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Christmas or Communion: Why Remembering the Death of Jesus Trumps His Birth

By
Kim Brightness
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christmas

Did you enjoy Christmas with family, friends, and loved ones?

Perhaps you spent time at a family member’s house – the one who hosts all of the big family get-togethers – and ate well, loved well, and laughed well. Christmas lights covered the front of the house and the Christmas tree, providing ambient light when everyone went to bed.

Maybe you engaged in secret Santa gift-giving – small $10 or so gifts to friends or co-workers as a nice gesture of Christmas cheer.

Enjoyed your hunt for the perfect Christmas cards? To your delight, all cards were sent and received on time spreading Christmas joy with those on your list.

Somewhere in between Black Friday sales, holiday travel plans, and deciding the menu for Christmas dinner – how did you “remember” the Christ in Christmas?

We declared Jesus as the “reason for the season”, and held fast to our commitment to say “Merry CHRISTmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”. But in all of the hustle and bustle of this very “commercial” holiday, did we truly remember Jesus Christ, OR the most significant aspect of our Lord and Savior?

While I don’t demonize those who desire to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, on ANY day, nor will I go as far as to make Christmas a heaven or hell issue, I do want the Team to take a look at the how and the why we “remember” Jesus, and align it with our play book, the Bible.

Let’s ask Coach Jesus:

“If there never was another [Christmas | Communion], would you be cool with that, Jesus?”

To begin the comparison of each, let’s go back to the beginning of each. How many of us actually know the origins of “Christmas” and its festivities?

Making the Pagan Holy?

Now, Team Jesus, some of you may clutch pearls on this one – but yes, the origins of the holiday we call Christmas have roots in the pagan Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (see page 62). Both pagan festivals paid homage to the god of Saturn or the birthday of the “sun god”, respectively.

Saturnalia was an ancient Roman national holiday, steeped with excessive drinking, rampant overeating, perversion, and annual role reversals. For instance, during Saturnalia, slaves were treated as the masters and masters as the slaves. The celebration also included the sharing of short poems (early greeting cards), singing through the streets – sometimes naked (caroling), and the worship and decoration of trees.

Some writers allude that in exchange for Roman conversion to Christianity, early Christians “negotiated” or “compromised” that Saturnalia was “ok”, but the last day of Saturnalia would be a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Scholars vary this date from December 23rd, December 25th, to even January 6th.

Though Christmas has been well commercialized and domesticated throughout the centuries, I find no evidence to support either a mandate or a declaration in scripture that “remembering” Jesus’ birth carries relevance or significant importance.

On the contrary, what I do find interesting is the intent of man to espouse to the King of Kings tokens of birthday honor likewise given to pagan idols.

Call it pure conjecture, but Jesus, being all-knowing and divine, would not command His people to practice the rituals of pagan communities to honor Him.

Think about it. If gods (little “g”) have a date of birth, they have a date of death.  And, there’s a staunch difference between a date of death and a date WITH death…

Endings are Better Than Beginnings

As we continue our comparison of Christmas vs. Communion, remembering Jesus’ birth or death, Ecclesiastes 7:8 rings loud and clear: “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.”

Everything begins, but what happens if purpose, or in Jesus’ case – prophecy – was not wholly fulfilled?

If the Christian story ended at the “nativity”, Death would still have its sting, the grave its victory.

But, thanks be to God that Jesus died for our sins, and in turn, became the ransom for our redemption. Jesus paid the penal price with His death – not birth – and therein conquered death, hell, and the grave.

How Do We Remember Jesus?

“Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24)

Jesus Christ desires to be remembered. “Don’t forget me, Team.” Too much was sacrificed, too much is at stake for us to forget His work on the cross, and His victorious resurrection.

Communion will always win over Christmas. The death of Jesus will always trump the celebration of His birth, why?

Because He Died, We Live

If we accept Jesus Christ and are included in His sin-conquering death, we also get included in His life-saving resurrection (Romans 6:8).

The Father’s Perfect Will Matters Most

Jesus came to do the will of His Father. God did not send Jesus just to be born; Jesus was sent to die. And, likewise, it’s God’s will for us to die to sin, daily – not to simply become born-again.

