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The intention of these kingdom fasts is to build solidarity among those who are fasting as they remind their bodies (flesh) that their spirits are in charge – and that both body and spirit are to be under the Lordship of Jesus. The hunger or difficulty of going without a good thing serves us to long for the most rewarding and best of all things and all persons – Jesus Himself.

Word association game: “October”.

My mind only has to make a short jump to get to sugar!

Stores across the U.S. have aisles of individually wrapped cavity makers. People stockpile candies destined for the bags of costumed children – but mysteriously, come the 31^st, find the bags are filled only with wrappers!

Human cravings for something sweet can make even the most disciplined lose control. Just one. Two. And a half…

What if we craved Jesus like sugar?

One hour. Two. And a half… And the best part is that you can indulge richly in the sweet presence of Jesus and never get a stomach ache or cavity!

Living on the Silk Road, every day the bitter words of Islam make my stomach turn sour. Five times a day my spirit is swathed in prayer sung to Allah. I drink tea in my neighbor’s living room with Quranic verses adorning the walls. A sweet compliment on my language ability turns bitter with a “mashallah” (Allah has willed it) tagged onto the end. I need the sweetness of Jesus to wash away the sour taste left in my soul. These are the moments I should crave His words and His presence!

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth! Ps. 119:103

What if we shared Jesus as easily as chocolates?

God presence was not intended for gluttony, but we must share it with others. If we truly believe in the goodness of Jesus, we will want everyone we meet to partake as well. One of the privileges I have on the Silk Road is to share the sweetest story ever told with my Muslim friends and neighbors. Even when those conversations don’t result in a new believer, I rejoice in having given them at least a taste of the love of Jesus, trusting that it will develop into an insatiable craving to know Him.

[The decrees of the Lord]are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10

What if we satisfied our spiritual sweet tooth instead this month?

October’s Kingdom fast is processed sugars.

This month I will be fasting candy corn and chocolate bars, but I will be feasting on the satiating presence of my Savior and sharing His sweetness with those around me!

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