NOT COMMONLY PRACTICED IN THE CHURCH

NOTHING WRONG WITH GIVING UP HABBITS OR ADDICTIONS!
MOST HABBITS WE DO NOT ABSOLUTLEY NEED
(TV/COMPUTERS/ACTIVITIES)
BIBLICAL FAST = WITHOUT FOOD FOR PERIOD OF TIME

1.
2.
BODY MUST BE A TRUE SACRIFICE
(OXYGEN/WATER/FOOD)
WEAKEN THE FLESH STRENGTHEN SOUL & SPIRIT
(BODY/SOUL/SPIRIT)

BRINGS A DEEPER INTIMACY BETWEEN YOU & GOD
A CLOSER CONNECTION
GOD ALWAYS LISTENS THROUGH PRAYER
FASTING SHOWS GOD YOUR WILLINGNESS FOR THOSE
PRAYERS TO BE ANSWERED
FASTING RELEASES THE ANOINTING, FAVOR &
BLESSING OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE

MATTHEW 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness , for they will be filled
FASTING SHOWS HUNGER & THIRST FOR HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
WHEN ELIMINATING FOOD FROM YOUR DIET FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS
YOUR SPIRIT BECOMES UNCLUTTERED BY THE THINGS OF THIS
WORLD AND AMAZINGLY SENSITIVE TO GOD
FASTING IS A SECRET SOURCE OF POWER THAT IS OVER LOOKED BY MANY

Jesus devoted his time to teaching His disciples the principles of the kingdom of God, principles that conflict with those of the world
MATTHEW 6 Jesus provides the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God
PATTERN = 3 SPECIFIC DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN: GIVING, PRAYING & FASTING
Solomon, when writing books of wisdom for Israel points out that a cord or rope braided with 3 strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
GIVING, PRAYING & FASTING = THREEFOLD CORD
NOT EASILY BROKEN

MATTHEW 17:20 JESUS SAYS NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE
MATTHEW TELLS A STORY OF A FATHER WITH A DEMON POSSESSED SON
HE BOUGHT HIS SON TO THE DISCIPLES AND THEY COULD NOT CURE HIM
(MATTHEW 17:15)
EVEN AFTER JESUS HAD GIVEN THEM POWER TO HE & CAST OUT SPIRITS
(MATTHEW 10:1)
WHY COULDN’T THEY CAST OUT THE DEMON?
THEY DIDN’T KNOW THEMSELVES WHY THEY COULDN’T
“THIS KIND CAN COME OUT BY NOTHING BUT PRAYER AND FASTING”
(MATTHEW 17:29)
JESUS TOLD THEM THEY NEEDED FAITH BUT THAT WASN’T ALL

JESUS FASTED 40 DAYS & 40 NIGHTS
WHY DID JESUS FAST? HE WAS GOD BUT STILL FASTED
WHY?
BECAUSE HE KNEW THE SUPERNATURAL THING COULD BE
RELEASED THROUGH FASTING
WANTED THAT CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS FATHER
NOTICE WHEN JESUS FASTED – HE ALSO INCLUDED PRAYER

LUKE 9:1
JESUS CALLED HIS 12 DISCIPLES TOGETHER & GAVE THEM
“POWER & AUTHORITY”
POWER USED IN SCRIPTURE:
LUKE 10:19 Behold, I give you the power (authority) to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
ACTS 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you

Acts 1:8 DUNAMIS = POWER
INWARD ENERGY OR THE ANOINTING OF GOD
EXAMPLE:
MARK 5 when the Jesus touched the woman who had the issue of blood
Mark says that virtue came out of Him (JESUS)
It came out of His body and went into the hem of His robe and into the woman’s body
He felt when she touched Him…that power (which means virtue in this case) leave
Dunamis is used for the word “power” in Mark 5
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you

