The Law of the Fast

The Law of the Fast has been something I have wanted to know more about. What is it's purpose? What constitutes a sufficient fast? What are the promised blessings that come from fasting? These questions and others have been swirling around for quite some time. I have researched the topic in the scriptures and talks given by inspired and knowledgeable people, and here compile them for my own benefit. Elder L. Tom Perry said, "The law of the fast has three great purposes. First, it provides assistance to the needy through the contribution of fast offerings, consisting of the value of meals from which we abstain. Second, a fast is beneficial to us physically. Third, it is to increase humility and spirituality on the part of each individual." That is not an outline of what I am going to write about, but it is a good definition for what the law of the fast is, and what it consists of.

Physically, fasting is very beneficial. There are many articles written about the benefits of a healing fast. Some time ago there was an article in Science News written by Charles L. Goodrich, which stated that the advantages extend far beyond the cosmetic. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that caloric restriction early in life leads to an increased life span and reduces the risk of certain diseases. There is also evidence of health-promoting effects of periodic fasting. Some experiments have shown that periodic fasting not only promotes a longer life, but encourages a more vigorous activity later in life. But, fasting is depriving the body of nutrition and doesn't that mess with glucose levels and hydration and whatnot? What of that? “When a person starts a fast, biochemical adjustments begin in the bloodstream to compensate for the lack of food. A carbohydrate substance known as glycogen is released from storage areas in the liver and the muscles. The body uses glycogen as food to keep cells supplied with energy. After 24 hours this food source is used up, and another source of energy is needed. Dr. Siegfried Heyden of Duke University’s Department of Community and Family Medicine says when this happens, the body starts looking for other energy sources. ‘The first thing happening after a 24-hour fast is the breakdown of fat cells. And these fat cells, when they break down, produce ketone bodies, as they are called. And these ketone bodies seem to have an effect on our psyche in that they make us no longer hungry.’ Fasting is, physically, a period of rest and renewal with a potential for remarkable benefits with the body using its stored reserves as food. Fasting can detoxify the body, and can help with blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, inflammation and many other issues.

After 24 hours without food or drink, the body submits to the spirit. When the spirit is victorious, we experience greater sensitivity to the influence of the Holy Ghost. So, if after fasting for 24 hours, the body submits to the Spirit and we may be more able to heed the promptings of the Spirit, does that increase as the time we fast increases? If I fast longer, is my petition to the Lord 'moved up in line' and the probability of it being answered heightened? The answer to that is simply no. The inadvisability of excessive fasting was explained in some detail in the June 1972 Priesthood Bulletin, ‘We are informed that some … engage in rather lengthy fasting. It is not advisable that they do this. If there is a special matter for which they should fast, if they would fast one day and then go to the Lord humbly and ask for his blessings, that should suffice.’ Another plea for wisdom in fasting was offered by President Joseph F. Smith, who cautioned that “there is such a thing as overdoing. A man may fast and pray till he kills himself; and there isn’t any necessity for it; nor wisdom in it. … The Lord can hear a simple prayer, offered in faith, in half a dozen words, and he will recognize fasting that may not continue more than twenty-four hours, just as readily and as effectually as He will answer a prayer of a thousand words and fasting for a month. … The Lord will accept that which is enough, with a good deal more pleasure and satisfaction than that which is too much and unnecessary. Using wisdom and logical sacrifice and restraint is apparently key to it. For, fasting is one of the finest ways of developing our own discipline and self-control. Plato said, “The first and the best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile.” Fasting helps to teach us self-mastery. It helps us to gain the discipline we need to have control over ourselves. Self-mastery and discipline is inherent in fasting and it should not be used to hurt or destroy the body by the unwise use of it. There are many articles on fasting, and different lengths for different physical purposes, and still taking in water, or juice, or whatever. These are not the fasts I am interested in discussing. I'm talking only about a spiritual fast. In instructing His disciples, Jesus did not set down any specific requirements regarding the nature or frequency of fasting. The usual fast, the one we are asked to participate in for fast Sunday, is to abstain from food and drink for two consecutive meals. We may be clear though, that if all we do is abstain from food and drink for 24 hours, we have missed a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth.

Fasting and Prayer... together
We observe that in the scriptures, fasting almost always is linked with prayer. Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation. Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions. We can also put ourselves into the shoes of the less fortunate, and may gain compassion to help, support, and lift them with whatever we are able to.

