daniel's fast devotion

Get Spiritually Strong in 2015!

February 16, 2015 By Kristen Feola

What does it take to get in better physical shape? You have to push yourself beyond what’s comfortable. You can’t just sit around and think about working out. You have to get off the couch and do it.

The same is true spiritually.

To grow stronger in the Lord, you must exercise your muscles on a regular basis. I’m not talking about your biceps or quads here, either. I’m referring to your spiritual “muscles” – those unseen parts that make up the inner you – your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

But how are those muscles developed? I’m glad you asked.

My book, Spiritually Strong: The Ultimate 6-Week Guide to Building Your Body and Soul, outlines six exercises that will train your spiritual core – Bible study, prayer, fasting, healthy living, financial stewardship, and serving others. As you develop self-discipline in these areas, you will learn to:

Study the Bible and understand what God is saying to you.
Pray with power.
Incorporate periodic fasting into your life.
Honor God with your body through nutritious eating and exercise.
Practice good stewardship of the resources God has given you.
Serve others in humility as an outward demonstration of God’s love.

(Watch the Spiritually Strong book trailer for more information.)

The Spiritually Strong program includes a 6-week Bible study and a workout plan. It’s perfect for small groups, but you can also do it on your own.

God has called you to be strong in Him and in His mighty power (Eph. 6:10). So do your best to get physically and spiritually fit. You don’t want to miss out on God’s best for your life!

Kristen Feola
Author and Former Personal Trainer

Ocean Depths

February 2, 2015 By Kristen Feola

“May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is” (Ephesians 3:18 NLT).

I’m fascinated by the ocean. When I look out upon its mighty waters, I’m in awe of God’s marvelous creation. But if I stay on the sand collecting sea shells and never venture out into the waves, I miss out. For just below the ocean’s surface is an amazing display of colors and creatures that’s breathtaking. The first time I went snorkeling, I couldn’t believe my eyes! As I swam among various kinds of fish and sea life, I realized there’s much more beauty to the ocean than what I can be seen from the shore.

That’s how the Christian life is. If we’re content to go to church once a week and read the Bible sporadically, we rob ourselves of the abundant life God wants us to experience. But when we choose to dive into spiritual waters through disciplines such as fasting, we discover a whole new level of joy and power. Our lives are enriched and strengthened in ways they wouldn’t be otherwise. We’re also more sensitive to what God is doing around us.

Have you set aside time to fast and pray this year? If not, don’t let fear of the unknown keep you stuck in the sand. Trust the Lord to give you the courage to step out into the water. When you do, you’ll have a greater understanding of how long, how high, and how deep God’s love is for you!

Come Right In

February 18, 2014 By Kristen Feola

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

Leviticus is not my favorite book in the Bible. It tends to be monotonous and confusing. Today, though, I found a powerful, liberating truth buried deeply among the long list of rules.

In Chapter 16 God gives Moses instructions to pass on to his brother, Aaron. The Lord said, “Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place…or else he will die….” (16:2). That statement sounds unbelievably harsh, unless you understand the context.

Aaron was a priest. The main responsibility of priests was to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people and seek atonement for their sin. However, before performing their duties, priests had to spend hours in preparation. Leviticus 8-9 explains in great detail the steps Aaron and his sons had to take before meeting with the Almighty God. They had to be washed with water, wear special clothing, and be anointed with oil. In other words, they had to purify themselves.

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, were also priests. While serving in the tabernacle one day, they completely disregarded God’s commands and decided to do things their own way. As a result, the Lord put them to death. When this unfortunate event occurred, God reminded Aaron of the seriousness of his position and the consequences of failing to honor God’s holiness.

As I read this passage, I was thankful freedom we have in Christ. Because Jesus died for our sin, we don’t have to live in fear as Aaron did. We can approach God with boldness at any time, and he promises to lavish us with love when we do!

You don’t have to “get ready” or make yourself clean to meet with God. He invites you to come just as you are. Any time. Whenever you choose.

Stay Free

February 4, 2014 By Kristen Feola

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” – Galatians 5:1a

A few years ago I went to prison. Not as an inmate, but as a guest on a tour. The whole experience was awkward and unsettling. Although it was an interesting experience, I was relieved when the tour was completed. As soon as we exited the building, I took a deep breath, thankful for fresh air. Thankful to be free.

