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PRAYER & FASTING. LOST CONCEPT. NOT COMMONLY PRACTICED IN THE CHURCH NOT EVEN TALKED ABOUT MUCH CHRISTIANS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF FASTING. WHAT IS FASTING?. WHAT IS FASTING?. GIVING UP THINGS I ENJOY? NOTHING WRONG WITH GIVING UP HABBITS OR ADDICTIONS!
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LOST CONCEPT NOT COMMONLY PRACTICED IN THE CHURCH NOT EVEN TALKED ABOUT MUCH CHRISTIANS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF FASTING
WHAT IS FASTING? GIVING UP THINGS I ENJOY? NOTHING WRONG WITH GIVING UP HABBITS OR ADDICTIONS! MOST HABBITS WE DO NOT ABSOLUTLEY NEED (TV/COMPUTERS/ACTIVITIES) BIBLICAL FAST = WITHOUT FOOD FOR PERIOD OF TIME
WHY FOOD? 2 REASONS: • BODY MUST BE A TRUE SACRIFICE (OXYGEN/WATER/FOOD) • WEAKEN THE FLESH STRENGTHEN SOUL & SPIRIT (BODY/SOUL/SPIRIT) BATTLE FLESH VS. SOUL/SPIRIT
WHAT DOES FASTING DO? BRINGS A DEEPER INTIMACY BETWEEN YOU & GOD A CLOSER CONNECTION GOD ALWAYS LISTENS THROUGH PRAYER FASTING SHOWS GOD YOUR WILLINGNESS FOR THOSE PRAYERS TO BE ANSWERED FASTING RELEASES THE ANOINTING, FAVOR & BLESSING OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE
SPIRITUAL HUNGER MATTHEW 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled FASTING SHOWS HUNGER & THIRST FOR HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WHEN ELIMINATING FOOD FROM YOUR DIET FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS YOUR SPIRIT BECOMES UNCLUTTERED BY THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD AND AMAZINGLY SENSITIVE TO GOD FASTING IS A SECRET SOURCE OF POWER THAT IS OVER LOOKED BY MANY
THREEFOLD CORD Jesus devoted his time to teaching His disciples the principles of the kingdom of God, principles that conflict with those of the world MATTHEW 6 Jesus provides the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God PATTERN = 3 SPECIFIC DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN: GIVING, PRAYING & FASTING Solomon, when writing books of wisdom for Israel points out that a cord or rope braided with 3 strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12) GIVING, PRAYING & FASTING = THREEFOLD CORD NOT EASILY BROKEN
DISCIPLES COULD NOT CAST OUT DEMON MATTHEW 17:20JESUS SAYS NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE MATTHEW TELLS A STORY OF A FATHER WITH A DEMON POSSESSED SON HE BOUGHT HIS SON TO THE DISCIPLES AND THEY COULD NOT CURE HIM (MATTHEW 17:15) EVEN AFTER JESUS HAD GIVEN THEM POWER TO HE & CAST OUT SPIRITS (MATTHEW 10:1) WHY COULDN’T THEY CAST OUT THE DEMON? THEY DIDN’T KNOW THEMSELVES WHY THEY COULDN’T “THIS KIND CAN COME OUT BY NOTHING BUT PRAYER AND FASTING” (MATTHEW 17:29) JESUS TOLD THEM THEY NEEDED FAITH BUT THAT WASN’T ALL
JESUS UNDERSTOOD THE POWER JESUS FASTED 40 DAYS & 40 NIGHTS WHY DID JESUS FAST? HE WAS GOD BUT STILL FASTED WHY? BECAUSE HE KNEW THE SUPERNATURAL THING COULD BE RELEASED THROUGH FASTING WANTED THAT CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS FATHER NOTICE WHEN JESUS FASTED – HE ALSO INCLUDED PRAYER
POWER & AUTHORITY LUKE 9:1JESUS CALLED HIS 12 DISCIPLES TOGETHER & GAVE THEM “POWER & AUTHORITY” POWER USED IN SCRIPTURE: LUKE 10:19 Behold, I give you the power (authority) to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ACTS 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you
