Psalms 8:2 (NKJV)
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
Psalms 41:11 (NKJV)
By this I know that You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me.
Psalms 61:3 (NKJV)
For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Is your blade sharp enough? Daniel fasted all meat, sweets, and bread for 10 days. He had to have God by his side for his captors to supply him with a special meal. Have you ever thought why the guards gave him a special diet? I’m sure back then they didn’t have special diets for certain prisoners, I would think everyone would get the same meal and be thankful they received any food.
But God was with Daniel. God kept Daniel’s blade sharp. First by giving him the courage to ask the guard to test his diet, and for asking for special treatment. Second, for removing all pleasant food from his diet Daniel proved that God was going to be with him no matter what he ate. Daniel didn’t give up the fast even when the aroma from the other prisoners drifted in his cell.
Continual Prayer You probably know that fasting isn’t an opportunity to promote your own needs before God. It is a way for you to remove yourself from the world, to get closer to God, and praying all day.
Here’s a good prayer tactic for your fast. When you don’t feel like praying pray anyway. When you’re tired from a long cold drive home pray. When you rise in the morning and want to have a nice cup of hot coffee to warm your body, warm your soul by praying.
Pray for those unsaved friends and loved ones. Create a list of people that you would love to see saved, keep them in your prayer throughout the day. Habakkuk 2:2 states “write the vision and make it plain” Call out the names of those people during your fast. God will breakthrough whatever barriers stand in the way.
Dominion over the flesh Your flesh may be willing to quick your fast early, but press on. Fasting is so important because you are actually denying your flesh. You are giving sacrifice to God, God loves to see us focus on Him and His ways instead of ourselves.
Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Does God always hear you when you’re fasting? Do you think it possible that God may not hear you while you’re fasting?
Isaiah 58:4 (NKJV)
Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high.
In the verse above Israel was fasting, but they had also not held on to the ordinances of God. They made the appearance that they were seeking God but they were still keeping all their own ways. Their sin was all that God could see. They didn’t humble themselves before God, their fasting became another ritual, it was mechanical they still held on to anger and were lashing out.
It’s true that you don’t fast to have God cleanse you of your sin (Jesus already did this J). You should however, enter a fast with a truly repentant heart. If you’re not sure what you need to repent for, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to lay down at the altar and repent of. He’ll open your eyes and your heart to whatever you are holding onto, or whatever is holding you back from truly serving Him.
Shining your light
Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Our light inside us should be a reflection of our loving God. This reflection should be something that is apparent to those we are around. You shouldn’t have to tell people you’re a Christian, or something worse, if you do tell them you’re a Christian they are shocked because your “label” doesn’t match your actions.
When you’re fasting you’re spending so much more time with God, I believe his truth, love, and energy is magnified in you. That magnification will show to other people. Be the light, don’t try to hide it under a bushel. What a great gift God gave us with us Son and His love, don’t be greedy. The more you share the more God will bless you!
Righteousness
Isaiah 58:8 (NKJV)
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
While you’re fasting your faith and where you stand with God will cause you to move to areas that you would not have been able to move if you had not fasted. Doors will open that at one time seemed shut and locked to you.
God will put the right people in your path at the right time. God will see your sacrifice and if you enter in the fast with a humble and repentant heart and truly seek His face while you fast, you’ll be so surprised at the miracles (both big and small) that will occur in your life.
Raise a foundation
Isaiah 58:12 (NKJV)
Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
When you fast you’re actually beginning to lay a foundation that will not only affect your life, but the life your family and future generations. Fasting can end any demonic attacks that are going on in your family. It can break generational curses. When you fast, you’ll lay a foundation that will bless not only your children, but your children’s children.
Resources:
Franklin, Jentezen (2008) fasting. Jentezen Franklin Ministries.
Gregory, Susan (2010) the Daniel fast. Ann Spangler and Company.
Feola, Kristen (2010) The Ultimate Gide to the Daniel Fast. Les Stobe
http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/best-cook-vegetables?page=1
http://danielsfast.weebly.com/
http://www.biblegateway.com
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
Psalms 41:11 (NKJV)
By this I know that You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me.
