Fasting...

[Edward]

I was fasting here and there for awhile there but have not for a little while now, and lately, the Lord seems to be bringing it to my attention again, repeatedly in fact so I will start fasting some here again soon. I have been thinking about it and it came up in scripture to me also. Isaiah 58...the entire chapter is mostly about fasting. I've been in Isaiah many times before and it never jumped off of the page at me like it did recently. It was really cool to read different translations of the chapter on Biblegateway also! The different versions say it different ways and which gives additional insight. So let's talk about fasting, shall we? Do you fast? I have. It is good practice I believe if done for the right reasons. The Lord showed me awhile back, that fasting does not have to be just food or water and Isaiah 58 seems to go along with that in that...it doesn't really talk about food in that chapter!

I also learned that, anything that we deny ourselves is an acceptable fast for the Lord to be offered. Even entertainment. Instead of watching that show or movie, why not skip it and use the time to...go do an elderly neighbor a favor or something instead? This way I believe is better because it couples up a sacrifice/denial of ourselves and a giving in love towards our neighbor at the same time. Make sense? I think so.

 

[for_his_glory]

With all the articles I have written I never did one on fasting. I guess I have some studying to do. To be honest I have never fasted as I never felt led to do so nor have I ever been convicted in not doing so. In a way IMO as I have no scripture to give at this time, I feel fasting is setting aside all distractions, even food, and giving your total attention in having prayer that is fellowship with God. It's just the two of you talking to each other as you take no concern for how long that would last as you develop a closer relationship as you draw in closer to God, which I have done many many times.

 

[Truthfrees]

i fast - meals - whole days - 3 days at a time -

used to do 40day fasts - haven't done that in a while - powerful results everytime when i did

 

[Tessa]

Lovely reminder, thank you.
Don't think I could manage 40 days.

 

[Truthfrees]

Lovely reminder, thank you.
Don't think I could manage 40 days.

it has to be with God's help - i asked God first if He would permit me to do a 40 day fast - i don't believe i could ever do it otherwise

i have since found a more powerful way of getting breakthroughs for most serious situations so have not needed to ask God if He would permit/help me do a 40 day fast

but if i was ever up against a serious situation that i felt no way through OTHER than a 40 day fast i would seek God's permission before doing it

 

[stovebolts]

Edward,
Fasting is good for your body. Your body needs a rest once in awhile too.

Think about it, we rest every night so our muscles and mind can rejuvenate. When we fast, it gives our digestive track time to rest and rejuvenate.

 

[Edward]

Edward,
Fasting is good for your body. Your body needs a rest once in awhile too.

Think about it, we rest every night so our muscles and mind can rejuvenate. When we fast, it gives our digestive track time to rest and rejuvenate.

I'll agree with that. It is like keeping our car in the garage and not driving it whenever we fast. It is easier on the body and will prolly help it to last longer. I like that idea.

If you think about it, everyone fasts every day for prolly between 5 to 8 hours per night when we sleep. No eating is technically a fast.
Now, as far as our mind resting when we sleep or fast, it is not so Brother! When we sleep, yeah, our consciousness goes away and can be said to be resting, but many other parts of our brain turn on and do their work at night while our body is resting. I'm not positive what all the mind is doing then, working through the days problems maybe, assimilating our knoeledge input for the day and chewing on it so that eventually it turns into wisdom...? They do say, sleep on it. I have done that for a long tie. I refuse to make big financial decisions on the spur of the moment, and salesman must hate me for that but I always make better decisions after I do sleep on it.

And scripture says that it is in the night as we sleep that He comes and speaks to us. So while we rest our body, our spirit and brain is awake and busy speaking with Holy Spirit and so forth...
But how could a bible fast benefit us? In what way? I'm sorry, but I...don't get it.

