-: This program is made possible by the giving
of the God-called partners of Renner Ministries.
Get ready for a teaching that feeds your spirit
and your mind, where the word is the anchor in
uncertain times
and doctrine doesn't bend to culture.
We keep it simple, but dive deep,
revealing a truth that strengthens us, a love
that emboldens, and a mission that touches the world.
Let's join Rick Renner.
-: Welcome to today's program.
My name is Rick Renner,
and I've been sitting right here just
waiting for this moment.
And today, I'm here with my son, Philip Renner.
Philip, welcome to today's program.
-: I'm so happy to be here.
-: I'm glad that you're here, Philip.
And friends, I want to tell you,
Philip has written an amazing book called, A Fasted Life.
The subtitle says - Developing a Lifestyle of Intimacy
and Power With God.
And this book is really, really practical.
And I decided that we needed to teach on fasting
because Jesus covers it in Matthew 6,
and actually all over the gospels, Jesus addresses fasting.
And he taught on it to his disciples
because he anticipated they would be fasting.
Now today, people kind of act like it's something
that we no longer need to do.
But if Jesus expected his disciples to fast,
then he expects us to fast.
And we need to know how to do it.
But Phillip's book is just tremendous.
And the whole series this week
is called - What Jesus Said About Fasting.
It comes with a great study guide.
And today we're going to be sharing
with you suggested guidelines for fasting.
And if you would like to have a copy of this,
you can download it by going online or give us a call
and we will send a hard copy to you.
But please also remember that we're here to pray for you.
And if you'll call the number on the screen
or send us an email, we're going
to really release our faith.
And Jesus is going to hear
and Jesus really will do what needs to be done.
And sometimes it's different than
what we think needs to be done.
But Jesus loves you.
And when we pray, he's going to move
and he knows exactly what needs to be done.
So call the number or send us
an email and we'll begin to pray.
But Philip, in your book, you have suggested guidelines
for fasting, and there are 20 of them.
And so I want you to begin reading,
and let's go through all 20 of these
as fast as we can today.
If we can't finish it all today, we'll continue tomorrow.
But Philip, let's begin with No.1. Are you ready?
-: I'm ready. - All right, let's go.
-: All right. No.1: Drink lots of water.
You must be hydrated during the fast.
Drinks with caffeine are not recommended.
Caffeine dehydrates the body.
-: What would you like to say about that?
-: I'd like to say that it's very important
that you drink water.
And sometimes when you want strength, you'll say - Oh,
I want some coffee. But you have to be careful with that
because caffeine dehydrates you
and it will bring you to a place where you're tired again.
But if you can get about a gallon of water a day,
then you are going to be very, very strong.
And also all of the everything that needs
to be flushed out of your body will flush out
of your body through that water.
-: Point No.2. - Point No.2: the toughest time
of a fast will usually be the 3rd or 4th day.
Your body is flushing out toxins that are being released
through headaches, dizziness, fatigue.
By the 5th day, your body will adjust
and it will get easier.
-: Now I can testify that is the truth.
-: It's true. It's true.
And a lot of people say, Oh, I'm not healthy enough.
About the 3rd or 4th day, I get sick
and it must mean that I'm not healthy enough to fast. Well,
what it actually means is all the junk
that you ate is coming out
and all of your cells are regenerating
and your body is crying out.
I've never been in this place before,
but that's what's happening on the 3rd or 4th day.
So I would say don't give up.
-: No.3.
-: Days when you feel pain or lack of strength are usually
because you are losing weight.
Not because you are getting sick.
Go and pray and you will be refreshed.
Consult a doctor if needed.
I've been in that place many times where you feel pain
and you're losing weight that day.
And you can even feel it when you're, when you're walking.
You're walking a little bit slower.
But be strong and take more time to pray
because prayer is your food during fasting.
And what I've noticed is that if you don't pray,
you're going to be much more fatigued
because you're not eating your food, which is prayer.
-: Okay. No.4: - Never drink dairy such as milk
followed by acidic drinks such as an orange juice.
This causes a very painful explosion in the stomach.
This happened to me and it was very painful.
