Fast Friends E-Book

Suzanne Niles

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer." –EZRA 8:23 NIV Women need women. We have a unique, God-given capacity to connect and to love. Are we exercising that gift? Are we seeing answers to our prayers? Are we approaching the throne of God with the requests that turn our lives inside out? Are we sacrificing for and supporting each other so we grow as Christ followers? If you can't say yes to these questions, a "Fast Friend" could be the answer. Fast Friends looks into the lives and experiences of two women God brought together to walk through life as friends and prayer partners. It chronicles their journey, lessons learned, and the faithfulness of God when they chose to move toward Him. Find your Fast Friend and learn how you can partner in prayer and fasting to experience life-changing spiritual growth, amazing answers to prayer, and friendship with one another that bears eternal fruit.

Leseprobe

Endorsements

“Prayer, honesty, and accountability are so important in the life of a believer. The women in my life who are my Fast Friends mean the world to me. What a great resource this book is!”

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI, Christian music artist

“There is power when we devote ourselves to prayer. It can be more powerful when we pray with others in unity. Fast Friends is a reminder to make time for what matters most!”

ALEX KENDRICK, Writer and director of War Room,Courageous, Fireproof, author of The Love Dare

“Niles and Little have taken Jesus’ clear expectation that His followers would fast and have dropped it smack into the middle of our twenty-first century, frenetic, spiritually isolated, and all too often self-consumed world. It’s clear these two Fast Friends have learned a thing or two about fasting and prayer through their shared experiences of discipline and mutual accountability, all within the context of their close friendship, and they winsomely share this wisdom through their personal testimonies in this book. I love that Suzanne and Wendy don’t come off in these pages as lofty, pedantic experts, but rather as humble, down-to-earth, sister-travelers on this journey of faith and friendship, simply sharing what they have found to be key to their spiritual growth as women of God. An inspiring and motivating read!”

MAJOR LISA SMITH, The Salvation Army

“We establish friendships on shared interests, locale, hobbies, and much more. But it’s rare to find a friendship forged through fasting and prayer. Suzanne and Wendy have woven a unique tapestry of compelling personal stories and rich biblical truth. Driven by a desire to see believers draw closer to the Lord and one another through these particular spiritual disciplines, this book will provide encouragement and support for all sorts of Fast Friends.”

MICHAEL CATT, Senior pastor, Sherwood Baptist ChurchExecutive producer, Sherwood Pictures

“ ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’ Suzanne and Wendy give us personal stories and great tips on how two girlfriends who love Jesus can rock the world. Thank you for inspiring the rest of us to seek an accountability partner, a friend and even a soul mate, to become more disciplined in our faith and more Christ-like in our lives. There is nothing more life changing than prayer and fasting and nothing more fun than walking that journey with a girlfriend. You go girls!”

KAREN COVELL, Producer and founding directorof The Hollywood Prayer Networkwww.hollywoodprayernetwork.org

“Fast Friends is a sound reminder of the need for prayer—deep, costly, and committed—in a culture that would prefer individual and non-taxing expressions of commitment to God. The recommendations stemming from the authors’ personal experience and understanding of Scripture will only help those wanting a deeper experience with the Lord in that quest.”

MATTHEW A. THOMAS,Bishop, Free Methodist Church, USA

“I believe God honors and listens when we get serious about renewing our minds, cleansing ourselves, and denying something in our lives that may be distracting us from following His lead. Books have been written about fasting, but Suzanne and Wendy have written a heartfelt and personal book that will make you laugh and help you understand that fasting should be focused but it can also be joyous and refreshing. There’s merit in taking a fasting journey and this book will open your eyes to new and uplifting Godly insights that can transform your life.”

KATHLEEN COOKE, VP Cooke Pictures and The Influence Lab,kathleencooke.com

“I was hooked on Fast Friends by the end of the first paragraph. Delightful, fresh, and full of Bible truth, Fast Friends propelled me forward to look at my own prayer and fasting life and prepared me to dive into incorporating the principles into my own life. Suzanne and Wendy are living examples of what they have written. Their approach to Jesus is a daily walk of grace, hope, and purpose. Drawing near to God by their commitment to each other as Fast Friends has given them strength, wisdom, and transformed them to shine bright for Jesus.”

