Celebrate Your Extreme Makeover
Now that you’ve been through the 21-day fast, take the time to celebrate your extreme makeover. Then, consider making it a lifestyle. You can fast around special events, birthdays or when trying to make difficult decisions.
What does fasting have to do with an extreme makeover? Everything. God said to Samuel—“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). It doesn’t matter to God how good things seem on the outside, if we don’t have an intimate relationship with Jesus on the inside.
As you know, fasting cuts through all the junk that builds up throughout the year. Fasting opens the door for the Holy Spirit to come in and do surgery on those weak, withered areas of your spiritual life, replacing them with life and power.
When we don’t feel like we measure up, it drains our confidence. Satan would like nothing more than to get us to quit the race by stealing our confidence.
Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, mankind has been in need of a makeover. There were no worries prior to sin entering into the heart of man. Adam and Eve were naked before each other and before God—with no concern regarding their appearance. The first thing they did after sin entered the picture was to attempt to cover their nakedness with leaves.
When you begin to feel the least bit of bondage or sin creep back into your life, run to Jesus in fasting and prayer. God sees who you are, and who He wants you to be.
The more Jesus healed, the more the crowds followed Him. Luke recorded, “But so much the more the news spread abroad concerning Him, and great crowds kept coming together to hear [Him] and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. But He Himself withdrew [in retirement] to the wilderness (desert) and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16 AMP). Jesus knew how important it was to “come away” regularly and be with God in prayer.
When you fast, it is a time to come away, to set yourself apart from the routine of life, the business, the mindless entertainment and sink deeply into God’s Word. When you are empty, quiet and broken before Him, you can hear His voice more clearly. Jesus invites you to come away throughout the year, and be persistent.
On the TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, once the crew has inspected the house and figured out just how bad the situation looks, they move on to the next step—demolition. One of the highlights of the program is sending the family live footage of their house being totally demolished while they are away on a fantastic vacation.
You may have just been through a fast where the Holy Spirit took a sledgehammer and a bulldozer to your spiritual life—the broken walls, the leaking roof and the saggy floors all had to go. God replaced them with a firm foundation! It is a process called brokenness. And it can happen over and over throughout the life of a Christian.
No matter when you fast, be encouraged. Journal, surround yourself with praise music and spend extra time in prayer. Write down fasting goals before you get started and keep them with you at all times! If you get discouraged, you can use the fasting goals to keep you going.
God honors the power of persistence in fasting and prayer.
Congratulations on your extreme makeover! Regular maintenance is required.
17 Responses to Celebrate Your Extreme Makeover
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nadine says:
Thank you Pastor, your daily encouragement gave me courage and strength throughout the fast!
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Reshan says:
Amen! Thank you God for the Edge!. I pray God Blesses Jentezen Franklin Ministries for many many years to come. God Bless you Ps.Franklin and thankyou soo much for your insight and dedication on the power of fasting. It has truly changed my life.
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patience says:
Amen!
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Bev says:
For those of us that feel the need to go on for the 40 days, is there any on-line devotional or support?
I do so appreciate the words of encouragement and teaching from Jentezen Franklin. Thank you! -
moo says:
I feel as though I was going through the motions. I fasted, missed a couple of days, but then added extra on the end to make up for it, but somehow I didn’t draw near to Him as I have before. What happened? I must’ve been too busy for My Lord. How could I have wasted those precious moments :’(
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Ruth says:
You need to pray and read His word while fasting! Fasting is so powerful and brings about amazing results!
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Lisann says:
Thank U JESUS! for the New-make over.
Lord, keep making ME over! -
Cindy says:
I started the fast with 3 goals in mind. The Lord graciously showed me what I needed to see in His word, regarding the first issue. TY Jesus! His amazing love and committment! Then my best friend died unexpectantly and another surprised me with a visit from out of state. Distractions yes, but not
de-railment by any means. Continuing on with the Daniel fast because I just feel there’s still much to be accomplished to possess the kingdom (Daniel 7:22). God’s word is the ONLY ‘thing’ to live by. All Hail King Jesus!!! -
Zsazsa says:
But thank God for His grace. And that He loves us just the same. Look at it this way: that even after those days have passed, at least your spirit senses this. At least you don’t feel numb, don’t care that you may not sense the closeness as before. And now that you sense this in your spirit, just act on it. Be honest with God about how you feel and ask Him to help you, receive His love. Remember the fasting may do the “breaking” but even when we’re not fasting, God is still right there with us and we can still draw near to Him. Be encouraged!
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Mrs. Smith says:
Thank you Jesus for an exceptional fast for 2013. Victory is all over my life in 2013!!!!!!!!
Praise God!!!!!!!!!! -
Michelle says:
Amen!!!! Thank you Jesus…
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masood pervaiz says:
thankyou pastor jentezen for the encouraging word. i have learned alot from you about fasting and faith. may God bless you and your family and use you alot for his grace in Jesus name i pray amen. love you and soon i will meet you , masood pervaiz from pakistan.
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Calvin says:
This fast has been the most rewarding 21 days of my life. It brought me back to were I want to be in ma relationship with God & opened new doors of opportunities for me. Some one once told me that; insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result. I took that into context in ma spiritual life as it was now becoming blunt because I had lost the Edge but kept on Choping at the trees and expecting them to fall as quickly as they used to when I had my first Love(sharp Edge). It was the first time for me to do the whole 21days on a total fast&this shall be e regular Occasion in my life & a remeberence to the generations to come as to how I their father got to be who I’m & were we are in life. Thank you pastor Franklin for you input in my life,my God continue to guide you & glorify himself through you & your ministry
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Yvette Watkins says:
Thank you Jesus,this was my first 21 days fast, It was a test but i kept on going I did not give up or give in.Thank God there are no expiration date on prayers. I know my request will be answer in God’s time. Prayer changes situations, and people. He is an ontime God. Thank you Pastor Jentenz.
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I have been blessed by the teaching. I have endeavored to continue in a life style of fasting so i can be spiritually alert. God bless you
God is good I don’t have a specific word to describe Him. My family and I have been blessed. May Gos bless you. I will keep praying for you and your family