The Daniel Fast Devotional Guide

The Lexington Baptist Church family is devoting the first 21 days of the New Year to seeking
the Lord in prayer and fasting. Were calling this period the Daniel Fast, modeled after the
biblical figure that followed a similar pattern as he sought the Lord.
Our purpose in fasting is to join our hearts together as we seek the Lords presence in our
church for the coming year.
The Bible says fasting is a deep and spiritual undertaking. Its intended to direct the heart and
focus the attention on the things of God. The principle is that as we give up certain material
thingslike foodwe connect more closely with spiritual things. Often during fasting the Lord
will impart new revelation and spiritual authority. This devotional guide is intended to help us
move through the days of fasting in an intentional manner, allowing the Spirit of God to speak
through the Word of God in a way that touches our congregation as a whole.
You should make use of this guide in whatever way best suits your situation and schedule.
Maybe ten minutes in the morning before you go to work. Or at night around the dinner table
with your family. Perhaps with a friend or two on the phone or by email. Feel free to share
verses, phrases or your own thoughts with others through Facebook or twitter.
This devotional guide is only a suggestion. You may prefer a different Bible reading plan. But if
youd like to be aligned with many others from your church family, this guide will be useful. Its
arranged according to our congregational worship during the twenty-one days, using the three
Sunday morning worship services as a framework. The Sunday sermon series is called The
Pleasure of His Company, and the three sermons during the fast will focus first on Spiritual
Freedom, next on Spiritual Honesty and, finally, on Abiding in Jesus.
The three Wednesday nights during the fast will also play an important role, and youll be
blessed if you attend all of them. The final Wednesday night servicewhich falls on the
concluding day of the fast (January 21)will be a special, congregation-wide service of
corporate prayer.
The Sunday following the Daniel fast, January 25, will be a day of celebration. The morning
services will focus on how the Kingdom is inviting us into Gods fullness through events like the
Daniel Fast and where that divine invitation takes us. That evening were having an oldfashioned covered dish dinner where all our people gather in one place and share a home cooked
meal.
Im anticipating God to do a work in our congregation through these three weeks! As we join our
hearts together and seek the Lords presence in our church for the coming year, we should
expect God to make His presence known in our worship, our Sunday School groups, our
Children and Student ministries, our missions outreach and in every other area of our church life.
Thanks for being a part of the Daniel Fast with your brothers and sisters in Christ!
Pastor Mike

Day One
Thursday, January 1, 2015
What is a Daniel fast and why are we doing it?
Todays Scripture
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the kings food, or with the wine that he
drankThen Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs has assigned over Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to
eat and water to drink. (Daniel 1:8,11-12)
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting
and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God(Daniel 9:3-4)
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine
entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. (Daniel 10:2)
Todays Thought
Daniel, a young Jewish man and leader in his community, was forcibly taken into exile by the
Babylonian Empire that had defeated the nation of Judah. He was taken into the household of the
king and there expected to conform to Babylonian customs, education, culture and even religion.
But Daniel refused to buy into a society and belief system so far removed from the faith he had
known since childhood.
So he made a deal with his captors. He and his friends would observe a partial fastthat is,
eating only simple, natural foods instead of the rich, decadent foods of the kingfor a period of
time (Daniel 1:8,11-12). Then the Babylonians would see how much healthier such a diet would
make the young men, compared to others who had not observed the fast. They would see firsthand the results of godly convictions.
Later, in Daniel 9:3-4, we see how prayer and fasting were the basis of Daniels spiritual
sensitivity and authority.
In the third passage in todays reading (Daniel 10:2), we find the mention of a 21 day period
where Daniel devoted himself especially to prayer.
The Daniel Fast brings together Daniels biblical example into a single experience. For 21 days,
our church family is observing a fast similar to that practiced by this biblical model of passion
and integrity as a way of focusing our hearts on the things of God. Our purpose in fasting is to
join our hearts together as we seek the Lords presence in our church for the coming year.
Todays Prayer
Pray today that God would be glorified as we seek Him through the weeks of the Daniel Fast.

Day Two
Friday, January 2, 2015
What can we expect God to do during the Daniel Fast? Part Onenew revelation
Todays Scripture
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of
heaven. Daniel answered and said: Blessed be the name of the God forever and ever, to whom
belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep
and hidden things (Daniel 2:19-22)
Todays Thought
Daniel became known through the kings household as a man of unusual insight. His advice was
sought after and his wisdom was valued. But beyond the human dimensions of Daniels abilities
there was a deep, spiritual understanding of how God was at work. Todays Bible passage
reflects a moment when Daniels natural capacities were supernaturally expanded.
The Babylonian king had a dream that none of his advisors could interpret. Daniel was brought
in to provide insight as to the dreams meaning. That night God revealed to Daniel how the
dream was a template for the future of the Babylonian empire itself.
Talk about a moment of revelation! Daniels spirittrained and matured through the discipline
of prayer and fastingwas open to the revelation Gods Spirit imparted to him. The king and all
the people around him were astonished but promptly accepted Daniels words because they had
about them the ring of truth.
Revelation isnt a magical notion; its simply the way God speaks to his people through His
Word in order to unfold His purposes. Daniel shows us how prayer and fasting align our spirits
with Gods Spirit, allowing a deeper insight into what Gods doing in our lives and in the life of
our church.
Are you struggling with a decision you need to make? Are you wrestling with understanding a
situation in your life? The three weeks of the Daniel Fast may well be the time when the Lord
brings you fresh revelation for some of the challenging areas of your life.
Todays Prayer
Pray today that youll hear and receive whatever the Lord may be saying to you through the
course of the Daniel Fast.

