A Cheesy Fairytale Devotional

by Allie Northcutt

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Once upon a time there was a princess and a peasant boy. The princess and the peasant boy both lived in the same kingdom and both made the decision to do a 30 day folklore fast. The princess made an announcement to the entire kingdom that read: “I, Princess Pamelot, am on a 30 day fast from folklore. Please refrain folk dancing and other displays of folklore around me.” The peasant boy did not make a big announcement. Sometimes the townspeople would ask him, “Why hast thou chosen to abstain from the folklorist event of last eve?” And in reply the peasant boy would simply say, “Because I am fasting from what sometimes distracts me from God, so that I can try and focus on Him.”

Anything Sound Familiar?

Which character can you relate to, the princess or the peasant boy?

- Check out Matthew 6:16-18 (Try the Message version in addition to another version)

The bible is pretty straightforward sometimes, just like a fairytale, but the bible is more then just a nice story with a good moral at the end. It is the true living word of God!

-     Think about what it means to “not be obvious” while fasting today in your life.

-          How do you respond when someone brings up media? Are you embarrassed to say why you are fasting? Do you complain about fasting from media?

-          What are your motives for fasting?

- Check out James 1:22-25 (Try the Message version in addition to another version)

-          Think about some things you know the bible says. Think of one command the bible has that you know, but may conveniently forget. (For example, the command regarding fasting in Matthew 6:16-18?)

Medieval Adventure Challenge!

-          Keep a record of every time you notice that you are not fasting for God and are fasting for other reasons.

-          So what now? Just like in James 1:22-25, don’t just know what is right and not act. Do something!

-          Ideas for the princess: Come down off your high horse! Try not complaining or talking about fasting for at least one day, one week or for the rest of the 30-day media fast.

-          Ideas for the peasant boy: Think you got fasting all figured out? Check out other examples of fasting from the bible for inspiration and to see how you can improve.