Thursday FAST

Northshore Family Fast ~ Thursday, 5th until 6pm.  Our purpose for challenging people to fast and pray this Thursday is to become more aware of the need for God in our community and to completely rely on God.  It's easy to get caught up in all the specifics of what to do and not to do with fasting.  Let me simplify...

  • I personally decided that I would Spiritually Fast... deny my body any food from 6pm Wednesday through 6pm Thursday... so that I could better comprehend God's heart for the city and area in which we live.
  • I have tried to look at the fasting period as an offering to God.
  • All of Northshore Family was challenged with fasting, but not everyone will approach it the same way... and that's ok.  It's not about the rules... It's about the heart.  Aligning my heart with God's heart that He may be glorified in my life and the life of those around me.
  • Some have asked is it ok to drink water... yes!  Is it ok to do some kind of modified fast... yes!
  • Excited that others are taking the journey too... that God would not just ready me, but His church to carry out His plans and purposes.
  • The Bible is clear that fasting is not a show for everyone else, so I'm not going to broadcast it ... just plan to turn my attention to extra time in prayer and scripture.  When my body craves, I want to redirect the focus to feasting on God.  As Jesus said in Matthew 4, Man will not live on bread alone, but on every Word of the mouth of God.
  • Sevren reminded me of a great principle... You don't have to do this in your own power.  Ask God's Spirit to help you.  I pray often, God give me a heart to know your more today.  The more we approach every area of life by seeking Him first, then we will better understand the fullness that He intends for us to live in every area of life... from fasting to relationships, time, money, speaking to others, attitude, etc.
  • Will end the fasting period with prayer and then journal my thoughts after processing.

Fasting refers to abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.  Fasting can help us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.  Fasting reminds us that we are sustained "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt 4:4).  Food does not sustain us; God sustains us.  In Christ, "All things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)

Fasting is a spiritual discipline, but not a command of scripture; however, discipline brings freedom.  Fasting can bring breakthroughs in the spiritual realm that will never happen in any other way.

 

As we fast as a group, please post any insights from God.

 

Posted on Sun, April 1, 2012 by Josh McClary

1 comment (Add your own)

1. Rebecca wrote:
This is my first fast. It's a little scary to me because I am not one who ever skips a meal. If I don't eat, I get light-headed and faint-ish. One of my first thoughts when my alarm goes off is...FOOOOOD NOOOOW! =) Today is a HUGE reminder that the comfort that food brings to fill my stomach and not growl, the enjoyment it gives me, the peace it gives me after I fill it up....I should receive all of the above first and foremost from God. I should crave and desire Him more than food, or anything else from this world. I'm guessing that by the time I eat today, I'm going to be starving. I already am actually! But I should starve for Him so much more, and the people of Portland are starving for Him too, and I pray that through today, we will have loads of people show up on Sunday to learn about and meet Jesus. I want to be desperate for Him....

Thu, April 5, 2012 @ 7:30 AM

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