Luke 9:51- "As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."
Easter is only 7 days away. 7 DAYS! So it's time to focus. It's time to start focusing our prayers on specific things leading up to this incredible Sunday. As you fast this week, have a sharp focus on hearing from God and being obedient to what He is asking you to do this week. Here are a few things to think about.
1. God, who do I need to invite with me on Sunday?
2. God, who do I need to follow up with that I've already invited and haven't heard from?
3. God, who is someone that I haven't seen in a while that needs an invite to come back?
4. God, where is their "low hanging fruit" around me that I can capitalize on and share the Gospel with BEFORE Sunday?
5. God, what do I need to do to be prepared to hear from you on Sunday so that I can continue to experience life change through Jesus?
Let's commit to focus on the road ahead of us, and be obedient when God answers these questions and brings people to our minds that need Jesus.
Showing posts with label Fasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fasting. Show all posts
Fasting: Remember What God Has Done
Exodus 13:3- Then Moses said to the people, "Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, beacuse The Lord brought you out of it with his mighty hand."
Have you taken some time to reflect and write down what God has been teaching you lately? Have you stopped to think about the last thing God told you to do, and asked yourself if you're been obedient to it? Moses commanded the people to stop and recognize what God had done in their past and where He was taking them in the future.
I'm praying that when you stop and think about what God has done over the past few weeks in your life through this fast, I hope that it encourages you and reminds you of how good He has been to you.
Have you taken some time to reflect and write down what God has been teaching you lately? Have you stopped to think about the last thing God told you to do, and asked yourself if you're been obedient to it? Moses commanded the people to stop and recognize what God had done in their past and where He was taking them in the future.
I'm praying that when you stop and think about what God has done over the past few weeks in your life through this fast, I hope that it encourages you and reminds you of how good He has been to you.
Fasting: Doing Without Thinking
We all have a checklist. We all have a routine. We all have things that we do instinctively, without thought, almost automatically. When was the last time you actually had to think about what you were going to do when you get out of bed? I don't have to ask myself, "Should I turn my alarm clock off? Should I get in the shower? Should I brush my teeth?" I just do it.
If we're not careful, our spiritual lives can become a routine. Just pray. Just read the Bible. Just go to church. Just serve. Just give.
But why? What's behind it? Are we missing out on the Giver because we're focused on the gift?
Fasting is a way to step back and think about the big picture, to realize your motives and think about the "why" behind the "what." So tear up your spiritual checklist. Break the monotony. Insert a fast in your spiritual life to help ground you in the "why" and the "Who" instead of just focusing on the "what."
If we're not careful, our spiritual lives can become a routine. Just pray. Just read the Bible. Just go to church. Just serve. Just give.
But why? What's behind it? Are we missing out on the Giver because we're focused on the gift?
Fasting is a way to step back and think about the big picture, to realize your motives and think about the "why" behind the "what." So tear up your spiritual checklist. Break the monotony. Insert a fast in your spiritual life to help ground you in the "why" and the "Who" instead of just focusing on the "what."
Fasting: God Above All Else?
Genesis 22:12- "God said, 'Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.'"
God gave Abraham an opportunity to put his faith into motion by telling him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. And Abraham was willing to be obedient! Talk about a fast, giving up something important to know God and bring Him glory! This story illustrates a strong level of willingness when it comes to sacrifice. Is there anything too sacred in your life that you would not be willing to give up to seek God? Is there anything that is too valuable, too important, or off limits?
God isn't calling you to give up the life of your kids, but he may be calling you to give up something important in order to know and follow Him.
God gave Abraham an opportunity to put his faith into motion by telling him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. And Abraham was willing to be obedient! Talk about a fast, giving up something important to know God and bring Him glory! This story illustrates a strong level of willingness when it comes to sacrifice. Is there anything too sacred in your life that you would not be willing to give up to seek God? Is there anything that is too valuable, too important, or off limits?
God isn't calling you to give up the life of your kids, but he may be calling you to give up something important in order to know and follow Him.
Fasting: When Good is Bad
Luke 8:14- "But as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and PLEASURES OF LIFE, and their fruit does not mature."