Communion Remembers the Past, Points to Our Blessed Future

As we partake of the Lord’s Supper, yes, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. But, it is also a time of hope and reflection on “when He comes again.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Jesus Told Us To

Consider it a direct command from Jesus Himself to partake of His body and blood in remembrance of Him. The prescription for remembrance has been spoken, written, and confirmed – do this.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Well, there are actually several play calls in this lesson:

  • Study the origins. It’s important to research the traditions of men to ensure and maintain your freedom from the world’s mandates.
  • Choose the better part. Align your life with the most excellent way when it comes to your service and honor of Jesus Christ. Accept no substitutes, mediocrity, or copy cats.
  • When you remember Jesus’ death, remember your own death.

 

What kind of life are you living past the birthday of your “Sinner’s Prayer”?
How do you re-member your own death in Christ?

No Excuses, Know Your Why

By
Andrea Matthews
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know your why

Have you forgotten your ‘why’?

I’m young, but I’m not sure that’s an adequate excuse. Maybe “I’m broke” or “I’m weak” would suffice. What makes a good excuse? Before we answer that question, we’re forced to face another: Why use an excuse at all?

In my experience, I’ve located one overarching answer to this question: We make excuses when we don’t know our ‘why’.

Our ‘why’ is the reason why we progress, the reason why we love, the reason why we exist. As Christians, our why should always come from the lamp that lights our path, the Word of God (Psalm 119:105).

Most of our decisions begin with a ‘why’ — at times, a very strong ‘why’. We marry because our spouse makes us better than we ever thought possible. We go to school because once we receive our medical degree, we’ll have the necessary qualifications to be daily lifesavers. We pledge to give an annual amount to the local missionary out of obedience to God because He’ll provide the additional income.

But life inevitably brings storms and during those storms, we tend to lose sight of our ‘why’. When that happens, we’ll find any excuse to rescue us from trouble. We forget the reason we married, allowing offense to manifest its victory in divorce, and say “I fell out of love”. Failing grades mean failing lives and we choose to drop out with “college just isn’t my thing.” Money gets tight and all the sudden, “faith doesn’t pay the bills”.

How effective would the Kingdom of God be if we chose instead to battle through the tribulation? I assure you, God knew about the storm before it came, and the ‘why’ He gave you to fight with is strong enough to carry you through.

So, what’s the play call?

Establish your why with the truth of God’s Word. Choose to meditate on it instead of the circumstances surrounding you. Watch God work!

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 1:6

 

The Healthy Eating Survival Guide for Holiday Parties

By
Jennifer Hunt, RDN, LD
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holiday party

This article was first published in Healthy Inspiration here.

Have you ever returned home from a holiday party, or any party for that matter, regretting your food and beverage choices?  Have you ever questioned yourself about why you chose to over-indulge or accept the second serving from a ‘good intentioned’ individual who reminded you that you won’t get to eat it again until next year?

I think we have all felt disappointed if not disgusted with ourselves at some point or another.  We have all wondered why we didn’t politely decline and walk away.  But in the moment, it can be incredibly difficult to execute self-control AND sometimes there is unfair pressure to please someone by saying “yes.”  Sometimes we chance disappointing someone as well.  To the dismay of some, choosing wisely can even draw attention to ourselves…

holiday weight gainDuring the holidays, most of us intend to have some treats and eat some foods that are richer and more calorie dense than usual.  I firmly believe that this is OK. But I also believe, and personally know from experience, that by giving ourselves the liberty to eat these indulgent foods, we often do not give ourselves boundaries or expectations about how much or how often is OK. It’s easy to just throw up our hands and say, “It’s the holidays…”

So, in essence, we set ourselves up for regret and personal failure. We tell ourselves it is OK to eat or drink something, but “failing to plan is planning to fail.”  In working with hundreds of individuals on weight loss and healthy living, the personal disappointment is not usually associated with tasting a food or even enjoying it.  The regret was attached to “too much” or “too often”… when a good thing goes too far.

This holiday season, join me in becoming intentional about holiday treats and meals.  Let’s not allow overindulgence to just happen. Instead, let’s choose delicious foods. Let’s determine when we will eat dessert. Let’s decide how much we will eat before we sit down to the table.

