Fasting 3 IT'S TIME

Starting tomorrow, we are beginning our corporate 21 day fast as we do every January.

So today I wanna talk to you briefly on fasting

We are prone to think of fasting in a negative term. But I want to share a story with you that puts fasting in a more positive light.

I remember once Missionary Steve Mills was preaching here at Liberty. By the way, he will be here next month February 19 and 20th for a church planting conference. You’ll be hearing more about that in the coming weeks from Pastor Richard.

Steve Mills said that a man who happen to be bald, went on a 30 day fast. At the end of the fast all his hair grow back.

You should have seen the look on Pastor Sam’s and my face. We both looked at each other and was like oh my goodness our hair can grow back if only we would fast for 30 days.

Religious or spiritual obligation.

To lose weight

Mental clarity.

To cleanse the body.

So What is a biblical fasting?

In his book, A Fasted Life (Living A Lifestyle Of Intimacy And Power With God) Philip Rener says Biblical fasting is not starvation. Fasting is not a diet. (my very first fast at 13)

Although there is proven science that fasting does benefit your health, the purpose of biblical fasting is not to lose weight, although that can be a benefit. (If we are honest a lot of us think this way when we fast. I can’t wait to lose wait).

Instead, biblical fasting helps you cultivate a humble mental and emotional state to lay aside sins and weights that can shackle the heart and mind.

So Biblical fasting is abstaining from food, and possibly drink, for a limited period of time, as a mark of religious commitment, and devotion.

A fast is simply making a choice to give up something you seek for satisfaction in order to see God for satisfaction.

Both The Hebrew and Greek word for fasting mean the same thing to abstain from food or to fast. To shut your mouth and not allow anything to go in it.

If you abstain from other things such as games, TV, social media, friends, sports, or anything else other than food, that’s not a biblical fast. That’s self-discipline which we should practice every day.

The motivation of biblical fasting is to seek God’s heart.

Fasting help silence the voice of the flesh, enabling you to hear the voice of God within your spirit more clearly.

Fasting will transform you to grow in God’s love, and to develop a heart of compassion.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF FAST IN SCRIPTURE

There are different types of fast in scripture let me give you a few.

An Absolute Fast. Abstaining from food and drink.

After the apostle Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:9 tells us, for three days he went without sight, and didn’t eat or drink.

A Normal Fast. Abstaining from food only. to abstain from food, but to drink water or perhaps other liquids is the most common kind of Christian fast.

Partial fast. A partial fast is a limitation of the diet, but not abstention from all food. (this could mean fasting a certain meal of the day or abstaining from certain kinds of foods for example, no meat or sweets, soups only, fruits and vegetables, only. In Daniel 10:3, Scripture says “I didn’t eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth.

THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO FASTING

Fasting ignites your prayers. When Ezra was about to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem, he proclaimed a fast in order for the people to seek the Lord for safe passage.

Ezra 8:23 says so we fasted and earnestly pray that our God will take care of us, and he heard our prayers.

God called us to fast and pray. If you are fasting, a certain meal of the day, use the time you would normally be eating to pray. The combination of prayer and fasting is a powerful way to focus on seeking God for breakthroughs and answered prayers. Again I go back to my mother she was an amazing example of this,

Fasting gives us victory over temptation. Matthews 4:1–11 we see here The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and night and He was victorious.

Fasting breaks bondage. Isaiah 58:6 says Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yolk, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? That’s what fasting can do. It can break off the bondage of sin, oppression, and heaviness.

Fasting is also good for your health. Isaiah 58:8 says then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal.

And I believe the most important benefit to fasting is God himself. Remember, when you are fasting, the time you would usually spend eating is spent with God instead. You should write down your questions, any struggles you may be facing during the fast, and what God is showing you in your journal. Fasting will cause you to thrive spiritually.

John piper said it like this,

Fasting is the way of saying, with our stomachs and our whole body how much we need and want and trust in Jesus.

