Fasting

The apostle Paul knew that sometimes there is a thin line of separation between those who win from those who fall.

Check out 1 Cor 9:24-27

The thing that separates the faithful from the faithless is discipline.

I share these thoughts on fasting, because I am guilty of not teaching this spiritual discipline. It is not really talked about too much. I have been a Christian for about 45 years and I have heard very little on the subject and have never heard a sermon proclaiming this virtue!

Someone has said that America is dotted with shrines almost on every corner. They are shrines to the Golden Arches! We also have an wide assortment of "Pizza temples".

To many growing up in this culture, fasting seems out of place and out of step with the times.

The word on the street says that most people think that fasting is for religious fanatics, monks and maybe a pastor here or there.

I challenge you to consider incorporating fasting as part of your devotional life!

Enjoy God today!

The clock was ticking. Haman has skillfully worked a plan that would allow him to kill his most hated enemy; every single living Hebrew person. It certainly could not get any darker for God's people.

Esther was asked to intervene on behalf of the Jewish people to the King. She was fearful. One cannot walk into the presence of the king uninvited. What if he did not grant her an invitation? The likely outcome was death!

She returns a message to her uncle to seek clarification. She receives word back from Uncle Mord that she cannot keep silent about this for she was possibly placed in this position (as queen) to redeem her people that they might be delivered.

Her response? Examine Esther 4:12-17.

Burnout - Elijah hit a wall in his spiritual life (after a monumental victory, I might add). He became depressed and felt burned out. When he just could not go, or do any more, he went out to the desert and fasted & prayed for 40 days, waiting for God to show up in a still small voice (1 Kings 19).

Direction - The Israelites are saddened (weeping actually). They faced a difficult situation and they needed God's direction. It looked like a civil war was brewing. They fasted and asked the Lord what to do. Read Judges 20 to see what happened!

Do you remember Bruce Jenner? When he grew up, he wanted to win a gold medal in the decathlon in the Olympic games. In 1972, he participated in the decathlon in Munich and finished 9th. He had trained hard, but to no avail. This only gave him more motivation to increase his extensive regime of training. He began to work out 7 hours per day, 7 days a week for 4 years!

In 1976, at the age of 26, Bruce Jenner won the 10 day decathlon and received the gold medal.

Here's question #1... Do you think Bruce Jenner would have won the decathlon without this training routine? If he worked out when it was convenient, when he felt like it, would the results have been the same?

Question #2...How does this relate to fasting? Simple. We must have purpose. If your fast is just an empty ritual, or mere mechanics (ala the Pharisees in Matt 6), it becomes spiritually useless. Don't just do it. Fast with prayer to seek the face of God. If there is no spiritual purpose or goal to your fast, you would be better off to order a pizza!

Consider fasting to recapture your hunger for God! It may bring a spiritual breakthrough in your life. Embrace this discipline in your life!