Daily Rhema: FASTING AND LIVING A FASTED LIFE

MARCH 22

FASTING AND LIVING A FASTED LIFE

Isaiah 58:6, 13(KJV):
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Fasting is the spiritual exercise of abstaining from eating solid food (but not water) and other carnal activities, like talking, sex, sleeping and physical labour, to give more time to fellowship with God in prayer and the Word.

The Lord said “when you fast” not “if you fast”, meaning that He expects us to fast regularly, just like He expects us to pray and give regularly (Matt. 6:1-18).

We are not under law (Lev.23:27-32), as to when to fast, how long to fast and how often to fast (Rom.14:5, 6).
However, we should make weekly fasting a habit (not a law) for our spiritual development.

Our physical eating habits affect the degree of the efficacy of our spiritual effectiveness in prayer and righteous living (Isa. 7:15; Matt. 3:4).

You can overcharge your heart or spirit by surfeiting or overeating, just like the battery of a car can be run down (Lk. 21:34).

Living a fasted life is one in which we let the Holy Spirit control what, when and how much we eat, so that we can operate at maximal spiritual power and sensitivity daily (1Cor.6:12-13).

What makes a fast effective is
1). Having the right attitude of honesty, humility and a desire to seek God for spiritual growth and excellence.

2). Setting aside time during the fast to have a concentrated time of prayer, Bible reading, study and meditation.

Regular fasting (Paul fasted often – 2 Cor. 11:27), is an essential, indispensable, tool for optimal, spiritual development to grow into the perfection and fullness of Christ in this third day.

When we fast regularly and live a fasted life, we will maximally enjoy the rewards of fasting in Isaiah 58. 8-13.

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