40 Day Fast.

Our church is on a 20 day fast (lent). Every 5 days, new parameters are added. The last 5 days, no social media/recreational internet is the stipulation.

I've been asked a multitude of times what will I do during those days, and understandably so, since a lot of people know me for being very active on social media.

After 1 or 2 people asking me, I laughed it off. When it got to over 30 people being curious about my fast, I said wow people really take notice. See, I like to move in silence. I'm not oblivious, but I often try to be like Batman and go unnoticed, although it doesn't work. So I remembered I have people watching me, and not saying anything wouldn't be a setting good example, especially for the younger crowd.

This time period for the fast is also no sweets, and my last post is about ice cream.

Romans 14:14-16 reads as such:

"I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good."

So what am I doing? Well, before our fast was announced, I actually started a 40 day fast on February 1st. It ended Friday, and it was a killer. Only a handful of people in the bible did a 40 day fast. Some reasons for this length is expecting God to really do something powerful, hearing God more clearly and getting ready to enter into the assignment God has for you on this planet.

Practically speaking, many doctors and health folk will tell you that little fasts here and there are actually beneficial to your body.

I never told anyone unless they asked why wasn't I eating, because people know I love to eat.

Matthew 6:16-18 says it like this:

"And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

Far too often I see people in church just blurting out their private time for attention like they'll say something like "NO I DON'T WANT A PIECE OF GUM I'M FASTING FOR THE LORD" when you didn't even offer them anything in the first place.

But like I said earlier, so many people asked, and I hope this inspires someone to get closer to God, as I've already had people ask what were the results so they can do something too, so here we go:

I didn't eat from 6:17am to 6:17pm (June 17th is my birthday). Some days were 24 hours because of my schedule. I wrote down one thing each day I wanted from God, with a scripture accompanying the request. Day 1 was a wife, off top. Other examples were a business plan, protection for everyone around me, a sharper sense of reading people, retribution, wisdom, impact and travel. I also read from a 40 day devotional about the supernatural, listened to at least one sermon each day, increased my listening to worship music (not upbeat gospel emotionalism praise music, even though that does have its time and place), stayed off social media until 12pm noon and read something from Acts and Romans, because those books are good, practical equipping tools for people serious about impacting this decaying world.
I actually gained weight during the 40 days. Glad for it.

I'll spare the description of physical challenges, but you can figure out it wasn't easy.
So needless to say, 40 days was enough for me. I just won't eat what is required in front of those of yall who are partaking. However, I still am participating in the daily journaling, prayer and scripture reading assigned in our church fast, which can be found here:

themountleads.org

I encourage everyone connected to The Mount to fast. I encourage everyone else to fast sometime whenever you feel led, for your spiritual growth.

I also make money, get advertisement from companies, people reaching out to me about serious life issues and now even national invitations to come speak on social media these days, so it's not sensible for me to participate in declining social media for such a long period.

There are many advantages to fasting. Think of Karate Kid, when he asked what was the purpose of doing tasks that had nothing to do with karate, or so he thought. When you fast (from food, tv, anything), you are forcing your body to listen to you.

See, a lot of us don't have what we want in life, or are not where we want to be in life, because of our lifestyle choices. We can't control our bodies... sexually, pharmaceutically, recreationally, verbally, socially, culinarily, financially, etc.

When you fast you are telling your body no. It will be easier to say no in other areas.

During the fast, many doors opened up. Invitations, strength, focus, clarity, wisdom, speaking opportunities, people showing their true colors, hearts revealed, people added into my life who should be there, people leaving my life who shouldn't be there, and on 3 separate occasions, I received $100 from individuals.

Not to mention God has revealed himself in ways I thought were only in the bible days.

So yea... time to watch Bob's Burgers.

Be encouraged.