeps me from being all You made me to be. Amen!"
In His Love
Leslene

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Is this not the fast?

The practice of fasting goes much deeper than the act of going without food. God declares that He does not just delight in us going without our daily needs, but delights in loosing the "bonds of wickedness" and undoing "heavy burdens" of those we oppress.
God is calling us to live from His set of values and ethics. Fasting is fine and good and in these days we don't do it enough. Yes we fast but we still harbor destructive thoughts and oppressive attitudes and that does not reflect Christ in us at all.
Ethics supply the foundation for our values. Values supply the power that drives our leadership.
Consider what God expects from a "fasted life."
1. Liberate those who are oppressed (Isaiah 58:6)
2. Share resources with the needy (Isaiah 58:7)
3. Provide shelter for the homeless (Isaiah 58:7
4. Supply clothing to the naked (Isaiah 58:7)
5. Stop accusing and judging others (Isaiah 58:9)

This is what God says:
"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 bring your house to 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 the Lord will say, 'Here I am'
Isaiah 58:6-9

In His Love
Leslene


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