However, there was a time when I was locked up behind steel bars, just like those men. But, one day – June 3, 1979, to be exact – I was set free! The chains that held me were broken, and I was released. God forgave my sin and granted me eternal life in him!

You would think that after leaving that dark, lonely place, I would never ever be tempted to return. But I have been. And I am. Perhaps you can relate. Negative thought patterns. Idolatry. Fits of anger. Lies, pride, lust, and envy. A few steps here and there in the wrong direction and soon the feet are shackled once again.

Friend, this is not what God has for us! Jesus’ death and resurrection severed our bondage forever. He freed us from the control of sin, enabling us to live through the power of the Holy Spirit. However, it’s entirely possible for one set free to return to captivity. That’s why the apostle Paul said, “Make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery” (Galatians 5:1b NLT). How do we stay free? By believing God’s commands. By refusing to listen to the lies of the enemy. By trusting in the Lord and leaning on his strength.

If you’re praying for victory over a particular sin, you need to know something: You already have it! Walk right out of your prison cell now. Hold your head up high and declare, “I will walk in freedom!” (Psalm 119:45) Remember, you’re no longer a slave to sin, you’re a slave to righteousness! Jesus Christ has set you free. Therefore, make every effort to stay free!

Fear

October 1, 2013 By Kristen Feola

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Isabelle wasn’t coming down without a fight. Our 6-year-old had just climbed thirty-five-foot rock face like a seasoned pro. She had no problem navigating the various rock formations, easily finding a handhold here, a foothold there. Avid rock climbers, my husband and I were beaming with pride when she did it all by herself.

Once she got to the top, her dad talked her through what she needed to do to come back down to the ground. She had done it at least a dozen times in the past, so we were confident she would descend easily without a problem. Suddenly, though, her foot slipped. She spun around, slammed her elbow against the rock wall, and ended up dangling in the air. All I heard was her blood-curdling scream. Actually, it was a series of screams. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so panicked.

We tried to calm her down, but it was no use. Nothing we said got through to her. Between sobs, she cried out, “I’m scared! I can’t do it! My elbow hurts! I don’t know what to do!” She was paralyzed with fear and determined to stay right where she was until her father came to her rescue.

As a parent, it was frustrating for me to see my daughter struggle, especially when she didn’t have to. I tried to remain patient and loving, but after several unsuccessful attempts to coax her down, I began to get angry. Why wouldn’t she let us help her? Didn’t she trust us? Couldn’t she see we weren’t going to let her fall?

Eventually, my husband climbed up to her. At first, Isabelle didn’t even want his help and refused to move toward him. Stubborn girl. Eventually, though, she took her father’s hand and slowly made her way to the ground. She cried the whole way down.

As we drove home, I thought about how often I am just like Isabelle. Many times I’m hanging out on the side of a mountain in my life, white-knuckled with worry and fear. All I can think about are the what-ifs: What if I can’t do it? What if I make a mistake? What if I get hurt? I cry out to God for His help, but when He reaches out to me, I resist. Yet, the Lord is always the perfect parent. He doesn’t chastise or condemn. He simply waits patiently until I get my act together. If I refuse to submit and remain in rebellion, he comes to my rescue. He brings me back to Himself, even if I kick and scream all the way.

God loves us and wants the best for us. All we have to do is trust Him. Our Father has a tight grip and won’t ever let us go.

Lord, because You are with me, I have nothing to fear. Thank you for giving me strength when I am weak. You are my Rock, and I put my trust in You alone.

You are God’s Masterpiece

July 22, 2013 By Kristen Feola

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” – Psalm 139:14

Imagine you’re an art fanatic, and you receive an invitation to the private unveiling of a new work by a world-renowned painter. You have no idea how you made the guest list for such an exclusive affair. However, the envelope clearly shows your name embossed in silver ink. You can’t believe you’ve been given such an opportunity.

Finally, after weeks of anticipation, the big night arrives. As you enter the museum, you’re so excited you can hardly breathe.

In the center of the atrium floor, you spot a massive canvas draped with a thin red sheet. Eager fans surround it. The artist walks up to the podium, and a hush falls across the room. He steps up to the microphone. “Every detail you see in this painting has purpose,” he says. “I carefully selected each color and made sure every brush stroke was perfect.” Slowly, the artist lifts the sheet to reveal his work.

