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 Psalm 35:13 (Continued Part 2) Anybody who fast regularly would know the negative spin-off of fasting is bad breath. So if we are particular about self-image (and one should be), then proper dental hygiene should be practiced. Avoid eating mints, as that is a form of food. Preferably travel with a small bottle of mouthwash. Eating sweets is eating food.1 Samuel 14:24-29, that after a fast was declared, no one would dare to touch the honey (sweets). Sweets even in its lowest capacity is considered food. In 1 Samuel 14:24-29, Johnathon had only dipped his staff in honey and tasted it and he was deemed as breaking a fast; of which he was going to be put to death, but the people rescued him. We need to have a bath, wash our face and be normal during a fast. Others that we come in contact with should not know that we are fasting. We should ask the Lord to sustain us through a fast. To sustain us from dizziness, headaches, fatigue and belly-aches. Through regular fasting this may become non-existent. If our mind is on the Lord, we should not have a problem; Set our affections on things above. Worshipping God throughout the fast is vital. One cannot fast without worshipping God. Not just a word of praise in the morning and a song before bed. We need to lock ourselves in the closet and lift up holy hands and out of the bowels of the belly magnify God; not necessarily for only what he has done for us but for who he is. Then there are times when we can worship him in our minds aloud, while doing something. The point is, consistent worship must be done. A fast is not accepted unless this is done (Zech 7:5; Acts 13:2; Luke 2:3; and Isaiah 58:3) One thing we need to learn and that is a fast is a spiritual endeavor, therefore spiritual things must be used to sustain it: worship, prayer and the word. Fasting must be coupled with prayer and studying Gods word. 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17) It is integral that one prays and studies Gods word while fasting. A fast would not be successful unless one meditates upon the word of God and pray, pray, and more praying! Sleeping through an entire fast is unacceptable. Fasting is not just going without food; if that were the case, we would be the best of saints, because receiving his reflection, as outlined in the acronyms below: P- Praises and supplication R- Resources are emptied A- Adapt to his will Y- Yokes are broken E- Energy perfected R- Renewal of body, spirit and soul W- Weapon used to smite the heart O- Offers pathway to reconciliation R- Reproves the world of sin D- Directs us back to God Stay committed through sacrifice!!!!
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:55:55 +0000