And I had no idea about it.
I didn't know that this
that kind of thing was going to really hurt.
So be wise
and do not mix fresh
juice with milk.
-: Or dairy
products.
Philip, I really like these suggestions
because they're so practical.
But how about No.5?
-: Drink quality water with a pH balance of 7.5 and higher
and quality juice, preferably freshly squeezed juices
or organic.
-: Okay, Philip, how do people know they have drinking water
with a PA balance of seven and a half?
-: It says it on the bottle. -: Okay.
-: You just look for it. -: That's pretty
-: Simple.
And honestly, you can study the internet
and you can say what is good water?
What is a good pH balance? What should I drink?
-: Okay. - No.6.
No.6 is also connected to water.
So let's go ahead and move to No.6.
-: Let's go. Drink mainly room temperature water
or warm water so that your body is not wasting energy,
heating it up as it processes it.
So if you drink cold water, then your body is going
to be cold and you're going to be using energy in your body
to heat up that water.
So if you do room temperature
or hot water, then you're going
to strengthen yourself during that fast.
-: And it's important to remember that when you're fasting,
you usually lack heat in your body.
You're a little colder anyway. Yes.
And so you don't need to waste any of your energy
by drinking water that is cold.
Okay, Philip, how about No.7?
-: No.7. On extended fast, your body core
will not heat itself without food.
There will be days when you feel cold, even when it's
outside or inside.
Hot. Drink broth or,
or warm your body with hot water,
which is connected to what we just said.
-: What do you mean by broth?
-: I mean vegetable broth
or chicken noodle broth.
Because when you drink that, it will strengthen you.
Now that depends on what the Lord has told you to do.
If you do an all water fast, then you don't drink broth.
But if you're doing all liquids
and you want something that will strengthen your body,
then vegetable broth, beef broth will really help your body.
-: No.8: - Don't fight your body
whenever you feel the need to sleep.
Even briefly, it is necessary for strength.
The amount of time you will actually sleep
during a fast will be reduced overall
because your body won't require as much.
So when you're deep in a fast,
you find yourself sleeping 3-hours, 4-hours.
You don't even really sleep 5-hours, but it's
because your body is no longer processing that food.
But through the day, you may feel fatigued.
And if you take a 15, 20-minute nap,
it will really strengthen you
and you won't feel any pain in your stomach
and you'll be able to continue.
-: No.9: - Because your body does not need
to process food during a fast,
it focuses on healing your body instead.
It is not uncommon for skin, eyes, inflammation,
and stomach illness to be healed during a fast.
I was healed through a fast. I had issues with my stomach.
And actually, I didn't know,
but the doctor told, would've told me never fast.
But because fasting is supernatural,
God healed my stomach,
and now all the gastritis is gone
and I can eat whatever I need to eat. It was supernatural.
-: Fasting really is a healing and cleansing process.
It throws all kinds of toxins out of the body.
I mean, it really is amazing,
and there's a reason why God tells us to fast, not just
for spiritual reasons, but also
for physical reasons. But how about No.10?
-: Life responsibilities such as taking care of your family,
work, and church do not stop.
You continue it all just as if you had
all the strength in the world.
-: So Philip, you're telling me that you're not
eating, you're fasting.
Maybe you're on a limited fast,
but regardless, you're on some kind of a fast.
You feel weak, but still you've got to continue
with your normal responsibilities.
-: Absolutely. You got to serve your wife.
You got to be with your kids.
You got to do what you need to do.
I remember it was day 36
or 38 on one of my fasts.
And my daughter was like, Daddy, pick me up. And I said,
Sweetie, I don't have the strength to pick you up,
but I will walk with you
and I will hug you. So you continue your responsibilities.
It's not like you check out in life.
-: No.11. - No.11.
Physical exercise during a fast
is beneficial up to two weeks.
Work out to maintain strength, not to build it.
Do not overexert yourself.
So when you work out, you exert energy,
but you receive that energy back.
So when people are fasting,
I would encourage them to go on a walk.
I don't think you need to hit the gym
and spend their two hours.
You won't be able to do that.
