Week One: Day one
“What is Fasting? Why do it? How do you
do it ‘right?’ How long should I fast? What do I fast?”
To fast is to do without food for a
period of time for the purposes of seeking a deeper more intimate relationship
with God, or bringing your flesh in submission to your spirit. Others fasted
when they were facing overwhelming enemy attacks and others during
drought. Still, other fast
occurred when individuals, and or nations, needed Divine Guidance and
protection. There have even been
fast recorded in the Scripture for breaking the spiritual bondage of poverty.
Our fast is focused on the life-transforming power of
right fasting, right faith, right finances and walking in God’s right future
for you-and for our Cornerstone family may use us to reach others, “So others
may live!” “So others may live!”
is the message God has given Cornerstone to focus upon!
It is very important to have a purpose for
your fast. Your flesh will battle
your obedience to fasting. Your
mind will give you reason after reason ‘why’ you cannot fast. The great lie is,
“If God wanted me to fast He would make it easy or easier for me to do
so!” Do not give in to the lie! Satan knows when you discover and experience the powerful
weapon of right fasting that he has lost the first of many battles.
Right fasting is not only the
separating yourself from food but also the “pleasures” of life that feed your
earthly life but devour your spiritual life, hinder your faith devour your
finances and impede what God wants to do through you! For example, during this fast, turn off any television programs
that do not feed your spirit.
Except for work- related issues, deny your cravings to search the web,
Facebook, unnecessary phone calls or texting. Right fasting denies your flesh
the right to rule!
Make the most of every opportunity to
feed your spirit on God’s word! I
suggest the Gospel of John as a good beginning place. Listen to uplifting
Christian music and ‘sing along!”
The Holy Spirit uses Christ adoring music to prepare our hearts and
minds.
How long should you
fast? That depends on several
things. If you have never fasted before, I suggest you begin by setting aside
one meal a day for three days.
Then go to two meals a day for three days. Then go a full day from sun
down to sundown. Others may vary
their fast by alternating days of eating. Others may set aside a total
three-day fast or even for a longer period of time. Drink plenty of fluids!
If you have physical issues, such as diabetes, consult your physician
for guidance. If a physical condition does not allow you to fast food then fast
the other things in your life that consume your time, finances and God’s
intended future for you!.
You may choose what has been
called the “Daniel Fast.” (see
Daniel 11) In this fast a person
eats only vegetables and water for a period of time. Some who have experience in fasting may choose a ‘total’
fast of nothing but liquids for the period of time. Please remember, it is about feeding your spirit the Word of
God, introspection, revelation, worship and prayer, as well as, denying your
flesh the right to rule! You will
probably find fasting technology even more difficult than fasting food!
Read Isaiah 58 several times today. Ask
the Holy Spirit to give you grace and help to prepare you to say “No” to your
flesh and mind and “Yes” to fasting for a higher purpose. As you enter this fast, ask the Holy
Spirit to work in and with you “so others may live!” A life well lived is one that “lays it down” so “others may
live!”
Let’s pray. “Father, my
flesh fights Your will, even though I know it is always the right course. Help me, by Your Holy Spirit and the
Word of God, to bring my flesh into submission that my today and future may be
lived in such a way as to glorify You and so “others may live!” In Jesus Name, Amen!”
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