Fasting To Solve A Problem Lesson 4 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

Fasting to solve problems that are serious. These are not the everyday types of problems. These involve selling a house, hiring an important person, obtaining money, etc. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen . . . to undo the heavy burdens” (Isa. 58:6).

1. Everyone has problems. “Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). “Yet man is born into trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7, NIV).

2. Wrong view of problems.

a. You are unsaved.

b. You are unspiritual.

c. God has forsaken you.

3. Three questions you ask about your problems:

WHY ME?

WHY NOW?

WHY THIS?

4. Life is like a game. “He who makes the fewest errors . . . wins.”

a. Cannot run from problems.

b. Cannot stop problems.

c. You can solve them.

B. KNOW THE SIX STEPS TO PROBLEM SOLVING

HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

1. Get facts.

2. Establish needed biblical principles.

3. Write out the problem, i.e., clarify it.

4. Make a list of various ways to solve the problem.

5. Choose the best solution.

6. Implement the solution the best way possible.

C. ISRAEL FACED A PROBLEM – EZRA 8:21-23

The Jews had to return from captivity back to their land. Ezra was the leader to lead the Israelites to return.

1. The problem protection. They needed protection in their march across the wilderness. “I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers . . . to help us against the enemy in the way” (Ezra 8:22).

2. On the spot. “Because we had spoken unto the king, saying, the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him” (Ezra 8:22).

3. They had to transport lots of money. “In all there were: 25 tons of silver; 100 silver articles weighing 150 pounds; . . . 7,500 pounds of gold” (Ezra 8:25, CEV).

4. Fasted about the problem. “So we fasted and asked God Himself to protect us, and He answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:23, ELT).

D. STEPS FOR THE FAST

1. Get those involved to fast with you. “I proclaimed a fast” (Ezra 8:21).

2. Share the problem. “We humbled ourselves and asked God to bring us and our children safely to Jerusalem” (Ezra 8:21, CEV).

3. Fast seriously to God. “That we might afflict ourselves before our God” (Ezra 8:21).

4. Fast before attempting a solution. “I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava and there we abode in tents three days” (Ezra 8:15).

5. Fast on sight with insight. “Beside the Ahava River I asked the people to go without eating and to pray” (Ezra 8:21, CEV).

6. Fast for step-by-step guidance. There were several roads to Jerusalem “to seek of Him a right road” (Ezra 8:21, ELT). “We draw our map to the destination, but God directs each step on the road” (Prov. 16:1, ELT).

7. Take practical steps as well as fast to solve the problem. “So we went without food and asked God to protect us” (Ezra 8:23, CEV). Ezra realized some parts of his caravan might be lost. “Then I weighed the gifts . . . I divided them among the twelve priests” (Ezra 8:24, ELT).

a. He divided up the money so all wouldn’t be lost.

b. He made each accountable by weighing it first.

E. PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Three causes of problems are:

a. Change.

b. Differences in people.

c. Circumstances.

2. Three questions to ask:

a. How big is the problem?

b. Who is involved in the problem?

c. What do others think about the problem?

3. Three attitudes toward the problem:

a. Fuss.

b. Fight.

c. Die (“I will quit”).

4. Five problem-solving eyes:

a. Eyes to see the positive.

b. Eyes to see the people involved.

c. Eyes to see the facts.

d. Emotional eyes blinded with tears.

e. Fearful eyes blinded with terror.

When you don’t have facts, the problem grows, you lose perspective,

you surrender your values, you blame others or yourself.

5. The bigger the problem . . . the longer your fast . . . or the more often you fast . . . or the more people who fast with you.

6. Bring resources to the Ezra Fast, i.e., personal records, bills, etc.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.