But if you do some physical exercise, you will wake up
and you'll actually have more strength than if you were just
being a couch potato.
-: All right, No.12. - Journal during a fast.
And after you break a fast, you'll be shocked at how much
will be aware -
you will be aware of God speaking to you
during and after the fast.
I believe that you have to, you have to be like a writer.
You have to have that pen and you write down the revelations
because if you don't write down those revelations,
you will lose them.
But it's a great way to practice hearing the voice
of God by fasting.
-: Philip, how do you journal?
-: I journal through my phone.
When I receive a message
or I receive something that the Lord tells me,
I write it in my phone and then I come back to it.
And I even have places in my phone that says
words from the Lord.
And I'll go back and I'll reread those
and they'll encourage me because a lot
of them have come to pass.
Some of them, I'm still waiting to come.
-: You know, Philip, I still have the journals from when I
was a university student studying
journalism, studying Greek.
And you know, every day I would journal the things
that God was saying to me.
And now when I go back
and I look at what I heard God say
nearly 50 years ago, I can see how accurate it was.
And much of what God said to me then is now coming to pass.
But Philip, I have to tell you, I don't journal now.
And the reason I don't journal is because I'm a writer.
And when I begin to write something, I keep working on it
and working on it and working on it.
But I can tell you there is a benefit to journaling
and your mother journals as well.
How about No.13?
-: 13. Just as you prepare to help your body adjust
and begin a fast, prepare to end your fast.
Breaking a fast should happen gradually. Important rule.
The time devoted to breaking the fast should be as long
as the duration of the fast as well.
-: What do you mean by that?
-: I mean that if you fasted three days, for instance,
then you don't come out with a steak
and macaroni and cheese.
That is not a good idea.
You need to, you need to have fresh juice
if it was just a water fast,
or you need to have a light salad.
And it's better to have three
or four light salads that day than to start with a steak
because your body is not ready.
When you fast, your stomach shrinks.
And so you need to gradually stretch that stomach back so
that you can have that steak or whatever your heart desires.
-: But Philip, according to point No.13,
if you fasted one day, you need to take a day to break:
3 days - 3 days to break: 7 days - 7.
So whatever you invested in the fast, you need
to invest in the same time to break your fast.
Yes. And Philip, in your book,
you have such great suggestions about how to break a fast.
And when we come back in tomorrow's episode, that's
what I want to talk about.
Because a lot of people make big mistakes in the way
they end a fast.
And it's the way they end their fast that makes them sick.
It's not the fast. It's because they eat wrong
after the fast and it messes up their body.
But how about point No.14?
-: Correctly breaking a fast -
will change your habits and your diet.
It will change your body, your soul, and your spirit.
And when you break a fast, it's interesting.
The things that you did not like that did not taste well.
Your taste buds actually recharge.
And it's like you have a new palate.
And the things that you said I will never eat, you try
and you say, Oh wow, that actually is pretty good. -
So if you're tired of what you've been eating, go on a fast
and you may end up with a new palate. How about
No.15?
-: Work out after a fast gradually.
Taking vitamins with proper diet, reboots,
and strengthens your system.
I can remember when I was on a 40-day fast
and I just didn't have strength to eat a lot.
And I knew that if I ate a lot,
then I would mess up my stomach.
But I said, Lord, I need vitamins.
I need nutrients.
And so I got multivitamins and I ate them every single day.
And then again, when you work out,
you exert energy,
but you receive that energy back. It's very important.
-: No.16. - Consult your doctor if you have any
current health conditions before attempting a fast.
Use wisdom and proceed in wisdom, not foolishness.
If the doctor tells you, Do not do this, then you need
to have wisdom when you proceed.
-: I think it's very important that we listen
to our doctors. God
gave us doctors and doctors are a blessing.
Number 17: The
length of a fast is based on the level of faith
and what God has called you to do.
Be honest with yourself and how prepared your body
and soul and spirit are.
-: What does that mean, Philip? -: That means you really have
to ask God - What kind of a fast should I do?
It's not a contest
of doing more than your neighbor.
That's pride. You really have
to ask the Lord, What should I do?
What am I prepared to do?