It's the same story that we looked at on Saturday, just highlighting a different phrase. Jesus says even the good, pure, clean pleasures of life can cause us to stop growing closer to God and put our spiritual growth on standby.
Are there pleasures of life that you need to check? Are these seemingly harmless, innocent aspects of your daily routine actually hurting your ability to increase intimacy with God?
It's the same story that we looked at on Saturday, just highlighting a different phrase. Jesus says even the good, pure, clean pleasures of life can cause us to stop growing closer to God and put our spiritual growth on standby.
Are there pleasures of life that you need to check? Are these seemingly harmless, innocent aspects of your daily routine actually hurting your ability to increase intimacy with God?
Fasting: Too Full For Anything Else
Mark 4:18b-19: "There are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and THE DESIRE FOR OTHER THINGS enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful."
"The desire for other things..." Wow, what a strong phrase! Jesus says one of our strongest and most destructive enemies is our own desire for other things. What happens when you have a desire for something? You go get it. You consume it. You allow it to fill your time, calendar, and life. And the result? There is less and less room for God. You become too full for anything else.
Fasting helps us to remove the secondary desires of life to make room for the primary desire we were created to crave and seek.
"The desire for other things..." Wow, what a strong phrase! Jesus says one of our strongest and most destructive enemies is our own desire for other things. What happens when you have a desire for something? You go get it. You consume it. You allow it to fill your time, calendar, and life. And the result? There is less and less room for God. You become too full for anything else.
Fasting helps us to remove the secondary desires of life to make room for the primary desire we were created to crave and seek.
Fasting: Not Just for Lent
As the Lent fast winds down, have you thought about what fasting will look like for you moving forward? Here are some common reasons in Scripture for fasting that may help guide you as you continue this spiritual discipline in the future.
1. I want to fast to be more like Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-17)
2. I want to fast to repent and cleanse my body spiritually. (Isaiah 58:5-7, Jonah 3:8)
3. I want to fast to ask for God's help and guidance during a difficult time in life. (Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 1:4-11)
4. I want to fast to embolden and strengthen my prayer life. (Acts 10:30, 1 Corinthians 7:5)
1. I want to fast to be more like Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-17)
2. I want to fast to repent and cleanse my body spiritually. (Isaiah 58:5-7, Jonah 3:8)
3. I want to fast to ask for God's help and guidance during a difficult time in life. (Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 1:4-11)
4. I want to fast to embolden and strengthen my prayer life. (Acts 10:30, 1 Corinthians 7:5)
Fasting: 7 Results
In his book, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life," Donald Whitney gives 7 possible results of fasting.
1. We pray more intently.
2. We are more in tune with God's guidance and will.
3. We press into God and His Word more so that we can hear His voice.
4. We have true repentance of our sins.
5. We acknowledge our dependance on God even for our basic survival.
6. We are more keen and receptive spiritually.
7. We are better prepared to put others above ourselves.
Which of these have you seen in your life as a result of the past few weeks?
1. We pray more intently.
2. We are more in tune with God's guidance and will.
3. We press into God and His Word more so that we can hear His voice.
4. We have true repentance of our sins.
5. We acknowledge our dependance on God even for our basic survival.
6. We are more keen and receptive spiritually.
7. We are better prepared to put others above ourselves.
Which of these have you seen in your life as a result of the past few weeks?
Fasting: Don't Force It
Colossians 2:20-23- "Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to the regulations- Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle- according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh."
Paul makes it very clear that fasting should not be forced or done out of obligation. It loses its power and purpose behind it. It's not a religious ritual. It's not a rule that we have to be obligatory towards. If that is what fasting has become, then we're no different than the religious men in the Gospels that did it just to show others how pious they were.
I'm praying that you would guard yourself against false humility, empty religion, and the doctrines and commands of men when it comes to fasting.
Paul makes it very clear that fasting should not be forced or done out of obligation. It loses its power and purpose behind it. It's not a religious ritual. It's not a rule that we have to be obligatory towards. If that is what fasting has become, then we're no different than the religious men in the Gospels that did it just to show others how pious they were.
