Jentezen Franklin: Follow God’s Priorities
It seems unnecessary to point out how God’s priorities are seldom our priorities.
That is the difference in the nature of man and the nature of God. He even said so: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isa. 55:9, NIV).
So, how do we position ourselves to hear from God? How do we free ourselves from our own desires in order to know His will? Well,
I can tell you from firsthand experience that fasting causes you to take that sword of God’s Word and separate what you “want” from what you “need.”
Fasting, praying and feeding on the Word of God puts that sword in your hand and positions you to discern the difference between your thoughts and God’s thoughts. There is no higher authority than to know the heart of God for a situation you are facing. His Word is final!
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First Love
What would your answer be if the Lord asked you, “Do you remember the last time you were lovesick for Me?”
I began to ponder that question recently. I thought back to the time when my wife, Cherise, and I were dating. We were deeply in love and wanted to spend every moment together. It was probably a good thing our parents wouldn’t let us because we would have surely starved to death.
For the longest time, whenever we would go out to eat, we would end up taking about three bites because we were so engrossed with each other. I know that sounds a little sappy, but stay with me—I have a point. I cannot tell you the money I wasted on meals, simply because our desire to talk and spend time with each other was greater than our desire for food. We were “lovesick” for each other.
As I thought back on that, it hit me. That is what the Lord feels when we fast. When we are so lovesick for our first love, fasting is easy.
So I ask you, do you remember the last time you walked away from a meal because you were so preoccupied with your first love that the food was of no interest? Have you experienced seasons when it felt like the Bridegroom was distant? You just don’t sense His presence as close as you once did. You have no heart for worship and you lack the excitement and childlike enthusiasm you once had for spiritual things.
Perhaps it is time to stop the busyness of your everyday life and declare a fast, a season of lovesickness to restore the passion of your first love back to its proper place in your life.
When you fast, everything slows down. The days seem longer. The nights seem longer, but in the quietness of seeking, you will find Him whom your heart desires.{eoa}
To learn more about the spiritual impact fasting has on your life, click here!
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