The crowd gasps. Then everyone bursts into thunderous applause. “Amazing!” someone says. “Extraordinary!” another person shouts. “One of a kind!” a man proclaims.

You stand there in shock and disbelief. Do they see what I see? you wonder. The painting is nothing like you expected. In fact, you think it’s horrendous.

Everyone else seems to be elated. Once the clapping dies down and people begin mingling, you approach the artist. He smiles, waiting for your words of appreciation. Looking straight into his eyes, you say, “This is the ugliest painting I’ve ever seen! The colors are awful. I definitely wouldn’t have done it the way you did. I mean, what’s with the texture? It looks like the work of an amateur! I can’t believe I waited two months to see this piece of junk.”

Never, ever would you even think of doing such a thing. Not in a million years would you criticize the creativity of an accomplished artist. Yet, we act this way all the time when it comes to God.

When you and I consider God’s handiwork, we should be in awe, much like the writer of Psalm 139: “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (verses 13-14).” But, many times we’re critical, unhappy, and downright angry about the way God made us.

How do you feel about your body? Do you focus on what you consider to be “flaws,” or do you find reasons to rejoice in God’s miraculous creation? Every time you think negatively about your appearance or make a degrading remark about one of your features, you’re basically saying, “God, you messed up. You didn’t know what you were doing.” How offensive that must be to the Lord!

You are a priceless work of art. There’s no one else in the world like you. Zephaniah 3:17 says God takes great delight in you. He fashioned your nose, your eyes, your hair, and your body just as he wanted them to be. Don’t ever wish you had been created differently. You’re perfect just the way you are.

Take Your Position

July 1, 2013 By Kristen Feola

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17a

No matter how hard I tried this past week, I couldn’t get in the groove with my writing. My thoughts were fragmented. I had trouble expressing ideas. By Saturday I was beyond frustrated. Doubts and discouragement filled my mind. Maybe a second book wasn’t such a great idea after all.

Then I read the story of Jehoshaphat. It was just what I needed to get back on track.

When King Jehoshaphat received word that his enemies were going to attack, his first response was to turn to God. He proclaimed a fast for all of Judah, urging them to seek the Lord for help. As the people gathered together at the temple, Jehoshaphat prayed, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you (2 Chronicles 20:6).” Jehoshaphat continued by recounting God’s faithfulness to them. Finally, he confessed, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (20:12).”

At this point the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, one of the men standing in the crowd. He proclaimed: “This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them….You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you (20:15-17).’”

The next morning the people marched in the direction of their enemies. Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise him along the way. When the men of Judah came to the place where their enemies were, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground. The battle had already been won. They didn’t have to fight at all.

Where does this story meet you? What battle are you facing? What worries plague your mind? Whatever you’re up against, you don’t have to “do” anything except trust the Lord.

Today, take your position of faith. Remember, God is fighting for you, and he will deliver you. Praise the Lord for the victory that is to come!

Bring Your Family to Jesus

May 13, 2013 By Kristen Feola

“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” – John 1:40-42

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been called to share the good news of salvation with the people around us. Yet, often our greatest challenge is not in witnessing to strangers, but to those we know the best – members of our own family. Andrew’s story can encourage us. In John 1, we see that the first thing Andrew did when he heard about Jesus was to tell his brother, Simon. Verse 42 reveals what Andrew did next: “And he brought him to Jesus.”

When Andrew introduced his brother to the Savior of the world, Simon’s life was never the same. That day, Simon became Cephas (or Peter), which is translated as “rock.” Peter ended up being one of the most passionate and influential of Jesus’ followers, whose faith played a big part in laying the foundation for Christianity. Much of the book of Acts records the display of God’s power through Peter’s ministry.

I want to be like Andrew and bring my family to Jesus. Although many are believers, there are some who haven’t yet accepted God’s gift of salvation. I continue to pray their eyes will be opened to the truth. I long to see their lives radically, permanently changed – just like Peter’s was!

Do you have family members still living in darkness? If so, don’t stop interceding for them! The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:4, “Anyone who is among the living has hope.” Your loved ones are not without hope for salvation if they are still breathing. Therefore, trust God to do the work He needs to do in their hearts and to do it in His timing. Do your part, and pray for opportunities to bring your family to Jesus this year!

