Fasting Part IV

I have written before about fasting to get spiritual breakthroughs.  You can go here,here,

and here for the first three parts.  I pick up the story after Matthew has graduated

from high school.

One week after Matthew graduated from high school, I felt led to fast again for him to find a job. At this point in his life he doesn't want to go to college.  That's fine.  He

needs to decide what he wants to do.

So, I felt on the Saturday after he graduated that I needed to pray for him to find a job.  I began the Daniel fast at noon that Saturday.  On the Daniel fast I could have fruit, 

vegetables, and whole grains like brown rice or quinoa.  I also prayed.  That Tuesday,

four days later, he went with two friends to apply for work at a new Cracker Barrel

that is opening about 25 miles from us.  

I was in the middle of painting a room when he called me.  He got hired on 

the spot for a busboy/dishwasher position.  I told him it was God who placed 

that job in his lap.  There is no doubt in my mind.  His friends did not get hired.

Testimony to God's Faithfulness

  

Earlier this week I started a mini-series on what impact 

fasting has had in my life.  To read parts 1 and 2, go here 

and here.  When I left off, I was recounting the Saturday 

morning when I was putting on my make-up and heard 

Jesus' voice.  Now, lest you think I am a nut, I don't hear 

voices.  In fact, there have only been a couple of times 

when I heard a voice I knew was God's or Jesus' .  Anyway, 

I purposed to trust him.  In reading Women Who Trust God,  

I learned to make a choice to discipline my mind and emotions.

      We choose to believe God is in control.

      We allow peace to enter our minds through HIS control.

      We choose to push out all worry and concern for tomorrow's outcome, trusting God this day.        

      We continually fill our minds with the truth God is bigger than this problem.

      We focus, often several times a day.  Philippians 4:6:  "Do not be anxious about anything, but with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

During this time I was blessed to be able to see and hear Dr. Tony Evans here.  I felt led to buy his book Victory in Spiritual Warfare.  I was reminded of 1 Peter 5:8:  "Be of sober spirit on the alert.  Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  And, John 16:33:  "These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

And...1 John 5:4:  "Because whatever has been born of God conquers the world.  This is the victory that has conquered the world:  our faith."  Faith is acting as if God is telling the truth even when it doesn't appear to be true."

Matthew's math grade went from a 42 to a 66, back to a 62 one week from the end of the grading period.  I wondered how much more it could plummet.  During this time I fasted and his grade went back up.  I fasted from breakfast to dinner, which may not seem like much to some people, but it was huge for me.  I was reminded of Genesis 32:26:  "I will not let you go unless you bless me."  I kept hanging on by a thread, and on Friday I got an email stating his quarter grade 

was a 57, and his yearly average was a 70.25.

My God is mightier than any devil disguised as an angel of light and he is mightier than Matthew's obstinancy.  I am a novice at fasting; I have done the Daniel fast, and I have fasted from breakfast to dinner.

But.........I have seen the results and praise God for them.


Next installment:  What God has done through my fasting since Matthew graduated from high school.

Testimony to God's Faithfulness Through Prayer and Fasting, Part 2

Yesterday I started a series of how prayer and fasting have changed my life  (go here)...totally revolutionized my christian life.    When I left off,  Matthew had a 62  in Algebra 3 at the end of the third quarter.  I was shocked because the teacher had not informed me, as school board policy dictates.  When I 
questioned the 62, they changed it to a 70, supposedly due to participation.


I thought fourth quarter would be a breeze.  Matthew has always struggled with math as I have;
our minds are not wired for numbers.  He got angry and slept in class.  I plied him with energy
drinks, but he still slept---out of disrespect.


Through all this, I prayed and got messages from God.


On January 9, He sent me this message from Dr. Tony Evans:  "God is faithful; He's got it.
Trust Him."


A verse that came to mind several times over the last few months was Hebrews 13:18:  "God is the same 
yesterday, today, and forever."  God reminded me that He had the English grade changed, the
third quarter Algebra 3 grade changed, and He would take care of the final grade.


I was pondering what to do about Algebra 3 when I was putting on my makeup one morning.
All of a sudden in my head I heard, "Do you trust me?"  It was almost a whisper.  I knew it
was Jesus.  It threw me for a loop.  At this time I downloaded a free book on my kindle: Women
Who Trust God.    Trust was the key word.  In the next installment I will tell you how I purposed to 
trust God....really trust Him.


(to be continued)

Testimony to God's Faithfulness Through Prayer and Fasting

I became interested in fasting last summer.  I believe God was leading me to it.  Each time he led me to fast for something since then, it came to pass.  Most of those times involve a friend with personal issues I can not divulge.  Therefore, I will share my testimony about fasting for my son, a high school senior.


In January things looked bleak for Matthew passing English.  He had failed both first and second quarters.  He hated his teacher, and when that happens, he shuts down, not realizing it won't hurt the teacher.  Then a miracle happened; he was allowed to make up work and that brought him to a 70, passing.  I pushed him the entire second semester, and he passed for the year with a C.  But, I jump ahead of the story.  That was just the beginning.


The real problem proved to be Algebra 3.  At the end of the first semester he had a 77.  His teacher resigned, and a replacement was brought in whom I knew.  He proved to be less than desirable and Matthew hated him, too.  At the end of the third quarter, he had a 62.  There was one quarter to go, and it looked dismal.  But....God was at work.  


(to be continued)

Cats on Tuesday

Cats on Tuesday are blog posts from people who love their feline friends and want to share their antics.  For more, go to Gattina's.  


My wonderful 84 year-old father has such a gentle, quiet spirit.  My cats (those who love people that is) sense that and gravitate to him (See the bottom of this blog for an example.)  Here Humpty Dumpty is demanding attention from him.  I think it took my dad by surprise.

Below:  Here I am on the couch with Humpty Dumpty on the left and Snowflake on the right.  Any time I am on the couch, both end up with me.  

Cats on Tuesday

I have been MIA for several months now.  Work was over the top, and when I got home, I could not even think about blogging.  But....I am out now for 2 months, so I will try to get inspired to resurrect this blog.

Above, Miles and Minnie have been hanging out a lot lately.  My son calls her a "hoe" because she alternates between her "Sugar Daddy" here (He's 15) and Lovey, who is about 6. (Below)

For more cat tales, go to Gattina's.