SHARI RIGBY, Speaker and author of Beautifully Flawed: FindingYour Radiance in the Imperfections of Your Life, actress, October Baby

“Fast Friends is such an encouraging read! Suzanne and Wendy will inspire you with their tremendous love for the Lord and each other to search your heart and mind with their humble and biblical foundation to fasting and prayer.”

MARIA CANALS-BARRERA, Actress, God’s Not Dead 2

“Fast Friends is a valuable example of two ordinary women who said yes to an extraordinary God, and moved in obedience towards a journey of fasting and prayer. As Wendy and Suzanne learned more about the true condition of their own hearts, they submitted to the only One who could heal and transform their lives. I encourage you to ask God to bring you a Fast Friend. As you agree to enter into prayer and fasting you have the opportunity to deny yourself, only to ultimately gain more of Jesus!”

KEVIN DOWNES, Producer, actor, writer, Faith of Our Fathers,Mom’s Night Out, Courageous

“If you read this book and receive the challenge inside it, you will no doubt be changed for the better! You will be inspired towards a deeper intimacy with God and you will find that whatever you give up will be meaningless compared to all you gain! I have applied these principles to my life, and they have brought breakthrough in areas I never thought I’d conquer. I’m excited to share this wonderful work with my dear friends! Thank you, Suzanne and Wendy, for the triumph written on every page!”

JENNIFER STRICKLAND, Author, Beautiful Lies,urmore.org

“It is no small feat to cook up a compelling and delicious feast in a book about fasting, but Suzanne and Wendy deliver just such a treat in Fast Friends. The practical truths they share as their friendship grew and drew them closer to God offer hope for all of us. We all need Fast Friends.”

KEN ABRAHAM,New York Times bestselling author

“In hard times our desire to be understood and loved is stronger than ever. We all need someone who will commit to pray and fast with us until the spiritual battle is won. I believe the biblical principles found in Fast Friends will supply comfort and hope in the midst of trials, as well as the supernatural power to fight the toughest storms. I encourage everyone to find a Fast Friend and enter your prayer closet and seek Jesus like never before!”

ERICA GALINDO, Founder and editor-in-chief,SonomaChristianHome.com

“We found Fast Friends a book most worthy of our highest recommendation. We loved the backstory of how God knit Suzanne and Wendy together in both friendship and kingdom purposes. Their transparency and humility both blessed and challenged us in our own walks. We also loved the kingdom treasures that they mined through their determination to pursue God regularly for all that He wanted to do both in and through them. It was so affirming to learn about the ways God grew them in their relationship with Him and each other. It was then so easy to track how He magnified His power and victory in multiple areas of their lives. Since we both have experienced the very worthwhile kingdom fruit grown through fasting, we honor Suzanne and Wendy in this faithful effort to be all they can in and for the Lord in this very needy world.”

MARK FINCANNON, Casting Director, C.S.A. 90 Minutes in HeavenSHARON FINCANNON, Casting Assistant, Fincannon Casting

“I’ve known Suzanne and Wendy for many years and they are vulnerable and transparent in this book from the heart on fasting and prayer. We all desire close community and someone we can count on to support us in both good times and bad. Fast Friends will inspire you to enter into the kind of meaningful relationship with a brother or sister in Christ where you carry one another’s request before the throne. There are eternal benefits and a closer walk with the Savior to be garnered through Fast Friends. So what are you waiting for? Find your Fast Friend fast!”

BOBBY DOWNES, Cofounder and CEOChristianCinema.com

“In Fast Friends, Suzanne Niles and Wendy Simpson Little combine for a practical, yet intensely spiritual perspective on the age old question of fasting and how it works for them as contemporary women. A perfect guide for someone focused on the how-to’s of fasting and the application to daily life.”