Day Three
Saturday, January 3, 2015
What can we expect God to do during the Daniel Fast? Part Twospiritual authority
Todays Scripture
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me,
O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for
now I have been sent to you. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to
understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have
come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days,
but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me (Daniel 10:10-13)
Todays Thought
We saw on the first day of the Daniel Fast how Daniel spent three weeks in prayer and fasting
(Daniel 10:2). In todays passage we see the spiritual results of those twenty-one days.
The angel Gabriel (hes named in chapter nine) comes to Daniel, to assist him in response to his
prayer. You are greatly loved, the angel says then lays out a remarkable sequence of events.
As soon as Daniel began praying Gabriel was dispatched from heaven. But a demonic figure
called the prince of the kingdom of Persia kept him from arriving at Daniels side. So Gods
response to Daniels prayer was delayed. I think we all know what that feels like!
How did Daniel respond to the delay? He kept praying! He didnt give up. One week. Then a
second. Finally a third for a total of twenty-one days! Then our passage says a second angel
named Michael came to the rescue and helped Gabriel get through to Daniel. The prince of
Persia was defeated, Gabriel arrived and Daniels prayer was answered.
Prayer is more than just reciting a laundry list of needs to God. Prayer actually engages spiritual
forces that we cannot see with our human eyes but are real nonetheless. Daniels persistence in
prayer is an incredible picture of spiritual warfare and the kind of praying that breaks through!
If there are strongholds in your life where you need God to work a miracle, the twenty-one days
of the Daniel Fast might be what youve been waiting for. What better time to pour out your
heart before the Lord in prayer? You may well experience the breakthrough youve been waiting
for.
Todays Prayer
Expand your spiritual influence today. Get in touch with someone you know whos struggling
with a long-standing problem in their life. They need a breakthrough. Come alongside them in
prayer for the duration of the Daniel Fast, seeking the Lords intervention on their behalf. Join
your faith with theirs to defeat the enemy and allow Gods power to be released.

Day Four
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Learning to enjoy the pleasure of Gods company
Todays Scripture
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in
spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those
who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)
Todays Thought
Congratulationsyouve made it through the first few days of the Daniel Fast! Today is the first
Sunday in the fast, a time when we join together with our brothers and sisters in the Lord in
worship, Bible teaching and fellowship. I imagine that for many of us, today is especially
meaningful because weve spent the last few days seeking the Lord with unusual attention.
Our Bible passage today is taken from the famous conversation Jesus had with a Samaritan
woman. She was trying to understand what worship was all about. Jesus re-directed her concern.
Gods much more interested in the worshiper than in whatever place or style the act of worship
takes place, He told her.
In his book The Pleasure of His Company, Dutch Sheets points out how The body of Christ has
lots of strange ideas about praise and worship. Frankly, God neither needs nor wants worship. He
is, however, seeking worshipersGod longs for the singer, not the song. Our heart as a
worshiper is what makes our singing worship, not the words and music. Hed rather have a lovefilled glance from your eyes than a song parroted from your lips. (p.19)
Just as God enjoys the pleasure of our company when we worship, so we enjoy the pleasure of
His company. In other words, worship isnt a religious performance. Its not a ritual we do on
Sunday. Its not the expression of a tradition. Worship is when we step into the presence of our
heavenly Father and give Him our hearts. Nothing brings more pleasurenot in the sense of
amusement or entertainment or even personal gratification but in the sense of fullness, peace and
belongingthan worship.
Today as you worship, take the time to relax and just rest in the Fathers heart. Youll probably
find that youll enjoy the pleasure of His company in some new ways.
Todays Prayer
Pray today for your church family in worship, that as a united congregation we would enter into
the fullness and power of Gods presence.

Day Five
Monday, January 5, 2015
Finding spiritual freedom
I love the title (and the content) of Dutch Sheets book, The Pleasure of His Company. The title
captures what were longing to find through the twenty-one days of the Daniel Fast: Our purpose
in fasting is to join our hearts together as we seek the Lords presence in our church for the
coming year.
Yesterdays sermon on Spiritual Freedom was the first in a three-part series through the Daniel
Fast that I pray will help all of us better experience the pleasure of Gods company.
Todays Scripture
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of
slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Todays Thought
As we saw yesterday in worship, this single little verse packs a large spiritual wallop! Think of it
in three stages. First, the result of what Jesus did for us. Jesus came not to make us religious. Not
to make us good. Not even to make us Baptists. Now before you raise your eyebrows, let me say
that theres nothing wrong with any of those things, as long as we understand that none of them
will save us. Instead, Jesus came to make us free.
Free from what? The larger context of Galatians makes it clear that Jesus frees us from the law
and the sin that the law provokes within us. At the same time He sets us free to live in
relationship with the Father.
Second, the challenge for us is to continue to stand firm in our freedom. There are so many
things that compromise our freedom that we must be vigilant in maintaining it.
Third, the danger is always that well return to slavery instead of advancing in spiritual freedom.
People, institutions, traditions, personal experienceall these and more may ensnare us in
spiritual captivity even after we know Jesus. Our passage warns usdont let that happen!
Instead, continue seeking the presence of the Lord because only He brings you true freedom.
Todays Prayer
Isaiah 58:6 says, Is not this the fast that I choose; to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the
straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? The Daniel Fast may
be the time youve been waiting for to move out of spiritual bondage into a new season of
freedom. Ask the Lord today to lead you more fully into the freedom that is your birthright in
Jesus

