Fasting is one of the keys to a believer's life.
We fast to humble ourselves and seek God wholeheartedly. With the decision to fast, there are also rewards!
Pastor Ilya shares a message that is encouraging and highlights the rewards, physical and spiritual, of fasting.
If you choose to fast, may God bless you on your journey with Him!
Notes:
Matthew 6:16-18
Fasting is a willful abstaining from natural pleasures for a spiritual purpose.
Fasting is as much about what you are separating yourself TO as what you are separating FROM.
2 Timothy 2:21
Men of God in the Bible went to be secluded during their fast.
They went to the mountain or wilderness to fast so that they were not distracted.
Don't let things distract you during a fast - protect your environment.
Fasting is a personal commitment to renounce the natural to invoke the spiritual.
Fasting is the dedication to period of time to devout oneself to spiritual priority of prayer without food.
1. Physical Health - Naturally and Supernaturally
Isaiah 58:8 (CEB)
2. Preparation for Temptation
Matthew 4:1-11
It’s training your body, appetites, desires, lusts to submit to your will.
It strengths our spirit and weakens our flesh. It give spirit dominance over our flesh.
THE FIRST TEMPTATION WAS WITH FOOD.
Genesis 3:1
The first temptation of Israel was with food.
Exodus 16:3
The first temptation of Jesus was with food.
Matthew 4:4
After 40 days of fasting, Jesus was at the peak of His strength, not at His weakest point.
3. Unlocks Your Calling - or next season in your calling.
Too often people seek approval and recognition of man or platform but neglect to seek God first.
Promotion comes from the Lord.
Acts 13:2
4. Releases Divine Power - in ministry and every day life.
Deuteronomy 8:18
Luke 4:14
5. Answered Prayer
Ezra 8:23
Daniel 9:3
6. Positions You for Deliverance - it’s not the fasting itself that brings the deliverance, but spiritual fasting leads to deliverance.
Esther 4:16
Mark 9:29
7. Revelation of God’s Word
Isaiah 58:8 (CEB)
Psalm 119:130
Psalm 119:105
HOW TO FAST
1. START WITH A CLEAR GOAL.
Why are you fasting?
Do you need direction, healing, restoration of your marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties?
Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Be specific.
2. PREPARE SPIRITUALLY.
Confess your sins to God.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness.
Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended.
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you.
3. DECIDE WHAT TO FAST.
Are you fasting food? Food and water? Are you fasting from something that isn’t food, like social media or television?
