Coach’s Corner

I started a post on fasting yesterday because we discussed it on Sunday. We have a large number of people who committed to fasting during the service. However, there’s no way I can cover all the info or details regarding fasting in one service. So, I have chosen to add more insight to fasting here on the blog. If you have ever considered fasting, but weren’t sure about it, then perhaps this will clear it up for you. I even would invite you to join our faith community in fasting over the next several weeks as we seek God’s favor before our Grand Re-Opening. We are trusting God for a large number of souls to be saved and lives changed.

Jesus began His earthly ministry with prayer and fasting (Mt 4). Shortly after that he taught his disciples to fast (Mt 6). Though fasting is never commanded, Jesus assumed that the disciples would want to in order to see great things happen!  But it’s not something a Christian has to do, but can choose to do…not many guidelines given in scripture about fasting, either!

I touched on the different types of fasts yesterday, but I want to include one more here today.

Partial fast
Good if you have diabetes, hypoglycemia, or some other condition which precludes a normal fast. In the partial fast you omit certain foods for a while, but not others.
Dan. 1—he and 3 hebrew children did a partial fast, and at the end were stronger and healthier than those eating what they wanted. Elijah did this on 2 occasions, John Wesley was well known for going days on end eating only bread and water, some give up meats for a time, eating only vegetables/just skipping a meal to spend time in prayer would be another example of a partial fast

Purpose of fasting:
A way to seek God by denying the physical in order to focus on the spiritual…for this reason prayer and fasting must always go together (or it does you no good spiritually!)

Of course, there are physical benefits: medical dr’s are discovering more and more benefits to fasting…because the body is designed to heal itself on a cellular level…as we eat and take in various toxins, processed foods, medicines, etc., we hold a certain amount of poisons in our cells…but when we fast many of those things are flushed out of our system!

But if you want a spiritual benefit, make sure and take the time you would have in eating and transfer it to prayer time!

Usually we fast and pray when we have a special need. I mentioned nine purposes for fasting yesteday. Today, I’ll add some meat to those bones. If any of these situations are applicable to you, then fasting may be in order. These situations are described in Isaiah 58:6-8

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. 8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

1. Fasting to get freedom from addictions (vs 6) (things you’d like to lay down but have been unable to)

• “I’ve tried to quit smoking, but I can’t!” - Try fasting!
• Porn/alcohol/cussing/thought life…try fasting!
• God has ordained that when we get serious about walking in victory we demonstrate it through fasting…& he knows we’re serious now!

2. Fasting to solve problems (vs 6)

• Messed up finances, marriage in shambles, job solution, etc. -When it seems hopeless, no way out!
• God will deal w/ in an instant what you’ve stressed for weeks and months!

3. Fasting for revival and soul-winning (vs 6)

• I challenge you to do this this week!

4. Fasting to conquer mental and emotional problems (vs 6)

• There are more people stressed out and under emotional strain than ever

5. Fasting to meet the physical needs of others (vs 7)

• to cut back once in a while and give that food or $ to feed the poor (special blessing in scripture!)

6. Fasting for clearer insight in decision-making (vs 8 )

• Different that problem-solving…this is when you’re seeking God’s will in a major area of life…you’re at the fork in the road and don’t know which way to go.
  • [job offers/transfer/dating/ministry/college]
• it’s like God turns on the lights and now you know what to do!

7. Fasting for health reasons or healing (vs 8 )

• Have a loved one that’s terminal? Get serious and fast for them! When there’s no hope from a human perspective, put it in God’s hands…it may be His will to honor that.

8. Fasting for a more righteous life and influential testimony (vs 8 )

• It’s easy for a Christian to grow cold…so say, Lord, light a fire under me! Make me like I was when I was first saved!
• If you get serious enough to deny yourself in the physical realm, it will be amazing what God will do in your soul spiritually!

9. Fasting for the glory of the Lord, to protect us from the evil one (vs 8 )

• v. 8b “rereward”=protection

When we get serious about doing business with God in this way, through this discipline, then we will often see victory that has never been available to us before.  I encourage you to participate in this practice according to the needs of your life.

If anyone has any God-stories of victories and/or answers that came through fasting, I would love to have you share them with me here.