Choose to Live Daniel Fast - Day 2

Well, the "Choose to Live" Daniel Fast is in full swing!

Even though I've done various fasts in the past, I'm especially excited about this one. Perhaps it's because my husband and children are joining me this time, which isn't always the case. Or, maybe it's because my church is doing the Daniel Fast right now as well. Probably, though, it's mostly due to the fact that God is faithful to do great things when His people seek His face, and I am anticipating many answers to prayer!

If you're interested in being involved in the fast, it's not too late. Just sign up on the right sidebar of my blog to receive the daily newsletter. Then, be intentional over the next three weeks about interceding for unsaved family and friends, as well as praying for your own needs.

God invites each of us to draw near to Him through this powerful spiritual discipline, so why wouldn't you want to take advantage of such a wonderful opportunity? Step out in faith during this Easter season, and devote yourself to prayer. You will grow in your relationship with the Lord and experience the blessings of obedience.

The Daniel Fast in Atlanta

"Fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him. He is your praise; he is your God." - Deuteronomy 10:20-21

I'm writing to you today from my hotel room in Atlanta. I arrived last night, and, thanks to my GPS, was able to find my way around the city without getting lost. I even survived rush hour!

The fact that I'm here is a huge blessing from the Lord. He has opened the door for me to share about the Daniel Fast on two television shows. My first interview will be this afternoon. I'll appear on Babbie Mason's show, "Babbie's House." The second will be later this evening on Atlanta Live. Both are televised on WATC-TV 57.

I'm asking you, my friends, to pray that God would fill me with His perfect peace today, that fear and anxiety would be far from me. My desire is to glorify the Lord in all that I say and do.

I'm holding fast to Him. He is my praise! He is my God!

Thank you for praying. :)

Choose to Live - Easter Daniel Fast

It's hard to believe March is well underway. Seems like only a few weeks ago, we were ringing in the New Year. I'm glad Spring is near, though. I'm ready for warmer weather!

In less than two weeks, I will begin another online Daniel Fast, this time for the 21 days leading up to Easter, March 18 to April 7. Although we'll be praying for our own needs on this fast, the focus will be to intercede for the lost.

The theme is "Choose to Live," based upon Deuteronomy 30:19-20, which says:

"I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life."

Throughout the fast, we'll explore the meaning of this verse and how it applies to our lives. We'll also pray that family and friends who don't yet know the Lord would choose life this Easter!

Would you commit to fasting and praying with me? To sign up, go to the right sidebar on the blog. By subscribing to the "Choose to Live" newsletter, you'll receive daily emails to encourage you, access to new Daniel Fast recipes not published in my book or blog, chances to win prizes, and more!

Also, if you haven't gotten a copy of my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, you should try to do that before the fast begins. It will help you tremendously as you prepare and participate in the Daniel Fast.

Let's join together in praying for lives to be changed this Easter season!

Beans and Rice for Breakfast?!

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT

My daughters are generally thankful little girls. They're sweet and thoughtful, loving and kind. However, a few weeks ago, I noticed a rather ungrateful spirit in them when I served oatmeal for breakfast. Rather than dismiss their negative attitudes, I decided to turn the experience into a teachable moment.

I reminded Isabelle and Jocelyn of the letter we received from one of the Mission of Mercy children we sponsor in Haiti. Rose, who is 12 years old, wrote that her favorite foods are beans and rice. I then explained that those foods were her favorites because that is probably all she has to eat. I told them that many children around the world don't have a choice of what they'll have for breakfast and some aren't able to eat anything at all. 


That morning, which was about a month ago, I decided to start a new tradition in the Feola household. Each Thursday since that day, we've had a missions breakfast of rice and beans. Although the girls were slightly resistant at first, they've come to look forward to this special event. Before we eat, we pray for our three children in Haiti - Rose, Malancha, and James - as well as for our friends who are missionaries in Peru. 

This may seem like a small thing, maybe even silly. However, God wants us to pray for the nations on a regular basis, and this is just one practical way we can keep missions in the forefront of our hearts and minds.

What are you doing to intercede for the nations? It's easy to get overwhelmed because the need is so great. I would encourage you, though, to adopt at least one country or people group. Do some research to find out what the needs are in that country. Begin praying for the Lord to do a mighty work in their land.

Remember that there are thousands of hurting people across the globe who need your prayers. Cry out to God for them! Even if you have to eat rice and beans one day a week to keep you accountable, do it. God will honor your commitment and will work miracles as you pray for His people!

