Fasting

As our church has recently began a 21 day fast, I'm reviewing my desired outcome. First of all, I know I need to crucify more of my flesh in order to surrender more of myself to Jesus. I'm so hungry for greater intimacy with Him and my current spiritual condition isn't enough for me...I want more! I'm not talking materialistically here...I want to be as close to Him as any human has ever gone. I've experienced so much in His presence...yet...I have not even scratched the surface of His limitless power and love!! Yes! In order to experience more of Him I must eliminate more of my limited understanding, fleshly desires, weaknesses and self imposed limitations. It's all about Jesus! How to please Him and hear the voice of the Spirit more clearly, so I can be quick to fearlessly obey and serve in any way He desires... no longer intimidated by the lies of the enemy.

I want to be used in a greater capacity in order to see greater results and I will do what it takes to get there. There's a lost and dying world that desperately needs Jesus. I want to be a usable vessel for HIS glory!

Fasting is such a powerful spiritual tool. It breaks strongholds that have held you captive for so long. Those addictions or reoccurring sins that have such a grip on your heart. It tears down walls that have separated you from having a more intimate relationship with Jesus and suddenly catapults you into His presence. It focuses your eyes on Him and prioritizes your time and ignites your passion. It also positions you to hear His voice more clearly and get the direction you need for your life and future.

There's also healing power that's released during a fast... perhaps it's just that your faith becomes illuminated as you've committed to draw closer to God, but the Word also teaches that certain controlling spirits of the enemy only come out with prayer and fasting. The enemy knows the power and victory that comes from fasting. That's why he tried to divert Jesus's attention as He did it... he knew if He was left to complete the fast, He would begin the greatest ministry of all time. He did all he could to stop Him, but as Jesus completed it, He was launched into His ministry and it was confirmed through miracles that began as He returned. Even Jesus, the Son of God, realized it's value!

Are you ready to take your relationship with Jesus to the next level? Set a certain number of days aside to seek His face with prayer, studying your Bible and fasting something that will be a sacrifice for you. You can fast food or even sacrifice things that have had control over you. You know what is... it's the thing you're thinking you can't live without... if it has that strong of a grip on you, it's an idol and must be eliminated or at the very least, put into its proper place. Don't waste another day, commit to do what it takes to surrender more of yourself to Him!

Joel 2:12-13 (NLT) That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Ezra 8:21,23 (NKJV) Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

Matthew 17:19-21 (NKJV) Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”