Last week we ended with: Dulce: My favorite praise report was from Valentina who began this year never knowing it would be her last.
Fasting
“Is not this the fast I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bonds of bondage, to make the oppressed free, and to break all the yoke?” (Isaiah 58: 6)
From the beginning of my journey I have fasted. I researched fasts and made so many types: one day, one meal, two meals, no TV, no chocolate, etc. I got to lose 8kg (17 libs) !!
I had a fast that I could not complete, especially the three-day fast. On the second day I was ill, and in fear, I ended up eating. That’s when I realized that I was leaning on my own understanding. Instead, I would simply choose any day and how fast it would be.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3: 5).
But often, in practicing the wrong fast, I have learned that by fasting we must be careful to do it with the right intention, with the pure and broken heart. Fasting is not to bring your husband back, it is not for you to get anything from God. “… Why do we fast, and you do not mind? Why do we afflict our souls, and you do not consider it? Behold, in the day ye fast, ye take care of your own affairs, and require that all your labor be done.” (Isaiah 58: 3)
Fasting should be regarded as a tool to weaken the flesh and then, God strengthen your spirit. Through fasting, “Thy light shall break forth as the morning, thy healing shall sprout forth endlessly: thy righteousness shall go before thee: and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rear guard.” (Isaiah 58: 8)
I asked for directions. So I started to fast one day a week. I’ve had more than one week. But because He directed me to do, and it was great because soon after I saw that the fast He wanted me to do was to prepare myself for a test or tribulation.
But in my heart, I really wanted to do a three-day fast. So I started praying to God to tell me when and how. God faithfully answered my prayer and placed in my heart that I should begin fasting on the morning of December 29 and end on the morning of January 1, completing three days with only water.
I will not tell you it was easy, because it was not. As I started on Sunday, and it was the first day, it was quiet. On my second day, I already felt the difficulties, because I was at work. But I continued without murmuring and as if I was not fasting. “When you fast, do not show a sad appearance like the hypocrites, for they change the appearance of the face so that others will see that they are fasting. I tell you truly that they have already received their full reward. “(Matthew 6:16).
At night I felt weak and at night I would wake up nauseous. On the morning of the third day, I was sick, but I did not eat anything. I learned to ask God for help, and every time I felt bad, I repeated, “Your grace is enough for me, and I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” And God is faithful and quick to help. “Then you will cry, and the Lord will answer you; you shall cry out for help, and he shall say, Here am I. “(Isaiah 58: 9a). I felt so good the third day I went to the beach in the afternoon (believe me). It was very fast, but I spent a pleasant afternoon with a friend. God is wonderful!
The evening of the third day was difficult too, and sometimes I could not wait to finish the fast. Then I would shake my head and say, “I am doing this fasting for God and with Him. May His will be done.”
When I woke up, I saw that I had completed my first three-day fast with the help of my Beloved and for His glory!
Best of all, I feel empowered and stepped forward in my relationship with my Beloved Husband. I am radiant and confident! I do not feel fear or anxiety, for I know that my Beloved will guide me continually, he will fill my soul even in dry places and strengthen my bones; I will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters will never fail (Isaiah 58:11).
~ Valentina in Brazil
Encourager blog: A Retrospective: A Memorial for Our Bride Valentina
Dulce: I am excited by Valentina’s suggestion that we be more united in prayer and fasting for each other, I am also happy with the prayer team, I praise the Lord for the many blessings he has poured into our ministry.
Stefane: Something that made my heart very happy was to see, to live in the midst of a time in full harmony, being well directed by the Lord. The beautiful suggestions for Praise Reports, leading us to support and help more brides! It really is being special!
Elisa: Recently Valentina has created a whatsapp group where we exchange only testimonies, praises, and encouraging experiences (with discretion) so that the Lord will praise through our actions and she has suggested for us start to read each chapter of the book “Encontrando a Vida Abundante” together again and it has been a blessing.
Dulce: I remember the support I received from Sylvia when my mother had to amputate her foot earlier in the year, it was a very difficult time for my family and she helped me a lot, not only her but also the ministry that provided me with all the spiritual and also bought a wheelchair for my mother. I thank the Lord and the Ministry with all my heart.
Stefane: A dear partner helped me a lot in some difficult times for me, but the most important and striking one was God who guided her to help me. I had prayed to the Lord, and I placed on the altar my financial situation and my health, it was not well and I needed treatment. In every situation he used the beloved Silvia to bless me, to say words coming directly from Him and to rejoice with praises !! In each such moment, He was transforming my heart and showing His immense love and care!
Thank you, Silvia, for being this angel and friend, allowing me to be used by Him to help me continue!
Elisa: At the end of last year I received an unexpected bill, a big one and I still unemployed. I prayed to God to help me and He touched in Andreia’s heart and she sended me a message to help me a complete my Invoice and receive my financial blessing. I thank Andreia for let God guide her heart, because of that I was able to pay my bill on time and the rest of the money gave us a Christmas more blessed. And I want to thank her too for all the testimonies than she has given to all of us, may the Lord continue blessing her life!
Dulce: My beloved, thank you for this blessing in my life. You are so good and faithful and your love lasts forever, I am so happy with every step the Lord guides me to give, thank you for your friendship, for your wonderful advice and especially for loving and believing in me, for empowering me every day to help every wounded woman you have brought to this ministry. I love you !!
Stefane: Thank you, my Beloved, for this opportunity. Thank you for allowing me to come and truly know and be your bride!
It is very special to be here and live what really created me to be and do! How wonderful is this opportunity to help so many other women know the truth and live a true Love, and all this could only happen by being here by your side!
Thank you for not giving up on me, but strive to rise up in your immense love and mercy. Thank you for giving me the chance to help other people become your most beautiful dreams! Thank you Lord, for I am your tool on this earth!
Elisa: Still today I was remembering the day I really knew God! I was a hurt girl, sad and confused. Three years later I’m still flaw but now I am full of hope, lo, e and happiness. My heart can think in gratitude only for all of God has doing for me and my son. Today I feel like a fulfilled and happy woman, ready to live His great love forever! Thanks my dear Lord for everything You have done for us, You are everything I need and everything I want!! Love you with all my heart! I’d not be here without You!!
Do you feel unworthy or incapable of helping minister to women?
Dulce: Beloved, do not be afraid or feel unworthy, for He is the one who sustains us, and if He has called you he will take care of everything, just give your way in your hands and let Him guide you.
Stefane: In the beginning, it is a feeling that you do not understand, a fire that burns in your heart, a desire to do beyond what is in your hands. Yes, dear ones, this is the call of God echoing in your heart. Do not let fear or feelings that are not of the Lord come to you to paralyze. Take your step of faith, hold the hand of our God and move on, take the place He has prepared for you and live the best of the Lord on this earth. Say yes to your call, for it is the Lord who enables you and for Him, you are worthy to assume everything that was planned for your life and called in the ministry!
Elisa: Prepare to live the best of the Lord! Great feelings, challenges at the door but it’s all worth it when you look back and see that the pain doesn’t exist anymore, the fear has receded and looks in the mirror and the woman you see is the best version of yourself thanks to kindness, love and mercy of our Beautiful Husband!