Day Six
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
The freedom of the Fathers House
Todays Scripture
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed himBut the father said to his
servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes
on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son
was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate.
(Luke 15:20, 22-24)
Todays Thought
The story of the Prodigal Son is one of the best-loved passages in the Bible, for believers as well
as non-believers. The reason is that it expresses so well the heart-yearning all of us have for the
love and acceptance of our heavenly Father. As Jesus tells it, a wealthy father had two sons. The
younger came to him one day and asked for his share of the inheritance so that he could spend it
in whatever way he wanted. Despite the amazing disrespect of his request, his father granted it
and the boy took the money and left home. We all know what happened next. Over the course of
a short time, the boy spent every penny and found himself in abject poverty, feeding pigs for his
living. Then he realized all he had left behind in order to pursue the illusion of freedom.
He decided to return home. And this is where the story moves beyond a mere cautionary tale into
the realm of gospel. The boy expects his father to be bitter and resentful over what had
happened. In fact, the best result he expected was to be taken in as a slave. But nothing could be
farther from the truth. As our passage tells us, his father had been waiting for him all along! And,
in the famous conclusion of the story, he welcomes his son home with a great party and makes
him once again a well loved part of his family. Its a story about God, of course, our heavenly
Father, our Abba or Daddy, as Hes called elsewhere in Scripture. And how Hes waiting for
every one of us to come home. But the subtext is also important. Its the account of freedom
what it is and isnt, how its lost and how its regained.
In our modern world there are many more illusions about freedom than there are experiences of
the real thing. The only way we can truly know freedom is in our Fathers house, in relationship
with Him.
Todays Prayer
Pray today for our churchs mission partners, that they would continue to rest in the Fathers
love as they share the gospel across the world. Pray for Brenda in Central Asia. The Central
Asian team. Kevin and his family in Russia. Neil and Margit and their family in Southeast Asia.
Rick and Amy and their family in Southeast Asia. Will and Winnie in the far East. Daniel and his
wife in California.

Day Seven
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Freedom from the idols of our age
Todays Scripture
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold. And Jesus said to him,
Today salvation has come to this house. (Luke 19:8-9)
Todays Thought
I think we all remember the song from our childhood about Zacchaeus. It went like this:
Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a Sycamore tree
for the Lord he wanted to see. You probably know the rest of the words as well as I do. About
how this short, little tax collector was called down out of his tree by Jesus who then invited
himself to Zacchaeus house to eat. And how he was so impressed by Jesus that he confessed the
error of his ways and returned any money he had taken unlawfully from his Jewish brethren. Its
a good story, and one that has a particular attraction for kids. I guess because they identify with
his size. Plus the song is catchy and fun to singwhat other song has that cool Scottish word in
it, wee?
But as is often the case, theres more here than meets the eye. To start with, Zacchaeuss
profession wasnt just distrusted, it was despised and the people who practiced it were reviled as
traitors to the Jewish nation, thieves of their fellow citizens money and transgressors of the
Torah. Zacchaeuss height wasnt just a matter of physical stature. It also indicated the level of
his spiritual maturity and his standing in his community. On another level, it revealed the way he
thought of himself. Zaccahaeus had sold out to the gods of the age. He had sold out to the Roman
overlords in his agreement to collect their taxes. On a deeper level he had accepted the idols of
his ageof all agesthat money is more important than anything else. He was willing to give
up his people, his reputation and his faith for the sake of the almighty dollar. He wasnt the first
and he certainly wasnt the last to make that choice. A funny thing about idols, though: when you
compare them to Jesus, they always come up short. The illusions that idols show us are always
exposed in the bright light of Jesus. The money Zacchaeus had accumulated didnt mean
anything when he saw Jesus and experienced first-hand what life was really all about.
The Daniel Fast has a way of exposing our inner idols. Indeed, thats often the purpose of fasting
in the first place. And for us living in the middle of American consumerism, money is the main
idol we have to contend with. These twenty-one days may be a time when the Holy Spirit reveals
to us the degree of entanglement and compromise we have with the idols of the age, especially
money.
Todays Prayer
Pray today about how you look at money, how you handle money, what you expect money to do
for you. Money can be a blessing from God! Its also a great temptation and we must never make
it an idol. Money can never do what Jesus does.

