40 Days of Spiritual RebootSample

Today is Day twelve and we are exploring the discipline of fasting as a means of renewal and new life (revival). Scriptures are riveted with examples of people who fasted. It was not an uncommon practice or a merely physical discipline. Fasting was also not just an individual activity but practiced in community. Like running together, or working together or climbing together… fasting was a community activity that people groups would do to enhance their community life. To say that you are fasting is NOT a prideful statement. It's like saying ‘I’m working out’ or ‘I’m sleeping’.

In our day and age fasting has become a random activity that some in their desperate times attempt. If it were normal and frequent, then longer attempts and more intense times of searching, seeking and soliciting the wisdom and intervention of God would not be as mind-numbing.

Also, fasting has become about food in terms of diet and weight loss which is a far cry from its original intention and benefit. Yes it has huge amount of benefit all around and I will share these with you in the next few days but I really want us to get down the absolute bedrock of what fasting is and why we must do it.

Here it is. Fasting is about denial.. It's about teaching your body and mind and emotions to take ‘NO’ for an answer. My father in our early years used this phrase a lot. And it is only much later that I learned the gravity of it. He would say… ‘learn to take No for an answer’. You’re thinking - yeah that‘s cool, but what exactly is your problem? Aren’t you in control of your emotions and your appetites? Just try and see. You’ll be amazed at how bullied you are by your flesh and thoughts. You’ll find that it just CANNOT TAKE NO for an answer.

So… this is not about diet or timings or even the wonderful purposes for which we fast. This is about winning a battle in the mind. A battle deep in your inner man between the spirit and the mind. The scriptures say in Romans 8:5-6 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.“ And again it says that the Spirit and the flesh are at war against each other. They do not cooperate. Today you will pick up a lot of this in Romans 8 as you read through it.

So as you begin to think and engage with the discipline of fasting, start by asking God to give you much strength and determination. Also ask God for protection from Satan’s discouragement and lies. Because this battle is going to bring out the worst in you.

Begin: by fasting for TWO HOURS. That‘s it.

Decide which hours that will be. Time yourself and say NO to anything and everything that comes through your mind. I will not eat anything or drink anything for two hours starting __ and ending __. No water, tea, coffee, nothing.

At the end of the two hours… note down the experience. What thoughts went through your mind? What part of it was more difficult? How did it feel to go about daily routine and work and conversations during these two hours? Write down everything. Study yourself. Observe your mental and emotional response to this.

Some of you have been doing this and have probably worked through all of this long time ago. This is not the time or place to prove to me how advanced or capable you are. This is NOT about me or what I think. I am no one of consequence to your fasting. The goal is to help people discover this incredible tool so I am instructing from the most elementary level.

CENTRE DOWN

Calm down and focus on what you’re about to do. i.e. listen to God’s voice. Turn off all other ‘voices’. Give permission to no other thoughts or sounds to have your attention. If you’re anxious or irritable… get in a body posture that will enable you to express surrender to God.

OPEN YOUR BIBLE

Read through Romans 8. Slowly. This is heavy and has amazing nuggets of wisdom. Don’t miss anything. This passage explains how the Spirit of God gives life and victory to the spirit, the mind and the flesh. That is truly God’s desire for you. Total victory!!!

COME CLEAN

After you have written down your experience. Take your discoveries to God in prayer. Talk to God about YOU, your mind and your heart. Surrender these afresh to him as instruments for His glory. Find in Jesus the power to live in the Spirit resulting in ‘life and peace’.