If you do not already know of the power and importance of fasting, here are some very important facts:
[ul][*]Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.[*]Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.[*]Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."[*]Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.[*]The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you![*]Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.[*]Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.[*]Fasting and prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the requirements of II Chronicles 7:14: [/ul] "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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
If you fast, you will find yourself being humbled as I did. You will discover more time to pray and seek God's face. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God.
Bill Bright
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The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. Zephaniah 1:14
פרץ
Why did Jesus have to fast?
Why did Paul "fast oft?"
Why are we instructed to fast?
First..purpose of the question..lately the Christian walk has been very tough for me..I often get prompted to fast yet find it difficult..Then I'm reminded..it must be the genuine walk because Jesus Himself fasted..although He was Jesus He was also fully human and was tempted in all ways like us..yet without sin..Yet He did not lean on His past heavenly experiences or close walk with the Father,,he demonstrated for us as an example the true holy Christian lifestyle..He modeled being a servant and abasement of the flesh..But it;s amazing to me that He also had to crucify the flesh through fasting ..and the same as Paul..they never leaned on thier past revelations..in the Book of Acts we seePaul adn the apostlesfasting often to learn God's perfectwill..and Jesus said concerning His followers today."And when I 'm gone my followers will fast."
In Summary..If Jesus had to fast..how much more than do we need too.
Oh..I'm quite awate of the power of fasting..my question why would Jesus need to do this?? Was he also clothed with this sinful flesh?
He was mortal as you and I are. He needed the spiritual strength to fulfill the will of the Father and to have the strength to overcome the temptations that were placed before him. It was the beginning of his ministry. He had to grow in stature as a man would and he had to gain knowledge just as we gain knowledge. The more we follow Christ and learn about him, the more he blesses us with knowledge. By the age of 12 years old he knew what he was doing.
He did everything he did to show God he would do his will. When he was baptized this show God that he would do his will. That is what happens when you get baptized. It is an outward action that shows God that you are willing to do his will.
There are benefits that come from fasting that not many people understand. When you go without food and drink you give your body a chance to get rid of the impurities that are in your body. By doing this you allow the spirit into yourselves more because "The spirit of God cannot dwell in unholy temples which temple ye are. "Know ye not you are the temple of God." This is in 1 Corinthians. By allowing your body to cleanse itself, you are increasing your spirituality. It is also a known in the medical field that fasting on a regular basis is good health.
He was mortal as you and I are. He needed the spiritual strength to fulfill the will of the Father and to have the strength to overcome the temptations that were placed before him. One super benefit Jesus had,,He Knew exactky where He cane from..He knew the Father,,He had the Spirit without measure..YET becasue of this nasty flesh He also had to daily crucify His flesh
It was the beginning of his ministry.,,and althrough His miistrybrother..Brother ,I'm sure Jesus fasted much more than the Matthew 4 account..in a few more places we see Him praying all night to the Father,,In john 4 we see his disciples going to town for food while He is leading the Samaritan women to salvation thus speaking to the disciples."My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me."He had to grow in stature as a man would and he had to gain knowledge just as we gain knowledge. The more we follow Christ and learn about him, the more he blesses us with knowledge. By the age of 12 years old he knew what he was doing.
He did everything he did to show God he would do his will. When he was baptized this show God that he would do his will. That is what happens when you get baptized. It is an outward action that shows God that you are willing to do his will.