Day Eight
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Connecting freedom with truth
Todays Scripture
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my
disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
Todays Thought
Were starting our second week of the Daniel Fast today! I imagine some of you are having an
incredible time with it, and Gods blessing your socks off. Others are engaged in some deep
levels of spiritual warfare. Others may be struggling and wondering how youre going to make it
two more weeks without coffee. And some have left the fast behind, thinking its too hard to do.
Let me encourage you todaydont give up! If youve stopped your participation in the fast, you
can start back up today. This isnt a rigid set of rules were following in the Daniel Fast. Its
instead a simple way of focusing our attention on the Lord. Theres grace! So pick it up wherever
you find yourself today and start moving forward again.
Our Bible passage today speaks of the particular kind of freedom Jesus offers. Its a freedom that
doesnt fit into our normal categories of political, economic or nationalalthough it has
implications for all of those. Instead, its a freedom that brings identity and destiny. When we
have a saving relationship with Jesus, our identity is a child of God. Our destiny is how God
includes us in His redemptive plan for the world. Freedom is when we accept our identity and
live out our destiny.
The context of our passage was a dispute between Jesus and some Jews over just these two
issues. They believed their identity as descendants of Abraham somehow entitled them to a
privileged destiny. Not so, Jesus said. If youre trusting in human lineage or even national
reputation to save you, youre a slave and will always be a slave. The truth is that only Jesus can
set us free.
I met the other day with a man who had been struggling with pornography for much of his adult
life and was sharing with me how the Lord set him free from that a few years ago. I loved the
way he described his life now. I dont have to worry when I get up in the morning if someone
will find out about my addiction, he said. I can approach each day knowing that God can use
me however He wants. My friends identity is finally being revealed in his destiny.
Todays Prayer
Pray today for someone in your life who is captive to sin and doesnt yet know the liberating
power of Jesus. Pray that their hearts would be open to Jesus love and that they might find true
freedom.

Day Nine
Friday, January 9, 2015
The cosmic scope of freedom
Todays Scripture
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation
was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the
creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory
of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the
pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8:19-22)
Todays Thought
We could use a jolt of caffeine this morning to help get into the depths of this passage of
Scripture! But since we cant drink coffee on the Daniel Fast, well just have to pay special
attention. Romans 8 is one of the most important chapters in all the Bible because it lays out in
such clear and compelling ways the implications of Jesus resurrection. I especially love the
second verse: For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin
and death. Isnt that what weve been praying about all week? We have freedom in Jesus.
While our natural tendency is to place ourselves at the center of the universe and act as though
everything was all about us, the truth is that God is moving in larger directions than just in us as
individuals. To be sure, He loves us passionately and individually, but Hes also working
through history to bring about a much larger redemption. The amazing thing about the gospel is
how He invites us to be a part of His larger work.
An integral part of that work is the salvation of the nations, of all people who live on earth. We
call it the Great Commission and its our high privilege and responsibility in the church to be a
part of that. But what our Bible passage tells us today is that theres even more to what God is
doing than we realize. His redemptive work actually includes all creation. Thats right
everything He made has come under the curse of sin and must be redeemed and made right. So
our passage tells usand I know its hard for us to conceptualize this but the Bible is clear about
itthat all creation will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the
glory of the children of God. The freedom we now have as believers, a freedom that will be
fully realized when Jesus returns, will also be enjoyed by all the created order. In other words,
God is reclaiming the broken and dying universe to the glory of His Son Jesus. I dont know
anything to say to that except, Hallelujah!
Todays Prayer
Instead of praying for something specific today, lets just spend a few minutes in silent
adoration, as we consider the scale and the scope of Gods redemptive work in our lives, in our
church, in our world and in all creation. Hallelujah!

Day Ten
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Freedom in the Church
Todays Scripture
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
(Acts 4:31)
Todays Thought
The fourth chapter of Acts relays the events surrounding an early episode of testing for the
church. Peter and John, the two most visible Apostles, had healed a lame man at the entrance into
the temple. When a crowd gathered, Peter used it as an opportunity to proclaim the good news
about Jesus. The Jewish authorities were threatened by Peters message and had the two arrested
and interrogated. Later, the Apostles returned to the home where the other believers were
gathered and led a corporate prayer gathering.
The prayer prayed by the congregation is amazing, but todays passage focuses on what
happened after they prayed. First, the place they were gathered was shaken. This reflects a
physical shaking, like an earthquake. But what they experienced wasnt a seismic event; it was
instead a spiritual movement. Whenever the Lord starts dealing with His people, He always
shakes things up. Comfort, complacency and predictabilitycharacteristics valued by our
modern churchesarent that common in the New Testament.
Next, we read that the people were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The verse doesnt tell what the
manifestations of this filling were. At other places in Acts, the filling of the Holy Spirit is evident
sometimes by the gift of tongues; sometimes by miracles; and sometimes simply through the
spiritual discernment of the believers. The point isnt whatever signs the Holy Spirit uses to
reveal His present; rather, its the utter certainty among the believers that He in fact was there.
Third, the peoples response was not to back up in the face of opposition. Not to fear what might
happen if they continued in their public ministry. Our verse says instead that they continued to
speak the word of God with boldness.
The freedom weve been talking about and praying through all week must have expression in the
church. In the church of Acts, the freedom that Jesus brings allows for passion in prayer,
freedom to experience the filling of the Holy Spirit and confidence in sharing the gospel. One of
the greatest blessings we could receive through the Daniel Fast is a renewed passion among our
people to be free to have those same characteristics.
Todays Prayer
Start your prayer today by making yourself available to the Holy Spirit, especially in your
witness for Jesus. Spend some time interceding for our church, that the Holy Spirit would be free
to work with us and that we would have freedom in how we respond to Him.