 

[for_his_glory]

Fasting is often linked to repentance like David, the nation of Israel and the city of Nineveh. Fasting is also related to passionate prayer as in the examples of King Jehoshaphat and Esther. Biblical fasting comes from a humble heart seeking God like in Isaiah 58. A regular fast is done by abstaining from food and liquids except water. This is the type of fast King Jehoshaphat called for when his country was confronted with invasion as the Lord defeated the enemies and the the men of Judah blessed the Lord, 2 Chronicles 20.

Another type of fasting is a partial fasting from certain foods like Daniel did for three weeks, Daniel 10. Another is the full fast that Esther did with going without any food or water for three days, Esther 4:16.

There are different types of fast for different reasons, but more importantly it is to give your whole self to God as you humble yourself before Him.

 

[Edward]

IMO a Bible fast would be like fasting from God as the scripture is inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

That's where I am about fasting. I have done it quite a few times in my life but prolly not to where I could say a lot. I believing that fasting's purpose is twofold, either to draw closer to God and spend even more time with Him than when we would have been eating, or for a special purpose, usually someone else that we are trying to get the Lord to help them or do something for them. Like for instance to fast for the President, for his safety and protection and wisdom and understanding and so forth...

The longest that I have ever fasted was 7 days on a few occasions. I did learn recently that just because fasting might have been easier in the past (it was!), doesn't mean it will still be easy! That might be increased demonic pressure? A spiritual attack maybe.

 

[Edward]

There are different types of fast for different reasons, but more importantly it is to give your whole self to God as you humble yourself before Him.

Exactly! Like I was saying also. But in doing a fast it should be for personal spiritual growth in general but corporate fasts (group fasts) like we did here before were special purpose and was probably very powerful.

What bugs me a little bit is, there are so many new types of fasts thar seem to be coming out and many are very short in duration, like fasting for one hour each day for a period of time, or to skip watching a movie to go help the neighbor or something...but is this right? I mean, in the light of giving our whole self to our Lord, ...how with a one hour fast? It makes me wonder if a fast may be able to be too short to be effective?

Personally, I *think* that a one day fast is perhaps my personal minimum time for a fast for that reason.

I have never done a dry fast. Always drink water while fasting. I would like to do a 21 day fast, but so far have not. I couldn't do 7 days recently! Broke it.

 

[JohnDB]

Fasting is one of those things that has been abused a lot.
Our former Senior Pastor used to preach on this topic...and totally missed the point.

Jesus did it as part of his "testing" and or Temptation in the wilderness.

And it comes down to the notion of what are you really willing to give up because of God with a willing and glad heart.

Some people "give up food" easily but will laugh about giving up sodas or coffee or tea.(depends upon area)

Some willingly give up food but still go out and become sociable making new friends and attending events and enjoying entertaining music, television, internet or whatever.

I have a friend that currently is not having anything sweet because this friend is hoping to please God enough to get what they are asking for. (As if God is Santa)
I'm currently praying that they don't get what they want because it won't be good for them and I care about them a great deal.


Fasting isn't just about food. Just like giving isn't just about helping those that need the money/things.

It's all about how Jesus answered the question about turning stones into bread.
It's ALL about having faith and trust in God. Just like the widow who gave the mite that Jesus praised so much...she gave out of her need. That doesn't mean that I'm advocating giving until we are in the poor house (like some people have done to be on stage with Benny Hinn)
It's about that constant nagging physical reminder, that hunger can bring, that you are the property of God. Real world consequences of going without (denying yourself) to remain humble.

I've had relationships with Coptic Christians who keep all their fasts. They only get meat 50 days of every year. (And boy howdy do they have a meat fest when the fast is over)
They constantly are fasting. But their church has the same issues as most churches. Their families have the same problems as other families. Nothing is different with them than other Christian communities.

People used to spend huge volumes of time to prepare food. Simple yeast raised bread took several hours of intensive labor. Unleavened took less time but it was still time consuming. Then there are vegetables and fruits and meats that took huge volumes of time and money.
In today's "heat and eat" and fast food, kitchen Aide society good food is easily had in minutes without hard labor.

I don't see how skipping food prep today to spend that time in prayer helps much at all.