Let’s arrive at the party with confidence and a plan.

Let’s leave the gathering feeling satisfied and with peace of mind.

Create YOUR ACTION PLAN that you will execute every party day. This may sound formal, but it is actually a very simple mental plan you briefly walk through in your head to determine how you will respond.

Not only will you survive, but with a little practice and resolve, you can thrive. This Nutrition Survival Guide for Holiday Parties will not only help you avoid the prevalent holiday weight gain, it will empower you to live the life you want to live, every season of the year!

nutrition survival guide for holiday parties

Observe Before You Serve

When you are at the party or holiday gathering, assess the available food BEFORE serving your plate.  As a Registered Dietitian, I have done this well, but I have also failed miserably, just because I didn’t follow my own advice to look first.  At a recent holiday gathering  I began walking through the buffet line serving my plate and at the very end of the serving line, I saw it… the fresh salad… and I didn’t have any more room on my plate. And here is the kicker…. I BROUGHT THE SALAD!  I knew it was there but didn’t plan what I was going to serve on my plate in advance (and I refused to get a second plate to serve myself salad).  Don’t do what I did. ?

Begin by looking at all the dishes and sides available to you and choose what looks the most appetizing AND fits with your personal game plan. Make EVERY FOOD DECISION BEFORE YOU SERVE YOUR PLATE.

Determine what you will say “yes” to and what you will politely decline. Don’t put a single food on your plate until you have an action plan.  Commit to it. Following your plan initiates an amazing sense of self-value, something that no one can give you except YOU.

Exercise 10-15 Minutes Extra on Party Days

It is almost inevitable that extra calories will be consumed at a party. Even choices that appear to be “healthy” can be loaded with extra fat and calories. If you didn’t make it, then you don’t know exactly what is in it or how it was cooked.  BUT, instead of focusing on what you can’t control- other people’s recipes and cooking preparations- determine to focus on what you can control- your activity level the day of the party.  Make an effort to add 10-15 minutes of additional exercise minutes to your typical exercise routine.  Most individuals can burn an average of 100-150 additional calories with moderate to vigorous activity.

High-intensity interval training is my favorite way to get a great workout in limited time (you can learn more about it here).  But even walking counts!

Not only does this strategy help burn extra calories, but most individuals agree that they think twice before biting into higher calorie food choices when they consider the hard work they exerted in their work out.  Do your mind and body a favor by giving yourself an extra push during your workout on party day.

Eat Off the Dessert Plate

Choose the smaller plate or dessert plate for your meal and try to fill it half full of vegetables.  Often the dinner plates that are provided are the size of serving platters of the 1950s!  Don’t allow your curiosity to “taste” everything fill your plate to overflowing. Choose the foods you will eat and serve yourself appropriate portions on the small plate.  You will save yourself from consuming hundreds of additional calories by simply using the dessert plate! It’s a no-brainer!

Choose 1 Sweet Treat

Rich desserts are not only loaded with sugar, fat, and calories which makes weight management a tricky balancing act but affects blood sugar and cause a loss of energy. This doesn’t mean dessert is off limits, but it is wise to stick to no more than 1 sweet treat.

When you go out to eat with a friend or spouse and you decide to get dessert as a treat, do you order 2 or 3 or 4 desserts so that you can “sample” them all? No! You get 1.  Many people even decide to split the 1 dessert to practice moderation.  Why not apply this same principle to your holiday party?  There will be many desserts available but choose 1.  That’s right, just 1!  Which 1 treat is the very 1 you don’t want to go home without trying?!!– that is the one you should eat!  These Carrot Cake Snack Balls taste decadent- a must try!

Bring a Dish You Will Feel Good About Eating

Unless the party is catered, most of us bring a dish to a holiday party.  This is the perfect opportunity to bring a recipe that tastes amazing but is a wise food choice for our bodies. Even if you are asked to bring a specific type of dish, side, appetizer, dessert, you can bring your own lightened up version.  If a veggie platter and hummus are boring, don’t bring that!  If salad is dull, don’t offer to fix one!  Choose to bring delicious food that everyone will adore, just make it a bit lighter.  For some tips and tricks see my article 11 Secrets to Lightening Up Your Holiday Dishes Without Sacrificing Flavor.  I often choose to bring a vegetable side dish or appetizer because I find that vegetables are lacking on holiday food tables.  These Broccoli Hummus Snack Bites are so fun and festive for the holidays!

