One Way To Know God Better Series

Yes you are my Lord, I live for you, I want to do your will above all else

The goal of fasting is not to DO WITHOUT

but to DRAW NEAR TO GOD

Remember that most of all, Fasting is not a diet or punishment

but draw to God making clear God you are in charge

As Jeremiah said you are the potter I am the clay

Look at how the character of God is described

Who are we returning to? Someone wicked and cruel

Who delights in knocking us down?

Look at Vs 13 NLT Return to the LORD he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry & filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent & not punish

God is loving and gracious slow to anger and abundant in mercy

God reaches out in grace and who can say but that God might

restore all they have lost in crops

God desires that we would be united with him

Notice who is called to fast Vs 16-17

Gather the people, bring them together

The elders, the children, those nursing,

Even brides and bridegrooms who were exempt from army

Because newly married but even called them to fast,

Vs 17 the priest too, I will be fasting as well

Everyone is to come and join in all ages, everyone of all standing

Seek God there is a place for all of us

Choose a type of fast: many in Bible

Do not have to all do same type

Everyone is different have different needs

DO NOT COMPROMISE HEALTH TO DO THIS consult Dr.

SPECIFIC FOOD OR ACTIVITY,

Easiest to work in life, give up sweets or red meat

I have fasted before from some activity taking too much time

Point is to say God you matter more to me than this

DANIEL, book of Daniel about a fast, King chose young

Jewish boys to be warriors would be given best food

But it was offered to Idols first so Daniel refused

JUICE, fruit and\or vegetable juice

WATER, is what you consume

TOTAL (we discourage this)

Fasting period 21 days may have different days of fast 2 or 3 week

Or different type of fast at different period

Pray and seek God’s leadership try it and se

Point is you are trying to connect with God in more vital way

Fasting will SHARPEN YOUR WALK AND EMPOWER YOU

Over and over we read of special outpouring of Spirit

When the people fasted and prayed

Begins as we say Lord what you want I will do

We fast so that we might be changed to greater level of faith

Calling on our spiritual power to live

Fasting unites us with spiritual power and reason for life

3. ASSIGNMENT

Who do you admire spiritually? God using them in mighty ways?

Billy Graham, or JD Jakes, Joel Osteen, or Bill Hybels,

Beth Moore, or Mother Theresa, say I want to be like them

But their assignment came after God knew their heart

They could not do what done without God

We want miracle of being used by God without giving to god

Joel 2 tells about results of the people’s fast

Part of why passage captured me

Even as God angry at how things were

Thread in Joel’s message God will rebuild if offer ourselves

To him what an encouragement God does not give up

Afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream

dreams, your young men will see visions. Vs 28 TNIV