Do you know the secret to effective, powerful FASTING!
Read more!
Fasting is not a binge-purge cycle that people have because they want to lose weight. If a person is fasting to lose weight and they think that God wants people that are thin and fit, then they need to be very careful with their fasting. Fasting that is done by someone because they want something, like to get powerful and to get their needs and prayers met is the wrong kind of fasting.
God wants us to first take care of orphans and widows as an act of fasting. He wants us to live just lives instead of fasting while we ignore the suffering that goes on around us.
Read Isaiah 58:3-9
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Now...when you live justly it is ok to FAST something and spend more time with God.
We shouldn't look like we are suffering. We shouldn't fast so we don't eat with those around us like on a Sunday. We should fast secretly.
Here are some tips from MIKE BICKLE on Fasting that are helpful. I lived in Kansas City and I saw many people get sick from Binge-ing and Purging their bodies because they had a poor self-image.
Don't fast to hurt your body. Just fast to spend a little extra time with GOD! He wants to spend time with you. He doesn't want your vomit and your sickness because of not eating. He wants you to have proper nutrition and to be happy in your mind, heart and body.
From Mike Bickle:
A. Fasting
is always voluntary.
Though leaders may invite others to join in a corporate fast, with a specific goal
in mind, and for a specific time, fasting can never be forced or mandated. Therefore,
fasting is not a requirement for the IHOP–KC staff or community.
B. The level
at which a person engages in fasting from food should be determined according
to age and physical limitations. Those with a physical disability, illness, or
eating disorder should not fast, except under the supervision of a physician.
Minors are discouraged from fasting food. Minors who desire to fast are
encouraged to consider non-food abstentions, such as TV, movies, Internet,
video games, and other entertainment. The Bible never calls children to fast food.
C. Five rewards of the Bridegroom Fast:
1. Fasting tenderizes our hearts so that we feel God’s presence
more.
2. Fasting changes our desires and
enlarging our desire for righteousness (Heb. 1:9).
3. Fasting increases our understanding of the Word and receiving
prophetic dreams.
4. Fasting makes our body healthier and changes what we desire to
eat and drink.
5. Fasting strengthens our sense of identity—as sons of God, before
the Father, and as the Bride, before the Son. Our identity becomes
rooted in knowing God’s affection for us.
I. THE Bridegroom Fast: encountering God’s love (Mt.
9:14-15)
A. Jesus spoke of the apostles fasting out of their desire
to encounter Him. We call this the “Bridegroom fast.” It is motivated by desire
for Jesus, rather than by desire for more power in ministry or to be delivered
from a personal crisis, etc. This was a new paradigm of fasting.
14Then the
disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often,
but Your disciples do not fast?” 15And Jesus said to them, “Can the
friends of the Bridegroom mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then
they will fast.” (Mt. 9:14-15)
B. The disciples enjoyed Jesus’ presence, feeling loved by
Him and rejoicing in their relationship with Him. Jesus told them that the joy
they experienced in His nearness would change to mourning, or longing, when He
was taken from them by His death—when the joy of His immediate presence had
been taken from them, they would be heartsick. Then they would fast!
Remember, to FAST by spending time with JESUS and you will see wonderful happens!
Last thing to remember...FASTING does not cause your parents or loved-ones to be saved...only you being consistently kind to them will lead them to JESUS!!! Remember that and be patient!
I'll write more about that issue later!
Have a great weekend!
Pastor Ken Harley :-)
iwirehk.webs.com
kharley@gmail.com