Alcohol: Decide Before You Arrive

While a teetotaler can thoroughly enjoy a party, alcohol is a beverage many people fancy, especially during the holidays.  But because alcohol may not seem indulgent and can be sipped easily, the actual caloric value of your favorite beverage may remain a mystery. Just 5 ounces of your ‘Aunt Betty’s’ spiked eggnog could have 250 calories or more!!  Of course, a 3-4 ounce ‘holiday cocktail’ with a merry concoction of simple syrups, juice, and alcohol can often boast 150-200 calories.  How many calories are you willing to drink? Decide before you arrive.  What might happen if you didn’t stick to your game plan? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting alcohol to 1 drink for women and no more than 2 for men.

The Christmas season can be such a fun time to enjoy some treats and fun experiences that are not common the rest of the year.  But your health values and goals don’t have to hibernate until January. Continue to plan…even your treats.

You can leave the party with no regrets.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

CDC Forbidden to Use These 7 Words by the Trump Administration

By
Editorial Staff
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cdc forbidden

Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly banned the Center for Disease Control from using seven words and phrases, including “science-based” and “transgender,” in documents it is working on for next year’s budget.

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3 Beautiful House Rules for the House of God

By
Alecia M. White
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house of God

It’s the holiday season!

With that in mind, many of us visit family and friends or have those loved ones in our own homes.  Over the years, I have learned that most, if not all, hosts have their own set of rules that they expect to be followed by the guests that enter their homes.

Some expect visitors to remove their shoes before stepping foot on their plush, ivory-colored carpet.  I had a great grandmother that kept her white furniture covered and we were not allowed to even breathe near it or put our feet on the white carpet that it sat on.

There are hosts that want everyone’s coat hung neatly in the front hall closet, or on the coat rack near the door.  Some homeowners only allow eating in the dining room during special occasions and other times, the kitchen is the shared eating space.

Some hosts ask, or even require that guests bring a dish when attending their dinner parties.  And then, there’s the occasional, “Make yourself at home and you don’t have to take those shoes off” host that you’ll come in contact with that only cares that you made it to the party.

One thing is for sure – there are specifics for each person’s home that you visit and I’m sure you have your own unwritten rules that you expect guests to follow as well.

The house of God also has rules that He expects us to follow upon entering, but His are written.  Yep, God is the ultimate host and welcomes all, but He has specifics for how we should come before Him.  He even had the psalmist, David, to make it known in our “play book”.  It’s located here in Psalms 100:4:

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

This isn’t a suggestion, but a command that we are to follow; and if we don’t, we are disrespecting the house of God.  We are expected to enter God’s house with a praise and with a heart of gratefulness.

SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?

When you cross the threshold of the house of God, be purposeful in your actions, what you do, and what you are offering to Him.  Recognize that your etiquette when entering into worship sets the tone for your “visit” or time with Him.  Just as we honor the special requests of our gracious hosts when we visit their homes, we are to honor God even more.

A few familiar “house rules” to take note of:

  1. Take off your shoes. And no, I don’t mean literally, but when you walk into God’s house, acknowledge that you have stepped onto holy ground. Exodus 3:5 says, “And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”  This scripture in the New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible says, “Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.”
  2. Hang your coat in the closet. When you take your coat off, naturally, it lifts somewhat of a weight from your shoulders (winter coats can be heavy). Psalms 55:22 says, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  Take off that burden and let the Lord “hang” or handle it for you so that you may worship and praise Him freely.
  3. Bring a dish. In this instance, your “dish” is the worship that you offer unto the Lord. And just like taking a dish to a friend’s dinner party, you take your best, even if you’re only asked to bring the paper plates, cups, and napkins. John 4:23 says, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

So, as you prepare to go before the Lord, on any given day, remember to intentionally give God your best and enter into His presence prepared to give… prepared to worship.

