Suggested Dietary Guidelines

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Permalink Reply by Spirit Life Admin on January 3, 2009 at 7:09pm

Reply by Kay 1 day ago

The Daniel Fast
“Fasting For Health And Healing”

This information was primarily taken from the book “Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts” by Elmer L. Towns, published in 1996 by Regal Books, Ventura, California.

Our body is designed to heal itself. When a disease enters our body from bad dietary habits or from the outside, our bodies begin to fight it. Doctors, surgery, or medicines are most often designed to remove the source of the problem, but the healing is done by the body itself. Many common diseases are easily prevented with basic good nutrition and exercise habits.
* * *
STEP ONE: BE SPECIFIC

Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately.

1. The king’s food was against dietary laws.
2. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine.
3. The king’s food had been offered up to idols/demons.


STEP TWO: FAST AS A SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT

The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. “Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Dan. 1:8).


STEP THREE: REFLECT INNER DESIRE BY OUTER DISCIPLINE

Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can’t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that were not good for health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health may be linked to any of the following factors:

a. Your food choices.
b. The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast.
c. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast 10 days, don’t stop on Day 9.
d. Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith to God that you want Him to heal your body.

Faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast.


STEP FOUR: PRAY TO PERCEIVE SIN’S ROLE IN POOR HEALTH

Notice James 5:13-16:

• Sin is something related to the cause of sickness.
• Lack of health/healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion.
• Lack of health/healing may be due to sin of wrong intake, i.e. drugs, pornography.
• Repentance is linked to health according to James.
• Elders have a role in healing both spiritual and physical health.
• Sick people must desire to be well
• The anointing oil could mean
1. medicine for healing,
2. symbolic of the Holy Spirit, or
3. it could be baptism
• Prayer alone may not gain healing, faith is the major factor.
• In Greek there are several words for “sick”. James uses “Kanino”, which not only includes disease, but also means weak or weary.
• Attitude is important. James said, “are there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”


STEP FIVE: FAST AS A STATEMENT OF FAITH TO OTHERS

Daniel was making a statement of faith when he asked for only vegetables to eat and water to drink, then dared the overseer to compare the appearance of the four sons of Israel with the young men who ate the king’s food.


STEP SIX: LEARN THE EFFECTS OF THE FOOD YOU EAT

Why are some foods good for us, and other foods not? What does certain food do to your body? If we really knew, there would likely be some things we would never eat again.


STEP SEVEN: YIELD ALL RESULTS TO GOD

Daniel said, “as you see fit, deal with your servants” (Dan. 1:13).

REMEMBER:

• The Daniel Fast will lead to spiritual insight. “to those four young men God gave knowledge”.
• The Daniel Fast is longer than one day. These young men fasted for ten days.
• The Daniel Fast is a partial fast. They ate, but only vegetables and water.
• The Daniel Fast requires abstinence from party or junk foods.
• There is no indication that they ever began to eat the king’s food.

GUIDELINES FOR DANIEL FAST
(Foods We May Eat)

Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley

Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed
Peas

Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boy-
senberries, Cantelope, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Rasberries, Strawberries, Tangeloes, Tangerines, Watermelon

Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini

Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices

(Foods to Avoid)

Meat
White Rice
Fried Foods
Caffeine
Carbonated Beverages
Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
Refined Sugar
Sugar Substitutes
White Flour and All Products Using It
Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

Permalink Reply by Spirit Life Admin on January 4, 2009 at 8:31am

POSTED BY: Kay 1 day ago

Daniel Fast - Eat no meat, no sweets, no bread and drink water and juice. Eat fruit and vegetables. (veggie burgers are an option as well if you are not allergic to soy) Some people drink Ensure, Instant Breakfast, etc.

Permalink Reply by Spirit Life Admin on January 4, 2009 at 8:31am

POSTED BY: Kay 1 day ago

The type of Fast you decide on is between you and God.

Establish your fasting goals - why you are fasting?

Examples of fasting:
Full Fast - drinking only liquids (you establish number of days.) Consult your doctor.
Daniel Fast - Eat no meat, no sweets, no bread and drink water and juice. Eat fruit and vegetables. (veggie burgers are an option as well if you are not allergic to soy) Some people drink Ensure, Instant Breakfast, etc.
3-Day Fast: This fast can be any type of Fast, Full Fast - Daniel's Fast, Just give up one food. It could be a sacrifice other than food.
Partial Fast - Fast until 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun-up to sundown-? this Fast can also be any type of Fast.
Fast of Sacrifice - giving up television or anything that would be a sacrifice for you personally.

Confess your sins and forgive all and ask to be forgiven all and remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing. (Isaiah 58; Jeremiah 14:12; I Corinthians 8:8).

Permalink Reply by Spirit Life Admin on January 4, 2009 at 8:31am

POSTED BY: Kay 1 day ago

Suggestions For Ending Fast -
Start back slowly on your regular eating schedule.

If yours was a total fast:

The first 2 days begin with juice or broth. On the 3rd and 4th days you may add fruits and vegetables. After 4th day, slowly add meats, fish, breads and sweets and add dairy products last - and slowly. If discomfort takes place, back down to 4th day again and slowly add in your suggested food groupings.

Scripture on Fasting: Matthew 6: 16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18: 9-14. Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word: 1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3,20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2, 1 Corinthians 7:5. Corporate Fasting: 1st Samuel 7:5-6, II Chronicles 20:34, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37

Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing. (Isaiah 58; Jeremiah 14:12; I Corinthians 8:8. May God greatly bless you as you fast)!


May God greatly bless you as you fast!



Fast Answers from Pastor Franklin

Q: How should I fast?A: Start with a clear goal. Why are you fasting? Do you need guidance, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus? example when you fast.


Q: What should I fast?A: That is up to you. It may be a full fast in which you drink only liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel and eat no sweet breads, no meat and nothing but water to drink. Perhaps you only want to eat vegetables. If nothing else, you can fast watching television or anything else which would be a sacrifice from you normal day to day activities. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.

Q: How long should I fast?
A: You may fast as long as you like. Most people can fast easily from 1-3 days, with some mild discomfort, but you can extend your fast to 21 days or even 40 days! Use wisdom and prayer for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow.

Q: Isn't fasting supposed to be private?

A: Most of the fasts mentioned in the Bible were public fasts called by the priests, but Jesus gave us the model for private fasts in Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14, 15.

Q: How do I prepare myself to fast?
A: Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask for forgiveness from those who you may have offended. (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4) Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to stop you. (Romans 12:1, 2)

Prepare yourself physically. If you have health concerns, consult your doctor prior to fasting and explain what you plan to do. This is especially important if you take prescription medications of have a chronic ailment. Some people should never fast without professional supervision. While on your fast, limit your activity and exercise only moderately. Take time to rest. Be ready for some physical discomforts especially early in the fast. Your body is detoxifying and you may be having withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. You may have headaches, hunger pains and even become irritable! Spend time listening to praise and worship, pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind seeking God's face.

End your fast slowly. Don't overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid foods gradually and eat smaller portions or snacks until your body is re-accustomed to eating solid foods.