Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a peace-filled day! I went to Aldi’s this morning and downstairs for Donut Day. This afternoon is Bible Study and Al is well now and able to lead it. PTL! Our granddaugther Lily’s xray of her hip showed she is healing well and the doctor said she could throw away her crutches.  Thank you for prayers and she is  hopeful she can play soccer in the future. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Fasting is something we hear very little of today, other than those that fast to lose weight. But fasting is not just about abstaining from eating; it can be a time of refraining from other things such as watching TV, social media, from being critical, shopping etc. It is something we do voluntarily in order to draw closer to the Lord, and it also may reveal what things control us. Of course, there are health benefits as well.
I read Catherine Marshall’s words on fasting from criticism, for she felt God telling her that she had been fault finding and judging others. When she fasted, she saw her own character flaw of seeing others through a negative lens. It blocked the work of the Spirit in her own life and she repented as it was revealed.
Moses fasted 40 days for the people of Israel who had worshiped the golden calf so that God would not destroy them. Daniel fasted and Elijah and so many others. Sometimes fasting is a way of seeking guidance or expressing grief; or it could be for seeking forgiveness or overcoming a temptation.
But fasting is not to be done for show; it is not to get puffed up, but rather to be done in secret, that we become conformed more to Christ. Jesus said in Matt. 6:16-18, “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” 
When fasting we may become aware of attachments we have or things that have gotten out of balance in our lives. Maybe we have become so over committed with church activities that that we neglect our families or our own time with the Lord. Anything that holds us back from the Lord, needs to go.              
Let us ask the Him how we can include fasting in our lives.
Challenge for today: Fast from one thing that is keeping you from walking closer to the Lord.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy