Fasting should draw us in a closer communion with God. Whether food, TV or even the internet, it should bring us in close alignment with God so we can understand his will for us, and have the right motive.Going through some of my bible study notes and found this....
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PURPOSES OF FASTING
Repentance
"Even now," declares the LORD , "return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning." Joel 2:12
Freedom
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? . Isaiah 58:6
Spiritual Renewal
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Matt 4:1,2
Wisdom
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2,3
Unto God
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matt 6:16-18.
The main purpose of fasting is spiritual and Biblically it comes with sincere prayer and a mindset of repentance. From Moses to Jehosphat from Nehemiah to Elijah from Esther to Jesus, the Bible shows us the power and purpose of fasting. Primarily it points us to self control and submitting to God's will and has the benefit of keeping us healthy. Not only is the body purged/rested and renewed spiritually but physically as well.
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Thoughts?
Dave
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PURPOSES OF FASTING
Repentance
"Even now," declares the LORD , "return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning." Joel 2:12
Freedom
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? . Isaiah 58:6
Spiritual Renewal
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Matt 4:1,2
Wisdom
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2,3
Unto God
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matt 6:16-18.
The main purpose of fasting is spiritual and Biblically it comes with sincere prayer and a mindset of repentance. From Moses to Jehosphat from Nehemiah to Elijah from Esther to Jesus, the Bible shows us the power and purpose of fasting. Primarily it points us to self control and submitting to God's will and has the benefit of keeping us healthy. Not only is the body purged/rested and renewed spiritually but physically as well.
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Thoughts?
Dave