Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- Biblical fasting is a form of self-denial for the sake of Jesus and His kingdom. It is a deliberate abstinence from some or all food for a spiritual purpose.
It demands a deep level of commitment and sacrifice. While fasting for health reasons can at times be physically beneficial, that is not what we mean by Christian fasting. (Google image, No food)
Fasting is the biblical sense is choosing not to partake of food because your spiritual hunger is so deep, your determination in intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so demanding that you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself to prayer and meditation.
The spirit of fasting can also be applied to sleep. Christ often fasted from sleep in order to spend more time alone with the Father. You can fast from sleep for the same reasons you fast from food.
Many of the 105 OMS (One Mission Society) church-planting teams today fast from food monthly or even weekly, but many also fast from sleep in an all-night of prayer at least once a month.
At times they are joined by their new converts. The same spiritual hunger, burden, and concern that inspire fasting from food underlie fasting from sleep.
A deliberate withdrawal from the fellowship of friends and family for a time in order to devote yourself more fully and exclusively to fellowship with God and intercession is true fasting.
When our fellow believers in Korea fast for a period of forty days, they often go apart to a special mountain "prayer house" or "prayer retreat center." There they combine fasting from food, fasting from normal social intercourse and often fasting from sleep, at least part of the time.
All-day prayer retreats could combine fasting from both fellowship and food, that is, if the time is primarily spent in prayer. Unfortunately, the only kind of prayer retreat many people know about is characterized by singing, listening to messages, and eating, with only a token time of intense intercession.
Christ sent His disciples away at times to give himself more exclusively to prayer (Matt. 14:23). At other times He excluded all but the three (Peter, James, and John) or all but the Twelve (Matt. 17:1; Luke 8:18).
In an even broader sense, fasting is any deliberate self-denial and abstinence for the purpose of becoming spiritually stronger and advancing the work of the kingdom of God. You can fast from your own ambitions, desires, and plans, from legitimate pleasures, rights, and joys, and from comforts and luxuries.
John Wesley, while being shown through a nobleman's house, admired the expensive works of art and other symbols of wealth and culture. "I could love these things," he said. "But there is another world."
At the heart of the gospel is a cross. The spirit of Christ is a spirit of self-sacrifice. The cross, self-sacrifice, self-denial, and fasting are all interrelated. It is the spirit of putting God first, of seeking God's kingdom first, of putting priority on God's will and eternal goals, of taking up your cross daily and following Christ.
At the heart of the sanctified life is a crisis of crucifixion, of self-surrender, and of total commitment followed by a crucified life. The Spirit-filled believer should find joy in fasting for kingdom goals.
(Chapter 13, pp. 96-97, italics added for emphasis)
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Let's pray-
"Heavenly Father, sometimes I am so afraid to move forward in faith. Sometimes I’m not sure if it is Your voice or my own I’m sensing. But I’ve decided that I am going to err on the side of obedience. Give me the courage to move when You say move, to speak when You say speak, to jump into the deep end of Your will when You say 'jump in.'”
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Sharon Jaynes
Today's Bible verses-
Psalm 4:8 (NIV) "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Colossians 4:6 (NLT) "Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right response for everyone."
Ps. 22:19 (AMP)“But be not far from me, O Lord; O my Help, hasten to aid me!”
~ Holley Gerth- "Hard days can tempt us to place our security where God never intended it to be. We grasp at money, relationships, or even self-reliance to make us feel safe. It’s a human response to reach out for what’s tangible and what seems like it will give us peace. We try to find a way to stay standing. We want to hold on to what’s in front of us with all our might.
And yet this verse Psalm 4:8, extends an entirely different invitation than what our mind is screaming at us to do: it invites us to “Lie down and sleep in peace.” In other words, release control. Realize that you can’t keep yourself safe. You can’t fix this problem. You can’t be strong enough on your own.
Yes, you can partner with God, but in the same way a baby partners with a parent—in trust, obedience, and surrender.
Lay your head on His chest. Tell Him you’re afraid and weary. Tell Him what you need. Then let your heart rest."Scott- adadfirst.com
“More than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us”
“We cover up whatever is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface”
“Fasting reminds us that we are sustained ‘by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4.4). Food does not sustain us, God sustains us”
“Therefore, in experiences of fasting we are not so much abstaining from food as we are feasting on the word of God. Fasting is feasting!”
“Fasting helps us keep our balance in life. How easily we begin to allow nonessentials to take precedence in our lives. How quickly we crave things we do not need until we are enslaved by them”
Words of wisdom-
~ Is Jesus your "anyway" peace? In spite of all that's happening around you, do you possess His Peace? Find a place that is peaceful and reflect on God's goodness to you. Make Christ your "anyway" peace to sustain you today!
Praise does wonders my friend. Praise Him for His covering you, and to watch out for your welfare. Ask Him to help you receive His Peace in your heart.
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| Beautiful Bald Eagle |
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The home pages of the CFC website: https://www.
Replay past services, and read any past devotionals you missed.
The livestream link: https://www.cfconline.
[For CFC Sunday services, 10 or 10:15 am]
The pastors and elders of the CFC churches in northern NY, have provided daily devotionals from Streams in the Desert.
They are listed with links to provide a short Scripture reading
and brief message from one of them during the recent weeks.
Past special song presentations are also listed.
The pastors and elders of the CFC churches in northern NY, have provided daily devotionals from Streams in the Desert.
They are listed with links to provide a short Scripture reading
and brief message from one of them during the recent weeks.
Past special song presentations are also listed.
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
Upcoming posts
The Man Who Couldn't Talk
11th- Saturday's post by Dave Brandon
#41 Fasting Can Be Abused
14th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#42 How to Fast Unto the Lord
16th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Pray "Popcorn" Style
18th- Saturday's post by Jill Savage
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