Held By His Grace

May 10, 2013 By Kristen Feola

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” – 2 Cor. 12:9, NLT

It was Sunday, January 6, 2013, day one of my Daniel Fast. As I stood in church and worshiped the Lord, I could sense God’s nearness. I was filled with anticipation about the fast and what God had in store. However, three hours later, that jubilant feeling had disappeared as I lay in bed with a high fever. It was the beginning of a month-long battle with the flu.

Many times during that illness, I was tempted to feel sorry for myself and burst into tears. However, instead of “losing it,” I frequently had to remind myself of these three truths:

1) God is in control.
2) He has a purpose in allowing this affliction.
3) He will provide the strength I need.

Moments of weakness, although unpleasant, are actually beneficial. Suffering is a great teacher, for it reminds us how dependent we are upon the Lord. The events of your life are not random. Just as God knew I would be sick during my entire Daniel Fast, He is not surprised at all by your circumstances. Everything in your life has been filtered through the loving hand of your Father because there is something He wants to develop in you. Therefore, do not resist Him! Trust God to bring good out of your situation.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Maybe you can relate to my experience because you’re struggling physically. Or, perhaps you’re facing financial disaster or a broken marriage. Whatever your need, don’t allow fear to enter your heart and steal your joy. Instead, focus on God’s blessings, remembering that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

My prayer for you today is that you find peace in the Father’s arms. May you be strengthened in your inner being as you put your hope in Him!

The ABCs of Praise

May 3, 2013 By Kristen Feola

“You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!” – Psalm 118:28, NLT

On Thursday mornings, I lead a group at my daughters’ school called Moms in Prayer. A group of dedicated mothers and grandmothers meet to intercede for our teachers, administration, staff, and, of course, our children. Each week, we begin our 45-minute prayer time with praise. Then, we spend a few moments in silent confession, followed by thanksgiving and intercession.

Praise is one of the most important components of prayer, but, unfortunately, it’s probably the most neglected. Many people think they are praising God when they’re actually giving thanks to Him. Although both are necessary in the life of a believer, they are not the same. Praise is acknowledging God for who He is, while thanksgiving is offering words of gratitude for what He has done.

Think of how good it feels when someone gives you a compliment. That’s exactly what you’re doing when you praise the Lord! You tell God how great He is!

One way I like to praise God is by going through the ABCs. I speak out God’s attributes, character, or name for each letter of the alphabet. It goes something like this:

God, you’re…
A- awesome, amazing, the Alpha and Omega
B – beautiful, the Bread of Life
C – compassionate, the God of all comfort, caring
D – my Deliverer
E – eternal, excellent in all your ways
F – faithful, Father, friend, forgiving
(all the way to “Z”)

When you pray, be sure to begin with praise. Resist the temptation to rush right to your requests. Instead, worship the Lord, and exalt His holy name!

Make the commitment of Psalm 145:2 (NLT): “I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.” Give my ABC idea a try, and see what you think.

The God of Second Chances

March 8, 2013 By Kristen Feola

When I’m on my skates, things happen. Spiritual things. Not anything super weird or freaky. Just God’s voice speaking. Prompting. Convicting.

This past Monday was an unseasonably warm winter day here in the Ozarks. I took advantage of the sunshine by heading out to one of my favorite local trails. After about 15 minutes, I passed a young woman and immediately noticed her posture. Her head was slightly lowered, with her eyes staring at the ground. Her body language shouted, “I’m so sad!”

I skated on. A distant memory surfaced from last July. The same trail. Rollerblading. A young woman.

Nah.

Something else caught my attention, and I moved on to the next train of thought. Then, during my final mile, I saw her again. This time she was sitting on a bench. Same slumped posture. Same sad gaze.

I sensed that God wanted me to stop and talk to her. Yet, I struggled with knowing if that “sense” was really from Him. I said aloud, “God, how do I know it’s you? How can I be sure?”

I needed a visible sign and decided to “put out a fleece” like Gideon did in Judges 6. Therefore, my plan was this: If the woman was still seated when I passed the bench a second time, I would stop. If not, then I wouldn’t.

