Hello. I am pleased to announce that the 40-Day Surrender Fast is now available! If you are in a season of transition or in need of a spiritual transformation this is the book for you. The Surrender Fast will help you to re-group and re-focus so that you are able to do just what you were created to do. Please visit www.surrenderfast.com for more details.
Today is day 2 of my fast. One of the things that I am surrendering is lack of discipline. I am at a seminar in a new city. Somewhere between lunch and dinner, I decided that it would be best if I waited until I return home to start. I decided that there were just too many distractions away from home.
ReplyDeleteAs I reflected this morning, the Holy Spirit convicted me. No matter where I am, there will always be distractions.
I am praying that when the challenges come my way, God will be there to redirect my path.
@Butterfly Wings - You are the fourth person this week to mention something privitol happening on Day 2. There is something about that day...
ReplyDeleteAnyway don't give up! Being away is a wonderful way to practice the art of discipline. I am so pleased you didn't decide to give up but more than that God is pleased.
Keep surrendering...the long-term rewards will far outweigh the short-term discomfort. Dr. Celeste
Day 4 - One of the questions on Day 4 is whether or not storms have come since you started the fast. My response was not so far. Not even an hour later it hit me that my storms are financial.
ReplyDeleteBefore I left for my trip, my tenants bounced their $2,000 rent check which means that my mortgage check bounced. I stopped on my way home from the airport and my card was declined for a $50 purchase. I just got paid and had planned to pay bills when I returned, so I had a full check in my account. I checked when I got home and there is a $1,900 charge to somewhere in China!! I was away but nowhere near China.
But for the grace of God. Because I try so hard to be nice to everyone I meet, God used the bank manager that I met years ago to help me with my bounced check issue. Not only did she waive the fees, she wrote a letter to my mortgage company she also called me at the airport to let me know that she had done it. Thanks be to God.
I am claiming the other issue a victory as well. I have not once lost control or doubted that the issues would be rectified. I am definitely in HIS hands. Stay faithful.
@Butterfly Wings - Your comment brings up a very important point. So many of us neglect to observe the events that are going on around us assuming they are random. On the contrary, spiritual warfare is real (I discuss this concept more in depth on Day 15). They enemy wants you to lose but remember "greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world." Stay strong; God has provided all that you need to finish this fast successfully. Dr. Celeste
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon! Today is DAY 4 - for me! Yeah! As I read the scripture and looked over 'The Other Side' questions, I couldn't help but notice something. As we get closer and closer to the Lord, our thinking shifts! We begin to walk in the authority and power that Jesus walked in! The NIV study notes for Mark 4:35-41 state that 'Jesus is Lord not only over his church but also over all creation!' Jesus was and is, therefore we are! We reign! Well, now!
ReplyDeleteWelcome msangelalvann! Excellent point you made. I took a moment to let that settle in my spirit...we walk in the authority and power that Jesus walked in. Wow, therefore we can ask what we will in His name (according to His will) and it is done!
ReplyDeleteAlso don't forget to check out the official surrender fast blog http://surrenderfast.wordpress.com/. I post a weekly blog and there are supplemental prayer calls that have been recorded. All that information can be found on the site.
Enjoy your journey and check in again when you can!
Dr. Celeste
It's 'Day 8,' already! WOW! [My desire for red meat seems to be waning! Who would have thunk?] John 14 has always awed me! We are to do what Jesus did, and even greater things! Boy have we missed the mark; first and foremost, in our thinking! By the grace of God: no more, no more, no more, no more, no more! Shalom!
ReplyDeleteShalom Angela, you are so correct boy have we missed the mark but thank God for second, third and forth chances!
DeleteThat's incredible about your taste for the red meat. Let's see what the future holds for you and your diet. :)
It's Day 9 for me and I tell you the truth, since I began studying the word twice a day AND doing "the fast," all sorts of things are being dealt with! One of those things (which came forth before I even started "the fast"), was forgiveness of my college roommate of 3-1/2 years! I've been out of college for 30 years! In all honesty, I had no idea that unforgiveness was even there! A dislike of a certain situation shall we say, but unforgiveness? It's hard to describe how I felt! Humbled, that's the word! Incredibly humbled, for I know NOT the number of times that I've been forgiven for this, that or the other! I'm saying all of this to say that between the word and the fast, I'm learning to allow a 'searching by the Spirit!' But for the grace of God!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is amazing! Like you stated, 30 years ago, really? But I understand. Your response made me take a moment to search my own heart and pray that I have forgiven everyone that has hurt me. I praise God for what He is doing for you in these 40 days. Also, check out the Official Surrender Fast Blog if you want to read about how others are doing: http://surrenderfast.wordpress.com/
DeleteI think what caught me off guard about it all was that right before returning back to my hometown of Fayetteville to expand my work, I had a speaking engagement at Catawba College, our old stomping grounds. I thought that it would be a perfect time to reach out to her, so I tracked her down and invited her to come out and hear me so that we could grab a bite to eat and catch up. She never showed, she never called, nothing --- there was just this awful silence (in my heart anyways)! I recall thinking to myself, well o-kay. I'd thought of her from time to time every since, and still do especially since that jarring announcement! :-) Obviously, there is some unfinished business there. [I can't help but think that I may not have been there for her when she needed me most, and if she didn't come to me she must have been afraid of what I would think or say! UGH!] I'm just glad that Abba Father pointed it out to me; but truthfully, I did feel ashamed for a while! That said, he needed to tell me and I needed to know! Now I'm just trusting him for the right time and place so that the healing can begin. Gayle is a kindhearted person, a gentle soul! I've never stopped loving her, like a sister! P.S. Today is Day 15! I couldn't help but laugh at today's topic because just as sure as I set out to have morning devotional and pray, my sinuses began draining and I started coughing! I've had steady sinus drainage a lot the last several days in this spring-like weather that we've been having! I felt led to pray for a strengthened immune system! After doing so, the coughing stopped! I tell you the truth! MMMMM! :-) Have a GRRRRREAT, GRRRRREAT day! 'Surrender Fast' is a definite turning point in my spiritual growth, and for that I am very, very grateful! God bless you! Shalom!
DeleteAmazing, thanks for sharing! I pray that that situation is made right. But at least you have peace.
DeleteAnother thing, when you prayed for your immune system I thought, "The scripture does say, 'In all your ways acknowledge Him...'" And look what God did, He relieved you of the sinus pressure. Wow, you are doing it right.
I praise God for your continued spiritual growth. The best is yet to come!