Day 3 - The Discipline of Fasting

Ok, well if you were at the Ash Wednesday service you should have a better understanding of what Biblical fasting may look like. However, just in those few short minutes it is difficult to really go into any depth. So, I am going to take some time to dig a little deeper about this rewarding and yet very hard to practice discipline.

"Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it."

-John Wesley

The problem with fasting is that for the most part it is misunderstood which usually leads to inactivity. As we dig through Scripture is becomes apparent that the action of fasting is peppered throughout. Everyone from Esther, Ezra Samuel, Elijah, Paul and even Jesus spent seasons of their lives in fasting and prayer. Clearly that should help us get closer to at least asking more questions about this discipline.

So, where do we start? I want to first remind us of several things that were taught on Ash Wednesday.

#1 We are told to do it:

· Matthew 6:16-17

o 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.

• When we look at Jesus' words to His disciples here in Matthew 6 it is very apparent that He expects His disciples to fast. Even though we find nowhere in Scripture a command to fast it is clear that we are highly encouraged to do so. Whether it is simply through the examples set before us or passages such as the one here in Matthew we cannot escape the reality that fasting was and is an "expected" practice of the disciple.
• Look also at passages like Luke 9:23 “ ²³Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. “ The simple fact that we are called to deny ourselves even leads us in the direction of fasting. Now does it say that? Of course not, but the simple language suggest an act of suffering and humility which is basically what fasting leads us to.
  
• So, to me there's no question about the fact that we do need to fast.
  

#2 What it fasting

The next thing is to clear up exactly what fasting is:

• Traditionally fasting is a period of abstinence from all food or specific items
• Today, many have taken this to mean abstaining from any item in an effort to sacrifice to grow in faith. Examples: TV, Music, etc.
• Fasting "pursists" would fight tooth and nail that fasting has to do with food alone and anything else doesn't align itself with the Biblical model.
• However, fasting may be defined as abstinence from anything that is legitimate in itself for the sake of some spiritual purpose. For example, sleep is a good and legitimate thing, but sometimes we are led by the Holy Spirit to fast from sleep and give ourselves to prayer instead. This is called watching. Jesus spoke about watching in Matthew 26:41, and Paul referred to it in 2 Corinthians 6. And in the gospel accounts we read how Jesus himself prayed all night at times.
• Here's one the guys might not like. Sex is good and legitimate within marriage, but in 1 Corinthians 7:5 we read that fasting from sex can be proper. If a couple desires to spend some time in prayer, they may go without sex by mutual consent for a period of time.
• So, it's clear that food isn't the only Biblical model for fasting. The main objective is that you are truly making a sacrifice in order to humble yourself before God.
  

As we head into this Lent season be thinking of what items in your life would fit into the category of sacrificial to God. Honestly, for most of us this would be food or the like. Also, remember that our called day to fast and pray as a church is on Wednesday's so be preparing for that. The chapel will be open from 6am-9pm on Wednesdays as well.

I will continue on this thought tomorrow, so hope to see you then.

Day 2 - What's the significance of 40 days?

If you have been around the church for any time you have probably noticed that there is a pattern in the Bible when it comes to numbers.  One of those is the number 40.  There are so many examples where a 40 day period of time represented a turning point in the lives of those in the story.

• Forty days Moses was in the mount, Exodus 24:18; and to receive the Law, Exodus 24:18.

• Forty days of the spies, issuing in the penal sentence of the 40 years, Numbers 13:26, 14:34. 

• Forty days of Jonah and Nineveh, Jonah 3:4.

• Forty days Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Matthew 4:2. 

And now we are on a 40 day journey through the season of Lent.  What in the world does all of this mean, or does it even make a difference to me living in 2010?  Check this out....

"The number 40 holds particular significance in the Bible and refers to a precise number, not just a long period of time. There are at least ten instances in the Old Testament and New Testament where 40 occurs, either in years or days, e.g. it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites wandered 40 years, Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and was seen on the earth for 40 days after His crucifixion.

A 40-something time period, whether days, months, or years is ALWAYS a period of testing, trial, probation, or chastisement (but not judgment) and ends with a period of restoration, revival or renewal.

Thankfully, God is consistent, so the meaning of a number in Genesis remains the same all the way to the book of Revelation. Sometimes the spiritual significance is not revealed directly, but in the case of "40" and its many examples throughout the Bible, we can be certain of its importance and significance."  (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_significance_does_the_number_40_have_in_the_Bible)

Ok, if this is true this "40" number certainly has a deep meaning for you and I.  What we intend to do throughout Lent really does line up with the meaning of the number 40.  We are on a journey of repentance, self-reflection, prayer, fasting and seeking the face of God.  As we spend this time humbling ourselves it will most definitely be a time of testing and trial but as we shared at the Ash Wednesday service it will end with a time of restoration and revival.

A couple years ago when I was ending an extended time of fasting and I had this very clear revelation.

"Pay the price and I will see His Glory!"

Are you willing to pay the price?  Are you willing to humble yourself and pray and seek His face in order to see God totally transform your life.  As those ancient believer's did, we take these 40 days so that in the end we will be renewed by the presence of the Lord.