What are the spiritual benefits that come from fasting and prayer?
Fasting is an important part of building a strong relationship with God. It can help us to draw close to Him. Scriptures teach us that Christ's disciples did not fast when they were with Him, but were admonished by Him to do so once He was gone. It brings us close to God. Fasting can increase and fortify our faith, and bring humility and gratitude for the sacrifice Christ gave on our behalf. In that humility, we may better worship God and grow through the closeness it brings. Proper and consistent fasting can help us overcome sins, bad habits, addictions, overcome our weaknesses, and  help them become strengths, as well as a myriad of personal problems. Is there any of us who would not want to be freed from the personal burdens we carry? It can also help when facing a major decisions, danger, or crisis of life. It gives strength, assurance, and is a great way to give gratitude to God. Fasting also allows us to access God's cleansing and purifying power. Fasting is powerful to heal, and can be used to heal yourself or someone else, in any way. Sometimes healing can ONLY come through fasting and prayer. In Matthew 17:14-21 a child who was possessed of an evil spirit was brought to Christ after His disciples were unable to cast out the devil in him. Christ did cast it out and the child was cured. When the disciples asked why the could not cast the devil out, Christ told them that "this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" Proper fasting often results in significant spiritual experiences, miracles, and spiritual growth. , It opens for us the windows of heaven. Fasting can help clear the mind and strengthen the body and the spirit. Fasting combined with sincere prayer can strengthen us spiritually, bring us closer to God, and help us prepare ourselves and others to receive His blessings. Fasting can help us become more humble, less prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others. It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and help us be less prone to criticize others. We can fast to increase our love for others, reduce contention in our lives, strengthen relationships, receive guidance on how to best serve others, to receive knowledge and understanding, receive help or comfort, and many many other things. Fasting provides a way for us to gain sufficient confidence in the Lord that we may call down the powers of heaven. It is solely for our benefit, and those benefits are great.

In fasting, does it matter if there is a specific purpose in mind? Yes. If we have a special purpose in our fasting, the fast will have much more meaning, and we will be able to observe the hand of God in our lives as He responds to our humble fast.  To make a fast most fruitful, it should be coupled with prayer and meditation; physical work should be held to a minimum, and it is a blessing if one can ponder on the scriptures and the reason for their fast. If we fast and pray with the purpose of repenting of sins and overcoming personal weaknesses, surely we are seeking to “loose the bands of wickedness” in our lives. If the purpose of our fast is to be more effective in teaching the gospel and serving others, we are surely striving to “undo the heavy burdens” of others. If we are fasting and praying for the Lord’s help in our missionary efforts, aren’t we desiring to “let the oppressed go free”? If the purpose of our fast is to increase our love for our fellow man and overcome our selfishness, our pride, and having our hearts set upon the things of this world, surely we are seeking to “break every yoke.” What an enabling promise, to have the power to break every yoke!

Fasting is a principle of power. It changes lives.

Choose Ye This Day

We've all heard the part of Joshua 24:15 where it says, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Were you aware that there is more to the verse than just that, that has become such a popular saying? The entire verse reads, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." So, here we see very clearly that a choice is given. The question of this verse is whether they will hold true to the god of their professed faith, or the gods worshipped by the culture of the land. The Amorites had many Gods, much as the Greeks did. The Amorite gods were gods of harvest, fertility, seasons, ect. Each god had a particular function which benefited the Amorites. If they wanted a plenteous harvest, they would call upon the gods connected with the harvest. If they wanted a family they called upon the gods of fertility. If there was inconvenient weather they called upon the gods of the seasons. There was a god for every situation. Serving their gods was completely self-serving, and had nothing to do with others or the worthiness of the god. It was about what the Amorite wanted. Amorite religion was focused on self, and this life only. In this day and age we have that same choice, but between gods of different names. One choice is to continue to serve the God of Heaven. The other choice is to serve self, as has become the cultural norm now as it was for the Amorites. Selfishness is a trait that Satan has found very successful in his fight to control and confuse God's children. You and I have ample opportunities to serve false gods today. Think about your life and what you choose to do over God and His will. Is it sleep, social obligations, family obligations, work, search for self, or something else as mundane and meaningless in the scope of reality. The gods of our culture include material wealth, beauty, pleasure, ideologies, drugs, another person, fashion, sports, lust, sexual gratification, self-worship, and specific things we have put as our highest priority. There are countless other gods that could be named. What is the 'golden calf' you have created for yourself to worship? What do you sacrifice for and devote yourself to in hopes of reward? Whatever you love, or put in higher priority than God, is a false God you worship.

