Fasting to Move Mountains | Testimony

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITHOUT BREAKTHROUGH? Consider this.

I don’t typically like to talk about this because it feels self-promotional but I don’t really hear too many people talking about fasting and breakthrough so I’m going to assume that most of you don’t either. The Bible already seems ‘old school’ to many so I am sure it’s methods also seem too outdated to be usable in our present age.

Besides what does food and/or giving up something physically have to do with your emotional or spiritual status, or even an unrelated physical issue? –Well, Tony gives an answer to that question in this sermon but let me give you a little testimony to back it up because what he says here is almost verbatim of what I have experienced in the last year.

But first, here are some other examples where it has helped me.

When my grandfather was dying 7 years ago, there was an issue that we were all unaware of. He was out of state. I was unable to handle it and I almost got the police involved on my behalf. I cannot tell you the turmoil of my own emotional state or the upheaval that I was causing in my family trying to get to the bottom of it. I felt led to fast for 3 days without food. At the end of 3 days, I had peace about leaving the situation alone. Thankfully, the issue resolved itself. But my emotional ‘crazy’ left me as well.

Another time over Lent (in an effort to take better care of the body that God gave me) instead of giving up something, I decided to ADD a 10-minute workout each day because it was all that I could incorporate at the time. Thankfully, it led to a pretty regular routine that grew in length. I exercise more now than I ever have. (That may not sound like giving up anything but sometimes our lives are so busy '10 minutes' feels hard to muster.)

I look forward to a daily devotion mid-day, each day, which is another habit that started the same way during a different season of Lent.

I gave up alcohol completely for almost two years. I am not sure if it really qualifies as fasting because I had many pros/cons documented for giving it up. Many of which were little things in my own heart that may not have made sense to anyone else but me at the time. But I also felt like I needed to do so without a definite reason. It was indeed a crutch in my life and giving it up came in at the beginning of one of the hardest seasons of my life.

I gave up coffee for several months, again without knowing why. -Just feeling like I needed to let it go.

I’ve fasted several other times in several other ways over the years. -Sometimes seeing the benefit of the fast right away. Sometimes never learning the why until a very long time after, if at all.

This last fast was indeed a breakthrough of all breakthroughs for me. Last April, my friend Dawn and I started fasting once a week. Sometimes from coffee, sugar, TV, sleep, or a similar thing. Sometimes from dinner one day to dinner the next.

On 'fast' day, we would call each other on the phone because she lives out of state. We would walk during this time before the kids ever got out of bed. We’d catch up on life, and then we would pray about whatever was going on in our lives.

I can’t explain it but I could feel something shifting spiritually within me. (I didn’t notice this other times in my life, so don’t expect this right away and I was not making the connection to fasting at the time.) By September, I began counseling for an issue. This ultimately led to one of the biggest changes of my life, emotionally, spiritually, physically, etc. I can’t get into all of it now. But I found a root problem with ‘fear of failure’ that influenced many things in my life. I also found understanding (which has led to healing) in a battle with anger that also covered a lot of territory in my life.

When Dawn and I started fasting, I didn’t have any idea that it would affect so many areas of my life or in such a big way. I just knew that it had made a difference every time that I had tried before and I wanted to really incorporate its power, more often. We prayed for the ‘thing of the week’, or ‘thing of the month’, or that one thing we couldn’t seem to let go of. But my life was radically changed by the end of the year and it really hasn’t stopped moving since. (Even though I tapered off fasting this year but I am trying to incorporate it again.)

Over, and over, and over again, throughout this transition, I have been reminded of the passage in Matthew 17:21 that says ‘This kind only comes out with Prayer and Fasting’. I even felt like something ‘left me’ this past July that I can only explain as ‘spiritual torment’ even if that sounds a little ‘hinky’.

While she and I thought we were praying for regular old stuff, there was something inside of me that was getting dealt with on a whole other level. –And in the end, it impacted many of those little things that she and I were praying for. Whether or not you see it yet, I can tell you that I am not the same person that I was last year and I know, that I know, that I KNOW, it was because of the power of fasting in my life. She too was recently able to attest of breakthroughs and healing in some areas of her own life which she attributes to our season together.

I am sharing this with you today because one of the things that I have struggled with has been a ‘mountain’ to me for several years. I shared a post one time on Instagram about how when God moves your mountain, it might rock your world, and knock you off your feet, and he might answer in a way that you never expected. –Let me tell you, I thought I was encouraging someone else with that post but that was a premonition for me an EXACT YEAR TO THE DAY of my ‘break’ even though it did NOT feel like a ‘through’.

In this sermon by Tony Evans, he hits on so many personal things that I can attest to. The power of fasting. The power of giving up something of the flesh for something spiritual. The faith of a mustard seed that moves mountains. And how planting that tiny mustard seed of faith might seem small but when it breaks open, it becomes something evident to everyone.

He talks about how the weight of that external mountain is what holds our light in. Your ‘mountain’ is the shell to your faith. When the external breaks, the internal expresses itself. Oh, how I could go on and on.

