6.18.2009
We're in this series, "Commercial Genius" and last week we talked about spiritual disciplines. These are not stars on a checklist that get us into heaven- instead, they are practical things we can do to foster a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. We'll be posting a handful of different links, ideas, etc. for you to begin the process for the first time or maybe you've tried, but you want to cultivate it more and draw closer to God.
At any rate, there are quite a few different spiritual disciplines- but let's look at "Fasting." Fasting is simply abstaining from food, or food and drink, for spiritual purposes. Fasting is more than a diet adjustment; it involves spiritual intensity and intercession. Fasting should always be accompanied with prayer, meditation, and Bible study. Fasting was practiced throughout the Bible by kind of a Who's Who of leaders- Moses who led the Israelites, David the king, Elijah the prophet, Esther the queen, Daniel the advisor to kings, Anna the prophetess, Paul the apostle, and Jesus Christ, just to name a few.
Here is a great link on how to fast properly, so as to not hurt your system/body: click here. But also, you need to look into and evaluate your reason for fasting. Is it to have people know you're doing it? Bad reason. Is it to "feel better" about yourself and cross it off your Christian to-do list? Bad reason. Is it to deny yourself things so you can listen to God and hear His heart & will for you? GREAT reason.
God wants to have a close relationship with us, and when we practice spiritual disciplines- we begin to understand God's heart more clearly. And that is a great thing. Here is a list of passages in the Bible that discuss fasting to help you in learning more about this: click here