Do we have to choose?
Yes. "We are endowed by our creator with free agency. While in mortality, we live between powerful forces—the force of good and the force of evil. Between the two we must choose. There is no escape." In our lives we make choices every day. Some of them are choices of action, some of them are choices not to act. Even in thought there are choices being made every moment. If a person chooses to follow God, it requires action. God asks us to do, or not do, certain things to ensure our happiness and that of our fellowmen. To follow Him, obey Him in doing or not doing the things He commands. God's commandments and laws are not rules and regulations set to inhibit us from doing things, or to make us just do things as a tyrant would do. They are more easily understood in the light of a perfect instruction manual on how to be truly and completely happy with yourself and in your life. God is essentially saying, "Do this and it will bring you happiness, joy, satisfaction, and love. If you do this I can give you more, I can lift you higher." By the same token, it is as if He is saying "My child, I love you. If you do this other thing, it will bring you sadness, despair, hopelessness, and misery. I don't want you to have to experience that. Please don't do it. I don't want you to have to experience the negative result that naturally follows this action." If a person chooses not to actively follow God, that person is then choosing to not follow God, though it may be passive in its decision. Either way, whomever, or whatever one lists to follow is that which he has chosen... whether by making a conscious active choice or the passive choice.

Who is the better candidate?
Well, in this day and age, there are many more choices than just good or evil, God or Satan, right or wrong. There is also good, better, best, bad, worse, worst, this or that, them or me, the options are many. So how do we choose correctly? Does it depend on circumstance? Does it depend on upbringing? Does it depend on how it makes you feel? The sub-choices can be answered by choosing to obey either God or Satan, and the varying adherence to the will of each. When deciding between two candidates to follow, one will obviously follow the candidate who will be the best in the long and short term. So, I present the candidates. Regarding God - He is our Father in Heaven and loves us more than anyone could, including ourselves. He is infinite in understanding. He is unchanging. He deals with His children with justice, fairness, and because of Christ's sacrifice, in mercy also. He cannot lie. If He were to lie but once He would cease to be God and all that is would cease to exist as it does because matter would have no God to obey (which obedience comes from love for God). In the end of time, His will be the side that wins, regardless of anything. Why would a person choose to go to the losing side, knowing it is that? Let's look for any benefits regarding obeying Satan - Firstly, God has Total and infinite power over him, though he is not be underestimated in the power he does posses. He is the author of all evil, is cunning, and full of deceit. He is widely known as the Father of Lies. It is well known also that Satan is a poor paymaster. He promises much and gives enough to keep you trapped until you have lost everything, including hope. Satan often uses truths to trap you in lies as seen in Moses 5:13 - "And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them... and they loved Satan more than God." Alma 34:39 warns against succumbing to Satan's lies, “Be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.”

Since Satan 'rewardeth no good thing', will I be happy and successful if I follow God?
In some ways joy and success comes quickly, in some ways it comes in time, and in some ways it may not come as we defined it, but it comes. In April General Conference 2002 Joseph B. Worthlin said, "There are those who feel that if we follow the Savior, our lives will be free from worry, pain, and fear. This is not so! The Savior Himself was described as a man of sorrows. Those early disciples who followed the Christ experienced great persecution and trials... And it is no different today." Difficulties in life will happen, for without them we could not learn or grow, but become dull, lifeless, stagnant, and spoiled. Happiness will come from way deep down and permeate through every facet of life. Circumstances that are hard will be lessened by the knowledge that it is for our good, and that God is aware of us and will not give us more hardship than is needed for us to learn and grow. He is taking care of His children constantly. The joy and prosperity that comes from following Christ is certain, and promised. In John 10:10 Christ states, "...I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." I love to think that life is given abundantly. That doesn't just mean breath or years, but also substance, experience, and vitality. The essence of life; joy, happiness, and contentment. Isaiah 51:11 speaks of that joy when it states, "Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: They shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." So following God brings joy, but does it bring success? The answer to that is also yes. Ezra Taft Benson taught, “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace”. In Deuteronomy 30:9 we read, "And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good... If thou shalt harken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep His commandments and His statues which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul." Again, in Job 8:7 we learn that it doesn't matter where we start, that with God, obeying and following his commandments, counsel, and guidance, we will be blessed with more than we ever thought possible. Certainly more than we could have or be alone. "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase."