Day 11
Sunday, January 11, 2015
We must be honest with God to enjoy the pleasure of His Company
Todays Scripture
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to
Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one
can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. Jesus answered him, Truly, truly, I say to
you, unless one is born again the cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:1-3)
Todays Thought
Today is the second Sunday of our Daniel Fastwere half-way through! The spiritual rhythms of
the fast were observing during the week form the foundation for corporate worship on Sunday. Few
things are more fulfilling than joining our hearts together with people on the same spiritual journey
were on. Corporate worship enriches our lives, builds up the church and prepares us for eternity.
For that to happen, though, we have to be honestwith ourselves and, more to the point, with God.
Our Bible passage today is a case study. Nicodemus was a leading figure among the Jews who lived
in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. He had an important position in the political and religious
circles of the day. He had a reputation among his peers. He apparently was financially comfortable.
He was even recognized by the Roman authorities. Like so many people, then and now, he had built
a life for himself on the virtues of hard work, intelligence and morality. Thats not a bad lifefar
from it! In fact, that kind of life is the goal for most people. The problem with that kind of life is that
its fundamentally dishonest because it ignores reality. True life, real life happens not when we build
it on what we have, what we do or what others think of us. It happens only when we align ourselves
with Gods identity for us and Gods purpose for us. In other words, when were confident of who
we are as children of God and joyous in experiencing Gods purpose for us. No amount of success
whether religious, political or professionalcan substitute for that. The reason is simple. Everything
in this life is temporary while eternity is forever.
Nicodemuss experience is a picture of honesty. He knows that Jesus is the revelation of Gods
eternal love and purpose. He recognizes that the life hes livedwhile a good lifein no way has
prepared him for what really matters. The fact that he comes to Jesus by night illustrates both that
hes coming out of spiritual darkness and that hes ashamed to be seen with Jesus for fear of ridicule
from his peers. He has to have an honest conversation with the Lord. Jesus tells him, as He tells us,
that we must be born again. To come into relationship with Him requires the spiritual rebirth that
only the Spirit of God can accomplish within us. Then well be honest with ourselves and with God.
Todays Prayer
Let the focus of your prayer today be the words of Psalm 139:23-24(NASB), Search me, O God, and
know my heart! Try me and know my anxious thoughts! And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way!

Day 12
Monday, January 12, 2015
Honesty and Repentance
Todays Scripture
But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And immediately, while he
was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter
remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the rooster crows today,
you will deny me three times. And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)
Todays Thought
Yesterdays sermon continued our sermon series called, The Pleasure of His Company, where
were looking at the ways we can enjoy Gods presence in our lives. The basic principle was how
honesty leads to biblical repentance. Peter was the leader of Jesus disciples. He was the groups
face, their voice. He spoke for all of them. As is the case with all leaders, though, he had several
times of notable failure. Our passage today reveals the most painful one.
The night before He was crucified, Jesus was arrested and taken to trial. Peter followed at a
distance even though he had promised earlier that he would never forsake the Lord. So he stayed
near Jesus but not too near. While Jesus was on trial for his life in the high priests chambers,
Peter remained outside with the crowd that had gathered. Three people challenged him. Each
asked the same question. Arent you one of Jesus disciples? And each time Peters fear
compromised his faith. No, I dont know him, he replied.
It was his third denial that exposed his heart to himself and tore down all his self-illusions. While
he was still speaking, our passage says, Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Looked right at him.
His eyes of love and trust bore down on Peter across the courtyard in a way that seared Peters
soul forever. I cant imagine what that moment must have been like for the Apostle. In the very
act of fear, cowardice and failure that he swore would never happen, the Lord looked right at
him.
Peters response to this moment of brutal and painful honesty was as immediate as it was
authentic. He wept bitterly. His recognition of his own failure led him to the only thing that
could lead him back to life. He repented. What is there in your life today that you need to repent
of? True repentance isnt a religious ploy. Its not an exercise in self-illusion. Its not the attempt
to manipulate God, others or even yourself. True repentance is our determination to change in
the face of an honest assessment of who we really are.
Todays Prayer
Nothing is as important in approaching the Lordindividually as well as a churchas a
repentant heart. Psalm 34:18 says, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the
crushed in spirit. Pray today that your heart would be honest, repentant and sensitive to the
Lord. Pray for that our church family would seek the Lord with the same spirit of repentance.