I'm praying that you would guard yourself against false humility, empty religion, and the doctrines and commands of men when it comes to fasting.
Fasting: I See You Fasting
Acts 10:30-31- So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the 9th hour I prayed in my house, and behold a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.'"
When Cornelius was seeking God, there were 2 things that God noticed in Cornelius's life that stood out to Him: prayer and fasting. As a result, God gave Cornelius clear direction and instructions for the next steps of his life. I'm so grateful that God hears our prayers and takes our lives seriously when we try earnestly to seek Him. Who knows what doors this fast will open up as we continue to seek God?!
I'm praying that God would show you great favor in life as a result of your dedication to prayer and fasting. I'm praying that this act of worship would result in incredible spiritual insight and the opportunity for your life to be used by God in a mighty way.
When Cornelius was seeking God, there were 2 things that God noticed in Cornelius's life that stood out to Him: prayer and fasting. As a result, God gave Cornelius clear direction and instructions for the next steps of his life. I'm so grateful that God hears our prayers and takes our lives seriously when we try earnestly to seek Him. Who knows what doors this fast will open up as we continue to seek God?!
I'm praying that God would show you great favor in life as a result of your dedication to prayer and fasting. I'm praying that this act of worship would result in incredible spiritual insight and the opportunity for your life to be used by God in a mighty way.
Fasting: Serve Hard
Luke 6:37- "And this woman (Anna the prophetess) was a widow of about 84 years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
Anna was a dedicated woman! She was one of the first people to notice that Jesus was the Messiah, and dedicated her life to the service of God. In fact, Scripture says she never left the temple! She was known for serving God with fasting and praying. She did it all the time! Even at 84 years, she really wanted to KNOW God intimately.
I'm reminded of Romans 12:11- "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."
I'm praying that fasting would energize your spiritual fervor. I'm praying that your zeal for serving the Lord and getting others to Jesus would be impacted through your time seeking Him through fasting. And I'm praying that like Anna, it would continue to be a part of your relationship with Jesus.
Anna was a dedicated woman! She was one of the first people to notice that Jesus was the Messiah, and dedicated her life to the service of God. In fact, Scripture says she never left the temple! She was known for serving God with fasting and praying. She did it all the time! Even at 84 years, she really wanted to KNOW God intimately.
I'm reminded of Romans 12:11- "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."
I'm praying that fasting would energize your spiritual fervor. I'm praying that your zeal for serving the Lord and getting others to Jesus would be impacted through your time seeking Him through fasting. And I'm praying that like Anna, it would continue to be a part of your relationship with Jesus.
Fasting: Nothing Is Happening
Isaiah 58:3 "Why have we fasted," they say, "and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?"
Honest question for you: Did you have some expectations for this fast? Did you expect God to do something, say something, or show you something amazing and incredible? Did you approach this fast with a list of things that you wanted to have done by the end?
The people in Isaiah started to get mad when their fast was going on and the results that they had anticipated weren't being produced. They started to say to themselves, "Why are we even doing this? This is stupid! Let's quit!"
There are 21 more days until Easter. I'm praying this weekend that you'll reevaluate your original intentions. I'm praying that you'll even refocus the purpose of your fast. Maybe you've been sidetracked. Maybe it's lost some of it's luster and excitement over the past few weeks. I pray that your ears are just as open today as they were on the first day, and that your discernment and intimacy grows stronger as we approach the home stretch heading into the Easter season!
Fasting: Intimacy Overhaul
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
The more that we draw near to God, the closer we get to Him (blatantly obvious statement of the day). However, don't limit your "closeness" to God just during your fasting time. When you fast, your intimacy and closeness to God will increase in other areas of your life during other times of the day.
Fasting in the morning can result in an increase in intimacy as you are praying at night before you go to bed. It can increase intimacy as you spend time in the Word during your lunch break. Fasting really opens up your eyes and ears to God's movement around you, and results in seeing and hearing from God more closely.
So don't limit fasting to what God can say to you during that narrow window that you're not eating or giving something else up. Use that fast as a springboard to increase intimacy in all areas of your relationship with God.