You see fasting slows us down long enough to hear God’s voice. Where we find.

Clarity from God

Direction from God

Answers from God

Help from unexpected places

Wisdom

Breakthrough

And release from habitual sin

My story of fasting last year

Now let me tell you a story that’s a little more serious. It’s about me fasting last year.

December 2021 I purposed in my heart that 2022 I was going to fast more. I just felt the Holy Spirit leading me in that direction.

So in January 2022 came and jumped right in and begin our corporate fast.

At the start of my fast I was reading the book The Holy Spirit by John Bevere for the 2nd time. Just growing in my knowledge of Him.

At the end of the 21 day fast I begin reading the book, A Fasted Life (Living A Lifestyle Of Intimacy And Power With God) by Philip Rener.

As I was reading the book, the Holy Spirit begin speaking to me, saying It’s Time to fast. So I purposed in my heart to go on a three day fast, and the Holy Spirit immediately said no seven.

So I asked God what type of fast He wanted me to go on He said water. I ask if I can have some Juice He Said yes.

I asked God can I watch television He said no sports

And what I discovered as I spent time in the presence of the Lord I wasn’t missing nothing. I didn’t need sports. All I wanted was to spend more and more time with Him.

Time praying, studying, worshiping, conversing with him. He would wake me up at 1, 2, 3 in the morning and I will stay up and just be in His presence. It was so amazing.

He supplied every need

He healed my body

He restored a relationship

He became my satisfaction

I even set up on my phone meetings with Holy Spirit and reminders to so I wouldn’t forget.

REASONS FOR FASTING IN SCRIPTURE

Mourning 2nd Samuel 1:11-12 David mourned and wept and fasted all day at the death of Saul and his son Jonathan.

Repentence from sin Daniel 9:20 Daniel was expressing sorrow for the sins of his people

Seeking God’s intervention. In Esther 4:15-17 Esther requested that the Jews fast and pray on her behalf, she said, go, gather all the Jews to be found in Shushan, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. As she sought God’s intervention on behalf of the Jews.

Seeking God‘s guidance Acts 13:1-3 the church receive direction through the Holy Spirit while fasting concerning Barnabas and Saul. And sent them out to do ministry.

When I was young my Mama use to fasted and prayed constantly. I thought it was because we didn’t have enough food.

But later in life she told me she was fasting for her boys. She wanted guidance, from God The Father how to raise her 3 boys. She said she wanted her boys to know God. It wasn’t easy there were a lot of challenges but look at God He and He alone answer my mama’s prayers.

People fast for all types of reasons

Religious and spiritual obligations.

Some fast for mental clarity

Others fast to cleanse the body.

And some fast just to lose weight.

IT’S TIME

As I was preparing this message I asked God what to title this word and He said two words IT’S TIME.

God gave me a word for our church and I’m going to share that a little later at the end of my message.

But let me begin as we talk about fasting, Let me explain what fasting is. And what fasting is not.

Some of you are new to fasting and new to Liberty. So let me share with you some basic things about fasting.

God shared with me a prophet word for our church and I’m going to share that at the end.

But let me begin as we talk about fasting, Let me explain what fasting is. And what fasting is not.

Some of you are new to fasting and new to Liberty this is what we do every year. So let share with you some basic things about fasting.

BUT WE CAN’T FAST WITHOUT PRAYING

Remember, fasting should be combined with prayer if you are not praying you’re on a diet.

So, starting this Tuesday, January 3 at 12 PM in the youth room will be having noon day soaking sessions. We want you to come and get saturated in the presence of the Lord. Bring your journals, bring your Bibles as God will be speaking to you. Our noon day soaking sessions will be Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday in the youth room.

FASTING AND WORSHIP AND PRAYER

We also want to adore the Lord and worship as well as prayer.

