Fast. What for?

Some of you told me privately that God was laying on your heart to fast, as well. First, let me say that it is a denying of yourself, a crucifying of your flesh. Fasting is not easy. The first day of my blog fast I knew that God wanted me to pull back from social media, and what did I do? I opened a Google+ account! I told you I was dumb.

When to fast

• Jesus said “when you fast” not “if you fast.” (See Matthew 6:16-18) It is biblical; Jesus did it. (See Matthew 4:2) When my dad taught on fasting, he said there is more in the New Testament about fasting than repentance and confession, and Jesus taught on it more than baptism.
• When the leadership calls a fast.
• Purpose. Some people fast religiously, almost without purpose. If that’s the case, then check your motive. God may be calling you to fast. He certainly has a specific purpose in mind. More often than not, when I “decide” to fast, God has already laid on my heart the need for a breakthrough.
• When you need direction. Are you desperate to hear Him more clearly? When the noise of everything else is temporarily removed it is easier to receive clarification, especially when seeking direction.

Kinds of fasts

• Total fast (only drinking water) – Jesus ate nothing when He fasted.
• Daniel fast – more restrictions than vegan. See link.
• Juice fast (juicing and drinking water only) – only by the leading of the Lord, perhaps when a medical condition is to be considered.
• Fill-in-the-blank fast (something specific) – only by the leading of the Lord, perhaps when a medical condition is to be considered.

Fasting tips

• Use wisdom. I’ve been underweight for the last several years so I cannot fast food. My doctor even recommended that I not participate in a Daniel fast because he was concerned my body would eat my muscle (gross). Instead, I fast chocolate or sugar. Occasionally, I fast some form of entertainment, or something I would really rather not give up. God has always made it clear which precious commodity I was to fast.
• Take medications into consideration. If you are on medication and the directions say to eat food with it, then follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist.

Results of fasting

• breakthrough
• strength
• answer to prayer
• spiritual growth
• see list in Isaiah 58

Remember, when you fast, the time you would usually spend eating is spent with the Lord instead. Write down your questions, any struggles you may be facing during the fast, and what God is showing you in your journal. Go back later in the fast and read what you wrote. Often you will gain more revelation or see the answers to your questions as God completes the purpose of the fast.

What did I miss? Any tips? What has been your fasting experience?

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Image via Creative Commons: Dinner Series

Telling on Myself

The time spent with the Lord during the fast from my blog (which ended up being for three weeks) looked nothing like what I envisioned. I analyzed the apathy that had surfaced during some of the days I spent with the Lord, and realized that I was disappointed because my expectations of our time together weren’t being fulfilled. I felt like I hadn’t received any great, new revelation from my Shepherd.

What do you think of when a sheep herd comes to mind? I usually picture something like this:

The sheep look so content. I don’t usually picture the shepherd actually having to use his staff to get the sheep to do what they need to do.

What I experienced during this fast were times of testing, corrections and rebukes. After the first week, I was wondering where the times of  “laying down in green pastures” and being “led beside still waters” went!

Adjustments

I’ve always heard that sheep are dumb. I’m not dumb. No…well…maybe a little bit…okay, I was dumb. Let me tell you, I looked back at all the adjustments God had me make during the three weeks, and I’ve been dumb! My Shepherd needed to use His rod and staff. He was restoring my soul in three specific areas (that I won’t go into here), and I learned that restoration can begin with God’s chastisement and the need to repent. Yes, a dose of humble medicine, my dears.

A test of obedience

In addition to the blog fast, He had me draw back from social media somewhat. I sensed that He was having me put obedience into practice. Sometimes I started to spend time on Twitter or Facebook, but I sensed Him saying no. At one point He had me go on a total social media fast for three days inside the three week blog fast. He was testing me with the keys of obedience.

An attitude test

I was also tested a few times to see how I was going to respond to various situations. Initially, I wanted to go hide, cry, and throw a pity party, but I was expected to be present and couldn’t leave the room. It was at those moments that my memory clicked, I’ve been here before, I know how to respond in a way that will please the Lord, and I made a decision to have the right attitude.

Was it easy? No. Was it fun? Um…no. But I have made Him my Lord, not just my Savior, and that means He is the One who is in authority over what He’s making me. That makes it worth it!

His rod and His staff comforted me (Psalm 23:4), because I know that He is near me. True love says what is best for you, not just what you want to hear. Even if it sounds strange, I welcome His chastening because it means I’m His (Hebrews 12:5-11).

So…anyone ready to go on a fast?

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Image via Creative Commons: DaveCrosby 

I’ve Been Dodging God on This Subject

God’s been leading me to fast from something and I’ve been fighting Him. Do you want to know what it is? Brace yourself. He wants me to fast from my blog. Gasp! Air! Air! I need air!

I think it might be for a week, but I haven’t exactly sat down to get a clear answer on this because I’m kind of inwardly throwing a temper tantrum. It may only be for a few days. I’m telling myself this to make me feel better. He might want me to step back from social media for part of the week, too. I don’t exactly know yet, because like I said, I wasn’t rushing to the throne room concerning this.

Not my blog, God!

And my friends, too?

