Sunday, January 5, 2020

Why Would A Fast Be A Bright Spot In My Life?

     

         The 21 Day YWAP Fast 2020 begins tomorrow on January 6th. The YWAP Directors are joining corporately and individually with folks from all over the world as we seek to get closer to God in a new year. We find that energizing and exciting! Why? Because God shows up when people humble themselves and go the extra mile to know Him. Speaking to and hearing from God is filling your heart with cool beans! That creates a bright spot in my soul!
          Fasting can be undertaken in many ways. This is about fasting and food. It’s like saying, “My appetite for God will become greater than my appetite for food. We’re talking about spiritual sustenance in the face of physical abstinence. Our relationship with God is usually filled with requests when we need something. Fasting is more of a response than a request. We’re responding to the call of God’s Spirit to be in communion with Him.
          There are many fasting plans that you can follow, but this is a personal choice. The YWAP Fast 2020 follows a type of “Daniel Fast.” Daniel was a dude in the Bible who fasted for 21 days seeking God. Here’s what it says in ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10:2-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬,
“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
A Daniel Fast is pretty much about eating fruits and veggies with no treats. We usually drink water, juices and broth to wash down the greens, reds, purples and browns. You will eat less and pray more.
          When Daniel fasted, he mourned (felt sad) about the bad moral character of  the whole country where he lived. In humility, he identified himself as equal in responsibility for what was happening. He repented (expressed remorse and a desire for change) and asked God to touch him and the nation. You may have heard the story about Daniel in the lions den. Some bad guys were jealous of Daniel and the gifts that God had given him. They cooked up an evil plan for him to be eaten by lions. Daniel spent the night with those sharp toothed kitty cats unharmed. You could make the case that God called those lions to fast from eating Daniel! What happened to the bad guys? Let’s just say the lions ended their fast when they took Daniel’s place in the den. (Lesson here: you sow what you reap.) 
          This YWAP Fast follows what Daniel did to follow hard after God. We want to get so close to God that His Word becomes a lamp for our feet showing us which way to walk. We join other people and churches in unity and the communion of shared responsibility.
          Every day on our fast we’ll write about our experience as we respond to God. Eventually the story will be chronicled into a book. We’ve previously written about fasting in a book called,
The YWAP Fast 21 Days of Seeking Answers From God There are YWAP programs we’re working on that we won’t continue unless He shows us the most excellent way of finishing what we’re starting. Responding to God’s call to fast is an answer in itself. He adds to our lives the things we need to accomplish His purposes as we respond to His call.
 “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭AMP‬‬
          Please feel free to join us either in prayer or fasting or both. Hopefully if you belong to a church they’ve  already begun or about to start fasting for this New Year. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re not experts on anything, but we’re wise enough (sometimes) to lean on God for the answers. Together, we’ll figure out how to do and be God’s best.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.