JOE BATTAGLIA, President, Renaissance Communications andauthor, The Politically Incorrect Jesus

“Want to fast and don’t know the ropes? Fast Friends is the book for you. Here is a practical guide on prayer and fasting shared through the eyes of sisters in Christ. Suzanne Niles and Wendy Simpson Little bring to the forefront a topic that has long since been forgotten in our busy culture. God bless you both for your courage.”

SUELLEN ROBERTS, Founder and president,Christian Women in Media Association

“Suzanne and Wendy take the Bible seriously, and that’s why I’m taking their book Fast Friends seriously. Even if you’ve never considered the impact fasting can have on your life, I encourage you to read it, and see how these insights can make a difference for you.”

PHIL COOKE, Ph.D., Filmmaker, media consultant, andauthor of One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do

BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

www.broadstreetpublishing.com

Fast Friends

THE AMAZING POWER OF FRIENDSHIP, FASTING, AND PRAYER

© 2015 Suzanne Niles and Wendy Simpson Little

Disclaimer: Before beginning any type of diet change or fasting, please consult with your doctor or medical professional. Some individuals will not be able to follow a regimen of fasting from food due to certain medical conditions.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5085-2 (hardcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5086-9 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked MSG are from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, which is in the Public Domain.

Cover by Chris Garborg at www.garborgdesign.com

Interior by Katherine Lloyd at www.theDESKonline.com

Stock or custom editions of BroadStreet Publishing titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, ministry, fundraising, or sales promotional use.

For information, please e-mail [email protected].

Printed in China

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Dedication

We dedicate this book to our precious, powerful, loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We also dedicate it to you. God has placed this book in your hands so you can seek and know Him in a new way—one that will fill your heart to overflowing and help you step into everything He designed for you before the creation of the world.

Contents

Foreword

by Rev. Dr. Thelma Wells (Mama T)

P

ART

O

NE

:

Fixing the Focus

1

Fast Friends from the Start

2

Why Fast?

3

Fasting Matters

P

ART

T

WO

:

Focus Areas for Fasting

4

Fasting to Confess Sin

5

Fasting for God’s Guidance

6

Fasting as an Act of Worship

7

Fasting for Your Marriage

8

Fasting for Your Children

9

Fasting to Break Bondage

10

Fasting to Strengthen Your Faith

11

Fasting to See What Really Matters

P

ART

T

HREE

:

Personalizing Your Plan

12

How to Be Fast Friends on a Fast-Paced Day

13

How to Prepare for Your Fasting Day

Fast Friends

10-Week Book Study

Foreword

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus. Not one. But God knew, before the foundation of the world, that you and I, people that live on earth, would have a specific need to communicate with like kind, to bond with others, to have companionship, to relate with someone who could relate back to them. Oh what empathy and omnipotent majesty He has for his children! See Him work through these eternal friends from the pages of this book.

There is a song that encourages us that when we walk through a storm, we should hold our heads high and not be afraid of the storm. We, like the authors of this great work, have weathered many storms that have raged in our lives—grateful for an ear to listen, a tear to shed, an arm to lean on, a quick kick in the rear end (with love) when we whine, encouragement to hold on and not give up, and the triumph of success.

Do you realize the importance of praying to God for everything and realizing that someone is in one accord praying with you? Can you feel how lonely life is without a praying partner interceding for and with you? I do. There have been times in my life that I did not want people to know what I was praying about. Maybe they will think I’m silly, arrogant, hopeless, weak, dumb, powerless, a complainer, and a whiner? Or, maybe they will think I’m trying to be spiritual, religious, a Jesus freak, Holy Roller, and more?

As you saturate yourself in the fullness of this book, you will see the urgency of family and especially godly friendships where the super and the natural blend together over the trials and triumphs of life and together win the battles of life, which can be unseen and unexpected. By joining arm and arm with God-united friends and especially our Friend Jesus and walking together, even if we get weary physically, emotionally, spiritually, and economically, there’s always a Friend that sticks closer than any brother. His name is Jesus. He will lead you through hard trials, tribulations, heartaches, and troubles as He keeps His word when He said, “I have overcome the world!”

