fasting...

Matthew 6:16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

okay... I learned something about fasting today... from Rev. Charles Stanley...

I thought... when we fast.. as the scripture says... that it is to be a private thing, between you and God... but I guess I kinda thought it was a way to get God to see how serious you are about whatever you are fasting about... I know that we fast to get clarity or insight... but come on... surely you too have fasted thinking God would move just a little quicker because he saw how much you are willing to sacrifice for it... maybe I am wrong... maybe y'all are way better saints than me... but that is what I thought sometimes... of course the real reason was to hear from God, but I guess in truth I thought I could manipulate God to move quicker too...

but this is what Charles Stanley says about fasting today... it was eye opening for me...

"Before we go further, it is important to dispel a popular misunderstanding. Fasting doesn’t serve to change God’s mind, speed up His answer, or manipulate His will. Instead, it prepares us to hear from Him by temporarily laying aside something that vies for our attention or devotion—such as food, sleep, or a time of intimacy with a spouse.

Denying ourselves in this way makes us better able to focus on Christ and hear Him clearly. His Spirit often starts by bringing to mind sin that needs to be confessed. In so doing, He sanctifies our thoughts—then He can use this precious time to intensify our desire for Him, reveal His Will, and grant understanding and peace. In essence, fasting binds us to Him in such oneness that we won’t ever be the same again."

how awesome is that? God is using our fasting or sacrifice to sanctify our thoughts... to reveal our sins to us for confession... and then to draw us closer to Him... and it says that fasting will bind us to Him in oneness and we will never be the same again... that was so big for me... I have hated fasting... I felt like it was a horrible way to hear God's voice or move His hand... instead... it is a priviledge and honor... drawing us closer and making us one with Him... wow... I am going to be far different in my fasting from this point forward... I may set aside one day every week to fast and just become one with God...

thank you Father... for desiring to be close to me!!!! I don't deserve that... I don't deserve your goodness... I am so grateful to be loved and be chosen by you... I adore you... truly I do... you are my all in all... thank you for smiling on me...