"ADD ONE" Fasting

God is raising up many prayer warriors to fast and pray for the upcoming elections. As I was seeking concerning my role, whether or not God would have me fast, He gave me an interesting Commission. I am calling it the "Add One" Fast.

Here's how it works. First, determine the length of the fast. If you do not have a determined number of days, Ask the Lord how long the fast should be. For me I knew this would be a 10 day fast synchronizing with the period that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These are the holiest days on the Jewish calendar as the most devout seek the blessing of Yahweh for the new year.

Once you know how long the fast will be, then ask God to reveal to you what to fast. I did not know what to fast and I did not want to strike out on my own strength and effort. I have had too many attempts at fasting fail because they were not commissioned by the Holy Spirit.

I sensed that God was giving me a unique commission. "Begin by fasting coffee for the first day and I will show you what to add every day after that." So the first day I went without coffee and it was easier than I thought it would be. He did not reveal to me what to fast on the next day until that day when He told me to fast sugary sweets.

On the third day He put it on my heart to give up an evening snack. That is, not to eat anything after dinner time. On the fourth day He told me to praise. I realize that this is not a fast in particular but it is a discipline that he wanted me to add to my ten-day Journey. I took out my guitar which has been gathering dust and began singing praises to Him. 🎶

Let me clarify and say that I am continuing the disciplines of the previous days in addition to the new disciplines that He reveals to me.

I may or may not be sharing the details of my fasting experience in the days ahead. Fasting is usually an intimate thing shared with God Alone. But I believe that He prompted me to share this because there are many of you who want to add fasting to your prayer life but have not had much success. If this is the case feel free to share how this has helped you if the Lord prompts you to do so.

WORSHIP INTO FELLOWSHIP

I am writing at my sister's house. Potter, the Golden Labrador Retriever, is comfortable on his dog bed under the window, watching the streaming sunshine play on the carpet. Seems like a boring life to me, but he seems so content. My nephews are at school. My brother-in-law just left for work, and my sister is somewhere else in the house. When any of them walk into the room, Potter will leap up, tail wagging, to let them know, "I missed you! I missed you! I still love you!"

I am not what you would call a dog person. I had dogs when I was growing up. My wife and I had a dog twice when we were raising children and living in the country, outside dogs. They both got run over by cars. Traumatic. Cured me of needing dogs.

Occasionally we have had opportunities to get another puppy. When we do, we always take a step back from the emotional cuteness of the moment and count the cost. Do we REALLY want the mess, the trouble, the expense, the responsibility? No.

When God created Adam, He filled his world with pets. He brought them to Adam to cure his loneliness and to see what names he would give them. None of them was considered "meet" (King James language for "suitable" or "comparable"). So God took a "rib" (Hebrew literally, curved plank; probably DNA helix) and cloned a "comparable helper."

The Bible gives glimpses of heaven. We read of creatures who constantly fly around God's throne crying "Holy, Holy, Holy!" From our perspective, this seems a mundane life until we realize that these are much like God's pets who are so obsessed with Him that they live solely for His presence, much like the Golden Lab his master. They are never bored! And they afford God a measure of companionship, but cannot fulfill Him the way you and I are created to do, born of His own spiritual "DNA."

Potter has no choice but to follow his instinctive loyalty to humans. And pets, to their masters are somewhat therapeutic. But the dog cannot pull up a chair and enjoy a coffee moment and deep conversation. The dog cannot buddy in a golf scramble, or talk politics, rehash the OSU game, or conjoin in the majesty of a sunset.

Child of God, you have the capability of FELLOWSHIP with the Creator, not just worship. You are capable of ascending to His level, of thinking His thoughts, of conversation, of fulfilling Him in a way that a mere angel can never do.
Like God and unlike the heavenly beings, you have a free will. One glimpse of His loveliness and majesty will stimulate in you a devotion not unlike a loyal canine, but God calls us even higher. "We have the mind of Christ."

Dedicate an hour, designate a day for you and Him. Brew some coffee, or whatever you like, open your Bible and listen. Or begin by sharing your heart, unburdening your soul. "I love the Lord because He hears my voice."

Don't get religious. Just stay real--you can't fool Him.

Thought for today: Be sure to take time to Worship, but take some extra time for Fellowship with God.