We may now see that it is unavoidable that we choose whom to serve, God is clearly the better candidate when determining who to choose, and the reward for doing so is worth it more than an hundred thousand times over.

So, specifically, how does a person serve God?
We have a perfect example. A life lived in the service of God. Jesus Christ answered that question teaching by word and example. His life is an instruction manual, and the most thorough way to know how to serve God with might, mind, and strength is to... read the manual. Study it. Learn it. Live it. One thing Christ showed us, is that to serve God we must know Him and have frequent communication with Him. That may seem daunting, but He is our Father and he wants nothing more than to assist us in our mortal life. Moses 1:39 reads, "For this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man". We see the love of our Father in Matthew 7:7-11 where it reads, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" So we may plainly see that there is no need to worry that he will not respond, or will not come to our aid. A second quality Christ showed us, is an unwavering commitment to do the will of His Father. He constantly sought and obeyed His will, even at the highest price that could be paid. A price so high he needed to be born of Divinity to withstand the physical limits of humanity that would naturally prevent it. In that moment none of us can conceive of more than even a fraction of a percent, "He prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." and again in His darkest hour, "...O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." and again, He "prayed the third time, saying the same words." Regardless of the situation, regardless of pain, shame, hardship, or other, His actions were always perfectly aligned with the will of the Father. This perfect example of serving God, we may strive to emulate. A third way that Christ showed us how to serve God is clearly stated in Mosiah 2:17 "...I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Christ was not self-serving. He served others, lifted those around Him, had patience, gave compassion and love. Serving-self is serving Satan, because he directs our thoughts, energies and actions inward. Serving God is completely outward, away from selfish intentions and outcomes.

These three things are some ways Christ taught us to serve God. We can find more examples in the scriptures, and from them we may also receive personal revelation specific to ourselves as to how we may more fully come unto Christ, who shows us the way to Everlasting life. We may learn from the good examples of those around us, and we may pray to be guided in our daily lives. The choice to serve The Living God is ours, and we may make that choice being convinced over the course of a lifetime, or we may choose it today and reap the benefits over that same lifetime. Moses 6:33 encourages us to the latter "...Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you."