1. POWER (DUNAMIS) - ABIDES ON THE INSIDE OF US
THE ANOINTING OF GOD CAN COME AND PASS THROUGH YOU INTO THEM
2. AUTHORITY – A POWER WHEN FIGHTING OFF DEMONS (SATAN)
YOU DON’T HAVE POWER TO CAST OR FIGHT
YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO USE THE NAME OF JESUS
LUKE 9:1 He gave them power and authority over devils and to cure diseases
LUKE 9:37 THEY’RE POWERLESS
WHY?
THEY HAVE NO FAITH
YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH & TRUST IN THE LORD
LUKE 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

POWER: PASSED THROUGH LAYING OF HANDS
POWER IS PASSED BY THE LAYING OF HANDS
(PRAYING OVER PEOPLE)
THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE THE DISCIPLES LAID HANDS ON PEOPLE
JESUS LAID HANDS ON PEOPLE
PAUL SAID HE LAID HANDS UPON TIMOTHY AND PARTED GIFTS TO HIM
ACTS 19:1-7 PEOPLE RECEIVED THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WHEN THEY LAID HANDS UPON THEM

AUTHORITY COMES THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD
AUTHORITY COME THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD
CHRIST WAS PREACHING THEY SAID WHERE DID THIS MAN
GET THES WORDS? BY WHAT AUTHORITY DOES HE PREACH?
CENTURION OR ROMAN OFFICER:
NEVER HAS A MAN SPOKE LIKE THIS MAN (JESUS)
He came to Christ and said you’re a man of authority , I’m a man of authority , I understand authority….I say to one go here he does it, do this and he does it, but if you can speak the word only my servant will be healed
NOT TALKING OF POWER, BUT AUTHORITY

American History: the foundation of our Nation used Prayer & Fasting based on the Bible
2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face , and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
POINT 1:
Assembly of Virginia passed a resolution on June 1, 1774 as a day of Fasting, Humiliation and
Prayer
May 1774, the British Parliament ordered an embargo of Boston to begin June 1 st
Immediately the Burgesses of Virginia passed a resolution protesting this act and setting aside the day of embargo to seek God through fasting & prayer
Here’s how the resolution read:
Tuesday, 24th of May, King George III, 1774: This house deeply impressed with the apprehension of the great dangers to be derived to British America from the hostile invasion of the city of Boston our sister colony of Massachusetts Bay whose commerce and harbor are on the 1st Day of June next to be stopped by an armed force, deem it highly necessary that the set 1st day of June be set apart by the members of the House of a day of fasting humiliation and prayer devalued to implore the divine interposition for averting the heavy calamity which threatens the destruction of our civil rights
CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS GOING ON TODAY IN OUR GOVERNEMENT?

POINT 2:
GEORGE WASHINGTON: set a pattern for leaders of this country to fast and pray
During the resolution passed in Virginia, 1774 Washington’s Diary reads:
“He went to Church and fasted all day…”
OUR COUNTRY WAS PROCEEDED TO FAST AND PRAY TO AVOID WAR
JOHN ADAMS: who was the 2nd President proclaimed May 9, 1798 as a
Day of Solon Humiliation, Fasting & Prayer
U.S. was an the verge of war with France

4th President, James Madison, the United States was engaged in war with Britain
Both Houses of Congress passed a joint resolution desiring a public day of humiliation, fasting & prayer on Jan 12, 1815
This historical event in our nation’s history fulfilled God’s promise recorded in:
Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
4 days before the fasting date set by President Madison, Britain was defeated in the battle of New Orleans
Peace soon followed and Congress set the 2 nd Tuesday of April, 1815 as a day of Thanksgiving to God
PROCLAMATION READS:
“it is for blessings such as these and especially for the restoration of the blessing of peace that I now recommend that the 2nd Tuesday of April, next be set apart as a day on which the people of every religious denomination may in their solon assemblies unite their heart and their voices in a free will offering to the Heavenly benefactor for their homage of thanksgiving and of their songs of praise”

