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OBSERVE SCRIPTURAL FASTING

God's blessings shall follow you for taking the time to study.

TOPIC: OBSERVE SCRIPTURAL FASTING 

TEXT: EZRA 8:21-23  

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13TH

Key verse: Matthew 6: 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 
Fasting is a scriptural observance. It was observed by worshippers of God in the Old Testament and the days of Jesus as a spiritual discipline required in a relationship with God. In some instances when people wanted some blessing from God, they fasted. At times they fasted to express their sorrow over sin and evil and to show their repentance. Jesus fasted and taught the necessity of fasting. Believers of the early church practiced fasting as a Christian discipline. Fasting is often accompanied by prayer. But Bible practice shows that it is a spiritual discipline of its own as the payment of tithes. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that involves abstinence from food, solid and liquid, or from food and water, for one day or more. This abstinence afflicts the physical body. There are those who fast to let people know of their ability to fast. The Lord warns against this because it has no reward. The glory they receive from men is their reward. God has no blessing to give them for their outward show. The local church should teach and train its members on scriptural fasting. Believers need to know that the Lord expects His children to fast. 
Fasting must be carried out according to biblical patterns. The discipline of fasting requires moderation, temperance, or self-control so as not to go to excess, abuse it, and bring harm to oneself and others. The account of the New Testament Church does not reveal a church full of fasting. The marathon fasting many ministers often pull their church members through is strange to the early church. Care must be taken not to undermine the place of prayer. The unrighteous cannot win God's favour or receive His blessing through fasting. If they must fast acceptably, they must accompany their fast with deep sorrow and repentance from their sin. Those whose fasting is acceptable to God are those who are righteous. God expects righteousness and holiness to be exhibited during fasting for His blessing to be released. 

Thought for the day: Fasting must be carried out according to biblical pattern.

Song for the day: I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised…

Bible reading for the day: Joel 1-3; Revelation 4
#Horemow.

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