Strengthening Your Personal Spirituality

I was home schooled through high school. I took seminary 1st hour high school and then I'd walk home about 45 minutes. At the beginning of the year I would just walk and think and sing little songs to pass the time, and as weeks passed and I got tired of songs, and as my feet were hurting, and it was hot, I began to use that time to talk to my Heavenly Father. There was 45 minutes a day that I had absolutely nothing to do but talk to Him and learn who He is to me personally. I used to pray for little things and it was the most wonderful experience to have those silly prayers from just a little girl answered consistently. Many of those days were pretty hot and often it seemed like the road was endless. I used to say that I had to walk to the horizon twice... and it really seemed like it. I frequently prayed for a ride home and for just a breeze so I didn't die from the heat, because I really thought I might. I had Many experiences when I would just finish asking for a ride and someone I knew would happen to drive up next to me and ask me if I wanted a ride home, and even more experiences when I would just ask for a breeze and immediately I would see the breeze coming down the street in the trees and come over me to give me the relief I needed. It was during this time in my life that I came to know that my Father in Heaven truly listens to every sincere prayer and that He is completely aware of me on a very personal and intimate basis. Having those experiences gave me knowledge that has sustained me through my life since then, and I am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn that in that manner. For most of us, we don't have to walk anywhere and and it can be hard to set aside 45 minutes a day consistently. Building that relationship, and maintaining our personal spirituality has to be done in other ways. I learned then that prayer is a very effective way to both build and maintain that relationship with my Father in Heaven. In Alma 34:20-25 it talks about praying over our flocks and fields, in our homes, and over our households, morning midday and evening; praying against our enemies, and against the devil, as well as pouring our souls out in our closets, our secret places, and in our wilderness. The Bible Dictionary says that as soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely that God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes Natural and Instinctive on our part. It is to our Great benefit to take the time and make the effort to have personal, individual, and actual Conversation with our Father in Heaven.Last week in Gospel Doctrine we learned about how the people of Alma were being oppressed by Amulon and he commanded them that they should not pray, and put guards over them to watch them and that whosoever should be found calling on God should be put to death. In like manner Daniel was also commanded by law not to pray, under penalty of death if he were to be discovered. And he was, and was thrown into the lion's den. Now, in these two instances, both would die if they were found praying, and both prayed anyway. That says a lot for the extreme importance of prayer. In Daniel 6:10 it says that he went into his house, prayed audibly, and on his knees, 3 times a day giving thanks and asking humble petition. Alma and his people poured out their hearts and God knew the thoughts of their hearts.What does that teach us about prayer? We need to be praying in earnest, with effort, pondering the things we are praying about before asking. Set time aside specifically for prayer, speak aloud, pray frequently, and in all things. Listen to the thoughts and feelings you have when you pray. When you have the Spirit to guide you prayer is the most immediately effective way to bring yourself into the presence of God.Reading our scriptures is an equally useful tool in building and maintaining our personal spirituality. I'm sure at times we all have tried different ways of reading the scriptures. Sometimes we read a chapter, or a certain number of pages a day, a specific amount of time, or on a particular topic. All of those are valid ways to study. We have also, at different times in our lives, each been stopped by a scripture that we hadn't noticed before, an answer to our prayers, or a thought we hadn't considered before. When you come to those scriptures, stop, re-read them again, And again if you need to, be careful not to get so caught up in the schedule you have set for your scripture study that you miss the priceless knowledge and revelation that can come. Don't worry about not finishing the chapter, or going over the allotted time because of it. Feast on that one verse, or one part of the verse even. Take a few minutes to apply the revelation you receive to your life in a Specific way before you go on. Listen to the things the Spirit is teaching you when you read. Fasting is another way in which we may strengthen our personal spirituality. Plan for your fast in the days before. Think of the things you want to fast for specifically. To not eat is the Definition of fasting, making the will of the body yield to the will of the spirit. When you go a step further, and fast with a purpose you may receive a multitude of blessings, and in a variety of ways. Take opportunities to fast for others and to fast as a ward, in your families, or even with friends. There is great power in fasting. I was born 11 weeks early and because of it, my vital organs were not yet fully developed. I had holes in my heart, my lungs, and my liver. I was in intensive care for 2 months and was not making significant progress. After some time my parents were told that I had only a 5% chance of living. They were approached by a doctor who wanted to try out an experimental medication for premature babies. He said that if he could try it on me that the study would pay for all the medical bills, which were quickly growing. With a 5% chance my parents were willing to