Psalms 61:3 (NKJV)
For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Is your blade sharp enough? Daniel fasted all meat, sweets, and bread for 10 days. He had to have God by his side for his captors to supply him with a special meal. Have you ever thought why the guards gave him a special diet? I’m sure back then they didn’t have special diets for certain prisoners, I would think everyone would get the same meal and be thankful they received any food.
But God was with Daniel. God kept Daniel’s blade sharp. First by giving him the courage to ask the guard to test his diet, and for asking for special treatment. Second, for removing all pleasant food from his diet Daniel proved that God was going to be with him no matter what he ate. Daniel didn’t give up the fast even when the aroma from the other prisoners drifted in his cell.
Continual Prayer You probably know that fasting isn’t an opportunity to promote your own needs before God. It is a way for you to remove yourself from the world, to get closer to God, and praying all day.
Here’s a good prayer tactic for your fast. When you don’t feel like praying pray anyway. When you’re tired from a long cold drive home pray. When you rise in the morning and want to have a nice cup of hot coffee to warm your body, warm your soul by praying.
Pray for those unsaved friends and loved ones. Create a list of people that you would love to see saved, keep them in your prayer throughout the day. Habakkuk 2:2 states “write the vision and make it plain” Call out the names of those people during your fast. God will breakthrough whatever barriers stand in the way.
Dominion over the flesh Your flesh may be willing to quick your fast early, but press on. Fasting is so important because you are actually denying your flesh. You are giving sacrifice to God, God loves to see us focus on Him and His ways instead of ourselves.
Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Does God always hear you when you’re fasting? Do you think it possible that God may not hear you while you’re fasting?
Isaiah 58:4 (NKJV)
Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high.
In the verse above Israel was fasting, but they had also not held on to the ordinances of God. They made the appearance that they were seeking God but they were still keeping all their own ways. Their sin was all that God could see. They didn’t humble themselves before God, their fasting became another ritual, it was mechanical they still held on to anger and were lashing out.
It’s true that you don’t fast to have God cleanse you of your sin (Jesus already did this J). You should however, enter a fast with a truly repentant heart. If you’re not sure what you need to repent for, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to lay down at the altar and repent of. He’ll open your eyes and your heart to whatever you are holding onto, or whatever is holding you back from truly serving Him.
Shining your light
Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Our light inside us should be a reflection of our loving God. This reflection should be something that is apparent to those we are around. You shouldn’t have to tell people you’re a Christian, or something worse, if you do tell them you’re a Christian they are shocked because your “label” doesn’t match your actions.
When you’re fasting you’re spending so much more time with God, I believe his truth, love, and energy is magnified in you. That magnification will show to other people. Be the light, don’t try to hide it under a bushel. What a great gift God gave us with us Son and His love, don’t be greedy. The more you share the more God will bless you!
Righteousness
Isaiah 58:8 (NKJV)
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
While you’re fasting your faith and where you stand with God will cause you to move to areas that you would not have been able to move if you had not fasted. Doors will open that at one time seemed shut and locked to you.
God will put the right people in your path at the right time. God will see your sacrifice and if you enter in the fast with a humble and repentant heart and truly seek His face while you fast, you’ll be so surprised at the miracles (both big and small) that will occur in your life.
Raise a foundation
Isaiah 58:12 (NKJV)
Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
When you fast you’re actually beginning to lay a foundation that will not only affect your life, but the life your family and future generations. Fasting can end any demonic attacks that are going on in your family. It can break generational curses. When you fast, you’ll lay a foundation that will bless not only your children, but your children’s children.
Resources:
Franklin, Jentezen (2008) fasting. Jentezen Franklin Ministries.
Gregory, Susan (2010) the Daniel fast. Ann Spangler and Company.
Feola, Kristen (2010) The Ultimate Gide to the Daniel Fast. Les Stobe
http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/best-cook-vegetables?page=1
http://danielsfast.weebly.com/
http://www.biblegateway.com