Fasting From the Internet

But when you pray, go into your room, CLOSE THE DOOR and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ~Matthew 6:6

I’m so excited as I embark upon my 38^th birthday tomorrow (November 17). Today will be the last day I’ll be on Facebook (or any Internet platforms such as Yahoo, Gmail, Linkedin, CNN, blogging, etc.) for an extended period of time. I’ve felt the Lord tugging at my heart to “opt-out” so that I may give my undivided attention to the One who is worthy of it. Initially I struggled with this due to the amount of time I spend online (I work from home so my time is consumed with sitting before my monitor). Finally this past week I surrendered this to the Lord and joy unspeakable has flooded my heart with great anticipation of what the Lord is going to do in the coming year.

As many of you know, I long to proclaim the glories of Christ Jesus unabated. In recent preaching engagements, I’ve felt a lack in the unction of the Holy Spirit to preach the supremacy of Christ. I’m keenly aware of the subtleties of my own waywardness in seeking the praise of men. I believe this extended fast will be a time to allow Him to purify the desires of my heart so that they truly reflect His heart. I'll preach from a posture of a deep longing that Christ be magnified above all else.  

In the past month the Lord has awakened a fresh hunger to pursue Him through the Scriptures. I love the reality of what the Apostle Paul declared in Colossians 2:3 concerning Christ—“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Friends, there are unspeakable riches to be found in the glorious God-Man that we are unaware of. One dust thread of gold panned in the riches of His beauty will awaken you like nothing else. You were created to be LOVED—and, to lavish that LOVE back upon Him. These hidden treasures of His abundant love through Christ are priceless!

Please pray that I would be further captivated by His splendor. Oh, pray that I would in response to His mercy become a better husband and father; one not prone to be quick to anger (James 1:19). Let us pray together that we’ll continue to be conformed into the image of the glorious Son (Romans 8:29). 

In closing I do want to emphasize that I’m not approaching this as a means of “sacrifice” unto the Lord. (Sacrifice?—what sacrifice? This is an invitation from the Lord to spend time seeking His face). It is my wholehearted desire to position myself to gain the revelation of His sacrifice on the Cross (thus growing in my identity as a son of the Lord). I’ve been praying Matthew 9:13, which highlight the words of Jesus as he’s referencing Hosea 6:6: “But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'" I come to the Father on the basis of THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE—the death of His Son on the Cross. Jesus is the One whom I seek in this coming season.

I want to thank each of you for your support.