Fasting
During the month of September we have committed ourselves to prayer, fasting, evangelism and tithing. Sounds like a lot, but it's something we should be doing everyday. For some of you, fasting is a little know practice of your Christian faith. That's no surprise, I've never heard a sermon about fasting that ever filled the church up with eager listeners.
Matthew 26: 41 says "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV) So this struggle between our heart and our body is one we are familiar with. Ever been on a diet and spied a slice of your favorite dessert? Have you ever struggled with not looking at something you know you shouldn't be looking at?
Fasting is a way of discipling our body to do what God wants. I suggest an excellent web page at http://youth.ag.org/discipleship/fasting.cfm for more information about fasting.
As we fast personally, we change personally. As we fast corporately, we change corporately. There are many examples in the Old Testament that illustrate how the kings of Israel would call the nation to fasting when the nation needed to change it ways. But change doesn't make us comfortable, nor popular sometimes. In fact, sometimes we are caught off guard with some of the changes God will implement. That is where trust comes into play. When we fast, we align ourselves up with His will. That which He desires to be a part of our life will be safeguarded. That which He determines isn't going to give glory to Him, or even bring reproach upon His church will be discarded. Painful, but yet necessary.
So as God begins to make some changes in your life, it's o.k. to say, "ouch!" As long as it is followed by a, "Thank You".
Matthew 26: 41 says "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV) So this struggle between our heart and our body is one we are familiar with. Ever been on a diet and spied a slice of your favorite dessert? Have you ever struggled with not looking at something you know you shouldn't be looking at?
Fasting is a way of discipling our body to do what God wants. I suggest an excellent web page at http://youth.ag.org/discipleship/fasting.cfm for more information about fasting.
As we fast personally, we change personally. As we fast corporately, we change corporately. There are many examples in the Old Testament that illustrate how the kings of Israel would call the nation to fasting when the nation needed to change it ways. But change doesn't make us comfortable, nor popular sometimes. In fact, sometimes we are caught off guard with some of the changes God will implement. That is where trust comes into play. When we fast, we align ourselves up with His will. That which He desires to be a part of our life will be safeguarded. That which He determines isn't going to give glory to Him, or even bring reproach upon His church will be discarded. Painful, but yet necessary.
So as God begins to make some changes in your life, it's o.k. to say, "ouch!" As long as it is followed by a, "Thank You".
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