So on Wednesday night starting this Wednesday, January 4 at 7 PM for three consecutive Wednesdays ending on January 18. We are gathering in the main auditorium as we fast, for a time of worship and prayer.

Come, expecting God to move greatly.

FASTING FACTS

Make sure you download the Liberty app or check the website or go on Liberty‘s Instagram page for our fasting facts throughout the fast. These are short videos to encourage you during your fast.

SO WHAT ARE YOUR MOTIVES BEHIND FAST?

I appreciate the fact that we’ll lose weight, if we fast, but that can’t be our motive.

I appreciate the fact that it’s good for our health, but that can’t be our motive.

What are the specific needs that you’re fasting for?

Let’s take sometime right now and let’s go before the Lord and ask.

What is the purpose for my fast?

What is the type of fast you desire for me to do?

In scripture when people fasted, they fasted for a specific need

Sometimes they were in trouble

Sometimes it was for finances

And sometimes, as we saw earlier, it was for

Guidance

And direction

And intervention

And repentance

I believe there will be clarity in 2023

While preparing for this message, I ask God what to title this message.

He said two words ITS TIME

The next day I asked God what did he mean by its time?

And as I sat on my couch to pray, meditate, and spend time with God, this is what he said to me

Many of you have been praying for your kids to come into the kingdom. It’s time!

Many of you have been praying for your spouse. It’s time!

Many of you have been praying for your family members. It’s time!

Many of you have been praying for your neighbors. It’s time!

Many of you have been praying for your coworkers. It’s time!

The church has been praying to the Lord of the harvest to bring in Laborers. It’s time!

Mini of you have been praying for your finances. It’s time!

Many of you have been praying for your health. It’s time!

The time of healing is here!

Many of you have been praying for direction and clarity It’s time!

Many of you have been praying to understand the word of God. It’s time!

Many of you have been praying for your heavenly language. It’s time!

Many of you have been waiting to get direction and clarity for your next step in ministry. It’s time!

It’s time to awaken to the things of God!

Many of you have been praying for a nation to turn to the Father. It’s time!

It’s also time to stop all the backbiting, gossiping, it’s time to get rid of all anger, bitterness, and Ragel and pride

It’s also time to stop all the back, biting, gossiping, it’s time to get rid of all anger, bitterness, and Rachel and pride

It’s time to seek God first. It’s time to turn from our wicked!

It’s time to forgive those who have harmed you!

It’s time to forgive those who have offended you!

It’s time to make things right!

There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time

This is the time to take this fasting season seriously

This is the time to humble yourself, pray, seek the face of the Lord, and turn away from evil. Then the Lord will hear you and forgive your sins and restore your land.

SO, LIBERTY WHY SHOULD WE FAST?

THIS IS WHAT ISAIAH 58:11 says

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bone; you shall be like a water garden, and like a spring of water, whose water do not fail.

Liberty I can’t speak for you, but I need the father to guide me and keep me from dryness. For those who are on the fence about whether you are going to fast or not. That alone is enough reason to go on this journey with us, as we see the face of God.

Most of us say, we want to be closer to God, want to hear his voice, want to be in his presence. Well, here’s our opportunity.

When done correctly, with the right mindset and motives, fasting will help us achieve those objectives

Liberty it’s time

Let’s pray

But before we get into what a biblical fast is, let’s first talk about what a biblical fast is not.

People fast for all types of reasons

It may sound simple, but although biblical fasting deals with the physical, but it is not focused on the physical but rather on the spiritual. It is a commitment of time in prayer and study of God’s word instead of eating.

If you have a medical condition or there’s medicine you have to take you can still fast something. Maybe you have dessert after every meal maybe you fast your dessert and spend that time with The Lord.

Perhaps the reason so many of us, fast, so infrequently is because we think of fasting, mainly as what we’re going without rather than what we are getting.

After Jesus had fasted He came out of the wilderness in the Power of The Spirit. So let’s talk about some of the results of fasting.