When I came to the turnaround point on the trail, I skated back in her direction. I saw the bench. I saw her on it. As I got closer, though, I saw her getting up! I decided to go for it anyway. I said, “This may sound really strange, but I feel like the Lord wants me to tell you something. He wants you to know He loves you.”

She stopped abruptly, gave me a puzzled, almost angry look, and said with a thick accent, “You LOVE me? What the h— is that all about?”

“No, no!” I said, seeing her confusion as result of the language barrier. “God loves you. He wants you to know He sees your sadness, and He loves you.”

Then, she understood. She relaxed. She listened.

As I looked into her eyes, I also understood. The flashback from last summer came at me again, this time in full force. The young woman who approached me last July was the same woman standing before me. That day I had missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love with her. I had turned my back on a divine appointment. Yet, in God’s great mercy, He had answered my prayer for another chance. Little did I know, though, that the second chance would not be with another stranger, but with the very one He had sent my way the first time.

I was overwhelmed. All I could do was say, “Thank you, God,” as I talked with my new friend from Bulgaria.

(To read about my initial encounter, read Divine Appointment.)

Grace in a Laundry Basket

February 25, 2013 By Kristen Feola

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15

When my daughter asked, “What’s for breakfast?” I knew she wouldn’t be happy with my answer. Anticipating some resistance, I replied in a cheery voice, “Oatmeal.” Although I had expected a slight frown or a huge sigh, I was completely shocked at her response.

“Why can’t we have cereal or something else? Is there a problem with that?!” she said.

I was speechless. My daughter had never spoken to me in that tone of voice, nor had she ever uttered such disrespectful words. Taking a deep breath, I said in the calmest voice I could muster, “No, but there is a BIG problem with your attitude.

I explained that her behavior was unacceptable. Her punishment was two-fold: 1) she was grounded from playing games on the computer for a week (I knew that would hurt), and 2) she was to fold a heaping basket of clean laundry for me. My daughter sat on the floor and sulked, taking her sweet time with the clothes. Fifteen minutes later, it was time for school. She wasn’t even close to being done, so I said, “Just leave it. You can finish when you get home.”

Once I’d dropped the girls off at school, I went rollerblading to clear my head. I was upset that our morning started off like it did. As I skated, though, the Lord gave me an idea on how to turn a frustrating experience into a teachable moment.

When I got home, I sat on the living room floor and folded every piece of laundry. I wasn’t excusing my daughter for her rudeness or letting her “get away with it.” Rather, I wanted to give her a concrete example of a wonderful spiritual reality. After putting the clothes in their proper places, I placed a sign on the empty basket that said, “GRACE.”

As soon as I my daughter walked into the living room later that day, she asked, “What happened to the clothes?”

“Do you see that sign on the front?” I asked. She nodded yes. “What does GRACE mean?”

She replied, “It means doing something for someone when they don’t deserve it.”

“That’s right,” I said. “Even though you didn’t deserve it, I folded the clothes for you. What you did was wrong, but I forgave you. I showed you grace. That’s exactly what God did when He sent Jesus to the cross. We deserved death, but Jesus took our place. He died for us and paid the penalty for our sin.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Eternal life is not something we can earn. We can’t make it to Heaven on our own merit.

I gave my daughter a gift she didn’t deserve. God gives us an even greater gift – eternal life! He extends salvation freely to anyone and everyone who trusts in Him. If you don’t yet know the Lord as Savior, you can. Today. Right now. God will wipe away your mountain of sin. All you have to do is believe and then receive His gift of grace.

How to Become a Christian

According to the Bible, if you want to become a follower of Christ, you need to:

A – Admit that you are a sinner in need of God’s grace.
B – Believe that Jesus came to this earth as the Son of God, lived a perfect life, died for your sins, and rose again to give you eternal life.
C – Confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness.

Following is a sample prayer for salvation. Of course, you should use your own words to talk to God, but this might help guide you:

“God, I acknowledge that I’m a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I’m sorry for the life I’ve lived. I repent of my sin (turn away from it) and choose to follow you. Your Word says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).” I believe you sent your Son, Jesus, to die in my place. I believe Jesus paid the penalty for my sin and that He rose from the dead on the third day. Today, God, I accept your gift of salvation. I declare that Jesus is now my Savior and Lord of my life. Thank you, God, for saving me. Thank you for making a way for me to have a personal relationship with you. I want all that I do to bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”