SPECIAL POWER OVER SATAN Acts 1:8DUNAMIS = POWER INWARD ENERGY OR THE ANOINTING OF GOD EXAMPLE: MARK 5 when the Jesus touched the woman who had the issue of blood Mark says that virtue came out of Him (JESUS) It came out of His body and went into the hem of His robe and into the woman’s body He felt when she touched Him…that power (which means virtue in this case) leave Dunamis is used for the word “power” in Mark 5 Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you
WE HAVE 2 MANIFESTATIONS WITHIN US: 1.POWER (DUNAMIS) - ABIDES ON THE INSIDE OF US THE ANOINTING OF GOD CAN COME AND PASS THROUGH YOU INTO THEM 2.AUTHORITY – A POWER WHEN FIGHTING OFF DEMONS (SATAN) YOU DON’T HAVE POWER TO CAST OR FIGHT YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO USE THE NAME OF JESUS LUKE 9:1 He gave them power and authority over devils and to cure diseases LUKE 9:37 THEY’RE POWERLESS WHY? THEY HAVE NO FAITH YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH & TRUST IN THE LORD LUKE 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
POWER: PASSED THROUGH LAYING OF HANDS POWER IS PASSED BY THE LAYING OF HANDS (PRAYING OVER PEOPLE) THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE THE DISCIPLES LAID HANDS ON PEOPLE JESUS LAID HANDS ON PEOPLE PAUL SAID HE LAID HANDS UPON TIMOTHY AND PARTED GIFTS TO HIM ACTS 19:1-7 PEOPLE RECEIVED THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN THEY LAID HANDS UPON THEM
AUTHORITY COMES THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD AUTHORITY COME THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD CHRIST WAS PREACHING THEY SAID WHERE DID THIS MAN GET THES WORDS? BY WHAT AUTHORITY DOES HE PREACH? CENTURION OR ROMAN OFFICER: NEVER HAS A MAN SPOKE LIKE THIS MAN (JESUS) He came to Christ and said you’re a man of authority, I’m a man of authority, I understand authority….I say to one go here he does it, do this and he does it, but if you can speak the word only my servant will be healed NOT TALKING OF POWER, BUT AUTHORITY
PATRIARCHS ALL FASTED ABRAHAM ISAAC JACOB MOSES AARON DAVID DANIEL JESUS
IS FASTING FOR TODAY? HAS GOD DETERMINED FASTING IS NO LONGER RELEVANT OR IMPORTANT? OR HAS MAN DETERMINED THIS?
BOB ROGERS – 101 REASONS TO FAST American History: the foundation of our Nation used Prayer & Fasting based on the Bible 2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. POINT 1: Assembly of Virginia passed a resolution on June 1, 1774 as a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer May 1774, the British Parliament ordered an embargo of Boston to begin June 1st Immediately the Burgesses of Virginia passed a resolution protesting this act and setting aside the day of embargo to seek God through fasting & prayer Here’s how the resolution read: Tuesday, 24th of May, King George III, 1774: This house deeply impressed with the apprehension of the great dangers to be derived to British America from the hostile invasion of the city of Boston our sister colony of Massachusetts Bay whose commerce and harbor are on the 1st Day of June next to be stopped by an armed force, deem it highly necessary that the set 1st day of June be set apart by the members of the House of a day of fasting humiliation and prayer devalued to implore the divine interposition for averting the heavy calamity which threatens the destruction of our civil rights CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS GOING ON TODAY IN OUR GOVERNEMENT?
