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Dear Friends,

I hope you’re well.

I’m excited to tell you about something God has laid on my heart. Make sure you take a deep breath and read the following with an open heart and mind. If you let him, God could change your life like never before!

Part 1

As some of you know, I have experience in fasting. With the grace of God, I’ve even completed two 40 day fasts. Every fast I’ve done, whether it be one day or 40 days, has been an awesome experience of intimacy and fellowship with our Savior. The communion I’ve had with Him in prayer is always magnified when I obey God, fast, and pray.

Unfortunately, if you’re like most Christians, you haven’t tried fasting. You may even think that you would starve or hurt your body, but that simply isn’t true. Would God command something that would hurt you? Of course not. In 2006, you have a great opportunity to obey God and experience His blessings through fasting!

In Matthew 6:16, Jesus says, “When you fast.” It doesn’t say, “If you fast.” In Luke 5:35, Jesus tells the Pharisees that His followers will fast after He leaves. Wicked Ninevah fasted and it saved their land. David and Jesus both fasted. We find the early disciples fasting in Acts 13:2. Paul fasted and it kept him close to Christ throughout his trials and tribulations. And fasting is something we must do, today.

In order to draw closer to Christ and follow His command to fast and pray, we are going to fast one day each week for one year. The day we have chosen is Tuesday. However, if you cannot fast on Tuesday for some reason, you can always make up your fast day later in the week or even choose another day, altogether.

We will all keep in touch with you via email and encourage you. You’ll be added to a special mailing list where people will be praying for you. You won’t be doing this alone!

Your exact kind of fast is up to you and God, but prayerfully consider doing a limited juice and water fast for the entire day and night. I will consume no more than two, 10 ounce glasses of 100% fruit juice, unlimited water, and no more than one, 10 ounce glass of 100% vegetable juice. If you want, you could take a liquid vitamin, but it won’t be necessary for just one day of fasting.

Now, at this point, you’re either excited and ready to begin or you’re worrying. Don’t worry because worry and fear are not from God. God has told us to fast in His Word, so He will be with us and He will see us through. If you have any concerns or questions, please take them to God and you can even contact me and I’d be happy to encourage you.

Countless people have fasted and they’ve broken addictions, even generational addictions or curses, like overeating, alcoholism, smoking, pornography, lust, hate, etc. They’ve unleashed God’s awesome power in their life. The simple fact remains: you’ll never know all of the benefits of fasting until you obey God and do it.

Part 2

When you join us in weekly fasting, you will save some money on meals, snacks, drinks, etc. It has been estimated that people spend $12.50 a day on food. This amounts to $50/month that you will save. We ask that you prayerfully give this money that you would have spent on food to JCSM. You can either send a check or set up a recurring, $50/month donation through PayPal. This donation will be used to continue JCSM’s ministry to the lost. All donations are tax deductible because we are a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.

Can you participate without donating? Of course. However, it’s very important that we give God the firstfruits of our labor. If you do not give to JCSM, then we strongly encourage you to give to your local church or another, Christian ministry.

We hope and pray that you take these two steps of faith with us. Your life will never be the same. Please take a minute right now to pray and ask God if you should join us. If He tells you yes, then please click reply and let us know. We’ll add you to our special mailing list and begin encouraging you right away.

Our first day of fasting will be Tuesday, January 3, 2006. What a great way to begin the new year! Please put it on your calendar and starting praying and preparing, today.

If you'd like to learn more about the Christian discipline of fasting, then please click here.  May God richly bless you this year as you put feet on your faith.

Sincerely,

Jason Gastrich