Think Fast
“You got to slow down to think fast!”

General Introduction:
We are living in unprecedented times.  There are wars and rumors of wars.  There is terrorism on our soil and off.  There is governmental failure in foreign lands and perhaps even within.  There are increasing numbers of global catastrophes on land and sea.  Our present financial crisis is like no other time in history.  Yet many of us are unaware of the seriousness of the times or so it seems.  Why?  We have our own problems and personal tragedies that monopolize our attention.  It seems as though we are being attacked on all sides and the squeeze is on.  What do we do?  What does the Bible say to do in times like these?

The answer in a word…FAST….think FAST!

Remember in sports when the coach would throw the ball at you and say, “Think Fast!”  You had to react quickly or have the ball smash your nose flat to your face.  It really hurts…trust me!  The person who got hit did so because he/she didn’t react quickly enough. They were either distracted by other things or they simply weren’t paying attention at all.  I was the latter.  In either case, in order to focus and not get smashed by life and all that is thrown at us we must take the time to slow down  in order to speed up our reactions.  It’s kind of counterintuitive but it really works.  Life and culture, however, are constantly goading us to go faster and faster to the point we are running out of control and don’t even know it.  It’s similar to hydroplaning.  We might be moving forward but we are really out of control, and by the time we figure it out it could be too late.

I submit to you that in order to think faster and face the pace of life we have to slow down . . . and in order to slow down we have to think fast…fasting that is!

When I refer to fasting, remember that without prayer it’s just dieting.  Worse yet, it’s just punishment with little or no rewards. 

Jesus fasted and prayed before he started His ministry.  He did what is called a supernatural fast (40 days without anything).  That is something God would have to call one to and sustain one for.  However, prayer and fasting was a way of life for Jesus.  He would slow down and unplug regularly.  He was busy and in demand from the very beginning of His ministry.  He had more going on than any individual I know.  But look what He did when life was moving so fast. 

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  Mark 1:35

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.”  Matthew 14:13

We don’t know if He needed to do that or if He was just modeling for us what we need to do when life is busy.  But we do know that in spite of all He had going on, He would get away and slow down and pray.  Fasting and prayer are critical when life gets crazy busy!

Where is your focus as you begin the New Year?
Perhaps today you are at a place of desperation and you cannot afford to miss God and His will for your life.  Perhaps you are amidst a chronic relational problem that simply will not change and you need a miracle.  Maybe you need a breakthrough in your finances, ministry or spiritual life and feel numb, dumb and indifferent.  Fasting unlocks the keys to breakthrough no matter what you are facing.  2010 is a great time to “Think Fast.”  A new beginning can unfold for you that will surpass ‘good intentions’ and short lived New Year resolutions. Let this year be a revolution and a season of transformation by going to the source for a change.  All through the Bible we see seasons of change and intervention from God preceded by a time of fasting and prayer.  Sooner or later we will all come to realize that when facing impossible situations, drawing near and diving deeper into the things of God are the only answer to life’s questions, traumas and tragedies.  So let’s get into position as we think fast.

Corporate Devotion: (II Chronicles 20): Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was in similarly critical situations to you and I (perhaps more graphic but similar).  He was a God-fearing king who found himself surrounded by a powerful enemy army.  Annihilation was certain without the Lord’s intervention.  Scripture records that, “Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.  So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord…Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives , and their children, stood before the Lord.”  II Chronicles 20:3-4, 13

This is amazing!  All of Judah fasted, even the women and children.  That’s why we call a corporate fast.  We all need to be involved in this.  Like us, they desperately needed to know the Lord’s plan in order to defeat this great enemy army.  In the midst of that assembly of fasting people, God did speak to His people through a prophet (that is how He did it back then) who encouraged them, saying, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle.  Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!  Don’t fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (Verse 15, 17)

In the midst of the whole assembly, God told Judah exactly how the enemy army would approach and exactly what they were to do in response.  When we fast God will give us exactly what we need to know. They gave tremendous praise to the Lord (read it for yourself), and He set ambushes against the enemy army and defeated them.  None escaped.  When the people of Judah arrived, it took them three whole days to carry away the spoil and plunder. 

• Do you want God to tell you exactly what you need to do at this time in your life?  I suspect this is true for many of you.  If so, then you need to “Think Fast.”  So begin this year fasting, worshipping and seeking Him more intensely.  “Be still (stop and slow down long enough) to see the salvation of the Lord!”  Remember, they didn’t event have to fight.  You and I are fighting and trying to do what only God can do but we are simply getting in God’s way.  God fought for them and the battle took one day.  How long have you been doing it your way and more importantly how is it going?  God not only delivered them but he also prospered them.  The battle took one day but it took three days to carry off all the riches!  Wow!  I’m ready for some of those kinds of victories where it takes me longer to bring the victory home then to fight the battle alone.  In your time of distress, challenge or change, press in like Jehoshaphat (you, your family along with your church) and let’s watch God deliver us and show us His plan. 

Specifics:  Here are some basic recommendations and points of focus that will empower your efforts and unite our body together as we engage in prayer and fasting.

•  Predetermine the conditions of your fast (what kind/type of fast) before beginning.  Don’t do it along the way.  Fail to plan and plan to fail.  If you have children have a family meeting and discuss (if of age) the purpose and focus of fasting.  See website below for explanations of types of fasts.
• Avoid media wherever possible (computer, television, movies, radio etc…).  It is more effective to avoid visual stimulation while pursing the creator God.  Trust me!
• Schedule your devotional time like you would an appointment with a doctor or VIP.  Don’t let anything compete with this time. Don’t just expect this will happen…plan for the unpredictable.  You must adjust your calendar to reflect your priorities (in other words, cancel some appointments and increase margin to pray and even rest).  You will be more tired during this time initially but charged later if you do this.  You will get more done and your reactions with be sharper than before.
• Rise early and go to bed early.  Take short naps when you need to.  Sometime this is the most spiritual thing you can do.
• Partner with someone.  Keeping your commitment is tough.  Remember your integrity is just as important as your goals.
• Journal your experiences.  You don’t have to be fancy.  Try the “SOAP” method (See: http://www.enewhope.org/firststeps/journaling/ for explanation.  God will begin to speak to you.  For me this usually takes 3 or 4 days.  You will hear God so much better if you follow this plan.  If you don’t do these essential previously mentioned you will possibly just get frustrated and this experience can feel punitive not prosperous.
• Reference for help and instruction www.billbright.com/howtofast .  This website has excellent instruction on fasting.

As life moves faster and faster don’t you think you should “Think Fast” too?

Slow down from January 3rd through the 24th and fast and pray,

PD