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FASTING - March 1, 1999		 Next John 3:30 Letters

Hi all,  I know it has been a while.

Our church is starting to promote fasting.  Not that we never promoted it before but we are starting to make it a regular practice with in our church.  We will be fasting for specific things at specific times.

You might be thinking, "what is fasting?" and why fast?"  Good questions?

Let's note a few things about fasting: (Some of this is taken from Elmer Towns - Fasting For Spiritual Break Through)

Note 1: It's important to understand that religious practices such as fasting are less important than doing God's will.  Micah 6:8 tells us what the Lord really requires form us is devotion to Himself: "To do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."    In  Isaiah 58, the people at that time were treating fasting as an empty ritual and because of this they had know results.

The reason, God says, is that they ignored the way fasting should change their lives. Elmer Towns states: "Fasting is not an end in itself, it is a means by which we can worship the Lord and submit ourselves in humility to Him."

Note 2: We can not manipulate God.  Even if we wanted to.  We fast and pray for results, but the results are in God's hands.  The spiritual benefits of fasting is to become more attentive to God.

Note 3: Fasting is focusing on God.  The results of fasting is spiritual results that glorify God - both in the person who fast and others for whom we fast and pray.

THE PURPOSE OF FASTING

We fast to become empowered to change the world.  God tells us in Isaiah 58:6-8 the specific things fasting accomplishes:
1. Loosen the bonds of wickedness
2. Undo heavy burdens
3. Let the oppressed go free
4. Break every yoke
5. Give bread to the hungry and provide poor with housing.  ( Elmer Towns notes: Isaiah wasn't talking about " Social Gospel" to bring in the Kingdom of God through social change.  He wanted the people to continue fasting, but to expand fasting through actions into their everyday lives.)
6. Allow the people's light to break forth like morning.
7. To cause their health to spring forth speedily
8. Causes their righteousness to go before them.
9. Causes the glory of the Lord to be their reward.

Fasting is simply a tool that may be used to glorify the Lord and realize answers to prayer.

Other Verses For You To Look At:
Matt. 17:21 - Ezra 8:23 - I Sam. 7:6 - Acts 9:9 - Esther 4:16;52


On March 15 our Church is having a Church wide fast.   The purpose for us is to:

1. Renewal in our Church and our own walk with Christ.
2. Total surrender of our will and
3. New understanding toward Missions. (since this is heading toward are Mission Weekend)

Questions To Ponder:

1. What do you think about fasting?
2. Have you ever consider this a Spiritual Discipline?
3. Have you ever fasted before?

It is important to note that fasting is a physical discipline.  Consult your physician before beginning to fast.  And don't feel guilty if you cannot fast.

Love to hear from you on this.  Brad

GIGATT  --  GIGATT - GIGATT  -  GIGATT  -  GIGATT -  GIGATT -  GIGATT

"He Must become greater, I must become Less"          
John 3:30
Brad                           
John330@tir.com

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