Boaz
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Jesus Loves you too.
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« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2009, 01:36:02 AM » |
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A FEW WORDS ABOUT FASTING: Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (NOT IF!) Like prayer: fasting must not be done for show... mean business! First of all, fasting is always linked with prayer... fasting with out prayer is a diet... Nothing wrong with that... but it won't have SPIRITUAL PUNCH! *** YOU CAN PRAY WITH OUT FASTING, BUT NOT VICE - VERSA Matthew 9:14- 15 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisee fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Jesus said there will be plenty of time for spiritual battle & heaviness... But while I'm here, I want you to enjoy it! (OH WE NEED THOSE TIMES!) *** FASTINGS GREATEST WORK: = To help us subdue our flesh & be sensitive to the holy Ghost... Notice God's direction came after fasting... Acts 13:1- 4 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. FASTING IS CONNECTED WITH MOURNING: Esther 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Psalms 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was] sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. Psalms 69:10 When I wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. FASTING MOVES GOD: Ezra 8:21- 23 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God [is] upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath [is] against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us. Look at what Fasting will do: Isaiah 58:5- 6 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? [is it] to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? _____________________________________________________ SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED ____________________________________________________ A> HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FAST? No set amount in Bible... But should be regularly. Paul gave a hint... II Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. B> ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FASTS? Many. Here are 3 basic types. 1. Partial: Fasting certain things of enjoyment but not total food. Daniel 1:8- 12 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which [are] of your sort? then shall ye make [me] endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 2. Normal: Jewish fast was water only... for 24 hour periods. 3. Absolute: No water or food. This is not recommended for long. Even in the Bible, the longest fast of this type was 3 days... except for occasions when supernatural strength was given. *** REMEMBER: you are not fasting for ego, or to appease God. Your fasting to draw close to God. If you fail during a fast, and slip, don't let guilt destroy you... get back in it! If you come to a situation of complete weakness... eat some raisins or light fruit or honey. Then keep right back on it. You will notice how after 3 days fasting becomes simple after you get over the hump. LET'S GET STARTED INTO SPIRITUAL VICTORY WITH FASTING & PRAYER! I Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. We need to give ourselves to prayer & fasting... It will kill out this old man, and open doors to the spirit for us. *** IF THE FIRST CHURCH NEEDED IT, HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD THE LAST? ***
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