I’m not a doctor. Consult one if you have concerns. But fasting doesn’t always have to be from food. It could be from an activity or adding an activity. If you don’t feel led to do it, it might not be time for you do so and so there is no reason for shame or guilt. It may be a seed for later. But fasting doesn’t have to be ‘radical’ either. I implore you that if you have been battling something to no avail, PRAYERFULLY, consider how you might be able to incorporate fasting for healing in this area of your life and then do it until it’s done or until you get an answer.

If you try it, then during your fast, every time you get that hunger pang or the urge for the thing, remind yourself that it’s a prompt to pray instead. I will be praying over anyone who accepts this challenge.

If you have EVER fasted and experienced breakthrough, no matter how great or small. Not only do I give you permission to feel awkward, piggybacking, and self-promotional by sharing it in the comments below, but I encourage you and INVITE YOU TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY FOR GOD about how you’ve experienced breakthrough in hopes that you may encourage someone, who is silently struggling, to do the same. Now go!

Now here’s the sermon ‘Fasting for Deliverance’ by ‘Tony Evans’.

https://tonyevans.org/tony-evans-sermons/fasting-for-deliverance/

Cutting back

Cutting back on the blog for a while. Other writing ventures are on the vine and #pruning has its #rewards 🍃

Not Consumed

For the Lord, your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. – Deuteronomy 4:24

By definition, the word 'consume' means to 'use up.' While this word is most often heard when talking about eating a meal, consuming groceries or logs that are ‘used up’ in a fire- Sometimes, we ourselves can feel as though we are used up- overtaken and consumed. –Along with all of our time and resources that we have available.

This can be a result of internal emotions, like depression, exhaustion, shame, insecurity. –You know the stories that we tell ourselves and things that we rehash. But it can also be caused by a job, an issue, or a relationship.

In fact, even things we love, like hobbies, church, or other Godly activities can drain us, if we get them out of order or allow them to have more power over us than God.

This can be tricky because good things, important things, can get out of whack. For example:

God should come before everything. Many of us go to church and even help run it in order to partake in the lessons and fellowship that strengthens our faith.

Relationships are important. Otherwise a good “love walk” wouldn’t be written in the commandments.

Work is important too. I mean, you do need an income in order to consume other basic necessities, right?

So where do you draw the line? How do you know when things have crossed over? Well consider these next few items and think of your current situation. Could any of them be said about you?

*You're up at night, full of anxiety, fear, stress or worry?

*You cannot rest and your health is suffering because this thing keeps you ‘on.'

*You don’t have time for reading your Bible, going for a walk or enjoying something little or new is just a luxury.

*You don’t even offer to help others because your time is tied up or you’re too afraid that your contribution wouldn’t be enough.

*Perhaps normal ‘interruptions’ from your family frustrate you because you are trying to work on or look at this thing.

*You can’t even begin to plan ahead or even think of anything else because [it] always has ‘one more thing’ that needs to be taken care of first…

*What about being a martyr? Are you the only one that can do something when it comes to [it]?

*Or survival mode. You are literally just trying to get through each day.
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Boy, those are some hard statements aren’t they?  - I can safely list each of these because I have been in every single one of them. –And learning it once or discovering this about yourself in an area doesn’t inoculate you from getting stuck there again somewhere else.

So, if any part of this has picked a scab for you, I pray that you hang in there and hear my heart. –Because I have to tell you this is not the path of walking in victory.

Exodus 20:3 is part of the 10 commandments that reads ‘that you shall have no other Gods before me.’

So, if everything in your life has to bow to this thing before anything else can be taken care of, then you might have an idol or a stronghold on your hands. If we’re 'consumed' and all used up by something other than God, His purpose, His plans, or His love for others. -That's not just a problem, it’s a sin.
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The funny thing is, when it's God consuming us, we are inspired and strengthened. Isaiah 40:31 says "but those who hope in the LORD will RENEW their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and NOT grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Even Psalm 40 is a passage called “God Sustains His Servant’. I encourage you to read it.

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I can’t help but find the timing for this message to be perfect. This week, on March 1^st, marks the first day of the Lenten season. Lent represents the 40 days between Jesus’s baptism and then going into Galilea. He was in the desert, fasting and prayerfully seeking God, but he was also tempted by the devil.

Many believers of various denominations will choose to fast from something themselves, each day during this time. As an effort to draw closer to the Lord and remember His sacrifice for us.

You can read more about Lent on the Upperroom but let's look at Matthew 4 together.

¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil.² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

    and they will lift you up in their hands,

    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[e]”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 

Here are some of the things that stand out to me from that passage.

·       *Fasting doesn’t keep you from getting tempted (v2)

·       *The devil looks for those who are tired and weary. (v2)

·       *The devil uses scripture (v6)

·       *Each time that Jesus was tempted, He made it a point to recall the word of God too.  –And he was part God. (v4,7,10)

·       *Angels came to assist when he resisted. (v11)

Like Jesus, we have a holy spirit who is with us.

