HOW I USE LENT AND FASTING

[Joidevivre]

This is a lifestyle that will really bless you - and very much please the Lord.

Lent should be more than a time of fasting.
It should also be a joyous season of feasting.
Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others.

It is a season to turn to God:

Fast from judging others; feast on the goodness in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent: feast on gratitude.


Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives: feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal Truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; feasts on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that supports.

 

[yaright]

Jesus did exactly this, fasted 40 days (from the ways of the world). It is in this 'place' of fasting that seems desolate to a man and one of the reasons it is also referred to as a 'place' of temptation. The number 40, whether days or years, is a reference to a place removed from the ways of the world, and this is why this 'place' seems desolate. But, also, this place that is removed from the ways of the world is also a type of covenant in the presence of God. The evidence of this is revealed in a few places in the bible. When Israel was called by the word of God, were delivered into a desolate place where they were tempted; but also a place in the presence of God, who taught His people for 40 years. Jesus was in that desolate place 40 days. From what I understand, the time of Lent speaks of the body and the image of the body (spirit). One is the image of the other, and it by these means that the things which are hidden, can be known by the things which can be seen. Not many know this, so the works of tradition are there for those who ask, "What does this mean, and how does this affect my life?"

 

[Joidevivre]

Actually is should be a lifestyle. It is difficult to depart from the world for 40 days when you are called into a ministry of helping people. We should live in such a way that we are not part of the ways of the world - not just for 40 days.

 

[p_rehbein]

Shoot, I didn't know you could fasten something with lent...........gonna have to try that......What? Oh, you meant.......well, that's different, never mind........

 

[Joidevivre]

Shoot, I didn't know you could fasten something with lent...........gonna have to try that......What? Oh, you meant.......well, that's different, never mind........

Yeah - sort of - well you know - it's like this -

 

[yaright]

Actually is should be a lifestyle. It is difficult to depart from the world for 40 days when you are called into a ministry of helping people. We should live in such a way that we are not part of the ways of the world - not just for 40 days.

The teaching of fasting from the WAYS of the world is not the same as misrepresenting fasting as departing from the world. It is what is happening in the heart mind and soul of a person. The not eating or drinking is not correct. Israel did eat and drink in the presence of God, but that period of time of learning in the presence of God definitely was not about eating to the heart's desire; and Israel did complain. It is interesting to note that when things like this are taught to todays Christians, one of the over-riding views is how Israel complained, and we tend to get a bit self righteous thinking that we are better in our walk than they were in the presence of God. To appear healthy in the time of a person's fasting has an image some may not have considered; that when we walking prayerful in heart mind and soul is the opposite of walking in the appearance of unhealthy unhappy, and telling others of this 'struggle' so that they might understand why you might be unhealthy or unhappy in the presence of our Lord. How many people do you know can go through a whole day doing what is normal and stay focused on being separated to our Lord? Spiritually speaking, this is the meaning of fasting to God. Not eating to the full measure of the desires of the flesh is fasting towards God if the heart mind and soul are towards Him. Even so, the desires of our flesh become evidence of what Israel went through when they were separated to God. To think we might be better in some way comes when we haven't been tested. The understanding of Lent is a powerful representation of God's love for a hard headed people even to this day as we walk in the presence of our King and High Priest.