Do Your Job!

“God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.” – GOD’S WORD translation

Each morning when I open the Bible, I ask the Lord to show me something new, something I’ve never seen before. Today, my Bible reading was in Numbers, so I prayed extra hard (if you have read Numbers, you know what I mean). 


In Numbers 3-4, the Lord gives Moses detailed instructions on how the Israelites are to care for the tabernacle. Moses is told to separate the people into clans or families, and each group is assigned a particular task to perform. For example, the Kohathites were to look after the sanctuary, while the Merarites were to take care of the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, and anything else related to its use.


At first, such information may not seem interesting or applicable to our lives today. However, if we’re listening, God can speak to us through even the most mundane passages.


God has also given each of us a job. My duties are not the same as yours, and yours are different from mine. However, we all have a vital role to play in building up the Church. The Lord wants us to embrace our responsibilities with enthusiasm and to put all our energy toward carrying out His purposes.


What is your job? Don’t think for a minute that you don’t have anything to contribute because you do. The Lord has uniquely equipped you for a specific work. If you’re not sure what it is, ask Him. Pray for direction and a clear understanding of what your task is.


Once you’ve identified your role, get to work! The kingdom needs you.

High-protein dish for the Daniel Fast

Without any sort of a plan when on the Daniel Fast, you can easily get overwhemed by the food guidelines. Some people, for the sake of simplicity, resort to eating the same foods over and over again.


That's one of the reasons I wrote my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast. I wanted not only to provide spiritual encouragement and guidance for the fast but also to equip people with great-tasting recipes. My book and blog contain hundreds of dishes that many people choose to enjoy even when they're not on the Daniel Fast!


Today's featured recipe is Green Bean Casserole. Brown rice is combined with lentils, which forms a complete protein (all the essential amino acids are present in the proper amounts). It's important to choose dishes such as this one when on the Daniel Fast to ensure that you're taking in adequate amounts of this necessary nutrient. Enjoy this yummy main dish recipe!

Green Bean Casserole

1 cup brown rice
4 cups water, divided
½ cup lentils, rinsed and sorted
3 cups fresh or frozen green beans*, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt


Place the rice and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes. Place lentils in a pot with the remaining 2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Lower heat, and simmer 20 minutes, with the lid slightly tilted.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add green beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, and salt to saucepan. Stir well. Transfer to a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Bake 30 minutes.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)


*If using fresh green beans, steam or boil them for about 20 minutes before baking.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!" - 1 John 3:1

As you celebrate this Valentine's Day, remember the One who loves you

more than you will ever know. He has always loved you

and will always love you. God's love never fails.

Sweet potatoes like you've never seen them before!

When I came up with the Sweet Potato Hash Browns recipe in November, I thought, This one's DEFINITELY a keeper!

The recipe is simple and requires only four ingredients. The best part is, you can enjoy these tasty browns for breakfast or a side dish (or an afternoon snack).

I've also put together a short cooking video to help you: How to Make Sweet Potato Hash Browns. I hope you like this recipe as much as I do!

Sweet Potato Hash Browns

1 ½ pounds sweet potato, peeled, shredded
1 cup chopped onion
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Mix sweet potatoes and onions in a large bowl. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-low to medium heat in a large skillet. Add about half of the sweet potatoes and onions, and stir to coat. Press with a spatula to flatten. Cook about 7-8 minutes; do not stir. Flip, and cook another 3-5 minutes. Remove from skillet, and set aside. Repeat to cook remaining vegetables. When done, combine the two batches in the skillet. Cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.  

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about ½ cup)

Recipe Notes

• To shred potatoes, it's best to use a food processor (shredding disc attachment). Variation: Use a combination of sweet potatoes and Yukon Gold or russet potatoes.
• Makes a great breakfast dish!

Praying with Raised Hands, Part 2

"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." - Psalm 63:4

Moses is often most remembered for his burning bush experience, the parting of the Red Sea, and the giving of the Ten Commandments. However, a lesser-known story from Moses’ life in Exodus 17 provides a unique perspective into the character of this great man of God.

While the Israelites were camped at Rephidim, they were attacked by the Amalekites. As leader, Moses quickly formed a plan and ordered Joshua and his men to engage in the battle.