Abraham Lincoln one of our best presidents proclaimed 3 fasts:
September, 1861
March 30, 1863
August, 1864 so the president of the United States proclaimed a fast 3 times….no wonder the civil war ended and America was brought back together
When you humble yourself and pray what does God say He will do?
Bible says, “He will heal their land”

AGE: 50
AGE: 60
AGE: 70
DON COLBERT, MD
BOOK : “TOXIC RELIEF
“FASTING IS GREAT FOR MEDICAL GUIDELINES”
CHAPTER: “FINDING HEALING THROUGH FASTING”
EXCELLENT INFO & CAUTIONS
“fasting not only prevents sickness, but if done correctly holds amazingly healing benefits to those who suffer illness and disease
FIGHTS COLDS TO HEART DISEASE
MIGHTY KEY TO HEALING THE BODY
DR. ODA H.F. BIRCHINGER
FASTING IS THE ROYAL ROAD TO HEALING it can heal and help rheumatism in joints and muscles, & diseases of the heart, circulation, blood vessels, stress-related exhaustion, skin disease---including pimples and complexion problems, disease of respiration organs, allergies and other diseases
DR. TANNER “MEDICAL DR. TESTED OUT FASTING:
LENGTH: 43 DAYS FASTED WITHOUT FOOD (under super vision) OUTCOME: HEALTHIER
LENGTH: 50 DAYS OUTCOME: DURING SAW UNSPEAKABLE GLORIES OF GOD
LENGTH 53 DAYS OUTCOME: ALL OF THE ABOVE THINGS NOT TO MENTION SOME REVERSE AGING
HIS THINNING GRAY HAIR STARTED COMING IN THICK AND BLACK (ORIGINAL HAIR COLOR)
LIVED A LONG HEALTHY LIFE (AGE 93)

MEN & WOMEN HAVE FASTED SINCE ANCIENT
TIMES
MODERN BOOKS CLAIMING IT’S HEALTHY
Greek physician Hippocrates “father of modern medicine”
Believed Fasting was very Healthy for the Body
AMAZING THIS PRACTICE GOD WANTS FROM US
IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR OUR BODIES

FASTING SLOWS THE AGING PROCESS
MOSES FASTED 40 DAYS – LIVED 120 YEARS
FASTING SHARPENS YOU MENTALLY
AIDS IN IMPROVING: HEARING/TASTE/SIGHT/TOUCH/SMELL
ALL SENSORY FACULTIES
HELPS BREAK ADDICTIONS:
NICOTINE/ALOCHOL/DRUGS/OVER EATING
FASTING HELPS PEOPLE GET COUNTROL OF THEIR BODIES
(BOTH PHYSICALLY & SPRITUALLY)

MISCONCEPTION:
FASTING IS ONLY DONE BY FANATICS OR CHURCH LEADERS
LUKE 5:34-35 Jesus says it is the duty of every disciple & believer to fast
Pharisees ask why His disciples hadn’t fasted---Jesus tells them about the bridegroom
LUKE 5:34-35 Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”
CHRIST IS THE BRIDEGROOM TAKEN FROM THE DISCIPLES
JESUS DIDN’T EXPECT HIS DISCIPLES TO SOMETHING HE HADN’T DONE AS WELL
JEUS FASTED AND ACCORDING TO THE WORDS OF PETER, JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE
(1 Peter 2:21)
Matthew 6---God delights in giving rewards
When giving, praying and fasting are practiced in you life, He will “reward you openly”

Isaiah 58:3 ‘Why have we fasted ,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “ In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure , And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate , And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it you do this day, To to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
Bible says there is a right way and a wrong way of Fasting

Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Jesus is saying the Pharisees were known for their Fasting
PART OF A PHARISEES DUTY:
FAST SO MANY TIMES A DAY
PAY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TITHES
ENLARGE THEIR FALACTRIES (PRAYER BOXES ON THEIR HEADS)
ENLARGE BORDERS ON THEIR GARMENTS
APPEARED TO MAKE THEM MORE SPIRITUAL IN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE
Some of the Pharisees when they would fast would put dark under their eyes to make it look like they were praying all night and mess their hair up to get people’s reaction and people talking about how holy or spiritual he’s been with
God

