Fasting and - - Hungering and Thirsting

FAST - when you Hunger and Thirst for God's Righteousness

 

Open Door Church had a guest speaker, Roger, who reminds me of the Jewish men who pray at the wailing wall because Roger bounces as he prays and preaches.

He began his message by challenging us to determine that we are going to walk in the presence of God. 

We were born into things we had no choice, and many were pulled into situations that seemed we had no control - - But God changed that when you found Jesus.

Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Jesus.”  Posture yourself before Christ to receive His anointing so He can use you.  Let your soul hunger and thirst for God to desire more of His presence in your life.

Luke 18 tells the story of the proud religious leader and the humble tax collector.  The one exalted himself and the other was modest and self-effacing as he cried for mercy.  Going to the temple will not save you.  We must hunger and thirst after righteousness. 

It is better to live a life of repentance as it will keep you from being “Religious.”

Sampson got his strength from being consecrated Holy unto God, but he was seduced.

God has sons and daughters to wrap their arms around the pillars and take down the house.

Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to let God use you.

Psalms 42:2   “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”  Deep calls to deep.  Bust open the waters. 

There is a Fast unto God.  Fast the darkness, Fast the garbage – push it away.

You have been invited to a feast at the Kings table.  Our token is the Holy Ghost.  Jesus longs to share fellowship with you, and He anoints your head with oil and with His fragrance.

Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.  Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

God is searching for shepherds, like David.  It doesn’t matter how rich, talented you are, but are you hungry and thirsty?

Arise, shine, and go and sin no more.  Let addiction fall away and poverty must go.  The word is active and alive and let God fill you with his glory.  Prepare your heart and take some time to fast and pray. 

The body repairs itself in fasting.  God will release blessing and understanding to you as you seek His face.

Many are fasting and praying for America as this is the season and we must listen to what God says.

When you deny yourself food, - - feast on God’s word.  Roger stated that he often goes on prolonged fasts only drinking water.  It is a time to pause from all the nonsense.

If you have never fasted before, don’t get crazy and weird and start a 40 day fast.  Use wisdom and begin with one meal and then an entire day, and be sure to drink water.

We are shakers and our desire is to shake our city our state and our Nation for God.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Why Fast?  

Interesting information from: Whatchristianswanttoknow.com/ and edited

Fasting is meant to be a private act between us and God. We are warned by Jesus himself not to be proud of or boast to others that we are fasting in the hope they will think we are 'spiritual' and close to God (Matthew 6:16 - 18).  Fasting for biblical purposes should draw us closer to God. It should help us break away from the desire to satisfy our own lusts and materialism.

Here are Seven reasons a Christian should fast today.

1. Because Christ Expects it of Christians

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:16-18 are not words of a command. He does not tell us that we have to fast. However, He expects that we will. He said, “when you fast…” He was making an assumption that a Christian would fast.

2. For Guidance

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)

3. For Intensity in Prayer

David fasted and prayed for the child that he fathered with Bathsheba. David knew he had sinned, but his fast was not to restore fellowship with God. Apparently restoration was already taken care of.  His prayer in 2 Samuel 12 was for the life of the child.

4. As a Sign of Mourning

Nehemiah heard about the destruction of Jerusalem and was moved to fast and weep for his beloved city.

5. To Show Humility in the Presence of God

The man after God’s own heart, King David, said that he fasted for the purpose of humbling himself before God (Psalm 35:13).

6. For Worship

… fasting without the right attitude does not touch the heart of God.” Along with humility before God, fasting can be a way to worship God.

7. For Spiritual Strength

While Jesus faced the temptation of Satan, He fasted for 40 days. There is a principle of spiritual strength that is demonstrated in fasting in the life of Christ (Luke 4:1-11).

Mark 9:29 shows that the disciples needed power from God that comes only through fasting. Matthew 17:20 and 21 say that fasting and prayer coupled with faith in God can work spiritual miracles.