My 2024 New Years fast experience~

Each year I have been inspired to give the first of the year to the Lord through fasting. Fasting is giving up food for a time for spiritual growth. Fasting focuses on feeding our minds and spirits the things of God, His Word and other devotional books instead of feeding our flesh. I am able to clean and renew my spirit, mind and body when I remove the entire eating and digestion process. I follow the book titled Fasting by Pastor Jentezen Franklin and read a chapter each day for a 21 day fast.

Typically, I eat fruits and vegetables week 1, then a week of water only (or for as long as I can go!) then fruits and veggies week 3. I drink broth the day before my water only and come off my water fast with a day of broth and fresh juiced veggies. Each year I experience an amazing time with the Lord and His Word and receive fresh revelations and inspiration for the new year! Here are a few awesome take-aways~

1. I love that I realized whenever the Israelites had a problem or impending war or confusion God told them to fast! Totally opposite from what we typically do when we have a problem! We usually run to something-a dr., a supplement, a drug, a drink, a sugary snack, a person! WOW! Possibly God instituted the practice of fasting to truly clear our minds and bodies during a time of turmoil so HE can work things out and our bodies can fight and cleanse! So cool, I hope to now try and fast when I experience a problem rather than feed my flesh something.

2. A new years fast is giving the first of our year to the Lord-I can expect blessings to follow according to Matthew 6:33 and Proverbs 3:6!

3. Fasting allows our minds to totally focus on God and His direction for our life. As we feed our spirit His Word, God can download ideas, new thoughts and goals for the upcoming year.

4. So many people in our Bible history fasted! I forget until I read all of the fasting verses found in scripture!

5. Jesus fasted 40 days before His ministry. He was able to heal and cast out demons and teach and preach all after fasting! I think we should follow His lead.

6. Fasting each year is physically beneficial to detoxing our bodies. Drinking a good laxative tea is helpful during a fast.

7. Fasting is a great opportunity to put our spirit, soul, body in correct 1 Thessalonians 5:23 order! I think during the year it is easy to feed our flesh so much more than our spirit, making our flesh or body in charge instead of listening to God’s spirit with our spirit. Romans 8:14- For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

8. Fasting is a great testimony and witness to putting God first! Others will want to try it with you! A group fast is so much better-have a group text to encourage each other daily!

9. I have typically done a 21 day Daniel fast from the book of Daniel 10:3-I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. But I am considering next year and also in July to follow a 10 day Daniel 1:12 vegetable and water fast twice a year! Stay tuned!

10. I learned a new word-autophagy-consumption of the body’s own tissue as a metabolic process occurring in starvation and certain diseases. In other words-after day 3 of a water only fast, our bodies begin to eat anything that is foreign to our system-like cancer, disease and other toxic substances! How cool! Research has shown you can actually heal your body of these diseases by fasting!! Again, instead of feeding our body medicine, try fasting!

11. Get Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s book Fasting and enjoy this amazing discipline! Let me know if you want to join me in July or next year!

Blessings, Kate