Day 13
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Honest enough to accept grace
Todays Scripture
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of
God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Todays Thought
The purpose of the Daniel Fast is to join our hearts together as we seek the Lords presence in
our church for the coming year. As we move through the Scriptures and themes of our
devotional guide, I pray that our church family is being blessed as we seek the Lord together.
More than an interesting exercise in the biblical practice of fasting, these three weeks are the
invitation for all our congregation to come before the Lord at the start of the New Year.
Todays Bible passage goes to the heart of the gospel. Most of us are very familiar with this
passage for that very reason. At the same time, it calls us to a kind of discomfort wed rather
avoid if we could. Maybe that sounds contradictory, so let me explain.
On the one hand, the gospel of Jesus proclaims that our saving relationship with the Father
through Jesus is the result of what He did on the cross. It has nothing to do with what weve done
or havent done. Thats what grace meansunmerited favor. By grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God our passage says. And surely
thats the greatest gift any of us can ever receive!
At the same time we have the perceptionoften rooted in childhood experiences that taught us
the better we behaved the more we were lovedthat God loves us on the basis of our
performance. The result is that our theology says one thing while our experience teaches us
something else. We get entangled in a kind of performance orientation that robs us of joy. We
strive more and more, work harder and harder and enjoy the things of God less and less. Its not
a pleasant way to live. That explains why so many believers today and the churches they inhabit
are joyless, dry places of religious performance that talk more about grace than actually
experiencing it.
Lets be honest. Either God is a God of grace or Hes not. Either our salvation is a gift or its not.
Either we live as performers trying to earn Gods love or we dont. Either we rest in Gods
presence or we dont. Which will it be for you?
Todays Prayer
As you pray today, ask God to relieve you of any performance driven approach to your
relationship with Him. Remember the promise of Jesus: Come to me, all who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Day 14
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Honest enough to give
Todays Scripture
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering
box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper
coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, Truly, I say to
you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For
they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she
had, all she had to live on. (Mark 12:41-44)
Todays Thought
Through this second week of the Daniel Fast were focusing on honesty. We can only have an
authentic relationship with God when were honest with Him and with ourselves. Todays Bible
passage takes the issue of honesty into a whole new level. Today, Jesus has some words for us
about how honest we are with our money.
Toward the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus in our passage takes his disciples into the temple,
the center of religious life for the ancient Jews and the focus of so much of the His teaching. On
this particular day the Lord is teaching about money, and its a hard lesson. We should note in
passing how much of Jesus teaching concerned this very topic. Moneyhow we earn it; how
we value it; how we handle it; how we spend it; and how we give itis a central topic through
much of the Bible. Nothing else in our lives so clearly reveals our true loves and priorities.
Jesus directed the disciples attention to the treasury, where worshipers were giving their
offering. One person in particular caught His attention. It was a poor widow. Caught in the
crowd of well-heeled leaders in the community who made a show of their giving, this woman
slipped to one of the boxes set up for the purpose and quietly dropped in her contribution. She
just as quietly left. No one there noticed her. No one paid attention. No one but Jesus. He knew
her condition, her attitude and even the amount she dropped in the offering box. He didnt miss a
single detail. He never does. He pointed her out to his disciples as the single individual who, in
the religious show going on all around her, alone demonstrated honest giving. In stark contrast
with the religious show going on all around her, Jesus said, she out of her poverty has put in
everything she had, all she had to live on.
Our giving is measured by how much faith it demonstrates. Thats a pretty high bar, isnt it?
Manymaybe mostgive out of their leftovers. They give whatever money thats left over after
they pay for everything else they need and want. A few, though, give out of faith, out of love,
out of a grateful heart. Those are the people Jesus is looking for.
Todays Prayer
Pray today for a generous heart. Ask the Lord for the faith and courage to step out and give, not
from your leftovers but from the best of what you have.

Day 15
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Honest relationships lead to Jesus
Todays Scripture
So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, Come, see a
man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ? They went out of the town and were
coming to him. (John 4:29-30)
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the womans testimony, He told me
all that I ever did. (John 4:39)
Todays Thought
Were in the home stretch of the Daniel Fastthe last week! I pray youve been blessed as
youve stepped out of your comfort zone to embrace this spiritual discipline. The Bible talks so
much about fasting, and weve done so little of it. Many of you will want to practice fasting on a
more regular basis now that youve experienced it.
I love todays Bible passage because its so real. Jesus is in Samaria, a region of the ancient
Jewish homeland where people of mixed ethnicity lived. For that reason, normal Jews refused to
have any dealings with Samaritans or even to travel through their country. Not Jesus. He went to
the area on purpose, to take the gospel into a place where polite, religious people would never set
foot.
Sitting at the town well, He met a woman whose life was a train wreck. Their conversation ended
up with her receiving Jesus as her Savior. Finally, the woman ran to others she knew and brought
them to Jesus, too.
Whatever our particular situation, the Samaritan womans experience with the Lord is the same
as for all of us. We come to Him with the tatters of our life. He meets us where we are and loves
us without condition. He imparts His life into our lives. Were changed forever. We go out and
honestly tell our story to bring others to Him so that they might have the same experience.
The biblical approach to evangelism follows just that pattern because the gospel proceeds
through relationships. When we know Jesus, we know people in our lives who need to know
Jesus, and we introduce Him to them. Its not canned. Not programmed. Honest evangelism is
instead natural, authentic and immediate.
Who has God put into your life who needs to know the same Jesus you know?
Todays Prayer
Begin praying today for someone in your circles of influence who doesnt know the Lord. Allow
the Holy Spirit to lay them on your heart then be faithful in praying for their salvation. Then be
alert for the right time to share your faith with them. If were faithful in praying, God will be
faithful in providing the opportunities to share our faith.