That's why if you've never fasted, fast for a day, then fast
for 3-days, and you'll find it's hard.
And then you can gradually grow from there.
-: Literally don't bite off more than you can chew.
-: Exactly.
I mean, if you've never fasted before, start small.
Learn what you're doing and build your way through it.
Okay, Philip No.18.
-: Common sense is that you attempt a 3-day fast
before you attempt a 21-day fast.
Long fasts can have serious consequences to your body
if they are not done correctly.
-: Now let's do No.19.
-: A supernatural or dry fast is only
for the spiritual mature
and is to be initiated by God, not you or others.
Remember, God doesn't move by the length
or type of your fast.
Fasting changes you.
It does not force God to move on your behalf.
-: What would you like to say about that?
-: I would like to say that fasting does not move God.
You cannot physically move God. God is strong.
But fasting moves you into a position
to follow after God.
And when you're doing a dry fast,
your body can actually not go without water for three days.
So when you're doing a supernatural fast,
that can be dangerous if you're doing it in the flesh.
It has to be initiated by God.
And when God gives it to you, there'll be grace to do it.
-: No.20. - Your family is important.
Do not cause emotional harm to yourself
or to your family or others.
Walk in the spirit of humility regardless of whether
or not your friends or family understand your journey.
-: I remember when you first began to fast.
I said, Philip, you better be sure. And you know what?
You listened to me because you wanted - Yes, I did.
When you wanted to do your first extended fast, I said,
Philip, I think it's great that you want to do this,
but you need to really be sure that you're on track.
That was my love speaking to you.
I wasn't trying to harm you or stop you. No.
And it's really important that you listen to your family.
And I really love point number 20.
-: Well, another thing that I want to add to point No.20
is that when you fast and you're the head of your home
and you fast - really, the whole family is involved in
that fast because you're no longer sitting at dinners
and eating with the family.
You're going to go and you're going to pray.
And so your whole family has
to really support you in that fast.
And you can't check out from your responsibilities.
You still have to be the man of the home,
and you have to provide for your family
and do everything that God told you to do.
-: And when they bless their food, they can pray for mom
or dad to be strong while they're fasting.
-: That's right. - But Philip, I love these 20 suggestions
because I think they are so, so practical.
And that's why I want everybody that's watching
to have these for free.
We've designed them. It is a beautiful, beautiful handout.
You can get yours by going online
and downloading it for free.
Or if you'll reach out to us, we will send you a hard copy.
These are 20 really practical hands-on suggestions about the
right way and the wrong way to fast.
And Philip, I just want to thank you for writing this book,
and I'm so glad you're with me and
with all my friends today.
But I think something really important for us to talk about
as we wrap it up this week is the right way to break a fast.
I remember during your 1st fast, your big, big 1st fast,
you broke it by eating a bunch of chocolate pancakes
and it made you sick.
It was the wrong way to break a fast.
And when you've broken a fast the wrong way,
you learned very quickly the wrong way to do it.
And so people need to understand that as well.
So Philip, when we come back tomorrow, is it okay
with you if we talk about how to break a fast?
-: Absolutely. -: Well, it's going to be good.
And friends, we don't want you to miss tomorrow's program
because it's really going to be practical.
Jesus taught on fasting because he expected his disciples
and his followers too fast.
So we need to know how to do it.
And that's what these programs are about.
But we'll be back in just a moment
and I'm going to pray for you.
Somebody has just asked the personal question -
What did God once say to you that you still remember?
Well, I remember many, many things that God has said to me.
I remember the very 1st thing that God ever said to me.
But really specifically, I would have to say 1978
when God said to me, write, write, write,
and I will prosper what you write.
Another time God said to me, I will speak
through your fingers.
Those words really stuck with me.
And I understood that God wanted to speak through my fingers
and that he was calling me to write and write and write.
That's my part. His part is I will prosper what you write.
I can't do his part.
But if I don't do my part, then there's nothing
for him to prosper.
So to the best of my ability, I've taken
that word from the Lord to let God speak through my fingers.
And I write, write, write, write, write.
And God has been faithful to prosper
and to bless what I have written.
