The Secret to a Heart of Joy......

           Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Even if you are fasting, you can drink in the wholesome joy of the Lord!

            Some people fast to prepare for medical tests.  Others fast to lose weight or for health reasons.  But what about the spiritual aspect of fasting?  It’s really not a popular subject because it’s something we’d rather not do!  BUT we can’t take part of what  Jesus teaches in scripture and not the rest. 

            Look at verses 16-18 of Matthew 6.  Jesus does not say IF you fast…He says; WHEN…. 

 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,  (clean up, comb your hair, brush your teeth, look your best)  so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

           During Jesus’ lifetime, fasting from food was an opportunity for displaying one’s piety; many would go about disheveled and visibly hungry to show others how “spiritual” there were.  Of course, there are other types of fasting, as well, but for today’s discussion, we are focusing on food.

            Our fasting is to be so secretive that we appear clean and joyful. If we are going on about our business with a smile on our face and not complaining about being hungry, who, but God, will know we are fasting?!  And He is the only One who needs to know.

.          I’ve got a secret!  And SO DO YOU!  The secret to a heart of JOY is in our LOVE relationship with The Lord.