Day 21

We have reach the finish line. Today is day 21 are fast is ending afternoon at lunchtime. I hope we all have grown closer to the Lord during our time of dedication to Lord.  In the days that are head us now remain strong in your commitment to a closer relationship with God. God will meet you in your faithfulness. I believe what has God been impressing us to do is host His presence. To walk in his favor this year, to thrive in all our endeavors natural and spiritual  this year.  Here is a brief outline to help walk in His favor.

I. The first way that favor is unleashed in your life is by, “ you’re desire for wisdom!”                                                       
II. Secondly, Diligence creates favor!                                                                                                                                 III. Thirdly, An understanding heart attracts favor.                                                                                                                IV. Fourth, appropriate and right words often generate favor from those around you.                           V. Fifth, Humility generates favor.                                                                                                                                         VI. Sixth, An uncommon skill or anointing often creates favor!                                                                                                  
VII. Repentance brings favor!                                                                                                                                       VIII.  Last, favor increases when you associate with people of faith

Day 17

God desires to do great things in your life He wants to move mightily on your behalf. He has plans for you and they are continually growing progressing and developing. He desires communion with you a close relationship closer than any human relationship you have where he can speak to you intimately as a friend. The same way that he spoke to Abraham of old. During our fast I hope you have giving God a greater place in your life and had a greater desire to seek him maybe even be desperate for his presence. I hope our fast has brought you closer to God to the place where you may even seek his presence with the same level of desire and need as we do food. Jesus referred to himself as the bread of life we must seek to be filled to overflowing with the bread of life. Jesus when tempted in the in the wilderness responded to Satan that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Hebrews 11:1 “tells us now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen” . Hebrews 11:6 tells us “without faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is water of those who diligently seek him.” As we have spent these last 17 days praying and fasting to the Lord I believe that is  the very definition of diligently seeking him. So as we continue on this journey to a greater relationship with the Lord let each and every one of us desire communion with him his presence in our lives, his plans for our lives, and allow him to direct our paths.

Day 16

Today we are on day sixteen we are almost there only five days left.  What have you learned about yourself during the fast?  What has God been speaking to you?  Do you think you have a closer relationship with God? As you have been doing the readings, have the scriptures come alive to you?  Take time to prepare a testimony for Sunday to share with the rest of the body of Christ.   Here is an outline to meditate on today

PSALM 41:1-3

1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

I.  The Lord will deliver him in time of  trouble   No one is immune to hard times. But God has promised to deliver us in our greatest hour of need when we live in obedience to his commands.
II.   The Lord Will preserve him:  This promise means the Lord will watch over and keep you.  What an assurance that is for us in these uncertain times we live in.
III.  And keep him alive:    addition to keeping you alive I believe this also means that God will keep your marriage alive, your family, your hopes and dreams alive.
IV.  And He will be blessed on the earth:   If you want to be blessed in your finances, on the job, and with your resources consider the poor
V.  You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies:  Satan wants to destroy you and your family, but God has promised divine protection to those who reach to those in need
VI. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness:  Imagine God’s strength in your life even as you age God will renew those who are care for the weak
VII.  You will sustain him on his sickbed: This is a promise of healing power in our lives when we care for the poor

Day 14

Today is day Fourteen of our spiritual journey into a deeper relationship with God. Do the best you can to keep up with our bible reading.  If you are finding it difficult to do, just start reading the passage for the day and read as much as you can. As we embrace a lifestyle consistent with thriving in God this year.  I was thinking that a good place to start would be  learning to walk in God’s favor. As you pray and fast over the next few days meditate on the thoughts that follow.

Living In The Favor of The Lord
WHERE DO I BEGIN?  Psalm 92:1-2
If we want to live in the favor of the we need first to change our attitude to one of gratitude.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving. (Psalm 100:4)                                       
1. Begin to keep a record of the Good things in your life.
I often talk to people who think they have nothing to be thankful for, who evaluate their lives only in terms of what they don't have.
Instead, make it a point to itemize every good thing in your life. If you have to start with the most basic things, then start with the most basic things: you have a pulse, you're breathing, you're here today.
2.  Start and close each day with a time of thanksgiving to God.
Pslams 92:1-2  1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night...
3. Express Gratitude to the people you interact with .
First-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Prayer.
Second-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Faith.
Third-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Obedience.
Fourth-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Patience.