Psalm 34:7 says that The Angel of the Lord also encamps around us when we fear him.

Think about your own temptations for a moment. When temptation comes our way be it chocolate, cake, a cigarette, spending five dollars, DOESN’T doing it one more time, only lead to wanting to do it again just one more time? How is that any different from a job or a relationship or this thing you feel compelled to do or can’t pull away from?

Our verse today in Deuteronomy 4 reads “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” He wants to be the only thing that consumes us. In doing so, he refines the very offerings that we have to give everything else.

So how do we uncross those lines? Well, I believe that you fast from those things. But the way that we do that will look different to each of us. So, I encourage you to try this lenten season, maybe for the first time. Ask the Lord to reveal the area of your life that has more of you than he does. Maybe you already know what it is. Then ask him to help you give a little bit of it up every day for the next 40 days. It’s okay if that looks different every single day of that challenge. But seek a way to honor him, in replacement of it. Which can be in the form of prayer, it can be loving your family, it can be choosing a healthier option.

*You can prepare to be tempted through this season, like Jesus.

*You need scripture to meditate on, so go ahead and pick some verses out.

*Make some boundaries. Preferably with your spouse, a mentor, a group or friend, someone that can pray with you and/or keep you accountable.

Then have a date to check in and talk it out. Then do it again!

I’m going to end with a quote that I heard from Pastor Fred City Life, and it’s a good one so pay attention:

You will never have dominion over any appetite of your body until you give it over and make fasting a regular part of your diet.

I’d like to tweak that to say that you nor God will never have dominion over your life, as long as we let other things keep draining/claiming the power. 

Friend, if you’re feeling consumed, maybe it’s time to reprioritize and let the ‘thing’ go. If you can't quit it, maybe you should change the way you've been feeding it.

If any part of this message has been offensive, I hear you. I would encourage you to pray that if you didn’t feel like the message applied, but you were offended, ask God what he wants YOU to know instead. Let me assure you that God uses those deep things to take us higher. –Not to lead us into condemnation or to convert into anger.

I pray that this message ignites not only a new passion but a new area of faith for you that blows your mind. I would love to hear about your challenges and how you see the Lord working in them. Know that I am praying with you all the way to victory.

Until next time- Thanks for tuning in!

Fasting | Notes

I've fasted from food a few times. Each time, there was a situation that I needed clarity in. I didn't follow any manuals or seek any physician's council. Which, in hindsight may not have been the wisest decision but they were short fasts and I don't have any health issues.

With each fast, I needed a discerning heart for how God wanted me to respond in the particular situation. Not only did I receive my answer(s), I had peace about each one I was given. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit every time.

I intend to learn more about fasting this year. I like to make notes so that I can share them as well as remind myself about it later. So, you may want to check this page again later to see if I have any additions. If you plan on fasting this year, it goes hand in hand with prayer. You may find my notes about prayer useful as well.

1. Fasting is an opportunity to retrain your brain.  You and I are hungry every day at different times. We also fester over things that upset us and worry incessantly about things that we shouldn't. Every time that we get one of those urges or that hunger pang, they serve as prompts to pray instead of eating, worrying, festering...

2. Going without is one thing but replacing 'it' with more of something focused on God is really the intent of the fast.

3. You are repeatedly dying to self.

4. For me, fasting seemed to take a lot of the emotional response out of my problem. It allowed me to see the details of the situation instead of being blinded by my feelings about it.

5. Each time that I have fasted, I have felt peace and clarity.

6. The purpose of a fast is to make you "as clean a vessel possible, in order to gain more of the Holy Spirit and discernment". That might not make much sense but alcohol subdues you, caffeine perks you up, other foods can also have various effects; we're just so accustomed to eating them that we don't realize their impact. Not putting it in our bodies, allows us a clean starting point if that makes sense.

7. It is a form of worship. Recognizing that you need God more than a necessity or desire.

8. You will never have dominion over any appetite of your body until you make fasting a regular part of your diet. - Fred Michaux, Pastor of City Life.

9. Fasting isn't only about food. In fact if you check out Isaiah 58; It is labeled "True Fasting" and never mentions food.  It talks about the importance of checking the attitude of your heart, so that the things that you do or give up don't cause your to be bitter about doing them. It also acknowledges the importance of loving others, building up the body of believers and also fasting from your own tasks in order to honor the Sabbath. Consider fasting a tool to dying to self in any aspect.


Resources

The following resources look interesting to me and are what I will be using when I begin to dig deeper. This was an easy place to store them for access later. May they be a blessing to us both!

Fasting Can Change Your Life - Interviews & Testimony's about fasting

The Beginner's Guide to Fasting, Elmer Towns

Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, Elmer Towns - This one looks at several fasts in the Bible and what they were used for. -

This link looks like a pdf study guide that goes with the above book.

A free link with some more info.

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"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you, saith the LORD." Jeremiah 29:13-14