FASTING PART 1 A LOT OF PEOPLE GAVE UP ON FASTING OR DOES IT WRONG AND STOP. So here is a way you can fast and be healthy. Fasting, or abstaining from food for spiritual purposes, is a practice often misunderstood by Christians. Since it is natural in times of great grief to lose the appetite, some have concluded that this is the fasting Jesus expected of his disciples after his departure. (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2: 18-20 and Luke 5:35). History indicates that man in all ages and among all nations has engaged in fasting. It has been used for many purposes including ceremonials, mourning, or as an aid to building self-control and as a method for gaining spiritual strength. Meditate on the Gospel, and on the Holy traits of our Lord. These may include the ability to forgive, His strength or wisdom, His peace, the capacity to love unconditionally, etc. Praise Him for these attributes! Surrender your life and thank Him for all He has done for you! You may feel that the Holy Spirit calls you to a specific type of fast. A partial fast may mean giving up only certain types of foods. Juice fasts remove the pleasure of chewing any type of solid food, yet fruit and vegetable juices are permitted. Biblical examples of fasting indicate that it was commanded as a regular ritual (Leviticus 23:27, Zechariah 8:19), but it was also practiced by Gods people both individually (Nehemiah 1:4) and in groups (Judges 20:26, Nehemiah 9:1-2, Esther 4:3). Sometimes it was commanded by leaders (1 Kings 21:9,12, 2 Chronicles 20:3, Esther 4:16-17, Jeremiah 36:6,9), sometimes it was voluntary (Psalms 69:10, Daniel 6:18). Gods people fasted for many purposes; David, to humble his soul (Psalms 109:24), to entreat God in behalf of his sick son (2 Samuel 12:16; 12:21-23), for his enemies (Psalms 35:11-14) and in mourning for the death of Saul and his sons (2 Samuel 1:11-12), as did others (1 Samuel 31:13 1 Chronicles 10:12). In times of great crisis, the children of God usually turned to their Father, confessing their sins, praying and fasting (1 Samuel 7:6, Daniel 9:3, Joel 1:14; 2:12,15), entreating his favor (1 Kings 21:27, Ezra 8:21); and the Scriptures indicate that God usually blessed them. In one case, that of the Ninevites, he even repented and changed his plans for destroying them (Jonah 3:5-10). Fasting, like prayer, may bring blessings to the participant apart from the special blessings bestowed by the Heavenly Father. For the person who would gain in self-control it is excellent practice. It may contribute to weight control and economy of time, food costs, and cleansing the blood and body of harmful toxins, but like prayer, Jesus taught that its greatest benefit would come from the special blessings of God. Fasting was habitual for Johns disciples (Matthew 9:14), for Anna (Luke 2:36-37) the Pharisees (Matthew 9:14), Cornelius (Acts 10:30), the church at Antioch (Acts 13:2-3), and for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:23, 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27). Jesus fasted for forty days and nights (Matthew 4:2) and told the disciples of John that his disciples would fast when the bridegroom was taken from them (Matthew 9:15). Apparently, fasting alone does not move God, for in Isaiah 58:3-9 the people asked Why have we fasted, and thou seest it not?, and the answer is given: Behold you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Again in Jeremiah 14:12, the Lord said: though they fast, I will not hear their cry. Here, the Lords people had turned to wickedness and the prophet was asked to refrain even from praying for them. In Zechariah 7:5-6, their fasting was lost because of selfishness and wickedness. Thus, fasting is not a substitute for righteousness.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 00:30:23 +0000