WASHINGTON & ADAMS POINT 2: GEORGE WASHINGTON: set a pattern for leaders of this country to fast and pray During the resolution passed in Virginia, 1774 Washington’s Diary reads: “He went to Church and fasted all day…” OUR COUNTRY WAS PROCEEDED TO FAST AND PRAY TO AVOID WAR JOHN ADAMS: who was the 2nd President proclaimed May 9, 1798 as a Day of Solon Humiliation, Fasting & Prayer U.S. was an the verge of war with France
UNDER MADISON 4th President, James Madison, the United States was engaged in war with Britain Both Houses of Congress passed a joint resolution desiring a public day of humiliation, fasting & prayer on Jan 12, 1815 This historical event in our nation’s history fulfilled God’s promise recorded in: Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. 4 days before the fasting date set by President Madison, Britain was defeated in the battle of New Orleans Peace soon followed and Congress set the 2nd Tuesday of April, 1815 as a day of Thanksgiving to God PROCLAMATION READS: “it is for blessings such as these and especially for the restoration of the blessing of peace that I now recommend that the 2nd Tuesday of April, next be set apart as a day on which the people of every religious denomination may in their solon assemblies unite their heart and their voices in a free will offering to the Heavenly benefactor for their homage of thanksgiving and of their songs of praise”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN Abraham Lincoln one of our best presidents proclaimed 3 fasts: September, 1861 March 30, 1863 August, 1864 so the president of the United States proclaimed a fast 3 times….no wonder the civil war ended and America was brought back together When you humble yourself and pray what does God say He will do? Bible says, “He will heal their land”
MEDICAL FIELD DON COLBERT, MD BOOK : “TOXIC RELIEF “FASTING IS GREAT FOR MEDICAL GUIDELINES” CHAPTER: “FINDING HEALING THROUGH FASTING” EXCELLENT INFO & CAUTIONS “fasting not only prevents sickness, but if done correctly holds amazingly healing benefits to those who suffer illness and disease FIGHTS COLDS TO HEART DISEASE MIGHTY KEY TO HEALING THE BODY DR. ODA H.F. BIRCHINGER FASTING IS THE ROYAL ROAD TO HEALING it can heal and help rheumatism in joints and muscles, & diseases of the heart, circulation, blood vessels, stress-related exhaustion, skin disease---including pimples and complexion problems, disease of respiration organs, allergies and other diseases DR. TANNER “MEDICAL DR. TESTED OUT FASTING: AGE: 50 LENGTH: 43 DAYS FASTED WITHOUT FOOD (under super vision) OUTCOME: HEALTHIER AGE: 60 LENGTH: 50 DAYS OUTCOME: DURING SAW UNSPEAKABLE GLORIES OF GOD AGE: 70 LENGTH 53 DAYS OUTCOME:ALL OF THE ABOVE THINGS NOT TO MENTION SOME REVERSE AGING HIS THINNING GRAY HAIR STARTED COMING IN THICK AND BLACK (ORIGINAL HAIR COLOR) LIVED A LONG HEALTHY LIFE (AGE 93)
ANCIENT PRACTICE IS HEALTHY MEN & WOMEN HAVE FASTED SINCE ANCIENT TIMES MODERN BOOKS CLAIMING IT’S HEALTHY Greek physician Hippocrates “father of modern medicine” Believed Fasting was very Healthy for the Body AMAZING THIS PRACTICE GOD WANTS FROM US IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR OUR BODIES
HEALTH BENEFITS FASTING SLOWS THE AGING PROCESS MOSES FASTED 40 DAYS – LIVED 120 YEARS FASTING SHARPENS YOU MENTALLY AIDS IN IMPROVING: HEARING/TASTE/SIGHT/TOUCH/SMELL ALL SENSORY FACULTIES HELPS BREAK ADDICTIONS: NICOTINE/ALOCHOL/DRUGS/OVER EATING FASTING HELPS PEOPLE GET COUNTROL OF THEIR BODIES (BOTH PHYSICALLY & SPRITUALLY)
