Skip to main content

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.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PRACTICE OF PRAYER AND FASTING.  WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 1 TEXT: ISAIAH 58:1-8                                                                                                        Key verse: “And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day”  Luke 2:37. The local church should teach and train her members on scriptural fasting. Believers need to know that the Lord expects...

Them That Sin, Rebuke Before All

God's blessing shall be following you continually for taking the time to study. Them That Sin, Rebuke Before All   Monday 24th March Text: 1 Timothy 5: 19-22 Key verse: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1 Timothy 5:20 God wants you to avoid doing evil while saying you want to go to heaven. You may be a member of a worldly church and be saying, “It is my tribal church; if I leave them, they will be angry. I do not want them to be angry.” Is it God you want to make angry by your compromise? You will see the anger of God indeed. It is through the word that you perfect the people, and as a result, the Bible says, “Thou shalt not suffer sin upon your brother. Thou shall reprove him.” Your brother or sister has done a bad thing, and you do not bother. You leave them in their sins. They may do the same to other people. The Lord says, “Correct them.” Do not allow sin to be in them because sin will take them to hell. The Bible says, “Them that sin, rebuke befo...

The Source Of Faith

God's blessing shall be following you continually for taking the time to study. The Source Of Faith  Tuesday 18th March Text: Romans 1:16-17 Key Verse: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 What is the foundation for our faith? The faith of the just man has the following sources, from where it gets its inspiration. The Word Of God: The foundation of the faith of the just, is the word of God.  The word of God is the production room of the faith which the just exercises. The faith of the just has its foundation in what God has said in His word.  Faith seeks for what God has said to stand upon.  Have you seen the promises of God for you, from the word? Have you seen God's message for you, in the scriptures?  Believe it absolutely, and it shall surely come to pass. This will enhance your faith for subsequent needs of your life. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, ...