Encounter and the Daniel's Fast

If you were at Encounter last night, you know I taught on fasting during the season of Lent. Fasting is one of those subjects that many people differ in their opinion. Some believe it is an out-dated practice. Others think it is one of the most powerful spiritual disciples and that the American Protestant church is guilty of turning a blind eye to the teachings of Scripture when it comes to this ancient spiritual discipline. I happen to fall into the latter camp.

Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, who has now gone to be with the Lord, said this before his departure:

“Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life. The awesome power can be released through you as you fast through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.” (Dr. Bill Bright)

The Lord has led me to press in this Lenten season because I know in my heart of hearts that God wants to do many many "greater things" in my life and the life of this church. For that to happen, I need to regularly re-align my life with teachings of Jesus. Jesus Himself put it like this:

Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." (John 1:50)

Jesus also said in the beginning of His ministry, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:16)

Notice Jesus presupposes that we will fast, but then gives stern warning against fasting for the wrong reasons. Please hear me on this, we do NOT fast to Impress, Manipulate, Gain Merit, or Diet. We fast to establish Godly priorities and complete and utter dependence on God!

God might call each of us to fast different things.

 Maybe it’s sweets...
 Maybe it’s coffee...
 Maybe it’s not food but rather a habit that consumes you...
 Maybe it’s your negative mouth that can be loaded with gossip or mean words to people...
 Maybe it’s television or video games...
 Maybe it’s fast food...
 Maybe it's eating out and you take that money and put it toward God’s work in the world...
 Maybe it’s a combination of the above and/or other things...

I invite you join me in fasting something for Lent. For Pastor Jarred and me, our journey is commonly called. "The Daniel's Fast." In Daniel 1, young Daniel and others decide they will not defile themselves with fine food of the king, but rather asked if they might eat vegetables only. They received permission and ate vegetables only for 10 days. When the ten days were up, people were amazed because, "At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead." (Daniel 1:15 - 16) For me, my Lenten Fast involves eating ONLY vegetables and occasional fruit and drinking water and coffe. (I hope God never calls me to fast coffee :>) I plan to hold this fast through Holy Saturday, which is the Saturday prior to Easter, March 22. I sincerely covet your prayers.

If you keep reading Daniel 1, you learn that God gave these four people special power and ability above and beyond others. Fasting brings spiritual insight. Fasting, when done faithfully and according to Scripture, drives us to the heart of God and connects us on a deep heart level with our Father in heaven!

I will be posting regularly on this blog as it relates to this journey. My hope and prayer is that this technology will be a tool for us to grow deeper and more passionately committed to Christ.

Are you feeling led to fast? Have you fasted before and can you share what that experience was like? Feel free to leave your comments?

Grace & Peace -