I'm praying that as a result of your fast the other areas of your relationship with God will flourish, that your life would be more in tune with Him, and that your eyes and ears would be sharply focused on God.
The more that we draw near to God, the closer we get to Him (blatantly obvious statement of the day). However, don't limit your "closeness" to God just during your fasting time. When you fast, your intimacy and closeness to God will increase in other areas of your life during other times of the day.
Fasting in the morning can result in an increase in intimacy as you are praying at night before you go to bed. It can increase intimacy as you spend time in the Word during your lunch break. Fasting really opens up your eyes and ears to God's movement around you, and results in seeing and hearing from God more closely.
So don't limit fasting to what God can say to you during that narrow window that you're not eating or giving something else up. Use that fast as a springboard to increase intimacy in all areas of your relationship with God.
I'm praying that as a result of your fast the other areas of your relationship with God will flourish, that your life would be more in tune with Him, and that your eyes and ears would be sharply focused on God.
Fasting: In the Beginning...
Acts 9:9, 17-20- "And for 3 days he (Saul) was without sight, and neither ate nor drank... So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” After Saul had seen the Lord and was called into the ministry, he began his ministry with a fast."
God called Saul into the ministry, and that process began with a 3-day fast from food (voluntary) and sight (involuntary). Imagine what kind of focus you would have if you kept your eyes closed and meditated on God for 3 days?!
As we read yesterday, Jesus also started out his ministry with a period of fasting. So many incredible stories in Scripture started with a fast. So many powerful heroes of the Bible fasted.For these heroes, what started with a fast led to a life of powerful life change and being used by God in amazing ways.
As our fast continues, I'm praying that you are asking God for what's next. Could this fast be the beginning for you? I'm praying that this fast would be the kickstart spiritually in your life, and that at the end of the fast you could begin an incredible season of following God and seeing powerful things happen through you.
As our fast continues, I'm praying that you are asking God for what's next. Could this fast be the beginning for you? I'm praying that this fast would be the kickstart spiritually in your life, and that at the end of the fast you could begin an incredible season of following God and seeing powerful things happen through you.
God called Saul into the ministry, and that process began with a 3-day fast from food (voluntary) and sight (involuntary). Imagine what kind of focus you would have if you kept your eyes closed and meditated on God for 3 days?!
As we read yesterday, Jesus also started out his ministry with a period of fasting. So many incredible stories in Scripture started with a fast. So many powerful heroes of the Bible fasted.For these heroes, what started with a fast led to a life of powerful life change and being used by God in amazing ways.
As our fast continues, I'm praying that you are asking God for what's next. Could this fast be the beginning for you? I'm praying that this fast would be the kickstart spiritually in your life, and that at the end of the fast you could begin an incredible season of following God and seeing powerful things happen through you.
As our fast continues, I'm praying that you are asking God for what's next. Could this fast be the beginning for you? I'm praying that this fast would be the kickstart spiritually in your life, and that at the end of the fast you could begin an incredible season of following God and seeing powerful things happen through you.
Fasting: Preparing You To Fight
Matthew 4:1-11: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
When Jesus was fasting in the desert, there is no doubt that it made him physically weak. Yet, the fasting and closeness to his Father God obviously emboldened him spiritually. Despite the hunger and the weakness, he was sharp spiritually as he quoted Scripture, denied Satan a victory, and held faithful to his mission here on Earth.
Fasting actually made Jesus tougher, stronger, and more able spiritually to get the job done.
I'm praying that as your physical energy may go down, that you would experience revitalization spiritually as a result of the fast. We're in the middle of a fight, and we need all the spiritual stamina and strength that we can get!
Fasting: Sin Is A Big Deal
1 KINGS 21:27-29 And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days."
Ahab's wife and family had sinned against God through the worship of idols. Ahab knew the holiness of God and that he needed to take drastic measures to seek forgiveness and avoid incredible punishment. So he fasted. As a result, the wrath of God was not sent down to destroy his family.
Do you know that God has the same viewpoint of your sin today as he did of Ahab's sin thousands of years ago? Even though Jesus offers forgiveness, the sin in our lives is still a big deal and offensive to a Holy God.