Day 11

Today is day 11 we are now past the halfway point of our 21 day prayer and fast. Take this opportunity to evaluate your goals in this endeavor. Examine your heart And see what God is changing in you, what God wants to reveal to you what direction God is leading you. When we fast and abstain for food or other things for spiritual purposes, I believe that God will honor our sacrifice and meet us where we are. And raise us to new heights in our spiritual journey. When we fast it's not about self-denial it's not about self-flagellation. It is a time in which we are giving food or whatever else it may be to the Lord spending more time in prayer communion intercession supplication with him for the sole purpose of developing a closer more intimate relationship with the Lord. The purpose of fasting is to increase our desire to be in his presence to carry his presence everywhere we go for God to move supernaturally in our lives in our nation in the world. For each and every one of us to grow closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember God wants to move powerfully in your life he has plans for you that are always progressing and developing. He desires to speak to you with the clarity that one would speak to a friend. 2nd Corinthians 6:2 says “I tell you now is the time of God's favor now is the day of salvation”.  Psalm 50:14,15 tell us “offer to God Thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High God. Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you shall glorify me”

Day 10

Today is day 10 we are almost halfway through our journey of faith.  Jentezen Franklin states that one of things  the enemy hate’s about fasting is persistence.  After we get beyond the first few days of the enemies' lies telling us we will not make it.  The resistance becomes less.  When you are praying and fasting your persistence breaks resistance.  It brings you to a place where you can feel  God move powerfully in your life. Fasting not only positions you to feel God;  but it also positions you for Him to hear your heart's cry.  The passage I would like you to think about is John 15:4-5
 4“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
This passage is teaches us that if we what to have success in or life the kind of success that God what for us if we want God's will and His best for us we must abide in Him. 
This is much more than having a salvation experience the word for abide is the Greek word "meno" it means to dwell with, in a intimate sense, to have a deep abiding communion with Him one that permeates all our life.  A relationship that extends beyond the "Sunday worship experience" it is when we allow Him to dwell with us in all our everyday experiences.

Day 7

Today is day seven keep water with you at all time.  Rest and relax as much as possible, continue to pray and meditate and listen Holy Spirit.  How are you dealing with the temptation of hunger? What is the fast teaching you about the strength of your will. What can you learn from the fast that will help you deal with other temptations you in daily life.  If you can learn to resist food something you must have you use your new found strength of will to help you resist the daily temptations we face.  Allow the word of God to nourish your soul and body.

Day 6

I am sorry for some Reason this did not post yesterday. I will repost it now and post again later today.

Today is day 6, remember to spend time in prayer and meditation, as your body continues to detoxify you will begin to notice your senses begin to heighten in the natural.  In the spiritual you should begin to notice a greater ability to perceive the voice of the Holy Spirit and His gentle prodding in your daily life. Today the passage I would like to highlight is Luke 6:46-49  46“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47“Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49“But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Take note of the words of Jesus why do you call me Lord and do not things I say.  What Jesus' is saying here that giving Him mere lip service not good enough.  If we truly believe He is our savior and Lord, And that He is who said He was and fail to do what He has instructed us to do in His word and by His Spirit the at best we are deceived at worse we are fools.  Let us all as endeavor to draw near to Jesus in the next 21 days remember that Jesus is more concerned about what we do than what we say.  I am not saying that we should not watch what we say.  Remember the words of the psalmist in psalm 19:14   Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer

Day 5

We are now five days into our journey enter in closer relationship with God through prayer and fasting. In the natural you will be experiencing some degree of hunger pain some sense of a strong desire for what you're not fulfilling. Whether it be refraining from food or something else at this point it will become more and more evident to you that it has a stronger hold on you than you probably thought. Personally, I've noticed a greater sense of peace, and my mind appears to be quieting itself instead of a constant barrage of thoughts I find myself waiting to hear from the Holy Spirit listening for what God might have to say rather than having all my mind focused on what I have to do next. I am also experiencing ohh rather severe headache and I seem to be more tired then normal however all these things are to be expected, and we need to resolve ourselves that our desire to grow closer to the Lord through prayer and fasting Is worth the effort. I'd like you to remind you that it's worth the effort to journal your experiences and your prayer requests of God on this journey. Consecrate yourself for time of personal prayer in a quiet place. In the next day or so headaches and cravings should subside. In Matthew chapter 17 the disciples were unable to heal the demon possessed boy when his father brought him to Jesus. Jesus healed him. The disciples question Jesus as to why they were unable to do so his response to them was this kind comes out only by much prayer and fasting. I'm sure that all of us need God to move in our lives in certain areas or situations both physical and spiritual and we true recognize the need in our lives to seek the Lord with ardent fervent prayer and fasting.  

January 8, 2025

Today is day four of our fast in the natural you may feel hunger pangs and be a little more tired than usual.  Make sure you drink plenty of water and be sensitive to what your body is saying to you.  It may me necessary to curtail your physical activity a little.  On the spiritual side you may begin to notice an increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in your daily activities.  Make sure to spend ample time in the word and in meditation, as this will not only draw you closer to God, it can become a source of substance.  Today I would like us to meditate on the passage found in Mark 4:35-41
35On that day, when evening came, He said* to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36Leaving the crowd, they took* Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37And there arose* a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.
38Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke* Him and said* to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” 41They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
The lesson for us to learn from this passage is that it does not matter how great or severe the storm of life is that we are facing, it is not beyond the scope of Jesus's power and authority.  We must only come to him in faith and ask for his help.

