Fasting for Finances

My church is doing an entertainment fast. I really think this is so appropriate for today. I think people give up food all the time for different reasons but we never give up entertainment for God. I am fasting Facebook and desserts. Some may think, "desserts aren't entertainment" but my reasons are 1. God told me to and 2. They bring me more satisfaction than spending time with God. I find joy in their sugary sweetness, which is not appropriate. It was entertainment for me. I was entertaining my taste buds. I have made it 24 hours and today I am really feeling the withdraws of no Facebook and desserts. I have done my devotions, prayed and sang praise and worship songs. I know God will be faithful and speak to me during this time.  I am fasting for answers and guidance for this year. I am expecting financial breakthrough this year. I am also debating a business license and I really want God's direction. I am believing for favor on Kris at work as well.

I read a fantastic devotional today and I want to share some of it with you. It was written by Marybeth Whalen and I read it from the Proverbs 31 Ministries website. (http://devotions.proverbs31.org) I was extremely blessed by this word. I cried as I read it. This is EXACTLY how I feel right now.

"...As I read this passage (Judges 7) I thought of another time a soldier wanted to know the numbers he was dealing with. First Chronicles 21:1 tells us that King David was enticed by Satan to count his men. He knew that if he could get David’s focus on the numbers instead of on God, he’d gain access to David’s thoughts and trust. These two biblical examples were a good wakeup call. God was trying to teach me to stop trusting in numbers – specifically in bank account numbers. He was gently reminding me that—as good as an emergency fund is—I can really only trust in Him. I didn’t need to worry about my balance or my battlefield. I only had to believe He would supply all I need."

This was a fantastic reminder that I do not trust in numbers or USAA (my bank). I trust in God. Our currency is printed with "In God We Trust" and I am trusting the money and how much of it I have. No, God will supply our needs. I trust HIM, not money. I trust HIM, not what my bank account says. Here is the prayer that Marybeth shared with us. I share it with you so you know how I am praying for my family and you can agree with me and you can also pray for your own.

"Dear Lord, my numbers don’t look good right now. The statistics are stacked against me. The account balance doesn’t make sense. I’m in the red. I feel like I’m facing impossible odds. And yet, today I feel a spark of hope. Please fan it into a flame of complete trust—not in numbers, but in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."