When is the last time you've had a response to your sin like Ahab? When has your sin against God broken you to the point of not eating, mourning, weeping, and crying out to God?
Be thankful for Jesus, broken over your sin, and strive to live a life that is holy and worthy of God. Hopefully that lifestyle pattern will result in sin being less and less a part of your life.
I'm praying that fasting will become a regular part of the way that you deal with sin. I pray that you won't be nonchalant over your sin, simply saying "sorry about that God," but that you would daily recognize that it's a big deal that we have sinned against God.
Ahab's wife and family had sinned against God through the worship of idols. Ahab knew the holiness of God and that he needed to take drastic measures to seek forgiveness and avoid incredible punishment. So he fasted. As a result, the wrath of God was not sent down to destroy his family.
Do you know that God has the same viewpoint of your sin today as he did of Ahab's sin thousands of years ago? Even though Jesus offers forgiveness, the sin in our lives is still a big deal and offensive to a Holy God.
When is the last time you've had a response to your sin like Ahab? When has your sin against God broken you to the point of not eating, mourning, weeping, and crying out to God?
Be thankful for Jesus, broken over your sin, and strive to live a life that is holy and worthy of God. Hopefully that lifestyle pattern will result in sin being less and less a part of your life.
I'm praying that fasting will become a regular part of the way that you deal with sin. I pray that you won't be nonchalant over your sin, simply saying "sorry about that God," but that you would daily recognize that it's a big deal that we have sinned against God.
Fasting: Being Effective Longer
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
These verses are oftentimes misquoted to refer to your physical body. "Don't get tattoos, don't get piercings, don't be overweight, and don't be hard on your physical body because it's God's house!" This verse is so much more than that, and has such a deep spiritual meaning behind it. However, it does make me think about longevity in ministry.
I think it's important to take good care of your body so that you can be a more effective minister of the Gospel for a longer period of time. Fasting can help regulate other areas of our lives (our diets and the way we spend our time) to help lengthen our "careers" as Christians.
If you aren't taking steps to protect your body physically, your tenure as a missionary here on earth won't be very long.
I'm praying that fasting helps us exercise self control over the areas of our lives that will ultimately shorten or hinder the ministry that God has called us to do.
These verses are oftentimes misquoted to refer to your physical body. "Don't get tattoos, don't get piercings, don't be overweight, and don't be hard on your physical body because it's God's house!" This verse is so much more than that, and has such a deep spiritual meaning behind it. However, it does make me think about longevity in ministry.
I think it's important to take good care of your body so that you can be a more effective minister of the Gospel for a longer period of time. Fasting can help regulate other areas of our lives (our diets and the way we spend our time) to help lengthen our "careers" as Christians.
If you aren't taking steps to protect your body physically, your tenure as a missionary here on earth won't be very long.
I'm praying that fasting helps us exercise self control over the areas of our lives that will ultimately shorten or hinder the ministry that God has called us to do.
Fasting: The Physical is Spiritual
Hebrew 12:3, 12-13: "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted... Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed."
The author of Hebrews knew that ministry was hard. Christians would grow weary and fainthearted as they pursued God, and even their physical bodies would take a toll.
Fasting sometimes acts as a detoxification process for us. Fasting from fast food, unhealthy foods, and bad habits often results in our bodies being strengthened and more prepared for the vigorous work of the Gospel.
I'm praying that as a result of this fast, you'll be keenly aware of the importance of getting away, resting, rejuvenating, and protecting yourself against physical burnout. If you are always strung out on caffeine, stressed, and overwhelmed physically, then that will render you useless to accomplish the spiritual tasks that God has called you to do.
The author of Hebrews knew that ministry was hard. Christians would grow weary and fainthearted as they pursued God, and even their physical bodies would take a toll.
Fasting sometimes acts as a detoxification process for us. Fasting from fast food, unhealthy foods, and bad habits often results in our bodies being strengthened and more prepared for the vigorous work of the Gospel.
I'm praying that as a result of this fast, you'll be keenly aware of the importance of getting away, resting, rejuvenating, and protecting yourself against physical burnout. If you are always strung out on caffeine, stressed, and overwhelmed physically, then that will render you useless to accomplish the spiritual tasks that God has called you to do.