try anything and with the added benefit that regardless of the outcome the bills would be paid, they agreed. That Sunday the ward held a fast for my health and for the successful aid of the medication. Monday the doctors came in and a miracle was undeniable. My organs were fully developed and in the span of two weeks I went from being in an incubator losing my chance at life, to being out of the hospital and home with my family. I know that had it not been for the faith showed in fasting and prayer, that I would not be standing before you today. With temple attendance you also receive spiritual blessings, knowledge, and revelation. There is a peace there that is unlike any other experience I have ever had. In the temple the love of our Father in Heaven is so apparent, and so strong. That place is the Lord's house on Earth and He walks those halls. The temple is a holy place where Satan and his influence has no power. You may go there and truly escape the world, the cares that fill your mind. You may learn, serve, and come closer to your Father in Heaven, building a deeper relationship with Him. The temple is such a wonderful gift that should not be taken for granted. Anyone may spend time on the grounds outside enjoying the quiet peace and beauty. If you are not endowed, but are worthy, you may strengthen your self spiritually by doing baptisms regularly, and if you are endowed you may fully receive all the blessings the temple has to offer. I was talking to someone this week who attends the temple weekly, she said that she could feel an obvious difference in her life when she hasn't attended the temple. She said it's like it is with scripture study how you notice the absence of it when you do not read daily. She is a fairly new convert and said that she has no idea how she ever made it without the strength the temple and scripture study gives her. In attending the temple the Spirit can reach you more readily and you will be more open to listen and obey. In order to receive many blessings, we must first be worthy of the Spirit. The spirit provides us a witness of truth, a constant guiding companion, and comfort in times of need. I treasure the guidance and communication from the Spirit that I am so blessed to receive. I see in my own life that guidance comes readily, frequently, and as I request it . It is a blessing that is so very valuable to me. If any of you have ever been at point where you don't have it, you don't realize what you've lost until you get it back. It is such a priceless blessing, and for me having the Spirit with me constantly as my literal companion is Such motivation to make decisions that will keep Him with me.
There is one other thing that is crucial in strengthening and maintaining your spirituality. I think that this one is the most important and the most personal. In order to have a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father, we must Choose to come to Christ. Christ has said over and over and over again the phrase, come unto me. We have been given our agency of thought, word, and deed and it is completely our choice individually to come unto Him. We choose the extent of our obedience and it exactly parallels our happiness. 2 Nephi 1:20 says that “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.” For me, the word 'inasmuch' is an important word. It means that if you are a little bit obedient, you prosper a little bit, if you obey a lot you prosper a lot, and if you obey completely you receive everything. It's our choice, and it is a daily choice. When we choose to live as Christ instructed, we can realize our full potential and fulfill our purpose here on earth. When we make choices that take us further from Christ we do so by placing ourselves in the bonds of sin. When I think of the bonds of sin, I always get the mental picture of the ghost of Christmas past, from Charles Dickens' 'The Christmas Carol'. If you remember, that ghost was covered in thick chains that were draped all over him and he walked under their burden and was restricted in his movements by them. If you remember, Scrooge heard that ghost coming by the chains he had to carry around. All of us have partaken in sin and have had the chains of sin hold us down in varying degrees. They are put on one at a time, so that they are not readily recognized. They can easily build until you feel as though you are carrying those chains as thick as he was. You don't need to. You have already been redeemed. That word is said a lot and because of it the meaning can be lost. Let me give you an analogy. For instance, when you redeem a prize lets say, you you claim what is yours. If you redeem a car from the impound, you pay for it so you can have it back. Christ has redeemed you. He has already paid to have you back. He has the right to claim you as His own. You now need to come with Him, into His rest. Let Him take the load from you. It's your choice, He is waiting, ready and willing to give you all the joy, peace, love, and blessings that are so vast you cannot imagine it. All of us may take inventory of the unrighteous things in our lives, things we can improve on to become like Christ. Frequently analyze the worthiness in your heart, your true desires. If your desires are not pure and aligned with Christ's example, focus on removing that desire from your heart, that you may receive all the blessings that our Father in Heaven wants to give you. Our Father in Heaven has immense love for each of us and is constantly beckoning us to Him. His work and glory is to assist us in this life, that we may learn what we came here to learn, and again return to live with Him. He doesn't want to lose even one of us, and will be as close to us as we let Him be. It is our choice. I can testify to you that if you do come closer unto Christ, He will be right next to you and will help you, bless you, and teach you; and that you will be happier than you have ever been at any other time in your life. I know that is true.

