Phase I Week 5 Fasting January 16-22 Richard Foster page 47-61

[Steve Smith]

Phase I Week 5 Fasting January 14-19 Richard Foster page 47-61 

1. Matthew 6:16 Jesus said, "When you fast," do you agree that

fasting should be a normal part of a relationship with God. 

2. All the way back in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden Adam and 
Eve ate themselves out of the will of god for their lives. What are 
some things that you want more than food? 

3. Compare the statement on page 49, Biblical fasting always centers 
on spiritual purposes to the one on page 50 where Jehoshaphat called 
the nation to fast for the purpose of deliverance. 

4. Plan a time of fasting with another student. 

Please remember to comment on the post of a fellow student. I look forward to reading your post.

[Rev Denis Pamba]

From the statement The Lord meant that it is as normal as leaving a holy life for Him . It should be a party of the daily leaving for a Christian. As we purpose to read the word daily, do outreach often, and go to church etc , fasting should be often done because it adds a lot of value to our spiritual lives. Jesus himself said some kind of demons can not flee if except with prayer and fasting. We may not really when we will encounter such a kind. We may not know in what form they may manifest. I believe we are involved in warfare daily and and daily we encounter such. Therefore often should we also pray and fast. As a matter of experience prayer becomes sweater and more effective when it is blended with fasting.

[Anish Kuriachen]

Dear All,

I totally agree with the statements in previous mail(From Bishop) . Fasting prayer is essential in Christian life. It is not just like I am fasting, or its not to show others like we see in Matthew 6:16. I can explain the real fasting with an illustration.

One day my mother's friend(very close) visited us and as soon she reached home, my mother started talking to her and they were very busy exchanging their news and other things. And we were busy with some other matter. After couple of hours my mother realized that she forgot to give lunch for her friend, even her friend didn't realized that she was hungry that time.

From this illustration, I just want to point that this is the real fasting, its not like we are not having anything but, when you are at the presence of God, when you spend time with God, you forgot everything else including about food. Its not like you are fasting because you want spend more time with God, Because you were in the presence of God and forgot to having food.

Some of the examples from Bible : 

Ezra the priest fasted for God's protection while carrying valuable things for God's temple. We too can fast for God's protection. (Ezra 8:21-23).

Daniel the prophet fasted for the fulfillment of God's promises, and received mighty revelations from God. (Daniel 10:3).

Jesus fasted and spoke the Word of God to overcome Satan (See Matthew 4:1-10; Luke 4:1-13).

Jesus fasted to begin his public ministry, and have the power of God and the anointing. (Luke 4:14). 

Elijah needed to fast 40 days before he heard God's voice again. (1 Kings 19:8).

One of the main thing happened at Garden of Eden was the Fellowship of Adam and Even with God. We could see a personal relationship between God. 

I hope this helps. Please correct me if I pointed anything wrong.

Thanks

Anish

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Thank You

Best Regards
Anish

[(jlc126)]

Hi Sister Kuriachen, This is student Joscelyn Cameron (JLC126)     I believe that you have expressed from your heart that which the Spirit of God has prompted you to write on the subject at hand. You are doing fine I believe, and we all learn from one another. The example given regarding your mom's close friend paying a visit to your home and  while enjoying the fellowship, forgot that she had not eaten and was not the least worried about it: Reminded me of the portion in scripture where a crowd had gathered to hear Christ teach about the kingdom of heaven. They remained 3 days with him in a desert place while not worrying about food.

Just the thought of being in God's presence and not wanting to miss out on the least detail, will dispel from our lives all distractions, though vital, such as food, family, friendships and others such as fear, doubts etc.

Thank you for your comments. I got it sister!

(JLC126)

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[(jlc126)]

(JLC126)

Sorry that in my haste I had forgotten to include the scriptural reference which is: (St Mark 8: 1-21)

Regards!

[prodigalson973]

Phase I Week 5 Fasting January 14-19 Richard Foster page 47-61 

 

 

 

 

1.    Fasting should definitely be a normal part of our lives. Fasting is the epitome of dying to the flesh. I fasted for the first time while hearing about the power released from fasting, to say the least, it wasn’t no joke. I had no frame of reference for the influence I allowed my flesh to have on my decision making processes daily.  Regularly I need a conscious symbolization in which I die to my conscious and subconscious cravings of the flesh.

 

2.     I want refuge from my sin more than I want food. I want to be honoring to the Lord thy God more than I want food.  I want to live out His will for my life more than I want food. 

 

3.     Biblical fasting is always for spiritual purposes.  God takes that offering and grows us through that experience.  King Jehosaphat called a group fast in the time of emergency.  This is very similar to the absolute which is done more so in the case of seeking an outcome or miracle. Absolute fast need to be only attempted when a definite call is heard from our Father and should not be done for more than 3 days. King Jehosaphat wanted safe travel for him and his people, so his fast was very distinct and specific for why he was fasting at that moment.

 

4.     I will be looking to routinely fast one day a week for the duration of this class. I will be looking forward to an opportunity to share in this with one of the classmates.

[prodigalson973]

Thank you for the informative portion of your reply. Also I can relate to being in the presence of God and there seem to be a time lapse.  In genuine communion with God, there is a state where we can just get lost in His anointing and sometimes those moments spur up breakthrough. I am challenged today to fast more regularly from now on.

On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 8:50:19 PM UTC-5, Steve Smith wrote: