How many of you fast, how often, for what reasons, and for how long?
Is it wrong to let somebody know you are fasting?
I've looked up fasting in the Bible and read all the verses and context of it, but was hoping to get some of you guys' wisdom on the subject.
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"If I could just get Obama to hold my glendale for me..."
I think that fasting is probably the most under utilized weapon in our arsenal. I used to weekly, and lately--zilch, to my shame. There is so much we try to accomplish by way of committee, arguing, planning, and then we may even get around to praying about it--but fasting seems to be our last resort. Maybe, given the recent direction this forum seems to be going, its time to pull the old rusty weapon out of the arseanl, and to make some headway!There are some very significant and serious issues facing the Church today--such as the abortion issue, and false doctrine,evangelism--real evangelism, not church visitation--the onslaught of crime, proliferation of the drug culture, and the general decay of our society. We treat symptoms and throw a bone at the issues without ever entering the arena of spiritual warfare, where spiritual battles are won and lost. I guess that's why we lose too often.We try to fight spiritual battles ona different plane, and I think prayer and fasting need to become the first line of defense, rather than a last resort--so, I am going to begin this week to reenter th earena and to go back to the basics, and reestablish a lost tactic--lost by me anyway.Thanks Abe!
Thanks for the reply Greg. I bet you are 100% right in needing to strengthen our arsenal. Soon the movie the DaVinci Code will be coming out and those not planted firmly in their faith will be easily led astray. Christianity as a whole could very easily come under serious attack from our society and so-called experts coming out of the woodwork. We do need to be prepared to answer all of the questions and doubts that will be raised. Our church is starting a life class on the DaVinci code in March. I've already signed up and had a good talk with the guy teaching the class. I look forward to it. It will be enlightening to say the least.
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"If I could just get Obama to hold my glendale for me..."
Fasting should be a lifestyle. There are times when it was corporate but most of the time it should be done in secret or Jesus said " You have recieved your reward in full." s far as the forum....words only reveal what is in a man's heart. Folks can only suppress his true self so long and it will come out eventually. A life style of fasting tunes ones ears to the Holy SPirit. Isaiah 58 says he will help the oppressed. His heart is changed. The scripture says the righteous eats only for his need but the stomach of the wicked is always in want. Jesus said when he would leave that his disciples would fast. One recent Bible teacher has said." The abundant life can only be tapped in through a lifestyle of fasting." But for the most part ,to preserve the blessing Jesus said but on a smile and keep it a secret.
Have I? some...Do I? haven't a far far too long.
My reasons when I was younger started out good and shifted towards the bad (This was during several short ones in about a 6month period way back in high school) I think alot of people do it meaning well but are still doing it for the wrong reasons. I think God still sees the "yes" in our hearts and is pleased, but having the wrong motives really opens us up to the good ole "holier than thou" syndrome. Is it wrong to tell people? Yes and No. In todays world if you have any type of social contacts there will come a time where you just have to tell your buddy, "No I'm just getting something to drink bud, I'm trying to fast for a little while." You don't have to bust the explaination out the first time you go to a fast food restruant but even guys notice when they haven't seen one of their buddys eat for two or three days and its best to just tell, make no big deal, and go on.
I sending you a PM too.
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Anything I say is my opinion, just that...and only that.
"...and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?
How many of you fast, how often, for what reasons, and for how long?
Is it wrong to let somebody know you are fasting?
I've looked up fasting in the Bible and read all the verses and context of it, but was hoping to get some of you guys' wisdom on the subject.
I have never fasted personally, but here lately I have been contemplating doing it. We learned about it in class at school. It's not wrong to let someone know you are fasting, but you shouldn't fast just so people know. And it's abstaining from food plus prayer. Otherwise, it's nothing but a glorified diet.
Quote:
ORIGNIAL: manuman
I think that fasting is probably the most under utilized weapon in our arsenal.
I agree. It is the most feared spiritual discipline as far as Christians go, and as far as the devil goes. Did you know that fasting is listed more times in Scripture thanwaterbaptism?
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πνεύμα γ*μισα
"Error never shows itself in its naked reality in order not to be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe that it is more truthful than truth itself."
-Irenaeus of Lyon
Froman,
I've studied fasting more than about any other topic as a Christian. As a Pentecostal I must admit I like the feelings and presense of Jesus in my life. Nothing brings me closer to God than fasting. My longest been 6 1/2 days water only. WOW ...what a blessing and cleansing. I do practice fasting often. I honestly do believe the verse strongly that says" A righteous man eats for his need but th estomach of the wicked is never full." Last year as a backslidden Christian I put on a lot of weight. This year I'm trusting God through fasting and righteous eatting to get it back off. So far so good. MANY pastors including Billy Grahman believe when God has a man's belly ..he has the man.
Phil.3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
C7
I only mentioned about the fasting in secret because fasting is hard work and i would hate any Christian to fast in vain. I know ..I've done it myself 10s of time. I'm leasrning to keep my mouth shut. Prayer is the same way. It's nice to share prayer but i believe the best are in our prayer closet.
Matt6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
There are times for corporatefasting. I've joined in with others here in fasting and have seen results. My older body is gettin gmore difficult though and I 'm really into righteeous eatting more than an all out water fast. Ifa serious need arises though..you betcha a water fast it will be.
Jesus and Paul did it so why not us.
I sure appreciate the input guys. I am certainly moving on fromthe complacency in my spiritual walk. I am all about growth right now. The hunger for Christ is much greater than the hunger of the flesh when you are in tune with Gods word.
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"If I could just get Obama to hold my glendale for me..."
Phil.4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Fasting
There are some very significant and serious issues facing the Church today--such as the abortion issue, and false doctrine,evangelism--real evangelism, not church visitation--the onslaught of crime, proliferation of the drug culture, and the general decay of our society. We treat symptoms and throw a bone at the issues without ever entering the arena of spiritual warfare, where spiritual battles are won and lost. I guess that's why we lose too often.We try to fight spiritual battles ona different plane, and I think prayer and fasting need to become the first line of defense, rather than a last resort--so, I am going to begin this week to reenter th earena and to go back to the basics, and reestablish a lost tactic--lost by me anyway.Thanks Abe!
