okay, now that I’ve tricked you to get you to this post, I’m not sure anyone LOVES to fast. A real fast from food typically isn’t what most would call fun. Hunger pains, shaky-hands, and a magnetism for ever Burger King ad ever created all make up part of a typical fast. But, whether we would like to admit it or not, Scripture speaks clearly about Jesus’ expectation of His followers to fast. If you are not a follower of Christ, you are exempt. Otherwise, this is for you. I wrote a few posts on fasting last year and I’ve included those here. I encourage you to read both posts because in them I discuss the “suffering” invovled in a fast and also the “victory” that comes through a fast.
This Thursday beginning at 6PM, we are asking that you (yes, you) join us in a 24 hour fast where we ask God to move and draw the people of Central Phoenix into a relationship with Him. I believe what the Bible says is true: outside of a relationship with Christ, there is no real hope in this life and no real hope for the life to come. So, I can think of no better thing to pray for. We are gathering at our home at 6pm Friday to break this fast with communion. This comes at a particularly fitting time as we celebrate Good Friday, which came on the heals of the Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples. After praying and communion, we will share a meal together and then hit the town for the First Friday celebration in downtown Phoenix. We will have childcare available too so just let us know you are coming and we’ll take care of the rest…
hope to see you Friday and Sunday!
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That was a popular saying “back in the day.” It used to be so simple: If you wanted to reach a new level, then you had to push through some pain. Then, everyone got all politically correct and medically advanced and convinced us all that “pain” was bad and that if you felt pain, then you should stop. Wimps! 
I guess the medical community had a point (if you are injured, you need to stop), but anyone who has ever trained for a sport or an event knows that to get to the next level it requires pushing through a little discomfort. It is just the way life works: advancement takes work and sacrifice and yes, some “pain.”
Following Christ is much the same. If you want to take your walk to a different level, there will be seasons of pain. There will be times you will suffer. We are told that Jesus had to suffer on the Cross (Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22), the early disciples considered it an honor to suffer for the Gospel (Acts 5:41) and Paul encouraged Timothy to suffer with him for the proclaiming of the Good News (2 Tim 2:3). It may not sound right to our ears in the year 2009 but to take an element of suffering out of our walks with Christ is to take out something essential. You can’t make oatmeal raisin cookies without oatmeal, and you can’t make the Christian life without a little bit of suffering.
For those fasting, remember when we fast and deny ourselves we are in good company. Jesus fasted for 40 days, faced tremendous persecution and then suffered a horrible death on the Cross. Push through knowing He did all of this for you and you are glorifying Him in your sacrifice.
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I’d usually do a clever (okay, you decide whether it’s cleaver) introduction about the beautifulness of DVRing shows and FFWDing through the commercials and how that makes your life so much better and then I’d draw an anology to how fasting does the same thing in your spiritual life. But, I’ll skip the illustration and get to the point… 
: Fasting fastforwards your walk with God.
Jentezen Franklin wrote a great book on the subject which he aptly titles Fasting. He provides so many insights but the biggest for me was his teaching on Jesus’ sermon on the mount. If you know “the talk” you know that Jesus makes these three statements: “when you give” “when you pray” and “when you fast.” (Matt. 6) For the follower of Christ, fasting is part of a threefold approach to growth. It is essential.
I finished a fast lastnight (along with my wife and many friends) and I’ve been blown away with what God has done. I was a part of a worship and prayer event last night and witnessed the power of God like I’ve few times before. People were honestly and sincerely experiencing His healing. Then, today, I got to pray with a friend and his daughter as she surrendered to Christ. At home, we are seeing the beginnings of break-throughs with our kids and our marriage is gaining more and more strength. God has been so faithful.
I’m not saying that when we fast we’ll get earth-shattering “results.” (But, again, Jesus tells us that fasting leads to the miraculous.) It’s really not about that. It is about seeking Him above all, even above King Stomach as Jentezen Franklin dubs it. Press in and seek God through fasting. It is His plan. His way. Follow Him.
How have you experienced God’s power through fasting? Has anyone ever “regreted” a fast? Be open…
Regretted? No.
In fact, this Lenten season, I have fasted from red meat, dairy, and sugar. The first 2 weeks were so hard, I didn’t think I’d make it…..in fact, Charlotte was ready to tie me down and force feed me a cheeseburger.
However, as Holy week draws to a close, I look back and see what has happened. Perhaps the biggest thing is that, through the passing of Charlotte’s dad, our marriage is actually stronger than ever. She’s had to lean on me harder than ever, and I know that I am strong enough to help carry her through the roughest seas.
Plus, after 2 years of searching, I have direction on the book I’m in the process of writing. I have a title, chapter titles, and the words are beginning to flow.
All in all, life is good!