There are benefits that come from fasting that not many people understand. When you go without food and drink you give your body a chance to get rid of the impurities that are in your body. Amen..and I do fast often..yet as John Wesley said..I only see the need to fast more..John Wesley fasted 2 times a week and said when he started feeling spiritual pride kick in he fasted another day...[:-]By doing this you allow the spirit into yourselves more because
"The spirit of God cannot dwell in unholy temples which temple ye are. not sure about that...are you saying when a believer sins that God's spirit leaves..I tend to beleive the spirit doesn't leave but is rather grieved..and that we are sealed..I see fasting a tool that helps us recieve God's best for us..it open's up our spiritual ears and spiritual eyes..it deadens our lust and brings us to a place of humble obedience..BUT God loves us and not even sin separates us that easily.. Psalm 103..8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Hebr 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
He was mortal as you and I are. He needed the spiritual strength to fulfill the will of the Father and to have the strength to overcome the temptations that were placed before him. One super benefit Jesus had,,He Knew exactky where He cane from..He knew the Father,,He had the Spirit without measure..YET becasue of this nasty flesh He also had to daily crucify His flesh
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It was the beginning of his ministry.,,and althrough His miistryÂ*brother..Brother ,I'm sure Jesus fasted much more than the Matthew 4 account..in a few more places we see Him praying all night to the Father,,In john 4 we see his disciples going to town for food while He is leading the Samaritan women to salvation thus speaking to the disciples."My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me."Â*He had to grow in stature as a man would and he had to gain knowledge just as we gain knowledge. The more we follow Christ and learn about him, the more he blesses us with knowledge. By the age of 12 years old he knew what he was doing.
He did everything he did to show God he would do his will. When he was baptized this show God that he would do his will. That is what happens when you get baptized. It is an outward action that shows God that you are willing to do his will.
There are benefits that come from fasting that not many people understand. When you go without food and drink you give your body a chance to get rid of the impurities that are in your body. Amen..and I do fast often..yet as John Wesley said..I only see the need to fast more..John Wesley fasted 2 times a week and said when he started feeling spiritual pride kick in he fasted another day...[:-]By doing this you allow the spirit into yourselves more because
"The spirit of God cannot dwell in unholy temples which temple ye are. not sure about that...are you saying when a believer sins that God's spirit leaves..I tend to beleive the spirit doesn't leave but is rather grieved..and that we are sealed..I see fasting a tool that helps us recieve God's best for us..it open's up our spiritual ears and spiritual eyes..it deadens our lust and brings us to a place of humble obedience..BUT God loves us and not even sin separates us that easily.. Psalm 103..8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Â*9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. Â*10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Â*11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. Â*12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Â*13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Â*14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Â* Thanks for the reply..
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Quote:
"The spirit of God cannot dwell in unholy temples which temple ye are. not sure about that...are you saying when a believer sins that God's spirit leaves
When a person does something or says something wrong, it can drive the spirit of God from you. The spirit of God is sensitive and you need to have him with you at all times.
1Corinthians 3:16-17
"Know ye not ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
The spirit of God will not dwell with you when you defile your body or say things that is offensive to the spirit.
"Know ye not ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Happy trigger
This verse doesn't tell me that God's spirit leaves rather one willl be destroyed...We all sin ..if a sin could send the Holy Spirit away none of us would have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us..WE ALL SIN..Rather ..this is a warning..to treasure that which the believer has..Thus Paul's warning.."Know ye not that ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost.?"
Concerning sin..It's written in the the Psalms."Everyman in his best state is a vain show." Although I am a Pentecostal I've learned deep down that we are utterly helpless and saved by grace..
Fasting to the saint is a life style..not something during lent...but daily we are to take up our crosses ...Fasting and trials are actually a Christian's friends ..They don't seem fun but both seems to put you closer to Christ..and when we are walking close to Christ we can never feel proud because Romans tells us "It's the kindness of God that leads us to repentance." and Ephesians 2 ."For by garce are you saved through faith AND that not of yourselves..we are his workmanship." and at the end..we will lay our crowns down at His feet..
Yep...fasting as we have seen by the prophets, Jesus and apostles is the norm..they despised this present world to walk with God.."If any man love this present world he is an enemy of God."
Another verse about how God's Spirit just doesn't get up and leave,,,remember in James..4..5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? He's talking how the Spirit is grieved in us when we sin..
David says.."Where can I go to escape your pressence?"..no where??
Can God take away His SPirit ..yes..but not as easy as that..Even after David's big sins..he still had GOd's Spirit or he wouldn't have prayed..Psalm 51:11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Thanks be to God brother that God is nothing like us..We cannot fathom God's mercies and love..His love is higher than the heavens and deeper than the sea..He is doing and has done everything he can to keep us,,not let us go.."He's is longsuffering not willing that any should perish",
But yes ..I do agree that there is a place of repubate where like Saul..God's spirit departed..I trust none of us ever experience that..
Fasting Question