Welcome to Pastor Jim's Blog

Hello and welcome! This blog will be where Pastor Jim will share his thoughts during our annual time of fasting. Whether you are joining via Daniel Fast or fasting something other than food, we welcome you to join us as we begin the year.

For resources and recipes for the Daniel Fast, you can visit an old blog created by a church member many years ago, HERE, or research recipes on Google or Pinterest. There are many out there now!

Happy New Year to all.  As we look forward to the coming year I am believing God to make this year a  year of thriving spiritually, physically ,emotionally, and in the natural..  I am filled with anticipation faith for what God is going to do this year those who are faithful to Him.  Maybe 2024 was not the year you had hoped it would be, maybe you didn't get that job or the promotion you had hoped for, maybe you experienced a significant loss of some kind. Believe God to give you a better year this year than last, put the failings, mistakes and shortcomings of last year behind you and believe that 2025 will not only be a year of double portion but your best year yet. Paul said in Philippians 4:13 "... but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.", in 2 Corinthians 5:17  He said "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. " Let us leave 2024 behind us and move forward with great expectations as to what God can and will do for us all this year.  As we begin our fast today pray for one another that God will strengthen us all.  Determine what bible reading you can commit to and begin tonight if possible.

As we embark on this spiritual journey for the next 21 one days remember that our purpose is to develop a closer more intimate relationship with God.  We will increase in wisdom understanding and favor with God as we read, fast and pray.  Remember Ecclesiastes says that a cord of three strands is not easily broken.  We will strengthen our relationship with God as we practice these spiritual disciplines for a season of focused and concentrated time with the Lord.  The first thing I believe that we should be praying for and believing God for is lost souls. First in a broad sense paying for the lost of the world then in a more personal sense, that we pay for those we know and those close to us for their salvation.  I would suggest you make a list of those you are praying for and pray for them daily asking God to move in their Life.  Then pray for freedom from things you gave to the lord last Sunday. Then

This being the first day of our fast you may experience some physical discomfort as your body begins to detox. from sugar caffeine and other things we consume on a daily basis.  I encourage you to hang in there to push through your discomfort and remember that the benefits of a closer relationship with God far outweigh our momentary discomfort. 

Here are a few tips to help get the most out of this time.  Decide to watch less TV play less video games, spend less time on Facebook and spend that time with God. Play praise and worship music in place of other noise distractions and don't just sit and listen to the music participate in it will bless God and yourself. On the more practical side drink plenty of water at least 8 8oz glasses or more a day.  Headaches and hunger pangs are normal and you can make it through them cravings for food are to be expected we just need to exercise our will and remind ourselves it is only a short time and it is for a greater purpose. 

Here are some bible reading plans: choose the one that is the most suited to you. If you miss a daily reading don’t stress, don’t feel guilty, Just pick up with the next reading.

Read  scripture every day…mediate on it

1.  Read the book of John in 21 Days.

Plan:  1 chapter per day

2.  Explore Jesus in 21 Days. Plan:         

Jan. 5- Luke 1-2 Jan.6- Luke 3-4 Jan 7-Luke 5-6 Jan. 8-Luke 7-8 Jan. 9-Luke 9-10 Jan. 10-Luke 11-12 Jan. 11-Luke13-15 Jan. 12-Luke 16-18 Jan 13-Luke 19-20 Jan 14-Luke 21-22 Jan 15-Luke 23-24 Jan 16-John 1-2
Jan 17-John 3-4
Jan 18- John 5-6 Jan 19-John 7-8 Jan 20-John 9-10 Jan 21-John 11-12 Jan 22-John 13-15 Jan 23-John 16-17 Jan 24- John 18-19 Jan 25- John 20-21