DAY 1 - Ash Wednesday

So, today is Ash Wednesday.  To be honest, this was always a confusing day to me.  I would always wonder why the church would be so excited to celebrate a day that hailed as its mascot a bowl of ashes.  Only over the last few years have I come to love and appreciate this day and the season it starts.
Ash Wednesday is a day to reflect, repent and to truly be sorrowful for our sinful condition.  And really throughout the rest of Lent, this is and should be our main focus.  Taking this time to really step to the side and reflect on the condition of our lives and know that without the intervention of Christ, we would be in one heap of trouble.  But, that's the beauty of Ash Wednesday and Lent.  It's actually a celebration of weakness!  A celebration based on the fact that we don't have the power in ourselves to overcome, but we know the source of such power.  That all our focus is to prepare ourselves over these next few days to rejoice in our resurrected savior Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
^"9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

The fact that we can brag about being weak is awesome to me.  It is through our weaknesses that Christ is illuminated and made known to the world around us.  So, as we celebrate our weaknesses this Lenten season we do so only because it is through the provision of Christ that we can go forward.

Today is a day for repentance and self-reflection.  Make sure you take time today to take a knee or sit in your favorite chair, lift your eyes to heaven and truly pour your heart out to the Lord.  Let that moment begin a journey for you for the next 40 days as we await the resurrected Christ.

Jesus is Hispanic

I had a really neat experience this morning.  I have preached in many different places and to many different kind of people.  But, I had my first experience preaching to our Hispanic congregation this morning.  I have done this while in Nicaragua on mission trips, but this was different.  It was on my turf....at my church....in our youth worship area.  As I stood in the back of the room while worshiping something began to occur to me.  Jesus is Hispanic!  I'm serious.  I didn't understand the words to the songs, but the Holy Spirit was definitely present in what they were singing.  With arms stretched out, somehow I could understand what they were saying!  I Love You Lord!  I mean in that moment I understood how multicultural Jesus is.  He is Hispanic, Chinese, South African and believe it or not American!  His language transcends any language or cultural barrier that man could ever build.  As I was driving from my goodie run to Wal-Mart after church the thought hit me that we are more the same than we could ever think.  We are brothers and sisters in the same kingdom, serving the same King. We are fighting side-by-side in the trenches for the same purpose.  To see a generation of people come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.  I know this isn't mind-blowing in any shape or form, but for me today was a fresh revelation of God's Kingdom.

great quote

"Once in seven years I burn all my sermons;  for it is a shame if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago."  -John Wesley

Your spiritual formation process

This is like the easiest blog post of my life.  I simply want you to answer the following for me.  This is something I really need you to do as I am writing an article and need your feedback.

What does your spiritual formation process look like?  What are the key strategic things in your process that keep you focused on God?  Also, what are the roadblocks that sometimes get in the way of that process?  Told you it was an easy question, but is it an easy answer?

Defining moments

Isn't it funny what you tend to remember?  I have some pretty cool memories that are serious and heart-felt that I will never forget, but...most of my favorite memories are off the charts unexpected.  For instance....Behind my house as a child was a bridge that crossed over a small creek.  I was so little I don't even remember when this happened, but I remember the event.  I was on the bridge swinging on the railing when my feet slipped and I was holding onto the railing screaming for dear life.  My mom heard me and bolted to my rescue.  I remember playing in a championship game when there was 3 seconds on the clock and we were down by 2.  My teammate tossed the ball in bounds to me at half court and I slung the ball only to hear the net swoosh.  As my teammates were piling on top of me I looked across the court to see my dads huge work boots running across the court to congratulate me.  A more recent memory took place only two years ago as I took a small group of students camping in North Georgia.  We hiked to the highest point in GA and by the time we walked back down our bus was snowed in.  We couldn't get down the mountain and had to be rescued by the local EMS.

These are only a few of the memories I have that were unexpected and yet define some of the best times of my life.  These are the things we remember because they are exciting, unscripted and life defining at times.  However, these are not the moments that developed me into the man I am today.  I am who I am today because of the scripted moments of my life.  You know....those things that I do day in and day out.  These are the moments we tend to forget bc they are so normal and well, forgettable!  Even thought that is the case, those moments are the ones that are most important.

As I think about the processes of life it is in the forgettable moments that we are defined.  The day in and day out mundane acts that lull us to sleep actually are the real defining moments of our life.  It is the tenacity of the man of God that pours over the word and passionately searches for the heart of God day in and day out that defines what that man will become.  Yes, these moments are often mundane and even, dare I say, boring at times.  I mean we don't see the waters parted or chariots from heaven every time we pray, but we pray so that our Father knows our voice.  So that when we need the waters parted as life is caving in we are known by the Father.  So, as your day comes and goes day after day and in retrospect your spiritual man is being neglected remember it is the day to day and makes the greatest difference.

Luke 9:23 tell us that if we are to be God followers we will deny ourselves and take up our crosses to follow him.  Are you living out this truth in your daily life?

THABIT......