 

 

Trust the Process, God is Faithful

By
Andrea Matthews
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trust the process

God is Able

It was the beginning of our first full week in our new place.

I’m seated at a bar stool set we found at a discount furniture store the day we got approved – you could say we were a tad bit excited. I can feel the breeze coming through the sliding glass doors leading to our balcony, and I might be the only one in our complex to appreciate the misty morning fog coming from the ocean.

We’ve been dreaming about this lofty spot in the city for years, our prayers more fervent in recent months.

Three years ago, my brand new husband and I drove down to San Diego after saying “I do” and partying with all our friends and family. We stayed at Paradise Point Resort and imagined the possibility of making a paradise of our own in this beautiful city.

“Imagine” might be an understatement; the truth is, after returning from that trip, we couldn’t get the thought out of our minds. It wasn’t as far-fetched as you might think. We lived in Oklahoma, but my entire family was in southern California – that was my home.

We’d have an unconditionally loving community to support us in this new venture of marriage. We were young, and SoCal vibes called out to our ambitious, millennial hearts.

Our first year was challenging, as we heard it would be, but we looked forward to our next vacation (to California, of course). We celebrated our anniversary in Laguna, by the beach, but my new tan couldn’t be credited for the glow on my face.

I was pregnant!

I couldn’t do another year away from my family, especially with a baby coming. So, we drove down the coast to San Diego and toured a news station affiliated with the one I worked for in Oklahoma. I applied for an open position and knew the job was mine. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t qualified, God would give me the desire of my heart, right?

Wrong. I didn’t get the job, and after months of trying for other positions, my husband was also turned down.

To my dismay, our daughter was born an Okie. I quit my job to stay at home, bills began racking up, and the grace period to avoid paying my student loans was ending. And, just as my parents downsized into a 2-bedroom home, they graciously allowed us to join them.

We had moved to California.

My husband was able to transfer his position to the San Diego branch while I assisted my mom in real estate. His commute was brutal, but God’s grace was sufficient. For a year, we dreamed of the day we would have enough saved to get our own place. Dreaming was all we could do, as the cost of living exceeded anything we’d seen in the midwest.

We declared and prayed and rejoiced over what God was doing in us. We trusted Him, and He proved Himself.

I’m now able to stay home with my beautiful girl and pursue the things I’m passionate about while my husband works for an incredible company. We’ve encountered countless blessings since yielding to God’s plan.

In the last few years, I’ve learned that I serve a loving Father who truly does give us the desires of our hearts. His timing is perfect, and though we may not understand the process, we must trust it. He knows everything we need and when we’ll need it.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Be encouraged in your journey – it may very well be the method God is using to lead you to abundance.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1: 2-4, NLT)

4 Highlights From the Christian Baker’s Wedding Cake Case

By
Editorial Staff
-
colorado baker

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Her Life Speaks: Ruth’s Prayer Journal

By
Andrea Matthews
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ruth's prayer

This letter is inspired by the story of the Moabite woman found in the book of Ruth.

Dear Sisters,

Decisions, decisions. We make them 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. Some carry more weight while others have short-lived, seemingly insignificant consequences. Often times, the decision-making process is thrust upon us at a time we least expect. We can even be forced to make a choice in the midst of pressure, anxiety, or heartache. That’s where my choice began: heartache.

I was given in marriage to a Hebrew man whose family left Bethlehem to escape a famine. Although we lived in my native land, his family grafted me in as one of their own, introducing customs, traditions, and a God I had never known. It seemed there was grace over me to accept and eventually love the new life allotted to me.

But after 10 years of this life, it was nearly stripped from my grasp. My husband died, along with his brother, and all that I had cherished as my own seemed determined to leave: my sister-in-law and then my husband’s mother.

I was scared. I was heartbroken and confused. The voice of the one I admired most bombarded my mind, I couldn’t think.

“Go back to your mother’s home instead of coming with me…things are far more bitter for me than for you,” my mother-in-law, Naomi, had said. (Ruth 1:13, NLT)

I thought of my upbringing, how I was trained to bow before pieces of clay. Was I to return and be mocked for the destruction the Hebrew God brought upon me?

