We are only a few days away from the end of our 21 Day Corporate Fast. It is time to begin to think about what happens when you reach the end of your fast. It is important to realize this is just a stage on our Christian journey. How do we take the benefits and discipline we have received from this fast and continue to apply them to our walk with Jesus?
I have attached a document that gives some thoughts from Pastor Miles McPherson after he had done his first 40 day fast that I think will be helpful as well as some insights from Dr. Paul Bragg on how to eat after coming off a long fast. Just as you focused as you were going into this fast, it is important to be focused as you are finishing. Here are some questions for you to think about:
* What has the Lord showed you?
* What areas has God revealed that need to be surrendered to Him?
* Are there commitments or promises you made to God during your fast?
* How will you continue to believe God for the areas of breakthrough on your card?
* How will I continue to discipline myself to pray and read God's Word?
Don't allow this to just be another moment in your life, let it be the catalyst to a changed life, a renewed heart for Jesus and a lifelong discipline in your spiritual journey.
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:16-17). It's a new day, you are not the same person that you were when you started this fast. You may not even be able to see the difference, but know you have changed and you do not want to go back.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Take hold of this and walk in it. YOU ARE FREE! Walk as one who is free. God is not done with us yet, we are all still in process but we are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory. Don't let the enemy tell you anything else. You are being made into His likeness! (John 8:31-36, Romans 6:17-21, Romans 8:1-11)
The enemy is going to try and tell you nothing has changed, you are not different, it was a exercise in futility, so you have to stand on God's Word. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8).
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6).
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." (Colossians 1:9-12).
May we live a life worthy of the calling we have received (Ephesians 4:1-6), letting our light shine in the world around us (Matthew 5:16) and loving God and people with everything we have (Matthew 22:37-38).
Reaching for the Finish Line, PC & Ishtar