I am at Ministers Convocation at Lake Junaluska and last night our speaker Kent Millard made a statement in his opening prayer that sums it up.
“Lord, help us to become masters of ourselves so that we might become servants of others.” Kent Millard
This sums up a lot for me in this time of fasting. With the help of the Holy Spirit , we are to become masters of ourselves.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
The Bible is full of scripture that points us in the direction of “discipline.” All of life requires discipline if we intend to live a life that is productive, a life that is health filled, a life that is Spirit filled. I have read so many books and articles on the “filling of the Holy Spirit.” I have read books on praying for the filling, I have read books about how basically to manipulate God into something.
I have yet to read one that just tells us the cold hard facts. In order to be filled with, in order to walk in, in order to be guided by the Holy Spirit, it takes discipline. God has given us what John Wesley called “the Means of Grace>’ These are things like Prayer, Bible Study, Giving, Simplicity, Meditation, and fasting. Yes, fasting is a means of grace. This is not a complete list by any means but it is a start.
What are you doing to train yourself to walk in the Spirit?
Today is day 38 of my 2nd 40 day fast and to be honest I am ready to eat solid food. For the past several days I have had each day a V8 juice or a broth and at times a spoonful of peanut butter. I have lost 38 pounds and it feels great. My mind is more clear than it has been in the past two years. My soul feels cleansed. My understanding of the Bible is more clear than ever.
God is doing miracles in my soul.
Ronnie
