Challenges & Conversations (02/02/16)

Fasting.  There is nothing "fast" about it.  Time drags on slowly.  You will think there are 36 hours in a day!  The most important thing you can do for your fasting regimen is to make early, thorough preparation.  Such preparation is not only spiritual but also mental, social and physical.  It is the lack of the last three forms of preparation that cause us difficulty. 

• Physical preparation.  Get as physically fit as you can.  Make sure you're taking your vitamins. Eat for nutrition, not taste.  Learn how to "ease into" a fast by limiting meal portions and gradually eliminating addictive substances such as caffeine, sugar and salt.  It is a good idea to consult your physician.
• Mental preparation.  Your motto will be "I'm not going to die and I'm not going to quit early!" Don't dread the fast.  Anticipate it.
• Social preparation.  Tell your spouse and any older children.  It won't take them long to find out anyway. This is your way of letting them know you're not trying to avoid them, but that you will take meal times for prayer.  Look on your calendar and think through where the "sticky points" will be.  For instance, if you know your church will be having a potluck dinner and you normally attend, you might have to come up with a way to explain your absence without advertising your fast.
• Spiritual preparation.  Pray against temptation.  Pray for protection.  Pray against pride.  Pray for breakthrough.  Pray that you will do more than not eat.  Pray that you will hear God's voice and do His will.  Schedule one hour of prayer each night.

My Prayer (1/27/16)

Thank You, Jesus, for satisfying me today.  I want You more than food.  Draw me nearer.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Mt. 5:6)

"Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle." (Psa. 103:5)

Fasting (Neh. 9:1-3)

Read Nehemiah 9:1-3.

1. What does this paragraph tell you about fasting?  (Give your own answer before continuing to number two.)
2. Fasting is self-imposed discomfort, willful self-abasement , for the purpose of hearing God clearly. 
3. In its strictest sense, fasting is abstaining from food for a predetermined period of time.
4. Fasting is linked with separation, confession and worship.  When you fast, do more than not eat.  Take time to pray.

Clearing the Smogwebs

You might have heard about the smog in Beijing.  Can you imagine living in that?

There is another smog that isn't industrial.  You know it as lethargy, indifference, apathy, leaving your first love, "the blah's."  Call it what you want, leader.  You know when it has you in its death grip.  When you lead, your vision is clouded.  When you think, your conclusions are indecisive.  When you're with people, you're "there" but not present.  When you're worshiping, you're in motion but not in the Spirit.  When you relate, everything seems toxic.  When you witness or preach, there is no fire in your bones.  Let's not even talk about getting nothing from prayer or Bible reading.

If you want to escape the smog, if you want to be "Claritin clear" (Do you remember the commercial?), if you want to regain spiritual passion, go on an extended fast (Unless you've fasted three days or more, you probably don't know what I mean.).  During your fast, pray specifically that God would lift the smog (If you don't pray during the fast, all you're doing is starving yourself.).

Questions:

• What's the longest you've fasted?
• Was it long enough to experience the clarity I mentioned?
• Why not schedule your next fast right now