WHO CAN FAST? MISCONCEPTION: FASTING IS ONLY DONE BY FANATICS OR CHURCH LEADERS LUKE 5:34-35 Jesus says it is the duty of every disciple & believer to fast Pharisees ask why His disciples hadn’t fasted---Jesus tells them about the bridegroom LUKE 5:34-35 Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” CHRIST IS THE BRIDEGROOM TAKEN FROM THE DISCIPLES JESUS DIDN’T EXPECT HIS DISCIPLES TO SOMETHING HE HADN’T DONE AS WELL JEUS FASTED AND ACCORDING TO THE WORDS OF PETER, JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE (1 Peter 2:21) Matthew 6---God delights in giving rewards When giving, praying and fasting are practiced in you life, He will “reward you openly”
RIGHT & WRONG WAY Isaiah 58:3‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “ In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD? Bible says there is a right way and a wrong way of Fasting
NOT A TIME TO SHOW OFF Matthew 6:16“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Jesus is saying the Pharisees were known for their Fasting PART OF A PHARISEES DUTY: FAST SO MANY TIMES A DAY PAY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TITHES ENLARGE THEIR FALACTRIES (PRAYER BOXES ON THEIR HEADS) ENLARGE BORDERS ON THEIR GARMENTS APPEARED TO MAKE THEM MORE SPIRITUAL IN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE Some of the Pharisees when they would fast would put dark under their eyes to make it look like they were praying all night and mess their hair up to get people’s reaction and people talking about how holy or spiritual he’s been with God
LOOK & ACT YOUR NORM GO ON ABOUT YOUR NORMAL SCHEDULE LOOK/ACT THE SAME DON’T BRAG ABOUT YOUR FAST JESUS SAYS FAST IN SECRET
JESUS ON FASTING Matthew 6:4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:6But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:18so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. JESUS SAID THIS NOT BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT US TO PRAY IN A CONGREGATION ACTS: THEY LIFTED UP THEIR VOICE IN ONE ACCORD AND SUDDENLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM IN A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY PRAY TOGETHER
BATTLE VS. HUNGER LUKE 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. WHY IS FASTING OVERLOOKED? “KING STOMACH” DEFEAT THE DICTATOR WITHIN
EXAMPLES OF KING STOMACH Started in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:8-9; 16-17) Satan convinced Eve that she should “EAT” from the forbidden tree Adam also “ATE” (Gen 3:6) 1 meal ruined what they had with God they literally ate themselves out of house and home but also out of will of God for their lives King Stomach’s only Temporarily Satisfied
SODOM & GOMORAH Ezekiel 16:49-50 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. KING STOMACH HELPED CARRY THEM RIGHT INTO DAMNATION
ESAU ESAU WAS THE SON OF ISAAC & REBEKAH (TWIN BROTHER JACOB) ESAU WAS CONSIDERED THE 1ST BORN (SPECIAL BIRTH RIGHT) ESAU WOULD RECEIVE A DOUBLE PROTION OF HIS FATHER’S ESTATE ESAU (A HUNTER) ONE DAY ESAU RETURNED WITH NO MEAT WAS HUNGRY AND ASKED JACOB FOR HIS MEAL OF RED LINTELS AND BREAD GEN 25:34 says, Esau impulsively gave up his birth right for it GOD HAD A PLAN AND WILL FOR ESAU LUST FOR FOOD MORE IMPORTANT
ISRAELITES OUT OF EGYPT God delivered the Israelites after 400 years of slavery in Egypt Led through Red Sea into the Promise Land Before the Promise Land they were in the Wilderness for 40 years God provided bread or Manna for a perfectly balanced diet that not one got sick it filled their bellies and their bodies healthy and strong mixed multitude yielded intense cravings with Israel and said who will give us meat (Numbers 11:4-7) God listened and gave them meat with strict instructions—he sent qual (Numbers 11:18-20) verse 34 called “Kibroth Hahaavah” which means “Graves of Luster’s” a memorial to those who ate themselves right out of the Promised Land
WHEN TO FAST? NEVER A WRONG TIME TO FAST WHEN YOU FEEL YOURSELF GROWING SPRITUALLY DRY NEED FRESH ENCOUNTER WITH GOD WHEN YOU DON’T SENSE THAT CUTTING EDGE ANOINTING
NEVER THE RIGHT TIME WE LIVE BUSY LIVES FASTING IS USUALLY INCONVENIENT JUMP INTO IT AND DO IT!
