“When you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing … your Father who sees in secret.” Matthew 6:3-4, NLT
“When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place.” Matthew 6:6, NKJV
“When you fast … no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father who sees everything will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18
“You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13, NKJV
“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’” Psalm 27:8, NKJV
1. Jesus didn’t command us to give financially, He assumed we would give, “When you give” (6:1, NLT). Then He wanted it private, “Don’t give publicly” (6:1, ELT).
2. Jesus wants private prayer. “When you pray ... don’t be like the hypocrites … go by yourself … pray to your Father in private” (6: 5-6, NLT).
3. Jesus assumed fasting – like giving and prayer – would be a personal and private between you and God.
4. Where is God? He is waiting to meet you in your private (secret) place, what does waiting suggest? You can find God’s presence when you seek. (Jeremiah 29:130.
5. True hunger and fasting leads to intimate experiences with God. What does intimate suggest?
6. What does prayer mean to shut the door? No distractions? People? Privacy? Your daily tasks?
7. If you are seeking God: where is your mind focused? On Him, discipline, wandering thoughts when you pray
8. A prayer list has strengths and weaknesses. It keeps your mind focused, or it becomes a rote to follow, i.e., meaningless.
9. “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant (promises)” (Psalm 25:14, NLT). Why are secrets both good and bad? _________________________.
10. The Matthew passage suggests, “private discipline has public rewards?” Why? ____________________________.
11. Three sets of eyes to see you when you fast, (1) God, (2) satan, (3) self. What have you learned from the times you fasted? Confidence, faith, struggle, intensity, victory.
12. Don’t let satan tell you your weakness or failure. Claim forgiveness and your perfection in Christ.
13. How shall you finish your fast? Luke 4:1-3. “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14, NKJV). Can you end your fast victoriously?
14. What is fasting?
a. An opportunity to experience God’s presence.
b. Fasting is arranging the house for God’s special visit.
c. Fasting is taking out the trash.
d. Fasting is taking a spiritual bath.
e. Fasting is revival and recharging.
15. Outward battles are won inwardly in God’s secret place.
16. Would you like to be one of the God’s favorites? “David found favor with God’ (Acts 7:46). “His (God’s) favor is life” (Psalm 30:5). What does favor suggest? _______________________________________________________________.
17. Will you fast? How? Why? When?
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.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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