FASTING? Fasting is abstaining from food & drink as a means of getting our minds back on the reality that we are not self-sufficient. Fasting helps us realize just how fragile we are & how much depend on things beyond ourselves. The Bible records that great men of faith such as Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Paul & JESUS Himself fasted that they might draw closer to GOD (Exodus 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8; Daniel 9:3; 10:2-3; 2 Corinthians 11:27; Matthew 4:2). JESUS was approached with the question, "Why do the disciples of John & of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" He responded: " Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, & then they will fast in those days" (Mark 2:18-20). JESUS knew that His true disciples, once He was no longer there in the flesh with them, at times would need to fast to regain & renew their zeal to serve Him. They would need to " stir up" the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT within them. James tells us, "Draw near to GOD & He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). Through constant prayer & occassional fasting we can do this. We can make it our practice to stir up & rekindle the SPIRIT of GOD within us. The LORD be with your Spirit..
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 14:37:54 +0000
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