Fasting: What's Getting In The Way?
Daniel 1:8- "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank."
There were 3 main reasons why Daniel did his fast in Daniel chapter 1.
1. The king's food was against the dietary laws of God's people.
2. Daniel had given a vow to God that he would not drink wine.
3. The king's food had been offered on the altar of false gods before it was given to the people.
For Daniel, the things he was fasting from actually effected his life spiritually. It was a spiritual decision to avoid things that tainted or got in the way of his relationship with God.
Most areas of our life are not bad in and of themselves. However, they become detrimental to us if they distract us or effect us spiritually. How does that play out? Many of us don't struggle to find an hour for lunch, a hour to watch TV, or time in our schedule to do other things that we want to do.
However, isn't it sad how despite finding the time for all of these things we seem to never be able to find sufficient time to spend with God in prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation and silence?
I'm praying that your time of fasting would help eliminate areas of your life that are taking precedence over your spiritual health and relationship with God. May we look at these areas of our lives and, like Daniel, refuse to allow these things in that would deter us from intimacy with God.
There were 3 main reasons why Daniel did his fast in Daniel chapter 1.
1. The king's food was against the dietary laws of God's people.
2. Daniel had given a vow to God that he would not drink wine.
3. The king's food had been offered on the altar of false gods before it was given to the people.
For Daniel, the things he was fasting from actually effected his life spiritually. It was a spiritual decision to avoid things that tainted or got in the way of his relationship with God.
Most areas of our life are not bad in and of themselves. However, they become detrimental to us if they distract us or effect us spiritually. How does that play out? Many of us don't struggle to find an hour for lunch, a hour to watch TV, or time in our schedule to do other things that we want to do.
However, isn't it sad how despite finding the time for all of these things we seem to never be able to find sufficient time to spend with God in prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation and silence?
I'm praying that your time of fasting would help eliminate areas of your life that are taking precedence over your spiritual health and relationship with God. May we look at these areas of our lives and, like Daniel, refuse to allow these things in that would deter us from intimacy with God.
Fasting: Why Didn't You Ask Me?
Judges 20:26-28: "Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And the people of Israel inquired of the Lord saying, 'Shall we go out once more to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?' And the Lord said, 'Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.'”
The Israelites went to war against a neighboring people group (The Benjaminites). Instead of seeking the counsel of God, their rage and anger over some disrespect shown by the Benjaminites drove them to a hasty battle. On the first battle of the war, despite having many valiant soldiers, Israel lost 22,000 men. A while later, more determined than ever, the tribe went back to fight and lost another 18,000 men.
Defeated, they finally turned to God to ask His advice and for wisdom on what to do. After fasting and seeking God, God told them what to do and God gave them the victory.
Many times in life we try to make big decisions in a bubble. We ask the opinion of our friends, coworkers, family, the internet, and even complete strangers. However, God tends to be the last one we come to and seek.
I'm praying that part of your fast will include bringing big dreams, ideas, and requests to God. I believe that seeking him and humbling yourself will lead to more clarity and courage, knowing that your strategy is exactly what God has called you to do and that He will provide the victories for you in life.
The Israelites went to war against a neighboring people group (The Benjaminites). Instead of seeking the counsel of God, their rage and anger over some disrespect shown by the Benjaminites drove them to a hasty battle. On the first battle of the war, despite having many valiant soldiers, Israel lost 22,000 men. A while later, more determined than ever, the tribe went back to fight and lost another 18,000 men.
Defeated, they finally turned to God to ask His advice and for wisdom on what to do. After fasting and seeking God, God told them what to do and God gave them the victory.
Many times in life we try to make big decisions in a bubble. We ask the opinion of our friends, coworkers, family, the internet, and even complete strangers. However, God tends to be the last one we come to and seek.
I'm praying that part of your fast will include bringing big dreams, ideas, and requests to God. I believe that seeking him and humbling yourself will lead to more clarity and courage, knowing that your strategy is exactly what God has called you to do and that He will provide the victories for you in life.
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