Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Fast Day 12

I want to submit to you this morning a thought about what was quickly discussed last night as we meet here, and that was that this Fast may be different than last year for many of you. Maybe you’re not feeling God as closely with this Fast as you have before. Some of you are I know but maybe there are those of us who just are not. Remember there is no reason to feel shame if you don’t feel like you’re getting it right now. I have already heard countless testimonies where this years Fast is impacting others rather than ourselves. That is not a bad thing, in fact it is a wonderful thing. Consider the fact that something you are doing by humbling yourself before God is impacting the life of someone else. That should make you smile!

Remember what we are doing is consecrating ourselves like in Leviticus, notice Leviticus 11:44, says “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am Holy.” (NIV) Consecrate means to set aside as holy, devote to sacred or serious use. It means setting aside from the world and from sin. It’s allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus in what we do, what we think, in what we desire. Have you ever thought how what you are doing consecrating yourselves, humbling yourself, Fasting may very well be a way that you are showing others around you, your friends, your family how serious you are about God. Therefore making them think about their own relationship with Him.

Do you feel a little disconnected from the normal (the world) right now? Co-workers or friends just can’t quite figure you out. Why you are eating so funny? Why are you not eating? You’ve separated yourself from the normal (world) in order to consecrate yourself to be more Holy. I imagine on day one you never thought you could do something so Holy … humble yourself, sacrifice yourself, consecrate yourself, and someone else would see Jesus though you. And besides those things are just things for people in the Bible … God says to us Oh! No! you can do it! And well who knows you may actually play a part in changing someones life … Now that is worth eating a little different!

Folks, keep up the good work, press on to Him today! Who knows someone may be counting on you to be the example of Jesus they need!

Be Blessed,