 3.  Read ALL epistles (21 total); Romans to Jude in 21 days

Plan:  Read 6 chapters per day

 4.  Read the New Testament in 21 Days 33 minutes each day

5.  Read a scripture a day
1.  1 Thessalonians 5  Emphasis 5:18 - Pray for God’s will to be done in our lives, our families and in our church.
2.  Jeremiah 29  Emphasis 29:11 - Pray for God’s purposes to be accomplished in our lives.
3. Acts 5    Emphasis 5:12 - Pray for the salvation of your family, friends and colleagues.
4.  Romans 12 Emphasis 12: 1-2 - Pray for God’s renewal of our minds so we can be a loving church, that we may love each other, and loves those  that new to our church.  
5.  2 Corinthians 7 Emphasis 7:1- Pray for God’s forgiveness and purity to be released in our lives for our spiritual growth. 
6.  Luke 4 Emphasis 4:40 - Pray for healing for all those that are suffering physically, emotionally and psychologically(make a list of people you know    that needs prayer in these areas, pray daily for them).
7.  Philippians 4 Emphasis 4:19 - Pray for God’s provision for those that have lost jobs and are facing financial difficulties.
8.  Ephesians 2 Emphasis 2:10 - Pray for a heart for missions, to reach out to the Lost.  Help us Lord to do what you have called us to do
9.  Proverbs 2 Emphasis 2:1 - Pray for God’s wisdom for our government leaders that they may lead in righteousness. 
10. John 16 Emphasis 16:8-9 - Pray for God’s Salvation to come to those who have yet to take the step of faith.
11.  2 Chronicles 7  Emphasis 7:14 - Pray that God will heal our land, our city, and our economy as we seek Him in prayer.
12.  Ephesians 4 Emphasis 4:11- 13 - Pray for our Pastor’s and ministry leaders, and worship leaders, that they receive wisdom and knowledge as they lead our church.
13.  Romans 10 Emphasis 10: 14-15 - Pray for our Marriage & Family ministry.  Pray for our church families and marriages.  Pray for families living  in the our community (Lincoln, N. Smithfield,  Cumberland, and Woonsocket) .
14.  Exodus 15 Emphasis 15:26 - Pray that God’s word would bring salvation, deliverance, healing and transformation to all who are in need of it.
15.  John 16 Emphasis 16:33 - Pray for God’s Love & Peace to cover our relationships, that we may live in harmony with each other.
16.  1 John, Emphasis 4:1- Pray that we would share God’s love to our families, neighbors, schools and colleges.
17.  1 Peter Emphasis 4:10 - Pray for our ministry volunteers. Pray for strength, resources, provisions as they are doing  God’s will by serving others.
18.  Deuteronomy 10 Emphasis 10:17 -18 - Pray for God’s protection for those in our church who are widows, fatherless, and single mothers and fathers. Not only in our church but in our city
19.  Matthew 9 Emphasis 9:36 -38 - Pray that God will put a greater desire on our hearts to reach the lost and broken around  us.
20.  Micah 6  Emphasis 6:8 - Pray For our ALL of our government leaders, that they would seek God’s help as they lead our Nation.
21.  Psalms 51 Emphasis 51:14 -15 - Thank the Lord for your salvation; praise Him as we give him honor and praise for the forgiveness of our sins.

 January 6,2025

Good morning, Today is day two of our fast. The second and the third day can be the most challenging because your body starts to burn fat for energy. Mild physical discomfort is to be expected if you experience something more speak to someone. Far too many Christians are malnourished in the word of God but well fed on the world and they live a defeated life as a result. During this time of prayer and fasting It is imperative that we spend our time that we would be eating or whatever activity you are fasting in the word of God. Romans tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. Jesus in the beginning of his ministry went in the desert and fasted for 40 days during that time he was tempted of the devil and each time we have a recorded encounter with the enemy his response was “it is written”. The example that Jesus set for us is that if we want to have victory over the enemy, we must have the word of God hidden in our heart so that we too may be able to say get thee behind me “it is written”.  Meditate on Matthew 12:33-37  33“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34“You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The KJV uses the phrase you Will be judged by every idle word. As we endeavor to draw closer to God during our fast, I think we should consider what kind of fruit comes out of our mouths, are our words justifying us or are they condemning us.

Remember to pray and stay in His word. Remember each time you feel hungry or the urge to participate in your fasted activity you given it to God and take a moment to communion with Him.

January 7,2025

Today is day three of our journey into a closer relationship with God.  This is typically the most difficult day of the fast. Hang in there the benefits far outweigh the momentary discomfort.  Remember that fasting is continual prayer each time you feel hungry remember that your purpose is to is to get Closer to God and just take that moment to meditate on Him.  As you experience temporary hunger in the flesh for natural food ask the Holy Spirit to increase your hunger for Him, also ask the lord to give you a new vision for the coming year. Remember just because something is hard does not mean you should give up, remember no pain to gain. Remember fasting stirs  a hunger in your spirit that goes deeper than any temporary hunger you experience in the flesh. When you are hungry for God he will fill you with Jesus.  The passage form our reading today that I would like us to consider is Matthew 18:7-11  7“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! 8“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire.
9“If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.
10“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
11“£For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
The passage teaches us that we need to go to what length necessary to ensure our right relationship with God and our ultimate reward of  spending eternity in heave with Him.  We must also guard our hearts, our testimony, and mouth that we do not become a stumbling block to others.  I don't think we should take it lighty that Jesus said "woe to man who causes a stumbling block."