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Crystal-1ite Vice Captain
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 Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:06 am
God has made us a three part being.
1 Thes. 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we fast we experience the symptoms of a fast in all three areas of our lives. Spirit, soul and body!
#1 Spiritual Fasting
Here are two reasons for fasting:
1. A renewed closeness with God and a greater sensitivity to spiritual things.
2. To enforce our victory over the devil and get breakthrough in every area of our lives.
When Jesus encountered Satan, He was able to overcome him with the Word and His fasting had given Him spiritual strength. Isaiah 58:6 also shows us this purpose of fasting: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every enslaving yoke?”
Many people believe that fasting is to move the hand of God, when in actuality it is to make Satan turn loose of the things he is holding. Spiritual fasting is a tool to help us change our hearts before the Lord. God is not moved by our actions, but He does respond to repentance and a change of heart, and it is here that we discover the true purpose of a spiritual fast.
Fasting can be an oasis of spiritual refreshment in a life that has become dry and self-centered. As we draw near to God spiritual clarity comes and we can once again hear clearly the voice of our Lord. Fasting ad prayer can restore the loss of the “first love” for Jesus and result in a more intimate relationship with Him.
#2 Body Cleanse (Detox)
Fasting detoxifies your body from a lifetime of built-up toxins. Our unhealthy lifestyle does not lend itself to easy fasting. During fasting, these toxins are released into the bloodstream making it very uncomfortable, yet very profitable. Fasting intensifies healing as deep tissue and tired organs are repaired rapidly. Instead of digesting all the food we normally eat, the body can focus on cleansing and repairing. Only by eating small quantities of raw fruits and vegetables, or water or juice fasting, can there be such a complete healing. Part of this healing is the removal of cellular waste. In the fasting state, the body scours for dead cells, damaged tissues, fatty deposits, tumors and free radicals, all of which are burned off for fuel.
During fasting, as toxins are released from fat tissues into the blood stream you will experience these toxins as weakness, a headache, fatigue even nausea that may come and go but this is a GOOD SIGN that these poisons are being removed from your body. It is important to drink a lot of water during the fast to help wash these toxins out of the body. It will get easier each day as you progress through your fast.
#3 Our Soul: Mind, Will and Emotions
As your fast progresses you will notice a mental clarity. Some, for the first time, will experience emotional stability as you eliminate the emotional dependence on food, the exclusion of stimulating foods like caffeine, processed sugar and deserts all of which have a negative effect on our emotions.
Fasting can break up daily patterns upon which we have become so dependant. When those patterns of pleasure are removed, then during fasting, you will come face to face with a vacuum that only God can fill.
Fasting also applies pressure to the flesh; you may be amazed how much it will squirm! It needs to be dethroned and placed under the will of God. Fasting will reveal how much the flesh has taken control of your emotions, and secondly, it will serve in breaking the flesh’s hold upon your will. It will bring to the surface deep seated fears that affect our thinking and our decision making. Fasting forces us to face the chaos of addictions, compulsive behaviors, depression and internal pain. During fasting negative patterns of living are broken.
Fasting will help us come to grips with those hidden, subtle flaws of our character: fear, hopelessness, worry, doubt and selfishness. They don’t die quietly because their tentacles can reach into our emotions. Their presence will rise up against you with great force when you try to fast. God wants to heal your hearts and free us from all of our past. Fasting is a path that God will use.
Checkout “The Grapevine” Blog at www.victorygrapevine.com, to learn so much more about the spiritual benefits of fasting. Read what others are sharing! Read the articles from Bill Bright, Drs. George and Hazel Hill and so many other Christians from around the world.
**Disclaimer: If you have any medical condition please see your Doctor before starting any kind of fast.
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Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:22 pm
Although I'd like to. I dun think I'm ready for it yet. Not 40 days anyways, Do U think it would be alright to try say. 10 days? I have only fasted once and that was simply skipping lunch one day at school to sit by my classroom and read my bible. it felt good but I fell asleep and got myself a pepsi from the vending machine to wake up for class. But it is alright to eat a small amount of fruits and vegetables? and drink water?
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Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:53 pm
I too have questions about the fasting. I'd love to do it, honestly. But I need more information about it, please.
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Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:35 am
Well, this fast is not so much about NOT eating ... more as to what you eat and how much you eat. Fats, sugars, fast foods, soft drinks and processed foods should definitely be on the strike list. Small amounts of fresh fruits and raw vegetables and lots of water, perhaps even fruit and vegetable juices but in moderation remembering that fruit juices contain sugar and vegetable juice contain sodium (unless you are using a juicer and make your own and not add salt or other preservatives). Also you make up the fast the way you want. Say you are addicted to soda pop which is high in sodium and sugar (diet pop is high in sodium as well and the aspertame is not good for you in high quantities) ... well then cut that out of your diet. Same is true with anything else on the strike list. Some may chose to eat as normal but include more vegetables and fruits and juices in their diet and cut out all the processed foods like cereals, breads, pastas and meat. Processed meats are high in fat and sodium. My mom is addicted to coffee ... she says she will go on the fast, but needs her morning coffee. Personally I think she should eat a balanced meal and not have any caffiene in her diet. Also if you feel you can only commit to 10 days on the sparce vegetarian diet, then that is all you should do. The trick is in any fast is to drink lots of water ... 2 liters a day minimum. Water will stave off hunger and the body needs it to help rid the body of toxins. Check out the Victory Grapevine Blog at www.victorygrapevine.com to see what others are doing for thier fast. One woman said this about her chosen fast:
A fast doesn't have to be food-- especially if you work a demanding job. I think what is important is to seek God and know what He would have you fast. What would be a sacrifice to give up? What has consumed your time or attention away from Him? The thing about a fast is to refocus. To spend more time in communion with God-- through prayer and meditation. My chosen fast will include some food items- mostly all processed foods- that custs out a lot, but 40 days really isn't that long! My main thing will be TV & movies. I use it for company instead of turning to God for companionship. So I will fast and look forward to the deeper relationship with God that will be my reward.
Me for example .. I like going to Wendy's or MacDonalds and getting thier salads. More and more places are offering salads as lunch alternatives now. So I can still eat out with friends and stay on my fast. One nice thing about water with your meals ... it isn't as expensive and is healthier for you. In fact all the restuarants I go to .... the water is free. A nice twist of lemon in your water will make it more pallatable. Also I notice that I drink more water if I drink it from those travel water bottles instead of drinking from a glass. Throw some ice in and a twist of lemon.
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Crystal-1ite Vice Captain
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