Matthew 6:4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is who sees in secret will reward you openly.
in the secret place; and your Father
Matthew 6:18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is openly.
in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you
JESUS SAID THIS NOT BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT US TO PRAY IN A CONGREGATION
ACTS: THEY LIFTED UP THEIR VOICE IN ONE ACCORD AND
SUDDENLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM
IN A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY PRAY TOGETHER

LUKE 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry .
WHY IS FASTING OVERLOOKED?
DEFEAT THE DICTATOR WITHIN

Started in the Garden of Eden
(Gen 2:8-9; 16-17)
Satan convinced Eve that she should “EAT” from the forbidden tree
Adam also “ATE”
(Gen 3:6)
1 meal ruined what they had with God they literally ate themselves out of house and home but also out of will of God for their lives
King Stomach’s only Temporarily Satisfied

KING STOMACH HELPED CARRY THEM RIGHT INTO DAMNATION

ESAU WAS THE SON OF ISAAC & REBEKAH (TWIN BROTHER JACOB)
ESAU WAS CONSIDERED THE 1 ST BORN (SPECIAL BIRTH RIGHT)
ESAU WOULD RECEIVE A DOUBLE PROTION OF HIS FATHER’S ESTATE
ESAU (A HUNTER)
ONE DAY ESAU RETURNED WITH NO MEAT
WAS HUNGRY AND ASKED JACOB FOR HIS MEAL OF RED LINTELS AND BREAD
GEN 25:34 says, Esau impulsively gave up his birth right for it
GOD HAD A PLAN AND WILL FOR ESAU
LUST FOR FOOD MORE IMPORTANT

God delivered the Israelites after 400 years of slavery in Egypt
Led through Red Sea into the Promise Land
Before the Promise Land they were in the Wilderness for 40 years
God provided bread or Manna for a perfectly balanced diet that not one got sick it filled their bellies and their bodies healthy and strong mixed multitude yielded intense cravings with Israel and said who will give us meat (Numbers 11:4-7)
God listened and gave them meat with strict instructions—he sent qual
(Numbers 11:18-20) verse 34 called “Kibroth Hahaavah” which means “Graves of Luster’s” a memorial to those who ate themselves right out of the Promised Land

NEVER A WRONG TIME TO FAST
WHEN YOU FEEL YOURSELF GROWING SPRITUALLY DRY
NEED FRESH ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
WHEN YOU DON’T SENSE THAT CUTTING EDGE ANOINTING

3 Reasons to Start Fasting at the Beginning of the Year:

BIBLE MENTIONS: 3 Days, 7 Days, 21 Days & 40 Days
THERE’S NO REAL FORMULA
3 DAY FAST IS VERY PRACTICAL
21 DAY “DANIEL FAST” NO MEATS, BREADS OR SWEETS
IS THAT A REAL FAST?
WORKED FOR DANIEL!
IF IT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU IT MEANS SOMETHING TO GOD
LONGER FASTS: DRINK WATER, JUICE & BROTH

FAST DEPENDS ON CIRCUMSTANCES
DON’T GET BOGGED DOWN IN ALL THE DETAILS
DON’T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE
NO NEED FOR HEROICS
BE REASONABLE (make sure it’s meaningful and sacrificial)
AT TIMES THE LORD MAY IMPRESS YOU TO GO LONGER ON A FAST
DON’T CONDEMN YOURSELF
AVOID CERTAIN STORES/RESTARAUNTS
IT DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING TO GOD IF IT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU

