Week 3 - Fasting thoughts - by Mandi

Reflection: Growing up what were you taught about fasting?

Has fasting been a regular part of your Christian walk? How is fasting different than prayer alone?

What is fasting? By definition fasting is: an abstinence from food, or limiting of one’s food, esp. when voluntary as a religious observation.

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fasting).

Fasting today: In our culture today, fasting has been confused with mortification. Fasting is done out of guilt, not out of freedom. Fasting is designed for those longing for a more intimate relationship with God….

Fasting throughout the Bible:

• Deuteronomy 9:9
• Isaiah 58- Fasting that pleases God
• Daniel 9:1-23 Pleading with God for Mercy
• Matthew 4:12- Jesus fasted in the Garden
• Matthew 6:6- Sermon on the mount
• Mark 2:18-28- The call to fast
• Acts 13:2 & 3- The disciples fasted after the feast when the bridegroom was no longer present.

Is fasting a commandment?

Jesus never demanded that the disciples fast only instructed that they would fast as He did. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches on fasting as part Christian devotion just as giving and praying. Fasting is an invitation not a commandment.

Foster’s Thoughts on Fasting:

1. Fasting centers ones self on God, not God centering Himself on us. If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. “First let it (fasting) be done in unto the Lord with our eyes singly fixed on Him. Let our intention here in be this, and this alone, to glorify our father which is in Heaven.” John Wesley (Foster 55)
2. Fasting reveals the things that control us. It makes us humble. Ps 69:10- I humbled my soul with fasting
3. Fasting reminds us that God is the only one who can truly sustain us. Fasting is feasting on God alone. Matt 4:4- “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
4. Fasting helps us keep a balanced life. “Our human cravings and desires are like rivers that tend to over flow their banks, fasting helps to keep them in their proper channels.” (Foster 56)
5. Fasting brings breakthroughs in the spiritual realm. 2 Corinthians 10:4- "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds."

Application:

• Walk before running; start with moderate fasts before extensive fasts
• Monitor inner attitude of the heart while fasting.
• Be in prayer, adoration, song, and worship to God.
• Don’t give into the grumbling stomach~ be a master not a slave to your cravings.
• Be equipped with the armor you need to fight a spiritual battle (Eph. 6:10-20).
• Continually seek the Lord about increasing your fast.
• Journal as you grow in the discipline of fasting.

Next week... Lyla shares on Study