WHAT IS FASTING?

Most believe the Fasting Bible verses act of fasting merely means not to consume food and/or drink for a set period of time. But the Fasting Bible verses act and Fasting
Bible verses purpose means so much more than that. The Fasting Bible verses act is a sacrifice of sorts. Fasting Bible verses act according to the whole bible is to deny
the flesh of that which it craves as to gain control over your flesh as to show that you belong to God and answer only to Him and not the calls of the flesh. The Fasting
Bible verses act makes you more spiritually in tune with God.
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Fasting is a way of humbling your soul.

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Bible Verse: Psalms 35:13
I humbled my soul with fasting ...
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WHY FAST? (! " ? )
Eating is a way to nourish your flesh. Fasting is a way to nourish your soul.
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By eating, your body gains strength to carry out the tasks that you need to do. Your soul however is different than the flesh. How do you gain strength for your soul?
We all want to be strong in the Lord, as to allow HIS strength to work through us, we have to humble ourselves. We have to CHOOSE to surrender our desires as to
allow HIS will to work through us. One way to do that is by fasting. By depriving the flesh of what it craves, it brings you into a closer spiritual connection and
dependence on God.
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Fasting is a choice. There are no requirements in the New Testament to fast. If you have health issues of any kind, you should abstain from physical cravings other than
food that will humble your soul and bring you closer to God.
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Isaiah 58:6-8
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? Is
it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not
thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the
glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
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So we see that fasting from food is NOT the entire concept of fasting but rather to surrender YOUR physical desires and to serve HIS will is also a form of fasting.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Youll find that people also fasted for various different reasons.
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1. At the death of a loved one (" "/ !"
): 1 Samuel 31:13 ( :) , 2 Samuel 1:12 (2 :)
2. In repentance ( !) : 2 Samuel 12:23 (2 : ) , Jonah 3:5 ( :)
3. In times of fear ( ): 1 Samuel 7:6 ( :)

4. To seek forgiveness (! # ) : 1 Kings 21:27-29 ( : - )

5. For protection (! ): 2 Chronicles 20:3 ( #% : )
6. For spiritual guidance ("# #/ ): Ezra 8:21, 23 (" : ,)
7. In times of affliction (:/!-$/% ): Nehemiah 1:4 ( $ :)
8. For deliverance from disaster (" # ): Joel 1:14 ( :)
9. In supplication (" ! $ #): Esther 4:3 (" :)
10. In confession (/"# !"( ): Nehemiah 9:1 ( $ :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Even Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights before He was tempted by satan. ( ! " , "$
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* Do not fast and brag about it or do things so others know you are fasting. Mathew 6:16-18
In-group fasting: only people fasting with you should know. Fasting is a very personal relation between you and
God, you should not fast just because others fast and tell everyone, but you should fast because you want to with
pure heart and ask God to cleanse your soul. Be clear for the reason of fasting it is better not to fast at all than
fast to show off.
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Fasting is between you and God. Dont brag about it, not even to God. (Luke 18:10-14)
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* When we feel like there is distance between ourselves and the Lord, thats a good time to fast. In times when you feel the presence of the Lord close to you and all is
well, Jesus doesnt want you to fast then. Would you want someone to mourn who was in your good Graces? Mathew 9:15 (" : )
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In weakness is when youll find your soul begins to reach toward God.
Do you suppose this is a good time for PRAYER and communing with the HOLY SPIRIT? Absolutely! Reach for HIS strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9 )
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There was a child who was possessed, and Jesus disciples couldnt cast out the devil. Jesus explained to them that this kind of demon isnt cast out except by prayer and fasting. If prayer and
fasting can cast out devils, imagine what it can do in your life (Matthew 17:14-21)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Matthew 9:16-17 (In other words, to cling to the old law after the NEW COVENANT was made is not necessary. The New Testament was meant to replace the old. But Jesus did say that His
disciples would fast after He was gone. To follow the laws of the Old Testament for the sake of tradition is not what the New Testament is all about. God said that He would put the laws in our
hearts, so to fast by choice, and not obligation, preserves the wine (the promises of the new covenant) and the bottles (those who believe in the Gospel of Jesus).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NEW COVENANT STUDY: If you noticed, many of the times in the Old Testament when people fasted, it was at times when they needed the Hand of God to intervene in their lives because
circumstances were beyond what they could handle alone. In our ordinary lives, and through what the world has taught us, we tend to be proud of our independence and we tend to limit
ourselves and even hinder God from moving in our lives by remaining in our own comfort zone where we dont take on anything beyond our means.
BUT WHAT IF : You threw caution to the wind and tried something that would make a difference for God that is further than what you can do alone? As Christians, there are things that we
all wish we could do to glorify our Father, but they remain wishes because we fear failure. Somehow, we feel like astonishing works for God could only be accomplished by a chosen few.
How would it make God feel, that your Faith and your dependence on HIM were so great that you would step outside of your normal boundaries and abilities and attempt something really
amazing for HIM? It may take a little prayer a little fasting but God can turn your ordinary life into an extraordinary life! All you have to do is humble your soul to HIM. Depend on
HIM. The impossible is only possible through God. Matthew 19:26
Remember, fasting is not a ritual or a punishment, but a CHOICE. It is a way of bringing you close to your Father. It does not have to be food that you surrender, but rather ... Anything
the flesh craves where we are consciously controlling the demands of the flesh. So, it is a type of sacrifice. Its a positive experience, surrendering your soul to God, giving up your will, and
replacing it with HIS. (This whole document is translated from: http://www.christianityoasis.com/keyword/Fasting.htm)