Things I learned from my January Feedyourspirit2018 fast~

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the January #Feedyourspirit2018 fast or keep up the good work if you are still going at it! Each year I start the new year off giving God the best first part of my year fasting and praying and cleansing my temple, my body. Pastor Jentezen Franklin in Gainesville, GA encouraged me to do this as his church has a corporate fast each year from January 7 – 28. I started early this year and went from Jan 2 to Jan 21 and it was so amazing!

“When we give up the delicacies of this world and feed on the delicacies of God-talking with Him more, discussing and preparing with Him the course of our year, focusing on the Holy Spirit power within us, praying for others, our churches, our families-our obedience and sacrifice will bring God’s favor upon us” Pastor Franklin says! Matthew 6:33 reads ‘Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and everything else will be given to us. When we give the first part of our money or paycheck in our tithes, give the first part of our year with fasting and the first part of our week-Sunday with other believers in Church you can bet God will show us great and mighty things. He says in Jeremiah 33:3-Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. Amen!

I drank fresh vegetable juices and vegetable broth for 7 days , drank the detoxing Master Cleanse for 12 days and finished again with vegetable and fruit juices for 2 more days to end the fast.

Here is what I gleaned:
-We eat so much more than we need to eat! After the first 3 or 4 days your hunger begins to disappear. I am reminded again that our bodies really don’t need as much food as restaurants serve us or as we serve ourselves. I will continue to be mindful of smaller portion sizes and always get to go boxes when I eat out so I don’t stuff myself full and then feel so poorly afterwards. I had so much more time to study the Word, read healthy books and read the Bible!
-Fasting the first of the year is an excellent time for me to plan what I want to accomplish during the upcoming year. I have an intentional outlook now as to what I would like to accomplish each month for me personally and for my ministry, www.katesfaithandfitness.org . Fasting is a great goal setting opportunity!
-I was able to organize closets, bookshelves and clean out a lot of things.
-Fasting forces me to work on my self control, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and He helped me see I can do all things through Christ! Philippians 4:13.
-Jesus is the bread of life-John 6:35. Jesus is the Word-John 1:14. So our spiritual food is feeding on Jesus and the Word of God since we are spirit beings with a soul living in a body. I will feed my spirit more than I feed my flesh this year and experience God and the things of the spirit over things of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-17- So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
-Fasting can be done any time of the year so if you didn’t start in January no worries! Start in February on a 10 day Master Cleanse. Drinking lemon water, dark maple syrup and cayenne pepper drinks throughout the day is easier than straight water fasting. Water fasting for 1-4 days quarterly each year is my next goal. Once I got super healthy I read that I really don’t need the Master cleanse 10 day fast but I can go for shorter, water fasts with similar, quicker results.
-My taste buds are so sensitive and new! I finally ate my first normal meal today-salmon burger with veggies, Caesar salad with dressing on the side, also adding my own healthy olive oil and a few bites of key lime pie and it tasted super! After fasting I guess my taste buds were cleansed too and every bite tastes more amazing than before!
-I feel so great! I feel clean, relaxed, fresh and fabulous! Thank you Jesus! I loved taking Epsom salt and Magnesium flakes baths for added detoxing and also skin brushing during this time.
-I love having a fast completion reward-I’m heading to Key West tomorrow for fresh seafood and Bible Study at Keyes Presbyterian Church MM 9.75, Coppitt Key!
You can do it! Write to me and let me know how your fast went when you finish~ And remember to eat naturally, exercise daily, experience God, encourage others and enjoy life for fitness in every area of your life!
Blessings,
Kate