Verse of the Day: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (25) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. (26) So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. (27) I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
The prize the apostle Paul is talking about is the victory of eternal salvation. This is the goal of the Christian life. This goal can only be accomplished by giving up some of our rights for the sake of others and by separating ourselves from the world.
We are called to be set apart from the world as it says in Romans 12:2 (NIV) (NIV)
”Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” In verse 27 Paul said that we can be disqualified if we do not exercise self control, self denial, do not live a holy life and don’t have love for others. To be disqualified conveys the idea of failing the test or being dejected. It is not how fast you start the race that counts but how well you finish. Every one of you, no matter how old or how young, can finish strong. It just takes discipline, which you have already demonstrated you have.
These past 21 days you have been running the race hard. But this is just the beginning of an incredible year. It is like the start of a long marathon. I am so proud of all of you who have practiced self-denial in pursuit of a Godly goal, the pursuit of Christ. You will reap the benefits of these past 21 days for the rest of the year and possibly the rest of your life. Now, I challenge you to continue running strong. Don’t give up when trial, testing or persecution comes. Keep pressing on and believing God for MORE! Let’s truly believe that we have a God who can “do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) Let’s run this race to the best of our ability for His glory.
Personal Word: I can’t believe that this is my last blog for the fast. I want to thank all of you who have been reading it and those that have been commenting. You have all been an encouragement to me. Our conversations over the past 21 days have kept me going. God is truly doing something great in us and in the body of Christ as a whole as I hear of all of the churches that have been doing this fast. Also, If you have not seen the answer to your prayer yet, please don’t get discouraged. Usually you don’t see the answer during the fast. Most of the time you see the results of your fast after it is done. Think of it as planting seeds. You have to wait to see the plant grow and then even longer for the fruit. Your fasting has moved heaven and earth. It will change the course of your year. God will still be honoring your fast in November and December, long after you have forgotten about this fast.
There is part of me that is really excited to eat normal food tomorrow and another part of me that is sad that the fast is over. I have seen real unity in us and there has been such a high level of faith as we have all been doing this together. I want to encourage you to make a post in the comments section of the blog as to what you have learned from this fast and what God has done in and through you. I really look forward to hearing your story. I hope to see you at the Epic Breakthrough service this Sunday at 6:00pm. It should be amazing!
Fasting Tip: If you have been fasting food or even if you have been following the Daniel diet, start back into normal food slowly. Don’t jump back into a burger and fries on your first meal or you will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. You may want to start with bananas, rice, applesauce and toast or bread. But whatever you do, please go back into it slowly. It takes some time for your stomach to get used to “normal” food again. Oh yeah, you can add soup to that group of food listings so that you can join us for soup and bread after the Epic Breakthrough service this Sunday night. I hope to see you there! God bless all of you...I know He will!
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Sophia says:
WOW!....I can't believe it, I don't know about you but Im waiting till midnight and eating my first real dessert in 21 days. I've felt so healthy these past 21 days. I've been craving fruit and some of you know thats not me. but im kinda not ready to feel unhealthy. I know alot of us can't stand not eating sweats, but it has, and it hasn't been easy. Last week I ate two whole melons. I thought it was the best thing i've ever tasted in my entire life. And the fact that I kinda forgot how Hershey bars taste. But still they tasted amazing. TV has totally been a challenge cause Im around how many people in my family watching it. And when my family is out of town on Tuesdays and they watch movies, and I have to either fall asleep or look out the window.
Don was SO right I had to discipline my self all the time. It's been very hard not to be counting down the hours till I can eat sweats, and watch TV. These two last days are the best and worst of the fast cause it's when you really seek Gods face and on the other hand you just want to be done and eat good foods. And some unhealthy foods for me. But this fast has brought me so much closer to god. Thanks SO much for the blogs.
posted on January 26th, 2008
