Some FAST Thoughts

Most of you may know that things around the Reeder house have been pretty gloomy for the last week or so.  (Hence the “quietness” here at Truly Captivating…)  We’ve been “under the weather” since last Wednesday, and the icky little bug keeps making its rounds.  The latest victim of which is Jacob.  For this, I humbly ask your prayers…

Today, however, I wanted to focus the blog on the topic of fasting.  This is a rather new practice for me, something I am learning more and more about through this study.

And… if you follow KISA’s blog, or Revolution Church, you will also know that we have committed tomorrow (Thursday) as a “fast day” for our children… so that we might know the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit for our Kidz Ministry.

So, for anyone else who may be new to fasting, or just doesn’t quite “get it”, I thought I would share a few thoughts from my lesson this week that have really provided some profound insight for me.

What is fasting?

Fasting is generally defined as “giving up” or “doing without” something… usually food.  Many people fast to loose weight, or break bad habits.  For the Christian, however, there is much deeper purpose.

What is the purpose of fasting?

According to John Piper, the purpose of fasting is to deprive our bodies of food, in order to increase our soul’s hunger for God.

The weakness of our hunger for God is not because He is unsavory, but because we keep ourselves stuffed with “other things”.  Perhaps, then, the denial of our stomach’s appetite for food might express, or even increase, or soul’s appetite for God. (A Hunger For God, p. 10)

The “other things” Piper  refers to in the quote above, are anything that we use to anesthetize ourselves against the pain and stresses of life.  Overindulging in food, sex, television, or materialism are all abuses of God’s good gifts to us.  These are all things given to us by God, and meant for our enjoyment…but not fulfillment!  God is our only true portion, and the one and only source for our soul’s satisfaction!

As Dee Brestin says, on page 45 of the Bible Study, “Christianity is not about denying God’s good gifts, but about enjoying them with thanksgiving, wisdom, and moderation---never allowing them to become objects of worship.”

The purpose of fasting is to make us HUNGRY for God.  So, we fast that we might worship God more deeply, and learn to depend on him COMPLETLEY.

I can honestly say that I have seen a huge difference in my prayer life, since I began the practice of fasting.  Our program calls for one “fast day” per week (usually on Wednesdays) in which we drink nothing but water from dinner one evening, to dinner the next.  In other words, since my fast day will be on Thursday this week, after a moderate and healthy meal tonight, I will not eat anything until supper tomorrow night.  I will drink only water, and instead of eating food, I will seek my nourishment through prayer, and reading the Bible.  I cannot begin to describe the transformation that has taken place in my walk with Jesus because of this!! I am honestly learning to rely on Him more and more, rather than food, or my own sense of “control”, to guide me each day.  It’s so freeing!

The study also provides a daily intake of Psalm Meals, which I wrote about here, to help you through the day, and encourage you to seek your sustenance in God, and God alone.  For those of you who are planning to join us for our Revolution Fast Day tomorrow, I will post Thursday’s “psalm meals” below.  The idea is not just to read these, but to truly pray through them, making them your own, as you seek the encouragement and direction of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Early Morning ~ Psalm 119:145-152

Morning ~ Psalm 68

Midday ~ Psalm 87

Evening ~ Psalm 128

We truly want to see God move in a marvelous and miraculous way in our city, our homes, our families, and the lives of our children.  Even if you are unable to join us tomorrow as we fast, we would sure appreciate your prayers as we commit this time to the Lord, and seek His face for the advancement of His Kingdom in Florence, SC!

 

Taste and see that the LORD is good;
       blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Fear the LORD, you his saints,
       for those who fear him lack nothing.

~ Psalm 34:8-9