Monday, July 28, 2014

Detox Cleanse

Did you know medical experts recommend detoxing our bodies at least once a year?

Detoxification removes impurities toxins that accumulate in our bodies from our intestines, blood, liver, kidneys, our lymphatic system and our skin.

These toxins build up overtime from mainly the things we eat and drink such as refined sugars, saturated fat, alcohol, caffeine, salt and not to mention the chemicals used to grow and preserve our foods. Additional toxins are absorbed from environmental pollutions, makeup/cosmetics and household cleaning chemicals etc.

There are several detox programs and methods that are used and recommended however, the one I will emphasise for the purpose of our spiritual health series is fasting. 

The only type of fasting that I have personally practiced is juice fast, where I eliminate all solid foods and drink lots of water, unsweetened herbal laxative tea, and drink natural fruit/vegetable juices for a period of 7 days or more. 

Usually around the 2nd-3rd day is when my body starts going though withdrawal symptoms and is the most challenging time to push through and resist all temptation to eat as my body starts craving food. Fasting develops self-discipline that will positively affect our Spiritual lives.

Spirit Health Detox/Cleanse

Why is Fasting important to our Spiritual health?

Fasting for spiritual growth is one of the greatest demonstrations and continued development of humility, discipline, loyalty and commitment a Christian can experience.

Our appetite is one of the strongest tools the enemy uses against us.

An undisciplined person with lack of self control (intemperance) when it comes to food/eating habits, will easily fall to temptations of various kinds. One author puts it this way, "Wrong habits of eating and drinking lead to errors in thought and action. Indulgence of appetite strengthens the animal propensities, giving them the ascendancy over the mental and spiritual powers." Source 

James 4:7(AMP)- So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

Check out the story of Adam and Eve's fall in addition to when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.  Can you imagine what would have happened if Adam and Eve did not eat the fruit?  Can you also imagine what wold have happened if Jesus turned the stones to bread as he was tempted to do and ate? our salvation plan would have been aborted at that instant. 

James 4:8(AMP)- Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

Spiritual fasting is accompanied by regular prayer. If we desire a closer walk/relationship with God it requires regular communication. As the scripture above says...come close to God and He will come close to you.  Prayer during fasting also teaches us how to rely on God's help and strength during moments of weakness/temptation.  When we are fasting, we are constantly tempted to want to eat, this is natural because that's what we normally do and our bodies and sensory nerves have become dependent on food especially for those of us who are emotional eaters. 

Fasting rests our emotional sensors and appetites and disciplines our minds and bodies therefore when we are tempted in other areas of life we can draw from our recent fasting experience to resist any temptation.

James 4:10(CEB)- Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

When I graduated from undergrad, as all recent graduates do, I started looking for a job in my field.  I signed up at the local State run Career Center and went there daily to conduct my job search and utilize the resources they had.  The first day it took me a while to register as the computer would knock out several times during my registration. I got so frustrated, even the receptionist said she never saw that happen before, she asked me to try and start over one more time. My registration was successful after what was like the 5th try.  Anyway during this time my mom and I were in a period of fasting and prayer, It had been three months since I graduated and we needed God to move on my behalf.  One morning we were doing our usual natural juice and I noticed my mom juiced, potatoes!

Usually we would juice carrots/apples/celery etc.  Potatoes was a first and she didn't include any other item.  I looked at the glass filled with starch and normally my rebellious/defiant thoughts would be expressed but somehow I didn't/couldn't say a word, I just walked towards the kitchen window and was thinking about how God drank the bitter cup for me on the cross and how he endured all that for me; why should I refuse to drink this during this time that I'm consecrating myself to him. These are the thoughts that was running through my mind and it was also interesting that my mom did not say a word to me which was also quite unusual. 

Any way, just as I was there contemplating whether I should drink the potato juice or not the phone rang, I ran and answered the phone:

Person:  Good morning, may I speak with Highly Favored?

Favor: Favor Speaking...

Person: We were looking through the profiles of individuals who registered in the employment center's system and we would like to offer you a position (this was a position in my field of study).  Are you interested in the full time or part time position?

Favor: (stunned!!) I'm interested in the full time position, thank you.

The conversation concluded with the information to come in for interview etc. which I later realized was just a formality.  I got the job because God prepared it for me.  I was told by the staff when I started working that this particular position was open for a long time and soooo many individuals interviewed for it.  I just thank God for His Favor over my life......the testimonies and open doors God has prepared for me throughout my life are endless. This is just one of MANY. 

I shared this real life experience to demonstrate the breakthroughs/open doors from heaven one can also obtain from prayer and fasting.  By the way, as soon as I hung up the phone, I drank the potato juice without hesitation or saying a word.  My mom and I then rejoiced and thanked the God of Heaven and earth for showing himself to us in such a remarkable way.

Spirit Health Exercise:

What do you need from the Lord today? 

Do you desire to obtain spiritual victory over the flesh and be more self disciplined? 

Do you desire a closer walk with the Lord?

Are you in need of a breakthrough of some kind?

What ever your individual desires and spiritual needs are select a week in the near future and plan ahead for a week of Spiritual detoxing fasting and prayer.

1Peter 5:6 -Therefore humble yourselves under God's power so that he may raise you up in the last day.

Matthew 23:12-For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

4 comments:

  1. This is so timely. I have done a fruits and vegetable detox in the past for 3, 5 and then 2 days at separate time. It just occurred to me to do a 7 day detox with fruits and vegetables because I am praying unto the Lord for something really big. I wasn't sure if 7 days was too much and I asked God to show me what He will like for me to do and He did through your blog today. Our God is mysterious. I plan to start the fast next week after an exam I am preparing for. Wow God is good. I am speechless, right now. This is a confirmation that God wants me to do the fast for seven days. I give Him all the glory. Amen. And I know that without a shadow of doubt I will get what I am seeking the Lord for through this fast. Amen

    http://desiringyou.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Funmi, I praise God for the revelation you have received. God is amazing and always on time. I touch and agree with you in prayer that your prayers and your faith will produce the desired result you are seeking from the Lord. Please be sure to come back and share your testimony with us.

      May God Bless you and continue to lift you up in every area of your life

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  2. This is a very beautiful and encouraging post. I have heard so many personal experiences of the wonders of fasting and praying. Thanks a lot for sharing this dear xx

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    1. Thanks Ayo! It's a challenging yet so rewarding experience for or Spiritual lives especially in the area of self discipline.

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