Yes, it was true: I could expect nothing if I stayed with Naomi, nothing but a glimpse of the peace that surpassed the pain she had encountered. I remembered staring in awe of a woman who could lose her husband and two sons and still find purpose in the breath of each new day.

At that moment, something rose inside me, a familiar presence bringing boldness and surety. It must have been the same Spirit that resided in my husband responding through me:

“Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” (Ruth 1: 16-17, NLT)

What a thing to say. I’ll tell you, my sisters, it’s not the saying that landed me my own book in the Bible; it was the doing that was required after the words.

When we decide to live a life that pleases God, we continue making decisions that honor Him. Don’t allow fear or a lack of understanding to make you question the decision you made in the Spirit. Lean on His guidance and take comfort in His peace.

In business, choose integrity over convenience. In marriage, choose love over offense. In motherhood, choose patience over anxiety. I assure you, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, my God, your God will honor you just as He honored me.

We’re on the team that has tasted and seen God’s goodness in our lives, so let’s choose His goodness every day.

In our Father’s love,

~ Ruth

How I Prepared for 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting

By
Jeannette Tyson
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prayer and fasting

Get Ready to Grow

In my last article, I shared that I would let you all know how the Lord prepared me for my first real fast. To be effective, preparation is key. Here are the 5 steps I took to get started:

1. Pray.

I’d known for a while now that God was calling me to a fast. I always pushed it to the back burner because food has always helped me to cope. I wasn’t ready to give it up.

In the weeks leading up to my fast, I began to pray and ask God to prepare my heart, mind, and body for the fast. This is how I wrapped my mind around it. I would also pray at length specifying what I wanted the Lord to do in me through the fast, and hearing what He had in store for me as well. Some people fast for their purpose, healing, or guidance.  It’s ok to have more than one focus area.

I believe that praying ahead of time about the fast and my intentions for fasting made me even more excited about the fasting journey. The anxiety I previously had about letting go of food left, and I couldn’t wait to hear from the Lord and receive all He had for me.

2. Find correlating scriptures.

If you are fasting about healing, then write down healing scriptures that you can study and meditate on during your fast. This is very important. It’s so much easier to have everything at hand during the fast rather than trying to find go-to verses while you’re in the middle of the fast.

With all the changes you will go through, you need the process to run as smooth as possible. Scriptures are also a motivational tool. At my job, for instance, I posted sticky notes around my area for encouragement and reminders.

3. Plan.

Unfortunately, most of us can’t get away to a secluded island to fast and commune with God. I’m a single parent working full-time. Meal planning was vital for me – I was fasting, not my daughter. I had to go grocery shopping ahead of time and make sure that during my fast I had everything we needed. Had there been any unexpected inconveniences with our meals, I may have given up and put off fasting even longer.

Also, God told me to fast for 7 days. Ask God how long you should fast as well as what you should sacrifice. Some of you may not have an issue with food like me. Perhaps you’re a vegan saint, but you need to fast from Scandal, Empire, or the NFL network. Maybe God will have you fast from technology or social media.

However you fast, it’s between you and God – so let Him lead you. Plan out as much as you can because any hiccups will seem magnified and you don’t need any unnecessary stress during this time.

4. Eliminate distractions.

What are the distractions? Doing things you don’t need to do. Yes, checking social media counts! Talking with girlfriends, leisure group outings – cut these out and take your time of consecration seriously. This is another reason why planning is important. You may not want to fast if it’s going to be a busy month for your family. Find time to dedicate all spare time to seeking the Lord in prayer and meditating on the Word. Obviously, you have to work, cook, and do housework – but just be mindful. Handle your responsibilities and then get right back to God.

5. Pre-fast (Optional) 

Since I knew fasting was going to be particularly hard for me, I started fasting one day a week to prepare myself for the real thing. Mind you, this is my first real fast where God told Jeannette to fast – it was personal. I was doing this for me, and my next level depended on it. I had to be ready and a little practice helped.

How Did I Fast?