No. No. No. No. No.

Sigh…

Now that I think about it, I’ve been dodging God on this subject for the last few days. He knows best. He has His reasons. He will not forsake me. He will not forsake my blog. I’m telling myself that, too, to make me feel better.

I’ve been a bit worried about my blog, you see. What if someone is offended that I didn’t post anything for a whole week and unsubscribes in a fit of rage?

Sob!

Perhaps you will leave me a comment saying you will never leave or forsake me, too. To make me feel better, dear friend?

He has never led me to fast my blog before, but I have to obey Him. I am looking forward to sitting at His feet.

Recently I was meditating on the first few verses of Psalm 23. Over and over the phrases stayed with me.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3a NKJV

The phrases stayed with me and I knew it was for a special reason, but I didn’t know why yet. I know why now. They are the theme verses during this fast. He’s going to restore my soul. He’s going to restore my soul in some areas, because I’m going to come to His green pastures and still waters.

I won’t forget you; I’ll still be praying for you as I do every day.

Will you pray for me, too?

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Stolen Praises

Have you ever developed a taste for something that you never thought you would? My husband, Justin, shares a story that contributes nicely to today’s post:

“When I was in Ghana several years ago, I developed a taste for Shito sauce, a rather nasty smelling, very spicy sauce popular in the local cuisine. First time it was presented to me, it looked like black tar and I smelled it – a very pungent old fish smell (it’s usually made with fish oil and crushed fish meat). Disgusting! But I wanted to be polite and try it. It tasted a little better than it’s aroma. After many other times of politely eating it, I developed an appetite. In fact, I grew to love it; so much so that, when heading home most evenings, I would frequent a little beat up kiosk on the side of the road (I called it ‘my McDonald’s’ – there was no real McDonald’s in Ghana) that served rice, chicken boiled eggs all cooked in Shito sauce wrapped neatly in a banana leaf. I haven’t had it in years, but such was the appetite I developed that I am watering at the mouth – craving some now…”

His appetite changed from, “No way!” to “Yes, more!” Sometimes you develop a taste for something gradually. How much of an appetite do you have for God’s presence? The Bible says in many places to lift your voice in praise in the congregation. In between songs or right after the worship leader says, “sing a new song to the Lord,” it can sometimes get awkwardly quiet. The devil likes to steal praises from the corporate worship service.  Some of the tactics he uses to his advantage may be your own pride, lack of obedience, or indifferent appetite for God’s presence.

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints. Psalm 149:1 NKJV

How do you make this come easily?

1. Humble yourself. (see James 4:6)
2. Develop an appetite for His presence. (see James 4:8a)
3. “Practice” praising Him aloud regularly throughout the week at home. Sometimes you need to get used to the sound of hearing your own voice praising God so it will sound natural in front of others.
4. Remember that …praise is beautiful (Psalm 147:1 NKJV).

Apply the Word

This section is to help us respond to His promptings. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

Write the list above in your journal and purpose to do it. Write some of the scriptures from this post and pray them over yourself.

Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. Psalm 111:1 NKJV

…“I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” Hebrews 2:12

Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard. Psalm 66:8 NKJV

Are you ready to get your praise on?

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Photo credit: Amber Karnes (Creative Commons)

Taken from the 40 Days of Daily Bread Series.

Singing to the Chairs

Scene: The worship leader steps up to the microphone on Sunday morning to greet the congregants. “Good morning, everyone! It’s great to see all…12…of your smiling faces today. Some folks are evidently running late, but hey, even Jesus started with only 12 disciples!” A mild chuckle escapes a few lips, while the worship team stands awkwardly. “Let’s all praise the Lord today! Sing with me…”

I posed a question on the Women In Worship Network, asking for others to share what their church does to open the service. After a few responses, someone mentioned that only 1/3 of their church shows up on time. Then a long list of others chimed in that they had the same problem in their church. Then I confessed: I was looking for more ideas to solve the same problem in my church.

It seems there are many churches that have tried various means of beginning the service in an attempt to encourage people to be punctual. When most of the congregants are regularly arriving late in many churches we have a real issue that needs to be addressed.

What is the real problem?

Possible Reasons:

• Wrong mindset. We don’t value the time of worship. Why not?
• Bad product. If there is a good product, the people will come.
• Laziness. We are not talking about someone who shows up late occasionally because he had a flat tire on the way to church, but someone who is tardy week in and week out.
• Leaders fail to teach the importance of respecting God, others, and even the visitors.
• Christian is lukewarm?

Our Actions Send a Message

When we walk in late to the service it sends a message:

• To God. “This time is not very important.”
• To Pastor. “I don’t have to obey your authority.”
• To Congregants. “I don’t care if I’m an interruption.”
• To Visitors. “This church is not worth me showing up on time.”

Ouch.

Maybe we need an ouch.

The leadership of my church has been occasionally addressing this issue from the pulpit and we have seen an increase in punctuality during those times. I know this is a strong post, but we need to realize that this kind of problem can be a major hinderance to going forward in God. There is power in unity.

Let’s talk about this. What do you think the problem is? Does this problem happen in your church, too?

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Photo by jdbradley (Creative Commons)