Making Christ Your Foundation

What is a foundation? A foundation is what all other things are built upon, the base on which something is grounded, the lowest support of a structure.

Often times when we think of building our own foundation, we think of building that foundation on Christ. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-13 the Apostle Paul wrote, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." So, Christ needs to be our foundation and if there is any other foundation it shall be tried and be found lacking.
Refer also then to the parable Christ gave in Matthew 7:24-27. Christ says whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

So, then ask yourself... what is your foundation? What is your foundation built upon? How do you know the answers to these questions? Well, let's think about it. If a foundation is what all other things are built upon, and the base on which something is grounded, and the lowest support of a structure... then what is your life and actions and thoughts built upon and what are you supported by at the base level. Your foundation is what takes precedence in your life. Here are some possibilities as to what it could be. Your foundation could be your social status, it could be a particular hobby, a profession, your knowledge, acquiring possessions(just to have them, or to wear them, or to play with them), your physical appearance, your spouse, your kids, maintaining your lifestyle, your dreams or aspirations, or any one of a very large number of things. Now, those things are not bad or wrong in themselves to have, and to like, even to love, but when your world revolves around anything other than Christ, it is then that your house is on sand and destruction is eminent and unavoidable. So identify what your world revolves around.

Here are some questions to help you pin-point your current foundation:
What or whom do you do most things for?
How do you 're-gain your sanity' after a hard day?
When you are sad, what or to whom do you turn to for comfort?
When you are happy, what do you do? Who do you talk to first?
When you are feeling self-pity, nervous, confused, rejected, in need, bored... what do you do to feel better? Is there a person you typically turn to that makes you feel better?
When you feel fulfilled, loved, hopeful, optimistic, pleased, what do you do to express that, is there someone you typically talk to?
If when you answer those questions you find that you do the same thing or talk to the same person, that is a very good indicator that the person or action you turn to is your foundation.

So, what if you have just discovered that Christ is Not your foundation and you have already built an entire wall or building on top of what is? You may feel that your life is already set in motion and it has been going this way just fine for some time. If though, you want Christ to be your foundation, and He is not now, you need to tear down the wall and re-lay the foundation. But, what happens if all those bricks in the wall come crashing down? What if everything you know falls apart? To upset all of it and to rebuild it from the foundation up is a scary and daunting task, at best. How do you really, in real life, make Him the foundation when the wall is already built?

Well, as much as I'd like to say that it can be done without much effort or much discomfort, I cannot. First, you must commit to it, because it is a difficult thing to accomplish and yes, it needs to be done thoroughly, and it is scary. Once you have decided that you are going to do it, you must then be willing and prepared to give up the things that are holding you back. If your foundation is acquiring possessions, you will need to give up your useless possessions and take careful efforts not to purchase anything without need. If your world revolves around your social life, you don't need to be a recluse necessarily, but only attend social events you really have interest in, not just because it's where everyone is going to be. If your foundation is your appearance, change it. Be humble in appearance so that you may be appreciated not for that, but for you as a person. If your foundation is your perceived limitless knowledge, you need to humble yourself so you may realize that your knowledge is nothing next to God's, and rely on His knowledge above your own. If your foundation is a person that you always turn to, you will need to replace that person with God. Replace your old foundation with new. Give up what your foundation consists of so that it can then take a natural place in your life. Teach yourself to make God the center of everything. As you seek to know what to do specifically in your life, you will be told to take things out of your life that are very uncomfortable to remove. Things that you consider now to be your 'identity'. Removing the fake identity and replacing it with your true identity as a child of God will yield to you the great joy and satisfaction in life you are meant to partake of. Obey in All things, in All promptings and you will find that as you do, you will come to recognize your true self. That is an empowering experience that can then give you the strength to continue further until you have reached your goal to have Christ as your foundation. It is when you can obey completely that you will see your life change to what it is at its best.

Does that mean that if your foundation is currently your kids or your spouse you should neglect them? Of course not. If it is a particular hobby should you forsake it and never do it again? Of course not. If it is pursuing your dreams and aspirations should you discontinue your pursuit and stay where you are, not working to become something better? Of course not. If it is your physical appearance should you stop maintaining good hygiene and start wearing bags for clothes? Of course not. If it is your profession should you discontinue it and do something more humble? Of course not. What it does mean, is this: take that thing or that person consciously out of the center of your world... and put God in. If you cannot do that without getting rid of something, then do it. If it helps you to throw away pictures and trophies in ridding yourself of your foundation of vanity, do it. If it helps you to throw away music that keeps you in a mindset that is not congruent with Christ as your foundation, then do it. If you rely on person when you should be relying on God, stop turning to them. When Christ is your foundation those things that consumed you, that were your foundation, that were placed above Christ in your life, will fall back into your life in their rightful place. Things will serve a different purpose. You may always check the things in your life to make sure they are in their rightful place by asking yourself 'What purpose does this serve?' and, 'Do I turn to this action, this thing, or this person when I could be turning to God instead?'

How then do you know when Christ is your foundation? Those who have Christ as their foundation need no lengthy instruction regarding modest dressing, paying generous fast offering, daily study of the scripture, or constant communication with our Father in Heaven. When Christ is our foundation those things come very naturally and are looked forward to, not regarded as a chore, an obligation, or an irritant. When Christ is your foundation, you will act in accordance with His teachings, you will treat people the way He did, and you will keep His commandments because you love Him, you trust Him, and you want to be His disciple.

Moses 7:53 reads: "And the Lord said... I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven" Build your life on That Rock.