-: Fasting is a powerful weapon in the spirit, yet it's
so often ignored.
In - What Jesus said About Fasting, Rick
and Philip Renner will guide you on an exploration
of the real purpose and power of fasting
and how it strengthens prayer:
brings spiritual clarity
and positions believers to experience God's rewards openly.
You will learn - the different ways to fast:
the proper motivation for a fast: vital concepts for a safe
and productive fast - and more.
Available in digital
or physical formats starting at just $11.
This 5-part series will help you unlock intimacy
and direction from God.
In addition, we are offering you the book
-: A Fasted Life, by Philip Renner.
With this book, you can learn the pivotal connection
between fasting and prayer
and begin the powerful journey of a fasted life.
A fasted life can be yours for just $20.
As our free gift to you, we also want
to offer a printable sheet of suggested guidelines
for fasting to equip you
as you pursue this spiritual discipline.
You can order the series - What Jesus Said About Fasting,
and the book - A Fasted Life, by Philip Renner
by going online or calling our team.
Call the number on your screen or scan the QR code to order.
-: My name is Joel Renner, and right behind me, we're about
to have a special service for homeless people,
the homeless people of our wonderful city.
But before we begin, I want to ask you a question.
Have you ever spent the cold nights walking the city streets
of your town or in a shelter?
I hope you never have, but many,
many homeless people do every single evening.
And that's not the way people are supposed to live.
You know many homeless people are good people.
People who have kids, people who have a home,
people have an education, had good paying jobs,
but somewhere along the way in life, they lost their way.
And most of these homeless people spend most
of their nights in the cold,
on city streets, or in shelters.
And that is not the way anyone should spend their nights.
I am very proud to say that our Moscow Baptist Church
invites these homeless people to a special service
where they feel welcome and they can hear about Christ.
You know homeless people also need to hear about Jesus,
just like you and I heard about Jesus.
It is so very important that they know
that our church is open to them.
Also, in addition to having these special people in our
church, we go to them on the streets
and shelters where we have a hot meal and team made for them
and where they can also get fresh clothes.
And we pray for them and let them know
that this care is coming from our church.
They need to know that a church is a place
where they can receive Jesus and help.
If you're one of our partners, I want
to say thank you so very much.
Together, we're reaching so many people of Christ.
Jesus coming back soon,
and we need to tell as many people
as possible about Christ before he returns.
That is so very important. Please call us or go online.
It's amazing that right from your home,
you can be a missionary to somebody else.
-: Well, today we have been covering suggested guidelines
for fasting, and they're right out of Philip Renner's book,
which is called - A Fasted Life: Developing a Lifestyle
of Intimacy and Power with God.
That's the subhead. It is such an amazing book.
And this week we're teaching a series,
which is called - What Jesus Said About Fasting,
and it comes with a study guide.
But you can find out more about all of these wonderful,
wonderful resources by going online or by giving us a call.
And I remind you to please let us know how to pray for you.
And I'm going to pray for you right now with Philip.
And Father Philip and I pray right now for our friend
who has said, You know, I'm going to do it.
I've never done it, but I'm going to do it. And Father,
we pray that they will put themselves in a position
to receive your heart and your power and your presence.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Well, Philip and I will be back tomorrow,
but please remember that Ecclesiastes 8:4 says,
where the word of a king is, there is power.
If you've never received Jesus as your savior
and Lord, now is the time for you to experience a new life
Jesus has to give you.
Pray this prayer with me right now.
Lord, I repent my sin
and receive you as my Savior and Lord.
Wash away my sin and make me completely new.
I thank you that my sin is removed
and Satan no longer has any right to lay claim on me.
I faithfully promise that I will serve you as my Lord
for the rest of my life -
Amen.
-: If you just prayed the prayer of salvation with us,
would you please let us know by going to
renner.org/salvation?
We would love to connect with you.
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through every available media avenue
to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Discover the many ways you can help us make a difference in
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We invite you to partner with us in teaching, strengthening,
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Together, we can make a difference
that will last throughout eternity.
This program was made possible by the giving
of the God-called partners of Renner Ministries.