DON’T GORGE YOURSELF DAYS BEFORE
(TAPER OFF YOUR FOOD INTAKE)
DRINK 1 GALLON OF PURIFIED WATER THROUGHOUT THE 1 ST DAY
PURIFIED FLUSHED THE TOXINS & POISON OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM
(HELPS FOR A GOOD START)
WATER WILL BE A FASTERS BEST FRIEND
PREPARE FOR HEADACHES FROM TIME TO TIME
(AFTER 3 DAYS USUALLY DISAPPEAR)
YOU MAY SEE A COATING ON YOUR TONGUE FOR A FEW DAYS
(TOXINS ARE BEING ELIMINATED)
AVG. AMERICAN CONSUMES 4 LBS. OF CHEMICAL PRESERVATIVES, COLORING STABILIZERS, FLAVORINGS AND
ADDITVES EACH YEAR
YOUR BODY IS GOING THROUGH A DETOX (LIKE A SPRING CLEANING)
IT GIVES THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM A BREAK (THAT’S A HEALTHY THING)
(FAST FOR 3 DAYS OR MORE YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN)
FIGHT THROUGH THE PAIN & STRUGGLE
EXPIERIENCE THE “SWEET PLACE” IN THE FAST

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice ; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
Jesus emphasis “hear” My voice
HE CREATED US TO LISTEN TO HIM SPEAKING
DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE CREATOR?
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HIM MORE DEEPLY?
-Children can understand these concepts and it is important that they learn them at a young age
EVERY ASSIGNMENT OR CALL OF GOD AND THE DIRECTION FROM GOD STARTS SOMETWHERE
GOD HAS A SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS FOR YOU R LIFE…HOW DO YOU DISCOVER THEM?
HEAR HIS VOICE?
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices , holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
SHOW GOD YOU’RE WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE YOUR BODY TO HEAR HIM
***FASTING KEEPS YOU SENSITIVE TO HIS SPIRIT ENABLING YOU TO LIVE HOLY***

Paul went on to say:
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.
WHEN YOU PRESENT YOUR BODY TO GOD IN THAT MANNER, YOU
OPEN YOURSELF UP TO HEAR FROM GOD
YOU WILL DISCOVER HIS GOOD & PERFECT WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

FASTING A WEAPON FOR A BELIEVER
KING JEHOSAPHAT (JUDAH)
WAS ABOUT TO BE TAKEN OVER BY THE ASSYRIANS
ALL OF JUDAH FASTED AND PRAYED
(2 Chronicles 20:3-4, 13)
God will deliver you and show you His plan!!!

SATAN GET DISTURBED WHEN YOU GO BEYOND BEING JUST A SUDAY MORNING CHRISTIAN
DEVIL KNOWS THERE’S POWER WITH FASTING
WHY DID SATAN TEMPT JESUS AT THE END OF HIS FAST?
CHRIST WAS DETERMINED TO ACCOMPLISH HIS MISSION
REMEMBER THE ENEMIES AGENDG IS TO STEAL, KILL & DESTROY
(JOHN 10:10)
DO YOU THINK THE ENEMY WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE?
HE KNOWS HE’S DEFEATED BUT DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT
IT’S CRUCIAL FOR SATAN TO GET YOU DISTRACTED FROM GOD
STAY FOCUSED ON THE PROMISES OF THAT ARE RELEASED WHEN YOU
EMPLOY THE POWERFUL WEAPON OF FASTING!!!

“7 DAY FAST”
Daniel 10:2-3
At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
Purpose of Fast: To grow closer to God and to have God pour His favor on us.
Different Types of Fasts:
Full Fast: Drink only liquids; water, 100% juice and clear broth.
Daniel Fast: Eat no meat, no sweets and no bread. Eat fruits and vegetables and drink only water.
Partial Fast: This fast is from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. or from sun-up to sun-down. A partial fast can also be any type of fast.
Description of your fast with God (ex: foods to avoid/set hours or days):
Corporate Fast Prayer:
1.) Growth for Cedar Springs Christian Church and for the Holy Spirit to reach our local community
2.) Description of Your Five Individual Fasting Prayers:
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Matthew 6: 1-18
Giving, prayer and fasting are three duties of a Christian and God will reward you openly
Cedar Springs Christian Church
340 West Pine Cedar Springs
(616) 696-1180