Day 16
Friday, January 16, 2015
Honesty in the Church
Todays Scripture
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with
brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in
spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute
to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13)
Todays Thought
Few things are as difficult to accomplish as being honest in church. Now, dont get mad at me
for saying that! I dont mean that churchgoers are dishonest people. Its just that we have an
image of ourselves that we want to project to other people in order to perpetuate our self-illusion.
We end up wearing a kind of happy, moral, I-have-it-together kind of mask at church that often
disguises who we really are. Thats why churches so often feel artificial and joyless. Its hard to
be honestly joyous if you dont begin be being, well, honest.
The list of encouragements Paul gives to the church at Rome in our passage of Scripture today is
breath-taking. Weve read itor passages similar to itso many times that weve lost the
radical description of honest relationships it lays out for the church. Lets look at a few items on
that list more carefully:
1. Let love be genuine. Not false, manipulative, creepy, disingenuous, pat-your-back,
performance-driven, disinterested, perfunctory. Instead, honestly engaged with
serving the best interest of the people in your church.
2. Abhor what is evil. We seek compromise with evil far more than we develop a sense
of abhorrence to it. Honest relationships are able to seek the best for the people
around us without endorsing evil.
3. Love one another with brotherly affection. The Message renders this as be good
friends who love deeply. Simple friendship is one of the greatest blessings we can
know within the church.
4. Outdo one another in showing honor. Again, The Message renders this as
practice playing second fiddle. This is the opposite of the entitlement mentality
that so characterizes our age.
5. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Do these traits
characterize our relationships with one another in our church family? Hope, patience
and prayerfulness are cornerstones to honest relationships.
Todays Prayer
Building honest and redemptive relationships within the church is one of the great challenges we
face today. Pray today that our congregation would begin to find new ways to reach across
whatever divides us to relate honestly with one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Day 17
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Becoming a friend of God
Todays Scripture
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as
righteousnessand he was called a friend of God. (James 2:23)
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I
have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
(John 15:15)
Todays Thought
I have to confess that the way the Bible speaks of Abraham puzzled me for a long time. Its one
thing for someone to be known as a worshiper, a follower, a servant or even a priest of God. But
His friend? That conveys a relationship with God that is so far removed from our experience that
its hard to even imagine. Friendships seems to usat least in many waysto bear little
resemblance to what we thought our relationship with God ought to be.
A friend is someone that we know intimately and well. Theyre someone we can say anything to
and know theyll still be our friend. We can trust a friend to always act in our best interests, and
we in theirs. Our lives are open books to our trusted friends, just as they open their lives with us.
We spend time with friends not because we have to but because we enjoy their company. Indeed,
the reason for our friendship from the beginning is because we feel comfortable with them. The
basis for friendship is usually shared interests. For instance, if I meet someone whos a Georgia
Bulldog, we immediately have something in common that brings us together. We never lack for
conversation. While I also have friends who attended Clemson, its a little harder! Friends dont
compete with us (if they do, its in fun), threaten us, manipulate us or try to hold us to some
artificial standard of performance. Thats why a good friend is one of lifes greatest blessings.
The amazing truth of our Bible passage today is that God wants to be our friend. That truth
doesnt ignore the fact that God is our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer who deserves reverence
and awe. It does, however, invite us into a kind of closeness with Him that we often miss. To
build a friendship with God, with all that relationship implies, will take you to an entirely new
level of excitement and fulfillment in your faith. I pray that the weeks of the Daniel Fast have
begun to move you in that direction. You can be a friend of God.
Todays Prayer
If you were to talk with God today in the same way as you converse with a well loved friend,
what would that look like? How would your praying change? Take the next few minutes and
imagine Jesus sitting in a chair next to you, and talk with him as your friend.

