January 6 , 2008

There are three spiritual disciplines that will make or break your walk with God in 2008

-- Giving, Fasting and Prayer. These will result in a life of Quality Serving.

God said: Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting (Joel 2:12).

Fasting doesn't say or mean that food is evil . It is not a legalistic requirement. You determine the length of your fast, and what you deny yourself during your fast. In the Bible we find people selecting certain one meal a day fasts, or fast for a day. There were three day fasts, seven day fasts, 14 day fasts, 21 day fasts and 40 day fasts.

You need to fast safely . There are people who medically should be careful with fasting.

The idea is to deny yourself something – not just foods, but even with time-consuming media (TV, computer games) to get acquainted in a deeper way with God.

What is Fasting? It is refraining from food and/or media for a spiritual purpose. In self-denial, your spirit becomes both uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God.

Fasting is not merely going without food. That's dieting . Instead, fasting is a normal discipline of the Christian life that trains your spirit's sensitivity for God.

True fasting trains you how you can break bad habits . In the OT's primary word on fasting, Isaiah 58, God said that the fast He approves will:

break bondages,

bless the needy,

help manifest physical healing,

bring on the glory of God,

give wisdom to answer our own prayers,

stop oppression and gossip,

send the Good News to unbelievers,

supply needs,

give insight to mend relationships with God and man, and

deal with issues of despondency. That's a lot!

Elmer Towns in Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough -- there are nine Bible purposes for a personal or corporate fast:

  1 . The Apostles Fast to break addiction.
   2. The Ezra Fast to solve world and personal problems.
   3. The Samuel Fast for evangelism & revival.
   4. The Elijah Fast to break despondency and depression, or build character and integrity.
  5. The Widow's Fast for humanitarian needs to express compassion.
   6. The Apostle Paul's Fast to make wise decisions according to God's principles for living.

  7. The Daniel Fast for health & healing.
   8. The John the Baptist Fast for reputation & influence.
   9. The Esther Fast for spiritual warfare.

In "Together Advance the Mission," I am challenging the whole church today to start tomorrow to fast somehow, someway, especially during these important weeks from now till February 3 – for the church, for you, for your family and friends, for your spiritual life in God.

Many may profit from journaling during your fast. Write down what God is speaking into your life. What is God revealing to you about himself, about His purposes, His ways?

How is God enlisting you to be part of the answer to your own prayers?

What gift of the Spirit is God releasing in you to help another individual?

What adjustment is God leading you to make in your life?

How does God want you to serve Him?

Here's some guidelines for fasting:

1. Decide today to start your fast tomorrow. Begin to eat less today. Ask the Lord today how much you should fast each day, week or season of time. Decide what foods and entertainments you should fast. Remember to drink plenty of water, and if your subtracting a lot of food, then drink fruit juices as well. Be medically wise and spiritually prayerful about how much you should fast.

Spend more time than normal praying, in quite worship if working, reading Scripture and for many of you, journaling. Arrange you schedule to make sure your fast is spiritually based and you're not just dieting.

There can be many physical benefits to a Godly fast. It can cleanse the body, and adjust your appetite in more healthy ways. It can do a lot for you physically, emotionally, spiritually and as an intercessor for others.

2. Determine what the spiritual purposes are for your fast. I gave you a large number of Biblical purposes for fasting in this message.

Also include in those purposes the all-church emphasis, "Together Advance the Mission ." South Hills Assembly needs your fasted support over the next four weeks through Sunday, February 3.

3. Don't be discouraged . You'll feel the effects of fasting, but your body will soon adjust if you'll be persistent with your fast. If you're in a situation, where you temporarily break your fast, don't be discouraged about getting back on the fast. Usually it takes persistence beyond the first days of a fast to find the deeper places with God.

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