FASTING AND FEASTING

Fasting and Prayer

Acts 14:23 “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Practical suggestions and tips for fasting

1) Be aware of any medical issues that could prevent you from being able to fast. 2) You could perhaps start small. Fast for one meal and use that time to seek the Lord in prayer and the Word. 3) Fast for part of the day or the whole day. Use this time for concentrated pursuit of the Lord.

Why would we neglect this invaluable offer of mercy and grace?

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (see James 5:16)

Acts 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Feasting On the Word

1) The Word of God is perfect and revives the soul. 2) The Word of God is sure and makes us wise. 3) The Word of God is right and makes the heart rejoice. 4) The Word of God is pure and enlightens our eyes. 5) The Word of God is clean and endures forever. 6) The Word of God is true and completely righteous. 7) The Word of God is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. 8) The Word of God warns us of danger and in keeping it there is great reward.

It is through the Word that we know the Lord.

2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”

It is through the Word that we are born again.

1 Peter 1:23 “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;” (see Romans 10:17)

It is through the Word that we grow in the faith.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

It is through the Word that God’s will is done and His purposes fulfilled.

See Isaiah 55:10-11...

Milking the Word For All It is Worth

1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—” (desire the sincere milk of the word)

Read and Study the Word

2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 4:13 “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.”

Fill Yourself With the Word

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Memorize and Meditate on the Word

Psalm 119:97–99 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.”

Test Everything By It

1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 “but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

Obey It

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Share It

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””