Do the fast that God has called

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Isaiah 58:5-8
Fasting is one way to move your will out of the way and to turn over to God’s will. There are several types of fasts: absolute, natural, fasting from activities, etc.

When you are fasting, we feel that our bodies are being afflicted, but your soul is being afflicted as well. The flesh is always contrary to what God wants and needs to be subdued. But what happens when you afflict your soul? When your soul is afflicted, there should be a greater desire to be closer to God and to do His will. If only your flesh is afflicted, your soul doesn’t get closer to God.

Your flesh doesn’t have a connection with God, your soul does. God wants your soul to be afflicted to the point where you want nothing more than God. When fasting, do we only say we’re hungry and that our flesh hurts? Or are we saying that our souls are hungry for God?

Tips for fasting and feasting on the Word

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Thinking about going on a fast? Before embarking on this wonderful Christ-centered journey, consider your health and consult a doctor if you have to. If all checks out, here are some ways to spiritually and naturally prepare your body before, during and after this humbling and disciplined experience (the next step, of course, is making fasting a regular part of your walk):

BEFORE THE FAST
–Confess your sins and repent before the Lord.
–Start reducing worldly distractions.
–Get rid of some food habits such as caffeine, sugar, red meats, and poultry.
–To start withstanding hunger, consume vegetables or fruits that contain fiber. Our bodies take longer to digest those foods.
–Also eat foods that contain vitamins and minerals and food supplements to keep the body alive and healthy throughout the day.
–Strive to prevent dehydration of the body by drinking lots of water at night.

DURING THE FAST
–Surround yourself with spiritual music and literature.
–Get alone with God, pray, meditate and feast on His word.
–Keep a journal and log your experience.
–Turn off the TV, and try to remove or eliminate temptations.
–Avoid eating sugar, and refined and fatty foods.
–Tell the least amount of people that you are fasting.

Bible study: The rights, wrongs, results of fasting

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Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-4
What do you need to know about fasting? It’s all in your approach. Bishop Pendleton takes a look at the wrong and right approach to fasting, and the results.

Notes:

-Fasting brings us to a place where we can receive God.

-Fasting with the wrong motives will bring undesirable effects.

-There is a blessing in your fast.

-Fasting is an individual thing that you have to do for yourself to get the results that you want.
-Israel was fasting for the wrong reasons and motives. God couldn’t answer them without a rebuke. Back then He rebuked the nation; now He rebukes the individual.

-The Israelites fasted for appearance sake, but Jesus admonished us to anoint our heads and wash our faces (“Don’t go walking around with an oil spot on your forehead as a telltale sign of your fast”). See Matthew 6:16.

-Don’t broadcast your fast for vain glory. Go to work the way you always go, with the same attitude and countenance.
-What makes us strong is when we can maintain and develop a relationship with God. That’s where we find ourselves seeking God.
-Some things come by fasting and prayer.
-Don’t be surprised; problems are going to arise.
-If you fast the way God wants then you will reap positive results.

-Don’t be afraid of His rebuke. Be glad about it. It will help you.

Q&A: (Questions from those in attendance.)
Q: Is there such a thing as a Daniel fast?
A: The bible doesn’t say that Daniel fasted. Bishop described the change in diet as an “adjustment” that changed Daniel’s countenance. “I don’t believe Daniel fasted, but you can call it what you want.”

Q: What is Lent?
A: Today many faiths observe Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day season of Lent. During Lent, observers fast in preparation for the Holy Week and Easter. We don’t practice Lent, but we do fast regularly and  are consecrating ourselves in the time leading up to Easter (Resurrection Sunday).