The Fasting Dynamic

1. The Fasting Dynamic The Power of Denial

2. The Power of Fasting • I write to you, fathers,Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.I write to you, young men,Because you have overcome the wicked one.I write to you, little children,Because you have known the Father.14 I have written to you, fathers,Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.I have written to you, young men,Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,And you have overcome the wicked one. • Do Not Love the World • 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. • Deceptions of the Last Hour • 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the[c] Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. • 1 John 2:1-18

3. The Fasting Dynamic • Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” • 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”[a] • 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: • ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’and, • ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”[b] • 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”[c] • 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” • 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”[e] • 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. • Matthew 4:1-11

4. The Fasting Dynamic And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy and[a]sour and[b]dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance, that their fasting may be apparent to and seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward [c]in full already. 17 But when you fast, perfume your head and wash your face, 18 So that your fasting may not be noticed by men but by your Father, Who sees in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. 19 Do not [d]gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. 20 But [e]gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; Matthew 6:16-18

5. The Fasting Dynamic • Is such a fast as yours what I have chosen, a day for a man to humble himself with sorrow in his soul? [Is true fasting merely mechanical?] Is it only to bow down his head like a bulrush and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him [to indicate a condition of heart that he does not have]? Will you call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord? • 6 [Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?

6. The Fasting Dynamic • 7 Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house—when you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood? • 8 Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard

7. The Fasting Dynamic • Set your goal • Praying for guidance • Repentance • Spiritual renewal • Grace and Power from God

8. The Fasting Dynamic 2. Make a Commitment • One day a week • One –two meals a day • One week • 21 Days • 40 Days • Avoid distractions..TV, Social media, Games etc

9. The Fasting Dynamic 3. Prepare yourself • Confession of sins • Seek forgiveness • Restitution • Find a suitable place or atmosphere

10. The Fasting Dynamic 4. Deny Your Flesh • Fight the temptations in your mind • Carry your cross • Focus your mind on good things

11. The Fasting Dynamic 5. Practicals • Use mint if you must for halitosis • Bath well during your fast due to ketones • Drink water to hydrate your body • Don’t fast while on medication

12. The Fasting Dynamic 6. Daily Cycle • Begin your day with praise and worship • Pause at noon to pray • Spend the evening in quiet reflection and keep distractions away...social media, games, TV

13. The Fasting Dynamic 7. Ending the fast • End slowly with fluids • You may have a light meal, soup or fruits • Stay focussed on your expected results