Please let Him, the Author and Finisher of your faith, unite you to your Fast Friend who will join with you within the love of Jesus and will be there for you through thick and thin. Our joy should be in the Lord who created friendship in the beginning and has confirmed the process of friendships to the end of time, and will translate it into eternity where friendship will never end. My friend, you are in for a magnificent journey. Read and see!

REV. DR. THELMA WELLS (MAMA T),Author, speaker, television personality, CEOThat A Girl & Friends Speakers Agency and Enrichment Tourswww.thatagirlspeakers.comWomen of Faith

- PART ONE -

Fixing the Focus

Again I say to you, that if two of you agreeon earth about anything that they may ask, it shallbe done for them by My Father who is in heaven.

—JESUS CHRIST (MATT. 18:19 NASB)

CHAPTER 1

Fast Friends from the Start

We—Suzanne and Wendy—are fast friends. Between the two of us, we have worked as waitress, roller-rink hostess, data entry person, substitute teacher, missionary, file clerk, nanny, bra-fitter, campaign manager, writer, middle and high school teacher, actress, public relations manager, medical transcriptionist, executive secretary, real estate broker, and professional audio book recorder. We have also taught a wide array of subjects, including English, French, Tae Kwon Do, piano, acting, make up application, and Sunday school. We have sold videos, bras, cosmetics, jewelry, radon systems, and our own record album. We have sung for Jesus in foreign countries and for boisterous country crowds at state fairs. We have changed thousands of dirty diapers, wiped runny noses at least as many times, and smoothed away a million salty tears, often from our own faces. We have volunteered on more committees than we can remember and have had more specialized training on useless, inapplicable things than merits recording. We have met actors, politicians, musicians, apologists, and evangelists. We too have even engaged in a couple of those roles from time to time. We come from different backgrounds, different zip codes, different denominations, and have different dress sizes.

Still, in many important ways, which go beyond our paid-for blond hair and love of nachos, we are the same. We both adore Jesus. We ache for him to refine us through his love and power. We have no higher goal or ambition right now than to see Jesus be the root and foundation of our children’s lives. And we pray and fast. And when our stomachs are growling from fasting, we pray and seek Him even more. Subsequently, we love Him even more.

Our story is far from fairytale. It has two very flawed heroines and a cast of other rambunctious characters. In fact, our favorite characters are our much-loved husbands and children. Our story takes place in two very different geographical settings: sunny central California and sometimes-sunny Spokane, Washington. It spans twelve years now, and it has a plot that seems a little convoluted at times but includes strong dramatic elements: sometimes comedic, sometimes tragic, yet strewn with glorious praises. Our story covers the sublime and the ridiculous, which you may have already gathered from the list of jobs we’ve had. We are not noteworthy, notable, or even note takers. We are more like the girls sitting in the back of the class comparing lipsticks and making plans for lunch—unless it’s in a Bible study class. (Okay, we have been known to pass a note about lunch during Bible study too.)

As we tell you more of our story, we will encourage you to form a fast friendship. We want you to know how you can accept the invitation of the God of the universe—the invitation to spend close, intimate time with Him, offering Him your praise, getting your heart right with Him through repentance, and pouring out your concerns and needs to Him in prayer—and doing all of this with another sister in Christ.

So what you have in your hands is not a book of theology. Rather, this book is written out of our shared spiritual experience. God called us—two average women—to enter into a type of sisterhood that presented to us the opportunity to answer the cry of our hearts for a sincere and dedicated support system. God gave us a gift. The gift of a safe place of friendship where we meet Him, focus on Him, confess our sins to Him, worship Him, listen for His voice, and bring our most heartfelt requests before Him.

This relationship involves a good amount of prayer and some fasting too. While no Christian discounts the need for us to pray, we have heard some Christians claim that fasting is not for today. However, Jesus’ instructions for how we are supposed to appear to others while fasting caused us to pause and think. Jesus said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matt. 6:16–18).