Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Oh how rich is God's Word!  When we really let it soak in, the encouragement and strength we receive is unfathomable!  Italicized here are some verses from Isaiah 58: 6-11, as told in the first person.   Backdrop:  the Jews had been fasting for the sake of fasting and had forgotten what the fast was really for: to draw closer to God, to break yokes of oppression, to satisfy deep spiritual needs - not to look "spiritual" or check it off our Christian to-do list.   The Lord then goes on to list what type of "fast"  does  loosen the yokes, does set the oppressed free, and does feed the poor. If I share with the poor and hungry and homeless. my light will break out like dawn!  My recovery will speedily go forth!  Righteousness will go before me!  And the glory of the Lord will be my rear guard!  Alleluia! So how do I share with the poor, hungry and homeless?  Of course not every Christian takes these verses literally, or there would be no poor, hungry, or homeless a

From Day 1 of my fast, I had a greater desire to spend time with the Lord.  In addition to my usual morning quiet time, I spent my lunch hour with Him, too.  I listened to sermons online, or read, or wrote in my prayer journal.   I felt closer to God.  I had peace. Normally, I would usually spend my lunch hour watching a sitcom, or looking at cooking shows online - always looking for new recipes!  I had no desire for either during the fast. I kept a daily journal during the 40 days.  In the Bible, 40 is an important number.  Awesome things took place during either 40 days or 40 years.  I wondered what my 40 days would bring me, where it would lead and take me. I tried not to place too many expectations on the fast, on what the Lord would do  in, around, or for me and instead I simply hungered for more of Jesus.  Thank You, Lord. I wasn't distracted by food or "entertainment!"  It came more naturally now to focus on the Lord, staying close to Him, instead of thinking about

Early in August of this year, the Lord led me to do a 40-day fast.  It would be the Daniel Fast.  For those of you not familiar with the Daniel Fast, it is based on the diet that Daniel ate in the book of Daniel, chapter 10.   Now the Lord led me on Daniel Fasts in the past, but they were always for 21 days, the length of time that Daniel fasted.  So when He very clearly spoke to my heart that I was to fast for 40 days this time, I was surprised.  My first reaction was not good.  I actually got upset.  I am ashamed to admit this.  I wish I would have been eager to obey.  But instead, my mind went straight to what I would have to give up.  I was thinking how deprived I would be.  And for 40 whole days!  I was not happy about it, to say the least.  I had been through this before, so I knew the suffering involved in fasting.  And even though the Lord provides grace and enables me to endure the fast, I still don't like it at first! I think part of my response was due to how previous fa