From Dan Huckins, Lead Pastor.

I would like to invite you to join your church in God-sized breakthroughs. Yes, on this coming Monday, January 16, 2012, we will begin a 21 day breakthrough  journey together of fasting and prayer to draw closer to God and see His mighty breakthroughs in our lives and the lives of those we love. Behind all this is the idea that fasting at the beginning of the year sets the course for the whole year. Why? Because fasting in the beginning of the year is following the principle to “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). When we seek first God and His will at the beginning of the year He promises to “give all these things to you” (all that we need and more). At the beginning of the year we are giving God priority and space to pour His power and His presence and blessing into us and through us for the whole year. I am so stoked about this fast, because I can’t wait to see the incredible things God will do as a result.  

 
Fasting is setting aside food for a spiritual purpose. When we fast we are saying, “Lord, I am so serious about you, knowing you better, experiencing your presence, seeing your breakthroughs in my life, I am giving up food for a period of time”. Not only did every major Bible figure fast, Jesus says we are to fast. In Matthew 6 Jesus says, “When you fast…”. He did not say, “If you fast,” but “when”. He assumes every one of His followers will practice fasting, and that every one of his followers will see breakthrough released.
 
Some of you will remember last year when we fasted and prayed for seven days as a congregation. Like that fast, we as a congregation will fast from bread, meat, and sugar for 21 days asking God to bring breakthrough and blessing into our lives and the life of our congregation. Why 21 days? This comes from the book of Daniel chapter 10 where Daniel did a very similar fast to the one I just mentioned, and he not only had an angel tell him he was highly esteemed by God, he also heard how his decision to fast released breakthrough in the spiritual realm, and answer to prayer.
 
I want to encourage you to either purchase this last weekend’s message, "21 Days to Breakthrough - Part 1", or click here to listen. Then, make sure to be here this coming weekend where I will give instructions on how to proceed into this great journey together. Along with these instructions you will receive a copy of a 21 day devotional (available at each venue or download it here). Also, during this 21 days I will email you once a week with updates and answers to questions about fasting.
 
So, prepare your heart… and be prepared to experience God, have heightened spiritual sensitivity, and witness God’s work at a whole new dimension in your life.
 
Fasting at the beginning of the year sets the course for the whole year.
 
Love you all! Your partner in breakthrough! Dan
 
P.S.  Please write down or email to us what God is doing and saying to you during the fast and throughout the year as a result. You can email your story to: Fast@limacc.com.

Fasting Frequently Asked Questions:

What do I do during the time of the fast? 

Seek God through reading your Bible, praying, listening to God, and keeping a journal where you write down what you sense God is saying and doing.  Often mealtimes become the best study and prayer times. 

Can I expect the breakthrough I am fasting for to happen during the fast?  

You will definitely feel closer to God and experience heightened spiritual sensitivity through the actual fast time.  Sometimes we experience the breakthrough we are seeking during the fast time, but just as often the breakthrough comes later in the year.

What if I have health issues that prohibit me from fasting from the same things as everyone else? 

That is ok, God understands.  Fast from those things you can fast from.  All of us can fast from sugar.  We can also get protein from eggs, cheese, etc., so most of us can do without meat.

Are Pepsi, Coke, and other soft drinks sugar?  

There is something like 16 teaspoons of sugar in every can of Coke.

What can I drink? 

Drink plenty of water (more than normal).  Whatever else you drink (soft drinks and other sugar drinks excluded) is between you and God.

Is fish meat? 

Yes.

What if I mess up and eat something not on my plan? 

Definitely do not condemn yourself and do not give up, simply get back on track and continue the fast.  What matters is not that we fall, but that we get back up.

What if I start feeling sick? 

Stop your fast and go back on your normal diet.

Will I get weak or tired or have headaches when I fast? 

Sometimes this happens as your body adjusts, but it will pass.