Joshua did as Moses commanded, and while Israelites fought valiantly against their enemies, Moses was doing war on a different front. He stood on top of a hill, holding the staff of God in his hands, arms extended toward Heaven. The Bible says, “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning.” When Moses dropped his hands, though, the Amalekites were winning (Exodus 17:11).”

Moses’ first response when the enemy attacked was to pray. Moses acknowledged to God and everyone else that they needed help.

However, Moses wasn’t the only one who ascended the hill that day. The Bible tells us he was accompanied by his brother, Aaron, and friend, Hur. Moses was wise enough to recognize that he needed other godly men to stand with him in such a pivotal moment of prayer.

As Moses fervently interceded for the Israelites with his hands raised high, his arms began to get tired. His shoulders and back muscles ached. When Aaron and Hur saw Moses struggling, they brought him a stone so he could sit on it. They also held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other. Aaron and Hur supported Moses during his time of weakness, which gave him the boost he needed to persevere in prayer. The Bible says that, as a result, Moses’ hands remained steady till sunset, and the Israelites overcame the Amalekites.

Moses was chosen by God, yet he didn’t try to carry the responsibilities of leadership on his own shoulders. He surrounded himself with people who would come alongside him and support his work in the Lord. Instead of having a stubborn, prideful, “I can do it myself” attitude, Moses humbly accepted assistance from other men.

Moses also clearly trusted God and believed in the power of prayer. When hardship came, he didn’t take matters into his own hands but sought the Lord for wisdom and favor.

What is your response when the enemy attacks? Do you run to the top of the hill, or do you retreat? Moses shows us what we should do:

1. Run a place of prayer.
2. Cry out to God with hands lifted high in praise and worship.
3. Receive strength from the help of Christian brothers and sisters.

When Moses, Aaron, and Hur came down from the hill, they rejoiced for God had given them victory over their enemies. They saw the awesome power of God demonstrated in their situation as they looked to Him for deliverance. We can have the same experience in our lives if we follow their example.

Praying with Raised Hands, Part 1

Praying with Raised Hands, Part 1

“Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.” – Psalm 28:2

One of my goals for 2012 is to read through the entire Bible, making this year the third year in a row I’ve studied God’s from cover to cover*.  Studying God’s Word in this way has been extremely beneficial to my life as I’ve learned more about the Lord and His ways.

My Bible reading today was Exodus 16-18. Several truths jumped out at me in these three chapters. However, the one I want to share with you occurs in Exodus 17:8-16, when the Israelites were in the desert, shortly after leaving Egypt.

While the Israelites were camped at Rephidim, no doubt resting from their long journey, they were attacked by the Amalekites. As leader, Moses formed a plan and ordered Joshua to choose men to engage in the battle.

Joshua did as Moses commanded, and while the men fought valiantly against their enemies, Moses was doing war on a different front. He stood on top of a hill, holding the staff of God in his hands, and arms extended toward Heaven. The Bible says, “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning.” When Moses dropped his hands, though, the Amalekites were winning (Exodus 17:11.”

It’s easy to read past these verses and think, That’s really neat. What a great story. However, we must not miss the significance of Moses’ physical position:  

1.      His lifted hands were an acknowledgement of the Israelites’ complete dependence upon the Lord. They needed God’s help to overcome their enemies.

2.      By extending his arms upward, Moses put himself in a posture of praise. He was worshipping the Lord and trusting Him for deliverance, even before the victory had come.

3.      Moses called out to God while standing on top of a hill. He didn’t stay down in the valley to pray privately. Instead, he gave glory to God in the sight of all the people.

Moses’ first response to the enemy’s attack was to pray. He cried out to God, not just with his mouth but also with his whole being. He threw his hands high in the air, almost as if he was trying to reach the very throne room of God, not caring who saw him or what they thought about his actions.

When you talk to God, let your whole body enter into the time of prayer. It doesn’t matter if you are “charismatic” or not! Praise the Lord with uplifted arms. Don’t let fear keep you from worshipping the Lord in this way. The Bible speaks much about the outward this physical demonstration of praise and how powerful it is (as we will see in part 2 of this devotion next week).

If you’re not sure about this whole “raised hands” issue, I challenge you to do a search in the Bible and see what God says about it. I’ve leave you with a few to get you started:

Psalm 63:4
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 77:2
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.

Psalm 119:48
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

Next Week: Part 2 

*Join me in reading through the Bible this year. There are many helpful calendars online that will keep you on track. Following is the one I use: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/.