God took me on a 7-day Daniel fast. All I ate was fruit and veggies and it was an amazing experience. One of the things that stood out the most to me during this fast was that I could literally feel the duality of spirit and flesh. I honestly felt like a spirit inside of a body when I ordinarily feel like a body that has a spirit. There were times when my body felt fatigued because of the drastic diet change. But my spirit, which is the real me, never felt better! I felt very aware and my senses were heightened. It was as if my entire body was breathing and able to take in oxygen – not just my lungs.

Another difference I noticed was that it was very easy to get before God. What I mean by that is, sometimes you have to have total quiet or worship music playing, or you have to be home and settled to get into His secret place. Not when fasting! You could be in a burning building and have such a serenity and calm about you – nothing can move you from Jesus’ feet! It is so beautiful to experience that. The level of peace is unreal.

I also had prophetic dreams which I documented in my journal. Please get a journal if you don’t already have one – write down everything God speaks or shows to you.

Now, as wonderful as all of this was for me, I do have a couple warnings:

Hydrate. Before, during, and after. Just drink water even when you’re not thirsty. The first three days of my fast, I had the worst headache of my entire life! I don’t wish that on anyone! Drinking water will help your body eliminate toxins from all the bad food (and bad emotions) you may be dealing with.

Prepare for attacks! The devil does not want you to get delivered, Team. When you begin to step into the supernatural, the devil will be right there to do everything in his power to hinder you – especially after your fast – so be prayerful. You already have the victory through Jesus Christ.

So, what’s the play call?

If you believe God has called you to fast, give yourself plenty of time to prepare.

Have a focus and be purposeful. During your fast, seek the Lord for specific things and write down what He reveals to you.

“Be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”. 1 Peter 5:8

 

Travis Greene Kicks Off U.S. Tour in February 2018

By
Editorial Staff
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travis greene
Photo credit: Travis Greene (FB)

The Wait is Over for Travis Greene’s U.S. Tour

Two-time GRAMMY® nominated RCA/Inspiration recording artist TRAVIS GREENE will kick off 2018 with a U.S. tour beginning February 18 through March 1.  Launching at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, the tour will hit Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, IL, Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Richmond, VA, Washington, DC, Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA.

Greene recently reached #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart for his song, “You Waited,” marking his third consecutive #1 single, “You Waited.”  Greene’s current album, CROSSOVER:  LIVE FROM MUSIC CITY, also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.

Greene, who launched his recording career with THE MORE in 2007 – shares fresh material with eager audiences in CROSSOVER: LIVE FROM MUSIC CITY, for longtime and new fans alike to partake in an experience that captures the artist’s passion, excitement and charisma onstage — and his ability to reach hearts with the gospel through music.

Greene has been nominated for two career GRAMMY® Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, 13 Stellar Awards, three Dove Awards and one Soul Train Award.  This year at the2017 Stellar Gospel Music Awards, he won in seven key categories, including “Song of the Year” (for “Made A Way,” which also hit #1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart), “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “CD of the Year (The Hill, which also reached #1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart),” “Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Contemporary CD of the Year,” “Recorded Music Packaging of the Year” and “Praise and Worship CD of the Year.”  In 2016, Billboard named him “Gospel Airplay Artist of the Year.” 

2018 Tour Dates for Travis Greene

2/18/18           Majestic Theatre                                          Detroit, MI

2/19/18           Lincoln Hall                                                   Chicago, IL

2/20/18           Mr. Smalls Theatre                                        Pittsburgh, PA

2/22/18           B.B. King Blues Club                                     New York, NY

2/23/18           World Café Live                                            Philadelphia, PA

2/24/18           The Broadberry                                             Richmond, VA

2/25/18           The Howard Theatre                                    Washington, DC

2/27/18           McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square           Charlotte, NC

3/1/18             Variety Playhouse                                        Atlanta, GA

But Wait, There’s More!

Travis Greene received a 49th NAACP Image Awards nomination for his album “Crossover:  Live From Music City” for “Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)! Be sure to tune in on MLK Day, January 15, 2018 at 9/8C on TV One.

 

Team, make plans now to support Travis Greene and prayers for God-sized success for this tour. For more information please visit: http://www.travisgreene.tv/

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