FASTING?
VARIOUS SCRIPTURES

DEFINITION: Fasting means to lay aside any pleasurable and/or vital activity for a period of time in order to intensely pursue God and know His mind with the intent of obeying His revealed will.

FASTING IS NOT:

Universally Commanded

Getting The Attention of God

Getting God To Love Me More

Getting God To Forgive Me


FASTING IS:

  A Removal of Distractions

  Humbling Yourself Before God In Brokenness and Repentance

  Exposing Our Hearts To God

  Expressing Hunger For God

  Coupled With Prayer and The Word of God

   A Reminder that it is not Food that Sustains Us but God


TYPES OF FASTING:

  Normal

  Absolute

  Specific or Partial


JESUS AND FASTING, MATT. 6:16-18

  The Fast of The Pharisees:

     Robs us of the reality of the Christian Life

     Robs us of spiritual reward

     Robs us of spiritual Influence


BENEFITS OF FASTING:

  Help, 2 Chronicles 20:1-4, 14-23

  Healing, Matt. 17:14-21

  Hearing, Isa. 58:6-8

      Freedom from Addictions, vs. 6a

        Solving Problems, vs. 6b

        Releasing the Oppressed Soul, vs. 6c

         Conquer Mental or Emotional Problems, vs. 6d

        Meeting the physical/material needs of others, vs. 7

        Clear Insight in Decision-Making, vs. 8a

     Health, vs. 8b

        Righteous Life and Influence in Testimony, vs. 8c

        The Glory of the Lord, to Protect from the Evil One, vs.8d

APPLICATION: