Why fast ??
One really great reason to fast is to keep oneself HUMBLE , David said , "I humbled my soul with fasting"( Psalm 35:13). Humility is not an emotion, not something vague, rather it is something very specific.God will not honour an arrogant or a 'full of self' person , His call for His people is to willingly humble themselves, then He promises to lift us up. If we have the right motives with the right heart when we fast before God we move into this place of gracious humility. If you need some extra Biblical reinforcement read Matthew 23:12 "And whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, & they who humble themselves will be exalted."
Another really great reason to fast is that we may come CLOSER to God. The Word says that if we "draw near to God , He will draw near to you."(James 4:8), it is always a good thing to draw closer to God and fasting propels you into His presence like few other experiences I know!
Yet another reason to submit to fasting before God is that we may KNOW HIS WORD & WILL more clearly. Ezra said , ''I proclaimed a fast there , at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God to seek a right way for us, & for our little ones & for all our substance."
Ezra 8 :21. It is gracious truth that when we take time to fast & ptray , in humility , seeking God's direction, we receive what we pray for . We then of course need the courage to OBEY.( another sermon).
Finally fasting can be a spiritual discipline that God calls us to in order to receive healing & deliverance, Isaiah 58:6-9 "........then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily & your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."Similarly deliverance can come and indeed needs to come for many people before they can move onto renewal , Jesus said in Matthew 17:21 "...this kind does not go out except by prayer & fasting.".
Finally (today) Jesus Himself entered into His ministry of healing and deliverance with forty days of prayer and fasting ...... that really ought to be enough for those who call themselves disciples of Jesus .
Praying this brings some helpful encouragement for you .
Monday, August 22, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
WHEN YOU FAST... NOT IF
Over the next few days I want to share a little teaching on biblical fasting and the power that this spiritual discipline brings .To commence this subject and provide a brief overview of some of the teaching I will give you some dot points now .
.Fasting is helpful in the process of humbling ourselves.
.In order to come closer to God and to hear the voice of The Holy Spirit.
.Fasting helps us understand the power , authority and validity of God's Word.
. To seek out God's perfect will ... not just His permissive will .
.Fasting helps us in seeking healing , deliverance, clarification over life circumstances .
. Fasting & repentance is the base line of God honouring our lives as we seek His face.
.Fasting is a great intercessory mode of prayer for others who really need the power of Jesus to intervene in life's circumstances.
.Fasting & prayer will always bring a response from God , not to be used as a manipulation tool , rather a pressing into the grace , mercy , love & presence of JESUS . His answers may not always line up exactly as we want , BUT they will always fall in line with His Kingdom priorities .
Please read Matthew 6 :1-18 .... notice the emphasis on WHEN YOU PRAY ... WHEN YOU FAST ... WHEN YOU PRAY .. WHEN YOU FAST ( Not if )
Praying for friends today
.Fasting is helpful in the process of humbling ourselves.
.In order to come closer to God and to hear the voice of The Holy Spirit.
.Fasting helps us understand the power , authority and validity of God's Word.
. To seek out God's perfect will ... not just His permissive will .
.Fasting helps us in seeking healing , deliverance, clarification over life circumstances .
. Fasting & repentance is the base line of God honouring our lives as we seek His face.
.Fasting is a great intercessory mode of prayer for others who really need the power of Jesus to intervene in life's circumstances.
.Fasting & prayer will always bring a response from God , not to be used as a manipulation tool , rather a pressing into the grace , mercy , love & presence of JESUS . His answers may not always line up exactly as we want , BUT they will always fall in line with His Kingdom priorities .
Please read Matthew 6 :1-18 .... notice the emphasis on WHEN YOU PRAY ... WHEN YOU FAST ... WHEN YOU PRAY .. WHEN YOU FAST ( Not if )
Praying for friends today
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
STORMS.... HOLY FIRE....VIPERS....VICTORY
If you did a study of ACTS 27:39-28:5 you would read an amazing journey for Paul that included shipwreck, escape, fires , vipers and so much more . To say the least Paul's experience was one of great challenge and yet Jesus brought deliverance and great blessings despite the offenses , challenges and obstructions put before him . Today I want to encourage you in regard to your own journey :
When you choose to serve Jesus with All your heart , mind & spirit storms will come( Acts 27:13-20).
After fasting & praying ANSWERS will abound, (Acts 27:21-25), obedience is still required (Acts 27:27-38), deliverance will be your inheritance ( Acts 27 : 39-44).
Fires need to be created with sticks that need to be picked up ( Acts 28:1-3)sticks of holiness,praise,prayer,faith,discipleship,holy passion,tithing, fasting , obedience witnessing and so many more.
Holy fire will also bring the snakes out ....(Acts 28:3)the enemy of our soul will always bite the hand that feeds holy fire. Snakes bite & attack when their territory is threatened . SELAH !
But Jesus calls us to shake off the vipers in our journey and keep stoking the fires of revival( Acts 28:5-6). Our natural reaction maybe to withdraw our hands from the fires around us ..God calls you to stay the course ... NO RETREATING , HELL DEFEATING!
Today pray like there is no tomorrow , witness as to dead men & women , live in a state of holiness that brings tears to the hardest heart and be humble as Jesus will do His best yet work in you.
PRAYING REVIVAL FOR ALL READERS .
When you choose to serve Jesus with All your heart , mind & spirit storms will come( Acts 27:13-20).
After fasting & praying ANSWERS will abound, (Acts 27:21-25), obedience is still required (Acts 27:27-38), deliverance will be your inheritance ( Acts 27 : 39-44).
Fires need to be created with sticks that need to be picked up ( Acts 28:1-3)sticks of holiness,praise,prayer,faith,discipleship,holy passion,tithing, fasting , obedience witnessing and so many more.
Holy fire will also bring the snakes out ....(Acts 28:3)the enemy of our soul will always bite the hand that feeds holy fire. Snakes bite & attack when their territory is threatened . SELAH !
But Jesus calls us to shake off the vipers in our journey and keep stoking the fires of revival( Acts 28:5-6). Our natural reaction maybe to withdraw our hands from the fires around us ..God calls you to stay the course ... NO RETREATING , HELL DEFEATING!
Today pray like there is no tomorrow , witness as to dead men & women , live in a state of holiness that brings tears to the hardest heart and be humble as Jesus will do His best yet work in you.
PRAYING REVIVAL FOR ALL READERS .
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