ABSTAIN

ABSTAIN - FAST

“So when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then people will not know you are fasting, but your Father, whom you cannot see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18 NCV

Abstain means "to fast, to refrain, and self-denial." We live in a self-indulgent world. Yet with all we have, fulfillment escapes us. We ABSTAIN through the practice of healthy fasting.

Fasting CoD, p47

Biblical fasting always centers on spiritual purposes. It must forever FOCUS on God and serve God. Fasting can bring breakthroughs in a spiritual realm that will never happen any other way. DZ, p70-72.

Fasting reveals what controls us. It reminds us that God sustains us with His word. It helps us keep life balanced between physical and spiritual.

Fasting teaches us to control cravings instead of being controlled by them.

“Fasting is the greatest thing I have ever done…” SJ, p104

Fasting is not just about food.

Fasting includes going without any of the following for a time:

a Sex (until marriage)

a Alcohol (until legal - and then in moderation) for more click here

a Gadgets (cell phone, TV, IPOD, internet, computer, video games)

a Entertainment (movies, music, parties, TV shows, etc)

a Language (compliments instead of criticism, etc)

Check out http://www.freedomyou.com/ for more detailed information about Fasting and Abstaining

Helpful How To’s:

· Begin with a short duration of 24 hours. Lunch to lunch; 1 meal a day; 1 day a week...

· Read the bible (Matthew 4:4) and pray in place of meals.

· Commit with other Christians. Surround yourself with a group of supporters. Read and pray together.

· Keep a journal of each fast.

· 30 Hour Famine; Advent; Lent; Dance Marathon

· Tough it out, especially when you want to give up.

CoD - Celebration of Discipline. Richard J. Foster. 1988.

DZ - DevoZine. Richard J. Foster. February 2008.

SJ - Starving Jesus, Off the Pew, Into the World. Craig Gross & J.R. Mahon. 2007.