Do you enjoy Fasting as a regular discipline in your life? It's amazing how something so small as sacrificing a meal can seem so brutal, considering the one who sacrificed His own precious blood for us at the brutal hands of the Roman legion.
If fasting seems tough, consider this. Fasting is my cross to bear the rest of my life, everyday, 8am-4pm. If you see me put food in my mouth during those hours, you're seeing me sin and you should call me on it. I'm not bragging, there is no bragging when Christ puts a cross on you. There is just obedience. Or not. And on this, I've been more disobedient over the past couple years since he dropped it on me.
See I have a LOT of flesh to conquer daily. Some bad addictions. A mind that needs careful discipline or it gets....off. For God to truly use us in the Power of His Spirit, we have to crucify the flesh. And no way is better than fasting. Literally telling your body NO, this is a sacrifice to God. It's hard to get too far off the path if you can't even eat out of reverence to God.
When I was obedient to the fasting God convicted me on, the BnG went from 60 guys to over 200 almost immediately. Crazy things happened in the ministry, my finances, and other areas of my life. Then I stopped for two years, and the club has stayed the same size. That's heavy as a leader. Knowing I'm not being faithful affects the lives of others in unseen ways.
And for you, what is God calling you to? What is your disobedience costing others?
When I first had the impression during prayer that God wanted me to fast 8-4 the rest of my life, I told Him I would need a scripture on that one. I couldn't believe it. It was too heavy. Immediately He told me to read Isaiah 49 which talks about Him feeding us in desolate places. Immediately I broke out weeping. It's hard to run from God. It's a hard life running from God.
In that same scripture He told me that through Disciple we would be rebuilding desolate places in your lives. To restore the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages; Saying to those who are bound, 'Go forth,' To those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' So what desolate area are we rebuilding in your life here in Disciple?
So are you enjoying fasting? God is trying to give you a gift here. Take it, don't run.
If you choose this fast, let me tell you what God has laid on my heart. If you're fasting get caught up in the Spirit of it, not the technicalities. 2 Corinthians 3:6, "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." If you wake up a little late and dont finish breakfast until 815am don't beat yourself up. If you accidentally pop candy in your mouth before you think about it, don't just end the fasting, just spit it out. God put on my heart that this is a water only fasting, but with prayer He has allowed me my protein shakes when working out. But He doesn't allow me my favorite liquids like Red Bull or coffee. Work out in prayer before God what He is telling you to do.
If this isn't the exact fasting for you, work out with God in your heart a schedule of fasting so it's a part of your life. I know men who are fasting on Mondays, or skip lunch on Sundays. Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord.
Isaiah 49 NASB
Thus says the Lord , "In a favorable time I have answered You, And in a day of salvation I have helped You; And I will keep You and give You for a covenant of the people, To restore the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages; Saying to those who are bound, 'Go forth,' To those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' Along the roads they will feed, And their pasture will be on all bare heights. "They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them And will guide them to springs of water.
Surely, thus says the Lord , "Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away, And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued; For I will contend with the one who contends with you, And I will save your sons. "I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh, And they will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; And all flesh will know that I, the L ord , am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
Isaiah 49 http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/isaiah-49.html