Day 18
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Abiding in Jesus
Todays Scripture
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in my and I in him, he it is that bears much
fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
Todays Thought
Today is our last Sunday of the Daniel Fast! Our purpose in the fast has been to join our hearts
together to seek the Lords presence in our church for the coming year. These three Sunday
mornings weve been in a sermon series called The Pleasure of His Company. The first
Sunday, our message focused on finding spiritual freedom. The second week our theme was
honesty. Today, we complete the series with a message on Abiding in Christ. Taken together,
the three messagesalong with these devotions as they follow the same trackencourage us all
to enjoy the pleasure of Gods company. I pray thats happening in your life as you follow the
Daniel Fast.
In todays Bible passage (the whole passage is John 15:1-8 but our focus is on verse five), Jesus
uses the agricultural image of grapevines to convey the ways in which were connected with
Him. He points to three essential elements. First is the vine itself. This is the portion of the grape
plant that actually grows from the ground. Second is the vinedresser. He is the one who tends the
grape plant, making sure it grows properly. Third are the branches growing from the vine.
Theyre the portion of the plant that bear fruit.
Three elements of the illustration, each with a specific meaning. Jesus says Hes the vine. He
goes on to say the Father is the vinedresser. Finally, the branches that grow from the vine are
those who follow Jesus.
The key to the whole illustration, found in our verse five, is the word abide. In the Greek
language of the New Testament, the word means, to remain, dwell, abide or stay. In other
words, it describes the intimate connection of the followers of Jesus to Jesus Himself as the key
to a productive, meaningful life. Just as the life flowing from the vine into the branches makes
the grape possible, so the life flowing from Jesus into His followers makes their lives productive.
Just think of itJesus invitation isnt to a code of conduct or a set of beliefs or even to a
religion. He invites us to Himself, to receive the very life of God and to abide in His love!
Todays Prayer
Heres a prayer you may pray for yourself today: Dear Jesus, I want to abide in your love every
moment of today. Fill me up with Your life that I may be a blessing to others even as You have
blessed me. I offer myself to You today to do Your will in every conversation, every meeting,
every appointment, every decision. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Day 19
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Holy Spirit and Abiding
Todays Scripture
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit.
(1 John 4:13)
Todays Thought
Yesterday we saw how important it is that we abide in Jesus. By that word, the Bible means the
nature of our connection with Jesus is one of life, permanence, fruitfulness and authentic
relationship. Throughout all of the writings of the John the disciple (he is the disciple responsible
for the gospel that bears his name; 1, 2, and 3 John; and the book of Revelation), the word
abide occurs with astonishing frequency. Its as if John keeps hammering home the single
theme that abiding in Jesus is what the life of faith is all about!
Todays Bible verse takes us one more step in the direction of abiding. What 1 John 4:13 says is
that the way we know we abide in Jesus is through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Now,
know in this context carries with it the sense of knowing by experience. In other words,
while we can know some things by learning about them in books; and some things by observing
other people; and even other things by intuition, abiding in Christ can only be known by
experience. We have to do it ourselves.
The question is how. How do we receive the life of Jesus in our lives? How do we draw close
enough to Him that we can know He hears us when we pray? How do we experience real life
transformation? The answer is found in the last part of the verse. It happens because he has
given us his Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes into our livesthe third Person of the Trinitarian
Godas the means by which Jesus abides within us.
Its really a simple spiritual equation. To the degree we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives, to
that same degree we will abide in Jesus. If we resist the Holy Spirit, or grieve Him, or ignore His
promptings, then we wont abide in Jesus. My passionate hope and prayer for our church family
is that we would welcome the Holy Spirit into our individual heart and, further, that we would
welcome Him into the corporate worship and life of the church as a whole. Where the Holy
Spirit is welcomed, Jesus will abide.
Todays Prayer
As you pray today, remember the needs of our Lexington community. Pray for those who lead us.
Pray for the institutions that meet the needs of our citizens. Pray for the Christian organizations
that seek to minister to our communityespecially Lexington Interfaith Community Center
(LICS), our churchs Prison Ministry, the Chris Meyers Place (Lexingtons Christian childrens
home) and the Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Day 20
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The church abiding in Jesus
Todays Scripture
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: I know your works: you are neither cold
nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are neither hot nor cold, I will
spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not
realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me
gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe
yourself
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come
in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:14-20)
Todays Thought
Jesus words to the church at Laodicea are stern and convictingI always wince when I read
them. I think thats because they point so directly to the modern American church. We have so
much. So much money, so many buildings, so much organization, so many plans, so much
educated leadership. Yet there seems to be so little genuine spiritual authority to our ministry.
Our nation continues to spiral downward while churches continue to pursue their individual
agendas.
At the end of the day, when we stand before the Lord, which would we rather say? Would we
rather point to the money and buildings we accumulated as evidence of our faith? Or would we
prefer to identify the lives of men and women whove come to a saving knowledge of Jesus? Im
not saying those two responses are mutually exclusive. I am saying, though, that the latter must
take priority over the former. When we get them out of order, were in trouble. And a lot of
churches are in trouble.
In verse 20 Jesus gives the antidote to the disease of ecclesiastical self-complacency. Even
thought He doesnt use the word abide the concept is clearly in mind. Behold I stand at the
door and knock, He says. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him
and eat with him, and he with me. In other words, Ill come in, sit down at the table, and well
get to know each other as we share a meal. Well abide with one another.
The answer to dry and powerless churches is Jesus abiding with them. Nothing more. Nothing
less. Nothing else. Not just during the time of the Daniel Fast, but as a persistent and passionate
cry of our hearts, lets make sure that Jesus is abiding with us. Thats the most important prayer
we can ever make.
Todays Prayer
Pray today that your spiritual ears would be alert to the knocking of Jesus at the door. Pray that
youll always be welcoming to His presence in your life and that youll do everything necessary
to make Him feel at home.

Day 21
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
The Pleasure of His Company
Todays Scripture
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right
hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
Todays Thought
Our church family observed the three-week Daniel Fast for one reason: to join our hearts
together as we seek the Lords presence in our church for the coming year. Today our fast is
completed. And tonight during the mid-week service, well have a special service of corporate
prayer to complete our fast in a memorable way. I hope youll be able to make it. I pray these
weeks have made an impact on each of you! We said at the beginning that seasons of fasting
sometimes lead to new revelation and spiritual authority. For some of you, the Lord may have
brought revelation concerning a decision you need to make or a change that needs to happen or
an attitude in your heart that needs to be altered. For others, you may have spent more time in
prayer than in the past, and the Lord has answered your prayers in some remarkable ways.
Maybe for some, there hasnt been a noticeable change in your spiritual life. I want to especially
speak to you. The important thing is that you were diligent in seeking the Lordwhatever ways
He might or might not have worked in your life in response to your fasting is His business. Ours
is to be faithful! So be encouraged that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
And for our church as a wholewhat should we expect to happen now that our fasting is
completed for this season? What I pray has happened is that, in some subtle but important ways,
weve re-aligned ourselves to the presence and purposes of God. Prayer isnt magic; it isnt a
way to manipulate God into fulfilling selfish agendas. Prayer isnt therapy, either, where
individuals or groups try to feel better about the way things are. Prayer is instead the mysterious
workings of the Spirit, in which we encounter the omnipotent God and somehow are able to
move events in ways that wouldnt happen if we didnt pray.
When a church decides to pray, watch out! Anything is possible! The Daniel Fast, I pray, has
taken our churchalready a praying churchand moved us even more heavenward. Nothing is
more important than that.
Todays Prayer
Great God we praise You and honor You today as our Abba Father, as our Savior Jesus and as
our Holy Spirit Comforter. Weve sought You these weeks with all our heart and now we want
more! We want more of You and more of Your Kingdom. We invite you more fully into our lives
and into the life our church. And even as we move more deeply into Your grace, we ask that we
might see the needs of the people around us with Your eyes and feel their need with Your heart.
People without Jesus and without hope. Compel us from safety and comfort into the world with
Jesus saving message. Thank You for meeting us in this season of prayer and fasting. In Jesus
Name, Amen.