Notes Here: ⬇️
The Old Testament practice of fasting was closely linked with a "spirit of mourning" over some national crisis (Leviticus 16:29-31).
The prophets often called Israel to a fast as a means of producing repentance (Joel 2:12).
God wanted to see them fast to bring justice, get rid of selfishness, and help others who were in need (Isaiah 58:2-6).
Fasting produces an increased or renewed hunger for God (Luke 5:33-36)
33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” 36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.
Fasting should awaken our hearts to dependency on Him
*Ephesians 3
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Fasting is all about ingesting the word of God, the beauty of God, the presence of God and the blessings of God
Fasting is saying I need you, I want you, I treasure you.
Fasting should cause an ache of Homesickness for eternity
Communion vs Fasting
Fasting removes the choking weeds Luke 8:14
14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Parable of the Sower
Do we really hunger for God or are we full, from feasting on the things of the World?
“If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.” - Phillip Brooks
Fasting reveals things that control us
-Riches
-Cares of the world
-Pleasures of life
Take Action and pull the weeds.
Fasting realigns our spiritual vision.
God Speaks when we seek Him in Fasting and Prayer
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,[a] Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
As we get in his presence, feast on Him, pull the weeds of distractions, we can hear him more clearly as we make room for him.
God promises to be found by those who diligently seek him with their whole heart.
Jer. 29
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Daniel Fasted – Daniel 10
Daniel 10:2-3 Daniel went into a time of mourning and adopting a deliberate change in lifestyle for 3 weeks. He went without choice foods such as meat or wine and abstained from the lotions that made life more comfortable in a dry desert.
Daniel 10: 5-6 At the end of Daniel’s time of fasting he received a vision of a heavenly being dressed in linen with a belt of fine gold around his waist His body glowed with inner light, his face shown like lightning, and his words echoed like a roar of a crowed. His angelic likeness crushed Daniel and sent his companions running.
Daneil 10:12 This awe-inspiring messenger encouraged Daniel and give him insight, understanding, encouragement as a response to his mourning and fasting over the situation of Jerusalem.
Include the Lord in the planning of your step for 2024 as we seek to hear Him.
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Areas to pray into
Spiritual walk
Family
Friends
Health
Finances
Church
Fasting is a key to spiritual warfare Matthew 4:1-11
4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Jesus fasted before he was tempted by Satan
Fasting produced an appetite for the father’s will.
Temptations that Jesus face
Lust of the Flesh
Lust of the Eyes
Pride of Life
Jesus came out of the desert with power Luke 4:14
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