3 Reasons to Start Fasting at the Beginning of the Year: 1. Sets course for the rest of the year 2. Blessings will happen throughout the year 3. Release Principle in Matthew 6:33—seek 1st the Kingdom and all things shall be added to you
TIPS ON FASTING BIBLE MENTIONS: 3 Days, 7 Days, 21 Days & 40 Days THERE’S NO REAL FORMULA 3 DAY FAST IS VERY PRACTICAL 21 DAY “DANIEL FAST” NO MEATS, BREADS OR SWEETS IS THAT A REAL FAST? WORKED FOR DANIEL! IF IT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU IT MEANS SOMETHING TO GOD LONGER FASTS: DRINK WATER, JUICE & BROTH
TIPS FOR FASTING FAST DEPENDS ON CIRCUMSTANCES DON’T GET BOGGED DOWN IN ALL THE DETAILS DON’T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE NO NEED FOR HEROICS BE REASONABLE (make sure it’s meaningful and sacrificial) AT TIMES THE LORD MAY IMPRESS YOU TO GO LONGER ON A FAST DON’T CONDEMN YOURSELF AVOID CERTAIN STORES/RESTARAUNTS IT DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING TO GOD IF IT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU
TIPS CONTINUED DON’T GORGE YOURSELF DAYS BEFORE (TAPER OFF YOUR FOOD INTAKE) DRINK 1 GALLON OF PURIFIED WATER THROUGHOUT THE 1ST DAY PURIFIED FLUSHED THE TOXINS & POISON OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM (HELPS FOR A GOOD START) WATER WILL BE A FASTERS BEST FRIEND PREPARE FOR HEADACHES FROM TIME TO TIME (AFTER 3 DAYS USUALLY DISAPPEAR) YOU MAY SEE A COATING ON YOUR TONGUE FOR A FEW DAYS (TOXINS ARE BEING ELIMINATED) AVG. AMERICAN CONSUMES 4 LBS. OF CHEMICAL PRESERVATIVES, COLORING STABILIZERS, FLAVORINGS AND ADDITVES EACH YEAR YOUR BODY IS GOING THROUGH A DETOX (LIKE A SPRING CLEANING) IT GIVES THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM A BREAK (THAT’S A HEALTHY THING) (FAST FOR 3 DAYS OR MORE YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN) FIGHT THROUGH THE PAIN & STRUGGLE EXPIERIENCE THE “SWEET PLACE” IN THE FAST
HEAR MY VOICE: John 10:27-28My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. Jesus emphasis “hear” My voice HE CREATED US TO LISTEN TO HIM SPEAKING DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE CREATOR? DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HIM MORE DEEPLY? -Children can understand these concepts and it is important that they learn them at a young age EVERY ASSIGNMENT OR CALL OF GOD AND THE DIRECTION FROM GOD STARTS SOMETWHERE GOD HAS A SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS FOR YOU R LIFE…HOW DO YOU DISCOVER THEM? HEAR HIS VOICE? Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. SHOW GOD YOU’RE WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE YOUR BODY TO HEAR HIM ***FASTING KEEPS YOU SENSITIVE TO HIS SPIRIT ENABLING YOU TO LIVE HOLY***
PAUL CONTINUES: Paul went on to say: Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. WHEN YOU PRESENT YOUR BODY TO GOD IN THAT MANNER, YOU OPEN YOURSELF UP TO HEAR FROM GOD YOU WILL DISCOVER HIS GOOD & PERFECT WILL FOR YOUR LIFE