But some people do get closer to God by fasting and praying. I don't see it working for me because I can go days without eating without trying. But that doesn't mean that I don't have means of fasting and going without. I just don't do things like everyone else.

 

[for_his_glory]

This is enough of trying to second guess what another is saying. If you make a statement then please be ready to explain what you meant by that statement when asked for clarity.

There is getting to be to much animosity between the Brethren and it needs to stop. The topic is about fasting and we need to get back to this topic. If this continues this thread may be closed.

No reply needed and let us present the love of Christ to each other instead of degrading one another.

 

[GodsGrace]

We probably should just close this thread. It's been ruined. It almost seems like a spiritual attack. It wasn't supposed to be a we shouldn't read the scriptures thread but he doesn't seem to want to let it go.

It's hard to try to see someones point when they do not speak from the love of Christ or brotherly love. Any point which may have had some validity has been lost because it was presented from a place of self righteousness and without even the slightest bit of humility or humbleness.

I can not understand how anyone can try to make the point of how important a personal relationship with Christ is and to be led by the Spirit...but to do it in a way that is disparaging to members of the body of Christ and twists what they say. That's not the Spirit of the Lord that I know.

E,

YOU bring it back to the original idea you had.

 

[for_his_glory]

This thread is now cleaned up and reopened. Let's stay on the topic of fasting that Edward started and keep within the rules of the ToS 1.1 and 1.3 as we discuss this important topic. Anything that does not relate to the topic will be deleted.

 

[Edward]

That's a surprise. I was going to make a reply to Wondering earlier today but could not and didn't think it would be back. Huh. I guess I will re read it to get back onto my original train of thought

 

[Michael74]

i have since found a more powerful way of getting breakthroughs for most serious situations...

What is the more powerful way?

 

[for_his_glory]

That's a surprise. I was going to make a reply to Wondering earlier today but could not and didn't think it would be back. Huh. I guess I will re read it to get back onto my original train of thought

I feel it is an important topic to discuss and I will keep a close eye on it so it doesn't get out of hand again.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I hope the topic stays open. It's something I hope to keep learning about, because I don't have much knowledge or experience in fasting.

Recently there was a topic on that lead to a discussion of a group fast. Nothing too hard, just an agreement for whoever wants to, to not eat meat twice a week.

One thing I'd like to ask is for those who've done fasts, or still do them. Why do you take part in those specific fasts? Was/is it for a cause? For being closer to God? For a holiday or regular time in the calander (Ash Wednesday comes to mind).

The reason to fast as well as how to fast are both important and kind of lost on me. Seems like some fasts are very hard, and others are a lot less strenuous. (Kind of brings into question what fasting really is, and what kinds are recognized by God). Are there things you should pick one type over an other. Should we fast regularily so that our prayers are heard more? Or in the case when Jesus cast out a demon that the apstoles couldn't, Jesus said that kind of demon requires fasting to remove.

Sorry for all the questions. But I'm glad this topic is still here, and hope it stays.

 

[for_his_glory]

I really have never fasted or knew to much about it other than how others fast. I haven't had a chance this past week to do a deeper study on this except what God calls His fast in Isaiah chapter 58 and what Jesus said in Matthew 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

I can see after reading both of these scriptures that the Pharisees knew nothing of God's true fast as they fasted within their inflictions to be seen of others which had nothing to do with God's fast, but was all about themselves. While Jesus was here on earth there seemed to be no need of fasting as the disciples of Christ didn't fast as Jesus took care of the needs of others. Now that Jesus has ascended up to heaven and sits at the right hand of God we read in James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. This verse takes us back to God's fast in Isaiah Chapter 58.

Thoughts on this will be appreciated.

 

[Truthfrees]

What is the more powerful way?

high praise that creates an atmosphere for the Presence of God to manifest so that the "mountains" melt like wax before Him -

i will get some of the verses together and a short testimony

was away for 16 days and just got back - will post a better answer in the next day or 2